H1N1 VOL. 57, ISSUE 5 /OCTOBER 14, 2009
2424 S.E. CALIFORNIA AVE. / TOPEKA, KANSAS
Beware of the flu season Written By: Jordyn Kelly
What is it?
A new influenza virus which was detected in people in the US in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person to person worldwide. Similar to the way a regular seasonal influenza virus spreads.
Why is it called Swine Flu ?
It is called the “Swine Flu” because laboratory testing showed that many genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America.
How is it spread?
Is there a vaccine available?
What are the Symptoms?
It is spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing by those infected with virus. Sometimes people can even catch it by touching a surface or object with the flu virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Severe illness and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with the virus. A H1N1 vaccine is currently available in Topeka in limited quantities. Priority groups for the vaccine include: Pregnant women, Children & young adults aged 6 months to 24 years.
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Information from: Centers of Disease Control & Kansas Dept of Health.
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What can I do to protect myself ?
Fever Cough Runny/ Stuffy Nose Sore Throat Body Aches Fatigue Headache Chills Some have diarrhea and vomiting
Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you finish using it. Wash you hands often with soap and water. If soap or water isn’t available then use alcohol based hand rub. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Get Your Flu Shot.
Fights give Highland Park a ‘black eye’
By Prentice Inyard & Ta’Micka Cavitte Throwing footballs turned into throwing fists on Sept. 25 when Highland Park’s varsity team went up against rival Topeka High. The teams were battling during the game but the heat turned all the way up during the fourth quarter with 8 minutes and 41 seconds left on the clock. Because of alleged cheap shots and late hits the two teams started to fight on the field. After the brawl when both teams returned to their benches, officials called the game to an end. Disciplinary actions and consequences followed very quickly. Topeka High’s coach Walt Alexander made a public statement saying his team would not be reprimanded. Highland Park didn’t get off so easy. There were suspensions made and student athletes lost their spots on the team. In addition, the rest of the season
was at jeopardy. It was not certain if the team will be able to finish out this season, but a review from the Kansas Activities Association has agreed to allow the team to complete its schedule. The KSHSAA statement reads: “After reviewing the report from USD 501 district administration, the Kansas State High School Activities Association has placed the Topeka Highland Park football program on administrative probation for the remainder of the 2009-10 school year. The KSHSAA agrees with the position taken by USD 501 that it is in the best interest of all schools for both teams to continue their seasons. “Along with the school district, the KSHSAA will continue to monitor the Highland Park football program but administrative probation allows the team eligibility to participate in KSHSAA postseason play should it qualify. The KSHSAA is issuing no additional sanctions on individual players or coaches beyond those imposed by
the school district.” The coaching staff had its own punishments for the team. For example, in the first game after the incident the team was not allowed to wear their new uniforms and played in the older uniforms as a message to put their focus on more important issues. “In order to better ourselves, the team has to learn to control themselves in the heat of the battle,” coach Sadiq Muhammed said. There was a meeting Oct. 6 at the Hummer press box between the two teams. Superintendant, Kevin Singer decided that select players from both teams have to complete mandatory community service together, such as helping around at schools within the district. Muhammed said this event has not scared him away. “ I will continue to coach even harder than before. It’s my passion and since we have been faced with this adversity as a leader it’s my duty to face it head on and not be
scared.”
Parking Lot Fight
In addition to the incident on the field, there was another big fight at school about 10 days prior to the football fight, which brought a lot of negative attention to Highland Park. On September 14, a fight broke out in the parking lot during the lunch break involving several students, former graduates, and a few parents. Several hundred students were on hand to witness the event. When campus police called for back up, more than a dozen law enforcement cars arrived on campus, followed by a police helicopter, a K-9 unit and the news media. The media inaccurately reported that the brawl was a result of escalated weekend gang violence. Associate principal Valerie Patterson was quick to quash concerns that Highland Park is a dangerous school.
She said the incident stemmed from problems in the neighborhood between certain groups of girls that escalated at school. “We, like other schools, have groups of students who don’t always agree. Sometimes the volcano just blows, but to say Highland Park is an unsafe place is not fair,” Patterson said. There is no accurate number of students involved, but the result of the parking lot incident included a total of nine girls receiving fiveday suspensions with long-term hearings. Only three girls were allowed to return to their classes; three others were transferred to Twilight School and the remaining three transferred to other schools. “It was a difficult decision,” Patterson said. “ I couldn’t put them all in the same place.” Instead, the school looked at where the girls would focus best academically.
