Jan. 26, 2007

Inside This Edition • Did you hear the St. Louis Cardinals are coming to the Academic Pep Assembly? Did you tell some of your friends they were coming? Well, we started that rumor in our quest to investigate gossip. Boy did it fly around school and Facebook. Lots of you need to learn to check your facts before you spread stories!

see pages 10-11

image the

Friday, January 26, 2007 Vol. 38 • Issue 6

Lafayette High School • 17050 Clayton Road • Wildwood, Missouri • 63011

Battling the cold season Students struggle through day rather than miss class

Brooke Thibodaux • Reporter Sneezing, coughing and ramming cough drops and Tylenol down one’s throat are some common wellness strategies during the cold season.

Struggling through the school day with symptoms of an illness may be the most challenging circumstance students and staff endure.

“If I’m really, really, sick...then I’ll stay home, but if I feel a little bit sick, I’ll force my way through it and just look forward to the weekend,” language arts teacher Ms. Dawn Indelicato-Faw admitted.

“Some 500,000 American children are sick enough to stay home from school,” reports the Work and Family Connection, “A fairly large percentage simply need to be isolated to prevent the spread of illnesses such as pinkeye and chicken pox.”

People are likely to pick up disease during the school day because the environment around is closed up and contains germs, circulating around the room.

The most common way diseases spread are the “lack of hand washing and kids that come to school sick and then cough all over other kids,” Urgent Care Physician Dr. Laurie Weaver said.

Rockwood is trying to stop the spread of germs, through the “Cover your Cough and Clean your Hands” bulletins posted around the building, hoping to educate students and staff.

Students are advised to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or sneeze or cough into their upper sleeve instead of hands.

To prevent the spread of germs, hands should be washed with soap and warm water. Alcohol-based hand cleaner works

as well as soap and water.

Keeping hands away from your face and washing hands, is the “number one prevention [for a cold]” Laurie said.

But why come to school and struggle through the day? Student say it is because they fear they will fall behind.

Sophomore Anna Prash said, “AP Euro [is hard to skip] because if you miss a day, it’s really hard to catch back up.”

Students are likely to pick up disease because they are run down and exposed to so many germs in a school environment. The best way to cure any illness is rest at home with the low “risk of exposing everyone they come into contact with,” Laurie said.

“I don’t think it’s better for my health necessarily [to stay home] but it’s probably better for other people’s health,” junior Drew Steihl said.

But, even teachers say missing school may not be worth the extra work. “It depends how sick I am. With sub plans and all that stuff you have to do, sometimes it’s just not worth it to stay home because it’s more work,” Indelicato-Faw said.

But when students come to school sick, they do not gain the full educational experience.

“If they have a fever and if they have trouble just walking around and feeling noxious or dehydrated, stay home,” science teacher Ms. Ginny Colombato said.

Other students don’t want to be miserable at school. Freshman Matt Willis said, “I don’t want to be miserable the whole day, because that’s a waste of time.”

Continued on page 5

photo illustration • Britt Peters •Fighting The Fever. Students attending school with contagious diseases not only jeopardize their own health, but also other students around them with the possibility of spreading germs.

Germs can be contracted through a single touch of every day objects such as stair rails, desks, computers, etc. The Rockwood School District recommends students stay home if they have a fever, a rash, vomiting or anything else that is potentially contagious.

Teen girls beginning to look into HPV vaccine Britt Peters • News Editor “I want to be one less,” senior Bonnie Nichoalds said.

The Center for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 20 million people in the United States were diagnosed with a form of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), in 2005.

Of those 20 million women, 10,000 were diagnosed with genital warts and cervical cancer.

Approximately 4,000 women were killed by cervical cancer linked back to the HPV virus in 2005.

In June 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved the Gardasil vaccine for women ages 9-26.

According to Merck Vaccines, the maker of Gardasil, HPV is an easily transmitted disease that can affect anyone who is sexually active, although intercourse is not necessary, with an infected person.

“HPV causes changes in the cellular structure of the cervix. It

also causes mutations and those are the precursors to the development of the squamous cell, [which can lead to cervical cancer] or adenocarcinoma cell. Basically, it depends on what type of HPV virus you get and at what risk the development of the cells will turn into cancer,” Lafayette Nurse Ms. Lynn Weaver said.

Although, the HPV virus causes cervical cancer it does not mean that cancer will form.

But, 70 percent of the time, HPV types 16 and 18, can cause cervical cancer, and 90 percent of the time HPV types 6 and 11 can cause genital warts.

Merck reports, “at least 80 percent of sexually active women in the U.S. will have acquired a genital HPV infection by 50 years of age.”

Studies have found Gardasil is almost 100 percent effective in preventing the diseases associated with the four types of HPV. According to CDC, “about 30

“

woman with the vaccine.

Gardasil is given as an injection in three separate doses.

Nichoalds received her first dose of Gardasil this fall.

“I was pretty mad [about receiving a shot] at the time, but I -Merck Vaccine, the makers of Gardasil guess I thought it was good that I was getting percent of cervical cancers will not be prevented by the vaccine, vaccinated from HPV, which so it will be important for wom- causes cancer,” Nichoalds said.

The first dose is given at a en to continue getting screened date when the patient chooses. for cervical cancer.”

Gardasil, is recommended by The second dose must be admindoctors, for women 9-26 who istered two months after the first dose and the third dose is given are not sexually active.

Although sexually active six months after the first dose.

To receive the full benefits of women can receive the vaccine, their chances are greater for can- the vaccine, all three doses are cer than a non-sexually active required.

At least 80 percent of sexually active women in the U.S. will have acquired a genital HPV infection by 50 years of age.

”

The doses are injected into the deltoid region of the upper arm.

“It was the most painful shot I have ever had. They left the shot in there for what seemed like a long time,” Nichoalds said.

Possible side effects of Gardasil are pain, swelling, itching and redness at the injection site, fever, nausea and dizziness.

“It was pretty sore afterwards.

In fact, I am still sore on my arm and I got my second shot two weeks ago,” Nichoalds said.

Weaver said, “girls, with their parents investigate, the vaccine as a possible adjunct to a heath a care management.”

After the injection, the patient is required to stay for a short time in the examine room, to make sure she does not have a reaction.

“I suppose it’s just something that I hopefully won’t have to worry about in the future since I got the vaccine,” Nichoalds said.

page 2 • editorial

jan. 26, 2007

&

send these to your valentine

Stars To:

Sometimes saying no isn’t enough Sex is everywhere. Movies. Television.

Advertisements.

No matter what your views on the subject may be, it’s easy to see that, across the country, general opinions about virginity have changed over the years.

And while teen pregnancies have decreased in the past years, it seems that engaging in sexual activity is becoming frequent at younger and younger ages.

The government is dumping millions of dollars a year into “Abstinence Only” sex education, but it seems most of it is just being wasted.

We are not, by any stretch, saying abstinence is a bad option. Neither is having sex, necessarily. But, there is an awful lot to think about before you go there. The consequences are huge and knowledge of all of them is vital. To say “be responsible about it,” just scratches the surface.

So what educators and the government need to do is be frank and up front about the consequences of sex, rather than trying to stop it without discussing why.

holla back Every month the Image will conduct a lunch time poll based on a current event. When you see us coming with our clip boards, stand up and be counted!

image info

Editor in Chief • Kevin Pinney News Editor • Britt Peters Campus Editor • Matt Hibbard Opinion Editor • Mary Belzer Feature Editor • Jen Apoian Entertainment Editor • Nicole Castellano Sports Editors • Ryan Bueckendorf, Josh Handler Photographers • Alex Erdman, Alexis Myers Ad Manager • Brian Ruyle Artists • Ankit Bhargava Adviser • Nancy Y. Smith MJE Staff: Kendall Brewer, Mike Bujnak, Aaron Casias, Alex Davis, Brett Hamlin, Ryan Maddox, Sydney Miller, Sara Randolph, Brad Schlemmer, Nancy Stiles, Brooke Thibodaux and Nina Walters

Even though many teens are still pledging abstinence, National studies have shown those who do pledge are just as likely as their non-pledging peers to be infected with an STD. STAR recently had a meeting where students were shown graphic images of the effects of STDs and informed about the dangers of unprotected sex.

Some corporations are working to put forth this message in pop culture. Television channels like MTV show commercials promoting safe sex, namely by the use of condoms and STD testing.

HIV/AIDS campaigns promote the same ideas, and the decline in teen pregnancies proves that it’s working.

It’s much easier to encourage responsibility than trying to change someone’s moral standards.

Morality is a touchy subject. No matter how many millions of dollars are involved, the chances of swaying someone’s basic viewpoint is slim.

If you do make the choice to be sexual-

The war in Iraq is still going on and while some Congressmen are baxking the presaident’s call for a surge in troops, others are hoping for removal of troops. The public is wondering which side will get its way and and what the future holds.

President George W. Bush proposed a plan to send in another 20,000 plus troops to Iraq in hopes of ending the conflict sooner.

Do you think we should follow President George W. Bush’s strategy to send more troops to Iraq?

editorial

Opinions do not necessarily 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.

ly active, be prepared for what you might be getting yourself into and remember stories get around, too. Guys may be praised by their friends; girls often take the harsher end of the rumor mill.

We’re not saying abstinence is the only answer. We’re not telling you to have sex.

We’re saying no matter what choice you make, there will be consequences.

One option is not necessarily better than the other, but every choice has to be a well thought-out one. One ill-planned move could change your whole life.

Yes 37% No 63% 217 students polled

• Months after construction, the floor tile in the commons is finally finished. Finally, we can eat lunch on the Mezzanine without feeling like we’re in prison.

• Major League Baseball MVP and former Lancer Ryan Howard came back for a visit at Hot Hoops last month. Not to mention we beat Marquette that night.

• It’s finally starting to feel like winter outside. Temperatures have dropped and the Ugg boots have come out. Now, everyone who has a pass to Hidden Valley might actually get some use out of it.

• For the first time since 1966, St. Louis will be hosting the Major League Baseball All-Star game in 2009. It’s about time our team and new stadium get honored for its World Series win.

• Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby were found in Kirkwood. This made national news and made their families very happy, especially after Hornbeck’s four-year absence.

• District maintenance for clearing the lot and walkway so quickly after the last snowfall. Thanks to them, we don’t have to look out for ice in the lot, just maniac drivers.

• If you listen closely, you can hear the construction workers singing throughout the day. At least some people are having a good time while trapped at this school.

Gripes To:

• Sure, seniors are almost done, but college deadlines and Jostens fees are killing us along the way. Jostens should realize seniors will soon have college tuition to pay and should give them a break.

• The Variety Show was postponed until Feb. 22. Now, the acts can perform in the Theatre rather than the Commons but the schedule change is causing problems for participants and audience members alike. Some of us have to ask off work — again.

• Season six of American Idol started up, but it’s turning more into a freak show than a competition. Sure, that makes good television, but what about those of us who actually want to hear some singing?

• We got slammed with an ice storm, but of course it happened over a three-day weekend. We just want some more snow days and Mother Nature won’t have it.

• The new server has 100 gigabytes of student share drive space, rather than the old 4 gigabytes. Unfortunately, now that we have tons of space, we can barely get any work done since its running so slowly since the big conversion.

Publication Information

The Image is published 10 times a year by the Newspaper Publication Class. Subscriptions cost $25 per year. Free issues are distributed on campus.

The 2005-2006 Image received a rating of All-American with five marks of distinction from the National Scholastic Press Association, a Gold Medalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, an International First Place winner by Quill And Scroll and received a ranking of Superior by the Sponsors of School Publications of Greater St. Louis.

Philosophy Statement

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.

How To Reach 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 Please visit us on the web at www.lafayettepublications.com

op-ed • page 3

the image

Fat, rude and ignorant: proud to be an American letters to the editor Dear Editor, Aside from the constant noise from the construction crew and unpredictable classroom temperatures, we have another concern about things that negatively affect our learning.

