the Vol. No. 40 01
Image Lafayette High School 17050 Clayton Road Wildwood, MO 63011
Aug. 15 2008
w w w. l a fayettepublic a tions.c om
The Privileged Elite Incentive Program provides benefits to students
Erik Dauster, News Editor Students work hard. They continue to exceed the expectations required of them and, consequently, deserve something in return. The Rockwood School District has recognized this and has delivered. New this school year, the Incentive Program provides privileges to qualifying students, allowing them to develop the skills needed to wisely use unscheduled time during the school day. The Rockwood School District’s rationale for the Incentive Program states, “Our society expects, and has laws that guide, the conduct of its citizens. Those who follow those expectations receive privileges that allow them to determine many facets of their lives.” It continues, “The high school experience offers students an opportunity to become responsible citizens within the school community. As students become more effective decision-makers, it is logical that they should earn greater freedoms within the school.” Students who have demonstrated exemplary behavior and academic success prove they are capable of determining the layout of their school day. The hybrid-block schedule makes it possible for this to happen, providing several opportunities for students to map their day, including 104-minute blocked classes and the additional seventh hour to allow for another elective class. Upon being accepted into the Incentive Program, students will receive unstructured time during school hours, allowing them to leave class early at the teacher’s dis-
comingsoon Aug. 15 Fall Sport Parent Night Aug. 18 Class Meetings 10th-1st Hour 12th-2nd Hour 11th-3rd Hour 9th-5th Hour Aug. 19-22 Fall Play Auditions Aug. 22 Freshman Fish Dance, 6 p.m. Aug. 25 NHS Meeting, 7 p.m. Aug. 19 STUCO Meeting, 7 p.m. Aug. 28 Open House, 7 p.m. Sept. 1 No School Sept. 8 College Information Night, 7 p.m. Sept. 11 Coffee House Auditions
Photo by Erik Dauster
VIP Lounge
Students volunteering at Freshman Friday, Aug. 8, take a break in the newly-constructed Lounge, making good use of the many couches, chairs and tables. The Lounge was constructed for students eligible for the Incentive Program which provides unstructured time during the school day. cretion to go to designated areas in the school, such as a computer lab or the newly constructed Lounge. Principal John Shaughnessy said a grant from money raised by the Lancer Parent Organization and the Lancers’ Landing school store provided funding for a furnished lounge. The area will be available only to students in the Incentive Program.
To ensure that only qualifying students use the Lounge, the school has ordered two student ID’s for each student. One is the standard school ID and the other is a different color identifying its carrier as an Incentive Program student. While taking advantage of any unscheduled time, the student must wear the ID.
“We want to respect the incentive but at the same time we want kids to realize we have to ask for something back in return, and that is to wear the ID so we know what’s going on,” Shaughnessy said. In addition to the unstructured time throughout the school day, eligible seniors have the choice to eliminate the first or last hour in See Incentive, Page 4
what’sinside stars & gripes Stars & Gripes are back on the opinion pages. Make sure to check them out, as well as the columns by Opinion Editor Jared Anderson and Editor in chief Alex Davis.
See pages 2-3
Option unattainable for many D.Anne Vollmayer, Reporter
Eligible seniors now have the choice to arrive to school one class period late or leave one period early. However, for the majority of seniors, this privilege seems unreachable. The first semester application for the Senior Option states the eligibility requirements and loss of privileges for each student. Some requirements include: 16 units of credit, no ISS/OSS from the previous semester, parent permission, no fines or fees and no failing grades or unexcused absences from the previous semester. Seniors will lose this privilege if they receive ISS/OSS, unexcused absences, five tardies, failing grades or a referral. The Senior Option is flexible for students who participate in extracurricular activities.
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A common scenario is when a stuThe reason the unexcused dent has to take a absences have been certain class 1st Hour such a big problem is the sheer but does not want to number of situations that could have leave early because of gone wrong; that little red box on your a practice or rehearsal after school. attendance never made a That student has difference...” the option of having Ashley Mace Senior Option sevSenior enth hour and spending the hour in the Lounge or another nior Option program to be on camarea of the building. pus from 2nd Hour to 6th Hour. Students who rely on school Assistant Principal Matt Diecktransportation could also use the haus spent six days reviewing files Lounge during their open class peof 80 students who were originally riod. denied the Senior Option. Counselor Deborah Parker said Twenty-two of those students the implementation of the block found the problem and made sure schedule did not create many mait was fixed. jor conflicts for eligible seniors reSenior Ashley Mace said she was questing Senior Option. originally denied the Senior Option Parker also said it is mandatory through a letter in the mail because for seniors participating in the Seof too many unexcused absences.
However, after sharing her concerns, she got the problem resolved. Senior Tessa Aslin was denied the Senior Option due to an unexcused absence because she signed out of a flex class incorrectly. “It [Senior Option] would have let me come to school later, which would have been really nice. Now I just have a study hall in the middle of the day,” she said. The unexcused absence, once an insignificant mark on a student’s record, has become a major problem for seniors wanting to get out of a class everyday. “The reason the unexcused absences have been such a big problem is the sheer number of situations that could have gone wrong; that little red box on your attendance never made a difference. Now people will be much more careful to check to make sure the record is accurate,” Mace said.
Construction is underway again. After the remodeling of the Theatre and Cafeteria, plans for a Media Center and classrooms are set, and construction is to begin in October.
See page 5
The Lancer football team is set to play Highway 109 rivals, the Eureka Wildcats on Aug. 29. A facebook video pertaining to the upcoming match up has caused quite a stir, not just for the team.
