2009-10 Issue 1

Spark Lakota East High School October 22, 2009 $3 Newsstand

battle for lakota – school board candidates speak out The great health care reform debate visits Cincinnati the “black beauty” of the produce section – eggplant recipes and more

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

a look inside the real world of vitamins, organic food and diets

CONTENTS news

This Issue: The Food Issue

44

12

GRADING SCALE After much discussion, the Lakota School Board implemented a new 10-point scale.

16

CONEY ISLAND Union members and reformists attended Obama’s local health care speech on Sept. 7.

lifestyle

24 EAST’S MENU MODIFICATION

Anna Hartman addresses the causes of the new, healthier menu and vending options in East’s cafeteria and hallways.

sports

27 RESULTS NOT TYPICAL

28 AMERICAN FOOD CRISIS 29 DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

STATION ROAD Station Road Farm owner Steve Binder reveals the hardships faced as a local farmer.

ENTERTRAINMENT Bill Balfour showcases the various exhibits of Ohio’s Best Family Entertainment Center.

Reb Vachon interviews East junior Emily Cottingham and her mother regarding their recent dietary changes, including a new means of being healthier - Acai berry capsules.

Allison Korson and Kaity Conner question organic store owners about monetary differences as well as beneficial variances between organic and non-organic foods in the U.S.

34

entertainment

Amanda Kaine explores why dietary supplements may not always benefit those who consume them on a regular basis.

30 GUMBALL GLUTTONY

Lisa Liu visually shows the necessary daily calorie intakes for various age groups, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture and International Food Information Council.

47

GIRLS’ TENNIS Varsity tennis players comment on their near-perfect season and team bonding.

48

FRESH FACES Varsity volleyball team member Ashley Evans is considered a go-to player by teammates.

3 | Spark | October 22, 2009

We Now Deliver!

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We make our dough daily from scratch and cook our own sauces. We blend our own salad dressings and hand bread our chicken and eggplant. The dishes that we make are not made ahead, but made to order.

Spark Kevin Li, Dana Sand Editor-in-Chief Sally Ryan Business Manager Radhika Madhavan Design Manager Caroline Tompkins Photo Manager Tyler Castner, Anna Hartman Managing Editor Amanda Kaine Copy Director Katrina Echternacht Layout Director Lauren Ellis, Dan Garrett, Victoria Liang Entertainment Editor Alyssa Davis, Kim Shearer Feature Editor Meredith Bleuer, Liv Devitt Lifestyle Editor Jill Bange, Ariadne Souroutzidis, Kavya Sreevalsan News Editor Ryan Fay, Lisa Liu, Nitya Sreevalsan Opinion Editor Justine Chu, Mason Hood, Lucy Stephenson Package Editor Sarah Fanning, Faiz Siddiqui, Sarah Wilkinson Sports Editor Brian Baltis, Logan Schneider, Heidi Yang, Sarah Zins Art Section Editor Eric Muenchen, Dan Turner Photo Section Editor Sarah Craig Business Associate Allison Korson, Mackenzie White Public Relations Director Anjana Jagpal Public Relations Associate Erika Andler Subscriptions Coordinator Brittany Bennett Survey Coordinator Eric Bloomberg Webmaster Spark is a publication that is produced at Lakota East High School. The magazine is completely studentgenerated through the efforts of the Journalism I, Journalism II and Journalism III-Honors classes. The publication material may not always reflect the views of the Lakota Local School District. Content is controlled and edited by the staff editors. The staff will publish only legally protected speech adhering to the legal definitions of libel, obscenity and the invasions of privacy.

The publication is produced every five weeks.

Production costs are covered through advertising sales, subscription sales and fundraisers. Advertising information can be obtained by writing to the business manager at the address below or at sparkbusiness@gmail.com.

The purpose of Spark is to inform the students, faculty, subscribers and community members of news, information and issues that may influence or affect them.

Spark accepts news releases, guest columns and sports information releases.

Spark is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association, the Ohio Scholastic Media Association, the Northeastern Ohio Scholastic Press Association, the Journalism Education Association, Quill and Scroll and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

Spark c/o Lakota East High School 6840 Lakota Lane Liberty Township, OH 45044 Phone: (513) 759-8615 ext 15118 Fax: (513) 759-8633 Email: lehs.spark@gmail.com

From The Editor When I first heard that the Cookie Monster had joined the side of healthy eating, I knew it was just the beginning.

To the dismay of many students, East has substituted regular pop with diet pop, provided 10calorie Vitamin Water in lieu of sugary juices and replaced fried chips with baked chips.

These changes parallel the new federal laws concerning the desperate state of American health.

On Sept. 1, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Team Nutrition Training Grants for a total of approximately $5.8 million across 18 states.

Ohio, one of the 18 states, will be receiving $226,461 “for supporting the implementation of United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) nutrition requirements and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans in school meals,” according to teamnutrition.usda.gov.

“Improving the overall health and well-being of America’s children is a top priority of the Obama Administration as we work to confront the obesity epidemic,” Vilsack says.

But the issue isn’t just providing healthy food – it’s convincing students to eat it. New York City public schools chef Jorge Collazo seems to have successfully convinced more than a million kids to eat a healthy, school-provided lunch.

“We don’t say, ‘Eat this. It’s healthy for you.’ That’s probably the worst thing you can do,” Collazo explains. “We want to make it invisible to them.” And he successfully did so by “weaning” students off of high fat foods rather than distressing them with a bombardment of changes. For instance, he phased in wheat bread sandwiches one slice of bread at a time.

This idea is the key to successfully altering the lifestyles of students, which is a necessity considering students who eat a healthy, well-balanced diet have been proven to perform better in school. Yet, according to the USDA, only two percent of youth meet all the recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid. In order to make a real impact, East needs to alter not only the food offered but also the mindset of the students.

This issue also goes beyond the school setting. In recent years, Americans have begun to pay closer attention to their health. In 2008, 28.7 percent of Ohioans were obese, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimates that two-thirds of all American adults are on a diet at any given time but that only five percent keep the weight off. And the amount of organic food bought in the U.S. is estimated to be $1.11 billion in 2011, an increase of 70 percent from 2006, according to Michigan State University.

This new obsession was exemplified in July, when a Dearborn County woman sued Applebee’s after discovering that the Cajun Lime Tilapia dish on the Weight Watchers portion of their menu claimed to have fewer calories, less fat and fewer “points” than in actuality. And she wasn’t the only one. She combined forces with a distraught Kansas citizen to sue the restaurant chain on charges of “fraud and negligence, as well as a conspiracy to conceal the accurate nutritional information from consumers.”

While this suit was a little drastic, it did serve a vital message to Americans: even following the numbers and labels may not be as helpful as one may think.

Therefore, Spark has taken this opportunity to explore food offered at East, as well as U.S. diets, organic food and dietary supplements to see if they really give consumers the benefits they desire. Dieticians, organic food growers, USDA workers and community members not only discuss society’s false assumptions regarding these topics, but also divulge the widely-overlooked truths.

“East needs to alter not only the food offered, but also the mindset of the students.”

5 | Spark | October 22, 2009

6 | Spark | October 22, 2009

opinion | letters

Dear Spark, Healthcare, the single most heated topic of this year, is actually quite an easy topic to handle.

The problem is that people aren’t stopping to think about what is best for everyone. Instead, they are looking to see what would be most advantageous for themselves. Although it is understandable for people to act in this manner, I do not feel that this is the best way to approach the situation.

Liberals are taking this topic out of hand by not taking into consideration the input from the American people, or even the other members of the political spectrum.

Conservatives are also taking it out of hand by being disruptive in the process instead of trying to offer an alternative or solutions to the problems plaguing the current proposal.

This letter isn’t even about health care – it’s about the state of our nation’s government.

We’ve begun drawing the lines between parties by throwing any notion of bi-partisanship out the window. Whatever happened to the notion of unity following Sept. 11, or even before Sept.

11?

We have come to an extremely sad point in our history where we have forgotten that the fathers of this country wanted us to form a more perfect union of collaboration and cooporation, not a corrupted division of choas and separation.

—Daniel Tait, East senior Dear Spark, Here’s a good idea: in order to encourage students to participate in more after school activities, charge them for it!

This school year, a ten-dollar “club card” is required in order to join any club at East. The purchase of the card doesn’t waive club fees, it just adds to the charm.

The decision to make profit off of students for joining clubs is a ruthless act. It not only succeeds in alienating new students and deterring a lot of interest in East clubs, but also provides students with a new option: spending their

Forum the quality of Spark. And most of all, I look forward to reading this year’s issues.

—Cindy Shearer, East parent Dear Spark, I was one of the few parents that attended “Mr. Lakota East” last night. I truly enjoyed the event. I haven’t laughed that much in a while!

It reminded me of my high school “Follies”… nothing serious, just a lot of fun! Our kid’s lives are so full and seriously competitive these days, it was good to sit back and laugh with them… and at them (what good sports!) The audience was a crowd of fun-loving, respectful students.

If you missed it this year, you’ve got to attend next year! Great job to the student organizers, participants, and faculty! Good memories were made last night! Great job to the student Spark organizers, participants and faculty!

—Terri Ryan, East parent money in exchange for a shiny new card that will allow them to really go to places—places that, last year, could only be navigated for free.

This shameless ploy isn’t alone; higher prices of many snack and food items in the cafeteria have not gone unnoticed by the student population (and neither has the mysterious disappearance of the Otis Spunkenmeyer muffins).

So where exactly does our money go? All I know is, before I join any clubs this year, I am going to need to hear the real reason the administration finds it necessary for me to dish out extra bucks I could be spending on the new, over-priced and low-quality blueberry muffins.

—Emily Baumgardner, East senior Dear Spark, I would like to congratulate the entire Spark staff for the good job they do on all aspects of every issue. It is obvious that a lot of time and effort goes into the planning and creative process. I know people that live outside of the Lakota School District that are impressed with

Got Something To Say? The Spark, which provides an open forum for students, faculty, subscribers and community members, encourages letters to the editor. Letters can be sent to the publication at the address below or dropped off in the journalism classroom (room 118). Letters must be signed, and the staff reserves the right to edit letters for length, grammar, invasion of privacy, obscenity or potential libel. The Opinion Editors will contact letter writers for confirmation.

Spark c/o Lakota East High School 6840 Lakota Lane Room 118 attn: Opinion Editor Liberty Township, OH 45044 Phone: (513) 759-8615 ext 15118 Fax: (513) 759-8633 Email: lehs.spark.opinion@gmail.com

Spark Notes This March 1998 issue of Spark discussed television. Rachel Kipp reviewed the spring television lineup, giving her take on such shows as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 7th Heaven and Dawson’s Creek. This issue also told the story of Jack Weston, an East senior who transferred from West, who was also one of East’s biggest fans.

The sports section also had a story on siblings Jeremy and Jamie Hilen, both of whom played basketball and soccer. Columnist Sunil Hari described the process of the Neilsen ratings in the late nineties. Spark also talked about the new television music station MTV and explored how video really did kill the radio star.

7 | Spark | October 22, 2009

news | world map

NEWSWIRE

Mexico City, Mexico

Samso, Denmark

[Oct. 7] Six months following the discovery of the H1N1 virus strain, Mexico’s death toll has reached 245 citizens, nearly six percent of total H1N1 fatalities.

[Sept. 29] Danish conservationists have successfully completed a 10-year project to install wind turbines on the small island of Samso.

Kabul, Afghanistan

Galapagos, Ecuador

[Oct. 7] The Egyptian antiquities department has decided to cut ties with the Louvre Museum because it has refused to return what the Egyptians say are stolen artifacts.

China

[Oct. 6] Recent reports indicate that China will be able to reduce their emissions much faster than commonly assumed.

information – www.nytimes.com

234205094539284723984703 923904878975912385712390 857129038572395781395875 239841653395872384589234 589469045548946551231567 489874461354897685452135 498798745645213165489798 8 | Spark | October 22, 2009 746543215456878474158524

FACE VALUE

120

number of cosponsors of the Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act of 2009

►

15

miles of train track that visitors follow on their visit to Entertrainment Junction

infographic kevin li and tyler castner

[Oct. 4] Due to overpopulation threatening the fragile Archipelago ecosystem, Ecuadorean officials were forced to expel more than 1,000 citizens with more expulsions expected.

Cairo, Egypt

[Oct. 8] A car packed with explosives blew up beside the Indian Embassy, leaving more than 12 dead in what India’s foreign secretary said was a direct attack on the embassy compound, the second in two years.

President Addresses Education story sarah craig

President Barack Obama directly addressed the nation’s student body on Sept.

8, but according to East Principal Dr. Keith Kline, only 30 students at East heard the speech in class that day.

The Lakota district allowed teachers to show Obama’s speech during class if certain criteria were fulfilled within a two-day time period. The criteria included a request form to be submitted by the teacher claiming the speech included material that was supplemental to the curriculum. In addition, the teacher had to send a letter to each student’s parents asking them to sign a waiver that would confirm that their student either had permission to view the speech or that their student would choose not to watch.

Although he was not the only teacher who originally requested to watch the speech, English teacher Dave Honhart was the only teacher at East who requested and returned all signed forms needed to watch the speech live in his fifth period sophomore English class.

“I think as a district, we made a mountain out of a mole hill,” Honhart commented. “The speech was about how students should achieve to their highest potential; is that not our mission statement?”

However, according to Lakota Superintendent Mike Taylor the decision was made based on precedence, rather than a political standpoint.

In the past, Lakota has “never aired or mandated any type of showing of any type of presidential speech, [but] left it up the discussion of individual teachers and that is exactly what was done this time as well,” Taylor said.

Kline added that the speech was made available on video in the media center.

Anyone who wanted to watch it that had not gotten the opportunity in class could do so. However, Lakota was allowed to review the video before showing it.

“It was important, I felt, for us to respect a wide range of different opinions and needs of the parents and community when looking at President Obama’s speech,” said Taylor on the showing of the speech in the media center.

The choice to not mandate the speech, however, was unpopular with some parents and students.

“My understanding of democracy is to carry out the will of the majority, while protecting the rights of the minority. And I feel like my child’s rights were violated in this case,” said Lakota parent Barb Mackey.

East junior Allison Wood, who watched the speech after the live address, said, “We are old enough to decide if we want to listen or not ourselves. If they can’t let us watch a speech directly addressed to us from our president, there is a problem.”

Mackey compared Obama’s speech to Lakota’s reaction when George W. Bush came to West Chester in 2004. The district had a two-hour early release for this event and also provided transportation for certain honors classes that were invited to Voice of America Park (VOA) to hear the speech. Teachers who had students invited to the speech were required to have waivers and permission forms, similar to the ones required to show Obama’s speech, that gave students the choice to travel to VOA to hear the speech.

Although many Lakota students and parents compared this past situation to the current one, the cause for early dismissal was not to favor a political party or to encourage students to attend the speech but to ameliorate transportation issues.

According to Lakota School Board President Jamie Green, “The district really was forced to shut the district down about two hours early in order to be able to transport all of our 18,000 students home productively.” n

47

millions of people in the United States of America who do not currently have health insurance

5

number of candidates running for three seats on the Lakota Board of Education

►

“[When] I got a Nintendo 64, one of the games I had was Mario tennis, so then I asked my parents to get me started in tennis.”

—East junior Akash Umakantha on his jumpstart to tennis (page 19)

“[Working at Smoothie King] was so eye-opening because all of their smoothies have medicinal purposes, and it’s a really easy way to become healthier.”

—East junior Emily Cottingham on how she discovered the Acai berry (page 22)

“All three teams will be very competitive – at a minimum, all three teams will be .500.”

—Girls’ Basketball Coach Nikki Drew on the girls’ basketball teams (page 47)

“Four hours of utter boredom is not the right way to instruct teenagers what and what not to do while driving.”

—East junior Nitya Sreevalsan on driving education (page 56)

250

thousands of dollars that have been cut in 2009 from the East athletics budget

9 | Spark | October 22, 2009

news | district news

Staying Out of the Red With tough economic times impacting the community, the Lakota Local School district reevaluates their budget to ensure that the money is being spent as efficiently as possible. story alyssa davis

L

akota expects to see a $9 million deficit by the end of the 2010 fiscal year because of the current state of the economy and loss of expected state revenue.

“Not only are we trying to reduce our expenditures, but at the same time, we’re battling a loss of state revenue,” said Lakota Treasurer Craig Jones. “That is driving the need for another property tax.”

With the current state of the economy, the treasurer and Board of Education have paid special attention to district expenditures as they refine and revise the budget for upcoming years.

The intent of the budget revisions is to cut costs while maintaining the current level of education in Lakota.

“Right now, we are still meeting our targeted class sizes,” said Jones.

Yet, the district is trying to not put people out of jobs by using attrition – not replacing teachers when someone of the staff leaves.

During the past year, Lakota has reduced the staff by 27 members, four of which were assistant principals. The remaining assistant principals will share multiple schools at the elementary and junior school levels.

In addition to administration cut backs, funds for athletics and extracurricular activities have been cut back by $400,000.

According to East Athletic Director Richard Bryant, the athletic budget cuts totaled $250,000 for this year, after a 15 percent reduction in each sport’s budget and a $20 increase in athletic fees.

An additional $150,000 was cut from other school activities such as extracurricular activities and clubs.

“We realigned the supplemental contracts

in terms of the pay structure and how many hours they actually are required to work,” said Jones of the club leaders and administrators.

“Elementary band and music were realigned; there were savings there.”

Lakota has also saved $1.3 million in the transportation budget by removing 20 buses from the circuits. Currently, the transportation budget is 10 percent of the total budget.

After reviewing the entire budget, a total of $7 million has been saved. Not all of it, however, was in cuts.

“Some of it we reallocated to stimulus fund – those were federal dollars that came from the federal government that have to be used for specific purposes,” said Jones. “The actual cuts were at a little over $4 million.”

East Principal Dr. Keith Kline said that the department chairs were asked to be cautious with their expenditures for the year.

“If there are things we [need], let’s make sure we have that first,” said Kline. “Having the budget under the microscope has really caused us to be conservative about what we are spending.”

In order to get the best “bang for its buck,” all of East’s proposed purchases for this year had to first be approved, according to Kline. “[The budget was] taken to the Central Office so that they can make sure that needs are being met and that one building or one department is not eating up too many resources,” said Kline.

The district is also receiving grant dollars from the state. According to Jones, the board is trying to use all donations and contributions possible, like a state fiscal stabilization grant.

One such grant is the IDEA grant, which came from the Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act. The act is geared to help children and youth with disabilities by supplying leadership and financial support to schools.

Along with these grants, Lakota was supposed to receive $850 million from video lottery terminals, or slot machines, at horse races.

However, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled must be approved by a referendum which is likely to be on the November 2010 ballot.

“The revenue from those video lottery terminals was supposed to go to education. The state is going to have to look at other ways to replace that revenue,” said Jones.

According to Jones, Lakota could potentially lose $11.5 million over the next two years.

“What [Gov. Strickland] proposed was to postpone the 4.2 percent state income tax reduction that got passed in 2004,” said Jones.

The state legislature will have to vote on the issue to approve the postponement.

The money would have been decided on by the board, who make adjustments to the budget on a regular basis to keep the district on track.

“The budget changes every month, not materially, but depending on the priorities and things [that sometime change] in the schools.”

He admits that Lakota has a challenge ahead, but is working on running the district efficiently.

“We’re committed to continuing the excellent education provided in Lakota,” said Jones.

“These are really difficult times, especially with the economy the way that it is.”

In order to do so, Lakota must have its teachers.

“We are looking at ways to really save jobs.

That is really important to us; we don’t want people out on the streets,” said Jones. n

around the school

Junior Nicole Eiser and senior Katrina Echternacht dress up for Spirit Week as Minnie Mouse and Dopey from Snow White, respectively. The spirit days, chosen by East Student Activity Committees in Action (SACA), preceded the game against Middletown High School on Oct. 9. At the game, Echternacht and Noah Buettgen were crowned Homecoming King and Queen.

10 | Spark | October 22, 2009

Senior Nick Sabatalo participates in the dedication of the new football turf. Money for the turf was donated by Atrium Medical Center who will pay $48,500 each year for the next 20 years. The rest of the money will be provided by the Friends Invested In Enhancing Lakota District Stadiums (FIELDS) group formed by members of the community.

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The Lakota Local School Board from left: Craig Jones, Paul Lohr and Joan Powell.

news | grading scale

After years of consideration, the Lakota School Board has reached a final decision on the grading scale and

CHANGED story kavya sreevalsan | infographic jeff cargill | photo eric muenchen For the 2009-10 school year, the Lakota Local School district adapted a 10-point grading scale and is currently modifying current grading policies.