We are concerned with the quality of education students receive when there is a student teacher running the classroom.

We understand that he/she has to go through the process of teaching in a real classroom in order to become a full time teacher, but what is the impact on students who are guinea pigs for an inexperienced teacher?

Student teachers should be screened more carefully to make sure they are qualified to teach the classes they are assigned. For example, they should not begin in higher level classes where the material is harder and the students need more guidance.

It becomes incompatible when the students are at a critical learning period and the student teacher is unprepared due to the lack of experience.

Also, we think that the supervising teacher should always be present in the classroom and intervene when necessary. We know that both the student teacher and students are in the classroom to learn, but shouldn’t the students come first?

Sincerely, Names witheld upon request Dear Editor, It was brought to my attention last week that I have a very negative attitude. Naturally, this was hard for me to hear, but I took it in stride and really started to think about it.

Too many of us, including myself, focus on what has made our day “bad”. We never take into consideration how lucky we are to be alive and how much worse things could be.

The next time you want to enter a classroom complaining about something, just think to yourself, “Could it be worse?” As long as you have a roof over your head, food to eat, and a warm place to stay, you’ve got it pretty good.

Not only that, but there are people in foreign countries who would be thrilled just to go to school and get educated, and we are lucky to have that chance!

All of this may sound really cheesy, but today I challenge all of you to count your blessings and really think about what a wonderful gift life is. And don’t forget to smile.

Sincerely, Bonnie Nichoalds, 12

Letters to the Editor Policy

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. Deadlines will be announced in the school bulletin and in each issue of the paper. Letters may be submitted in writing to Room 213, or to any Image staff member, or via e-mail to smithnancy@ rockwood.k12.mo.us

I love people watching. Sitting outside and watching interesting people go by, hearing tiny pieces of their conversations. But lately this has made me gather that, as a whole, myself included, Americans have turned into a horribly obnoxious group of people.

I suppose I’m obnoxious for eavesdropping and staring, and even more obnoxious for criticizing. But, like I said, I’m included. So as a rude American, that’s what I’ll do. The American public is often thought of as being fat, rude and ignorant. The longer I live here, the more I notice it.

Let’s start with fat. We all know that obesity is an extremely dangerous condition, and major corporations are dumping millions of dollars into campaigns that promote making healthier choices. There are diet programs out there for every person imaginable, but for some reason nothing is changing other than the fact that our children are overweight now, as well.

I understand that, to an extent, obesity is related to genetics. But there comes a point where you have to stop blaming your parents and take action upon yourself to live a healthier lifestyle. It’s obviously possible, so it’s about time we start changing people’s minds.

Now let’s move on to rude. Every one of us has been guilty of this one at one time or another in our lives, especially living in West County. Americans are consumers. We buy and we love it. This really just leads to us caring about money and possessions more than people or ideas, forcing rudeness to be inevitable.

I work as a receptionist at a hair salon, and I swear if one more bleach blonde housewife chucks her credit card at me because she’s “in a rush,” I’ll grab a razor and shave her head. And even though all of us have been treated like junk at our part-time jobs, we continue to be rude. Either way, we’ve got to straighten up our priorities at some point and learn that being rude to people isn’t the way to get what you want.

Finally, let’s address ignorance. Perhaps the people making this particular generalization have just never

Quite

Contrary

by Mary Belzer, Opinions Editor

heard any American speak other than our president, because that might justify the claim. But our educational system is teaching more advanced subjects than ever before, and more students are going to college. In theory, Americans should be pretty well educated as far as the rest of the world is concerned. And perhaps as far as book smarts go, we are.

But we, as a general public, seem to lack common sense. I suppose the absence of common sense leads to a lot of the other problems we encounter, and maybe common sense is kind of a “you have it or you don’t” sort of idea.

But if not common sense, we could all make an effort to make ourselves aware of what is going on in the world.

Learn about current policies and relations with foreign countries. Stopping by news websites for a few minutes every night doesn’t take much time, and it will make a huge difference.

I’m not saying that I hate being an American. I’m not saying that I think the American public is a horrible, low form of humanity. I’m just saying that all these American stereotypes that we gawk at aren’t really that much of a stretch. And we’re all a part of it.

If not the examples I mentioned, then there are plenty of others. I just think it’s time to start improving society.

Economically and socially. And in some cases, like those that I mentioned, the government can only do so much.

It’s up to us to put down our cheeseburgers and pick up a book on etiquette. Who’s with me?

Gym requirement: more harm than help I’m a couch potato and I’m proud of it. I don’t enjoy exercise, especially during school. Getting sweaty during second hour just isn’t appealing. It’s not like I’m taking Beginning Strength Training for fun, for wellness of my body or for any real reason. The only reason I’m taking it is to graduate.

The necessity of one gym credit hour to graduate is heinous. It isn’t worth all of the work and inconvenience.

Half of that credit is Healthy Active Living. That class taught me that eating right and exercising will help me live a longer and healthier life. Sure I learned all of that, but seriously, what self-respecting pseudo bum eats healthily and exercises?

Not me. I love my Zebra Cakes and Oreos a little too much. I actually enjoy my sedentary lifestyle. And guess what I have to show for all of my hard work. A skinny body.

How many kids that don’t like gym actually take more than the required one credit? How can that make a difference? One out of the required 23 credits isn’t enough.

If I take four years of high school, that is eight semesters.

That makes 48 hours I have to fill with classes. Two of those hours will be gym if I take the minimum required credit.

The fact is so many students do not benefit from such a small requirement. This last gym class was almost a burden to me. I gave up one of my four core classes to take it, because I didn’t want to drop Newspaper or Spanish. I wasn’t about to take zero hour. Exercise before eight just isn’t my cup of tea.

Everyone knows that a celery stick is healthy and a

A Pinney For Your Thoughts

by Kevin Pinney, Editor in

Big Mac is not. Everyone knows that getting up and doing some exercise is healthy.

We’ve all learned it in elementary school. Don’t insult us by saying we don’t know. A gym class requirement in high school does not make anyone “well-rounded”.

And of course, if it’s so people don’t get fat, it’s time to stop trying to play society’s mommy.

People know the consequences for eating junk food and not exercising. It’s all over the news. There are a whole slew of bad things that can happen as a result.

The fact is, Weight Watchers isn’t going out of business any time soon and it’s highly unlikely that all of the healthy food in the world will disappear.

And lastly, the thing that gets me the most about a gym class is the fact that you have to dress out. That locker room, no matter how much bleach and Lysol janitors dump, will never be clean.

Just asking... photo opinion

This month the Image asks “If you could, what would you rename the school and why?”

Photo opinion compiled by Nancy Stiles and Matt Hibbard

Ryan Ellis, 9 “I would name it Ryan Ellis High, because that’s my name.”

Liza Levko, 10 “Leif Erikson High, because we need another explorer!”

Jordan Fowlkes, 11 “����������������������� The Dump, because it's diverse. A dump has a whole bunch of different stuff in it.”�

Eugenia Maluf, 12 “������������������� The Unicorn School because I want to have the weirdest answer in Photo Opinion.”�

Ms. Gillian Gonzalez, Receptionist “��������������������� Wildwood High School because people don't know where we are.”�

page 4 • campus

bits& pieces

news at a glance

•compiled by Jen Apoian, Ryan Maddox and Nancy Stiles

Blood Drive changes age limit

The American Red Cross has reduced the age to give blood from 17 to 16 which means more students will be able to donate blood at the Feb. 2 Student Council Blood Drive.

That’s important, said STUCO sponsor Mr. David Choate said because there is a blood shortage this year.

“During the holidays, most people don’t give blood,” he said.

Schools are a huge source for blood donations but are not in session during the holidays, increasing the shortage.

This year, students under the age of 17 will need a parental consent form. Other requirements and hints for successful donating will be available when appointments are made later this month. The drive will take place from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

fyi

jan. 26, 2007

activities at a glance (compiled by students in Desktop Publishing)

LHS reschedules Variety Show

Originally set for Dec. 18, the Variety Show has been pushed back to Feb. 22 due to set construction for the Spring Musical.

Ms. Michele Rodgers, music director, said the set for Bye Bye Birdie was too expansive to share the stage with Variety Show performers. She first opted to move the Variety Show to the Commons, but decided she “didn’t want it to appear like Coffee House,” and rescheduled the date so the Variety Show could use the Theater.

The Variety Show is more “eclectic” than other events staged in the Commons and requires several props.

Rodgers said the change is “no big deal” and keeping the show in the Theater gives the performers “what they deserve before the Theater goes away.”

The Variety Show will be on Feb. 22 in the Auditorium. Tickets are $5 and will be sold at lunch only.

Committee names 6 finalists for Teacher of the Year

The 2006-2007 Teacher of the Year finalists were announced on Jan. 12. They include science teacher Ms. Pam Elliott, language arts teacher Ms. Cheryl Hermach, science teacher Mr. Chris Lofgren, language arts teacher Ms. Crystal Maier, art teacher Ms. Betsy Rivas and journalism teacher Ms. Nancy Smith.

Twenty-two teachers were nominated. Any student or staff member may nominate a teacher. Speeches on behalf of each finalist will be present to the full staff on Feb. 16 and then the staff will vote for a winner.

The Teacher of the Year Award will be presented at the Academic Pep Assembly on March 17.

New exit will help accommodate emergency vehicles

Construction on the new Welcome Center entrance continues as plans for handling traffic are being made.

An additional entrance will be made on the theatre-side parking lot.

This entrance will only be used in emergency situations.

Since the Welcome Center complex will include a new Nurse’s Office, having an additional entrance will help emergency vehicles get through.

In the case of an emergency the emergency gates would be opened to detour the flow of traffic.

Upon completion, all three entrances to the building will be open for use prior to 8:30 a.m. After that time, the two flanking entrances will closed, leaving only the main entrance open for use during school hours.

•Taking a Breather.

Outdoor Student Education Program (OSEP) members take a break at waterfall, Mina Sauk, after completing the majority of their hike before returning to Lafayette. photo courtesy of Mr. Doug Pardiek

Winter Carnival

The Winter Carnival for children will be held Feb. 3 in the Commons and the Gym. It is sponsored by the Class of 2010 to raise money for their Celebration.

Freshman Advisory is looking for volunteers to run carnival booths and stations. People interested in volunteering can inquire in the Freshman Office, Room 117.

Activities include an obstacle course, inflatables, Dance Dance Revolution, face painting, treasure chest, jail, a cake walk and Valentine’s Day crafts.

Future Business Leaders of America New business teacher, Mr. Michael Wilken has taken over the FBLA. Members will compete against area schools March 6 to test their business knowledge.

Competition categories include accounting, business ethics, business math and public speaking.

Nat’l Honor Society

NHS’s latest service project is providing temporary housing for the unemployed in St. Louis

Sylvan improved my confidence.

And I improved my ACTTM score.

• Small class sizes • Proven strategies • Up-to-date practice tests • Skilled instructors • Satisfaction guarantee Is your child ready for the ACTTM? Call Sylvan today.

©2006 Sylvan Learning, Inc.

FREE PRACTICE TEST & ANALYSIS! *** Bring this ad for $35 off *** Ballwin 636-394-3104 Chesterfield 636-537-8118 If you are not convinced that Sylvan’s ACT Prep is the best program for you, then notify us within 4 8 hours of your first session and return your materials for a full refund. At participating centers only.

www.educate.com

City. Every Saturday morning in January from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., seniors John Buttram, Lauren Edens, Marianna Sanchez, Jim Stites and junior Kelly Hamrick take time to volunteer.

They have been going downtown repairing apartments and providing temporary assistance.

The housing is available for people in need of a job for six months to a year until they find a job and can start supporting themselves.

Robotics

For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology (F.I.R.S.T.) is holding a world wide competition, where students design robots and compete with other groups.

Alumni mentors train the District team who are prepping for the competition, scheduled for March 1-3 at the St. Charles Family Arena.

