Jan. 30, 2009

the

Vol. No. 40 06

Image Lafayette High School 17050 Clayton Road Wildwood, MO 63011

Jan. 30 2009

w w w. l afayet tepublic a tions.c om

what’sinside

Are long-term high school relationships good or bad? Parents and students discuss the pros and cons.

See page 8

Inauguration A Day-by-Day Journal:

2009

Photo by Erik Dauster

“

This new phone system will unify the school, along with the district.

“

Betsy Zieseniss secretary

Kara Campbell, Staff Reporter The Rockwood School District is unifying—forming one phone system for all the schools. The new phone system will be implemented at Lafayette on Feb. 20.

The new phone system is called Voice over IP (VoIP) technology.

As a result of VoIP, the phone numbers, voice mail, emergency features and caller ID are all changing.

Lafayette’s new number will change to (636) 733-4100 on Feb. 20.

However, when someone calls the schools or communications, “for a period of time, Rockwood will automatically route the old numbers to the new numbers,” Rockwood Chief Information Officer Steve Beatty said.

Beatty said, “For calls inside the district, we will use our existing building Local Area Networks and the Wide Area Network for sending calls outside of the district and then back in using more expensive telephone company lines.”

Beatty said the new phone system is being implemented because the current system is simply outdated. Rockwood Summit and Marquette run older systems.

The two schools’ current systems are “not reliable and have had service outages during the past year. So they are anxious to convert,” Beatty said.

The district will “primarily replace dated phone systems with a centralized system that provides additional capacity and feature enhancements at a reduced operating cost,” Beatty said.

Rockwood’s Technology De-

partment, located at Babler Elementary, was the first to convert their old system to the new one.

Babler’s new number, caller ID, easier emergency access, checking voice mail via e-mail and five-digit dialing between school buildings have been added.

Beatty said the Technology Department has had a smooth transition to the new system and new numbers.

The first system to be updated was Babler’s and the Rockwood Communications Center. Next the four high schools—starting with Rockwood Summit, Marquette, Eureka and finally Lafayette—will be updated in late February.

This first phase will be part of the 2008 voter-approved bond issue, which includes Babler, Communications and the four high schools.

There are many reasons the conversion is occurring this calendar year.

Beatty said, “One reason is capacity. A few of the high schools, including LHS, are essentially out of capacity on the existing systems. We need to be in a position to add phones as needed.”

Additionally, Rockwood wanted to implement the system during the school year because the staff would be in school for training.

The way teachers are able to check their voice mail will also change. After the first phase, faculty will be able to check their voice mail via Outlook e-mail.

However, the voice mail will not be a voice clip.

Once a staff member has checked his or her e-mail, then he or she is able to find a phone and

The hockey team has reclaimed the Silver Skate trophy after defeating Marquette for the second time.

See page 17

see page 13

We’re sorry, the number you have reached is no longer in service School prepares for phone number change in February call their voice mail.

Another feature being installed is for safety purposes. Betsy Zieseniss, Secretary to the Principal, said, “If a classroom dials 911, the administration offices will be notified and act accordingly.”

Principal John Shaughnessy said, “When a teacher or student calls 911, the phone also rings in my office. So if it is a prank, I will know.”

In other words the phone system will be more tightly linked throughout the school for security purposes.

Shaughnessy believes the improved system of phones will be positive.

“The old phone maxed out capacity; we have no ability to expand,” Shaughnessy said.

“Also, teachers that travel can take their phone extensions with them. All you need is your computer to activate it,” he added.

Not only will safety features be added, but caller ID is another feature of the new phone system.

Zieseniss said, “[For example], the nurse calls the students’ parents when they are sick. Well they [parents] don’t know who to call back. Now the parents will be able to call back easily.”

For many people, the phones advancement will be convenient and only improve the district’s communication.

Beatty said, “We believe teachers and other district staff will appreciate the additional features and that it will improve communication with parents. And, we believe our parents and community will appreciate the fact that we will have a better system and reduce ongoing operating costs.”

MENU

The Entertainment section is back and this issue features changes in how you get the music you listen to.

See page 20

comingsoon Jan. 31 Winter Carnival 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Trivia Night 7 p.m.

Feb. 2 Spring Break Trip Meeting, 7 p.m.

Feb. 3 Conferences 4:30-8 p.m.

Feb. 4 NHS Meeting 7 p.m.

Feb. 6 Senior Lunch on the Shelf Feb. 7 ACT Test Feb. 10 STUCO Meeting 7 p.m.

Feb. 11 Conferences 4:30-8 p.m.

Feb. 12-14 Musical 7 p.m.

Feb. 16 No School Feb. 21 Turnabout Dance 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 23 Variety Show Auditions 3:30 p.m.

Taste of West County 5:30 p.m.

Page

Opinion

2

Jan. 30 2009

2008-2009 Image Staff

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.

Contact Us

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

Policies

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.

R

ecently, an alarming bit of news reached the Image Editorial Board. As many of you have heard, the Missourisanctioned Personal Finance Exam (MOPFA) administered in the fall semester will not count.

Essentially, lots of people failed the exam because of programming errors made by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). In fact, the test was a Field version, meaning it was not yet validated to be taken by students.

Rockwood wisely dished out a passing grade to every student who took the test, regardless of the score earned.

Though we realize everyone makes mistakes, the Image staff finds this unacceptable. MOPFA is a standardized test, and students need to pass it to graduate.

Programming error or not, this kind of mistake raises serious questions.

the

Image

STAFF EDITORIAL Why didn’t someone within the Rockwood School District quality check the exam before it was administered? Surely it’s important for students in such a historically great school district to graduate from high school.

We would hate to see the credibility of Rockwood tank like the nation’s financial status.

More importantly, can we trust the state with other standardized tests scheduled to be administered later in the year?

If the DESE can’t handle the Personal Finance Exam, can the same test writers and programmers be trusted to tackle the in-

famous End Of Course Exams (EOCs)?

We think the writers are more than capable of writing the actual tests. It’s not a question of intelligence. Consistency is the real problem.

Even if the writers have better luck programming the EOCs into credible, non-field exams, how can we be sure the tests will cover what is taught in every classroom across the state?

The EOCs may be too difficult for some districts, while much too easy in other districts, like Rockwood.

In fact, the EOCs may even be so easy that students in Rockwood struggle with them, failing to remember the most basic concepts from a course taught here in a much more advanced way than elsewhere in the state.

The Image sees the obvious potential issues with these exams, but we also recognize they are nec-

essary to track academic progress across the state.

High schools across our district currently count the EOC exams as a course grade, similar to a normal test.

However, we believe the EOCs are weighted much too heavily, especially after the recent slip up in the administration of the MOPFA. Currently, the EOCs count as five percent of the course’s final grade. Do we really want to trust test writers who don’t teach us with this big of a grade?

We don’t think so. Final Exams already provide an accurate measure of competency for every course offered, even those that don’t have EOCs. Since students have to pass the EOC exam to earn credit for the course anyway, why count the test as a grade at all?

Keep the EOCs to measure state progress and student competency, and nothing else.

We’re in the Matrix of reality... wait, what is reality?

“When you get into the real world…” and that’s when I tune out to whoever is talking.

“Blah blah blah, real world, blah blah blah,” – I have heard this a million times in the past few years. I don’t get it. That term, ‘real world.’

“You can’t just turn it in late in the real world.” “When you get out in the real world, it won’t be that easy…” – enough!

That word has been isolated in my head, dragging my mind off into space as whoever is talking just rambles on for too long.

And now I’m dissecting it.

The real world – what does that mean?

Could it be some dimension where the water we drink is murky and green, the walls that shelter us are cracked and unsteady, and the food we eat is ridden with larvae and encrusted with mold?

Could it be a place where we slave away for days and days without a moment of sleep, only to be handed a few, rotten coins from a mysterious figure that is 8 feet 6 inches tall and 450 pounds?

That’s what I think of when those around me revere to this, real world.

It never frightens me, as I can tell that is its objective, however, like I said, it throws me off into a daze of thoughts.

Now here I am; wondering, asking, pleading for an answer.

Where is this place? What is this

place? It’s all that I can do but to think of the day that I embark on my predestined journey for the real world.

I’ll have to say goodbye to all my friends. I’ll never see them again, not even out in the real world, or at least that’s what it sounds like...

I’ll have to say goodbye to my family. My Dad will give me his last bit of wisdom. My Mom will ask me not to go, and my brother – well, he’s already gone.

But I have seen him many times since...

I’ll have to pack up all of my stuff, because I obviously will not have a place to keep them here anymore – rumor has it that when you leave for the real world your room for the past 18 years just disappears.

Vanishes. Poof, just like that.

But my brother’s room is still there...

Man, I have a lot of stuff, too. I don’t know how my broken to pieces, raggedy hovel in the real world will hold it all.

It’ll be a surprise if I can even fit everything in to my car so that I can make one trip.

Well, my brother still has his stuff...

Hold on a sec, this isn’t adding up. This real world place isn’t making sense to me. What kind of place is it?

I mean, they say life will be so different in the real world. When my brother left, he wasn’t complaining about this place – in fact,

it didn’t even seem like that much changed from when he left. What kind of place is this!?

All right, now I am really in a tizzy.

If the real world is such a scary place, why is my brother fine?

If there is no way that what I am doing now will fly in the real world, why I am here doing this, don’t you think we should have some preparation?

Wait!

I think I’m on to something.

The other day, when I fell and hit my head – it hurt.

I can feel things. Doesn’t that make this place I am in right now real?

I was told the other day that someone I know has cancer.

I mean, if we haven’t made it to this real world place yet, why does bad stuff still happen?

Shouldn’t there be some sort of fake security that we have?

Fake? Whoever said that high school was… fake?

All right, now I know that I am on to something.

If what we are living in right now isn’t the real world, that would obviously mean that what we are living in is fake, or for arguments sake, less real.

I don’t feel any less real than anyone else. I don’t think that I think any less.

I do a lot of real things… like eat, sleep, drink and work (well, my fair share of work).

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Philosophy

Standardized tests are weighted too heavily

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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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Alex Davis Editor in Chief Erik Dauster News Editor Jared Anderson Opinion Editor Brooke Thibodaux Feature Editor Sydney Miller In-Depth Editor Melina Loggia Entertainment Editor Melanie Hinzpeter Nina Walters Sports Editors Courtney McBay Business Manager Rachel Brown Staff Artist Nancy Smith, MJE Adviser Staff: David Adams, Kendall Brewer, Rachel Brown, Kara Campbell, Caleb Cavarretta, Daniel Clutter, Chelsea Coleman, Adam Harris, Andrew Martin, Katharine McLaughlin, Max Thoman, D.Anne Vollmayer, Gian Wessel and Mina Yu

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Editor-In-Chief

I remember my life. I remember going through real problems.

I remember enduring the loss of grandparents and two of my cousins; going through a divorce, right as my brother is moving away to college.

All of these seemed very real at the time, and it all still seems real.

Okay, I am making a decision, and all of you out there reading this can choose to back me if you want.

I am going to go ahead and say it – this is the real world.

Joy, depression, heartache and moments of passion - those are just a few emotions that I have felt in this world I am in now.

I can safely say I have learned and matured from each mistake or decision I make.

Cognizant thinking and life-giving emotions like that don’t exist anywhere fake.

This is the real world, I am just preparing for the next step.

Page

Opinion

Jan. 30 2009

News Editor reflects on his inauguration experience On Nov. 4, 2008, I cast my ballot in a Presidential Election for the first time.

I did not vote for Barack Obama.

I knew he would become our nation’s 44th President, but that did not change the fact that I didn’t want it to happen.

On Jan. 20, 2009, I held a ticket that admitted me to the Mall of the Capitol, where I would witness the transfer of power from George W. Bush to Barack Obama.

The experience was definitely

unforgettable.