The grading scale discussion has been ongoing since 2004. There was a significant amount of research that occurred before Superintendent Mike Taylor was able to make his recommendation to the Board of Education.

“We surveyed students, teachers and parents to get input from our stakeholders. We contacted colleges and universities and talked about the impact that the grading scale had on admission practices. We contacted school districts from around the area that are similar to Lakota and did a comparison of what grading scales are

being used throughout the state of Ohio,” said Assistant Superintendent Spurlock who facilitated the grading scale committee. “We looked at district data in regards to the average grade point average (GPA) at Lakota. We looked at how some of the GPAs of some [students who] are [now freshmen] in colleges and how they were doing. The research was pretty comprehensive.”

This research showed that colleges and universities factored extracurricular activities, SAT Reasoning Test and ACT test scores, and the rigor of the coursework more so than the grading scale used at an applicant’s high school.

It was also found, however, that a 10-point grading scale may be beneficial to students when

they apply for scholarships because many are based upon GPA. Nevertheless, the opportunity for students to earn scholarships was not the only reasoning behind changing the grading scale. “[It is] equally as important to look at kids who are struggling and how our grading scale, our assessments and discipline affect those students,” said Lakota Board of Education President Jamie Green.

In addition to changing the grading scale, the board is also changing grading policies.

“Everybody calls it the grading scale change but really what we did was adopt a new policy not only on grading, but also a new policy on reporting student process,” said Vice President

10 Years in the Making

Scale before 2009 A+ 99%-100% A 93%-98% B+ 91%-92% B 85%-90%

C+ 83%-84% C 77%-82% D+ 75%-76% D 70%-74%

12 | Spark | October 22, 2009

2004-2005

District Teaching and Learning Committee evaluates the scale (no recommendation is made)

December 4, 2007

Parent, teacher, student grading scale survey is conducted

2007-2008

Grading Scale Committee is developed to study the effectiveness of existing scale

of the Lakota Board of Education Joan Powell.

These policies include guidelines on late work, extra credit, plagiarism and prevention of the zero effect.

The zero effect occurs when a student receives a zero for an assignment.

If the next grade they acquire is a 100, the average of the two grades is a 50, still an F. In that regard, a minimum percentage would give a student an opportunity to redeem themselves.

“I’m not sure what the minimum percentage will be, but that [is] another part of the guidelines that still need to be developed,” said Spurlock.

Many seniors are concerned with how the change in the grading scale will affect their high school transcripts.

“I just hope colleges won’t think less of my potential due to the grades I get because of the new grading scale,” said senior Ashley Howard.

The district has acknowledged this concern and will include the grading scale change as a part of the transcript school profile section.

The grading scale has sparked much controversy throughout the district. According to East Principal Dr. Keith Kline, there were vehement opinions on both sides of the issue.

“There were people who felt very strongly that we should go to a ten point grading scale because that is what was fair for our kids as it related to other kids in other districts,” said Kline. “There were also people who were very adamant that we should maintain the 93 to 100 scale because that was about academic rigor.”

East parents David and Vera Flick are steadfastly opposed to the ten point scale.

“It doesn’t reward the kids who actually put effort in school. And when kids who don’t care get into the real world, [they will find that] life isn’t easy. You have to earn what you get. There are only so many McDonald’s,” said Vera Flick.

Other parents are for the grading scale because they believe it puts their child on a level playing field with students from other districts

“

You have to earn what you get.

There are only so many McDonald’s.

April 27, 2009

Grading scale presentation; recommendation for new scale given to the Board of Education

June 8, 2009

like Mason that already had a 10-point scale.

However, these parents often fail to realize that a 92 in Lakota is different than a 92 in Mason.

“There are many ways that teachers, in assessing students, will have some flexibility when grading students and there is always some subjectivity to assessing st udent performance,” said Powell. If a teacher was thinking of a 92 as being a high B, that student may have an 89 under a 10-point grading system.”

Lakota Board member Jeff Rubenstein is against the change in the grading scale change because he believes that any grading scale skews the reality of student achievement.

“Expanding the scale to let somebody pass with 10 points less of achievement is problematic,” said Rubenstein.

Many students have mixed feelings about the new scale.

“I don’t like the grading scale because it gives kids a reason to slack off, but I like it because if I get a grade that used to be a C it’s now a B. It’s a nice surprise to have a higher grade than you’re used to,” said senior Courtney Swiat.

AP Statistics and College Prep Geometry teacher Stephen Orlando disagrees. He says he has not witnessed students slacking off because of the new grading scale.

“The current system just makes it easier for people to remember what’s what. An A is an A whether you call it a 93 or a 90,” said Orlando.

While it may be easier to remember, the new grading scale will still take some time to adjust.

According to AP and Honors Physics teacher Sandee Coats-Haan, “It was hard to put stickers on tests with 90s but I did it.” n

July 13, 2009

Board of Education approves new grading scale

Second grading scale presentation; another recommendation made to the Board of Education

EAST STUDENTS RESPOND “At first I wasn’t a big fan of it because it gives more benefits to people who might not work as hard, but I’m not going to lie, it’s nice to have an ‘A’ in calculus.”

—Theresa Peterson East senior

“Since it’s my senior year, I would have preferred it to stay the same, especially since now A+s aren’t worth as much.”

—Kerrianne Morrison East senior

“I do like having a little more error room, but I also feel that it makes students not try as hard as they did in the past.”

—Elizabeth Krach East senior

“The new grading scale is great. It makes my grades a lot better and I’m happy about it.”

—Taylor Daniel East junior

“The new grading scale has made my grades on Edline looks much better for my parents and if they’re happy, I’m happy.”

—Jake Sepela East sophomore

New Scale for 2009-10 School Year A+ 97%-100% A 93%-96% A- 90%-92% B+ 87%-89%

B 83%-86% B- 80%-82% C+ 77%-79% C 73%-76%

C- 70%-72% D+ 67%-69% D 63%-66% D- 60%-62%

13 | Spark | October 22, 2009

news | board of education

Sounding off

C

andidates for the upcoming school board election attended Spark’s Meet the Candidate Forum on Oct. 5 at East. All five of the candidates running for three open spots were present to discuss their platforms before the election on Nov. 3.

President Jamie Green, Vice President Joan Powell and member Jeff Rubenstein’s positions are open on the Lakota School Board. Both Green and Powell are running, along with Doug Cooper, Ray Murray, and Ben Dibble; Rubenstein chose not to run for reelection this year.

Candidates answered questions regarding district budget cuts as a result of Gov. Strickland’s educational plan. The collective opinion was that the $9 million projected deficit for next school year could not be funded with one cut. Instead, candidates agreed that many smaller cuts would result from analyzing all areas of spending.

“We need to have a levy and look at every single cost in this district from our union contract to busing contracts. Our community is going to have to help us solve that problem,” said Green.

In fact, a primary concern of the candidates was the lack of community support for a levy, which would be on a ballot in the next year.

According to Cooper, “showing the community what they are currently paying for,” would increase support, especially when levies are difficult to pass in the current economy.

Another aspect of Gov. Stickland’s plan is the replacement of the Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT) with the ACT. The candidates were split on this issue.

“We have to ask: do standardized tests really give us what we want out of our education?” said Powell. “They do not assess creativity, innovation or critical thinking.”

In addition, the candidates commented on possible curriculum changes, such as enhancing credit flexibility and duel credit. These programs allow students to earn high school credit through internships or other extra curricular activities, rather than by taking a typical course at school.

“Learning happens throughout your entire life, not just in a classroom. Students can gain just as much experience [through credit flexibility] as they could in a high school course,” said Dibble.

While each individual candidate brought a differing set of goals and perspectives for the changing school board, at the end of the night they shared a common interest in bettering overall education for the district.

“My message is not to the adults in the audience – it is to the kids,” said Murray. “If you get nothing else out of this [forum, learn to] take responsibility for your education.” n

14 | Spark | October 22, 2009

Spark panel members interviewed Lakota school board candidates in a panel discussion on Oct. 5.

“I want to combine my passion with my talent and keep Lakota excellent.”

—Associate Director of Purchasing & Supply Chain

DOUG COOPER

—Graduated in the top 1% from Indiana University School of Business —Parent of two future Lakota children

Budget Cuts: We should first negotiate with third party service providers for better rates; peeling back the onion until both find the best long term value. We should also reevaluate how money is spent.

Levy: I’m not sure a levy would pass in this economic environment next year. We need to start with transparency; showing the community what they pay for to gain levy support.

ACT Mandate: If ACTs become required, somehow we’ll find the money. But if you’re not willing to pay $47 out of pocket, then you’re dead in the water.

Credit Flexibility: I favor the concept only if it is supported by the parents; the situation has an easy target for people who believe we won’t teach the fundamentals in education.

“I am involved in Lakota’s community to provide an education for every student with the best possible value to our community.”

Ben Dibble

—Computer Programmer —B.A. in Economics; University of Connecticut —One Lakota child; one Lakota graduate —Co-founder, CPAL; President Elect, Lakota Optimist Club

Budget Cuts: There is not a magic wand solution. A cut this significant has to come from all areas, but the priority is to keep the teachers in the classroom.

Levy: Gaining support for the levy is a matter of getting information our to the community and getting them invested in the final result of what they want at the end of their education.

ACT Mandate: I don’t believe the ACT is the best way to measure high school success, but it’s better than the OGT because it puts us on a measure with the entire nation.

Credit Flexibility: Learning happens for your entire life, not just in a classroom. I’d like to see a pass/fail option for some electives that students would enjoy, without that grade affecting their cumulative.

on education “This district is on the right track. Collaboration with the community, administration, and teachers is the key to continued success.”

—

JAMIE GREEN

— —Two Lakota children, two Lakota graduates —

Budget Cuts: Lakota has to make up a $11 million hole. That’s not one cut, like bussing. We need a levy and a second look at every single cost in our district.

Levy: It’s a push and pull situation; we need to arm our community with information about how levies work while listening to the community’s opinion of cost-cutting methods.

ACT Mandate: I have a daughter with special needs, so this is always a sore spot for me. She’s neither qualifies for a special test nor can she be successful on the standard test. This system is going to catch up with all school districts on the state report card.

Credit Flexibility: It’s a great idea long overdue; a wide variety of skills don’t need a class to be demonstrated.

“I represent you as a common candidate who knows what it is like to scrap for a living .”

RAY MURRAY

—Manages hotels in the area with A-1 Hospitality —B.A. in Sociology; Huron College —Two Lakota children, two Lakota graduates —ODE Parent Advisory Council

Budget Cuts: I can’t tell you all that’s going to be cut, but I would cut things that least impact the classroom, and I wouldn’t cut the curriculum specialists; they make the teachers’ jobs easier.

Levy: We may need smaller levies; that may mean more levies.

We should explain this concept to the community and keep them informed of all levy aspects.

ACT Mandate: I think it’s a great idea; the hybrid test will give kids the idea they can make it in college.

Credit Flexibility: We need to expand on it; only five percent of the kids take advantage of it right now because some administrators are a little nervous that you will not have learned what is on the assessment test.

“The challenge is seeing the cup as half full in order to perceive an opportunity to make some overdue changes.”

JOAN POWELL

—Realtor; Huff Realty —B.S. in Engineering; Vanderbilt University —Two grown children —Butler Tech Board of Education member

Budget Cuts: My goal is to meet the community’s priorities. There is no simple answer, but almost anything we cut will impact the classroom.

Levy: We should find out what balloting issue the community would support the most, whether continuing levies or other long term options make the most sense.

ACT Mandate: Education has gone downhill since the focus on one size fits all tests, which don’t show creativity or innovation. I’m cynical when the state is mandating a test from a private, for-profit company.

Credit Flexibility: I’m in favor of experiential learning, but I think a Lakota transcript should show the difference, for example, between a normal course and one taken online.

THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS “I think the most important issue to focus on in our school is getting more high school credits [through credit flexibility]. Internships would be a great way for high school students to get a hands on experience even before college, which would put us a step ahead of where we are now.”

—Melissa Lower East junior

“Financial [issues] are most important to me, as far as what funding will come from the state of Ohio, and how we would control the budget in Lakota.”

—Jenny Vanden Eynden Lakota parent

“I strongly disagree with Strickland adding more school days. For one, we don’t have the money, and two, we already go to school longer than the minimum [days required by the state]. Teachers are scrambling to get in the curriculum and two days added each year wouldn’t get more accomplished.”

—Trevor Williams East junior

“When I am considering who to vote for, I look for somebody who has the students’ best interests at heart, and keeps academics the top priority and at the forefront of all decisions.”

—Mary Beiting Lakota parent

“I think we need leadership on coming up with effective, costsaving alternatives for financing and implementing the school programs.”

—William Razor community resident

15 | Spark | October 22, 2009

news | politics

The Race to Reform

President Obama outlined the proposed health care changes to Coney Island visitors in Cincinnati.

story faiz siddiqui | photos jeff cargill

T

housands of union members and reformists alike gathered at Coney Island for President Obama’s speech about health care reform and the status of the American Economy when the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) hosted its annual Labor Day picnic.

While the event’s crowd mostly consisted of AFL-CIO union members, several hundred Americans who lacked health insurance came out to show their support for the sitting president’s health care reform proposals. Signs displaying the simple message, “Health care can’t wait” flooded the pavilion. For the reformists, the president delivered.

“We’re building an America where health insurance reform delivers more stability and security to every American – the many who have insurance today and the millions who don’t,” President Obama said to an applauding crowd.

Among the uninsured was AFL-CIO member Jennifer Ball, who rallied for universal health care during the Clinton Presidency. Ball, a single mother of three, has been working part-time for four years and has been short of health care for seven.

For Ball, health care is not a luxury; it is a necessity.

“I have three children to take care of,” Ball said. “If I don’t get health insurance, who is going to take care of my children?”

Still, Ball is optimistic about the new

“

The system is broken and it’s his to fix.

Jennifer Ball lives without health care and went to the union picnic to show support for reform.

16 | Spark | October 22, 2009

administration’s intentions.

Tri-County Tea Party leader Dale Unroe “I have a really firm belief that [Obama] is organized the protest and stood by his group’s going to take care of what we need [him] to,” message. she said. “As far as health care issues and as far “We want to represent the voice of as getting our economy back to where it needs to Americans who want to maintain their liberties be, I have total faith in this man.” and reassure that future generations will still The president had no shortage of support at the event.

“The system is broken and it’s his to fix,” said Hamilton County resident Don Anderson. “I’m behind him 100 percent.”

Obama also addressed the country’s economic status.

He emphasized the point that work was left to be done, but the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act is putting Obama speaks to a supportive crowd about his plans to change health care. people in Ohio back to work. be able to make their own choices and the “Ohio, we’re on the road to recovery,” he government won’t be making all of their choices said. “But we’ve still got a long way to go. So we for them,” he said. will not rest; we will not let up.”

Unroe’s disapproval for the president’s However, not everybody at Coney Island policymaking grew even more when the on Labor Day had come out to support the president appointed a Czar of Manufacturing at president. Hundreds of protesters, mostly the event. members of the Tri-County Tea Party gathered “We want to say no to the czars,” he said. along Kellogg Avenue during the event. They “We introduced another czar. Enough is enough. marched down the sides of the bustling road Free market. Reduce taxation.” with homemade picket signs and preached their By the end of the long day of praise and message to those stuck in the traffic caused by protest, it was clear that both parties were not the rally. satisfied, and their work was cut out for them.

The signs displayed messages such as As one particular crowd member put it “Most “Government out, free market in!” Support for people think, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do, sit free market economics was a common theme down right here and be quiet.’ Well, no, that’s not among the protestors. how America works.” n

President Obama addresses Union workers at the AFL-CIO labor day picnic at Coney Island.

A man holds a sign outside of the labor day picnic to protest the health care plan.

The

Voice Republicans

of

story anjana jagpal photos dan turner

West Chester natives gather for the Tea Party Rally at Voice of America Park to show their opposition to government spending.

on the day of the rally, including Jason Rink, the Director of Education and Outreach for the Ohio Freedom Alliance. Mike Wilson, the founder of the Cincinnati Tea Party, also spoke about citizen involvement in politics.

People of all ages attended the protest from a little boy with a “Nobama” sign to a group of elderly people from the senior citizen home across the street.

Erica Pierce, a senior at Summit Country Day High School believes that Obama’s health care plan will affect her career path later on.

“I am in favor of private health care. People want different benefits and different things,” Pierce said. “With the new health care plan, I know that people will be waiting for assistance, and it won’t be as efficient. I don’t want to become a doctor knowing that I can’t help the ones who need help the most.” n

I don’t want to become a doctor knowing that I can’t help the ones who need help the most.

►

wallet and taking money out,” Donavan said.

The “I am the Voice of America Freedom Rally” was held in a large field filled with anti-Obama signs, various political booths and people sitting in lawn chairs. A variety of people attended the rally from citizens who were well informed to those who were not as educated on the issues.

“I am attending the rally for human rights.

They need to stop killing all those babies,” Toni Benford of College Hill said.

Pam Helscher of Springfield Mount Healthy discussed her disdain toward the current cap and trade (also called emissions trading) bill which proposes to control pollution by providing economic incentives to companies in exchange for reducing their emissions of pollutants.

“Cap and trade will increase the cost of industry, so we won’t be able to compete with other countries,” Helscher stated.

Lisa Morgeson was unhappy with what she believes are Obama’s false promises and therefore wanted to take a stand.

“I really think that the government needs to let capitalism work their plans out,” Morgeson said while holding a “Free markets not Free Loaders” sign.

“We are quickly drifting away from the principles our country was founded on,” Jeff Morgeson added A wide range of speakers spoke

“

O

n Sept. 5, 2009, 18,000 people filled Voice of America Park in West Chester for southwest Ohio’s Tea Party.

Followed by the freedom rally was a town hall meeting during which local politicians answered pre-selected questions. West Chester native John Boehner spoke on the credit crisis and got the protesters out of their seat, cheering Tea Party protests first started in order to oppose to the large amount of spending recently occurring at all levels of government.

The grassroots protest uses political activism in order to and limiting government to the United States. Their goal is to attain fiscal responsibility, advocate the reduction of spending limit the size of government and protect free markets.

Will Donavan of Summit Country Day High School felt contempt toward the omnibus bill, which is supposed to fund federal agencies for the remainder of the fiscal year. On March 19 the senate passed the $410 billion omnibus spending bill. “The stimulus bill and the omnibus bill are no different than going into my

Signs made by attendents of the Tea Party Rally show their opposition to Obama’s health care plans.

17 | Spark | October 22, 2009

feature | club feature

Bridging the Gap The Multicultural Club is an organization through which students learn about various racial backgrounds and create a sense of belonging story taylor patrick | photo rashma faroqui

T

hirteen years in Vietnam ended with fleeing the communist country for America’s freedom. This is the story of East junior Kim Nguyen.

Nguyen, along with her parents, moved to America on Oct. 16, 2006 with her father’s side of the family. Her mother’s side is still living in Communist Vietnam.

“We all realized that we had a great opportunity in front of us, like someone just opened the door and waited for us to come,” says Nguyen. “All we had to do was walk in.”

Nguyen’s adjustment to an unfamiliar culture was aided by East’s Multicultural Club. “[The] Multicultural Club helps all kids from

countries,” says East senior and Multicultural Club member Maria Garcia. “I saw so many unique things from all around the world.”

As a way to promote diversity, the Multicultural Club visited the “RACE: Are We So Different?” exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum.

According to club advisor Sandi Lerman, the exhibit made a significant impact on many of the group members.

A central message of the exhibit was that categories of race do not bind people, a message also reiterated in the Multicultural Club.

The group learned, for example, about Brazilian culture, where there are over 200 different names for the same race.

“Sometimes these race categories don’t even make sense. For example, one of the darkest skin colors might be called white, or the other way around,” Lerman says.

The exhibit also emphasized the idea that “everyone is the same,” an idea that Lerman holds as a foucs of the group.

This year, the Multicultural Club has brainstormed several initiatives that they want to pursue. Future goals include hosting an International Food Day and celebrating Chinese New Year as well as the customs and holidays of other cultures.

The Multicultural Club additionally plans to help fundraise for a project that includes building a bridge across Bethany Road. Not only would the bridge connect the East Freshman Campus to East’s main campus, eliminating the need for

“We all realized that we had a great opportunity in front of us.” all different countries around the world who are going to our school get together, get to know each other’s culture and feel comfortable to communicate,” says Nguyen, a second-year member of the club.

The Multicultural Club is a multipurpose organization – it allows students to gain a sense of belonging, make new friends, demonstrate tolerance for others and learn about different cultures.

In order to do so, the club members attend a variety of field trips.