See page 6
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Opinion
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Aug. 15 2008
2008-2009 Image Staff
Alex Davis Editor in Chief Erik Dauster News Editor Jared Anderson Opinion Editor Brooke Thibodaux Feature Editor Sydney Miller In-Depth Editor Melanie Hinzpeter Nina Walters Sports Editors Courtney McBay Ad Manager Nancy Smith, MJE Adviser Staff: Kendall Brewer, Rachel Brown, Mary Buttram, Kara Campbell, Caleb Cavarretta, Daniel Clutter, Chelsea Coleman, Austin Goodman, Adam Harris, Melina Loggia, Bre Vickers, and D.Anne Vollmayer
Information
We are located in Room 213 at Lafayette High School, 17050 Clayton Rd., Wildwood, MO 63011. Our phone number is (636) 458-7200 ext. 2338 and our e-mail address is smithnancy@rockwood.k12.mo.us Visit us on the web at: www.lafayettepublications.com
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Opinions expressed on the editorial page do not reflect the viewpoints or official policies of the school administration. All editorials (unsigned) represent a majority opinion of the Editorial Board. Signed editorials, columns, editorial cartoons and reviews reflect the views of the author and not necessarily those of the Image Editorial Board. Participation through letters to the editor by students, faculty and the community is encouraged. Letters must be signed but names will be withheld upon request and with the concurrence of the Editorial Board. Letters should be limited to 300 words. The Image reserves the right to reject, edit or shorten letters. Letters may be submitted in writing to Mrs. Nancy Smith in Room 213, or to any Image staff member, or via e-mail to smithnancy@ rockwood.k12.mo.us.
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Image
STAFF EDITORIAL With the implementation of the block schedule, our days will drastically change shape. Chaos has visited all of us to a degree this week, and this change will not prove to be as simple as the others. Lunch shifts have been rearranged; we must learn to reach out and sit with different people on different days. Students in blocked classes will have to learn to tune out other students as they roam through the hallways during passing periods. Above all, we will all have to develop our attention spans as we take seven hours during the day instead of six. We think the student body here
is up to the challenge. Our staff is most certainly up to the challenge. And, during all the change. one thing remains constant. The Image is committed to bringing you a well-written, factual and relevant newspaper. Here’s what to expect this year from us. The news section will provide timely stories and inform you of what is going on around the school and community, as well as any national stories of interest that directly affect our campus. Bias will be absent from this section, and all reporting will be done in a tactful and respecting manner. Coverage will be the focus of this year’s sports section, as our staff will broaden and even our coverage of all athletics. We will also strive to remain creative in our writing and snappy in our page design within this section. Entertainment will seek to inform the student body of what
is going down outside of 8:16 a.m. to 3:05 p.m., and try to keep us all from becoming too bored with the normal grind. Within the feature pages, our focus will be to intrigue you with out of the box thinking and writing. Our writers here seek to make you feel as you read, not just think. Finally, we have the opinion section. Our goal within these two pages is to create a forum of discussion. We aim not only to criticize, but also to commend. We will not simply be blowing smoke this year, and we will not only acknowledge one side of the story. It is up to you, the students, to help us out. Letters to the Editor are instrumental in creating pages that reflect a diverse view of the school and the varying views we all have. Basically, we want to hear your voice, just as loud as we shout our own.
Reasoning and respect should reign supreme When we, as a community, are in those tricky emotional stages, it hits me: we have to write about this. That is the sort of fabric at which journalists live by. As I try to let you, the reader, know what we, the journalists, are putting out in front of you, please understand where I am coming from. And when I say ‘you’ so generically stated as ‘reader’, it is because the Miriam & Webster dictionary lacks a word in which describes each and every one of you as individuals. Digression is not my intent, so bear with me. I also am not intentionally strolling down nostalgia lane or anything, but each and every one of us represents: a Brain, a Princess, a Basket Case, a Jock or a Criminal. Yes, The Breakfast Club. Great movie. Probably the best that the brat-pack produced, but like I said, this is not digression. Each and every one of us represents something in which we excel. Whether it is sports, acting, Student Council, or anything else, we all have talents. Each and every one of us has a duty. We are people who live on this Pale Blue Dot that we call Earth, at-
tempting to make something of our brief existence on this, the third planet out of eight others in our tiny little solar system. Now, back to the scene at which I attempted to create, but my modernist mind lead me to do otherwise. This past summer was, naturally, a well lived one. For some, we were working. Others, we were out with friends, on vacation or sleeping; it all depends on your individual interests. For me, there were a lot of days that didn’t seem that different. One’s that just seemed like days that I would live to forget; I am just playing the game. And that is what a lot of days have been, and are going to feel like. However, that’s never the case. Well, not for everyone at least. Everyday new events take place, and depending on the effect of the certain happening, the Image staff, determines whether or not it is necessary to include in the paper. We are a group of student journalists. You are whatever you choose to be; a Brain, a Princess, a Basket Case, a Jock or a Criminal. However, do not forget that first and foremost, we ackowledge you
as an individual human. Therein lays my point. The Image staff, has a duty M int in to write about the things that the may invoke emotions. Please let t tu us. I acknowledge that as hu. uo mans living on this small stage engulfed in a vast cosmic arena (thank you Carl Sagan), we are lex filled with emotions, and pubD vis lically tapping into those can Editor-In-Chief make you feel an emotion that is never sought after. I don’t want to feel it either. address in a public forum. When you are out their taking We will know when that is the the interception 70 yards to the case, but for all the other times, end zone, or doing your two min- those unwanted emotions are still ute monologue, we understand you going to linger around the topic. are performing a necessary task, As humans, our emotions can because it is a part of the necessary leave us unwilling to write a story. criterion for your duty. But for the most part, when the But we are humans, too. story is ethically sound the Image We are doing our job. will report on it. Reporting. It is a part of our responsibility In some cases it will be easy. as journalists, which is our personIn others, it might be difficult. ally elected duty as people. This is not to be mistaken with All we ask is that you please reblatent disregard for another hu- spect us as we do our job; reportman. ing. There are instances where, ethiBecause all year long, as you cally, writing the story is wrong. At step onto the court, stage or into those times we’ll halt our scribing the classroom, we will continue to tendencies. uphold a respect that we wish to There are times where the sub- receive. ject matter is just unnecessary to The golden rule.