Sophomore Advisory

Trivia Night will be the main topic discussed at the Jan. 22 meeting. This sophomore class fundraiser will help contribute to their senior activities.

Advisory members are encouraging students to sign up as

a team with friends to help.

Trivia Night will be on Feb. 3 in the Commons.

The group recently helped clean-up the school by picking up garbage in the parking lot.

The Pulp

The Pulp has started its “Music is the Food of Love” drive as they look for romantic and loveinspired submissions.

Original works are to be submitted before Feb. 14 in the Welcome Center. The winner will receive free tickets to Turnabout.

Legend

All 2007 yearbook orders are due by March 9. The cost is $55 and nameplates can be ordered for an additional $5.

The price increases to $60 after March 9. The 2007 Legend will also include a DVD. Order forms are available at www. lafayettepublications.com

Junior Advisory

Junior Advisory is planning for Taste of West County on Feb. 23 in the Commons.

Other upcoming events include Prom and Mr. LHS, which was rescheduled to March 1.

news • page 5

the image

Wildwood SLCC campus opens Fall 2007 Sydney Miller • Reporter

•Campus Craze. (top) The new St. Louis Community College campus will feature a green roof to help reduce the heating and air conditioning bill. The roof line will have an appearance of a natural landscape. (bottom) Construction on the new Wildwood St. Louis Community College campus is expected to finished by May 2007. Future construction is still not yet known because of factors including funding and enrollphotos • Sydney Miller ment in the future school.

The St. Louis Community College’s (SLCC) newest campus addition is the Wildwood Campus.

It is being built behind the Wildwood Family YMCA off Highway 109 near Manchester Road.

SLCC’s website, www.stlcc.cc.mo.us, said the new campus will feature “cutting edge classroom technology,” which includes wireless connections, an art studio, science lab, lounge, multipurpose room/conference rooms and a book store.

The new campus will be using “environmentally sustainable green roof technology and [a] daylight harvesting lighting system.”

Mr. Dennis Dill, manager of maintenance and engineering for the St. Louis Community College District, said the construction is close to schedule, and is expected to be completed May 2007 and enroll up to 2,000 students.

Some students plan to attend the community college opening year.

“I am going to the community college for one year and then transferring to southeast (SEMO) because it will save close to $12,000 and I work at the Y, so I will be able to work to save up a lot of money that first year,” senior Lauryn Cook said.

Cook said the campus being close to home was a contributing factor in her decision.

Population growth required SLCC to build a campus.

Ms. Beth Brasel, college specialist, said most

students were driving into Kirkwood to take classes at the SLCC’s Meramec campus, and having a campus so close to Lafayette could impact students’ college choice.

However, she added, “we have a pretty small percentage of students that attend a two year college versus a four year college. I think where you’re going to see the biggest impact is in students that take dual-enrollment classes because of the location of the school.”

Ms. Pat Matreci, SLCC media relations coordinator, said the college will offer associate in arts degrees in General Transfer Studies and Business Administration.

The new campus also has partnered with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a national rating system which helps build and improve ‘green’, environment-friendly buildings, and has turned St. Louis into essentially a green city.

The requirements of the LEED system helps to decrease the impact construction may have on the community. In this case, LEED has diverted 95 percent of construction waste from landfills, according to the website.

Another advantage of the new campus is the ‘green roof ’. Covered with metal pans filled with the plant Sedum, a bird’s eye view of the roof would create the appearance of a natural landscape.

“It reduces the heat load on the building, helping save air-conditioning dollars, and it reduces the “heat island effect” for the community,” Dill said.

The Wildwood campus is the first for which the college has sought LEED certification.

“The remaining buildings to be constructed will be LEED certified as well,” Matreci said.

Dill said the Wildwood Campus is the first of several buildings to be constructed over the next five to 20 years.

Battling the cold season: continued from page 1

Staying home creates more stress upon return So when is it time to stay home sick?

“Anytime you have a fever 100 or greater, you absolutely should not come to school. If your head is clogging, you’re coughing, you should stay home. Treat the symptoms and just take care of yourself,” School Nurse Lynn Weaver, said.

Having the symptoms are signs of the human body asking for a break from stress and a day of rest and relaxation.

“When they’re [students] contagious totally and when they’re more miserable here,” Indelicato-Faw said, “Especially with kids that it’s obvious they can’t pay

attention or they can’t deal with being here because they’re so miserable and you know it’s not doing them any good because they’re not getting anything out of being here.”

Anytime a student is not feeling like his or her normal self it’s harder to focus on school tasks.

“Usually if I have a really bad headache [I’ll stay home] because then it’s really hard for me to listen to teachers throughout the day and then I just zone out,” Prash said.

However, returning to school after

missing one or two days is also troublesome to students or staff members who are not quite feeling 100 percent yet.

“There is usually is a lot of grading to get caught up on and then I have a hard time planning for the next unit because I’m burdened with the grading that I usually need to do, when students are without me and I have to grade it when I get back, behind and lost,” Colombato said.

Another prevention are new medications like Airborne that was created by a teacher. According to www.airbornehealth.com, Airborne is a health formula,

“that boosts your immune system to help your body combat germs.”

“Every year I get strep throat a couple of times and lose my voice once or twice because of some virus. I started taking Airborne every morning in June and have not been yet this year,” language arts teacher Ms. Nancy Smith said.

Overall, good health care prevents sickness, but when suffering under the symptoms resting is one of the fastest way to recovery, “because you feel better, you’re sleeping and rejuvenating,” senior Jerry Mangelsdorf said.

Exotic Tans

636-273-1372

2434 Taylor Road

Turnabout Specials

1) 2 walk-ins in level 2 for $35 2) 25% off any bottle of lotion 3) 6 Tans (level 1 or level 2) & a bottle of Tanning lotion for $35

page 6 • news

Adderall Dependency Dilemma

jan. 26, 2007

Students facing school pressures turn to “smart pills” Sara Randolph • Reporter

photo • Sara Randolph

•Adderall Abuse. Students are prescribed Adderall in order to help people who suffer from a difficult time concentrating and focusing on daily tasks. Other students are not prescribed to Adderall but take it anyway to help with their concentration during the school day.

“Beenies”, “amps”, “a-bombs”, “addies”. These are just a few of the slang terms students are using for Adderall, a pharmaceutical stimulant with a street value of $3-5 per pill.

In street terms, Adderall is “speed” in a low dose.

According to wikipedia, its original purpose was to help patients who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or severe depression.

However, more students are facing pressures and turning to this pill and others to help give them that extra academic edge, while others take them to sustain a momentum that will allow them to stay up longer.

And, though Adderall and similar medications are prescription only and highly regulated, the pills are becoming more and more readily available to those willing to pay or with the right connections.

“A friend of mine with ADD told me I could take their Adderall pills. After that, I never wanted to do my work without them,” a junior student, who wanted to remain anonymous, said.

Some students take Adderall to help them get their work done, others take it to reduce their appetite in order to lose weight.

On the weekends, some students claim that when they take the stimulants, they are able to stay up and party with their friends.

Adderall users say it can be taken to help them concentrate and have an extra boost to do work they otherwise wouldn’t want to do. After more regular use, though, students often be-

gin to lose confidence in their own abilities.

Senior Zack Wayhart has not prescribed Adderall, however, he said he does take it before taking tests, or when he feels overwhelmed with too much homework.

“Adderall allows me to concentrate better and get my work done on time. I took Adderall before the ACT to study and also to help me perform better on the test,” Wayhart said.

But without the supervision of a doctor, students may not be aware of potential harmful side effects.

Some side effects of taking ADD or ADHD medications include anorexia, dry mouth, increased heart rate, insomnia, irritability, nausea, nervousness and even addiction.

Negative side effects of Adderall also can include high blood pressure, hallucinations and abuse can result in death.

“After a while [of taking unprescribed Adderall] I wasn’t feeling like myself. I was losing sleep and I felt like a zombie,” another junior who wanted to remain anonymous, said.

Adderall abuse can lead to escalation in Adderall dosages and addiction.

“I took Adderall before working out, my heart rate was going so fast I ended up passing out and foaming at the mouth,” said a senior student who wanted to remain anonymous.

Nurse Ms. Lynn Weaver said, “Adderall and Ritalin have the potential to be highly addictive.

They have been known to cause sudden death because of the side

effects they can have.”

One student started taking Adderall to help decrease her appetite. She didn’t know that the pills would catch up to her and cause a physical problem.

“I started taking Adderall and I started losing weight. After awhile I began taking so many milligrams that sometimes I would feel sick. One time in school, I felt so horrible and began to see double. I went to the bathroom and threw up. That’s when I realized I had a problem,” the anonymous senior said.

Dependency on Adderall is very common.

According to IMS America, which studies drug use, 11 million prescriptions were written for amphetamine products in the US in 2004; more than 7 million were for Adderall.

Not only has there been a trend in self-medicating for academic purposes, but now there are students who take the stimulants for social reasons, crushing up the pills and snorting the medication for a quick high.

Studies do show that there is a direct correlation of people who use Adderall to higher levels of smoking, binge drinking and other drug use.

Doctors also warn that it is dangerous to take Adderall, especially with a combination of other substances.

“Alcohol is a depressant, when mixed with a stimulant (like Adderall), your body becomes confused. You might mix a cocktail your body can’t sustain. There will be that one time, or that one person who will create a mixture that will kill”, Weaver said.

Lafayette FACS presents

Recipe of the Month Cranberry Cookie Kisses

Special Turnabout Offer for Lafayette Students

10% Discount

Ingredients : 3 large egg whites 1/3 cup dried cranberries 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup canned cranberry

Directions:

•Preheat oven to 200 F. •Coat 2 large sheet pans with cooking spray or cover with parchment paper.

•Beat egg whites and cream of tartar with mixer until still peaks form; gradually beat in sugar until mixture is very stiff and shiny.

•Stir in cranberry sauce •Beat for 1 minute •Drop batter by teaspoonfulls onto prepared sheet pans •Press 1 cranberry into the top of each cookie •Bake for approx. 2 hours, turning off oven after 15 minutes •Cool completely before removing from pans

news • page 7

the image

Scheduling at the click of a button Class selection for 2007-2008 year begins

District hopes for easier scheduling process, ‘help desk’ to deal with registration problems Matt Hibbard• Campus Editor Ditch the yellow course description guide and log on to a computer.

Online registration hopes to eliminate some of the paper work and alleviate the stress from counselors.

“It’s easier. Everyone can get to it if they have a computer,” junior Alicia Nicastro said.

Available during the first two weeks of February, online registration will be open for scheduling the 2007-2008 school year.

Although the new system still requires students to fill out a paper copy, it will hopefully save a lot of time and trouble in the long run.

Director of Guidance and Counseling Shari Sevier stresses that the importance of online registration is its ability to be an aid to parents, students and staff.

“Online registration gives us more accurate information much more quickly in terms of students’ requests,” Sevier said.

She also added, “it’s quicker and easy to function.”

Agreeing with Sevier, Associate Principal John Shaughnessy said switching to online registration will utilize the Infinite Campus program even more.

“I think one of the main advantages

of switching to online registration was to use the many helpful components Infinite Campus allows us to,” Shaughnessy said.

One of the reasons why students weren’t able to use online registration last year was the brand new Infinite Campus program.

“We thought it was best that we give people a year to get used to the program before we turn such a big operation on them,” Sevier said.

The registration process will eliminate the multiple copies of schedules and the frustrating visits to the Counselor’s Office when schedules are incorrect.

“The counselors seemed to be overwhelmed with the paper-style schedules.

Hopefully the online version will help them and will also be a faster way to receive accurate schedules for next year,” junior Kelly Hamrick said.

Even though the new system will diminish a lot of the time and work, it doesn’t get rid of the paper copy completely.

The paper copy will be used as a backup copy for those who want to change their schedules or may have made a mistake while registering online.

Pro Pool Management and Service Inc. is currently hiring MANAGERS & LIFEGUARDS for the 2007 pool season.