“We went to a store where they sell different things made by hand by the people that live in different countries. Also, we had the chance to try different kinds of coffee from different

18 | Spark | October 22, 2009

a shuttle bus transportation between the two schools, but it would also represent a connection of people – the central promotion of the Multicultural Club.

“The bridge would represent the connection between many cultures,” says Lerman. “We are all the same and we can all work together.

I love seeing kids of all different backgrounds, ethnicities and racial groups come together for a common goal.”

The bridge is merely a physical manifestation of the networking and relationship – building the club plans to do this year.

“We are interested in doing some other kinds of less literal ‘bridge building’ this year in terms of reaching out between culture groups,” says Lerman.

The club uses team-building activities and games to enable club members to connect and grow socially. “[Last year] we played different games to get to know one another,” Garcia says.

The Multicultural Club has a positive impact on the students who look for both familiarization to a new culture and the chance to forge friendships with a variety of people.

Nguyen has used the club to do just that.

She was only one of the many anti-Communist Vietnamese that escaped to the United States.

Luckily for her, she found a club that helped her transition and become comfortable around others. “[Multicultural Club] is an enjoyable activity after school; it will affect your social life too. All people in this club are very nice and kind,” says Nguyen. n

Behind the Brains

Each issue the Spark Staff picks a random East student and covers a unique aspect of his or her life.

Current valedictorian of the junior class Akash Umakantha finds an outlet to relieve stress brought on by his busy lifestyle: humor. story alyssa davis | photos caroline tompkins

A

small family in India attends a park with its two-year old boy. Music is playing from speaker rocks in the bushes; the little boy is convinced that the bushes are magical and is drawn to their music.

East junior Akash Umakantha was a boy with an imagination, an affinity for playing with toy cars and a drive to succeed.

Now he is the valedictorian of his class – the quintessential smart kid, the strong tennis player and the shrewd chess strategist. With his loaded class schedule he spends at least four hours a night on his homework. When his grandparents call from India, they first ask him about his studies.

Yet he still finds time for humor and fun.

Umakantha, who used to make instruments from things around the house, like guitars from Kleenex boxes, says that he still acts like a little kid.

According to Umakantha’s father, Umakantha Kavalli, his son bothers his mother every 30 to 40 minutes with silly questions when he should be studying.

“I like to make fun of her while she is doing work,” Umakantha says. “I keep asking ‘why’ or something like that.”

Umakantha’s friend East junior Nick Tedesco points out Umakantha’s childlike gullibility as well.

“Although [Umakantha] is number one in our class, he sometimes does things that would make someone think otherwise,” says Tedesco who comes from Canada. “Once I told him that Canadians celebrated half birthdays and I was therefore 32 and he believed me.”

Yet, Umakantha has a serious side. Tedesco and Umakantha have had study parties at the library for the practice ACT in order to achieve Umakantha’s goal – at least a 33 on his ACT and a 2200 on his SAT. Success, however, has not always marked his life. Umakantha has experienced some difficulties in school.

“Back in like first grade, I wasn’t that good [in school], and my grades weren’t that good,” says Umakantha.

Kavalli points out that this was right after their family moved from Bangalore, India to North America.

“Even though he started school [in India] it was in our mother tongue, (Kannada),” says Kavalli.

Umakantha had to take ESL during his first years at school.

Failing to make the school chess team in third

grade, Umakantha tried harder to excel.

“We have been from Chicago, to Pittsburgh, to Orlando several times for Akash’s chess,” says his mother, Suma Hanumantharaya.

Going to his tennis and chess matches are some of their family vacations, says Hanumantharaya.

Umakantha is on East’s tennis team and has been playing since he was a child. “[When] I got a Nintendo 64, one of the games I had was Mario tennis, so then I asked my parents to get me started in tennis,” says Umakantha.

A busy schedule and stress are not unfamiliar to Umakantha, yet he has learned to cope.

Watching shows such as Psych and House is one of the many ways that Umakantha deals with the stress that comes with his lifestyle.

“I think school is kind of my way of relieving stress, surprisingly,” says Umakantha. “It adds stress, but relieves it too.”

Umakantha cites Honors English 11 as his hardest class. While math and science come easier for him, he has to work on English.

“Although [Umakantha] is always thinking about his schoolwork, he is able to focus on extracurriculars like tennis and chess,” says Tedesco.

Umakantha’s educational devotion, childish creativity and ability to cope with stress will help him when searching for a career.

Though he hopes to attend Washington University or University of Pennsylvania, Umakantha is undecided in what he will major.

When asked what Umakantha wanted to be when he was little, Kavalli, a mechanical engineer, says that Umakantha used to play with “automobiles and the small cars.”

“What would you call that?” says Umakantha.

“A professional toy collector?”

His mother says that she could see him as an aeronautics engineer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or a doctor.

“He is very attentive in class, does his homework and works continuously,” says Hanumantharaya. “He is also very competitive and always wants to do his best.”

Though Kavalli and Hanumantharaya would like their son to work hard on chess and tennis, they see academics as the top priority.

From ESL class in kindergarten to the top of his class in high school, Umakantha has learned to cope with stress, especially by using humor.

Umakantha is a kid at heart but an achiever, a go- getter and a great student. n

19 | Spark | October 22, 2009

feature | teacher feature photo – tracie zimmer

For Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, writing and inspiring children to read is a

Dream Come True story kim shearer

20 | Spark | October 22, 2009

I

‘‘

dream of the lives My hands Might know, Like all of those I help here.”

The novel Reaching for Sun, winner of the American Library Assocation (ALA) Schneider Family Book award, is the inspirational story of a girl with cerebral palsy.

And now meet the author, Tracie Vaughn Zimmer.

“All I can ever do is write the book the best it can be. I try not to think about rewards or reviews,” says Zimmer.

An English and resource teacher at the East Freshman Campus, Zimmer has been writing for years.

“I have journals going back to the fourth grade,” she laughs.

Zimmer’s passion for writing began early, fostered by her love of reading.

Her freshman year, she was bored in English class and was prompted by her teacher to sign up for the Advanced Placement (AP) course. That was when writing “really took off ” for Zimmer.

Hamilton-born Zimmer began college at Miami University but transferred to the Ohio State University to major in Special Education. She later went back to Miami to earn a masters degree in Reading.

“I think the most important thing is to read,” says Zimmer. She believes that spending 75 percent more time reading than writing is beneficial.

And read she does.

Some of her favorite authors include Alice Walker, John Green and Cassandra Clare. “[Reading] makes me want to do better,” says Zimmer.

When Zimmer reads, she pulls the novel apart, trying to figure out how the story works, what fits together and what does not. She marks passages and takes notes of scenes to which she wants to come back. “[Maybe it is] something that just floors me, or a description that knocks my socks off, or dialogue that sounds authentic,” says Zimmer.

She tries to incorporate the techniques she notes into her own works.

Two of her novels, Reaching for Sun and 42 Miles, are written in free verse, a poetic style that uses stanzas that do not rhyme.

Zimmer says free verse is her “most natural voice.” She admits it is an obstacle for her to write in prose, which is the style in which she wrote her book The Floating Circus.

The Stickiness Factor “It won’t leave me alone.”

Zimmer rates the quality of her ideas by their level of “stickiness.”

“If I can forget about [the idea] it was not good enough,” explains Zimmer.

Her inspiration comes from “all over.”

She incorporates events from her childhood, feelings that she’s experienced, things from her two children’s childhoods and things she sees.

Zimmer gets “images” of different scenes along the plotline. From there, she writes the story, working backward and forward.

In her mind’s eye, a scene unfolds: a girl riding in the car, staring out the window as buildings shrink down and hills and trees take their place.

The story 42 Miles is born.

“That’s the hardest part about writing,” says Zimmer. “Starting.”

After her initial idea is embraced, the rest of the story unfolds, characters begin to develop and the plot becomes more complex.

“Character is more important than plot,” says Zimmer. “If you don’t care about a character, it doesn’t matter what happens to them.”

The main character of The Floating Circus is an orphan named Owen. The story is set in 1853 Pittsburgh, and Zimmer conducted research to make every fact correct and every action plausible, and to make sure even the dialogue fit the speech patterns of the time.

“I woke up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, realizing that peanuts were not commercially available in 1853,” says Zimmer, who was concerned about constructing a circus scene that would be set in 1853.

Zimmer is able to develop her stories by combining quality ideas with storylines that are realistic.

Although Zimmer thinks that research can be intimidating, she understands the necessity of having thorough background research. Her goal for each story is “to make it true - to make it feel real.”

Down to the Word Level “I love revision and I love getting down to the word level.”

Combing through every word of every line in every stanza.

Zimmer’s editing process forces her to look at every aspect of the story individually, working with the plot structure, smoothing out the character

issues, fixing the scene issues, then getting down to the words.

She explains that getting “down to the words” means that she is trying to find the word that will best convey her meaning to the reader.

Zimmer laughs as she recounts the time she and her two writing partners exchanged six emails over one word, trying to figure out which one fit best.

Jessica Swaim and Julia Durango, Zimmer’s friends and writing partners, both help Zimmer’s storylines grow from their initial ideas.

Durango, who has been working with Zimmer for eight years, mainly helps with developing plotline and structure and constructing believable storylines. She works to keep the pace well-balanced and makes sure that the characters face challenges that will increase.

“I think all good stories need to crescendo,” says Durango, referring to importance of climax.

Durango thinks that it is important for writers who work together to compliment each other, each one having different strengths and weaknesses. “[Zimmer] is a poet at heart and has a wonderful way with words,” says Durango.

Swaim has also been working with Zimmer for eight years and read her very first manuscript. Swaim looks through Zimmer’s writing for aspects that readers can connect with and for words that sing.

“I look for something that makes me feel for the characters,” says Swaim.

While she and Zimmer are good friends, Swaim believes that the hardest part of being writing partners is being brutally honest about quality and depth of story.

“We can’t help each other if we aren’t honest,” says Swaim.

Both Swaim and Durango help the book along, seeing it through different stages and conversing with Zimmer to make the book the best it can be before she sends it to her publishers in New York.

“All I can ever do is write the book the best it can be. I try not to think about rewards or reviews.”

Breaking Through “I knew I’d never get published if I didn’t face rejection.”

The most difficult thing about becoming an author was “the rejection.”

Zimmer overcame that hurdle by accepting the possibility of rejection.

She knew that not every idea was worth the cost of publishing; that there are over 5,000 children’s books published every year and only a few break out to earn recognition.

Even so, Zimmer is not dazed by the facts that only two out of every 10 books earn back what they cost to produce and that most children’s books do not earn enough to support an author’s lifestyle. Writing is too important for her to ever give up; money was never a deciding factor.“Writing is just really a hobby and teaching is a career. I’m just lucky enough to get paid for a hobby every now and then,” says Zimmer.

Combining her passion for writing, her love of reading and her desire to instill her own enthusiasm into the minds of the children she teaches, Zimmer’s approach in the classroom is simple: let kids read what they like to read, urge them to explore new genres and support them in their own writing.

“I want kids to read and if I can be any part of that, it’s a dream come true,” Zimmer says.

Her next book, Cousins of Clouds, a poetry collection about elephants, comes out in October. n

21 | Spark | October 22, 2009

22 | Spark | October 22, 2009

FOOD story anna hartman, victoria liang, reb vachon, kaity conner, allison korson, amanda kaine photos caroline tompkins

Food is the great common denominator; it is something we all share. Food is, and always has been, a basic requirement for life. But with the prevalence of diets, organic food and dietary supplements, the food industry has changed notably in recent years. Weight loss solutions and a general desire to be healthy may be found with ease; a working solution, however, is harder to find.

23 | Spark | October 22, 2009

E

food

Every day he waits in the cafeteria line, laughing and joking with his friends. He grabs the same thing – a spicy chicken sandwich and fries.

He pays for his food and goes to the same table to eat his lunch.

Although some students consistently order the same food items, the district now offers a varied menu.

“We really started over from scratch this year. We wanted to offer more of a variety,” says Chris Burkhardt, the Lakota Child Nutrition Director. “Compared to last year, we are getting healthier.”

The high school lunch menu will continually be modified throughout the course of the school year based on what students are buying.

“The menu doesn’t stop in August when we start the new school year,” says Burkhardt. “We continually look at new products what sells and what doesn’t.”

Some of the new options, which were given to a focus group of high school students to taste test, include Buffalo Chicken Bites, Cincinnati Chili and Spaghetti and numerous À la carte items.

Not only did menu options change, but the selection of food with a high nutritional value was also broadened.

“There’s a lot of nutrition that we have to put into the meals and make sure [the food] meets certain guidelines,” says Burkhardt. “We wanted to increase dietary fiber, decrease sodium and offer more fruits and vegetables.”

Following a nutritional analysis, nutritional labels of all foods served in Lakota cafeterias are now available on lakotaonline.com, so students can make healthy dietary choices.

“This is the first year in three or four years we’ve had that nutrition information online,” says Burkhardt. “We want parents and students alike to be able to make those choices [regarding what to eat].”

While healthy alternatives are offered in the East cafeteria, 23 percent of 506 surveyed East students still pack a lunch to ensure healthier eating.

“Packing my lunch allows me to introduce healthier options into my diet,” says East senior Alysha Scott.

According to Lakota Nutrition Department Field Supervisor Jonnica Johnson, sandwiches seem the most popular choices for those who do purchase a lunch at school.

“Kids hit the sandwich side more than the main dish side. [They order] the cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches and pizza,” says Johnson.

East senior Rob Wilson is one such student.

“I realize there are healthy choices, but I still always get a spicy chicken sandwich and fries because they taste good,” says Wilson.

These standard menu lunches are based on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations, which mandate that a healthy school lunch must include one serving of meat or a meat alternative, two servings of vegetables or fruits, one serving of grains and one serving of milk.

According to Burkhardt, all items on the standard menu meet these requirements, but certain À la carte items “do not necessarily fall within the strict guidelines.”

However, the À la carte selections are healthier than in years past, as they now consist of smaller serving sizes and baked options.

“Most of our chips are baked,” says Burkhardt. “Most of them are one single serving size whereas in the past they’ve been multiple serving sizes. You know as well as I do that when you open up a bag of chips you’re going to have the bag of chips. You’re not going to eat 12 chips, which might be one serving size, and then say ‘I’ll eat the rest later.’”

Although the start of the year shows an increase in these À la carte items, which perhaps lack the nutritional value of a standard school lunch, Burkhardt emphasizes the importance of high school students making their own dietary choices.

“We do offer fresh fruit and vegetables. We do offer salads. So we hope that even though we do offer some of those foods that may be a little bit higher in fat, choices will be made in moderation,” says Burkhardt. “If you’re a very active student, you can eat some

24 | Spark | October 22, 2009

of those fattier foods. We want to give students a variety, especially at the high school level, so that they can make those choices for themselves.”

Increased Prices in Cafeteria They are a favorite in the East cafeteria. They sit there, temptingly, as students punch in their six-digit codes in order to buy their lunches. It is not uncommon for a student, in the heat of the moment, to find himself incapable of resisting the lure of an Otis Spunkmeyer muffin. They are frequent last-minute food purchases, grabbed eagerly and placed on the student’s Styrofoam tray just in the nick of time before the price of his lunch has been fully calculated by the lunch attendant.

However, in the 2009-10 school year, vendor and price changes in the East cafeteria perhaps may dictate the popularity of muffins.

“I hate that the muffins cost an extra quarter this year,” says East senior Emily Baumgardner. “And they’re not even Otis Spunkmeyer anymore.

They’re Sara Lee.” Burkhardt explains that cost increases are a result of the district’s financial circumstances.

“Because of our financial situation, we’ve had to realize our real costs.

In some cases, some of the products did go up in cost,” says Burkhardt. “In some cases, products did go down.”

According to Burkhardt, a standard school lunch has cost $1.65 for 14 years, even as the cost of food has increased by at least three percent every year. This year, the standard lunch at the high school level costs $2.00.

“We’re not here to make a profit,” says Burkhardt. “We’re here to break even and provide the service to the students. In that case, some of the products did go up, but we’ve gone many years holding the price constant.”

As the menu of the 2009-10 school year was adjusted to include healthier food alternatives, East students are finding that the prices of these options are more expensive than prices in previous years. This increase is the result of higher costs of non-processed food as compared to processed food.

“Fresh fruit and vegetables are a lot more expensive than anything that’s processed. For example, our whole wheat dinner rolls cost five to seven cents more than our non whole wheat dinner rolls,” says Burkhardt.

These price increases, due to harsh economic times and the cost of healthy food, may be a significant financial strain on students as 74 percent of 506 East students surveyed feel that the prices are unreasonable and 17 percent pack a lunch due to food prices.

“The economy sucks,” says Baumgardner. “Raising prices in the cafeteria sucks too.”

The district is trying to offset these increases by making small operational changes, such as holding Styrofoam trays at the food counters rather than at the entrance of the cafeteria. This change, according to Burkhardt, saves approximately a case of trays a week that would have otherwise fallen to the floor.

The prices of food, particularly that of a greater nutritional value, is noted by the Lakota Child Nutrition Department.

“We realize that the economy is not great,” says Burkhardt. “We realize that students and parents don’t have a lot of money to spend on lunch, so we’re trying to keep costs as low as possible.”

Vending Machine Slightly parched after two hours of marching band rehearsal, East senior Rachel Nemets fumbles around in her bag in search of a dollar. Finding the dollar bill, Nemets weaves her way through the band room after practice. She

walks to the vending machine and is eager to purchase a Coke, but upon reaching the vending machines, she finds only a $1.25 Coke Zero.

“It’s really annoying if I don’t have anything to drink after band practice,” says Nemets. “I used to always get a Coke for $1.00 from the vending machine. I miss that.”

Changes in prices and beverages took place in East vending machines this year as a result of a joint initiative between the William J. Clinton Foundation’s Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the American Beverage Association and Coca-Cola.

“In 2006, [these companies] partnered to establish guidelines for beverages in U.S. schools,” says Coca-Cola Enterprises Public Affairs and Communications Coordinator Kelly Miesevich. “These guidelines cap the number of calories and specify appropriate beverages made available in schools.”

The new guidelines for high school vending machines call for advertised low-calorie beverages to contain no more than 10 calories per eight ounces, 100 percent juice with no added sweeteners and no more than 66 calories per eight ounces for other beverages such as soft drinks.

These requirements mirror the changes that have taken place around the halls of East, as the Clinton Foundation was able to form an alliance with Coca-Cola to address the sport drinks, sodas and bottled water vending practices in schools. Minute Maid juices and regular soft drinks were eliminated from beverage machines. All regular soft drinks were replaced by either diet or zero-calorie soft drinks. Regular Vitamin Water and Powerade are only offered in 12-ounce containers, while their healthier counterparts are provided in 20-ounce bottles.

“Over the past three or four years, there has been an evolution in the school vending industry,” says district Althletic Director Stu Eversole, whose department manages the vending machines at East.

Like Nemets, 60 percent of 506 surveyed East students will not make use of the vending practices as a result of the changes. Out of this same group of students, 42 percent only drink regular rather than diet soft drinks.

According to Eversole, popularity of beverage vending machines is indeed expected to drop in the 200910 school year, although September revenue reports will not be received until mid October.

“We are anticipating a significant drop in revenue from last year, in the neighborhood of 25 percent,” says Eversole.

74% of 506 East students think the increase in lunch prices are unreasonable.

Healthy Eating on the Educational Process Students rush through the front doors of East, increasing their paces in an attempt to beat the 7:15 tardy bell. Monster energy drinks and cans of Mountain Dew are clutched in hands, and silver Pop Tart wrappers are deposited in trash cans.

This trend of eating on the go is common. A 2006 study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that of the 1,687 young adults surveyed, 38.9 percent “reported lacking time to sit down

25 | Spark | October 22, 2009

food

infographic abby buns

and eat a meal.” Yet this can lead to problems, especially when eating on the time period. This includes the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), the run was “significantly associated with higher intakes of soft drinks, fast food, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). total fat and saturated fat, and lower intake of several healthful foods.”

The latest bill expired September 30, and the School Nutrition Association A 2008 fact sheet provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported similar statistics: the percent of children who (SNA) and the Food Research and Action Center are currently co-chairing eat breakfast drops considerably as children grow up, with 92 percent of the Child Nutrition Forum, a diverse group of organizations that congregate children ages 6 to 11 but only 77 percent of adolescents ages 12 to 19 eating during this time period to create legislation. Currently, Eliminate Reduced Price and Competitive Legislation are two programs being considered. breakfast.