I saw, and was among, the millions who scaled barricades and obstacles to catch a glimpse of what history will remember as a bright moment in the midst of the many struggles America was facing.

I witnessed images that generations after me will only be able to view in textbooks.

The most memorable being thousands of tickets in the air, the chant, “Let us in!” to security personnel who told the masses there was no more room left on the Mall, the tearing down of the gate and

finally the surge of countless individuals becoming a single entity, united as we saw President Obama being sworn in.

But what will also stay with me from that day were the obscenities uttered every time President Bush’s name was spoken and the singing of “Na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye” as he left in his helicopter.

It was uncalled for and, frankly,

The prospect of leaving this school to enter a four-year university excites me.

The idea of freedom, fun and classes I will care about helps me get through each day I have left here, as I have grown bored of my mundane daily schedule.

Basically, I can’t wait to get the heck out of here and move forward with my life.

As we’ve all heard since our 8th grade year, if you decide to go, choosing a college is a hard decision that should be taken very seriously.

I can’t disagree with this overused statement, but I can offer some suggestions.

Starting the summer after your junior year, if not sooner, you’ll likely take what we in the education community call college visits. What is a college visit really like?

A visit taken in the summer is a glorified tour. You and your parent (s) will e-mail or call the prospective schools of your choice and sign up to visit them.

You might get excited, but the odds are good that you’ll be let down.

Upon arrival you’ll find a mostly deserted campus, except for the occasional over-achieving summer school student, or the slackers who have been on campus for seven years and are still trying to graduate.

You’ll enter the Admissions Office and be greeted by one of two receptionists.

Perhaps you will be welcomed by a way-too-cheery receptionist who is clearly a former student stuck in the moment of her college life as she begins to tell you her life story at the University.

But be thankful. A hung-over,

dreary current student who is mildly depressed because he can’t get any action from the ladies is much worse.

His only greeting is to tell you to sign in, and drearily tell you to enjoy your visit.

Once you’ve signed in and picked up your packet of University Propaganda, the fun really starts.

First up is the best PowerPoint presentation you’ll ever see. Full of obnoxiously bright colors and hopelessly posed, always happy or focused students, these presentations are worthless.

The only thing of real value they show you is how attractive the student body is, useful information, but hardly something to base your decision off of.

Odds are, if you’re visiting the university, you already know what kind of grades you need and what kind of things you are offered by the school.

Even Six Flags St. Louis is more fun.

After the presentation, you’ll be treated to free merchandise, in the form of a T-shirt or a handbag.

The useless gifts you acquire could actually be the best part of your trip. Even though the T-shirts are always too short and the handbags ugly, at least you didn’t have to pay for anything.

Whether it’s sweltering heat or torrential rain, some type of adverse weather conditions will likely mar your summertime visit.

The boiling heat is not only uncomfortable, it gives your tour guide an excuse to be lazy and not show the entire campus.

If you really want to see the entire campus, you’ll have to venture out on your own after the tour is over, only to get lost at least twice.

Trust me. College campuses are more confusing to figure out than Barack Obama’s stance on taxation. The map says one thing, but the actual campus layout says another.

Rain isn’t much better. Unless your female OR male tour guide is wearing a white T-shirt, there’s nothing good about a rainy campus tour.

You won’t be able to see anything the campus has to offer in the torrential downpour, because your focus will only be on either the attractive-when-wet tour guide or on staying dry.

But not all college visits are bad.

The best kinds are the ones during which you visit someone you know at the college or university.

I recently experienced one of the best weekends I’ve ever been a part of in my short 18 years on Earth visiting someone I know at a university.

This way, you get a real perspective about the campus and school, not just a biased We’re Better Than You tour at Private University, or the old Everyone Gets In Here at Po-Dunk State.

I didn’t visit classes, and I don’t think I needed to. The only academic portion of my incredible visit was a trip to the University’s Newspaper Office to print directions to lead me home.

To me, the other parts of my journey proved that college is obviously worth attending.

The freedom to be my own man was the most exciting part of this journey.

Don’t sit there and tell me very many of high school students are allowed to drive around at one in the morning with a buddy or two, and pick up the best tasting sand-

Erik Dauster, News Editor

flat out disrespectful.

President Bush served his country for eight years and deserved much better.

I still am not thrilled that Barack Obama has taken the Presidency, but following his campaign, seeing his Inauguration and hearing him speak have earned him my respect, something his supporters clearly did not have that day.

That being said, Barack Obama is our President, and he deserves respect as such, no matter where on the political spectrum our beliefs may lie.

Here’s to the next four years.

See page 13 for additional coverage of the inauguration trip

A college visit can be fun, fun for everyone

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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 individuals, and not of the Image staff.

.

? This Month, the Image asks...

in My

HUMBLE ..

Opinion Jared Anderson

ion Opinitor Ed

wiches ever made.

Other than freedom, college will provide a chance for America’s youth to study subjects they will immerse themselves in.

In turn, these college students will be equipped with the knowledge to make this country a better place to live in than even we here in West County have.

Well what if I don’t want to try?

Fine. Like most things in life, college will be what you make it.

From what I’ve been told by various college students and admissions counselors, your effort level in college will be an accurate barometer of your success.

If you want to get great grades, you will be able to. If you’d rather party and not graduate or end up managing retail, be my guest.

The best way to find out whether or not you want to attend the college you’re visiting is to, even after the biased presentations and giveaways, ask yourself one important question: do I see myself here?

If you do envision yourself spending four or five years of your life learning and becoming an adult at a campus, consider it.

Ultimately, your decision is up to you, and you’ll have to live with it forever. So choose wisely.

should the End of Course exams (EOCs) Why be counted or not counted as class grades?

Luke Robbe

9 “EOCs shouldn’t count. Teachers don’t know what’s on the exams, so they have to guess what to teach us.”

Courtney Baker

Karli Jacobs

10

11

“The tests shouldn’t be counted. You study what you are taught, and the test writers aren’t observing what we really learn.”

“EOCs shouldn’t be counted. We already have the final so if you fail that and the EOC, you’re in trouble.”

Garrett Rosswick

12

“I think you should have either the final or the EOC because it’s the same material.”

3 stars & gripes stars to: •The newly-installed drinking fountain outside of the senior hallway.

Its shiny new finish and fresh cold water provide solace to us all.

• Valentine’s Day. What could be better than a holiday celebrating love? Women love being spoiled, and men love, well, loving.

•President Barack Obama’s Inauguration and the United States of America. The election of an African American to the Presidential Office proves once again that this is the land of opportunity.

•George W. Bush. Even though his decision making may have been questionable, we still owe him respect for leading our country through some tough times.

•Super Bowl Sunday.

Even though economic times are hard, at least we can save a little money to feast and watch the great American sport of football.

•A new P.E. video is in the works thanks to the Multimedia Applications Class. Change is a good thing, especially when you consider that the current video is older than any student here.

gripes to: •Music at school events.

The music at pep assemblies is better than at the dances.

•Lafayette is getting a new phone number. The good old number, 636458-7200 was at least easy to remember, even if calling it wasn’t really good for anything.

•Third Hand Smoke.

New research proves that toxins from cigarette smoke embed themselves into clothing, harming the human race even more than before.

•Static Electricity. It’s one of the worst feelings in the world knowing that when wearing a fleece jacket during winter, you will be shocked when you get out of your car or try to hang your jacket on a metal locker hook.

•An uncontested Rockwood School Board re-election. Thanks Rockwood citizens, for not caring about your children’s education enough to even run for the School Board.

•Chief Justice John Roberts. Trying to show off, Roberts tried to recite the Presidential swearing in from memory. Oops.

Page

News

4

Jan. 30 2009

NutriKids creates lunchline troubles Mina Yu, Staff Reporter

Senior Joe Alkhalaf and junior Tommy Taylor are pictured here slowed up in the lunch line as the NutriKids system faces early trouble in its first few weeks of implementation. As second semester started, the new fingerprint system was put to the test.

Although lines were slow on the first few days of school due to fingerprint errors, lines have started to move faster once students re-registered with a clear fingerprint.

“It’s getting better everyday, the lines are moving a lot faster,” Assistant Cafeteria Manager Diane Metzger said.

Students will continue to be able to either use the fingerprinting system or the keypad to buy lunch.

But, Principal John Shaughnessy said he was not sure if the lines have improved compared to last semester. “I think it is too early to tell, because the system is so new,” he said. “It is still in the trial phase.”

Sophomore Robby Lawson said,” There are too many people buying lunch for this system to work. It is all good ideas; it is just having trouble getting everyone to know what is going on.”

Next year, the bio-metric finger scan will be a part of registration. Students will be able to continue to use the keypad if they request to.

“Until everyone gets on the bio-metric system, things will continue to be slow,” Shaughnessy said.

Photo by Daniel Clutter

Black History Month Left Out In The Cold

BSU, district work to incorporate information Katharine McLaughlin, Staff Reporter

As students and teachers brush upon the main leaders of Black History in the curriculum and some organizations try to do more to raise awareness, Black History Month is still often pushed to the side on a long to do list that never gets done.

Black History Month is a time to recognize the important people and events in the history of the African American movement.

It’s a time to become aware of the struggles and hardships that African Americans have overcome.

Black History Month is meant “to celebrate a culture and heritage,” Black Student Union (BSU) sponsor Cheryl Hermach said.

But she adds that this remembrance should be “every month and not just February.”

“Students should be aware of Black History Month and understand the significance of Black History in the U.S,” senior Keely McCaskie, BSU president, said.

The Rockwood Social Studies Department has wanted to do more for Black History month and celebrate the important movement but has not made any plans to do so.

Roxanne Mechem, Director of K-12 Social Studies said, “We feel these issues are very important and therefore should be embedded in the curriculum.”

Although improvement can always be made, some of the African American movement has been incorporated into Rockwood classes, but only when African American history has played a part in the timeline concerned with the curriculum.

According to Mechem from K-12, the curriculum is meant to expose students to achievements, struggles, experiences and

Lafayette Hockey cLub Support our Teams in the Playoffs!

Check times, dates, and locations at our website: http://www.eteamz. com/lhshockey/index. cfm?

Upcoming Varsity Games: Friday, Jan 30 at 7:20 pm Hardee’s Ice Complex Lancers vs Chaminade

Upcoming JV Games: Sunday, Feb 1 at 7:45 pm Afton Ice Rink Lancers vs Oakville

Monday, Feb 2 at 7:45 pm Queeny Ice Rink Lancers vs Webster Groves

contributions of African Americans and other groups.

Along with the Social Studies Department, BSU also strives to make more students aware.

BSU participated in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day March on Jan. 19 to celebrate a great leader of the African American movement.

Hermach said last year a senior tried to put together an assembly to promote Black History Month, but many of the speakers cancelled and it didn’t follow through.

While Rockwood has some requirements for curriculum, the District also gives schools the opportunity to inform students of Black History Month.

Mechem said it is up to the individual schools to select the activities beneficial for students.

Some of the activities include as-

semblies celebrating the lives of African American leaders, field trips, and presenting documentaries on the civil rights movement.

BSU vice president David Greensberg and member Kendal Rothschild said something as simple as playing a video promoting Black History Month during lunch can make more people aware.

Even the simplest things can have a big impact. But as effortless as some of these things seem to accomplish, “There’s always room for improvement,” Hermach said.

“It’s not enough to vaguely hear of a couple great figures in U.S. history class like Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” McCaskie said.

“You can always do more,” Hermach said, “I wish we had more time. I wish we had more money to be able to bring in some speakers.”

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Page

News

Jan. 30 2009

5

As the Classes Change Registration gives students new opportunities Max Thoman, Staff Reporter

With the new year in full swing, second semester beginning to wipe away memories of the students winter break, along with senioritis finally showing its roots, it is about time for the underclassmen to begin the journey of choosing their classes for the next year.

