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

Hi.life Magazine

In the know

Deadly Distractions Hockey: Banding Together Reasons to be Happy Right Now From the Hallway to the Runway

September 2009 | Issue 1 jlabmag.com | $0.50

2 Hi.Life 09.09

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

September / Volume 91 / Issue 1 / jlabmag.com

On The Cover 19 | Deadly Distractions When you text while driving, not only are you putting yourself and others at risk of serious injury or death, but you are also setting yourself up to get a ticket from the LSPD. Find out more about the new texting while driving law. News 7 |Flat Screen T.V.’S You walk into school and notice multiple flat screen t.v.’s all over the school. What are they here for? you ask. Find out the answer to that and many more questions concerning the new T.V.’s. 8 | New Teachers The 2009-2010 school year has had a great start with more than just incoming freshman. This year we have a multitude of new teachers as well, get to know them a little better inside.

Features 12 | Ways to Save Gas With gas prices on the rise once again, and employment rates at a low. Gasoline has become a precious commodity again. 13 | Homecoming Unsure of dinner plans, maybe even picture spots for homecoming? Well we have put together a few places you may have overlooked at first. Entertainments 22 | Things in Someone’s Backpack Teenagers are now, and have always been known for their packrat nature. Whether its a car, closet, bedroom floor, or school backpack. Find out what some of your classmates are heaving around with them now.

24 | Fall Musical Our award winning theater department prepares for the musical, Carousel, which will premiere this fall. So come see your classmates perform and support the LSHS theater department. Opinions 26 | Hallways Daytime traffic in the hallways causes crashes, injuries, and multiple tardies. A major problem at Lee’s Summit High School that seems to have no end in sight. It’s the students problem and only we can fix it. Sports 27 | Fuel Up One of the most important things in preparation for a game is what they put in their bodies. Check out what athletes need to eat before the game.

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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Alyssa Schierhoff, Amy Notestein, Andrew Phillips, Anna -Marie Gallo, Ariel Shy, Ben Quinnelly, Bianca Wang, Bradley Roberts, Brittany Webster, Brittni Keyhill, Brooke Welsh, Burkett Powell, Chase Lindner, Clay Reynolds, Colin Taylor, Edgar Enriquez, Ellen Spaar, Emily Dowdle, Erin Rottinghaus, Hayley Mershon, Haley Gillian, Haley McCone, Haley Merriott, Holly Tiffany, Jakob Leaderbrand, Jessie Curtis, Jordan Buhr, Jordan Julian, Jordan Shawhan, Josh Byard, Julia Huisman, Kara Klein, Karlie Swan, Kassi Torrence, Kayla Peters, Ke’Jah Bowman, Kevin Adams, Kimberley Tabe, Kristina Hagan, Kristin Sands, Laina Gunsallus, Lily Schiffbauer, Lindsay Nelson, Luke Jarnevic, Marissa Raukar, Mallory Tackett, Marissa Raukar, Ma’Ryah Cooper, Max Olson, Michael Holcomb, Michael Rellihan, Mikayla Frommer, Miranda Vaughn, Morgan Pena, Najee Sears, Nathan Baker, Nathan Williams, Nicol Kelleher,Patricia Sjuts, Pete White, Presley Lewis, Rebecca Wadle, Sadie Mobley, Sarah Kensinger, Shelby Bondick, Sia Nero, Sierra Lewis, Sommer Sharp, Stephanie Rowden, Summer Richards, Taryn Hall, Taylor Dyer,Tyler Fromson, Tyler Wilmore

Letter from the Editors In This Issue

Interconnected

ver the past decade, the advent of cellular phones and high-speed internet has made a tremendous impact on how we communicate with one another and obtain information. Technology has revolutionized the way we document our lives, stay in touch with friends, meet new people, start relationships, and end relationships through text messaging, Facebook, and twitter. This interconnectivity has an immeasurable effect on the way our generation lives. Many of these effects are positive, but there is a downside that is too frequently overlooked. In this issue we examine how the desire to be constantly connected with others is leading to the physical injury of teenage drivers at distressingly high rates. This is just one of the reasons why students need to come to the realization that just because they can constantly be interconnected does not mean they should. Technology should make our lives easier, not infinitely complicated. Nonetheless, cell phones and the internet are powerful tools of communication, making them ideal media for dispensing news. At Hi.Life, we see these technologies as an opportunity to provide students at Lee’s Summit High School with pertinent and timely information. For that reason we have created an online supplement to our publication, JLabMag.com. From that site, you can also find our Twitter and Facebook. On these sites you will find the latest updates on what is going on at LSHS and throughout the Lee’s Summit community. Also new this year is the RED System, which enables you to have event reminders and alerts sent directly to your phone via text message or your e-mail. When you register at red.jlabmag.com, you are able to select which activities you are involved with, and receive only alerts that are relevant to you. You will also receive an alert if an event is rescheduled or cancelled. This allows athletes and club members, as well as everyone else at LSHS to stay up to date with events and news at our school. We encourage you to take advantage of this resource. But, please, don’t check your RED alerts while you’re driving.

Michael Bushur & Taylor Rice

“Don’t eat anything that will get stuck to your teeth.”

“Today sucks, I hate my life, My parents are trying to ruin my pointless existence.”

“One time I got caught driving the mayor’s car underage.”

“Take the stained shirt out after 3-4 days or when it is darkened to personal taste.”

“Chipotle was not the best choice before one of my games!”

JLABMAG.COM 5

Where is the Salt? Cafeteria Food is Lacking Flavor This Year

With obesity in teenagers at an all time high in the United States, some question the quality of food kids eat during school lunch. This years lunch is different than last years at LSHS because there is not any salt or pepper. Students are angry that they are gone and wondering why they were taken away. According to Donna Staggs, LSHS cafeteria manger, there are many reasons that they are gone. “If I were in charge I probably would have kept the salt at lunch.” But because the nutrition program has to reduce the sodium intake by students they had to take the salt away.” The health concern with taking in extra sodium is high blood pressure which could lead to further health problems,” Staggs said. Because this is a national problem, many schools have done the same

thing at their lunch. Lee’s Summit West and Lee’s Summit North also do not have salt in their lunches either. This change is not only hard on the students, but it is also hard on the cafeteria staff. “What I do not like about my job is change. It puts stress on the whole staff. What I do like, however, is working with the students, cooking and eating.” Staggs said. Due to the rising health concerns with the American teenage population, with obesity at an all time high, the Lee’s Summit R-7 Nutrition Council is taking all the necessary steps to ensure a healthy lunch for LSHS students.

By: Pete White By: Chase Lindner

f acebook & You TUBE at School Dawn Carl Discusses School Use of Formerly Restricted Websites

Students were able to explore the use of formerly blocked websites. The district finally filtered Facebook again this year. At the beginning of the year, students may have discovered that it was no longer blocked. “It’s because of the way the school filter works,” said Field Technology Specialist Dawn Carl. At the beginning of the year, students sign a sheet that says they will stay off sites with objective material. “They should be able to access YouTube if its for a classroom activity,” stated Carl. The filter is actually controlled at Central Office. “[We] have to go in and pick out the things [we] want unblocked,” says Carl. Basically it depends on where the filters are set. “Sometimes [they] reset the filter. [They] go in and add them separately so if [they] block or use a default filter and just go through the high level stuff, it blocks

6 Hi.Life 09.09

too many things. If [they] set it too low it lets too much stuff through,” states Carl. So if Facebook suddenly is not filtered, do not expect it to be that way for long. Students will still have to manage their accounts at home. The day in and day out question of whether YouTube or Facebook will be blocked can only be answered by checking the websites. Sometmes YouTube will be blocked as well as Facebook. Other days only YouTube is blocked. The pertinent wuestion is actually whether students really need to use theses websites at school. The district finally filtered Facebook again this year. “They should be able to access YouTube if it’s for a classroom activity,” said Carl. Students will have to keep checking for the availability of restricted sites . Students need not to keep their hopes high, because it will be on a rare occasion when these sites are not filtered. by Kara Klein

Restricted - At the beginning of the school year, students realized that Facebook and Youtube were unblocked. Facebook has now been blocked again but Youtube will remain unblocked for classroom use. By: Collin Taylor

224 SE Douglas St. Lee’s Summit, MO 64063

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TV Mysteries Don Andrews cures the case of TV confusion

ee’s Summit High School was just an average school. Teenagers went about their classes, enjoyed time spent with friends, and ate lunch in a cafeteria. Teachers lectured as the day wore on and the announcements were made over an intercom. Practice was canceled; poetry club meeting Thursday. That was until the new flat screen TVs were installed into the buildings. At the start of the school year, students returned to find that new flat screen TVs had been installed throughout the buildings. Many students wondered where they came from. Executive Director of Technology, Don Andrews, said the TVs were purchased through Safari Video systems for students’ viewing pleasure. “The request for theTVs was made by Dr. Faulkenberry as a way to promote activities,” Andrews said. The TVs were paid for through senior gifts over the ages and were just recently installed as the money needs were finally met with the help of athletic orders to boost the income. Many students have wondered what they are used for. Some TVs show pictures but recently some have shown Tiger Broadcast. “The TVs were installed to promote activities throughout the building such as club updates or practice cancelations. Also planes have been made for the TVs in front of the field house to be used as digital record boards,”Andrews said,

Tiger Broadcast has also started to appear on the new TVs for those in lunch however, those students looking forward to the highlights of each sport event or dance will have to wait to see these. “The TVs are all wired through the walls and into the data network of the school so that they can be managed by one computer,” Andrews said. The TVs are wired due to the amount of steel and concrete that holds the school together. The large amount of steel and concrete makes wireless transmission impossible just as if does cell phone signals. Content can be uploaded to every TV at once or to each TV individually. “The TV’s content is usually managed by assistant principal Chad Hertzog who coordinates what goes on the TVs,” Andrews said. Some of the TVs around the school seem to be turned off, low maintenance should have prevented this, but the TVs are not turned off because they are broken. In an effort to save the life span of the TVs, the school has decided that each night the TVs will be shut off to help save monitor life. For a TV that costs $1,200 dollars to buy and $5,000 dollars to install, the administration has sure found a great way to make it well worth the money.