Yet, according to the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), a resource used by the Lakota Child Nutrition Department, students who eat a healthy Eliminate Reduced Price (ERP) The SNA and the United States Department breakfast show improved cognitive function, attention and memory. FRAC of Agriculture (USDA) estimate that approximately 1 million American also states that hunger significantly impairs a student’s ability to learn. children who are eligible for reduced price meals are not participating in the Hungry students have lower math scores and are more likely to repeat grades. National School Lunch Program. In addition, 52 percent of school districts found an increase in students Furthermore, undernourished indebted to school nutrition students are more likely to programs due to unpaid or be hyperactive, be absent and overdue accounts, most of them have behavioral or attention RDA Minimum because they could not afford problems.

Nutrition Students must the $0.40 to buy a reduced meal.

While it appears that students meet the Requirements In order to alleviate these do not make breakfast a priority, minimum weekly problems, senators Elizabeth Burkhardt understands that For High School requirements of Students Dole of North Carolina and breakfast is an important start nutrients, which Pat Roberts of Kansas have to the day. are based on introduced a bill to change the “All students must have the Recommended Daily Allowance standards, requirements for free lunches right tools in order to achieve in order to function at and eliminate the reduced price to their fullest potential,” says their best. category altogether. Therefore, Burkhardt. “Having the right every student previously eligible tools begins with a balanced for reduced price lunches would breakfast and lunch every day.” be able to receive them for free.

The problem, however, is Energy Allowances/Calories: “In most cases, families who not exclusively associated with qualify for reduced meals have breakfast. This trend of eating the same hardship as families meals that are not particularly Total Fat (g): who qualify for free meals,” healthy or forgoing meals says Burkhardt. “There is a very altogether is also seen in the fine line between those two East cafeteria at lunch.

Protein (g): categories.”

“If I were to grab four To determine the efficacy random people, I’d probably of ERP, the Government have one person who didn’t Calcium (g): Accountability Office conducted eat, one person who went to a survey in 2008 of areas that main dish, one person who currently had ERP programs, had a sandwich and one person Iron (g): including five states (Washington, who just got À la carte,” says Colorado, Minnesota, Vermont Burkhardt. and Maine) and 35 individual While these food selections Total fat cannot exceed 30% in a school week. districts. There are no such are not all essentially nutritious, Saturated fat cannot exceed 10% in a school week. programs in Ohio. they are the norm at East.

According to the survey, the However, the Lakota Information – www.schoolnutrition.org three most common reasons for Child Nutrition Department introduced an altered menu to the 2009-10 school year – a food selection implementing ERP programs are “to reduce hunger and food insecurity, which includes new, healthier alternatives. The transition to more nutritious to increase participation of reduced price students and to increase overall food in Lakota’s cafeterias reflects the mission of the Nutrition Department, participation.”

These ERP programs pose additional costs for states and districts, ranging which according to Burkhardt is to help students succeed in the classroom from $144,000 to $3 million more a year, according to state officials. by providing nutritious food.

But because of the increased participation, these schools get more Although not all students eat the healthier options in the cafeteria, there reimbursements from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) through state are those who try.

East senior Alysha Scott strives to eat a healthy lunch every day because agencies. The FNS per meal reimbursements ranged from $2.57 for a free lunch to $0.24 for a full-price lunch. To pay for the rest, ERP programs she knows it helps her academic performance.

“Eating nutritiously not only makes your body healthy, but also helps use state appropriations and other revenue sources, which vary between with brain development,” says Scott. “Eating healthily stimulates your brain districts.

Despite the increased cost, officials from all five states and most of which helps your whole body get moving.” the district-level ERP programs plan to continue their ERP programs.

Furthermore, 30 of 35 districts noticed the program did not increase the Nutrition Reauthorization Every five years, legislators collaborate to improve and reauthorize overall workload of cafeteria staff.

They also experienced benefits; 25 of the 35 districts saw a reduction in the federal Child Nutrition Programs. The School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program are permanently authorized, but other unpaid meal fees from students eligible for reduced price meals, 26 of them child nutrition programs must be authorized every five years during this noticed a more positive student attitude and 29 noticed an increase in parent

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26 | Spark | October 22, 2009

Soda

Soda

satisfaction.

East junior Lydia Hofacker has experienced the benefits of free lunches firsthand.

“Receiving free lunches at school helps a lot,” says Hofacker. “My mom is a bartender and a single mom and without worrying about the cost of lunch, we have more money to pay our bills.”

Competitive Food Legislation In early March, California Representative Lynn Woolsey introduced the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act of 2009, which currently has 120 co-sponsors. This legislation would apply current nutritional standards to the definition of Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value and, most importantly, give the Secretary of Agriculture jurisdiction over foods sold during school but outside the National School Lunch Program. At East, this would include food sold in vending machines and the Spirit Shop, as well as donuts sold on block days.

California already passed bills which allow competitive foods and beverages such as soda and candy sold in K-12 schools outside the lunch program to be subject to the same nutrition standards as school lunches. The laws gradually regulate fat, sugar and calorie content in competitive foods and phase out the sale of sweetened beverages.

However, students like Karen Zhao, a senior at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, California, question the effectiveness of these laws. “[The soda machines] were put back last year. Speculation is that the school wasn’t making as much money. I don’t see much effort towards eliminating unhealthy sodas sold outside the cafeteria. The one year we had without soda, everyone was pretty angry about it,” says Zhao. “Most people, myself included, don’t care about the healthiness of food; we just want what tastes good. Our solution – walk five minutes down the street at lunch (we have open campus) to the nearby 7-11 to get Slurpees and Arizona Teas.”

Some East students suspect that the result would be the same in Ohio.

“You’ve seen [the] upheaval within the student body about the diet drinks.

Almost everyone I’ve talked to said they would rather make the choice [to eat healthier] themselves,” says East sophomore Michael Dudley.

East junior Matthew McCormick disagrees.

“The government has the right to tell the schools what to teach and what to sell. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the cafeteria or in a pop machine,” says McCormick.

Regardless of what certain students think, Burkhardt thinks regulating food outside the cafeteria is an important goal to pursue.

“I believe that there needs to be consistent nutrition standards for all foods served during the school day,” says Burkhardt. “We cannot continue to serve healthful meals in the cafeteria while in other areas of the school there are sales of doughnuts, candy or soda. I think that allowing competitive food sales sends the wrong message to students; that nutrition standards only need to be met in the cafeteria but not in room 104 or 206.”

Results Not Typical Dieting Confusion

* requested name change

helped her lose weight. Wilson turned to a dietician who recommended she try the American Heart Association’s no-fad diet. Rather than offering an easy way out by eating only a certain type of food, like traditional fad diets, the no-fad diet cautions that it will require a lifestyle change and hard work.

“We had been discussing all the problems I have been having with past diets and she suggested I try [the no-fad diet],” says Wilson, who started the diet as a “last resort” to lose weight.

The free online diet has three main principals: think smart, eat well and move more. It focuses on planning, setting goals, eating less and being physically active in order to break the cycle of weight gain.

Wilson found that the diet worked for her, although it proved to be more difficult than expected. The challenging restrictions and resulting weight loss worry Laurie Dunham, a Registered Dietician in the Nutrition Therapy Department at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She warns that trying this diet while the body is still developing without extra weight to lose is potentially dangerous due to the many health complications that can come from being underweight.

“I would be concerned if an adolescent was attempting to lose weight if they were still growing or if they didn’t really need to lose weight,” Dunham explains.

Instead, Dunham suggests a simple diet of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, milk and lean meats. Most importantly, she stresses that teenagers need to eat what they like – just in moderation and with careful consideration placed on portion sizes and frequency of consumption.

East junior Emily Cottingham, who strives to eat as healthily as possible, occasionally takes Açai capsules for health benefits.

The grape-like fruit is jam-packed with antioxidants and fiber. The powerful berry comes frozen, in powders or in capsules, claiming to help disguise the effects of aging, boost energy and burn fat. However, none of the benefits have been scientifically proven.

Cottingham discovered the “superfruit” when she worked at Smoothie King, where the berry is used in some smoothies, like their Açai Adventure. “[Working at Smoothie King] was so eye-opening because all of their smoothies have medicinal purposes and it’s a really easy way to become healthier,” Cottingham explains.

Emily’s mother, Meg Cottingham, has also been taking the pills for about two weeks and has already noticed a difference in her digestive health and bowel movements.

Meg discovered Açai from her daughter and a “bombardment” of advertisements.

“It [was] highly recommended,” Meg says. “I know lots of people who

39% of 506 East students have dieted or followed a nutrition plan.

before ERP

after ERP

FREE

REDUCED

FREE

household income: $40,792 and up

REGULAR LUNCH household income: $40,792 and up

REGULAR LUNCH 27 | Spark | October 22, 2009

infographic sarah zins

Everybody has seen them - the trendy advertisements claiming to have the next breakthrough in weight loss. There are pills like Hydroxycut and Alli which household income: household income: offer quick and easy options to shed $22,050 – $28,665 $28,665 – $40,792 pounds. Other diets like Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig pitch systems that instruct users to lose weight simply by LUNCH LUNCH eating their specially designed food.

Then there are the traditional diets, consisting of eating well and exercising household income: to lose weight. All these diets claim that $22,050 – $40,792 participants lost 40, 50, even 60 pounds in two weeks, but there is only one little catch – results not typical.

LUNCH East junior Susan Wilson* has tried various diet options, but nothing has

food

have taken it and liked it; even the grocery store lady recommends it.”

Before she started adding Açai to her diet, Meg tried Nutrisystem. She stuck to the diet for 40 days during Lent and lost 20 pounds.

The Nutrisystem diet is structured around the Glycemic Index, a way of ranking carbohydrates. Participants in the diet eat the special food provided and attend meetings for support.

After successfully completing the program and reaching her ideal weight, Meg thinks that this diet worked for her because Nutrisystem provided its own food.

“It was really easy,” Meg says. “I could even steal a moon pie every now and then and it didn’t affect me.”

Meg feels like she ate healthier while eating food provided by the diet.

Dunham, however, believes that the programs that provide their own food are just as healthy as those that do not. In fact, she thinks those without provided food are better in the long run, because they help people establish healthier eating habits on their own.

“I feel it’s important to teach an individual how to purchase, prepare and eat ‘real’ food because that is what someone will have to do eventually,” Dunham explains.

Consequently Dunham recommends a diet structured like Weight Watchers. She believes it does a better job of teaching participants about portion sizes for “real life” situations, which is one reason why East sophomore Breanna Glaccum feels like Weight Watchers has worked for her.

Glaccum attends weekly meetings with her mother, another key to her success. “[My mom] bought all the food,” Glaccum jokes. “And it helps you stay on track when you have someone there inspiring you and helping you.”

Glaccum felt like the meetings and community atmosphere of Weight Watchers helped as well.

“I was already exercising before, but it gave me ideas,” Glaccum explains. “Like instead of mayonnaise, use avocados. [They also gave me] other tips that helped cut out points and calories.”

Unlike others who have tried this diet, Glaccum had no trouble tracking her points and did not find it a hassle like Meg. “You have a chart where you write down what you eat and that really helps because you can’t cheat and lie,” Glaccum says. “It wasn’t that difficult; you just had to look up the points to everything that you ate.”

However, constantly looking up points is what kept Meg from reaching her goal on Weight Watchers. She ended up eating the same foods over and over again because she knew their point values.

According to Dunham, personality differences are key in determining which diet plan works best for the individual.

Rather than jumping at the first stick-thin model offering a quick and easy way to shed the pounds, Dunham encourages students who just want to maintain a healthy weight to “eat foods from all the food groups, drink plenty of water and be physically active.”

American Food Crisis The expense of nutritional food

America provides its consumers with all the food imaginable - so much that in Europe, obese people are jokingly called Americans.

28 | Spark | October 22, 2009

But with a desire for a healthier lifestyle, many Americans are considering going organic. Products from chocolate bars to potato chips, baby food to ice cream and vitamins to cough drops are tagged with the label “organic.” “[Organic food] is grown pesticide-free. The farmers call it sustainability, which means they’re not ruining the land they’re growing the products on,” says Customer Service Manager at Dorothy Lane Market Matt Fowler.

“All the foods are pesticide-free and preservative-free. They try to use no chemicals if possible.”

Sandy Muir, the owner of Sandy’s Health Foods, says that the theory behind organic food is that it makes the soil more nutritious.

“But because we’re mass-producing a lot of [food], there are less minerals in the soil, so it’s like forcing the plant to grow bigger and better without the nutrients,” Muir says. “When they put the pesticides on the plant, it’s damaging the nutritional value.”

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) regulations state that organic plant products must be grown without using fertilizers made with “synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering or ionizing radiation.”

This absence of man-made pesticides and chemical additives is one of the main reasons Heather Kennell, mother of East senior Carly Kennell, chooses to purchase and use organic food products to feed her family.

“Since I was focusing solely on making sure I was eating the right things, I wanted to change it up and make it so that I was eating the most ‘clean’ products that I could find,” she says. “I was focusing on eating healthy and I decided that eating organics would just up the ante a little bit.”

Kennell feels that since switching to organic products, her “liver and organs are working more properly and healthily.”

Fowler agrees that organics can provide health benefits.

“Your body will work harder and more naturally to digest organic foods. There is more fiber in organic foods; they are closer to their natural state,” he says. “There are preservatives in [non-organic food] and your body tends to store a lot of that as fat because your body doesn’t know what to do with it; it doesn’t recognize it.”

Non-organic foods travel across the country in trucks and go through so much processing that by the time they are eaten, there are barely any minerals and vitamins left. Minute rice is a prime example of how processing takes away the nutritional value.

“Minute Rice is actually cooked, rolled out like on a cookie sheet and grains of rice were stamped out of the mash,” says Fowler, who works in Oakwood at one of Dorothy Lane Market’s three locations. “But all that processing took the healthiest part of the rice away. So if you buy real rice, it really does take 30 minutes to boil and it takes another 15 to 20 to absorb the water and that would be the whole grain rice.”

Flour is also a product that is highly processed and is no longer healthy, according to Fowler. Natural flour is not very bright white, but most of the flour offered in grocery stores has been chemically bleached.

There are organic foods in other countries that are restricted in the U.S. due to safety concerns.

“Crème fraîch is France’s way of having heavy whipping cream, but we’re not allowed to import it into the country. It’s not pasteurized, and it’s very natural,” says Fowler. “In the U.S. almost all dairy is pasteurized, which is the heat process that would kill any bacteria.”

Organic food is more expensive due to the more labor-intense activity it takes to produce it. Instead of spraying chemical pesticides on weeds,

someone must pull the weeds themselves. “[Organic food] is also picked closer to the ripeness and gets shipped to you faster, which is more expensive,” says Fowler. “Tomatoes that are grown in hot houses out in Arkansas can sometimes be on the trucks for two weeks trying to get to you. They’re actually ripened in gas warehouses.

That’s why they don’t taste as natural or fresh.”

The price difference between organic and non-organic products has not gone unnoticed by Kennell. Organic products are sold for a higher price than their non-organic counterparts “very much so,” according to Kennell.

Chemicals, hormones and pesticides allow farms to produce higher quantities at a faster rate. Across the country there are hot houses and fields with pesticides and chemicals that allow billions and billions of plants to be grown inexpensively. And if cows are given hormones, they mature twice as fast. But with this comes the cost of the nutritional and mineral value in the food.

Although there are communities like the Amish who have always been organic, the nation as a whole has not become more focused on organic foods until recently, according to Fowler.

“In the last 10 to 15 years, the [number of] organic shoppers has grown exponentially, to the point where you can have organic stores that can do good business,” says Fowler.

Large, corporate supermarkets are also benefitting from the growing number of Americans, like Kennell, who have chosen to integrate organic foods into their diets. “[I can buy organic products at] just about any store. I go to Biggs occasionally. My main sources are Kroger and Whole Foods,” Kennel says.

Due to the rise in food-borne illnesses, diseases and food allergies in recent years, many Americans are starting to wonder if they are caused by the chemicals and pesticides in non-organic food products. “[Illnesses] are on such a rise, they’ve started to wonder if we’ve done this ourselves with our modern farming,” says Fowler. “So many children are growing up now so unhealthy and diabetic and it didn’t used to be this way.”

Dietary Supplements The unknown food group

Unlike most of the American population, East junior Alex Hanavan has got it right. For the most part he eats a healthy diet. He also takes vitamins, which are a type of dietary supplement. What sets him apart from other

Two pills with breakfast is all it takes to reduce hunger, change appetite patterns, burn fat and speed up metabolism. This supplement aids in increasing energy levels.

29% of 506 East students take vitamins and/or dietary supplements on a daily basis.

AHAD No-Fad Diet

Weight Watchers

This diet is written in a book that focuses on setting realistic goals and personalizing a plan to fit specific lifestyles. Included in the novel are two weeks worth of menus and over 190 recipes, as well as a how-to guide to make time for exercise.

With Weight Watchers, a flexible plan based on points helps people lose weight at a healthy rate, while still allowing them to enjoy the foods they love.

Weekly meetings with other Weight Watchers participants make it easier to stay on track.

Nutrisystem After ordering a 28-day menu, healthy food is delivered right to the dieter’s door. Then, by following the Meal Planner provided, Nutrisystem foods and other grocery items, the dieter will achieve a balanced diet with reasonable portion sizes

infographic emily merrick

Acai Berry Diet

eaters in the United States is this: Hanavan knows that taking a vitamin isn’t a magic cure-all for health. “[Taking a supplement] helps, but you can’t just take vitamins and then eat a Reese’s cup,” laughs Hanavan.

Hanavan is aware that taking a vitamin or other dietary supplement does not make up for eating an unhealthy diet. However, most people do not feel the same way. In actuality, there is more confusion about dietary supplements than one might think.

Food is not just limited to the things that people eat and drink. By the standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the term ‘food’ also applies to dietary supplements.

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) states that a dietary supplement is “a product that bears or contains one or more of the following dietary ingredients: a vitamin; a mineral; an herb or other botanical; an amino acid; a dietary substance [to increase] the total dietary intake; or a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination of any ingredient [aforementioned].”

According to DSHEA and Congress, “There is a link between the ingestion of certain nutrients or dietary supplements and the prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.”

However, dietary supplements are not meant to be a replacement for a healthy lifestyle, which comes from eating a healthy diet and exercising.

Sherri Lipscomb, a professor of nursing at Cincinnati State University, says, “With a proper diet, dietary supplements are not necessary. However, many Americans don’t eat a proper diet. We are very much lacking in calcium and our intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.”

Dietary supplements are most beneficial to those with dietary deficiencies who lack the necessary nutrients for an optimum diet. These people have difficulty reaching the amounts of nutrients they need, and therefore need some help reaching the optimum level of nutrition.

Lipscomb only recommends the use of dietary supplements for those who are unable to get the nutrients they need. For example, one of the nearly 60 percent of Americans who are lactose intolerant would benefit from a

29 | Spark | October 22, 2009

food

Gumball Glutt

ny

infographic lisa liu

Daily Calories Needed per Age Group teenage boys need 2,300 calories

100 gumballs

adults need 2,000 calories teenage girls need 1,800 calories

75 gumballs toddlers need 1,165 calories

50 gumballs

25 gumballs

infants need 515 calories * values may vary depending on physical activity and weight

Few Americans Know the Amount of Daily Calories Needed 11% estimated correctly

26% were unaware

information – www.usda.gov, www.ific.org and www.fao.org

30 | Spark | October 22, 2009

63% estimated incorrectly

63% estimated incorrectly

Consumers’ Reported Use of Information on Food or Beverage Packages 49% ingredients list 43% size of product the number of calories is reported to be the information most used on the nutrition panel

50% brand name

69% nutritional info

20%

statements about health benefits

67% expiration date

17%

country of origin labeling organic allergen labeling health symbol or health icon none of the above

one gumball represents 21 calories these two pages contain 185 gumballs, which represents the 3,800 calories consumed by one American on average each day

31 | Spark | October 22, 2009

food

calcium dietary supplement.

“If you do have a dietary insufficiency, supplements are needed,” says Lipscomb.

Most Americans, however, do not have dietary insufficiencies caused by genetic or metabolic disorders. They merely eat a diet that is unhealthy - one that does not provide all the nutrients people need, as dictated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food pyramid.

“Most people just don’t eat a well-rounded diet. Many of the dietary supplements that are out right now make just expensive urine,” laughs Lipscomb. “[Dietary supplements are] not really necessary if you eat a wellrounded diet. They don’t really add any value to your nutrition.”

Dietary supplements often contain very large amounts of vitamins and minerals - more than the body needs or can take in. Most vitamins are water-soluble, but the body can only absorb a certain amount. The excess is excreted through urine.

Americans believe that taking in large amounts of vitamins in the form of supplements will ensure good health. However, the nutrients that Americans may be missing could be easily obtained by consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables. The price of supplements would be similar to the price of buying fresh fruits and vegetables, and produce would be a veritably safe option of improving health.

