March 10, 2006 Image

Inside This Edition

•Innovative changes added to Academic Pep Assembly.

see page 7

•Discover the seven wonders of Lafayette.

see page 8 •Image poll examines smoking habits of students.

see page 11

•Girls basketball senior four-year varsity statistics.

see page 14

image the

Friday, March 10, 2006 Vol. 37 • Issue 7

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

Worship the cell phone?

School says leave that love home Jen Apoian• Reporter Just like Stonehenge, the origins of mighty teenage cell phone worship is a mystery.

It’s written in the school handbook: Cell phones and pagers may not be used during the school day. All such devices should be off during the entire school day.

So why is it that in class, you inevitably find yourself sitting next to a serial texter? And what are teachers doing about it?

“Class gets boring fast and texting is an easy way to talk to your friends in other classes or other schools when you have something important to tell them that can’t wait,” junior Kendra Bramon said.

This is the case for many students looking for something to do during a boring lecture. Bramon admits she has gotten in trouble around five times for this offense.

Making calls, although a problem in the halls and restrooms, is not the cell phone problem most teachers and administrators said they have.

It’s the high amount of text messaging that is going on in the classroom that is getting the attention of teachers.

“Certain people do it all the time,” science teacher Ms. Mandy Kotraba said.

Bramon agreed. “Some people text message all through class every single day and never get caught. Others do it like once a month and get caught every time.”

Junior Ben Singleton, who received his first cell-phone related detention recently, shed light on the serial texters. He said there are around seven or eight kids that constantly text message throughout his classes.

It isn’t sexist either; the students are both “girls and guys.”

He, however, was one of the few students that tried text messaging once and got caught.

“I was texting my mom to tell her I had gotten a good grade on my test. It was during the first few minutes of first hour math,” Singleton said. He confessed, “I wasn’t really thinking about the rules when I was doing it.”

Bramon, on the other hand, has received numerous punishments for using her cell phone to text message during class. “The worst was a Saturday detention,” she said. “I almost got three days ISS, but I was able to negotiate

with the teacher to not turn in the referral.”

Learning from experience, Bramon admitted she developed a sneakier way to get away with texting during class.

“When you’re text messaging someone, you should keep your phone in your purse and pretend like you’re looking for something so it doesn’t look suspicious,” she said.

Bramon said “practice makes perfect” when developing a sneaky text messaging plan.

But you can’t put this technique past teachers like Kotraba.

“A texter bothers me more [than the person with the ringing cell phone] because they think I’m an idiot. My favorite is the cell phone in the purse,” Kotraba laughed.

A favorite technique of an anonymous junior is having long hair. Perfectly angled, she can make an entire call without any thought of being caught.

As any student with six separate classes and teachers knows, different teachers have different methods of dealing with cell phones, whether the offense is text messaging or that all-too-familiar call during class.

Usually because the offense is only text messaging, most teachers tend to let students off with a warning.

Kotraba says she “tells them to put it away.”

Other teachers follow a stricter plan. Singleton said during his first hour class, his teacher math teacher Ms. Jane Glenn “takes

it right away. I didn’t even get a warning. It taught me not to text message in that class. She’s the only teacher I have that cares.”

“I pop out the batteries and give it back to them at the end of class,” language arts teacher Mr. David Choate said. “That’s my favorite thing to do.”

So what constitutes behavior disruptive enough to make teachers go beyond a warning?

Junior Alex Fuchs recalls a situation during Ecology.

“Someone’s cell phone was making beeping noses every few minutes. No one was sure whose phone it was, creating a pretty big distraction. Everyone started to say ‘who’s phone is that?’ back and forth for the rest of the hour rather than listening. So everyone kept sitting around listening for the sound and no one would stop the noise,” he said.

Kotraba said the incident was so annoying because “it was consistent and no one would confess to it.”

Another junior, Danielle Dyer, also remembers a distracting incident.

“There was this one time in my sixth hour class when a cell phone went off and nobody would fess up to it,” she said, “so the teacher threatened to call in the principal.”

Dyer is one of the few students at LHS who doesn’t own a cell phone.

“I don’t have one because my parents say I don’t deserve one,” she said. “I get annoyed when people are text messaging people in class because I’m jealous.”

Both Fuchs and Dyer agree that while certain scenarios are problematic, cell phone use should be accepted at LHS. “I feel that if someone isn’t responsible with their cell phone and they let it ring and just completely stop listening to the teacher, then it’s a problem and something should be done,” Fuchs said.

She added, “But if there is

free time and no one is doing anything in the class, I think you should be able to use it.”

Dyer echoed Fuchs’ opinion.

“I don’t think teachers have the right to confiscate them. They are more important things to crack down on than a stupid cell phone.”

The bottom line, Kotraba said, is “cell phones are going to be here so use common sense.”

photo illustration • Jen Apoian

•Texting Discretely. Under the table, a student demonstrates in a photo illustration how many make a mad dash to finish text messages to friends.

page 2 • editorial

March 10, 2006

&

a little spring for your bling

Stars To:

Advertisements surround us when we least expect it Even when we don’t know it, we see hundreds of advertisements every day.

We see them when we don’t even realize it.

Sure, advertisements are on television and radio commercials, but they’re also on clothing, toys, Internet pop-ups and cereal boxes.

Any given student probably spends about twice as much time watching television as they do talking to their parents. Between school and watching television while mom and dad aren’t home, our minds are bombarded with advertisements.

What kind of influence does that leave on us? Parents are supposed to teach us morals. Television can do just the opposite. If our time isn’t balanced, the result is not a good one.

The sheer number of advertisements is overpowering. Everyone has a new campaign for the newest and most improved product.

Companies are competing for the new extravagant commercial, and the consumer is left wondering what product really is the best choice.

For the most part, advertisements are aimed to the expensive things we’d like to have, not the healthier choice we could benefit from. But we can’t entirely blame the companies. We watch. We buy. We give in.

It’s been programmed into our minds to believe what advertisements say. We’ve all heard about the false ad-

vertising scandals, but most of us tune in anyway. And for the most part, it’s for things we can do without.

While a Western Thickburger may look appealing, none of us need it. It tastes good, but it’s also overpriced and bad for us.

And let us not forget about the commercial for that Thickburger. It consisted of a rather attractive girl in a skimpy outfit riding a mechanical bull and eating the burger with “Slow Ride” playing in the background.

With the controversy and popularity surrounding this advertisement, we were proven once again that sex sells.

Unfortunately, kids watch.

We were exposed to constant advertisements, and our kids will be too.

Inappropriate advertisements are everywhere, and there’s really no one there to stop anyone from watching. There is no warning label, and mom and dad aren’t always around.

Advertisements aren’t just for products anymore, either.

Around election time, television is flooded with campaigns for each candidate. These advertisements aren’t just promotions.

They turn into a constant competition to make one’s opponent look like they’re at fault for everything that the people of the country aren’t happy with. It turns into personal attacks, and it’s getting ridiculous. And by election time, most of us are annoyed by them

Staff Members

Publication Information

image info

Editor in Chief • Kevin Pinney News Editor • Lauren Graham Opinion Editor • Mary Belzer Feature Editor • Sabina Saakova Lifestyle Editor • Niky Norton Entertainment Editor • Britt Peters Sports Editor • Bobby Mortimer Asst. Sports Editor • Josh Handler Ad Manager • Nick Kelly Artist • Cassie Michel Adviser • Nancy Y. Smith MJE Photographer • Mike Kurlowski Reporters: Allyson Angle, Jen Apoian, Ryan Bueckendorf, John Cox, Jasmine Cross, Alex Davis, Ashley Edlund, Jeanne Francois, Brad Schlemmer and Nina Walters

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.

anyway.

But of course, advertising agencies keep convincing us that there is no such corruption, and we keep buying the products they have to offer. The cycle never stops.

For the most part, the advertisements we know and love are unnecessary, overwhelming, and far too explicit.

There isn’t must we can do, however, to fight against modern advertisements.

As long as we keep feeding money to corporate offices, they’ll keep feeding advertisements into our homes.

But the truth is that we need some of these products to get by. Big companies can probably do without the elaborate promotions, but it makes things a little more exciting.

At a certain point, it’s no longer the time, nor the place for a naked girl and an overpriced hamburger.

•Spring Break is coming up.

Time for no school, no worries, and unforgettable nights. Some of us, however, probably won’t be able to remember those nights.

•Counselor Deborah Parker was rewarded as the Rockwood School District High School Counselor of the Year. Between athletes and guidance counselors, we rock.

•Tator tots have returned. Now we have a little more variety in the category of potato product side dishes.

Thank you, Napoleon Dynamite.

•The preview to summer weather in the past couple of weeks. St. Louis is finally ready for open windows, swimming pools and short skirts.

•Taste of West County. It’s the only place where you can get that much to eat for $10. There’s nothing like stuffing your face with different kinds of food for three hours straight.

•The Academic Pep Assembly is coming up. Entertainment value is high, and for once someone other than the athletes are recognized.

Let’s hear it for smart kids and lighting displays.

•The large number of Letters to the Editor this issue. It may have taken an article about homosexuals to spark your minds, but at least you’re responding now.

Gripes To:

•We know it’s nearing the end of the year, but third lunch has hardly any selection anymore. We understand that food runs out, but before fourth quarter even starts? Make more food. We’re hungry.

•Basketball season is over. One of our biggest sports is done for the season, and we didn’t even come out of it with a title. Did Chuck Norris come speak again?

•AP tests are coming. Not only do they cost a nice chunk of cash, but they consists of two hours of racking your brain for one thing your teachers told you on a day that you weren’t paying attention because you were doing other homework in their class.

