Nov. 7, 2007

[the]image Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007 [Vol. 39 Issue 3]

w w w.lafayet te p u b l i c at i o n s. co m

Lafayette High School 17050 Clayton Rd., Wildwood, MO 63011

comingsoon

[Nov. 13] Band Concert, 7 p.m.

Trivia Night meeting, 7 p.m.

[Nov. 14-16] Musical Auditions, after school [Nov. 17] Mother/ Daughter Fashion Show, 1:30 p.m.

Father/Son Game Night, 7 p.m.

[Nov. 18] STUCO Turkey Dinner Dance [Nov. 21-23] Thanksgiving Break-No School [Nov. 19] NHS meeting, 7 p.m.

[Nov. 26] LPO Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

[Nov. 28] Key club meeting, 7 p.m.

[Nov. 29] Jazz Concert, 7 p.m.

[Eight’s Great]

Softball players revel in their win over previously unbeaten Oakville in the MSHSAA State Finals. The win marks the school’s eigth State title, most by any team, as well as its first since 2001. [j.p.bartmess]

[Dec. 1] Lancer Marketplace, 9 a.m.

Pedal to the

[Dec. 4] STUCO Meeting, 7 p.m.

[Gold] Medal Tennis and softball bring home championships in an unprecedented two-title day on Oct. 20.

[Dec. 5] Early Dismissal Day [Dec. 8] ACT test

what’sinside

[Out of the Park]

Winning State is all that’s on the mind of sophomore Anne Park [7] as she attempts to knock in a run. The Lady Lancers took out an undefeated Oakville team in their third matchup against the Tigers this season, winning 1-0 in the State finals. [j.p.bartmess]

For most students na- ish, senior Gabby Demos capped off her senior is going to be really easy,” Shannon said. alexdavis “All the girls in the dugout were holding the [asst. sports editor] tionwide, dreams of a State tennis season with a State championship, beating title are nothing more than that: mere dreams. At Lafayette, however,things are different.

For a handful of Lady Lancers, Oct. 20 is a day that has been a long time coming.

Hardwork paid off. Long, somewhat tedious practices justified. All for the sake of one thing: a State title.

“It’s absolutely amazing to end a season like that,” senior Erica Shannon said. “We ended with a bang, it was amazing.”

The Lancer softball team beat Oakville in the State finals 1-0 after a dramatic midgame punch from freshman Dana Lawson.

“It was pretty cool, I was not sure if it was going to be fair [the hit] until I was rounding first,” Lawson said. “After that it was really tense.”

“We had luck on our side,” senior Allison Krebs said. “We knew there was no way things could go in an opposite direction for us.”

“Oh my gosh [Best for Last] we just won State,” Sporting her gold medShannon said. “That’s al, senior Gabby Demos what I was thinking.” stands atop the winner’s In addition to the podium. Her State title was the first in school softball team’s fanhistory. [peterdemos] tastic first place fin-

Kirkwood’s Rachel Stuhlmann in two sets. rope together, they looked at each other and knew “The semifinal match was that the team was going to actually the big one and all I win,” Krebs said. kept thinking was, ‘I am go- “All I kept thinking was, Ending their high school ing to beat this girl. Finish careers with a win like this is ‘I am going to beat this out your senior season with something very special for the a bang, you can do this,’” girl.’ There was no way seniors to have experienced.

Demos said.

The time and effort have that I was not going to And it is that sure-fire, can actually paid off. do attitude that kept Demos take it all.”

“All my practice and time going, even after losing the dedicated to tennis is why I first set 6-7 in her semifinal won State. Tennis is a sport match. where you can lose your tim“I kept telling myself that ing even if you don’t play for I had nothing to lose and just went out firing,” a couple days,” Demos said.

Demos said.

These seniors are not just leaving behind a ca“It’s absolutely amazing to end like that, Shan- reer full of memories, they have to detach themnon said. “ This is such an accomplishment for selves from a sense of camaraderie and solidarity me and my team. We kept on thinking that there they got from their teams. was no way that we couldn’t win State.”

“This season is the closest the team has been One piece of important data: Oakville had since I’ve been on it,” Demos said. beaten the Lancers twice in the regular season.

“We all got along perfectly and just had a lot Oakville had won both games, and had a 2-0 of fun together. I am really going to miss the tight record on the team prior to the final matchup, and band we formed, but I will continue to be friends a total of five runs to none. with all of them,” she added.

“It is pretty intimidating to beat a team like “It is sort of a bitter-sweet feeling; I am going that, but it is also hard to beat a team three times to miss high school, but I am ready for college,” in one season,” Lawson said.

Demos said.

And due to a field error forced by Oakville, the And just think, some of these players may nevLancers were able to hammer in the game win- er have had a dream like this come true if it wasn’t ning run. for supportive parents instilling the likes of these “Who was going to win was based on who hopes within their minds at a young age. made the error. When they made it [the error], we “My dad is the one who introduced me to tenknew we had the luck on our side,” Krebs said. nis when I was four. He was always supportive no “In the last inning, we all thought, ‘this inning matter the outcome,” Demos said.

gabbydemos

Rockwood teams up with parents and police departments across the area to fight underage drinking. [see p. 5]

Conselors at Eureka High School are blowing whistles at the sight of affection. How does Lafayette react? [see p. 8]

As fall sports end their season, winter sports tryouts and practices are starting up. Look to see how each team has been progressing. [see p. 13]

imagestaff

[people & policies]

[two] imageopinions

lafayette high school [nov. 7, 2007]

Brooke Thibodaux newseditor Aaron Casias asst.newseditor Nicholas T. Elwood opinionseditor Sydney Miller featureseditor Brett Hamlin in-deptheditor Nicole Castellano entertainmenteditor Ryan Bueckendorf sportseditor Alex Davis asst.sportseditor Jared Anderson copyeditor Sarah Calhoun admanager Krista Hines photoeditor Mrs. Nancy Smith advisermje Staff: j.p.bartmess mikebujnak erikdauster kendallbrewer austingoodman kathleenwaddell ninawalters minayu Dan Dunn guestartist Information

The Image is published 10 times a year by the Newspaper Production Class. Subscriptions are $25. Free issues are distributed on campus. The 2006-2007 Image received a rating of First Class with three marks of distinction from the National Scholastic Press Association and was named a national Pacemaker Finalist. It was also named an International First Place winner from Quill and Scroll, and Gold Medalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

Philosophy

The newspaper’s primary obligation is to inform its readers about events in the school and community and of issues of national or international importance which directly or indirectly affect the school population. The newspaper, while serving as a training ground for future journalists as part of the school curriculum, recognizes all rights and responsibilities under the First Amendment. Operating as a public forum, student editors will apply professional standards and ethics for decision making as they take on the responsibility for content and production of the newspaper. While the student staff encourages constructive criticism of any part of the newspaper, authority for content rests in the hands of the student members of the newspaper staff. Students will not publish material considered to be legally unprotected speech, or libel, obscenity, material disruption of the educational process, copyright infringement, or unwarranted invasion of privacy.

Contact Us

We are located in Room 213 at Lafayette High School, 17050 Clayton Rd., Wildwood, MO 63011. Our phone number is (636) 458-7200 ext. 2338 and our e-mail address is smithnancy@rockwood.k12.mo.us Please visit us on the web at www. lafayettepublications.com

Policies

Opinions expressed on the editorial page do not reflect the viewpoints or official policies of the school administration.

All editorials (unsigned) represent a majority opinion of the Editorial Board. Members of the Editorial Board include all staff editors. Signed editorials, columns, editorial cartoons and reviews reflect the views of the author and not necessarily those of the Image Editorial Board. Participation through letters to the editor by students, faculty and the community is encouraged.

Letters must be signed but names will be withheld upon request and with the concurrence of the Editorial Board. Letters should be limited to 300 words. The Image reserves the right to reject, edit or shorten letters. Letters may be submitted in writing to Mrs. Nancy Smith in Room 213, or to any Image staff member, or via e-mail to smithnancy@rockwood.k12.mo.us.

New policy in the works; student freedoms falter staff [editorial ]

There is a new policy in discussion, an on-going debate as to what information being posted at school is

acceptable.

The administration seeks a level playing field in which all hypotheticals, the potential conflicts and ‘what ifs’, are rendered obsolete and subdued.

This is a quest for consistency, and for the ability to condemn anything that would put pressure upon those in charge. Play it safe. Stay general.

When constructing and posting a flyer for an event, who, what, when, where, and why must be changed to just who, when, and where. This way, specific information, relevant to the cause, must be inquired, consciously discovered.

Essentially, they believe only the organization’s name, time, and place of the event should be displayed.

This is the ideal. This way, the administrators’ hands are left clean.

With all of this mention of global warming, the anti-drug Red Ribbon Week, and postings by organizations like Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), the attempt has already failed. So, it’s either to allow student voice or strike it down completely.

This new ‘almost policy’ is viewpoint discrimination. This is aimed at silencing events, organiza-

tions and expression of relevant issues and avoiding blame The administration can play it safe or they can encourage a new breed of thinkers and questioners, a generation of globally aware, globally active, passionate human beings who seek a better world.

The Rockwood mission statement says, “[Rockwood will work to provide students with] the skills, abilities, and attitudes to be lifelong learners and citizens of good character who are prepared to contribute to an ever-changing, global society,” the latter seems to be the intended aim.

Let the walls sing, for the decision would still be left to the viewer, ‘is this poster advocating something I agree with?’ Perhaps it is, an excellent opportunity for real education.

But even if the idea is something that the viewer does not agree with, there would still be no problem. The viewer would say, ‘no, I don’t think so,’ and keep on walking, unphased. They would not be bothered, only aware, sensitive to their environment for a rare moment in the average life.

In this sense, censorship will never lead to success. Success, in anything, but especially education, can only achieved through an objective process in which the mind is free to analyze, question, and discover on its own terms.

You cannot base existence on playing it safe, not without the sacrifice of Progress. Forget not,

this nation was based upon the proposition that thought and speech shall remain free, that censorship and tyranny serve no purpose but to limit the people in their pursuit of happiness, and in this case, their pursuit of growth and education.

As the Image staff, we’ve come to understand this as an attack on student expression clearly defended by the constitution and Tinker v. Des Moines, so long as the posted information is nonoffensive and non-violent.

The world outside of Lafayette’s walls are not shielded, we all must make our own decisions each day, so why hold students within a school back?

Besides, posters do not directly interfere with the functionality or effectiveness of the learning environment. No harm is done. It is far worse to shut down a young mind’s freedoms of thought, voice, and expression, than to reveal the truths of humanity by letting go of the authoritarian desire and ‘duty’ to filter and control. One of these truths is the presence of influence, and of selfdetermined viewpoint.

Stand for something. Be real; be conscious and aware of the world. And as this new policy is still a work in progress, hope the right decision is made. Perhaps let the authority know we cherish our ability to think and speak, and are not willing to be silenced for something as trivial as fear of misunderstanding.

Revolving Door:

Iran: what’s all the brew-ha-ha?

Lately, Bush-bashing among teenagers has betimmanness come commonplace, and far senior more acceptable than in 2004 (when I recall, a liberal like myself had fear of being chased by a lynch-mob if one dared to open their mouth).