English class writes book celebrating lives Last year students in Mrs. Terri Walton’s Honor’s Junior English class wrote a book about famous people buried in the Topeka Cemetery and had it published. On Saturday Oct. 3 the very same contributors were invited to read at the 150th anniversary of the cemetery and learn of its history. The book, “Beginnings to Endings: Topeka’s Founding Fathers Buried in the Topeka Cemetery,” was funded through the Sherman Oyler grant from the Topeka Foundation. Oyler was a former Highland Park history teacher and the book is dedicated to him. The grant paid for the printing of the book, enough to give a copy to each student, as well as several local libraries. Walton said the students worked
hard to gather the information for the book. “They had to do extensive research. It was harder than googling.” The students had to search archives at the public library as well as the KS State Historical Society Library. Since the publication, the class has been asked to turn their biographies into first-person monologues, which will become a live theater production. The group is working with the TV Productions class to film the monologues for a film for the Kansas Historical Society. Seniors Margaret Harris and Joshua Beshears read excerpts of the book at the recent cemetery anniversary celebration.
Senior Josh Beshears reads an excerpt from the book written by Honor’s Junior English students about founding fathers buried in the Topeka Cemetery.
Freshman Quianna Bixel enjoys cotton candy at the Highlander Fling carnival. For more Homecoming coverage see pages 4-5
October 14, 2009
Flashback:
Can you guess the Royalty among us?
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Honorable Mention Mr. Tim Overman won basketball homecoming king 1970 Columbus, Kan. Ms. Angie Seamans was queen of Pike Valley HS 1985
1965
1985
1973
1987
1996
Ms. Karen Darting was royalty at Emporia High 1971. Mr. Scott Kickhaefer was a royalty candidate 1993 Chapman High School
Answers: Mr. Dale Cushinberry, homecoming king. Ms. Valerie Patterson, homecoming queen. Mr. Freddy Maisberger, winter royalty candidate Ms. Sherlice Spicer, winter royalty candidate. Elena Ramirez Johnson, winter royalty candidat
OPINION
Make headlines for the right things By Ta’Micka Cavitte All Highland Park has made headlines for lately is a right hook and a sucker punch. What is really going on? So many great things happen at our school yet all we can get in the newspaper for is the fights. It’s our school! It’s our responsibility to promote the image we want! The football team’s actions are inexcusable and the lunchtime brawl gets reported as “escalated
weekend gang violence.” Come on people. As a school, we need to work together and promote the positive image we want to project. Our school could make headlines with all the positives we have going for us, such as Links Crew, AVID, girls’ tennis, debate. All I’m saying is keep your hands to yourself and do what you have to do to succeed.
Number 1 School in Topeka
501 Driver’s Ed
Highlander Fling Carnival Sponsors Applebees Burger King Cold Stone Creamery Chicken Fly Committee Domino’s Pizza Godfather’s Pizza McDonald’s Olive Garden Red Lobster Sheridan’s Frozen Custard Target Ur Hometown Inflatables
The Bagpiper is the official student publication of Highland Park High School. The mission of this paper is to inform students and staff of current events, to entertain and to serve as a forum for thoughts and opinions of students and faculty as accurately and tastefully as possible. The Bagpiper is published monthly and distributed to the students and staff at Highland Park.
Halloween Express 1930B SW Wanamaker Ave. Topeka, Ks 66604 785-228-2044 The Staff
Editor in Chief- Ta’Micka Cavitte News Editor- Jordyn Kelly Features Editor- Bianca Greenly Editorial Editor-Christine Labrador Sports Editors- Dante Jordan Antwan Robbins Business Editor- Kira Southall Web Master- Prentice Inyard Staff Reporter- Yara Arreola, D’Marco Smith Adviser: Heather Hooper
Store Hours Mon-Fri: 10 A.M.-9 P.M. Sat: 10 A.M.-9 P.M. Sun: 12 P.M.-6 P.M.
