The Pow Wow|Vol. 74|Issue 6

The Pow Wow

Bonner Spring High School Bonner Springs, Kansas Vol. 74, Issue 6 April 8, 2011 www.bshsnews.com

Senior Tanner Cushman shows his loving gratitude to staff member Diane Bonner at his graduation ceremony last Thursday. Cushman was the first Bonner Springs graduate of 2011. For more information, see page 2.

NEWS

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News Bytes Crispito Countdown If you are looking for tasty treats in the form of candy and eggs, keep your eye out for a different delectable indulgence. Crispitos will bounce into the cafeteria on Wednesday, April 20.

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Decked out in his cap and gown, Tanner led a procession of staff members to the stage for the ceremony. Principal Joe Hornback gave a short speech and then presented Tanner with his diploma.

After that, Tanner led the procession to the cafeteria which was decorated in school colors with pictures of Tanner’s childhood on the tables.

The Project Graduation parents were on hand to provide Tanner with the best graduation experience possible.

“We did the decorations, and we also presented a gift for Tanner and his family,” said Kristy Anderson, Project Grad president.

The Cushmans were ecstatic with the number of people who came to support Tanner that evening to offer their congratulations. At times, Tanner was completely surrounded by supporters but as he made his way through the mob hugging and shaking hands, he found his mother, Linda who embraced him, a smile on her face and a gleam in her eye.

“I couldn’t be more proud,” his mother said.

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By Courtney Wheeler Staff Writer Family and friends filled the auditorium last Thursday to watch senior Tanner Cushman cross the stage to receive something he’s been waiting Tanner Cushman a long time for: his diploma.

Since being diagnosed with leukemia in January, Cushman has been taking his classes online through Diane Bonner’s Success Center. However, he was going to miss his graduation because he will be leaving soon for a blood marrow transplant at the Mayo Clinic.

Since Tanner had completed all graduation requirements, staff members Linda Orangkhadivi and Lisa Terrell decided that he deserved to graduate before he left.

“It was our pleasure to do it,” Orangkhadivi said. “Because Tanner and the Cushmans are wonderful people.”

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Gas by the Decades

Young Life is a national, nondenominational ministry that reaches out to teenagers. The Kaw Valley clubhouse hosts meetings each Monday for area middle school and high school students.

“Our meetings are a place where kids come to play games and have fun in other social activities,” Hiss said. “We recently had our yearly Couch Olympics. It’s a game where you take a couch and put it in the craziest place you can think of and get a picture to prove you put it there,” Hiss explained. “The winners this year’s Couch Olympics were a group of guys who put the couch on

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April 9 ACT test 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Regional Solo and Small Ensemble Music Festival at Baker University April 16 Jr./Sr. Prom April 22 Good Friday - No School April 25 Teacher Inservice Day, No School

Art teacher Jason Romanishin and his students recently completed a mural for the Kaw Valley Young Life Center just outside of Bonner Springs.

The mural images were inspired by current and former students.

By Sydney Shepherd Staff Writer About a year ago, art teacher Jason Romanishin received a call to help Drew Hiss, one of the sponsors of the Kaw Valley Young Life, with a project for teens in the Bonner Springs and Basehor communities.

Hiss wanted Romanishin to help with the decor of the Kaw Valley Young Life Clubhouse, which is about five miles west of Bonner, located on 14900 161st Street.

“Kaw Valley Young Life started in 2005 and was initially for Bonner and Basehor students. When we built the clubhouse, we wanted to give it some excitement and color,” Hiss said. “We wanted the kids to make it their own, so we asked for both schools to make a mural.”

However, with the school year almost at an end and no way to fit such a big project into his schedule, Romanishin decided to make the project part of a new murals painting class. However, that class was cancelled due to lack of enrollment, so Romanishin decided to make a mural an outside-of-class project for willing students this year.

Hiss had only one criteria for Rominishin in the making of the mural. make it spirited. School spirited that is.

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Upcoming Events

Students bring spirit to Young Life center

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An assortment of artwork

by BSHS students will be on display at the at the Bonner Springs Public Library through May 9.

April 8, 2011

Cushman becomes first Class of 2011 graduate

top of a ‘Gun Show’ billboard and posed with the couch while flexing their muscles.”

Other activities include dances, bon ires, and basketball games The murals from BSHS and Basehor-Linwood High School will be on opposing sides of the clubhouse gym.

The design of the mural, which is 10 feet tall by 20 feet wide and took about 20 to 30 hours to finish, was completely up to Romanishin.

“I wanted to represent a mixture of students’ interests, grades, and cultural heritages,” Romanishin said.

Romanishin also wanted to

represent students from BSHS by putting the Braves Building Character (BBC) logo on to the mural.

“The images contributed to the explanation of the character we have in [this] school,” Romanishin said.

The logo can be seen in the arrowhead above the featured students.

“The students who worked on this were students who had an interest in representing BSHS,” Romanishin said.

For more information on the Kaw Valley Young Life organization, go to www.kawvalley.younglife.org

Seniors Angelica Harris and Zack Sharpe rehearse lines during play practice.

Drac’s Back to entertain BSHS

By Jessica Brown Staff Writer Lights… camera… Draction!

Drac’s Back takes place in the castle of Dracula’s sisters: Bella (Samee Sprenkle) and Della (Kaylie Holloway) castle. Teacher Mary Cole (Angelica Harris) and her students were returning from the regional Science Fair, when their school van runs out of gas and are forced to stay at the creepy castle. From there, chaos ensues.

You can see this year’s spring play, Drac’s Back, at 7 p.m. next Thursday and Friday nights in the

auditorium.

Senior Zack Sharpe will be starring as the homebound, bloody Count.

How could he play this sinister character?“Everyone has a dark side,” said Sharpe. “You could say I’ve become villain-like.”

Tickets will be sold at the door: $3 for adults, $2 for students, and children six and under are free.

Along with the entertainment, director Dan Streit will also offer money. Play money.

To read more about Drac’s Back, go to www.bshsnews.com

NEWS

April 8, 2011

3

Go Lizards, go

Business specializes in the exotic and the unusual

By Sydney Shepherd & Courtney Wheeler News Staff Writers Creepy crawlies and the dark creatures that grace the fondest and most feared of dreams are here in Bonner Springs, but don’t worry, they aren’t loose. They’re located at Go Lizards, an exotic pet store at 220 Cedar in Bonner Springs.

For almost a year, Go Lizards has been supplying customers with exotic animals and pet supplies.

Before opening Go Lizards, owner Kelli Cruse was a flight attendant. However, she was laid off in 2001, so she went to work at a pet store where she “fell in love with bearded dragons.”