For awhile, I could see why the President’s daily statements such as “my job is a decision-making job and as a result, I make a lot of decisions” could appeal to a teenage crowd and provide a chuckle or two to even the most conservative conservative.

But last week something new and frankly quite spooky caught my eye in the news.

According to the President himself in a conference two weeks ago, “If you’re interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing Iran from having the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon.”

But wait—it gets better. Norman Podhoretz, the conservative ideologist whom Bush has consulted on the top of war, wrote that Iran’s Presi-

dent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is “like Hitler … a revolutionary whose objective is to overturn the going international system and to replace it in the fullness of time with a new order dominated by Iran and ruled by the Islamo-fascism.”

To translate all of this into English: the president of Iran is the new Hitler, who operates a fascist regime dominated by the Islamic religion, with the hoal to rule internationally by means of nuclear power.

Phew, that’s a lot to process— but now let’s tackle these assumptions logically.

First, most scientists don’t predict that Iran will have the means to develop a nuclear weapon until the next decade a time when the ‘evil’ Ahmadinejad more than likely will not be president.

Second, the Bush administration apparently did not take Lori Zang’s AP Gov class—because they would know that the President Iran does not, in fact, have much of any power. Instead, it is the Supreme Leader (Ayatollah) of Iran that controls any and all foreign relations—especially military decisions.

The President of Iran is a figurehead, capable of no real militarists judgment and the country currently has no nuclear capacity (just like…hmm, Iraq?)

So, really, all the above statements (which are void of any sort of evidence or reason) leave the folks at home with the administration’s favorite technique: fear mongering.

When on wants to wage war, and one doesn’t have any iota of substantiation, throw words around like “WWIII” and “Hitler” and “nuclear” to induce terror, panic, and alarm. Ignorance is not bliss; really, it is the largest form irresponsibility.

To imagine that the Bush administration is now actually proposing war-like threats towards a nation that we have lacked to send a diplomat to for over 30 years; a nation with a defense budget 110 times smaller than our own a nation that has not commenced an invasion since the 18th century.

It looks as though we may start a war with a country we know nothing about…Again.

imageopinions [three]

lafayette high school [nov. 7, 2007]

studentperspective

All people are equal; we must find understanding Dear Editor, Our school and our society have been engulfed in the flames of ignorance, continually causing hurt to those who do not fit our narrow-minded standards.

While we parade around crying, “All men are created equal!” we blindly fail to realize our hypocrisy.

This is a society where some people are denied the right to marry and even show affection to the person they love. This is a society that physically and emotionally harasses and abuses people for difference they cannot control.

Watch when I say the word “homosexual,” can’t you see the rash, unfounded judgments that

pop into your head and cloud vision? We allow ourselves to view this person as something less than human that doesn’t deserve the same right as we do.

Somehow we’ve forgotten that beneath those hateful stereotypes lies a real person who deserves the same respect and freedom of choice as everyone deserves-- despite any opinion we may have about them!

Think about it. We thoughtlessly use the same word to describe a homosexual as we use to describe the “stupidity” of a situation—“This is gay! That is gay!” Such derogatory language is thoroughly ingrained in our daily conversations!

As a matter of fact, love is love, whether it be

between a man and a man, a woman and a man, or a woman and a woman.

It is exceedingly superficial to formulate judgments based merely on the form that love takes.

People are people, and I promise, if you take the time to look into their eyes, you will see that everyone is the same.

These flames of ignorance will continue to spread until we decide to fearlessly stand for the rights of all people. And so, every Monday, I say the Pledge of Allegiance not for what the United States is, but for what it can be.

Keely McCaskie 11

I don’t get fed up all that easily when it comes to high school dating. It takes patience, listening (or at least pretending to) and kindness.

Also, dating is fun when you make it that way.

After all, who wouldn’t want to spend time getting to know a life partner, especially in high school?

It all starts somewhere.

A meeting through a mutual friend: unoriginal, but highly effective. I would estimate that 70 percent of all healthy couples meet through this method.

A completely random introduction: Best when done sober, this method takes more luck than skill. If I took a guess, I’d say around 20 percent of good relationships start in this manner.

A “love from afar” affair: Somewhat creepy, but has been found to work in some occasions.

Usually, however, the couple is let down. Still, probably 10 percent of all marriages start this way.

Wait, did I say marriage? I meant relationships; after all, that’s mostly what happens during high school. Right?

It would seem so, but I’m here to tell you that some high school couples seem to be mar-

ried. And they certainly On The Outside aren’t shy about showLooking ing it, either.

When innocently walking down the wonderfully clean halls on my way to class, I see it. During lunch, I see it. In class I see it. jaredanderson It’s called PDA, and it won’t help you keep track of your schedule.

Yes, Public Display of Affection. It’s great, right? Who doesn’t want to see couples making out around every hallway corner? Especially couples who think they are in love. And particularly at school, where I can see it- nonstop.

Maybe they are in love. Maybe they should get married, with parental consent of course. I doubt it, I really do, but maybe some of these matches were made in heaven.

Even so, I don’t really want to see how far you can take it without intervention, even if you think the sky is the limit. I swear, one of these days, an innocent janitor will open a custodial closet at the

wrong time…

I have no problem with those of you who hold hands or give “goodbye kisses”. (Whatever you want to call them.) But to those guys who essentially smother their girlfriends: keep it in your pants. At least at school, and to some of you, out of school too for your own sake.

And for those girls who think it’s cute, to put it very lightly, to “cuddle” with their significant other, it’s not. You don’t need to let the entire student body know you’re dating someone. Facebook takes care of that for you.

The couples who are both into PDA are the worst. Holy cow, no one really cares that you are “in love”. And we certainly don’t want to see you showing it.

Sorry girls, it is officially no longer attractive to be all over your boyfriend while at school. I promise. And guys: no one will invade on your territory, especially on school grounds. She probably isn’t that attractive anyway, seeing as she stoops to the level of making out with you in school.

So actually, if you want to stay together, keep displaying your affection publicly. It makes everyone sick.

In January of 2001, at the dawn of his first presidential term, George Walker Bush was recorded stating, “If we don’t stop extending our troops all around the world in nation-building missions, then we’re going to have a serious problem.” Now, Bush has forgotten his own advice, and that serious problem has arrived.

This is a dark hour in the great American saga.

After five years of blind combat, over 28,000 serious casualties and $427 billion we are still oblivious to its hazards. We are victims of Ignorance and Fear.

We are fighting an unsympathetic war with no end in sight, floundering for some grim hope, fighting against an idea that will never die, for it cannot be killed. This ‘War on Terror’ has been the rape of the Innocent far and wide. Over 600,000 Iraqis have been killed uselessly, according to the Washington Post.

Don’t forget, we’ve been on this crusade for almost 20 years, since operation Desert Storm, when general Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney were calling the shots. Back in those days, the government awarded Cheney with medals for protecting our national security.

Now, Cheney is a crazed, shotgun-toting hunter and a big pig profiteer as ex-CEO and significant stock-holder for the oil company Halliburton. Halliburton specializes in oil technology, oil extraction, construction, and engineering— all big business in this war. This corporation has been accused of unlawful tactics and is a suspected war profiteer, a Republican lottery ticket with too many winners. One of the big winners is Dick Cheney, who grows fat and greedy from its spoils and has already racked up over $20 billion from this scam.

Not much has changed since those early days, it has only gotten far more rotten.

The profound change between then and now has been the increase of this social and political unconscious that hovers around the critical issues, combined with objective and filtered journalism.

The people are detached, we’re on mental lockdown.

One other difference, George W. Bush as president, is the obvious one. In the words of Hunter

S. Thompson, “All he knows is that his father started the war a long time ago, and that he, the goofy child-President, has been chosen be Fate and the global Oil industry to finish it Now … If the guilty won’t hold up their hands and confess, he and the Generals will ferret them out by force.”

This war in the name of Democracy has gone too far. If the same war was being waged on home soil, it would be impossible to plead ignorance to the magnitude of something so atrocious, but because of the general “oh well” attitude, we must instead learn to seek out our own answers, stopping to think: is this really worth it? Are we truly achieving any sort of success?

Has anyone stopped to realize how much good $427 billion could do for this country? If we’d spent half of this war’s cost in a Marshall Plan-style provision toward Iraq’s shattered government after the fall of Saddam Hussein, they’d already be on their feet, up and running, able to better themselves.

To those who believe further hunting and killing in such a disastrous campaign is necessary to maintain order, I say take a look around and swallow your pride! We’ve surely made a mess of things by unleashing such violent anarchy upon another nation, but the deed is done.

We’ve sent their country straight into the depths of civil war and there’s nothing we can do to fix it. Now it’s in the hands of Iraq to salvage the country that we destroyed, to sift through the carnage of war and try to find some Greater Meaning to call their own.

We must educate ourselves and face the Problem of our generation head-on. It will require questioning the motives driving major political events. It will require awareness, consideration and rapid social progression toward some grasp on reality.

The Washington Post reported 71 percent of the Iraqi people want foreign troops off their land.

Furthermore, the majority of Americans do, in fact, want our boys out of Iraq.

However, my purpose is not to protest this war and demand its end. This thing won’t go through until Bush gets the boot in 2008, too much profit

Keep the snake locked in its cage

Americans suffer obediently to fear Social Decadence nicholaselwood

in it for the white house swine. And I’m not saying that we should curse our troops either, for they are simply under bad command and bored.

Instead, I propose we establish common sense and rediscover human decency, preventing unnecessary strife for people around the world.

I propose we face the Problem, which is our failure to admit and learn from our mistakes as individuals and as a nation.

After all, we’ve failed to acknowledge the bummers of world policing before. We experienced this once in Korea and we saw it again in Vietnam: you cannot force a lifestyle on any man at gunpoint and expect them to accept it with a smile, no matter how right or good the concept may be.

We must, instead, show our current ‘enemy’ that democracy works. We must start by fixing our own flaws and failures. In order to better the world, we must teach by example, learn from the past, and show everyone how fantastic life can be.

These people are no different than any American, simply lost brethren in a spiral of failed crusades and religious angst, confused and bullied by God and the world for their oil.

I propose we take a stand and grab hold of this nation’s future. We must rebuild the foundation of our country, for Americans have forgotten to cherish their freedoms, victims of Fear, used by our politicians to raise stock value and fight an unbeatable enemy. We must learn from our shame and stop living in an unhealthy state of Fear. This is not about borders, troop withdrawal, terrorism, or Christian jihad… This is about ensuring that tomorrow’s sun will shine brighter than today’s.

[stars & gripes]

stars to: • Softball swings a State title after several attempts at Oakville’s team. Third time’s a charm, ladies.

• There’s a new Queen of the court, Gabriela Demos takes State in tennis.

• The Lancer Regiment ends its season with another big win at the Dome. Way to go!

• The Sounds of Peace live on and Amnesty International’s awareness and education for Darfur benefit show runs smoothly.

• United States holds national Iraq War protest in 11 major cities.

No news coverage, but I’m sure Bush noticed.

• Moscow’s ‘Chess Killer’ finds himself in checkmate after 48 serial murders, moved into a life sentence.

