Oct. 6, 2006

Inside This Edition •Wearing

a seat belt can make the difference between life and death in an accident. LHS parent Ms. Kelly Juergens, adovcates the wearing of seat belts after the death of her daughter and former student, Hannah Juergens.

see page 7

image the

Friday, October 6, 2006 Vol. 38 • Issue 3

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

Caught:

Cases of theft rise nationwide

Homecoming Hotshots Photos and results on page 8

photo • Julie Ronzio

•Stuffing Their Faces. Eating her pie as fast as she can, senior Devon Vincent, competes in this years Homecoming Pie Eating contest. This year’s Homecoming, “Super Heroes”, allowed students to particapte in new lunch time games which took the place of Spirit Fest. The games included the pie eating contest, arm wrestling and jousting. The week also featured the traditional dress-up days, Fun Run, Powder Puff Football, Parade Homecoming Game and dance.

One Hospitalized

Staff hopes to keep staph away

by making changes in policy Kevin Pinney • Editor In Chief “People stayed away from me,” junior Ryan Conde said jokingly. “My skin turned purple for three days.”

What started as an open bug bite ended up as a potentially lethal infection for Conde, who plays on the varsity football team. Conde contracted a staph infection.

Staphylococcus aureus (staph), according to the Center for Disease Control, is a type of bacteria that may cause skin infections, but they are usually minor and are treatable with antibiotics.

Conde went to the hospital where he was treated. He got antibiotics through an IV. Also, he said doctors “cut a piece out” of his arm and drained it of excess fluid. Now, Conde is in good health.

“Basically, I have to keep it really clean and bandaged at all times,” Conde said.

Because of this one incident, some changes were made by the administration involving the locker room.

“We understand that this is something we must always be aware of because we have been told by the medical community that this can occur at any time,” Principal Larry Schmidt said.

After the report of a staph infection was made, all 175 football shoulder pads and helmets were sent to the company that sanitizes them each summer, at a cost of around $2,000.

Showers after practice are also mandatory for the

sports teams, in addition to some other modifications to their after-practice and game routine.

“Every Friday night, the team takes everything home, and the locker room is power washed and bleached,” Activities Director Steve Miller said.

The Rockwood District brought in a special machine as an additional sanitation effort in the locker room.

The front and back doors of the locker room are also left open during the day for improved circulation.

“They do all they can do to prevent contracting the disease. We are on top of this,” Schmidt said.

Most of the team was not worried. It was just one person,” senior Trent Marsh said. “It happens all the time, everywhere. It’s not just football.”

Brentwood recently had eight students with reported staph infections and two Eureka High School students were hospitalized in an outbreak that involved 11 students.

As to why the infection seems more common with athletes rather than students in a traditional classroom, a simple answer was given.

“Athletes are more susceptible to injury,” Miller said.

He added that, “Any wound, even a hang nail, and Chad the trainer needs to know.”

“It [staph] can cause a lot of harm to you, but if you take care of it, you’ll be fine,” Marsh said.

Ashley Edlund • Reporter Can I help you find something to match that shirt in your bag? It’s called a recovery statement, and with no sign of a shoplifting trend dying down, managers in retail have had to look elsewhere for solutions.

“We don’t accuse them of stealing,” a manager who wished to remain anonymous said. “Basically you’re telling them [the customer] you know they have the item.”

A common misbelief is that in a wealthy area, people do not steal, but former Hollister employee and senior Ben Singleton said the opposite is true.

“People shoplift because it’s easy,” Singleton said.

“People have money but a lot of people think ‘why buy it when you can easily steal it’.”

According to About.com and the latest National Retail Security Survey report on retail theft, employee theft and shoplifting were two factors last year that cost United States retailers over $31 billion.

That money was from 118 of the largest retail chains in the country. Inventory theft affects the customer, as well as retail owners and employees. About.com also stated that an average family of four will spend around $440 more on clothes than they did the year before, solely because of theft.

Policies vary, but officials say whether or not a shoplifter is prosecuted is up to the company. “If they [the store] do not want to prosecute, we keep an eye on [the customer] until they leave the mall,” a Chesterfield Mall security officer said.

Managers in some instances take the blame for a customer’s action. In some instances, money will get deducted from a manager’s paycheck. The idea is to make them pay more attention and be more responsible.

“You can’t prevent it all together,” a manager who wished to remain anonymous said. “It’s going to happen, you just have to watch everyone and be on task.”

Workers at stores such as Abercrombie and Hollister try to prevent theft by counting items, before and after the customer tries on clothes.

“I always had to watch the dressing rooms,” Singleton said. “You had to check the pockets of the clothes too.”

Stores like Limited Too show new employees videos about the techniques shoplifters use.

Still, employees like sophomore Michelle Lohbeck say it’s easier said than done. Lohbeck said four girls came into the Limited Too store with Hollister bags, and they got a lot of clothes and went into the dressing rooms.

“My manager told them to bring out the clothes when they were done and they didn’t,” Lohbeck said. Her manager went back to get the clothes and found a censor on the ground. While the manager was looking through the girls’ bags, [one of the three girls] went and put the jeans back in the dressing room.

One of the sales associates saw the girl and went back to get the jeans, which had a large hole where the censor was ripped out. Security caught the girls after they left.

And, stealing is not just a retail trend, it is now happening in schools.

Backpacks and hooded sweatshirts have helped students steal from the lunch line in the past.

Cafeteria worker Ms. Diane Metzger said most of those who steal do it just to see if they can get away with it. “There’s always the possibility that they’re going to stuff it in their pocket before they get up to the register,” she said. “One of the things I’d like to see is not allowing book bags in the line; otherwise [theft] is hard to stop.”

Metzger added while some kids resort to stealing, LHS has “a lot of honest kids too.” But for those who aren’t, the punishment is a three day suspension.

So whether it’s a bag of chips or a T-shirt, getting caught stealing will probably cost more in the end.

page 2 • editorial

oct. 6, 2006

&

hand these out for Halloween

Stars To:

Beauty is lost while the lazy live on We have been taught for years not to litter and to always pick up after ourselves.

But take a look around our school, and it’s obvious that we aren’t following through.

There is trash everywhere. Not just on the floor at lunch, but outside, too. In the parking lot, in the bleachers, and everywhere in between. It is disgusting. We all know it.

Students complain about it constantly.

About how everything is filthy and wondering why the janitors “don’t do their jobs.”

That is not the case. The custodians work hard every day, and it is not their job to follow you around and pick up your trail of junk. If you are walking through the halls and you drop a wrapper, bend over and pick it up. Two seconds to clean up after yourself means the custodial staff

has the time to do a more thorough cleaning each night.

This is a matter of respect. Respect for your fellow students and your school.

We’re viewed as one of the best high schools around, so why don’t we start showing it?

Sure, there are efforts towards beautification here and there. Community service classes, Key Club and Earth Club are all for improving our campus. Even though participating in these groups does not take up a whole lot of time, not even half of the student body is involved in these activities.

It is time everyone helps out. Just a little more effort here and there will add up to big results.

Still, it seems like the prevailing attitude is: Sure, the campus looks like a tor-

holla back

In the past month, the death toll of Americans in the war in Iraq has surpassed that of the deaths on Sept. 11.

Americans have started talking about how effective the war has been, and they are starting to wonder if it’s time to remove soldiers from Iraq.

Staying in Iraq will cause a financial burden on our country, but pulling out of Iraq now will leave an unstable enviroment.

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

image info

Editor in Chief • Kevin Pinney News Editor • Britt Peters Asst. News Editor • Matt Hibbard Opinion Editor • Mary Belzer In-Depth Editor • Sarah Southerland Feature Editor • Jen Apoian Entertainment Editor • Nicole Castellano Sports Editors • Ryan Bueckendorf, Josh Handler Ad Manager • Brian Ruyle Artist • Ankit Bhargava Adviser • Nancy Y. Smith MJE

Photographers • John Cox, Alex Erdman, Mike Kurlowski, Alexis Myers, Abby Orlowski and Julie Ronzio Staff: Kendall Brewer, Aaron Casias, Alex Davis, Ashley Edlund, Brett Hamlin, Sydney Miller, Brad Schlemmer, Nancy Stiles, Brooke Thibodaux and Nina Walters

Do you think it’s time to bring our troops home?

editorial

Opinions do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints or official policies of the school administration. All editorials (unsigned) represent a majority opinion of the Editorial Board. Signed editorials, columns, editorial cartoons and reviews reflect the views of the author and not necessarily those of the Image Editorial Board.

nado just swept through, but we’ll be out of here in a few years, so who cares?

It should not be like that. We need to care. A small effort from everyone will produce incredible results. Pitch in. It won’t take much, we promise. And, if you don’t help to improve our campus, you have no right to complain.

Yes 49% No 51% 202 students polled

•Halloween is right around the corner. It’s finally time for dressing up in ridiculous costumes, scaring every little kid in the neighborhood and convincing your parents that you’re not too old to go trick-or-treating.

• For students, the disaster drill was nothing but a nice hour-long break from classes. Sure, it may have benefited the administrators, but for us it was just a chance to listen to iPods and play card games. We vote for another one.

•Musician Billy Joel is putting his mansion up for sale. That’s right, everyone’s dreams have officially come true. If you’ve got $37.5 million, you can sleep where the piano man slept.

•After the E-coli scare, spinach is back on the shelves of your local supermarket. The absence left salad lovers longing for the savory ingredient, but have no fear, it’s back and better than ever.

•Along with the return of spinach, mayonnaise packets have returned to the cafeteria. No spinach or mayo packets? What are we to do? We can finally top our sandwiches properly once again. And thanks to their returns, the world can keep on turning.

Gripes To:

•The mysterious new cheese on the cheeseburgers in the lunch line. Sure, we know not all American cheese is colored yellow, but we don’t even know what kind of cheese this is. It doesn’t have to be the right kind of cheese, just make it recognizable so our narrow minds can digest it.

•This past month, fans gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Superdome in New Orleans. Sure, it’s great to welcome back something so famous, but maybe we should be worrying more about the people still without homes in the area. Despite what some may think, human lives are more important than sports.

•Another school shooting took place in Colorado last month, in which an adult male held six girls hostage, eventually killing one of them before also taking his own life. This was followed by a shooting in a one-room Amish schoolhouse in Pennsylvania.

We don’t want this trend of school homicides to catch on, so remember things like Columbine, and appreciate your friends.

•The House of Representatives just approved a bill that legalizes wiretapping without a warrant. From now on, the government can track and screen your e-mails and phone calls for content. It’s supposed to help detect terrorists, but do we really want Big Brother watching?

Publication Information

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

The 2005-2006 Image received a rating of All-American with five marks of distinction from the National Scholastic Press Association. The 2004-2005 Image was named an International First Place winner from Quill And Scroll, Superior by the Sponsors of School Publications of Greater St. Louis and received a rating of AllAmerican with four marks of distinction from the NSPA.

Philosophy Statement

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

How To Reach Us:

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

op-ed • page 3

the image

Apathy: a pathetic way to live letters to the editor

Dear Editor, There have been quite a few changes at Lafayette this year. For the most part, these changes have been beneficial, such as the new additions to the Commons; still I’ve noticed a few things that I am not pleased with.

The first deals with one of the new Commons extensions. If you’re unfamiliar with the problem, I would suggest checking out the extension closest to the senior hallway. You will notice a large, lowhanging ventilation shaft, marked with “caution” tape. I suspect poor design, but we can’t change the past. I am interested if there are plans in the works to fix this problem, as it is a daily one.

Secondly, while we’re on the subject of that new extension, I would like to point out we still do not have a TV! Instead, we’ve got a black television frame and three cords in its place.

With any luck and time, these things will be addressed.

Sincerely, Mike Knoop, 12 Dear Editor, Concerning keeping our youth safe during off campus field trips, I commend the common sense practices of music directors [Brad] Balog and [Michele] Rodgers, including the use of parent chaperones who were forbidden to attend the AP Art History Chicago field trip.

In fact, Ms. [Jean] Peters refused my own offer to chaperone the Chicago trip, stating, “I do not take parent chaperones on that particular field trip.

I have found the students have a better time without the parents along.”

A signed contract should not take the place of constant adult supervision and monitoring of students on overnight field trips. The AP Chicago excursion included over 13 hours of unsupervised day free time over three days, and no supervision after “lights out” until after breakfast the next morning.