Flat Scren. New tv’s throughout school display information and video, allowing students to stay up to date about events and activities as Lee’s Summit High School.

by Josh Byard

The New Aquatic Center Information on New Swimming Pool

f all of the places to swim in Lee’s Summit, the new aquatic center is at the top of the list. Everything from the cool water, to the warm air seems to invite swimmers in. In April, 2008, the people of Lee’s Summit voted on, and approved, a fiftyfour million, no tax increase bond issue. Now, more than a year later, the new Lee’s Summit R-7 Aquatic Center, is open. On Aug. 10, the aquatic center was officially opened with a dedication ceremony. After the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon, the pool was opened to the public, and the swimming season began. Not only is this facility to serve as a center for high school swimming and diving practice, but for other programs as well. Other than high school swim

practice, a middle school intramural sport has the opportunity to begin, as well as elementary classes. Programs for the community consist of many health classes, aerobics, and other programs. “The pool will have a very positive effect on Lee’s Summit and its citizens. This new facility should reduce the rate of drowning, and provide a safe, fun environment for people to enjoy themselves. The programs offered at the aquatic center will teach things from the swimming lessons, all the way to recreational swim teams.” the director of the Lee’s Summit R-7 Aquatic Center Kwasi Pryor said. Other people also think the pool will have a positive effect on Lee’s Summit. “The pool will be a positive influence on the city. Not only will

Dive in. The new Lee’s Summit Aquatic Center opened on Aug. 10, 2009 and is open to the public. “The main reason for the pool is for the students and community of Lee’s Summit.” Kwasi Pryor said. By: Presely Lewis

it let the citizens see where their money is going, but also shows our city’s pride in our athletic programs.” coach for the LSHS boys/girls swimming teams Bruce Holder said. Other people also think the pool will have a positive effect on Lee’s Summit. “The pool will be a positive influence on the city. Not only will it let the citizens see where their money is going, but also shows our city’s pride in our athletic programs.” Holder said. New programs for the public are

scheduled to begin within weeks. Many programs such as an American Red Cross learn to swim program, preschool aquatics, and swim lessons. Other programs for nonchildren are also held at the aquatic center. Some of these include scuba diving lessons, aquatic aerobics, open swim, and water safety classes.

by Kevin Adams

JLABMAG.COM 7

New Teachers Profiles They may just be new teachers at school, but they are happy to spill some personal information to their students. Here are a few things you can learn from the new additions to the LSHS staff. Shauna Lightner. MATH. First Year Teaching

Reason for choosing LSHS: “I student taught at LSW and I really wanted to stay in the district. I had heard only great things about LSHS and after interviewing it just felt like it was the place for me.” One thing LSHS students should know about her: “Stay away if you’re a Kansas fan. Only kidding! What they should know about me is that I am very happy to be here and I love my job. Anyone is welcome to stop by and say hello. Oh, and I really am a huge Mizzou fan.” Least favorite section to teach in Math: “My least favorite section to teach in Math would be proofs in geometry because it’s a difficult concept to master and many students struggle and become frustrated.”

Jack O’Keefe. ENGLISH. First Year Teaching

Reason for choosing LSHS: “LSHS has a great reputation. I could have picked anywhere, but I chose here.” One thing LSHS students should know about him: “I love the Boston Red Sox, and I hope everyone gets on the bandwagon before the play-offs start.” If he could be any superhero, he would be...: “Superman, I think I would look good in tights.”

Allison Robinson. HISTORY. One Year Teaching Reason for choosing LSHS: “ Because I love being a Tiger! It is a great school with an awesome reputation. It was a great opportunity for me.” One thing LSHS students should know about her: “ I would like students to know that they can join Ms. Lightner’s and my ‘Race for the Future’ run/ walk team for the event on Oct. 10!” If she could change anything in History...: “I would go back to the 2007 BCS Football season and put Missouri in a BCS bowl game because Mizzou beat Kansas, who went to the Orange Bowl, and Illinois, who made it to the Rose Bowl. But I am not bitter.”

Jenna Feldstein. ENGLISH. Three Years Teaching

Reason for choosing LSHS: “I like the school’s positive environment. I also was excited to teach kids with so much talent and potential.” One thing LSHS students should know about her: “ I genuinely want to help them learn and grow; it’s why I started teaching.” If she could be a character from any book, she would be...: “I want to say either Fanny from The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford, or Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice. Fanny because of her ability to find calm in chaos, and Elizabeth because of her ability to admit she was wrong and then grow from that experience. Also, both are smart, funny, and live happily ever after.”

Karen Davis-Brown. ENGLISH. 19 Years Teaching

Reason for choosing LSHS: “I like the credentials LSHS brings to the table. The expectations of students and of teachers are high.” Goal as a teacher at LSHS: “To prepare students for life after high school; to be lifelong learners, productive members of society, and to remember we are all in this together.” Ultimate celebrity crush in high school: “If Arnold Schwartzeneggar counts as a celebrity crush, he’s my choice. He was Mr. Universe when I was in high school and I had his pictures plastered all over the inside of my locker.”

8 Hi.Life 09.09

Picture Day Tips Everyone wants to look good for picture day, here are some tips to keep you looking fresh.

> Always smile > Never wear too

bright of colors

> >

Lip gloss is always crucial for girls Gel, combs, and brushes are necessary

Never stress because it leads to pimples

Wash your face with cleansing products, so your skin isn’t oily

> Dress nicely > Accessories come in handy

> Don’t eat anything that will get stuck to your teeth

> Get enough sleep

> Shower, and stay dry > Remember there are always retakes!

Plaza Art Fair

Art work and more at the Plaza Art Fair. On September 25, 2009 through September 27, 2009 artists line up on the streets of the plaza to display their artwork for all Kansas City to see. This annual art show has been going on for over seven decades now, and anyone who loves art shows up to see all the incredible art work displayed. Live music will start playing at night for those who show up, and there will be a kid’s area on the corner of 47th and Broadway. There will be 240 different artists, 30 plaza restaurants, 3 live music stages, and the Kemper Street Museum.

Summit Fair “You know Macy’s? Yeah, I’m the reason it’s there.” Amidst the economic downturn, a new facility has been

Parking Permits

Students takes on parking permit price By Najee Sears A student is very excited to drive to school while clutching his new fresh, crisp parking pass, but it really only leads to empty pockets. Students should not have to pay to park their own cars at school. “The prices are too high, but if they were lowered it would be less of a problem and i believe that all the money goes to supporting the school and regulating the parking lot so people don’t just leave” said junior Matt Hutton. Students complain that they get tickets even when they have a parking pass because it isn’t visible. The first two times your parking pass isn’t visible you get a warning, so students have a couple chances before you receive a real ticket. “It’s been a district decision from all three schools in Lee’s Summit that started back before i began working at LSHS” said assistant principal Jeff Meisenheimer. Since the money is obviously not going towards

the the parking lot, people want to know what our school does with the money. “ 90% of the money is for educational purposes, most of the money goes toward things like our schools smart boards, and other educational funds” Meisenheimer said. Now our permits cost 25 dollars but back in the day they were only 20 dollars and a ticket could range up to 30 dollars, so in a small way we save five bucks. Even though the cost for parking permits might be a bit pricey it’s worth it. All of the money us students pay goes towards

built in Lee’s Summit. The shopping center located southeast of Interstate 40 and Missouri Highway 50 includes a 120,000square-foot Macy’s, one of America’s leading retailers, JC Penney, and Gennaio Boutique, which is the newest addition to the new mall. Though some shops have opened, Summit Fair is still on its way to being fully developed, stores such as I.O. Metro, Jake’s Summit, and Coldwater Creek are already under construction. Building a new shopping center is not easy work, especially when finances are unstable. “One of the biggest challenges has been getting tenants to commit to expand their business or start a new business venture in an uncertain economic climate.” Marketing Director of Summit Fair and Summit Wood Crossings Cassie Lane said. The RED Development is putting a lot of hard work into making Summit Fair a place that is appealing to all ages and genders. It is also important to them that they know what their community wants. “We hope to launch a student ambassador program in 2010 that will give Lee’s Summit high school students a chance to really make a difference in their community, while gaining real-world experience in the industry.” Lane said. She also hopes to launch a fashion council or internship program for students interested in the marketing field. “We want teens to help shape the shopping center by keeping us informed with what they want. We actually use this feedback to help bring the stores and restaurants that you want to see to the shopping center and will create events based on your ideas.” Lane said. Lane lets us know that students can give them feedback by giving store, restaurant and event suggestions by becoming a fan on Facebook, following Summit Fair on Twitter or registering online to be a VIP at the web site (www. summitfairshopping.com). Summit Fair will surely be the place to be as students take part in shaping it. The center will become fully developed while stores and restaurants continue to open throughout this fall and the summer of 2010. By Bianca Wang

JLABMAG.COM 9

LSHS

BY THE NUMBERS by Kara Klein

350

Number of calories in one container of fries served at lunch

183

Years that German teacher Kendall Mellem has been at LSHS, the longest of any teacher

Number of available items for checkout from the LMC as of May 2009

1,440

16, 737

Number of students with the letter â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sâ&#x20AC;? as their last initial

Approximate number of hours students spend in school each year

Number of parking permits purchased as of Sept. 11

10 Hi.Life 09.09

546

G N I Y S O R N E AN CEBOOK A

The 5 Most Irritating Stereotypes

ll students see them. They know all about them. They might even be one of them. They’re annoying, frustrating, and sometimes maddening. They’re the ridiculous Facebook cliches. Recognizing these stereotypes can help anyone avoid falling victim. by Brittni Keyhill The Let-Me-Tell-YouEvery-Detail-Of-My-Life Person This person does the senseless babble such as, “I had ice cream at lunch,” or “I have soccer at 6, then dinner, and off to a night will my BFFs.” This kind of person usually gives out too much information about pointless things. Who really cares what was for dinner or what the daily plan is? Giving out an exact location and what you’re doing is dangerous anyway.

The TMI Relationship It’s great when people are happy with their boyfriend or girlfriend but putting “I love my boyfriend!!!” after every status update is too much. A word of advice: avoid doing this, because everyone knows you like the person your dating... hopefully. Plus, if you include too much information about your personal life, you’re bound to up the “eww” factor.

The Debbie Downer “Today sucks, I hate my life, My parents are trying to ruin my pointless existence.” Why use Facebook to bring down the mood? If constant whining and complaining is your thing then you’re a Debbie Downer. All you’re doing is being a pain in people’s sides and seriously bringing down everyone’s mellow mood. If you find yourself in this rut then maybe you should try to keep spirits up.

The Lyricist Music is a great outlet for feelings and you probably know most of the lyrics to your favorite song, but using other people’s words as your own status all the time is a little ridiculous. It can make a person look like they don’t have their own voice. Just try to use your own words more, and only use song lyrics on occasion. It’s most likely that you didn’t write the lyrics to “I Got A Feeling” or “Love Game.” Also, quoting songs too much can actually put your friends in a panic or make you seem bored. So spare your friends the pointless repetition and think outside the lyrical box.

The Hey-Look-At-This! Friend If you’ve been on Facebook you’ve gotten at least one “compare your quiz results” reminder from someone. Face it, everyone has at least one friend who is addicted to quizzes. Maybe you even have a friend who is constantly tagging you in notes. Yeah, its fun to take a quiz or post a note about something funny, but pestering friends over comparing and checking them is annoying and beyond. Go ahead, indulge in a million quizzes a day if you care to, just limit the nagging on the friends to one or two close people.

Say Wh

at?

anna read a legit story? A story that is too raw? Or what about a story that is totes an epic fail? If you answered “YES BRO!” to any of these questions, then you’ve discovered a story that you should definitely read. Overused sayings. We all know what they are. Words that people constantly say that were cool when they were first discovered, but now are getting old. These words have caught on fast, and have quickly become all the rage in the halls of Lee’s Summit High School. You cannot walk through the cafeteria without hearing these words being used over and over in conversations. There are several phrases that have become extremely overused, to the point where they are slightly annoying. Some examples are “legit”, “yes bro”, “too raw”, “epic”, “fail”, and “totes”. These words are fun to say, and put emphasis on a conversation and make all conversations interesting, but they have become overused and not cool. So here’s an idea. Instead of saying “Oh! Fail!” you could say “Wow, you’re a fiasco.” The word “fiasco” can easily be substituted. They mean the same thing and “fiasco” is just as much fun. by Ellen Spaar

Movie Scene OF THE MONTH

Dance Scene from (500) Days of Summer The new movie, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel as the ill-fated couple that just were not meant to be together, has many moments throughout that induce a giggle. Its spontaneity and light-hearted style

is unlike any other movie with the same, boring plot line. However, the laughs cease and and a feeling of unbelief creeps in when GordonLevitt’s character, Tom, experiences a moment of pure happiness, which causes him to dance down the street and through a park. The people walking soon join in with him, as Hall and Oates’ “You Make My Dreams” plays over the soundtrack. The center of the number is when a small, animated bird floats down onto Tom’s hand, causing him to smile, right along with the audience.