• Class of 2008 sees constructions of new Lafayette sign outside Welcome Center. The Class of 2005 should be proud that their gift is appreciated, and it only took three years!

gripes to: • There’s never toilet paper in the senior girls’ restroom in the afternoon—maybe they shouldn’t have used it all on junior girls’ houses during Homecoming week.

• College beach house in North Carolina shares fate of San Diego and is enguled in flames • The news media is filtered more heavily than bottled water purified

by Britta, Iraq war news coverage is scarce.

• Wildhorse cannot be tamed Saturday evenings after 7 p.m. due to construction.

• Student Expression is up for debate in school poster policy.

• Qualcom Stadium, used as an emergency gathering point, reassessed their priorities and booted everyone out for FOOTBALL. • 29,000 U.S. casualties in Iraq.

newsbriefs [four] imagenews

One Acts

In previous years the Thespians have performed and directed their own one act productions.

This year, the shows may also be performed at the middle schools in hopes recruiting more members into the program.

Turkey Dance

This month Student Council (STUCO) will be hosting a Turkey Dance for the elderly. This event will take place on Nov. 18. Students will serve dinner, play songs and participate in dances.

Cell Phone Tower

Disscusions have started over cell phone companies placing cell towers on district properties for annual rent. The total cost for Sprint’s annual rent would be around $34,000, which would be given back to the district.

Construction

Due to new asphalt being laid down, Wild Horse Creek Road has been an area of congestion in the evenings. The completion date of the construction is scheduled to be toward the end of fall.

lafayette high school [nov. 7, 2007]

All or Nothing:

Tests, quizzes may be basis of student grades “We get lots of questions from Jack Hoover said. brookethibodaux Emotions are running students, parents and teachers someThe student body is [news editor] high among students, teachers and parents over the revision of the district’s grading policy that was adopted in October 2006.

A committee has been dedicated to revising a new grading policy, beginning with the class of 2013. Student performance will be measured by an academic grade and a non-academic grade.

Tests, quizzes, projects, essays, in class assignments and presentations will make up the academic grade, while the nonacademic grade will include participation and other miscellaneous grades.

Homework has caused the most problematic debate among the committee since homework could fall in either category.

“Well homework is important, but I mean, they give you homework to prepare for the test. I mean, tests are what really matter the most,” junior Brent Folan said.

The problem with the previous policy was that, “we didn’t have one,” Roxanna Mechem, Director of Assessment said.

“The only grading policy that we’ve ever had said that we would give an A, B, C or D, so that became problematic because with Infinite Campus, teachers and students are learning more about curriculum and assessment,” Mechem said.

times about why is my grade in this geometry class different than how this kid was graded in this other geometry class. And, there was no policy to go back to,” Mechem added.

On the other hand, many students feel that the policy doesn’t need revision.

“I don’t think they should change it; there’s nothing wrong with it the way it is now,” freshman Alex Spradlin said.

The committee still has not decided if homework is an academic or nonacademic grade. As for now ,student’s grade point averages (GPA) will be based on their academic grade.

“I’ve asked several districts about GPA. Did your GPA fall?’ ‘Did kids stop doing their work?’ They reported the opposite, actually. They’re seeing higher scores for kids, because kids as a whole understand why they’re getting the grade that they are getting and they understand what that grade means and they are able to work on the pieces that maybe they’re not as successful at,” Mechem said.

However, students are skeptical as to whether or not an academic grade based on tests, quizzes, etc. would help them or hurt them.

“It would probably hurt me. It would be all or nothing. There would be so much pressure,” sophomore

“I don’t know if we’re going to

split when it comes to test taking skills. “I know have a cookie cut, one scenario-isa bunch of people who are good with tests and goning-to-fit-all situation, but we’ll quizzes, but I know a lot of people who aren’t and who don’t study for them, have guidelines so teachers are still so maybe it would impact using their professional judgment studying,” junior Nicole Witzig said.

The grading policy at to make decisions about kids and first glance seems to favor students who are good what they know about kids test takers and get by without doing their work to prepare properly.

“I think most kids rely the things to learn or hey I’ve done on their homework. I’m one of those kids who can listen in all those things and they’re still not class, take the test and then forget working for me I need something about it. Most of the student body is else,” Mechem said.

As for now the academic grade the other way,” senior Jeremy Studt will go on student transcripts, but said.

However, Mechem argued that the committee is still determining teachers would assign homework whether or not the non-academic that aligns with the curriculum caus- grade will be included as well.

“Typically what we have heard ing student’s scores to go up.

Student involvement in their from others is that the colleges have grades will be determined by the been very receptive to the idea benon-academic grading. This will cause it’s really helping students pin help parents and teachers determine point their needs and be self advowhether or not the problem is a stu- cates,” Mechem said.

Those who wish to send quesdent’s understanding of class material or lack of participation Mechem tions or comments or volunteer for a committee can e-mail Mechem at said.

“As a learner, I could see pretty graddingreporting@rockwood.k12. quickly gosh maybe I need to do mo.us.

.” roxannamechem

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imagenews [five]

lafayette high school [nov. 7, 2007]

Parent Party Pledge addresses alcohol use According to the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 10.8 million Americans between ages 12-20 report current alcohol consumption; this represents nearly 28 percent of this age group for whom alcohol use is illegal.

Also conducted in 2005, the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey reported that 20.2 percent of teens nationwide are current users of marijuana.

For three years, the LHS Parent Party Pledge Program (PPPP) has been a branch of supporting teens at risk (STAR.) PPPP helps parents educate their kids about healthy lifestyles, specifically at parties hosted in their homes.

To join the PPPP, parents must “pledge to not knowingly allow students to gather at their homes and use alcohol or drugs,” according to the program’s website.

Parents are also, “reinforcing with other parents that they support each other in promoting a healthy lifestyle for your children,” when they join the program.

Kathy Clayman, who is currently on the list, said she and her husband Jim joined the program because they are adamantly against teen drinking.

“I would never promote teen drinking in my home, and I would like to encourage teens to have fun without drinking,” Clayman said.

Principal John Shaughnessy said there was not a specific instance that led to the establishment of the PPPP. Shaughnessy helped establish the PPPP to link STAR to the community.

“Three years ago, when STAR was established, the goal was to connect STAR with parents in the community through the PPPP. We decided on the PPPP to show a supporting network of parents within the community,” Shaughnessy said.

When asked if he thought the program is effective, Shaughnessy said, “I think it works well because the families who are supportive of the pledge help educate teens on healthy choices at parties with drugs and alcohol.

“These families are also more aware of the responsibility they have to keep track of parties in their home,” he added.

According to Missouri state alcohol laws, parents are responsible for kids in their homes.

However, parents are also responsible for kids that leave their house, no matter what state those kids are in.

If a non responsible, sober adult is present on the premises of a party, “children under the age of 18 should be transported to Police Department until an adult can be contacted.”

Elizabeth Agee did not sign up for PPPP because she was not sure how to get on the list.

Agee also said, “I think it’s expected anyway that parents are responsible for their kids.”

Junior Trevor Johnson likes the parent responsibility law.

“I think the law is really useful and applicable because it keeps parents accountable for what goes down in parties at their houses,” Johnson said.

Some parents and students feel the PPPP is not as effective as advertised.

Johnson said, “I really don’t think this Parent Party Pledge Program works. Kids are still doing drugs and drinking at parties other places. In addition to that problem, some kids are on the list who still do what the pledge tells them not to,” Johnson said.

jaredanderson [staff reporter]

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Minor problems can bring major consequences Nearly n i n e out of every 10 students have used alcohol by their junior year, according to a survey taken of Rockwood students. The Rockwood School District recognizes underage drinking as a problem and has acted upon that belief.

The district has applied for and received a Strategic Prevention Framework State Initiative Grant (SPFSIG) from the Missouri Department of Mental Health for $130,000 to help reduce alcohol abuse among its students.

Rockwood’s Prevention Project Supervisor Gloria Ventura said money from the grant goes toward two new district positions, the Guiding Good Choices program, which helps parents strengthen and clarify family expectations for behavior and SPFSIG training and leadership conferences.

In addition, a bulk of the grant, $27,000, has been given to police departments in Ballwin, Ellisville, Fenton and Wildwood to fund alcohol compliance checks.

During a compliance check, a minor will attempt to purchase alcohol from area stores under police supervision.

Even though this may bring consequences to merchants who sell alcohol, many businesses are still for the complaint checks.

Lukas Liquor manager Julia Whealon said, “We definitely support enforcing drinking laws and we follow strict policies that discourage sales to minors.”

The state of Missouri has placed many restrictions on who can participate in compliance checks.

Minors must be 18 or 19 years old, carry their own identification showing their real date of birth and have a youthful appearance.

Also, male participants cannot have any facial hair, and female participants cannot wear excessive

erikdauster [staff reporter]

makeup or excessive jewelry.

“We don’t want to entrap the merchants,” Ventura said. “My hope is that the alcohol compliance checks prove to us that the kids are not getting alcohol from the merchants. We know a lot of kids are getting alcohol from their parents, and I am working with the city of Wildwood to write a social host ordinance (SHO) that will hold adults responsible for serving alcohol in their homes to youth.”

Captain Gary Crews of the St. Louis County Police-Wildwood precinct said that the SHO will allow police to take action against the property owner when they receive a call complaining about a party where there are minors drinking.

In such an instance, the property owner will be informed of the party and given a warning that if the police are called back to the same house, the property owner will be responsible for the cost of having them show up to the house, regardless of whether the property owner was present or not.

“This ordinance might be a wake up call to some people. This might be the thing needed for a parent to tell their child ‘I don’t want to be held responsible for something you might do,’” Crews said.

“Parents need to step up to the plate and not just be a friend to their child as much as a parent to their child,” Ventura said.

“Sometimes parents have to lock up their liquor cabinets or throw away their alcohol during a certain phase of their kids’ lives.”

Though the SHO will stiffen penalties against the property owners, Crews said that most of the details outlined in the ordinance are already in place.

The proposed SHO puts all of the current ordinances that deal with things like a minor with possession of a controlled substance or alcoholic beverage or a parent contributing to the delinquency of a minor under one umbrella.

“The SHO will give the police an easily-accessible tool to handle problem areas, such as houses with parties or bonfires where everyone is out of control,” Crews said.

“I know that this ordinance is controversial, but I haven’t heard one parent from the Rockwood School District say, ‘We don’t want something like that.’ Instead, all parents are saying, ‘We need this now,’” Crews said.

clubnews National Honor Society

NHS will meet Monday Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Flex Room. They will be discussing a Cookie Bake, Caroling and a Holiday Movie Night for the month of December.

Thespians

Actors, crew and directors are preparing for the annual Thespian Conference at the University of Missouri St. Louis on Jan. 3-5.

Amnesty International

Members of Amnesty International are writing letters to international prisoners of conscience, meaning they were imprisoned for utilizing free speech.

Speech and Debate

Members are preparing for a competition at Ladue High School on Nov. 16-17. Six students are competing, four of which are apart of the Student Congress.

Lancer Regiment

The season has ended, after the marching band placed first in the Greater St. Louis (GSL) Marching Band Competition at the Edward Jones Dome. The next band concert is on Nov. 13.

