Cub Reporter Issue 5 by Elizabeth Granger

REPORTER December 14, 2012

State Lawrence Central High School, Indianapolis, Indiana

Volume 64, Issue 5

champs

Witness the perfection on page 25

NEWS

PAGE 2 DECEMBER 14, 2012 • CUB REPORTER

What’s inside

BRIEFS

Yearbooks on sale in bookstore

Orders for the 2013 yearbook are being taken in the bookstore. The cost for the book: $65. For $3 more, a student’s name can be printed on the cover. No partial payments are being accepted this year. For the ﬁrst time, the yearbook will be printed in full color.

Media Center offers fine forgiveness

Through Dec. 20, the media center will accept items for the Indianapolis Humane Society in lieu of library ﬁnes. Students may donate items ranging from cat and dog food to blankets. Information is available in the media center.

Behind-the-scenes students welcome

Students who would like to work behind the scenes for the next play are invited to check out the drama department’s opportunities by stopping in Room 126 to pick up application

MARK

3 opinions 8 features 12 news

Clear, concise reporting on the good, the bad and the ugly. Someone’s got to do it.

Students’ perspectives on problems affecting Lawrence Central’s halls and the world beyond 56th Street.

In-depth coverage of students, global issues, rising trends and the not-so-average Bear.

18 sports 23

arts+entertainment

Trends are changing, the popcorn’s popping and yesterday’s in is tomorrow’s out. Don’t worry, we’ll help you keep up.

YOUR

CALENDAR Jan. 24: 8th grade scheduling information night, 7 p.m., auditorium Jan. 26: SAT, 7:45 a.m., Student Life Center Jan. 31: Thespian play, 7 p.m., auditorium Feb. 2: Groundhog Day Feb. 6: Winter concert, 7 p.m., auditorium

Dec. 17: Finals - G1, G2 Dec. 18: Finals - M5, M6 Dec. 19: Finals - G4, G3 Dec. 20: Finals - M8, M7 Dec. 20: Students’ winter break begins at 3:40 p.m. Dec. 21: Teacher work day Jan. 7: Classes resume for the start of the spring semester Jan. 21: Martin Luther King Jr. Day; no school

FOR

NEWS

Scores, matches, games, meets and touchdowns. Lawrence Central Bears are back and with a vengeance.

PARENTS

District needs bus drivers

The Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township is looking for bus drivers to transport students to and from school and extra-curricular activities. The position oﬀers ﬂexible hours and competitive pay. Applicants must hold or obtain a Class B CDL with airbrakes, public passenger and “S” endorsements. Additional information and an application are available online or from Jeanie Moles, supervisor of transportation, at 423-8406.

Information compiled by Cub Reporter staff

the Cover

Moments after receiving his medal, senior Eli Boyd takes a bite out of victory - or at least of his victory medal. The Bears football team won the state championship Nov. 24, beating Ft. Wayne Snider 39-14. Boyd and his teammates had just received their medals from the IHSAA. Cub photo/Coleman LaBarr

NEWS

CUB REPORTER • DECEMBER 14, 2012 PAGE 3

Daily schedule changing next year... but to what?

sure that students have time when they’re here to be in front carleylanichcub@gmail.com of teachers for instruction and Teachers and faculty met for help,” Valadez said. last week to discuss possible The addition of the X block changes to the block schedule. would likely replace mandaAlthough no schedule tory study halls. During the X has been officially proposed block, essentially all students at this point, one receiving would be in study hall at the much attention is a standard same time. This would problock schedule on Tuesdays, vide students the opportunity Wednesdays, Thursdays and to meet with teachers without Fridays with seven periods on interrupting another class. This Monday and an “X block” in block could also be used for tulieu of mandatory study halls. toring and club meetings. One potential benefit to Potential drawbacks for this this schedule is the ability for schedule would include imall classes to pact on classes meet three at McKenzie times a week. Career Center We do not want to “ O n e for Innovation b e n e f i t go away from the block. and Technolwould be ogy (MCIT) Jan Combs that there and Lawrence associate superintendent would be no North. If there more rotawere to be sevtion,” prinen classes in cipal Rocky one day, classes Valadez said. “You’re guaranoff campus would be reduced teed to see your teacher three to around 25 minutes a day. days week.” “What we would have to do This, as well as the X block is work very closely with McKidea, is what is driving the disenzie and Lawrence North…to cussion of changing the bell really sit down and say how we schedule. “I think the biggest can make this work,” Valadez thing is that we want to make said. “It could be the potential

CarleyLanich

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Several different schedules are being considered for the 2013-2014 school year. Above is a popularly discussed plan, which includes seven periods on Mondays and blocks the rest of the week. Cub graphic/Carley Lanich

of blocking certain classes at McKenzie.” Administrators are looking at the possibility of placing more core classes at MCIT to reduce shuttling between schools. These classes could take place in the areas previously occupied by Diploma Plus. A large concern to teachers is the amount and placement of teacher prep time. Several proposed schedules place prep time outside of the student day a couple days each week. “As

administrators we have to find a way to give teachers that time because we know that they’re at their best when they are prepared for the kids,” Valadez said. If changes to the block schedule are made, they will begin in August at the start of the 2013-2014 school year. In the meantime, the school board will discuss schedule possibilities. “We do not want to go away from the block,” associate su-

perintendent Jan Combs said, describing the district’s desire to only modify the block. In the event that a formal recommendation is made about a specific plan, public forums will be held, likely at both high schools, for community input. “I think there are pros and cons to every schedule,” Valadez said, “but whatever we do here, we need to make sure it works for our kids, our students, our families and our community.”

Final exams begin next Monday, go to Thursday Finals begin next week with a schedule similar to last year’s DarianBenson

darianbensoncub@gmail.com

First semester finals will start Monday, Dec. 17. This year’s final exam schedule is very similar to last year’s. Each day will consist of two classes, with a study and review session prior to the actual final exam for each class. This year’s final exam schedule is posted on the school website. The schedule for finals week is as follows; Monday: G1 and G2, Tuesday: M5 and M6,

Wednesday: G4 and G3, with Many teachers have started M8 and M7 finals on Thursday. to prepare their students for Wednesday’s and Thursday’s fi- their final exam. “If you haven’t started nals will be in reverse order so studying now, students will you should be able to eat really start,” their normal Finals are given so Valadez said. lunches. “If you have “Finals are that students can show questions given so that teachers what they about a parstudents can have learned... ticular topic, show teachnow is the ers what they Rocky Valadez time to ask. have learned principal Know what over the the exam concourse of a sesists of and mester. There shouldn’t be any surprises once how much of your final grade is the final exams are given,” prin- made up of the final.” cipal Rocky Valadez said. Valadez also suggests ask-

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ing other students for help or about their own study methods. He has not yet come up with a decision on this year’s spring semester Skip-a-Final policy. “I think there are definitely things that we can do to put a system in place that is some form of Skip-a-Final. However, nothing is certain yet. The information that teachers get back from final exams is very important. It shows what their students have learned during the semester, and what they may need to go back over again.” Valadez said that if there is in fact a Skip-a-Final policy, it would go into effect sometime next semester.

Finals Schedule

Monday G1 Review 8:50-10:21a.m. G1 Final 10:28-11:54a.m. G2 Review 12:01-2:07p.m. G2 Final 2:14-3:40p.m.

Tuesday M5 Review 8:50-10:21a.m. M5 Final 10:28-11:54a.m. M6 Review 12:01-2:07p.m. M6 Final 2:14-3:40p.m. Wednesday G4 Review 8:50-10:21a.m. G4 Final 10:28-11:54a.m. G3 Review 12:01-2:07p.m. G3 Final 2:14-3:40p.m. Thursday M8 Review 8:50-10:21a.m. M8 Final 10:28-11:54a.m. M7 Review 12:01-2:07p.m. M7 Final 2:14-3:40p.m.

PAGE 4 DECEMBER 14, 2012 • CUB REPORTER

NEWS

From the

classroom to the

STAGE

With singing, dancing, instrumental merriment and touches of hilarity, LC’s annual holiday concert entertained large audiences at two performances last week. With every performing arts group participating, more than 500 students took to the stage.

With antlers, paws and noses, reindeer — senior Elizabeth Pritchett-Montavon, junior Jessi Dooley and senior Elicia Schweitzer of LC Players — signal Santa’s arrival.

While on break, two of Santa’s elves complain to each other about their boss. They’re members of LC Players, senior Ike Welhausen and junior Javier Cox. Senior Molly Liss plays violin as a member of the Advanced Serenata Orchestra as they perform the “Hallelujah Chorus” alongside the choirs. And trombonist senior Clark Harris plays in the concert’s ﬁnale, “A Christmas Festival.”

This is Santa Style: Reindeer senior Ian McGlinsey and Santa share St. Nick’s big secret —that Santa dances throughout the entire year, not just during the holiday season. So does freshman Michele Moore, a member of LC’s dance troupe. Cub photos/Coleman LaBarr

NEWS

CUB REPORTER • DECEMBER 14, 2012 PAGE 5

Symposium inspires future leaders CarleyLanich carleylanichcub@gmail.com Sen. Richard Lugar advised students to take advantage of every opportunity that arises. “Try a number of potential avenues to see the Matt Pickle ones in which you seem to have the best fit of talents, the best inspiration, and discuss with others that have been down that path,” he said. “You can sort of see how their lives went and you might improve upon that or enjoy the same idea. I think it’s a question always of conversing with other people and trying to sample experiences so that Sen. Richard Lugar answers questions from students across the state following his keynote you have some chance without making address at the 36th Annual Richard G. Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow’s Leaders. Students the full commitment of finding that this asked questions covering the current state of the Republican party, foreign affairs and the fiscal cliff. Cub photos/Carley Lanich is for you.” This was the theme of Lugar’s an- earth,” Pickle said. “I thought it was re- Personal Liberty. nual symposium. Indiana’s International Economy ally cool how he was able to stay neutral Junior Matt Pickle attended the 36th and just be able to present the facts even featured University of Indianapolis proAnnual Richard G. Lugar Symposium after he had just lost an election.” fessor Matthew Will and financial planfor Tomorrow’s Leaders last Saturday at Lugar, a six-term senator for Indi- ner, author and radio host Peter Dunn. the University of Indianapolis. The day- ana, lost the Republican primary to RichThe session took an individualized long event focused on inspiring the next ard Mourdock in May. Lugar announced approach to discussing the recession, the generation of leaders. last Friday that he would become a dis- fiscal cliff and Indiana’s foreign trade. Two students in their junior year are tinguished professor at the University of The Effect of Terrorism on Personal invited from each school in Indiana to Indianapolis beginning next year after Liberty hosted the opposing viewpoints attend. of Chief Division of Council for the Inleaving office. Pickle, who is currently a student in “I look forward to many more op- dianapolis division of the FBI Drew AP U.S. History, portunities to be Northern and executive director of the wrote a paragraph with students and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) explaining why he faculty at the Uni- of Indianapolis Jane Henegar. My favorite part was should attend, and “My favorite part was learning more versity of Indiahe was selected learning more of the napolis,” Lugar of the economic detail,” Pickle said. “I to represent Lawalso learned a lot about the ACLU and said. economic detail. rence Central. Lugar has what they stand for.” Matt Pickle “I thought Attendees of the symposium bejunior agreed to be on it would be a rethe University of come eligible for the Lugar Symposium ally cool opportuIndianapolis cam- for Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship and nity to be able to pus for a specific the Richard G. Lugar Distinguished Stutalk to people and number of days each year and will work dent Leadership Award. to be able to experience their views on with students in the Lugar Academy’s “This program today alone may not the problems that face America,” Pickle Washington, D.C., internship program. make an infinity of difference,” Lugar said. “It offers an introduction to the re- said. “But it could be an important step Attendees began the day with Sen. sponsibility that is involved in public forward in understanding really what Lugar’s keynote address, in which Lugar policy,” Lugar said. opportunities there are out there in talkdiscussed current events ranging from After Lugar’s keynote address, stu- ing to each other, in listening to my lecforeign policy to the fiscal cliff. Imme- dents took photos with Lugar and at- tures and by listening to the experts that diately following the address, students tended an informational student panel are a part of the program.” were given the opportunity to ask Lugar about the University of Indianapolis and Lugar said he hopes the annual symvarious questions of personal interest, two educational sessions on areas of cur- posium sparks interest in students and such as immigration reform and unem- rent American challenges. Sessions Pick- their own personal goals. ployment. “It was definitely a good choice of a le went to were Indiana’s International “I thought it was really down to Economy and The Effect of Terrorism on Saturday,” Pickle said.