Pro Pool Management will be holding Lifeguard Training and CPR Certification courses in March April and May. For more information, please contact Pro Pool Management and Service at (314) PRO-POOL

or visit www.swimpropool.com

Plan ahead for your future Open a Savings Account today!

Bremen Bank and Trust Company 16024 Manchester Rd. Ellisville, MO 63011 (314) 446-3100 Member F.D.I.C.

“

“We are hoping to save time in the future. This year is a trial and error for everybody. The paper copy may just be an additional step that we ask this year and eliminate in the future,” Shaughnessy said.

However, there is always a possibility for technical problems.

Online registration will have several opportunities that students can use to aid them through the process.

“You will be able to contact the help desk, which will give you strategies on what to do and they can look into what going on. You can call the help desk as well,” Sevier said.

Sevier suggests students visit their counselor if a problem persists and they can help you through the process using the school’s computers.

Although online registration comes with its benefits, it could potentially just as problematic as the paper copy—if not worse.

“The online registration could make

Online registration gives us more accurate information much more quickly in terms of the students’ requests.

”

-Director of Guidance and Counseling, Dr. Shari Sevier more mistakes than the paper copy,” said junior Lucy Mosier.

“Mistakes are harder to fix when sending a incorrect copy online, at least the paper copy allowed you to use erase errors right on the paper,” Mosier added.

Even if the online registration creates more stress in the long run, it will, ideally, allow students and staff to schedule more efficiently.

Course material will be completed earlier with the use of online registration.

“All course materials should be completed by spring break,” Sevier said.

page 8 • news

jan. 26, 2007

Renaissance rewards arrive second semester Gold card parking, new discounts will be some of card’s perks Brett Hamlin • Reporter “It’s not a cruel joke,” Renaissance sponsor Mr. Bill Senti said.

“It’s actually fairly complicated.”

In past years, those with cumulative GPAs of 3.00 and better were rewarded with cards giving them discounts, bonuses and wallet sized self-satisfaction.

However, this year, the distribution of cards was put on hold due to miscued timelines and revisions in Renaissance benefits.

Needless to say, students have noticed.

One student has even gone as far as to make Facebook group called “We Want Our Renaissance Cards NOW,” to express his anger about the lack of cards.

But, behind all the confusion, there is reason.

“We decided to go with a bigger second semester giveaway to replace first semester,” Renaissance Steering Committee member senior Joey Meyer said.

Also, “timelines got messed up,” Senti explained.

“But we’re still doing the shirts and cards,” he added. “We’re just trying to add incentives that students truly want.”

Renaissance students will have to wait until March to get their rewards.

“I actually just went to Planet Smoothie on Friday,” senior

Kelsey Schubach said. “They said they couldn’t give me my discount because the cards haven’t come out yet.”

“Even though it’s only about a dollar,” she added. “It’s still nice to be able to use the discount.”

“The program will be centered around the Academic Pep Assembly,” Meyer explained.

In recent years, the Renaissance program has lost some of its luster.

A new district final exemption policy eliminated that reward as a Renaissance benefit.

So, the committee was faced with the task of coming up with new rewards for academic success. One of the new programs is a revision to the gold card parking program.

Previously, the program requires a student to have three consecutive semesters of gold status to be rewarded with special parking in the lower lot with the busses. “[The revised] gold card parking is at the final stages. We’re waiting for construction to be finished,” Meyer said.

The new area reserved for all gold card holders will be in the area closest to the exits.

“It will actually give students the quickest exit out of the lot,”

Senti said.

“They’re laying out the lines for it now,” he added.

The rewards granted by a Renaissance card are likely to change as well. Cards and shirts will not be the only incentives of the program.

“We’re looking at maybe boxer shorts, carabineers—things that students would actually use,” Senti said.

“We have been reviewing the benefits of the card to see if the students are actually using them,” he added.

Another program that Renaissance is looking to add is a type of “academic homecoming week.”

Like Homecoming Week, lunch time games, prizes and themed days will celebrate academic excellence. The Academic Pep Assembly will close out the week.

The new Renaissance cards will have discounts to new and different places, while maintaining popular places from previous cards.

Still, some students haven’t even noticed.

“To tell you the truth,” said junior Andrew Desloge. “I wasn’t even aware I didn’t have my card.”

photo opinion

Just asking...

What’s your favorite Renaissance bonus?

Rachel Costello, 12

“Getting $1 off Planet Smoothie, but we don’t have that anymore!”

Shawn Brands, 10

“The Academic Pep Assembly, because you get out of school.”

Shannon Nicholson, 11

Pat Collins, 12

“The discounts at area restaurants, because I don’t want to pay—I’m a teenager!”

“I didn’t even know we still had Renaissance since they took away exemptions.”

Photo opinion compiled by Nancy Stiles and Matt Hibbard

“Do Something With Your Hair” * * * *

Latest Styles & Trends Colors/Highlights Up Do’s Yeah, we have stuff for you guys, too...

15% off updos and chemical treatments 173 Long Road Next to Wildhorse Grill Chesterfield, MO 63005 (636) 536-HAIR (4247)

features • page 9

the image

“I started playing drums and I saw my friends playing guitar, so I began playing that.”

-Rick Petty, 12

“I was all about drums until I started playing around on my brother’s guitar. Then guitar took my focus.”

-Steve LaCour, 11

New club provides outlet for experienced guitar lovers

Students find their Stairway to Heav e n Mike Bujnak • Reporter A quiet hallway is filled with the sound of a solo. Distortion breaks the thin stale air. Three guitars later, madness. The Guitar Ensemble has begun.

“It is one thing to sit in your room and play [guitar] by yourself but another thing completely to have to perform in a group for an audience,” Ms. Traci Bolton, music teacher, said.

Bolton said it is the basis behind starting a new Guitar Ensemble course at LHS. As a prerequisite to joining the ensemble, students will have to have passed both beginning and advanced guitar classes, or must show an understanding of guitar playing.

Most of the students that will attend have played on their own for an average of five or six years.

“I started playing guitar because I loved listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers,” junior Jake Balkenbusch said.

“Guitar sounded cool and looked interesting so I tried it out,” senior Brian Hertz said.

So far, Ms. Bolton said there has been no opposition to having another chance to play guitar.

“The course sounds like a really awesome idea, and it would be cool to be able to compose some of my own music,” Hertz said.

“I enjoyed the guitar class so the club sounds pretty cool,” sophomore Andrew Wiles said.

Many students want to join in hopes of following the paths of their idols like Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Jimi Hendrix

“There are so many talented guitarists at Lafayette. I wanted to give them another avenue to perform and develop.”

-Ms. Traci Bolton

and John Petrucci.

Bolton hopes to incorporate pieces from these idols into her arrangements.

“I would hope that we could perform at school events such as Coffee House, Variety Show and with the Jazz Band and choirs,” Bolton said.

Music arrangements for three to five players would be the basic pieces for the ensemble. In a couple of pieces, Bolton hopes to add vocals and percussion.

“It would be cool to see a few guitarists collaborating on one piece,” Hertz said.

The ensemble will also give students a chance to display and perform their own works. Bolton has taught guitar classes for three years at LHS and previously taught middle school classes.

Bolton said her reasoning behind the idea of starting the ensemble was “there are so many talented guitarists at Lafayette. I wanted to give them another avenue to perform and develop.”

Depending on interest, the ensemble will meet once or twice a week after school. The Ensemble will have its first meeting in January.

+ Church Ellisville United Methodist Youth Sunday Night 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Adam’s Book Club: Tuesday Nights 8 - 9 p.m.

227-3592

≠

page 10 • in-depth

H

in-depth • page 11

the image

a

y ve

Guys gossip 12 percent less than girls but it still holds the majority of content in conversations for both sexes

ou

Gossipy Guys

ard? he photo illustration • Ryan Maddox

Talking Trash

Gossip between freshman girls threatens friendship Kendall Brewer • Reporter “Gossip. It’s as natural as talking,” sophomore Sara Harvey said.

Gossip is not only informing, but is fun to talk about. Gossip can range from what he did last weekend, to what party got trashed, to the newest teenage mother.

With gossip comes consequences though, and some people have learned that the hard way.

Freshmen Jenny Helderle and Sarah Williams are two best friends who have suffered through thick and thin together.

Williams was dating a boy that Helderle did not approve of and therefore did not support their relationship.

“Jenny felt left out because our other close friend and I both had boyfriends. She always felt like a third wheel. We basically ignored her because of our boyfriends, until one day she told us that she no longer fit in with us,” Williams said.

Helderle moved lockers, so she wouldn’t have to be near Williams.

In addition, another girl started spreading rumors about Helderle in order to split up her friendship with Williams.

The girls would start talking about each other, which became misinterpreted, and

eventually led to false rumors circulating around school.

“The fight ended up getting really bad.

One rumor went around that I was a lesbian and I told people that Sarah was pregnant. When Sarah spread the rumor I was a lesbian, I said she was pregnant with her boyfriend’s baby, because I was scared for my own image,” Helderle said.

A few days before Williams’ birthday, she called up Helderle, and invited Helderle to her birthday party. Williams apologized to Helderle and said she needed her, because they were such good friends.

“We’ve had three major fights before already. We’ve been through too much to not be friends anymore. We always reconcile, so I figured it was time to fix this big fight,” Williams said.

This cat fight is just one example of gossip and its consequence. The experience may have been worth the trouble however, because both of the girls have learned their lesson, and talk with caution now.

“For any girl in a fight, I would tell them not to exaggerate the fight or any rumor.

When you are in a fight and people ask about it, tell them it is none of their busi-

ness. We would have resolved the fight in about a week if we didn’t start nasty rumors.

We’re not spreading as many rumors anymore,” Helderle said.

Gossip does not seem as if it is worth the trouble, and people still wonder why teenagers love to spread it.

Helderle basically spread rumors for her own protection, but not all high school students have that dramatic of a story to tell.

Junior Hillary Kummer said, “I’ve started one rumor before, but not about anyone in this school. A friend of my ex-boyfriend’s used to always come around us, and I did not like her, so I told his best friend a rumor about her, knowing that it would get to my boyfriend.”

There are many reasons for spreading a rumor, but there are just as many ways a rumor can affect someone. The gossip that Helderle and Williams spread about each other almost killed there friendship. People may not realize it, but their reputation is built off of what people say they do, whether it is true or not.

“Gossip starts because girls get jealous of other girls, and start talking about them, because they are insecure with themselves.

Gossip spreads, and when it does, your reputation comes down with it,” freshman Carly Michaelis said.

According to an Image poll, 65 percent of students have been victimized by a rumor spread about them.

Most of the people who answered no to the question said that they hadn’t heard anything spread about them, but they had no way of being sure.

“Everyone’s reputation has been influenced by gossip, but I hope my reputation has been built from my character instead of people spreading things about me,” sophomore Kelcie Pischel said.

Although teenagers live around gossip, and cannot escape it, there is a way to not let it affect them.

Some people choose to stay out of gossip by ignoring it, while others find a friend that can keep the juiciest secret. The best way to fight gossip is to have self-confidence, and to not let others have an impact.

Junior Elise Yuhas said, “I’m not sure enough about people’s portrayal of me to think about whether they are spreading rumors about me. I know who my friends are and that is all that matters.”

vs.

Mean Girls

Brad Schlemmer • Reporter Girls just want to have fun. That might help explain it.

Many young women offer a different theory on why they are viewed as the more talkative gender. “Girls are vicious,” senior Aftin Rexroat said.

“Whenever there is guy trouble, there is a confrontation. Guys are just more direct.

Girl gossip can ruin reputations and girls switch schools just because of the things said about them,” Rexroat added.

For the fairer of the species, the nonsensical talk usually serves one purpose: Protection.

“Usually a girl gossips so she doesn’t have to talk about herself,” senior Abby Hooper said.

When a girl has a conflict with another, direct approach is an obsolete technique.