JLABMAG.COM 11

t all began the day when junior Dylan George’s neighbors grass grew like wild bamboo. That is when he realized that he and his twin could make some good money for their high school job. George and his twin brother junior Tanner George landscape during the summer. They mowed for their neighbors, painted, and laid down mulch and sod. It took a lot of hard work, but eventually became a little bit easier. “It’s stressful but you have to work really hard at it,” D. George said, “I don’t get to hang out with my friends as much because it is very time consuming.” The George twins did not have to go through any training for their summer job. They taught themselves, with minimal help from their dad. “The best part about landscaping is making about 400 bucks a week and it’s also a really good workout,” D. George said. When the summer is over with, the George brothers do side jobs at their mother’s work for her boss. They get paid the same amount as they would landscaping, but requires less work and fewer hours. “I would definitely do landscaping next summer,” D. George said, “You get paid a lot compared to McDonald’s. They have to work more hours and get paid less.” There are plenty of other jobs that high school students can do throughout all of the seasons. During the summer there are summer camps or working as a lifeguard. In the fall teens can work at pumpkin patches and haunted houses. There are also daycares, fast food restaurants, clothing stores, grocery stores, and many others that teens can work at throughout the year. Dylan and Tanner George have made some good money by just helping their neighbors for the past couple of years. Landscaping might be stressful and time consuming but actually having a job can get the money that teenagers need for the things that parents will not give them the cash for. By Summer Richards

Seasonal Jobs

Brotherly love. These brothers know how to make some money. As lawn mowers, they also know the value of hard work. Lawn mowing is just one of the many jobs you could consider doing. By Brittney Webster

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Save it. Lots of people are looking to save some money on gas since the economy is tight. But this smart shopper keeps green in her pocket by getting gas at Quick Trip. By Tyler Bales

Gas Guzzlers Ways to Save Gas

Being a teenager on a very tight budget is not an easy task. Consider having to pay to fill up the gas tank, and the budget gets even smaller. To prevent an empty wallet here are some tips on how to save gas. There are many things that can be done to make a car more fuel-efficient. “Keeping your tires fully inflated can help your car’s gas mileage,” shop teacher Bobby Narron said. Narron also explained that getting an engine tune up makes the car more fuel-efficient. “Getting your oil changed can also impact the fuel efficiency of your car,” Narron said. Other than physically adjusting your car to get better gas mileage, it also depends on how a person drives the car. Narron explained that those who fly on 50 Highway going 80 miles per hour are wasting more gas than those who drive the speed limit on the highway. “Doing even starts and stops, as opposed to jack rabbit starts, or stopping very quickly at a stop sign can save gas,” Narron said. Narron also explained that not using your air conditioning is one other way to save gas. In this rocky economy, there is no reason that you should have to go to the pump more, and more. So try and keep those wallets filled for some more enjoyable events, rather than filling up the tank with gas. By Kristin Sands

ROBERT E. ABERNATHY, D.D.S. 4801 CLIFF AVE., STE. 210 INDEPENDENCE, MO 64055

(816) 795-0999

12 Hi.Life 09.09

CHECK THIS OUT

3 SMART THINGS ABOUT Taking Pictures

Choose setting wisely

A park or any outdoor setting can provide a beautiful background. There are many great parks in Lee’s Summit, such as Lowenstein Park.

Picture Perfect The best, local places for homecoming pictures.

Photographer Jami Dean

Everyone is getting ready for the big night, whether it is making reservations to a restaurant or finding the perfect place to take group pictures. One idea that most students do not think of is hiring a professional photographer. Jami Dean, the owner of Captured By Jami, is a local photographer who specializes in wedding and family portraits. “[My] slogan is ‘You let me capture the moments you want to remember in a way you will never forget,” Dean said. She provides service for any occasion, including senior pictures. “My goal is to capture you in your natural element. In my opinion, portraits turn out best when you’re being yourself,” Dean said. Captured by Jami strives to provide

portraits anyone can afford. “I prove up to one 1/2 hour senior portraits sessions with a CD of all images for only 125 dollars. I don’t think many people can beat that price and provide great quality like I do” Dean said. For a group of ten or more, she can release a CD with all images for 30 dollars an print packages start at 15 dollars. Your best bet is to choose some one that everyone’s comfortable around that provides high quality for an affordable rate. “of course I would love to be that photographer of choice” Dean said. By Alisha Gillespie

Where To Go For Good Food

Easy to get to

Make it look good

Make sure there is easy parking and limited walking, as girls will most likely be in heels. Try setting up a carpool to cut down on gas, as well.

Set up a white background to create a contrast with all the different colors of the outfits. To get the best look, hire a professional photographer for group and single pictures.

Braata (LS) - specializes Peachtree (LS) - serves Maxwell’s (LS) - just Blanc (Westport) in Caribbean cuisine and various seafood

fried chicken and classic Southern soul food.

opened downtown; serves bar & grill type food

casual and fun setting; burgers and fries

JLABMAG.COM 13

Black and Gold Goes Red

Student and teacher make a notification system making communication easier. Trying to figure out the dates of many of the events at LSHS has not always been so efficient, but recently a system called ‘Red’ has been set up to make things a little easier. “The idea behind it is to take all the schools events and put them all in one place to make it easier for the people who administrate and the people who are looking for the schedules and things like that, to have all that information to be in one centralized location,” senior Patrick Stoddart. In addition to the event scheduling, Red also has the ability to send out text and e-mail alerts, based on what the person indicates that they want to receive, so that they only receive the alerts that they need. Red sends out text message reminders about upcoming events, it can also send out text message cancellations, code reds, snow day alerts, and things like that. It can also do a post to Twitter and Facebook if there are any changes to a club date or anything else. Stoddart set up the Red System at the beginning of summer and completed it in time for this school year. Red’s design came from a collaboration of past works that Stoddart had created. A lot of the coding for the system was just from Stoddart’s creativity. The problem of how LSHS communicated was recognized at the end of last school year, so Stoddart took action to solve the problem quickly. “Last year as web editor of JLabMag, one of the things that when looking at the schools web site that I noticed that it really lacked, which is a huge thing, was an event calendar that is standardized and always updated. There really isn’t one anywhere and with a high school that is as big as this, and has as many events as we do, it seems like a really strange thing to not have. So I went to talk to Mrs. Crisafulli who currently manages the schools web site and she and I talked about the possibility of putting in an events calendar hosted through JLabMag, so we agreed on that and we and we put up an events calendar. It was really just basic but that is all it was intended to be and it really just showed varsity and JV events and it didn’t show really any away events, C team, it left out a lot of club meetings, and fundraisers, and things, important things that should be on an event calendar but we just didn’t have room for it because it got so crowded,” School web site manager Vicki Crisafulli and Stoddart started talking again

about the possibility of centralizing and taking this problem at hand, where, if an event is canceled or when a new event has to go through the person who writes the bulletin and the person who makes all of the announcements and the person who updates the web page then it has to go to JLabMag to update the event calendar and there is about seven places it has to get updated and still does not do a very good job of informing the students or especially even the parents. So when they saw the problem, their solution was to try to make something that was centralized. Then Crisafulli and Stoddart decided as a bonus to add in the text message and e-mail alerts to enhance the way it communicates with students, parents, and teachers, just anyone who signs up. Right after school got out this summer, Stoddart started making Red. Originally, Crisafulli and Stoddart wanted to have students and parents sign up for Red at registration but administration did not approve the use of the system. Administration agreed that having better means of communication was a good idea but they did not want to be liable for any problems that occur with the system. So far this year there have been a few bugs with Red but they are getting worked out. There are already 325 subscribers to Red currently and the growth rate of subscribers is expected to be 10 people per day. Crisafulli is excited for the system. “I’m excited about it because students use their cell phones more than they listen to the announcements and I think this is a way to get information that is pertinent to individual students, so that if you’re not a member of the football team you’re not going to get that practice time has been changed message, you are only going to get those messages that pertain to you.” Crisafulli said she would tell all of her students to go sign up for Red if she was still a club sponsor for FBLA in order to get out messages and reminders to them quickly. With an organized system, communication between teachers, parents, and students will now be easier. Notifications are waiting. By: Mikayla Frommer

The Time is Now

Time almost flew by at Lee’s Summit High School.

allways deserted, staircases empty, and classrooms full students. This all happens a couple minutes before the bell rings. Every teacher and administrator’s dream may have became a reality. The administrators announced late last month that the school would be giving up the clocks due to the financial burden they place on the school’s budget. “My initial reaction was how strange it would be with out clocks” recalled freshman Nikki Perrilloux, “How would we know how much time we have left?” wonders Perrilloux. The word spreading through the school was that the clocks posted around every corner would soon start to disappear and nothing would be replacing them. The students would then have to rely on the classroom clocks or watches for the time. Unfortunately the administrators do not have the the 14 Hi.Life 09.09

budget to maintain the clocks, given that the is over 5,000 dollars each time one breaks down. “Originally we had planned on getting rid of them” principal John Faulkenberry said. “Now we are going to have the clocks synced with the bells. This should cost us some money, but will avoid future

problems and complications.” “ I feel pretty relieved and glad that I can always know how early (or late) I am and how fast I need to get to class,” sophomore Deejay Barney said. “I think the school is trying to make it to where you can not stand in the hallways anymore.” Barney said upon hearing the news. Luckily Barney and other students have nothing to worry about. by Tish Sjuts Wasting Time. There are no buttons on the digital clocks in the hallway so in order to change the time it must be done internally. This is becoming a major strain on budget and time. by Kristina Hagan

WHAT

It Feels Like To...

“I went to a private school my whole life. I’ve known the same people since pre-school. Still people don’t know I’m new. I’m normally outgoing but here I’m shy. It was my choice to change schools but I still miss everyone.” - senior Melissa Batiz

Earn a scholarship

“I’m definitely relieved. There was a lot to think about. I had to pick between Drake, Truman St., and UMKC. Mostly, I was just so excited to get one.” - senior Ashley Gann

Fall in love “You just feel happy all the time. You just feel excited all the time. Whenever you see them everything is perfect and nothing could wrong. I love knowing that they are always there and that is what matters most.”- senior Melanie Mcshane

Race

“You just get a big adrenaline rush. Your heart stars going really fast. I get nervous at first and a lot of thoughts go through my mind, but then when I get going it all goes away.” - senior Caroline Van Cil

Speak in front of the entire school

“I was pretty nervous at first but once we got into rhythm it became easier. My hands were very sweaty in the beginning. I found it was difficult to follow the script sometimes. I had to look at one individual at a time and not the whole student body.” - senior Jeremy Provance

Sneak out of the house and get caught

“I had snuck out and I was coming home and my mom, who was suppose to be asleep, called me. She

asked where I was and I told her I was just hanging out with some friends. I was scared to go home, I took the long way. I was really nervous and I thought about everything she could do to me. It was very traumatic.” senior Nick Melvin

Act on stage “The first time I acted I was really nervous. I had to memorize sooo many lines and make it seem natural and I knew everyone was looking at me. I didn’t want the crowd to know I messed up and I didn’t want to ruin the production.” - junior Olivia Lynn

Lie to a parent and get caught

“When I was 13 I wanted a Yugio video game but I didn’t have enough money so I asked my mom for $20 and she said no, so I stole $20 in quarters from her and walked to

Wal-Mart. She saw me crossing the street to Wal-Mart so just when I was trying to get the game my parents showed up. My mom asked me how I paid for the game and I told her I had saved up and she let me keep the game. When we got home she found out, by counting up her quarters, that I had lied. She took my Gameboy. I felt really guilty afterwards and I tried to make it up to her but I couldn’t shake the feeling.” - senior Aaron Kolarik