•Report cards come out sometime around Spring Break. This means a lot of us will be grounded instead of partying in Cancun. Thanks again, Rockwood, for taking the fun out of everything.

•People who leave their trays on the table during lunch. You have to walk past a drop-off point to leave the commons anyway, so make less work for the cafeteria workers and for those of us who will sit at the table after you.

The Image is published nine times a year by Lafayette’s Newspaper Production Class. Subscriptions are $25 per year. Free issues are distributed on campus.

The 2004-2005 Image was named an International First Place winner from Quill And Scroll, Superior by the Sponsors of School Publications of Greater St. Louis and received an All-American rating with four marks of distinction from the National Scholastic Press Association. It is also a 2004-2005 NSPA Pacemaker finalist.

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

op-ed • page 3

the image

Domino’s owner delivers Catholicism letters to the editor

Editor’s Note: The following philosophy statement is part of our school’s curriculum and is applied in every issue of The Image: 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.

Image will include the death in its coverage in the next edition. Some interviews, he/she must be given credit at the end of the story.

What this means is that we are here to let you say, for the most part, whatever is on your mind. Every person is entitled to their opinion, and everyone is entitled to the right to express it.

Across the country, student publications are highly restricted on what they can and cannot print. Rather than abiding by freedom of speech and the press, these students are forced to print only what their administration approves of.

We are fortunate enough to have a school board and administration that supports our program.

This is where the reader comes in.

We know you have opinions, so go ahead and voice them. We really only have one issue left, so if you have something say, say it now.

Criticize us and the school. Praise us and the school. Talk about current events around the world or the community. Whatever you want to say, you can say it.

Printed below is our policy for letters to the editor.

If something irritates you or just makes you smile, let everyone know.

After the last issue, we had a flood of letters. If you’re interested, you can read them on page four. If you have an opinion, send us a letter. If you don’t care at all, thanks anyway.

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. Letters may be submitted in writing to Ms. Nancy Smith in Room 213, or to any Image staff member, or via e-mail to smithnancy@rockwood. k12.mo.us

Religion plays a role in the lives of millions of Americans. Between prayer and church services, many people exercise their faith every day. But an invisible line is crossed when religion goes from a lifestyle to the principles of an entire town.

Domino’s Pizza founder Tom Monaghan has embarked on a rather shocking project. He will be building a strictly Catholic town in Florida, which will be called Ave Maria.

The town will prohibit abortion, pornography and the sales of any type of contraceptives. It’s great to have morals and beliefs, but Monaghan is taking things a little too far.

The construction of such a town will create immediate segregation. Those who aren’t devoted Catholics will not be welcomed, which brings us back to the separations we saw during the Civil Rights movement.

In the 1950s and 60s, the issue was skin color. By building an entirely Catholic city, the issue turns to religion. Famous African-Americans like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks fought for their rights then. Will some passionate atheist go through the same thing? We shouldn’t have to.

It’s not an issue of religious orientation. I have nothing against the Catholic faith; I myself come from a Catholic family.

An issue is created when any sort of intentional segregation is put into action. Putting Catholics in one town and Buddhists in another is like separating blondes and brunettes. It’s not necessary.

I understand that no one has to live there if they don’t want to. But that’s past the point.

One of the principles of our country is the freedom of religion. I realize that means that Monaghan can practice

his religion in whatever way he wants, but it also means that anyone else can practice their, possibly different, religion how they want. And where they want.

One is left wondering what would happen if a nonCatholic tried to buy property in Ave Maria. Would they be besieged by locals and thrown into confession?

Probably not, but they certainly wouldn’t be greeted with roses.

How would raising kids go in a town like this? They may grow up with great morals and strong faith, but what happens when they leave little Ave Maria? The real world is much different. In every other American city you’ll find homeless people on the streets and condoms at Walgreens.

Catholic or not, every kid wants to get away from home some day. They’ll hit the real world and have no idea what lies in front of them.

And is the rest of America really that corrupting that people need to move to a completely “pure” town to maintain their morals? If so, that says something about the rest of us for being so disturbing, and also says something about them for not being able to ignore us.

We’d better shape up, or Monaghan might cover our cars in pepperoni.

After writing two humorous columns to the delight of many students, I decided to go for a third. But writing that third one left me feeling shallow, like someone who is incapable of addressing serious issues. Sure, complaining about the shortcomings of Lafayette students and underwear is fun and entertaining, but sadly enough, there is more to life than those two things. So let’s get this train in motion, shall we?

There is one in almost every town in America. The company has been the subject of scrutiny and praise from business analysts and house moms alike. It is Wal-Mart.

I despise the company. It’s not just the crowded, narrow aisles, the so-called family values they claim to support; it’s how they treat their employees. It’s how it bullies suppliers into providing cheap commodities when the supplier has spent years convincing consumers to pay more for its brand. It’s how Wal-Mart operates as a whole.

In the days of old, the giant automaker known as General Motors (GM) was by the largest employer in the United States. Workers were well compensated for doing their jobs and the company offered competitive benefits as well. But, when foreign automakers started moving in, GM slowly started losing ground. Now, Wal-Mart is the nation’s largest employer. That is a problem.

They pay their employees terrible wages, so the ones who are stuck working there full time cannot afford the company’s mediocre benefits. Let’s stop and do some

thinking. GM: higher wages and good benefits. WalMart: low wages and bad benefits. But you have to remember, it’s tough to pay employees well when your net income tops $10 billion. No wonder why there is a health care crisis in our country. Now those are some real family values. That makes me sick.

And Wal-Mart wont let employees do anything that could result in better pay and benefits. The company has a history of shutting down departments and whole stores when workers try to unionize. In 2000, in Texas, 10 butchers decided to unionize their shop in Wal-Mart’s meat cutting division. Wal-Mart shut down that whole nation-wide division. The company also shut down a profitable store in Canada when workers voted to unionize.

Personally, I’m not pro-union. But, that’s because I’m a part-time worker and don’t need health benefits and stuff that an adult worker would need. The average pay for a Wal-Mart associate is $9.68 an hour.

That may sound like quite a bit, but take out taxes, deductible for health care and then the whole cost of supporting yourself, and you’re left with very little. But the Wal-Mart CEO can Kevin Pinney relate, seeing that he raked in $17.5 million in 2004.

Wal-Mart can sell everything cheaply.

From dog food to medicine to school spirit wear, that store will have it. Selling me cheap stuff is good. But there’s something wrong with selling school spirit wear.

Lancer Parents make a lot of money selling spirit wear.

If Wal-Mart starts carrying it (which it already does), the Parents stand to lose a lot of revenue. That’s money that students don’t see used in school.

Quite

Contrary

by Mary Belzer

Wal-Mart: always bad business

A Pinney For Your Thoughts

Just asking... photo opinion

This month the Image asks “What would you like to find at the end of a rainbow, instead of a pot of gold?”

-compiled by Mary Belzer and Kevin Pinney

John Lewis, 12 “After losing the basketball game, a chance to play it again.”

Cole Donelson, 10 “World peace.”

Amanda Gober, 11 “A big box of Cheeze-Its.”

Katie Webb, 9 “A million leprechauns.

Each holding a dollar.”

Lynn Weaver, Nurse “Eternal happiness and health.”

page 4 • opinion

Letters to the Editor Reader says to find your faith, then ways to commit life to it

Dear Editor, I am writing this letter because I feel it is my duty that was given to me by my Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

I see people walk down the hallways with Christian symbols slung around their necks. I see these same people curse out their neighbor and sell drugs. I point to the Christian symbol and ask people, “What does this mean?” You wouldn’t believe what kind of answers I get.

My point is this: If you consider yourself saved by Jesus, then act like it. It is better to not be involved in the Lord whatsoever then to claim to be one of Christ’s followers and act like a nonbeliever would.

And let me tell you, there are a lot of lost souls at this school, and I will try with all my strength not to let a nonbeliever be given the wrong idea about Christ’s love.

If you are an Atheist, Buddhist, Taoist, Wiccan, or any other religion that hasn’t been saved by Christ, just hear me out.

There is a God who loves you. In fact, he loved you so much that he sent his own son, Jesus, to be tortured to the point of non-recognition, so that you can have eternal life in heaven.

I am not doing this to offend anyone; I am just trying to help you live a better life. It doesn’t matter what bad things you have done in the past, there is NOTHING God won’t forgive.

Come see me if you want this great gift of eternal life.

We shall pray the gift of salvation. Amen.

Sincerely, Bobby Cymber, 9

Homosexuality is a lifestyle, not a disease cured in church Dear Editor, After reading this month’s Image story on homosexuality [Coming Out Feb. 24], I felt ashamed not about the article, but some of LHS student’s responses.

I could not believe how anyone could possibly think that taking a homosexual to church could “cure” them of their “disease”.

I was so outraged that I began a small discussion in one of my classes. Much to my dismay, some of my tablemates actually agreed with this person in the belief that homosexuality can be cured. It saddens me that there are people within this school who refuse to accept the way people are because the Bible says homosexuality is a sin.

Even as an agnostic, I know that Jesus is supposed to love all people, including gays.

I just wish that for once, Christians would understand that taking people to church would NOT change their orientation. In fact, I am convinced that it would probably make them feel even worse, knowing that they are living in sin.

As for you, Tom and Ginger, I applaud you for your strength and wish the best of luck for you in the future.

Sincerely, Brian Ruyle, 10

8. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people makes you tall.

9. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage license.

10. Children can never succeed without both male and female role models at home. That’s why single parents are forbidden to raise children.

11. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society. Heterosexual marriage has been around for a long time, and we could never adapt to new social norms because we haven’t adapted to cars or longer life spans.

12. Civil unions, providing most of the same benefits as marriage with a different name are better, because a “separate but equal” institution is always constitutional.