Dietary supplements, on the other hand, are not always safe.

“There are a lot of dietary supplements out right now that are clearly unsafe and thousands of Americans annually go to emergency departments and end up with liver failure and all kinds of long-term health consequences from dietary supplements and weight loss formulas that haven’t been well-researched,” says Lipscomb. “Supplements can be dangerous, especially for certain segments of the population. [For example], people with liver disease or kidney disease don’t always know they have [the] disease.”

This danger stems from the lack of regulation of these supplements.

According to DSHEA, there are many regulations the FDA normally uses for drugs that are not allowed to be used for dietary supplements.

FDA Public Affairs Specialist Brenda Zimmer, a former 15-year forensic chemist, explains that “the FDA regulates dietary supplements in a manner similar to that of food. The dietary supplements don’t need FDA approval as prescription or over-thecounter drugs would. Rather, their ingredients have to be considered safe.”

Supplement companies do not have to register their business or new products with the FDA; they are only required to register new supplement ingredients. However, a company could potentially sell a new ingredient without the FDA knowing if the ingredient is not registered. Once the government manages to hear about a new ingredient that has not been registered, it takes time to enforce the laws.

Producers and firms are responsible for determining the safety of their products. This rule is the opposite of that which applies to pharmaceutical drugs, where before production even begins, the drug must be proven safe by stringent and rigorous FDA testing.

“There is no testing [before a dietary supplement is produced and sold]…We have to prove a dietary supplement is harming people before we can remove it from the market,” says Zimmer. “Whereas with a drug, the drug company has to prove that it’s safe before it can get on the market.”

Dietary supplement companies sell their products by their own prerogative and are neither required to tell the FDA nor required to publish the results of tests to show safety or efficacy. This means companies are under little

32 | Spark | October 22, 2009

control of the government and therefore, thew amount of unsubstantiated claims on television and the Internet is very large. “[People] need to take something that has been proven to be effective and that’s made by a large-name company, like Centrum,” says Lipscomb. “I don’t really recommend things that you can buy off the Internet.”

If a dietary supplement turns out to be unsafe, the product will cause health problems or even death among the consumers of the product. These consumers or their families can then report concerns to the FDA. However, many people may be negatively affected by the particular supplement before the FDA can be notified and can test the product. “[The FDA] investigates [a dietary supplement] when there are a number of reports of people being harmed from it,” Zimmer says.

After the FDA has received a good deal of complaints, it can test the product for safety, which is a long, difficult and expensive process. Chemists must run many tests with expensive machines, such as mass spectrometers, which test the molecular composition of chemical compounds.

“It takes a lot of money and time for the government to prove that [dietary supplements] are not safe,” states Zimmer.

With drugs, the FDA merely checks the work of the companies’ research.

The difference between checking the safety of drugs before they go on the market and testing the safety of dietary supplements after complaints is comparable to the difference between checking someone’s work on a math problem and trying to solve a math problem that a person has never seen before.

Even after the product has been deemed unsafe, the FDA still has difficulty enforcing its decision.

“One problem would be that it can take an awful long time to get a dietary supplement that appears to be harming people off the market, such as ephedrine,” says Zimmer.

The FDA can enter an injunction against the manufacturer of the unsafe dietary supplement, and then the case goes to court. But even if the court rules that the product is indeed unsafe and should not be sold, this decision can be difficult to enforce because the company can change its product’s name.

“The minute [a company’s] dietary supplement gets on a list of supplements that are unsafe or shouldn’t be taken, the person who’s selling the supplement [changes] the name of it,” says Lipscomb.

Zimmer explains that “people don’t realize they’re getting the same product and that could harm them.”

American consumers do not always put in the research that is necessary to choose dietary supplements that are safe and beneficial. This may come from the American mindset of wanting a fast solution.

“Sometimes American consumers aren’t very savvy. They want a quick fix. We are a country of ‘fix it now.’ Americans in general don’t want to take the hard route of making long-term dietary changes. They just want to pop a pill in their mouth and make everything better. And that’s just not possible,” says Lipscomb. “The best approach to health is the hard approach, and that is [to] eat a healthy, well-rounded diet and keep your weight under control.”

Americans are unwilling to eat a healthy diet because it is difficult, timeconsuming, expensive and inconvenient. It is a lot more difficult to find fresh produce, prepare it and eat it. It seems much easier to take a supplement, but this is not a sure option. The current system under which the FDA can regulate dietary supplements is not perfect and not always effective.

“You know what? It’s what we’re allowed to do by law,” says Zimmer about the way the FDA regulates dietary supplements. “Sometimes it is effective, and sometimes it’s not.” n

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lifestyle | feature

Rediscover the lost art of farming for a living story l ariadne souroutzidis photos l caroline tompkins

A

church community sits down to eat, passing the food around the table. Platters laden with heaps of chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans are passed between members of the congregation. These are the memories Station Road Farmer’s market bring forth in the mind of frequent customer Pat Asbroch.

“My father was a farmer and we attended community chicken dinners at our church,” Asbroch says. “For me, shopping here is more than just the produce, it’s the memories too.”

Station Road Farm easily conjures up reminders of Asbroch’s childhood with the quaint feel of a family-run market. The farm has been owned by the Binder family since 1969, when the father and grandfather of Station Road Farm’s current ownner, Stever Binder, lived on the property “We started part time just selling tomatoes in 1977,” explains Steve’s wife and business partner Linda Binder.

Soon they branched out into everything the customers wanted, including “zukes, cukes, pickles, peppers, cherries, peaches, apples and more.” Not long after that, the Binders’ started selling firewood and trees, as well as the greater variety of produce.

“When I lost my job in 1990, we started doing this full time,” Steve explains.

Gradually, however, the amount of time Steve and Linda spend farming has decreased.

“We used to be working until 10 o’clock some nights, but we just

34 | Spark | October 22, 2009

can’t do that anymore; we have eight grandkids,” says Steve.

The Binders used to have a whole field of corn and a whole field to tomatoes that had to be taken care of so the produce could be sold in their market; the size of the fields, however, has also diminished with time.

“We don’t own everything on this side of the road anymore,” Steve says. “So we’re limited as to what we can do.”

Although the farm size has diminished, the desire for fresh produce has not. Therefore, the Binders’ have expanded to include produce bought from the Amish, Mennonites and other local farmers.

Since the beginning of their farm, more than the variety of produce they offer has changed. As organic foods have gained popularity, many Americans have become increasingly aware of what goes into their foods and opt to buy organic produce instead of other produce that has been chemically treated.

“We went organic in the seventies,” Steve says. “Now we just use a lot of horse manure and water.”

The difference between organic and inorganic produce lies in how the produce was grown. Conventional produce is often treated with chemical fertilizers to help the plant grow faster. Insecticides and herbicides are also often used to take care of insects and weeds.

“The idea of organic is nice,” comments full-time employee Brenda Bradford, “but it’s often impossible.”

As an employee of the Binders’, Bradford gets a behind-the-

scenes look at what goes on in the farm; which is not as pleasant as it seems on the outside.

“It’s a gamble; it’s a risk you take everyday,” says Steve. “It’s not a [way of making a] living; it’s a life. You do it because you love it, not because there is money in it, because most of the time there isn’t.”

Farming relies on produce sold for a profit to keep the business running. Some produce, like cabbage, is very difficult to grow organically because it is highly susceptible to insects. If not sprayed with insecticides the plant will simply be devoured by bugs, leaving the farmer nothing to sell.

“We had to give away a whole bushel of cucumbers because they were spoiled,” says Steve.

Even with healthy organic produce, local farmers like the Binders’ still have a hard time selling their produce.

“They [people] don’t freeze anymore, they don’t can anymore,” Steve comments. “Everyone who did that is dead and gone.”

With storing practices such as freezing and canning becoming a thing of the past, not as many people buy bushels of produce at one time.

Besides that, most frequent customers only come for a few items.

“I come whenever I’m out of corn or green beans,” says Marcia Steele, a long time customer who comes every couple of weeks.

With the convenience of grocery stores close to home, many costumers are not coming out to the farmer’s market.

“The produce at Kroger has been so good lately, I haven’t needed

to come out here,” comments one costumer at the market.

However, the majority of customers do not visit the market on a regular basis.

“Some people may only come once a year for a Christmas tree or a pumpkin,” Steve says, “and that’s it for the year.”

With prices set competitively, it is hard to understand why customers would not choose the organic option.

“Many people don’t even know we are here,” claims Steve.

“Advertising doesn’t do anything with everyone too busy to notice.”

According to Steve, “radio, tv, newspapers, you name it” cannot seem to draw people to the farmers’ market because they are too busy to notice the advertising. Weekend business totals 80 percent of Station Road Farm’s profit because that is when customers have the most time to spend shopping.

Looking around Station Road Farm it is easy to see that the Binders are trying to draw in customers.

“We just finished the playground,” Linda explains. “This way the children can play on the playground after they come pick a pumpkin for Halloween.”

However, looking at the large table of discounted spoiling produce, it is evident that their goods cannot wait around for customers to come. Despite the charming feel of the market, there is more to the farmer’s market and to farming than just great produce.

“I don’t recommend farming to anybody,” Steve confesses, “It’s a lousy life, just nothing but work.” n

35 | Spark | October 22, 2009

lifestyle | interesting vegetables

pimp your eggplant

Eggplant, the undermined and forgotten vegetable, enhances the diet and provides a healthy choice for all.

w

Aubergine (eggplant) Parmigiana Serves 4-6

3 medium aubergines (eggplants) thinly sliced Olive oil for brushing 1 1oz mozzarella cheese, sliced 1 1/3 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese 2-3 tbsp natural-colored dried breadcrumbs Salt and ground black pepper Fresh basil sprigs, to garnish

For the sauce

2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed l 4oz can chopped tomatoes l tsp sugar about 6 fresh basil leaves

Layer eggplant slices sprinkled with salt in a colander. Drain for 20 minutes then rinse under cold water and pat dry.

Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Lay the eggplant slices on non-stick baking sheets, brush the tops with olive oil and bake for 10-15 minutes until softened.

Make the sauce by heating the oil in a pan, adding the onion and garlic and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.

Add the canned tomatoes and sugar, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, until reduced and thickened. Stir torn basil leaves into the sauce.

Layer the eggplants in a greased shallow ovenproof dish with the sliced mozzarella, the tomato sauce and the grated parmesan, ending with a layer of parmesan mixed with the bread crumbs.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling.

36 | Spark | October 22, 2009

story l meredith bleuer photos l dan turner

hen looking for a black beauty, one must only go to the local store and search for a big, juicy eggplant.

Complete Vegetarian, edited by Nicola Graimes, says that the name originally came from the small ivory-white, egg-shaped variety of eggplant. Although, the most popular variety today is the dark-purple, glossy-skinned eggplant. This is the variety which has been nicknamed black beauty, but the eggplant is more formally known as aubergine.

With a peak season of August to October, the eggplant can be cheaply found this time of year in abundance at a farmers’ market or at a grocery store.

Suzie Marcum, eggplant grower and owner of Salem Road Farms in Liberty, IN, says that she “would heartily recommend home gardeners [to] try growing eggplant. They are much tastier than what is available in the grocery store.”

Local growers agree that growing eggplant is not difficult and one will have a supply of eggplants through its season of late summer until the first frost of the autumn.

“It’s real easy to grow,” says Nancy Denny, a home-grower of eggplant.

Growing the eggplants at home allows the Denny family to eat eggplant several times throughout the summer.

This vegetable is not only tasty to eat and easy to grow, but it also provides many benefits for the body. With only 25 to 30 calories per cup, eggplant is high in fiber and contains nutrients such as vitamin C, iron, potassium, calcium and vitamin B. However, eggplant is most known for containing the anthocyanin called nasunin. According to Mary Pat Alfaro, Clinical Nutrition Manager and licensed dietitian at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, nasunin is a potent antioxidant which protects your lipid (fat) molecules and cell membranes by trapping the oxygen molecules that threaten to chop them up.

“But if people take the peel off then they are eliminating a lot of these good antioxidants,” Alfaro warns. “That’s where the nasunin would be because it’s an anthocyanin, which is what makes it purple.”

Alfaro continues to say that the chemical compound of nasunin is a purple crystal and this contributes to the purple color of the eggplant skin. This same band of pigments can be found in other blue or purple fruits, such as blueberries or grapes.

Other substances can be found in eggplant as well, including nicotine alkaloids, which are part of the tobacco family. However, the small amount of nicotine it contains is harmless to the body and would take 20 pounds of eggplant to equal one cigarette.

“The bitterness comes from some of the [nicotine] alkaloids,” Alfaro says.

Despite its bitter qualities, Alfaro says, “Eggplant is high in antioxidants and should be part of the healthy diet.”

When preparing to cook with eggplant, The Joy of Cooking by Irma Rombauer and Marion Becker says that salting and draining on a rack (then rinsing the salt off) or stacking the slices under a heavy plate will get rid of any excess moisture. This will also prevent excess amounts of oil being absorbed during frying.

Whether one is frying, baking, grilling, stuffing or marinating eggplant, it is a nutritious vegetable which contains powerful antioxidants as well as multiple vitamins that are beneficial to one’s health. n

entertainment | playlist

Spark Playlist: Amanda Kaine Every issue, a member of the Spark staff is chosen to create a playlist that showcases a selection of the music that he or she has been enjoying as of late.

“White Lights” deas vail

The singer of this band, Wes Baylock, is amazing. His high notes are what really set him apart. An added bonus: the melodies of each song are soaring and gorgeous.

“Forever” Drake Drake has so far shown both remarkable talent and variety. “Forever” is particularly good because it features Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne and Eminem. That’s an overload of rap goodness.

“Comme Des Enfants” Coeur de Pirate It may be hard to understand this artist if you don’t take French, but it’s still enjoyable to hum along to this pretty song. Coeur de Pirate’s sound is delicate and lilting.

Béatrice Martin is magic with a piano.

“Chicago” Sufjan Stevens Sufjan Stevens is a bit quirky, but insanely creative. Some of his songs may be a bit weird for most people, so definitely try “Chicago” first.

“A Milli Freestyle” Asher Roth This song shows that Asher Roth will definitely not just be a one-hit wonder. He can actually rap, and his lyrics on this song are surprisingly sensitive and politically and socially aware.

“Ring-a-Ling” Black Eyed Peas There are many great tracks on their new album, The E.N.D. This track is especially addictive because of the chorus.

“Circles” Thrice This is best song from the new album, Beggars, and perhaps the best slow song that Thrice has ever done. “Circles” is plaintive and gorgeous.

“Fireflies” Owl City If you haven’t tried Owl City, you should.

Adam Young’s sound isn’t just a mix of The Postal Service and PlayRadioPlay! This song is bubbly and feels super happy.

“Feeling Alright” Rebelution Reggae isn’t popular among many people, but this SoCal band makes the genre a little more accessible. Their songs are less Jamaican sounding and lean a little more toward rock.

This song is so relaxing and chill.

“Again and Again” 2PM Korean pop artists like to throw in English phrases into otherwise all-in-Korean songs.

For this song, the singers repeat, “Again and again and again,” over and over, with an N’Sync sound. But actually good.

“Ice Box” There For Tomorrow There has recently been a plethora of rock versions of rap and pop songs. This particular song is a version of Omarion’s “Ice Box,” and is a nice take on the original.

“Enter Galactic” Kid Cudi Kid Cudi’s debut album came out on Sept.

15 and so far it’s living up to the hype created by “Day ‘n’ Nite” and “Make Her Say.” This song can be put on repeat without feeling tired.

“A Mess It Grows” HE IS WE Female vocals may not be your thing, but this singer is amazing. This song has a catchy melody, as do all of HE IS WE’s tracks.

37 | Spark | October 22, 2009

entertainment | reviews

The Music Beggars

by Thrice Vagrant Records Ellipse

by Imogen Heap RCA Love Drunk

by Boys Like Girls Sony Music Distribution The Blueprint 3

by Jay-Z Roc Nation Sound the Alarm

by Howie Day Sony Music Distribution Bad Veins

by Bad Veins Dangerbird

the blueprint 3 – jay-z While other rappers are pushing the limits of hip-hop and mixing sounds with other musical styles, Jay-Z shows on newly released The Blueprint 3 that it is possible to try something new without auto-tune.

Appropriately titled “Death of Auto-Tune,” as well as a few others on The Blueprint 3, has a beat involving the same big band instrumentals that listeners have grown used to with Jay-Z’s recent work.

The main criticism against Jay-Z’s new album is that it is nothing like its predecessors The Blueprint and The Blueprint 2. In fact, The Blueprint 3 isn’t similar to anything attempted before. It features a Jay-Z and Mr. Hudson collaboration on a rap version of the classic “Forever Young,” which appears on the album as “Young Forever.”

The album was executively produced by Jay-Z and Kanye West, who have been closely tied since Kanye signed on to Jay-Z’s Roc-AFella Records. Kanye appears in only a few of the album’s tracks, but his influence is apparent in all the album’s modern beats. These new

styles are especially prevalent in the tracks “On to the Next One,” “Off That” and “Hate.”

The Blueprint 3 features an all-star cast including Alicia Keys, Pharrel, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Drake and Young Jeezy. Only three tracks of 15 feature Jay-Z alone. There is much potential for several songs to share the success of the single “Run This Town,” which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Potential contenders are “Off That” featuring Drake, “Real As It Gets” featuring Young Jeezy, “Hate” featuring Kanye West and “Empire State of Mind” featuring Alicia Keys.

Jay-Z is a seasoned artist who many regard as one of the greatest rappers of all time. Longtime fans need to listen to The Blueprint 3 with an open mind – it is unlike any of his previous 10 albums. Jay-Z proves that his lyrical genius can be applied to many different sounds while still maintaining his classic style. Fans both old and new will be able to appreciate his new style of music.

– Jeff Cargill «««««

ellipse – imogen heap Imogen Heap, best known for her song “Hide and Seek,” has released her third album, Ellipse. The British solo artist kept her fans updated until the release date through her blogs, Tweets and 10-minute video blogs.

Ellipse sounds noticeably similar to Heap’s last album, Speak For Yourself, but her lively new songs will be enjoyed by old fans in addition to new listeners.

In Ellipse, Heap sings in a higher range but with the same vocal harmonies and acoustic sonority heard in her previous album. Heap includes a wide selection of instruments in her songs, such as violins delicately sprinkled in “Canvas,” piano in “Half Life,” and even Heap slapping her own butt in order to get a realistic sound in “Bad Body Double,” as she told the Herald Scotland.

Heap finds a way to sneak funk, classic, jazz and rock sounds into her melodies. “Little Bird” seems capable of lulling someone to sleep

38 | Spark | October 22, 2009

but somehow manages to give an enlivening impression. I found myself replaying “Bad Body Double,” “Earth” and “Wait It Out” several times. Each song is different and worth listening to. Some songs are fun to sing to, such as “Wait It Out,” while others are fun to dance to, such as “Swoon.” Others, like “2-1,” showcase Heap’s ability to flawlessly mix in angsty, yet thought-provoking lyrics.

The quirky electronic beats, varied percussion and Heap’s wide vocal range easily distinguish her songs from the overplayed pop music on the radio, including Britney Spears, Kanye West and The Black Eyed Peas. Ellipse is not part of mainstream media, nor will it ever become part of the predominant collection of songs rattling the radio. But perhaps this is what makes Imogen Heap truly significant and definitely worth listening to – a star that shadows most other indie rockers.

– Rashma Faroqui «««««

bad veins – bad veins Bad Veins has always been the charming Cincinnati duo that has made their mark in coffee shops and taverns around the Tri-state. However, their self-tilted debut album has created sparks around the whole country that has launched this band into much more than just an indie local.

At first glance, the listener feels like he or she is listening to the next Killers album. Songs like “Falling Tide” sound like a mash-up of Brandon Flowers and Franz Ferdinand, but usually it is hard to believe that this band is just a duo.

After the second listen, each song has little surprises throughout it. What makes Bad Veins distinct is their orchestra-like backgrounds

blended with typical indie rock melodies. The opening track “Found” best illustrates their strive to be different with marching band instrumentals, and the rest of the album seems to follow suit. The album does not lack lyrically either. They are not afraid of getting soft and emotional, which sets them apart from bands like The Killers.

Overall the album is complete and danceable, which will please their indie followers, but it is also pop enough to get the general public to sing along. Every listener will at least be able to connect with how much heart the band has and will cling to the spirit of the album. Bad Veins will always be the charming band from Cincinnati, but now it seems they will be making their mark throughout the country.