LHS is very, very lucky no harm came to any of these students.

Sincerely, Ms. Cynthia Marion, Parent

Editor’s Note:

Information in the above letter was checked with school officials to verify the statements it contained. They cited several inaccuracies in the information and stand by their previous statements that all students and parents were fully aware of the expectations for student behavior, chaperoning arrangements and trip itinerary and accepted those terms. Additionally, they said no parent chaperone is turned away from a trip as long as they meet the District requirements and pass required background checks. District policy determines the number of chaperones for field trips and administrators said the AP Art History field trip was within that required ratio.

Letters to the Editor Policy

Participation through letters to the editor by students, faculty and the community is encouraged.

Letters must be signed but names will be withheld upon request and with the concurrence of the Editorial Board. Letters should be limited to 300 words.

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

In this generation, we’ve got it all. We have hundreds of television channels, more talk radio than our parents could have ever imagined and the endless black hole that is the Internet. But in this era of information sharing, in asking around the school, I’ve noticed that the majority of the teenage population has no idea what’s going on in the world.

Since I’ve started conducting polls during lunch [Hollaback], I’ve been blown away by some of the responses I’ve gotten. Even in asking about Hurricane Katrina, I found that some kids were hardly aware that efforts were still continuing.

Aside from the obvious things, I feel it’s important for students to know what’s happening in their country.

Midterm elections are next month, and I’m willing to bet that less than half of students here could tell me who the Democratic and Republican candidates are for U.S. Senator. By the way, they are Claire McCaskill and Jim Talent, respectively.

There’s more to this election than just our senators.

The debate over Stem Cell research will hopefully be settled, at least in Missouri. Either lives will end up being saved or we’ll still be shooting in the dark until conservatives come around.

Raising minimum wage is on the ballot, so maybe everyone will start to realize that it’s not so easy to live on $5.15 an hour, especially if the recipient of such a wage has a family to support.

For anyone who wasn’t aware of these campaign issues, or any others, it’s possible that not everyone has access to this information at home. If not, the school library is equipped with the Internet, which, if you find the right websites, can tell you everything you’d ever want to know.

I guess I could go for blaming society. Entertainment is being thrown so heavily in our faces that it’s hard to remember how much politics matter, too. There are more music and movie channels than news programs, and pol-

Quite

Contrary

by Mary Belzer, Opinions Editor

iticians can’t expect young people to choose NBC over those intense dating shows on MTV. As a result, it’s almost impossible for these issues to reach young voters.

Maybe it’s just apathy. Most of the student body can’t vote, so I guess it’s not really necessary to be completely informed about current events. For me personally, I’ve always tried to keep up with politics and that sort of thing, for the sake of being educated. You really have no right to complain unless you truly have an idea of what you’re talking about.

Seniors, especially, I’m counting on you. Most of you are either 18 and can vote in the upcoming election, or will be turning 18 soon after and able to vote in the next one. I’m not forcing you to take notice of things you couldn’t care less about. But if you have the power to vote, you should take advantage of it, considering you’ve educated yourself about the laws and candidates. I’ve seen and heard this far too often, so, above all, don’t just vote for what your parents are voting for. You don’t have to agree with them. Think what you want, and vote how you wish.

For those of you who still have a while before heading to the polls, keep up with the world before it leaves you behind. Before you check your Facebook every night, just take a quick skim through a news website. It doesn’t take much time to educate yourself, form an opinion and start feeling like you’re a part of the world.

Stem cell critics should not be cloned In the morning as my Rice Krispies snap, crackle and pop in the bowl in front of me, I like to watch the morning news. It keeps me informed of life-altering things like riots in the Middle East, people getting shot and the day’s weather.

But injected between all that vital information are little things called commercials. And since it’s almost November, political candidates and special interest groups are running ads like crazy.

The ones that mainly catch my attention pertain to stem cell research in Missouri. They’re the commercials telling me to vote yes or no on Amendment 2.

Basically, the passing of Amendment 2 would allow scientists to conduct stem cell research permitted by federal law and to provide treatments or cures to patients.

In essence, it would save a whole lot of lives and put Missouri on the cutting edge of stem cell research. Saving lives doesn’t sound bad, does it?

But there is one thing in that amendment that has a lot of people’s panties in bunches.

According to it, embryonic stem cell research will remain legal in this state.

Some people are opposed to this type of stem cell research because they say the few-day-old cluster of cells is a living human. It’s fine to believe that, but answer this question: What is more human, a tiny group of cells sitting in a petri dish or a 35-year-old woman suffering from cerebral palsy?

The truth is, the embryonic stem cells are never an individual human. They’re just a grouping of cells that can, in essence, turn into any other type of cell. The stem cells

A Pinney For Your Thoughts

by Kevin Pinney, Editor in Chief can transform into skin, heart, nerve or whatever. Think of them as skin that comes off when you scratch or bleed from a cut. They have human genetic traits, but they aren’t a real human, just potential parts that combine to make a whole human.

Another thing that is nice is the fact that the DNA from a person seeking a cure via stem cell treatment can be used to create the cells needed. There are no questions about whether or not the tissues will be rejected, because they’re the same exact genetic makeup.

That brings up the issue of cloning.

It is in a way. Scientists clone a certain type of cells, not the whole person. It’s not like it’s creating one life and killing it for parts in order to save another.

All of this does the world a lot of good. More people will become independent once cures to diseases are unlocked via stem cells. Look at it as a chance to end a portion of human suffering.

Just asking... photo opinion

This month the Image asks “What was your scariest Halloween costume?

Jessica Jones, 12 “I was a witch.”

Photo opinion compiled by Alex Davis and Matt Hibbard

Eric Barford, 11 “The scarecrow from Jeepers Creepers. It scared the bejeepers out of me.”

Stephanie Weider, 10 “����������������������� I dressed up as a dead cheerleader.”�

Nicholas Maluf, 9 “����������������������� I was pretending to be Dracula.”�

Officer Ollie Helbig “�������������������������� I put a woman's stocking over my face. People thought I was a stick-up man.�”

page 4 • campus

bits& pieces

news at a glance

•compiled by Ashley Edlund, Sydney Miller and Brooke Thibodaux

Heartland Renaissance Conference will be hosted by Lafayette Oct. 27 The Heartland Regional Renaissance will be celebrating 11 years of academic excellence Oct. 27 at Lafayette High School.

Schools from across the Midwest will be attending the confeence which organizers expect will draw nearly 750 attendees.

Mr. Bill Senti, Renaissance coordinator, said the theme is “Club Renaissance.” During the day, students will attend a number of breakout sessions where they will learn how to start a Renaissance proram, how to put on an Academic Assembly and more.

The keynote addres will feature Emmy Award winning motivation speaker, Mr. Mark Scharenbroich.

After lunch, the event will feature a mini-Academic Assembly to show participants how one is run.

For schools arriving early, a Coffee House is also scheduled for Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. to showcase Heartland students’ and staff members’ talents.

10 earn Nat’l Merit semifinalist status

The 2007 National Merit Scholarship Program has named 19 seniors in the Rockwood School District as semifinalists.

Of the 19, ten are Lafayette seniors Max Beushausen, Ankit Bhargava, John Buttram, Patrick Collins, Amanda Dwyer, Hilary Kirwan, Ethan Moore, Michael Solomon, Kate Webb and Jona Xiao.

Those who advance to the finalist stage could receive the National Merit Scholarships of $2,500.

ROTC cadet Napper named one of top ten at Summer Leadership

At the Summer Leadership Camp at Scott AFB, sophomore Christina Napper on of ten cadets was selected as an honor cadet, in June 2006. 140 cadets from KY, KS, IL, MO, and MS attended.

Napper a first year JROTC cadet was chosen from a board of JROTC instructors who evaluated the contestants. She was one question away from being recognized as the top cadet for the camp. “She exhibited determined leadership, worked well with other cadets and met every challenge thrown at her,”Colonel Mike Berenc said.

Coach Ski receives nomination to Track Coaches Hall of Fame

Girls track coach and Physical Education Department Chair Marty Margalski has been nominated for the Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The inductees will be named in December.

“I’m honored because so many of my peers are in it. I think it’s a sign of respect from them that I appreciate,” Margalski said If Margalski is chosen he will receive the award at State in the spring. “It shows the respect the program has for Lafayette.

The award is not so much a me award, it truly is more an athlete award,” Margalski said.

Smith wins national journalism award

The Dow Jones Newspaper Fund which sponsors the 2006 National High School Journalism Teacher Awards competition has recognized Ms. Nancy Smith, journalism teacher, as one of five Special Recognition Advisers in the nation.

Image Editor in Chief Kevin Pinney submitted a letter to the organization describing Smith’s success in leadership as a newspaper adviser.

“I basically just wrote a letter telling them how awesome Ms. Smith is. She’s like a second mom to me, I’ve made the mistake of calling her mom before,” Pinney said.

She will be honored at the Journalism Education Association’s Fall Conference in Nashville this November.

fyi

oct. 6, 2006

activities at a glance (compiled by students in Writing & Reporting)

Earth Club

Earth Club meets every Thursday after school in Room 234, and all students are invited to attend.

They are currently collecting plastic bottles in the cafeteria during all lunch shifts in order to recycle them.

A nature walk will also be held at Meramec State Park on October 7.

Artist’s Guild

An expansive mural project is in the works for the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) members.

When completed, the mural will “stretch over the walls of the lower Fine Arts wing,” sponsor Ms. Betsy Rivas said.

Artist’s Guild will also host a recruitment drive in October.

Teenage Health Consultants (TAHC)

TAHC is a health education project sponsored by the St. Louis Department of Health.

Meetings have not yet been scheduled, but the philosophy of the group is for teens to have a positive effect on their peers by leading discussions on topics such as dating issues.

Any interested students should see Ms. Becky Lawrence in the FACS Department.

Senior Women

The proceeds from Powder Puff will most likely be split between Lydias House ,a woman’s shelter, and Habitat for Humanity. The decision will be made at the next meeting.

Vocal Music St. Louis Suburban Choir Auditions will be held at Hazelwood Central High School on Oct. 27 for juniors and seniors only.

Latin Club

Officers were elected at the first Latin Club meeting. Senior Kayla Sapp, president; junior Jaclyn Carper, vice president; senior Jamie Huang, secretary; and senior Justin Roark, historian, were elected.

photo • Julie Ronzio

•Giving Back. Seniors Hope Ashley and Courtney O’ Brien help the school community by planting bulbs around the school grounds. Care Team meets throughout the year and does projects to facilitate the Character Education program such as painting the trash cans, selecting student to student awards and painting murals. Students can contact Ms. Jen Murray for additional information.

The Robotics Team Key Club The Rockwood Robotics Team started its season on Sept.

12.

They will be building several robots including one weighing around 130 pounds.

This large robot will compete in the St. Louis FIRST Regional at the Family Arena in St. Charles March 1-3, 2007.

Small robots will also be built to compete on Dec. 10.

The team meets on tuesdays from 4:15-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Retired Computer Science teacher and club sponsor, Ms. Mary Ann Gatto said new students are still welcome to join.

Key Club will be meeting at Laumeier Park on Oct. 14 and 21 for Honeysuckle removal.

They will also have their monthly Rainbow Village event Oct. 7 which gives members a chance to interact and help children with Downs Syndrome.

New Clubs

Seniors Micheal Margherita’s and Ethan Moore’s love for Ultimate Frisbee has encouraged them to create a club for students.

Anyone interested in joining should create a group and sign up in Trailer #1 with sponsor Mr. Adam Dunsker.

news • page 5

the image

New director prepares for opening night Sydney Miller • News Editor The stress of construction plans, an upcoming play and a new cast do not add up to an ideal situation. Especially when a teacher new to the school and students are dealing with it firsthand.

Mr. Gary Fishgall is the new drama teacher and as his first production approaches, anticipation is growing in both Fishgall and his students.

“I do Speech and Debate, so I’m not too nervous about it [the play]. But in Speech and Debate, if you make a mistake, you pause and continue. If you mess up in drama, it messes everyone else up,” senior C.C. Zheng said. She plays Christine Schoenwalder in Picnic.

The fall play, Picnic, is set in a small Kansas town in the 1950s. The Pulitzerwinning drama tells the stories of beautiful Madge Owens and awkward Millie Owens; their socially ambitious mother, Flo Owens; wealthy Alan Seymour, and drifter Hal Carter. It opened on Broadway in 1953.