Separate schools for African-Americans worked just as well as separate marriages will for gays and lesbians.

Sincerely, Christine Price, 12

It’s about the person, not who they’re attracted to Dear Editor, In response to the article on homosexuality [Coming Out Feb. 24], I believe that it was great to finally be able to hear what some of the kids in our school go through.

My friend is “Tom” and I feel that it was really awesome what he did and how he has the courage to basically tell the whole school his struggle with this. I was disgusted, however, by some of the student’s replies to what they think of it.

One reply said that The Bible says it is wrong and another student said that they wanted to take someone to the church to “fix” them, basically. These kids are acting very immature, naïve, and ignorant to say in the nicest words.

Being in tune with your faith is great; I myself am not very religious so I can’t really have much of an opinion on it. Yet, when you feel that you are better than someone because of your beliefs or feel that you have the right to impose your beliefs on someone else that crosses the line.

No one has the right to tell someone who to be or how they should live their lives. It’s as if these students don’t think that there are religious homosexuals out there…well news flash: there are, so deal with it.

I find that many of the students in our school have been very sheltered in their homes and are very closedminded. I grew up where I was aware of everything and I could make my own opinions on it after finding out the facts and really listening to both sides of an argument. At times, I have sympathy for these kids because they will never meet such amazing people and friends because they don’t fit into their standards. I just hope that one day these students will realize that everyone has something different about them, and that they shouldn’t be punished for that. Also if they want to live in the real world, they better suck it up and start accepting people for who they are, not who they date.

Sincerely, Kaitlin Sarnofsky, 10

Student provides 12 simple steps to thinking straight

Goodwill is all right, but a few extra bucks make things last

Dear Editor, Your article last month about homosexuality was very good and impartial, but I fear that it won’t keep Lafayette students thinking straight (ha!). Thus, I would like to share a list of reasons why gay marriage should be illegal, which came from the internet.

1. Homosexuality is not natural, much like eyeglasses, polyester, and birth control are not natural.

2. Heterosexual marriages are valid because they produce children. Infertile couples and old people cannot get legally married because the world needs more children.

3. Obviously gay parents will raise gay children because straight parents only raise straight children.

4. Straight marriage will be less meaningful, since Britney Spears’ 55-hour just-for-fun marriage was meaningful.

5. Heterosexual marriage has been around for a long time, and it hasn’t changed at all: women are property, blacks can’t marry whites, and divorce is illegal.

6. Gay marriage should be decided by the people, not the courts, because the majority-elected legislatures, not courts, have historically protected the rights of minorities.

7. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are always imposed on the entire country. That’s why we only have one religion in America.

Dear Editor, While Ms. [Mary] Belzer does have the right to express her opinion contrary to about 85 percent or more than our school, there’s a fine line between that and sounding presumptuous and rude.

Your opinion is that shirts are all the same in quality and that you only pay more for the logos like Hollister and LaCoste. In most cases, you can actually get what you pay for. A brand name item is more often durable and longer lasting compared to a “knock-off ” or lower priced chain store brand.

And with regards to buying clothes from secondhand stores, of course there’s a handful of lucky finds.

I myself have poked around in the Goodwill and come across a pretty decent tee or two, but if you’re truly looking for one particular item to last you more than a year, your chances of finding it are slim to none.

You suggest that anyone wearing anything branded with an American Eagle bird in the corner is shallow minded. Many of us, including myself, buy these clothes because we like them, not in hopes of being noticed by the next guy who walks by. I don’t expect a man to see the bird in the corner of my polo or the distinct stripe on my jeans pocket then immediately offer me to hop on in his new BMW. Purses as well. There are so many more guarantees and warranties on brand-name bags plus the higher quality of materials, trim, and craftsmanship.

March 10, 2006

Some people just happen to be luckier than others and have the freedom to buy anything they want, whenever they want. Nevertheless, just let the ones who choose some high-end clothes continue on without criticism.

Sincerely, Rachel Gonzalez, 11

Comedy is not meant to offend anyone, it’s just plain funny Dear Editor, I’m responding to a previous Letter to the Editor [Feb. 24]. It was written to ridicule some “offensive” material but in turn offended me. I have some valid objections to the author’s inspiring and necessary article.

It’s no secret that the members of the recently degraded band are Alex Kister and Ryan Fairman, two scholar athletes. The article addressing them spoke no lies but contained an ignorant, bias point of view.

The opinions expressed dramatically over exaggerated the impact intended and crossed over into irrelevancy stating that the concert symbolized the mindset of our entire student body. Sure the lyrics were obscene, but were they heartfelt? No. Why do we love Dave Chappelle? Why do we watch Lewis Black, “South Park” and Fox’s hit television series “Cops”? Racism, sexism, and all other downfalls of human nature are the most prevalent topics in comedy today. And their performance was comedy, their sense of humor. Those who resent such things and joyfully blame it on their ‘little house on the prairie’ childhood, I pity.

No “high school experience” is being missed out on because students think alcohol tastes bad and underwear parties are unnecessary. The only experience experienced is that of maturing in mind and body. It’s a personal choice to be open-minded, knowing the difference between a joke and the KKK. It’s not the result of one’s upbringing.

The fact that most people are able to laugh freely at such jokes, more importantly at themselves, is proof that the fight towards equality is progressing.

If everyone were as conservative as the previous article’s attitude, an unbearable chain reaction would occur.

Television would be comprised of only three channels: CNN, PBS and WE. I’d give more examples, but this letter’s intent isn’t to frighten.

As far as the corrupted eight year old goes, those songs neither initiated nor progressed his ‘turn to the dark side’. These views, when stated whole-heartedly, are all around us regardless of age.

But each song concluded with laughter, not ‘Hail Hitler!’ the audience included members of the opposite sex as well as numerous family friends of Latin American heritage. Not to mention before each song the band apologized numerous time for the ensuing content. The party was also “straight edge”, which should be focused on more than just two out of the many songs performed that night.

Note: The timeless expression, “laughter is the best medicine,” is currently suing said author for offensive slander.

Sincerely, Always Right, Justin Lynn, 12

Students need to show a little respect and pride in our country Dear Editor, Whatever happened to “should auld acquaintance be forgot, Keep your eye on that grand ole flag”? If you are wondering, “auld” is Scottish slang for “old”. Go figure.

Any who, the reason I am writing this is to address the issue of out schools no so “grand” American Flag.

If anyone has cared to look at it recently, you could see that the edges are in tatters, and then stripes are starting to separate from each other! Being the “Yankee Doodle Dandy” that I am, I am pretty concerned that the flag is in such a dilapidated state.

Section 8K of the flag code (my favorite piece of literature) states, “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning”.

I am not trying to act all uptight and crazy, I just think we should show a little respect and pride in our country.

Certainly flags aren’t free, but a standard 8x12 foot, nylon model costs only 100 dollars American. Heck, if that money is hard to come by, we could easily get that money through some sort of wallpaper sale.

In the end, I think that as we at Lafayette are a respected government-funded establishment, it is rather unacceptable to have such a poor looking flag. Let’s have some pride and do something about it! Go Lancers!

Sincerely, Pat Niday, 11

Proposition K Nears the image

April 4 vote represents Rockwood’s second attempt to pass the $45 million bond issue Ashley Edlund • Reporter “I feel that we can’t let our school deteriorate,” parent Ms. Katie James said.

For many alike, the passing of Proposition K is crucial. April 4, will mark Rockwood’s second attempt at a bond issue passage.

Many had mixed feelings when it came to voting for last year’s Proposition W in the spring.

Ultimately, it failed to pass by 450 votes.

Chairman of the Citizens Committee Mr. Steve Sloyer said the voter turnout was a disappointment.

It was very disheartening in a district with over 20,000 students,” Sloyer said.

Some simply didn’t vote. Others believed their tax dollars didn’t need to be put toward artificial turf on the high school’s fields.

But along with the disappointment came a lack of funding for important maintenance items, such as the heating and cooling system, wiring and new carpet and tile throughout Lafayette.

“We’ve been in a period of budget decline,” Principal Larry Schmidt said.

“There are so many maintenance items that quite frankly, we won’t be able to address unless there is a bond issue.”

With that in mind, a committee dedicated to the passage of Proposition K was formed in August of 2005.

The disappointing voter turnout from

16447 Village Plaza View Drive (636) 458-9000

last April showed the committee they needed to educate the community more on what the passage of a bond issue could do for our schools.

Lancer Parent President Rose Sapp said the committee is making efforts to do just that through e-mail, information on the internet, yard signs, buttons, absentee ballot info and registration info.

“We are trying to inform people as much as we can that it’s not a tax increase; this isn’t hurting anyone. Maintenance is necessary on any building and this is the way of maintaining our buildings,” Sapp said.

The committee had an initial request of $88 million worth of updates from schools throughout the district.

By distinguishing between wants and needs, they were able to narrow the cost down to $45 million.

Although artificial turf will not be included in this bond package, the LHS field hockey field will be expanded, and the track will be updated.

Other updates to the building would include a redesigned commons area, and a new entrance to the building, which would turn the welcome center in a classroom.

Prop K would also give major updates to Lafayette’s theater. Currently, the theater is under par with others in the district.

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Last regular issue is April 21

“We are the only theater in the district that has not been renovated or replaced,” drama teacher Ms. Stacy McMackin said.

“Our students deserve the acoustics, the technical capabilities and the environment that will support the highest standards of performance,” she explained.

Some of these improvements would include replacing the swinging panels, expanding seating, adding a second performing area to the Commons and redesigning the orchestra pit.

McMackin also said while those involved in theater were disappointed at the failure last spring, members realized that they had to take action when the opportunity for renovation came again.

But while parents and committee members are active in updating schools throughout Rockwood, students seem unaware of the changes that could improve their school.