Trigger the alarm when leaving a store “I was so embarrassed, all the people looked at me like I was a shop lifter, just because I was a teen. The people from behind the counter had to come check my bags. I was nervous because I didn’t want to actually have anything in my bag accidentally. I found out that my dad had put the bar code in my bag and then I just got mad.” - senior Katelyn Rawert by Ben Quinelly

Students and teachers run into many problems due to traffic issues on their way to and from school, but they can never figure out a different way to go that would not make them pull all their hair out. To get to school on time, taking a longer route is helpful and comes with little frustration. “I avoid the light next to LSHS like the plague,” art teacher Angela Stueve said. Stueve is referring to the light on Blue Parkway next to Quiktrip that the majority of students use. Stueve drives through downtown Lee’s Summit to get to school in the morning and loves it. The traffic downtown is “dead... there are maybe five cars,” Stueve said. Students are often the most frustrated by the traffic where Blue Parkway and 291 intersect. “When I tried to go on Blue Parkway and 291 South by Summit Waves, it seriously took me an extra ten minutes because everyone was waiting to turn onto the parking lot and it was really backed up. I was already running late, I barely made it on time,” senior Cassidy Hatchette said. “It really irritates me some days because it’s really busy at the light. Every now and then I get so irritated that I want to throw things at the cars in front of me,” junior Samantha Wood said. Most students would not know what to do if their normal route to school was suddenly blocked by construction or an accident. Stueve and Johnson said they wold take 50 Highway to Blue Parkway but Wood has a different plan. “I would go through 5th Street off 291 to Browning Street,” Wood said. A school day should not begin with a bad mood brought on by traffic. A different route could not only save time, but save hair too. Morning Rush. Cars and trucks, many driven by LSHS students, criss- by Jordan Shawhan cross this intersection of Highway 50 and 291 every morning and afternoon before and after school.

NEW

ROUTES

Change schools senior year

JLABMAG.COM 15

One Less

By: Kristina Hagan

The Gardasil shot can prevent but can also kill.

he feeling was nerve racking when the doctor arrived in the room, knowing the fact that the long needle would be piercing against the baby soft skin. Many girls have felt this way going to get the Gardasil shot. The Gardasil shot prevents cervical cancer, which at this age is an important thing to get. “I am glad I got the shot because it could help save my life or me from any harmful diseases. After I got the shot my arm stung a little but only for day or two but it wasn’t that bad,” sophomore Macy Beatty said. Out of nine million girls that have gotten the shot, only a small portion of those girls have been

16 Hi.Life 09.09

paralyzed or came to death. According to KMBC.com, given the large number of vaccine doses distributed, it is expected that, by chance alone, serious adverse events and some deaths will be reported in a large population during the time period fallowing vaccinations. “I’d rather take the chance of getting cancer than dying from preventing something I might have never had gone through,” senior Molly Russell said. Russell has not gotten the shot. Both girls make good points on either to get the shot or not. Now its time to make the decision. Will the needle pierce into the baby soft skin? Or will the decision change to take a chance? It’s the choice to either be one less or not. What will it be?

One less. Many girls are faced with the question to get the Gardisil Vaccination or not. The vaccination helps prevent cervical cancer. By Sierra Lewis

Unwritten Rules

One school’s strict rules put boundaries on students.

The first morning of the new school year at O’Hara High School started out eerie and continued on so. Students, not being fully aware of the extent of the new addition to their school’s new rules, hesitantly crawled out of their vehicles. The cautious girls were dressed in their fitted Gap khaki slacks. A very anxious yet tired channel of students slowly trailed toward the front doors, which were sprinkled with watchful administrators. “My first thought was ‘Oh my Gaahh...I can’t believe they’re actually doing this’,” senior Caitlin White of Archbishop O’Hara High School said. Because of O’Hara’s strict policy, on the first day of school, White remembers half of her classmates being gone; her fellow students were sent home at the doors because they were not ‘acceptable’ looking. The school on the first day had administrators at the front doors

allowing students to go in only if they followed the strict attire policy. Girls now have to wear their skirts exactly knee length, and boys can not have hair over their ears. Wearing the wrong belt or shoes sent many home. Guys were sent home for having unshaven faces, and the girls’ skirts kept many from going to school that day. Some careful girls, saving themselves from the ridicule and embarrassment, chose to wear their khaki pants instead. “Some people had on the wrong belt, like if they had it studded or had a big belt buckle on it,” White said. It is the little details that students have to be cautious about each day. Shoes have to be close-toed and solid backed. In previous years shoes had to be mostly black, brown, or white; this year, however, they have the privilege to wear whatever color they like, but only if it is closed. “[A couple guys] got turned

away and had to go cut their hair”, White said. She is referring to former LSHS students, who were taken from public school where you are not forced to dress ‘acceptably’. Along with dress code rules, White said that neither chewing gum nor food and drinks are allowed in most classrooms. They also have to buy the books they read in English, which in some classes students have to read over the summer. Like O’Hara, Lee’s Summit West High School does not allow food or drink in most of the classrooms. So many complaints are heard about the rules at Lee’s Summit High School. However, one might try to look on the bright side of life and appreciate the rules we do not have. Students here can relatively wear what they please, have food and drink in most classrooms, and chew gum. So maybe the next

time someone is walking in the halls or sitting in class, they can feel confident of how great it is to be a Tiger. by Lily Schiffbauer

Uniform Look Caitlin White and Payden Hays of Archbishop O’Hara High School are wearing their required school uniforms. This does not stop at their clothing; they must also keep their hair neat and they are not allowed to have facial piercings.

Old School

Teachers reveal high school embarrassing moments. Spiegel

Staples

Once upon a time, teachers were in high school and high school students are known to embarrass themselves. Their stories have never been revealed... until now.

Joyride

Mike Spiegel graduated from Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey in 1974. “One time I got caught driving the mayor’s car underage,” Spiegel said. He said he was grounded for a month, but the sentence was shortened, due to good behavior. “I was embarrassed because I had broken the law. I have a conscience,” Spiegel said. Spiegel said that this could have been avoided if the mayor’s daughter had been

Tewes

able to drive herself home. “I’ve never shared this story with my students, but I guess the whole school is going to see it now!” Spiegel said. Spiegel said that it is more funny now than embarassing.

Pop! Goes the Button

Hailing from Ohio, math teacher Danielle Staples graduated from Vermilion High School in 1999. “My most embarrassing moment was probably during the high school musical. I was playing a part as an old lady, and I had on a button-down dress that was too small. A button popped off in front of everybody,” Staples said. She said everyone had laughed at her, and that she turned bright red.

“I never wore a buttondown dress again!” Staples ended up taking the next day of school off, but when she returned, her dad sent her flowers. Staples said that it is not that bad anymore, because she thinks she has done worse things to embarass herself since.

Do Not Enter

Science teacher Laura Tewes graduated from Raytown South High School in 1976. She accidentally walked into the boy’s bathroom on her first day. “Nobody saw me, but I still remember it to this day. I also learned what a urinal looks like that day,” Tewes said. Tewes said this moment

does not haunt her anymore, but she wishes she would have read the bathroom sign. “My face was red for about half an hour, and I was really bothered. I was worried someone had seen me, and they would talk about it, even though I hadn’t seen anybody around,” Tewes said. She said sometimes she will witness students doing the same thing around the school. “Occasionally, I see kids do this. I’ll see a boy walk into the girl’s, or a girl walk into the boy’s,” Tewes said. by Haley Gillilan

JLABMAG.COM 17

Deadly Distractions

New law aims to counter recent increase in texting-related accidents among teenage drivers

ailey Goodman was excited to have graduated less than a week ago, excited to be with her friends, and excited to be driving down to the lake for a trip with her friends. Bailey Goodman was unable to make it to the lake; it was not because of traffic or an emergency, it was because of one text simply asking ‘What are you doing?’ Bailey Goodman chose to respond to this text, this distraction 18 Hi.Life 09.09

may have led to car swerving in front of a truck. Choosing to respond to this text may have been why Bailey Goodman and her four friends were killed. Goodman’s story may be a severe case, but it is certainly not the only one. AAA reports that the number one killer of persons between the ages of 15 to 20 is automobile accidents. This is not surprising when one learns that

ell How bbie t Ro igh pyr Co

the risk of crashing is 23.1 times Though higher if one is texting while driving the two disagree on a large vehicle or truck, and 1.3 whether or not it times higher when driving a car or will be effective, lightweight vehicle. they do agree that Text messaging also causes it should be a one to drift out of lane 10 percent harsher law. more than if not texting. All of the “I case studies show that driving is a think it’s too focused activity, and any distraction, lenient. It like texting, can cause harm and cost should be all lives. or nothing, Missouri is no exception not just if to these case studies. In 2008 you’re under 16 percent of all car accidents in 21. If you are going Missouri involved drivers under the to make it illegal make it age of 21 according to the Missouri illegal for everyone, “ that State Highway Patrol. This is why Keck backs up this could be the state legislative decided to enact a statement, “It think it is actually bought with that, new law, which went into effect Aug restrained in the fact that it applies for example: 800 bouncy 28, banning texting while driving to people under 21. I think it should balls. And finally, and probably for any driver under the age of 21. apply to all people.” the most effective, remember that The State Highway Patrol hopes the Many of us recognize that the driver’s and any passenger’s lives new law will decrease the amount texting while driving is a problem, are at risk when texting is combined of car accidents and deaths with driving. related to phone distractions. “Losing someone you love “The risk of crashing is 23.1 Eighteen states have enacted times higher if one is texting in a preventable car crash is driving while texting laws for harsh. Is a family member’s life while driving a large vehicle worth being able to text your all drivers and while others have more specific ones. Texas, or truck, and 1.3 times friend about what someone was for instance, only states than higher when driving a car or wearing at school today?” Keck one can not text while driving said. lightweight vehicle.” within the first 12 months of There was no law getting a license. Whether or prohibiting texting while not these new restrictions are driving that day when Bailey effective is yet to be determined as but everyone continues to do so Goodman and four other girls many of them are less than a year anyway. Effective ways to stop were killed in a tragic car accident, old. one’s self from texting while at the nothing to stop her from replying Officer John Keck hopes for wheel are all about. One seeming to one text and swerving into the the best ridiculous but effective situation is path of a truck. Today there is a “In DWI offenses we were to put the cellphone in the trunk law, and the consequences are much able to drop the death rate from one of your car. This keeps the phone steeper than a $200 fine, the life of person dying every fifteen minutes to out of one’s hands and off of one’s the driver and anyone in the vehicle one person dying every 32 minutes,” mind. Disable the phone; if the lives’. Before texting someone about Keck said. phone is unavailable for use then it is that ‘Hot Guy’ think of Bailey However, Junior Jill unavailable for any distractions. One Goodman and what her one text cost Williams thinks differently, “ I think should also remind themselves that her. people won’t think the police will the $200 fine can buy a lot of things. notice and they won’t get aught, sot Instead of risking having to pay that by Emily Dowdle they won’t stop,” Williams said. much money, think of all the things photo by Michael Bushur

JLABMAG.COM 19

Former Lee’s Summit High School Student makes it to Project Runway society and was far from traditional. She was a unique individual who followed her own path. “Dead lines meant nothing to her. She had really great ideas and talked a lot,” yearbook advisor Carla Thompson said. According to Thompson, when Fish was not in an art class, she disliked working. She would talk to people, not really staying on task. To finish her homework, she would work late into the night. But during her art classes, she was always working and creating. She was passionate about her art and was always excited about it. “She was involved at the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) before and during college. She was offered a full scholarship to study at

>>From Hallway to the Runway

KCAI. She made sure that she was going to be doing something in art,”

Williams said. Fish was willing to try anything and was not going to fail without trying. Whatever Fish did, she was always good at. Fish eventually tried out to be on the hit show, Project Runway and made it on the actual show. Fish only stayed on the show for one week before she was eliminated. Fish thought abstract thoughts, and created abstract On Project Runway, the designers are given a challenge and have thirty things. Everything she learned throughout high minutes to sketch before they go to the fabric store to purchase fabric for school and college helped her get to Project Runway. their designs. During the sketching time, Fish was not sketching. She Fish always seemed to surround herself by anysaid, “ I don’t sketch.” thing and everything that had something to do with After asking Williams what he thought of that statement he said, “It art. She was co-editor of the yearbook her senior didn’t surprise me that she did that. She always had images in her head year. She designed the cover, placed the layout, and and saw things. She knew how her design was going to work just by seeing chose the photos. Fish was also enrolled in every art class that was offered at it in her head.” Lee’s Summit High School. Art was her life and meant everything to her. After being featured on Project Runway, she is still “She was easy to get along with and talk to. Everyone seemed to like her. continuing with her own clothing line. Whatever she Ari was very talented and creative. She really thought outside of the box to ends up doing in life, it’ll always tie back to art. create things in different ways,” art teacher Manning Williams said. by Amy Notestein. Photo Fish was seldom seen without wearing scarves, skirts over pants, layers of clothes, multiple colors, and sometimes cornrows. Fish did not conform to Laina Gunsallus. ri Fish sat in the same classrooms, learned the same information, and probably had some of the same teachers that students at Lee’s Summit High School have. She appreciated art and had a passion for what she was creating.