Editorial Policy: The diverse opinions expressed in editorials are either those of The Bagpiper staff or individuals. The editorials may never purposely attack or ridicule anyone. Views in this newspaper do not always represent those of the staff, faculty or the school board of Topeka Unified School District 501. Letters to the Editor: The Bagpiper encourages all readers to submit letters to the editor. The letters can be mailed to The Bagpiper at Highland Park, dropped off in Room 219 or turned in to any of The Bagpiper staff. Submitted letters must be under 300 words and signed by the writer or writers. The Bagpiper will not accept any obscene, personally offensive or irrelevant material, and reserves the right to edit or refuse publication.
4 THE BAGPIPER • October 14, 2009
Homecoming 2009
King
Dee Slater & Jermaine Parker.
Q &
A
Jessica Cohee
Q: What was your most memorable moment?
A : When I got nominated for homecoming.
Queen
Queen Jasmine Kingcannon & King Jermaine Parker.
Taylor Childers & Luis Astorga.
Jessica Cohee & Khiry Crawford.
Jermaine Parker Q : What was your most memorable moment? A : When I wore a fat man costume and kilt.
Taylor Childers Q : What was your most memorable moment? A : Becoming wing commander of AFJROTC. Prentice Inyard Q : What is your most memorable moment? A: When I was a powder puff cheerleader.
Karen Rodriguez Ortiz & Prentice Inyard.
Jasmine Kingcannon Q : Why is great to be a Scot? A : Why isn’t it great to be a Scot?
Dylan Flowers Q : Why is it great to be a Scot? A : It’s a great school. Karen RodriguezOrtiz Q: Why is it great to be a Scot? A : I couldn’t imagine being at any other school.
Jasmine Kingcannon & Dylan Flowers.
Luis Astorga Q : Why is it great to be a Scot? A : Because its like another family in school. Deeloress Slater Q : Why is it great to be a Scot? A : All the people, the fact that we are all one big family. Khiry Crawford Q : Why is it great to be a Scot? A : There’s always something brand new and exciting to do here.
We Got Spirit!
October 14th, 2009
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1. Jahlil Osby playing in the obstacle course. 2. Mr. Dale Cushinberry slides into the dunk tank. 3. Little kids enjoying the car smash. 4. Mr. Matthew Herbert, Ms. Alicia Billinger, & Mr. Jeffery Rezac are our new Scots mascots.
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5. Seniors Jesenia Alcantara, Francisca Yebra, Nallely Vasquez on the Hispanic club float.
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6. Sabrina Ramsey, Andreina Galicia, Carolina Mateos, Christine Labrador, Biainett Caldera, and Doralicia Fuentes on Multiple Day 7. Jocelyn Gonzalez shows her spirit at the homecoming parade. 8. Senior Women, left, take on theJunior Ladies in powder puff football.
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6 THE BAGPIPER • October 14, 2009
Soccer Team keeps fighting By: Antwan Robbins The soccer team is playing with a force to win this season. The team is 3-5 right now with an impressive win against Emporia 2-1, and Daniel Corral leading the team in goals. Also, they are fifth in the Centennial League. The team members say they can still use improve to be a successful team in the future.
Senior captain Luis Astorga said “We can use improvement on defense. We make a lot of mental mistakes, which causes us to lose close games.” But overall, Astorga said they are doing better than last year. “We have good team chemistry overall,” he said. The team still has many weapons to help them be a good team. Senior Jose Pelayo is controlling the middle very
well. Also the freshman Lauro Garcia is dominating on the field. Also, Enrique De La Torre also is helpful in the middle with Pelayo. On Oct. 5 the team lost to our crosstown rival Topeka High 2-0. De La Torre said, “I’m upset, but it was the little mistakes that we made.” Then he stated, “We can change these mistakes and prepare ourselves for regionals and hopefully make it to the playoffs.”
Coach Dave Ulivarri said, “The team still looks good and we still can use improvement.” Ulivarri said he thinks the team can make it to playoffs if they limit their mistakes. “Overall, we’re doing pretty good and I’m really proud of the teams commitment.,” Ulivarri said. “When we’re down they never give up.” Photo by: Heather Hooper
Seniors claim victory in Powder Puff Football
Junior Ashley Lutz avoids the touch!
