October 2009 by Lee's Summit HS Hi-Life Magazine

Hi.Life Magazine

In the know

Discover Unknown Rooms Redesign Your Sweatshirt Figure Out if You Are a Hipster

October 2009 | Issue 2 jlabmag.com | $0.50

Find Your Perfect Halloween Costume

Battle of the Sexes: Gender and Education

2 Hi.Life 10.09

This Way In... Hi.Life | The Student Newspaper of Lee’s Summit High School

October / Volume 91 / Issue 2 / jlabmag.com

On The Cover 19 | Battle of the Sexes Studies show that the gap in academic performance between male and female students is growing. Data from LSHS suggests that girls are outperforming males in school, fitting with the national trend. News 7 |Students Taking Classes at West Emerson Lentz, a senior, a Tiger through and through attends classes at our sister school, Lee’s Summit West. Find out more about Lentz’s daily excursion. 8 | Rules at Football Games Confused as to why it is that at home football games, students are repeatedly nagged at by administrators and police officers for standing on the ground?

Features 10 | Charlie the Cheerleader “I feel that I have to be at the top of the cheer team because if I was a bad male cheerleader then it would just be pointless.” Read more about sophomore Charlie Cox inside, and find out what exactly it means to be a male cheerleader. 13 | Undiscovered Rooms As many people know, LSHS has a fairly large campus, and with such a large campus there are bound to be rooms that not many people know about. Some of the rooms are slightly eerie, cold, small, and dark, while others are just interesting and fun. Entertainment 24 | Hipster Flowchart Follow the path that best fits who your personality. Find out where you rank in the hipster hierarchy.

25 | Upcoming Concerts In this story you will find a mass of upcoming concerts and musical events. So if your bored with your average weekend plans, spice it up a bit and find out what concert’s are going on. Opinions 26 | Annoying Things in School Read page 26 to find out what it is about LSHS that is bothering students. Then see what you can do to help change that. Sports 35 | Not so Loud Crowd “I am not anti Loud Crowd, I am anti obnoxious, high pitched screaming.” If you feel like many other students who think that Loud Crowd only makes football games less enjoyable, then read Not So Loud Crowd.

The Hi.Life is an open forum to provide up to date and pertinent information compiled by high school journalists. We will be a bold and trusted publication that raises the bar of high school journalism. The Hi.Life newsmagazine is a student led publication. Our obligation to readers is to provide credible, reliable, and unbiased information to the student body. None of the opinions in our publication reflect the views of the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District. We strive to create a professional newsmagazine that provides accurate insights and entertainment. JLABMAG.COM 3

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Amy Notestein, Anna -Marie Gallo, Ben Quinnelly, Benjamin Sobek, Bianca Wang, Bradley Roberts, Brittany Webster, Brittni Keyhill, Burkett Powell, Chase Lindner, Colin Taylor, Edgar Enriquez, Ellen Spaar, Emily Dowdle, Erin Rottinghaus, Hayley Mershon, Haley Gillian, Haley Merriott, Hollyann Tiffany, Jessie Curtis, Jordan Buhr, Jordan Shawhan, Josh Byard, Julia Huisman, Kara Klein, Karlie Swan, Kassi Torrence, Kevin Adams, Kimberley Tabe, Kristina Hagan, Kristin Sands, Laina Gunsallus, Lily Schiffbauer, Lindsay Nelson, Luke Jarnevic, Marissa Raukar, Mallory Tackett, Ma’Ryah Cooper, Max Olson, Michael Holcomb, Michael Rellihan, Mikayla Frommer, Miranda Vaughn, Morgan Pena, Najee Sears, Nathan Baker, Nathan Williams, Nicole Kelleher, Patricia Sjuts, Pete White, Presley Lewis, Rebecca Wadle, Sarah Kensinger, Sia Nero, Sierra Lewis, Stephanie Rowden, Summer Richards, Taryn Hall, Taylor Dyer,Tyler Fromson, Tyler Wilmore

Letter from the Editors In This Issue

Preconceptions

ur lead story this issue examines the relationship between gender and education. Data in the article reaffirms some stereo types, while others are debunked. When exposed to information such as this that challenges our preconceptions, we are forced to reconsider our views on sex, race, religion, class and the myriad other ways by which we tend to judge one another. Over the past weeks, students at Lee’s Summit High School have demonstrated that there is one character trait that can be found in people of all ages, races, religions and genders: immaturity. Every year there are many changes at our school. There are always new teachers, new rules, new students and new activities. The vast majority of these changes are made without any backlash from students. However, some students have worked themselves into a senseless indignation over what would appear to be a few rather mundane changes. Due to changes with the publishing company, the yearbook staff was faced with the choice between raising the price of yearbooks, or only offering black and white senior ads. The Reflector staff made the decision not to raise the price of the yearbook. Another change they made was requiring seniors to have their pictures taken at school due to problems in previous years with the photos submitted by students. Both of these changes were made with the aim of improving the overall quality of the yearbook. Yet, some students saw this as cause for outrage, encouraging seniors to skip on picture day, even going as far as to create a Facebook group about it. Being that the Reflector is a student run publication, it is extremely disappointing that students at our school would have such little respect for their peers. By attempting to organize a boycott that they though would cause problems for the yearbook staff, these students have proven that they are both childish and mean-spirited. Perhaps the strangest part of this all is that everyone involved in the failed boycott and the Facebook group are seniors. It would be assumed that people who will soon become independent adults would be mature enough to quietly accept a change they don’t agree with, knowing that there is a specific reason and justification for that change. However, we are often forced to reconsider our preconceptions.

“It isn’t too awkward when I wear black and gold, the barely notice since I do it almost every Friday”

“Opening them indoors would tempt these evil spirits”

“We don’t get them when they’re young and nice, we usually get them when they’re old and mean”

“I, for one, am really missing all of her updates, along with many 11-year-old girls fans”

“These public displays of affection range from a simple hand hold to a long kiss before Spanish II”

Michael Bushur & Taylor Rice

JLABMAG.COM 5

News

New Look in Old-Gym B-mezzanine undergoes major renovations over the summer

by Michael Bushur Junior Kelsey Mitchell works out on the new treadmills in the cardio center. Many students have used the cardio center to stay in shape.

Tricia Hile looks calm and poised as she sits at the conference table in the Stansberry Learning Center. This is not her first time sitting at this table, however, there is something different about what she is about to discuss. The topic at hand does not concern education or one of the three schools in the district, its focus is centered on a tragedy that occurred three years ago last month. “He was in top physical condition when he died,” she said. Shock and disbelief ran through the Hiles when they learned that their son, Kevin, had died of a heart-attack while living in Germany. His family had no warning that death would come so

unexpectedly. Kevin was only 33 years old and still very physically active. In fact he had just finished one of his frequent runs when the heart attack happened. Kevin was a former LSHS athlete. “He lettered in four sports, I think. I know he did for three but I think it was four,” Hile said. Kevin had run track, played football, basketball, and golf at LSHS. He had been such a dedicated and gifted athlete that he was offered a full-ride scholarship to play division I-A football for the University of Arkansas. Kevin was a top student athlete with a great sense of perseverance and dedication. He always stayed active, even later in

his life. That’s why his death was so unexpected and shocking. While at Lees Summit, Kevin got up at six every morning to workout. He was committed to his school and his team. He worked hard and learned many lessons from LSHS. Tricia Hile has been a part of the Lees Summit R-7 school district for over 30 years now; therefore she has many relationships with the teachers and administrators of LSHS. So it was perfectly normal that Hile should discuss her son’s death with Dr. Faulkenberry. Hile mentioned that she wanted to set up some kind of memorial for her son. That’s when the idea began. Dr. Faulkenberry mentioned the idea of re-doing the B-gym mezzanine as a cardio center dedicated in Kevin’s honor. Hile liked the idea because Kevin had always been such an active person who had utilized Lees Summit’s workout facilities while he attended. She knew that Kevin would like the money, which she wanted to donate in his memory, to be spent on something to benefit the students and staff of Lee’s Summit rather than on some memorial that would never help anyone. Hile talked to her husband about the cardio center and they both agreed to go ahead with it. The B-gym now looks very different. The old ping pong tables were removed along with the old, unused, bleachers. The floor was redone with rubber

compound mats that are perfect for a workout center. The cardio center now boasts four brand new tread mills, two elliptical machines, three stair steppers, and two stationary bikes, all of fitness club quality. The Hile family did not make all of the donations, however. “There were a lot of little things,” Hile said. “Cables had to be threaded through the railing to pass code.” These little things were paid for by the school. Profits from last year’s Lifta-Thon were used to help cover the additional costs of the cardio center. The center is not completed though, even after all of these renovations. “We’d like to see 30 pieces of equipment in there by the time it’s done,” Hile said. Tricia Hile and her family started the project and they hope to see the center grow and be utilized by students and staff. There is to be a plaque posted in Kevin’s honor to memorialize him. His three kids now have somewhere to go to remember a part of their father’s life, the part of him that was dedicated and hard-working. He was a good example to his children and he should be an example to all others. by Ben Quinnelly

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>> Got Skill?

News

Students Show Off Their Engineering Skills

Some are using computers. Some are sawing and drilling wood. Others are forming things out of metal. An observation quickly made at the national SkillsUSA competition. “SkillsUSA is a national club for students to compete with other students in their field of choice,” graphics technology teacher, Greg Thiel said. SkillsUSA is a nonprofit organization that longs to provide opportunities for students to succeed. It focuses on technical skill development. There are several different categories in which students can compete. The top four here in Lee’s Summit High School are: 3-D Visualization and Animation, Technical drawing, Architectural drafting, and Robotics and Automation technology. “I enjoy engineering,” sophomore Josh Byard said. “I’ve always wanted to work in robotics.” The competition is in June, but there will be meetings for discussion and preparation up until then. The first meeting is on Wed. Oct. 28, at 2:45 right after school in room A203. “This is the first time we’ve been involved in,” Byard said. Many schools attend SkillsUSA every year. Its

popularity has massively grown throughout the years. More than 1,100 businesses and labor sponsors actively support SkillsUSA. They believe it really tests the skill of students. “They students go empty handed,” Thiel said. “They make everything there with what they are given.” Students race against the clock in competition with other students to prove their expertise in the field they have chosen. Scouts and other people from companies will be surveying at the competition. And as every competition should entail, SkillsUSA gives different prizes. “There are opportunities for getting scholarships; they could get real jobs too,” Thiel said. There are two different main types of scholarships that given at SkillsUSA, the Alumni and Friends Association Scholarship and the Calculated Industries Scholarship. The Alumni scholarship is a five hundred dollar, merit-based scholarship. It recognizes qualities in students such as: leadership, commitment to community service, improving the image of career education, and improving the image of his/her occupation.

Sophomore Josh Byard uses software in his graphics technology class to prepare for SkillsUSA. “I enjoy engineering,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to work in robotics.”

The Calculated scholarship asks students to send in an application that requires student inventors to think up a new type of hand-held calculator. The calculator would have to be useful to one of the fields represented at SkillsUSA. Winners are chosen by executives from Calculated Industries. SkillsUSA is an incredible opportunity for those tech-savy people, builders, and mechanics to excel in their passions. photo and story by Lindsay Nelson

Learning Lentz Most students change classes during passing period, others change schools Emerson Lentz leaves his fifth hour early everyday, gets in his car, and drives away. And that is just fine with his teacher. Lentz, a senior, goes to West everyday in order to take his sixth and seventh hours. Lentz is involved in the International Baccalaureate diploma program and Sounds of Summit, making his schedule impossible to do at LSHS “In short, concert choir is only 4th hour, IB chem is only 3rd hour and IB math is only 3rd or 4th hour,” Lentz said. So everyday, Lentz drives 12 minutes away in order to take IB English and IB math in order to fill his diploma candidate requirements. School spirit does come into play though. “It isn’t too awkward when I wear black and gold, they barely notice since I do it almost every Friday,” Lentz said.

Senior Emerson Lentz leaves during fifth hour everyday to go to Lee’s Summit West to take IB math and IB English. Lentz must take classes at west in order to graduate with the IB diploma.

And though the students at West don’t mind Lentz’s school spirit they do take notice of him. Their broadcast class, Titan TV, even did a segment on him. However, Lee’s Summit West High School’s school spirit does take a toll on Lentz’s learning. “If I can’t go to my 6th and 7th hour because they have a pep assembly

or something else that messes up my schedule I don’t go, instead I go home. I tell them in advance though” Going to West for classes also takes a toll on his gas tank, every day Lentz has to drive 12 minutes in order to attend his sixth and seventh hour classes. But those 12 minutes add up, five days of school a week and 36 school weeks a

year, those 12 minutes a day add up to 2,160 minutes a year. And with the average gas price of 2.32 per gallon and rising going to two different schools can not be cheap. Around 60 dollars a year not cheap. “I don’t mind, my parents pay for my gas and it’s something I have to do and it isn’t too difficult,” Lentz said All the driving and the hassle of having to attend two schools every day would probably irk the average student, but Lentz is not your average student. Being involved in Sounds of Summit, the IB diploma on top of all the driving and the hassle of having to attend two schools every day would probably irk and stress the average student, but Lentz is not your average student. by Emily Dowdle photo by Michael Bushur JLABMAG.COM 7

>> Crowd Control

News

Football game rules and guidelines

Wall of Famer- Bobby Narron during his Truman days, center.