Registration is upon us.

Beginning Jan. 12, the counselors kicked off the registration process with presentations in language arts classes.

The Infinite Campus registration portal then opened Jan. 23 and will close Feb. 2 at 4:30 p.m.

Also, various changes and updates have been made for the 20092010 school year.

The first of these numerous changes were made to the hybrid block schedule.

Associate Principal Jodi Davidson said curriculum coordinators have already met and revamped the presentation of the hybrid block schedule so it is easier to understand.

Davidson also said the district’s curriculum coordinators allowed more classes to be taken in both standard and blocked scheduling, which will provide students with more choices.

Then, there are many revised and new classes being offered next year.

Math has the largest changes of classes because of a new curriculum that made it necessary to update some courses.

Algebraic Geometry, Mathematical Strategies for the College Bound, AP Calculus, Calculus II and Math and Careers have all been altered.

One such alteration was made to AP Calculus.

Davidson said, “AP Calculus will change to an AB or BC class period to gear it towards AP testing.”

Calculus II will also be offered through the St. Louis Community College-Wildwood Campus.

A new course called Math and Careers will be available next year for seniors. But, Math and Careers must be taken in conjunction with another math course.

Math and Careers will teach about jobs using math that will be available in the students future, Davidson said.

Algebraic Geometry will be available for students who took Two Year Algebra in their previous years to transition them into Geometry.

The final new mathematics course that will be offered next year is Mathematical Strategies for the College Bound Mathematical Strategies for the College Bound is elective style ACT Prep course, will be available to any student who wishes to take it.

Yet, just like Math and Careers, Mathematical Strategies for the College Bound, the class must be taken in conjunction with another math class.

Mathematical Strategies also does not provide a math credit, Davidson said.

There are also many new science and elective classes that will be offered for next year.

First, there is Biochemistry Applications.

This science course will be available to students who have completed Two Year Biology or Biology, Davidson said.

Applications is designed to, “Stimulate a science research facility,” the Course Description Guide said.

Flex Semi-Micro Qualitative Analysis and Organic Chemistry is another science course, will be offered next year.

To take this course, a student must have a passing grade in Chemistry.

It will focus on semi-micro qualitative analysis, which deals with laboratory analysis of solutions.

Culinary Arts II, a follow up to Culinary Arts I is another new class offered next year.

It “prepares high school students for careers in the restaurant and food service industry,” according to the Lafayette High School Curriculum Guide.

Exploring Chinese Language and Culture, the recommended precursor to the Chinese Language course, will also be offered next year.

It will specifically deal on listening and speaking skills in examples from contemporary Chinese culture, the Curriculum Guide said.

First Aid and Responding to Emergencies will teach the beginnings of first aid as well.

Science Fiction Literature is also offered in the Curriculum Guide,

News Briefs Recycling Program

Earth Club is on a mission to save the world, again.

But, instead of aiming large for this task, the Earth Club is implementing something quite small.

Itty Bitty Trash cans.

The idea came from Mike Szydlowski, the District Science Coordinator.

Basically, every class room that wants to take part in this project will receive a new, smaller trash can.

This smaller trash can will be used in place of their original trash can.

After the Itty Bitty Trash cans are handed out, the Earth Club will provide a recycling sticker to be placed on the classrooms original, larger trash bin.

With the larger recycling bins than trash cans, the hope is that the recycling bins will bring more of a presence and lure than the trash.

Carrie Hall, Earth Club sponsor, said the hope is that with the smaller trash cans, the Photo by Daniel Clutter hope is that only dirty Reviewing Registration materials will be thrown Students listen as Guidance Counselor Deborah Parker explains the 2009away, or will fit for that 2010 registration process. Parker and the other counselors began to visit matter. classes and walk the students through their registration on Jan. 12.

“Hopefully,” Hall said, “We will be able to recycle 90 percent but is pending the Board of Educa- fered in second semester as it was of Lafayette trash. All tions approval. meant to be an introduction to high plastics, glass, metal Finally, Radio Production and school. and paper included.”

Video Production (formerly BroadAnd, the course was a popular There is a catch for casting) will be offered next year. one. LHS had 13 sections. the teachers, though. “...Students learn preparation, Drama teacher Kate SlovinThough the custodidelivery, and post-producction ski said, “I alone taught three, 49 ans will empty all of the skills related to broadcast media,” minute class periods, 1st, 2nd, and itty bitty trash cans during their regular rounds, the Curriculum Guide said.

3rd Hour. Now, I have Study Hall the staff members who Most of these classes were cre- and Theater Arts classes instead elect to use their old ated because of need or popular de- of Freshman Seminar.” She said trash cans as recycling mand, Guidance Counselor JoAnn Freshman Seminar ran smoothly bins will need to empty Goehler said. because she loved teaching it. their own recycling bins.

A modification also occurred to “Some of the information was There will be 14 Chemistry Flex, which will no lon- a review for the freshmen, but the large green trash bins ger be offered as a Flex course. speech and communications, study placed in each hall, as well as the commons “It’s not best serving the needs skills and testing skills were always that the staff will be able of the kids,” Davidson said. good for rerun,” she said. to empty their recycling Freshman Seminar has also Freshman Ryan Beike, who into. gone through the reflection process took the class said, “It helped me That is as far as the and will be offered for next year’s with time management and it also staff members duties freshmen. helped teach me about other classwill reach, though, as Davidson said, “Freshman Sem- es,” when asked about how Freshthe custodians will be inar was a success but there are, of man Seminar benefited him. responsible for emptying these large green bins course, kinks to work out.”

Students seemed to have eninto the outdoor recyDavidson said the district will joyed Freshman Seminar as well. $50 OFF ANY cling bin. perform surveys and revamp the “Your first semester in high COLLEGE PREPSzydlowski said presentations of the class and class school is pretty hard, and FreshPROGRAM schools should be a focuses. man Seminar helps you through it,” el of environmental Freshman Seminar was not of- freshman Donny Schene said. awareness for the entire community.

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6

News Briefs

Parking Lot Traffic

With talks of improvement on the parking lot this summer, the administration also needs the cooperation of parents when picking up or dropping off students as the main traffic lanes should be constantly moving, “People are stopping there [in front of the Welcome Center] and waiting to pick someone up there during normal school hours and especially in the morning,” Office Oliver Helbig said.

To add more visitor parking is also a possibility, as these spots get filled up quickly on certain days.

Helbig said, “The whole thing is to get everyone in and out of there faster and safer and we need everyone’s cooperation.”

Winter Carnival

On Jan. 31 from 10 a.m.2 p.m., the Freshman Class will be sponsoring a Winter Carnival.

Proceeds from the event will be going toward the Class if 2012’s Celebration event after graduation.

The Carnival will be located in the Commons and in both gyms.

Wrist bands will be available for $10 which will allow visitors to play games all day for no additional charge. The Carnival will feature games with prizes, inflatables, face painting, food and other events.

Trivia Night

Trivia Night will be held Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. in the Commons to help raise money for the Sophomore Class for their Senior Celebration.

Ticket prices are $10 for students and $20 for adults, with up to eight people for table. There will also be a silent auction and a raffle.

Turnabout

Turnabout will be held Feb. 21 with a country clubbing theme.

Students are welcome to dress in country club attire. Ticket sales begin Feb. 18 and end Feb. 20.

Cost is $10 per single and $20 per couple.

News

Jan. 30 2009

‘Burn After Reading’

Religious, sexual, racial themes cause complaints among students, parents

Caleb Cavarretta, Staff Reporter While students may not notice it, much of the literature they read at Lafayette is banned elsewhere.

These controversial books, including Catcher in the Rye, 1984, Of Mice and Men and To Kill a Mockingbird, are often moved on and off ban lists throughout the country in different schools, while there are no books banned from the LHS library.

Rockwood’s K-12 Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator Kathy Ryan said, “Students need to have the freedom to read.”

“Some of our books used in class are controversial and may have questionable material,” Principal John Shaughnessy said. “Students should execute the opportunity to choose to read these books.”

“One of the ways we deal with complaints is by offering an alternative assignment,” Language Arts Department Chair Colleen Fields said.

It is the district’s policy that if a parent or student makes a complaint about literature used in class, they will be offered an alternative of the same merit.

An example would be if a parent or student complained about To Kill a Mockingbird, then Cold Sassy Tree would be offered as an alternative to read in class.

When it comes to the school library’s policy on complaints about books, librarian Nicole BallardLong said, “There is an official district policy for reconsideration of materials. If someone wants to challenge something we have in the library, there are a set of rules that govern that.”

But where do these complaints come from and what are they based on?

Ryan said most of these claims are about material taken out of context. “A parent called (to complain) about Black Like Me,” Ryan said. She said the parent read only two lines from the novel that happened to be about male anatomy and made a complaint.

One of the most common complaints comes from profanity and vulgar language used in books.

“There have, in the past, been parents concerned about language used (in lit books),” Fields said.

“Parents have complained about

books such as Huckleberry Finn, due to the use of the N-word,” Ryan said.

“I was somewhat offended by the cursing in Of Mice and Men,” freshman Danielle Slauter said. “I think you should have the option of reading the book because of its condescending nature.”

Another frequent complaint comes from Biblical readings.

“We do want to make kids aware of that there are a lot of things in literature and the media that have allusions to things of the past, obviously one of those things being the Bible,” Fields said.

Fields said while there have been some in the past, there have been no recent complaints about Biblical readings in class.

The library has a variety of religious texts, including the Bible, the Quran and the Torah. “We have to be accessible to all students regardless of religious backgrounds,” Ballard-Long said.

Other issues that often come up are the issues of race and people with disabilities.

“Kids need to know that these things are happening in the world, such as controversies in Of Mice and Men,” Fields said. She said race is one of the problems this book deals with.

“Of Mice and Men was kind of offensive because it said all people with mental disabilities must rely on someone else,” freshman Connor Wolk said. Wolk did say he still thinks it should still be taught because of the book’s message.

There are also issues with sexually explicit content in literature used in class, such as the rape case in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird.

“Kids should not be taught about rape in school, because it is inappropriate talk,” sophomore Shelby Teague said.

Concerning content not already in the curriculum, such as a newspaper article, Fields said, “If I feel that strongly about it and it is tied to the curriculum and meeting the needs of the kids but I am still concerned about parents objecting I will send information home.”

There are also issues with literature that are not necessarily novels, such as the play Antigone. “I am offended by Antigone, because there is suicide (in the play),” sophomore Brandon Hundley said. “I do not

The 10 most challenged books of 2007: 1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, AntiFamily, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group 2. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence 3. Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin Henkes Reasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language 4. The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman Reasons: Religious Viewpoint 5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain Reasons: Racism 6. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, 7. TTYL, by Lauren Myracle Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group 8. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou Reasons: Sexually Explicit 9. It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit 10. The Perks of Being A Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group *information compiled from the American Library Association

think students should be involved or exposed to that in language arts class,” he added.

When it comes to books in the library, Ballard-Long said, “I try to make sure we have books that fit the needs of students and teachers.”

But what is the merit of reading books that stir up controversy?

“The merit of the pieces we teach kids overrides the controversy,” Fields said. “These books are not just about the controversy, they are about something much bigger.”

“We are not after controversy for controversy’s sake,” Ryan said. “We are not teaching these subjects, but

a much larger theme.”

“Students should focus on novels about life issues, without having to experience (the issues) themselves,” Ryan said.

“I believe as a library, we need to have a wide variety of material,” Ballard-Long said. “We try to fill the needs that we have when students are searching for information,” she said.

While these controversial books may cause strife, it does not seem as though they will be banned from Lafayette any time soon.

“Anything can be controversial,” Ryan said.

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News

Jan. 30 2009

7

News Briefs

Seniors earn military academy appointments Four seniors will attend in military academies following graduation after securing appointments from U.S. Congressmen.