This “love” gave Kelli and her husband, Jason, the inspiration to open their own exotic pet business.

Initially, the couple operated the business solely online, but it has now grown into the thriving business it is today in Bonner Springs with thousands of animals for sale.

“A lot of people don’t know 90 percent of what we have,” said Cruse. “Whether our customers own reptiles or other types of animals, we sell pretty much everything a pet owner needs, including cat and dog food, but not the actual cats and dogs.”

However, the store specializes in the exotic and the unusual, the rarest of their animals being the

anaconda and the most popular seller being the bearded dragon. The crested gecko follows as another popular seller.

The store currently has one pregnant bearded dragon, and one that has very recently laid eggs, which are expected to hatch near the end of May. Like their pregnant bearded dragons, Go Lizards breeds a majority of their animals. What they don’t breed, they purchase from select breeders.

Employees at Go Lizards want to do more than provide customers with a unique pet, store manager Clayton Leihy said. The shop provides books on a wide variety of the animals for sale, so customers can learn more about what they’re taking home.

Leihy said it is very important to all of the employees that when people leave with a pet that they know how to properly take care of it.

To try and educate the public as much as possible, the employees choose an animal of the month and speak about it and demonstrate proper feeding techniques to all patrons.

“Our employees take pride in what they do,” Cruse said.

There is a downside to this otherwise beneficial business, however. Occasionally, Cruse said they are called to pick up reptiles that people can’t or don’t want to

care for.

Currently, Go Lizards is housing a three-foot caiman, a cousin to the alligator, who was brought in after an actual rescue. Because of the poor conditions where the caiman was kept, he developed physical disabilities.

It breaks employees’ hearts to have to take in rescue animals because they do everything in their power to educate people before it gets to that point.

On the upside, Cruse said they are asked to take the animals to various area events.

“We do a lot of birthday parties and presentations,” Cruse said.

The business recently signed a contract to provide reptile shows at the Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City, and Go Lizards will be involved in the Kansas City Reptile show, which will be held on May 15 at the Holiday Inn on 8787 Reeder Road in Overland Park.

The show will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Passes are $5 for adults; $3 for children ages 6 to 12; and free for those under 5.

As their name suggests, the employees of Go Lizards are passionate about “everything reptile” and are happy to answer any questions you have. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.

Showing one of the store’s most popular reptiles,Go Lizards owner Kelli Cruse displays a bearded dragon. On average, the reptiles sell for $79.99. When they have the reptiles, Cruse said it’s not unusual to sell 25 bearded dragons per week.

Go Lizards is located at 220 Cedar in Bonner Springs. “We wanted a small-town atmosphere,” owner Kelli Cruse said.

Pet profiles: The personal side of exotic pets Stormi Gaunce, 12 Pet’s name: Drop Dead Gorgeous Species: Rose hair tarantula Story behind the name: Most people think she’s ugly and creepy, but in my mind I think [the name] fits her perfectly.

Fondest memory: The first day I saw her and she crawled on my arm. I was nervous at first, but that’s when I realized that she’s not scary at all and I knew I had to have her!

Easiest part of caring for this pet: Feeding her, she only has to eat every two weeks or so. I loved that.

It was so, so easy.

Hardest part: Well, the hardest part is bringing her anywhere around people. Most people get nervous, even freak out, and get as far away as possible.

Kaysi Bias, 10

Tessa Franchett, 10

Brianna Sawyer, 9

Amelia Sheldon, 12

Pet’s name: Jasper Species: Hedgehog Story behind the name: There’s no specific reason, it’s just a cool name.

I just googled hedgehog names and saw ‘Jasper’ and thought, “That’s a cool name!”

Fondest memory: When he first became comfortable enough with me to run around and play.

Easiest part of caring for this pet: He is very low maintenance, quiet, and sweet.

Hardest part: He is very anxious and afraid of loud noises.

Pets’ names: Buddy and Holly Species: Ferrets Story behind the name: My mom thought it would be funny to name them Buddy and Holly because there was a guy named Buddy Holly, and it’s supposed to be some sort of inside joke for older people.

Fondest memory: My fondest memory I have with my ferrets is letting them out and playing around in the living room.

Easiest part of caring for this pet: The easiest part of having them is that, for the most part, they are litter box trained.

Hardest part: The hardest part of having them is cleaning their cage and trying to keep them out of my mom’s plants.

Pets’ names: Snickers, Teddy, Sassy, and Charlie [guinea pigs], Snowball and Laser Beam [hamsters] Story behind the name: The reason for Sassy’s name is because when I first got her, we got in the car and she jumped out of the box and went underneath the seat. The reason for Laser Beam’s is because he had red eyes like a laser beam, and the reason for Snickers name is because he looks like a snickers bar (colors).

As for Charlie, I just liked the name.

Easiest part of caring for these pets: The easiest part of having my pets is being able to play with them.

Hardest part: The hardest part is cleaning all of the guinea and hamster cages.

Pet’s name: Luna Lovegood, formerly Remus Lupin Species: Green Anole (Lizard) Story behind the name: My family is Harry Potter crazy and since Green Anoles change between green and brown, we decided we would name him after everyone’s favorite werewolf.

Oddest memory: When I introduced my scaly pal to a friend, my brother informed me that there had been a name change, due to the fact that Remus was, indeed, a girl.

Easiest part of caring for this pet: You just toss in some crickets and she feeds herself.

Hardest part: Keeping the tank at the right humidity and temperature.

4 The Pow Wow Staff Editor-In-Chief Riley Mortensen Business Manager Erin Mills News Editor Persephone Hart Features Editor Angelica Harris Arts & Lifestyle Editor Amelia Sheldon Sports Editor Austin Epp Photo Editor Samantha Ricci-Weller Staff Writers Mandy Ballou Jessica Brown Devyn Hayes Taylor Hunt Tyreka Johnson Miranda McCullough Sydney Shepherd Logan Terrell Dalton Vitt Courtney Wheeler Adviser Jill Holder

Editorial Policy The Pow Wow is published monthly by the fourth-hour publications staff at Bonner Springs High School. Editorials reflect the consensus of the staff; the commentaries reflect the individual writer’s opinion. These pieces may not reflect the opinion of the administration or the USD 204 board of education.

Letters to the Editor The Pow Wow is a public forum designed to serve as the voice of BSHS. Thus, letters-to-the-editor are accepted. The Pow Wow will not print letters that are libelous, irresponsible or advocate illegal acts. All letters should be submitted to Room 101 and

Contact Us Bonner Springs High School Pow Wow Newspaper 100 McDanield Bonner Springs, KS 66012 913-422-51212, ext. 4330 www.bshsnews.com

Have a question or suggestion?