Wall Worthy Narron chosen for Truman’s Wall of Fame When his nieces told Bobby Narron they were going to submit his name, he just laughed. They said they were filling out the paper work, and he was going to be chosen. “We believe in you!” they said. “Yeah, whatever,” he replied with a chuckle. He thought nothing of it. After a few days, and soon several months, he had completely forgotten about the conversation. Then, he got the letter. Industrial technology teacher Bobby Narron was chosen to be put on Truman’s Wall of Fame, where past students are recognized for their achievements. Pictures of the former students, as well as their stories, are hung on the wall for all to see, similar to the one in the Lecture Hall here at LSHS. “I was shocked when I found out. I couldn’t believe it was true,” said Narron. “I got a letter in the mail from the athletic director, and I was just shocked. My nieces were the ones that had the idea to recommend me, and filled out the paper work, and I didn’t think anything of it,” Narron said. Narron was very surprised that he was chosen out of all the other recommendations. Why is he so special? Well, Narron was a star athlete in high school. As a four year athlete, he excelled in baseball and football. An AllState baseball player, catcher, center fielder, and varsity running back on Truman’s football team, he still holds at least four athletic records at the school. He has had these records for almost 35 years. But Narron does not boast about these facts. Instead, he is extremely modest. “I can’t believe that I was picked. I mean, I can honestly say there were better athletes that came out of the school than me. My teammates were all real talented. I wouldn’t have been any good at all without my team, I was lucky to have the team mates that I had. I’m a product of my society, without my team I wouldn’t have been squat. I was a 5’5”, 150 pound running back, I would have gone nowhere if they weren’t blocking for me,” said Narron. He has a high amount of respect for his fellow athletes, and he said the camaraderie of his team is what he remembers most about high school sports. After attending college at Missouri State University to play baseball, he began teaching at Grandview High School in 1986. While there, he realized that he had loved living in Lee’s Summit, so he decided to interview for a job teaching at LSHS. When he got the job, he immediately wanted to be a baseball coach. “I am going to be honest, I started coaching so I could stay in sports. But then I fell in love with the subject I teach and the kids that go here. My job is a lot of fun, it keeps me young, and it is not like work,” Narron said. He was inducted into the Truman Wall of Fame on Friday, October 9. by Ellen Spaar

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When LSHS takes the field on Friday nights, athletic director Dan Schnell, several administrators, and more than a dozen security guards are there to navigate the crowd or step in if things get ugly. A frequent question of students are why are the football games so heavily enforced and strict with people about not standing around? Here are some key points as to why the rules are what they are and what is being done according to Dan Schnell. > “At our football games all school rules apply and just basic conduct rules from every there as in staying positive and not cheering for the other team.” > “Since our school has an old set up and has many entrances we need to keep everyone visible to be monitored on their behavior. Seating also runs out, so we have expanded the seating by adding bleachers on the track.” > “We don’t let the students stand around the campus like in the past because of past conflicts, bullying, and fights. With everyone in a specific area, it is easier and faster stop all of the problems that occur.” > “The security hired helps us control the games better and gives the administrators a chance to so their real job and enjoy the game instead of directing students” > “There is a new standing area student can go to hang and socialize at the north end of the side of the bleachers in the grassy area by the score board.” Since the problem has been addressed, students now have a designated area to stand and socialize without being told to ‘keep it moving’ or ‘sit down’. Now on Friday nights, students can expect to have the freedom to stand and hang out with friends if they want without having any problems. by Najee Sears photo by Taylor Rice

>> New Directions

News

Out with the old, in with the new

Sitting in the bitter cold Lecture Hall for two hours every Monday night, focusing intently on learning music, alto Miranda Schoonover works hard to make Preludium a chamber choir of which students at Lee’s Summit High School would want to be a part. “Preludium is a small ensemble of boys and girls, freshman through seniors. It is an auditioned choir and a place for the younger kids to get to know what Sounds of Summit will be like if they make it,” Schoonover said. Sophomore through senior members audition at the end of the previous school year, and freshmen audition within the first few weeks of the new school year. Preludium replaced Touch of Class, a freshman and sophomore chamber choir, and also Schola Contorum, an all-junior and senior girls’ chamber choir. “Touch of Class was replaced by Preludium because Mr. Munce and Mr. Sullivan wanted a choir with students from all four years of high school,” bass Trevor Mitchell said. Sadly, after only one year of Schola Contorum, it also was removed from the LSHS choral program and many students wondered what happened. “It wasn’t a failure or anything. Mr. Munce still

needed a training choir and there wasn’t enough time to do three choirs with only two teachers,” Schoonover said. Many choral students audition every year for Sounds of Summit, but with a new chamber choir for all grades, more students will be able to get involved in more than their daily choral classes. “ About one-third of the people that audition make it into Preludium,” director Ryan Sullivan said. Since there is such a variation of grade levels, it is important for the choir to get along and grow as a group. “I would like Preludium to become a closer group since all of the kids are in different grade levels. I also want the kids to have a better understanding as to why they are there, not just to sing and have fun,” Sullivan said. Even though it is only the beginning of the year, Preludium is showing great progress and will be a great new addition to the LSHS choral program.

Sing Out: “Preludium is a small ensemble of boys and girls, freshman through seniors. It is a place for the younger kids to get to know what Sounds of Summit will be like if they make it,” said senior Miranda Schoonover.

by Rebecca Wadle photo by Nicole Kelleher

Trick or Treat Students collect food for families in need Halloween is the holiday that students wait all year for so that they can dress up, go out into the crisp, cool night, and knock on doors to snag mounds of candy. But while most students are out capturing chocolate and scoring sweets, others and many adults are working together to collect canned goods for needy families. The cause is known as Trick Or Treat So Tots Can Eat, or ‘Tots Eat’ as it has become more popularly known. It is an event that many students at LSHS take part in every year. “Trick Or Treat So Tots Can Eat is where a bunch of people dress up on Halloween and go trick or treating, and instead of asking for candy, we ask for canned goods for those who can’t afford food,” senior Katelyn Baron said. The idea of Tots Eat is not only to provide food for those in need, but also to put aside selfish thoughts of gathering candy, and to take a moment to realize the benefit of this charitable alternative.

“This is done to help our community, and you get the feeling of doing something good for others,” NHS sponsor and English teacher Kelli Wilson said. NHS also takes part in the canned food drive, and has been involved in it for six years. “We consider it a service project and a way to help our community,” Wilson said. Although NHS and Tiger Act are the only school activities that are involved in the drive, students do not need to be a part of these activities to participate. In fact, the theatre students and parents highly encourage other students and parents to get involved. “It feels really good to be a part of Tots Eat because I know I’m doing something good,. And it’s fun to go trick or treating again, and help out in the process,” Baron said. Like Baron, students and adults alike have their own reasons for participating in Tots Eat. Some do it for the fun of

Cans upon cans. LSHS students participating in Trick or Treat so Tots Can Eat collected canned foods that will be put into the hands of the needy. “ It’s fun to see the look on people’s faces when we tell them we don’t want candy, just canned food for kids” said Katelyn Baron.

being around close friends, some do it for the cause, and some do it for both reasons along with many others. “I am involved in Tots Eat because it is just so much fun to be able to go out with friends and trick or treat. It’s also fun to see the look on people’s faces when we tell them that we don’t want candy, just canned food for kids,” Baron said. Every year Tots Eat provides fun and games for all the students and adults who participate. “The fellow people that participate are awesome because aside from trying

to collect cans, we compete against each other for costume contests and the amount of cans we collect. It makes everybody do a really good job and try their hardest,” Baron said. So as Halloween vastly approaches, think not about the candy and parties, but how kind and giving the nature of this holiday can be. by Haley Merriott photo by Chase Linder

JLABMAG.COM 9

Charlie, the Yell Leader Sophomore Charlie Cox

talks about his life as the only male cheerleader at Lee’s Summit High School. By Kara Klein he crowd is roaring as the cheerleaders pump up the fans. The only male cheerleader decides to do a double full to make this a star performance. He flips, and flips again and again. As he goes to land he loses his step and falls flat on his stomach after all his hard work. Cox devotes a good amount of time to cheering. “I go straight to cheer practice or competitive practice and they’re three hour practices,” Cox said. Being the only male cheerleader, Cox feels like he must live up to certain expectations. “I feel that I have to be at the top of the cheer team because if I was a bad male cheerleader then it would just be pointless,” Cox said. So for Cox, falling is big calamity. “I got lost in a full and I felt really bad and somewhat embarrassed because I trained really, really hard, and it all went down tube, and I performed bad, which made me a little mad, but I got over it in the end,” said Cox. Regardless, Cox still has fun cheering. “I enjoy cheering because it’s fun pumping up the crowd and leading people in cheers and seeing their reaction when they get all hyped-up and the football team wins,” Cox said. However, Cox does run into those people who question his motives for cheering. “Sometimes it’s frowned upon by other people and they don’t like it, but I like it, and its fun for me, so I don’t care what other people think,” Cox said. Sometimes, people have stereotypes about male cheerleaders. Cox has heard them all before. “They say ‘Oh, my gosh! He’s a freak because he’s the only guy cheerleader and he’s creepy’ or something like that,” stated Cox.

10 Hi.Life 10.09

Photos by Mary Armes

School spirit. Charlie Cox gets the crowd pumped during the school’s homecoming pep assembly, Oct. 2nd. Cox is the only yell leader. “I love to dance and have fun,” Cox said “I do not care what people say and I do what I want to do. I cheer because I want to.”

But Cox has a system so these comments do “I got into cheering because I was first in not get to him. “Normally, I just let it go because I trampoline, and I was a competitive tumbler, and deal with people calling me things all the time and I was in gymnastics. I decided to go into cheering it normally doesn’t bother me, but if it does get because in the end, it paid more for college, and to me, I just turn to my friends and they would get me into college,” Cox said. help me through it,” said Cox. Cox plans to cheer for awhile. It seems that Cox feels most “I want to go to college on a “I feel that comfortable among his friends. cheer scholarship. I want I have to be “Sometimes, randomly to go to the University of when I’m hanging out with Kentucky. That’s my dream at the top of the my friends, I get up and college because they have cheer team because randomly start cheering out an excellent cheer team,” if I was a bad male of my head. But I don’t make Cox said. up cheers and repeat them,” However, Cox focuses cheerleader then Cox said. on an different career than it would just be Besides this, Cox is just like becoming a professional pointless.” any other teenager. cheerleader. “I wake up in the morning and “I want to study architecture with go to school. I go home for ten to twenty a background in interior design,” Cox said. minutes and then I go straight to either cheer For now, Cox is happy where he is. practice and after that I come home and eat and So, next time students are at a Lee’s Summit just do my homework and go to bed,” said Cox. Tigers game, remember to cheer on Charlie as he Not only does Cox cheer for fun. Being a male cheers for our team. cheerleader also has benefits.

By Kara Klein

Seven Superstitions

Common superstitions are investigated for their origins.

he salt is spilled, and the waiter knocks on wood. These things could be coincidence or maybe it could be superstition. If the latter is the case, then the salt must immediately be thrown over his left shoulder with his right hand. The waiter knocked on wood, so maybe things would be okay for the rest of the night. Superstition has been around for centuries. They were used to comfort people long ago when certain events could not be explained. Common superstitions include: Do not walk under a ladder. This has several origins. According to arashworld.com one comes from the Ancient Egyptians who believed that triangles were a sign of life and good luck. This explains the pyramids. Walking under a ladder would be tempting fate. Roman Catholics believed an object with three points represented the Holy Trinity which consists of God the Father, God The Son, and God the Holy Spirit; therefore, to walk under a ladder would be bad luck for a believing Christian. Do not break a mirror. Arashworld.com said that this comes from man’s belief that his reflection was his “other self.” Therefore, to distort his image foreshadowed bad luck. The seven years of bad luck came from the Roman belief that man’s body was physically rejuvenated every seven years. Knock on wood. This comes from the pagan belief that good spirits always lived inside of the woods. By knocking on some form of wood, these good spirits are released from the wood and can come to protect people from envy and harm. Do not open umbrellas inside. Centuries ago it was believed that umbrellas not only sheltered people from the sun and the rain, but were also used to make evil spirits leave. Opening them indoors would tempt these evil spirits. Black cats are signs of bad luck. This has many origins. The Egyptian goddess Bast had a symbol of a female black cat. In an attempt to eliminate all influences this Egyptian goddess had made, the priests claimed that black cats ward off the Christian God from man’s soul and block the entrance to heaven. Spilling salt is a sign of misfortune. Salt used to be a highly sought-after and expensive item. Not only was it used in the medical field, but it was used as payment (hence the word sal-ary). Friday the 13th is a day of misfortune. This originated from the Last Supper, where Christian’s believe 13 people had eaten, including Jesus, at his las t dinner before the crucifixion. The 13th attendant, Judas, betrayed Jesus and this led to his capture. He was crucified on a Friday.