“Well, they would improve the school right?” junior Amanda Walli said of the proposal. “I don’t care. Go ahead and do it.”

Despite this, the goal for voter turnout is set at 20 percent. “If more people go out and vote, I think we’ll have no trouble passing [the bond issue],” Sapp said.

To encourage senior voting, voter registration drives were held at each of the district’s four high schools earlier this year.

news • page 5 Dream Team to grant trip to Disney World Kevin Pinney • Editor in Chief For the past three years, The St. Louis chapter of The Dream Factory has sponsored walks at Lafayette to grant at least one dream to a child suffering from a serious disease.

On April 23, the Dream Team is walking to grant senior Steve Moxley’s younger brother, John Moxley, a trip to Disney world.

John suffers from a chronic illness he’s had since he was very young called Kartagenous Syndrome. Steve said it causes restricted airways along with other things.

To grant the wish, along with the walk, there will be a silent auction this year.

“What’s really nice about this year is the fact that places have donated gift certificates,” social studies teacher and Dream Team sponsor Ms. Mary Jo Hagedorn said.

The first year the Dream Walk occurred, after Class of 2002 graduate Bobby Orf ’s death, there were 700 participants.

He died in December 2003 from a rare blood disease. To help his family and friends deal with the loss, Hagedorn came up with the idea of holding a 5K walk.

Last year, there were about 450 participants. Over the past two years the walks have raised over $30,000.

“On a personal level, Bobby’s death has made me realize how quickly I could lose a student,” Hagedorn said.

“I really value each student for every second I see him or her.”

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page 6 • campus

bits& pieces

news at a glance

• compiled by Lauren Graham

Rockwood Board of Education elections approaching The Rockwood Board of Education elections will be held on April 4.

In this election, voters will choose two directors to serve a three-year term on the Rockwood Board of Education.

On the ballot will be four candidates, all who have had children in schools in the Rockwood School District.

The four candidates include: Bill Adams, Peggy Devoy, Thomas P. McHugh and Gloria Ventura.

Currently, Gloria Ventura is serving as the Rockwood Board of Education’s Vice President. This year marks the end of her third term as a member of the Board.

Bill Adams is serving as the Director of the Rockwood Board of Education. This year marks the end of his first term.

The Rockwood Board of Education meets regularly on the first and third Thursday each month. These meetings start at 7:30 p.m.

The meetings are also open to the public.

More information about each of the candidates is available at www.rockwood.k12.mo.us.

Robotics Team to compete in Regional weekend competitions The Robotics Team will go to one of 33 Regional competitions in the country March 10, 11 and 12. The competition will be held at the Family Arena in St. Charles.

The team is comprised of 45 Rockwood students and 17 mentors who are teachers and engineers. The final member of the team is Gip, the robot.

The Rockwood team is sponsored by Pfizer and has been competing in this competition since 2003. The team’s motto is “In FIRST, the robots don’t destroy, they inspire.”

FIRST is the organization that runs the competition and sets up the rules and regulations.

This year’s competition has the robots play a game similar to basketball. The robots must shoot balls into holes in the wall of the playing area.

The teams get points for making goals and working with other teams they are competing with in two on two games.

The majority of the teams are from Missouri but there are teams from as far away as South Dakota and Louisiana.

fyi

March 10, 2006

(compiled by students in Writing & Reporting)

activities at a glance

National Merit Scholarships

Seven of the 16 Rockwood finalists in the National Merit Scholarship program are students from Lafayette.

First, the students were chosen from 1.3 million entrants and then they advanced to the semifinalist level where 16,000 students were chosen. Now, the finalists will compete for eight $2,000 scholarships.

Lafayette’s finalists include seniors Diana Deandrade, Lauren Hibler, Ravand Khazai, Darren Lacour, Braden Miller, Ryan Shannon and Stephen Wolf.

The Pulp

The Pulp’s staff, currently composed of roughly 20 students, is working on choosing submissions to put in the magazine.

“We want to get the best literary magazine this school has ever seen,” editor in chief senior Christine Price said. The staff is also planning their March Mad-Libs Contest in order to raise money for production.

Instrumental Music

The Jazz Band has a competition at Lindbergh High School on March 11, while Winter Drumline will compete in the Mid-Continent Color Guard Association (MCCGA) Championships at Francis Howell Central on March 25. The drumline qualified for the MCCGA Championships by placing third at a Rockwood Summit competition on Feb. 18.

Lafayette Thespians

The Lafayette Thespians will present Dinner Theater on April 7-8. The tickets are $20.

The show is “The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Abridged,” and includes senior Naji Pitts, junior David Sajewich and sophomore Cassie Michel as its main characters.

The Backstage Boosters are working to get Prop K to pass; this would allow for renovation of theater lobby and theater itself.

Key Club

On June 2, members of Key Club will be camping out on Marquette’s Track in order to raise money for Relay for Life.

The club hopes to have two teams at the event, consisting of 15 to 20 people each.

Last year, Mr. Jay Buck, Key Club’s sponsor, bought tacos for all of the club’s members in attendance.

Key Club is still looking for volunteers, and sign-up sheets are in Room 122.

Rockwood School District High School Counselor of the Year

This year, the Counselor of the Year award went to Lafayette Guidance Counselor Ms. Deborah Parker. Parker worked at Rockwood Valley Middle School as a counselor for 10 years before coming to Lafayette last year.

news • page 7

the image

‘...Oscars through the years’

Academic Pep Assembly to incorporate innovative ideas Jasmine Cross • Reporter

Thundering music, bright lights, games and tons of school spirit-- sounds like a pep assembly.

We have two pep assemblies to celebrate our sports teams, the Fall Fanfare and the pep assembly for spring sports.

But, how often do we congratulate our students who achieve academic excellence? Lafayette does, in a big way, once a year at the Academic Pep Assembly.

The purpose of the Academic Pep Assembly is to recognize all students for academic achievements.

“The Academic Pep Assembly represents the smart kids and that’s the reason why Lafayette is an academic leader, because we publicize their accomplishments and say we’re proud. I mean who else does that?” Assistant Activities Director Sarah Rummel said.

Students agree that promoting academics is very important.

“I think it’s a good thing to celebrate getting good grades,” freshman Dabontre Holland said. “It motivates people to keep up the good work and inspires others to try and bring their own grades up.”

The Academic Pep Assembly has always been a big production

at Lafayette.

“The year when they did that Titanic scene was amazing,” junior Claire Wood said. She added, “I love when people perform.”

Rummel has been planning the Academic Pep Assembly for a long time now.

“I’ve been planning all year, literally all year. The songs, the themes, and all that takes a lot of time and money,” Rummel said.

It’s a well-known fact around the school that Lafayette spends a lot of money on the Academic Pep Assembly.

“There is a budget, but it is not final right now,” Principal Larry Schmidt said.

Students are also aware of the price tag on the Academic Pep Assembly.

“I heard the pep assembly is good and they spend thousands of dollars on it,” freshman Brooke Thibodaux said.

Schmidt said most of the funding comes from Renaissance donors in the Century Club.

“I have heard from the upperclassmen that the Academic Pep Assembly is the largest assembly of the year due to its large budget. I think LHS receives this funding because of its outstanding Renaissance program,” fresh-

man Colin Korbisch said.

However, some students believe the amount Lafayette spends on the Academic Pep Assembly is excessive.

“We could spend that money somewhere else where it’s really needed,” junior Ashley Stucky said.

If it seems like all the Academic Pep Assemblies are the same every year, Rummel said to expect something different this year.

“This year is different because we have huge, new projectors, so the format is different, because most of it is going to be prerecorded. It’s never been done before,” she said.

The Academic Pep Assembly will be held on March 14. The theme is “The Best of the Best: Oscars Through the Years.”

Each grade level will be a different genre of movies.

“It’s fun watching all of the grade levels in competition with one another,” sophomore Toni Millard said.

Freshmen will be animated movies, sophomores will reenact musicals, the juniors will portray comedies and seniors will star in action movies.

The MC’s for the event will be seniors Elise Bailey, Weston

Merrick, Troy Schreiber and John Underwood.

There will be several entertaining performances from a diverse range of Lancers.

Special performances will include Escadrille, Cheerleaders, Black Student Union, a teacher dance, Choir and Jazz Band.

“I heard it was a lot of fun with big lights, like the variety show only better,” freshman Melanie Hinzpeter said.

Many students are excited about the upcoming Academic Pep Assembly.

“I am very excited about the Academic Pep Assembly. I don’t know what to expect,” said Korbisch.

Every student who has seen the Academic Pep Assembly has a favorite part.

Sophomore Derek Brinkmeyer, and Millord both agree that their favorite part is when the cheerleaders perform.

“It’s active and it gets the vibe going,” Millard said.

Kim Dickinson, sophomore, said her favorite part was the effects because, “everything seemed so exciting and fun. It got everyone pumped up.”

Sophomore Alyssa Akers enjoys seeing everyone having to go out and perform in front of

the whole school.

Some students suggested some tips for making the pep assembly better for everyone.

“I think it could be improved by redoing a number of the little games they have and include more of the audience,” Millard said.

Brinkmeyer agreed, “Eliminate pointless games, like that snowball thing, and substitute it with something more practical and spectator friendly.”

Akers and Dickinson both want to see more students get involved.

Rummel also thinks that the Academic Pep Assembly could use a little improvement.

“It should be more than one day, or at the end of the year,” Rummel said.

Overall, the feelings about the Academic Pep Assembly are those of anticipation.

“I heard it will be really fun.

I’m looking forward to it,” freshman Tori Thoman said.

That’s a lot of weight to carry with all those high expectations.

“I’m tired, really tired, but I know the kids love it,” said Rummel.