Kate Moorkamp, Andrew Olejnik and Ashley Zerr have been appointed to the Air Force Military Precision Academy and In the center, Katie Shawn Brands will Moorkamp serves as attend West Point part of the Color Guard Academy. at a home football game.

ROTC instrucShe has received an tor Colonel Mike appointment to the Air Berenc said this Force Academy after holds great siggraduation. nificance. “It is pretty remarkable.

It requires the complete package to [be appointed],” Berenc said.

Olejnik said he was relieved when he first heard of his appointment. “I had been wanting to do this a long time. It took a lot of stress off of this semester,” Olejnik said.

Of the four appointees, only Moorkamp and Olejnik are involved in ROTC. “ROTC exposes students to the mentality of the military. I wish more people would test our waters,” Berenc said.

In addition to these appointments, senior Seth Henke has received a four-year Army ROTC scholarship from Mizzou.

Third Hand Smoke

Photo by Daniel Clutter

Lending a Helping Hand

Students from Betsy Rivas’ first semester Business Management class present a check to Penelope Glanvill in the amount of $512.69. The class ran a business as a class and donated the profit to the Sean Glanvill Traumatic Brain Injury Research Fund.

Business class donates profits to Lancer family’s charitable fund Erik Dauster, News Editor What started as a class project for Betsy Rivas’ Business Management class ended as a charitable act for a Lafayette family.

To earn authentic business experience, the class sold Chinese food to students during lunch.

They ended up with a profit and decided to donate the money to a charity.

The class chose to donate the money to the

Sean Glanvill Traumatic Brain Injury Research Fund, which was founded to promote awareness of traumatic brain injuries and for the advancement of research.

The fund was set up after Sean, brother of senior Kirsten Glanvill, survived a car accident and one percent survival odds.

The Glanvill family was presented a check for $512.69 during lunch, which accounted for both profit and personal student gain, Rivas said.

Finance exam glitch gives testers automatic proficiency Erik Dauster, News Editor The Classes of 2010 and beyond have to demonstrate proficiency in personal finance to receive a diploma. They have to be good with numbers.

But when the results of the Missouri Personal Finance Assessment (MOPFA) came back, an unusually high amount of students did not receive the required 60 percent score to pass.

The numbers did not add up.

Students enrolled in one of the four Rockwood finance courses (AP Economics, Economics, FACS Personal Finance and Financial Management) take the MOPFA per Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) guidelines.

To receive the proficiency in personal finance, a student must simply pass the MOPFA. The Rockwood classes and final exams are not used to determine proficiency.

Those students that took the assessment during the window of Dec. 1, 2008 to Jan. 23, 2009 received a letter from the DESE that said the results “generated questions related to the reliability and validity of the exam.”

Bill Gerling, DESE Assistant Director of Assessment\Social Studies Consultant, said a computer glitch is to blame for a bad batch of tests.

Students who took the test during the aforesaid window were given a field test rather than an operational test.

Field tests, according to Bertha Doar, RSD Director of Data Analysis and Quality Management, contain questions to be analyzed with student responses and interpretations.

Operational Tests contain only approved questions. This means students were subjected to questions they may not have been prepared for. And there is no question about the difficulty of the questions students were tested on.

Brenda Morehouse, AP Economics and Economics teacher, said the questions on the exam were just too difficult.

She said only about 65 to 75 percent of her students passed the test, compared to a near 100 percent in previous years.

“As I imagine, many teachers

weren’t prepared. There were a lot of questions on current events, and many were like AP-style questions.

This is a test that every student should be able to pass,” Morehouse said.

As a result of the mishap, all students who took the MOPFA during the near two-month period have met the requirement in personal finance, whether they received a passing or failing score.

Gerling said this was an isolated incident that has been fixed, so students who will test in the future will still need to earn a 60 percent on the MOPFA to meet the personal finance graduation requirement.

DESE is conducting more field tests and revising operational tests for students who plan on taking the MOPFA this semester.

Out from the smoke of Boston has come stories involving that of more smoke this month, as doctors from MassGeneral Hospital for Children have discovered a new harmful stage of smoking.

Third-Hand Smoke is the new health worry for those exposed to recent smokers.

This alleged ThirdHand Smoking occurs when one smokes a cigarette, and toxins like hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, lead, and a radioactive polonium-210 are released into the air.

These toxins then make there way to the ground where the smoking has occurred and settle into surfaces such as fabrics, carpets, and even the shirts, skin, and hair of the smoker, creating the smell of smoke that is prominent among recent smokers.

Doctors theorized that if anyone, especially children, are exposed to these toxins, they may still have a chance at receiving harm, even if the original smoke has already settled.

Though still being researched, doctors have begun recommending showers after smoking, and at the very least washing your hands once you are finished to keep others safe.

Scholar Quiz Team

The Scholar Quiz Team is preparing themselves for another deal of trivia during the 2009 season.

Though rarely heard from, the Quiz Team meets for a practice every Monday and Friday morning.

In the fall, the team participated in the “Two Saints” practice league, which includes St. Louis and St. Charles schools.

Also on the schedule is the Washington University Competition at the end of January and Districts in April, which LHS will host.

Page

Feature

8

Jan. 30 2009

The Fabric Of Your Life Jeans: wardrobe staple due to simplicity, comfort Chelsea Coleman, Staff Reporter

They have become part of the fabric of American apparel. They were first created by a German immigrant in 1853 out of a tent canvas during the Gold Rush.

They offer comfort, but can have the price tag of a designer handbag.

They are classic denim jeans.

“Jeans are really comfortable and you can wear them with anything,” sophomore Ashley Nussbaum said.

“There are so many different styles of jeans, too,” she added.

Nussbaum owns 11 pairs of jeans that include Express and Silver.

“Most of my jeans are from Express because I love all the pocket detail they have. My favorite pair of jeans are from Express,” Nussbaum said.

Jeans can also carry a symbolic meaning. Sophomore Emily Harvey had a pair that was signed by all her friends.

“I believe it was in the 7th grade. I wore them all the time and they were covered front to back with designs and friends signatures,” Harvey said.

She continues, “then finally, they wore out and I couldn’t wear them anymore. So I cut the pant legs off and stapled them onto my ceiling so I could see it from all sides.”

“I think jeans are worn as a form of expression and they’re also comfortable,” Nordstrom’s Designer Expert Shauna D. said.

Nordstrom’s prices range from $100$300 with Dolce and Gabbana denim.

“They fit. Guys are guys, I don’t think I have a special connection with jeans.”

“I bought these because of the pockets.”

Lynzee Edwards, 9

Chris Emge, 9

Shauna D. said their most popular brand of jean has been True Religion with skinny jeans being the most recent fashionable fit.

Some choose their jeans depending on the best fit.

“I can’t wear Hollister jeans because they don’t fit over my butt so I have to wear Ambercrombie instead,” sophomore Claire Thibodaux said.

Skinny jeans are very popular among Lafayette’s female students as well.

“They’re Lucky Brand and I like design on the back pocket. They’re formfitting,” freshman Mary Welchans said.

Colored jeans have also become stylish and chic.

“Red skinny jeans, they’re fun, bright and comfy,” junior Karli Jacobs said.

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Jill Cherkas, 12

Senior Kristina Povarich strays from the typical median wash jeans.

“My favorite jeans are black jeans with sequins on the back pocket,” Povarich said.

But for those who are looking for the more luxurious brands there are various local boutique that offer designer brands.

Kirkwood’s Cortney Gene Fashion Boutique also offers designer jeans with the boutique experience.

They sell many high end brands such as Frankie B and True Religion, but their best seller is William Rast. Their prices range from $160-$320.

But for those that aren’t looking to spend hundreds on a pair of jeans there are other more reasonable options.

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Jan. 30 2009

Feature

Page

9

Short & Sweet vs. The Long Haul Students, parents discuss the pros and cons of relationships Brooke Thibodaux, Features Editor

In high school, everyone knows a couple who seem married, a couple that is always on again off again, and a couple that is separated by a long distance.

Through the good and the bad of relationships a question arises. When is a high school romance considered long term?

“I mean in this current day and age a long term relationship could be anywhere from six months to a year. But it was really a long term relationship for us at nine months,” senior Cam Koester said.

He’s been dating his girlfriend, senior Ashley Deese for 17 months. Many students say Koester and Deese are like a married couple who do everything together.

“They have a good time together, they’re great friends and they have a good influence on each other,” Karen Koester, Cam’s mom said.

The two are planning to go to the same college which concerns Karen, “a little bit.

I think it could be a good thing. If they decided not to stay together then they are just going to have to work through how that influences what they do on campus,” she said.

But why are long term relationships good in high school? Deese said they teach responsibility and lessons about life.

“If it doesn’t work out, then you know what you can do differently and it’s good to experiment,” she said.

“I think it’s a personal choice. Yeah, they’re fun and if it’s the right person, be with them for however long you want to be,” junior Maddie Conklin said. For two years she’s dated junior Clay Novak.

Her parents have expressed concern with college and dating. “They ask what

Together Forever

are you going to do when you go to college. And I just say, ‘whatever happens, happens,” Conklin said.

She thinks people need a break a long term relationship at college to meet other people.

Senior Kelly McCarthy agrees.

“I would only say it is a good idea if you’re actually planning on going to college together and keep the relationship, but if you’re going to end it after high school then what’s the point. Go have fun,” she said.

Seniors McCarthy and Roger Waekerle dated for three and a half years. The couple has dated on and off again just like seniors Rachel Simon and Corey Griffin who have dated since freshman year.

Simon said, “A long term relationship in high school, in my opinion, isn’t a bad thing. Being with the one you really care about and having a lot of feelings for a long period time is good.”

What it all seems to come down to is dating is an experience. Katie Cover, Class of 2008, has been dating Mike Bujnak, Class of 2008, long distance during their first year at college.

She said long term relationships in high school are a bad idea because it is time to explore and have options before looking for someone to settle down with.

Long term, long distance relationships offer a different challenge. Counselor JoAnn Goehler said about long distance, “It’s a matter of what works for two people. A good idea is to talk about what will and won’t be accepted for the relationship to continue prior to the time when the separation (distance) starts. Hopefully, this is not just one conversation, but a series of conversations that allow time for reflection and continued discussion. Some-

Photo courtesy of Cam Koester

Before Homecoming 2009. Cam Koester and Ashley Deese pose for photos. The couple has been to a total of two dances. They have been dating for 17 months and are planning to stay together during college.

Split Apart

Photo courtesy of Kelly McCarthy

With his arm around his date, Roger Waeckerle takes a break from dinner for a quick snapshot. The couple has been to a total of eight dances. The couple dated for three and a half years. However they are currently not together. “In high school, relationships have good and bad qualities such as good company and bad are in some cases you could alienate your friends,” Waeckerle said. times during these discussions there will be indicators of whether the relationship will, or will not, be able to be sustained over time. My advice is to listen carefully to what the other person is saying.”

But maturity level plays a major part in the ability of a relationship to work.

“I think it depends on who it is. Certain people will handle it better than others and others will make really bad decisions by hurting someone or ending up getting hurt themselves. It’s risky,” junior Justin Baden said.

This year Baden has been dealing with dating graduate class of 2008 Shannon Nicholson who is off at college.

Senior Alex Howard and Class of 2008 grad, Sarah Garcia have the same situation. Garcia said, “As long as he makes me happy, distance is no issue. It’s just a minor inconvenience. The only real issue is making ‘away’ feel like home, so it takes the edge off missing Alex.”

No matter how hard relationships are for the individual couple, teens’ parents have just as difficult of a time.

“Ultimately my concern with any relationship is getting hurt. I guess the length of the relationship to me doesn’t matter regardless of the time frame. You always worry about your child getting hurt,” Sue

Garcia Sarah’s mom said. Judy Nicholson has similar concerns for her daughter Shannon.