Unknown Discounts Whether one needs a great tan, a new outfit or a great place to eat . Here is a treasure trove of places that value discounts and how these discounts can help benefit students . By Alisha Gillespie Pita Pit A friendly restaurant with fresh pita and healthy toppings with reasonable prices. The Discount If students bring their ID’s to Pita Pit, they’ll receive a small drink and a bag of chips with their meal. Foxy Nails An affordable place to get nails done of any kind. The Discount Regular set $24 and up, regular pedicure $24 and up, regular pedicure and manicure $34 and up. ( Must present student ID at time of service)

Celsius Tannery A great place to get any sun-kissed glow without going on an expensive vacation. The Discount Online special-buy two tans and get one tan free. (Redeem this coupon online at Celsiustan.com)

Nail Spa A place to relax and get away from all the stress from school. The Discount When getting a new set of nails get $5 off. (must bring student ID at time of service)

Buffalo Wild Wings A family style restaurant where anyone can sit down and eat as many wings as possible. The Discount Wing Tuesday: Wings are 45 cents on Tuesdays

Quick Recipies By Kassi Torrence Jamaican Jerk Chicken with Sweet Potatoes What you need: +1 1/2 lb. (s) Sweet Potatoes, cut in 1 inch chunks +Salt & Pepper +4 tsp Olive Oil +1 bunch Green Onions, cut into 1 inch pieces +4-6 Chicken Breasts +1 Bottle Jerk Sauce (Jamaican Jerk) How to make it: 1. Preheat oven to 450 Degrees Fahrenheit. 2. In a large bowl, toss sweet potatoes with salt, pepper, and oil until coated. Arrange potato chunks in 15 1/2” by 10 1/2” jelly roll pan and roast for 20 minutes. 3. Add green onions to the pan; coat with oil, stir, and roast for 10 minutes more or until veggies are tender. 4. Line another 15 1/2” by 10 1/2” jelly roll pan with non-stick aluminum foil. 5. In large bowl, toss chicken pieces in jerk sauce. salt & 2 tsp of oil until coated. 6. Arrange chicken in pan & roast for 25minutes or until juices run How Long it will take: About 45 minutes If you like those, try these: 1. Oven Fried Pork Chips Pg.348 2. Baked Cavatelli Pg.389 3. Pepper-Lime Chicken Pg.421 4. Chicken Burrito Pg.433 5. Butternut Squash Soup with Ravioli Pg.507 All of these recipies are from The Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook JLABMAG.COM 11

The LS custodians, drills rumbling, operate on the damaged vent of the frigid classroom. The top custodian responds to the request, fixes the faulty pieces, and trudges to restore other school needs. The ‘go-to-man’ for the school’s needed repairs is chief custodian Jon Rodgers. He has been working as a custodian for 30 years and loves what he does. “I started to become a custodian when I began college,” Rodgers said. “I worked at a Christian school for 18 years.” Custodians are at the school the same amount of hours as students and teachers. They work eight hour days unless there are games or activities going on, which is kind of an everyday thing. Custodians also have the holidays off, but get paid for some too. “I take care of the building and make sure that it is working properly with no problems,” Rodgers said. Fixing problems around the school can be hard work. The worst thing Rodgers has had to repair are a lot of fan coils. Rodgers informs that when hoses break and there is a lot of flooding, then it is difficult to clean up the mess. Custodians have routines in the summer, along with ones during the school year. “I love being a custodian because of the kids,” Rodgers said. “My wife is a teacher so we both enjoy being around them.” Rodgers enjoys walking through the hallways during spirit weeks to see all of the crazy things that students wear.

12 Hi.Life 10.09

Freshman Feelings Freshmen talk about their first year of high school.

Demario Allison

Brelenda Stewart

Neka Gleason

Ashley Gates

K’juan Henning

“I was not nervous. I thought it was huge and I did not think I would make it to all my classes on time. I was excited to hang with all my friends and meet new ones. I think there are more understandings, privileges, and activities.”

“I have less homework than I did in middle school. English this year is a lot harder though. The teachers aren’t breathing down our necks like they did in middle school. In middle school you get in trouble for every little thing you did.”

“I’m glad we have more time to get to class and walk around. We get more privileges and teachers aren’t as strict as they were in middle school. I just have a little bit more homework than in middle school and I just have to keep up my grades.”

“Everybody is so nice and I made a lot of friends. I feel that I have more freedom and I have more privileges. This year I have to worry about getting all my credits so I can graduate on time, and I need to make sure I am here every day so I can learn.”

“Homework is easier. They do not give me a lot. It keeps me happy. I thought walking from different buildings would kill me! TV shows about high school made it look like freshmen are ‘Fresh meat’ and get picked on; but thankfully it isn’t true.”

Custodians: Behind the Scenes

Cleaning Up Our Mess. Building manager Jon Rodgers is the man behind all the men and women in our school that are responsible for cleaning up the messes made each day. “I am rarely thanked or talked to by students in the halls, but I realize it’s my job; it is always nice to be appreciated,” Rodgers said.

3 SMART THINGS ABOUT College Visits

CHECK THIS OUT

Research it out

Find out what kind of college is the right one. Take a little time before to find out which college caters to the interests and needs of your goals. Talk to a counselor or college representative. Talking is easy, just head over to the guidance office and find out when a certain college may be sending a representative.

Behind Locked Doors As many people know, LSHS has a fairly large campus, and with such a large campus there are bound to be rooms that not many people know about. Some of the rooms are slightly eerie, cold, small, and dark, while others are just interesting and fun. So here are several places one would not expect to find in Lee’s Summit High. 1. One interesting place is the green house behind Amy Middaugh’s room, A130. This room can be spotted when walking behind the school. The green house is not used often but it is nice to know that one exists at LSHS. 2. There is a storage room on the mezzanine of the field house. Along with the various objects that are in the room, there is also a chill as soon as one walks in. 3. There is also a storage room in the PAC, above the make-up room, across from the catwalk. The stairs to get up to the room are behind the stage. At the top of the stairs is the room. It is a fairly large space but it has many vents in it. The room also has a Christmas tree that

The best unknown places you should know about.

has been taken apart. 4. Lastly, the school’s boiler room is located at the bottom of the B building lobby’s stairs. Lee’s Summit is the only school in the district that has a working boiling room. With such a big campus, it is no wonder so many places are not known about. Keep an eye out for rooms not many people know about and places not easily found. by Mikayla Frommer photos by Michael Bushur

Prepare

Use the resources available. These include the Get Set for College packet, put out by ACT, and The Tiger. Both of these can be found in the guidance office. If you can get a tour set up to meet with the dean or a counselor, be sure to have questions you would like answered.

Relax!

Nancy Frick helps out students with getting ready for college. Individualized tours are better compared to group tours. In the individualized tours, one can focus on themselves and get a lot more out of it than if they were just standing in a large group. If possible, stay for the weekend.

JLABMAG.COM 13

Heads Up, 7-Up! District beverage contract scheduled to change in coming years.

“Money will continue to find its way into the vending machines, but now students know why they have limited choices. Maybe, in a few years, students will try to push for different drinks in the machines.”

14 Hi.Life 10.09

Whether students like the products or not, their money continues to find its way into the vending machines. Dan Schnell, the athletics and activities director, explains why students only get limited choices of what comes out of the vending machines. “There was originally $100,000 that would be donated to the school along with a kick back on a percentage of the drinks sold that goes back to the buildings. This basically gave 7-Up exclusive rights,” Schnell said. The money from the contract started out being $100,000; however, this amount changes based on the condition of the economy. The money of the kickback percentage had previously been enough to fund the whole athletic department. “This is no longer true as kids begin to eat and drink healthier things. There is a lot of water being consumed,” Schnell said. Students, seeing the advantage to drinks that are low in sugar have had an effect on drink sales and the kickback percentage is no longer enough to fund the whole athletic department. “If I were to guess, the kickback percentage to Lee’s Summit High School would be between $3,000 and $5,000 a year,” Schnell said. The 7-Up contract was set to last for 10 years, and when it runs out negotiations will most likely be made with not only 7-Up but with other companies such as Coke and Pepsi. “The contract actually isn’t set up here at the high school, but is district wide and made at central office,” Schnell said. Central office is located by Lee’s Summit North High School where a committee goes over the contracts offered by all the vending companies. Sales are reviewed to see how well each type of soda or drink has sold over the years. It is predicted that the school board takes little to no part in deciding what contract to choose. “It is a committee of people, not just higher-ups. My guess is there was a combination of parents, administrators, activity directors and finally teachers. They try to get a full cabinet,” Schnell said. There is a recommendation before a final decision is made, then the whole process is done. The drinks are supplied by the company. The company takes the money from the vending machines and keeps track of all of it so that they can decide how much money the school gets from the kickback percentage. “That is one of the major student issues. We can’t reimburse students for money lost to the machines because no school personnel has anything to do with the vending machines. All the money goes directly to the company,” Schnell said. The snack machines work the same as the drink machines. The snacks are provided by other outside companies. Information on the snack machines was unavailable. However, students can now make informed decisions before they argue about lost money or lack of good products. Money will continue to find its way into the vending machines, but now students know why they have limited choices. Maybe as the 7-Up contract comes to a close in a few years, students will try to push for different drinks in the vending machines.

We can’t reimburse students for money lost to the machines because all the money goes to the company.”

HANGOUT OF THE MONTH

“It’s cheaper than therapy.” One more conjecture, the relationship between student stress levels and performance is now the subject of a new shop in downtown Lee’s Summit. To maximize brain performance and decrease high stress levels, students should put Smash-nShatter at the top of their to-do lists. In the past, students and children across America have been scolded for cracking windows or breaking china. Well, welcome to a new world where

destruction is accepted, better yet, encouraged. Smash-n-Shatter is located downtown on 3rd Street, and allows students to demolish items of their own or they can purchase plates, cups or windows. For under 20 dollars, someone could release their inner demons and anxiety in a safe and exciting emporium. After the owner was laid off from his job he arrived home. In his anger he threw glass at the wall, his wife and wallet were both upset. Soon after, the idea for the shop popped into his head like a light bulb. He pulled inspiration from the world wide web. So whether students have had a bad breakup, failed a test, or lost their job, they can rid themselves of their burdens, if only for an hour.

Fast & Furious Take a look at some of the hottest cars students drive at LS. by Jordan Buhr

Pontiac Trans-Am

Junior Steven Kingsolver owns a bright red eight cylinder Pontiac Trans Am. With help from his parents in picking out his car, Steven has had his car for about two weeks now and loves it. The insurance on this hotrod is around $100 a month, but is paid for by his parents. The total cost of his car was around $7,000, also paid for by his parents. Steven has yet to receive any tickets and hopes to keep it that way.

2002 Yukon Denali

Junior Drew Jackson cruises around in a 2002 Yukon Denali with custom wheels, tires, and head lights. With the total cost of his car, including his custom parts, being around $19,000, Drew is extremely lucky. He has had several runins with the police, but has gotten away with only two tickets. At around 250 dollars per month for insurance Drew’s Denali definitely isn’t the cheapest car to drive.

Dodge Charger

Seniors Logan and Sterling Riegel drive a black Dodge Charger on 22’ inch black rims. “I think it was on Craigslist for around $16,000 but we talked them down for around $15,000,” Logan tells us. With the boys’, parents paying for the car and the insurance, they have it pretty easy. After an offer to get separate cars for both, they decide one nicer car would be more worth it. Even though one would think it would be challenging to share, the boys manage to switch off each time they want to go somewhere.

2002 Mustang GT

Senior Caroline Van Cil takes great pride in her 2002 Mustang GT. She has put a lot of time and money into her car, putting in parts to make it faster to keep up with competitors when racing. “My sophomore year I started working at Chili’s and saved up $6,000. I didn’t have any help from my parents. I wanted to own all of it, I wanted it to be all mine,” Van Cil said. After having a 2002 Focus as her first car, this has been a big upgrade for Caroline. Even though criticism from her friends about owning a Ford can get tiring, she enjoys the challenge to show them up when it comes to racing.

JLABMAG.COM 15

Monkey Island

Monkey Business. Monkey Island Rescue and Zoological Sanctuary, located in Greenwood, is home to several species of monkeys. They are kept on a man-made island surrounded by a moat. “Lemurs, spider [monkeys], and capuchins do not want to swim across,” Island owner Dana Savorelli, said. The photo shows a capuchin, like Jack from Pirates of the Caribbean.

Island provides peaceful sanctuary for primates. Nobody would ever expect to see to much out on an old street, but Harris Road is no ordinary one to be on. For years, many different species of monkeys have inhabited the island, and stopped many people in awe of such a sight to see. Over the years, Dana Savorelli has been the owner and operator of Monkey Island and the animal sanctuary on his property. He has been working with exotic animals nearly all his life, and has now given them a place to live. “It all probably started when I was around twelve, that was when my passion for animals really started,” Savorelli said. Savorelli began this facility to help older and meaner animals that are out of their homes for whatever the reason. Most of the animals Savorelli takes in are ones that have been in families and have gotten too violent, or the family just cannot pay for the costs to keep them anymore. “I have given them a place to go when there is nowhere else that they Othercan go,” Savorelli 43 said. Glee the only place 22with strange The island is not The Office 21 animals. All over House the property are other critters. 9 You Think You Can Dance 5animals that The area is floodedSowith other exotic have lost their homes for some reason and have been