Fishgall chose Picnic because it is an award-winning drama with characters audiences care about. Picnic provides more acting opportunities and balanced roles so more students can participate.

For many students, Picnic is their first Lafayette production. Freshman Jessica Cohen, sophomore Matt Voigt and Zheng have spent every night memorizing lines and reading through the script.

“I’m working on the background for my character, as far as characterization goes. Practicing lines every night and seeing how I can add to my character,” Voigt said.

Fishgall is also experiencing his first year teaching high school after working professionally in theater, both as an actor and director.

“I was in The Odd Couple, Born Yesterday, Barefoot in the Park and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,”

photos • Sydney Miller

•A New Direction. New drama teacher Mr. Gary Fishgall watches rehearsals for Picnic.

Going from professional plays to directing Lafayette shows has required some getting used to. “I feel like I’m still getting to know students, and they’re still getting to know me,” Fishgall said.

•On Script. Rehearsing for Picnic, senior David Sajewich and junior Charolette Gaw practice their lines. Sajewich, who plays Hal Carter, develops a romance with Madge Owens, played by senior Cady Leinicke, which creates conflict with the characters.

he said. “I directed Fantastics, Barefoot in the Park and Bell Book & Candle.”

Many of the students are excited to work with such an experienced director.

“I get to see what may lie in the future for me. This guy is so serious, he’s such an analyst. He doesn’t miss any detail in any line. I’m really proud I get to work with him,” Voigt said.

Other students see it as an opportunity to add variety to the cast. Zheng said a new teacher won’t know who is a regular in school productions, and that gives an opportunity to underclassmen and new actors to join the cast.

“It’s kind of cool. He’s got his own way

of doing everything, but he kind of gives us leverage on how to portray it and he’s always up for suggestions,” Cohen said.

Other regulars to the Lafayette stage who are appearing in the show include senior Mary Belzer, Cady Leinecke, David Sajewich and juniors Charlotte Gaw and Shannon Nicholson.

At the moment, the only thing worrying Fishgall about Picnic is the set. He said a lot of organization and time will go into making sure the set is ready.

“I’m very pleased about the way rehearsals are going, so I hope we will be ready opening night with a minimum amount of stress. Everybody knows that

is expected of them,” Fishgall said.

Cohen expects the show to do very well because the cast has worked well together.

In addition, the construction schedule for theater renovations has been moved back allowing the musical to also be performed in the theater. Therefore, Fishgall said Carnival will be saved for next year so it can be performed in the Commons.

“I think it’s really important we hold onto that [Carnival] and take advantage of that when the time comes,” he said.

Opening night for Picnic is Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. and runs until Oct. 21. Tickets are $6 in advance, and $8 at the door.

Adding A Personal Touch

Required course prepares students for their futures Matt Hibbard • Asst. News Editor Learning about mutual funds, stock market changes and how to balance a checkbook might not be the class you have been waiting for.

Nevertheless, beginning with the Class of 2010, the Personal Finance class will be a required course which brings students closer to their own financial goals.

Family and Consumer Studies (FACS) teacher, Lori Sanders, has added the personal touch back into the classroom by bringing guest speakers and interesting activities such as St. Louis-style Monopoly on Fridays.

The class curriculum directly affects the lifestyles, consumer choices, and the quality of life for students.

And, it helps those who are struggling with money as well as preparing them for their own expenses once they start living by themselves.

As of this year, all freshman and future students are going to have to fit Personal Finance into their schedules.

“The main reason for the requirement is that the parents aren’t managing their money well, these bad habits have af-

fected what their children use to fix their own financial problems,” Sanders said.

Although the class is mainly about ways of dealing with money, Sanders has added new ways to prepare students for the future.

In fact, when asking students why they took the class, most students agreed that the class would better prepare them for future jobs ahead.

Already worried about her financial state, senior Amanda Gober needed a class that could steer her through the confusing financial jargon.

“I don’t have enough money, in fact in a whole year of working at HoneyBaked Ham I only made $1,200,” Gober said.

She added, “Once I get my paycheck, most of it goes towards saving for college and paying for gas, food and clothes.”

Along with helping students deal with money, the class also aids in creating helpful habits that will benefit students in the future.

“I’m really lazy when managing my receipts, although I haven’t had to pay any fines, I never know how much money I have on my account,” Gober

said.

Other students used the class to learn new ways to organize their future occupations. As senior Ryan Senciboy prepares for possibly going to the Navy, he is aware that money will be an issue for him.

“The class has encouraged me to put money in my savings account and organize my money wisely,” Senciboy said.

At a glance, the personal finance class might seem to consist of confusing numbers and dollar bill amounts, but one of Sander’s primary objectives was to improve the personal side and bring in guest speakers.

“We have a variety of speakers such as bankers and real state representatives to bring a more local feel to the class,” Sanders said.

From learning how to read the business pages to researching their own future job incomes, the Personal Finance class has given students the basics to succeed.

Sanders said, “Nobody likes to budget a checkbook or understand stock and mutual funds, but if I can bring more of the personal side to the room this mandatory class will prepare many for what lies ahead.”

photo • Matt Hibbard

•Mind Over Money. During Personal Finance class, students play the St. Louis edition of Monopoly. Senior Amanda Gober counts her money while junior Eric Lutz watches. The required Personal Finance class hopes to bring a more personal edge to a complicated world of money.

page 6 • news

oct. 6, 2006

Disaster Free Drill

‘Cooperation’ key to success of first-ever disaster drill which took 50 minutes to complete Kendall Brewer • Reporter We have officially survived the disaster--the disaster drill that is.

On Sept. 21, students and staff successfully made their way to the football field for the planned evacuation.

“This drill is different than the other drills. A portion of the school has been damaged, everyone must get out and attendance must be taken. This drill practices communication skills,” Assistant Principal Matt Dieckhaus said.

While students were eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts or playing hackey-sack, the staff went about contacting emergency officials, accounting for all the people in the building and finding missing personnel.

“The drill did exactly what it was intended to do,” Dieckhaus said. “Attendance was completed in 37 minutes; the staged people trapped were found and rescued. All of this took a total of 50 minutes.”

Ms. Becky Lawrence, family and consumer science teacher and Ms. Nancy Smith, journalism teacher, were the two staff members who were asked to be trapped in their classrooms. The teachers stayed behind with their students to see how long it would take to identify them as missing.

“The staff decided not to go too nuts over this drill,” Principal Larry Schmidt said, which is why no students were asked to stage an injury inside the building.

The main goal of the drill was for the staff members to learn how to communicate in a time of crisis.

Ms. Renee Rehfeldt, foreign language teacher, said, “I think it’s something we needed to do. In all honesty, it was good for the teachers to see where they were going. I know my spot on the football field, but it was nice to walk through everything.”

Certain teachers, such as art teacher Mr. Bill Senti, looked for creative ways to communicate with their students, rather than just staff members.

“He [Senti] made all of us print off a letter from the sentence “GRAPHIC DESIGN IS COOL WOW” and he took attendance by seeing if we weren’t missing any letters; it kind of worked too,” sophomore Adam Polson said.

Although it is impossible to demand an earthquake to strike the building, the staff was hoping the students would learn what to do in an emergency crisis.

“The drill is as realistic as it could get. In a real situation it is obviously more stressful. People do what they are taught to do when they are stressed,” St. Louis County Police Officer Ollie Helbig said.

While the staff felt the drill was necessary to practice, some students felt free to disagree. “There are 2,000 kids in this school; there is no way everyone would be able to get out,” junior Nick Kampe said.

Other students, such as sophomore Ashley Mace, said the drill was too unrealistic. “I think it would have been better if they didn’t tell us about the drill, so I’d have adrenaline. This way, people couldn’t come prepared like those freshmen over there playing hackey-sack with a piece of string.

That’s just sad,” Mace said.

Although some of the students complained, a majority of them found a way to stay entertained during their hour of free time. ““I brought a big red balloon to play with along with food and a book,” sophomore Brian McManamey said.

Whether or not the drill was beneficial, it surely accomplished what it was intended to do.

“I was very impressed we did all of this under 30 minutes,” Schmidt said.

For the first time this drill was run, everything went smoothly, and the faculty was very pleased. The drill will be practiced annually and maybe every semester.

“I was amazed how well everyone responded to the drill; I compliment the students. Their cooperation made it run well,” Schmidt said.

•The Aftermath. After 50 minutes on the football field, everyone went back inside. Students were sent on to their 2nd Hour classes. The drill started at 9 a.m.

•Teamwork. The preschoolers enjoy their time outside as they play with a parachute. Every single person, including the preschoolers, support staff members and every student and teacher were evacuated.

•Down Time. Juniors Jeff Bohling and Brian Muench relax during the drill. Several teachers encouraged their students to bring blankets and something to keep themselves occupied like an iPod, cards or book.

•Hang Ten. Laptop in hand, juniors Kimberly Dickinson, Andrew Nandor, Alex Perea and sophomore Matt Voigt surfed the web for the hour. The lap top served as a nice distraction during the wait. photos • Alex Erdman

A

news • page 7

the image

tta-boy for Senciboy

Ryan Senciboy, 12

Senciboy elected Boys State Governor

Nancy Stiles • Reporter Blazing across the front page of the Missouri Boys State Record in crisp white was a single word: SENCIBOY! Senior Ryan Senciboy was elected as the governor of the Missouri Boys State program this past summer, running as the Nationalist candidate. An ominous advertisement in the preelection issue of the Record ordered citizens to vote Nationalist—and they did.

“There were 28 kids running for governor, and then that got down to two [Senciboy and Federalist opponent Steve Ramsey],” Senciboy said.

“Then we debated in front of everybody on stage, and each gave a speech to the people. I was actually getting a standing ovation, while the other guy was getting booed. So they voted, and I won.”

Senciboy won in a landslide election with a 67 percent majority.

His closest opponent only garnering 17 percent of the vote.

The program is considered a stepping stone

by Senciboy, teaching him skills he hopes he will utilize in the future.

“At Boys State, we learned how to run a political campaign and what it’s all about. It gives us an idea of whether we enjoy it. It shows you what you need to do, so I think it’ll help out in the long run,” Senciboy said.

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt was a “Boys State-r” as Senciboy puts it, and anticipates his experience will boost his future career.

“Governor Blunt didn’t win governor at Boys State; he ran, but he said he didn’t win!” Senciboy laughed.

The political hopeful has been training with the Naval Sea Cadet Corps for eight years, in addition to being a member of Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC).

Upon arriving to the program last June, Senciboy was the first to be assigned an official post,

“We debated in front of everybody on stage, and each gave a speech to the people.

I was actually getting a standing ovation, while the other guy was getting booed.”

-Senior Ryan Senciboy

photo courtesy of James Bridgeford

•Be All You Can Be. Giving his campaign speech, senior Ryan Senciboy enlightens the voters on the Nationalist Party platform and the importance of ability to cross party lines while Federalist opponents applaud him.

Senciboy attended the Missouri American Legion Boys State June 17-24 at Central Missouri State University.

being immediately appointed Adjutant (assistant) General and put in charge of the color guard.

Although Senciboy claims he was only planning on running for mayor originally and “didn’t run much of a campaign”, the Record called his speech “riveting” and said it “unif[ied] the entire Boys State audience.”

But Senciboy did not begin as a charismatic governor.

“Boys State is something that is chosen by the social studies office; all those teachers have a meeting and nominate people. Then you are sponsored by the American Legion.”

Social Studies teacher Ms. Lori Zang taught Senciboy in AP U.S. Government & Politics and supported his nomination.

“If it wasn’t me who brought up his name, I know I definitely said ‘yes,’” Zang said. “His involvement in ROTC is one reason. He has demonstrated a lot of leadership skills in the classroom as well as outside the classroom. His resume is extensive in terms of the leadership activities he’s been involved in.”

Senciboy has already begun to show the qualities that many believe are necessary to be a successful politician.

“He is very opinionated, but he is also mature enough to be open minded and tolerant of opposing views. He was [in class] very willing to listen to opposing views and take those things

Lafayette FACS presents Recipe of the Month Edible Eyeballs 1 cup water 1/2 cup margarine (1 stick) 1 cup flour 4 eggs Custard Filling (Instant Pudding) Optional: add 2 small drops of orange food coloring to vanilla pudding for Halloween dessert.