Film Club

A surprise video will be shown today after school in Room 129.

Choir and Band

Choir and band members depart for Chicago on Nov. 8. They are planning to see several shows and museums.

Junior Advisory

During the holiday seasons catch Junior Advisory ringing bells for the Salvation Army.

Freshman Advisory

Freshman Advisory is preparing the Freshman Carnival to raise money for the class.

Supporting Teens At Risk

On Nov. 11 on the Upper Shelf, STDs will be discussed; and the meeting is open to everyone in any grade level.

Anime Club

This group meets Wednesdays in Room 150.

Interested students can come and enjoy Japanese culture in Anime and Manga.

clubnews French Club

On Nov. 9 the French Club will take a trip to the City Museum. Everyone is invited but must sign up in advance with sponsor Gna Luerding.

Ultimate Frisbee Club

[six] imagenews

Students benefit from school store’s success Unusual inventory

Ultimate Frisbee Club meets every Wednesday to play at Babler Park after school. Everyone is invited to join.

$1.25

BSU and Diversity Alliance-

Black Student Union (BSU) and Diversity Alliance are teaming up. They are meeting next on Nov. 12 in the Flex Room.

AFJROTC

Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC) is arranging a Kids Book Drive to help develop libraries for interfunded schools.

birthday crown

25 cents

hair-ties

$3

OSEP

Junior members of Outdoor Student Education Program (OSEP) are preparing for a 30-mile hike and orienteering on Nov. 15.

Legend

Yearbook sales are continuing as several senior deadlines are approaching. Information about ordering is available on the staff website which is www.lafayettepublications.com. Order forms can be printed out or yearbooks may be ordered on line.

Also, senior grad ads are due Nov. 30. Forms for these are also available on the website.

Does your club have news? Submit it to Room 213 or to any Image staff member.

lafayette high school [nov. 7, 2007]

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sweatpants

minayu [staff reporter] “It has everything,”

freshman Kelsey Haberberger said of the new school store, The Lancers Landing.

Everything from hot coffee to birthday cards can be found at the school store, which opened Oct. 4.

The idea of a school store was proposed by former principal Larry Schmidt last year while planning the construction of the theater.

Due to leftover space, Schmidt wanted to implement a multi-functioning store for the school.

Schmidt’s goal for an efficient store has been realized.

Lancers Landing makes it easy for students to make one stop when purchasing snacks, candy and spiritwear which was previously only sold during home football games.

“We are in a convenient space, open during convenient hours and the entire student body has equal access to what Lancer Parent Organization (LPO) sells,” LPO committee chair Susan Buttram said.

The school store is run by both LHS administrators and the LPO. “We work hand-in-hand, we decide the rules, policies and make sure the store meets the needs of the school and students,” Principal John Shaughnessy said.

The LPO also decides what items will be sold in the store, the prices and where the extra money goes.

Though the school store is running smoothly now, there have been a few problems, such as theft.

In a few instances, students have been caught stealing from the store.

“We’re very disappointed there are some students that think they can walk out without paying. We hope that they understand that if it continues to happen, the store cannot operate,” LPO committee chair Lauree Gallion said.

“They need to put in some sort of anti-theft system so people can’t steal from the store. I saw someone stick a Reese’s in their pocket one time and just walk out with it,” se-

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[Do Yourself A Flavor]

Enchancing her coffee with flavor, freshman Brittney Brooks adds a little caffeine to her day in the school store. The store offers numerous products to improve students’ school day. [brookethibodaux]

nior Drew Stiehl said.

Though theft hasn’t been a huge problem, it is being taken seriously by administrators, and consequences are being taken in accordance with the school policy for stealing.

“We have tried hard to instill an ‘honor system’ in the store. We have told students that this action will cause a loss in profits and possibly lead to the store closing. We certainly do not want that. We just want the word spread that there will be no theft allowed, and regular disciplinary action will be taken by the administration,” LPO committee chair Kathy Clayman said.

Although theft is expected to stop, administrators are in the process of putting security cameras in the store.

Looking past the theft problem, the school store has been doing well.

The wide variety of items sold contributes to its popularity.

Aside from food and hot drinks, candy, personal care items, spiritwear and school supplies are sold.

Some of the more unknown products are multi-colored helium balloons, LHS license plate frames and birthday decorations.

In addition, the LPO is looking for feedback from students for other items they would like to see in the store.

“The store has been an overwhelming success. The students have been so positive and appreciative of our efforts and seem to truly enjoy having their own store,” Buttram said.

However, there are still some issues with parents volunteering to work in the store.

Because the school store is here to benefit the students, the LPO is encouraging parents to help out.

“All fundraising conducted by LPO is with the intent that the proceeds will benefit LHS and its students.

Each class will receive a portion of the proceeds from Lancers’ Landing for their individual celebration accounts,” Buttram said.

Although the exact amount of money made is not recorded yet, each grade level will receive a portion of the profit made.

Parent volunteers will help each class earn money; profits will also be used toward funding programs such as the senior Lancer Award which carries with it a scholarship.

imagefeatures [seven] grammargeek

lafayette high school [nov. 7, 2007]

[Hopefully]

Before Sunrise Close knit group of 8th graders make up honors Zero Hour class

Hopefully- This word is often misused. It does not mean “I hope,” “she hopes,” “he hopes,” etc.

It means “in a hopeful manner.”

sydneymiller Despite the fact that it was [features editor} 7:21 a.m., math teacher Kelli

Loeffler’s Honors Algebra II class was enthusiastic and alert.

This could be because of the several cups of Ronnoco coffee and chocolate muffins on a few desks, or, this class could actually be interested in math.

The class, a small group of seven, sat clustered in a corner of the classroom, and had already began comparing the answers to the last week’s homework. “I guess we’re going to have to be good today,” a student joked as Loeffler entered the room.

What is striking is not necessarily the atmosphere, but the fact that all of the students are in 8th grade.

These students are taking an accelerated course in what is considered an “average” junior level class.

“I was a little bit leery as a parent, but I feel really comfortable with the environment at Lafayette. It’s a safe school,” parent Kathy Clayman said.

Kathy Clayman said she comfortable with the surroundings at Lafayette because her older son, senior Chris Clayman, will graduate from Lafayette this year.

“When I wasn’t given the option of having her [daughter Kelsey Clayman] take the class [at Rockwood Valley Middle School]. I actually chose to have her go to Lafayette because her brother goes there and so I’m familiar with it,” she said.

Although Kathy Clayman’s daughter, Kelsey, is taking an accelerated class, she will not receive high school credit for it, despite the fact that Honors Algebra II is a weighted course in high school.

Kelsey and Kathy Clayman said Kelsey decided to take the class solely for “the challenge.”

“I will be ready [for high school]. [The class] teaches me to be organized. I have to keep up with more and face different challenges,” Kelsey said.

Even though at first glance this Zero Hour appears like a very young group, they are extremely mature and serious students.

Although this particular group of kids is seemingly more mature than others their age, Loeffler assures the Image they are “as social as high school kids.”

“One thing I had to do, which I never thought I would have to do, [was] to discipline them by putting the Rubik’s Cube away,” Loeffler said.

Out of the three years Loeffler has taught at Lafayette, she has taught an 8th grade Zero Hour class for two years.

“The kids who do well in their previous [math]

Wrong: Hopefully, Bill Senti will teach better.

Correct: I hope Bill Senti will teach better.

coolwebsites www.phonezoo.com “The ringtones are free, and it’s [downloadable] via text message.”

-jakerobinson, 9

[Scribbling Furiously]

A few 8th graders in math teacher Kelli Loeffler’s Zero Hour class, Mitch Hollander from Crestview and Kelsey Clayman from Rockwood Valley, concentrate and scribble away on formulas during a test. Each student in Loeffler’s class has always taken challenge math classes, including taking Honors Geometry in 7th grade. [sydneymiller]

classes are doing well still,” Loeffler said.

Kelsey and the other students seem to be adjusting to the change in intensity of classwork well.

Kelsey said learning in a high school environment helps to prepare her socially as well as academically to what she should expect in high school, which is an obvious benefit she has over her peers.

In terms of having classes with students from other schools, Kelsey said, “[The class] has made me really excited to meet new people.”

A majority of the students taking Loeffler’s class took Geometry in 7th grade, however, Kelsey said, “I don’t like geometry at all,” and prefers Algebra.

And although Kelsey’s performance in math and science is excellent, she claimed language arts was more difficult.

“I just get math more. I just work well with numbers,” she said.

Though this arrangement of allowing middle schools in the Rockwood District to send students to Lafayette for classes may seem idyllic, some questions arise.

How are the students transported to and from school?

Loeffler said three of the seven are driven by

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Each issue, language arts teacher David Choate will provide some helpful hints to improve your use of the English language.

www.shopzilla.com A “leading comparison shopping service” which lists available items up for sale.

-jimmycole, 10

www.bustedtees.com Features witty t-shirts a family member; in Kelsey’s case, her brother, that deal with current events, such as a shirt Chris. The other four are bussed in.

However, all students are bussed back to their that says, “Don’t tase schools. Two students attend Rockwood Valley, me, Bro!” one attends Selvidge and four attend Crestview. -adamgoldberg, 11

However, Loeffler said only three are attending Lafayette next year; the other four are attending Marquette.

Also, since middle schools have block scheduling, the students’ Zero Hour class would end too early for them to attend second hour once they arrived back at school.

Kelsey said she is signed up for a P.E. class in both her 1st and 2nd hour for A and B days.

Therefore, when she arrives to school, an hour into first hour, she will not miss any of her P.E. class since she has it two days in a row.

This group is obviously an impressive bunch who are expected to continue to excel.

Kelsey and her mother, however, have no plans for Kelsey to graduate early as a result of her accelerated classes.

She added she believed lt Kelsey should enjoy the rest of her high school instead of rushing into college. “[Kelsey] has always been accelerated in math.

She always went to the class up,” Kathy Clayman said.

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[eight] imagefeatures

[inhonor]

lafayette high school [nov. 7, 2007]

Public affection turns heads

In honor of Veterans Day, on Nov. 11, the Image is honoring veterans at Lafayette and the memory of veteran graduates who have died.

kendallbrewer After [staff reporter] six classes

[Veteran Graduates]

Peter Navarro: Class of 2003. Died while serving in Iraq.

Ryan Trigg: Class of 2002. Served in U.S. Marine Corps and died in a car accident shortly after he was discharged.

[kristahines & kristenbrown]

a day, five days a week, students learn to appreciate their passing periods. However, most students don’t enjoy seeing two people swapping spit during this precious time.

Public Display of Affection (PDA) cannot be accepted by every student walking through the halls.

The Rockwood Policy Handbook states “affection in the hallways results in an office referral for the first offense and a call to the parents after the second offense.”

“These rules are enforced if the affection goes beyond acceptable behavior,” Shaughnessy said.

“Hugs and hand holding are reasonable. Unacceptable behavior is not an area of the handbook that is violated a lot. The kids here are very respectable towards one another,” he added.

While Shaughnessy said PDA is not an issue in the hallways, students said otherwise.