Would you like your voice to be heard?

Contact editor-in-chief Riley Mortensen by email at rileymortensen@usd204. net or adviser Jill Holder at holderj@ usd204.net.

OPINIONS

April 8, 2011

To those who go the extra mile Whether you think of it as terribly frightening or wonderfully exciting, there is no denying that when you’re young, everybody finds time to daydream about their future. We have all been caught in that moment where we’re sitting in class trying your hardest to pay attention, yet all we can think about is the molten magnitude of possibilities that await us when it comes to the rest of our lives.

It’s no secret that we’re big advocates of education, and we’d like to take this time to thank every teacher that goes the extra mile for the sake of their students. We have the brain power to grow up to be anything we want, but you use your powers to get us motivated about learning and see that education is the foundation of everything in life.

From the beginning, we knew this year would be strong. For example, Mr. McFarland spearheaded the Warrior Walk at every football game played under the bright lights of our home field. Not only was that a great new tradition for students to take part in, but the community could joined in as well and felt like they were a part of something special.

Ms. Law, Mrs. Schlicht, and Mr. Hull helped create the “Coming Together for a Cure” game with Turner High School that had a phenomenal third year last January.

know who they are, that go that extra mile and bring in donuts “laced with smart serum.”

Everyone has had that one teacher that makes school such a joy. They steer clear of busy book work and state the state testing blahs. They start in-class discussions, show videos, and apply our learning to life.

Many of the things that make our school run smoothly happen because of those teachers who take the time out of their busy lives to make them happen, because despite popular belief, teachers do have lives.

Let’s not forget to mention those teachers, you

Every dance, every assembly, and all the

classes that you love to death were prepared by someone who took the time to make it worth your time and for that they deserve our support and most of all our sincere thanks.

Teacher Appreciation Week begins May 2, but who says you have to wait till May. Thank your teachers today!

—Riley Mortensen for the Pow Wow staff

Japan backlash is mean, so stop

When Hurricane Katrina smashed into the Gulf Coast, there was a national sense of hopelessness. The government wasn’t doing much when the people there were in desperate need of help. As we tuned into the news to see the devastation and watch the death toll climb, many Americans found ways to donate and help out.

AMELIA SHELDON

As I See It

But they weren’t the only ones. Countries from all over the world sent money, supplies, and people, all wanting to help. They saw the suffering of people thousands of miles away, and they were touched.

Right now, the nation of Japan is in a very similar situation. You open the newspaper in the morning, and they’ve added another 1,000 people to the death toll. Newscasters report with grave faces the current state of the nuclear energy crisis, and as you log onto Facebook, you read, “Japan comes to America to attack Pearl Harbor. America goes to Japan to help.

Well, at least we haven’t forgotten 9/11.”

Wait. Excuse me? There are so many red flags in this sentence that I don’t even know where to begin. First, let’s start with how much Japan has contributed to American relief projects. On a moral level, Japanese students send thousands of paper cranes to affected areas to inspire hope in the citizens affected by disasters.

If you’re the kind of person who expects monetary donations, the Japanese government donated over $200,000 to Katrina relief and over $800,000 in supplies. Japanese companies with a hold in America donated millions of dollars. They helped us without a second thought, so why can’t we do the same?

“If you wanna feel better about the earthquake in Japan, Google Pearl Harbor death toll.” If you wanna be a troll, Google Hiroshima and

Nagasaki death toll. Here, I’ll even save you the time: 2,350 people died in the Kamikaze attack on Pearl Harbor. 214,000 people died instantly with the dropping of the atomic bombs. However, every year still, the number climbs due to medical issues caused by the intense radiation. If you are petty enough to demand revenge, then believe me when I say: it was taken care of in 1945.

Here’s another thing I want to point out to those of you still hung up about what happened in the 1940s: Did you fight in World War II? Were you there at Pearl Harbor? No, you weren’t. I’m proud to say that my late grandfather fought against the Japanese for four years during the war and didn’t hold a grudge—four years of having to wonder each and every day if he would meet an untimely end from a Japanese bullet, or worse, be taken into a prison camp. Four years of being told every single day that these people were the enemy... And he didn’t harbor a grudge.

So what makes you think you can?

Getting past those who are still hung up about the WWII, we have those like “UCLA Girl,” who are just plain racist. If you haven’t heard her crazy rant, let me sum it up for you: An Asian person talking on their phone in the library irritated her. She complained on the web, showing the world how ignorant she is, and now, she’s probably never going to have a well-respected job. Gee, I’m sorry that your studying was so much more important than someone calling home to see if their parents, grandparents, and siblings were still alive. Really, your paper is much more important.

Racism is sadly something that is still very prevalent in our society and, unfortunately, it isn’t punished as it should be. Humanity needs to hurry up and realize that people are people, no matter where they live, what the look like, or what they believe. They live, breathe, and have emotions. They bleed, they cry, and they grieve. So, as fellow humans, why shouldn’t we help them when they are down?

April 8, 2011

OPINIONS

Gingervitis isn’t a real disease Picture this. The cool RILEY MORTENSEN rainforest floor is beneath your feet as you swiftly move from tree to tree, examining for traces of evidence that the creature may have passed this way. You hear the screeching of the jungle and water As I See It from the luscious canopy above drips down your face. You’ve been hunting for days in hopes of catching the beast and extracting its tears to reach the ultimate state of eternal life. What creature is this you may be asking yourself? By George, it’s a ginger!

The origin of that rumor is unknown, but I heard it from some guy in a tattoo parlor in Florida who probably heard it from his buddy down the street, who heard it from his kid sister, who heard it from a bully at school, who read it on the Internet or most likely saw the episode of South Park titled, “Ginger Kids,” and thought this rumor would be a funny embellishment to the fun they were poking at redheads. What was he doing watching South Park anyway?

And in case you weren’t aware, ginger is a nickname for someone with red hair. I cannot speak on behalf of all redheads when I say that I don’t like the nickname ginger, but I can speak on behalf of all redheads when I say that I am all for a little fun poking here and there, but the whole gingers thing has gone a little wild.

I invite you to visit the website www.jlowman.com/ Gingerkids.htm. Formally known as www.gingerkids.org, the site is an elaborate spoof on what it’s like to be a redhead. It’s known as “Gingervitis,” and it could happen to you. The most popular of all the disclaimers on this site is the ancient urban myth that gingers have no souls. Made viral courtesy of those

funny writers for South Park, the legend goes that gingers are soulless beings, but have no fear, they can still live happy, soulless lives.