With lights, music, and performances to worry about, it’s no wonder Rummel is worn out.

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7

page 8 • features

Wonders of Lafayette Recently the St. Louis Post-Dispatch did a feature story on the seven wonders of St. Louis. The Post claimed that Eads Bridge, Forest Park, the Gateway Arch, Fox Theater, the Missouri Botanical Garden’s, St. Louis Cathedral Basilica and Union Station were all qualifiers. The Image decided to take a look at what makes Lafayette so wonderful. Read up on why fellow peers say LHS is a wonderful place to be.

1

Spanish teacher, Ms. Barbara Davis has a room with walls covered in postcards. “I began in 1997, the second year I was at Lafayette, Davis said. “Most of the postcards come from countries I’ve visited, but I also have postcards from graduated students who like to give me some news.”

The entire room is covered with about 1,100 postcards which are held in place with about 5000 staples. The interesting thing about her postcard walls, is that Davis has set up 20 doubled postcards. If a lucky student finds the twenty pairs, he will be given a prize. “Only three students have found the 20 doubled postcards,” Davis said.

2

Over the last several years the artwork of several Lafayette students’ have been displayed in the library. The initiative came from Ms. Pam Senti and other art teachers followed the idea.

According to Ms. Nicole Ballard-Long, librarian, the artwork adds colors to the library, incites interest and discussion. “Some people just come in the library to look at it,” Ballard-Long said.

“I like the colors in the library even if I do not look at the artwork attentively,” freshman Jenna Starck said. The library’s atmosphere is made a bit more exciting with these student creations decorating the walls.

3

National Art Honors Society (NAHS) is currently working on a large mural downstairs in the art wing. NAHS sponsor, Ms. Betsy Rivas hopes to finish the mural within two years. The mural represents a vine that is growing. Currently only the orchestra designs are finished, students have begun working on the second part corresponding to the visual arts department. The goal is to paint three more sections to the mural including band, choir and drama. The group came up with the idea of an extending vine through a unanimous agreement. Ankit Bhargava is the mural designer.

4

Assistant Principal John Shaughnessy, took responsibility for CARE team last year. The group’s primary principals are based on character education and promoting a positive attitude throughout the school. Last year, the group wanted to somehow give back to their school, so the students decided it would be fun to paint the trash cans. With the assistance of art teacher Mr. Bill Senti, the group began to kidnap trash cans, paint them, and store them in Senti’s storage closet. After a period of time, the news leaked and the school was exposed to some interesting, creative and colorful trash cans.

5 6

Everybody has seen the numerous flags hanging high from the Common’s ceiling. The idea behind the flags was to represent the county of every foreign exchange student that came through the halls of Lafayette. The flags promote diversity and show that Lafayette is a place where all are accepted.

Behind the country flags, there hang the graduating class flags. Starting in 1992, the school began to hire artists to design flags that represented the personality and beliefs of the graduating class.

Hanging long and strong for 18 years, the famous gum chain still wonders those who are new to its unique appearance. The gum chain can be found in Journalism teacher, Ms. Nancy Smith’s room. A lesson on how to write process essays, led to the creation of the chain.

Smith kept a gum jar in her room and students would keep gum wrappers and add on to the chain. “Anybody can put up a poster, but not a gum chain,” Smith said.

7

Standing ten diameters around, near the baseball fields, there lies a memorial for Coach Gary Dunahue. Activities Director Steve Miller with the help of the grounds crew from the district put together Dunahue’s memorial; a white Dogwood tree.

Dunahue passed away in the Spring of 2004 while battling cancer. Remembering Dunahue, Miller said, “He epitomized what it took to coach and teach. He was well respected by the staff and his students.”

March 10, 2006

Just asking... photo opinion

This month the Image asks “What makes Lafayette so wonderful for you?”

“There is more freedom when you are older and in high school than with immature people in middle school.”

• Seth Larson, 9

“When we play tennis in the fall, we get to see the soccer guys with their shirts off.”

• Brittany Weldon, 10

“I love trivia Tuesday because it exemplifies the true mental competitive spirit of Lafayette students.”

• Brian Sammons, 11

“The coolest thing is when the teachers bring in guest speakers. The Vietnam veterans have the most interesting stories.”

• Elaine Wilson, 12

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features • page 9

the image

Cappies take center stage Nina Walters • Reporter

As the high school performers act, they look out and see the audience.

Right in front of the actors is a small group knows as the Cappies. This year, Lafayette has decided to become apart of the Cappie experience.

On the Cappies web site it states that the Cappies mission is to provide a unique, collaborative learning experience for high school theater students, to encourage and advanced the training of; student writers, perfuming artists and technical crew, inspire creative an critical thinking, offer constructive critical feedback for student achievement in theater arts, and to enhance, celebrate, and add excitement to high school theater across America.

In order to be a part of the program, the student critics had to attend three-hour “training” sessions on one Saturday. The creator of the Cappies flew in from Washington D. C. to go over the rules. Future member were given a book to study the rules and regulations to critiquing productions.

Instructions for more procedures followed.

With a team of eight critics, our Cappies members watch and review musicals and plays from other school such as Eureka, Marquette, and Parkway Central. Several other school are also apart of the Cappie organization.

When it is time to watch the show, the Cappie member must remain completely silent. They must focus on everything, from the actors to the sound to the lights to the house crew. Even the atmosphere has to be looked at. Everything needs to be manipulated, so a review can be written.

Devoting so much attention allows the Cappie to get one step farther to completing an accurate and well written review of the production.

When it comes to writing reviews, Sophomore Brian Rosen, one of the eight critics, believes the most difficult part is not being to critical about what he is reviewing. Rosen looks forward to seeing the other schools’ programs in comparison with the Lafayette’s theater program.

Another Cappie, here at Lafayette, sophomore Cami Bird, says that the difficult part to her is the deadlines, when she has to write a review in 12 hours. Bird, says she enjoys watching the different productions and writing her reviews, even though they may give her trouble at times.

Senior Chelsea Voigt, another Cappie here also writes reviews. Voigt said, “Yeah, Cappies is cool. We get into shows for free, which is neat.”

Any of their reviews could become part of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, as well as any other newspaper. When discussing her views on the Cappies, Theater Arts teacher, Ms. Stacey McMackin described the Cappies program resembling a high school version of the Oscars.

At the end of the year awards are given out at the Gala. This formal celebration presents awards such as best props, make-up, actor, actress, musical, play, and awards range in many other categories.

Every student in Cappies has a chance to win an award whether they are acting or on a backstage crew.

Going into their seventh active year, the Cappies are strong. More and more states are joining and the group is nationally accredited.

photo courtesy of Richard Petty

Theater production deemed magical

Madeline Bertani • Reporter • Summit High School A little hoping, a little wishing and little magic created Lafayette High School’s opening night production of “Cinderella.” This Rodgers and Hammerstein version of the fairly tale was written for the first enchanting Cinderella, Julia Andrews.

Living a life akin to that of a maid, Cinderella (Cassie Blevins) is ordered around by her evil, ungracious stepmother (Shannon Nicholson) and equally unpleasant, feisty stepsisters (Jessica Eggemeyer and Cady Leinicke).

As the night of the prince’s ball nears, Cinderella begins to dream of taking part. With the help of her fairy godmother (Bridget Kelly) and a little bit of magic, Cinderella’s dream comes true.

This production of “Cinderella” is ideal for young audiences. The “magical” transitions of the setting and audience involvement throughout the show help the child’s image of the cartoon come to life.

David Sajewich as the charming prince and Blevins as sweet, innocent Cinderella played well off one another, making the love story all the more enchanting. The queen,

(Keely McCaskie) and king (Ben Lawrence) also was an ideal pair. The entertaining duo created a comfortable and humorous atmosphere.

Also amusing were the antics of the fairy godmother in her interactions with Cinderella as well as in her “magical” transitions.

Lafayette’s production was well anchored by some very strong female voices and musical numbers. Cinderella’s sweet solos, the queen’s clean ones and even the amusing songs of the stepsisters’ were all pleasant to listen to. In the opening interlude, the orchestra was solid.

The set was very well done, detailed enough for the audience to understand where the characters were but still leaving room for the imagination.

At times, scene changes were drawn out and lines lost due to the volume of microphones, but member of the cast and crew worked calmly through the changes and adjusted as quickly as possible.

Lafayette’s production of “Cinderella” was a charming experience that was well liked by the audience.

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page 10 • features

March 10, 2006

More teens are getting into serious relationships, but some choose to be single and maintain their personal freedom.

Go steady or stay single with our guide to relationships.

Dating The Pros.

• When you are in a relationship there is always the comfort of knowing there is somebody to talk to • For people who are insecure about themselves, a relationship provides extra security and assurance • Dating helps build certain social and maturing skills, such as communication, responsibility, and honesty

vs.

Single

Do you prefer to go steady or stay single?

49% single

The Cons.

• Staying single, especially in high school can be easier on your emotions and no heartbreak is involved • Staying single is more fun because you are allowed to date around and get an idea of many different types of people • There are never any boundaries on the single individual

The Cons.

51% dating

• Relationships often take away many of your individual freedoms • It can be sometimes difficult to manage time between your significant other and your friends • Relationships that get too serious too fast often end up in heartbreak • Obsessive relationships, obligations, and constant worrying are negative

The Pros.

321 students polled

• Being alone all the time can get a little lonely, especially if all of your friends have boyfriends/girlfriends who they spend a lot of time with • Most single people complain about being single • Those people without that special someone do not get to experience the lessons and maturity that takes place when in a relationship

Why do you think it is great to be in a relationship?

Why do you think it is not so great to be in a relationship?

“If you’re going through hard times it is nice to have somebody to help you get through the rough times.”