Directions: Heat oven to 425 degrees. Heat water and margarine to a rolling boil in a saucepan. Stir in flour and stir vigorously over LOW heat until mixture forms a ball; about 1 minutes; remove from heat and cool. Beat in eggs all at once; continue beating immediately until smooth. (Mixture will be slick at first.) Drop by large spoon fulls until you have 8-10 creme puffs. Don’t grease cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes.

Then reduce temperature to 375 degrees and bake an additional 20-30 minutes or until dry. Cool. When cool, cut in half and add custard filling. Top with chocolate syrup.

into consideration. I don’t think he was conservative on every single issue. He doesn’t try to fit neatly into a label just for the sake of being conservative or liberal,” Zang said.

The aspiring public servant says it’s not as important to think about individual dissents on issues, but rather what will be best for the people.

His ideal is to make the country work as a whole, or else there will not be a country at all.

“I’m mainly conservative, but I think there’s times when you can cross over lines if it’s what’s best for the country. It’s real hard to say that someone’s just a conservative because that’s very general,” Senciboy said.

“Sometimes [The Image] is a little too liberal, not looking at both sides of an issue, but that’s a problem with media all around the country,” Senciboy said.

“Of course, the media is an integral part of our society,” he said. “I think a lot of the ideas that the liberals have are maybe a little too far left. It’s not good to be too far right or too far left.

You have to think about the middle, and what’s going to benefit everyone, not just that population that agrees with you.”

Political ideologies aside, Senciboy sees this as a rare opportunity.

“The difference is, anyone can get picked to be in charge of something by a teacher,” he said.

“But it was my peers. They got to vote to put me there.”

page 8 • news

New lunchtime contests highlight Homecoming 2006 ‘Super Heroes’

oct. 6, 2006

And the winner is . . .

photo • John Cox

1

•1. Congratulating another Senior Woman, a group of girls take in the moment they have been waiting for since their freshman year. With a charge of $3 per person to enter the game, Powder Puff raised money to send to Lydia’s House and Habitat for Humanity.

•2. Homecoming 2006, “Gotham Nights”, crowned Tyler Filmore as Homecoming King and Jillian Kyle as Homecoming Queen. The court included (from left to right), Senior Knight John Buttram, Senior Maid Annalise Lyons, Senior Night Drew Bishline, Senior Night Tim Alwell, Senior Maid Rachel Costello, King Tyler Filmore, Queen Jillian Kyle, Junior Maid Megan Drissel, Junior Knight Caleb Welchans, Junior Maid Gabby Demos, Sophomore Knight Russel Hendricks and Sophomore Maid Jordan Voss.

•3. Through three days of lunch time games, which took the place of Spirit Fest, students were invited to compete for their class. Freshman Brett Ferryman faces off senior Mike Horton in the arm wrestling competition. In all three lunch periods the seniors won and took first place.

•4. The Gladiator Jousting Competition allowed for the sophomores to take the lead over the seniors. Junior Leanne Tracy jousts her way to victory for the Class of 2008.

•5. Male Escadrille prepares to enter the stadium for their performance at the annual Powder Puff football game. They are always a fan favorite during the Pep Assembly and the Powder Puff half time show. photo courtesy of Prestige

5

Fun Run: First: Seniors- 60 Second: Sophomores- 40 Third: Freshman- 20 Fourth: Junior- 10

Pie Eating Contest: First: Freshman- 40 Second: Senior- 30 Second: Junior- 30 Fourth: Sophomore- 10

Arm Wrestling Competition: First: Senior- 40 Second: Sophomore- 30 Third: Junior- 20 Fourth: Freshman- 10

2

photo • John Cox

4

Gladiator Joust Competition: First: Sophomores- 40 Second: Seniors- 30 Third: Juniors- 20 Fourth: Freshman- 10

Hall Decorations: First: Seniors- 80 Second: Freshman- 60 Third: Junior- 40 Fourth: Sophomore- 20

Penny Wars:

3

photo • Julie Ronzio

photo • Julie Ronzio

7

photo • Alexis Meyers

photo • Alexis Meyers

Seniors

Tug of War: Seniors

Save Your Principal:

6

Seniors

•6. The varsity volleyball team throws candy to parade viewers along Clayton Road. The annual Homecoming Parade featured floats from area schools, clubs and sports teams.

•7. Cheering fans pack the stadium to watch the Homecoming football game against Melhville. The Lancers fell 7-17, making it the second Homecoming loss in a row.

Overall Standings: First: Seniors Second: Sophomores Third: Freshman Fourth: Juniors

Theresa Novak 910 Kehrs Mill Road Suite 118 Ballwin, MO 63011 mikedostl@yahoo.com Kehrs Mill Road at Clayton 3 miles west of 141 636-391-332

“Service in Society”

West County Feed 17050 Manchester Grover, MO 63040 (636) 458-5474 M-F 9-6 Sat. 8:30 - 4 Sun 11-3

in-depth • page 9

the image

A Good Reason To Buckle Up Accidents remind students of seat belt importance

photo courtesy of Kelly Juergens

Sarah Southerland • In-Depth Editor • Irreparable Damages.

The Juergen’s vehicle overturned several times before coming to a halt.

The accident occurred last Memorial Day weekend, claiming the life of Hannah Juergens.

“There is always that slim chance that if she would have been wearing a seat belt, she would still be here with us today,” Ms. Kelly Juergens said.

The accident that claimed the life if Hannah Juergens happened last Memorial Day weekend on US 54, one mile north of Richland Creek. Hannah, who attended Lafayette, would have been a sophomore this year.

According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, the driver, senior Alex Juergens, swerved to miss an animal, ran off the road and overturned. Alex and another passenger, Marquette student Cassandra Barnhart suffered only moderate injuries.

The two girls in the back seat, Hannah and sophomore Arianna Lynch, who were not wearing seat belts, were transported to the hospital, where Hannah died the next morning from her injuries.

Since the loss of her daughter, Ms. Juergens has been on somewhat of a campaign to strongly advocated the use of seatbelts.

“Hopefully through knowledge of Hannah, people will be more conscientious about wearing their seat belts,” she said. “We all have the mentality of ‘it won’t ever happen to me’.”

Alex said the accident and death of her sister has caused her to make major changes in her life. “Cherish what you have because you never know what is going to happen.” She said she always wears her seatbelt now and makes her friends buckle up as well.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, teenagers have the highest fatality rate in motor vehicle crashes than any other age group.

Most would agree this is because teenagers are inexperienced,

frequently engage in high-risk behaviors and sometimes attempt to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

However, people fail to consider one important reason that is often overlooked: the seat belt use rate of teenagers is considerably lower than that of adults.

Because teenagers are more prone to fatal traffic crashes, experts agree it is imperative that efforts be made to increase seat belt use. Air bags are designed to work with seat belts, not alone.

Senior Caroline Heitkamp can also attest to the importance of wearing a seat belt. Heitkamp, while she was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown out of the passenger window of a vehicle traveling 60 mph.

“I was told by my doctor that being thrown from the vehicle at that speed is like jumping off a 16 story building,” Heitkamp said.

“I am very lucky I survived.”

Heitkamp’s situation is very rare; she was fortunate to only have suffered from a severe concussion along with several cuts and bruises.

Heitkamp was involved in another accident last year in which she was the driver.

“My truck was totaled, but I had my seat belt on,” Heitkamp explained. “Without it [my seat belt], I believe I would have flown through the windshield.”

There seems to be a clear correlation between seat belt use and reduced injuries in car accidents.

“The story is: wearing a seat belt makes a difference,” Ms. Juergens stressed.

“Braking” Point: Dangerous intersections exist near campus Buckling up can keep you alive during an accident, but the best bet is still to always be alert and prepared to avoid an accident altogether. Here is a list of 5 of the most dangerous intersections near Lafayette, according to driver’s ed teacher Mr. Boyd Manne. Manne and several students were willing to share their thoughts about these intersections and how to be safe when driving on them.

Aaron Casias • Reporter

Highway 109 @ Pond Grover Loop

Clayton Road @ Strecker Road

Clayton Road @ Clarkson Road

Clarkson Road @ Manchester Road

Manchester Road @ Old State Road

Located right by Lafayette, down Highway 109 heading toward Highway 100, this intersection has bad news written all over it. Be extremely cautious and decisive at this intersection, especially when turning left.

This intersection is found shortly down Clayton Road, heading towards Clarkson. This is a semi-protected intersection with stop signs at only two of its four divisions, making it one of the most dangerous in the area.

This intersection is located down Clayton Road. Just look for the mass traffic and stop lights; it’s kind of hard to miss. The constant flow of traffic from all directions makes this an extremely busy and dangerous intersection.

This is another intersection that’s hard to miss if you’re driving on Manchester Road. This intersection is always packed, and the recent resurfacing project only adds to the traffic congestion.

This intersection is located down Manchester Road near Quik Trip.

The constant flow of traffic from QT and the construction all around the area make this an extremely dangerous intersection.

“This intersection is completely uncontrolled. There’s no regulated traffic. Drivers need to use good judgement and find a good space cushion when turning left or right.”

- Mr. Boyd Manne, driver’s education

“I absolutely hate that intersection. There’s so much going on at once that I always second guess myself about making a turn from Strecker onto Clayton. I always end up just taking the risk and turning whenever I think it’s alright to go.”

- Ryan Jaccard, senior

“The other day, I could not even go when I got a green light because construction had traffic backed up all the way into the intersection. The construction is definitely something to watch out for.” - Eric Witthaus, junior

“There’s four lanes, one of which ends on Kiefer Creek Road. There’s always a lot of cars, and of course more cars means more congestion.

Also, the yield lane by the Shell gas station is longer than most which leads to more accidents in that area.” - Manne

“Obviously, like with every intersection, obey all the traffic laws and traffic signals. We teach Driver’s Ed. students to always assume that another driver will not stop or run a red light.” - Manne photos • Aaron Casias

page 10 • features

The cat’s out of the bag

&

oct. 6, 2006

exotic pets are in

•Later Gator. Brutus glares menacingly from the safety of his tank. It wasn’t Sara Sanguinet’s idea to purchase this reptile, her father and brother traded their previous crocodile for him.

Brad Schlemmer • Reporter Pets infest the nation’s households.

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA), over half the nation has pets. Many assume cats and dogs are the most popular, but the APPMA’s statistics actually point to common freshwater fish. However, exotics pets are embedded within the numbers.

Some of Lafayette’s students have brought the most bizarre animals •No Monkey Business. Tracey Medows, junior, attempts to get the indoors.

Snakes, ferrets or irritated Nelly from his aunt, Ms. Halfley. The highway noise detracted horses don’t quite fit the from Nelly’s quiet time in her room. Also, Medows’ family was busy setprofile of exotic. Senior ting up Halloween decorations outside.

Sara Sanguinet and junior Tracey Medows can tell you what do.

Sanguinet and her family have had their very own alligator Brutus for six years. Previously, they owned a crocodile and traded it for him. “It was more of my brother and Dad’s idea,” Sanguinet admitted.

Medows’ family received their capuchin monkey as a gift. Nelly’s offer was found in a newspaper advertisement from a veterinarian, by Medows’ aunt. For 10 years, Nelly has been a part of the family; she even has a room of her own.

Brutus and Nelly have their own special treats. Brutus eats live mice; “I can’t stand to watch it,” Sanguinet said.

Nelly eats monkey biscuits, occasionally some grapes and fruits, but, “She loves whipped cream,” Medows added. The treat of having her, however, also required some legal action. Medows’ aunt obtained a license in order to legally own and maintain the family’s pet. According to Monkey Matters Magazine some states, counties or cities don’t allow primates, and a quantity of licenses require paid inspections by officials.

Exotic pets come with a bonus: fun memories to cherish. Sanguinet and her family had to fish Brutus out of the basement when he got loose, and Medows recollects a time when Nelly skittered up a tree in Faust Park.

Though atypical, Brutus and Nelly still receive and reciprocate the expansive love as in any home with a domestic animal.

Did You Know?