Hi.Like By Bianca Wang

Hi.Life staffers weigh in on this months favorites. The Hi.Life Staff is made up of a wide variety of students, each with a different opinion on each subject matter, no matter how big or small. This month, the Hi.Life Staff was surveyed on different topics to get an idea what is popular in the JLab. 16 Hi.Life 10.09

given to the facility. Savorelli cares for all of these animals, and with a little help, he makes sure that they are all comfortable. “We don’t get them when they’re young and nice, we usually get them when they’re old and mean.” Savorelli said. Other than monkeys inhabiting the island, llamas, snakes, emu, horses, geese, and even an ostrich live in houses and in pastures scattered around the property. The monkeys are merely on the island because they are afraid to swim across the water and for the public’s enjoyment. “I like to be able to look out my window and see people looking at the monkeys and smiling,” Savorelli said. On the island itself there is a swing set for the monkeys to play on, a green T-rex, food, water, along with different species of monkeys. The types on the island are there so that they do not escape the facility. “They’re mostly capuchins, spider, and lemur Friday 52 Saturdaylike the water, 21 so they won’t monkeys. They don’t Sunday 5 swim across.” Savorelli said. Monday 2 Wednesday 11 The monkeys and animals live outside from about Thursday 9 May to November. Unless there are harsh conditions, Out of a little under 60 students surveyed, the most watched T.V. show is Glee, followed up by The Office. Chart 6

they stay outside all the time. When winter comes around all of the animals are moved into special houses that keep a stable temperature level for each animal individually. It may seem like a crazy thing to have all of these animals, but most of Savorelli’s animals came from other couples. When somebody with an exotic animal cannot care for them anymore, instead of having them put down, some of them will give them to the monkey island facility. “I take them when others don’t want them. We mostly get them when they’re old, so it’s more like a home for old folks than animals,” Savorelli said. They even get some animals from places like the fish and wildlife management department. A few months ago, monkey island was invaded by alligators. They came all the way from California, where they were to be put down, but Savorelli stepped in and saved a few of them. He then brought them back home with him and set up a place for them to live in the pond. “We could have had many more if we wanted to, but then we might have turned our property into a bayou,” Savorelli joked. The space required to build such a facility was also necessary. Many acres of land are necessary for the building of this facility. The space for open pastures, large buildings, and storage rooms were vital for the project to happen. “The property I found was perfect, it was large and it already had buildings on it, ready for use.” Savorelli said. Although it may seem expensive to keep all of these animals, it doesn’t necessarily have to be. At Monkey Island, somewhere between five and twenty five dollars is the cost to keep a monkey per day. The proper toys must be purchased for the animals so that they get the best enrichment that they can. Temperatures must be maintained at the correct levels, special foods and water must be paid for, and the costs of the upkeep of their houses. “If your not up to the challenge, then you shouldn’t get an exotic animal for a pet, they can be quite expensive,” Savorelli joked. The island maybe quite out of the way, but it still stops many people who stare in wonder of the monkeys that inhabit the island. by Kevin Adams

Fridays are the kick-off to a weekend, usually accompanied with football games. Who wouldn’t like Fridays?! Chart 2

9% 11% 2% 5%

43% 21%

52%

21% 22%

Other The Office So You Think You Can Dance

Glee House

Friday Sunday Wednesday

Saturday Monday Thursday

Adultbook Kids are seeing more and more friend requests from adults they know. “My mom wants a Facebook, and she’s 75 years old,” Sheridan said. With Facebook becoming more adultfriendly, kids are trying to find new ways to keep their privacy.

Adultbook? Adults on Facebook. Originally, Facebook was intended for those who have no gray hair, still have their own teeth, and live on a college campus. Recently, the most visited social networking site in the United States has expanded its demographics. In August of this year, the number of Facebook adult users jumped dramatically. The highest growth in women was in the 45-65-age range. According to eMarketer.com the users’ ages 45-55 increased by almost 12 percent that month. This huge increase in adult users is creating quite a buzz. According to neosmart.net they believe that having so many adults and parents on Facebook will cause teens to want a different social networking site all to themselves. To try and keep their lives secret from their parents they will need a new portal, or a new networking realm to go to. One shocking fact about a site geared toward college kids is that there are now grandparents on Facebook. According to medicalnewstoday.com, UBA graduate students are training senior adults to use Facebook and other social networking sites. Senior citizens tend to get lonely and sometimes depressed. “My mother wants a Facebook, and she is 75 years Leaves old,” English Weather teacher Catherine Sheridan Football said. Clothingold Being able to keepDifferent up with Halloween

friends on Facebook would work wonders for their mental health. Although Facebook was originally intended for college kids to keep in contact with one another, Facebook is now uniting people who have not seen each other since their ten-year class reunion. “Facebook is a really easy way to connect with people I do not see often, such as people from high school, my sorority sisters, and my family too,” Sheridan said. For adults, Facebook has become an opportunity to connect with old friends, chat with their buddies during workdays that drag on forever, or to meet new people online. “Adults use Facebook because we are more removed from the people that we talk to on Facebook. Teenagers communicate with the same people on Facebook as they talk to, and see everyday,” Sheridan said. Having parents on Facebook may feel like they are spying on their kids, but really they enjoy the social networking atmosphere just as much as the addicted teens do. by Kristin Sands

53 17 12 10 7

Other Snickers Bar Candy Corn Reeces Twix

Halloween Costume Quiz

nce a year, on Oct. 31, children and adults alike dress up and celebrate Halloween. From trick-or-treating to costume parties, this holiday is enjoyable for all ages. Though it is such a fun holiday, the problem of finding the perfect costume always arises. If students are stressing to find that outstanding and unique costume that best suits them, they can rest at ease. The Hi.Life staff has developed a quiz that is designed just to help them. So go to JLabMag.com to take the quiz, then sit back, relax, and happy costume hunting! +When you are at a party, you are usually: A. Jumping out at your friends when they arrive B. Playing pranks on people C. Flipping your hair and flirting with the cute guy across the room D. The first one dancing + When attending a picnic, what food would you be most likely to bring? A. Gummy body parts B. Food filled with gummy worms 43 21 C. Pink cupcakes with sprinkles 14 D. Your own homemade creation 14 7

-For the rest of the quiz go to JlabMag.com Crab rangoon, fried rice, orange chicken, and noodles that are tasty and cheap; noChart wonder it’s a favorite. 3 8%3% 17%

Summer is waving goodbye as fall creeps in on us. Most students welcome theChart changing colors. 4

7% 10% 44%

14% 43%

12% 54%

14%

17%

28%

Chinese American Other

When a staffer’s birthday comes, it’s never missed. Mr. Russell gives them their favoriteChart type of candy. 5

21%

Mexican Middle Eastern

Leaves Football Halloween

Weather Different Clothing

Other Candy Corn Twix

Snickers Bar Reeces

JLABMAG.COM 17

Battle of the Sexes: Gender and Education

The relationship between gender, learning, and discipline ‘Battle of the sexes’, the competition between men and women to prove which gender is superior. Studies show that when it comes to school, girls may have the upper hand. Both at Lee’s Summit High School and nationwide, girls seem to be outdoing males in both academics and behavior. According to an article, Single-gender Education Gains Ground as Boys Lag, written by Janine DeFao, chronicle staff writer for SFGate.com, male students are the ones in trouble. Female students are dominating in literary skills, and are less likely to get in trouble. Males are more likely to be labeled as learning disabled and are less likely to go to college. LSHS seems to fit the description of the disciplinary portion of those statements quite well. During the 2008-09 school year, 3072 green slips were issued to males, and 1635 were issued to females. 138 males to 34 females received OSS, and 386 males to 206 females received ISS. It is pretty evident that male students dictate the disciplinary misdemeanors at LSHS. “Historically, boys seem to get in more trouble at school than girls. Offenses that carry OSS are generally things that boys get in trouble at a higher rate than girls-fighting, physical confrontations, drugs-not to say that we don’t have girls that engage in these behaviors as well, although obviously not at as high a rate as the

boys,” assistant principal Dr. Jamie Argotsinger said. With that being said, students want to know what can LSHS do as a community to change these conflicting numbers. “These data support the national data that repeatedly illustrate that American males struggle with high school at a far greater rate than females. I think the key is to attack the problem like we do most others, which means, facing our reality- acknowledging that there is a problem with male achievement when compared to female achievement, working with students, parents, teachers, and other relevant groups to make sure that we are responding with interventions that can help address the problem. In addition, I think it is incumbent upon high school aged boys to acknowledge the issue, own the issue, and resolve to make use of the opportunities available to them within a great high school like LSHS,” principal Dr. John Faulkenberry said. According to gender studies from D’Youville College in New York, the incompatibility between the performance of girls and boys in elementary school causes some critics to believe that boys are being neglected in the education system. “I disagree completely with this statement. LSHS strives to meet the needs of each student that attends here, regardless of gender,” Argotsinger said.

“Historically, boys seem to get in more trouble at school than girls. Offenses that carry OSS are generally things that boys get in trouble at a higher rate than girls”

18 Hi.Life 10.09

D’Youville’s Amanda Chapman wrote an article titled Gender Bias in Education. She states that boys and girls sit in the same classroom, read the same textbook, and listen to the same teacher, but receive very different educations. She says that girls perform equal or better than boys in nearly 1635 everything upon entering high school, Female but by the time graduation comes and 3072 the time to prepare for college is near, Male they have fallen behind. For LSHS’s 34 class of 2009, there were 222 male Female graduates and 213 female graduates. Greenslips According to the Gurian Institute on single gender education, 138 many public schools around the Male country have executed single-sex classes, most often in core areas. Research has shown that boys and 206 girls learn differently. So therefore, OSS Female many schools believe that girls learn 386 better with a classroom full of other Male girls including a female teacher, and boys learn better with a classroom full of other boys with a male teacher. That way, both of the genders excel in ISS learning. At one point in time, Blue Springs High School even had singleData shows that during that during the 2008-2009 school year a disproportionately high gender classes. With so many schools number of male students were sent to student administration and disciplined. across the nation conforming to this idea, students would like to know After finding out the difference between male and female if LSHS would ever consider singlestudents in most aspects of high school life, it gave a model and gender classes. “There are no current plans to create any single-gender classes. standard on which to judge from and conclude. For disciplinary actions, male students are in the lead, however, in academics, However, LSHS tries to stay very current with research that can female students are clearly in the lead. Both sides are equal in their positively impact student learning. If our leadership team, which own ways. Male students may be more prone to getting in trouble. includes teachers, felt like some single-gender classes could help Female students, though, are clearly more in-tune to their school some of our students, I know I can speak for the group in saying that they would at least consider the possibility,” Faulkenberry said. studies.

BY THE NUMBERS: STAD

“According to the Gurian Institute on single gender education, many public schools around the country have executed single-sex classes, most often in core areas. Research has shown that boys and girls learn differently. So therefore, many schools believe that girls learn better with a classroom full of other girls including a female teacher, and boys learn better with a classroom full of other boys with a male teacher. ”

JLABMAG.COM 19

‘ INTERVIEW

Plain White Tee’s

While walking through the halls you will recognize Ronald Thomas, a junior who is said to be one of the best dressed here. Noticing Ronald’s insane sense of fashion, I could not help but get to know his ideas on fashion and where he gets his ideas. Some of the favorite things in his closet include Members Only jackets, Fruit of the Loom sweatshirts, sweaters, and oldschool shoes. Thomas has a fashion sense unlike any other guys in the hallways here. “My friends think I am crazy for dressing the way I do, other people like it, and say that it is different.” There are certain things that Thomas is known for. “I wear a lot of cardigans and sweaters, also the color purple.” Some of Thomas’s fashion comes from thrift stores “I definitely go to thrift stores. I just go wherever I am.” His favorite stores include Urban Outfitters and Pac Sun. He is also inspired by west coast rappers like Kid Cudi. “Drake, Pacific Division, Kid Cudi, Lupe Fiasco, Jay Z,” Thomas said. “A lot of people from the west coast.” Thomas has a definite influence on his friends. “Black people are starting to lean towards it because they are starting to see rappers dress the way I dress.” There is one thing he definitely cannot stand. “I don’t like baggy clothes.” Baggy clothes or not, everyone is entitled to wear their own style, Thomas sure does. Along with being incredibly well dressed he is extremely friendly, so if you see him in the hall, say ‘Hello!’ or comment on how much you like his sweater or his old-school shoes. by Lily Schiffbauer

A single student at Lee’s Summit High School creates a day where everyone in the school wears a white shirt on Wednesday

It’s Wednesday morning. The bell rings. A flood of white shirts streams through the hallways like a massive 100% cotton river. Several people passing by have white shirts on. Every Wednesday prior, the same people have been wearing white shirts. This is the practice of white shirt wednesday. “Alex Swarts and I wore a white shirt on the first day of school and we decided to wear one every Wednesday,” Junior Andy Batson said. At the beginning of the school year, Batson decided to create a day each week when everyone would do the same thing. His idea was white shirt Wednesday. “It’s where you plan to wear a plain white t-shirt every single Wednesday, no matter what,” Batson said, “We want everyone to wear a white shirt on Wednesday. Everyone owns a white shirt, so everyone can participate. It’s a masquerade of everyone moving toward unity. People that I can’t stand are even wearing white shirts on Wednesday,” Batson said. We have days similar to white shirt Wednesday, such as black and gold friday. “Black and gold friday unites only the school, but white shirt wednesday unites everyone, everywhere,” Batson said. Batson has tried to promote white shirt Wednesday by letting people know on the internet and by always wearing his white shirt on Wednesday. “We have a group on Facebook and I always tell people about it,” Batson said. Many students at Lee’s Summit High School have participated in white shirt Wednesday and continue to participate. “White shirt wednesday has grown steadily. About 150 people participate each

20 Hi.Life 10.09

‘ ‘

Taking It Back Old School Style

>>An inside look at how a student’s style is inspired, created, and displayed

NEWS

“We want to have national recognition by 2011” Junior Andy Batson is lifted up by several participants of White Shirt Wednesday.

Wednesday. We want to have national recognition by 2011,” Batson said. Batson and his white shirt Wednesday followers continue to promote and participate in this newly found “holiday.” If anyone wants to participate, all they have to do is wear a white shirt. It’s as easy as that. So next wednesday, plan to wear a white shirt. by Amy Notestein photo by Laina Gunsallus

‘

Salt Sweat Sugar Corset Inspired Sweatshirt Redesign

DIY

Products Needed: 1 XXL sweatshirt, sewing machine, ruler, black ribbon, large eyelets, hammer, eyelet setter, and scissors

by Lindsey Bales

•Take the sweatshirt and lay out on a flat area. Cut the waistband, wrist cuffs, and the collar off (cut around the hem line on each of the pieces). The cut does not have to be exact and can trimmed on the next step. Keep all pieces together.