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he Image staff would like to welcome all students and faculty back to school for what will prove to be a year of adjustment to change. As we embark on this nine month journey together, we will adapt together to various types of change. The school building has undergone a few changes in the past year. The Theatre was completed. A new Cafeteria has taken shape. The new Welcome Center began operation. All of these changes are helpful, and physical in nature, making them necessary and a luxury. The staff has also undergone a bit of a facelift. Our staff is much larger, and hopefully strongly equipped to help the student body learn. We here in Room 213 hope to join the rest of the student body in welcoming these new members as well as the returning staff with effort and enthusiasm.
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The newspaper’s primary obligation is to inform its readers about events in the school and community and of issues of national or international importance which directly or indirectly affect the school population. The newspaper, while serving as a training ground for future journalists as part of the school curriculum, recognizes all rights and responsibilities under the First Amendment. Operating as a public forum, student editors will apply professional standards and ethics for decision making as they take on the responsibility for content and production of the newspaper. While the student staff encourages constructive criticism of any part of the newspaper, authority for content rests in the hands of the student members of the newspaper staff. Students will not publish material considered to be legally unprotected speech, or libel, obscenity, material disruption of the educational process, copyright infringement, or unwarranted invasion of privacy.
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Our essential yearly mission statement
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The Image is published 10 times a year by the Newspaper Production Class. Subscriptions are $25. Free issues are distributed on campus. The 2007-2008 Image received a rating of First Class from the National Scholastic Press Association.
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Opinion
Aug. 15 2008
Greetings and salutations from LHS Student Council
D E
LH LH
ditor,
ear
S
ear
Welcome back to Lafayette, a place full of fun, joy and opportunity to be had by all. This year there are several new entertaining experiences waiting for you around every corner. The new theatre, finished last year, can now be enjoyed for the entire year, and as a result of its completion we can now avoid that dreadfully annoying, but necessary detour to try and get to the FACS hallway. We also have a few new teachers. So be sure to be kind to all the new faces and make their transition to Lafayette a pleasant one. The school day now starts at 8:16, and though this is a bit earlier, I’m sure we will adjust. Rockwood has also decided to implement a hybrid block scheduling system, offering the potential for increased flexibility in scheduling. Lafayette’s students have al-
RS LETTE E TO TH R EDITO LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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D E
US Olympic team has not been holding up its end of the deal
ways found a way to adapt, and I’m sure this year shall be no different. So get involved. This high school has a plethora of activities to offer us, whether clubs, drama, sports or anything else you can think of; we can all find something. Make 2009 a special year, especially if it is your last one. Because these times will fly by.
S
incerely, Danny Kenny STUCO Vice President
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Being the overly patriotic American that I am, I have spent a great deal of this past weekend in a near stupor watching the Olympic games. I have set up camp in my living room with one hand on the remote ready to switch to through all ten Olympic stations. As I watch America’s finest athletes who are in peak physical condition, my other hand rests in a bag of potato chips. I have watched America sweep women’s fencing and Michel Phelps break world records on ‘cruise control.’ Yet, I cannot help my extreme disappointment in the American men’s beach volleyball team. Beach volleyball is about as American as a sport can get, essentially it is just the Americanization of a previously existing
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we are taken next year. When the year is done, and it will be quickly, we will all have stepped onto athletic fields, courts and stages competitively here for the last time. I don’t want to leave anyone out here, so I’ll dish out some free advice to underclassmen, though I know advice is cheap, and anyone can give it. Junior year was a very positive one for me; I began to realize my true self much more as I underwent various experiences and dealt with new conflicts throughout the year. I also learned how to have a little more fun both in school and out of it. My advice to juniors: take school seriously when you need to, but take it easy and have a good time when you aren’t here. You will undoubtedly have more responsibility this year, so the key for you will be balancing work and play. I’m not kidding. Sophomore year was one of discovery for me. I first drove a car, which was in itself quite an experience. I also took my first AP course,
the first class that ever presented me with any type of academic challenge. I had my first encounter with the wonderful examination that is the ACT. My advice to you: this is your last year of relative ease academically, so enjoy your free time wisely, and don’t try to cut off any seniors in the parking lot. Our spines are much sturdier, and our cars - bigger and better. Believe it or not, I do remember my freshman year pretty well, though I’d like to forget portions of it, namely the countless nights I spent stranded at home because I couldn’t find rides anywhere. Finding a ride is one of the more miserable endeavors freshmen face; all I can say is good luck, and don’t ask me for one. Adjustment in the classroom wasn’t difficult for me, though some of my classmates struggled with it. No curriculum is very hard, it’s just paying attention in class that’s the key. Not to mention staying out of my way. Don’t stand still in the middle of the halls and talk and you’ll be left
sport. We, the number two seed team, were playing Latvia (the 23rd seed in a 24 team competition) and lost. We lost to Latvia, a Baltic state most known for it’s Soviet control in the Cold War. How is that acceptable? How do we as Americans take this loss? It’s sad enough to lose when we sat at the top of our pool, but to Latvia. I find that to be completely inexcusable, Phil Dalhausser and Tod Rodgers should be ashamed of themselves. And what’s up with Dalhausser wearing sunglasses without frames. That’s just pointless. All in all, we lost to Latvia; that’s just sad.