Total Number of Pets Owned (Millions)

It is estimated that in 2006, $38.4 billion will be spent on pets in the United States. Here is the breakdown:

• • • • •

1. Freshwater Fish-139.0 2. Cat-90.5 3. Dog-73.9 4. Small Animal-18.2 5. Bird-16.6

Food $15.2 billion Vet Care $9.4 billion Supplies/OTC Medicine $9.3 billion Live animal purchases $1.8 billion Pet Services: grooming and boarding $2.7 billion

According to the Industry Statistics & Trends, from APPMA

According to American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

Ellisville United Methodist Church Youth Group Sunday 6-7:30 Ultimate Frisbee Tuesday Nights at 9 Mission Trip to Juarez, Mexico for Spring Break

Annual Retreats Youth Pastor Adam Mustoe has an impressive beard

features • page 11

the image

Isoascorbic acid, Trideceth-2 carboxamide MEA and Polyglyceryl-4 oleyl ether.

The names don’t sound glamorous, but they’re some of the most typical ingredients in hair dye. For many students, the results of hair coloring are positive and transforming.

Others found that Halloween came early. And, like marriage, the chance results are always for better or for worse.

Dyeing to Look Good

•Foiled Again. Kirsten Taetz, senior, waits with foil in her hair. She regularly visits her salon for blonde highlights.

Jen Apoian • Features Editor

Seniors Lindsey Crowe and Allie Pettibone are, literally, on opposite ends of the spectrum.

But they’re both satisfied.

“When I was younger, I used to have really blonde hair and over time it would get darker,” Crowe said. “I didn’t like the in-between blonde to brown so I got highlights.”

Eventually, she found it difficult to maintain the style and dyed it dark brown.

Pettibone was also unhappy with her original color, and opted for a transformation.

“I think dyeing my hair from an ashy blonde to bright blonde with highlights makes my hair look better,” she said.

In unison, it seemed, they agreed that dyeing is beneficial to self-esteem.

“Dyeing your hair makes you feel better about yourself, if you like it, and its partially adventurous if you are trying a new or extreme color,” Pettibone said.

Crowe echoed, “They [women] like to change their appearance. As you get older, your hair changes from when you were little, and you might like it the way it once was.”

As with any near-permanently altering beauty tool, hair coloring can be risky.

“Dyeing your hair completely can change the texture of you hair and if you do it obsessively, it damages the hair shaft,” said Crowe.

Unless the amount you dye is excessive, Pettibone said, “it may make your hair a little more weak and give you some split ends, but it doesn’t really affect your hair.”

Pettibone, furthermore, knows about the finer points of dyeing hair blonde à la Marilyn Monroe. The trick is getting the ammonia level right.

She said, “Since a box does not know your hair, it doesn’t know how much ammonia to use, so the makers just throw a ton of ammonia in the chemicals to give you almost a bleach effect; it really damages your hair.”

Don’t worry boys, nine percent of men ages 18-24 admit to dyeing their hair.

Senior Alex Fuchs is part of that minority. He dyes his hair once a month.

He said, “Black was just what I wanted my hair to look like.”

It was easy to change his white-blonde hair to the deepest black; his mother owns a hair spa called Salon Artiste.

Purple haze: Branam redefines ‘bad hair day’ Senior Daryn Branam wanted to look like the girl on the box. “I was going for dark, dark brown,” she said.

Branam, a girl who used lemons to naturally highlight her hair, had never attempted dyeing before. So she walked into the nearest drugstore, and decided she wanted to be a brunette.

“It was out of the box,” Branam said.

“And I had never dyed it before.”

Nearly 100 years after the creation of the first dye, students sport hair-dos of all colors and styles. photos • Jen Apoian

She would describe her hair as “really light brown or dirty blonde,” so going brunette would be a drastic change.

Most salon professionals agree that while dyeing is harmful to some extent, going darker is healthier than bleaching.

Branam assumed dyeing her hair once would be, for the most part, harmless.

Hours later, her hair was purple.

The following day, her hair only

reached her chin.

“My mom helped me,” she explained.

“First we got my hair wet and then she put it [the dye] all over. I waited for an hour.

The second I looked at it [in the mirror], it looked purple. My mom said ‘It’ll look better when we blow-dry it.’”

It definitely didn’t.

“I came out of my bathroom crying,” she said. “It was so purple and my ends

Thomas Ruzicka,

Maddie Troin, 11

were totally fried. My mom just laughed.

I was so upset. I was like ‘I can’t go to school like this!’”

It was then her mom considered taking purple-haired Branam to a salon.

“She took me in and we got it chopped off to my chin. It was so ugly!” she laughed.

For any coiffure-coloring candidates, she suggests visiting a professional salon.

Kelsey Costello, 9

11

, 12 y e l i K e i k Jac

page 12 • features

•Display Front. SkyZone’s facility offers three different trampoline courts. Court One is a free-jump court, Court Two is a 3-D dodgeball court and Court Three is an overflow court, for birthday parties and the general public.

•In The Zone. Two boys enjoy 3-D dogeball while experiencing the rush of the game. Dodgeball games are join in games, where students of equal size and equal age are put together on teams.

•Listening In. A group of boys learn the do’s and don’ts of SkyZone. Although there’s the threat of injury, rules protect the safety of all participants.

Reaching soaring New Heights

oct. 6, 2006

SkyZone offers a

experience for students

J

Brooke Thibodaux • Reporter Jumping, flipping, dodging and twirling are some of the ways of defying gravity for a few seconds.

Skyzone Recreational Center in Chesterfield offers airborne activities for adults, teens and children.

It also, according to court supervisor Joe Redden, “is the first newly recognized sport in 100 years, this is the second facility in the entire country.”

“It’s unlike anything in the entire world. SkyZone possesses the only all-trampoline walled playing field, and people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and any other variable you can imagine are able to participate,” Mr. Colin Caroll, Assistant Manager said.

“3-D dodgeball tends to be very popular with teens and kids, while skyrobics is more successful with the adults,” Redden said.

He added, “It’s better than running, biking and swimming since it’s low impact and easy on the joints and back. The gravitational force involved strengthens each individual cell of the body. Every system in the body, whether it’s circulatory, respiratory, digestive and, most importantly, immune, will strengthen.”

Freshman Brittany Parson agreed the hard workout is a good way to spend time with friends.

“But, it’s different from the traditional workout like lifting weights,” she said.

On the other hand, 3-D dodgeball can bring out the child in everyone.

•Unique Celebration. Birthday, group, or corporate events are available upon request. Pricing depends on court choice and party size.

“It [dodgeball] is kind of hard because you’re bouncing around. You can bounce off walls to avoid balls,” junior Kyle Haberberger said.

“Well, it says it in the name: you have all three dimensions to play in.

I hear jumpers reference The Matrix often, dodging and twisting in midair and jumping off the walls to rain down shots from above,” Caroll said.

“And as always, the physical pluses of our activities are virtually unbound.”

However, the fun can end instantly by an injury due to carelessness or simply landing on the trampoline the wrong way.

Freshman Hannah Snyder went through the horror of breaking her ankle and ending her first cross country season.

“As soon as they saw me limp off the mat and sit on the bench, they [the staff] rushed over and asked what I did wrong and how I did it,” she said.

“All they did after that was offer me ice, free food and drinks,” Snyder said.

The facility does not offer a personal trainer, though it does offer ice and an ambulance if requested.

“No one on our staff is a trained medical professional, so we do what we can within our jurisdiction and capabilities,” Caroll said.

Nonetheless, he believes in the future an on-staff trainer will be available.

Although students have heard of the dangers of SkyZone, the numbers are reassuring.

Out of the 28,000 customers the gym has served, only 50 injuries have been recorded, with the majority of them being minor.

That is less then one percent of the total number of people served.

“So you’re talking three out of every thousand jumpers get an injury, a majority of which are minor ankle sprains requiring only ice and a few days of rest,” Caroll said.

“In comparison with other sports that I’ve played, and I’ve played sport on a semi-professional level, the injury rates are much lower,” Caroll added.

Senior Mike Horton suffered a minor injury. “I was just flipping and landed on the edge. I’m over it now, but for the two weeks after, I couldn’t play volleyball.”

Although there is a small threat of injury, Skyzone offers excitement and exercise as the new hot spot for teens.

Skyzone is $10 for an hour of jumping and $2 for shoe rental, which is required for jumping.

Every participant 17 and under has to have a liability waiver signed by their parents before they can jump.

Waivers can be downloaded and brought in from, www.skyzonesports.com.

photos • Britt Peters

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features • page 13

the image

School spirit finds a home:

S

uperfans

Nancy Stiles • Reporter In the first graduating class in 1963, the pep club was one of the largest and most popular school clubs. The pep club can be traced from the sweater-sporting kids of the 60s to the passionate sports fans of today.

Visible and audible at every home football and basketball game, the Superfans have become a staple of Lafayette sports.

Anchit Mehrotra, Class of 2006, revitalized the club students now know. “Superfans for me began sophomore year [2003-2004] when Lafayette went to the KMOX Shootout. I saw the upperclassmen enjoying the atmosphere, poking fun at the opponent and providing an exhilarating environment for everyone watching the game. I knew at that point that Superfans was something I wanted to be a part of,” Mehrotra explained.

But what of the fabled “Louie’s Crew”—a Superfanlike club known to most students only from a broadcasting class video shown at lunch last year?

“Honestly, I think it originated with a group of STUCO [Student Council] kids who asked me to sponsor it with help from them,” career counselor Ms. Tonya Shipley, former Louie’s Crew sponsor said. “[Their] objective was to provide spirit and support for athletic events, wear a common T-shirt and for a membership price, they received admission to football and basketball games at a discount,” said Shipley.

Former STUCO sponsor and foreign language teacher Ms. Barbara Davis said Louie’s Crew was formed as a

program where students could purchase a season pass to games and earn points for STUCO. According to the Legend, Louie’s Crew was originally created in the 1997-1998 school year to boost basketball game attendance and school spirit. At the time, neither sport was very successful. In 2000, membership was down 50 percent, but a new unofficial group had been formed: the Superfans. Contrasting with the fading Louie’s Crew, the Superfans attended all home soccer games.

By 2003, the Superfans, still an informal group of students, had moved to basketball and could be seen with signs and cheers at the KMOX Shootout.

“The summer between junior and senior year [2005], Ashkon Farmand, Kyle Hall and Sean Ryan [Class of 2006] brought up the point that we should make Superfans an official school-sponsored club. I took the initiative and went to Mr. [Steve] Miller and filled out the paperwork. We wanted to make it official so that we would have a real standing with the administration, and not just be a group of rude and obnoxious kids, but an organized body of people who supported sports,” Mehrotra said.

Over the next year, the Superfans grew. Members had nicknames put on the backs of their shirts, developed a carpool system for away games and even considered renting a Superfan bus.

As the year came to a close, senior leaders of the club realized how close graduation was, and how much they needed someone to keep Superfans going strong.

“

We wanted to make it official so that we would have a real standing with the administration, and not just be a group of rude and obnoxious kids.

- Anchit Mehrotra ‘06

”

photo • John Cox

•Hanging With The Team. Superfan seniors Chris Clayman, Dylan Nelson and Brian Holthouse cheer the football team, hopeful for a touchdown in the Sept. 29 game against Lindbergh. The Lancers lost 0-24, but the Superfans stuck it out until the bitter end.

“[Brian] Holthouse was always second in command; he was always leading cheers when my voice would be gone in the second half. Holthouse was the logical choice: he’s loud, he has the respect of his peers and he cares about Lafayette sports. It was a simple decision,” Mehrotra said.

Although Holthouse was chosen to carry on the “new” tradition his senior year, the club is still relatively young and needs to take pains to preserve its legacy for students to come.

“Superfans was a night to get away from homework and just be loud and supportive of the sports I loved.

Hopefully current and future students can find that in Superfans,” Mehrotra said.

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page 14 • features

oct. 6, 2006

things you didn’t know about... with Brett Hamlin

Apparently 5 blades can’t get it done The hottest trend for Oct. 2006 is trying to grow a beard despite everyone around you knowing you can’t.

Seriously, it’s so cool, that’s why so many underclassmen do it!

Let’s get something straight: if you can grow a beard, then you are blessed. If you can’t, wait until college to get that “rough weekend” look.

Honestly, you can’t rub your beard on Thursday and say you had a rough weekend. Shave!

Beards have remained popular throughout the years in influential people such as Father Time, Zeus, language arts teacher Mr. David Choate and Jesus.

While this trend is still hot as lava, just like front-tucking, some people can pull it off, and some people can’t.

One of the people who can pull it off is senior Nick Strollo. “Yes, I’ve been growing a beard since two or three weeks ago,” Strollo said. “People that can’t grow beards but still try are just weak sauce.”

To analyze this trend, I didn’t shave for four days last week to see just how much of a beard I could grow.