Just so we are very clear, gingers do have souls!

Although some of the FALSE information on the site gave even me, a ginger, a good chuckle, I would like to point out that this is because I am a mature adult and can step back and laugh it all off; however, let me take you back to 1999. A shy chubby-cheeked, curly-haired, stick skinny little redhead sits at a table in Mrs. Marshall’s first grade class.

Now this little redhead wouldn’t be able to separate distasteful jokes from pure fact. This innocent young child would burst into tears if someone had teased her about not having a soul or having the oh-so-lethal Gingervitis. This little redhead would have been scarred for years if some kid had pushed her down on the playground and told her to stay away because she might bite them and spread the curse of red locks.

Like I said before, I’m all for a good laugh, but this has gotten a little extreme and I would remind you to exercise caution when whispering to the kid next to you about how I or any other redhead, should be put in a zoo. It’s all in good fun, but is it really? Spoiler alert! The site I speak of featuring how to videos on how to keep yourself Gingervitis free and stats on gingers near you was started by a ginger! Again, I’m not saying I didn’t giggle to myself at the thought of a site devoted solely to this silly joke, but the 1999 version of me wouldn’t have laughed at all. She would have cried, and more than once. Number one rule to remember; it’s okay to poke fun, but be tasteful. The first time you tell me I don’t have a soul; I laugh it off and tell you not to get too close. The second or third or fourth time, not only are you getting on my nerves, but you’re probably hurting my feelings.

You say ‘aww’, I say ‘annoying’ You’ve probably already heard TAYLOR HUNT the inane and infamous song, “Friday,” by 13-year-old Rebecca Black. Despite making ears bleed all around the world (seriously, she doesn’t even sound good with auto-tune), her song climbed As I See It the charts in iTunes as I, alone in my room, slam my head against the wall wondering what in the world happened to humanity.

However, “Friday” isn’t the only song that irritates me.

I cannot stand “Grenade” by Bruno Mars. Even if it wasn’t already played 47,000 times a day on the radio (which it is), I probably would have written an opinions piece about it eventually just because I hate it so much. The gist of “Grenade,” through my eyes (or ears... whatever) is as follows: This guy, Bruno Mars, is sitting here complaining and talking about a girl who clearly doesn’t give a you-know-what about him.

“Should have known you was trouble from the first kiss, had your eyes wide open. Why were they open?”

Now, from my perspective, when I kiss somebody, I don’t know if their eyes are open unless my eyes are open. So why were your eyes open, Bruno?

Then he gave her all he had and she tossed it in the trash, she tossed it in the trash, yes she did. So in retaliation of that, he goes into psychopath mode and talks about how he’d catch a grenade for her, throw his hand on a blade for her, jump in front of a train for her, and do anything for her... for a girl that tossed his love in the trash, smiled to his face then ripped the brakes out of his car (that’s called “attempted murder,” folks) and had her eyes wide open when he kissed her.

Girls tend to think that this is “cute.” That even after this female is treating him horribly, he’d still do anything for her.

Well, I don’t think that’s cute at all. I think that’s pathetic. I think that’s annoying. I think that’s pretty depressing.

Furthermore, what kind of environment are you in where people are throwing grenades at your girlfriend for you to catch in the first place? Why would you even say that?

If I was talking to somebody, a girl or a guy, and they said, “Oh, I’d catch a grenade for you,” I’d be like, “What are you even talking about?” If you want to be one of those “romantic” types, be realistic. Push your girlfriend out of the path of a driving car. Heck, open a door for her. Don’t offer to catch a grenade and then self-destruct. How about, “No, I won’t catch a grenade for you, but I’ll push you out of the way and save both of our lives?”

Still, Bruno insists on “I’m gonna catch a grenade and blow myself up so you can be lonely for the rest of your life and depressed that your boyfriend just blew up in front of your face.” After that, Bruno just goes all out talking about how he’d take a bullet through the brain. I mean, this song is just a rapid decline of Bruno Mars’ sanity.

There are some things that are romantic and some that are just stupid, and this song is just stupid, and anyone who doesn’t think this song is stupid… Well, you’re just sweet and kind, and you know, I hope you find someone one day that will blow themselves up for you. But, personally, I’d rather date someone that would just push me out of the way and basically not commit suicide before my eyes. Just saying.

There’s a difference between being caring and being obsessed, and if someone couldn’t care less about me, I’m not catching a grenade for them. If you toss all that I gave you in the trash, you can catch your own freaking grenade.

5 FACE-OFF:

The new American Idol SYDNEY SHEPHERD I love the new season of American Idol, not only because of some amazing talent, but the refreshing judges.

The tenth season of American Idol, for me, started off as an unsalvageable show that had passed its prime long ago. But after one night, I was hooked. I quickly fell in love when watching because of one person. Steven Tyler.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I like Jennifer Lopez, she’s all right. J-Lo brings some good points of view to the table as someone who has performed as an actress, singer and model, but she will never measure up to the lead singer of Aerosmith.

I won’t even bring Randy Jackson into this. As the veteran, we all know what to expect from him, dawgs.

During the auditions, instead of acting like an, arrogant, know-it-all (*cough, cough Simon*) he somehow found a way to say “Sorry, you stink” in a nice way.

Not to mention he is hilarious. With his spontaneous comments and unexpected actions, such as hugs or random screeches, he makes the show interesting instead of boring. This is different and fun, unlike most of the tedious talent searching shows on TV today. (*cough, The X-Factor*).

Now, on to the talent. This season’s contestants, are all unbelievable, some more than others, but compared to seasons from the past, they are all potentially chart toppers.

Scotty McCreery, the 16-year-old country singer, will, without a doubt, be one of the biggest country stars known to man. Pia Toscano is the next Celine Dion, and James Durbin, is the next mega-rock star, and just might win. All in all, the tenth season of American Idol has been renewed by a perfect combination of immeasurable talent and unexpectedly entertaining judges. What else can I say except for “This is American Idol”?

YES

JESSICA BROWN Remember the conceited British fellow who “knew talent when he saw it?” How about the sweet and lively 1980s singer who willingly gave compliments to the contestants while bashing Mr. Cowell? I do.

I loved them for their anecdotes, but now they’re gone. Sure, Randy Jackson is there with his wonderful catchphrase, “Dawg,” but that’s not enough! This season of American Idol has got to be the biggest downfall in reality show history.

Seasons 1 through 5 not only produced amazing winners, but awesome finalists like Chris Daughtry and Kelly Pickler. Who can argue with that?