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incerely, Taylor Criswell
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.in My
HUMBLE . . Opinion
Jared Anderson
ion Opin tor Edi alone. Back to the group in the school that sets the tone for the upcoming year. Seniors. Due to the fact we are the oldest, everyone will look up to us this year. The Class of 2009 will leave its legacy one way or another, and I hope to help out by voicing my views this year in the Image. You will not agree with me all the time, some of you never at all. I will complain, and it will be biting and snide at times. My hope for all of us is that we leave a mark here. No one can give us this opportunity, we must earn our legacies here.
hat was the most exciting thing W that you did over the summer break? This
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Every month, the Image will ask students/staff members at random what we deem as the question of the month. The opinions expressed are that of the individual, and not of the Image staff.
Ali Balducci
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“Orientation; I had a completely awful summer.”
Jake Welchans
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“I carpeted my locker. It’s in the senior hall, number 2202.”
Claire Zetak
10
“I went to Kanakuk Christian sports camp.”
stars to:
•The completion of the traffic light on Clayton Road. At long last, the massive flow of cars exiting the school will be allowed to leave faster. •Senior Option. The only thing better than leaving school early is getting here late. •Fall sports beginning. Whichever sport you play, or even if you don’t play one, the air is full of optimism and success lurks on the horizon. •The new theatre. This state-of-the art facility will house some of the area’s best performances this year, and we don’t have to look at the eyesore of construction within our building any longer. •New cafeteria area. Lunch has become more convenient and much faster with this new facility put to the test. •Incentive program. Since we all love skipping class, this is now a perfectly acceptable way to do something we all love. •A seven period day. With more potential to take classes, we can all further educate ourselves. Not to mention take a few more study halls and hours of Team Sports A.
gripes to: •The end of summer vacation. Every year it happens, and every year we all hate seeing it go. •Block scheduling. If you don’t detest it yet, just wait until the first full week of it starts on Monday. •The Missouri State Legislature. Thank you for increasing the state requirement for graduation. We tip our hats to you as we frantically try to figure out new routines. •The school day now starts at 8:16, twelve minutes earlier, and ends at 3:05, one minute later. No one likes waking up earlier, and though it’s only one minute later, no one wants to be here more than they have to.
Month, the Image asks...
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stars & gripes
ditor,
Legacies here are never given, they’re earned As summer came to a close last Tuesday evening I was, like the vast majority of all students, excessively upset. For a change, the past two and a half months had been filled with occurrences for me, not simply spent lazing about the house. I grew up a bit this past summer; I had a job, I expanded my horizons through non-vacation trips and I became more aware that I am about to enter into a new phase of my life: college. As a senior this year, things all change. Every day of school we attend is our last; whether that’s good or bad is up to us individually. I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s a positive thing. Most of us will agree. Another positive side to being a senior is Senior Option. Let me tell you, I woke up today at 8:40; most of the student body was actually here already, in class. ‘Sup. There are negative aspects to seniority, too. No matter how you look at it, high school is almost over. We will have to leave some of our closest friends behind as we all journey off to college or wherever
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Lauren Sakowski
Art Teacher “I saw whales up close in the wild on the coast of Maine.”
•The excessive summer heat index. On the positive side, at least our school is decently airconditioned; the negative side is sweating simply by being outdoors. •BusRadio. If your driver so chooses, age appropriate programming will now be played on the bus intercom for your listening pleasure. So sit tight, and get ready for some bumpin’ Hannah Montana.
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4 LHS mourns loss of aspiring Marine, dedicated student and varsity athlete Senior Brandon Callier unexpectedly passed away on June 10, during summer break. He was born on June 24, 1990, making him 17-years-old. Callier had planned to graduate early in December and leave for a three-month boot camp on Feb. 13. He was involved in the Air Force Junior Reserved Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at Lafayette. “After Brandon went to boot camp, he was going to the School of Infantry for six months,” senior Lyndsey Bateman, said. “He wanted to be a sniper. The Marines was all he ever talked about; he was so excited,” she added. In addition to ROTC, Callier was involved in the football, wrestling and baseball programs throughout his high school career. Wrestling Coach Scott Sissom said, “Brandon contributed to the overall success of the team as a varsity starter for two years. He was a very nice kid and well-liked by his teammates. He was very serious, athletic and honest.” Callier also made achievements in his academics, receiving the Most Improved Student Award at the Academic Pep Assembly last spring. He worked hard in all areas of his life, becoming a noteworthy student, athlete and friend. He is survived by his mother Gina Wynn and his two sisters, Amber Callier and Kaylie Wynn.