By: D’marco Smith “Down, set, hike,” yelled senior quarterback Kanesha Mock in the annual girls power puff football game. The Class of 2010 won for the third time in their four years with Mock leading the team at QB for the second year in a row. Senior receivers said K-Mock is a smart QB for a girl, she is really athletic, and the juniors could not stop her passing game and trick plays. Juniors Tre’Ona Hicker-
son and Chanaya Kershner claim the game was unfair, unsafe, and the referee let the game go on with disorderly conduct. The two said the junior girls were not as strong or athletic as the senior class, but if they can get a rematch they will show them who is the best class. Jasmine Kingcannon and K-Mock both had a rushing touchdown, and Sapphire Phillips recovered a fumble and got a touchdown, with the score ending at 24-0.
Luis Astorga prepares to launch the ball against Topeka High.
The senior team with their coaches celebrate the powder puff victory.
Finishing Strong The cross-country team is running well By: Antwan Robbins The cross-country team is running very well so far. They had runners finish in the top 15 in some of their races. Coach Freddy Maisberger is also noticing the improvement with the team. Maisberger said, “The team is doing very well. The runners are finishing with lower times than what they started the season with.” Then he said, “I see more
commitment in the runners.” The running is helping them build their stamina, but Maisberger said he wished they had started running more in the summer and ran on weekends. Junior Will Gray said he enjoys the sport a lot and coach Maisberger is very helpful and competitive. The workouts can be tough at times, Gray said. The average work out has the boys running three 5 miles and the girls running two 4 miles. The next meet is at Hummer Sports Park.
Andrea Rhoiney ready to serve the ball.
Photo by: Hannah Davis
Will Gray strides it out on the cross country track.
Tough Times A volleyball struggle By: D’marco Smith The Lady Scots volleyball team has hit a road block losing six straight games in a row. Their current record is 7-15. With varsity setter Taylor Wilson gone with a broken finger, Coach Tim Overman says Jessica Cohee and Jasmine Kingcanon and the rest the team must step-up because Wilson’s injury was a big loss for the team. Senior Andrea Rhoiney said Wilson is really missed. “She is a key factor in our offense and defense, and we all miss her energy and intensity.” Twin sister Katie Wilson said, “losing my sister has done a lot of damage to the team, but us seniors are fighting through the storm.” Senior Makhala Giardina agrees that the team can
win without her, but it’s going to be hard. “I think we can do it if we talk more and have intensity, its not impossible,” Giardina said. As the team setter, Taylor Wilson was a big part of the team. “From a hitters point of view its hard to get use to other setters setting it up to me,” Giardina said. “I was so use to her, working together all summer.” The seniors say they plan to carry the rest of the team to state, but can not do it without the underclassmen playing their role and having more energy and intensity. While Wilson is out sophomore Delores Smith and freshmen Sammie Zirkle have helped out the varsity in many ways,
OCTOBER 14, 2009
• THE BAGPIPER 7â‰
Fall Sports Mania Chanaya Kershner going for the spike.
Lauro Garcia leaps over his opponent to get the ball.
Nathan Horn going for the pass William Muldrow jogging for success
Vanessa Ellis concentrating on the swing
8 THE BAGPIPER • OCTOBER 14, 2009
Top
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Harrison Church Topeka High
Topeka Haunts
The Capital
Rochester Cemetery
Topeka State Hospital
Rochester Cementery holds the well-known story of the Albino Woman. Numerous stories have been said about this spook. The most common says she wears long white dresses and tends to the graves at night. And if any late night visitors appear, she is known to scare them off.
This building once housed an insane asylum from 1914 to 1997. It was opened to ease overcrowding at two other local asylums. Located just north of Hummer Sports Park, the grounds have its own cementery. The land was recently purchased by the 501 School District to be torn down.
By: Kira Southall
This location, the former Trinity Methodist Church at 16th and Harrison, is considered to be the most haunted place in Kansas. It is said to be possessed by the Devil. The owner, and numerous others report hearing screams and a little girl crying.
There have been many ghost spottings at Topeka High School. Rumors of an underground tunnel under the school leads to a hidden cementery. If alone, a conversation with a ghost or other strange occurrences are likely to occur.