From then until David Cook, I ended my affair with the television icon, for they began their changes, slowly but surely. This is when they jumped the shark and tried to reinvent themselves while leaving behind what really mattered: talent.

The powerful gift that the contestants have will always be there, I don’t doubt that, but instead of making that the main focus, they want to make it bigger and better for ratings.

I say stick with what you have if it’s good. You earned a solid fan base, so why try to outdo yourself? The only reason you lost viewers in Season Five and on were because of who tried out, not what you perceived as obsolete.

New glitz and glam doesn’t make a show better, and that’s what they started doing since their show started losing popularity. That’s when I felt that the winners weren’t going to be as big.

The change became overwhelming, and sadly, until they start focusing on the talent they’re introduced to, they’ve lost me to The Voice.

NO

6

FEAT

April 8, 2011

A Journey to Paris April 16 8 to 11 p.m Lake of the Forest Clubhouse Theme: “Journey to Paris” Cost: $45 per couple Royalty: King Brian Callahan Kyle Day Tyler Dubin Tyler McMahan Logan Opat

Queen Maya Banks Aly Espy Kaylie Holloway Kelsey Leatherbury Jordan Merino

Piper High School

When: April 16 Where: Lake Quivira Country Club Theme: “Teenage Dream” Cost: $90 per couple (includes dinner) Basehor-Linwood High School When: April 9 Where: BLHS gymnasium Theme: “A Night in Paris” Cost: $25 per couple Mill Valley High School When: May 7 Where: Shawnee Civic Center Theme: “Moulin Rouge” Cost: $35 per couple in advance; $45 per couple at the door

Pump it up for Prom

Lake Forest Clubhouse has been home to Prom for 2

By Miranda McCullough Features Writer When she joined the BSHS teaching staff in 1974, art teacher Linda Horvath knew that she would be “volunteered” to help with extracurricular activities that reached beyond her classroom. It was no surprise, then, when she was asked to sponsor the Junior-Senior Prom.

At that time, Prom was held in the commons area.

However, in 1982 and 1983, Prom moved to a Holiday Inn on State Avenue in Kansas City, Kan. “At that time, we had a pretty intense rivalry with Turner High School, and it didn’t really work because they [Turner] were right across the hall,” Horvath said. There were confrontations before, during and after prom,” Horvath said.

Horvath said the Holiday Inn location “cost a ton of money” and the room was approximately the same size as her current classroom. In addition, she was unable to use the hotel’s kitchen and had to pay $25 per five-gallon bucket from the ice machines.

After two years there, Horvath said that junior class president Polly Phillips Stock suggested the Lake of the Forest Clubhouse for the 1984 Prom. At that time, Horvath said that a Lake of the Forest member had to sign for clubhouse use, and Stock’s father, Wayne, was willing to do so.

Horvath said there were many advantages to the Lake of the Forest Clubhouse.

“It was cheaper, we could use the whole kitchen to prepare refreshments, students didn’t have to drive a long ways to get there, and it was also a safer area for them late at night,” she said.

Horvath said that former home economics teacher Sharrilyn Honacki prepared the appetizers which were served to Prom-goers by Honacki’s students.

Horvath said they could not afford to provide a full din-

Guess Who? We had teachers provide us pictures at their own proms while they were in high school. But can you guess what teacher is in the pictures depicted?

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ner, so many students snacked on appetizers all night and often went to (IHOP) International National House Pancakes the following morning for breakfast.

There was no charge to attend the Prom as long as students had paid all of their class dues. Horvath said the class dues provided a budget of about $1,200 for Prom expenses.

“We couldn’t afford a band, so we went with a DJ from Sound Dynamics,” she said.

Horvath did all sorts of things to keep Prom affordable and free to students. For example, she did the artwork herself for the souvenir glasses that students received as favors.

Horvath said the Prom committee would select a glass design they liked from a catalog, and she would transfer it to a computer in order to tweak it. After that, she would take her design to a glass printing shop near Kemper Arena, and they would print the favors much cheaper than ordering

them from a ca In her 25 ye asked to have P sion.

“We checke and too far awa After Dr. Jer Horvath asked “ I told him ones [teachers] Social studi teacher Adrian they have looke Clubhouse has “It’s beautifu and it’s traditio

Year: 2005

Year: 1969

Where prom was held: Prom was at my high school.

It was an Olathe school district policy that all the high schools had to have prom on campus.

Where The pro Hersch Hersch new ni cafeter

After-prom plans: We had an after prom that went until 2, I think.

Afterwards some of us went to my friend Rick’s house.

After-pr We we prom, s prom. S after-p

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Page compiled by: Angelica Harris, Miranda McCullough, & Mandy Ballou

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Name: Makayla Mefferd, 12 Date: Michael Sullivan Where did you get your dress?: I got it at Deb last season Pre-prom plans: Take pictures at his house and my house, then dinner at Olive Garden Post-prom plans: Don’t know yet, but not going straight home

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Name: Brian Williams, 11 Date: Kayla Horn Where did you get your tux?: Doesn’t have one yet Transportation: Limo Pre-prom plans: Dinner at Stix, take pictures Post-prom plans: Undecided

Name: Bre Tendick Date: Johnathan Jackson Where did you get your dress?: BCBG Max Azria Transportation: Party bus Pre-prom plans: Dinner at Buca Di Beppo Post-prom plans: Camping

ed on a hotel in Olathe, but it was expensive ay,” she said. rry Abbott’s first year as principal in 1996, to retire as Prom sponsor. m it was time for me to train some of the new ] for Prom,” she said. ies teacher Jennifer Schlicht and business nne Law are the current sponsors and although ed into other places, the Lake of the Forest continued as the Prom setting. ul, it holds a large amount of students, it’s close, on,” Schlicht said.

prom was held: om was held at her High School, her, Illinois in the rather icely decorated school ria.

Name: Aaron Rudolph Date: Kaysi Bias Where did you get your tux?: Does not have tux yet.

Transportation: Don’t know yet Pre-prom plans: Dinner at Olive Garden Post-prom plans: Movies

Expires 5-4-2011

Year: 1969

Year: 1995

Where prom was held: Wilmington, Delaware—Hotel duPont

Where prom was held: It was at the German House on Summit Avenue in St. Paul Minnesota.

After-prom plans: Oh, dear. I suspect the young man simply delivered me home! We didn’t do afterprom parties then, and I had a CURFEW! (Nicely strict and caring parents…)

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After-prom plans: After prom, my friend Besty had a huge house party and everyone spent the night. She lived on a lake so her father took groups out on the pontoon in the middle of the night. The had beach volleyball, basketball, and tons of food!