– Caroline Tompkins «««««

sound the alarm – howie day Many people may remember Howie Day from his chart-rocking love song “Collide.” This hit was released in 2003 on his first album with Epic Records: Stop All the World Now. Howie Day built up hype around his musical and deep acoustic resonance; he toured all around the country for the next several years with other notable indie artists, including the Barenakedladies and the Goo Goo Dolls, as Day perfected his sound and found new inspiration for his newest release.

Sound the Alarm is Howie Day’s most awaited studio project to date.

Howard Kern brings the band a more mature sound as he strengthens

his lush voice and thoughtful lyrics. In previous albums the featured instrument has been a simple acoustic guitar or piano, but tracks like “Count on Me” and the cover track, “Sound the Alarm” feature a full orchestral sound accompanying the traditional Howie Day instrumentation.

The first single from Sound the Alarm, “Be There,” is more complex than Howie Day’s older singles. Day uses unconventional melodies that are still catchy and musically pleasing. “Be There” won’t top any charts, but for listeners looking for serene music that is not cliché or boring, Sound The Alarm is a good album to try.

– Dan Garrett «««««

beggars – thrice For their newest album, Thrice aimed for “feel” and “groove.” Though these are rather vague goals, Thrice is right on the money with Beggars. Thrice has finally got its groove.

Diehard Thrice fans will nitpick and gripe about how Thrice isn’t pushing boundaries into weirdoland, but really, how could Thrice do anything crazier, weirder and more ambitious than their last project? The Alchemy Index included four successive albums, each corresponding to an element—air, water, fire and earth. Thrice can’t get stranger. And that’s okay. There is nothing great about being weird and “out there” for no reason.

This isn’t to say that Thrice has gotten boring with Beggars.

Definitely not. Thrice still knows how to be quirky, interesting and innovative. But this time, with their seventh (or sixth, depending on how you count up their four-album element chef-d’oeuvre) album, Thrice has grown into itself, finding its sweet spot. Beggars combines quirkiness with the harder rock roots that fans might remember from albums such as Artist in the Ambulance.

This new release strikes a comfortable balance that feels almost familiar, like meeting someone new who seems as though you’ve known them your whole life. If you haven’t even heard of Thrice, this is a good time to start listening.

Dustin Kensrue still lends his unique vocals to the band’s sound.

Reminiscent of a loner backpacking through the Badlands, his voice gives texture to every track. Interestingly, he sings in a much more soulful way than ever before, but only fleetingly, like at the beginning of “Doublespeak.” Kensrue’s voice is not so rough as to be abrasive, but it sounds so genuine.

Another complaint against Beggars is that there are not just a few stand-out tracks. Well, that is because they all are amazing. The chord changes in “Circles” are so beautiful and elegiac. The song doesn’t sound quite the way you would expect it to, and that’s just how Thrice does things. “The Great Exchange” is another gorgeous-sounding song, but if something more high-energy and harsh sounds appetizing, then you will find the opening track, “All the World Is Mad,” to be absolutely delicious. It is catchy and fiery, and will definitely get caught in your head during block day Spanish.

The title track, “Beggars,” incorporates a bit more of that aforementioned soulful singing and is rather slow but not sluggish.

This is rock at its best, albeit a little weird.

Just a sidenote: do not expect something fun and lighthearted from this album. Thrice’s lyrics, as usual, lament how Earth has problems.

But Beggars is awesome enough that its greatness will cheer you up.

This album is consistently great, and anyone with an open mind will be pleasantly shocked to find the music equivalent of the little bear of the Goldilocks story. Not too hard, not too soft, but just right.

– Amanda Kaine «««««

love drunk – boys like girls Three years after the release of their debut album, Boys Like Girls has managed to stream themselves back into the sound pumping through our stereos. Love Drunk, the latest album from this Bostonian band, is rightfully reaching every home in America. For each of their new 11 songs, Martin Johnson’s voice delivers a high energy, alternative music that should, and will, be played over and over.

Although Boys Like Girls’ Love Drunk is an overall win, the lyrics are predictable. Every song on this album is about tumultuous

romance. Still, Boys Like Girls deserves some props. Included on this album is an array of sounds, ranging from a rock and roll ballad to an acoustic performance featuring Taylor Swift. This band successfully broke away from the ‘typical’ pop label with its new sound.

If looking for some good ol’ teenage music, then search no further.

Slightly less mellow than that of their first self-titled album, Boys Like Girls fans will adore this new album. It is everything to be expected from a band of this generation. While the songs are not spectacular, this album is worth listening to a good once or twice.

– Emily Merrick «««««

39 | Spark | October 22, 2009

The Motio The movie trailers pointed to one mindset for newly released Love Happens: a chick-flick that girls would drag their boyfriends resulting in a long talk about their relationship afterward. These audience members will be severely let down as Love Happens proves the trailers wrong and should be properly named Grief Happens.

Directed by Brandon Camp, the movie follows Burke (Aaron Eckart) as he pursues Eloise (Jennifer Aniston).

Unfortunately, Love Happens is less love story and more struggle to free Burke from his personal chains of loss – his wife had died three years prior and he hypocritically helps others overcome their losses through his best-selling book, A-OKAY!.

During Burke’s three day A-OKAY! seminar, viewers walks in Walter’s shoes and faces his 12-year-old-son’s death.

Consumed in his own anguish, Burke pushes Walter past his grief, while questioning his own. The love story wraps around

the self-help aspect of the movie and keeps the plot moving forward.

All of the actors played their roles believably and maturely.

Actress Jennifer Aniston can rightfully claim her title as “America’s Sweetheart” after this film and Dan Fogler adds a fresh perspective as well as comic relief as Burke’s best friend and manager.

The best part is how producer Scott Stuber, with executive producers J. Miles Dale and Rick Solomon, show their fancy camerawork to create an aesthetic masterpiece. The result alone is worth more than half the price of admission.

While Love Happens is an unexpected letdown rated – PG-13 thanks to its empty pre-release hype, overall the length – 109 min movie is a success that relates to viewers in their IMDb ratings – 5.5 twenties and thirties.

Rottentomatoes rating – 18% – Lauren Ellis Spark rating – «««««

The long awaited remake of the 1980 musical, Fame has finally arrived. Originally directed by Alan Parker, the movie was an Oscar winning film. Kevin Tancharoen, producer, dancer and choreographer, has recreated Fame in a modern adaptation that truly pulls at one’s heartstrings.

Fame follows ten teenagers who are accepted into the prestigious New York City High School of Performing Arts.

Despite living in New York, the students emerge out of various backgrounds from poverty to prosperity. But they all have something in common: the dream of the limelight.

As the story progresses through the students four years of high school, the audience learns who has the talent to make it big. Along with their daily lives, the movie throws in love, depression, scandal and career opportunities into a plot that delves deeply into realistic teenage life.

Although this film is fundamentally about the journey to fame, the administrators of the school constantly remind the students that the performance world is not for the faint hearted. It is clearly emphasized that fame does not come

easily and may only be achieved with painful amounts of dedication. This rigid dedication creates an odd bond with the administrators played by Debbie Allen, Charles S. Dutton, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullany and Bebe Neuwirth .

While Fame is a musical, it certainly does not go along with the traditional random song and dance numbers. The music and choreography flows with the story and makes sense with the scenes, situation and placement. The audience is therefore duped into thinking that this is how a performing arts school really functions.

With a mixture of amazing choreography and a plethora of music, Fame is able to hold the interest of almost any audience member for its one hour and 47-minute run time. The great musical performances can make even the most uptight of people want to stand and sing and rated – PG dance. length – 107 min With its amazing versatility, Fame will surely set a IMDb ratings – 4.4 new standard for future musicals.

Rottentomatoes rating – 28% – Erika Andler Spark rating – «««««

40 | Spark | October 22, 2009

love happens

fame

on Pictures The latest addition to Tim Burton’s vast collection of films, including The Nightmare Before Christmas, is the PG-13 animated motion picture 9. 9 is the first feature film coming from director and story writer Shane Acker. The onehour, 19-minute movie began three years ago as an 11-minute college assignment and has evolved from there. While the film had great animation and adorable characters, the sub-par plot line caused the movie to progress slowly.

In 9, a scientist creates a machine that is supposed to be used for the greater good of the world, but the machine turns evil and creates other machines like itself. War breaks out between man and machine rated – PG-13 and the machines are victorious. This scientist also length – 79 min created nine rag-doll figures, the only beings left IMDb ratings – 7.2 with souls after the war. The film starts with the Rottentomatoes rating – 56% awakening of 9 (voice of Elijah Wood) and his Spark rating – ««««« adventure into a broken world. The rest of the rag-

dolls are in hiding led by 1 (voice of Christopher Plummer).

When one of their fellow rag-dolls is taken away by a machine, 9 goes out with the other characters to save him and attempt to end the oppression from machines.

Plot-wise, 9 is similar to Disney-Pixar’s 2008 film Wall-E. In both films, humans create vast amounts of technology, only to be overcome by their own creations. Both movies also share morals: that technology is negative and can destroy humanity.

The animation in 9 was terrific. The characters, machines and scenery were beautifully crafted. The film had signature Burton darkness, but Acker added his own touch as well with the animated characters. The storyline was decent, although unoriginal, and the message of the film was extremely thought-provoking. However, 9 was a letdown and not up to Burton’s standards.

– Emily Lunsford

An attempt at James Bond style cinema without the action, suspense or women, The Informant puts actor Matt Damon in a role unlike any other he’s done before. Damon plays the role of Mark Whitacre, the vice president of a corporation involved in an illegal price-fixing scam.

Viewing himself as “the good guy,” Whitacre reports the activity to the FBI and is then unwillingly pressured to work as an informant against the company he’s worked at for several years. Gradually, Whitacre thinks that he is a true secret agent.

But as Whitacre continues to spy, the FBI and even his family, he finds his world falling apart.

Although funny at points throughout the movie, The Informant has several scenes that are boring and lose the interest of the audience. Furthermore, it uses rated – R many references that only someone with a Masters in length – 108 min Business would understand.

The entire plot revolves around the business IMDb ratings – 7.3 Rottentomatoes rating – 76% world and the illegal activities that intertwine Spark rating – ««««« throughout it. Even some adults would not find

the movie entertaining because they wouldn’t be able to understand the business aspect.

Portrayed in the commercials as a ‘James-Bond-like’ movie, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Matt Damon’s spy role is brought up in only a few scenes, but this does not take up the majority of the movie.

Matt Damon fans will find a much different actor than they have seen before. Damon uses a wig and fake moustache and even makes his nose look different to transform himself into Whitacre. The movie attempts comedy, but unfortunately this is not Damon’s forte. At many times it is obvious Damon is trying to be funny, but he tends to not connect with the audience and loses their attention.

Overall, The Informant was a weak attempt at comedy and much of the audience will either not understand what is going on or not find it funny. Although some will enjoy the movie, it is clear that The Informant was made for a very specific demographic and not suited for much of the population.

– Matt Fleming

9

the informant

41 | Spark | October 22, 2009

entertainment | reviews

The Literature

T

he class of 1989-90 at Largo High School in western Florida – the subject of Tom French’s South of Heaven – seems worlds apart from anyone walking the halls of Lakota East. After all, they graduated 20 years ago. And they live just minutes from the beach. But upon reading further into their lives, the universal trials and tribulations of adolescence become strikingly obvious and perhaps even poignant.

French, after obtaining written permission from the school and parents, spent one school year at Largo High talking to the students there, gaining their trust and understanding the chaotic lives they led. With his subtle pop culture references and casual voice, French chronicles the events and emotions of the teens over the course that school year at Largo High with all the seemingly jaded nonchalance of the very students that surround him during his stay.

The book meanders from one month to the next, focusing on the popular overachiever Christine “YY” Youskevicius one moment, and on the bright but disillusioned Mike Broome the next. Each chapter examines the tangle of fluctuating emotions and frustrations of each student, wandering from Principal Judi Westfall’s office where Mike has once again been sent for disrespecting a teacher, to the football field where Andrea Taylor has shattered social and racial barriers by becoming Largo’s first black Homecoming Queen. The chapters focus on all environments, from Mrs. Hay’s Honors English class, where the best and brightest are taught, to the pod, a set of trailer-ensconced classrooms where the especially unmotivated, hostile or hopeless students are sent in a last ditch attempt to see them graduate. Many, if not all, walks of life are seen trooping through the halls of Largo, each with their own unique hurdle to overcome before the end of the year.

Using individual students as examples, French captures the essence of high school life during the end of the 20th century: the stresses of graduating, homework and relationships – all compounded by divorce, drugs, sex, violence and the unbelievable pressure to simply quit. Streaks of post-Nixon pessimism and government mistrust thread quietly through the students, as they wait patiently and prepare to face the world.

“Teenagers may not read much, but in between flipping channels, they’ve caught a few of the latest updates on the national deficit and the homicide rate and the health care crisis and the destruction of the rain forest and the seemingly imminent collapse of just about everything on the planet,” writes French. “They know what kind of mess they’re inheriting.”

And what a mess it is. While 16-year-old Jaime Sheehy’s single mother struggles to simultaneously control her bills and her daughter, 17-yearold John Boyd contends with the belligerent drug dealers taking over his government-housing neighborhood. Each student at Largo faces the leftover ramifications of their parents’ decisions. YY wrestles with the ignorance of her mother toward her high school struggles. Karin Upmeyer diets endlessly to meet her ex-pageant-queen mother’s expectations. Mike faces the rejection from his aloof father and exhausted exasperation from his worn out mother. From all sides, the students are endlessly battered with economic, moral and social issues with which their parents never had to contend.

And in some cases, a few teenagers at Largo are prematurely thrust into the trials of parenthood. Several teens struggle with morning sickness and aching ankles while studying for AP exams and SATs. 16-year-old Heather Plicher gives up her dreams of college to care for her unplanned baby boy, Steven.

The homework may have changed, the classes gotten tougher, the expectations raised, but teens today, as French conveys, have the same devil-may-care, take-on-the-world attitudes as their predecessors and perhaps even their parents in their teenage years. Essentially, French opens readers’ eyes to the past, showing that, no matter the time period, teens will continue to fight and fly, love and hate, fail and succeed. They will continue to be teenagers, for better or for worse.

– Radhika Madhavan

south of heaven “But there are just the kinds of things a visitor could see and hear in a single day[...]

Kids who live under assumed names so their abusive fathers cannot find them and beat them. Kids who have run away and are sleeping wherever they can – any place but the place that used to be home.”

D

columbine “Outwardly, Eric and Dylan looked like normal young boys about to graduate.

They were testing authority, testing their sexual prowess – a little frustrated with the dumbasses they had to deal with, a little full of themselves.

Nothing unusual for high school.”

ecember 7, 1941. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt announced during the height of World War II that this day would forever live in infamy. Roosevelt was not mistaken. This day continues to signify a malicious breach in American safety. Not until September 11, 2001 had so many American lives been lost in such an attack. FDR was right. However, there is another date which was equally devastating. April 20, 1999. The day psychopathic Eric Harris and wrathful, quavering Dylan Klebold donned their ignominious black trench coats and orchestrated one of the most deadly and horrifying school shootings in American history.

This was the day of the Columbine Massacre.

Misconceptions regarding the how and why of Eric and Dylan’s murderous wrath were quickly accepted as misguided fact as parents and officials of Jefferson County were gripped with fear. One such fallacy was that the killings were a result of a jock-feud and bullying, when in fact Eric and Dylan were notorious for being bullies themselves, picking on freshmen and “fags.” Many claimed the shooting had connections to the Gothic subculture, Marilyn Manson, Adolf Hitler and a fascination with Nazi beliefs, all of which would prove to be false (although Eric was engrossed with Nazi Germany and would often quote Hitler’s Mein Kampf).

The majority of these misunderstandings were quelled in the first several months after extensive study and numerous reports, yet some continue to exist today. The Evangelical church continues to perpetuate that Misty Bernall supposedly professed her faith before Eric squeezed the trigger on his sawed-off shotgun when in reality she had no time to even draw breath before she was slain.

For 10 years, starting on that fateful Tuesday morning, New York Times investigative reporter Dave Cullen chronicled the Columbine tragedy. CNN has called Cullen “a leading authority on the Columbine tragedy,” as he dispels many of the mysteries surrounding April 20 in his novel Columbine.

Cullen has sifted through hours of extensive interviews with parents of the Thirteen killed that day and Columbine Principal Frank DeAngelis, as well as thousands upon thousands of pages of police reports. Cullen has brought to light what few have actually seen – Eric and Dylan’s hate-filled journals and disturbing Basement Tapes, in which the killers offer false apologies and weapons demonstrations. Cullen tells the tale of two angry teenagers, one simply hoping to exterminate as much of the human race as possible and the other searching for a way to end his life while bringing harm to as many people as possible. He records Eric and Dylan’s stories as well as the plight of the rural Colorado town with thoroughness, clarity and a sense of compassion and empathy necessary to cover such a harrowing tale.

After 10 years of delving into the psyches of Eric and Dylan, Cullen has done what many believed to be impossible: he has understood the minds of the two killers. And upon reading this novel, you will also grasp the motives of these twisted murderers. Eric proving to be a manipulative, clinical psychopath, while Dylan was more prone to thoughts of love and eternal happiness in between periods of self-loathing depression. While the boys never claimed themselves to be God, each thought that they had attained a level equal to Godhood. What you read may appall and horrify you as the author delves into Eric and Dylan’s hatred, but you will be rendered incapable of closing the pages of Cullen’s comprehensive masterpiece.

The boys had hoped to “leave a lasting impression on the world.” Not only did they succeed, but in a triumph of investigative journalism, Cullen has accomplished the same feat. A personal description of violence as town officials and the nation itself are rendered helpless, paralyzed with terror while they watch the massacre unfold before them and the embarrassing debacle of police blunders and cover-ups which followed the shooting, Columbine is destined to become a classic. It is an unforgettable tale of Columbine as many have never seen it – the police mishaps, accusations in the media, as well as Eric and Dylan’s psyche as they descend from petty theft to mass murder.

– Tyler Castner

entertainment | feature

All Aboard!

story sandhya warrier | photos caroline tompkins

Step up to the platform and prepare to get on board the family-friendly caboose. Nearing the station, the muffled whistling of the engine can be heard. Inside, the scenery takes a twist into a train station, complete with a cafÊ, steel benches and a paved footpath. But don’t be fooled by its appearance.

44 | Spark | October 22, 2009

Sales: Adults: Senior (65+): Children 3-12: Under 3:

$12.95 $11.50 $9.95 FREE

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Noon-6 p.m. Sun. Phone: (513) 898-8000 Address: 7379 Squire Ct. West Chester, OH 45069

F

or almost a year, Entertrainment Junction has been nestled in West Chester. This train-themed entertainment center has proven itself to be both unique and exciting after being voted Ohio’s Best Family Entertainment Center. This newly established fun-center has not only been recognized by the critics, but also by the community.

“Once people come here and see what a great place it is, they like coming back,” says Public Relations Officer of Entertrainment Junction Bill Mefford.

Entertrainment Junction is often confused for a train museum. But that is only a small portion of the center itself. The Railroad Museum is a separated section for those who want to learn more about the history of trains.

“We have the museum kind of on its own, so it doesn’t get in the way of the model trains,” says Mefford.

But even the museum incorporates fun by adding interactive kiosks and fun trivial games.

Although Entertrainment Junction has different experiences to offer, the train model exhibit captures the most attention.

With 15 miles of tracks for the model train sets to follow, visitors stroll through the display while viewing hundreds of hand-made toy trains. All of the scenery, including the waterfall, bridge and numerous buildings, was made by the hands of some 130 train-loving volunteers.

“Everything here was made by people who really love trains,” says General Manager Bill Balfour. “Even the trees and lakes were made by people.”

Moving along the exhibition, visitors travel through three different time periods: the Civil

War era, the 1940s and 1950s, and the present day. Each time period is depicted by a different train station and different landmarks. And the exhibition as a whole incorporates some handson fun by adding interactive buttons.

“We have these red buttons throughout the walk-through that allow people to activate the trains. Some of them move cargo. Other ones turn on sound effects,” says Mefford.

After viewing the entire stretch, visitors are given the opportunity to look over the whole display from a balcony. On the balcony, visitors stand 12 feet above the train exhibit and can view the whole display from one area.

“People enjoy overlooking the trains from up here,” says Balfour.

Upon finishing the Train Journey, or model train display, families can let their creativity flow in the Imagination Junction. Here, kids are free to roam around, to play with toy trains or to ride the outdoor train ride.

“The kids love being able to play and have fun here,” says Balfour. “They usually don’t want to leave.”

And when it is time to leave Imagination Junction, the viewers are directed into the gift shop, filled with fun toys and collectable trains.

Owner Don Oeters says, “[Entertrainment Junction] is how I envisioned it.”