News
Aug. 15 2008 News Briefs
Incentive, continued from Page 1
Program to be expanded throughout year their schedule, provided that they enroll in six other classes for credit. This Senior Option follows the Incentive Program’s policy to increase rewards by grade level. “The opportunities for seniors are going to look different than those for juniors, sophomores and freshmen. The longer you’re here, the more you’re a part of our school, the more opportunities there will be available to you if you qualify to be a part of this Incentive Program,” Shaughnessy said. Following this policy, freshmen are not eligible for the Incentive Program their first semester, giving them time to acclimate to the high school environment. During their second semester, once they have established their role and who they are at school, freshmen will be eligible for a minimal incentive compared to upperclassmen. The Incentive Program gives more students the chance to earn rewards, adding to the privileges of the Renaissance Program. “The Renaissance program here has great incentives for students that qualify for it, but we also have a lot of good kids
that aren’t in Renaissance who would benefit from something like this,” Shaughnessy said. “We want to provide kids the opportunity to earn some things by following the rules and being good citizens in school. By doing that, hopefully there are some things that we can provide. A lot of our kids would just like some down time,” Shaughnessy added. Many students agree. Senior Trevor Peters said, “The Incentive Program gives you a break from class if you’re stressed and lets you get work done for other classes if you’re done in another.” These incentives are not limited to unstructured time during the school day; more privileges may be granted throughout the year. “To allow this to be successful and to really meet our needs and have our kids take advantage of it, we have to adjust as we go along,” Shaughnessy said. “The structure is there, the framework is in place, but it is brand new and it is a new year with a lot of change. We’re going to have to monitor this and make sure it meets the needs that we want it to,” Shaughnessy added.
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We as a building believe that if we give students a chance to have an incentive they are more likely to work hard for improvement. The whole idea is for us to give something so that [students] feel ownership to being here everyday. As high school students grow up, the more privileges they have, the mature and older they feel, and they see that we respect them as adults.”
Hey Class of 2009
-Jodi Davidson Associate Principal
Superintendent’s Contract Extended
The Rockwood School Board, on June 8, voted 4-0 to extend Dr. Craig Larson’s contract through June 30, 2011. Larson also received a 4.37 percent pay increase July 1 under the extension, raising his salary from $185,000 to $193,000. Members present at the meeting were: Darla Baker, Peggy Devoy, Rao Kaza and Kim McGuiness. Steve Banton, who communicated with the Board via telephone because of unavoidable travel days, could not cast a vote because he was not in attendance.
LHS MAP Scores Above District, State Averages
Lafayette continues to live up to its stellar academic reputation with the release of 2008 MAP scores. The following percentages represent scores at the proficient or advanced level: Communication Arts LHS: 68.6 percent RSD: 61.2 percent MO: 39.2 percent Mathematics LHS: 73.6 percent RSD: 68.2 percent MO: 46.2 percent
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News New Media Center next on list of bond projects
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Aug. 15 2008
Sydney Miller, In-Depth Editor Another major wave of construction will be hitting Lafayette, after several years of construction tied in with the 2006 Rockwood Bond Project have wrapped up. With the completion of the Clayton Road stoplight and new Cafeteria in August, major construction on Lafayette’s West side to build a new Media Center and an additional 10 classrooms begins in October. Principal John Shaughnessy said the project may take a little over a year, and the “goal is to have [the additional] classrooms done by the start of the 2009 school year.” This project is the first of several construction projects which will be funded by the $74.5 million bond issue passed in April. Other projects, which Shaughnessy said will be carried out within the next four to five years, will include creating another entryway which connects to the Commons, new varsity locker rooms and renovations on the Pool area. “They’ll redesign the current library to house a second large Flex Seminar and three additional classrooms,” he said. The new Media Center, Shaughnessy said, will be “a new, updated library,” which will house the technology offices. Shaughnessy described the Media Center as a “separate building,” but said it was connected to the main building through the West
In the Waiting Line
Photo by Sydney Miller
The new Cafeteria, which was a project funded by the 2006 Rockwood Bond Project, cost $500,000 according to Director of Facilities David Blickenstaff. Principal John Shaughnessy called the new design, “open and new,” and said it should reduce waiting lines. Entrance. “[We will] take the freshman doors away so it is an open area,” he said. Located outside the Theater on the west end of the building, Shaughnessy said the entrance will be closed, as it had been for the 2007-2008 Theatre construction. Over the summer, construction on the Clayton stoplight and Cafeteria was completed. The past few years, Clayton Road outside of Lafayette has seen
a few accidents including a hit pedestrian, which spurred parent letters of concern. Due to the letters, the city of Wildwood and the Rockwood School District have agreed to split the price of a new stoplight 50/50. Senior Sian Evans, who was involved in a car accident outside Lafayette last year, said, “I feel like [the stoplight] is a good idea.” The accident was directly involved with the intersection of Clayton and Lafayette’s entrance.
Original plans for the stoplight stated construction would begin in spring of 2008, but it was delayed until August 1, Shaughnessy said. “The light itself was a combination of Rockwood, Wildwood and St. Louis County coming together and everyone had different requirements that had to be met,” he said of the delay. Shaughnessy added that the Highway Department requested changes in Rockwood’s design plans, which delayed the construction for four months. Director of Facilities David Blickenstaff said the total cost of the spotlight was $164,000, exceeding the original $161,250 projected. “Sometimes kids don’t like waiting for the buses, and they just go. There would be less accidents,” Evans said. Also during summer break, the Cafeteria was remodeled from a four-line conventional kitchen into an open kitchen similar to those found at college campuses. “The most visible [change] will be that we won’t have separate lines for food. It’s open and new, like a food court. I think you’ll see, hopefully, less lines and [less] waiting for food,” Shaughnessy said. “Once we find out if [the design] works or if it doesn’t work we will have to have change things to meet our needs,” he said. The new design also doubled storage space. Construction began the last day of school and has taken 10 weeks to complete.