Answers: 1. Andrew Addington, 2. Marsha Nelson, 3. Chris Wood, 4. Jennifer Stricherz

atalog. ears as sponsor, Horvath said that students Prom at other places on more than one occa-

rom plans: ent out to eat before so we went home after Students didn’t have prom plans at that time.

7

April 8, 2011

ARTS & LIFESTYLE

8

1,000 Paper Cranes: The story of a 12 year-old victim of the atomic bombs

By Taylor Hunt Arts and Lifestyle Writer

One of the most famous origami designs is the Japanese crane. Legend says that anyone who folds 1,000 paper cranes will have their heart’s desire come true.

The origami crane has become a symbol of peace because of this legend, and because of a young Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki. Sadako was exposed to the radiation of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima as an infant, and it took its inevitable toll on her health.

By the time she was 12 in 1955, she was dying of leukemia.

Hearing the legend, she decided to fold 1,000 origami cranes and wished for world peace and an end to suffering.

Sadako folded 644 cranes before she died; her classmates then continued folding cranes in memory of their friend. She was buried with a wreath of 1,000 cranes to honor her dream.

Upon one paper crane, Sadako wrote a haiku that translates into English as: “I shall write peace upon your wings, and you shall fly around the world so that children will no longer have to die this way.”

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My ties to Japan run strong

By Amelia Sheldon down.

Arts & Lifestyle Editor I heard no news from my host sister, father, or brother, There’s been a lot going around lately about the tragedy all of whom went to school and work in Tokyo. The entire in Japan, home of the world’s third day I was on edge as more and more largest economy. For those who news flowed in, only getting worse have been a little out of the loop, on and worse; the death and missing March 11, the fifth largest earthtolls climbing. quake recorded rocked the Land of Finally, the next day I received the Rising Sun. With a magnitude a reply from my host sister. She of 9.0, it triggered a giant tsunami hadn’t been allowed to leave her that crashed into the coast of the school, having to stay in the city northern, Tohoku region of Japan’s overnight. She reported that my main island. Terrifying footage host family was fine, but she wasn’t played on the news all day, showing allowed to go home. people around the world the might Later that day, my friends from of Mother Nature as the wave school emailed me back, many repulled cars off the road and leveled porting they were fine, but shaken. town faster than any tornado.

One of my friends, Rikako, said, To make things even better, the “When the hit earthquake, I was at With my host sister, Ayumi Iwai nuclear power plant, Fukushima home. Suddenly furniture began to Daiichi, was caught in the wave. Not only was the power shake wildly. And I desperately hid myself under the desk. I knocked out, but also all the backup generators, leaving the was frightened, scared and crying.” workers to attempt to stop a nuclear meltdown in a country In the days after the quake, the government announced still suffering from the radiation caused by the atomic it would be restricting power. Everyone told me of the bombs. aftershocks that shook every thirty minutes. On the day of That Friday, as I watched the horrors on the news in my the quake, they would be as strong as 6.0, but the gradually Government class, I didn’t know what to do. As a former got less intense as the days wore on. The government took exchange student to Japan, I knew that my friends and measures to help preserve what they could, shutting off the family over there had been caught in the earthquake zone. power for many hours a day.

Trying not to panic as I sent out frantic emails to everyThe entire country has been crippled and is in desperate one I could think of was difficult. Another of my friends need of help from abroad. Many organizations, such as the Red Cross, have set up donation services via text message here, who had also been an exchange student, reported her and celebrities like Lady Gaga have made merchandise sister had been injured in a train crash in Tokyo, where she people can purchase to help the Japanese people. couldn’t get to a doctor because the roads had been shut

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ARTS & LIFESTYLE

Trends travel from East to West

By Amelia Sheldon Arts and Lifestyle Editor

10635 Kaw Drive Edwardsville, Kan.

Manga, a type of Japanese comic, has been around since the 1800s, but recently became popular in the 20th Century when laws prohibiting the publication were lifted. Since then, manga has become a huge part of Japanese culture.

Unlike in America, in Japan manga is very mainstream and read by the vast majority of the people. The artists and writers of manga are well respected for their work, much like the writers of literature in America.

Recently, Manga has become really popular in America, especially amongst the young generation. Japanese art in general has been taking America by storm, especially anime, Japanese cartoons, which can be viewed on daily television and even in theatres.

There are many genres of manga: comedy, action, romance, horror, sci-fi, the list goes on, but when it comes down to it, the types are all grouped into two main categories.

Shonen manga, or boy’s comics, are mostly consist of action, sci-fi, comedy or fantasy stories. There is always a hero who fights for what is right to make the reader feel like there is a real good in the world. Common examples of the genre are Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, and Bleach.

Shojo manga, translated as girl’s comics, usually feature romantic ideas, but also hold comedy, sci-fi and fantasy themes. Shojo comics focus mostly on people’s emotions.

It has been said there is no problem in life not tackled in a shojo manga. The more popular ones today are Ouran High School Host Club, Fruits Basket, and Hana Kimi.

But there is more to manga than just their variety of genres. Frequently regarded as an art form, there are certain characteristics in the art style that set it far apart from the comics of the west. Comics in Japan are famous for their overly stylized features especially the large, shinning eyes.

Spikey hair basic facial features add emphasiss to the characters personality as well as detail to the art.

Today, there isn’t a book store you can go to that doesn’t have at least one manga book on the shelves. Manga is a beautiful example of how cultures are shared across country borders and are a blissful reminder that people around the world carry similar interests.

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By Devyn Hayes Arts and Lifestyle Writer

It’s long been thought that the most fashionable country in the world was France, home of the high-end, fashion-crazy Paris. But here’s a little secret: Tokyo is one of the biggest fashion capitals in the world. Trends started there, shake the globe, then become a craze.

Last year, the New York Times stated that many foreign designers travel the Far East to take pictures of the street-chic shoppers in Harajuku and buy up local fashion labels that don’t market outside of Japan. These clothes are later taken back and appear on the runways in the following season.

There are many fashions that float around the halls of BSHS inspired by the eastern market that people don’t even realize came from abroad. For example, the recent trend in wearing fake glasses. This style has been insanely popular in Japanese for awhile now. Long vests thrown over a shirt and the oversized shirts worn as dresses are also a popular street fashion among people of all ages in Japan.

For those of you who shop at Forever 21, you may have noticed all of the tags on the clothes are in Japanese as well as in English. The chain is exceedingly popular in Japan, resulting in many of the clothes there following the Asian trend market which is then eaten up in the West.