“The long term relationship with the person is wonderful; he is a very nice guy.

It’s just that he is still in high school, she is in college. I just want her to enjoy her four years away in school,” she said.

Although her daughter is not in a relationship, Debbie Rightler said that she wouldn’t be concerned if her child was in relationship that was split due to college.

“A lot of times they end up breaking up if one goes off to college and the other one stays in town,” Rightler said. Parents worry about their son or daughter finding the right partner and the well being of their child.

Sue Garcia, said, “You could date somebody for five years and they could treat you like dirt and you still stay with them. Well, what good is that? You could date 12 guys and they could all be bad. I think it gets down to the quality of the relationship.”

In the end, parents just want to see their child happy.

Shannon Nicholson said relationships are, “really just about what makes people happy. There shouldn’t be a stigma for or against the situation.”

Page

10

Feature

Jan. 30 2009

Jan. 30 2009

Oscars Everyone knows those students who are chock-full of movie trivia. The Image spoke with three of the movie experts and asked them their opinions on the 2009 Oscars.

Adam Zanzie, 12

Q: What movie do you think will win Best Picture?

A: As of now it looks very much as though Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire will win. It seems

to have captured the most acclaim by American critics and it is slowly but steadily rising at the box office. It will probably do for this generation of Academy voters what Forrest Gump did for them back in 1995.

Q: Who do you think will win Best Actor?

A: While Best Actor is a tough category I have a feeling that Mickey Rourke will win for his performance in Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler. While I have not seen the film, critics are already hailing it as a magnificent comeback for Rourke.

Q: Who do you think will win Best Actress?

A: Meryl Streep is clearly the front runner in the Best Actress category for her performance in John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt.

Q: Who do you think will win Best Supporting Actor?

A: The frontrunner for the Best Supporting Actor category is definitely Heath Ledger for his

Q: How will this years Oscars differ from the past years?

A: In my opinion, the Oscars this year will probably be different from the other past years because

there is no clear frontrunner in the Best Picture race. While I have admittedly not seen all of the films that are currently generating Oscar buzz, none of them that I have seen thus far have come up and stood out to me over the others. I hate to say it but I haven’t been so unexcited about the Oscars until this year. I’m not sure I will be rooting for any of the films that eventually receive a Best Picture nomination.

Q: What makes a great movie?

A: To me, a great Best Picture winning film is a film that ages well. Films that show a director at the

top of his or her form and/or have a screenplay that other writers could only dream of are the kinds of films that I cherish the most each year. As of 2008, unfortunately, only a few of those films fit those descriptions for me.

Q: What was your favorite film of 2008?

A: My favorite film of 2008 was Charlie Kaufmann’s Synecdoche, New York. A surreal, intelligent,

beautiful experience for me, nevertheless it was not met with healthy returns at the box office and received a split reaction in the critics circles. Many called it pretentious and hard to understand. To me, however, that is what made it such a great film- it perplexed me, indeed, but rather than leave me cold, it had me second-guessing it thoroughly. When it was over, I knew that others would not share the same enthusiastic opinion of it that I did. And it will almost certainly receive no nominations in the main categories on Oscar night. Yet it was a terrific film, one that I cannot wait to see again and one that, in the words of Roger Ebert, will perhaps be studied by film students over and over again many years from now.

The Curio Nixon Best Case of us FrosMt/ ilk Picture Benjamin The Reader Button

Slumdog Millionaire

Jack Bradley, 10

Garrett Tripp, 12

director is just trying to make it in the business. In the movie all the actors are kids and none of them are trained actors they are actually from the slums of Mumbai. And I Think it is incredible what they have done.

compelling story, and accomplishes everything else flawlessly. To me this was a film where I cannot think of anything I would improve on or take away.

Q: What movie do you think will win Best Picture?

A: Slumdog Millionaire because I read this article about how they didn’t expect to be nominated, the

Q: Who do you think deserves to win Best Picture?

A: I would say Slumdog Millionaire but It is debatable because I think The Wrestler should win because Mickey Rourke has come back clean. Seeing both of them win would be great for me.

Q: Who do you think will win Best Actor?

A: Probably Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler because he really deserves it for his great comeback and I have heard great things about his performance, nothing negative.

Q: Who do you think deserves to win Best Actor?

A: I was really wanting Clint Eastwood to win because his performance was great but he also made that movie so it is his movie. I would like to see him win best Director too.

performance in The Dark Knight. Most likely he will win because audiences were both terrified and inspired by his performance as the Joker. He will probably also win because Academy voters will want to honor is exceptional life and career, both which ended much to soon. The only thing up against Ledger is that a posthumous actor has never won an Oscar since Peter Finch in 1977, who died shortly before winning Best Actor for his performance in Network.

Q: Who do you think deserves to win Best Actress?

A: Probably Meryl Streep because her role in Doubt is really unusual…blaming a catholic molester. It is a bold role to take, and she gives a great performance.

Richard Je

The Visito

nkins

Frank La r ngella

Frost/Nix o

n

of being a child

Q: Who do you think will win Best Supporting Actor?

A: Phillip Seymour Hoffman in Doubt because he is really well known and Doubt looks like an amazing

movie. As for Heath Ledger a lot of people forgot his role in The Dark Knight. The press just voted for him because it is the press.

Q: Who do you think deserves to win Best Supporting Actor?

A: James Franco from Milk because he is a really good actor and a very gifted individual Q: Who do you think will win Best Supporting actress?

A: Marissa Tomei in The Wrestler because she really brings out the best in Mickey Rourke’s role.

Q: Who do you think deserves to win Best Director?

A: Danny Boyle, It seems like he really made the film his own and it was really original. He didn’t copy any ones technique and I think it is pretty cool how he used children from the slums of Mumbai as actors.

Q: What was your favorite film of 2008?

A: I think the best movie was Gran Torino because it was really vintage being filmed like one of his movies from the 60s but it takes place in the present. It was a really good story and the acting was really good, in that Clint Eastwood really creates and follows through with his character.

David Adams

Q: Which movie do you think will win Best Picture?

A: Slumdog Millionaire really is the Critic’s choice as well as mine. The film is stunningly visual, tells a

Q: Which movie do you think deserves to win Best Picture?

A: Slumdog Millionaire. The two films I see stealing it would be The Wrestler or Revolutionary Road. Darren Aronofsky and Sam Mendes have also done something truly amazing with their projects. Ron Howard’s Frost/Nixon may be the first opportunity since A Beautiful Mind to win an Oscar. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button will absolutely not win. The hype for that film is overrated.

Q: Who do you think/deserves to win Best Actor?

A: Mickey Rourke won Best Actor at the Golden Globes but that does not mean he will walk away with

the win again. I would like to see Leonardo Di Caprio win one after two nods in the past. Mickey Rourke’s performance is a tear jerker and Sean Penn always delivers a great performance no matter what he is in.

But again, Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button was pretty mediocre. My final answer is Mickey Rourke in Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler.

Q: Who will win Best Actress?

A: Critics say Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married. Her performance of a recovering train wreck addict is fantastic. And I agree, but Meryl Streep in Doubt could possibly pull a “seniority” card and snatch it from her.

Q: Who will Best Supporting Actor?

A: Heath Ledger. No other actor this year has completely disappeared into a role as he did.

Q: Who will win Best Supporting Actress?

A: Kate Winslet won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for The Reader. I believe she’ll do it

again at the Oscars. She truly is one of the most talented actresses in the business. My money is on her.

Q: Who will win Best Director?

A: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire. I cannot rave enough about this film. It is the best film of the year because it had Danny Boyle behind it one hundred and 10 percent the entire time.

The direction is so good.

Q: What do you think makes a great movie?

A: A scenic director, good actors, good producer to get everything together, visual director and most importantly good writing.

And the nominees Actor in a leading role

Information gathered by Adam Harris

r o f n i Tune Oscars the 22 Feb

are:

Actress in a supporting role

Sean Penn

Milk

Brad Pitt

The Curiou s Case/ Benjamin Button

Mickey Rourk e

The Wrestler

Actor in a supportin g role Josh Bro

Milk

lin

Amy Adams

Robert Downey Jr.

Tropic Thunder

Phillip Seymour Hoffman

Doubt

Heath Ledger

The Dark Knight

Michael Shannon

Revolutionary Road

Actress in a leading role Anne Hathaway

Rachel Getting Married Angelina Jolie

Changeling

Melissa Leo

Frozen River Meryl Streep

Doubt

Kate Winslet

The Reader

Doubt

Penelope Cruz

a Vicky Cristina Barcelon Viola Davis

Doubt

Taraji P. Henson

The Curious Case/Ben Marissa Tomei

The Wrestler

Button

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11

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12

Feature

Go on, do the ChachA

Jan. 30 2009

Texting program offers a fast, free question and answer service Rachel Brown, Staff Reporter When asked to describe itself, ChaCha replied, “Gorgeous, intelligent, kind, sweet, charming, witty, hilarious, friendly… Well enough about ME! How are you?”

ChaCha is a free mobile phone service that answers questions about anything.

Just text 242-242 (ChaCha on most cell phones), and send in a question written in conventional English.

Minutes later, the question will be answered through a text. .”

“You text any question, and they’ll Tate Herrmann text you back,” jujunior nior Cecilia Dorhauer said.

Available to answer questions all day, everyday, ChaCha takes an average of seven minutes to get back to texters with an answer and a URL source.

Each customer is allowed 20 free questions a month, though standard text rates apply. It is also possible to call ChaCha at 1800-2ChaCha. Currently, ChaCha has over 1 million users.

“It’s so easy, why wouldn’t you use it? I have so many random questions daily that I need answered that I can’t find without a computer. It’s like having every answer I would ever need in my pocket,” junior Tate Herrmann said.

“

It’s like having every answer I would ever need in my pocket

Ever since Google launched Google SMS in 2004, (466453 or “Google” on most phones), a number of similar services have come about; each providing texters with answers to any questions.

In addition, search engines along with countless blogs and forums have sought to provide internet users with single-sentence answers to their search including ask.com, WikiAnswers and kgb.

However, ChaCha has something special; something that makes its service more personal, more accurate and more understandable than the competition.

Rather than using an automated machine to comb the web for information and then spit out a seemingly gibberish response, ChaCha utilizes real people, doing real thinking to provide real responses.

“It’s personal. It feels better to the people asking the questions to have something warm-blooded on the other side instead of some piece of technology,” Tyler George, Class of 2008, said. He works as a guide, someone who answers the questions for ChaCha. Though ChaCha has only about 75 full-time employees, it currently employs 15,000 to 20,000 part-time guides, spread across all 50 states.

George enjoys working for ChaCha because of the flexible schedule.

“You don’t have any fixed hours, so you just log on and start answering questions whenever you feel like it, and stop whenever you want,” he said To be hired, ChaCha guides must go through an interview, take a test and do a simulation of answering a question.

“I want to work for ChaCha so bad,” Herrmann said. “They have no amount of

set hours, and I’m always on a computer anyway, so it would be really convenient.

But unfortunately, you have to be 18 or older (to work for ChaCha).”

ChaCha guides are paid 10 cents per answer, unless they are a top guide, in which case they are paid 20 cents.

“It really doesn’t sound like a lot, but it builds up quickly and it’s really easy to lose track of time and just go to town answering. The flow of questions is definitely consistent. No sooner do I finish answering a question than another one rings in. There’s really no time to waste,” George said.

For most, this work totals from $3-7 an hour. “I haven’t personally thought of being a guide for ChaCha. It’s too much work for me,” Dorhauer said.

George tries to answer questions to the best of his ability but said, “If the customer asks me a strange question, I’m going to give them a strange answer.”

While she waits to turn 18, Herrmann admits she asks questions to mess with ChaCha guides’ minds.