“I see PDA before every hour in the halls. Teachers don’t stop it most of the time. The only problem I have with it is that the people making out block my way. The most annoying thing is when students walk really slow holding hands, because I am a hallway speeder,” junior Caroline Johnson said.

Love may be a beautiful thing, but some feel affection in the hallways becomes a nuisance throughout the day.

“I hate when people don’t acknowledge that anyone else exists.

I think PDA is annoying because it should be private, not public. I feel like they are trying to prove something,” senior Jon Brezany said.

Brezany sometimes stands di-

rectly next to the couples in order to make them feel awkward and stop.

Social studies teacher Tom Wade has a more creative method to stop public affection.

“I sing the Love Boat really loud and annoying when people are hugging and kissing up on each other. I draw unnecessary attention to break it up fast,” Wade said.

Wade said that certain levels of PDA should be reprimanded by the staff members monitoring the halls.

Language arts teacher Crystal Maier sometimes gives a verbal warning, although she said PDA isn’t a major issue to her.

“Of course one or two couples each year go a bit overboard and in

years past and I’ve simply asked the kids to stop or made some sort of obnoxious comment and they have stopped. If students give each other a simple little kiss, hug each other or hold hands, it doesn’t bother me,” Maier said.

“Letting someone know that you love them or being affectionate towards them isn’t a bad thing,” she added.

It cannot be denied that crushes, dating, and a mess of emotions are all a normal part of high school.

While some may prefer PDA as a private love, other people have the self control to walk past the affection instead of gaping.

“I don’t mind public affec-

Art of Tailgating

tion at all. I accept it as a part of the high school experience. It happens nation-wide, and people need to realize it will not go away after a few detentions. PDA is bound to happen; people just need to deal with it,” junior Nick Bequette said.

Freshman Ryan Wendt agrees that PDA is not a major issue, and that people need to cope with it.

Wendt doesn’t notice public affection often, because he isn’t looking for it.

He admits PDA is there, but ignores it and moves on with life.

“When I see PDA I just walk on.

What am I supposed to do, stop and stare? It’s the 21st century after all, sex is everywhere,” Wendt said.

Superfans organize pregame party, numbers increase

BBQ, hotdogs, music and... Halo?

It’s just a few of the entertainment option students can find in the northeast corner of the parking lot on afternoons of home football games.

Junior Superfans Tyler Sellers and Michael Tomaro both have successfully held their own rendition of a tailgate party before every varsity football game.

“It’s really all the students that hold the tailgate, but I rent the generator and bring a 32-inch plasma with an Xbox 360. Michael [Tomaro] brings his stereo, and his grill.

A lot of the other Superfans bring food,” Sellers said.

These tailgate parties have occasionally been the focal point of the pre-game rituals for most fans.

“We estimated almost 80 [people] for the Homecoming Game,” Tomaro said. “We also had [local band] Music For Dogs play live for us.”

Two Xbox 360’s and plasma T.V.s have served as a great main attraction for those attend the pre-game party.

However, to run these in addition to the stereo and the grill, these two Superfans must rent a generator every week, and run everything through it.

“The generator costs $45 for 24 hours, and then the rest of the food goes around $75 for each tailgate,” Sellers said.

alexdavis [asst. sports editor]

Paul Varner: Class of 2003. Died during training prior to deployment to Afghanistan.

[Veteran Teachers]

Hall monitor Joe Belifore served in the US Air Force from 1963 until 1970, working in para-rescue and serving in the Republic of Vietnam.

Mike Berenc, ROTC teacher, is a retired Colonel of the US Air Force.

Special education teacher Traci Boothby served in the U.S. Army as a field combat medic and biological and chemical weapons officer.

Todd Decker, science teacher, served as a U.S. Air Force Pilot from 1987 until 1994.

Decker flew combat missions in Operation Desert Storm.

Tom Doyle, special education teacher, served in the U.S. Army in 1969 in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade.

Doyle was stationed in the Republic of South Vietnam where he worked in a 10-man ambush.

Officer Oliver Heilbig, school resource officer, served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1973 to 1993.

[mikebujnak]

Steffanie Jarvis, Spanish teacher, served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1995 until 2001.

[Grilling and Chilling] Left Getting into the competitive spirit, juniors Kyle Lindner and Ashley Mace play some Xbox 360 before the Home-

coming game. Juniors Tyler Sellers and Michael Tomoro have brought Xbox 360s and plasma TVs to every pregame party this year to draw more people. Right At the Homecoming game against Oakville, senior Steve LaCour grills dinner for his fellow tailgaters. In order for Superfans to grill as well as use the Xbox 360’s, the Superfans have had to rent

“Yes, people abuse the event,” Tomaro said. “People will eat our food and just come to play Halo and leave. We have asked for everyone who plays Halo or eats food to donate $1, but they disregard it.”

With such discord, it makes you wonder why they are out there, putting it all together every week.

“It has been a great source for people to meet and hang out before games,” Tomaro said.

Sellers said, “We are consider-

ing tailgating for basketball, but we need more support from the student population.”

There has been one incident, however, when the group has run into problems with administration.

“Before the Parkway South game, a County cop and [Assistant Principal Matt] Dieckhaus walked over and they checked out all of our coolers for beer. They thought we had been drinking,” Sellers said.

“Administrators have brought

cops over to check out our spot for alcohol, but besides that, there have been no real problems because we don’t have anything,” Tomaro said.

“Because we can’t have an open flame we have to bring a propane tank when we don’t use the George Foreman.”

These sans-alcohol pre-game parties will continue before next weeks home quarterfinals face off against Pattonville.

Lori Sanders, FACS teacher, served in the U.S. Air National Guard from 1989 to 1997.

Mike Schraier, hall monitor, served in the U.S. Army from 1967 until 1970. Schraier spent a year in the Republic of Vietnam near Saigon.

Terry Wippler, hall monitor, served in the US Army from 1960 until 1963.

Bill Zieseniss, hall monitor, served in the US Army from 1963 until 1972. Zieseniss was assigned in Germany for 5 1/2 years, and stationed at Frankfurt, Giessen and Kaiserslauten.

imagefeatures [nine]

lafayette high school [nov. 7, 2007]

Battle of the Bands:

Harmonix leaves Guitar Hero, MTV On Oct. 28, mikebujnak Guitar Hero [staff reporter] fans were

able to finally shred again with Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

MTV’s competing title Rock Band is set to release a month later on Nov. 23.

Guitar Hero 3 is a continuation of the widely popular Guitar Hero franchise.

The game boasts a star-studded playlist with over 60 hit songs to rock out to. Songs include “Even Flow”

by Pearl Jam, “Slow Ride” by Foghat and supposedly the hardest track to hit Guitar Hero, “Through the Fire and Flames” by DragonForce.

Senior Gray Stamulis said of Guitar Hero, “I was hoping to see new, awesome songs, new types of game play and more multiplayer and dueling.”

Rock Band will let gamers play through four different parts of a band including lead guitar, bass guitar, drums or vocals.

“The new instruments add a completely new element to the Guitar Hero experience,” junior Alex Mace said.

“Guitar Hero 3 is almost a prequel to Rock Band. While it [Guitar Hero] is an awesome game within itself, I think more people are anticipating Rock Band,” junior Adam Lutz said.

“I think rock band looks pretty cool since it has all the other parts of music, like the singer, bass player and drummer, but I think Guitar

[Rock On]

While trying out the new Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, senior Gray Stamulis nails a chord. Guitar Hero III was created by Activision’s in-studio company Neversoft, after Harmonix left the project to create Rock Band, which will be released later in November. [mikebujnak] Hero will keep its popularity above Rock Band due to price and plain fun,” Stamulis said.

“I paid $100 for Guitar Hero... I owe my brother $70,” Lutz said jokingly.

Rock Band is priced at $170 for the bundle including the game, drum kit, mic and guitar.

While the song list currently only contains around 45 songs, MTV says

new songs are going to be available for download weekly for at least a year. Rock Band’s play list includes tracks such as Stone Temple Pilots’ “Vasoline”, Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” and The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop.” “Guitar Hero 3 is a really fun multiplayer social game and you can recognize the songs. It’s fun to laugh when [players] do badly and awe

when they do awesome,” said Lutz.

In addition players will now be able to rock out online.

“There is now online game play as well, so you aren’t only restricted to rocking out with your friends in the same house; you can rock out with your friends across the world,” Stamulis said.

As for in-game play, Guitar Hero 3 is adding impressive new features.

The main features include a new multiplayer dueling mode and boss battles. Bosses will include Tom Morello, Slash, and Lou. “There are now boss battles with famous guitar players, kind of like playing your friends in past Guitar Heroes, but this time you’re against a real life pro,” Stamulis said.

“In Guitar Hero 3 there is more of the “rock star” look. Characters look better and concert stages are bigger and grander,” Stamulis said.

Rock Band is said to have actual rock venues.

Lead guitar and bass guitar will be played using the same guitar in both games. Gibson will sponsor Guitar Hero and Fender is sponsoring Rock Band.

In Guitar Hero, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 gamers will be using a wireless Les Paul, while Playstation 2 gamers will be using a Kramer.

Rock Band is using the Fender Stratocaster.

With the realistic look and feel of real rock instruments, it seems the only way for either to improve would be to become reality.

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[Adopting the Idea]

[ten] imagein-depth

lafayette high school [nov. 7, 2007]

•The most popular adoption programs for the United States are China, Guatemala, Russia and Korea

Think Outside The Border

•The United States adopts more children from abroad than any other country

“My brother and sister are both bretthamlin Lafayette has was gone.” a very diverse Schroeder is one of four Lafayadopted, but they’re from other [in-depth editor]

•The number of foreign children adopted by United States parents has increased sharply, and nearly doubled during the 1990’s •Between 1971 and 1991, over a quarter of a million children were adopted •In order to move through the United States immigration system, documented evidence must exist to prove that the child no longer has any living relatives •The predominant sex in adoption is female.

Males are out-adopted by females 64 percent to 36 percent •Only three percent of international children over nine years old are ever adopted, half of the adopted kids are infants

International adoption opportunity change lives for students, parents student body; somekids are from the county or city; some are from other states who have transferred in and some are exchange students from other countries.

Some have lived in St. Louis nearly all of their lives and some began their lives in a completely different place.

“In Peru, I would be selling quilts on the side of the road,” senior Marissa Schroeder said. “It’s a completely separate world down there.”

Peru lines the western coast of South America, lodged between Brazil, Bolivia and Ecuador. The poverty rate is at nearly 50 percent according to World Bank.

For this reason, Schroeder’s birthmother put her up for adoption when she was just three months old. She gave Marissa to a Peruvian foster home in Lima, the capital of Peru.

“I don’t think my mom could take care of me, she didn’t have enough money to be able to get me food,” Schroeder said. “But she visited me in the foster home until I

ette girls who were adopted from Peru. The other girls are senior Krista Hines, and sophomores Sarah Williams and Kayla McDermott.

All four girls were adopted using the same agency, International Family Services (IFS).

IFS is a non-profit orphan assistance and adoption referral agency founded by Bob and Carol Mardock.

The Mardocks created IFS after the Los Angeles Times wrote a feature article about the Mardocks adopted children.

Services like these have made adoption a more personal, less ordinary process.