20 Hi.Life 09.09

DIY

Dirty Little Secret The Stain-Dyed Shirt

Products Needed: 1 plain, white shirt (or tank-top as shown), 1 bucket, 5 instant coffee and tea packets, and 5 rusty nails

(Do-It-Yourself)

Step 1: Prepare a coffee bath to soak the shirt in. Take 3-4 instant coffee packets in a less than half full bucket of warm water. If a darker dye is wanted, then let the coffee packets sit overnight and then place the shirt in to soak the next day. Soak the shirt in the coffee bath for 3-4 days.

Step 3: Carefully unwrap the nails from the shirt. Rinse and refill the bucket with new water. Prepare a tea bath (same directions as the coffee bath, just use instead tea instead). This tea bath will tone down the dark spots from the nails. Soak the bottom half only for a more stained-dyed look. Soak for 2-3 days.

Step 2: Take the stained shirt out after 3-4 days or when it is darken to personal taste. Then rinse out the bucket and fill with new water. Take the rusted nails and wrap around the shirt; make sure the nails are spread out evenly and not just in one area. Make sure none of the nails are sticking out of the water (the area will turn black if they are). Let the shirt soak for 3 days.

Step 4: After the shirt in done soaking in the tea bath, hang it out to dry for 3-4 days before washing it. By Lindsey Bales

4 JLABMAG.COM 21

Things In Someones Backpack What’s in yours?

When students see each other walking through the halls carrying gigantic, heavy backpacks many wonder what those backpacks contain. The Hi.Life staff wonders the same thing. We asked junior Cassandra Gillespie what she carries around in her dinosaur hooded, backpack and some of the things may surprise you. “My favorite and most strange item in my backpack would definitely be my old school Game boy. Sometimes I want to pop it out in class and act like I’m texting just to see what a teacher says when they see it is really just a Game Boy.” Gillespie said. Even though the majority of things in most students’ backpacks are school related things, Gillespie tries to have fun with hers. “For the most part, all of the stuff in my backpack pertains to

school, so I don’t really like much of what is in it, but I like my folders. They all have cool dinosaurs and pictures on them.” As many LSHS students walk the long routes to class, many complain about how heavy their bags are. With an average of two to three books in them, student’s backpacks weight almost as much as they do, yet many do not know how to take the load off. “Backpacks are way better than bags, the over the shoulder kind. You can put a lot more stuff in them, and they are just better.” Gillespie said. All in all students should try to keep their backpacks interesting, because more than likely someone is wondering what is in their backpack. By Rebecca Wadle

Meet Cassandra Here are her things

[

]

“I like my Game Boy because it brings me back to my childhood.”

[

]

“I always have a good book in my backpack, at the moment it is Confessions of a Shopaholic. I love it.”

[

]

“I love my backpack because it is amazing, is dinosaur print, has a hood and has bright colors, too.”

Photos by Mary Armes

22 Hi.Life 09.09

Local Rhythm

ic s u

Two students uncover hidden talent in our own backyard.

ll they want is the opportunity to play anywhere that’s not in their garage, basement, or backyard. They want to play the music that they wrote themselves, right before their friends, family, and other musicians. For local musicians who chose an instrument outside of the school band, a show at a nearby venue could be one of their few opportunities, which come few and far between. For two LSHS students, Junior Dalton MacDonald and Senior Robin Harvey, playing outside of the school band is what they would rather do or is just an opportunity to play even more music which they have been doing so for years. “I first began playing the drums about two and a half years ago when i received a free Ludwick drum set from my brother’s friend.” MacDonald said. As for Robin, playing music started way back in his childhood. “I started the drums when I was nine. My dad’s friend taught me simple beats and from there I just taught myself.” said Harvey. Both Dalton and Robin learned the drums mainly by teaching themselves, and both enjoy a rather interesting version of music and play a very unique style. “Playing the drums, I mostly stick to percussion

Discover Find new ways to discover new, on-the-rise, music. About each student in Lee’s Summit High School most likely owns an iPod or mp3 player of some sort. Finding new music out of the mainstream may be hard to do for most people. Most kids also do not have most of their day to look through the web for new artists with school and other activities getting in the way. Luckily a new store has opened up in our very own neighborhood called Vintage Stock.

With over 30 stores in Missouri, Vintage Stock is an ‘entertainment superstore’ that sells from DVDs to VHS, Blu-ray to LPs, and vintage to new video games and consoles. They usually buy in CDs for 20-25% of what they sell it at. When I visited the store they had rows and rows of CDs of bands I’d never heard of, five times the size of Wal-Mart and Target CD sections. Dre Henry, employee of the

but I can also play the guitar and the bass,” said Harvey “I like to ply a lot of alternative, punk, and funk music, but basically I can play a little bit of everything.” MacDonald added, “I taught myself by just putting on my ipod and getting my own unique style.” For Dalton and Robin playing in a band with other musicians is nothing unfamiliar and is something with which both have plenty of experience. “I’m not currently in a band but i’ve played in a couple called Amitive and In The Mix. I’d say my favorite show was at Mainstreet Cafe in Kansas City.” said Harvey. MacDonald also said “Right now I’m in a band called Sky’s The Limit, with a couple friends from Lee’s Summit West, Austin Zammar and Ian Dobyns.” As for upcoming shows MacDonald mentioned their next show is in October and is a tribute for the anniversary of Jacob Blair. Anyone can come if they just let him know and ask for information on it. So while Harvey and MacDonald continue to write their music and keep playing, they will continue to wait on chances to play in front of crowds. One thing is for sure though: once their opportunity comes, they will make sure everyone hears them. By Nathan Willams

Over played Songs that are overplayed on the radio that should be played less

Fire Burning - Sean Kingston Ice Cream Paint JobDorrough You’re a Jerk - New Boyz Poker Face- Lady Gaga Halle Berry- Hurricane Chris Big Green Tractor- Jason Aldean

new store, mentioned genres from ‘pop, rock, metal, R&B, soundtracks, video game soundtracks, and most other genres.’ also suggested Concerts can also help with finding new music, when bands choose opening acts for them. Last January, Slipknot played at Kansas City along with Coheed & Cambria. Luckily a lot of our peers at Lee’s Summit High School liked these bands, and got to know the band Trivium as the opening act. Another good example could be the band Schoolyard Heroes opening for a wellknown band, Mindless Self Indulgence.

The last and great place where you can discover is the famous internet. Websites like the iTunes store and Myspace are the most commonly used web sites for finding artists, but Ultimate-Guitar and Pandora Internet Radio. These web sites are one of the best ways to find new artists along with Vintage Stock, and after a few weeks you can completely replace your library of music with new music you can enjoy more specifically. By Edgar Enriquez

Boom Boom Pow- Black Eyed Peas Butterfly- Miley Cyrus Waking Up in Vegas Katy Perry Shine Down- Second Chance So What - Pink Alright - Darius Rucker Best I Ever Had - Drake By Tyler Wilmore

JLABMAG.COM 23

TV premieres

Fall Musical Carousel. Seniors Jamie Schlotzhauer, Tyler Fromson, and Rachael Lynn, along with Junior Olivia Lynn, rehearse lines for the upcoming musical.

Fall is coming in and T.V. shows are beginning again.

Carousel Get an insight on what goes on behind the scenes while preparing for our fall musical.

ies, love and jealousy? That’s what is in store for this year’s musical. Filled with serious, caring, and chilling moments, Carousel is the musical theatre goers won’t want to miss. Billy Bigelow, a tough guy who works at the carousel, runs into Julie Jordan, and her friend Carrie after a nights work at the mill. After seeing Billy flirting with Julie, Mrs. Mullins, the owner of the carousel, becomes jealous and bans Julie from returning. The conflict climaxes when Billy decides to stand up for

Jamie Schlotzhauer - Julie Jordan

Julie and ends up losing his job. story continues as Julie and Billy’s relationship becomes even more complex. “ Carousel is a musical that proves love is not perfect, but it’s always there,” director Micah Hensley said. Hensley, who is also the Theatre teacher, believes that the musical this year will be different than other performances by LSHS. “ It’s more serious, and it’s one of the first musicals that have had an anti-hero. There is also not as much dancing, only some ballet,”

“Jigger is a bad guy, who tricks billy into doing some pretty bad things,” Senior Darec Stowell said. Darec is also the understudy for Tyler Fromson, who plays

24 Hi.Life 09.09

Not only do the actors dedicate their time, so do the nine crews that help make the musical he best that it can be. Crews help build sets on rehearsals and do other things such as lighting, moving props, and taping microphones onto actors. “ I think people should go to see Carousel, because it is different,” Hensley said.

Actor Bios

“Julie is a complex character. She is very calm, fun-loving, and is a home-town girl. She often looks inside others to find their true character,” Senior Jamie Schlotzhauer said. Jamie is very excited to develop a strong character, gain more relationships and be able to lead and help other actors this year in theatre.“ I want to give it all I have,” Schlotzhauer said.

Darec Stowell- Jigger

Hensley said. Carousel has a cast of forty-one members, including three large male and females roles, several supporting roles, and a chorus. With a cast this big, there is a major dedication for everyone to show. “Being in the musical is like being in a sport. Rehearsals are usually from 2:40-5:00 p.m. and sometime can be even later. Everyday of rehearsal is different. Sometimes we do blocking; sometimes we sit and rehearse lines,” Hensley said.

Billy Bigelow. Darec prepares for the musical by using memorization skills and learning the dances. Darec’s favorite musical he has been in was Beauty & The Beast , because the cast was close and it was a great show.