“I usually try to stump ChaCha. One of my college friends works there, and I know they get paid on accuracy, so I ask things like where in the world is Carmen San Diego? Answer: Currently this information is unknown, but she was last seen with Waldo,” Herrmann said.

George has found his own way to amuse himself and deal with ChaCha customers like Herrmann.

“Someone asked me once how to remove grass stains. I told them to put a jar of grape jelly in the washing machine with their pants and they would be gone,” George said.

The Image sent ChaCha questions and received the following feedback: What are the three best bands, in your opinion?

I know I’m going to disappoint you, but I think I’m going to pass on this one.

ChaCha wants your questions so keep asking!

What kind of bullet is the most aerodynamic?

Bullets called VLD or Very Low Drag Bullets were developed in the 198090’s. Aerodynamics are affected by temp, trajectory, etc.

Is there bacon-scented cologne?

I didn’t find any info on bacon scented perfume but Burger King has released a scent called Flame that smells like meat.

What’s in a mood ring?

The stone of a mood ring is a hollow quartz or glass shell with thermothropic liquid crystals that respond to temperature changes.

What kind of music does Wendy Rodgers from Lafayette High School listen to?

Wendy Rodgers of Lafayette High School likes listening with the St. Louis Cappies of course! Thanks for ChaChaing with us today!

Why did the chicken cross the road?

There is new research that reveals an inbuilt magnetic compass guiding domestic chickens when they do venture across the asphalt.

Page

In-Depth

Jan. 30 2009

13

Reporter takes trip of a lifetime to D.C. Sydney Miller, In-Depth Editor

One Image reporter traveled with a group of 69 Rockwood students to the 2009 Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama. Below are her chronicles of what took place.

Jan. 18, 2009

I was shocked to learn this would be the warmest day of the trip. We were bundled under several layers as we headed to Arlington National Cemetery, where a pleasant surprise greeted us - President-elect Barack Obama’s motorcade! I’m talking motorcycles, sketchy men in Escalades, helicopters, an ambulance and two limos.

However, Obama’s motorcade visit was rapidly losing its grandeur as we waited an hour, immobile, for Secret Service to leave Arlington.

Also, the “10 minutes for each stop” timeline we were on was a little irritating.

Rather than go to the Smithsonian, we stopped by the HBO “We are One” concert which was the place to be. A crowd of several hundred thousand stretched from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument. Unfortunately for an enthusiastic Shelby Fenster and Liza Levko, we left for lunch after hearing The Boss and Mary J. Blige.

After a brief stop near the Capitol, we trekked to the White House. It was dark, 20 degrees colder and the perimeter fence kept me from taking any decent pictures.

We visited all the major memorials, but the problem was how desensitized I am to them.

It’s hard to apply a single human experience to a mass of soldiers without the imagination to envision their hardship.

Needless to say, I was in the worst mood possible at the end of the tour.

I was tired of the cold and of the walking (12 miles for the day!) I didn’t know it was possible to be in that much pain, or that exhausted.

Jan. 19, 2009

I awoke and promptly collapsed to the ground.

Apparently hours of walking had taken a toll, and for the rest of the day I felt my hip joint had dislocated itself.

The first stop was at the National Archives, which had a 90-minute line wrapping itself around the building. But, the fact that on Inauguration Eve I could look at the documents which are the basis of our country’s laws and principles was a very cool thing.

In between the Archives and lunch, we managed a small trip to the Smithsonian. I gazed on the beauty that is the Hope Diamond- but that was most of what I saw. The crowds were overwhelming, and the rest of the museum trip was spent chilling on the floor.

Back at the hotel, I had too much adrenaline and too little Diet Coke to calm myself for the ‘lottery’ in which seven lucky students got tickets to the Inauguration.

As the names were called, several graciously declined saying “someone deserves it more.”

I can’t honestly say I would be that selfless. I was about ready to jump to take their place, but soon the seven available student tickets filled up (among those were senior Erik Dauster and junior Erin Staszak).

Photo courtesy of Sydney Miller

Rockwood Goes to D.C.

The Rockwood group waits for the Inaugural parade after passing through security. It is estimated four million people were present in D.C., but only two million were allowed in.

Jan. 20, 2009

At half past four in the morning, I was up and layering for the big day. Late for breakfast at 5 a.m., I was on my way to D.C. at 6 a.m..

The metro station at Rockville, MD where we stayed was full to capacity. The little station which usually had 12 passengers for the morning ride now had 500 or more.

The streets of Washington felt more like an evacuation than an Inaugural celebration. Four million people, laden like pack mules, were frantically trying to find their way. Only two million were actually admitted through security, and we were determined to be part of them.

The group waited an hour outside the National Mall before being admitted, and then turned away.

The lack of organization of the security was disgusting, and the little security checkpoints they had were not sufficient for the thousands trying to push through them.

After three hours in another line of stop and go, I finally advanced to the security gate. I was on the other side of the gate and free at last!

This elation didn’t last long when I saw there was not a jumbo-tron in sight, not one source of food or indoor plumbing. People were camped on top of occupied Johnny on the Spots for a better view, and some buckled under the weight.

On the metro ride to D.C. that morning I heard an older woman tell her friend, “It’s so nice to see so many generations so enthusiastic about our future. This is the future.” I realized what she said was true as I looked out on the crowd. Young, old and every ethnicity had gathered to celebrate a new beginning.

Once the parade had not started an hour after it was scheduled (and I could no longer feel my legs), we decided to head towards the metro and find a warm place to relax for a few hours.

We were all tired of the cold, $6 bratwursts and the collapsing port a potties around us.

The Inaugural Dinner Cruise was the highlight of the trip. We were giddy to be in a warm space, with good, non-greasy food and music to dance to, despite being a little nervous about the bomb squad present.

We were disheveled so we were contained in a holding area, separate from the rest of the well-to-do cruise passengers. While the President and First Lady boogied among the rich, we did the same in jeans and uggs on the river.

Even though there were some disappointments, Rockwood gave 69 students the opportunity of a lifetime.

I was in the presence of a moment that will go down in history, and those students will always be able to say “I was there.”

In Memoriam

During a stop at Arlington National Cemetery, senior Danni French takes a picture of the gravesite of Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII. The Rockwood group visited Arlington directly after the new first family.

2438 Taylor rd wildwood, mO 63040 636-405-1190 Mon-Fri: 9:30-8:00 Sat: 9:00-7:00 Sun: 11:00-5:00

Special Student Discount!

Full Set: $23 Mani & Pedicure: $28 Manicure: $12 Waxing also Available Please present coupon at the Salon

Page

14

Feature

Jan. 30 2009

Attack of the Clooney

Actor shoots new movie in STL Mina Yu, Staff Reporter A-list actor and director George Clooney will be arriving in the Gateway City within the next month or two to film his latest movie Up in the Air with Juno director Jason Reitman.

The plot will be based on the novel by Walter Kirn. Clooney will play Ryan Bingman, a corporate terminator planning to collect one million frequent flyer miles as his life falls apart.

Vera Farmiga (The Departed) and Anna Kendrick (Twilight) also star.

Confirmed by STLtoday, the production crew has been in St. Louis for about a month to set up and look for more possible shooting sites.

While parts of the movie will be filmed in Las Vegas, Nevada and Miami, Florida, the majority of the film will be shot at the St. Louis Lambert International Airport on the closed D-concourse.

Although St. Louis may not seem like a glamorous place to shoot a movie, Matt Damon also filmed part of his movie The Informant (to be released in Sept. 2009) in St. Louis.

The movie featuring Rachel McAdams and Tim Robbins, The Lucky Ones was also filmed in St. Louis and Chesterfield.

The production budget is set at an estimated $30 million, relatively average for a movie.

Furthermore, the movie is predicted to have a $50 million impact in the area of St. Louis.

J. Kim Tucci of the St. Louis Film Office said, “The hotel rooms, the food and the beverages, the gas and oil, the laundry, the dry cleaning, the carpenters, the electricians, the stage hands… all these

people and materials they use, it’s phenomenal.”

Working along side the St. Louis Film Office, the cast and crew will also work with Studio Mechanics Local 493.

Union leader Gary Hansen also said, “It’s a large movie. It’s going to be a lot of employment for the members of 493.”

But not only is the movie creating jobs for people, Hansen said. “It will make our year in an economy that’s awfully sluggish, and a lot of commercials that we normally live off of aren’t supporting our families.”

Local 493 not only offers production guidance for movies, but also for commercials, music videos, and TV specials.

As over 2,000 extras for the movie are needed, auditions were held Jan. 25 at the Crestwood Court Mall. Open call was Jan 24.

Casting directors were looking for people to play airport and hotel workers as well as international travelers.

Although children and teen submissions were not accepted at the time, men and women over the age of 18 were encouraged.

Pre-audition, sophomore Jessica Foley’s mother, Denise Foley, planned to audition with a few of her friends. Denise is also hoped to submit their home to be used for filming.

“It’s going to be all over the city. They’re going to have 85 different sets to dress in 50 days,” Hansen said.

“My mom is really excited to audition especially because it’s George Clooney.

She’s getting all her acting skills together,” Jessica said.

Filming itself should last from March 3 to late April.

Putting on the Ritz

The cast rehearses for the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. The musical’s story is centered on Millie Dillmount, a Midwestern girl who travels to New York City in 1922 to become a flapper.

Juniors Cory Clayman, Cecilia Dorhauer, Brittany Handler, Jared King and Sarah Worley have the lead roles.

Handler, who plays Millie, said she is excited for the production.

“It’s a really great experience and opportunity. The cast is really fun and I love getting to work with such great people,” she said. The play will be Feb. 12-14 at 7p.m. in the Theater. photos by Daniel Clutter

Page

Sports

Jan. 30 2009

Super Bowl Melanie Hinzpeter, Co-Sports Editor Whether it’s eating and watching football, or continuing their creative tradition of choice, friends and family always gather as the first month of the year comes to a close to celebrate one simple reason: the Super Bowl.

“It’s a football game that women and men can watch together,” senior Kristin Knoop said.

But it seems that Super Bowl commercials have long been a favorite, sometimes being watched more than the game itself.

And this Super Bowl between the Steelers and the Cardinals will be no different.

“It’s a specific day where you are fat and lazy: girls watch the commercials and guys watch the game,” senior Cory Shaw said.

“They’re (the commercials) creative and usually they only show them once,” freshman Mary Welchans said.

However, some students still hold their sacred traditions, which they carry on year after year.

“I usually only eat things from bowls because it’s the Super Bowl,” senior Taylor Criswell said.

Like Criswell, senior Drew Carter carries on a tradition he began on a whim.

15

The 43rd Super Bowl between the Cardinals & Steelers is a time for food, fun, friends and family

“I eat Imo’s every Super Bowl,” Carter said.

Carter has been eating Imo’s during the Super Bowl game since 6th grade.

“I think someone brought it (to a party) and I liked it,” Carter said.

Senior Mike Pierro has been to a Super Bowl before. He was planning on going this year, but things didn’t work out with timing.

“The Super Bowl literally takes over the entire city, the streets are packed no matter what,” Pierro said.

Although he isn’t going to the game this year, he still enjoys watching the game from home.

“If you are with a bunch of good friends sitting down and enjoying the game, the commercials, and everything, that’s what makes it fun,” Pierro said.

Along with Pierro, senior Zack Blakeley spends time with friends and family on Super Bowl day.

He plays a betting game where a board is set up and betters place bets on what score they think the game will be at certain times.

“We play to win prizes like team apparel,” Blakeley said.

There are a multitude of betting games that center around the Super Bowl.

The more popular games include which half will score more points, which team will score more points, first team to call a timeout, first team to get a penalty, first team to score, last team to score and many others.

But even among all the entertainment of the game and the party, commercials still seem to get the most attention during the Super Bowl.

“We just watch the commercials. When they come on, everyone gets quiet,” senior Alex Mace said.

the Ultimate Superbowl Menu Chips & Salsa - a necessity for any party, no matter what the celebration.