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In-School Suspension returns HaleyHamilton haleyhamiltoncub@gmail.com As LC welcomes the return of the ISS (In-School Suspension) program, new rules and regulations are being enforced. “We are trying to reboot the program and bring more discipline to it. We will be holding the kids accountable for their actions,” said ISS supervisor Jovan Joyner. Students will be required to bring all of their classwork for the day when they report to the Tardy Room by 8:50 a.m. Once students have arrived their attendance will be taken care of. If any students fail to appear in ISS by the scheduled time, then they will be assigned a second day in ISS. “I think it may be a good option to enforce cooperation in a controlled environment where the students can get some work done,” said English teacher Trinda Foley. If they fail to appear to the second day, then they will be assigned out-ofschool suspension and will have a parent conference in which they discuss the students’ behavior as well as other alternatives. The students that will receive ISS will be required to eat “D” lunch and have to be back in the Tardy Room by the time that the fourth block bell sounds. Electronic devices will be forbidden while the student is in ISS. If a student is caught with any type of electronic device he will be asked to hand it over, and he will receive the device back at the end of the day. If the student refuses to hand over the device, then the student’s parents will be notified and the student will be sent home for the rest of the day. “It’s kind of silly because it’s mostly because of tardies, so if you are going to get punished for missing class by missing class, then what is the point?” said senior Destiny Jackson. The new ISS will be mostly for students who have excessive class cuts. These new rules will be going into place at the start of the new semester on Jan. 7.

PAGE 6 DECEMBER 14, 2012 • CUB REPORTER

NEWS

Brain Game on TV Saturday CarleyLanich carleylanichcub@gmail.com The Brain Game team defeated Brownsburg High School 31-10 on Nov. 14 in the year’s first competition. This matchup can be viewed on WTHRChannel 13 at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Brain Game is a TV trivia game show sponsored by Westfield Insurance. Forty-eight school teams from across the state compete in a singleelimination tournament answering general knowledge questions. “I first tried out for Brain Game because I love trivia, and I wanted to test my knowledge,” four-year Brain Game team member and team captain JonZachary Forbes said. “What brings me back each year is because I enjoy heading downtown during the school days to film our matches, and I enjoy competing against other high schools across the state.” This year’s team, consisting entirely of seniors, has varsity players Forbes, Sam Short, Petr Sliva, Adam Turner and alternates Samantha Strong and Kristen Swanson. The team practices Friday mornings before school. “I think the team is very balanced this year,” Forbes said. “The practices have been good, too. I’m very optimistic this year.” In preparation for matches, the team reviews questions used in previous years and focusses on areas such as humanities, science, social studies, geography and current events. Along with general knowledge trivia questions, the game has three spelling questions, individual player face-offs and the Minute Quiz. “Playing in our first match, I thought the boys played awfully well,” coach Richard Phillipy said. Phillipy’s main goal is to see the team win their next match against Cathedral in the Round of 16 and move on to compete in the Round of Eight. Winners of the competition receive $10,000 for their school. The second place team receives $5,000. The six other finalists, completing the teams in the Round of Eight, receive $1,000 in prize money. These monetary awards are donated by the Brain Game’s sponsor, Westfield Insurance, whom in addition to funding awards, has also helped the competition grow larger, expanding from 32 competing teams to 48.

An ice skating class for skaters with disabilities is being led by volunteers and the executive director of the Elite Skating Foundation, Devan Heiber. This class is held at the Elite Skating Foundation in the Fishers Ice Arena. This class is known as Special Skating and is

supported by Special Olympics. Special Skating classes range from classes for beginners to advanced classes such as figure skating.

Courtesy photo/Devan Heiber

Skaters to try breaking world record MeredithNordmann meredithnordmanncub@gmail.com

The Elite Skating Foundation will hold a contest 4:30-6 p.m. Dec. 23 to try to break the Guinness World Record of the number of ice skaters skating at one time. The event will be at the Forum at Fishers Ice Arena. The purpose is to call attention to the foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing disabled ice skating and ice hockey programs. It is also a supporter of the Special Olympics. One of the disabled programs offered through the foundation is sled hockey. Sled hockey is adaptive hockey for athletes with physical disabilities, spinal cord injuries and neuromuscular disorders. The difference is that it can be

workers on the ice and having fun. No played on sleds. This foundation is raising money skating experience is necessary to particin order to buy these and host these ipate, and we welcome all ages and abilievents, known as Special Skating. There ties,” executive director of the foundation Devan Heiber are open practices said. Jan. 12 and Feb. 16 LC photografor those interestHopefully, it will become phy teacher Julia ed in joining this Duke is also enteam (for more an annual fundraiser for us, information see and we can continue to break couraging her students to participate website below). our own record. in this event along The motivaDevan Heiber with all LC stution for this event The Elite Skating Foundation dents. Best Buddies is to receive “nowill be involved as toriety” of accomwell. plishing the feat which can also help spread the word of “Hopefully, it will become an annual this foundation. fundraiser for us, and we can continue “I think this will be a great event to to break our own record by increasing get friends, family, neighbors and co- the number of skaters involved each

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Starting the school day with lunch KatieBillman katiebillmancub@gmail.com With Indiana in the midst of its winter season, two-hour delays are an available option if unsafe weather conditions occur. Because LC starts its school day at 8:50 a.m, students would report to lunch during their first block of the day. The amount of time students would have to eat lunch remains at 30 minutes, but the classes following would be shortened.

G3 and M7 would start students’ days off as lunch blocks from 10:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. The remaining three blocks would run at 50 minutes each, a cut in instructional class time. The order of classes, however, would be switched due to fitting the lunch block in as the first class of the day. “Two-hour delays are determined when weather conditions are poor and transporting students during rush hour, prior to daylight, is inadvisable,” superintendent Concetta Raimondi said. “The

two additional hours may allow one of several positive things to occur in order to improve safety: daylight, the end of rush hour, the lifting of fog, snow removal and/or the salting of icy streets.” Students and families would be advised of a delay via the electronic media, a telephone call and/or a posting on the school district’s website. “I think two-hour delays are important because they help both students and teachers get to school safely,” junior Will Gordon said.

NEWS

CUB REPORTER • DECEMBER 14, 2012 PAGE 7

Birth control pills: over the counter? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee on Gynecologic Practice has proposed making birth control pills available over the counter, benefiting women on a ‘substantial’ level DarianBenson

abortions that we see in today’s darianbensoncub@gmail.com world.” One of the main reasons the The American College of American College of ObstetriObstetricians and Gynecolo- cians and Gynecologists' Comgists' Committee on Gyneco- mittee on Gynecologic Practice logic Practice recently proposed recommended over the counmaking birth control pills avail- ter birth control was due to the a b l e fact that poverty may prevent over the women from seeing a doctor, c o u n - preventing them from getting ter. The a prescription for birth control doctors pills. However, the majority of on this c o m - the nation’s doctors disagree m i t t e e with the recommendation. Acbelieve that if this proposal is cording to Dr. Steven Samuels, passed, the benefits women “Being able to buy birth control would have would be substan- without a doctor’s permission could help, but it could also be tial. A large percentage of Amer- very dangerous and should reican women have admitted to ally be supervised by a doctor using some form of birth con- or nurse practitioner because trol at some time in their lives. of the side effects and to know However, the rate of unwanted the right way to use it.” Some pregnancies in the nation has possible health risks caused by been around 50 percent for the the use of birth control without past 20 years. Women who be- proper medical screening income pregnant unexpectedly clude blood clots, strokes and often end up facing financial even death. “Being able to buy birth problems; women that are in their 20s or younger are at a control without a doctor’s permission would higher risk of financial This will definitely certainly lower abortions problems. The and unwanted members of reduce the amount of pregnancies,” the committee unwanted pregnanSamuels said. believe that by cies and abortions “Certain birth offering birth controls can control over that we see in today’s be safer, and the counter, world. this problem Virgil Gavia it is best to can be diminhealth teacher consult with your doctor ished. to see which “By providing immediate access to one would be best for you, bebirth control pills, women and cause everyone is different. teens that would not normally Ethically, becoming sexually acbe able to buy them with a pre- tive is a very big decision, and scription would be able to do so you should talk to your parents now,” health teacher Virgil Ga- about it; there are so many posvia said. “I believe that this will sible consequences.” “By providing immediate definitely reduce the amount of unwanted pregnancies and access to birth control pills, the

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amount of teen pregnancies will surely lower,” Gavia said. “If this proposal does pass, more forms of contraceptives will be widely available. Therefore, I believe more people will be having sex, but not actually thinking about sex and its consequences. Having sex impacts you for a very long time, even 60, 70 years after you first lose your virginity. Having a child when you are not ready for it is one consequence that comes from being sexually active. By being able to buy contraceptives without a prescription, you lower the risk of having a child at a young age. However, I do believe that the risk of STDs will increase if this proposal does pass. More and more people will more than likely be having sex. Remember, by us-

ing contraceptives does not mean that you are having safe sex, just safer sex.” Currently, some pharmacists and drugstores have had the option of objecting to filling prescriptions for birth control. If the proposal of selling birth control over the counter is passed, then pharmacists will no longer have the option of refusing to fill prescriptions for birth control. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Gynecologic Practice only proposed the idea of selling birth control over the counter. In order for this idea to be put into action, a pharmaceutical company must apply to the Food and Drug Administration for permission in order to do so.

More than contraception Birth control, by various means including orally or by injection, is often taken for contraception; however, this medication also helps women in many other areas of health. Among these additional areas: 1. Lower cancer risk 2. Clearer skin 3. Lighter, less painful periods 4. PMS relief 5. Endometriosis relief 6. Fewer periods 7. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) relief 8. Prevention against ovarian cysts 9. Regulation of menstrual periods 10. Lowered risk of anemia

Source/WebMD.com

PAGE 8 DECEMBER 14, 2012 • CUB REPORTER

EDITORIAL

cub

REPORTER Bring on the ‘X’ block

Lawrence Central High School 7300 E. 56th St. Indianapolis, IN 46226 (317) 964-7400 cubonline.org Facebook Twitter

Tell us.

Letters to the editor are welcome, but they are limited to 200 words. The author’s name will be printed with the letter. Letters should not contain obscene or libelous language. Letters may be submitted in Room 132, placed in the mailbox of Cub Reporter adviser Elizabeth Granger or mailed to her at elizabethgranger@ msdlt.k12.in.us.

Purpose.