Olivia Lynn- Carrie

“Carrie is Julie’s silly best-friend, who doesn’t often think things through.” Junior Olivia Lynn said. Olivia is very different from her character, carrie is more naive. Olivia enjoys being in theatre because she doesn’t always play herself, she often gets to play opposites. Photo and story by Kassi Torrence

Smallville- ‘Clark Kent is dead.’ Those are the last words uttered by Clark Kent, played by Tom Welling, at the end of Smallville season eight after convincing himself that the human part of him is his enemy. The theme of season nine is “Clark’s Darkest Hour”. When first heard, it sounds as if the entire season would be full of darkness, but the idea was quickly dismissed when the director said that most of the season would be as light-hearted as the last, if not more. “I’m looking forward to the love triangle between Clark, Lois, and the Red Blue Blur,” junior Brooke Carpenter said. David Gallagher has been cast along with Allison Scagliotti as the Wonder Twins. Many other characters will be appearing also, such as Major Zod and Jor-El, Clark’s birth father. “This season will be better than the last seasons because you’re going to start seeing Clark transform more into Superman,” Carpenter said. Gossip Girl- Gossip, drama, love, friendship, and more gossip unfold as the new season of Gossip Girl begins. Viewer’s favorite Upper EastSide teenagers head off to college and embark on new adventures filled with deceit, lies, love, hate, friends, enemies, and more. “It has a better story line than other shows, and every character is relatable in some way,” junior Kayla Peters said. Gossip Girl consists of seven main characters, Serena Van Der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, Chuck Bass, Dan Humphrey, Nate Archibald, Vanessa Abrams, and Jenny Humphrey. “I’m looking forward to seeing how Chuck and Blair’s relationship has progressed,” Peters said. One Tree Hill- Nathan Scott shoots and scores a spot in the NBA. Haley James Scott sings her way to a record label. Brooke Davis’ fashion line may be called Clothes Over Bros. “I expect there to be more drama. I want Haley and Nathan to have another baby, hopefully a daughter,” junior CJ Stinson said. As the new season draws in, Stinson expects for drama to unfold and greatness to be shown throughout the characters and the rest of the show. By Taylor Dyer

Reasons to be Happy Being in a recession you may feel there is no reason to be happy, well that’s all wrong, and here’s why. New Capri Sun’s replaced for Snapple- as students have realized our drinks in the lunch room have been changed more than a couple of times, to keep thinks healthy they cut the Snapple, but added a drink that’s still fun and tasty. Eye popping bold colors are back in style- bold colors are no longer a rebel thing, people of all kinds are busting out with eye popping colors. Homecoming is right around the corner- start looking for dates, dresses, and tux! because homecoming is on its way! All Sports are now back to regular size in the Tiger Post- trying to quench your thirst with a bottle the size of your hand doesn’t work out to well, so the All Sport drinks are now back to their regular size. Nerdy glasses are the “new” thing- in the days when we were younger big glasses were for “nerds”, now they’re spreading all over the country, people are wearing them everywhere! 80’s are coming back stronger than ever- as it seems generations seem to circle right back around, the 80’s wardrobe is coming back. Obama also feels staying in school is very important- giving his speech on staying in school, motivates children of all ages to do the right thing. Kanye West gets bashed for his unacceptable behavior- being a 37 year old man, and bashing nineteen year old girls is defiantly the way to go Kanye. Blogging is becoming more popular each and every day- people are getting more news out to each other just by blogging. Unemployment can be a time to reconsider your career goals/ and do something you always wanted to do- which means, get up and go back to school. Oil prices are low for now- four dollars for gas was pretty ridiculous, enough said.You now have an excuse for not showing up to certain events, you can’t afford it- being in a recession may just come in handy, can’t show up to those boring events if you don’t have any money. New slushies in the lunch room make eating more interesting, and with interesting comes happiness- drinking an ice cold slushy on a hot day, can be very refreshing, and bring out your inner happy. By Ma’Ryah Cooper

GOSSIP When presented with the opportunity of a gossip column, I became aware that a small selection of my schoolwork this year would focus on celebrity gossip. Jessie FTW. I was suddenly worried, however, because I realized I had nothing to write about (with the exception of the Gosselins, and seriously no one cares anymore). I was beginning to panic until my good friend Kanye West stepped in and helped me out. I feel the only way to convey my emotions correctly would be to address a letter to Kanye himself: Dear Kanye West (you jerk), Dear 32-year-old, grown man, Kanye West, Dear HEARTLESS Kanye West, Pun intended. Anyway. While watching my girl Taylor Swift win the Video Music Award for ‘Best Female Video’ this past Sunday night, I was confused as to what you were doing when you stormed the stage and ripped the microphone from her hands as she was mid-speech, preventing her from further accepting her award. You then began screaming (in an extremely adult, mature manner), “BEYONCE HAD THE BEST VIDEO OF THE YEAR!” as Swift stood in shock. When you reached the end of your tantrum, you returned the microphone to her (how thoughtful!) and walked gracefully and shamelessly offstage. Look, Kanye. No one doubts that Beyonce rocks. She won video of the year, anyway. I’m not sure what your goal was, exactly. To embarrass a 19-year-old girl in front of thousands of people? Goal achieved. To get yourself kicked out of the VMA’s and have your performance cancelled? Goal achieved. To prove that you have precisely the same amount of self-control - perhaps less - than a small child? Goal achieved. Grow up and learn some manners. By Jessie Curtis

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B eing True There is no such thing as a true American. In today’s world, however, there are groups of people who wish to obliterate this idea out of the water and make a true definition of the word. Topics are tossed around, exchanged, and debated. One thing is absolutely clear. There is something going on and it must be acknowledged. When people around the world in different nations hear the word American, they think of it as being synonymous with unintelligence and cultureless. To be cultureless is to have no outside experience of different cultures. Americans, however, should be the possessor of a greater knowledge of culture than almost any other nation in the entire world. Throughout history, America has always been referred to as ‘the melting pot’ due

Hallway Hazards

It happens everyday: crashes, time wasting traffic, road rage, and even injuries. No, this is not a crowded city highway, these are the hallways of Lee’s Summit High School. Everyday the hallways cause multiple students to be late to class and even more to be injured. Most of the injuries are pretty superficial, but that does not change the fact that something needs to be done about the hallways. The average student needs most of those six minutes to get to class. Rushing from A building to B building, and off to the D building; practically sprinting to get to avoid being late. How does one explain to the math teacher that they could not get through the B building because the mob of freshman could not handle the fifty-five minutes away from their ‘besties’, without being crass, of course. Or how does one tell her gym teacher that she could not get dressed because that cutesy couple had to give their daily four minute embrace of 26 Hi.Life 09.09

to the amount of immigrants that traveled here. When traveling, people always absorb in the sights and sounds from all corners of this united nation. The nation is home to many who have come from faraway regions of the globe such as Asia, Western and Eastern Europe, and parts of Africa. When they relocated to the United States, they bring their culture and ethnic identity that they pass down to their families. There still brews a slight, but troubling problem for everyone. As the world changes constantly, there are groups of people that wishes to change images and representations. While not formally revealing agendas, these groups wish to alter the word American to fit there own needs. A small, but notable example is how conservative groups want people to feel ashamed for believing in different things. These groups use such harsh words to describe others as unpatriotic, despite the fact that their own ancestors traveled to America to find a new start. These groups want people to be alienated and forgotten due to not believing in the supposedly-fixated and American way. A classic example is a saying from President Woodrow Wilson who was a staunch opponent to hyphenated Ameri-

her locker? These are the norms at Lee’s Summit High School: ridiculous procedures that people feel they need to do. Sure, the solution seems easy, just barge through - pushing through the throng of freshman creating a wall similar to that one in China. But when one does the catty, mean remarks come out. Names are called and feelings are hurt, all because one was just trying to be a good student and arrive to class on time. That leads to another problem in our hallways, rudeness. All social grace seems to be lost when walking through the hallway, voices are raised to that of a shouting level, swear words fly, and shoving is just another thing one has to deal with. The facts are these: the school certainly can not redesign the hallways to make them larger, and changing the time limit for passing periods would be a scheduling nightmare. So, the job of making the hallways more organized rests upon the students’ shoulders. Right before passing period, one should think, “Is it necessary that my friends and I

cans, which is a term used to describe an American who still held their origin country and ethnicity in high pride. Wilson believed anyone who held onto their ethnic identity in the thought that, ‘any man who carries a hyphen about with him carries a dagger that he is ready to plunge into the vitals of this Republic whenever he gets ready.’ In summary, Wilson is calling people who don’t believe in a sole American way is a monster that is ready to betray the United States. Being an American should be a sign of being open. With the United States being the melting pot of the world, the nation should be receptive to ideas, despite coming from different backgrounds. The idea that there is only one American way is rubbish and false. The United States is the combination of the world’s entire population. There should be no set idea that is considered absolutely American due to our special, unique status. For the people trying to create an ideal image of the American should halt all actions because everyone holds deep, personal traits that define them. The word American should not define people, people define the word American. By Michael Holcomb

form a wall so we can talk while walking down the hallway?” Or when one is moving in to kiss their significant other for the thirtieth time today: “Can we do this later maybe OUTSIDE of school?” And when creating a large mob of friends to chat in the lobby of a building think, “We have phones, shouldn’t we use them (outside of school of course) instead of blocking everyone’s path?” Safe hallways are not the school’s problem, the responsibility lies upon the shoulders of each and every student. by Emily Dowdle

Staff Editorial

A senior gift from the class of 2009 gone missing?

By Emily Dowdle

Illustration by Bianca Wang,

etch-a-sketch

Germs are disgusting. At Lee’s Summit High School there are billions upon billions of germs everywhere. We all know it. And with the outbreaks of bird flu, swine flu, and this and that flu should not the student’s health be a priority? Well last year, when the senior class gift was presented, it was. The senior class gift was a promise of hand sanitizer dispensers in every room, yet they are nowhere to be found. Of course the defense of the lack of hand sanitizers is the normal, expected one. They are not needed per say, with the bathrooms equipped with sinks, and every student has the right to bring their own personal sanitizer. Plus a majority of teachers do have their own bottle in the room. By now everyone should have the common sense to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze. But it goes beyond that. Swine flu is spread by coughing and sneezing and it is most common in people under the age of 25, which is nearly every student at Lee’s Summit High School. The Center for Disease Control recommends frequent hand washing and alcohol based hand sanitizers to prevent swine flu and all other types of influenza. So, one can infer that with health a priority at our school the administrators would be racing to get the dispensers installed. If students get sick it not only affects the students school life, missing important notes and tests etc., but it also affects the school as they are paid based on the amount of students who come to school. What needs to be said is that being sick is gross, and it has negative repercussions for both parties, educational ones for students and financially for the school. Even if the school has to shell out the extra money to get the dispensers put in pronto, it will be worth it in order to keep the student population healthy.

Man on the street:

Do you think our school has good sanitation? “Yes. Some students have hand wipes and the cafeteria has hand sanitizer dispensers. Whenever I walk through the halls, I always see janitors cleaning and picking up other peoples’ messes. But I think that some classrooms should have hand sanitizers in the room.” freshman Tierney VanMeter said.

{Freshman: Tierney VanMeter }

“No. I think that the school needs to have more air dryers and motion detecting toilets and sinks so that people won’t touch it and get ‘germy’. Parts of our school are missing ceiling and leaking, which is creating bacteria that could be spread. I’ve also seen mice in some of my classrooms,” sophomore Tim Marting said,

{Sophormore: Tim Marting}

“Yes. in the lunch room there are hand sanitizer dispensers . Also, the weight room is always sanitized. I think that the school should provide tissues instead of making students bring them. I think that in the bathroom, there should be disposable toilet covers,” junior Jared Simmons said.

{Junior: Jared Simmons} Interviews by Amy Notestein

“Yes. There are hand sanitizer dispensers in the lunch room. The janitors do a good job keeping the school clean. I think that each classroom should have tissue available. Also, people shouldn’t sneeze over each other and should carry a little package of ready to go tissue,” senior Neala Creasy said..