•The leftover cut-off waistband will make a great and easy belt for the top. Cut the piece so that it is one long strand. Determine the length of the belt by measuring it around your upper waist. Cut the piece at that place and then him so it makes a perfect fit.

3 •Make a pattern of a triangle that is about 3-4 inches at the bottom. Pin it down at the collar on the back of the sweatshirt. Carefully cut around the triangle and discard the piece cut out.

1 4

•Take the sweatshirt and turn inside out. Stitch around all parts that have been cut. Make sure it him it at 3/4 of an inch. Sew it over twice to make it more durable. Try to make the stitching straight (depending on what color used determines how much it will show).

•Take a hole puncher and punch holes 3 inches apart and 3/4 inches from the him on the triangle cut in the back of the sweatshirt. Place the eyelets in the holes and then use the eyelet setter and hammer to hammer in the eyelets.

5 3

•After the eyelets are placed in the sweatshirt, take 3 yards of the ribbon and start lacing the ribbon through the holes in the eyelets (like you are tieing a shoe). Make sure to lace on the inside. When done, tie ribbon in a bow and cut the excess ribbon off. Place the belt on the shirt and the design is complete!

4 JLABMAG.COM 21

Great Movies Based Off Greater Books Everybody loves watching a good movie; the kind of movie that has an amazing plot-line, and leaves the audience with a message that forces them to really reflect upon it. Unlike those action-packed films whose main attraction is explosions, good movies are not regularly thought of off the top of the director’s head. They are usually based off of an even better book. A book, those things most people do not read unless they are forced too. But what they do not know is that that incredible movie they saw over the weekend has a superior literary counterpart. Phantom of the Opera- A movie that everyone was obsessed with for a long time, it tells the story of a girl who is seduced by a masked genius in the opera house she performs at. The phantom uses ploys to increase her reputation as in opera singer, but in return the girl, Christine, falls in love with her childhood playmate Raoul. She goes on to marry Raoul, and the phantom is pushed out of the opera house by an enraged mob. The book was written by a French novelist, Gaston Leroux, and was made into a movie in 1924 by Rupert Julian and then in 2004 by Joel Schumacher. Fight Club- The main character of this movie, who is unnamed, is a lonely and mentally unstable man. He befriends Tyler Durden, and together they form a club where men can come together and have fist fights. The club develops into a group called Project Mayhem, which in a climactic scene tries to blow up several buildings. In the end the main character recognizes that Tyler Durden was a figment of his imagination, and continues his life with his lover Marla Singer. A film directed by David Fincher, the book was written by Chuck

Palahniuk, who has written many other great books. The Notebook- A heart wrenching love story about two people, Allie and Noah who, despite their complete and total love for each other, run into many complications. The movie and book are extremely similar, except in the end of the movie, which was directed by Nick Cassavetes in 2004, both of the lovers die in the same bed holding hands. But in the book, written by Nicholas Sparks in 1996, the Allie dies but the Noah lives on. James Bond Movies-Ian Fleming is the inventor of the character James Bond. Before his death in 1964, he wrote many of the books that inspired the films chronicling the life of a suave British spy. His books written that were later turned into the popular Bond movies were Goldfinger, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, The Man with the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Octopussy and the Living Daylights, You Only Live Twice, and countless more. After seeing these great examples hopefully one can realize that some of the best movies got their ideas from a book. Though movies are easier to watch, it is usually agreed that a book is better than its film. So the next time a movie is watched, maybe someone can try and read the great novel that goes along with it, to better understand the concept and become one with the story. by Mallory Tackett

Scene Status

Where the Wild Things Are

Where are the Wild Things? They’re in your heart. Where the Wild Things Are is a lighthearted film about friendship. The main character is a young boy named Max. The creativity of his imagination is revealed within the first few opening scenes. He likes to build, make up stories, and he has a wolf costume he enjoys wearing. Even with his imagination, he struggles with the loneliness of having an ignoring older sister and a single mom with a demanding job. One night Max runs away. His imagination carries him and the audience to a new land;

22 Hi.Life 10.09

Books Made Into Movies. Some of the best blockbuster films have originated from books. Many of these have avid readers whom highly anticipate the release of the film, yet some of the book-counterparts aren’t as well known. photo by Tyler Bailes

where the Wild Things are. The time in which the one is introduces to the Wild Things is a little awkward at first; the situation the Wild Things are having is not fully understood for a few scenes. After a shaky greeting, Max’s imagination quickly saves him from an unpleasant welcome, and instead he becomes king of the Wild Things. The relationship between Max and the Wild Things grows, and the personalities of the Wild Things further unfold. The excellent animation and presentation, along with characters one could relate

either his/herself or their friends to, deliver an enchanted story. Though Max’s wit and imagination had done good or both him and the Wild Things, tension still arises. After quite a scare, Max realizes that where the Wild Things are is not where he is supposed to be; it is not his nome. Where the Wild Things Are promises laughter and smiles. The plot even entails more depth than is expected (provoking some tears on my account), I would award three out of four stars; definitely worth seeing. by Lindsay Nelson

[ ]

Flashback! Not long ago, watching old movies was considered a buzz kill. Now, thanks to these recommendations, it can be considered an entertaining change of pace from the typical movies of today. We talked to some lit teachers who gave their must-see recommendations.

1. Sixteen Candles “Sixteen Candles is a timeless film, any century can relate to it. It is hilarious yet thought provoking. This movie has a good story, in which the awkward looking girl gets the jock. My favorite part is at the end when Molly Ringwald’s character, Samantha Baker, meets up with the jock, Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling). Everyone else forgot her birthday, but at the end Sam and Jake are sitting on either side of a table with a cake on it. It’s a happy moment since she got the jock, and someone actually remembered her birthday. It’s just such a feel good movie, it’s awesome,” journalism teacher Elaine McDonald said. 2. Footloose “I like Footloose because it is a love story and also because it has a thought provoking religious piece. In this movie, a boy (Kevin Bacon) moves from a big city to this new town where dancing isn’t allowed. He ends up falling for the pastor’s daughter (Lori Singer), who wants to branch out. My favorite part is when they get to have a dance at a mill. The people who have never danced before finally got the chance to. The music gets me going; I listen to it when I exercise. I get chills talking about it,” McDonald said. 4. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is a very heart-warming story that details how we should treat people. The story follows an uptight advertising executive (Steve Martin) who is trying to get home to his family after being on a business trip, and how he and an accident-prone stranger (John Candy) end up traveling together. My favorite part is when they share a bed and wake up to find themselves snuggling together and freak out. it’s hilarious,” English teacher Karen Davis-Brown said. by Hayley Mershon

Backpack Brief A student shares the personal items in her backpack

Kelsey Daniels stands to the side of the hallway, rummaging through her backpack. The word “backpack” may not be entirely appropriate. School bags can become very personal items, and “backpack” suggests something slightly blander than the intriguing totes, drawstring bags, and book carriers that circulate the halls in our school. Daniels is in the tote bag category of these. “My backpack is actually more of a bag,” Daniels said while looking at the blue and white striped tote. Across it, the white is tainted with small orange stains. “One time, I left an orange smelly marker open in there, and now it has stains on it,” Daniels said, smiling. “I like my backpack because it’s organized, and everything is easily accessible,” Daniels explained. “I carry everything that I need for the day, because I don’t have to time to use my locker.” One thing Daniels doesn’t like about her backpack is how the straps hurt her shoulder, which is not a wonder, considering how weighty her books must get during the day. “I really do not like my language arts book. It is really heavy,” Daniels said. Daniels likes to think of herself as a colorful person, and she believes that her backpack reflects just that. “I have lots of green, pink and blue folders. I really like my pink binder that I keep my old geometry quizzes in,” Daniels said.

Among her personal items, Daniels has several notes from friends, a pair of sunglasses and her regular snack of animal crackers. In the pockets of her tote, she keeps her lip gloss and her usual pack of gum. One might find a book or two as well. “I kind of like what we are reading in language arts right now,” she said bashfully. “I’m reading Right Behind You, which is a Gateway novel, and To Kill A Mockingbird, with my class,” Daniels began to explain. The busy hallways could be disguising some of the most personal items that the student body possesses. When all the while, they are carrying them on their backs. By Haley Gillian

Freshman, Kelsey Daniels, is a student who carries a backpack around during the day. In her backpack, she has many random things like some other students around the school. “ My backpack is actually more of a bag,” says Daniels.

photo by Anna-Marie Gallo

Xbox vs. PS3

It is often wondered which system is the best. The answer is still hanging in the air... Playstation 3 or Xbox 360? Xbox 360 or Playstation 3? For students deciding which console to buy, it can be a tough choice. There is a great rivalry between the two. This chart shows the two side-by-side. The debate starts now. by Pete White / photos by BradleyRoberts PS3 Xbox 360 -Price $299 $299 -Color Black Black -Hard Disc Size 120GB 120GB -USB Ports 2 3 -WiFi Built-In $99 Add On -Disc Drive Blue-Ray/DVD/ DVD/CD CD -Bluetooth Yes No -Controllers One One Better or Worse. Included Students debate many things and -Backward No Partial Two Different when it comes to Compatibility Sides. To some electronics the one is more -Online Play Free $50/Year debate can get big important then -Dimensions 290x65x290 mm 310x80x260 mm the other. -Weight 3.2 kg 3.5 kg

Turmoil Tweets As depressing as this is to admit, the most interesting thing that has happened as of lately is the fact that Miley Cyrus deleted her Twitter. I’m serious. It really lessens my faith in humanity when a sixteen year old girl deletes her Twitter account and people are thrown into shock. Just so you know, I deleted my twitter for awhile this summer. Do you know what happened? Absolutely nothing. Anyway, Miley Cyrus tweeted on October 6th, saying “FYI Liam doesn’t have a twitter and he wants ME to delete mine with good reason.” Hours later, her account had been shut down. So let’s get all of this straight. Liam Hensworth is Miley’s co-star in her upcoming move ‘The Last Song’ and apparently is also her boyfriend. The rumor is that Liam felt the public blogging site brought too much public attention to Miley. To be honest, I don’t think Miley believes in “too much” public attention. And neither do her parents! A few days after Miley left, her father Billy Ray Cyrus tweeted, asking her to return to twitter. His tweet reads: “Miley. You are a light in a world of darkness. You were born ‘Destiny Hope Cyrus’ for a reason. You can’t leave everyone now. We r countin on u.” Not only is this an example of horrible grammar, and also sort of creepy... but why couldn’t he just call her or text her? Or speak with her in person? I find the entire ordeal very strange. Also: I hope he realizes that deleting an online account does not exactly constitute as “leaving everyone”. I am curious as to how Miley is coping with Twitter. She can no longer publicly rant about how much the paparazzi/being famous/boys/rumors suck. She also cannot post meaningful lyrics or tweet about how much she misses a certain person, or how in love she is at the moment, or how tough it is to be her. The poor thing. I, for one, am really missing all of her updates, along with many 11-year-old girls fans (and apparently, her father). Lucky for us, we can follow everyone else in her entire family on Twitter - even her 8-yearold sister, Noah! I give it a week before Miley comes back to twitter. Until then, I guess we will all just be wandering around in this “world of darkness”. by Jessie Curtis JLABMAG.COM 23

Whatever Happened To... Everyone has those cartoons that remind us of our childhood. The characters that served as our first Halloween costumes; the opening theme that had us running for the television; the ridiculous things that made us laugh. But a decade later, some are left wondering: “Whatever happened to...?” Popular television shows that were on when most students were young include: Hey Arnold, Rugrats, All That, Craggle Rock, Barney, Ahhh! Real Monsters, Gullah Gullah Island, Blue’s Clues, Sesame Street, Arthur, Little Bear, and Recess. Some of the above listed featured talking animals; most had educational value; all of them harbored a message. Little Bear and Gullah Gullah Island strongly enforced the value of family. Blue’s Clues and Sesame Street educated children on thing like the alphabet, shapes, counting, music, and crafts. Barney and Rugrats focused on the importance of friendship and on doing the right thing. Sophomore Caitlin Jeffrey grew nostalgic as she

recounted the cartoons that reminded her of being a kid. “I watched Sesame Street, Dragon Tales, Barney (sadly enough)... Oh, and Little Bear.” Jeffrey said. Jeffrey recalled how things changed as she grew up, and the difference between cartoons that she watched as a child and those that are shown today. “There’s definitely a dividing line,” Jeffrey said. “Some [cartoons today] are educational, but most of them make no sense at all.” Sophomore Brendan McKenna agreed with Jeffrey’s statement. “[Cartoons] aren’t as genuinely funny. They’re very crude. There isn’t any genuine humor anymore.” Some of the most popular cartoons for children today include: Chowder, Spongebob, Phineus and Ferb, Flapjack, The Fairly Oddparents, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. These shows don’t seem to show the same focus on education, though some like Avatar: The Last Airbender and Phineus and

Ferb still maintain the message that family and friends are important. McKenna and Jeffrey remember the questions they had as they grew up and the cartoons eventually were cancelled or completely changed. “I remember on Nick Jr., when ‘Face’ was replaced. I remember wondering where Face was It’s kind of like Steve going off to college - they were just gone!” McKenna said. Jeffrey was also affected by the familiar Blue’s Clues host’s resignation. “I always wondered what happened to Steve, because I heard he got into drugs and died or something. There were a lot of rumors.” Jeffrey explained. In reality, Steve Burns (the popular host of Blue’s Clues) simply felt that his time on the show was over. He did not want to make a career out of hosting the show, and after six years and dozens of episodes, he left Blue’s Clues to focus on his music career. He has since released two albums and is part of the band ‘Steve Burns and the Struggle’. Though there are many rumors about Burns’ resignation, in actuality there was never a scandal of any sort. Cartoons will continue to change and evolve with the attitude and desires of the kids that watch them. Tastes change over there years, and though opinions will always differ, the fact remains that many teens today still love the cartoons that they loved as children - and maybe a decade from now, when Spongebob is a foreign word, teens will also look back and wonder, “What ever happened to...” by Jessie Curtis

Reasons to be Happy Finding your inner happy this fall season... Start getting those Halloween costumes ready and planned out so you can walk into Halloween parties with the best costume. Swine flu is flying everywhere like birds, finally we can have some germ killer on our hands.