It turns out that I, too, can’t grow a beard. While my sideburns and under-

chin regions grew swimmingly, I could never get the “goatee” part of my face to grow.

Many student’s struggle to persevere in a world ran on the manliness of one’s face.

“I can’t grow a beard, are you kidding me?” sophomore Danny Kenny said. “It’d take me about a year to grow a beard!”

Teachers are perhaps the best witness to the teenage angst of a student who struggles to grow a beard.

“I do not make comments about it, as I also cannot grow a beard,” foreign language teacher Jeff Tamaroff said. “. It’s time for those without beards to unite and protect the rights of the facially follicle challenged,” Tamaroff added.

Women are perhaps the best critic to anything we men do because, apparently, women know everything.

“I don’t like a full on beard, but a little 5 o’clock shadow is cute,” junior Andrea Carron said.

“Any guy under 50 shouldn’t grow a full beard though,” she concluded.

“I don’t like a full beard,” sophomore Amanda Haushalter said. “But it’s working for Santa Claus.”

Senior

Thomas Shea

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Tom owns two pet piranhas named Bono and Perry.

He is a crochet enthusiast and has been crocheting since his freshman year.

Tom enjoys indulging in his favorite afterschool snack: grapefruits and lemons.

Last year, he carried the dismembered head of a female mannequin around, claiming it was his girlfriend “Nancy.”

Nancy currently resides in Illinois.

Tom is an avid road biker. He hopes you will not hate him for that.

compiled by Aaron Casias

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Go Lancers!

sports • page 15

the image

Who’s On Deck?

Lack of junior varsity players leads to questions about future Ryan Bueckendorf • Asst. Sports Editor

The next time you walk by the State Championship list outside the pool entrance, look for softball. It shouldn’t be too hard to find; the Lady Lancers certainly have won their share. Such success has meant a large crop of talented underclassmen for the junior varsity squads.

Now, the situation is different.

The popularity of the program led to the need for two softball junior varsity teams, Black and Gold, in order to handle the level of participation. Due to a recent drop in players, however, those teams arepressed for players. Coach Scott DeNoyer is not too worried.

“The lower number of players on the JV teams is a concern,” he said, “but not to the point where it has adversely affected the varsity’s success.”

In upcoming years, the low levels of junior varsity players could translate into lower varsity numbers, senior Shelby Krammer said.

DeNoyer said the lack of players puts a strain on the junior varsity teams, as both are playing with only 10 players, the minimum a team can carry and still compete.

“They may need to forfeit with an injury or sickness,” DeNoyer said.

One area where the problem can be addressed is promotion to area middleschoolers. Softball, as with other sports, does this through a summer camp offered to 8th graders. DeNoyer hopes by combining this with increased publicity, he can draw more players into the program.

“Hopefully, this dilemma is something

that works in cycles and numbers improve next year,” he said.

One constant that makes it difficult for junior varsity players to advance to varsity is the plentiful talent that always fills the Lady Lancer roster, and the players that supply talent continue to produce wins in bunches this season.

With a record of 11-3, they are winning games with both their offense and their defense. Pitching-wise, senior Chelsey Carmody and sophomore Meghan Lamberth have held all comers in check while posting amazing numbers.

Carmody, the team’s number one pitcher, has maintained a 0.38 ERA while going 10-3.

Lamberth, in only her second year on varsity, has been equally dominant. She leads the team with 96 strikeouts and has a 0.46 ERA in 78 innings pitched while going 9-1.

The most telling statistic, however, is her sensational 0.65 walks/hits per innings pitched. The stifling pitching has been aided by the stellar defense, with players like senior center fielder Sarah Bieser chasing down any balls hit their way.

“The whole team [has helped],” Krammer said. “I could list everybody.”

The Lancers have been equally dominating with the bat, with Carmody leading the team with a .580 batting average, racking up 47 hits in 81 AB this season.

Krammer has also made her mark with the aluminum, smashing a team-best 37

photo courtesy of Prestige Portraits

•Making Contact. Senior Shelby Krammer connects for one of her 42 season hits against Marquette on Sept. 6. Krammer has been dominant at and behind the plate, batting .494 while smashing a team high 37 RBIs and 8 HRs while handling the team’s starting catching duties for two of the District’s best pitchers, Chelsey Carmody and Meghan Lamberth.

RBIs and to the tune of a .494 average, while Lamberth has hit .368 with 21 RBIs, good for 3rd and 2nd on the squad, respectively.

Given the solid, even outlandish offensive and defensive numbers the Lady Lancers have been posting this season, and their 19-4 overall record, it can guiltlessly be said they are playing much better than their current third place in the Suburban West.

Much of this is due to the intense strength of this conference, and DeNoyer takes this into account when evaluating his team’s performance.

“The Suburban West is undoubtedly one of the strongest Conferences in the State. It is very challenging to compete at that level every day,” he said.

Carmody agreed, saying “We face bet-

ter competition, which is good.”

DeNoyer points to Oakville’s 4th place Conference finish last season, and sees instead the team that finished 2nd in State.

“Obviously Conference record is of no concern,” DeNoyer said. “Our goal is to play our best at the end of the season.

We will be successful and look forward to heading into the postseason.”

With Lafayette playing strong teams like Marquette and Oakville already in their Conference, they gain an undeniable edge when State playoffs roll around, and the fact that there is a shortage of players in their junior varsity system is but a spot in the rear-view mirror as the Lady Lancers roll.

“The postseason will be hard,” Carmody said. “It will be hard all the way around, every game.”

The kids can play: Young team takes 2nd in Sub West

John Cox • Reporter

The girls golf team has a completely new makeup this season. Last year’s team graduated five seniors. Now, it’s a completely new story, with two freshmen consistently putting up the lowest scores.

Freshman Sarah Whitman, whose goal was to win at least one match, ended up winning five matches.

The two freshmen, Lindsey Carper and Whitman, have led the team to a record of 9-3 in dual matches. The team also finished second in Conference. Four girls medalled including Carper, senior Jessica Kollar, junior Taylor Obermeier and Whitman.

“We’re more about the team concept right now, not the individual,” said Coach

photo courtesy of Prestige Portraits

Teeing Off. Focusing on her shot, freshman Sarah Whitman preps for a swing. Whitman has won five matches for the Lancers.

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Gaylen Laster. “It’s a collective effort.”

“The high point of our season was beating Parkway South on their home course,” Laster said.

The Lancers defeated Parkway South 170-171 at Paradise Valley, as Parkway South suffered their only loss on the season in this match. Whitman shot a 35 on the nine holes, which tied Parkway South’s best player, a senior who is currently ranked in the State.

Laster said the team has met their preseason goals so far this season by finishing with a winning record in matches and placing second at Conference.

“We’ve done more than other people expected us to do,” said Laster.

“I’ve never had two freshmen on varsity,” Laster said. The benefit of having two freshmen on varsity is the experience

they gain, and the very fact that they still have three years to continually improve.

Although it’s tough for a freshman to compete with seniors at the varsity level, “It’s really good for my game to play with really good players,” Whitman said.

Senior Aftin Rexroat started the season on junior varsity, and has since improved to earn a varsity spot. Sophomore Abby Katsev has stepped up to help the team by playing on varsity almost every match this season.

At Districts, the top team qualifies for State, and then the next best 10 players who are not on the top team also qualify for State. The results of Districts, held at Aberdeen, were not available prior to at press time.

State will be held Oct. 16-17 in Springfield at Deer Lake Golf Club.

page 16 • sports

oct. 6, 2006

District realignment removes worries about St. Joe’s

photo • Alex Erdman

•Threading The Needle. Junior Taylor Stellern passes over a Marquette defender during the Lancers’ 3-1 win over the Mustangs. Stellern, along with senior Katie Steiss and sophomore Nina Walters, has been named a team captain for a group that boasts talented junior and field hockey rookie Emily Leeker.

New kid on the block:

Leeker leads talented crop of young Lancers as team’s season draws to close Josh Handler • Sports Editor For her first two years at Lafayette, junior Emily Leeker played volleyball.

This year, she decided it was time for a change.

After speaking with one of the players on the soccer team who also played field hockey, Leeker opted to play field hockey this season.

She had never played before.

After half of her rookie season, it appears that Leeker is a natural.

Her nine goals are good for fifth in the area and tops on the Lancers. Her four assists in her first 14 games rank third on the team.

Leeker spent much of her summer preparing for the season, though she had not yet played in a field hockey game at that point. “I went to a lot of different camps and [sophomore] Nina Walters taught me a lot,” she said Leeker’s first goal came in her first game, a 1-0 shutout against Webster Groves.

“It was shocking,” she said. “I didn’t expect to start. I didn’t know that you have to get your ball [from the net after scoring].”

Returning players have not hesitated to carry their share of the load. Talented junior Taylor Stellern and Walters, along with senior Katie Steis were elected as captains by the team, leading a team full of young talent.

This year’s team features six sophomores and one freshmen, along with the first-year player Leeker.

Behind Leeker, sophomore Britt Donald-

son is second on the team with eight goals, and Nina Walters is third with four.

In points, Leeker leads the team with 22, followed by Donaldson and Walters at 19 and 16, respectively. Sophomore Korie Klosterman comes in fourth with 13 points.

Freshman Christine Hibler has been a pleasant surprise with 11 points, tied for fifth on the team with senior Sara Jolly. “[The success of the underclassmen] is really good because it incorporates all grade levels,” Steis said.

Senior Alicia Brennan has been a brick wall for the Lancers in goal. She is tied for the area lead in solo shutouts with seven. Brennan has dominated the Lady Lancers’ goal time with 670 minutes, and has an excellent .918 save percentage.

The team is 12-1-1 this season, scoring 48 goals and allowing just five, by far the best marks in the Suburban Conference in both categories.

They sit atop the conference with an 8-0 league mark, followed by Clayton (7-3), Ladue (11-3) and Marquette (6-6).

Lafayette will square off against Oakville (7-3) and MWAA team Nerinx Hall (8-5) next week before closing out the regular season against University City (8-5) on Oct. 18.

As the Lancers head towards another stellar season, Leeker is making it clear that volleyball’s loss is field hockey’s gain.

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Ryan Bueckendorf • Sports Editor With the players, skill and know-how that are all components of a solid tennis team, the Lady Lancers have long played like one of the best teams in the state.

Until this year, however, they have had to squeeze into an all-too-small District with the St. Joseph’s Academy Angels, who time and time again blocked the Lancers before the team could advance out of their District playoffs. This year, things are different.

Due to a shakeup of the Districts, Lafayette has been inserted into a District largely comprised of St. Charles schools, and no St. Joe’s.

When asked what this means for the team, the positive imphoto • Abby Orlowski pact is missed by no •Backing Up. Returning a hit, senior Marjie Truitt plays one. in a recent match. The team will benefit this year from “It’s so good,” junior Gabby Demos a District realignment which makes it so that they will said. “Now we’re in not have to face the tough St. Joe’s squad in Districts. a District of all St. Charles schools, who aren’t as strong.”

Senior Rachel Costello agreed, but cautioned “There are still a lot of good teams in our District.”

Since they are no longer in the same district, the team could have escaped playing St. Joe’s altogether until Conference, but Coach Donna Stauffer and the team agreed it would be better to gain the experience that comes from playing a team as talented and deep as St. Joe’s.

“We decided it would be better to gain the experience from playing them,” Stauffer said.

One other effect switching Districts has on the team is that they don’t play as many of their District teams as they used to.

“This comes into play during the District tournament,” Coach Stauffer said. “We used to play all the teams in our district. Now we just play Marquette and Fort Zumwalt North.”

So far this season, the Lancers have played up to their State Contender status. They still have matches remaining against top teams, but they feel confident of their ability to finish out the season strong, both individually and as a team.

“I think we’ll win the rest of our matches,” Costello said. She cited the upcoming tournament in Columbia, saying she felt they had a pretty good chance of winning.

Demos agreed, setting her sights on the upcoming District Tournament. “I think we’ll do really well,” she said. “Next week is Districts, which we’re hosting, and I think we have a good chance to win.

Stauffer is not short of praise for her team. “I think that we have a good shot of winning all our remaining matches if the team plays as well as they can,” she said. “This is the best team I’ve ever been a part of stroke-wise and talent-wise.”

sports • page 17

the image

Young soccer players take charge

photo • Nina Walters

•Driving In. Getting in postition to avoid a Marquette player, junior Sean Butler follows the ball. The Lancers defeated the Mustangs 3-1 on Sept. 27. Next up for the Lancers is Parkway South on Oct. 10.