News Briefs EOC Exams
Replacing the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) testing this year will be End of Course (EOC) exams to be administered April 27 to May 1, 2009. Tests will be given on a rotating basis; this year’s EOC exams will be given to all Algebra I, Biology and sophomore English classes. Students enrolled in the two-year Algebra I or Biology programs only have to take the corresponding EOC exam if they are in the second year of the class. EOC exams will not replace the second semester final exam; students in the above-mentioned classes will have to take both the EOC exam and final exam. As with the MAP results, EOC exam scores will be collected to compare and rank Lafayette against state averages.
Yearbook Orders
Copies of the 2008 Legend can be picked up before school in Room 213. Extras are available, first come first served, for $70. Sales are now underway the 2009 Legend; information and order forms can be found at www. lafayettepublications. com under the yearbook tab. Orders received by March 1 will be $60.
Plan Ahead for your Future Open a Savings Account Today!
Bremen Bank and Trust Company 16024 Manchester Rd. Ellisville, MO 63011 (314) 446-3100 Member F.D.I.C.
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Sports
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LHS meets EHS for first time Melanie Hinzpeter, Co-Sports Editor
August 29. Two teams. One goal: to be crowned the king of the land. This long drawn out rivalry between Lafayette High School (LHS) and Eureka High School (EHS) began because the two football teams have never played each other. Lafayette has always been in Class 6 in the Missouri State High School Athletic Association (MSHSAA) and Eureka has always been in Class 5. But this year, the two teams finally have a game scheduled against each other despite their separate classes. “I think kids from LHS and EHS are all friends and there’s a lot of talking between them. It has been building up over the years and now the game has arrived so it has been building up a lot of hype,” senior Robby Campbell said. It seems Lafayette and Eureka are treating this game differently, and the same. EHS players aren’t allowed to talk about the game at all because their coaches don’t want their players to get involved in any pre-game drama. Lancer players can talk about it, but their coaches are treating it just
Pep Talk
Photo by Melanie Hinzpeter
Talking to his team, Head Coach Boyd Manne outlines what he expects at each and every practice. The Lancers were District Champions last year, losing to Pattonville in the Sectionals. The team will begin its season against Eureka on Aug. 29. like any other game. “Obviously we’re excited for every game,” Coach Boyd Manne said, “It is going to be a good rivalry to start the season.” Manne wants this game to be a good foundation to build off. “The goal for the football pro-
gram is to get better each week,” Manne said. The football team sees this game as an opportunity to grow and learn to play as a team. The Super Fans see this game as their opportunity to shine. “We are going to try to make it one of our biggest ones yet,” senior
Super Fan Michael Tomaro said, “We are working on some special things.” Super Fans are getting as many people involved as they can because they have many surprises planned. They went to Freshman Friday to get people involved, and they are trying to get a radio station to come out to the game, but are not sure if it is going to happen or not. Earlier this year, a Eureka student posted a video on Facebook modifying the ‘Priceless’ motto from Mastercard commercials, using it to direct hype towards the game. “The video really got us going,” Tomaro said.The Super Fans see this video as not just a slash at the football team, but as a challenge. Tomaro said they want to modify the video to support the Lancers, and to accomplish their goal of encouraging as many people as possible to go to the game to show school spirit. “We hope there’s a big turnout by our fans and our Super Fans,” Manne said, “But I think that school spirit is important whether its football, volleyball, basketball or any other sport.” “The bottom line is that we need to get ready because EHS is going to be ready,” Campbell said.
Softball works to repeat as champs Nina Walters, Co-Sports Editor Coming back with almost the whole team, varsity softball shoots for a back-to-back and its ninth State title. The first and only time the softball team had a back-to-back title was the 2000 and 2001 seasons. “It gives us more fire coming off a state title. We want to go do it again and get the state repeat like in 2000 and 2001,” senior Meghan Lamberth said. Last season’s team had several seniors who each played a part in winning. A strong offensive player, a catcher, and an outfielder were lost among the graduating class. “Sami Dunger, Erica Shannon and Tracy Shelmire will be missed the most,” said senior Paige Park, “We lost good people but we can replace them with others who are
ready to play those positions.” Sophomore Dana Lawson will fill in for Shannon, who was the catcher. Lawson, who hit in the winning run in the State finals, was the youngest member of the team and will have a huge role in the season to come. Not only will Lawson have to step up, but players who did not play much last year and all of the seniors will have to be at the top of their game all season in order to make it back again. “Kristen Carter and basically all the seniors will be a huge help to the team because of their leadership and experience at the varsity level,” Park said. With having most of the team back, there should not be a problem going all the way again. The experience and the will to win are there. Everyone wants to be back at the top for the second consecutive year,
Aug. 15 2008 Fall Sports Line-up Football
8/29 vs Eureka 9/5 vs Northwest 9/12 @ Fox 9/19 @ Kirkwood
Boys Soccer
9/2 vs Notre Dame 9/4 @ Pacific 9/8 vs Francis Howell 9/9 @ Parkway South
Girls Volleyball
9/2 vs St. Joe 9/3 @ Seckman 9/4 @ Eureka 9/9 vs Oakville
Softball
8/26 vs Ft. Zumwalt South 8/28 @ Parkway West 8/29 @ Troy Tourney 9/2 @ Conference Tourney
Boys Swimming/ Diving
9/8 vs Parkway West 9/10 vs. CBC 9/12 @ Marquette Relays 9/16 @ Ladue
Cross Country
9/5 @ First Capitol Invitational 9/13 @ Stan Nelson Invitational 9/18 @ Parkway Central Invitational 9/26 @ Warrior Invitational
Field Hockey
8/29 @ Gateway Classic 9/3 @ Cor Jesu 9/4 vs Webster Groves 9/8 vs Ladue
Girls Golf
Photo by J.P. Bartmess
A Sweet Finish
The Lady Lancer softball team raises the first place State trophy in celebration after defeating Oakville. The girls are hoping to repeat that success. now it is just time to prove they should make it back, and they have the players to do so. The talent is getting stronger with the returning players and the upcoming underclassmen com-
bined. “We will make it all the way because we might have lost a couple of players but the girls coming up will be as good if not better than the seniors lost,” Lamberth said.