Ready for that scare? Now is the season. Round up your friends and spend those boring Friday nights screaming your head off.

Halloween is 17 Cold weather is taking its toll days away

Hand sanitizer in classrooms Class rings are on their way

Haunted houses

Boot season is back

With the sun getting further away, and the sniffles starting to flow, you now have an excuse to stay home, you simply have a cold. As you become a junior, and start to feel a lot more superior than you did the previous year, you can now feel highly social talking about your class ring and showing it off to the untamed freshmen. Bust open those dusty containers because boot season is finally here ! by Ma’Ryah Cooper

24 Hi.Life 10.09

You see them everywhere. They are the ones deemed “cool” by the “cool.” But they don’t care, they don’t do labels. They lurk in the depths of indie dance clubs, bowling alleys, and Urban Outfitters. They wear their obscure band t-shirts, thrift store pants and glasses they don’t really need. But wait. Does this sound like you? In order to help you identify yourself the Hi.Life has created a helpful chart so you can find out if you are a Hipster.

Hipsters.

Start What’s in your closet?

Obscure band tees, thrift store clothing and Urban Outfitters

Mom jeans, a lot of denim yes

Favorite Band? Jonas Brothers or Nickelback

Le Tigre

Britney Spears

Jeans, brand names, spirit wear

no Ironic? What? How often do you bust a moby?

Really?

no Ironic?

yes

Times you have showered this week

More than 3 Less than 3

I bust mobies every week with my wallies

You are not a Hipster. Good for you. Read some Twilight, wash your clothes, listen to the JoBros and enjoy your normal life. Congrats, you are a hipster. Go and watch some indie bands play in a dive bar. Pretend you don’t care about anything. Shop around Urban Outfitters complaining about our capitalist society.

Upcoming Concerts Check out the music coming to Kansas City Music will fill the streets of Kansas City as these bands play in these clubs. ->Beaumont Club-4050 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64111 -Mutemath- October 16 -Keller Williams- October 20 -Say Anything- October 21 -Relient K- October 15 -Bayside and Broadway Calls with Bouncing Souls- November 4 -Black Ribbon Sky- November 14 -Saosin- November 15 -All Time Low- November 20 -Black Ribbon Sky- November 21 -Hatebreed- November 22 -Forever the sickest kids and The Rocket Summer with sing it loud, My Favorite Highway- October 27 ->Uptown Theater-3700 Broadway, Suite 210, Kansas City, MO 64111 -Chaos Interval, Upon the Wake, Condolences, My Only Opinion- Oct. 16 -The Greg Camp Memorial Benefit Concert- October 25 -Back to the 90’s with Next, Troop, and H-Town- October 30 -Paramore- November 4 -AFI- November 6 -Playing For Change- November 7 -Dashboard Confessional with New Found Glory, Never Shout Never, and Meg & Dia- November 8 -Chevelle with Halestorm- November 11 -Rob Bell- November 12 -311- November 15 -Swell Season- November 30

->The Record Bar-1020 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111 -A Place To Bury Strangers- October 24 -Derek Webb- October 28 -The Uglysuit- October 30 -Justin Roberts- October 31 -The Get Up Kids with Mansions and Kevin Devine- November 20- 21 ->Knuckleheads Saloon-1601 N Universal Ave, Kansas City, MO 64120 -Searson- October 15 -Asleep At the Wheel with Scissormen- October 23 -Brandon Rhyder- October 28 -Al Stewart- November 1 -Harper- November 5 -The Belairs- November 27-28 -Winslow’s Barbeque- 20 East 5th St, Kansas City, MO 64106 -Cold Sweat- October 17 -Scott Moyer- October 30 ->The Riot Room- 4048 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111 -Girl In A Coma with Black Gold- October 15 Pelican with Minsk and Sweet Cobra- October 19 Moonspell with Samael, Boo of Black Earth, Secrets of the Moon, and Night Creation- October 24 Baroness with Earthless- November 28 The Midland by AMC- 1228 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64106 Stephen Lynch- October 15 David Garrett- October 20 Imagination Movers- October 22 The Pogues- October 2 by Taylor Dyer / photos by Morgan Pena JLABMAG.COM 25

very week students come to high school to acquire the knowledge they need for their future. More often than not there are distractions from classmates, or the even the school itself that the most tolerant people cannot endure. Clicking pens, desk tapping, or even desk kicking. These small things make people go crazy. A habit that some people just cannot seem to grow out of is desk kicking. After asking the kickers to quit the constant pounding, it is hard not to turn around and scream ‘STOP!’ Trying to keep one’s composure is so hard when being irritated by a shaking desk, and being ignored by the kicker. Another horrible habit is a lack of attention in class or during school activities. One example is when a teacher is giving an important lecture and a cluster of students will not stop chattering. Another example takes place during set build for musicals and plays. Most of the people that participate in the set builds are dedicated to getting work done but there are also those who do not even care. They are told

to build a frame, and they act like they will; however, they then run off just to chit-chat with their friends. This is horribly aggravating. Sets are time consuming enough to get done as it is; people slacking on the job does not help. When people have a song stuck in their head they normally spill the beat to their whole classroom and the entire class will get distracted by the tap tapping of their hands or make-shift instruments hitting the

26 Hi.Life 10.09

desk. Even if everyone is giving the tapper glares to silence them, they do not normally get the message until the teacher yells at them to knock it off. Something else that can be annoying is the varying temperature from classroom to classroom. The English rooms might be freezing, but the math rooms feels as if they were on fire, and if each class is like this the temperature switch can drive people crazy. The school cannot seem to keep the buildings, let alone classrooms, at the same temperature. Next annoyance: lunch lines. This school year it seems as though the lunch rooms are more crowded than they ever have been. With the big class of freshman this year, people have to wait in line for their lunch longer than normal. Peers also cut in line and aggravate the situation even more. With the increase of waiting in line, there is also a decrease in the time to eat. Students do not have as much time to eat and as a result do not have the time to do all that they want to do within their short break. Also a factor of annoyance is the slow computers. Getting work done at school is hard to do when it takes half of the class time to log onto a computer. When so many people are using computers at once, it slows them down to a speed that is almost impossible to work with. Not to mention the LMC mice that need to be replaced. Getting a mouse to work can take the other half of the hour occasionally. Sometimes people will steal the balls inside the mouse that makes it able to work, what their reasons for doing such a thing is unknown. These are only a few things that can drive a student crazy in a school environment, but they are enough to get the job done. So, when at school, remember what can get on the nerves of peers and beware. by Mikayla Frommer

photos by Taylor Rice

Troublesome School With No Support Tigers

< <

Editorial

he halls were full of silence: no jerseys, no fight song, and no smiles. The football stadium was empty with its perfectly cut grass, and tears were flooding from the students faces. No one could quite understand what had caused what defined every individual at Grove City High in Grove City, Ohio to be taken away this school year. The students were at a great loss after discovering all their extracurricular activities had been pulled. No more sports, no more bands, no more drama productions, and no more student council. The school year would consist of school work and that was it. Everyday would seem like the last. The excitement, fire, and pep of the student body had dissolved all due to money being tight and a recent levy failure in the school district. There are so many things that define just what it takes to live up to the expectations of being an Lee’s Summit High School Tiger. When people think about what LSHS is all about, people may rage about the impressive test scores, the great students and staff, or the beautiful campus. What really defines LSHS are all of the opportunities students are given, and all the effort and consideration to allow LSHS students to participate in activities so that everyone can be involved. Students of LSHS spend their days at the school talking about last night’s game, how the musical is coming along, what time cheer practice is the next day, or who scored the winning goal, it’s a part of every high school teenagers daily life and conversations. One thing that LSHS students should remember and consider is just how lucky they really are. How much they love Friday night football, debating, or going to the opening show for the musical. Students should feel privileged and excited to have everything it takes to be an LSHS

Tiger and appreciate the many opportunities and experiences to better themselves. Students must realize just how good LSHS has it. For some students such as the ones at Grove City High their opportunities are gone and the students would do anything to have those days back. Extracurricular activities (from sports, to band, to drama, to student council) represent just what each student has worked for their entire life. Younger children look up to LSHS students and want to be involved when they become a tiger. The scary thing about this Grove City High situation is that it could happen anywhere if funding gets tight. Fundraising and the willingness of LSHS teachers to coach and support each and every activity provided is what keeps our activities alive and available. Currently, LSHS activities do a great deal of fundraising to keep the activities alive. Softball had a breakfast at Applebee’s, soccer sells cookie dough, football has a live auction, and JROTC sells candy bars. Students must keep up the hard work to support LSHS and keep the tradition and roar ongoing for many years to come. With the help of LSHS students and staff to help support our school, the chances of not having extracurricular activities will never be an issue. The fight song will continue to blare, Friday night lights will remain on, and the pearly whites will remain shinning on all the students faces. by Miranda Vaughn

Staff Editorial

ith over 1,000 students currently attending Lee’s Summit High School, it’s a safe bet that there are a lot of relationships. Like people, no two relationships are exactly the same, yet we have all been exposed to the signature indication that two people are dating: PDA. These public displays of affection range from a simple hand hold to a long kiss before Spanish II, and to the discomfort of others, sometimes more. Whether a couple is taking up the hallway with their love-fest or simply distracting students on their way to class, one thing is certain: enough is enough. Last year and this year combined, there have been only six instances in which couples have been sent to the office for their inappropriate behavior during school. Compare this to the 508 detentions served last year due to 6th tardies or the 369 detentions served because of cellphones or iPods. All of these things, including PDA, are against school policy and are clearly stated that way in each student’s plan book. One can see these drastic differences in detentions. Certain schools in the country have banned physical contact altogether regardless of age or gender. Students are written up for high-fives, hugs, even a pat on the back. Disagreeing with that level of extremity, our administrators handle the situation based on their own level of discomfort. If the couple is holding hands or shares a quick peck before parting ways, not much is said. If the couple is making the administrator or teacher feel uncomfortable, they immediately are referred to the office. This logic seems reasonable, but it begs the question: When does PDA go too far? A quick fix for students who feel uncomfortable due to others’ affections is simply to be blunt about it. Tell them that they are making you feel awkward or that they are in your way. If you feel that the situation calls for it, notify a teacher or administrator. Spread your opinion and mention that there are better times and more convenient places than the B hallway for a couple to swap spit.

M.O.S.

How do you feel about PDA in our hallways?

Staff Ed. and M.O.S.

by Amy Notestein

freshman: Mallory Murphy

“I think that it’s okay to show PDA as long as it doesn’t go overboard because making out in the hallways is gross. It’s disgusting when people kiss and throw each other up against the lockers. It’s horrible,” said freshman Mallory Murphy.

sophomore: Asa Hoss

“I think that if people are going to show PDA, they should wait until a better time. They usually block the hallway, and it gets a bit annoying because they do it everyday. It’s fine when people stop and hold hands, but when they stop to make out- that’s when it crosses the line,” said sophomore Asa Hoss.

junior: Claire Bohlman

by Jessie Curtis

etch-a-sketch “PDA doesn’t really bug me. Little pecks are cute sometimes unless it is too gushy. It gets annoying whenever I’m trying to get to class and people showing PDA are in my way. It’s also annoying when people are full on making out. They should save that for home,” said junior Claire Bohlman.

senior: Ryan Hagedorn

When couples parade their affection towards each other in the hallways it leaves students who see the spectacle feeling awkward and repulsed.

illustration by Bianca Wang

“I think there is too much PDA in the hallway. I don’t think it is necessary to have a goodbye make out before class when they will see each other in 45 minutes. Nobody else wants to see that. Maybe they should keep that for home,” said senior Ryan Hagedorn. photos by Laina Gunsallus & Taylor Rice JLABMAG.COM 27

He Said, She Said and Letters

He Said, She Said

storm is brewing above the United States of America. The gray clouds of criticism are forming, and a downpour of debate floods the landscape. The cause of such agitation is, without a doubt, a controversial one: health care reform. Over the past year, there has been a lot of skepticism as to what our new president will do to fix certain issues. Our health care system is definitely one of his big concerns, with a plan to reform the health care system within his first year in office. However, many people are not listening to the facts of this plan because they feel that it will go hand-in-hand with socialism. Most of the time they do not even know what socialism is. When people think of socialism,

THE INBOX Letters ones

hJ Maria

e Briann

Letner

they tend to associate it with its ugly step-sister, Communism. Their thoughts then branch off, imagining scenes of Soviet Russia, China, North Korea, and our southern neighbor, Cuba. The fact of the matter is that socialism is not communism, and health care reform will not make the United States communist. The Obama Plan is directed to two groups: those with health care and those without. The first part of the plan, directed toward those who are already covered by a health care plan, would mean protection from discrimination based on preexisting conditions and from being dropped when one gets seriously sick or injured. For those who are not covered by a plan yet, the Obama Plan will offer affordable

and quality care. To drop somebody’s health care coverage when they get ill or to discriminate based on pre-existing coverage would be the equivalent to taking the care out of health care. Not only does our current system contradict itself, it represses human rights. Admittedly, most of the nation understands that our health care system needs to be changed. The cause of debate lies with how much reform citizens believe needs to be done and where the money will come from to pay for it. The Obama Plan is designed to allow health care reform without adding a dime to the deficit. So where is the money coming from? There have been many confusing questions about the source of money, but

No one in America should go

broke

because they get sick

it will most likely result in higher taxes. When somebody hears higher taxes they immediately think that they are immediately losing money right then. What they fail to do is think about what this will do in the long run. With these higher taxes, we will have affordable health care for everybody. It needs to be our duty as Americans to help those who can’t help themselves. By being so consumed in paying more to help others, our country only becomes more greedy and selfish. As our president said himself, “No one in America should go broke because they get sick.” Now it comes to what we can do. Just because we are teenagers does not mean we cannot do anything. Those of us who are 18 can now vote. We can also talk to our parents about their views on the reform. The most important thing we can do is to decide on what we want to see changed in our country. Even those of us who cannot vote yet can tell our representatives what we want done. If we just sit back and do nothing, the poor will have to pay 50 bucks for a band-aid, and the storm will continue to devastate our country. by Max Belanger and Julia Duckworth

Dear Editors, As I read the first issue of the Hi.Life I was shocked and bothered by the excessive grammar and spelling mistakes. For example, the “Corbin Commits” article had several lower cased “i”s and was obviously cut up and pasted back together. I know that editors copy the original article into the layout, which does not have spell check. I also understand that mistakes happen, but in the future I think that the staff should pay more attention to these types of things so that the reader is not distracted by the capitalization errors, misplaced commas, and cut off sentences.