•Maurice Reed, 9

“I would rather stay single because I have more freedom to do what I want and I do not have to worry about being loyal to anyone.”

• Sarah Luedloff, 10

Maurice Reed

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lifestyle • page 11

the image

Students say original poll numbers about smoking habits are low Niky Norton • Lifestyles Editor Last spring, Educational Benchmarking Inc. (EBI) was contracted to administer a survey to Rockwood students about their drug use.

In part, it asked students how many times a week they smoked marijuana and how many cigarettes were smoked a day. Results were surprising.

According to EBI, 21 percent of Lafayette students use marijuana and 16 percent smoke.

But, those results just did not make sense to The Image staff. We believed more students smoked than had admitted to, so we ran our own unscientific poll.

To attempt unbiased results, tables were polled in a random pattern at lunch.

According to our survey of 275 students, 43.3 percent said they used marijuana and 26.9 percent smoked cigarettes.

The 22 percent difference is significant.

Our poll had 19.3 percent of students admitting to experimentation with marijuana and 30.3 percent saying they smoked marijuana five or more times a week, a stark contrast with the 7 percent that EBI poll results showed.

The difference in results was also evident concerning cigarette smoking with the Image poll showing 26.9 percent of students smoking, compared with EBI’s 16 percent.

The results of the polls were

very different which means either a large amount of students have decided to start experimenting, or they lied last year.

After asking students what they thought about the difference, many said they lied.

So, why the dramatic difference in results?

“I smoke pot, but I’m not going to say I do on a poll administered by the school. Having my teacher in the same room as me when I took it made me feel really uncomfortable and like I had to lie so I wouldn’t get caught,” one junior admitted.

Senior Kristin Patterson said, “The school doesn’t have the right to ask those kinds of questions. I don’t want my teachers to know what I do on the weekends.”

Most students were concerned with teacher judgment, although the EBI poll was confidential.

With students being dishonest on the polls, is it an accurate way for administrators to know if there is a drug problem?

Even students who didn’t smoke admitted to lying.

“The polls were ridiculous. I lied just for the sake of lying. I said I smoked weed five times a week, when I’ve never smoked before,” a sophomore said.

“I think people lied because they wanted to make our school look bad,” senior Renee Ruello suggested.

Up In Smoke

•Got A Light? All teachings from drug awareness programs go up in smoke as students fire up this harmful hobby.

Effects of smoking seem far away to students who learned to say “no,” but choose to say “yes”.

Groups work to curb bad habits Niky Norton • Lifestyles Editor Kids gather around a police officer. Twinkling, naïve eyes gaze as he starts the music. They proudly join in, singing about ways to handle serious problems that they’ve never encountered.

Starting with DARE in elementary school, and following with Truth commercials on TV and in magazines, “just say no” is hammered into every student’s brain.

Living in a culture where drugs are easy to get and even easier to use, is there much administrators can do to prevent use?

Rockwood and Lafayette are always working on the problem with programs like STAR (Supporting Teens At Risk), Teenage

Health Consultants and special programs like Rockwood Real World.

These allow students to get information about issues without facing judgment or ridicule.

STAR is a “proactive program that educates and provides an open and frank dialogue with students that utilizes resources such as drug counselors and former addicts” Associate Principal John Shaughnessy said.

The program meets after school on certain Wednesdays with speakers to discuss issues in an intimate setting and on half days to discuss teen issues with larger groups.

Shaughnessy said STAR has reached over 400 students.

Similarly, Teenage Health Consultants is a group of students who speak to elementary and middle school students about safety with drugs and sex.

“Kids are always really receptive. They always pay attention and ask questions” senior Lauren Goldstein said.

Although these groups are working hard, facilitators know not all problems of use and abuse will be remedied.

“We can’t prevent drug use, but by being up front we can address positive choices and consequences,” Shaughnessy said.

To find out more about these programs and others, talk to.

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page 12 • sports

Lancers eliminated by DeSmet in Sectionals Ryan Bueckendorf • Reporter The Lancers found themselves unable to benefit from a recent surge of momentum as they were stifled by the DeSmet Spartans 44-32 on March 1.

The Lancers fell victim to below-average performances from senior guard Cartez Parker and freshman center Tyler Griffey.

Parker matched his season average for points at 14, but needed 20 shots to do so, which was far from his usual precision.

Griffey, who had lost a substantial amount of weight from a recent illness, went one for eight on the night, finishing with two points. His five rebounds, blocked shot and steal weren’t enough to overcome four fouls and four turnovers.

“No one’s shots were falling,” Parker said.

Lafayette’s shooting woes extended beyond Parker and Griffey. As a group, the Lancers’ 13 of 51 shooting from the field wasn’t nearly enough to get it done against DeSmet’s 2-3 defense. The shooting just wasn’t there for them, as the Lancers shot only 44 percent from the free throw line.

“We just couldn’t make that many shots,” Parker said.

The Lancers’ poor shooting was not the effect of lacking effort, but all the same it made it difficult to match the Spartan’s offensive output.

Outside of Parker’s 14 points, the next highest scorers were Mark Fitzgerald with 6 points and Andrew Freeland with 5.

“It’s a hard game when you don’t make shots,” Coach Dave

Porter said. Winning against any team with such shooting would have been tough, but DeSmet is one of the tallest teams in the area.

Sophomore John Brandenburg (6’11”) and Sean Kowal (6’10”) led a group of DeSmet starters of which none were less than 6’2” “When you get down to the Top 16 teams in the State,” said Porter, “You can’t afford to shoot yourself in the foot, to give up second chance points, which is basically what we did.”

The Spartans were beatable, but to attempt to defeat such talented players with mediocre shooting was to ask too much of the Lancers. They were unable to contain Brandenburg, who finished the night with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Kowal and junior Luke Hornaf each added 9 more apiece.

The Spartans, like the Lancers, also shot poorly from the free throw and three-point lines, going only 7-15 from the free throw mark down the stretch.

Their final marks of 56 percent from the free throw line and 43 percent from the three point line were, however, enough to down the Lancers on March 1.

The game was somewhat closer than the final score indicated, as Lafayette trailed by only three points at half.

The Lancers were, however, outscored in every quarter but the second, and a two point first quarter and five point third quarter proved to be their undoing in a game where the Spartans’ scor-

ing increased every quarter.

The Lancers couldn’t find an answer for DeSmet’s scoring consistency.

The uncharacteristically poor finish does not take away from what has otherwise been a strong season for the team, both individually and as a group.

“We had a really good season,” said Parker, “People didn’t think we’d win 20 games, especially after losing two Division I players (Landon Shipley, Matt Lawrence).”

The Lancers did win 20 games, relying on a variety of the ingredients that made them a quality team. Early on they lost a valuable shooter and leader in senior guard Mark Buckley, and it was initially difficult to compensate for his loss, but Freeland stepped in admirably to take his place.

Leadership was always present, and the seniors quickly set the tone for how the season was to go. Underclassmen had their share of the spotlight too.

The fast-and furious breakout of much-heralded freshman Griffey left no one disappointed and fellow freshman Gavin Wiss gave an exciting preview of years to come.

Parker and his high-flying dunks and accurate shot, as well as his skillful handling of the team left an imprint upon both the fans and players.

Despite the disappointing and season-ending loss to DeSmet, the season has been a solid and positive one for the team, filled with highlight reels and solid play.

March 10, 2006

photo • Mike Kurlowski

•Moving Down. Passing the ball to an open player, Cartez Parker plays in his second to last varsity basketball game. The Lancers beat Northwest 49-35 before losing to DeSmet and being eliminated from the State tournament.

Five wrestlers qualified for State in Columbia Alex Davis • Reporter

Editor’s Note: The wrestling story in the last edition of the Image contained incomplete information. The following is the correctg story.

As Coach Jake Lapinski’s first year as head coach wound down, he got the pleasure of coaching five of his wrestlers as they competed in State.

Senior Alex Boggs, 135 pounds; senior Josh Moore, 171 pounds; junior Quentin Bell, 215 pounds; junior Ashley Hudson, 103 pounds; and sophomore Matt Brewer, 189 pounds; all got to experience what it was like wrestle at State.

“When seeing as many people as you did [walking onto the mat], words can’t describe [the feeling],” Moore said. Bell had a similar view on the situation once he got out there.

“It was so exciting that when I finally did get on the mat, it was like [the fans] weren’t even there,” Bell said.

“I love listening to the crowd.

When I hear them it makes me go harder,” Hudson said.

Moore went 3-2 that weekend and came home with a fourth place medal. Moore had wins against Jeff City and CBC and losses to Oak Park and DeSmet Jesuit. Moore’s wins helped the

Lancers place 15 at State out of 48 teams that attended.

“We didn’t overachieve as a team, but we also didn’t underachieve.” Lapinski said. “There is a ton more work involved [in head coaching] than I thought; I have a lot of learning to do with organization. I knew what to expect but not completely.”

Lapinski’s first year as head coach was busy as he tried to keep up with all of the obligations of being head coach. More towards the end of the year, Lapinski finally started to loosen up and started to have fun with the guys.

Which is a lot of what actu-

ally did go on at State, having fun when you can and getting down to business when you had to.

“When I wasn’t wrestling, I just chilled with the other wrestlers and the fans,” Moore said.

Driving around town and going to new places is what a lot of the weekend actually was for the wrestlers.

“My favorite part [about the trip] was seeing the different restaurants and seeing the Mizzou campus,” Bell said. He went 1-2 and his final loss was to number three ranked Ken Stewart from Hazelwood East.

Hudson also enjoyed the restaurants that were in Columbia.

Her favorite part was being able to eat in her free time.