Crushing her spirits through schemes and rumor is the most effective way.

Rexroat said she leaked information about a girl because she was hurting her friends. “Now, people are more careful [around her].”

Chatter can heavily influence one’s reputation. “Gossip can change whether people like you or not,” sophomore Chelsea Rowton said.

And apparently, rumor and its listeners

evolve. From freshman to senior year, girls said they notice a difference of the content of what they hear and repeat.

Freshman Kayleigh Bosterd said she was sometimes shocked by what she heard moving from middle to high school.

“You become jaded as a senior,” Rexroat said. “At first you’re kind of immature as a freshman and gossip and drama are about petty things.”

Senior Rachel Roth knows that some of high schoolers’ views of her come straight from trivial drama in early high school years.

“I was judged by my actions, and half of the time what people hear isn’t close to the truth. It’s like the ‘Telephone Game’ where the message changes from person to person,” Roth said. Details matter little to the message.

Gossip also enforces stereotypes and traps girls for the labels they take on.

“As a cheerleader, people expect me to be slutty and mean,” Rowton said.

“We are like swimming in drama.”

It’s doubtful gossip will ever be extinguished. It is more valuable to fight it or simply ignore it.

“I take gossip as it comes, and if I can do something about it, I will,” Roth said.

the power of gossip is potent on the internet

Brad Schlemmer • Reporter Fast talk and chatter are age-old attributes in the “art of conversation.” For something as pure as fact, rumor and gossip are the delicious, artificial sweeteners and the sloppy grease to make truth__ an event, simple information__ into something electrifying.

For most students, however, there’s a fine line between when a girl or guy opens his or her mouth and the content.

Senior Ryan Shepard thinks guys really don’t gossip guy-to-guy, rather just to girls.

“Gossiping is just more feminine,” Shepard said.

According to the Social Issues Research Center, 55 percent of male conversations consist of gossip, and 67 percent of female conversations. There is a difference, but it is not as stark as people think.

The main issue is in defining what gossip is. Men may perceive or even talk about things differently.

“Some of the things I see, I don’t view it as gossip,” junior Tyler George said, “I see it as saying things how they are.”

However, George does agree guys are more likely to gossip to girls than other guys.

“I’m probably more likely to gossip to a girl because I have more close girlfriends,” he said.

Shepard said spreading a rumor isn’t

that thrilling to him, and he especially avoids spreading hurtful information about someone.

“Gossiping is a very natural thing, somebody will always want to spread a story, but I try to stop the rumor if it’s not true,” Shepard said.

For guys, a juicy rumor isn’t as exciting, which can contribute to the slight gap between the numbers between guy and girl conversation.

Senior Joey Meyer makes it a point to avoid excessive gossip. “Drama is my least favorite thing [about high school],” Meyer said.

In fact, girls notice that guys keep secrets better.

“I might tell a rumor if it’s fake, but never if it’s confidential,” Shepard said. “I think my relationships are better because I don’t tell their secrets, it helps build trust.”

Sophomore Katie Pulley likes having more close friends who are guys.

“If you have a guy who is a really good friend, it’s easier to tell them [secrets], because he probably won’t tell [them],” Pulley said.

Meyer said more girls seem concerned about drama and try to solve it emotionally versus direct confrontation.

“I don’t see guys carrying grudges as much,” Meyer said.

facebook frenzy Brad Schlemmer • Reporter There’s a fine line between truth and fiction. And it’s only getting thinner thanks to Facebook.com.

The internet works to make information quicker than ever before. The problem rests within the gray areas associated to fact, opinion and truth.

Much of what is posted on social networks like MySpace and Facebook are pictures and pictures generally do not lie.

Word gets around, and generally the pictured do as well.

The Lafayette administration was alerted to the photos on Facebook revealing bad behavior on an AP Art History field trip to Chicago, and it has not been the only time such photos have wound up in the hands of the administration or coaches. It can’t be denied these social portals have become some basis for fact, but how much can users trust?

The Image Feature staff decided to conduct an experiment. One popular feature of Facebook is the ability to join and create groups for humorous, political or personal reasons.

The Features staff created a group called “Welcome Cardinals to the 2007 Academic Pep Assembly!”

The group showed an image of the Cardinals winning the World Series. Readers who glanced at the descirption were told the Cardinals were coming to Lafayette’s assembly in March to brandish the World Series trophy and support student accomplishments.

Within a few days, the numbers jumped.

Within the week, nearly 200 LHS students had joined.

Skeptics, fans and bemused students soon joined and posted inquiries on the Wall. The Wall, a feature that allows group members to post in a forum, also included comments, ridicule and Cardinal pride.

Two days following the creation of the group, one student posted concrete evidence that the Cardinals are going to be in spring training on the same date of the assembly.

Clearly, the internet takes gossip to a whole new level as a rumor can be spread to virtually hundreds of people instantly.

page 12 • features

jan. 26, 2007

Greater than the sum of its parts The Lafayette Symphonic Orchestra

photos • Rachel Bader

First Violins usually play the lead part and the melody throughout the piece.

Section Leader: Jeff Spangler

“

Second Violins play the harmony underneath first violin’s lead part, and sometimes play the lead.

Section Leader: Nicole Schroeder

Violas play harmonies in the background, and offer, along with cellos, harmonization for the violin’s lead part.

Section Leader: Ankit Bhargava

Basses act as a foundation to the rest of the orchestra and help maintain the tempo of the song.

The conductor leads the entire orchestra through the concert and gives cues to each section.

Cellos help maintain the tempo of the song and offer harmonization for the violins.

Section Leader: Nick D’Errico

Conductor: Mr. Joseph Gutowski

Section Leader: Brian Sammons

I think it’s very important to realize that a conductor does not just wave his hands in the air to the tempo of music. The conductor’s job is to shape the music and create art with the musicians in front of him.

”

— Mr. Joseph Gutowski

LHS All-Suburban High School Honor’s Orchestra Members

LHS Missouri All-State Orchestra Members

Jonathan Citrin Eugenia Maluf Caren Abraham Laura Hamrick

Ankit Bhargava Nicole Schroeder Jeff Spangler

Orchestra prepares for upcoming performances Brian Ruyle • Reporter

The Lafayette Orchestra plays different symphonies from the “great composers” as well as music from movies, such as music from Pirates of the Caribbean.

The orchestra program is comprised of three classes: Chamber, Concert and Symphonic.

“My goals for music literature are typically pieces I think the orchestra will enjoy and teach them skills they can use on future pieces,” Mr. Joseph Gutowski, new

director of orchestras, said.

Students also learn some music theory in addition to their required music.

The orchestra’s next concert is April 26 in the Commons.

In addition, the Concert and Symphonic Orchestras will be participating in the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHASS) Festival.

They will have a clinic with members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra pri-

or to the festival, which is in March.

“We are very fortunate to have professional musicians who are willing to come out to the school,” Gutowski said.

The Symphonic Orchestra has been invited to perform one piece at the Fox Theatre as part of the theatre’s annual Performing Arts Night, and will also be going to Chicago for a clinic and performance at Northwestern University. Both events will be held in April.

In addition to the LHS Orchestra, some students are involved outside orchestras including the All-Suburban High School Honor’s Orchestra, Missouri AllState Orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Young People’s Concert and Symphonic Orchestras.

“I encourage all students in the orchestras to take private lessons and to join youth orchestras outside of school,” Gutowski said.

features • page 13

the image

Hips Don’t Lie:

Two students reveal the exotic underground art of belly dancing

Nina Walters • Reporter Belly dancing, also called Dance of the East, is an art that migrates.

The ancient art form traveled from the Orient and landed in the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, where a dancer named Fatima captured the eyes of the fair-goers with her exotic hip movements.

Today, it has attracted the attention of two students.

Not only is the art an outlet for their creativity, it provides physical benefits by improving cardio and flexibility.

“About a year and a half ago, I was taking acting classes at COCA, where I saw there was a belly dance class, but my mom said no. So we found a class closer to us. I started going there and joined their performing troop, Desert Moon Dance, about six months ago, maybe more,” senior Jessica Kollar said.

Kollar started belly dancing with her sister’s best friend and her sister.

“I chose to start dancing because when I was growing up in a Greek family, Greek music was very fun,” senior Tatiana Xenos said.

She added, “Plus, when I was growing up I wasn’t really pretty so I wanted to do something to get peoples’ attention with at least my body, which was good looking.”

Belly dancing doesn’t just come in one simple style.

Kollar and her troop do some Turkish, Lebanese and Egyptian dancing.

Xenos does mostly Greek and Turkish because “it’s the most sexy.”

“Egyptian would be more sophisticated, like ballet, Lebanese would be more like jazz and Turkish would be, well, like stripping,” Kollar laughed.

“Egyptian is the prettiest, but Lebanese tends to go with more bouncy and fun music. But belly dancing altogether is pretty and unique. It’s not really common,” Kollar said.

To help improve belly dancing skills, many dancers go to class for other types of dancing like jazz, tap, hip/hop and Broadway shows.

As for costumes, they are made and brought by the dancers for the style of dance they are performing.

My costumes are usually bra-like tops with a lot of beads and tassels. It’s very colorful and very detailed.

“They are usually made out of regular cotton for the

1.

2.

Robotics Club 3. things you didn’t know about...

compiled by Jen Apoian

it’s the dancing that’s the hard part.

3 Steps to a basic costume

1 2 3

Midriff Blouse: This should be the same color as the pantaloons and made of an easy-tobreathe fabric such as cotton.

Pantaloons: Most pantaloons should be lightweight or opaque. They should fall below the navel to emphasize the fullness of the hips and then cuff at the ankles. Colorful trim can be added for decoration.

Stretch Sequin Hip Belt: Start with an elastic band that fits around the hip. You can add colorful sequins and fake coins to get the sensation of movement at the hip.

underpants and toul for the pants and scarf. The top depends, it could be cotton with layers of beading material like a corset. The costume can also be made out of silk and velvet. This kind that I normally get costs from $200400,” Xenos said.

Kollar said, “I think it is better than any other kind of dance. What I like most about it is probably that you don’t get the snobby ballerina types that are like ‘I have been dancing since I was five,.”

“I always had a passion for belly dancing because that’s the only music I ‘feel’ because Greek and Turkish music is very beautiful…if you understand what they are saying,” Xenos said.

About 30 people participate and have 6 weeks to build a robot.

Then, they compete in regional competitions.

Yes, they have girls.

Robots are created for specific challenges. Forklift robots and robots mounted with cannons can be used in different events.

4.

5.

photos courtesy of Jessica Kollar & Tatiana Xenos

The competitions consist of weird tasks, such as playing robotic basketball and 3D tic-tac-toe.

Some colleges give scholarships to those involved in Robotics Club.

Rich & Charlie’s 108 Hilltop Village Center Eureka, MO 63025 Located on Six Flags Outer Road

(636) 938-7090 NOW HIRING KITCHEN CREW

$1 Off Any Item Expire Feb. 22

2432 Taylor Rd. Wildwood MO 636-458-3443

page 14 • sports

jan. 26, 2007

Behind The Mic: Gass talks up his love for sports Ryan Bueckendorf • Sports Editor Long before uniforms are pulled on, days before the seats are filled, weeks before game plans are drawn up, there is but an empty arena.

The championship banners of the bright gymnasium wave silently in the air-conditioned breeze. They have seen the best of Lancer basketball, but offer nothing of the next fade away jumper, the next behind the back pass. The tall foul poles of the empty baseball field, standing firm against the gusting wind, have witnessed the great hits of Lancer lore. They conjure up no images of the next diving snag, the next perfect game.

For some, using the sport’s past to conjure up information about its future is a tedious and unrealistic task. Not for all.

Long before fans start thinking about the big game, the announcers and broadcasters have been gleaning statistics and pouring over game film, hoping to gain insight into the next 100-yard rusher, the next overtime victory.

These quiet, empty fields and gymnasiums are the announcer’s arena, and they are where junior Nick Gass goes to work.