Dear Editors,

Something that bothers me with school rules is that after you enter a football game you can not exit the stadium and re-enter. I think that re-entry should be allowed because someone could forget something in their car or be unprepared for bad weather. For example, you could be at a game and then it starts raining, or it gets bitterly cold, but your umbrella and coat are in the car or maybe even at home. I do not believe that should cause you to miss the rest of the game, and it is waste of money.

Have an issue? Email it to TheInbox@jlabmag.com and you too could be published in the Hi.Life. 28 Hi.Life 10.09

Clean Ice A look at the new Event Center in Independence

nything worth $68 million should be impressive, right? Yet, if it is possible, the brand new Independence Events Center that opens in November may be even better than advertised. Professional ice hockey will be back in the Kansas City area this fall, but it’s not coming to the well-known Sprint Center. The new Events Center will be the home arena for the new minor-league hockey team, the Missouri Mavericks. Although many have hoped for an NHL or NBA team to come to Sprint Center, the Mavericks could bring a lot of excitement to the area. With it’s 7,000 seats, 2,000 free parking spaces, a first class bar/ grill, and a community ice rink, the brand new stadium will receive lots of publicity. However, there is one thing most people do not know; it is not just an ice rink. The Events Center has a slate of shows and concerts that was announced in early October, already lined up to

ply after they open next month. A few of their first shows include Mannheim Steamroller, Tech N9ne, and the Charlie Daniels Band. Between the Mavericks games and concerts, the arena has the ability to transform back and forth from an ice rink to a stage. Also, the arena will be Under Construction. The new Independence Events Center is in the the host rink for the new Mid- middle of being built. Everyone is anxious to see how it turns out. American High School Hockey League. This league consists of 10 metro-are high schools, Lee’s Summit, 500,000 visitors annually. With an exciting lineRockhurst, Oak Park, St.Joseph, Wichita, Blue up of sporting events and shows, the Independence Valley West, Olathe East, Springdale, Jeff City, Events Center is sure to be a huge sensation, and and Springfield. leave everyone in the area talking about it. The city itself owns the facility, while Global Entertainment Corporation is the presiding by Nathan Williams manager of the arena. Both claim it will hold more photo by Stephanie Rowden than 100 events each year, and expect well over

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JLABMAG.COM 29

Taking Aim The LSHS trapshooting club shoots their way to victory. â&#x20AC;&#x192; Around 900 students from all across Missouri attended the Missouri State High School Trapshooting Championship. Students from seventh to twelfth grade spent the day walking around with guns shooting at targets. â&#x20AC;&#x192; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most people relate guns to danger that is not true. According to the Center of Disease control people are more likely to be hurt driving their car than they are with a firearm.â&#x20AC;? trap coach Dan Early said. â&#x20AC;&#x192; Guns and safety are two words that would not normally be in the same sentence, but not when it comes to Trap. â&#x20AC;&#x192; â&#x20AC;&#x153;The club was Started in 1979 and I cant think of a singe accident which has happened to a student.â&#x20AC;? Early said. â&#x20AC;&#x192; Students who want to to participate in Trap

are asked to come to a informational meeting which are held before the first practice. â&#x20AC;&#x192; At the meeting students learn the rules, practice day procedures, and safety procedures. â&#x20AC;&#x192; â&#x20AC;&#x153;The students bring their own shotguns to practice, which are normally just ordinary Shotguns.â&#x20AC;? Early said. â&#x20AC;&#x192; Most Trap shooters use a 12 gage Shotgun, but their are some who use a 20 gage Shotgun. â&#x20AC;&#x192; Most shotguns used in Trap are either pump action or automatic. Students have to keep their shotgun unloaded until it is their turn to shoot. â&#x20AC;&#x192; In April The Missouri State High School

POW! Senior Nathan Wald pulls the trigger in preparation of his next tournament

Trapshooting Tournament is held at Line Creek, at which teams from over ninety Schools will be competing, and the students who participate will be spending their day walking around with their Shotguns. by Derek Brooks. photo by Karlie Swan

HMH Autosport

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30 Hi.Life 10.09

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Fight Back When there is no other choice, and no way out

t was a typical day for Derrion Albert, a move that tells you he or she is going to attack, be has become a very important and competitive sixteen year old honors student from Fenger the first one to strike. But be sure that when you martial art throughout the world. Judo does not High School in Chicago. He was planning on strike, you don’t aim for vital places.” use any striking techniques whatsoever, but most going home, getting his algebra homework Under almost no circumstance should the schools that teach judo also teach jujitsu, and out of the way, and relaxing for the jujitsu does incorporate striking. rest of the afternoon. What he did There is another dilemma not plan on, however, was dying facing students who want to that day. While on his way home, learn how to protect themselves; Derrion was caught in a battle the school policy on fighting. In between two rival gangs, armed the LSHS Planbook, the District with fists, baseball bats, and even Policy on fighting in school states pieces of plywood. In the chaos, that anyone who fights will be Derrion was knocked down by suspended for up to ten days a couple of gang members and with the possibility of long-term savagely pounded to death. suspension. Students may even be This story, as brutal as it is, is arrested for fighting and/or peace not uncommon in the United disturbance. This policy not only States. The Bureau of Justice refers to the student, or students, Statistics reports that there were who started the fight, but it also 27 homicides of school-age youth includes the student who acted in in the school year of 2006-2007, self-defense. and that 1.7 million non-fatal “I personally disagree with that violent crimes and thefts occurred rule. It is a human right not to to students while at school. The be the punching bag of another numbers, while extremely high, High Achievements. The kids of K2L show off their self defense skills. These kids work person,” Thomas said. have not gone down over the years,hard to earn their black belts. Keck had no comment on the issue but have actually increased. of the fighting policy. “The thing is, the world has changed. It’s now provoked ever attempt to kill the attacker. That is There are multiple ways for a student to learn really survival of the fittest out there,” Resource no longer self-defense; its murder. self-defense, not just by learning how to throw a Officer John Keck said. Another issue teenagers have with learning punch or a knee. Self-defense can be as simple as Keck has been trained in jujitsu, krav maga, self-defense is the difficulty of figuring out which a teenager being aware of his or her surroundings, police combat and military combat for 25 years. martial arts are effective in street fights. and learning to avoid possible confrontations. For “What kids really need to understand is that people “I would say krav maga is my favorite; it is the example, if a male student is walking down the who attack you just don’t care about the value of simplest art to use, it is comprehensive to a variety hall, and he notices a group of boys staring at him life anymore.” of situations, and it’s a ‘take what you can get’ from the other end of the hall, it is probably safest Because of this, students are becoming more martial art,” Keck said. if he just turns around and finds another route. motivated to learn how to defend themselves in a Krav maga is the combat art of the Israeli Self-defense can also be a teenager making him or street fight. However, the biggest question posed by military that is known for its sheer brutality and herself look less inviting to an attacker. It has been students is, ‘How?’ effectiveness in life-or-death situations. Krav proven that people who display more confidence Mike Thomas, an instructor at DLT Welcome maga uses a variety of techniques, including eye and walk like they have a purpose are far less likely Mat who has a black belt in judo, jujitsu, and gouges, elbow strikes, and knee strikes to vital to be attacked than people who look nervous, or shotokan; and has also trained in kickboxing and areas of the body. However, because this type of who do not seem to be paying attention to their chute boxing for 27 years, has this advice: “It is combat is used in kill-or-be-killed situations, it is surroundings. important that teenagers go to learn self-defense probably not the best choice for a student. The The simple truth is, a student should never go in a structured environment, not in someone else’s victim should never resort to fatal attacks unless looking to get in a fight. It is primitive for a person back yard. They also want to go somewhere where the attacker is threatening his or her life. to wish to inflict physical pain upon another they can test the techniques they have learned in “Judo, by far, is my personal favorite,” Thomas human being for any reason. But there will practice in a life-like scenario.” said, “I believe it is a ‘true’ self-defense martial always be people who want to hurt others, to take It is important that students put their moves to art, because it uses the body weight of an attacker advantage of others, and even to kill others. So it the test; that way, they will not be hesitant in acting against himself or herself. This is especially true is vital for people of all ages, not just teenagers, upon an opening or weakness given by an attacker. for women, because if a woman tries to hit a guy to learn how to prevent these horrendous acts of Sometimes those precious few seconds that a victim who isn’t affected by strikes, it won’t do her any violence from happening to them. After all, no has to react can determine the difference between a good. But if she can throw the guy and stun him, one wants to become a victim. No one wants to be getaway and another homicide case. then she can get away from the situation before on the headlines of a homicide story. Many students do not know how to act in a situation the guy has time to recover.” where a fight seems inevitable. “When someone’s Judo is a sport that originated from the martial by Nathan Baker provoking you, make it clear to them that you don’t art jujitsu. Judo focuses mainly on the throws, photo by Stephanie Rowden want to fight.” Thomas said. “If the person makes a ground fighting, and submissions of jujitsu, and

JLABMAG.COM 31

Worth the Cassel? A brief look on whether or not new C h i e f s’ quarterback Matt Cassel is worth the hassle?

ormer football greats and he is being pressured by fans to perform at a say he exemplifies professional level. what a NFL quarterback “The dollar amount should not in any way should look like, yet he dictate what kind of numbers Cassel must put up. barely made it to the That said, Cassel does have expectations in that NFL at all. For much of he is the face of the franchise. He must continue his high school, college, to improve and move the Chiefs forward towards and NFL careers, he was their collective goal of being a playoff franchise. a second stringer battling The only number that matters is wins,” Porter for the starting job. Now said. he is making $63 million So far, the Chiefs are sitting at an 0-4 record, over the next six years. throwing for 458 yards, five touchdowns, and Matt Cassel, two interceptions. Cassel’s numbers rank him quarterback for the Kansas 20 among all starting NFL quarterbacks. His City Chiefs, was the contract on the other hand lands him in the top backup to, quarterback, ten for highest paid quarterbacks. The only stat Tom Brady in his first five that Cassel lands in the top ten is touchdowns, years of his NFL career. and he ranks ninth among starting quarterbacks Cassel’s opportunity arose in that category. The most when Brady went down important stat though is with a knee injury in the his zero wins as a Chiefs first quarter against the quarterback. Chiefs. Cassel came in “The average and was electric the rest Chiefs fan just want of the season, throwing to see a ‘W’ on the for 21 touchdowns and scoreboard. The Chiefs 11 interceptions. fans will regard him as a In the off-season the highly paid quarterback,” Chiefs traded for Cassel head football coach, and signed him to a six Mike Spiegel said. year, $63 million deal. One way that the Chiefs fans were pumped Chiefs could help out and ready for the Cassel’s numbers is by season and so-far he has throwing the ball more performed at a sub-par often down the field for level. So was Matt Cassel the big play. According to worth the hassle? public relations assistant “NFL teams who A New Field. Quarterback, Matt Cassel is now with a Luke Shanno, Matt are struggling at new team and going through some difficult changes. Cassel said ‘I don’t call “ I think it has been an adjustment for me this whole quarterback or looking off-season. I’ve come to a new place, I have a new the plays, I just try and for a change are always home, a new team and a new playbook. In terms go out there and execute drawn to back-ups from of players, we have the players and we have the it. When Coach feels it now we just have to better as a new.” said other teams who have scheme, is necessary to take shots Cassel. performed well. Backdown the field then we ups also look to cash in will but that is a question on their success by signing a big contract with you will have to ask him. I think we have taken another team,” Metro Sports reporter, Brad porter some shots down the field and WR Mark Bradley said. showed he can make a big play. There is no doubt Brady found his rise to fame the same way that we are capable of it.’ Matt Cassel did, in 2001, Patriots starter was Chiefs fans have been patiently waiting for Drew Bledsoe, who went down with an injury the capability of Cassel to show. Now it is just a and unknown quarterback Tom Brady got the matter of time before we know if he was worth starting job until Bledsoe’s recovery, yet ended up the Cassel. winning the job. Cassel didn’t win the job over Brady, but did earn a starting spot on another by Max Olson roster. There are high expectations now for Cassel

32 Hi.Life 10.09

FAST FACTS:

>Hall-of-Famer Mike Webster played Center for the Chiefs while also holding the position of Offensve Line Coach. >During the 2003 season Dante Hall returned four kickoffs for touchdowns. >In 1995 Steve Bono set the record for longest run by a quarterback with a 76 yard scramble. >In 1990, his second year in the league, linebacker Derrick Thomas set the single season record with 7 sacks in one game. >The chiefs loset the first Super Bowl to the Green Bay Packers. >One of the alternate names to Chiefs theat were offered was the Kansas City Mules. >The Chiefs were founded in 1960 in Dallas and originally called the Dallas Texans. >The Chiefs were the firts team in the NFL to use Gatorade on the sideline of a regular season game. www.IQFB.com

MUvs KU Photo by Jeff Jacobsen, KU Athletics. Rock Chalk Jayhawk! #15 USA Today (5-0)

MIZZOU Tigers #24 USA Today (4-1) Overview: Missouri is a high power scoring machine, even in their rebuilding year. The work ethic and determination of this young Missouri team is truly showing with their impressive 4-1 start. The Missouri offense is not as well oiled as the power house team last year, but they are still putting up impressive numbers needed to hold a top 25 place. The two most impressive factors of this team are the strong play of the young Quarterback Blaine Gabbert and the strong MU defense.