Taquitos - another side of Mexico that Americans enjoy on any holiday.

Veggie Tray - there has to be at least on healthy item for party-goers to munch on.

7 Layer Dip - seven layers of delicious

salsa, beans, guacamole, sour cream and anything else you can pile on it.

Pizza - every party has to have pizza no matter what the party is for.

Buffalo Wings - for the guys and more

adventurous girls who don’t mind a little sauce on them.

Brownies - chocolatey goodness that every person can enjoy.

Cupcakes - those who are more creative have found ways to shape them into footballs.

Photos by Melanie Hinzpeter

Sports staff picks the winner of the 43rd Super Bowl Gian Wessel, Staff Reporter

STEELERS: “Their defense is too dominating for the Cardinals to outscore them. Also, the Steelers’ key players are experienced after winning in 2005. The Cardinals’ feelgood story should come to an end.”

Pittsburgh Steelers

Andrew Martin, Staff Reporter

STEELERS: “The Steelers will win because they are a more physical team. Also most of the Arizona Cardinals have never played in a Superbowl and the pressure will get to them. The Steelers have been there before and they know what they are doing. “

Jared Anderson, Opinion Editor

STEELERS: “Coach Mike Tomlin’s defense will generate a disrupting pass rush with only three down linemen, and Pittsburgh’s secondary has the speed to contain Arizona’s passing attack. The Steelers ride running back Willie Parker’s back to a 24-21 victory.

vs.

Arizona Cardinals

Nina Walters, Co-Sports Editor

CARDINALS: “The Cardinals will win because Kurt Warner brought them a winning attitude. Along side Warner is Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin who are two of the best receivers in the NFL.”

Melanie Hinzpeter, Co-Sports Editor

STEELERS: “The Steelers have experience and depth and they have been down this road before. With the Cardinals, its all a new experience and they won’t be ready to match the Steelers’ skill. Kurt Warner is overrated.”

Mia Schenone, Staff Reporter

STEELERS: “The Steelers are going to win because they won the last Super Bowl they were in. They have also been playing really well this season and are ready for a repeat.”

The Image asks:

Graphics use with permission from MCT Campus

What is your favorite Super Bowl commercial from any past years?

“The talking baby one.”

–Torrey Nyhan,

9

“The one where the zebras are the refs for that Bud Light commercial.”

–Alex Panu,

10

“The commercial for Petsmart where they used the dog as a mop.”

–Taylor Foley,

11

“The Night at the Roxbury commercial for Pepsi. It makes you want to bob your head.”

–Corbin Wall,

12

“My favorite is the Bud Light rock, paper, scissors where he throws the rock at him and walks away with the beer.”

–Tom Wade,

Social Studies

Page

Sports

16

High expectations aren’t met; boys basketball team now 11-8

College Commits Matt Bleazard

Rockhurst University Soccer

Kyle Grana

Allen County Community College Baseball

Gian Wessel, Staff Reporter

Will Kirksey

Quincy University Basketball

Korie Klosterman

Evansville University Soccer

Sam Martinez

Quincy University Soccer

Ian Moore

University of Northern Iowa Football

Luke Voit

John A. Logan College Baseball

Stephanie Weider Austin Peay State University Soccer

Breaking Records

Jan. 30 2009

On Jan. 24, senior Tyler Griffey broke Class of 2005 grad Landon Shipley’s school record of 1,655 career points against Miller Career Academy with 1,671.

Griffey also surpassed Class of ‘98 grad Scott Brewster’s record of 802 rebounds in the same game with 812.

Former LHS coach Dave Porter was in attendance when the Lancers placed third in the Lindbergh Tournament. He coached Griffey from 20052008.

On Jan. 19, Griffey set another record by scoring 36 points against Hickman, the most ever by a LHS player.

“Win State,” is all senior Will Kirksey needed to say about his team’s hopes for this season.

It’s too soon to judge this year’s Lancer boys basketball team, as the Missouri Class-5 championship is not for another six weeks.

The current 11-8 record is an early indicator that the team may not be living up to its pre-season hype generated by being ranked second in St. Louis by the PostDispatch.

But, the players hope to turn things around.

“The season’s going pretty well,” freshman Nick Messer said, “We had a tough loss to (Hazelwood) Central, but we should win out from here.”

On being the only freshman playing for varsity, Messer said, “They took me in pretty well; just practicing with them will make me a better player.”

“We’re coming along, I mean we played the 25th ranked team in the nation and lost by three points,” Kirksey said.

Lafayette was narrowly defeated

by Madison Memorial on Jan. 10.

The Wisconsin prep team is unanimously ranked first in their state.

“The effort has been there, we just need to have better possessions and play smarter,” Head Coach Scott Allen said.

The Lancers’ final stretch begins with a home game against Fox on Feb. 4 and another with Marquette on Jason Struble Night on Feb. 6.

That event is the 17th annual celebration of former LHS student Jason Struble who died of testicular cancer in 1992. In his honor, former coach Dave Porter set up a foundation to help educate young men across the country about the disease.

“It has saved 22 lives by spreading the word about cancer and has made a profound impact,” Assistant Coach Matt Landwehr said, referring to specific instances where men were made aware of testicular cancer screening through Struble’s story.

Even with a highly decorated Senior Class leaving after this season, the coaches have a reason to hope for the future. “(We have) good pieces in our younger levels,” Landwehr said, “The young guys blend with varsity guys well.”

“We run the offenses and defenses that we are asked to run by coach Allen,” freshman coach Allyn Workman said, “Freshmen build a foundation to expand on and are exposed to what varsity does.”

When the time comes for Messer’s fellow freshmen to step in at the varsity level, he said, “I’ll take a leader role like they (current varsity team) did with me.”

Hoop Stars

[Top] Senior Zeke Dieckhaus takes a shot during a 46-44 loss to CBC during the Meramec Tournament Dec. 29.

[Far left] Senior Andrew Echele dribbles up the floor against Eureka’s Zac Wilson, leaving him in the dust and winning 80-52. [Left] Senior Will Kirksey goes up against a Hickman player.

Photos courtesy of Paul Dryden

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Jan. 30 2009

Sports

Page

17

Hockey wins Silver Skate 3-2 against Marquette Melanie Hinzpeter, Co-Sports Editor

For the second year in a row, the Lancers brought home the prestigious Silver Skate trophy, which epitomizes the rivalry between Marquette and Lafayette.

“It’s a big win for us and it feels really good. I’m glad that we could pull together and get the win,” senior captain Eric Wendt said.

In between students getting kicked out for cursing and throwing loose change on the ice, the team played a solid three periods.

Right from the start, Wendt took charge, scoring the first goal during the first play of the game.

This set the Lancers off for a successful 3-2 win on their Senior Night.

But getting to this point in the season was a challenge for the hockey team.

“Every streak has to start with one (win) and getting that monkey off our backs is the first stage to turning a corner,” Head Coach Todd Ewen said.

Before the win against Parkway South, the team had a 4-8-3 record.

“We have been relying on our goal tending to keep us in many of the games, but our offensive aspect must improve,” Ewen said.

And the future winning team seems closer than originally thought.

“There is confidence we can see through players like (junior) Matt Parks, Eric Wendt, (seniors) Jacob and Jack Huber and (junior) Eric Bohm that we have to rely heavily on to provide scoring from now on,” Ewen said.

The team underwent a complete 180, helping their record to 8-8-3. They beat Parkway South, DeSmet, Parkway West and then Marquette.

“The whole team has picked up their play,” Wendt said.

The team is hoping its Silver Skate win against Marquette will serve as a momentum booster going into the final stretch of the season.

Fans seemed to be hoping for a bench clearing brawl between Marquette and Lafayette, and they came close after the game was over.

A Marquette player pushed Wendt to the ground, but other players, coaches and refs came to the rescue, holding back the anger Marquette players were feeling as a result of the loss.

The team is scheduled to play Chaminade tonight in The Valley at 7:20 p.m.

For more schedules and results, visit www.eteamz.com/lhshockey.

Silver Skate

Photo by Melanie Hinzpeter

After ambushing the goalie, the Lancer hockey team celebrates its Silver Skate victory against Marquette. The team won 3-2 and senior captain Eric Wendt scored two of those goals in the first period with the help of junior Matt Parks. Senior Scott Thompson scored the other goal, with assists from Parks and junior Chris Ievrolino. The team held on to win the Silver Skate trophy for the second year in a row and the Lancers hope this win will give them the extra boost they need to keep their four-game winning streak alive after a rough first half of the season. “That win (Marquette) was a big boost to our confidence,” Wendt said.

Stand Guard

On the far left, sisters Lauren Hall, senior, and Kayla Hall, freshman, stand ready to guard the Eureka offense as they progress down the court. Left, freshman Jordynn Martin shoots during the Eureka game, adding to her 183 points during the season so far. The girls went on to win the close game, 43-40.

Photos by Daniel Clutter

Girls basketball faces many challenges mid-season Mia Schenone, Staff Reporter

With a new head coach, the girls basketball team has seen its share of trials and errors as the season has progressed and the players have adjusted to the changes.

According to players, Head Coach Jennifer Porter and the team are meeting expectations and building as they go.

Freshman Allie Novak said Porter is improving the Lady Lancer program and helping the girls to the best of their abilities.

“She is pushing all the girls to be their best,” Novak said, “There are little kinks, with the team, but we will work them out in time. Once we realize it, we’ll be un-

stoppable.”

Senior Lauren Hall feels the same about the team as Novak does.

“The team is doing better, and we still have half a season to improve,” Hall said.

And during that first part of the season, the girls saw a lot of play.

“We won the consolation bracket in the Visitation Tournament. It’s the best tournament in the state of Missouri during that time, and I feel like we had to play really well in order to win,” Porter said.

The girls beat Rosati-Kain, Berkeley and Metro, only losing to Kirkwood which bumped them down to the consolation bracket which they later won.

“I think the team is doing better than

expected,” sophomore Sam Stirmlinger said. And Porter agrees.

“So far, I think we are doing really well.

We are very young, but have some good senior leadership and that helps,” Porter said.

The team is currently third in Suburban West Conference, and is 11-5 after crushing Parkway West 65-40. They beat Eureka 43-40, but lost to Parkway South and Rock Bridge.

After a big loss against Parkway South, Porter said the girls were pretty disappointed, but were ready to get back to practice and start working.

“Our next practice was very good, and we bounced back with a win at the buzzer

over a good Eureka team,” Porter said.

With their last game against Mehlville Feb. 20, Porter hopes to close up the season with another District Championship.

“It will be a tough task, but I know our girls want it really badly and are up for the challenge,” Porter said.

Senior Jessica Steinmetz leads the team with 202 points. Freshman Jordynn Martin is close behind her with 183 points.

Steinmetz also lead the team in rebounds with 114 and Hall follows her with 105 rebounds. Also, Martin leads the team with 14 3-point shots and Stirmlinger is behind her with 13 shots.

The girls play Fort Zumwalt West on Feb. 2 and Fox on Feb. 4.

Page

Sports

18

Jan. 30 2009

Wrestling perseveres despite injuries to State contenders Andrew Martin, Staff Reporter The injury bug has taken a big bite out of the varsity wrestling team this season.

Four wrestlers are out with injuries and three of them were State qualifiers from last year.

The two that have to take a seat on the bench are juniors Andy Early and Josh James.

Early is out for the season with a torn ACL and James broke his hand from something non-wrestling related.

Senior Andrew Olejnik is coming back from when he tore his oblique muscle earlier in the season. He wrestled his first match back in the Jeff City Tournament.

Last year’s State qualifier Zach Hagy moved to Singapore over the summer.

“It’s hard to lose one good wrestler to an injury, but to lose three is even worse.

But, we’ve had a lot of kids step up during the season,” senior Robby Campbell said.