“We were all adopted from the same spot, that’s how we all met. I know Krista’s family real well, our mothers used to live together,” Williams said.

However, neither Schroeder nor Williams is even an oddity in their own family.

“My mom’s family all have adopted kids. So all of my cousins are from different countries too,” Williams said.

states,” Schroeder said.

The culture shock between Peru and the United States is not only an economic one, but a social and technological one as well.

“It would stink to be down there. It’s a third world country. I’d be working on my own, there’s no technology at all,” Schroeder said. “[In Peru] I would be making clothes for some company, I’d probably be married too,” Williams said. “I’m very appreciative to have been adopted. I have a completely different life.”

Williams hasn’t even lived in St. Louis her entire life, while first adopted here, she moved to Minnesota and New York before moving back.

One might think being adopted would stick out and be noticeable to somebody, but the thought of it stays in the back of the minds of Schroeder and Williams.

“I don’t think about being any different than anyone, but I know a lot of adopted people that do. I just think that I got here and blended in real well with other kids. Growing up in the society was easy because

I was just a baby,” Schroeder said.

“I’m very thankful that I was adopted.”

Hines’ mother Shelly has been an advocate of adoption for some time.

“My biggest dream was adopting kids. Krista has two sisters from the Ukraine. These girls have made my life complete because I couldn’t have children, but if you want children you will go the mile for them,” Hines said.

She added, “I wanted to help these kids. You see these commercials on television to help them and how much it costs. We may not have a big house or a lot of money, but at least these girls have opportunities that they wouldn’t have otherwise.”

“I think a lot of these West County kids need to see these orphanages where these kids are coming from,” Hines said.

“We began the process back in Nov. 1989. At that time, a popular country to adopt from was Peru, they didn’t have an age limit for the parents. Krista was born in Jan. 1990, and she was two months and 10 days old when I first held her in April, 1990.”

Adoption allows Jones to expand family Assistant Principal Tim Jones returned to the United States on Oct. 12 from Guatemala. He didn’t bring back postcards; he brought back his new daughter Annemarie Grace Jones. Annemarie came from a poverty riddled area outside of Guatemala City, Guatemala.

•In 1990, the dominant majority of adopted kids hailed from South Korea. In 2001, the dominant country was China, which is still true today

What made you and your wife decide to adopt a child?

Information from by the U.S. Department of State

[Home Sweet Home]

Assistant Principal Tim Jones’ newly adopted daughter, Annemarie, arrived in America on Oct. 12. The Jones family began the paperwork for their international adoption over two years ago.

“We wanted to have more kids, but my wife has epilepsy, so she didn’t want to present the danger. She met a family at a church in Eureka, MO who had adopted six children from Guatemala.

She brought the idea up to me and I thought it was great.”

How was the process of the adoption?

“We used an agency called For This Child from Dallas, TX. We started the long paperwork process. We had to do background checks, FBI checks, fingerprints, home visits and social ser-

vices visits. There were some bumps in the road financially; we had to take out a second mortgage on our house.”

When did you hear from the agency about Annemarie?

“We got a referral about one year ago about Annemarie, and of course we wanted her. So they called around April and said that we would have her in at the most eight months. In Sept. we got the pink slip from the American embassy in Guatemala City, so we could come pick her up.”

What made you decide to adopt internationally?

“We’re real advocates about international adoption. It’s a third world country, Guatemala City is great, but outside it is as poor as can be. We feel like we are providing her with a productive environment for her to have a chance, especially here in St. Louis County.”

Fruit Gobbler

Makes a creative center piece for a healthy alternative from turkey for vegetarians

Ingrediants: -Bosc Pear (head) -Melon (body) -Cheese (beak and tail feathers) -Red pepper (snood, feet and side feathers) -Raisins (eyes) -Grapes (tail feathers) -Bamboo skewers 1. Stabilize the melon body by cutting a shallow slice off the rind to form a flat base. Using a section of bamboo skewer, attach a Bosc pear head to the melon, as shown.

2. Cut a cheese triangle beak and red pepper snood. Attach both, along with raisin eyes, to the head with sections of toothpick.

3. Cut red pepper feet and set them in place. For tail feathers, skewer cheese cubes and red grapes, then insert the skewers as shown. Pin pepper side feathers in place with toothpicks.

imagesports [eleven]

lafayette high school [nov. 7, 2007]

Softball makes it ‘great eight’ at State

[Solid Base]

Junior Jessica Weingarten (left) narrowly misses doubling off Oakville’s Amanda Schuchardt after a hard liner to first in the third inning. The title is Lafayette’s eighth in 12 tries, extending the State record the team already owns and four more than Jefferson City, their nearest competition [j.p.bartmess]

Lady Lancers defeat Oakville 1-0 for title ryanbueckendorf Freshman Dana the Lancers.

Lawson was in “We knew that who was going to win [sports editor] third grade the would be based on who made the error,”

[Triple Time]

Freshman Dana Lawson gets a talk from Coach Carrie Guenzler. Lawson responded with the game’s only RBI, a triple to right field. [j.p.bartmess]

last time Lafayette hoisted championship hardware in 2001. Six years have passed since the school’s last title, and the youngest member on Lafayette’s team and the only freshman on varsity made sure she left her mark on this one.

Lawson’s two out RBI triple against Oakville’s Megan Schallom scored the game’s only run against Missouri’s only unbeaten team.

“It was pretty cool,” Lawson said of her game-winner. “I wasn’t sure if it was fair until I saw it hit as I was rounding first.”

When junior outfielder Kristen Carter got on following an Oakville misplay, the momentum shifted dramatically toward

senior outfielder Allison Krebs said.

“When they made the error, we knew we had luck on our side.”

For Lafayette’s seniors, the championship couldn’t have come soon enough.

“It was absolutely amazing to end like that,” senior catcher Erica Shannon said.

“To end with a bang was awesome.”

Shannon found her own special way to memorialize the experience of winning a State title. She could be seen multiple times dancing to the music over the PA system, enjoying every minute of her State experience.

“This was such an accomplishment for my team, and myself,” Shannon said.

The other half of Shannon’s bat-

tery, junior pitcher Meghan Lamberth, pitched a stellar game for the win.

Following a nine-inning affair in the semifinals against Blue Springs, Lamberth pitched a four hitter. She notched five strikeouts.

Not many outside the cozy confines of the team’s dugout gave it much of a chance against Oakville, who was gunning for the first undefeated season in Missouri softball history. The players and coach, however, couldn’t have been more confident.

“Heading into Districts, we were thinking ‘There’s no way we can’t win State,” Shannon said.

Senior Allison Krebs agreed. “We knew the team was going to win State together,” she said. “There’s no way things could go in the opposite direction.”

For Demos at State, third time is charm At the previ- match, she never gave up,” Head j.p.bartmess [staff reporter] ous two matches Coach Donna Stauffer said. against St. Joseph’s Academy Angels sophomore standout and number one player in the state, Michelle Kedzierski, the momentum never seem to sway to senior Gabby Demos side.

Kedzierski won their first match back in September, 6-1, and then in the second set, Demos played with Kedzierski stroke for stroke until losing 7-5.

The second match at Sectionals of the State playoffs, Kedzierski took care of business, defeating Demos 6-4 and 6-2.

“In our first dual match, Gabby played with Michelle who appeared to be the bigger, more powerful player. Gabby was knocking her off the court and it was a huge motivator to see her compete with Michelle.

In that match and in the Sectional

Then came Oct. 20, the day when they met for the final time of the season.

The day before, Demos defeated Parkway South’s junior Laura Richardson in one of Demos’ toughest battles in her career, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2.

Right after that match, Demos had to get some rest so she could prepare physically and mentally for Kedzierski.

“I went into the match hoping to get a few games off of her and just to stay with her which I felt I have all season,” Demos said.

Demos did just that and some more, defeating Kedzierski in three sets 6-7, 6-2, 7-6 in the semifinal of the State tournament in which she came back from being down 4-0 in the third set.

And then one hour after this epic

match, she defeated Kirkwood’s sophomore Rachel Stuhlmann in the Class 2 State Championship 61, 6-4.

“I didn’t think I would have anything left for the match against Rachel, but I went out there and told myself that I made it this far, I have to take it and I got it,” Demos said.

This was Demos third trip to the State tournament in her four years at Lafayette. Along with Demos, junior Anna Prasch made it for the second year in a row and went on to a 1-2 record after going 0-2 last year.

“Anna played the best tennis we have ever seen her play and had a great tournament. We look forward to having her back next year,” Stauffer said.

Maybe for Prasch, like Demos this year, could next year be her “third times a charm” championship?

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[Advantage Demos]

At State, Gabby Demos gets up for a serve in one of her matches. She played four matches and won all of them in two days in Springfield. [columbiaphoto.

insidelook [Field Hockey 2007] It has been nothing but an impressive season for Head Coach Kelly Yates and her Lady Lancer field hockey squad.

After losing their first game against defending State champs Cor Jesu 4-1, the team went on to go undefeated in league play, 13-0 and finishing with an 18-5 record, only losing to private school teams.

“It is tough to face private schools since they have more girls to pick from to be on the team rather than a public school who can only choose from so many girls,” sophomore Christine Hibler said.

They ended the season 4-5 agains St. Louis girls’ private schools, but will return a majority of their starters from this season, only losing three.

“Losing Taylor (Stellern) and Rebekah (Sanders) will be tough and Emily (Leeker), even though she didn’t play. All the starters will be back except Taylor,” Hibler said.

Unlike Lafayette, much of the private school teams lose a lot of seniors, including Villa Duchense, who defeated Lafayette in the Sweet 16 of the State tournament 3-0, who will lose 17 seniors.

“It was disappointing to lose to Villa. We created a lot of chances for our fowards, but we failed to knock it in,” Hibler said.

Year by year, it seems like Yates can put together a solid team with whatever players are dealt to her. The girls seem to buy into her system of play and into the Lancer tradition.

“She is an effective leader who has a positive attitude. She doesn’t baby us, but rather tells us the truth and how it is,” HIbler said.

With their top returning scorers and defenders, with the exception of Stellern, 2008 should be a State bound season for this young and talented squad.

soccerscoop [twelve] imagesports Soccer’s solid season ends with bout of deja vu as they fall to CBC in District Final, 3-2 (2OT)

ninawalters

lafayette high school [nov. 7, 2007]

Going The Distance

Boys qualify team for first time since 2005 ryanbueckendorf The start win the individual title, battling Marof the sea- quette’s Brad Harris the whole way, [sports editor]

seanbutler

Staying healthy, relaxing and getting touches on the ball were the only ways to prepare for the District final.

Coming off a second place finish in State, they knew it would be tough to repeat with being in the hardest District in the State.

“We got right where we wanted to be, playing CBC in the District final,” Coach Walters said.

To make it to the finals, they first defeated Parkway South. Even with the outcome of a 3-2, double overtime loss to CBC in the finals, expectations were met for individuals and the team.

“We started picking up the intensity and playing as a team by our last game, which is what we needed,” Mike Hamilton said.

As for the season, Stephen McMahon believes it hurt the team to play no challenging teams during the regular season.

But toward the end of the season, everyone stepped up to give CBC a run for their money.