Gass has been announcing Lafayette athletic events since he was a freshman in 2004.

His interest in the profession originated when he responded to a call for an announcer for wrestling matches.

“I was interested in it at the time,” Gass said, “and was treated very well during my first year.”

He has since been given the opportunity to announce freshman and junior varsity football games, as well as varsity baseball games.

This past season he was handed the microphone for the varsity game against Marquette.

For Lafayette, Gass is the first of his kind. Though the school has had announcers in the past, they have been Debate or Public Speaking students who announce the game for class credit. Never has the school had one student for so much.

Since his start in wrestling, Gass has developed his own personal style within each sport.

Perhaps his most personalized program is announcing the varsity baseball games. He tries to make the games as

photo • Alex Erdman

•Eye in the Sky. Watching the Lancer win over Marquette unfold below, Nick Gass broadcasts his take on the action to the fans in the stands. Gass has been broadcasting Lafayette sports since his freshman year, when he responded to a call for a wrestling announcer.

true-to-life as possible, asking players for their choice of walk-on music and downloading realistic baseball effects to enrich his production.

Gass hesitates, however, to compare the sports that he announces, citing differences between them.

“That’s tough,” Gass said. “Each has their own perks. If I had to pick I really couldn’t choose. There are so many different aspects of each sport.”

In terms of support he has enjoyed from the administration, Gass cites Activities Director Steve Miller as someone who, along with Principal Larry Schmidt, opened the door for him.

Miller, for his part, has been behind Gass every step of the way.

“Any time we have an opportunity to use the PA system, we try to get him involved,” Miller said. “He has such a great voice, and does such a good job.”

Gass’ voice is impressive. Many who hear him are disbelieving when they actually see him. The source of the deep voice they’d been hearing was resonating from a surprisingly small body, but such is often the case with the great announcers.

For Gass, what was a fleeting hobby

The first 50 seniors to book a portrait session before 3/30/07 are eligible.

1st Prize - $350 Value iPod w/Senior’s Music Video

2nd Prize - $120 Value

Win an Apple Video iPod!

®

12x14 Coffee Table Book

3rd Prize - $100 Value 112 Personalized Wallets

for an Appointment RICH KOHM Call St. Louis: (314) 803-3353

STUDIOS

Home Office: (573) 431-4863

See our web site for more details: www.richkohmstudios.com/highschool

has now become a fast track for a career.

“I try to take it like a real job,” he said, “Because that’s what I want to do [as a career]. That’s what I want to get in to.

Hopefully it’ll pay off and I will gain a little bit of an edge in the long run.”

Gass plans on attending the University of Missouri, which has a top national Journalism/Broadcasting school and would allow him to keep his options open within the profession.

“I’m pretty much interested in anything when it comes to radio or TV,” he said. “I have the unique opportunity of doing all these things, and I think it’s to my advantage to use that for my future experiences.”

The hours that Gass spends behind the microphone are indeed impressive. The brunt of Gass’ work, however, is done before the game ever starts.

“It doesn’t matter the sport, I always look at the stats,” he said. “I see that, say, this guy is playing a lot recently. I know that I’d better get to know his name.”

Focus is also put on Lafayette’s opponent as a whole.

“I try to see what kind of season they’re having, the rivalry that’s there, maybe not

dishes we saute y a d y r Eve ors eat flav by the gr d e ir p s in anean Mediterr e h t , ia s of A rtland icaÉs hea and Amer them, s you like a ly t c a ex order. fresh to

there,” he said.

The goal of all this research is to have points to introduce during the broadcast, and be able to introduce to his listeners aspects and finer nuances of the game they might otherwise be unaware of.

A conversational knowledge enables the announcer to keep the flow of his broadcast going even during breaks in the action.

For basketball, Gass’ role moves from an announcer’s booth into a TV broadcast.

He has collaborated with Mr. Bill Stewart, instructional technologist, and Miller to broadcast varsity games and make them available to fans via Lafayette’s website.

Stewart, while playing a role in the technological aspect of the project, said that it is Gass who triggers it.

“I’m just the equipment provider and the facilitator,” Stewart said. “We work on it when he wants to work on it.”

The broadcasts themselves are currently filmed and recorded by Gass alone, but he plans to have other students help him in the near future.

He also would like to add pre- and post-game interviews to the broadcasts.

Stewart thinks the project could eventually become entirely student-run. In the meantime, plans have been laid to broadcast as many as five of the remaining varsity home games, including one against Poplar Bluff.

Currently, only the Eureka and Northwestern games have been posted online.

Whether announcing or broadcasting, Gass is part of a profession which, for most, is only partly understood.

Those deep, resonant voices which so many announcers are known for is but a superficial representation of the work and hours that go in to the job.

These men are masters at knowing what is going to happen in the sports world before it does, before that field goal attempt banks wide right, or the no-look jumper sinks without so much as a rustle of the net.

While fans remained focused on last week’s blowout game or yesterday’s photo-finish, Gass and his fellow announcers will have their attentions focused towards tomorrow night, all in hope of catching lightning in a bottle.

chEstErfiEld

(clarkson rd & Baxter ln)

8ko Wdo deeZb[ Xemb" iekf eh iWbWZ WdZ ][j ed[ e\ [gkWb eh b[ii[h lWbk[ \h[[$ Not valid with any other offer. One offer per person, per visit. Not redeemable for cash or Crave Cards. No reproductions accepted.

Tax not included. Expires January 31, 2007.

IM1317

sports • page 15

the image

‘His story is made for a TV special...’

Dave Porter talks about the story of Jason Struble and the tremendous difference his life made Alex Davis • Reporter In 1990, a Lancer athlete’s life forever changed Lafayette basketball and the lives around him. A day after Lafayette’s varsity basketball team beat the top team in the area, Jason Struble was rushed to the hospital.

At the age of 17, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer (TC). For the next 26 months of on and off chemotherapy, Jason struggled with the TC that eventually spread through his body.

In Jason’s last week of his life, the only thing he asked of his parents was that they spread the word about TC to every young man in the St. Louis area so no one else would have to go through what he did.

On May 1, 1992, Jason lost his twoyear battle with cancer.

Then, the Jason A. Struble Memorial Cancer Fund was born.

“His story is a made for TV special,” Coach Dave Porter said, “His life made a difference.”

Here is where it begins.

Jason’s last game was Senior Night.

That season, two players quit the team for personal reasons, and prior to the start of the season, one of the starting players had quit, leaving the team in a tight spot.

“Jason had always been a great player and he always gave a lot of heart on and off the court,” Porter said.

This might be what Porter found so strange later that night during the game.

“On a back and forth fast break, Jason wasn’t running, so I pulled him out of the game and asked him why he didn’t run.

He responded ‘I just couldn’t catch my breath Coach. Just give me a minute and I’ll be ready,’” Porter said.

The team went on to win, but that is not what the Struble family remembers.

Later that night, Jason was sitting in his house with his mom when he suddenly screamed in pain.

photo courtesy of Tom Struble

•Practicing Up Jason Struble (Class of 1990) practices his shot during warm-ups. His death from testicular cancer inspired his parents and Head Basketball Coach Dave Porter to educate young men about the disease.

His performance in the game and the scream were the first hints that something was terribly wrong.

The next day, Porter was given a note that said Jason was in the hospital and may not be able to play basketball again.

From there, he faced a painful struggle including chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant and months in the hospital.

He spent the last 30 days of his life with his family in the Ozarks and at his house.

Jason did not want to return to hospitals, despite the fact that his doctors wanted him to fly to New York for an experimental drug that had a shot of saving him. But in order for it to work, the doctor said he would have to have been off of chemotherapy for 30 days.

Jason knew “he wasn’t going to make

it,” Porter said.

“Jason realized if he would have told someone sooner about [the lump on] his testicle, he would have lived,” Porter said.

“Jason wanted his life to have meaning.

He said that as long as he saved one life, that it would,” Porter said.

Porter said the educational programs created through the foundation have, to date, saved 18 lives that they know of.

“He [Jason] rallied so many together so that his life could have meaning, and I know it always will,” Porter said.

During Jason’s last week, he told his mom he wanted her to educate young boys about TC and self-examination.

Not only has she done that, but Tom and Doris Struble, Jason’s parents, and Porter, have both been extremely proactive in the foundation they created together. In fact, they have started to reach out internationally with a video that was made to inform high schoolers about the danger of neglecting signs.

Another reason why Jason’s story is so special is because of the video.

“The way the video was made seemed as if it was divine intervention,” Porter said, “Tom came to me with an idea for a video. And later that week, a guy from my church came to my house and asked if he could shoot a video for the church in my front yard, and afterwards I got his information so we could set up the video.”

The video is now “two years away from being in every high school in the United States,” Porter said.

“We have sent tens of thousands of videos across the nation and have even sent them to England and to the Far East,” Tom Struble said.

Since the foundation was started, 18 young men have caught their cancer and been able to cure it. Five of them have been at Lafayette.

“He [Jason] rallied so many together so that his life could have meaning, and I know it always will,” Porter said.

Not only have his parents been to local high schools telling Jason’s story, but Porter has used his position as a coach to be able to set himself up at basketball camps and schools to tell Jason’s story.

“Every year I go to Wydown Middle School in Clayton to remind them and tell the story. I tell them it’s wonderful to be young, but you are not invincible. I’ll tell you, every time I finish my speech, the whole crowd is just so attentive and silent you could hear a pin drop,” he said.

Porter sees amazing feedback whenever he makes his trips to Wydown Middle School.

“If you listen really closely, you won’t hear my voice, you will hear his [Jason’s]. I am just a messenger doing what he wants us to do,” Porter said.

The foundation has not only made itself available to high schools for educational purposes, but also raises money, every year during the Jason Struble Basketball Shootout and Jason’s Tournament For Life golf tournament.

In the first year of the foundation, the Tournament For Life raised $35,000. Last year the foundation raised $21,000.

There has been some outside support of the foundation, as well.

“Doug Elgin of the Missouri Valley Conference has been very pro-active and helpful. He gives tickets to auction off to the MVC [Missouri Valley Conference] tournament,” Porter said.

This year, the 15th anniversary of his death has had many look back at the efforts they have made.

“I have been very devoted [to the foundation] and also reaching out to young men,” Tom Struble said, “Saving one life is worth all the years we have put into this.”

(MWL :EE BG MA> FORGET THE DOTTED LINE, JUST BRING IN THE WHOLE AD! FREE BURRITO WITH A PURCHASE OF A LARGE DRINK Expires February 20, 2007

17402 Chesterfield Airport Rd. Chesterfield Valley (in front of the Wehrenberg Galaxy)

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 11A.M. - 9 P.M.

636.537.335 WWW.MOES.COM

Get a taste of university life and discover what it would be like to be a first-year Avila student!

• Meet Avila Students and Professors • Take a Campus Tour • Get a free T-shirt!

Register online at www.avila.edu or call 800-GO-AVILA AVILA UNIVERSITY 11901 Wornall Road Kansas City, MO 64145

R : #

: E B O

M HN

; EE :K<A ,

page 16 • sports

Verner rows her way to SMU on scholarship

Josh Handler • Sports Editor In 1852 there was no NCAA, no final four, frozen four or BCS championship game.

In fact, the only intercollegiate sport was one that receives little attention today. That sport is rowing and now, 154 years later, Senior Katelyn Verner is headed to Southern Methodist University in Dallas on a rowing scholarship.

Rowers have gone on to found the modern Olympics, win academy awards and even become the president of the United States.

Verner participated in the Novice eight and the Novice four at last spring’s Central District Youth Rowing Championships, finishing first and second respectively.

jan. 26, 2007

She rowed with the team for about a month and a half before her first regatta (meet) which Verner says was “not what I thought.”

“I started last spring. Two summers ago I did a learn to row thing and I really liked it so I picked it up after basketball last year,” Verner said.