To provide news to the Lawrence Central community.

Display advertising.

Businesses may advertise in the Cub Reporter if their ad adheres to guidelines. The advertising policy is available in Room 132 or via email at elizabethgranger@msdlt.k12.in.us.

Corrections.

The Cub Reporter corrects its mistakes. If you believe the Cub Reporter made a mistake in a previous issue, please let us know by contacting a member of the staff or sending an email to elizabethgranger@msdlt.k12.in.us.

Classifieds.

Students and businesses may purchase classified ad space for a nominal fee. Ads must follow Cub Reporter guidelines and must be submitted at least 10 days before the next publication date. Forms are available in Room 132 or by sending an email to elizabethgranger@msdlt.k12.in.us.

Staff.

Editor-in-Chief Samantha Strong News Editor Carley Lanich Opinions Editors Meredith Nordmann Darian Benson Features Editors Katie Billman Glynnis King

Reporters Haley Hamilton Anna Zanoni Mitch Prather Photographer Coleman LaBarr Foreign Correspondent Caroline Varie Graphics Consultant Sara Heiny

A+E Editor Ali Duff

Adviser Elizabeth Granger

Sports Editors Alex Kryah Jacob Helmus

Principal Rocky Valadez

Online Editor Leah Arenz

Change is inevitable. Changes in cafeteria food (yes, those are whole wheat breadsticks), changes in leadership (we are on Principal No. 4, in case you were wondering), and changes in the day’s schedule. While sometimes change can be difficult, again Principal No. 4, change may also be necessary. The proposed changes for the block schedule next year may seem complicated, but they are a viable option. One potential schedule, a “hybrid” schedule where students take seven shorter classes Monday and alternate gray and maroon days with four 90-minute blocks the rest of the week, may be difficult to become accustomed to; however, it is the best option for students. The schedule allows students to be in each class equal amounts of time every week, avoiding the difficulties of meeting only two times some weeks with the current schedule. The proposed schedule also includes an exciting option, similar to the student resource time, or SRT, which LC enjoyed years ago. This time it’s called the “X” block. Bring it on. The “X” block would be every Tuesday and Thursday and would replace most students’ study halls. With the “X” block, every student and teacher in the building would be free at the same time, allowing more student-to-teacher interaction. With the “X” block, students can meet with teachers in classes they are struggling with, clubs can meet to plan their next event, advanced foreign language students can practice speaking their languages, chemistry students can complete more advanced and complex labs, International Baccalaureate students can come together to prepare for the next step toward earning their diplomas, athletes can meet with coaches and teammates to go over film. The list goes on and on. While the opportunities are endless for students, they are also abundant for teachers and staff. With the proposed schedule, teachers may request to

Cub graphic/Samantha Strong

have certain students stationed in their classrooms during the “X” block. For example, math and science teachers could request specific students from their classes to allow for group work on difficult problem sets and more instructional time. Music directors could request to have certain students in their rooms, allowing more time to work in smaller sectionals. The proposed schedule allows teachers and students to have 90 minutes twice a week to collaborate and make better use of their time here, rather than by playing chess in the Perk or sleeping in a study hall. While yes, some students taking multiple advanced courses need a study hall, or even two, to manage the difficult work load, the “X” block will allow these students to meet with their teachers and peers to work through the extensive work and continue to be productive. And, with the proposed schedule, this productivity will be coupled with guaranteed availability of teachers. Change is inevitable. Changing to whole wheat bread sticks, not the greatest idea; four principals in four years, difficult but doable; bringing on the “X” block? It may as well be a done deal.

30-second editorials • The finals schedule poses pros and cons. While having review sessions directly before taking the final may help some students, it’s too much like cramming. Many students would rather show up to class, take their final, and be done with it. This particular schedule does, however, reduce some stress put on students by allowing them to focus on taking only two finals a day. • The proposal for over-the-counter birth control pills is a great idea. If birth control pills were easy to access, unwanted teen pregnancies and abortions would more than likely be reduced. Even though this proposal is just a recommendation, it should be put into place. • The Athletics Department has proved beyond a doubt that it is elite, but elite is not good

See related stories on Pages 3, 7, 27.

enough for most athletes and coaches. All of the tools exist in the school to push the athletics over the top of greatness, so it is only a matter of taking full advantage of those tools to maximize performance. With the movement of the weight training room, athletes will be able to focus on workouts, and coaches will be able to have a space to collect ideas and work together for the good of the school. • The world may end.

RUN!

to page 14

OPINIONS

CUB REPORTER • DECEMBER ,14 2012 PAGE 9

The do’s and don’ts of sickness on my back for four days, and because of that I want to help everyone else stay away from the diseases this year (it’s no fun eating Christmas cookies when you can’t taste them.) As a result, I’ve come up with a few LC do’s and dont’s to help Mitch Prather you along your way: DON’T drink from the Coughing in the halls. Snif- school water fountains. Yes, DO drink tons and tons of fling in the classrooms. Downwater, but the school water ing meds on the bus. It seems fountains are not the place to everyone is dropping like flies this holiday season and having get that water. People have actually thrown up on some of a little trouble getting back up. the water fountains, and they As an athlete, being sick is are a perfect probably the breeding place last thing in for the nasthe world that ...I want to help ties. You can I could wish always mosey for in the heat everyone else stay over to the of my season. away from the Commons in And being the diseases this year the morning gentlemanly and support scholar I am, your school by I just can’t afbuying a bottle of water there, ford to miss school… or simply fill up your own OK. The issue then becomes finding how I can prefrom home. vent getting sick. For me, unDON’T cough in your fortunately, it’s a little too late hand. Or on your desk. Or on for that because I’ve already your friend’s face. Please? This goes for sneezing, too. Once had a hard-hitting strain of the those germs are airborne, all it flu and strep throat. I was flat

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takes is for someone to breathe in, as we humans inevitably do, and the germs keep spreading. DON’T make out in the hallways. That’s just gross to begin with, but in reality it’s much worse than coughing or sneezing on somebody, because you are a lot closer to them. Even if you aren’t getting yourself sick, the rest of us who have to see it feel a little queasy. DO thank your school nurses for everything they do. Yes, while this may not directly save you from germs, karma can be a really great thing if you use it correctly. Those ladies up front do a great job of making sure we can all come to school every day, so if you just happen to think of them this holiday season, I’m sure they wouldn’t turn down a nice gift. DO get some sleep. We are supposed to get eight hours of sleep a day, at least, so take full advantage of that. Don’t sleep in class,

I’m not endorsing that; simply don’t stay up that extra three or four hours to play video games while your grades, and your health, suffer. DO use a little common sense. Here at LC, I know I have no need to remind everyone of this, right? Excellent, because this can be one of the best bets you have for staying healthy. It includes washing your hands, not eating off the floor and all that good stuff. I hope this list helps everyone out a little bit. Whether this is a holiday season or not for you, it is a break for everyone, and we definitely earned it. Don’t waste it being sick, it’s just not worth it. Really, nothing is worth eating school food off the floor. C’mon…

Cub graphics/Leah Arenz

Others mostly see America’s extremes Junior Caroline Varie is spending ﬁrst semester of this school year in Los Angeles, Chile, through a foreign exchange program. She speaks only Spanish, lives with a host family and goes to Chilean school every weekday. She left for the program July 24 and will return to the States Jan. 4.

CarolineVarie carolinevariecub@gmail.com I sat down to breakfast with two girls from Austria and Estonia. At lunch, I learned a few German words and walked into town with a Latvian and a Finn. At dinner, I couldn’t keep track of who

exchange student from the belonged to which country. United States within the group. After four months in Chile, And I loved it. I’ve been looking back on I was surrounded by other the beginning of my journey: students that were just as curithe orientation with roughly ous as I was. 50 other And although exchange stu...people... believed we were all dents. After diﬀerent ages, we arrived in what they saw to be from diﬀerent Santiago, we more desirable than parts of the ate breakfast the culture of their world, we got at the airport, looking curialong incredown country. ously at the ibly well. food that we In those now eat every day. Most of us three days, I realized the presknew no one, except those that ence of the United States in the had met while traveling. I soon world. That people watched learned that I was the only mainly TV, music, food, fash-

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ion and every part of American culture had somehow reached all of these countries. I learned to hate American movies the most. Every single person I met asked me about cheerleaders and football players, nerds and jocks. Much of that is thanks to Mean Girls. There were a million questions. A million assumptions. And with every question, I could see some kind of desire to see “the dream country.” Someone actually asked me, “Is America really the dream country?” Another asked me if I would ever run for president, and I answered with an “absolutely not.” She

said, “I would hate to be president of the United States. The whole world would be watching everything you do.” I didn’t mind being asked questions and clearing up stereotypes about the United States. What bothered me was that people took the extremes they saw in movies and believed what they saw to be more desirable than the culture of their own country. I am proud of my country, but I don’t want others to lose sight of their own culture. In 20 years, I don’t want the only thing separating the worlds’ countries to be boundaries.

PAGE 10 DECEMBER 14, 2012 • CUB REPORTER

Speak Your Mind What are you doing to prepare for finals?

OPINIONS

Bear it All

“I feel the pressure.” Sam Varie, 9 “Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.” Will Gordon, 11 ““I wish Willy Wonka was my uncle.” Andy Vennemann, 9 “Don’t forget to pull out your third valve slide.” Clayton Blackburn, 12

Bailee Hawkins, 9

“Getting lots of rest and eating a good breakfast.”

Austin Stark, 10

“Studying things from the beginning of the year.”

Isabella Pelaez, 11

“Do my very best to study hard.”

Tenisha Washington, 12

“Studying and going over notes.”

“I’d rather be hated for who I am, than loved for someone I’m not.” Hannah Mills, 11 “Graduation can’t come soon enough.” Troy Whisler, 12 “Sometimes... I trip on air.” Logan Young, 10 “I like my music loud, because I don’t have to hear the world.” Abbie Anderson, 10 “If a Silence looks away from a Weeping Angel, does the Angel move closer or forget the encounter?” Chance Williams, 10

Taylor Perez, 9

“Taking a lot of notes.”

Erik Cuaya, 10

“Taking practice quizzes.”

Trinity Brown, 11

“Pull all-nighters to study.”

Michael Clemmons, 12

“Focusing in class.”

“I like the fries.” Kahla Hunter, 9

A new seasonal bucket list for 2013 andom Ramblings R

Darian Benson Unless the world really does end in the next couple of weeks, Jan. 1, 2013, marks the start of a brand new year. A year when you can be anyone you want to be, and do anything you want to do. So why not make the most of it? Four seasons in a year equals four opportunities to make 2013

your year. By the time the New Year begins, it is already the middle of winter. Congratulations! You have survived yet another prophesied end of the world. Why not go outside and celebrate? Have a snowball fight, make a snowman, make a snow angel, go to Ft. Ben and sled with your friends. You are never too old to play in the snow. At least you are never too old for a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows. Although, we live in Indiana, and snow doesn’t really like it here. Maybe the hot chocolate is a better idea.

After a cold winter, many of us welcome spring with open arms. When spring fever hits, there is nothing I want to do more than go outside and stretch my legs. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, flowers are blooming. In my opinion, spring is the prettiest time of year, and you can add to this by planting your own garden. Or go ahead and actually do the spring cleaning this year. Now is the time when you can get rid of your old stuff and rearrange your room. Spring is all about new beginnings. And then, summer. School

is out, and you have a little over two months to be free. Instead of sleeping until noon and then spending the rest of the day watching television, take this free time to learn something new. I am sure the last thing you want to do on your summer vacation is spend your time away from school, doing more school work. But learning doesn’t have to be all work and no play. Find something that interests you, and make it your goal to become an expert on it by the time school starts. From basket weaving to Russian, the possibilities are endless.