{Senior: Neala Creasy} Photos by Laina Gunsallus

JLABMAG.COM 27

He Said, She Said.

vicious political mosh pit. Last November was the 2008 presidential election between then Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain; every student was fiercely debating with their classmates about who would become the next president of the United States. Many students didn’t know the policies that both senators supported or did not support, but they definitely knew whom their parents wanted to win. By no means are we advising to rebel against your parents. They certainly have their own opinions that they’ve had many years to develop. What we are saying, however, is to think for yourself, just with your superiors in mind. Do not let your own opinions mirror theirs out of laziness. High school is a time to grow up and know yourself, ultimately preparing for the real world. During this time, it is important to establish personal morals, beliefs, and opinions. This can be very confusing with so many politicians, reality show actors, and late night comedians expressing their own opinions in the media. It is vital to sort through this rubbish to find the truth. We leave you now with a quote to ponder. The third president of our fair nation, Thomas Jefferson, once said “If ignorance is bliss, why aren’t more people happy?” The point that the president was trying to make was that too many people are not aware about what is going on around them. Ignorance is surely not bliss; if it was, we’d all be too ignorant to believe it.

According to several high school students, the United States is being run by a Kenyan terrorist who is trying to communize our nation in order to be more like the French. There are so many things wrong with this collection of ignorant statements, but, sadly enough, they have been said by students at Lee’s Summit High School. It may seem like walking down a hallway during passing period is a better source of news than anything else; unfortunately, this “news” gets mixed up with undercooked opinions and disgusting lies to make a big mess of drivel casserole (figuratively speaking, of course). Most high school students think that they know everything about everything. Here’s a news flash: we don’t! A lot of teens do not watch the news or read the papers. When they do, they tend to read tidbits and get the facts mixed up. Without understanding the full story, one could grasp how dangerous this can be with comprehending politics. How can we learn about what is really going on when we are surrounded by a massive web of exaggerations? Well, research helps. Being at lunch in November last By Max Belanger and Julia Duckworth year was like being in the middle of a

“If ignorance is bliss, why aren’t more people happy?”

policy

28 Hi.Life 09.09

The

Inbo

Dear Editors,

So I hate that we students aren’t allowed to go to our cars during the school day. There have been multiple times that I missed points on an assignment I’ve done but forgot in my car, and my teacher wouldn’t let me go get it. If they are worried about us leaving, we’d get punished for that anyway for skipping. I say that if a student did their homework, and it’s on school grounds, they should be able to get it and turn it in.

Dear Editors,

I think that some of the rules and regulations at Lee’s Summit High School are too strict. I think that it would make for a much better learning environment for the students here if the rules were more loose. I think that if the school’s rules were more relaxed students would feel like they could be more productive and more succesful

Questions? Comments? Concerns? E-mail them to

g.com a m b a l and you too ox@j b n I e Th could be published in a future issue of the Hi.Life!

Kick Power Kyle Gross’s kicking power taking him to the top. He is not your typical football player. If you saw him in the halls at school and someone said he is one of the best players on the football team, people would be in shock. He does not look anything like a football player with his tall and skinny build. “Golf is my favorite sport because its an individual sport, you decide what to do, you control your own destiny” Gross said. Well now, this LSHS senior has the chance to help the football team the very same way. As the tigers place kicker, Kyle Gross has the chance to control the outcome of football games with his strong leg. Gross had a very busy first two years of high school. He played golf and basketball for the school and focused very hard on his academics. Playing football did not even enter his mind until his junior year. In the middle of the football season last year Gross realized that the football team needed a kicker, so he figured he would give it a shot. Doing so resorted in him making the JV football team. Going onto the football field for the first

time last year, Gross was pretty nervous, as any player would be, but also very confident. He knew that if he kept his head down he would make the extra point no problem. He made all three extra

points that game, and from that point forward Gross knew he was pretty good at this. During training camp this year Gross impressed

Corbin Commits

not only the coaches, but everyone else who witnessed what he was doing. “I made a 50 yard field goal at the end of practice” Gross said. His football teammates then gave him the name ‘Chip Shot Kyle’ mixing golf terms with football. At the Park Hill South game, Gross nailed four 50 yard field goals in a row while warming up his leg. “It felt great knowing I can make it from that distance” senior Gross said. The only thing Gross needs now is the chance to do it in a real game. Gross plans to go to college after graduation and being the great kicker he is, he might very well be able to get a scholarship for kicking. He would love to kick for any college and does not have a specific school in mind.

by Micheal Rellihan

Corbin Berkstresser verbally commits to Missouri University.

Corbin Berkstresser verbally commits to Missouri University. Every Game, 60,000 fans screaming, thats what junior Corbin Berkstresser is looking forward to as he plays for the M.U. Tigers. “ It was the coolest thing.” Berkstresser said.

During the summer Berkstresser achieved his dream, he verbally committed to Missouri university, a once in a life time experience. “ it is my dream school i have always wanted to go there.” Berkstresser said. With all the big colleges Berkstresser saw Missouri University as the only choice for him to go to. “ i want to play Q.B. because that is the position i have always played.” Berkstresser said. In his first year he hopes to get to know the teams offense, and the team itself. He hopes to bring leadership and composure to the Tigers. His biggest fear are the bigger and faster defenses in college football.

“ I want to either play profootball or go into the medical field.” Berkstresser said. Berkstresser still has a long, and promising career before he has to worry about his plans after college. After two years Berkstresser will be running into the M.U. stadium to the 60,000 screaming fans.

by Derek Brooks JLABMAG.COM 29

A new Swing

Freshman showcases her skills on the green

There she walked, her golf bag slung over her shoulder, and water bottle in hand. Freshman Jamie Weeda was ready to make her mark in high school, one swing at a time. “I was kind of nervous at tryouts since I was the youngest one there and I have only played for about four to five months. Once I started playing though it wasn’t so bad,” freshman Jamie Weeda said. Weeda is fairly new to golf, she just started playing this past summer. Being new to high school life, she wanted to experience what it was like to be on the golf team and to compare her skills to other players. She was also interested in meeting new people. “Golf is fun and it lets me get to know people from other schools. My favorite part would have to be getting to talk to people,” Weeda said.

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During a typical golf match, up to three schools compete against each other. The players are divided into groups of three or four, each group includes players from different schools. They play nine holes and then the scores are added up to determine what place each school earned. “I’m hoping to get a scholarship to play golf in college and get paid for it. I’m not sure right now where I want to go because I’m not sure what I want to do,” Weeda said. While she is still in high school, varsity golf coach James Mellody is looking to Weeda to be the cornerstone of the team for the next few years. “Jamie is self-motivating and has a unique personality I enjoy and she makes me laugh daily,” Mellody said. Weeda encourages people to go

out and play whenever they get the chance because it is a good sport and is really fun. Her advice to aspiring golfers or even experienced ones is to simply believe in your ability. “Be confident in yourself. If you think you are really bad, then you will be really bad,” Weeda said. There she goes after a day on the course, bag slung over her shoulder and empty water bottle in her hand. Weeda has wasted no time in showcasing her golfing abilities and will be a player to watch throughout her high school career.

by Hayley Mershon

Up Hill Battle The Lee’s Summit Tiger Cross Country team is working hard to beat out their rivals His legs are tired and his lungs burn. His whole body is telling him to quit, to just walk for a bit and relax. But he looks behind and sees another runner gaining on him. So he does not stop. He speeds up. The cross country team this year is going to have to use their will to win, in order to close the gap and compete with their rivals Lee’s Summit North and Lee’s Summit West. “I think we can actually beat North, but West is a long shot since they’re first in state,” senior Craig

Schrankler said. According to sophomore Jordan Andrews the team was underestimated but they have been working hard, and are ready to show off their speed. “Actually we’ve upped our mileage by six to eight miles a week to try to close the gap between Lee’s Summit North and Lee’s Summit West,” cross country coach Chad Jansen said. The team is ranked fifth in the Metro area, whole West and North are ranked first and second.

The team has performed well so far this season and plan to continue to progress. They have taken second in both of their meets so far, only losing to Lee’s Summit North. “Based off of last weekend’s race, i think they know we’re going to be good this year,” Schrankler said. This year the Tigers will be racing against more than one clock, they will be racing against the amount of time remaining to catapult ahead of the other teams. by Max Olson

photos by Krisina Hagan

Cross Country Tour: The boys cross team competes in competition

> >

God’s Team

by Nate Day

Jerry Jones’ battle over his 40 million dollar scoreboard. Tennessee Titans punter A.J. Trapasso receives the snap, punts the ball. The ball soars through the air. As it soars, it heads on a path to the Dallas Cowboy’s new 60 yard long scoreboard that rests over the field at the new stadium. The punter points up to the scoreboard as the ball is deflected to try and signal a re-kick. The kick was given, but the debate was just starting. The new scoreboard stretches 60 yards long, from 20 yard line to 20 yard line. This length includes two more led HD screens on the end of the main scoreboard. When the ball was deflected off the board many questions arose. The main question being, is the scoreboard too low?Dallas Cowboys owner and General Manager Jerry Jones doesn’t think so. “If you look at how you punt the football, unless you’re trying to hit the scoreboard, you punt the ball to get downfield. You certainly want to get some hang-time, but you punt the ball to get downfield, and you sure don’t punt the ball

down the middle. You punt it off to the side,” Jones Said The NFL commissioner Roger Goodell seems to agree with Jones. It was ruled that the scoreboard would stay where it was. Also, that any punt to hit the scoreboard would result in a do over. The scoreboard is also the world’s largest HD screen. However, even such an astounding creation, should not be able to affect game play. Jones is very against the moving of the screen. He seems to think the $40 million screen, more than the price of the previous stadium, should not have to be moved. One Titan punter who was there at the time of the deflection said he believes a punt with a five second hang-time will probably hit the screen. Unfortunately, there is no price to put on every punt to hit the screen and disrupt gameplay. If there was, I feel certain that in the end it would cost more than the stadium itself. Old Texas Stadium was built with a hole in the roof, this

was said to be done so that God could watch his team, maybe Jerry Jones just wants God to know the score. Scoreboard Specifics: Width: 159’ 7-1/16” Height: 71’ 4-3/4” Total LEDs: 10,584,064 Screen Area: 11,393 square feet Power Consumption: 635 Kilowatts Screen Weight: 170,000 lbs Video Source: 1080p HDTV Resolution: 2,176 x 4,864

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Fuel Up! How to keep your body from running low during the game.

It all came down to one game, one shot to make it into the leaner meats, such as chicken breast or turkey, and avoid greasy high school football playoffs. The football players had been or fatty foods before a game. Fatty and greasy foods naturally practicing all week, doing some of the toughest conditioning, convert into fat overnight. Consuming these fatty foods the and mastered every one of their plays. Too bad it was not night before a game can cause indigestion if an athlete is stressed going to matter, because the team, in all of their preparations, from anxiety or anticipation for a game. Protein should also be had forgotten the one thing that needed to be ready above all limited before games, since it also converts into fat overnight. “Overall, it’s best for athletes to stay as organic as possible else. They needed to prepare their bodies. They had done a poor job of fueling up for the game, eating during the sport season, eat a regular amount of protein greasy burgers and slurping down protein shakes. They were consistently throughout the day, and always consume a high completely unaware that it is carbohydrates that are needed to level of carbs,” Termini advised. So if a football team’s pre-game meal consists of McDonald’s be in prime condition for the big game. Carbs are like fuel for athletes. In order to have a full or a protein shake, they should consider switching it out for some pasta or a turkey sandwich. It may gas tank, an athlete needs “Overall, it’s best for athletes to stay as organic as make the difference between a win or a loss, and perhaps, the key to making the to eat a lot of possible during the sport season...” playoffs. carbohydrates before the game,” said Christin Termini, a personal fitness trainer from by Nathan Baker photograph by Morgan Pena Above Lifting, located in downtown Lee’s Summit. This is true for athletes in all sports. Whether playing football, soccer, or even golf, carbohydrates are the key for Eat up: As an athletes to unlock full potential on the field, court, or the athlete, you green. have to keep your mind and “Athletes definitely want to avoid any heavy foods, like fried body in check. chicken or french fries, especially if they run a lot. Athletes also Carbs and want to avoid consuming lots of protein the day before the protein are an game, because the excess protein will turn into fat overnight excellent source of energy and hinder a player’s performance,” Termini said. before a big Along with avoiding those kinds of food, athletes should eat game.