Fashion isn’t the only thing that hops the pond, though it does tend to get here faster than the electronics. In America, the new thing is the crazy, 4G network—letting you access the net on your phone wherever you have service. Guess what?

This is years old in Japan. The little square barcodes that your phone reads? Those, too, are a creation of the Japanese. But it’s more than just cell phones. The major game console providers like Nintendo and PlayStation are also Japanese.

But there is some technology that hasn’t even made it over yet. Japan is famous for it’s shinkansen, or bullet train.

The electrical trains connect almost all of Japan in a vast web, allowing people to travel hundreds of miles in a shorter time than by car. Not only does it save time, but also fuel and money. Even those with cars prefer to ride the rails.

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SPORTS

10

Track and field debuts in Baldwin Boys finish ninth; girls seventh

By Austin Epp Sports Editor Coming off a couple of very successful seasons, the Braves track and field team hopes to continue their dominance in 2011.

In the season opener last Friday, the team traveled to Baldwin to compete in a 14-team invitational.

The boys team didn’t put out their best performance, finishing ninth, but were not competing at full strength because of injuries to star sprinters J.J. Jackson and Camron Callahan.

“It was a rough first meet because of our injuries,” head coach Jim Mitchell said. “Some people didn’t step up like we thought they would, but there is no doubt that we’ll get better.”

Before his injury, Callahan finished third in the 100-meter dash with the time of 11.39. Other notable top ten performers for the Braves included senior Nick Carver, who placed sixth in the 200-meter dash, and sophomore T.J. Kimbrough-French, who finished

The Grid Iron

Battling a tight hamstring, senior Camron Callahan finished third in the 100-meter dash, but was unable to compete in any other events.

“I was feeling some tightness, but wasn’t that worried about it,” Callahan said. “I should be back within a week.” seventh in the 800-meter dash.

The girls team competed well, according to head coach Bill Downing, finishing in seventh place.

Coming away with a gold medal in the pole vault was sophomore Bethany Bailey, with a vault of eight feet, six inches.

“It felt good to finally get the gold,” Bailey said. “Last year at Maranatha I had a friend that would always beat me so I always finished second, which was okay with me because I got to learn from the best.”

The girls 4x100 relay team of senior Irene Crump, juniors Emily Wilson and Tyreka Johnson, and sophomore Emily Hunt came away with the silver medal with a time of 52.8. Wilson also had a great day individually, earning fourth place finishes in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.

“We had a really good meet,” Downing said. “We’re going to keep working hard, keep improving, and our goal is to get as many girls to state at the end of the year.”

April 8, 2011

Brave Briefs Girls Soccer

By Austin Epp, Sport Editor After leading the boys soccer team to state for the first time in school history, head coach Mike Moulin has his Lady Braves off to a 3-1 start to the season.

The girls breezed through their first two games, with a 3-0 win against Tonganoxie and a 4-0 win against Ottawa. Next up was Gardner-Edgerton, who gave them their first test of the season.

With the game scoreless in the second half, senior Alexis Clark put the Lady Braves on the board. Clark’s goal ended up being enough, as the Lady Braves defense shut out the Trailblazers, 1-0.

Swimming

By Logan Terrell, Sports Writer The Bravettes swim team started off their season with a 10th-place finish in the Topeka Invitational. In the 200-free relay, Elizabeth Barger, Makayla Mefferd, Cheyanne Miller, and Toni Stock took 11th place and the 200-medley relay team consisting of Chandler Clark, Toni Stock, Jordan Merino, and Cheyanne Miller also did well, taking 13th.

A few Lady Brave swimmers finished in the top ten in individual events, including Cheyanne Miller, 7th in the 200-individual medley and 10th in the 500 free. Junior Toni Stock took third place in the 100 fly and sixth in the 100 breaststroke.

Several of the swimmers set personal records too, including Jordan Merino in the 200 medley, Stephanie Rose and Samantha Pearson in the 50 free, and Elizabeth Barger and Samantha Pearson in the 100 free.

Golf

By Dalton Vitt, Sports Writer Thanks to clutch performances by a freshman and a pair of seniors, the Braves golf team was able to come away with second place in their own Bonner Springs Invitational.

Freshman Marc McClain shot a 41 in 9 holes. which was good enough for a second overall finish. Seniors Jonathan Price and Logan Opat placed fifth and sixth respectively, with Price shooting 43 and Opat shooting 46.

It was a very promising tournament for the Braves, with several younger players setting personal records. Junior Ethan Hook, sophomore Jason VanMaren, and freshman Jake Laing all put up year bests for 9 holes.

Earlier in the season, Bonner took fifth at the Sunflower Hills Invitational with McClain finishing ninth and Price taking eleventh.

Coach’s Corner

Senior A.J. Gidden Baseball

Junior Nate Mitchell Track

Sophomore Skyler Taylor Soccer

Freshman Kennedy Bizzell Softball

Favorite Food

Pizza

Mexican

Steak

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Favorite T.V. Show

Sportscenter

That 70’s Show

American Idol

Criminal Minds

Favorite Sports Team

Boston Red Sox

Chelsea FC

Oklahoma Sooners

Kansas Jayhawks

Favorite YouTube Video

The Funniest Kid Ever

Remi Gaillard

Giraffe Fights

Charlie the Unicorn

Fictional Character I Resemble

The Incredible Hulk

Nate the Great

Little Mermaid Pocahontas

Giselle from Enchanted

After an extensive and thorough span. During his time in Garden interview process, Lucas Aslin was City he produced five NJCAA selected to be the next head footAll-Americans, 34 All-Conference ball coach at Bonner Springs High performers, and three academic School, where he will All-Americans. also teach physical “My goal is to deAslin’s Resume education. velop a total program, Spring 2007-Fall 2010 “Coach Aslin from seventh grade and Head Coach, Garden City Community College brings an energy, up,” Aslin said. “We’re Spring 2005-Spring 2007 going to play as hard as passion, and Defensive Coordinator, excitement to we can and compete.

GCCC BSHS,” Principal Joe We want a lot of kids to Spring 2004-Spring 2005 Hornback said. “His come out, have fun, and Head Coach, Derby High experience as both get better.”

School a high school and

By Austin Epp Fall 2002-Spring 2004 college head coach Sports Editor Defensive Assistant, DHS Spring 2002 will be a tremendous Outside Linebackers/ resource to all of Safeties Coach, Butler our student-athletes, County Community College coaches, and parents.

2000-2001 He is a winner and Graduate Assistant/ we are thrilled to Linebackers Coach, welcome him to our Southwestern Oklahoma community.”