The first sign that fall really has arrived is when the leaves turn from bright green to orange, red and yellow. When I think of fall, I think of apple cider, pumpkins, bonfires and sweatshirts. Spend this season with your family and friends. Try to find 10 different uses of pumpkins. Plan a bonfire, serve hot apple cider and spend the evening telling ghost stories. Make time to be thankful for your loved ones. The New Year marks a time when you can be a brand new you. Create your own 2013 bucket list, and try to accomplish as much of it as you can.

OPINIONS

CUB REPORTER • DECEMBER 14, 2012 PAGE 11

Split Decision: The end of the world GlynnisKing glynniskingcub@gmail.com

Do you believe the world will end on Dec. 21? No. I don’t think the world will come to an end on Dec. 21. I feel like no one can really predict the end of the world, but the world is and will constantly change.

No. Humanity can’t even accurately predict a snowfall 80 percent of the time, so I don’t think we are informed enough to pinpoint the end of the world.

Do you think it will be the destruction of the world or the end of the world as we know it? I don’t know. I really don’t think the world is coming to an end yet. You just have to take things one day at a time. Although we don’t know when the world will end, there have been signs that it is changing.

Maybe. Change is a part of life and Earth is experiencing a ﬂuctuation of “normal” across the board. Our climate, global economies, and hard times are reshaping the current world. So, yes the world is changing as we know it.

If it doesn’t end on the 21st, how/when do you think it will end? I don’t know when the world will end. When it does end I think the destruction will be something Biblical. We won’t have any control over this end; all we can control is ourselves and what we believe.

Whether “the end” comes via solar ﬂares, nuclear war, or little green men falling from the sky – whatever happens will happen. Contrary to what some may think, humans aren’t in control of every aspect of our planet. We are only inhabitants and thus, forced to adapt to Earth’s constant changing.

Is society blowing the idea out of proportion? Yes. I really do think people are over-reacting. When the world ends you will just have to accept the fact and believe that you have accomplished everything you wanted to have done in your life, and done right by others.

You can either go about your day like any other or call in sick and milk this “apocalypse” ﬁasco for all it’s worth! If you’re going to pick Option 2, however, I advise you not get too crazy. On Dec. 21, it’s not guaranteed anyone will be available to bail you out of the slammer.

How should people spend their last days? People should enjoy life and live for the moment. Live your life as if it were the last day and don’t worry about what others think. When the world ends it ends; there’s nothing we can do about it.

Throughout 2012 people have been “preparing” for this apparent apocalypse but when Dec. 21 comes and goes, these same people will be standing there scratching their heads, wondering what to do with their half a grand bunker in the backyard.

Anna Zanoni annazanonicub@gmail.com

PAGE 12 DECEMBER 14, 2012 • CUB REPORTER

FEATURES

When the weather gets cold and the snow begins to fall, it is time to partake in those old holiday traditions. Here are some tips and tricks to make the best Frosty in town.

The Body

First of all, you can’t make a snowman without snow. So while it’s perfectly ﬁne to dig in the attic for that hand-knitted scarf your grandmother gave you when you were 8, it will remain useless until the snow begins to fall. And not just any snow, but the thick, sticky kind that can be packed tightly into a snowball. Once the “packing” snow begins to fall, the body of the snowman can be made. Simply make a snowball and roll it around on the ground until it grows into the right size. Do this three times, creating large, medium and small sized spheres. Stack them on top of each other; the largest on bottom, the smallest on top, and the medium one in between (Duh!). Pack some loose snow where each sphere connects so they will stay put and not roll off. And no, there is no shame in rolling around in the snow as you work. A ﬁeld of angels makes nice company for a snowman.

Hat and Scarf

Rumor has it that an old, black, silk hat may be able to bring a snowman to life. However, an old, black hat isn’t the only option to achieve a fashionable, lively snowman. Any hat with a matching scarf will give your snowman some extra style and pizazz. Wrapping the scarf around the neck of the snowman will also hide the rough packed edges that hold the body together.

Seven deadly mistakes 7. Don’t try to build a snowman unless you have good snow that will stick. 6. Locate a good spot for your snowman. Flat ground is best so he doesn’t roll away. 5. Watch out for dogs. Dogs are a snowman’s worst enemy. 4. With dogs in mind... DO NOT use yellow or dirty snow. 3. You need a scarf. Otherwise your snowman will likely catch a cold and melt before his time. 2. Watch out for icicles.

1. BEWARE of HEAT!!!

Arms

The best arms are fashioned out of long, sturdy branches. Branches that stem off at the ends will create the illusion of hands. Sometimes, tiny twigs will need to be stripped off the branches in order to make a clean bicep and forearm or even to get rid of a couple extra ﬁngers. These little twigs may come in handy later, so hang on to them! Make sure the branches have at least three inches at the base to be able to stick them into the body.

Face and Buttons

In keeping with tradition, the eyes, mouth and buttons are styled out of pieces of coal. The nose is fashioned out of a carrot. Not the baby carrots you can buy at lunch, but the giant, pointy, Bugs Bunny kind of carrot. If there’s no bag of coal lying about, try substituting stones or those twigs that were stripped off the arms.

Cub graphic/Sara Heiny

CUB REPORTER • DECEMBER 14, 2012 PAGE 13

FEATURES

Winter conditions call for safe driving Increasing following distance, decreasing speed and adjusting steering prove to be key ing lot first. However, when driving on real roads in these meredithnordmanncub@gmail.com conditions, make sure to pay attention to the following drivThe best advice for driving ing safety tips. in bad winter weather is to not Adjusting your speed drive at all. But when you do have to drive, there are ways to to current conditions is key. stay safe, especially if it is your Make sure to gently decrease your speed and always leave first winter with your driver’s license. One of the major things plenty of room to stop to avoid to keep in mind is to make sure skidding. This will give you more time to respond when a that snowplows and sanding difficult situation arises. trucks have had a chance to do Make sure their work after to evaluate any extreme type of weather condi...Always be aware the vehicle you are tions. Along with this, make of the road conditions driving, how sure that you and alter your driving experienced a driver you allow yourself accordingly. are and the extra time to Sam Hartman condition of reach your dessenior the tires you tination. are equipped If you must with. In the drive in snowy case of an emergency in an ABS weather conditions, make sure (Anti-Lock Braking System), that you have taken the necespress the pedal hard and hold sary precautions and you are it down. ABS-equipped cars experienced enough to handle also allow you to steer while tough road conditions. If you breaking. Remember that do not feel experienced, it is posted speed limit signs show wise to practice in a snowy the maximum speed you can open space such as a park-

MeredithNordmann

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Source/MCT Campus/Joe Oden, St. Paul Pioneer Press

go while weather conditions are ideal. “Make sure to increase following distance to 6-8 seconds instead of 2-4 seconds because new drivers always underestimate the braking distance,” health teacher and driver’s ed instructor Charles Pinkerton said. Another key to driving safely is to anticipate difficult situations. Studies have shown that 80 percent of all accidents could be prevented with only one more second to react. Anticipating the actions of other drivers and identifying problems before you are involved with them can help. If someone is too close behind you, don’t speed up; slow down and let them go around you. Having your lights on during snow or flurries, even during the day, can help with visibility. Turning your lights on not only allows you to see, but for you to be seen by others as well. Remember, wipers on, lights on. Make sure to stay in low gear, especially on hills to keep traction. Also, don’t overestimate your vehicle’s ability, because even four-wheel drive vehicles are not completely safe on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid, take your foot off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go to prevent losing control. For example, steer left if your rear wheels are sliding left and vice versa. “Last winter I nearly skidded off the road because I wasn’t experienced enough in driving in winter weather conditions. Make sure to always be aware of the road conditions and alter your driving accordingly,” senior Sam Hartman said. If you get stuck in a situation like his, do not spin your wheels; this will only make the situation worse. To get out of this, try turning your wheels from side to side a couple times, clearing some of the snow around you. One of the most important things to remember is something before you’re even in the car. When getting ready to leave for school in the morning, it is always important to wipe off any snow or ice from your car. If not, the ice can stick and make it difficult to see. Some windshield wiper fluids are designed to help dissolve ice. However, this can freeze in extreme cold weather so make

Safety items to keep in your car

•

A blanket or extra clothes

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Snacks

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Beverages

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Flares

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C.B. radio, cell phone or hand radio

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Long jumper cables

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A small shovel

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A flashlight

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A windshield-scraping device

•

A tow tope

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A bag of sand or cat litter for traction

sure to read the car’s manual. “It is also a good idea to keep a box filled with blankets, flashlights, snacks, a cell phone and a long jumper cable just in case of emergency,” Pinkerton said. If you do have a situation where you’re stopped or stranded, make sure to briefly run the heater and not run the engine continuously. Winter driving can be very dangerous; make sure to take the right precautions before putting yourself in danger. Editor’s note: Driving instructor Charles Pinkerton provided information for this story.

PAGE 14

CUB REPORTER • DECEMBER 14, 2012

FEATURES

PAGE 15

End of the semester, End of the

world?

AliDuff

aliduffcub@gmail.com

2012. “Doomsday Preppers”. Apocalypse Now. “It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine).” For years, we as humans have been fascinated by the probability of our own demise. We view movies about the apocalypse, watch TV shows about people getting ready for doomsday, and even write songs about what we think will happen when the world ends. Some people believe that the world will end with an alien invasion, while others believe that Earth’s population will be wiped out by a great plague or nuclear war. There are countless theories, including Earth’s suction into a black hole or a collision with another planet. Some people disregard the rumors, and some individuals are already preparing for the worst.

people believe the Milky The TV show “DoomsWay will collide with the day Preppers,” on the NaAndromeda Galaxy, and tional Geographic Channel, features such firm believers. while scientists say that it will happen, scientific The show follows ordinary evidence predicts that the Americans as they go to galaxies will not collide for whatever lengths necessary another 4 billion years. On to ensure their survival in the subject of the Earth’s the case of an apocalypse. magnetic poles, physics Prepper Jeff Bushaw is readying himself for the ex- teacher Anthony Stanich has his own plosion of the thought. Yellowstone ...the Mayans “My theory super volcano, while inventor weren’t predicting the is that if the poles were to John Adrian is end of the world.... reverse too preparing for a pandemic. Bailey Prather slowly or too sophomore quickly, this Whether their would create methods are an electromaginsane or netic pulse that could esclever, “Doomsday Preppers” has brought in enough sentially wipe out electronic devises,” Stanich said. “The viewers to be renewed for a poles are two sides of the second season. Two of the most popular same magnet. If they switch, they would create a change theories about the end of in the magnetic field of the the world is that the Earth’s earth that could result in magnetic poles will flip, or the flow of electricity being that the Earth will collide reversed and short circuit with another planet. Some

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common devices and hard drives. At the very least, if the poles do switch, there would be a time when the earth’s magnetic field would be down and we would be subject to cosmic radiation and solar winds.” But what if the apocalypse isn’t the sort of mass destruction that some people fear? Sophomore Bailey Prather and her family visited Mayan ruins in Cozumel, Mexico, where their tour guides told them that the Mayans may not be predicting the end of the world. “Basically they told us that the Mayans weren’t predicting the end of the world, they were predicting the end of the world as we know it,” Prather explained. “Everything would physically be the same but we would have a new era of belief. A revolution in thought and belief. (The world) would be new spiritually.”