Coaching goes beyond the field Brett Hamlin • Reporter “I try to teach the right way to play out there,” Head Football Coach Boyd Manne said.

“The skills in football: discipline, hard work, effort and enthusiasm apply to life as well.”

Manne has begun a new life right where the first 18 years of his life took place, right here at Lafayette.

As a graduate of 1987, Manne received nine varsity letters in three years playing in football, basketball and baseball.

Manne played tight end and linebacker. The team went 24-7 boasting a Suburban West Championship and an appearance in the State Semifinals.

In baseball the Lancers made a State Finals appearance Manne’s senior year. He also played division-1 baseball at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he and his team won a Missouri Valley Conference Championship.

Many can see Manne vividly on Friday nights screaming at his team about one thing or another, but that is far from his regular personality. “[Manne] is really mild mannered and keeps his cool on the field,” junior starting tackle Caleb Welchans said. “He keeps his cool on the field and takes care of us at practice.”

Manne is married to his wife Angie and has three sons .Tyler is a 7th grader at Wildwood Middle. Corey is a 5th grader at Green Pines.

His oldest son, Ryan, an 8th grader at Wildwood Middle, has cerebral palsy and is partially deaf.

Manne takes the duties in the morning to take care of his son, while his wife Angie takes care of him during the afternoon and evening’s during the football season.

“It puts a big burden on Angie,” Manne said. “But she’s very supportive and understanding during the football season.”

Nina Walters • Reporter Having a younger, not too experienced team, soccer is off to a good start. The offense has finished many goals, but need to step-up in bigger games.

“Our offense has more to offer,” Coach Tim Walters said.

Not only does the offense need to pick it up, the defense needs to as well.

A number of team members said the defense has kept them in games, but has never really won a game for the team.

They have had some communication problems causing goals in a few games.

Goalie, junior Mike Hamilton and the last line of defense need to work together and talk on the field, they said.

In the game against Hazelwood Central on Sept. 21, the offense did a great job of finishing, but the defense let in four goals, causing the game to end in a 4-4 tie.

“In the Hazelwood Central game our defense lost their cool,” senior Brad Schweizer said.

Against Kirkwood on Sept. 5, the defense had an outstanding game allowing no goals, but offense had chances and couldn’t put the ball in the net.

“The whole team offensively needs to learn how to score,” said Senior Drew Bishline. Other team members have had some success on the field.

Sophomore Kyle Biernacki said, “Brad Schweizer and Harrison Grubbs have stepped-up.”Schweizer and Grubbs continue to be role players.

Juniors Eddie Gaines and Stephen McMahon contribute to helping put passes together as well.

“McMahon is a sneaky player and will put in a few goals every so often,” Schweizer said.

Junior Sean Butler is one player who “gets the team tickin’” according to Walters when it is game time.

“Butler’s work rate (defensively and offensively) makes him the most consistent player on the team. His work rate needs to rub off on some of the other players,” Walters said.

As for the younger players on the team, they aren’t as experienced, but “will be leaders in the years to come,” said Bishline.

“The younger players are getting a good opportunity, which will pay off in the following years,” said Walters.

“Matt is good for a sophomore,” said Schweizer.

Hamilton has become a lot better this year, then last year. Hamilton hasn’t necessarily won a game for the team, but he has played a good role so far this year and has stepped up his game, with an outstanding .917 save percentage. Hamilton also keeps the team from always being serious.

On the season, boys’ soccer record is five wins, two ties, and two loses, not too bad for having a handful of “inexperienced” players.

Hard Knocks On New Gridiron

Young Lancer team struggling with lack of varsity experience Brett Hamlin • Reporter “To be the best,” Head Football Coach Boyd Manne said.

“You’ve got to compete with the best.”

A strong statement to provide an explanation to the first three games of the football season, in which the Lancers lost to fifth-ranked Kirkwood 21-28, ninth-ranked DeSmet 21-42 and Mehlville in the Sept. 15 Homecoming Game 7-17.

“In the last three games we’ve been putting forward a great effort,” Manne said. “But to win the last three games we had to be consistent in that effort.”

“We can’t stop the run in the second quarter and expect to come into the third to do the same,” Manne said.

Lafayette has the numbers to compete. The team is led by a new cast, which had to revamp the offense in the off-season to fit 20 new starters, 14 of which are juniors.

On Sept. 25, the Lancers got their first win of the season against Northwest House Springs (1-3) 34-20. Lafayette produced 300+ yards of offense and held Northwest to 7 points until the fourth quarter.

So far, senior quarterback Mike Stasiak has thrown for 249 yards, three touchdowns,and two interceptions.

Division-1 prospect junior Matt Brewer has rushed for 406 yards, leads the Suburban West Conference with eight touchdowns, and received for 97 yards and a touchdown, including a 55-yard momentum-changing touchdown at Kirkwood.

Senior Anthony Fullilove has rushed and received for 135 yards, followed by junior Garrett

photo • Alexis Myers

•Sack Attack. Getting the pass off just in time, quarterback Michael Stasiak goes follows through on a pass. Stasiak has thrown for three touchdowns. He is 20 for 39 with a 51 percent passing completion record.

Millman with 87 yards.

Juniors Kyle Haberberger and Dan Holaday have rushed for touchdowns as well.

On defense, the Lancers are lead by a talented group of linebackers. Brewer leads the team in tackles with 51, followed by Millman with 35, 3sacks, and a fumble recovery. Fullilove also has 17 solo tackles and an interception. Senior Jimmy Begemann has 22 tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery and an interception.

Against Lindbergh on Sept.

29, the Lancers gave up a first half blowout allowing 24 points from a moderate Lindbergh team, while pitching a no hitter in the second half.

In the second half, with-

outStasiak, who was out with a back injury, the Lancers played backup senior quarterback Chris Padgette.

Padgette went one for 14 with 10 yards and three interceptions, two of which led to Lindbergh touchdowns.

Junior varsity sophomore quarterback Tyler Rigman was brought up for the game, however he got very little playing time and no help from receivers.

The lack of receiving experience against Lindbergh is what led to the loss as Lafayette produced more dropped passes and imcompletions than receiving yards.

“Our offense needs to get it together,” junior Pat James said.

“We have the talent, but not the experience to deliver like we can.”

The Lancers play an undefeated 7th-ranked Oakville team tonight at Oakville. Led by their Division I-bound quarterback Cody Tery and agressive defense look to provide a fifth loss for the Lancers.

There is still hope for the season though, as the MSHAA’s rule of District wins goes on to post season.

As long as the Lancers can win their last three games against winless Parkway South (0-4), a hopeful CBC (3-1) and Lafayette rival Marquette (1-3), the Lancers still have a chance at a postseason appearance.

page 18 • sports

oct. 6, 2006

Private schools emerge as tough road block Alex Davis • Reporter The volleyball team has once again jumped out to a great stretch of home and away wins with a record of 13-2. Of note is that those two losses have come when they have played private schools.

Fortunately, they only have one more game matched up against a private school, Westminster Christian Academy, on Oct. 5.

“Private schools may have an edge, but we had too many service errors in each,” Coach Steve Burkard said. “If we cut our errors in half, we win both. Public schools take the kids that live in their attendance area while private schools can be a little more selective [in who they chose].”

Do private schools have an edge over public schools? “Yes and no,” sophomore Whitney Seaton said. “They may be able to get kids from all over, but the games we lost, we should have won.”

While some believe private schools seek out talented athletes while choosing students for admission, Burkard said but nothing can beat out drive or determination.

That is especially topical when it comes to the smaller players on the court, like senior captain Allison Kerr, senior Meghan Judge and sophomore Whitney Seaton, when compared to the stereotypical bigger player like juniors Casey Chernin and Natalie Emro.

Just like all sports, size is relative. “Smaller players tend to be a little quicker than the bigger players. They can help out or play in areas the bigger girls may not be able to play,” Burkard said.

“Smaller players aren’t at a disadvantage because we work just as hard and we are just as determined.” Seaton said.

“Size does have its role in volleyball, but I think any coach would rather have a hard working dedicated player than a tall player who does not work hard,” Burkard said. “Remember, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.”

The resounding confidence the team is giving off may be enough to carry them to an undefeated remainder of the season.

Another big issue for the team thus far has been the sidelining

of sophomore Brooke Boggs with ankle surgery back in early summer.

“Brooke is aggressively doing her physical therapy. We are certainly looking forward to her return,” Burkard said. Boggs was able to practice on Sept. 25 as expected.

“It [her ankle] felt a lot better. I was able to get out there a couple days ago and practice,” Boggs said.

Despite the loss being quite unfortunate, on a good note, the team has been able to fill her position well and not lose a step.

“Casey [Chernin] has been a tremendous offensive force [this year], as well as Natalie [Emro] being able to run our offense,” Burkard said.

As well as big offensive pluses, the defense has been equally, if not more, productive. “Allison Kerr is steady as a rock in the middle and Whitney Seaton has been a defensive whiz in the back row.” Burkard said.

The team has also been the benefactor of some “pleasant surprises”, according to Burkard, in Judge and freshman Berkley Idel, who have been “playing very well.”

photo • Alex Davis

•Bouncing Back. Sophomore Brooke Boggs bumps the ball as she works to return from her pre-season ankle surgery. She began practicing again on Sept. 25, and was expected back in action for the Oct. 5 game against Westminster Christian Academy.

Swimmers join team to gain edge for water polo season Nina Walters • Reporter When it comes to getting involved with swimming, nobody really knows how to, except swimmers themselves.

For most, swimming is “in the family” or a way to give parents time to do what they need to get done; but for others swimming helps them improve themselves in other sports. Usually, this sport is water polo.

“I started swimming to help me improve for water polo,” junior Ryan Maddox said.

Senior Morgan Dodge agreed, saying “I did water polo in 8th grade, and to

get better at it I decided to swim in high school.”

As for freshman Connor Peters, he told his mom tht he believed he could “make it to the Olympics” (in 5th grade), so she signed him up for a Rockwood swim team.

Senior Taylor Parsons also joined swimming after his parents signed him up for swim-club and swimming lessons.

Lafayette swimming, unlike some other school sports, does not require a tryout. To get involved, you have to show up to practice and talk to the coach and

you’re basically on the team. Swimmers rarely get cut.

Most swimmers join the team, to improve themselves as an individual and as a team. Not only can they win their own event, it brings their team closer to winning the meet.

Winning meets is something the Lancers have become very familiar with, as they have won meets against Mehville and DeSmet.

The swimmers have made their mark on the Conference Honor Rolls, with a Lancer at or near the top of every event.

Senior Sean Mathews owns the top Suburban West time for the 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle and the 200 IM, and is second in the 50m freestyle.

The chief competition for Lafayette comes from Lindbergh; wherever the top spot isn’t occupied by a Lancer it is taken by a Flyer. The two teams faced off on Tuesday in a key meet, but statistics weren’t available at press-time.

Regardless of how the swimmers got into swimming, Lafayette’s the squad is poised for another great finish.

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sports • page 19

the image

Where are they now?

NBA pick Archibald now in Spain

photo courtesy of Paul Dryden

•Star Rising. Going up for a shot in his senior year, Robert Archibald plays against Vashon in the State Semi-finals in 1998. Archibald went on to play for the University of Illinois, in the NBA and is now playing professionally in Europe.

At the end of the run

Josh Handler • Sports Editor He arrived as a senior and made an instant impact on the court. Now Robert Archibald is back in Europe playing basketball for Barcelona.

Originally from Scotland, he led the Lancers to a Final Four appearance in 1998.

“The time I spent at Lafayette was very special for me. I met a lot of people that I am still friends with now, and working with Coach [Dave] Porter really helped me to develop as a person and basketball player,” Archibald said.

The team Archibald played on did not by any means lack talent. In addition to Archibald, the team was led by Scott Brewster, who at the time of his graduation held seven school records, and twin brothers Corey and Ryan Howard.

“Scott Brewster was probably the most dedicated player I have ever seen, his focus and hard work definitely rubbed off on everyone that played with him,” Archibald said.

After his graduation, Archibald played at the University of Illinois, where as a senior he led the Big 10 in field goal percentage and averaged 10.6 points per game.