“Usually in the fall it is long distance races and in the winter there is a rowing machine called an ergometer and we do a lot of pieces on those,” Verner says of her training regimen.

Because it is not as popular of a sport as others, Verner said that she found that with her success it was not very difficult to come by a scholarship.

“Since I just started I had to approach the coaches myself but most of them just offered it,” Verner said At the Midwest Rowing Championships, Verner’s team finished second in both events.

Verner rows for the St. Louis Rowing Club, which fields boys and girls novice and varsity teams. photo courtesy of Katelyn Verner While Verner is the lone • SMU Bound. Rowing toward the finish line, Katelyn Verner participates in a LHS rower at the St. Louis Row- recent race. Verner will attend SMU this fall on a rowing scholarship. ing Club, based in Creve Coeur Lake, her teammates come from are considered novices. After mates. that they join the varsity squad.

The races that Verner partici13 other schools.

Currently there are 39 mem- pates in consist of four and eight The club was founded in 1875 and consists of about 200 mem- bers of the rowing team at SMU. person boats with an additional “I went down there for a visit person called a coxswain who bers, men and women between and watched practice,” Verner gives instructions and directs ages 16 and 74.

For a rower’s first year, they says of meeting her future team- the team during the race.

Wrestling squad’s success rides on youth performance

Alex Davis • Reporter The season for the Lancers has been riddled with tough losses, including the first dual meet of the year, with a 7-7 loss due to bonus points.

Despite other losses to Oakville and Northwest, the team took first out of 16 teams in a DeSmet tournament held over Winter Break. “[Senior Matt] Brewer and [senior Quentin] Bell are both top five in the State for their weight class,” Coach Jake Lapinski said.

The teams dual meet record has been off to a rough 1-5 start, but Lapinski’s attitude is surprisingly the opposite of what you would think.

“We are starting to come together; our younger guys are showing improvement.

So I think we can hold our own,” Lapinski said.

One of those younger guys, sophomore Zach Hagy, has had a more than promising start to the year.

“I placed first in my weight class at the Hazelwood Central tournament,” Hagy said. He went through two ranked wrestlers in a row to place first. “And then I placed fourth at the [Rockwood] Summit tournament,” Hagy said.

The streak has been attributed to “extra coaching,” Hagy said. “Before my matches, Lapinski coached me on each guy.”

In addition to Hagy’s win at Central, he took first in an annual Lafayette Tournament last weekend, where LHS placed third out of 10 teams.

“Hagy came back from an early loss in the tournament to dominate a very good Alli Reagan from Carbondale in the finals,” Lapinski said.

Brewer also placed first in his weight class at 215 pounds, and was honored with the Outstanding Wrestler award from the tournament.

“Brewer wrestled the best he has all year. He is peaking at the right time with Districts coming up in two weeks. He is now looking like the guy who can compete

for State,” Lapinski said.

“Hopefully we can place in the top half of State, but I don’t think we’ll do to good because it is a rebuilding year., Hagy said.

Hagy’s hopes of his personal performance are better, however.

“I think I will place in the top four of Districts, and hopefully go on to State,” Hagy said.

In addition to Hagy, other players on the team have been performing as well.

“Bell, [sophomore Andrew] Olinik and [senior Trent] Marsh are all doing well. Olinik is sixth in State, and whoever wrestles at 119, Margherita or Diggs, will do well,” Lapinski said.

Great at State: Lafayette represented well at State in 2006

photo courtesy of Sarah Whitman

•Precision Putting. Playing at State, freshman Sarah Whitman eyes up her putt. She finished 37th at the tournament.

•Gold Standard.

After nailing down one of his two first place finishes, senior Sean Mathews celebrates his win. The team finished fifth overall, with its 24th straight Conference title.

photo courtesy of Sean Mathews

photo courtesy of Ralph Kuehnel Photography

•Settling Down. Sophomore Kyle Biernacki gets air as he goes to chest the ball in the blustery State Finals game against Chaminade at Busch Soccer Park. Lafayette lost the match 3-1 but took second overall, the best playoff run in Lancer history.

photos courtesy of John Buttram

•Cool Running. Seniors John Buttram (38th) and Zach Engleman (101st), juniors Eric Lutz (31st) and Katy Cover (91st) and freshman Elizabeth Worley (76th) head for the finish at the State Meet.

photo courtesy of Gabby Demos

•Stately Shot. Juniors Gabby Demos and Anna Prasch pose with Coach Donna Stauffer after Demos placed fifth at State. It was the first State medal in school history.

Lafayette’s finest represented LHS at State competitions this fall. From the soccer team making a historic Finals run to the swim team making a splash, it was a season to remember.

Bring this coupon in for 15% off your order!

sports • page 17

the image

2007 brings happiness to St. Louis; Cubs fans, not so much As the ball dropped on 2006, it spelled the end of a terrific sports year. 2007 will be just as good.

As I dust off my crystal ball, here are my predictions for 2007 (you probably shouldn’t take these to your bookie).

The first major event of 2007 will take place on Feb. 3, when Ron Artest’s Sacramento Kings meet Carmelo Anthony’s (or is it A.I.’s) Denver Nuggets in Sacramento.

One thing will lead to another and Anthony will throw a drink on Artest as he is lying on the scorer’s table.

Artest will flip out and punch Anthony a couple times before Anthony gets one off and runs screaming to the locker room.

On a tour of morning TV shows about the brawl, Artest will say that he is glad for his 100 game suspension because it will give him extra time to work on his next CD, on which he will be collaborating with Mike Tyson and Kevin Federline.

Feb. 4, will be Super Bowl XLI. During the game, Peyton Manning’s Colts will defeat Brian Urlacher and the Bears in a blowout.

Unfortunately, the game will be overshadowed by a wardrobe malfunction, as halftime performer Prince will pull a Janet Jackson.

This will not only raise the question of whether or not Prince is a man, but in the next few days, Tivo will announce that

Boys Basketball

Prince’s flash was the least reviewed five seconds in the history of television.

On Feb. 15, the slumping Blues will announce another attempt to bring back fans by revealing their next promotion.

The first 2,000 fans at the game will be entered in a contest to win a Blues player.

March 3, will mark an all-time low for the Blues as they release all veterans following an extensive losing streak.

Led by a bunch of minor leaguers and winners of the intermission shooting contests, they go on an amazing streak and win the Stanley Cup. The day after the last game, Disney will pick up the rights to the story.

Just as Cub’s Spring training camp breaks on March 31, pitchers Mark Prior and Kerry Wood will play catch. As they are finishing up Prior will blow out his arm making a wild throw to Wood.

The throw will hit Wood directly on his pitching shoulder, dislocating his arm.

Both will be lost for the season. Is that even really a prediction though, or just a matter of when?

In the NCAA basketball title game, Florida will go back to back in basketball.

Fortunately, Adam Morrison will not be in attendance to break down in tears as Gonzaga is knocked out early.

Just two weeks after losing Prior and Wood, on April 11, Jason Marquis will

pitch in front of Wrigley fans for the first time as a Cub. After allowing 12 runs in the first two innings, Manager Lou Pinella will come out to pull Marquis. Pinella will take off Marquis’ hat and kick it around the field a little as Marquis is booed off the field and directly to AAA Iowa.

After the game, Chicago will be in turmoil as the largest mass suicide in modern history takes place outside of Wrigley Field.

On April 14, needing a left handed bat off of the bench, the Cardinals will call up Rick Ankiel as an outfielder. In his first game Ankiel attempts to throw out a runner at home from left field.

His throw sails over the backstop, out of Busch Stadium and onto Highway 40 to the shock of hundreds of drivers.

After the game, Ankiel, nearly in tears announces he is giving up on the outfield.

He says he has decided that his new position will be batboy.

On April 18-19, in the NFL draft, Ohio State University Quarterback Troy Smith will be sacked by the Florida defense out of the first round, before finally being selected towards the end of the second.

On July 31, the Yankees, desperate for pitching offer the Marlins their whole minor league system for Dontrelle Willis. The Marlins happily agree to the deal

The Scoreboard

Record: 13-5; 5-1 and second in League play Key Players: Sophomore Tyler Griffey (14.9 ppg), Seniors Kevin Fessler (10.2 ppg) and Kyle Meyer (9.1 ppg) Last two games: Jan. 16 vs. Northwest (win 72-57), Jan. 19 at Mehlville (win 70-55) Next two games: Jan. 27 in the Jason Struble Tournament Jan. 30 vs. Jennings Player’s Take: “I think we’ve put together a pretty good season. I think we’re better than (our record) is.”

- guard Kevin Peifer, 12

Escadrille

offering to throw in Miguel Cabrera.

The trade is not only the biggest at the trade deadline, but also the bigJosh Handler gest in baseSports Editor ball history.

Sometime in September, the Dallas Cowboys will kick off their first full season with Tony Romo as their starting quarterback. Actually they try to kick it off, but every time they get ready for a kick, Romo fumbles the snap. The Cowboys get shut down.

In late October, the Cardinals will defeat the White Sox in game seven of the World Series courtesy of a walk off homerun by Albert Pujols.

Dozens more Cubs fan suicides take place outside of Wrigley field following the game.

After October the jury is still out. As for these predictions you can set them in stone, sit back and watch maybe one or two (probably those involving the Cubs losing) come true.

Off the bench

Girls Basketball

News: Won competition at Lindbergh Squad will not compete in Showstoppers competition due to increase in cost and drop in interest Upcoming competitions: St. Charles; Feb. 3. A test run before State, this competition allows judges to tell squads the type of penalties that would be inflicted at State meet on Feb. 24. The squad will run the same routines at State as at St. Charles.

Player’s Take: “We’ve had a really good year. Hopefully at competitions and State we can come out first.”

- co-captain Jenna Sippel, 12

Record: 12-4; 3-1 and second in League play Key Players: Sophomore Jessica Steinmetz (9.2 ppg), Juniors Sami Dunger (12.0 ppg) and Meg O’Connell (7.7 ppg) Last two games: Jan. 12 vs. Howell North (win 5748), Jan. 16 at Seckman (Win 56-41) Next two games: Jan. 30 at Fort Zumwalt West, Feb. 2 at Oakville Player’s Take: “We’re playing well. We still look to get better but it’s been a lot of fun.” - guard Chelsey Carmody, 12

Hockey

Girls Swimming

Wrestling

Record: 4-11-2; 2-7-1 and fourth in League play Key Players: Junior Cameron Chinnery (5 points, 2 goals), Senior Shaun O’Rourke (5 points, 4 goals) Last two games: Jan. 22 vs. Lindbergh, Jan. 25 vs.

Parkway South at Queeny Park Next game: Jan. 30 vs. Clayton at Queeny Park Player’s Take: “(The season’s) been up and down. we’ve had some disappointing losses but we just know we can come out strong in the end here and hopefully pull something out.” - Cameron Chinnery, 11

Record: 7-0 Key Swimmers: Seniors Marisa Rodriguez, Emily Buss, and Kari Peglar, Junior Livi Jarboe Top Honor Roll times: Rodriguez, 50 Freestyle; Peglar, 500 Freestyle; Jessi Holz, 100 Backstroke; 200 Medley Relay Team; 200 Freestyle Relay Team Coach’s Take: “I think anything lower than second or third [at State] will be a little dissappointing, and I know some of the girls are shooting for something higher.” - Coach Jean Chard

Record: 1-5 in dual meets Key Players: Junior Matt Brewer, Senior Quinton Bell Last two matches: Jan. 17 at Fox (lost), Lafayette Tour (Placed 3 of 10) Next two matches: Tonight, Jan. 26 Jan. 31 vs. Marquette, Feb. 2 at Francis Howell Player’s Take: “It’s been a good learning experience for all the young guys.” - Zach Hagy, 10

Thanks to Sylvan, homework’s a breeze.

• Customized tutoring for your child’s unique needs • Individual attention from caring, certified teachers • Regular progress reports for you • Confidence that goes beyond the classroom • Convenience of in-center or live, online tutoring at home

©2006 Sylvan Learning, Inc. Online tutoring at participating locations only.