Cub graphic/Anna Zanoni and Sara Heiny

PAGE 14

CUB REPORTER • DECEMBER 14, 2012

FEATURES

PAGE 15

End of the semester, End of the

world?

AliDuff

aliduffcub@gmail.com

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Cub graphic/Anna Zanoni and Sara Heiny

PAGE 16 DECEMBER 14, 2012 • CUB REPORTER

FEATURES

Horrigan directing The Last Five Years at Footlite DarianBenson darianbensoncub@gmail.com

A love story unlike others, The Last Five Years tells the story of the relationship of two people, Cathy and Jamie. Cathy’s story is told in reverse chronological order, while Jamie’s is told in chronological order. Theater teacher Kathleen Horrigan will be directing this two person musical at Footlite Musicals in January. Playwright Jackson Robert Brown wrote The Last Five Years in 2002, roughly basing it off his failed marriage. What makes this musical unique is the way the characters’ relationship is portrayed on stage. Cathy’s story is told during the end of her marriage with Jamie, while Jamie’s story is told five years earlier, just after the two first met. Horrigan has directed

only 90 minutes. She also said a number of productions at that since the cast consists of Footlite. only two people, the singing “The main difference behas to be a lot better on stage, tween directing a community as well as the acting. theater production and a high Angela Nickels Owens, school production is the fact an LC graduate and member that the characters in comof the International Thespian munity theater are generally Society, plays the same age as Cathy in this the characters musical. The in the show, “ I normally work role of Jamie Horrigan said. will be por“In high school, with a much larger I often have a cast and am excited trayed by Dane Rogers. 17-year old-girl “I am trying to play a for the challenge. excited to work mother. In comKathleen Horrigan theater teacher with these munity theater, two people,” the actors actuHorrigan said. ally know what “I normally work with a much it feels like to be a certain type larger cast and am excited for of character. It is more realisthe challenge.” tic.” The cast is currently in the Horrigan said that the middle of vocal rehearsals, and main challenge with The Last Five Years is trying to show five the musical will open up in the end of January. years time in a time period of

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The Last Five Years will be shown at Footlite Musicals, which is in downtown Indianapolis in the center of the historic Herron-Morton Place neighborhood.

More information will be available at cubonline.org in mid-to-late January. Source/www.stage212.org/lastfive/lastfive_graphic.jpg

WHO: Any library card holder 6-17 years old WHAT: A contest for young readers to meet Colts players Andrew Luck and Dwayne Allen WHEN: Now through Dec. 31, 2012 WHERE: Various library branches and the Central Library of the Indianapolis Public Library WHY: To increase awareness about the many ways a library card can be used to take advantage of the free resources of the public library HOW: One contest entry is awarded each day for every library card used More information is available at www.imcpl.org/kids/ blog/?p=14736 Source/imcpl.org

FEATURES

CUB REPORTER • DECEMBER 14, 2012 PAGE 17

Last minute gifts for the

Holidays GlynnisKing glynniskingcub@gmail.com

It’s cold outside and it’s the perfect time to snuggle up around the ﬁreplace with a hot cup of cocoa and a cheery, wintry blanket. The holiday season is underway and that means holiday shopping and sales. The holiday season is one of the busiest and hectic times of the year. Huge shopping crowds rush to the stores to ﬁnd everything they need to make their Christmas a merry one. With their long and detailed lists in

1. 1. In need of a great gift that will be sure to keep your friend warm? How about a fresh new pair of socks? Socks are a small, but useful gift that anyone would be glad to receive. “I think socks are a great gift,” senior Angelea Parks-Shelton said. “They are meaningful presents and come in all kinds of really cool designs.” 3. For the sixth straight year, gift cards are the most requested holiday present. According to a poll from the National Retail Federation, nearly 60 percent of respondents said they'd like to receive a gift card. Pair that with total gift card spending projected at $28.8 billion, and the Furby craze looks like a blip on the radar. “I like gift cards because you can spend them on whatever you want,” senior Daisha Hall said.

hand, they fill their shopping carts with gifts for family members, friends and co-workers. But while the biggest shopping frenzy of the season is over, there is still one week left to find that perfect gift for the friend you absent-mindedly forgot in the rush During this time of year it’s all about giving. It’s nice to take time off to consider others during the holidays, but there’s no need to go in debt. Now you are faced with the problem of trying to find the best last minute gift. So what makes the best last minute gift the best?

2. In search of that last-minute gift for your dad, husband or co-worker? Every man needs a tie in his wardrobe. Ties come in all sorts of cool designs and give you that sharp, professional look you need for an important interview.

4. A simple yet promising gift basket ﬁlled with a variety of assortments is perfect for a loved one or just a friend. Senior Lorin Jones enjoys giving and receiving gift baskets. “They’re cool and have lots of stuﬀ in them that you can use,” Jones said. “I like the ones from Bath and Body Works.”

4. Cub graphic/Sara Heiny

Free shipping for holiday presents

On Monday, Dec. 17, more than 1,000 retailers will participate in the National Free Shipping Day. This is a day where online stores offer free shipping along with other discounts. Shoppers will be able to receive completely free shipping oﬀers from participating stores, or

free shipping on certain items. Some of this year’s participating stores include Kohl’s, Sears, Macy’s, Barnes and Nobel, JC Penney, K-Mart, Best Buy, Bath and Body Works and Nordstrom. Shoppers will have their orders delivered by Christmas Eve. All free shipping oﬀers will be revealed at midnight on Dec. 17. For more information visit http://www.freeshippingday.com/

Gift Cards

Source/National Retail Federation

$25 is the most commonly purchased gift card amount. Two-thirds of American consumers have purchased at least one gift card. In 2011, gift cards accounted for 18% of holiday gift purchases. 61% of gift card holders end up spending more than the value of their card. The average American household has around $300 in unused gift cards.

PAGE 18 DECEMBER 14, 2012 • CUB REPORTER

A+E

For Santa, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer ... and

Rud lph

s Snickerdoodle 2 teaspoons cream of tartar

ing soda 1/2 cup butter 1 teaspoon bak g lt nin 1/2 cup shorte 1/4 teaspoon sa gar ar su g s su on ps po 1 1/2 cu 2 tables nnamon 2 eggs 2 teaspoons ci r of tartar, 2 3/4 cup flou gs, flour, cream eg , ar g su , g in orten e on baking Mix butter, sh zed balls. Plac si on po as te kle mixlt. Form minutes. Sprin 10 baking soda, sa r fo F 00 4 on. Let Bake at aspoons cinnam te sheet, 2” apart. 2 d an ar g poons su ture of 2 tables /Carley Lanich joy! Family recipe en d an at E . cool

Caramel B

Red Velve

ars

t Cookies

1 box Dun can Hines Red Velvet cak e mix 2 eggs

1/3 cup v egetable o il Powdered sugar (op tional)

Combine 1 box of D eggs and uncan Hin 1/3 cup v es Red Vel egetable o whisk. Fo vet cake m il using a rm teaspo ix, 2 hand blen on size ba cookie shee der or wir lls and pla t or bakin e ce o g pan abo pat down ut one inc n a lightly greased the top of h 1” apart each ball. The top of . Slightly Bak the cookie will crack e at 375 F for 8-10 cookie wit . Lightly h powdered sprinkle th minutes. sugar (op e top of th tional). F e amily reci

pe/Ali Du

Cultural Cookies ur 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flo a 1 teaspoon baking sod 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup butter, softened r 3/4 cup granulated suga r ga su 3/4 cup packed brown

The Cub staff had its annual bake-off to decide which cookies were the best for the holiday season. The following recipes were tasted by staff members and voted the five best treats.

t 1 teaspoon vanilla extrac 2 large eggs late 1 cup Semi-Sweet Choco Morsels e 1 cup Semi-Sweet Whit ls rse Mo e lat Choco

bowl. Beat soda and salt in small Combine flour, baking extract in la nil r, brown sugar and va butter, granulated suga e, beattim a at amy. Add eggs, one xture. large mixer bowl until cre mi ur flo ion. Gradually beat in to ing well after each addit on n poo les ts. Drop by rounded tab Stir in morsels and nu . ungreased baking sheets n brown. 11 minutes or until golde to 9 for F 5 37 at Bake ks to rac re wi to 2 minutes; remove Cool on baking sheets for ipe/Meredith Nordmann cool completely. Family rec

16 ounces light cara mel 1/3 cup ev aporated m s ilk 1 package German c hocolate cake mix

1 tablespo on water 1/2 cup s oftened bu tter 12 ounces chocolate chips

In heavy saucepan In large b melt cara owl, comb ine remain mels in milk over chips. Mix low heat. ing until dou gh is crum ingredients excep half doug t chocolate bly but ho h into a g lds togeth reased an 350 F for d floured er. Press 6 minute 9X13” pan s. Remove dough. Po . Bake at from oven ur caram ; spri el m dough. Ba ke 15 to 2 ixture over chips. T nkle chips over op with re 0 minute s. Family re maining cipe/Leah Arenz

ies k o o C e n a C y Cand 1/2 cups flour

2 g (half butter 1 cup shortenin 1 teaspoon salt d food e) in or margar 1/2 teaspoon re ar g su s er n io ct 1 cup confe coloring d 1 egg 1/2 cup crushe d exon m dy al n on ca t po 1 1/2 teas peppermin ated sugar ul n ra tract 1/2 cup g illa 1 teaspoon van tract, and egg, almond ex , ar g su , er tt g, bu ing mixMix shortenin add to shorten d an lt sa d an to one half. ix flour food coloring in vanilla well. M d n le B . lf ha color. Roll ugh in ugh) from each ture. Divide do do on po as te (1 e strips side Roll a 4” strip red board. Plac ou fl ly ht g li forth on t like a rope. them back and gether and twis to ly ht g 5 F for about li s es by side, pr eet. Bake at 37 sh ie ok co ed as ill warm Place on ungre eet and while st sh ie ok co om ather ove fr recipe/Mitch Pr 9 minutes. Rem dy cane. Family n ca d he us cr sprinkle with

Cub photos/Coleman LaBarr Cub graphic/Leah Arenz

A+E

CUB REPORTER • DECEMBER 14, 2012 PAGE 19

Billman’s

Bites

Lincoln is honestly good

Katie Billman

The

Reel 8150 Oaklandon Rd Indianapolis, IN 46236 (317) 823-5373 www.eatatlincolnsquare.com Red velvet French toast with cream cheese icing, not to mention whipped cream on top. One question: dessert or breakfast? One answer: both. This particular kind of French toast was featured as a special on Lincoln Square’s Sunday menu a few weeks ago, in some ways the equivalent of cake batter pancakes. It appeared to me that it resembled a cinnamon roll more than French toast; it satisfied my sweet tooth, to say the least, but it was almost too rich to handle. The breakfast joint came to Geist about two years ago and recently renovated their interior décor, which significantly improved the aesthetic quality of the restaurant overall. Now plastered to the wall, its featured drinks, soup, entrees, etc. are listed. I wasn’t brave enough to try their featured water flavor (pineapple), but the variety of the menu was refreshing nonetheless. The most interesting most breakfast places’ menus get are pumpkin pancakes and peppermint hot chocolate, not red velvet French toast and pineapple water. Style points awarded to Lincoln Square. Lincoln Square feeds off of the Geist area and surrounding neighborhoods, and it’s typically most packed on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Guests are welcomed into a friendly Cub photos/Katie Billman atmosphere and the prices are reasonable too, especially for a teenager’s budget. In my opinion, Lincoln Square is a more personable version of IHOP: your standard breakfast place, but personable.