The NBA noticed Archibald and with the 32nd pick in the 2002 draft, Archibald was acquired by the Memphis Grizzlies.

In his rookie season, Archibald played

in 12 games scoring 19 points for the Grizzlies.

In September 2003, the Grizzlies dealt Archibald to the Phoenix Suns. The Suns dealt him to the Orlando Magic who sent him to the Toronto Raptors in Jan. 2004.

“Getting traded is always difficult because you have to up and move in the middle of a season and go to learn a new team and a new city. It takes a lot of time and effort to move around even without 3-4 basketball games a week so doing it in the season is pretty crazy,” he said.

While in he NBA Archibald became the first Scottish player in NBA history.

“Being the first Scottish player in the league was a big honor, certainly something that I never expected,” he said.

Archibald now plays in Barcelona, where he spends most of the year with his wife, Molly. In Europe, basketball season goes for about 10 months each year.

He returns to the States about once a year and visits his friends.

Archibald says that he still hopes to be able to return to the NBA at some point, “Getting drafted was a dream come true. I worked hard for a long time to have a chance to make that happen. Having a chance to experience playing at the highest level was great. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to do it again.”

Girls search for seniors as boys boast 2 of District’s best runners Ashlen Snellen • Reporter

The recent weeks of girls cross country has shown a varsity team lacking in senior runners.

In fact, as of last Saturday, only one senior ran on varsity.

The two senior captains, Sara Flower and Ashley Hudson, had both been unable to run at the varsity level until the Parkway West Invitational, when Hudson ran in place of injured sophomore Sam Wright.

Hudson said Flower has been sick and is not allowed to train until she has doctor approval. Since the start of the season, Hudson, along with the rest of the senior girls: Alyssa Auld, McKenzie Blocker, Caroline Hoover, Kristin Keeling, Eugenia Maluf and Stephanie Miller have all been running on the junior varsity team.

“Currently, the freshmen, sophomores and juniors have been stronger than the

seniors,” Head Coach Scott Brandon said.

Surprisingly, the best varsity times this year have come from freshman Elizabeth Worley. Hudson was scheduled to run in a varsity race at the Hancock Meet at Jefferson Barracks. However, a lightening storm caused the cancellation of the meet.

Along with Hudson, Hoover agrees the lack of varsity seniors is not having a negative effect on the team. Brandon added that the strength of the team is in pack running.

“They run together and that makes them stronger,” he said. As for the future of the girls cross country season, Brandon said State is a reasonable goal if everyone runs to their ability.

The last meet was the Parkway West Invitational, held at McNair Park in St. Charles on Sept. 30. Worley placed ninth overall.

Conversely, the boys cross country team has no shortage of upperclassmen on their best seven, with seniors John Buttram, Zach Engemenn and John Neumann and juniors Drew Stiehl and Eric Lutz leading the way.

The team has enjoyed a very successful season, with Buttram and Lutz consistently placing well and the team scores ranking with some of the best in Conference.

“I love the way we’re running,” Lutz said. “We’re running for our school now, and not so much for ourselves.”

Lutz and Buttram have been jockeying for the top spot all season, and this has made for an interesting competition that has made both runners significantly better and faster.

“I like it. We push each other so much more,” Lutz said.

Until this season, Buttram has taken a

backseat to Lutz and Mr. Nicholas Robinson (Class of 2006), but this season has been his coming out party.

“He’s been our number three runner for three years, and now it’s just his time,” Coach Randy Seagrist told the Post Dispatch. Seagrist dismisses surprise at Buttram’s emergence as a top runner in the District The team has won meets at Northwest, and placed fifth at the Parkway West Invitational last Saturday, where they took 5th in a field of State powerhouses Rock Bridge and Blue Springs.

Within the District, the Lancers’ chief competition appears to be, as usual, Parkway South. “They’re a proven team, and we know how good they are,” Lutz said.

A darkhorse could be Marquette, who has a consistently good team but who the Lancers have not run against yet this season.

Lancer softball: 2 years; memories: a lifetime I think I throw like a girl. At least I hope I do.

For years I ran around playing baseball, telling people that they throw ilke a girl as an insult. Then I caught a girl’s throw. I will never say that again.

Two years ago I was in a bad position. I had some major problems with my activity at school, and I needed a way out, so I quit. While I don’t think quitting is normally a good thing, I can honestly say that it was the best decision I have ever made.

I am not just saying this because I was an outcast in my old group and actually hated it in the first place, but also because of what I decided to do in the fall of my junior year.

I became the manager of the softball team. I thought that it would be very laid back and easy. I was wrong.

My first couple days felt a little weird because I didn’t know anyone that well and it certainly didn’t help to be the only guy there. But I quickly got to know the team.

The gender difference ceased to matter and for the first time in a long time, I felt like part of a team.

In the first couple weeks of practice, we had a pasta party and when I got invited, I was thrilled that I was part of the team.

That evening was a lot of fun and even though I knew nothing about Laguna Beach and The O.C., I had a great

time just hanging out.

Instead of dreading practice, it has been the highlight of my day every day since I started. I quickly got very into the games and through outstanding leadership last year we finished third in state.

The third place game was rained out and the weather outside fit well with the somber attitude inside of our bus as we made the two-hour trip back from rainbow fields in Columbia.

Last year we lost to Marquette in the regular season.

The next week we played them again in the playoffs and won. I think that was one of the highlights of my junior year.

After the season ended, it felt like there was something missing everyday after school.

I will never forget the banquet last year. It was weird thinking that we were done doing stuff as a team.

I started counting down until the start of this year as soon as I found out the date and helping at softball camp was the best part of my otherwise pretty boring summer.

This season I have had a great year too, but I know that when the season ends, my time as the manager will end too, so I am writing this column as a thank you to the players.

You guys have been a great team to be a part of and I will never forget any of you.

Coach Scott DeNoyer, Coach Carrie Guenzler and Activities Director Steve Josh Handler Sports Editor Miller, thanks for the opportunity.

This season has been amazing and it would be a dream come true for me to win State. Sept. 26 was our Senior Day, where all of the seniors were honored.

On Sept. 25, I realized it was the last game at Lafayette I would watch from the dugout.

One year ago, the walls in my room were plastered with posters of professional sports stars. Now some of those posters have been taken down and replaced with team pictures from an experience that I will never forget.

It is really pretty depressing. But like the shirts say, we are “not just a team but a family,” and this is a family I am proud and honored to have been a part of.

Off the bench

page 20 • entertainment

in•out•about Behind the Scenes:

A day in the life of a Fright Fest ghoul

ar y

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Pho er Belz st ds la d a wis ion. f Le format f e J t ns . artis ’ tra -up oul-ful I froze e k h a y h g ‘ M w Up. at’s o my hing c h ups t , and th s u r •B e tou s cold t minu aint wa p e Th

Be afraid of your job, be very afraid

Nicole Castellano • Entertainment Editor Being a ghoul is not as easy as you think. You must be energetic and can’t be afraid to release that inner freak. Interested? The audition process is made up of five different tasks.

First there is a staring contest. The only rule is you can’t touch and you can’t talk. Ms. Therese Bargman, entertainment supervisor, and other judges are looking for quirky things that separate you from everyone else, the weirder the better.

The next task is a screaming contest. This puts everyone on the spot.

The girls tend to scream so high, that glass breaks in China. The guys can create a deep scream, and some can sound like girls.

Filling out paperwork is the most important part of audtioning. This is where you put down if you have a special talent, such as speaking another language or dancing.

After that, everyone breaks off into groups and they are given a movie. Then they have to portray it in 90 seconds.

Once that is over with, they have to give it a Fright Fest twist.

“This shows how willing they are to be freaks,” Bargman said.

When the auditions are over the judges put who they want, with what character suits them.

Once given your creature, you come up with how it acts.

Oddball the clown was thought up by Six Flags Ghoul Nick Lammert. He said “You can scare just about anyone, no matter how tough they think they are.”

Scaring people as Oddball for two years straight, he loves it.

“When people pee, its’ the best scare you can get,” Lammert adds.

All of the creatures get airbrushed make-up done. This year they have the help of Mr. Jeff Lewis, from Hollywood, California.

Lewis has been doing makeup for seventeen years and has worked on shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Star Trek.

“I have always liked Halloween and I got the job talking to Therese,” Lewis said.

Fright Fest runs every weekend during October.

This year the theme is ‘Family by Day, Fright by Night.’

Pho t

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Nicole Castellano • Entertainment Editor Walking through the halls of Lafayette, she appears to be a normal teenage girl, but when the lights go down she transforms.

Senior Cady Leinicke worked as a ‘not so scary’ ghost in the 2005 Fright Fest season.

“I heard about it from a friend who had worked there all season. I didn’t make the Fall Play, so I had a lot of free time,” Leinicke said.

She said when Six Flags came to Lafayette recruiting people for the upcoming season, she filled out an application and was practically hired on the spot.

Even though it is called Fright Fest, Six Flags is a family friendly place, so there needs to be some kid friendly ghouls.

Leinicke was the only Ghost in Looney Toons Town. When she was not there, her character, Castera, hung out at the Character Cottage.

“I really wanted to be a vampire. I was fitted and everything and even had the teeth, but the ‘not so scary’ people were understaffed,” Leinicke said.

Unfortunately, this season Leinicke will not return as a ghost.

“I had worked all summer long. Sometimes 5-6 days a week.

My parents thought that I shouldn’t have a job my senior year, •Go so I could get involved in as much theater things as possible,” daily t Chil pro ls? L Leinicke said. ces ewi s fo s a Before working at Fright Fest, Halloween was not her favorite r th irbr e g ushe holiday. hou s a ls o fro “It made October so much more fun. When I was at school I fF z rig en m wished I was at work,” Leinicke said. ht F ate est rpi Working at Fright Fest also helped Leinicke overcome her . ece . Th fear of clowns. is i sa “I became so close with the people there. I got used to everything,” she said.

In Tune with Nicole

photo used with permission from Kevin Devine

Upcoming Events MISSISSIPPI NIGHTS Oct. 13 at 8 p.m.

Less Than Jake w/ Catch 22, The Loved Ones & Set Your Goals $18 Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.

Hellogoodbye w/ Ozma, Cute Is What We Aim For & Peachcake $13.50 Oct. 27 at 8 p.m.

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts w/ The Eagles Of Death Metal $25 CREEPY CRAWL Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.

The Tossers Siderunners Fail To Succeed BAMF! $12 THE PAGEANT Oct. 16 at 8 p.m.

Breaking Benjamin w/ Evans Blue $27.50 Oct. 21 at 8 p.m.

Dresden Dolls w/ The Red Paintings $17.50 Oct. 28 at 8 p.m.

Switchfoot w/ Moses Mayfield $20 POP’s Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.

Silverstein w/ Aiden, It Dies Today $17

‘Guys With Record Collections’ will dig Kevin Devine

“I’m never going to sing like Mariah Carey, and I’m never going to play like Jimi Hendrix,” 26-year-old Kevin Devine said.

This up and coming singer/song-writer from Brooklyn, New York is about to go down in music history.

With his acoustic rock style mixed with folk-like roots, one could easily mistake him for an early Michael Stipe from R.E.M. When asked who his biggest influence was, he immediately responded with his parents. He grew up with a big family, which contained different types of music.

“I really want to be in a band,” Devine remembered saying when he was eight years old listening to Guns N’ Roses. It

did not hit him until he started writing more and more songs as he got older.

That next year he started listening to Nirvana and they made a huge impact on which he is today.

“They didn’t look like rock stars, they looked like regular people and that made it look so easy,” Devine said.

Kevin’s first band was called Delusion; he was the singer and did not have much guitar practice, but he wrote all the songs.

“I know my limitations, and I push them,” he added.

Recently signed to Capital Records, Kevin is very busy.

Constantly touring throughout Europe, Canada and the U.S., he is now out

with KT Tunstall. This fall he will tour with Straylight Run and Matt Pond PA. In his song “No Time Flat”, he talks about being an 18-year-old and having to deal with the draft.

Even though this song deals with political issues, Devine claims that he is not a political songwriter but just a concerned citizen.

His new album, Put Your Ghost to Rest drops Oct. 17.

His other albums include, Circle Gets the Square, Make the Clocks Move and Split the Country, Split the Street.

Devine said, “I don’t see me getting on the radio or MTV. All I need is to just pay the rent, bills and eat. I’m very lucky to do what I do.”