Expectations: “I think that Missouri is going to have a very successful year, I am predicting a winning season and a BSC bowl game,” said junior Mike Matthews. “Missouri is going to go undefeated this season, win the Big 12 North, and take home a BSC game,” said junior Corbin Berkstresser. “We are going to have a strong season, with only two losses and a BSC bowl game,” said junior Jeff Bock. key players Danario Alexander- 81- WR- This big receiver is able to get open and break tackles, which makes a big target for young QB Blaine Gabbert. (447 yards receiving)

Blaine Gabbert- 11- QB- The young QB is playing really well by making good descions and helping the Tigers to win. Gabbert is able to use his cannon arm and his strong legs to avoid tackles and hit open receivers. QB rating 140.9

Sean Weatherspoon- 12- LB- The leader of the Missouri defense and leader in tackles. Weatherspoon is the hard hitting, soul of the Missouri defense.

Overview: The Kansas Jayhawks and coach Mangino have set high expectations for this year’s team. The 2009 squad has many similarities to the 2007 team who finished with 12-1 record and a BCS Orange Bowl title. KU again has high powered offense with Todd Reesing leading the passing game and Jake Sharp leading the rushing. KU has some of the best wide outs in the nation and Toben Opurum helping Sharp in the backfield; they should give Kansas some depth. Currently the Jayhawks rank seventh nationally in total offense. If Darrell Stucky can get the defense together KU fans can be looking at a very special season for the Jayhawks.

Expectations:

“A 9-3 record with a win against Mizzou, Big 12 North Champs” senior Emmanuel Idun said “Just one loss to Texas (11-1), winning the north, and stomping MU” senior Wes Roberts said “A BCS bowl and Big 12 Champs with a final record of 13-1” senior Logan Reigel

Dislikes KU “Orange Bowl”- “The KU’s team pride in the bowl game that was robbed from MU, after Missouri beat Kansas that year proving that MU was a better team,” said Matthews.

Dislikes MU Don’t worry my OTHER favorite team will beat you!!!- “MU fans usually have another favorite team besides MU because Mizzou does not win, and they still think they are better than us” Roberts said.

“Basketball”“Whenever the Kansas team losses in football the KU fans quickly come back with ““Hey just wait until basketball season!” said Bock

We are a traditional powerhouse!!! (Even though we haven’t gone to the BCS)- “I don’t really dislike them, just a little because hey are KU’s rival, I feel sorry for their fans because they have never won a BCS bowl” Reigel said

key players Kerry Meier #10 WR: The old Kansas QB has become one of the best WR’s in the Big 12. You will rarely see him drop a pass and is probably one of the smartest wide outs in the nation; he runs perfect pass routes and always knows where Reesing wants him to be. (477 yards receiving, five receiving TD’s) Todd Reesing #5 QB: The senior QB leads and “sparks” the KU offense. With his precision passing and great scrambling ability, Reesing can extend plays and pick apart opponents defenses. (Current QB rating 157.6)

Darrell Stucky #25 Safety: Stucky is the leader of the defense and is one of the most liked people on KU’s campus. He is all over the field getting interceptions, sacks, and forcing fumbles. He had his best game last year against Missouri.

Border War Predictions by Luke Jarnevic

Mike Matthews 42-21 MU

Jeff Bock 45-31 MU

Emmanuel Idun 38-31 KU

Logan Reigel 38-14 KU

by Michael Rellihan JLABMAG.COM 33

Making a splash. Despite improved times some wins still illusive. As the diver advances out on the board, he can feel his heart pounding against his chest. With cheering crowds ringing in his ears and faces gazing at him with anticipation, the diver is only aware of the undisturbed water, visualizing how to break it with a winning dive. “The first dive is always the hardest,” junior Max Engquist said. “ Yeah, with all the pressure on you and worrying about everyone staring at you makes it difficult for you to concentrate on the dive,” junior Garrett Nevels said. Even with all the pressure and demands of a meet, the Tiger’s swimming and diving team can still come off with a victory against other schools.. “Nothing unexpected has happened yet at a meet. The teams we should beat, we did, and the teams that are good enough to beat us, did,” head coach Bruce Holder said. Despite the fact that the Tigers haven’t been winning as much as they would like, all of them have improved their personal times, which is a crucial goal to having success in this sport. “This team is a young team. Half of them are swimming competitively for the first time. But every one of them has the willingness to work and are very coachable, changing their strokes if one of the coaches has a problem with it,” Holder said. While certain strokes and dives come naturally to the swimmers and divers, some of them have to challenge themselves to perfect it. Take for example, a swimmer who is brilliant at the breast stroke, but has a weakness in freestyle. “I do the 200 IM (individual medley), where you have to do four strokes in two laps and the 100M breast stroke, which is my strongest stroke, while freestyle isn’t exactly my favorite,” junior Kyle Adams said. Even a diver can have some difficulty with perfecting their dive and what could make it worse for both swimmers and divers is having bad food incorporating their bodies, making it harder

34 Hi.Life 10.09

for them to push themselves to their fullest. “Look at it this way. If you put bad gas in your car, your car will, without a doubt, run bad. But if you put good gas in your car, then you car will most likely run good,” Holder said. When competing in multiple back-to-back events at one meet, having swimmers and divers healthy and running well is necessary if a team has a chance against their competition. If they tire easily or they cramp up because of a bad diet, it puts the whole team on the line. So it’s no surprise that the Tigers work their hardest during a meet and practice, too. “We start with a warm up of 1,000 meters, and then we do a workout that’s between 800 and 1,000 meters,” junior Christian Simpson describes what practice is like. “After that we go for speed and long distance of 1,600 meters. Before the cool down, the whole team

The race begins. The boys of Lee’s Summit swimming team get nervous for the 200 free style race. “ I was getting ready for the 200 meter free style, one of my worst events, but i did okay.” sophomore Jeffrey Beck said.

has a competition of its own, seeing who can go the fastest in a short distance,” Simpson said. With hard practices like that, it’s no wonder that already one swimmer and two divers have qualified for State: Kyle Adams, Max Engquist, and Garrett Nevels. “In the first week, I learned that I was qualified. I

Ready for the win. Lee’s Summit boys swimming and diving meet for an intense huddle to discuss ways to beat their opponents;however, they couldnt find their way to victory and lost. “We had just finished the 400 relay and were and were waiting for our splits,” Senior Connor Williamson said.

was glad to have gotten it earlier rather than later so that I could get the burden of trying to make it off my shoulders as quick as possible,” Adams said. In spite of the fact that none of the swimmers come to face-to-face combat with another swimmer, they have to battle the enormous pressure of the water pushing against their bodies, forcing them to thrust more of their energy to finish the race. “In my opinion, swimming is the hardest sport. It takes more body muscle than any another athletic sport,” Holder said. With all the effort it takes to win a tough race or produce a flawless dive, the athletes have to feel a sense of high accomplishment in themselves when they complete an ideal dive or win a difficult race. “It feels really good when you make an amazing dive,” Nevels commented, “You have to how out the pool quick enough to see you score, but it feels awesome you learn you perfected a dive you’ve been working on for so long.” Getting out of the pool and trying to locate their score, the athlete’s adrenaline speeds up again. Through all the pressure and work that went into the dive or stroke, he is anticipating a fantastic score. He goes through his dive or race over and over again in his mind in that second, wondering what he could have done wrong for it to possible for him to get a lower score than what he expected. Finally, after hoping that all the work will pay off, the athlete is relieved of all the anxiety, with a score that clearly states he worked hard to get where he’s at. by Erin Rottinghaus photos by Kristina Hagan

The Not So Loud Crowd

by Nate Day photo by Tyler Bailes

The pros and cons of the Loud Crowd system

will be completely honest with everyone reading this. The original intention of this article was to bash the Loud Crowd, not so much the people receiving the shirts, nor the idea of the Loud Crowd, simply the distribution of the shirts. I do not recall exactly what inspired me to have this anti-loud crowd column idea; however, I can clearly make a case for both sides. To tell the truth, I was a bit bitter. There are all these people walking down the halls wearing their loud crowd shirts with pride while I was stuck sitting with my non colorful, non school supporting clothing. It was embarrassing. Every thought going through my head was why do I not have a Loud Crowd shirt? I have gone to every game and cheered, when appropriate (we will discuss this later), yet here I am Loud Crowd shirtless. This was when my attention turned to the distributors of the shirts. This article is not saying that the distributors of the shirts are bad people, just that whenever you go to a baseball, basketball, or football game, the cheer leaders do not walk up and give the shirt to ‘that one guy in the back who was yelling loud.’ The shirts are distributed in an enthusiastic yet random manner. This is not the case with the current Loud Crowd distribution branch of the student body. These people watch for that one person being EXTRA loud to go hand them a shirt. Half the fun of receiving a shirt is fighting for a shirt. When a foul ball is hit at a baseball game there is a frenzy and a fight for the ball. The catcher does not go pick up the ball and walk it to the kid in the upper deck. This cuts down the fun of receiving a shirt. Which brings me to my next point; how can they possibly tell who is being that extra bit louder than the person next to them. I do not believe that I have a decibel counter on my head that shows them I am being loud and therefore have school spirit. I also find it hard to believe that these people earned their shirts through the blood, sweat, and obnoxious yelling that the students in the bleachers did. None of them can be seen yelling in support for the school, because they are always looking to peddle us their shirts, yet they

all have Loud Crowd shirts. I do not understand how people who do not yell and cheer can determine who the best yellers and cheerers are amongst the students. Also, I have noticed some inopportune timing as far as ‘pumping up the crowd’ goes. At one point during one of the games our quarterback was sacked, yet at that same time the Loud Crowd shirt distributors (LCSD for short) are pumping up the crowd. To be on the field at that moment must have been very confusing, we lost yards, yet our fans are cheering, quite odd. This is just a personal annoyance, if you are a girl, and you see people giving away the shirts, do NOT scream in a real high pitch for as long as you can. One, it is not the most attractive thing in the world, and two, it is extremely annoying to be the guy next to you. While at a game, I saw someone actually be rewarded for this! It was amazing, to think that yelling in an obnoxious high pitch for no reason other than to receive a shirt and annoy the people around you is an action that is rewarded at our school. Now let us look at the positive side of the Loud Crowd shirts. I have one; and, no I did not receive it through the means of ridiculous yelling and screaming at the expense of my peers’ ear drums. I simply won a rock, paper, scissors contest for it. I happened to see someone at the Homecoming Assembly who had an extra shirt in her hand and went and asked her for it. However, to my dismay, another person came and asked for the same shirt at the same time. The LCSD giving away the shirts had no idea what to do, so this other person and I said we would play rock, paper, scissors, for it and winner would receive the shirt. After this was also agreed upon by the LCSD, and that we would play two out of three, the battle ensued. I won the first one, a good start, and thoughts of wearing such a shirt filled my brain. I lost the second one; never go with paper that is a rookie mistake. Then I managed to win the shirt and glory, all at the same time, with a second win. In all fairness to the LCSD’s a random throwing of the shirts into the crowd could cause injury. However, such a fight for the shirts could be entertaining for all of the people sitting in the upper part of the bleachers. The main focus of this article, though not my original intention, is not to bash the Loud Crowd. It is simply to help them understand what I perceive as flaws in the system, and hopefully correct these flaws. Another point I wanted to make in this article is that no one can call me a hypocrite for wearing my Loud Crowd shirt, because I am not anti Loud Crowd, I am anti obnoxious, high pitched screaming.

I am not anti Loud Crowd, I am anti obnoxious, high pitched screaming.

Not-So Loud Crowd. There’s a new group at LSHS, the Loud Crowd. The loudest students in the crowd at the sports game get them, by cheering and showing their support for their school.

Stat of the Month

The number of German exchange students in Mrs. Mellem’s second hour class who can watch football and understand what is happening. JLABMAG.COM 35

Gallery

Crawl

by Taylor Rice

Students venture into Kansas City to find inspiration from local artists

2 1 3

1) Senior Neala Creasy closely examines a piece of artwork from a studio in the Crossroads. 2) Senior Sophia Motta snaps a photo of a piece of pottery to add to her sketch book. 3) Junior Lauryn Boudreaux studies the details of a work of art made with oil pastels. 4) The owner of Signature Canvas talks to the students about how her business puts canvases together. 5) Junior Payton Huffine finds inspiration from a piece of pottery and sketches it to use as an idea for future projects. 36 Hi.Life 10.09