Thing Mitch Prather In the past year, the 16th president of the United States has been the subject of no less than three films, two of which were big screen productions. The films were Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Abraham Lincoln v. Zombies, and Lincoln. The latter, the most recent of the three, is a Steven Spielberg masterpiece in film-making. The premise of the movie Lincoln is set in the middle of tumultuous Civil War-era United States. It is centered around the

ratification of the 13th Amendment Spielberg shows both a Lincoln who wants to please the people, and the struggle between the two and a Lincoln who must do what major political parties regarding this amendment. The film picks up is right to save the country. It is a two months after Lincoln is elected Lincoln who is stuck in an almost unimaginable paradox, and Daniel to his second term of office and follows him until his death. During Day-Lewis conveys his emotions brilliantly in the role. this span, Lincoln fights for the This is not a ratification of movie for everythe amendment one; I will be blunt as quickly as ...Steven Spielberg about that. The possible, knowcreates a masterpiece action takes the ing the war form of linguistic may end soon. with Lincoln... warfare rather than The mateactual blood and rial for this gore action scenes, movie is very and two and a half hours of diarich and volatile, historically, and logue is usually not most people’s Spielberg does not waste a second cup of tea. of that tension or energy. While Despite the rather dry plot line many other Lincoln movies strive he has to work with, Spielberg creto uphold the God-like reputaates a masterpiece with Lincoln. It tion of the president to a degree in is a departure from his more wellwhich they almost alienate him, known works such as Indiana Jones Spielberg’s Lincoln is very real and Jaws, but the venture is not in and very concrete, with a sense of something greater inside him vain. There is tension in the entire movie, the plot line is intriguing, at all times. However, in tense and the dialogue is riveting. scenes, Lincoln often interjects a humorous story. In this manner, Lincoln is a success.

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What’s H t in Indy Santa Hustle Dec. 16

Sunday’s Santa Hustle is a race that offers either a 5k or half marathon course for its participants. The race starts at 9 a.m. at White River State Park. All who run in the Santa Hustle will receive a Race Day packet that includes a customized shirt, Santa Claus hat, and a fake beard. Pick-up for these packets is 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturday at the JW Marriott. Everyone running the 5k will receive a medal when they pass the finish line at White River State Park. Also, awards will be given for Best Group Santa Costumes and Best Individual Santa Costume. When the race is over there is an after-party at the Rathskeller restaurant that includes a free buffet for all Santa Hustle participants. For more information visit www. santahustle.com.

Christmas at the Zoo

The 44th annual Christmas at the Zoo continues through Dec. 30 this year. The Indianapolis Zoo features events such as decorating Christmas treats, holidaythemed dolphin shows, meeting live reindeer, and much more from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. source/www.in.gov

Williams at fieldhouse The comedian Katt Williams will be at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Dec. 16. The show starts at 7 p.m. and the price for tickets range from $39.50-$99.50. For more information visit www.bankerslifefieldhouse.com.

Ed Sheeran concert Jan. 26 British singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran is having a concert in the Egyptian Room at the Old National Centre. Joining Sheeran are Foy Vance and British hip-hop group Rizzle Kicks. The concert is 7 p.m. Jan. 26. Tickets start at $20.

Compiled by Anna Zanoni

PAGE 20 DECEMBER 14, 2012 • CUB REPORTER

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The Rhythmic Revolution Artist: Christina Aguilera Album: Lotus Genre: Pop

combination of their voices and genres at first, but after a few plays, I realized it actually works in their favor. Aguilera shows her range in every song on the album, one of the things she always does best. There’s a lack Rating: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 of her usual promiscuity as well, with Song Suggestion: “Make the World the exception of a few songs like “Your Move” Body” and “Red Hot Kinda Love.” Even so, those were impressive, too. Katie Billman After listening to “The time is the diversity of the now; no time to wait. Britney album and the notes Turn up the love; she delivers, I liked turn down the hate.” Spears, Rihanna, Pink, the album much Katy Perry From Chrismore than I had first tina Aguilera’s new anticipated. album titled Lotus, released on Nov. 9, “Make the World Move” is different from her usual genre pertaining to men, love and sex. Surprisingly, her whole album follows suit. She sings with CeeLo Green in “Make the World Move” about coming together and making the world move toward a better future. She also sings with country artist Blake Shelton in “Just a Fool,” a song about two people falling like fools for each other and learning that love is cruel. I wasn’t too crazy about the

Similar Artists:

Artist: Gaslight Anthem Album: Hold You Up Genre: Rock

New Jersey based rock band Gaslight Anthem released their new album, Hold You Up, on Nov. 28. The three-song EP provides a glimpse into the quieter, acoustic side of Gaslight Anthem, beginning with the post breakup song Rating: 1- 2 - 3 - - 5 “Misery.” “Misery” pulls you in and Song Suggestion: “Misery” radiates with pain, but the song itself is Ali Duff a pleasure to listen to simply because of brilliant lyrics (“let your hair down/ cover of the Bon Iver hit “Skinny Love.” you deserve the While Gaslight wee hours and the Anthem lead The shivers downsinger Brian FalLoved Ones, The Hold town.”) lon captures the Another song Steady, The Riot Before anguished tones on the album is needed for the Gaslight Anthem’s cover, he attempts

Similar Artists:

to hit some falsetto notes that probably should’ve been kept at a lower register. The EP ends with the title track, Hold You Up, the brightest song of the three. With Hold You Up, Gaslight Anthem finishes the album on a rare happy note against a background of quiet electric guitars and a soft harmonica. Overall, Hold You Up is an evocative album, and despite a few flaws, it is a good addition to Gaslight Anthem’s repertoire.

Artist: Slightly Stoopid Album: Top of the World Genre: Reggae

Artist: Phillip Phillips Album: The World from the Side of the Moon Genre: Pop

Rating: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 -

Rating: 1 - 2 - 3 -

Song Suggestion: “Devil’s Door” Coleman LaBarr Bradley Nowell’s most famous discovery has produced their seventh studio album titled Top of the World. The album follows the band’s usual flow and rhythm with a tropical, Cali-love feel to it. This broke a four-year drought for the band to produce an album. Every year from 2003 to 2008, an album was released by the band. The album features artists such as Barrington Levy, G Love, and Angelo Moore, who are all renown artists in the reggae world. Top of the World placed at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, a record high for the band. It placed No. 3 on the Billboard Indie charts and No. 4 on the Rock and

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Song Suggestion: “Man on the Moon” Meredith Nordmann

Alternative charts. Following the release, the band performed at the Red Bull Sound Space, and a month later on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Relix magazine raves that it’s “the bands most ambitious work yet,” and Yahoo! Music claims it’s “a sonic knockout.” Personally, I couldn’t agree more; this is some of the best work produced by Slightly Stoopid.

Similar Artists: Sublime, The Expendables, Pepper, 311

On Nov.19, American Idol Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips released his newest album The World from the Side of the Moon. Unlike most American Idol finalists, he is so far having popular songs on the radio and has released a top-selling album. He’s wellknown for his hit song “Home,” which was at No. 1 on iTunes during its debut and can also be found on this album. The song channels his Mumford and Sons style. The album

opens with one of the songs written by him, “Man on the Moon.” This song shows his Dave Matthews band side along with “Gone, Gone, Gone” which was also written by him. Phillips’ songs are memorable, each one with a different style containing a safe balance between acoustic folk music and modern pop. Phillips brings together two different styles and creates a truly original piece of work which shows his individuality and uniqueness as an artist. I recommend this album to all ages and anyone who enjoys listening to fun chill music.

Similar Artists: Mumford and Sons, Dave Matthews, Kris Allen

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CUB REPORTER • DECEMBER 14, 2012 PAGE 21

Falling for Forever Reggae sound from Santa Cruz

Many of the bands that appear in my columns have quite a bit in common, and The Expendables are not an exception. Bradley Nowell of Sublime was always going to local concerts and scouting bands to sign to his label, and he eventually found the band Slightly Stoopid at a bar in Long Beach and extended an offer to them. Founders Mike Doughty and Kyle McDonald of course accepted the offer. However, soon after, Nowell was found dead of a heroin overdose while on tour in San Francisco by the band’s drummer, Bud Gaugh. Slightly Stoopid eventually created their own label, Stoopid Records, and began searching for bands themselves. Just as they were Sublime’s first discovery, Slightly Stoopid discovered The Expendables. This band is from Santa Cruz, CA and has a very similar genre type to Sublime and Slightly Stoopid. The Expendables were formed in 1997 by friends Geoff Weers, Adam Peterson, Raul Bianchi and Ryan DeMars. In their early years, they had their own local radio show and played in several benefit concerts before being signed to Stoopid Records. They were known ..the band has gained for their support for respect among the indie local surfers rock and reggae world. and the USA junior surfing team. Headlining with bands such as 311, Pepper, and Slightly Stoopid, the band has gained respect among the indie rock and reggae world. In 2004, they released their third album, Gettin’ Filthy, which contained a few of their most known songs, such as “Sacrifice,” and “Down Down Down.” Some of these songs appeared on the Guitar Hero 4 game. The band released an acoustic album earlier this year titled Gone Soft. The album included their new single “Back Home Again,” which is a personal favorite. The band is currently touring with Fortunate Youth, Through the Roots and Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds, a band I previously wrote about and interviewed at the 2012 Vans Warped Tour this most recent summer.

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Judy Blume’s new novel Forever will have you captivated from front to back cover. Blume writes about the troubles of teen love. This novel breaks down the question “is there a difference between first love and true love?” Katherine is your typical high Haley Hamilton school senior. She plays tennis, loves being with friends, and of however, when they get summer course goes out to parties. Little jobs after senior year. does she know that her most recent Michael takes a job cutting party with her best friend Erica will wood, as he lives with his uncle in change her life for good. Connecticut. When she Katherine attends the takes a job in party she meets New Jersey Is there a difference teaching tennis a boy named Michael. younger between first love and true to Michael is kids at her love? a cross-town sister’s summer high school camp. senior she can’t Katherine get enough of. and Michael write to each other In her eyes Michael is the love every day and their relationship of her life. As things progress the is still strong until the day relationship gets more and more Katherine gets a phone call that her serious. Things go downward, grandfather has had a stroke and

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has died. Katherine then turns to a fellow camp counselor named Theo rather than calling Michael. Theo and Katherine grow closer over the course of the summer, and they begin to develop feelings for each other. One day after Katherine’s letters to Michael have come to a halt, Michael decides to visit Katherine at the camp. When he arrives they go into town for lunch. Once they make their way back to Michael’s hotel room Katherine is forced to tell Michael about her feelings. As things pan out, Katherine realizes the love she never wanted to lose has come to an end. Judy Blume has taken the average high school relationship and dissected it. Forever will keep you on the edge of your seat with every page that you turn.