Being a part of the Greater Cincinnati Railroad Society, an established group of train enthusiasts, and having an early love for trains, Oeters decided to create this train-themed entertainment center. After gathering volunteers and employees from other railroad societies and even Kings Island, Oeters successfully launched his family-friendly fun center.

“Disney really inspired me to take something and make it more, and to make it correctly,” says Oeters. “So, I’d say this place is very Disneyesque.”

But it’s not all about trains.

During the seasonal holidays, Entertrainment Junction holds holiday-themed events such as The Junction Nightmare, the Entertrainment style haunted house for Halloween, and The Journey to the North Pole for Christmas time.

Filled with mirror mazes and construction site mayhem, the haunted house is “directed to get more screams than scares,” says Mefford.

“The haunted house is mainly directed towards the teenagers because we wanted to incorporate something that they’d enjoy in here as well,” says Balfour.

East senior and current Junction Nightmare employee Dean Samuels says that “working at the haunted house is awesome.”

“This year is definitely better than last year,” says Samuels. “We’ve made a lot of improvements.”

And during Christmas holiday, children can come into Entertrainment Junction to take a trip to the North Pole and visit Santa himself.

“We decorate the place with Christmas decorations and have a meet and greet with Santa,” says Balfour.

Whether it’s a fun-filled train experience or a good scare, Entertrainment Junction has it all.

“We are always making changes to the place,” says Oeters. “So, it’s never really going to be finished. It’ll just keep getting better.”

Leaving the station, visitors get one last glimpse before stepping off the platform – each leaving with a memorable experience. n

45 | Spark | October 22, 2009

sports | east sports

Road to Redemption story shawn baxter infographic tyler castner

F

ollowing a season of rebuilding, the East girls’ basketball team looks to continue its path toward redemption.

Last season, the team had a 5-17 record, but this year looks to make big changes by bringing in a new coaching staff.

Former Assistant Coach Nikki Drew has been named Head Coach due to former Head Coach Todd Benzinger’s departure for personal reasons.

With a new head coach for the second straight season, the girls look to continue to progress.

East Athletic Director Richard Bryant says that he looked for a coach that had a vision for long-term success. While Drew was a coach at Colerain, she compiled a career win-loss record of 64-45.

“Drew has a lot of basketball knowledge and coaching experience and we are motivated to play for her,” sophomore Whitney Wyckoff says, who led the Hawks’ in scoring averaging 10.1 points per game as a freshman.

While the team lacked experience last year, the returning starters will be expected to perform even harder this year, according to Drew. The team will continue in the direction established by former head coach Benzinger, but Drew points out that the team will be more offensive and aggressive this year. Drew plans on working the team more rigorously.

Last year, several freshmen made the leap to varsity status, which demonstrates the inexperience of the team.

According to Wyckoff, the team played well last year, but due to a lack of experience, the team did not perform as well as it could have.

“Last year we were inexperienced because there were a lot of freshmen on the team,” Wyckoff says. “We did not know what to do in certain situations, but this year when we get in those situations we will play better.”

There were four games last season that the team lost by five points or less, which shows the drastic improvements from the previous season, in which the Hawks were defeated by 20 points or more in 17 games.

During the summer, the team played in the Sycamore summer league and went 7-2, beating

46 | Spark | October 22, 2009

After a playing career at Xavier University and in the WNBA, Drew coached at Vanderbilt University before leading the Colerain girls’ basketball team to a 64-45 five-year record.

Through the Years .600 .550 .500

A comparison of the past three East Girls’ basketball coaches in years coaching and winning percentage.**

15

**information – Dan Hilen .526*

*6 seasons at Lakota (1991-1997) won 109 lost 30 6 seasons at East (1997-2003) won 32 lost 97 12

.450 .400

10

.350 .300 .250

.227

.200 .162 .150

5

5

.100 1

.050 Cindy Feltman = Tenure

Dave Honhart

Todd Benzinger = Winning Percentage

Years Coaching

“All three teams will be very competitive – at a minimum, all three teams will be .500.”

Drew’s former team. According to Drew, the team will be more competitive than last year due to an increase in intensity at practices, but she still realizes that the team needs to produce more victories.

“We need results. We can say how hardworking we are, but we need to win games,” Drew says.

“We were in most games, but we need to find a way to finish them.”

With an increase in wins last year, the overall gameplay level has increased and more people have come to try out for the team Drew explains.

Also, Bryant is optimistic that the teams will start to see younger talent interested in playing for the team.

“I can see eighth graders making decisions to come to East based on the success that we will have,” Bryant says.

Throughout Drew’s career, she played professionally overseas in France and was a Director of Basketball Operations at Vanderbilt University. With these experiences and Drew’s “down to earth coaching ability,” the team is excited to dive into the new season with her as coach, according to Wyckoff.

“From a basketball IQ standpoint, I will expect more,” Drew says. “All three teams will be very competitive – at a minimum, all three teams will be .500.” n

Winning Percentage

For the second consecutive season, the girls’ basketball team starts the year with a new head coach.

Victory Swing East’s varsity girls’ tennis team rallied its way to 14 regular season wins, the most the program has ever seen. story and photo faiz siddiqui | infographic logan schneider

G

ame. Set. Match. It is the phrase that every tennis player hears after two to three sets of endless rallies, exhilarating volleys and mentally taxing serves. It signifies the end of the tennis match, the triumph of one player and the defeat of another. East’s girls’ tennis team welcomed the phrase more times than not this season, as it brought the team’s hard fought tennis matches to a close, with East usually on the winning side.

For the winningest girls’ tennis program in East’s history, “anything but bagels is just unacceptable.” The players are not just talking about the ugly step-sister of the doughnut. The slogan refers to winning a set by the score of 6-0. Because the zero closely resembles a bagel, a set won by this score is sometimes referred to as a “bagel.” The players keep their minds set on achieving perfection by eating plain bagels before every match.

After coming in second place at the Coaches Classic, the girls’ season ended up coming as close as possible to perfection without actually reaching it.

The season began with a nine-match winning streak in which the team only lost five total courts (individual matches) while winning 40.

Some of the team’s success can be attributed to freshman Taylor Holden, who went undefeated at second singles this season.

“Taylor was a very important player for us this season,” says Head Coach Karen Barnes.

Senior and first doubles player Jessica Backstrom sees a bright future for the young freshman.

“Anything but bagels is just unacceptable.”

“I definitely think she’s going to win the [Greater Miami Conference] and be a strong contender for state in years to come,” says Backstrom.

Holden, who has been playing tennis since she was seven years old, attributes her success to her focus on and off the court “I don’t get ahead of myself,” she says. “I don’t think about the last thing I did. I’m focused on what’s current.”

Being a freshman, Holden still had much to learn upon entering her first year of high school. “[The upperclassmen] helped me with my homework, which really helped,” she says. “They told me what I should and should not do in high school.”

Holden’s undefeated season was jeopardized in July when she bruised a bone in her left wrist and developed tendonitis.

“I was hitting my backhand and I heard my wrist pop,” she says. “It instantly hurt.”

Luckily, the injury only sidelined her for a month.

Even though Holden managed to compile a 12-0 record, the team’s record was tainted by a single loss at the hand of bitter arch-rival Lakota West, bringing its record to 14-2.

According to Backstrom, the team made up for the loss with 14 regular season wins. The loss had no substantial effect on the team’s final GMC ranking.

“This year was our most successful year,” says Backstrom. “We have a good shot at winning

Junior Sarah Fanning sets up for an overhead while teammate Taylor Stephens backs her up.

GMCs.” Backstrom and her doubles partner Samar Sheriff rounded out the season with a 7-2 record after going 6-9 in 2008.

Backstrom agrees that chemistry played a colossal role in this season’s turnaround.

“I’m closest with Samar because she’s my doubles partner,” Backstrom says.

Chemistry was a common theme in the locker room this season.

“I’m close with everybody,” says Holden.

“The team is just like one big family.”

The “family” that is East girls’ tennis was linked together by the common characteristic of winning. Junior Carolyn Pitman, who plays first singles for East, finished the season at 12-1, as did senior Erin Filbrandt at third singles.

“I personally did not have too much trouble,” says Filbrandt. “The hardest match I won in the regular season was against [Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy].”

Regardless of this year’s outcome, the seniors agree that the team from which they are departing will be a GMC force for years to come with up-and-coming freshmen like Taylor Holden and Leeah Floyd.

“I think we have a strong program coming up,” says Backstrom. “Especially with two freshmen this year.”

Coach Barnes did not hesitate to point out who she could see in a leading role next season.

“We have quite a few people that could possibly fill [the seniors’] shoes,” she says.

“Samar Sheriff is a very capable singles player for us.”

With so much young talent, future teams will look to measure up to the standard set by the team of 2009. Regardless of the opposing team, East’s girls’ tennis team will have its bagels and eat them too.n

47 | Spark | October 22, 2009

sports | fresh faces

Ashley Evans - Girls’ Volleyball

Fresh Faces W

ith a untainted record, varsity girls’ tennis player Taylor Holden is making a name for herself at second singles.

Holden has been playing tennis for eight years.

Before trying out, Holden considered attending Ursuline or Mount Notre Dame, but she is glad she decided to come to East.

“I love the team atmosphere, and I have fun with all my teammates,” said Holden, who felt a bit of pressure coming onto the team because people had high expectations for her. The key for Holden was not to get pressured is just to have fun. “ I just have fun when I play tennis. A lot of people take the game so seriously, but if you just have fun you’ll do well,” Holden said.

Holden’s optimistic attitude is a valuable aspect on the team “Taylor comes to tennis and always respects the ability of her other teammates and never assumes she is better,” said Head Coach KarenBarnes.

“Holden is a nice and talented girl”, said Barnes. “She approaches tennis in a calm and consistent way. Her attitude mixes well with some of the others who are outwardly competitive.”

The varsity atmosphere has been a “new and exciting experience” for Holden.

“My most memorable match was the first match, because it was the first match I played on the varsity tennis team,” Holden said.

In order for Holden to maintain her skill, she practices with her dad and attends clinics at South Regency Tennis & Fitness Center. For Holden, tennis is a family atmosphere.

“My dad played tennis in high school, my cousins play, and my brother is learning how to play right now. There is definitetly a family aspect with tennis,” says Holden.

Senior varsity member Jessica Backstrom is happy to play alongside Holden.

“Taylor is a great addition to the team; she always keeps a positive attitude,” said Backstrom.

— Anjana Jagpal

O

n

Jeff Back - Boys’ Cross Country

East Freshmen athletes stand out on varsity squads

ut of more than 20 freshmen who tried out for the volleyball team this year, few stood out.

East freshman Ashley Evans made the cut to represent the Thunderhawks as a member of the varsity volleyball team for the 2009 season. Only five other underclassmen, out of 14, join Evans on varsity.

Emily Langan, East varsity volleyball coach, describes Evans as very mature.

“I was extremely impressed with her attitude and ability during tryouts,” Langan said. “She works hard and is really dedicated.”

Evans has seen a great difference in the practices this year.

“There’s so many new drills,” said Evans.

“Between junior high and high school, the competition just gets that much higher.”

Senior varstiy member Meredith Garda, has seen an improvement in Evans’ performance since the beginning of the season.

“She has definitely stepped up her game,” Garda said. “She is definitely a go-to player because she has the ability to play any position.”

Ashley contributed 6 kills in the game against Lebanon, which led to a score of 3-1.

Evans loves the experience of playing alongside upperclassmen but her schedule can become strenuous. With practices every day after school, Junior Olympics and a few games each week, Evans expected this year to be tough.

“You have to give up a lot of stuff,” said Evans. “It’s kind of hard watching JV (Junior Varsity volleyball). You have to sit in the stands or go in the locker room while you do your homework. I never watch any television really anymore and with studying a ton and late nights you just have to get used to it.”

Evan’s has high hopes for the rest of high school.

“This is just the start of it.” Evans said.

“There’s three more years after this. If I get used to it now, it’s gonna help in the three years after too. So I’m just excited.”

—Rashma Faroqui

TICKER: GIRLS’ SOCCER- 3rd in GMC 5-4-1

photo – eric muenchen

photo – eric muenchen

photo – eric muenchen

Taylor Holden - Girls’ Tennis

GIRLS’ TENNIS- 2nd in GMC 14-1

T

he Lakota East boys’ cross country team hopes to qualify for Regionals this season with the help from freshmen Jeff Back.

Second year head coach Adam Thomas was slightly worried about Back at the beginning of the season, but his confidence in him is growing.

“Jeff struggled in his first race this season but has been improving a lot lately. I think he’s over his injuries from early in the season. We’re looking for a fifth man for the top five score; Jeff might be the man to step up,” said Thomas.

Last season the boys’ cross country team finished sixth at the Greater Miami Conference championship meet and qualified two runners to the District meet. Thomas was not disappointed with boys’ cross country team last year.

“I was pretty happy with it being my first year as coach here,” said Thomas. “I didn’t know many kids and I didn’t know what to expect, so all in all, I was pleased.” However, like every coach, he has even higher goals for the team this year.

“I want to get them out to Regionals this year, which is the top four in the District meet,” Thomas said. “We missed that last year by about 10 points.”

Nate Thomas, a senior varsity cross country runner, has also noticed Back’s hard work.

“He’s got a very good work ethic he doesn’t slack off like some other freshman” said Nate, “He’s already running with the top three guys.”

Back recognizes the pressure and is ready to step up to the challenge.

“I’m going to work my hardest,” said the freshman. “I’ll push other people and help our team during the races. I really just want to help our team out.”

A key to Back’s success so far has been his focus prior to and during his races.

“On the bus to meets, I listen to music and I don’t talk to anyone, and I just try to stay focused,” said Back. “When I’m there I think about the course and my strategy during the race.

I just try to stay focused on my run.”

— Jordan Drake n

BOYS’ GOLF- Jordan Day 2nd in GMC

ON PAR FOR SUCCESS

HAWKS’ ALUMNI

story brandon kors

For the 2008 East boys’ golf team, Aidan Javed was the unquestioned leader for the Hawks as they strove to threepeat a Greater Miami Conference (GMC) Championship, which would have made them the first East club to do so in the school’s history.

At the end of the 2008 season, Javed sat atop the GMC leaderboard with an average score of 36.20 over nine holes, just .07 ahead of current 2009 leader Korey Ward of Lakota West.

Javed holds several records for East boys’ golf, including most tournaments in which he was medalist and owns three of the top four low 18-hole scores and is second in low 9-hole scores. He also has the second lowest score average in East golf history.

Javed looks to continue his golf career as he steps out on the course as a Musketeer for Xavier University. Although Javed has yet to see the links in tournament action this year, he is one of four freshmen to make the Xavier roster.

Expect to see Javed contributing to Musketeer Mens’ Golf in the near future. n

A look into the lives of East athletes

n

East varsity golfer Caitlin Buck has dramatically improved her senior year average score and rank this year. Last year, Buck ranked eleventh in the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) out of a field of 79 golfers. Buck also ranked ninth out of all GMC golfers with an average score of 43.47. This year, Buck is ranked 11 in the GMC out of 62 golfers with an average score of 41.50.

Buck attributes her recent success to her new and improved work ethic.

“I started to focus and I started to practice. When I want something, I really go after it and I don’t stop until I reach my goal,” Buck said.

Buck stumbled on the sport in seventh grade.

“I hurt my knee and I had just stopped playing soccer. So I got into golf and I had a knack for it. I stuck with it,” said Buck.

Now, Buck relishes the chance to be on the golf course with her new-found love.

“Everyday, I get to go out and do something I love to do,” said Buck.

On average, Buck spends 25 to 30 hours a week on the golf course practicing her craft. Buck has also had four trainers who have helped

photo used with permission of tim buck

story tyler castner

Buck chips onto the green during tryouts.

develop her golf game.

Buck’s new love for golf has paid off. As a member of first team all-conference helped her fellow lady Thunderhawks finish sixth last year in the GMC tournament with a score of 172 and a team score of 797.

During the summer, Buck won her second consecutive Girls Junior Championship at Four Bridges Country Club. She continued her outstanding play with a 37 this year, earning her co-medalist honor in a dual match against Oak Hills.

“Caitlin is always really happy to be involved in golf and she is

really fun to be around,” said Buck’s teammate Courtney Warren.

Buck’s greatest achievement so far this year was winning her first golf tournament at Centerville on August 31. Out of a field of 130 golfers, Buck shot a 75 with six birdies for a one-stroke victory.

“It was really surprising because there were some girls I was playing against that I had been trying to beat since seventh grade. I felt accomplished but I worked hard for it,” said Buck.

“Caitlin has made tremendous improvements over her four years at East, especially in the area of her short game,” said East women’s varsity golf coach Cindy Feltman.

Now that Buck has a tournament win under her belt, she has three main focuses: qualifying for state, setting a school record at East for women’s golf and getting prepared to go to college.

“Winning State will take a lot of work, but I am definitely going to try and give it my best. Hopefully my best will have a good outcome,” said Buck.

Buck hopes to continue golfing next year when she goes to college.

She is looking at Georgetown College, University of California Santa Cruz, Flaglar College and Oregon State University. n

HAWK CULTURE

INSIDE THE NEST

infographic sally ryan

Matt Witzman VARSITY BOYS’ GOLF

Nathan Hankins VARSITY BOYS’ SOCCER

Abbie Schauble VARSITY GIRLS’ SOCCER

Stephen Donoghue VARSITY FOOTBALL

Morgan Samm VARSITY CHEERLEADING

Favorite candy bar?

TWIX

MILKY WAY

REESE’S

BUTTERFINGER

REESE’S

This summer was...

FUN

CHILL YET FUN

BUSY

AWESOME

AMAZING

For or against the new grading scale?

AGAINST

AGAINST

FOR

FOR

FOR

Bengals or Buckeyes?

BUCKEYES

BUCKEYES

BUCKEYES

BENGALS

BUCKEYES

I can’t wait for..

TENNIS SEASON

COLLEGE

COLLEGE

THE SUPER BOWL

PROM

GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY- Alaina Norman 3rd in GMC

n

Hankins finds Milky Ways, which were created in 1923, delicious.

“I like Milky Ways because of the caramel and the chocolate nougat stuff combo. It’s good stuff.” The idea of the Milky Way came from wanting to put a chocolate malted milk in a candy bar. In 2005 Americans ate more than 200 million Milky Ways.

GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL - Hannah Berling 2nd in GMC serving

sports | quick hits

OPEN GYM Soccer Technique, not Style

“The technique is very important and pointing your toe every time is essential.

The goal is to hit the ball on the top and inside of your foot, kind of like soccer.

But if punting is executed “soccer style”, it ends up being really bad.”

1

Take Short Steps

8

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PUNTING

2

“Before you kick, you can perform a 1-step, 2-step or 3-step punt. The more steps you take, the longer it takes, and the more chance the defence has of blocking the ball.”

Aim for a Spiral

“It’s really difficult to get a spiral, but when you do, it’s awesome. You have to step, swing your leg, keep it straight and kick perfectly. Spirals break through the wind easier and it makes it difficult for the receiving team to catch.”

3

Speed is Everything

4 5

“Do it as fast as possible and you won’t drop the punt. If you waste time, it will be blocked. If you drop the punt, your team will have bad field position.”

Personal Protector

“In punting, I have a personal protector.

He stands a few yards behind the line of scrimmage and calls out which way they lineman should block.”

Punting vs. Kicking

6

“Kicking is done by swinging your leg, like in soccer. Punting is about getting the power from taking short steps, placing the weight on your kicking hip and keeping your leg straight to get the power.”

Perfect Drop story nate billisits east boys’ football punter (as told to allison korson) photo weston neal

7

“It has to be a perfect drop. You can’t just toss it. First hold the ball with both hands, then drop the opposite hand as your punting leg and push the ball with the same hand as your kicking leg.”

Order of Play

8

“The personal protector will say ready, the center looks at me, snaps it and I catch it and punt it. Then he helps block for me and he runs down the field to try and tackle the return man.”

50 | Spark | October 22, 2009

IN THE STANDS

opinion kyle morrison

Students often attend mainstream sports that do not often excel, while more successful teams go unnoticed.

“There more

It’s Friday night. As energy rises, the sun is replaced by blinding stadium lights. The drumline pounds out a beat that becomes the pulse of the student section. Screaming teenagers fill the stands, trying to rally the home team to victory.

There is no high school environment more electric than a football game.

Yet, the 1-5 football team overshadows teams such as the 7-4 girls’ volleyball team, which is 3-2 in conference play.

Despite their success, the attendance at volleyball games is only a fraction of that at football games. This overwhelming difference in attendance is easily attributed to the fact that football games are the first major event of the weekend – the students crave it once their alarm clocks go off Monday morning.