8/26 @ Parkway Central/Marquette 8/27 @ Oakville 9/2 @ Rockwood Summit 9/11 @ Parkway South
Girls Tennis
8/25 vs Lindbergh 8/27 @ Ladue 8/28 vs Oakville 9/2 @ Eureka
Student Council Welcomes you back! First Meeting: Tuesday, Aug. 19 7:00 p.m. in the Library All Are Welcome!
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Sports
Aug. 15 2008
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2008 spring sports wrap up season well
The Final Stretch
Staff photo
Passing the bleachers, Ian Moore [12] finishes his race. Moore was a significant help to the team, excelling in the 200 and 400 meter sprints.
Staff photo
On The Move
Dribbling the ball, Christine Hilber [11] runs down the field. The girls soccer team won the District Championship, but lost to St. Joseph’s in Sectionals.
Hard Work Hardware
Photo courtesy of Jan King
Ryan King, 2008 graduate (right), and Adam King [11] (left) show their fourth place medals from State. This doubles team was the only players to place at State.
Track places at State
Soccer finishes strong Tennis places fourth
Austin Goodman, Reporter
Nina Walters, Co-Sports Editor
Daniel Clutter, Reporter
With last year’s track season shortened due to inclement weather early on, both the boys and girls track team showed they remain a definite threat to State this year and many years to come. The boys track team had one of its best seasons ever last year, finishing well in all events and races. They participated in the Henle Holmes Meet, posting a strong showing as individuals and as a team. Michael Izuchukwu, Class of 2008, placed third in the triple jump and is on his way to the next level in college, at Rice University. Last year, senior Ian Moore was the team’s best short distance runner in the 200 and 400 meter, placing eighth and second respectively, at State. With many top five finishes in various events, the Lady Lancers ran exceptionally well last year. With an extremely strong 4 x 800 meter relay team, the Lady Lancers placed well at state. The 4 x 800 meter team consisted of seniors Kelsey Pischel and Lexi Thoman, and juniors Jordan Taylor and Elizabeth Worley. The Lady Lancers came in 38th overall at State. Junior Hannah Snyder placed sixth in the 400 meter dash.
The girls soccer season came to an end with a 19-1 record. The only loss came from St. Joseph’s, who went on to take second in State. With having an undefeated season two years in a row, losing five seniors and only one of them being a starter, the odds look to be good. They will be returning ten starters including the goalie. Along with the starters, the subs off the bench will be strong. “Our team is and will be successful because of the players coming off the bench. They play at the same intensity level and give just as much effort as the starters. Also they do not allow the speed of the game to drop,” senior Emily Brcic said. Not only will the bench be as strong as last year, but the seniors have had plenty of varsity experience with 8 of the 14 seniors starting and playing since freshmen year. Other teams that are always a threat, such as Incarnate Word, Lindbergh and Parkway South are not as fortunate. They have lost several starters, giving the Lancers the chance to go all the way this year.
At the boys tennis State championship at Kirkwood Park, Lafayette made it to the top eight as a team. They lost to Kirkwood high school in the quarterfinals. The team defeated DeSmet at Regionals and Lindbergh at Sectionals. “This is our best team finish since 2003,” head coach Brian Fish said. Two stand out players at the state tournament were brothers Ryan [2008 graduate] and Adam [junior] King. Adam King will be returning as a junior without his brother for this upcoming season. Ryan King will be at the University of Illinois next year, where he received a scholarship to play tennis. The team saw a lot of outstanding play from many underclassmen. In addition to the King brothers, juniors Kevin Cui and Cameron Aho competed at State, both in singles play. However, it was an early exit for both of these young standouts. Due to a back injury sustained by the younger King, the brother tandem was halted at the State semi-finals, where they then finished fourth.
I’d like the Olympic Experience, hold the fighting Hello one, hello all. I’d like to formally introduce myself as Melanie Hinzpeter, your new co-sports editor. But enough of the jibber jabber. Yes, I am a girl. Yes, I am a sports editor. And sure, I may not know as much about the current Brett Favre ‘saga’ as some people do, but I do know some things. I know the Olympics started on Aug. 8, and that everyone in the world is complaining about the bad air quality in China. It seems this year there has been a large amount of rubbish around the Beijing Olympics. As sad as it seems, I have heard more about President Bush and whether or not he would be attending the Olympics and the bad air quality in Beijing than I have about the actual athletes themselves. Aren’t the Olympics supposed to be about bringing the world together? Why all this fighting when the point of the Olympics is to put all the fighting and complaining on pause to have some fun? The motto of the 2008 Olympics is ‘one world one dream,’ so quit the bicker-
ing already. But the Olympics has had its fair share of problems that are a surprise to all. One unexpected uprising came from the U.S. cyclists who wore the facemasks to protect themselves from the bad air, obviously without thinking. Predictably, Chinese citizens got mad because they thought the mask wearers were taking a stab at their society. The cyclists said they weren’t trying to cause any harm, but we all know they wore them partially to take a stand. Usually airport air is clean, so there would be no need to wear the mask. But who could resist, in front of all those photographers. Figures they would be from the USA. And what about all of those athletes that are doping themselves up right now, only to be caught later on after they receive their medals? I still haven’t gotten the concept of the drugging. All the athletes take a drug test, so it isn’t easy to get away with. In fact, it is impossible. It is like taking a knife through airport security. But we all know there are those
one or two knives that always seem to slip by. But please don’t blame those two knives on President Bush and his airport security plan. Congress was too busy worrying about whether or not Bush was going to attend the Olympics. I don’t have a problem with the amount of time Congress spent urging Bush to skip the Olympics, because he went against them anyway. If he had decided to opt out of the Olympics, who knows what could have happened. I’m thinking something along the lines of World War Three: USA against everyone else. But this hostility doesn’t seem to stray far from our society today. No one can get along and there always has to be a fight about something. Take Iraq for example. Some want us out of Iraq and some want us to stay because we need to finish the job we started. And then there are some who, quite frankly I’m sure, are only complaining because they have nothing else better to do.