State University 1997-1999 Previously, Coach Linebacker, Southwestern Aslin was the head Oklahoma State University coach at Garden City 1995-1996 Community ColLinebacker, Butler County lege where he went Community College 20-18 over a four-year

SPORTS

April 8, 2011

Major League baseball preview American League Predictions East: Red Sox, Yankees (wild card), Orioles, Rays, Blue Jays Thanks to some huge roster additions and a healthy ball club, Boston is looking to win 100 games for the first time in franchise history since 1946. The always talented Yankees will make it to the postseason yet again with a Wild Card berth.

Central: White Sox, Twins, Tigers, Royals, Indians The addition of Adam Dunn for the White Sox added even more pop to a powerful team playing at home run prone U.S. Cellular Field. Although the Twins will be getting Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan back from injury, they won’t keep pace with Chicago.

West: Rangers, Athletics, Angels, Mariners Following the loss of Cliff Lee to the Phillies, AL MVP Josh Hamilton and the Rangers will look to mash their way to backto-back World Series appearances. Look for a young A’s staff to dramatically improve and possibly even lead the team to a second-place finish.

National League Predictions East: Phillies, Braves, Marlins, Nationals, Mets Although they will battle injuries throughout the first half, the Phillies starting pitching will keep them in the race until a second half surge. Don’t forget to enjoy watching young guns Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman, Domonic Brown, Mike Stanton, and Ike Davis grow before your eyes in this division of future studs.

Central: Reds, Brewers (wild card), Cardinals, Cubs, Astros, Pirates After slugging their way to the playoffs last year, prepare for a slugfest in Cincinnati again this season. Joey Votto will attempt to repeat his MVP performance from 2010, and the Brewers’ Zack Greinke will help them to a wild card spot.

West: Dodgers, Giants, Rockies, Padres, Diamondbacks Bounce back seasons for several Dodgers including Matt Kemp, Jonathan Broxton, and Rafael Furcal should boost them ahead of pitching-heavy San Francisco. This should be an interesting division to watch, thanks to several Cy Young contenders and some young bats.

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By Dalton Vitt Sports Writer The sun is shining bright, wooden bats are cracking, and last season’s heartbroken fans are full of encouragement and hope. Be ready for signs reading, “This is our year!” and “We Believe!” because Major League Baseball has begun and it could be a season for the ages.

After an epic off-season, including huge free agent signings and trades for several clubs, this season is looking brighter than ever. Throw in a potential NFL lockout, and this could be one of the most closely watched campaigns in 20 years.

This winter, the Boston Red Sox were able to sign left fielder Carl Crawford to a seven-year, $142 million mega-deal and swap with the San Diego Padres for All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Thanks to their gutsy moves, the Sox were able to bolster their authority in an extremely competitive A.L. East division. Among other important offseason acquisitions, the Philadelphia Phillies were able to sign pitching ace Cliff Lee away from the Texas Rangers, giving the Phillies arguably the best five-man rotation baseball has ever seen.

With twow-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum leading the way, the World Series champion San Francisco Giants will look to repeat this year after an unexciting offseason. The Giants are carrying a superb starting rotation and breakout N.L. Rookie of the Year Buster Posey, who will be looking to shine in his sophomore season.

A great season of baseball is awaiting us in 2011, so be prepared for the smiles, tears, and jumps of joy all summer long. A full plate of Major League Baseball action has been dished out, so enjoy.

World Series Prediction Red Sox vs. Reds

In a battle of hard-hitting lineups, we have the Boston Red Sox taking on the Cincinnati Reds. Strong pitching from Jon Lester and the bullpen will carry the loaded Red Sox past the Reds’ young sluggers in six games.

Player Awards American League Most Valuable Player: Adrian Gonzalez National League Most Valuable Player: Ryan Braun American League Cy Young: Jon Lester National League Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw

11

VCU run shouldn’t lead to tourney expansion March Madness 2011 AUSITN EPP might have been the maddest march of all. Over half of the games were decided by singledigits, top-seeded teams fell by the wayside, and multiple Cinderella teams emerged.

As I See It The most notable Cinderella squad has to be Virginia Commonwealth. The Rams became the third No. 11 seed to reach the Final Four, after knocking off the No. 1 seeded, hometown Kansas Jayhawks in the regional final.

This outcome upset me. Not because I bleed crimson and blue, but because I fear that VCU might have ruined one of the best events that sports has to offer. Let me explain.

After the conclusion of the 2010 season, there was talk about expanding the NCAA tournament from 64 teams to 96 teams. Instead, it was expanded to 68 teams with the intentions of more expansion if all went well.

The addition of four more teams created a new opening round, which featured four play-in games between a pair of 11 seeds, 12 seeds, and two pairs of 16 seeds. (By the way, this addition makes absolutely no sense to me and created many disadvantages for a lot of teams, but we’ll save that argument for another day.)

My point is this: One of those play-in teams was VCU. Because of their Final Four run, it only makes sense that the public is going to jump on the bandwagon and plead for more teams to make the tournament. The media also loves this because more games means more money for television stations.

Let’s be honest, though. Do we really want 96 teams battling for the national championship? No way. What would be the point of the regular season if you’re going to let half of the teams in the tournament anyway? Teams should have to earn their way into the big dance.

No disrespect to VCU, but even a mediocre team can get hot and put together a string of wins. The NCAA is getting more competitive, which is great for the sport, but is no reason for expansion. The tournament should be a prize, not a giveaway.

Lake Stop

BSHS students: Don’t forget every Friday Simple Simon’s brings pizza to US! ONLY…

15621 158th St Bonner Springs, KS 66012 (913) 422-0900

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Good Luck, Braves

Queen’s Price Chopper Bonner Springs • 441-6988

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Dave Pierce 13100 Kansas Ave, Suite D Bonner Springs Office: 913-441-0033 Fax: 913-441-2288 Email: dpierce@amfam.com

PEOPLE

12

April 8, 2011

By Riley Mortensen Editor-in-Chief

Go! Lizards

Strolling through Go! Lizards, you’ll find creatures that will take you to new pet-owning levels. Left, a bearded dragon studies our camera. Bearded dragons sell for $79.99 at Go! Lizards.

Right, a group of Uromastyx enjoy the rays of their heat lamp.

Tarantula, price varies.

Gerbil, $9.99 Iguana, $29.99

Blue Tongue Skink, $129.99

Tortoise, not for sale.

Ball Python, price varies.

Baby tortoises are for sale from $109.99 to $199.99

Ball Python, price varies.

Ball Python, price varies.

Albino Bristle Nose, $9.99