Title: Forever Author: Judy Blume Personal rating: 1- 2- 3 -

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What LC’s reading Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert - Roselly Aguilar, 11

Looking For Alaska by John Green - Nicole Madsen, 11

The Help by Kathryn Stockett - Hannah Coble, 11

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Andrew Houser, 10

Tempted by P.C. Cast - Ky’Aurice Cardwell, 10

The Adventures of Hucklenerry Finn by Mark Twain - Alonna Steen, 10

No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre - Jenna Campbell, 11

The Perks of Being a Wallﬂower by Stephen Chbosky - Allison Reid, 11

The Crown Rose by Fiona Avery - Kari Boyd, 10

Gym Candy by Carl Deuker - Dallas Williams

Kira Kira by Cynthia Kadohata - Grace Right, 10

The Maze Runner by James Dashrer - Megan Burton, 11

Stolen by Lucy Christopher - Dia Washington, 12

The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks - Emma Engler, 10

Bonechiller by Graham McNamee - Megan Gordon, 12

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - Jacob Pfau, 12

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - Courtney Swanson, 10 The Innocent Man by John Grisham - Daryen Scrivener, 12 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Andrew Houser, 10 One and Only: The Untold Story of On The Road by Gerald Nicosia - Danica Minor, 11

PAGE 22 DECEMBER 14, 2012 • CUB REPORTER

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Scarlet roses and vampire stories mother Maria Clemm. Due to the fact that the mysterious Poe Toaster always evades publicity and photographs, his or her name is unknown, and may remain so… evermore. With Breaking Dawn: Part 2 havAli Duff ing been released in theaters, people With the cold December weather will inevitably be flocking to read the inevitability coming, it’s a good time books. For those who want a good to stay inside, read a few weird books, vampire story but with less, should watch a quirky movie and listen to I say, “sparkle,” then check out Ann some different music. Rice’s novel Interview with the Vampire. But first, let’s start with something The gothic book focuses on vamweird. pire Louis de Pointe du Lac, who is Most people telling a reporter have heard of the the story of his acclaimed poet 200-year-long life. ...for those who want a Edgar Allan Poe, After being bitten author of The good vampire story but with by a vampire Raven and other named Lestat less, should I say, ‘sparkle’... in 1791, Louis bone-chilling poems. But lesser explores the known is a figure streets of America known only as the Poe Toaster. and cares for his adopted vampire The Poe Toaster is the nickname daughter Claudia as they search out given to a person who every year, on “Old World” vampires in Europe. the anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe’s As opposed to Twilight vampires, the death, visits the poet’s grave in Baltivampires in Rice’s novel are classically more in the early hours of the morning, based. They sleep in coffins, and the serves himself a glass of cognac brandy, only time they sparkle in sunlight is toasts Poe and disappears, leaving when they are burning to their deaths three scarlet roses and the unfinished from exposure to the sun’s rays. bottle of cognac on the grave. The three While it may not have much on roses are believed to be in memory of the “forbidden romance” front, Rice’s the three persons who are buried at novel Interview with the Vampire still the gravesite: Edgar Allan Poe, his wife makes a suitable substitute for those of Virginia Clemm Poe, and Virginia’s us who aren’t “Twi-hards.”

The Life Obscura

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By The Numbers

Elephants sleep only

hours a day.

Cub graphics/Anna Zanoni

LC R

1 Lauren Chastian

3 Samantha Kupianen

2 Nikia Averitte

4 Alex Wickham

freshman

ecommends...

Shows

junior

Books

sophomore

senior

Music

Cub graphics/Sara Heiny Compiled by/Leah Arenz

The Hawaiian alphabet has only Of the bones in your body,

letters.

11 $20

Ulysses S. Grant once got a

ﬁne for speeding on his horse.

1/4

of them are in your feet.

percent of the people in the world are lefthanded.

The Oﬃce

Swimming To Antarctica by L.M. Cox

“Locked Out Of Heaven” by Bruno Mars

Martin

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Suess

“Clique” by Kayne West

Revolution

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

“Heartlines” by Florence + The Machine

Elementary

The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

“Revolution” by The Beatles

SPORTS

CUB REPORTER • DECEMBER 14, 2012 PAGE 23

Girls suffer close losses

and believe in each other,” head coach John Albers said. jacobhelmuscub@gmail.com The game against Bloomington South finished exactly After starting out the season how the game against Mount 1-1, the LC Lady Bears crushed Vernon did as LC held a close the Broad Ripple Rockets but lead into the final seconds of lost to Bloomington South 42- the game but with 10 seconds left, the Pan43 and Pike thers made 37-47 to drop a 3- pointer their record We need everybody from the right to 2-3 and 0-2 wing to give in Conference on our team... them the narIndiana. John Albers row 1-point A comHead Coach victory. mon theme T h a t throughout heartbreaking the three lossloss came after es has been battling and keeping it close the Lady Bears put on a domithroughout the entire game, nating performance in a win but then not being able to fin- over Broad Ripple. LC led 22-0 ish in the closing seconds. In the after the first quarter and 36-4 at Lady Bears three losses, they halftime. From there, LC went have lost by only a combined 12 on to an easy win with a score of 64-11. Junior Kyra Tucker points. “We need to really focus on paced LC with 20 points and game situations and continue to senior Calyn Hosea provided learn to play together. We have a double-double with 12 points done a nice job against some of and 12 rebounds. Tucker has led LC in scorthe top teams in the state, putting ourselves in a position to ing in every game so far, and win. Now we have to learn how is one of the main reasons the to finish games with confidence Lady Bears have been able to

JacobHelmus

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stay in every game. However Albers says, winning will be a team effort. “We need everybody on our team to contribute. Kyra does many things well both offensively and defensively, but no one on the team can do it by themselves,” Albers said. The Lady Bears are very close to getting over the hump in terms of success and according to Albers, good passes, fewer turnovers and finishing easy chances near the rim will help them secure more victories and not be the victim of last second losses. The Lady Bears could not fix their turnover woes as they amassed 15 turnovers in a 39-49 loss in a rematch against Pike in the Marion County Tournament on Dec. 4. LC shot a mere 36 percent from 2-point range and 53 percent from the free throw line. Senior Breanna Jones led LC with 13 points and four assists. This loss put the Lady Bears at 2-4 on the young season. The Lady Bears will travel to Columbus North tomorrow to take on the Bulldogs.

Senior point guard Breanna Jones drives the basketball into the lane against Pike in the Marion County Tournament. Cub photo/Coleman LaBarr

Swimming pool ready for use MitchPrather mitchprathercub@gmail.com

The LC natatorium is once again functioning full power. The pool had been out of commission since early October, when the filter system that operated the pool broke down. The pool had to be drained and cleaned, and the entire filter system replaced. This is not a small task, as the filter occupies its own room in the pool maintenance area. It is also a very expensive process. All of the pipes for the system were replaced, and three new holes had to be drilled in the dividing wall between the two parts of the maintenance room.

Now that water is again filling the pool, the swimming and diving teams hope to begin practicing at LC next week for the first time this season. In addition, gym classes will be able to resume use of the facility after winter break. During the interim period between the times the pool broke down and now, numerous changes had to be made in the physical education and athletic departments. Indiana state law requires schools with an operating pool to offer swimming lessons as a part of the PE course, so without the pool there was a hole in the existing curriculum. In reality, PE department chairmen Wiley Craft said he

felt that for the most part, these classes seemed to be little affectchanges had little effect on his ed, Craft did express worries operations. about swimming not included “We didn’t really change in the curriculum. curriculum any; we just had “I think it’s important that another group kids like rotating to swimming what we had, or that they so if we were Most students...were know how playing flag to swim and happy we didn’t have football, Ultithey are commate Frisbee swimming in Wiley Craft fortable PE department chair water, simply and tennis, then there was because of the a three-way number of acrotation incidents that stead of a two-way rotation,” happen with small children and Craft said. parents that are afraid to go in “Most students, I think, and help them, or to keep them were happy that we didn’t have afloat,” Craft said. swimming,” Craft said. “We teach swimming so While on the surface PE that the kids, 1, have fun with

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it and 2, are able to save themselves, and help themselves or help others,” Craft said. For the swim team, the loss has proven a little tougher. The team has had to practice in the mornings at Lawrence North, and sacrifice afternoon practices for dry land activities. Most swimmers are happy to have a place to swim at all, but the price of gas to commute between the schools can be tough. For many seniors, it was disheartening to think of spending their senior year elsewhere. However, they have not let it get to them. “I’m going to go to any pool I swim at and try my best, because you just have to leave it in the pool,” senior Jordan Elder said.

PAGE 24 DECEMBER 14, 2012 • CUB REPORTER

SPORTS

Wrestlers to pin down issues Senior Riley Newkirk agreed with his coach that the pieces are starting to fall into After claiming an out of place for the team. “We’ve begun to come tostate tournament over the past weekend, the wrestlers claim a gether as a team more and work record of 4-3 thus far through for each other and it’s starting to show out on the mat,” Newkirk the season. The reasonably slow start is said. Newkirk, a 5’4” senior due in part to the football team playing all the way through who wrestles in the 120 lb. weight class, November, is ranked 11th claiming the in the state time of mulWe’ve begun to come in his current tiple wresweight class. tlers. Despite together as a team... that setback, Riley Newkirk He plans to though, head senior wrestle in the 113 lb. weight coach Tom class in the Corbett is not Marion Counworried about ty tournament on Saturday. the future success of the team. Newkirk has been a solid “The football team winning the state title put a bit of wrestler for the team over the a curve ball on things,” Corbett past four years, and Corbett said. “We just have to realize credits his success to his comthat we’re two weeks behind mitment to the program and everybody else, but we’re start- to the sport itself. Though the ing to get in the flow in getting coach admits Newkirk may everyone in the right positions have a little too much fun in and we’re starting to get them practice sometimes, Newkirk’s in shape. Right now I think our enthusiasm for the sport has been important to his success. effort’s there.”

AlexKryah alexkryahcub@gmail.com

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Senior Jonathan Watkins takes command of his match against Pike. This is Watkins’ first year wrestling for LC as he transferred from the state of Hawaii, where he won two state titles. Cub photo/Coleman LaBarr

Luckily, we have Luck Column designs/Sara Heiny

I know my readership lives and dies with my every syllable, but I hope all of you forgot about my dreadful plea to Colts owner Jim Irsay last year. In one of my previous columns, I wrote about how, instead of drafting Andrew Luck, the Colts should have traded away the pick for a few defensive players and wait until this year to draft a quarterback, specifically Matt Barkley. My, oh my, what poor judgment I had. If the Colts had gone with that heinous plan, they would not have been 9-4 and playing for a Wild Card

spot. They’d probably be dwelling in mockery this year if we had decided to pass up Luck. I don’t even want to think about what would have happened to us next year if we decided to draft Barkley, the USC quarterback who recently separated his shoulder. The Colts would probably be looking worse than the Browns this year Thankfully, the Colts have legitimately intelligent people in the front office and not arrogant, goofy-looking high school kids such as the guy authoring this column. They made the right choice drafting Luck, the

savior of the Colts franchise. The Colts success hasn’t all been because of Luck, though. The Colts’ turnaround came when head coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia, which is nearly in remission. The phrase “CHUCKSTRONG” has become the slogan of the team this year, with every win seemingly in honor of the cancer stricken coach. It’s not too far-fetched to say that Colts wouldn’t be where they are now if it weren’t for the inspirational boost of Pagano’s diagnosis. You have to remember, the Colts lost to Jacksonville at

home before Pagano was sidelined. Regardless, Luck’s leadership of the team as a rookie has been an impressive display, paralleled only by Robert Griffin III of the Washington Redskins. Their seasons have been recordbreaking and awe inspiring so far. While Griffin may have the edge in stats (his 66.4 completion percentage and 18-4 TD-interception ratio is stellar, while Luck is 18-18 in that category and only completes 55.5 percent of his passes), Luck has the edge in the most important category: wins.