Pre Game Meal

The best way to prepare the night before a the big game.

One minute left, sweat pouring down a LSHS football players face, and his heart is about to explode out of his chest. The tigers need one more touchdown to take the lead. The ball is on the line and he is down and ready. He hears the final “Hike!” and he is headed sprinting with all he has down the field. Suddenly he is stopped by a shot of pain to his right leg. Down he goes and at that moment he realized playing time is over for today. There are several ways athletes can avoid these situations one being preparing a proper pre-game meal. “Things such as Gatorade, water, extra salt, and potassium are the keys to replenish your electrolytes,” personal trainer Whitney Vaughn said. “Players should begin preparing for games

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at least the day before by consuming complex carbohydrates, extra water, and sports drinks such as Gatorade boost electrolyte replenishment and help rocket energy for top performance in games,” Vaughn said. “A few bottles of water throughout the day, purple Gatorade and linemen dinners where we eat things such as tacos, steak, and ribs help prepare me during the week so I can perform and not cramp up during the game,” senior Nate Schumacher said. All sports teams try and do something during the week to prepare themselves. Varsity softball player Lisa Weeda also participates in her own type of pre-game meal, “The softball team has pasta parties at different players houses every Sunday night where we eat

pasta, bread, and salad, I believe it does benefit my performance because of the amount of carbohydrates I receive gives me energy.” All athletes should put in to consideration what they consume just hours before a game. “Chipotle was not the best choice before one of my games!” Weeda said. “Just a light meal or snack such as a granola bar, fruit, or veggies is a good idea about an hour before a game” Vaughn said. Things such as cramping up, stomach aches and poor nutrition before a game can be improved by knowing how to plan the perfect pre-game meals. by Miranda Vaughn

Banding Together

The R-7 school district comes together to form a hockey team.

A car door slams shut; a trunk pops. A boy jerks his duffel bag out of his trunk, over his shoulder - his eyes catching for one moment his ‘LSHS Tiger’ bumper sticker. He scans the parking lot briefly and sees the cars of his two friends; he realizes they are already inside practicing. He does not linger on their bumpers, emblazoned with ‘LSN Bronco’ and ‘LSW Titan’ stickers, but instead runs inside to practice alongside them. Here at Lee’s Summit High School playing alongside two of our greatest rivals - Lee’s Summit West High School and Lee’s Summit North High School - seems like a ludicrous idea. However, according to sophomore Skyler West, it is really not that strange at all. West played for the city-wide hockey team with students from both LSN and LSW. “The majority are kids from our school,” West explained. Junior Andy Batson will be playing on the team for the first time this year. “This is my first year on the team but I don’t think it’s going to be a big deal to play alongside [North and West],” Batson said. A bigger rival for the city-wide team appears to be Rockhurst. Despite their inner-rivalry the

team comes together to practice and play against students who enjoy football to try out, especially. other hockey teams from other schools. They give Both are competitive contact sports, and if you the credit to Coach Powers, priding him on his enjoy football you may come to find out that you ability to support them throughout any obstacles also enjoy hockey. they may face. Despite other Lee’s Summit High School “[To sign up] you go to Pepsi Ice in Olathe,” teams, the hockey team brings together all Lee’s West said to any students who are interested in Summit schools to form a close, competitive being part of the tea. “Tryouts will be sometime team. The team is looking forward to a successful in September, and the first game will be late year. One thing is certain: There are few places September or early October,” West said. West, where you can find Tigers, Broncos and Titans however, will not be among the students lined cheering each other on, but on game nights, at up for tryouts this fall in Olathe. “I’m not going an ice rink in Olathe, Kansas, you will find just to be playing for the school this year,” West that. by Jessie Cutis photograph by Bradley Roberts admitted with a sheepish grin. “I’ll be playing on a AA traveling team,” West said. Thought not many students seem to know about the hockey team, they are still looking forward to a successful year; many want an improvement from the past few years. LSW N West encourages LS

LSHS

Redefined Tigers

‘Sticking’ Together: The three schools banded together to make one hockey team.

Tigers new additions are helping to peak performance. As the school year ended the Tiger football team prepared for another grueling summer of practice. This year they were to master a new offense and defense, their task was to learn the spread offense and the 4-3 defense. Two players that know the ends and outs of both the spread and the 4-3 are Steven Kingsolver and Davis McElroy. “The defense is going to be a lot stronger this year, having the 4-3 defense is going to allow us to have stronger stances and prevent scores. I am really excited for this season!” junior Steven Kingsolver said. The 4-3 means that there are four down linemen; they are the front four of the defense that attack the line of scrimmage. It also means that there are going to be three linebackers, who are right behind the four down linemen. “We are going to be able to dominate the line and will be able to get the needed backfield tackles that will create pressure and help our secondary get interceptions,” Kingsolver said. Using the 4-3 defense should allow the Tiger’s to get the much needed turnovers to win close ballgames and help the Tiger’s defense to be rock solid. This is not only change that the Tiger’s

have made this summer; they also switched up their offensive attack. The spread offense means that the offensive linemen are spread apart; also they are playing without a Tight end. The spacing in the linemen creates confusion for the defense giving extra time for the quarterback. “I really like the new spread offense because it allows us to throw a lot more effectively. Also it is helping our receiver get open and make the big gains,” junior Davis McElroy said. “The difference between this and last year is that now our skill positions are a lot better, and this allows us to introduce new screens and bubbles,” McElroy said. The spread should greatly help the Tiger offensive attack and provided new options for the quarterback and the Tiger football team. The new additions to the Tigers and the hard work in the offseason should provide a great season for the Tigers. Having the quick attacking spread offense and the stopping defense the Tigers should be able to have a winning season.

Protect the passer: Lees Summit offense attempts to protect quarterback Corbin Berkstresser

photo by Karlie Swan by Luke Jarnevic

JLABMAG.COM 33

Kicking off Team gears up for winning season

It was a Monday night, the first soccer game of the season. Freshly mowed grass, the feel of soft, silk jerseys on their backs. The team was ready and running out onto the field with excitement. The result of the first game was a win, against Shawnee Misson. The final score was 4-2. The team was ecstatic. What a way to start off the season. Lately this years soccer team has been the talk of the school. LSHS has high hopes for our energetic team, as well do the soccer players. Senior Travis Ruble, Kyle Tunison, and Joey Wood all agree that the team has amazing chemistry and plan to do well this season. “Everyone gets along well and hangs out all the time outside of

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being on the field.” returning senior Joey Wood tells us. After having to sit out for three weeks because of a thumb injory, Wood is very excited to get back to the field. The boys describe themselves as ‘The most spirited team in the school’. They are all big supporters of our football team and love going to the games to keep the crowd big and loud. No matter where the game might be, you can always find the soccer team there. The team talks about how the coaches keep the team going. Even though the practices are full of hard work, and grueling 6 a.m. practices, they are greatly appreciated and talked highly of by the team. “The coaches Wiebenga and Byrne are really good at what they do and all the things they say are so funny. So everyone has a good time” senior Travis Ruble said. With 14 returning seniors the team

Soccer. Senior Jeff Grote competes in a varsity soccer match

is excited for a great season. “Our big rivals this year will most likely be Lees Summit North and Lees Summit West. I think we have a pretty good chance of beating them.” senior Kyle Tunison said. So be sure to come out and support our Lee’s Summit boys soccer team! by Jordan Burh photo by Karlie swan.

Co-ed Soccer

Students compete with friends in co-ed LSSA league Senior Taylor Ortbals is dribbling down the field on a breakaway, but then he has to stop. He is just standing at the top of the box waiting, with no one on him, and no one pressuring him. He wants to shoot but can’t, not until a girl touches the ball that is. “A girl has to touch the ball in the offensive half before a team can score,” Ortbals said about his co-ed soccer team. The league he plays in is at Legacy Park. The team consists of about ten members. There are five players on the field at a

time, at least one has to be a girl, plus a goalie. “My dad is the coach, but not really. He does it for fun, and runs the drills at practice,” Ortbals said. Practices are twice a week, wherever a coach can find a place to practice. Practices are fun. We scrimmage a lot, and do some drills. Circle of Friends is drill in which we just sit around and talk. It’s fun,” Ortbals said. The 25-minute half games are every Saturday afternoon at Legacy. Rules that are different from high school soccer include that there

are no throw-ins. Instead, there are kick-ins and all free kicks are indirect except penalty kicks. “We play eight regular season games, and then a tournament at the end of the season,” Ortbal said. The league consists of six teams, put together through a draft. “My friend Jason and I wanted to be together. You can request to be with a few friends, but then teams are drafted from there. My mom drafted our team,” Ortbals said. The league is through Lee’s Summit Soccer Association, also known as LSSA. “I like this league, it is fun, and there is not a lot of pressure like other teams I

Dribble. Senior Taylor Ortbals practices for his LSSA soccer team, a league consisting of six teams

have played on. I really enjoy playing,” Ortbals said.

by Sarah Kensinger photo by Bradley Roberts

Behind Soccer

Seniors bring big advantages to varsity soccer. With numerous well-experienced, returning varsity players, the Tiger’s soccer team is in high hopes for a winning season. “We have 14 returning players, and over half of them are seniors,” head coach David Wiebenga said, “which gives us an advantage over all the other teams because our players are used to how each one of them manipulates the ball.” Having an older, mature team gives the team a bigger dominance over their competition rather than having an inexperienced team. It also builds team chemistry out on the field, which can lead to a better understanding of each individual. “Everyone knows each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” Evan

Bailey commented about the team’s chemistry, “and we all know what we’re supposed to do on the field.” With a record of 3-1, the Tiger’s definitely know what they’re doing. Yet, even with all the advantages the team has, there is still room for improvement. “We still need to improve our tackling and consistency,” Nathaniel Reed said, “but we’ve worked on taking possession of the ball.” Wiebenga and Bailey both agree the team needs to improve consistency throughout the game. In one half, the player’s are consistent with their skills, but, in the other half, they tend to lose the control. In each game, though, the Tiger’s are committed to giving all they have and never giving

Kicking It. Senior Corey Gaunt competes in a varsity soccer game, fighting to protect the team’s impressive record

up. With the experienced seniors returning to the varsity team this year, the Tiger’s are on their way to a winning season.

by Erin Rottinghaus. photo by Karlie Swan

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We Got Spirit

Students get pumped up at the fall sports pep assembly

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1. Senior Brandon Brockman, dressed as a muscle man, shows off as he parades down the runway. 2. Sophomores Christina Jones and Cullen Duke participated in the Macy’s fashion show wearing clothes exclusively from Macy’s. 3. Junior Max Gratton struts down the runway dressed as a girly cheerleader. 4. Senior Courtney Lauderback attempts to dodge balls while dressed up as the Tiger’s rival, the Blue Jays. 5. Senior Tylar Polson leads a victory chant with the other cheerleaders. 6. Seniors Aaron Kolarik and McKinley Duke pose for the crowd as they walk down the runway during the Macy’s fashion show.

photos by Michael Bushur design by Taylor Rice