Yes, there are plenty is no high school environment of reasons to watch a electric than a football game.” hopeless football team, but there are also a myriad of reasons to go support the girls’ volleyball team. Not only are they a great team, but the volleyball players are all of the female persuasion, whereas football players are not. Additionally, their spandex attire is far more appealing than that of their large, hairy, masculine, football-playing counterparts.

On top of that, volleyball games are held indoors where the ceiling shields spectators from the elements. If fans actually want to be outdoors, they could easily go watch the 6-2-2 boys’ soccer team, the

8-4 girls’ golf team or the 14-2 girls’ tennis team.

Students constantly complain about East athletics’ downfalls, but they fail to give credit to the athletic programs that deserve it. While being supportive of the football team may be admirable, it is far nobler for the students to support the teams that are overlooked. If the other teams can be as good as they are with virtually no fanfare, imagine how well they would be if the stands were packed with fans who created an atmosphere as electric as a football game.

The bottom line is that the football team has loads of support and barely anything to show for it as it was outscored by an astounding 84 points in their first 5 games. This is the most obvious reason why East is seen as the “smart school” and West is seen as the good-ateverything-else school. The majority of teams at East are just as good, if not better than their counterparts at West.

Students at the football games scream their lungs out without a second thought. However, at the games for East’s winning teams, the bleachers are bare and void of spirit, with the exception of a handful of somewhat uninterested parents.

While East has already surpassed West in the classroom, as evidenced by the recent Ohio Graduation Test scores, there is an opportunity for East to surpass West on the field as well. It’s up to the students to get behind our first-rate teams and show them the spirit and passion we show the football team. If East’s student body can support these teams, the mold of ignorance will break and East students will no longer be blinded by the Friday night lights. contact kyle at kyle_morrison23@msu.com

IN THE STADIUM

opinion faiz siddiqui

Chad Ochocinco and other NFL stars have proven it takes more than profound athletic skills to make it big.

“The

Chad Ochocinco has come down with a case of the swag flu.

The disease, which Urban Dictionary defines as “a contagious virus that spreads game, confidence and swagger among a population of individuals,” is easily recognizable in Ochocinco, who broadcasts an unscripted show of himself on his Ustream page every night. The show mostly consists of Ochocinco reading his Tweets and texts, while providing his audience with witty commentary. Still, if the show’s host was anybody but the God of touchdown celebrations himself, its audience would be lucky to reach seven, let alone the 700 who religiously watch every night.

Chad seems to have taken over the Internet. The man updates his Twitter page more often than he breathes. His posts are usually useless rants, letting his fans know how he feels about what is going on around the NFL, notifying them swag epidemic’s influence has of the latest fine he owes, spread beyond Cincinnati.” or planning out his next fine-inducing stunt.

While Ochocinco’s constant video streaming and Tweeting is already personal enough, the man formerly known as Chad Johnson is looking to get deeper into his fans’ lives than ever before. That is why his latest stunt involves introducing his signature Ocho Cinco condoms, which claim to “Catch everything your Johnson shoots.”

Even after an abysmal football season, Ochocinco is easily the most marketable player in the NFL. He has taken advantage of every opportunity at his disposal, including the contraceptive market.

The public is closer to professional athletes than it has ever been, and all of the publicity is not bidding well onto the football field as evidenced by Ochocinco’s lack of celebration opportunities last year.

The 153,000 followers that Chad has on Twitter are all contributing to the number one distraction in professional sports: publicity.

The Cincinnati Bengals were featured in the HBO special “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals.” As a result, their media exposure is higher than ever going into the season. Fans are close to each and every player on the team. Whether their publicity will translate into points on the field is left to be seen.

The swag epidemic’s influence has spread beyond Cincinnati. The T.O. Show follows wide receiver Terrell Owens as he makes the transition to his new home in Los Angeles and his new team in Buffalo, his fourth team in six years. The show looks into every aspect of Owens’ life down to his one piece pajamas. His publicists analyze Owens’ every move to the point that by the end of the program, they know more about Owens than they know about themselves.

By watching their shows, reading their Tweets and buying their contraceptives, the public is encouraging professional athletes to market their names, without consideration of their athletic talent. These days, being a good football player is simply not good enough. NFL players have to be giant publicity stunts themselves.

It would be acceptable for players to advertise themselves and their lives if it positively affected their play, but the fact of the matter is that it has proven time and time again that it does not. contact faiz at fsiddiqui2011@gmail.com

51 | Spark | October 22, 2009

opinion | head to head

HEAD T She is employed. She isn’t disabled and is in good health. And her health care comes directly from the government.

Shirley Loucks is a small business owner from Port Severn, Canada. As a Canadian citizen, she enjoys the right to guaranteed access to health care.

“We love our health care,” she says. “When you go to the doctor, you never have to worry about paying for it, and you get quality care. It really makes it feel fair and equal for every Canadian.”

Canada offers each and every person access to health care as a right of citizenship, like every other industrialized nation in the world except the United States.

According to President Obama’s official platform, the goals of the reform plan are reducing costs, guaranteeing choice and providing health care to all Americans. The representative for the district that includes Lakota, House Minority Leader John Boehner, is a staunch opponent of any government health care. Yet, it’s very convenient for him to oppose reform as a member of Congress; he receives free government health care.

According to the World Health Organization, the United States ranks 37th in the world in health care, behind countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Canada; all nations that have government-run health care. These nations are democracies. If they didn’t like their health care, they could simply elect leaders that would get rid of it.

The truth is that government health care works well.

Critics of the plan have continued to try and scare people away from Obama’s plan for an optional federal health care plan. Conservatives for Patients’ Rights, a group opposing President Obama’s reform plan, launched television ads that claimed a system similar to that used in the United Kingdom would lead to long waiting times for treatment.

The ad features British health campaigner Kate Spall describing how the socialized health care system rationed care and led to her mother’s death. Spall was outraged that the group had distorted her views regarding the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, the government health care administration. “There are failings in the system but I’m not anti [National Health Service] at all,” Spall told the British Broadcasting Corporation.

World-famous physicist Dr. Stephen Hawking, a British resident paralyzed due to a chronic neuromuscular disorder, has praised the UK’s system of government-health care.

“I wouldn’t be here today if it were not for the NHS,” he says. “I have received a large amount of high-quality treatment without which I would not have survived.”

Plenty of services that work well in the United States are government run. The fire department, the police, the highways, the military, the post office and the school-system are examples of successful government programs. But there is another example of a service provided in part by the government: health care. Citizens over the age of 65 can get Medicare, a government health care system created in the 1960s to assist seniors with medical costs. No politician would dare propose to eliminate Medicare because it works.

According to polling organization Harris Interactive, 76 percent of adults surveyed liked the Medicare program. Not only do politicians and the elderly enjoy government health care, but our veterans do as well. If government health care is so awful, Congress would have abolished the medical care which our veterans are rewarded.

On June 9, 2009, Boehner said “we live in America, the greatest country in the world.”

America has many great qualities, but according to the National Coalition on Health care, there are roughly forty seven-million Americans that lack health insurance. 85 percent are legal citizens, and 80 percent are part of a working family. That shouldn’t happen in the “greatest country in the world.” Congress must allow Americans to access the same government health care that they enjoy. A public option to expand coverage, keep insurance companies honest and control costs is a necessity.

America is great because of its steadfast mission to “create a more perfect Union.” Congress must not let down the millions without coverage, the future generations who will cope with outrageous costs or the millions of insured who could be denied care because of pre-existing conditions.

America can – and will – do better than that. n

health

ryan fay

“Congress must allow Americans to access the same government health care that they enjoy.”

52 | Spark | October 22, 2009

O

HEAD Mr. President, your pants are on fire.

The leader of the United States and his liberal allies in Congress have not merely perverted the truth about government health care for their own use. They’ve lied, without remorse or guilt, directly to the American people.

The mask of fiscal responsibility is the first to fall to the facts. President Barack Obama has repeated numerous times that universal health care will help balance the budget. This would happen because (according to Mr. Obama) even though the government would be spending more money, it would primarily be for “preventative care” which would focus on the prevention of illnesses for the governmentally insured, as opposed to waiting until those diseases became worse and needed more costly treatment.

This argument sounded plausible, until the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) actually did the research. Douglas Elmendorf, the director of the CBO, stated that “...expanded utilization [of preventative care] leads to higher, not lower, medical spending overall.” That statement is not a difference of opinion. It’s a case of fact versus fiction, with the President coming out on the side of fiction.

Democratic leaders have been constantly touting that their health care plan is “necessary.” Americans are entirely justified in any skepticism they have about this claim.

The last piece of legislation that was “necessary” was the $787 billion stimulus package.

That plan spent huge amounts of money to keep the national unemployment rate from reaching eight percent. The effects of this were supposed to be immediate. Yet, six months after the implementation of the stimulus package, America is close to 10 percent unemployment. The “necessary” stimulus package did not do what it was supposed to do, let alone do so immediately. Now, the government is calling Obamacare and the approximately $1 trillion the plan will cost “necessary.” Many Americans (over 50 percent, according to most recent polls) have come to the accurate conclusion that throwing huge amounts of money that the government doesn’t have at complex problems is never necessary.

The number of Americans who truly have no access to health insurance has also been grossly inflated.

Between 46 and 47 million people living in this nation are uninsured. That is true. But the facts about those people tell a very different story. The CBO estimates that almost 50 percent of those uninsured people will be eligible, but will not apply for, Medicaid. That takes the number down to about 24 million. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, nearly 12 million of these remaining uninsured are illegal aliens. That leaves the nation with approximately 12, not 47 (as the Democrats repeatedly say), million citizens who cannot get health care coverage.

“If you like your coverage, you can keep it.” This statement is one of the President’s favorite talking points, and in some cases, it could end up being true. But for the 75 percent of Americans who currently get their health care through their employers, that statement will almost certainly be false. If a company currently pays for the health insurance of all of its employees, it is spending huge amounts of money to do so. If the government offers a public option, it would make financial sense for that company to simply stop paying for health care and let the taxpayers do it. That would put the company’s employees on a health care plan that they don’t want.

Most Americans do not want the government bureaucracy meddling in their health care. According to a CNN poll taken in mid-August, 84 percent of Americans are happy with their health care, the health care that they could lose to the public option. This nation should adopt policies to get that number of happy Americans as close to 100 percent as possible. However, sacrificing the wishes of the vast majority to the demands of a few through increased government intervention is impractical and immoral.

The immorality of this debate is rampant on both sides, as is often the case in politics. But the lies told by government health care supporters to guilt the public into accepting a program they don’t want are inexcusable. When the President of the United States, regardless of his party, blatantly and guiltlessly lies to the American people, it’s time to demand the truth.

Mr. President, stop your lies. n

care

luke hall

“The President and his allies in Congress have lied, without remorse or guilt, to the American people.”

53 | Spark | October 22, 2009

opinion | editorial cartoon art brian baltis

55 | Spark | October 22, 2009

opinion | commentary

NITYASREEVALSAN drooling at driving school art lisa liu

As I was going home from school one day, I happened to look out of the window into another car. At least five people were in the compact, two-door car, laughing their heads off, with the windows rolled down and the radio blaring. I peered closer.

Two of the people in the backseat were smoking and the teenage driver was texting wildly.

“Wow,” I remarked to my sister, who was driving. “There’s an accident waiting to happen.”

Lo and behold, less than one minute later, I saw that car smoking on the side of the road with considerable damage, having obviously rear ended the vehicle in front of it. That same driver I had seen laughing and texting like a mad person was now standing next to her smashed car and on the phone with a very worried expression.

The other passengers were nowhere in sight, presumably back at school after ditching their friend.

The ironic thing was that I had just been to a driving lesson the previous day, where I had explicitly been told not to be distracted in any way while driving. This driver was violating almost everything I had just learned. The state of Ohio requires everyone to take 24 hours of driving school, and yet stuff like this happens.

Perhaps a flashback to my driving class the day before would explain things a bit. As I struggled to keep my eyes open in the third hour of class, I looked around at my apathetic classmates. Two girls were giggling in the corner, three people were asleep, two were doodling on the table and at least four were rapidly texting.

Absolutely no one was paying attention to the video that was playing.

I couldn’t blame them. The film we were watching at the time repeated itself several times and restated what the previous video had told us. It was so boring that the instructor himself was falling asleep (or he was falling asleep because he was nearly 80 years old). At least the next video didn’t have a monotone, generic anchorman from the early 1980s telling us to buckle up over and over again. Rather, it had a collection of horror stories involving people who died horrible, tragic deaths because they were distracted while driving. By the end of one story, I completely understood, as did most of my classmates — at least those who were paying attention — that texting, eating and sometimes even talking while driving were bad things to do.

However, by the fifth gore-filled death in the video, I became less horrified. My mind wandered and I couldn’t pay attention any more. Before I knew it, a couple hours of instructional time had passed with little to no brain activity to show for it. The intense stupor I was in even caused me to forget what I had

contact

Nitya at evilsmartie@gmail.com

56 | Spark | October 22, 2009

previously learned that day.

So the next afternoon, as I looked at that worried girl with her damaged car, I understood how it had happened. She had not forgotten what she had been taught; she had never properly been taught in the first place.

If driving school actually educated teens on the way to drive, the information would be fresh in their minds, which would lead to fewer accidents when driving for the first time. Instead, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of crashing is particularly high during the first year that teenagers are eligible to drive. This leads to greater fines, possible injury and maybe even death. No one should have to get into an accident in order to learn what driving school should be able to teach.

Four hours of utter boredom is not the right way to instruct teenagers what and what not to do while driving. All of the information presented in driving school is actually important to know in order to avoid dreadful accidents like the one I witnessed. Pumping massive amounts of mundane and repetitive information into our heads in six days and having nothing take hold is not the proper way to teach anyone anything, let alone teach us these vital lessons.

For one thing, four straight hours of driving instruction is just too boring.

Halfway through, some students are already nodding off. Stopping the class ah $#@%! at two hours allows students to not only learn the information, but to have time to process the information before forgetting it. Unfortunately, even if Ohio shortens the amount of time teenagers have to go to driving school, the monotonous videos will still utterly fail at teaching us.

We teenagers are more inclined to pay attention to something that relates to and interests us. Videos starring Kramer from Seinfeld do not exactly relate to us.

Videos that repeat the same exact thing as the video before them do not hold our interest. As a result, we do things that actually do relate to and interest us, like doodling and texting, instead of paying attention to the stuff we need to know.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that the economic impact of auto accidents involving 15- through 20-year-old drivers is over $40 billion. Yet new drivers pay roughly $400 for driving school in order to prevent paying exorbitant prices to insurance companies because of accidents. But because new drivers are still getting into crashes that cost ridiculous amounts of money - after paying $400 - the driving school system needs to be reformed.

When I saw the driver of the damaged vehicle again a couple months later, her car had been fixed and she was driving again.

This time, she had only one passenger, her radio at a normal volume and her eyes on the road ahead. n

East Speaks Out “I do, because it’s in the constitution.”

“No country is ever completely free, but I definitely think we are free compared to most other countries.”

Sam Butler, sophomore

Francesca Reynaert, sophomore

Do you consider America to be the land of endless opportunities?

“No. Any country who has students pledge to the flag every morning does not scream freedom.”

Allison Wright, senior

“Yes, but it’s limited, like profanity in schools.”

Katie Konopasek, junior

JUSTINECHU

the american nightmare As customers step into the small, family-owned Chinese restaurant, they automatically head toward the counter to place their order. This simple, unassuming brown counter holds complimentary toothpicks and a cash register. However, the counter houses something much more precious – a boy. A pudgy second grader sleeps comfortably on the bottom shelf of his makeshift room as his parents run their business.

It’s a much better option than the table in the corner of the restaurant, Ethan thinks, because he always ends up with a crick in his neck when he naps there. From his two pet turtles kept inside a cage near the entrance to the rear of the restaurant he treats like a backyard, Ethan manages to integrate his home life completely into the restaurant. He has to. His parents work there for the majority of the day, and he would be home alone if he was left in the apartment. The lifestyle his parents have to comply with in America – one which steals away the family time Ethan so desperately needs – is a product of the American Nightmare.

Ethan’s mom and dad had expectations when they immigrated to America, no doubt. Whether they envisioned placid days in Ohio or hard labor in rural China, they knew that they wanted to give Ethan a place to grow up where the water he drank wouldn’t turn his teeth black as it did in China’s countryside. Even though America’s water quality is sufficient to keep Ethan’s teeth white, the country has devoured his family’s much-needed time together, which in turn has kept him from having a close-knit relationship with his parents.

Most kids Ethan’s age would want their parents to leave them alone while they play on their Playstation. Ethan, on the other hand, simply cherishes the time he spends with his mom and

dad. Physically and economically, Ethan’s family isn’t submerged in poverty. However, to keep on providing Ethan with such things, his parents need to make money. And without higher-level education, his parents have no choice but to take lower-paying jobs. Spending more time cooking and taking orders means less time with Ethan, who’s ecstatic when his mom decides to take him to an airplane show for his birthday. He tells me exactly where it is and how “it’s going to be REALLY cool with all the planes, you know, the littler ones that go up and turn?”

Ethan’s parents might not have PhDs, but they both know

“Most kids Ethan’s age would want their parents to leave them alone while they play on their Playstation.” they can’t raise a child properly with the long hours they have to work. So, they did something sensible. Ethan’s toddler brother, after being born in America, was sent to China to have his grandparents take care of him, and will come back to live with his parents when he is older. Because Ethan is actually here, in America, there is an unmentioned expectation that he should be able to care for himself without much adult supervision.

However, Thomas the Tank Engine and outdated picture books aren’t really adequate substitutes for everyday needed attention from his parents.

While America has forgone the blatant reminders of the harshness of legally becoming a part in American society, the worry-laden post-immigration story of many people is thinly veiled. The dream of immigrant parents to lead their child toward a life of upstanding citizenship will be hard to accomplish when all a second-grader has for comfort is not his mother’s arms, but a dark brown wooden nook to nap in. n

contact Justine at justinechu4268@yahoo.com

57 | Spark | October 22, 2009

opinion | finishing touch

KEVINLI

double standards As I sat huddled around a computer with two other students, I reached for the volume knob and dialed it until the sound was almost inaudible. We were gasping for breath after running up the steps from the cafeteria – Gatorade in one hand, Pop-Tarts in the other.

I glanced at the bottom right corner of the screen. The digital clock read 11:59. Luck must be on our side – we managed to finish our homework during our lunch period, get food after the lunch lines had diminished and make it back just in time.

“I’m so hungry,” I complained. “I know we shouldn’t have food in class, but do you think I’d get in trouble for eating?”

“Do you remember what we’re doing?” a cohort-in-crime replied sarcastically. “If we got in trouble, it wouldn’t be for eating.”

She had a point. Looking around, I realized how absurd the situation was. While other students openly watched ESPN and played flash games, we had to stealthily watch President Barack Obama give a historic speech to students in America.

The Lakota Board of Education said the decision to not show the presidential address to students was their “common sense approach that valued the instructional time while still offering our students an opportunity to view [the address].”

Yet on Sept. 24, 2004, the district dismissed students two hours early and bused 565 high school students, members of the Lakota East marching band and the Lakota West marching band and chorus, to Voice of America Park (VOA) for former President George W. Bush’s visit to Butler County.

I had just started seventh grade at Hopewell Jr. School and I was amazed at the sheer number of people that fit into VOA. I didn’t agree with Bush’s policy, but I was more than excited for the event and the community anticipation for his visit was mind-blowing. After the event, the usually congested Tylersville Road became ridiculously so, and my family decided to walk home even though we lived three miles away.

On Jan. 8, 2002, President Bush was at Hamilton High School, along with political figures Minority Leader John Boehner and recently deceased Senator Ted Kennedy. It was on that momentous day that Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act into law.

I was in fourth grade at the time and I can’t say I remember much about the event. What I do remember, however, is watching the classroom TV in awe as the President of the United States was shown signing the bill a mere 15 miles away.

On Sept. 8, 2009, Obama spoke to the students of America. The address was 18 minutes and 59 seconds long and Obama reminded students of their responsibility to their country – a student’s version of John F. Kennedy’s adage: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

For many students, the speech came on the first day of school, at a time when the President’s encouraging words would have been a helpful transition from summer to school. For the Board of Education to let the event become overshadowed by the outrage of a few parents and a TV pundit’s portrayal of the speech as the “indoctrination of your children” is ridiculous.

In a world where many students dream of becoming rappers and reality TV show contestants instead of astronauts and doctors, a reminder that “Here in America, you write your own destiny” should not have been ignored. n

58 | Spark | October 22, 2009

59 | Spark | October 22, 2009