“Our last few games were our best games. We were smart and kept our intensity up. Couldn’t have asked for more out of the team,” Walters said.

Hamilton agreed, feeling satisfied with his season.

“I feel 100 percent accomplished,” he said.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything more with the outcome of my senior year.”

son saw a boys team seemingly without direction. Midseason, they found that and more.

The boys team opened the season on shaky footing, having graduated a significant core of their varsity.

“We didn’t know what to think,” senior Eric Lutz said. Lutz himself was diagnosed with mononucleosis to start the season, a potentially season-breaking setback.

Over the season, however they gelled- and it started to show.

“We looked like we could run,” junior Steven Stallis said. “We really came together as a team.”

The turnaround was completed at the Conference meet at Jefferson Barracks.

There, Lutz broke through to

all state runners Cheryl Held Eric Lutz

as his team followed suit with the team title.

“It was just me and [Harris] dueling.” Lutz said of his Conferencewinning race. “I didn’t even think about conference championships.”

The team overall also outran Marquette, edging out the Mustangs for the team title.

Lutz was surprised the team made it out of Sectionals, based on how they ran that day.

“Everyone was slower that day,” he said.

At State, Lutz paced the team with a 19th place finish, good for All State.

Next was Stallis (119), senior Drew Steihl (123), juniors Shawn Brands (139) and Scott Van Nest (143) and sophomores Collin Bueckendorf (159) and Andrei Wood (165).

[Best of the Best]

Seniors Cheryl Held (24th) and Eric Lutz (19th) both earned All State Honors at Jefferson City, finishing in the Top 25 overall. [ryanbueckendorf]

[Run for It]

Sprinting the last 100 meters, sophomore Jordan Taylor finishes strong at State in Jefferson City. Taylor finished 34th in her first State meet, just nine places out of All-State and behind only Held on the team. [ryanbueckendorf]

[Full Throttle]

With the finish line in site, junior Shawn Brands chases down his closest competition en route to a 139th place finish.

Brands was consistent season-long in his role as the fifth runner. [ryanbueckendorf]

Girls team sends two seniors, sophomore

girls Held said. “Everyone was a team, Lady Lancers present did not fail to Much has been made of Held’s ryanbueckendorf The team had all everyone was really together, we all represent their school with the same success in only her first season of [sports editor] the pieces helped each other as a team.” running talent that got them there in cross country.

put together heading into the season. They had the seasoned veterans.

They had the energetic newcomers.

They even had a potent new weapon to add to their arsenal.

To start the season, everything seemed to be going their way. They were winning meets, they were jiving as a team, they had it all going for them.

“It was good,” senior Cheryl

Fellow senior Katy Cover agreed.

“We all thought we could make it as a team. Who could beat us?”

In the end, it wasn’t enough as they failed to make it out of Sectionals as a team.

Individually, seniors Held and Katy Cover and sophomore Jordan Taylor advanced to the State meet in Jefferson City.

Once they were at the course, the

Volleyball makes Final Four, takes third overall j.p.bartmess To be the first girls [staff reporter] volleyball team in

school history to make it to the State tournament says a lot about this year’s team. It wasn’t a surprise to the girls though.

“We knew we had the team to go to state this year. We just had to make sure we didn’t get down on ourselves when we lost,” senior captain Natalie Emro said.

Emro, along with fellwo senior Casey Chernin, were the lone seniors on this year’s squad. They were the leaders and the captains, and made sure their senior years would be memorable.

“Coach [Steve] Burkard allowed us to kind of do our own thing, but made sure we stayed on task. He knew what we were capable of and believe in us,” Emro said.

The Road to State started at Washington High School where the Lancers defeated the Washington Blue Jays to win the District Championships.

Then they traveled to Lebanon High School where they defeated Nixa and Helias High School to win their Sectionals.

And then to State.

Playing at University of Central Missouri’s Multipurpose Center, the girls started with a Round Robin pool.

“We played a little shaky and

[Real Consolation]

Taking a timeout, the Lady Lancer volleyball team regroups with a huddle.

Lafayette swept Incarnate Word to win the consolation match at State [j.p.bartmess ]

were really nervous since it was our first time at State. We could have played a lot better,” Emro said.

The girls only won one of six games, tying one match and losing the other two, and ended up in the third place game against the Incarnate Word Red Knights.

They defeated the Red Knights in straight games 25-22, 26-24.

“We played a lot more loose the second day and hopefully it will pay off for the girls next year if they can return back here,” Emro said.

the first place.

Leading the Lafayette pack was Held, who would go on to an AllState finish of 24th.

Taylor, in her first State meet and just her second year of cross country competition, finished 34th.

Cover placed 77th, capping a four year cross country career following in the footsteps of her older brothers.

Asked to describe her nerves at the start of her first and only State meet, Held hearkens back to the first meet she ever ran in August.

“I was freaking out,” she said. “I was really nervous, but it was really exciting.”

Even with the success of Held, Cover and Taylor, the team can’t help but ponder what might have been had things fell their way.

[Beyond the Stats] Casey Chernin goes for the kill j.p.bartmess To put a spotlight fluenced you and [staff reporter] on the student- encouraged you athletes, the Image sports staff will select one athlete to be the Athlete of the Month.

These athletes represent the finest Lafayette has to offer, in terms of their athletic prowess, their leadership presence and their unstoppable will to win.

An Image sports staffer will interview these athletes in a Q and A format to introduce those individuals who represent the Lancers.

Senior Casey Chernin has been a key contributor on girls volleyball ever since she was a freshman playing on varsity.

This season, she has been nothing but phenomenal, leading the team and the conference in kills with 352. She also added 48 blocks and 26 aces.

Q. Who is Casey Chernin?

A. I am an 18-year-old girl who loves to play volleyball of any kind, whether it be high school, sand, or select. A close second would be hanging out with my friends and doing everyday teenage stuff.

Q. What was your team’s expectation coming into the season?

A. At the beginning of the year, Natalie (Emro) and I talked about how this was our year to go to state and bring home the title and that became the standard.”

Q. How have your parents and coaches in-

in volleyball?

A. My parents and my coaches have been extremely encouraging. My parents don’t care what I am do[caseychernin] ing, they just want to see me succeed and have fun. As for my coaches, they’ve all been behind me from the very beginning when I started varsity as a freshman.

Q.: Who do you model your game after?

A. I have my own style. I can’t think of any one I play like.

Q. If there was anybody in the world you could play volleyball with, who would it be and why?

A. It would have to be Misty May and Kerri Walsh. They are a duo team for professional sand volleyball and win almost every tournament they enter. Also, Walsh is my favorite player so that would be cool.

Q. If you didn’t play volleyball, what would you do in your spare time?

A. I would probably play basketball and take as much dedication into basketball as I do with volleyball.

Q. What are your plans for college?

A. I plan playing volleyball at SLU and majoring in business.

lafayette high school [dec. 14, 2007]

imagesports [thirteen]

ondeck

bigleagues

[

stats, standings & stories

Cardinals

]

Cardinals hire Jim Mozeliak to replace recently fired GM Walt Jocketty. Head coach Tony LaRussa agrees to two-year deal with the organization.

Rams Hopefully a week off will give the Rams exactly what they need. An 0-8 start puts this team virtually out of playoff contention after only two months into the season. This season marks the worst start in Franchise history.

Blues The Blues have much improved their play, starting out their first 12 games over .500, 7-5. They match-up against the Blackhawks on Fri., who managed to slip by the Blues, 2-3, on Nov. 3.

Mizzou Football

[fourteen] imagesports

lafayette high school [nov. 7, 2007]

For area fans, prep sports provide what pros cannot St. Louis has found itself in a sports funk. The Cardinals have closed up shop on one of the more disappointing seasons of the past decade.

That stench you all smell? That would be our football team; the Rams are currently engaged in a white-knuckle, breakneck dogfight with the Miami Dolphins for worst team in the league.

While the Blues and Mizzou Tigers offer exciting alternatives, most area fans bred on and spoiled by winning have made a forced switch to something more palatable.

With the Mizzou/Kansas game coming up on the 24 of Nov., hopefully it will be a huge catalyst for excitement in this town.

Jumping in front of trains has largely been discouraged by city officials, but root canals and reruns of Golden Girls have emerged as effective means of dulling the pain.

Luckily for the students at Lafayette , they can steer clear of both the dentist and the Lifetime channel in their search for alternatives to St. Louis pro sports.

As neither is very healthy in the long run, I suggest tuning into our

very own school teams as they continue on one of the most profoundly successful runs in school history.

Two State titles are already in the bag, courtesy of softball’s clutch hits and senior Gabby Demos’ timely shots.

These two titles were earned by gutsy matches against talented and in some cases favored opponents.

When’s the last time either the Cardinals or Rams could say that?

Demos had to take down the defending State champion before even reaching the finals in a match some are already hailing as a classic, not to mention win the actual finals.

Softball was forced to dispatch an Oakville team that had yet to lose a game in 2007, and did so under the flag of unblinking teamwork and camaraderie. What more could we, as sports fans, ask for, as we watched our fellow students test their grit against the very best?

Not only that, but we nailed down these two titles in one day. That, my friends, is better than anything the pros have thrown your way not only now, but ever.

It’s not over either.

]

Perfect in Districts, Lancers eye Pattonville

The contrast between this year ryanbueckendorf The place to be Nov. and last is as stark as the black and [sports reporter]

A magical 8-1 start has catapulted these Tigers into the number six spot in the BCS rankings. With Texas A&M this weekend, hopefully they don’t look ahead to the premiere Big 12 North matchup against number four Kansas on Nov. 24.

Mizzou Basketball The Tigers defeated UMSL 78-51 in their first exhibition matchup. Central Michigan is the Tigers first opponent in the O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic on Nov. 12

[

For those who counted Swinging them out after a slow start, football is one of the last for the eight teams standing in MisFences souri. Behind a suddenly stalryanbueckendorf wart defense and an innovative offense, Lafayette won its District for the second time mentioned in the same sentence- in in three years. Stay tuned for any context- as the word playoffs more exciting football action.

Field hockey also made it to the our freshmen were in elementary quarterfinals, putting up a valiant ef- school. You do the math.

If you made the trek to Jefferson fort against eventual State champion City , you witnessed 10 cross country Villa Duchesne, but losing 3-0.

Volleyball made the State Final runners gut out five kilometers with Four, and after a tough stretch in the determination seemingly unmatched round-robin style semifinals they put in pro sports.

Seniors Eric Lutz and Cheryl an exclamation mark on a groundbreaking season with a sweep of Held earned All-State recognition Incarnate Word in the consolation for their finishes (19th and 24th, respectively) in what was more a cross match, good for third place.

Seniors Casey Chernin had 12 country festival than meet.

By all means, root for our homekills and Natalie Emro chipped in town teams. St. Louis has a proud 24 assists for the Lancers.

On Halloween, if you were will- tradition of cheering on its profesing to brave the cold and sacrifice sional teams, good or bad.

But if you grow tired of the bad, your night of trick-or-treating, soccer put on a display against third look no further than our school ranked CBC, both teams playing for teams for a heck of a lot of good.

And at all costs, stay away from their playoff lives.