The Kansas capitol is also well known for a good spook. Rumors tell, that a mentally handicapped woman climbed up to the top of the Capital and jumped to her death. There are some who claim they still hear her moans and screams at night.
What’s your Halloween style? Bagpiper staffers Bianca Greenly and Prentice Inyard recently tried on some of this season’s most popular Halloween costumes. Top row: Bianca & Prentice show their sweet side in this “Sugar Babies” and “Sugar Daddy” costume. Bianca walks like an Egyptian. Prentice has transformed into Wolverine. Bottom row: It’s anchor’s away for Bianca. Prentice has Bianca under arrest with this cops & robbers costume. Prentice shows his devilish side. Bianca as a lady pirate.
Oct. 14, 2009
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Eric Larue: Fall play looks at school shooting aftermath By: Kira Southall Eric Larue tells the aftermath of a school shooting, and leaves many unanswered questions. This play consisted up of six actors, who highlighted each victim’s emotion in the shock of the shooting.
Anthony Munoz-Crow takes aim with an old fashioned muzzle-loader riffle. He won first place for accuracy.
Taking Aim Scot takes first place in riffle shooting By:Yara Arreola Anthony Munoz-Crow took first place for accuracy in the riffle shoot at the Kaw Valley Muzzle Loader’s yearly riffle and tomahawk sports camp. Munoz-Crow was one of five Highland Park students who attended the camp Sept. 18-20 with history teacher Jeff Rezac.
There they learned and participated in the tomahawk throwing for accuracy and as well as target shooting with the muzzleloaded 50 caliber riffles. They were among a group of 85 participants this year.
Poetry Slam At Lola’s in Fleming Place 10th & Gage
Sat. Oct. 17 from 7:30-10:00 P.M everybody is welcome Character of the Month September :Responsibility Nominated by ROTC Instructors Right from the start, Desiree Abbott realized the importance of academics, participation, and teamwork in achieving success in high school. Outside of Jr. ROTC, I’ve observed cadet Abbott’s involvement in her extracurricular activities and it’s evident that in whatever she’s engages, she understands the responsibility for its success or failure rests squarely on her shoulders.
Since school has begun, cadet Shawn Burris has demonstrated exceptional responsibility by going well above and beyond whatever he’s been asked to do. Cadet Burris’ personal responsibility so far this year suggests a bright future in the years to come.
Cadet Yara Arreola is no stranger to responsibility. As the logistics officer she has spent numerous hours throughout the summer preparing for the new school year. Because of her hard work and attention to detail this has been one of the smoothest issuing of uniforms for the ROTC program to date.
In addition to completing her final year of high school, Taylor Childers is responsible for the leadership and administration of our entire cadet cadre of over 130 cadets. Whatever task she’s been given in her last four years, she has demonstrated outstanding responsibility in accomplishing the task.
The performance was well written and acted. Even the stage set appeared crooked and unbalanced to give the audience the impression of the characters’ disturbed lives caused by the crime. Director, Scott Kickhaefer, said the play was chosen because of the story line and because it seemed fitting with the school board emphasizing on bullying this school year.
“I chose it to make people think, and to ask questions,” Kickhaefer said. “To see it didn’t offer a solution” The audience seemed pleased with the performance. In one of the three nights of showing, the largest night had about 75 attendees. Overall, the play was one not to miss and had good reviews. Above: Josh Bashears plays Eric Larue, the school shooter. Right: Marissa Bass, playing the shooter’s mother, is comforted by Bajuan Carr. Photos by Margaret Harris
Students Prepare for ‘Art for Kids’ By:Yara Arreola Art for Kids is a charity event for the Topeka Public Schools Foundation . Students and teachers from across the community are donating their time and artwork for the charibable auction. Some of our students at Highland Park will be donating different medias of art. Junior Marissa Bass, is painting our very own principal’s shoe for the event. There are five other students painting shoes.
Also being donated is a painted chair. Junior Danielle Jones, has been working on a Twilight inspired chair for weeks. She said, she wants to take her time and put as much detail as she can since its going to represent her as an artist. The event will be held at the Ramada Inn Grand Ballroom Oct. 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. This chair, painted by Danielle Jones, will be auctioned off with other student artwork at the charity event Art for Kids.