“Being a participant is really neat because you are treated so nicely,” Hudson said. She went 02 with losses against Rockbridge and Blue Spring. Looking towards next year, the team will be in good shape with three of the five wrestlers at State returning, and a more experienced coach Lapinski in his second year.

“My goal every year is to win State,” Lapinski said. “Hopefully, the guys will be getting into spring sports so they can stay in competition or will be weightlifting so they will do better when they return for next year.”

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sports • page 13

the image

Cards fans optimistic heading into new season Josh Handler • Asst. Sports Editor Immediately after the last out at Busch Stadium was made last October against the Houston Astros, Cardinals fans knew things were about to change.

Not only was the annual whirlwind of player movement coming, but also the Cardinals would be starting 2006 at a New Stadium and after 52 years on KMOX they would be heard by Cardinals Nation on KTRS. The player changes started quickly and heavily as Cardinals fans saw second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, longtime Redbird Pitcher Matt Morris, Fan Favorite and utility player John Mabry, Outfielder Reggie Sanders, and relief pitcher Julian Tavarez all leave via free agency.

The club also lost outfielder Larry Walker and clubhouse leader reliever Cal Eldred to retirement.

Now, as Spring training heats up, several students and teachers at LHS are planning vacations to visit the spring training camp in Jupiter, Florida.

Art teacher Mr. Bill Senti has gone to Jupiter before. “My father and I have gone for the past few years. It is kind of a tradition.”

Senti said that he enjoyed speaking to former Cardinals pitcher Steve Kline after his departure for the Baltimore Orioles.

He said his seats were behind the Orioles

bullpen and that Kline was very funny.

Experiences are different for everyone at spring training. Freshman Adam Goldberg said that one of his most memorable experiences in Jupiter was when his younger brother got to be the Cardinal’s batboy for a day. He said his father is good friends with one of the trainers.

Despite these losses, General Manager Walt Jocketty went looking for this year’s surprise player as he has done before with players like Abraham Nuñez, Tony Womack and Grudzielanek.

Jocketty picked up backup catcher Gary Bennett and infielder Deivi Cruz from the Washington Nationals as free agents on December 5.

Continuing to revamp the roster, Jocketty traded unhappy reliever Ray King to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for outfielder Larry Bigbie and infielder Aaron Miles on Dec. 7.

Over the next couple of weeks, Jocketty went out and acquired such names as pitchers Braden Looper, Sidney Ponson, John Riedling and Ricardo Rincon, as well as utility player Brian Daubach.

Daubach, a St. Louis area native, will have to compete with infielder Scott Speizio and outfielder Rick Ankiel for a place on the roster.

Ponson was expected to be a star

when he was originally coming up with the Baltimore Orioles, but his contract was terminated after his third arrest in 9 months.

In 1997, “Baseball America” ranked him as the ninetieth best prospect in all of baseball. He was also ranked third in the Orioles organization. Ponson or prospect Anthony Reyes will likely be the fifth starting pitcher.

To round out 2005, the Cardinals signed second baseman Junior Spivey and outfielder Juan Encarnacion on Dec. 23.

Many Cardinals fans, such as junior Robbie Yakel, believe Encarnacion will be the most important acquisition for the Cardinals in the upcoming season. Yakel says he thinks that this is because, “people (in St. Louis) don’t know a lot about him [Encarnacion].”

Encarnacion, catcher Yadier Molina, first baseman and reigning MVP Albert Pujols, and Rincon will miss much of Spring Training while participating in the World Baseball Classic.

Goldberg, who will be going to Jupiter, Florida this year for the second time, expects the Classic to take away from the Spring Training experience.

“Since a bunch of players are going to [be participating in the Classic], it will downgrade spring training because a

bunch of the superstars won’t be there.”

Goldberg went on to explain what he likes about making the trip to Jupiter, is the citing atmosphere and the fun environment at the games.

He is also planning to go to the Cardinals’ first game at the new ballpark.

While many people including Goldberg and Senti expect the Cardinals to win the Central Division for the third straight year, Yakel says that it may be more difficult this season. He says that they “lost a couple key players.” He feels that some leadership was lost as well but is optimistic saying, “hopefully we’ll pick up some leaders.”

Senti says that “They are just as capable [of winning the World Series] this year as they were last year.”

Both Goldberg and Senti agree that third baseman Scott Rolen’s return from injury plagued 2005 season is very important to the Cardinals’ success. Senti says, “I think (that) him missing last year hurt us.”

With a new stadium and a new radio home, the Cardinals look much different.

Some of the players that saw Pujols hit his clutch home run to send the Astros series to a sixth game are gone.

Even so, the Cardinals continue to prepare for a run deep into October.

Just asking... photo opinion

This month the Image asks “What do you predict for this year’s Cardinals?”

-compiled by Josh Handler

Erin DeStefano, 12 “They will do well because of the new stadium. It is a new atmosphere and a new start. ”

Lauren Duenow, 12 “They are always good and they still have Jim Edmonds. I will be at every game and there is new talent.”

Chris Clayman, 11 “I think they will finish second behind Houston. They will have trouble getting used to the new stadium.”

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page 14 • sports

Girls end season in loss to Word John Cox • Reporter The high school basketball careers of the seniors came to an end last Wednesday in a loss to Incarnate Word in Sectionals, 25-56. Three of these seniors were four year members of the team.

After defeating the Lancers and St. Joseph’s Academy, the 29-1 Red Nights of Incarnate Word are now headed to the Final Four and are ranked as the No. 1 team in Missouri by the Associated Press.

The stifling half-court trap by Incarnate Word was too much for the Lancer guards as the team committed 32 turnovers.

“We’re not used to playing against such great pressure,” said Danielle Boraz. Boraz and Tori Hartin followed Amy Vickroy’s team leading nine points with eight and seven points respectively in their final game as Lancers.

The girls found themselves down by 11 after the first quarter and could not come back from the 34-15 deficit at halftime.

“It was a challenge since we never get pushed around,” said Boraz.

Incarnate Word’s Felicia Chester finished with a game high of 21 points.

“They were the better team, but it’s not like we gave up,” said Boraz.

The team did come away with its third District title. Led by Hartin’s 22 points and 10 rebounds, the girls crushed Northwest (12-15) in the Class 5 District 3 Championship.

Vickroy’s 16 points and senior Sheena Connely’s 10 were key in the run-away win, as the girls led 14-2 after the first quarter. The lead was stretched to 37-19 by halftime and extended for a final score of 69-52.

photo • Mike Kurlowski

•Up And Over. Shooting over Parkway South, Amy Vickroy leads the Lancers to a win on senior night. The Lancers finished the season with a final record of 16-11.

In the District tournament of 16-11. The team finished second Semi-finals, they faced the 7-20 in Conference defense, allowing Summit Falcons. Double-doubles only 42.9 points per game.

by Hartin and Boraz and an extra Boraz finished the season among 10 points from Vickroy led the way area leaders in free throw percenton the road to winning their second age, at 80.3 percent, and rebounds straight District title. with 235, an average of 8.7 per game.

The girls finished with a record Boraz led the team in shooting per-

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centage, free throw percentage, rebounds per game, total defensive rebounds, and assists.

“I love watching my teammates do well, and I just wanted the team to win,” said Boraz.

Vickroy was among area leaders in blocked shots, with 60. She led the team in shots made, three point percentage, and blocked shots. Vickroy finished with the second highest points per game average and shooting percentage.

“I think this year I improved a lot because of my work in the off season,” Vickroy said.

Hartin was also among the area leaders in rebounds with 234, 8.7 per game. Her total of 234 rebounds was one short of Boraz’s team leading 235. Hartin led the team in points per game, with a 12.7 average, and total offensive rebounds, with 115.

Connley, a senior guard, also led the team with an average of just over 2 assists per game. Her total of 51 assists was only second to Boraz.

The second of the senior guards, Michelle Moody, had the team’s second highest three-point percentage, making 30 percent of the threepointers she took.

“We were all friends off the court and on the court,” said Boraz, commenting on playing varsity all four years with Hartin and Vickroy.

Something that very few high school athletes get the chance to experience is playing at the highest level, from start to finish, for the same coach.

“Getting the chance to play varsity for four years under Coach Meyer meant a lot,” said Boraz.

“We all got really close to Coach Meyer,” said Vickroy.

March 10, 2006

Four-year varsity senior statistics Stats Compiled • John Cox

Total Career Points

Boraz 1055 Hartin 928 Vickroy 896

Career Points Average Boraz 9.7 Hartin 10.1 Vickroy 8.5

Total Career Rebounds Boraz 824 Hartin 644 Vickroy 602

CareerReboundAverage Boraz 7.6 Hartin 7.0 Vickroy 5.7

Total Career Assists

Boraz 132 Hartin 47 Vickroy 115

Career Free Throw Percentage Boraz 75% Hartin 59% Vickroy 59%

sports • page 15

the image

Looking ahead to spring sports...

Varsity Baseball

Girls Varsity Soccer

Boys Tennis

Girls Track

Girls’ Lacrosse

The first game will be March 28, against Summit at 4:15 p.m.

Last season they finished with a record of 14-9. The boys lost last year to Parkway South in the District Championship.

The first game will be March 31, against St. Charles West at Lafayette at 6 p.m. They went 131-7 last year losing in the District Championship to Howell.

The first match will be on March 28, at Rockwood Summit. Last year they went 9-9, and they will return Senior John Underwood.

The first meet will be a Quad meet at Rockwood Summit on March 30, at 4 p.m. Last year the team placed first in Conference, first in Districts, and finally ninth in State.

The first game will be held on March 27th vs. Marquette at 4:15 p.m at Babler Elementary. Last year they went 11-4 and finished fourth in State.