The last time the Rams were the dentist’s chair.

[Giving The Boot]

Number 99, Nick Aussiekerr, kicks off as the Lancers hurdle their way to a District victory. The football team finished Districts with a perfect 3-0 record, highlighted by a 40-20 shellacking of CBC. [alexerdman]

2 was in Marquette’s visiting stands, but you couldn’t have known that looking at the score.

Completing a turnaround that has taken them from football stuffing to the stuff of legend, the Lancers beat the Mustangs 24-14 in a game not near as close as the score would indicate.

Heading into the start of the season, not many outside of Lafayette’s comfy confines put much stock in their chances. The team’s confidence in themselves, however, has never wavered.

“We knew we would succeed if we put the entire team into it,” senior Caleb Welchans said. “It’s really exciting because nobody thought we could do well.”

white of the Lancers’ jerseys.

In 2006, the team hosted Marquette playing not for a District title but to avoid the worst record in school history.

“It’s a lot better than last season,” senior Ryan Conde said. “We had a ton of returning seniors, and everybody made plays.”

The team now looks ahead to a tough matchup with the Pattonville Pirates (5-2, 6-4) this Friday in the State quarterfinals.

In 2005, the team also won Districts, only to lose to a Hazelwood Central squad in the quarterfinals.

This time around, they feel much more confident.

With a changed attitude and a record to match, it’s not hard to see why.

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Sunday - Best Fried Chicken Dinner In Town

imageentertainment [fifteen] turkeytreats

lafayette high school [nov. 7, 2007]

New releases from some old favorites Say Anything: In Defense of The Genre Say Anything goes Mellon aaroncasias Collie with their sophomore [asst. news editor] effort. With In Defense of the

Cobra Starship: ¡Viva la Cobra! kristahines ¡Viva La Cobra! carries on the [staff reporter] beats of the 2006 While the City

Sleeps, We Rule the Streets album.

The album opens immediately taking you into their upbeat, head bopping electronic punk music. Vocalist Gabe Saporta’s pop punk voice follows in the steps of Patrick Stump, of Fall Out Boy. The band has modified since the original keytarist, Elisa Schwartz left for a solo career. She was replaced by Victoria Asher, also known as Vicky-T, who has recently worked with +44.

Genre, front-man Max Bemis and the band attempt to establish themselves among the ranks of the few artists who have tried and succeeded with the “double-album.” At 27 tracks long, it is by no means a quick and easy listen, but with standout tracks like “An Insult to the Dead”, “About Falling” and a full band version of the acoustic fan favorite “This is F***ing Ecstacy,” the album is certainly an achievement and will surely please older fans of the band and attract new ones.

Jimmy Eat World: Chase This Light mikebujnak Have you ever had a dream [staff reporter] come true that let you down?

That’s how Chase This Light comes off. The album opens up with “Big Casino,” a song that leaves you thinking maybe you shouldn’t have bought this. The album seems like a collection of the worse songs from their other albums. The only good song on Chase This Light is the most depressing. “Gotta Be Somebody’s Blues” is a dark song with over produced strings.

Even the most die-hard fans will be asking where the energy from Bleed American and Clarity went.

Say Anything:

In Defense of The Genre

The House Lights does, offer several demos, remixes and live versions of favorites, as well as three brand new tracks recorded for the release. The album offers a look at Thursday’s live performance as well as some of their original inspiration for the songs that were placed on full-length releases. Note the similarities between “Panic on the Streets of Health Care City” and “The Other Side of the Crash” off of their 2006 release A City by the Light Divided.

Serj Tankian: Elect the Dead nicolecastellano Resulting from System a Down’s 2006 hia[entertainment editor] of tus, frontman Serj Tan-

Saves the Day: Under the Boards aaroncasias Boards is Saves the Day’s sec[asst. news editor] ond release since their hiatus.

As the second part of an album trilogy, it’s meant to be a lighter release than previous efforts; a task that can’t be deemed particularly difficult considering the depressing tone of 2006 release Sound the Alarm. Put simply, the album is, for lack of a better word, pretty. The Saves the Day feel is still present, but the brooding lyrical qualities as well as the furious guitar riffs that drove Sound the Alarm have all but disappeared to make a more subtle, yet beautiful sound.

Thursday: Kill the House Lights Don’t get too excited, it isn’t aaroncasias a new Thursday album. Well, [asst. news editor] not a full-length anyway. Kill

Thursday:

Kill the House Lights

kian headed for his solo career. Elect the Dead was recorded in his Los Angeles home studio and played almost every instrument. His uniquely distinct voice rings out strong throughout the whole album. Elect the Dead contains classical yet psychedelic time signatures created by Tankian. The piano in some of the songs adds a different take on his style of music, like in the song “Lie Lie Lie”. Each lyric is filled with thought provoking questions about the way the world is today.

•Americans feast on 535 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving.

• Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be our national bird.

• Turkeys can drown if they look up when it’s raining!

• There was no milk, cheese, bread, butter or pumpkin pie at the original Thanksgiving Day feast.

• The heaviest turkey ever raised weighed in at 86 pounds – about the size of a German Shepherd!

• President Abraham Lincoln established the original date for our National Thanksgiving Day celebration in 1863.

• Congress did not declare Thanksgiving a national holiday until 1941.

• Turkeys are known to spend the night in trees! (Maybe to escape the Thanksgiving table?)

• The average person consumes 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day. (Now that’s a lot of turkey!) (courtesy of 1-800 flowers.comThanksgiving Facts)

give me guidance that matters

I’ll take the initiative

just watch me

Join us for a Campus Visit Day Saturday, December 1 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Chicago Campus Schaumburg Campus

Roosevelt offers degrees in Biomedical Sciences, Business, Communications, Education, Performing Arts, Psychology and Sociology!

To register: 1-877-APPLY RU www.roosevelt.edu/visitdays applyRU@roosevelt.edu

flagthese The Pageant

onArt

Nov. 12 @ 8 p.m.

Regina Spektor $22.50

Making a wish to plan her colorful future

Nov. 13 *new date* @ 8 p.m.

Hanson $25

Senior Alli Litwicki has always been interested in art. This past summer she attended a summer art intensive at Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) which prepared her for college life at an art institute. Litwicki plans to attend a college of art and design and has her eye on KCAI. This is a acrylic painting that Litwicki presented as her summer painting for AP Art Studio.

Her favorite medium is oil paints.

[info]tainment Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007 [sixteen]

Body Worlds 3

Nov. 17 @ 8 p.m.

Celebration Day : A Tribute to Led Zeppelin $15

Pops

Nov. 15 @ 6:30 p.m.

From First to Last $13 Nov. 17 @ 6 p.m.

Boys Like Girls w/ All Time Low, The Audition $15

offers a di ff er en t perspective

Nov. 18 @ 6 p.m.

As I Lay Dying w/ All That Remains, Haste the Day $16-20 Nov. 23 @ 6 p.m.

The Academy Is... w/ The Rocket Summer $20

nicolecastellano The human body is full of many different bones, [entertainment editor] organs and complex systems. To catch a glimpse

“The Skin Man”

of the true insides of the human body seems nearly impossible. However, Dr. Gunther Von Hagen makes it possible in his near famous exhibit Body Worlds 3. For the next four months the St. Louis Science Center will host the much talked about exhibit.

Body Worlds explores the human body in unthinkable ways by using Von Hagen’s revolutionary process called plastination. This is the process of extracting all body fluids and fat specimens replacing them through a vacuum forced impregnation with reactive resins and elastomers.

The final stage involves curing them with light, heat, or certain gases, which give the specimens rigidity and permanence, as defined on the Body Worlds website.

“The purpose of plastination from its very inception was a scientific one, to educate medical students. But the interest that lay people had in plastinated specimens inspired me to think of creating public exhibitions which was followed by realization that I had to offer a heightened sense of aesthetics to avoid shocking the public and to capture their imagination,” Von Hagen said in a press release.

This eye opening experience takes you from one part of the body to the next. There are about 200 genuine human specimens including whole bodies, individual organs and transparent body slices that have been preserved.

Some of the full plastinates include: “The Archer”, “The Skin Man”, “The Kneeling Lady” and “The Hurdler”.

“St. Louis had not been visited by this exhibit yet and we are very lucky to have gotten it. To set it up we have a strong and reliable local crew production staff and also the Body Worlds 3 people came in to set up the special lighting,” Associate Director of life sciences Dr. Cindy Encarnacion said.

Human Anatomy teacher Ann Gilman is just as excited to have Body

“The Hurdler” Worlds here. She will be taking her students to the exhibit Dec. 5-6.

“This is the very best combination of aesthetic and academic presentation of the human body for education that I have ever witnessed,” Gilman said.

Visitors also get the opportunity to observe and comprehend the long-term impact of diseases, including the effects of tobacco use and the technicalities of artificial knee and hip supports.

All of the bodies belonged to people who declared during their lifetime that their bodies should be made available after their deaths for research and to further educate others about the human body.

The bodies are then taken to Von Hagen’s Institute for Plastination in Heidelberg, Germany.

“It’s the miracle of biology,” senior Libby Engemann said. She attended Body Worlds 1 at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry several years ago. When she left the exhibit, Engemann said she had, “mixed feelings. You are really enlightened on how complex we are and how everything works right before your eyes.”

The exhibit starts you off with the skeletal system, and then makes its way through the whole body.

There is a segment that discusses fetal growth with the various stages of development, which is segregated for spectators to look at if they wish to.

Many have questioned why the plastinates are in such strange poses which is to depict how the body operated for certain activities. For example the full body plastinate, “the hurdler”, shows how our muscular system works while running and jumping into the air.

“I thought it was wonderfully done. It sends a powerful and healthy message, that everyone needs to take care of their bodies,” Encarnacion said.

Additional Info.

•Prices- Adult: (19-61) $18

Child: (4-18) $12

Senior Citizen: (62+) $15.50 •Tickets are available through Ticket Master •Appropriate for children 10 and up

“The Kneeling Lady”

Nov. 14 @ 8 p.m.

Modest Mouse $33

•Hours- Monday - Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

(last ticket entry 5:30 p.m.)

Thursday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

(last ticket entry 8 p.m.)

Sunday: 11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.

(last ticket entry 5:30 p.m.) photos used with permission by the St. Louis Science Center and Body Worlds

Creepy Crawl

Nov. 10 @ 9 p.m.

From the Headline w/ Hope Cant’ Save the Dead $8-11 Nov. 23 @ 7 p.m.

Mayday Parade w/ Mailbox Baseball $10-12 Nov. 27 @ 7 p.m.

The Spill Canvas w/ Meg & Dia $13-15

Scottrade Center

Nov. 4 @ 7 p.m.

Dane Cook $30-100 Nov. 15 @ 7:30 p.m.

John Mellencamp w/ Los Lobos $42-72

The Fox Theater Nov. 15-16 @ 8 p.m.

Australian Pink Floyd $35-45

New On CD Nov. 13 Goo Goo Dolls Greatest Hits Vol. 1: The Singles Ja Rule The Mirror Alicia Keys As I Am Nov. 30 The Killers Sawdust (B-Sides) Lupe Fiasco The Cool Amy Winehouse Frank