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Melanie Hinzpeter
Co-Sports Editor
But that’s not the point. The point is that the Olympics need to be a model for the world. It needs to be something above and beyond what the societal norms are. Judging from what has happened before the Olympics even started, it is easy to see that the Olympics have fallen far from what they should be in my mind. I love the Olympics, don’t get me wrong, but some things are just unacceptable. And here I have done exactly what I have accused everyone else of doing. I have complained about the Olympics.
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In-Depth
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Aug. 15 2008
New Staff On The ‘Block’
Over 30 new teachers and staff members are roaming the halls. These new hires were needed due to the revised bell schedule which requires more staff for additional class sections, teachers leaving and new classes. The Image asked these ‘newbies’ to name their favorite class from the past. compiled by brooke thibodaux
Name Lyubov Briginets Subject Art “Papermaking. It was a completely new thing I learned from scratch.”
Name Natasha Head Subject Art “My favorite in college was Anthropology! I am fascinated with other cultures. It I could choose an alternate life I would be an anthropologist.”
Name Elizabeth Morningstar Subject Art “My favorite in college was Advanced Graphic Design. My teacher helped me further develop my design skills and prepared me for the ‘real world.’”
Name Justin Bottoeroff Subject Driver Education “Advanced Driving Maneuvers, we were able to learn skid control and practiced reverse 180 degrees.”
Name Matt Landwehr Subject Business/ Driver Education “Sports management because it was all about sports.”
Name Chris Ramsay Subject College Specialist “I took a class called Mass Communications. I got to write my term paper on the Big Lebowski.”
Name Alison Harris Subject FACS “Yearbook. I was the editor and I love taking pictures!”
Name Meghan McGraw Subject FACS “All of my FACS classes in high school because the teacher knew how to make it fun.”
Name Erin Sieveking Subject FACS “Human Anatomy. The human body is amazing!”
Name Brad DeMattei Subject Industrial Technology “My favorite high school class was physics because we shot water balloons at our teacher.”
Name Jodie Fowler Subject Industrial Technology “Pre-Calculus and Calculus. The teacher was caring, nice and taught me how to survive an upper-level math class.”
Name Mark McAllister Subject Industrial Technology “20th Century Europe in college. It was a very compelling time in history.”
Name Jeff Landow Subject L. Arts “My college Shakespeare class. It was taught by the smartest person in the world. He was a Shakespeare scholar and a physicist!”
Name Melissa Schumacher Subject Language Arts “English, because it was a chance to share ideas.”
Name Kristen Bortner Subject Latin Roman History. The subject was interesting and the professor stood on a desk while giving very humorous lectures.”
Name Sean O’Connor Subject Math “Physics because of its ability to apply to everyday life.”
Name Lorraine Weiss Subject Math “Communication Between Cultures in college because I love to learn about different cultures and how they interact.”
Name Kate O’Connell Subject P.E. “Mr. (Roger) Fisher, for Chemistry Flex because I took it second semester senior year with my sister and he was so fun.”
Name Rick Voss Subject P.E. “My favorite class was U.S. History because of the teacher and I like the subject.”
Name Ryan Bixby Subject Science “Current Events. The teacher constantly challenged us.”
Name Carrie Hall Subject Science “Physics. My teacher took us to a road, dropped us off and drove as fast as she could past us. Of course she was demonstrating Doppler Effect.”
Other new hires
Name Linda Sutherland Subject Science “My favorite was AP Literature, I knew I was not going to be an English major, but I learned so much from my AP Lit teacher.”
Name John Becker Subject Spanish “Summer study abroad in Costa Rica. I got to speak Spanish all day, every day, great friends and great coffee.”
Name Sarah Keathly Subject Sign Language “Social Studies, I love learning about people of the world and places.”
Name Kelly McDonough Subject Special School District “There’s one in middle school. My seventh grade teacher was fresh out of college. She inspired me to become a teacher.”
Name Paula Reavis Subject Test Coordinator “Any Chemistry class was fabulous! The love of this took me to human behavior and guidance.”
Band: Jeremy Melton ISS: Joseph Cusamano Language Arts: Katie MacDonald Math: Cassidy Proctor P.E.: Christine Bodine Special School District: Brenda Eckelkamp, Colleen Odle SSD Aide: Carol Spring-Thawnmung Study Hall: Michael Mertz Trainer: Heather Carroll VICC Area Supervisor: Jon Pierre Mitchom