Varsity Boys Golf

Girls Swimming

Boys Track

Boys Volleyball

Boys Lacrosse

The first Match will be March 28, at Quail Park vs. Mehlville.

Last year they went 14-2-1 and finished Second in Conference.

Returning State qualifier Junior Brian Holthouse placed 68th in State.

The first Match will be held at home against Webster Groves on April 4 at 4 p.m. Last year the girls went 10-0 and finished second in State.

The first meet will be a Quad meet at Rockwood Summit on March 27 at 4 p.m. Last year the team placed eighth in Districts.

The first Match will be held at Rockwood Summit on March 30 at 5:30 p.m. Last season they went 25-5-1. They finished second in Conference and lost in the District Championship.

The first game will be held at Clayton on March 15th Last year they went 12-3 with a lost to DeSmet in the Final Four for State.

The Side Liner: When aggression and adrenaline take over Picture yourself being pinned up against the boards, having the biggest Bobby Mortimer guy on the •Sports Editor team throwing punches left and right, looking for the knockout. How bout being an innocent bystander at a basketball game and having a crazed athlete jump into the stands, going on a head hunt. What about boxing against one of the worlds best, getting your ear bitten off?

Sports use to be a game of entertainment and excitement.

Now they have started to play a new roll.

Throughout all the leagues, many different boards have taken charge of bad behavior and aggression showed on the floor, ice or field.

My view on the whole situation is that there needs to be a line drawn. I believe that some sports get more leeway then others.

For instance, basketball and soccer allow rarely no contact, and if contact is present, then a referee will stop play. If you look at football and hockey players, they look for the big hits and it is their duty to inflict pain.

All the leagues have their fair share of unnecessary violence. It ranges from batters charging the mound to athletes getting the fans involved in their actions.

In many situations the adrenaline is just pumping through the athletes body which gives him rarely no time to think before their actions.

One true example is the Todd Bertuzzi and Steve Moore incident.

While in an intense game of hockey, Moore was skating up ice when unexpected Bertuzzi pounces on his back and shoves Moore’s head into the ice. Moore once on the ice lay motionless

from the “attack”.

Moore received a C3 and C4 transverse process spinal fracture, spinal ligaments injuries, and a concussion.

I believe the NHL board handled this situation seriously also.

They suspended Bertuzzi and depending on Moore’s recovery, it could be career ending for both players.

What if you look at the Ron Artest in his brawl with the fans, do you consider that an outbreak of aggression?

Artest laid a hard foul on Detroit Piston’s Ben Wallace who then came with two hands to the throat. Artest walked off the

court until he was hit with a liquid filled cup.

Here is where he let his aggression and adrenaline take a hold of him. The right decision was just sit there, but instead he charges up the stands and starts throwing punches. These punches caused a chain reaction where other players too took swings at some fans in the crowd.

What do these outbreaks do for the game? How will these affect other outbreaks in the future? Will leagues continue to crack down with just slapping on fines or suspension? Now the aggression has become more serious, at all levels of play.

in•out•about page 16 • entertainment

Upcoming Events Concerts

Worth the wait:

New renovation brings possibility of more business

Mississippi Nights •The Academy is... with Acceptance, Panic! At the Disco and HelloGoodByeMarch 18 @ 7 p.m.

•Blue October with People In Planes - March 25 @ 8 p.m.

•Starting Line with Copeland, Gatsby’s American Dream, Like Lions and Cartel - April 1 @ 6:30 p.m.

•Matchbook Romance with The Early November, Amber Pacific, Hit the Lights and ChiodosApril 7 @ 6 p.m.

•Marvelous Movies. A new AMC 14 screen state-of-the-art movie theater will open on March 31.

Retailers hope the new renovation will bring in more business.

The Pageant •Matisyahu - March 16 @ 8 p.m.

•WILCO - March 19 @ 8 p.m.

•Death Cab For Cutie - April 4 @ 8 p.m.

•Train - April 7 @ 8 p.m.

•The Strokes - April 8 @ 8 p.m.

Savvis Center •Brad Paisley with Sara Evans and Billy Curington - March 24 @ 7:30 p.m.

CD Releases

•Ben Harper “Both Sides of the Gun”-March 21 •Teddy Geiger “Underage Thinking”-March 21 •Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Show Your Bones”-March 28 •Pink “I’m Not Dead”-April 4 •Rascal Flatts “Me and My Gang”-April 4

Coming Attractions

•She’s the Man-March 17-(PG13) •V for Vendetta-March 17-(R) •Moonlight-March 24- (NR) •Basic Instinct 2-March 31-(R) •Brick-March 31-(R) •Hard Candy-April 14-(R) •The Wild-April 14-(G)

New DVD Releases

•Chicken Little-March 21 (PG) •Memoirs of a Geisha-March 28 (PG-13) •The Chronicles of Narnia-April 4 (PG)

Repertory Theater

•Witness for the ProsecutionMarch 15-April 14

Fox Theatre

•Rent-March 17-19 •Bombay Dreams-April 4-16

Science Center

•UV & You: Saving Your SkinMarch 30 @ noon

Around Town

•Spirit of St. Louis MarathonApril 8-9 @ 7 a.m.

•5K Run/Walk @ 7:30 a.m •Red, Right, and Run Marathon @ 8: 45 a.m.

•Mature Mile @ 10 a.m.

•Divine Dessert. (Above) The Cheesecake Factory is now located at the Westfield’s Chesterfield Mall as a part of its new $71 million renovation. It opened on Feb. 27, only providing dinner to customers.

•Trouble-Free Tickets. (Right) Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office, or at kiosks provided in the mall.

The AMC theater will be located on the third level of the mall.

Chesterfield Mall adds new retail, entertainment venues Britt Peters • Entertainment Editor The $71 million renovation of the Chesterfield Mall has provided the mall with many new features.

“I know we [Chesterfield Mall] used to have a JCPenney, and they saw a need for an expansion,” Customer Service Manager Samantha Ellison said.

From there the Westfield Group decided to create two new sit down restaurants, a new food court, an AMC 14 screen movie theater and several new stores.

The Cheesecake Factory is the first of its kind to be opened in West County, with the other St. Louis location in the St. Louis Galleria. It originated from a small cheesecake store in Detroit where Evelyn Overton first created her original cheesecake recipe.

According to the website, www.cheesecakefactor y. com, “There is truly something for everyone,” with a variety of more than 200 selections, the Cheesecake Factory serves everything from pizza to seafood.

The menu also has a selection of 50 cheesecakes and desserts, from Vanilla Bean Cheesecake to Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake.

“We have been getting a lot of phone calls about The Cheesecake Factory, so I think business will pick up,” Ellison said.

The Cheesecake Factory opened on Feb. 27, and was the first business to open in the newly renovated section of the mall.

“The new theater and restaurant addition to Chesterfield Mall will greatly affect the business of the mall. People will be inclined to shop while they are waiting for their movies to start or waiting to get into The Cheesecake Factory. Hopefully, the sales of the stores in the mall will dramatically increase,” Abercrombie employee senior Lauren Duenow said.

The Claddagh Irish Pub is the second restaurant that will open in the new renovation.

According to www.claddaghirishpubs.com, the creator of Claddagh Irish Pubs wanted to create an authentic public house environment for gathering with the community to socialize.

Everything from sandwiches to traditional Irish fare will be found on the menu.

Unfortunately, The Claddagh Irish Pub will not be open during the grand opening ceremonies, and the date of their opening is not yet known.

On March 31, a new food court will be unveiled. It will include all of the previous food court restaurants as well as Subway, Hibachi San and Maggie Moo’s.

Then, the upstairs food court area will be renovated and H&M, a clothing store for men and women, will be opened in the summer of 2006.

“West County mall has stores

such as H&M, which attract teenagers to their mall. Hopefully, with the opening of H&M and other stores, the Chesterfield Mall will be more appealing,” sophomore Erin Petry said.

Also opening on March 31, will be a new AMC 14 screen state of the art movie theater.

According to www.amctheaters.com, AMC’s Mission is, “to provide guests with the best possible out-of-home entertainment experience.”

With LoveSeat style seating, digital surround sound and an Automated Box Office kiosks, AMC hopes to provide guests with the best amenities that they can provide.

“Doing this renovation, provided new stores and attractions, to help attract people to the mall,” Ellison said.

Ann Taylor Loft is the first new store to be open to the public. Many other shopping experiences will be open on March 31.

“I’m so excited that they are putting in new stores at Chesterfield. Not only will it bring in more business, but it also will give shoppers more of a variety.

The mall is getting a face-lift and will bring in newer, and more updated styles, which would make it a much more appealing place to hang out at!” junior Meghan Blaine said.

Ellison could not release information about specific stores that would be open, until they came out in a press release.

Although, “some stores such as Sunglass Hut and Payless

Shoe Store will be getting new, better, extended locations,” Ellison said.

Everything will open at the Grand Opening Celebration Weekend, starting with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on March 31 at 10 a.m. in the new food court family lounge.

There are a variety of family activities planned for the Celebration Weekend.

For children, there will be a breakfast with Jimmy Neutron, Scooby Doo and Curious George on April 1, at 9 a.m. in the new food court.

All weekend, Franklin the Turtle will be performing in, “Franklin In Concert” Live Show, in the lower level near Sears, starting at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., Friday through Sunday.

For adults, there will be a sports lounge that will provide gaming stations, plasma screens and billiards.

A golf pro will be available in the sports lounge to analyze gold swings.

Relaxation stations will provide massages and mini makeovers, to pamper anyone who wants to be pampered.

“During the Grand Opening, there will be prizes such as, a cruise, motorized scooter and a golf membership. Also, all of the stores will be handing out prizes,” Ellison said.

More information is available at www.westfield.com.

“I think things will be very busy that Grand Opening Weekend,” Ellison said.