Despite all of the injuries, the team has been doing well in the last tournaments.

At the DeSmet Tournament, Lafayette had three champions to go along with the overall tournament win.

Campbell and juniors Vince Farinella and Nathan Perry all placed first.

The team as a whole took second at the Parkway South Tournament.

At the Jeff City Tournament that took place over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, Perry wrestled out a win in his weight class. Campbell and sophomore Kyle Black placed second.

With many wrestlers out, the team counted on some underclassmen to step up.

Freshman Ryan Jones placed second in both the DeSmet and Hazelwood tournaments. In addition to his second place

finish at the Jeff City tournament, Black won his weight class at the Hazelwood Central Tournament.

Head Coach Scott Sissom gives credit to the senior leader in the locker room, Campbell.

Campbell is considered the overall leader of the wrestling team. “(I) yell if necessary, but everyone knows I am in charge since I, of course, am the biggest,” Campbell said, who wrestles the heavyweight class at 285.

“As a senior you have to set an example for the rest of the team to follow. Coaches rely a lot on the seniors to guide the underclassmen,” Campbell said.

Sissom also gives credit to an unexpected junior, Vince Farinella.

“Vince has come a long way,” Sissom said. He has been wrestling well recently and has placed first in the Hazelwood and DeSmet tournaments.

“Vince is probably one of the hardest workers on the team and he deserves all his wins because he works so hard during the season and offseason,” Campbell said.

The Lancers have a long stretch ahead with a couple of big tournaments coming up at Francis Howell Central and at Lafayette.

The team practices as much as they can. They practiced every day over Winter Break except Christmas and New Years Day. Sissom wants them as sharp as possible for the meets coming up.

Once again they have high expectations. The team wants to send around 8-10 kids to State each year.

“It is too early to see who is in State,” Sissom said.

But, he still feels strongly that Lafayette will send its usual amount to State.

Underclassmen Advantage

Photo by Daniel Clutter

Freshman Ryan Jones steps up his game at the Capitol City Invitational in Jefferson City, but lost to Jordan Starkey from Northwest in Cedar Hill. Overall, the team placed fifth in the tournament with 176.5 points.

Girls swimming remains undefeated, wins tournament Nina Walters, Co-Sports Editor

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With Conference just around the corner, the girls swimming and diving team remains undefeated in dual meets.

Also they recently took second to Glendale in the Parkway South Invitational and won the Marquette Relays for the second consecutive year.

“We are set up to win Conference for the 24th year in a row,” senior Amanda Haushalter said.

In order to do that, the team is planning on picking it up at practice to improve and capture the Conference Title.

“Were very proud and are going to pick up training for Conference and State.

We’ve got our eyes set on a State Championship this year,” junior Sam Wright said.

To go with a great season so far, some of the girls have made top five spots on the honor roll.

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Juniors Ashleigh Grammar, Jessi Holz, Shannon McCoy and Wright’s names can be found several times in different categories on the honor roll.

McCoy has been doing her part by placing in the top three in the Suburban West four times. She placed first in the 100-meter backstroke and 100-meter butterfly .

The team is first on the honor roll in the 200-meter freestyle relay and the 200-meter medley relay. Also the team is second in the 400-meter freestyle relay.

Conference will take place on Feb 12 at home. If Lafayette makes it thorough Conference, State will be taking place on Feb. 20.

Rather than intensifying their practices for State, McCoy said “We are going to start tapering to get all rested for State.”

Lafayette will be looking to repeat what they did two years ago with an undefeated season and winning state a State Title.

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Jan. 30 2009

Winter Calendar Wrestling

1/31 @ McCluer North/Francis Howell Double Dual 2/2 @ Mehlville 2/4 @ Lindbergh 2/7 @ Francis Howell Central Tournament 2/13 @ Districts 2/19 @ State

Boys Basketball

2/4 vs Fox 2/6 vs Marquette 2/10 @ Francis Howell Central 2/13 @ Lindbergh 2/17 vs Parkway South 2/20 @ Mehlville

Girls Basketball

2/2 @ Ft. Zumwalt west 2/4 vs Fox 2/6 vs Marquette 2/10 vs Francis Howell Central 2/13 @ Lindbergh 2/18 vs St. Charles West

Girls Swimming/ Diving

2/2 @ Mehlville 2/5 vs Oakville 2/12 vs Conference 2/20 @ State

Page

Sports 19 LHS fans get the short end of the stick as showcases take over home games Home games: a time for school spirit, home court advantage and packed stands.

Except for the boys basketball team.

This season they have fewer home games than normal due to the special invite showcases they are attending.

So much for the Superfans being at all the games.

Are all these showcases really worth giving up home games?

Let’s see. The pros and the cons.

First, the cons. You have little to no fans, who usually get your adrenaline going.

“I wish we would have more home games, so our fans can watch us and we have more people there cheering us on. The fans make a big difference,” Zeke Dieckhaus said.

Maybe if they had more games at home, they wouldn’t have lost so many.

Second, you lose home court advantage.

Being at home gives you comfort and a better feel for the game, since you know every inch of the court.

Opponents hate going to other schools to play, the atmosphere is way different away then at home.

It’s a lot more negative when you are not playing on a familiar court or in front of familiar fans.

The fans and home court advantage could have made a difference in those close losses so far this season.

Another con would be the fact that everyone knows the real reason we go to the showcases.

“I’m pretty sure the main reason we get invited to all the showcases is because of Tyler Griffey,” Andrew Echele said.

It’s mostly because of Griffey, who recently broke the school record for points and rebounds. He also has already committed to Illinois and is one of the most talked

the team isn’t having the season Co-Sports everyone expected.

Editor Yes, having Griffey at a showcase attracts college coaches, even though he is already committed.

RE I mean come on, one of the tournaments was even in Illiemembered nois.

“We probably were invited because Griffey’s going there Nina and fans like to see their recruits Walters play,” Dieckhaus said.

Which leads us into the pros.

“I like going away to play in the

I’m pretty sure the First off would be the showcases because it is a fun expemoney. Schools get money rience and we get to play great tal main reason we get invited for their athletic programs ent,” Echele said. to all the showcases when their teams are feaPlus it is so much better for the is because tured in showcases. team to play against someone outThe most common side of the normal competition. of Tyler Griffey.” amount for a school to This also helping players imreceive from a showcase prove as an individual. Getting to

Andrew Echele is $1,000 plus transpor- play against new talent helps athSenior Basketball Player tation, food, and lodging. letes become stronger players.

At one showcase we actuSo by the end of season hopeabout players not only in the area, ally managed to get $2,500. The fully we will all be able to tell if the but in the nation. money received goes to a mixture showcases really made a difference Still, we all know a team isn’t of the basketball program and to in the season or not. based off of one or two players, the school.

Personally, I would rather play but making it into showcases sure Then you get looked at by col- at home in front of people I know, is. People want to get a chance to lege coaches when you go to these then for people who don’t really see Griffey play ball, but he is not a showcases that have top teams and care who you are. one-man team. top players attending them.

Showcases were a bad idea. We It is like everyone thinks without And, being seen by the college might be playing better teams, but Griffey, basketball would be noth- coaches could help out some of the by our record we aren’t getting any ing at LHS this season. other players get noticed and open better.

Wrong. Basketball was some- up the option of college recruitTo me, the Lancers would have thing before him and will be some- ment more then just playing in your been better off having more home thing after him. Even with Griffey, home gym against average teams. games.

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Entertainment

PICKOF THEMONTH EVENT:

Spring Awakening- The Fox: Feb 10-22- This 2007 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical finally makes its way to St. Louis. It tells the story of a group of teenagers in 19th century Germany as they deal with such themes as sexuality, abortion, rape and suicide.

MOVIE: Milk- The true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly homosexual man elected to public office. It is nominated for eight Oscar’s including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.

RESTAURANT: Genghis Grill- Build your own bowl by choosing your own meats, spices, vegetables and sauces at this Mongolian Stir-Fry restaurant. It is located next to Qdoba by Lifetime Fitness.

BOOK: Watchmen- This classic graphic novel is being adapted as a movie that is being released on March 6.

Although the movie is sure to be great, read the book first.

Melina Loggia, Entertainment Editor Music is a constant, fluent soundtrack to life.

“Our hearts and heads are filled with music, and as years go by we continue to amass a catalog of songs that permanently score some of the biggest moments and memories in our lives; we have that in common, no matter who we are,” wrote Dan Kennedy in his book Rock On. As the years advance, the means for obtaining music advances as well.

The music world has eaten its way through vinyl, cassettes, CD’s and now the internet.

While the latter has a physical and artistic component, the internet unleashes pure airwaves.

Websites such as PureVolume and Pandora are becoming increasingly popular, fueling music lovers with free jams and spreading word of

otherwise unknown artists.

“It [PureVolume] is a website that creates a channel through which we can get our work to people who are actively out searching for something new,” Will Cady, from the band The Help, said.

The Help is a featured artist on PureVolume from Allston, MA. Artists on PureVolume have many options for their listeners.

Some artists choose to simply have their music out there for them to check out, and if listeners like what they hear, there’s a link to buy the full album.

Other bands, such as The Jakes, from Irvine, CA, place select songs up for download.

“We like giving away some of our songs because people then give it to their friends and it spreads organically,” the band said. On the other hand, all the music The Help has up can be

UP&COMINGDVD Releases:

The Secret Life of Bees, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Jan. 30

Feb. 3

In theatres: The Uninvited, Taken, New in Town

CD Releases: The Fray: The Fray, Lonely Road, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Two Tongues: Two Tongues

ALBUM:

In theatres: He’s Just Not That Into You, The Pink Panther 2, Coraline, Fanboys, Push

Sounds Like This- Eric Hutchinson- This Boston native is a cross between Jason Mraz and Stevie Wonder.

His single “Rock and Roll” is currently climbing the charts.

Feb. 10

CD Releases: It’s Not Me, It’s You: Lily Allen, Incredibad: The Lonely Island

downloaded for free.

“We are willing to sacrifice the profits off of our latest release, ‘In A Stunning Display of Athleticism’ in hopes it will get our music out there and encourage fans of Rock Music to keep listening to what we have to say,” Cady said.

Pandora, automatically creates a playlist designed to fit the likes of the listener based on the listener typing in one artist.

It takes elements such as “basic rock song structures” and “electronica influences” to match songs up.

For instance, if you type in The Killers the next song might be by The Bravery because the bands share those qualities. Rarely does a song come up that is disliked by the listener since such there are so many specifications.

Because it’s free, and used on the computer, many students can be seen listening to it while

doing their work. Recently, Pandora also released an application for the iPhone; which is just a smaller version.

Now iPhone owners can have free music on the go.

Both PureVolume and Pandora feature great ways to hear and discover new music.

Will this be the takeover? Or will people still crave that physical aspect of music?

Full albums tell a story. When pieced together they decode the emotions of the artists.

Separately, the songs are just chapters, one event in the history of the album. “iPod’s and portable mp3 players are great for their convenience and capability of sound-tracking our lives, but they have a tendency to create poor listening habits such as lack of focus,” Cady from The Help said. “Not all music deserves to be zoned out to.”

DVD Releases: Choke, Changeling, High School Musical 3, Quarantine, Body of Lies

DVD Releases: W, Nights in Rodanthe

Feb. 6

Jan. 30 2009

Feb. 13

In theatres: Confessions of a Shopaholic, The International, Friday the 13th

Feb. 17

CD Releases: Something to Write Home About: The Get-Up Kids, Years of Refusal: Morrissey, Common Existence: Thursday

DVD Releases: Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder, Sex Drive

Feb. 20

In theatres: Madea Goes to Jail, Youth in Revolt, Fired Up

Feb. 24 CD Releases: Wrath: Lamb of God, Insurgents: Steven Wilson

Information compiled by David Adams, Staff Reporter