See why more parents turn to Sylvan than to any other tutor.

2 FREE Sessions of Homework Hall!

Call Today!

Ballwin Chesterfield

636-394-3104 636-537-8118

www.educate.com

page 18 • entertainment

jan. 26, 2007

In Tune with Nicole New ‘super group’ coming to America Nicole Castellano • Entertainment Editor Look up in the sky, it’s a bird it’s a plane, it’s a super group! In the past, super groups have graced us with their presence with bands such as: Velvet Revolver, Audioslave, and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Puzzled by what a super group is? It’s when individual artists from well-known rock bands come together to form the ultimate group. Thanks to the 90s rock band Blur front man Damon Albarn a new super group The Good, the Bad, and the Queen (TGTBATQ) has been formed.

Long after Blur’s “Song 2,” Albarn decided it was time to change up his music style. With help from producer Danger Mouse, who produced Gnarls Barkley and the second Gorillaz album, Albarn began working on a new solo project. That soon switched to forming a band.

Along with Albarn, TGTBATQ consists of The Clash’s bassist; Paul Simon, The Verve’s guitarist; Simon Tong and the co-founder of the genre Afrobeat; Tony Allen.

Afrobeat is a combination of Yoruba music, jazz and

funk rhythms, fused with African percussion and vocal styles.

The band hopes that their Jan. 23 release of Kingdom of Doom will broaden their fan base from the UK to the US. The title track “Kingdom of Doom” and “Herculean” were the first singles released in the UK. The album as a whole is very intriguing. The distant sound of Albarns voice adds an amazing effect on every song. In the song, “80s Life,” there is no feel of the 80s at all. In fact, it sounds like it came straight out of the 50s, and that’s what makes this song so amazing. If all you need is a funky dance groove and a little bit of clapping, then the song “Northern Whale” is right up your alley.

This album creates an unsuspected surprise for all music lovers. The fact that these four men from completely different genres can create something so unique is mind-blowing. So be sure to pick up Kingdom of Doom this weekend.

Chaos erupts with K-os’s new release Mike Bujnak • Reporter K-os, Atlantis: Hymns for Disco • 3.5 out of 5 stars K-os (pronounced ‘chaos’) is yet another rapper with a spelling problem. K-os (short for ‘Knowledge of Self ’) exhibits far more talent than most rappers in the industry.

Atlantis: Hymns for Disco, the third album from the Canadian rapper, successfully combines aspects from many different genres, including reggae, rap, blues and even some rock n’ roll.

Most of the songs offer some toe tapping beats and can give the feeling of going back in time. “Black Ice” is the perfect example of mixing modern lyrics and channeling a funk feel reminiscent of the 70s, pausing only to let the listener catch a smooth saxophone solo.

K-os presents himself in an entirely different way than

previous albums throughout Atlantis: Hymns for Disco.

The addition of singing on many songs (especially “The Rain”) is truly where his talent lies. Atlantis focuses on K-os’ own personality and is successful in giving listeners an insight into the musician’s mind Like all CD’s, Atlantis does have its flaws. K-os tries too hard to rhyme every word possible, giving the song a likeness to Dr. Seuss. Also, some of the lyrics don’t correspond with the background beat leaving one feeling the only ‘chaos’ on the entire album is the track layout, most notably in “AquaCityBoy.” While this won’t be the cornerstone CD in the collection, it is one worth buying.

This is by far the most intriguing CD he has released and gives a great depiction of the maturity shown by Kos.

The following definitions are from the Urban Dictionary. Since the Image Entertainment staff believes it is essential for students to improve their slang vocabulary, this column aims to assist students in that pursuit. blockaway: A person who only looks good from a blockaway, but when they get close you realize it was an illusion. i.e. “That guy is a blockaway. That’s a face only his mother could love. yellow-card: To punish someone who does something stupid. i.e. “Bill got caught sneaking out. His parents totally yellow-carded him.” froshmore: a freshman who only has upperclassmen friends. i.e. “Devon is a froshmore.

He is too cool for the rest of us.” hippiecrite: a fake hippie who complains about every polluting object known to man but uses the same products they complain about. i.e.

Hippiecrite: “Oh, those awful cars! (one week later) Hey, I just bought a Suburban! Check it out-it has a V8!”

$55 Manicure & Updo to get ready for the dance!

12080 Manchester Rd Des Peres, Mo 63131 Use Your Powers For Good, Not Evil 2007-2008 Student Publications Accepting Applications:

Image Legend DVD

www.lafayettepublications.com

•Unique Gifts •Home Accessories

•Fine Furnishings ...and of course, flowers!

17021 Baxter Rd. • Chesterfield, MO 63005 636-728-0480 www.marytuttlesflowers.com

Hours: M-F 9-6 • Sat 9-5 • Sun 12-4

entertainment • page 19

the image

The Entertainment staff & Principal Larry Schmidt have compiled a list of the top Lafayette events of 2006.

Thanks to Prop K, a new Mezzanine level in the Commons was started days before finals for the 2005-2006 school year. Construction on the new Welcome Center began in October and completion of the project is set for approximately the end of February Also, construction on the new Theatre will begin in the spring and will take roughly a year and a half to complete.

2.

1.

2006 proved to be one of our greatest academic years.

Eighty-one students received Bright Flight Scholar Awards at the Academic Pep Assembly. Also, success rates for AP exams increased by 150 people to 91 percent, the highest in Missouri.

photo • Aaron Casias

Students and staff adopted Pass Christian High School in Pass Christian, Mississippi. The students of Pass Christian attended the 2006 Lafayette Academic Pep Assembly to receive a check for $2,000 in order to aid in rebuilding their campus after the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina.

3.

photo • Alexis Myers

4.

photo • Alexis Myers

The water polo team competed in the 2006 Varsity District Tournament from Oct. 28-Nov. 5. The Lancers beat MICDS to make it to the final four, and lost to Chaminade in the semifinals. The water polo team placed third overall.

photo • Rachel Bader

5.

The boys varsity soccer team placed second in State. It all started with an upset over second-ranked CBC in Districts. With only three graduating starters, the boys are in line to make the top ten next year.

Other notable events:

• Lafayette hosted the Heartland Regional Renaissance Conference in the fall.

• LHS Graduate Ryan Howard winS Home Run Derby and named the National League’s MVP. • Sean Matthews places first in both the 100 and 200-yard freestyle relays at State.

photo courtesy of Prestige

Just asking... photo opinion

This month the Image asks “What was your favorite event from 2006?”

Photo opinion compiled by Sara Randolph and Nina Walters

Alex Creely, 9 “Dick Cheney shooting his friend in the face with a gun while quail hunting.”

Julia Rueckert, 10 “When Castro fell off the stage into the crowd.”

Dan Holiday, 11 “�������������������������� Oktoberfest because it is really fun. Everyone there is open-minded and out to have a good time.”�

Rachel Greenblatt, 12 “������������������ The Dave Matthews concert because there was such a variety of people all together.”�

Ms. Barbara Chrisman, Food Service Worker “���������������������� The World Series. I'm originally from the east coast.”�

in•out•about

page 20 • entertainment

(

Upcoming Events The Pageant Feb. 11 at 8 p.m.

The Shins $22-25

Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Jacks Mannequin w/ Head Automatica,We Are the Fury, & The Audition $20 Feb. 23 at 8 p.m.

Guster w/ Mason Jennings $25

• The A-team. The Bye Bye Birdie Stage crew (from left to right): Alexandra Vranas, Ryan Jaccard, Sarah Luedloff, Mayank Agarwal and Garrett Tripp.

• (left) Brace Yourself. Fueled by jealously, Hugo, played by senior Pat Niday, sets up for a slow motion right hook aimed for Conrad Birdie, played by Tyler Filmore, after Kim, Hugo’s girlfriend played by Sarah Parris, is selected to leave Conrad with “One Last Kiss.”

photos • Aaron Casias

• (right) After Hours. Assistant Director Ryan Jaccard and Assistant Stage Managers Mayank Agarwal and Sarah Luedloff kick back while reviewing the day’s rehearsal. They are in charge of writing down the key events of the play in the Director’s script.

“Staging It”: Musical stage crew prepares for debut Aaron Casias • Reporter Bye Bye Birdie is the Lafayette Theatre Company’s musical production for 2007.

When you attend on any of its three dates, Feb. 8-10, 2007, you can expect to see a romantic musical comedy set in the 1950s portraying teen star Conrad Birdie and the drama and hilarity that ensue after he is left with a farewell kiss from a female fan chosen by his manager.

What you will not see, however, is one of the most essential aspects of the road to the performance - the production crew.

The production crew for Bye Bye Birdie consists in part of five dedicated members including senior Ryan Jaccard, juniors Mayank Agarwal, Sarah Luedloff, Alexandra Vranas and sophomore Garrett Tripp.

As far as titles go, Vranas is the Stage Manager with the role of her two Assistant Stage Managers being filled by Agarwal and Luedloff. Jaccard and Tripp are both Assistant Directors, working directly under supervisor and Director Gary Fishgall.

The devotion and commitment to duty involved is essential, as the crew has many duties to perform during rehearsals such as blocking, taking notes for Fishgall and setting up and tearing down

sets for rehearsal. “[The commitment] is huge. I’m here after school every single day watching the rehearsal,” Vranas said.

The crew members are responsible for working hand-in-hand with the actors and technical crew in order to make sure all aspects of the play are running smoothly and as planned.

“We take care of the cast. We take notes on props we need and we make sure people are quiet during rehearsal,” Tripp said.

As lead Stage Manager for the musical, Vranas clearly has the most meticulous duties.

She is in charge of “blocking”, which is writing down everything that actors do during the scenes.

The work involves Vranas and her assistants standing at the front of the stage, furiously scribbling down every motion, movement and inflection as they attempt to both view the play and record its events.

The assistant work is also time-consuming and tedious work.

“Without us, there would be no connection with the crew and the actors backstage. We are in charge of making sure the actors know when to go on,”

Agarwal said.

The crew’s duties do not stop with rehearsal, however. Everyone must be thoroughly focused during the entire play itself in order to allow the play to run properly.

The duties of the crew involve keeping connection with the crew via the assistant stage managers backstage, as well as keeping an up-to-date record of any problems or technical difficulties.

The role of the crew members, especially Stage Manager, is absolutely essential to maintaining stability within the fragile structure of the play.

“I call the show. I think if I wasn’t here, no one would have any idea what was going on. The actors only know their scenes.

The technical crew only knows what to move. As Stage Manager, I have to know everything that is going on,” Vranas said.

As essential and devoted as the Bye Bye Birdie Stage Crew is, they are often overlooked and neglected by viewers.

The crew, however, doesn’t seem too concerned with this matter. As the crew prepares for opening night, there appears to be no letting up in the intensity with which they manage the crew and cast and prepare a show worthy of the admission fee.

Creepy Crawl Jan. 31 at 8 p.m Shiny Toy Guns $10-12

Feb. 6 at 8:30 p.m Fear Before the March of Flames w/ Heavy Heavy, Low Low $12

Pops

Feb. 9 at 8 p.m.

Rushmore Academy $8 Feb. 28 at 8 p.m.

Flogging Molly $20

Coming Soon to Theaters Jan. 26 Epic Movie Smokin’ Aces

Feb. 9 Hannibal Rising Feb. 14 Music & Lyrics

New to CD

Feb. 6 Fall Out Boy- Infinity on High The Used- Berth Bloc Party- A Weekend in the City Yoko Ono- Yes, I’m a Witch

New to DVD Lexi Thoman, 10

Missy Clay, 11

Rachel Gornet, 11

Lights Crew Chair

Costume Chair

Props Chair

Courtney Manchenton, 12 Stage Crew Chair

Ryan Shepard, 12

Sound Crew Chair

Feb. 6 Hollywoodland Running with Scissors The Science of Sleep Flags of Our Fathers The Grudge 2