Why? The intangibles are what set him apart. He’s brilliant beyond his years and is willing to do all the little things in games that lead to bigger things. His short pass to T.Y. Hilton for the game winning T.D. against Detroit is something you rarely see in a rookie. The patience it requires for that route to progress is usually only seen in veteran QB’s. Instead of playing for next season, the Colts are now vying for a playoff spot and are a great comeback story. I would have played for next season but, luckily, I was wrong.

SPORTS

CUB REPORTER • DECEMBER 14, 2012 PAGE 25

Cub photo/Carley Lanich

Perfection! Bears claim first ever state football title AlexKryah alexkryahcub@gmail.com The boys had one goal going in to the season. It was a simple goal that was a lot more complicated and difficult to accomplish. It is two words and 14 letters long and on Nov. 24 in Lucas Oil Stadium, the Bears were finally able to call themselves what they’ve dreamed of for the last year: State Champions. “It’s awesome, you know. It takes a lot of time and a lot of work to be good at anything,” head coach Jayson West said.

“It’s really good for the young men especially to see their hard work pay off, and any time you can do that and be successful at the same time is awesome. A lot of teams work hard and they don’t win, but you still have to take the same message away from it that you’re doing something special. It was really neat to see it all come to fruition for them.” The State title game against Fort Wayne Snider started out with a bit of a scare for the Bears as the Panther kicker drilled the opening kick of the game off a Bear in the front line of the return formation. The ball was recovered by Snider and they took over near midfield. Despite the unlucky break,

the boys were able to force a was going to throw it to.” 3-and-out and got the ball deep Thompson took the pass in their own territory. After con- up the far seam to give the verting multiple first downs, se- Bears a 7-0 lead and, just as the nior quarterback Drake Chris- boys have been doing all year, ten finally got the scoring under they never looked back. Chrisway. ten would “Our reend the night It was really neat to ceivers were throwing for running four see it all come to fruition 226 yards and verticals and running for for them. when I saw the 94 yards and Jayson West safeties come head coach a score. Seup, I knew nior running we were goback Isaiah ing to score,” Townsend led Christen said about the 48-yard the ground game on the night bomb to junior Tyja Thompson. with 188 yards and two scores, “I said to (senior fullback) Alex including a 64-yard dash in Rodriguez, ‘This is going to be the third, while Trey White a touchdown,’ before the play; amassed 139 receiving the ball I just didn’t know which guy I on the night. The high powered

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offense eventually scored 32 points on the night or, in other words for the Bears, just another day at the office. “We have a very versatile offense,” West said about the team’s explosive offense. “Each night, who knows who’s going to step up and play well? It could be a fullback or a wingback or anybody. Isaiah, Rodriguez, Drake and Trey White played great. (Junior receiver) Kenny Jones made a big catch, too. It’s really a neat system where, you know, it has a lot of opportunities for whoever’s hot that night to step up.” One of those versatile players was up for the most prestigious award in the state of In— See FOOTBALL on page 26

PAGE 26 DECEMBER 14, 2012 • CUB REPORTER

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State Champions

Girls Track and Field: 1995-1996, 2009-2010 Boys Track and Field: 1997-1998, 2004-2005, 2011-2012 Baseball: 2003-2004 Gymnastics: 2006-2007 Football: 2012-2013 Continued from page 25

diana’s Mr. Football. He lost out to Jaylen Smith, a Fort Wayne Bishop Luers star who will play at Notre Dame next year. Regardless, Christen had himself one heck of a year. “In a one-year case, I think he made a pretty good one,” West said. “I don’t think many guys did what he did on the field and what he meant to this team.” Christen’s stats back up his coach’s claim, too. The senior threw for 1,885 yards with an impressive 19-4 touchdown-tointerception ratio. He also ran for 1,391 yards and 11 touchdowns, which epitomized his dual threat nature. When the clock hit double zeroes, the scoreboard read 3914, in favor of the Bears, the top ranked team in the state.

“I was just really happy because our team worked really hard for it throughout the whole season,” Christen said about his initial reaction to the win. “To see it pay off for our guys and our seniors, it was a really good feeling.” Victory may never have felt so sweet as it was seemingly the perfect ending to, literally, a perfect season. Clockwise, from page 25: Senior Mike Zinnermon tackles a Panther receiver. Senior Isaiah Townsend runs for a big gain. Senior Drake Christen scans the field for running lanes. Christen reads the defense, looking to either hand the ball off to senior Alex Rodriguez or keep the ball himself. Cub photos/Coleman LaBarr, Carley Lanich

All State Members 2012

All State First Team Sr. QB Drake Christen, Sr. OL Tim Gardner and Jr. Lb Brandon Lee All State Honorable Mention Sr. RB Isaiah Townsend, Sr. FB Alex Rodriguez, Jr. WR Kenny Jones, Sr. WR Trey White, Sr. DL Derrick Dunlap, Sr. LB Deshai Powell, Jr. LB Nikia Averitte

SPORTS

CUB REPORTER • DECEMBER 14, 2012 PAGE 27

Rough start for Bears JacobHelmus jacobhelmuscub@gmail.com

The LC boys basketball team has dropped their first two games of the season, 51-78 and 49-72 to Pike and Hamilton Southeastern, respectively. The home opener and season opener for the Bears was a tough one against the second ranked Pike Red Devils. Pike came out red hot shooting the ball as seniors Jordan Pickett and Taishaun Johnson were able to pick apart the Bears 2-3 zone defense and knock down a lot of jump shots. Pickett finished with 24 while Johnson was right behind him with 22. Senior guard Davonte Harris led LC with 14 points. The Bears were able to keep it close in the first half trailing by 8 at halftime. The Red Devils however were too tough to overcome in the second half as they outscored LC 15-9 in the third quarter and 22-9 in the fourth

quarter to give the Red Devils the 27-point victory. The next night did not get any easier for the Bears as they traveled to play fourth ranked Hamilton Southeastern. Once again the Bears kept it close in the first half but were unable to keep up with the talented Royals in the second half getting outscored by a total of 19 after only trailing by six at halftime. Michigan recruit Zak Irvin had a game high 27 points for the Royals while also snatching 17 rebounds. Davonte Harris led the Bears again with 14 points while freshman Kyle Guy contributed 12 points off the bench. “We need to work together as a team more. We have a lot of talent on this roster we are just having a problem putting it together,” senior forward Taylor Chilton said. The next game for the Bears is tonight against Bloomington South.

JacobHelmus jacobhelmuscub@gmail.com

Freshman Kyle Guy puts up a floater a game against Pike. Guy is averaging over 6 points per game this year. Courtesy photo/ Geoff Bowles

Pressing changes to weight room MitchPrather mitchprathercub@gmail.com The Athletics Department will take on a slightly new look beginning second semester as the weight training room will move to the field house. The weights will take over the former gymnastics room, which is attached to the indoor track area by large, garage style doors. This is not the first move for the weight room, which occupied rooms by the LGI Room before construction began on the entire athletics facility in 2008. The decision was made to move the weight room for several reasons. Athletic director Jeff Irwin said he is striving to make the most of all the athletic department resources to maximize success, and in thinking through this decision, it was not a hard one to make. “We no longer have gym-

Coaches ‘impressed’ thus far

The move, however, is not nastics, so that space can now be used five, six, seven, eight an easy one because the spachours a day versus an hour a es were created originally for day at best, in many instances, different purposes. It does go when you add it all up. The deeper than simple aesthetics, space will be better utilized; it however. Irwin said he knows stands idle most of the time,” the potential for success is great at LC, and he said he knows he Irwin said. The old gymnastics area is can do whatever it takes to help several times larger than the bring that out. “Obvicurrent weight ously, with us room, so space The space will be is a great admoving into vantage. Cur- better utilized... the MIC (Metrently, the area Jeff Irwin ropolitan Inis hindered by Athletic Director terscholastic a large foam Conference), pit which was a premier used in gymnastics for tum- conference, we want to do all bling. Irwin said the pit will be we can to make sure that our filled in for the short term, and coaches have the resources to the mats will be rolled up and be successful,” Irwin said. Irwin has designs to constored for the cheerleaders. “Ultimately it’s right next to tinue helping coaches by turnthe track, so you can just come ing the old weight training right out of there and be able to room into convenient office and work on other aspects of sports meeting space for all coaches. The grand scheme is to take performance,” Irwin said.

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full advantage of areas already marked out for athletics. Head football coach Jayson West said he agrees with the decision. “From a functionality stand point to just a daily routine to a smoothness factor in transition, I think it all just makes sense. Space is the main key, and now we can get everybody in there and maybe even two teams, where you couldn’t do that in the old space,” West said. Irwin said that if everything goes as planned, the goal is to have the new weight room in place in time for second semester. He does not want to wait to move forward with taking advantage of the functionality of spaces, despite the cost and effort. “We are all going to have to tag team it, and all give, and add to it to make it one of the best weight rooms in the country; that’s our goal,” West said.

The LC boys swimming team splashed into the season with a second place finish in a three way meet with Ben Davis and Cathedral, who came in first and third, respectively. The Bears beat Cathedral 115-105 but then lost to Ben Davis 110148. The girls swim team also placed second against the same two teams, but it was Cathedral who won while Ben Davis placed third. LC beat Ben Davis 134-124 but then lost to Cathedral 107-148. Even though the swimmers are still early into the season, the coaches and swimmers have a lot to look forward to. “The coaching staff is very impressed by everyone thus far in the season. The swimmers are listening and trying to change their techniques and how they approach practice. So far diver Reed Dillon has been our most consistent athlete,” head coach Andrew Renie said. Before the double dual meet with Cathedral and Ben Davis, both of the teams took on the Pike Red Devils. The boys came out strong and left with the victory. The girls, however, came up short and dropped their record to 1-3. “We need to continue to work hard and come together as a team. The boys surprised Pike and their coaches which was a huge confidence booster,” Renie said. Today, both of the Bears swimming teams face off in the Marion County swim meet in the Natatorium at IUPUI. The preliminary rounds start at 6 p.m. and the finals start at 1:30 p.m. Saturday “We are expecting to see about 50 percent career best times,” Renie said.

PAGE 28 DECEMBER 14, 2012 • CUB REPORTER

SPORTS

Cub Athlete

Senior Tori Colvin has a strong passion for swimming AlexKryah alexkryahcub@gmail.com

of the Issue:

Tori Colvin Player Profile

Grade: Senior Sport:

Varsity Swimming

Years on Team: Four

Cub photo/Coleman LaBarr

Senior Tori Colvin had barely experienced life before she experienced swimming. Colvin began taking swim lessons when she was as young as six months old and has loved being in the water ever since. “Before I began to competitively swim, I always loved being in the water,” Colvin said. She began swimming on a competitive level when she was in fourth grade. Her parents were the ones who influenced her to start swimming. “My parents thought knowing how to swim was an important life skill,” Colvin says of introduction to the sport. “They put me in lessons when I was younger and from then on I loved being in the water.” Colvin’s love of swimming branches not only from her love of being in the water, but also from the relationships that she’s created through the aquatic sport. “My favorite thing about swimming is the family that forms through the process of practicing and working out together,” Colvin said. “My swim teams both club and high school have become second families to me because when you wake up at 5 in the morning and spend two to three hours working hard with these people they become more than teammates. Swimming has definitely brought me some of my closest friends.” The senior has taken away the lessons of hard work, perseverance and “the feeling of true success” from swimming. The team’s motto “PMA” (positive mental attitude) has helped her throughout high school and will continue to help her through life. Colvin is looking to swim at the collegiate level at either Lake Forest College in Illinois or the University of Miami (OH). Wherever she ends up, though, swimming will always have an impact on her life.