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Vol. 41, No 1
Image
Lafayette High School 17050 Clayton Road Wildwood, MO 63011
Power On:
Sept. 11 2009
w w w. l afayet tepublic a tions.c om
what’sinside
RSHS cell phone policy allows for school use Alicia Mestre / Reporter
Student usage of cell phones has always been a touchy subject at Lafayette. LHS was eventually bound to hear the controversial question: Would more freedom really disrupt the learning environment? At Rockwood Summit High School (RSHS), students are allowed to use cell phones during lunch and in between classes. “We are trying to teach students responsible use of cell phones,” RSHS Principal Dale Menke said. He continued, “[We have also] given power to the teachers to decide whether or not students can use cell phones during classes.” Former LHS social studies teacher Tom Wade commented on the policy at RSHS, where he recently transferred. “I have noticed that cell phones have become a non-issue in my classes,” he said. Wade went on to say, “Rather than tell the students they can’t use them at all (then they try to sneak using them in class) students are using their time during lunch and between classes to use their phones.” RSHS senior Dan Griffen said, “Personally, I don’t think the policy changed much, but at least it gives us more freedom.” Senior Christina Hermann agrees. “I never noticed many distractions [with cell phones] before, and [the new policy] hasn’t made much of a difference,” she said. However, Rockwood Summit’s flexibility on the district cell phone policy was not specifically approved by Central Office. Director of Administrative Services Dennis Griffith said, “I have no information on Summit using cell phones in the manner described.”
LHS Takes a Stand
Principal John Shaughnessy said, “I am aware that Rockwood Summit’s interpretation on the district policy is more flexible than ours, but we will adhere to the district policy as it is.”
Updates on construction and donations towards LHS made by Orf Construction.
See page 4
Car enthusiasts put time and money into making their rides unique.
See page 10
The Lancers football team are 2-0 after opening the season with wins over Eureka and Northwest
See page 14
comingsoon
Phoning A Friend After his lunch, Rockwood Summit junior Sean Dugan uses his cell phone at his locker. Summit’s interpretation of the district cell phone policy allows students to use their phones during lunch and passing periods. The Rockwood policy states “beepers, pagers, and portable communication devices may not be used or be visible on school premises during regular school hours, and may not be used during regular school hours as a camera.” (photo by Su Ide)
When asked why LHS sticks to such a strict policy, Shaughnessy said, “Students are here to work within our school policies to get the best education possible.” “Cell phones get in the way of the uninterrupted educational environment,” he said. Assistant Principal Matt Dieckhaus said, “Sometimes student use has had absolutely no harm, but there have been times where students have literally planned drug deals, arranged to meet for sex, and arranged to jump other students.” “I don’t think that it is appropriate for them to be able to communicate like walkie-talkies in rooms throughout our school,” he said.
LHS Student Voice The student body at LHS stands divided on the issue of cell phones. Some students are pro-RSHS policy, some are pro-Rockwood District policy, and others stand in the middle ground. Siding with LHS, senior Megan Hasenmueller said, “I think the school is too strict on punishment, but cell phones shouldn’t be used in school anyway.” Sophomore Lynzee Edwards agrees. “Cell phones shouldn’t be allowed in school. They are too distracting and people cheat,” she said. Other LHS students stand on the opposite side of the spectrum.
“I agree with Rockwood Summit, because we should be like adults and be able to use our cell phones when needed,” senior Daquan Haynes said. Many students argue the idea of beneficial use of cell phones. “I needed to call my mom about staying after for the play call backs. She couldn’t get the message,” sophomore Mackenzie Miller said. Whether or not the Rockwood Summit cell phone policy has been an improvement, a debate will continue through the hallways of Lafayette. “We will change our policy when Rockwood district changes theirs,” Dieckhaus said.
H1N1 hits Rockwood as infection spreads Alyssa Knowling / Reporter
Cases of H1N1 have recently been found at Rockwood Valley Middle School; one of these cases belonging to the eighth grade sister of senior Kameron Klimes. “We do not know how she got it, I guess that it spreads very quickly,” Kameron said. Although the virus does spread quickly, it is not much different than the seasonal flu. The main difference between the particular strain of H1N1 and the seasonal flu is that H1N1 is occurring much earlier in the season than the typical flu does. The symptoms however are very
similar. “It’s a bit confusing, no one is actually testing for H1N1 at this point, but the presumption in the medical community is that since we don’t typically see flu this time of year, these cases of type A influenza are probably H1N1,” said the Rockwood Supervisor of Wellness and Health Amy Wehr. Kameron’s sister was never a confirmed case of H1N1. Because of the season, it was just an assumption that she caught the virus. She is already back in school after four days of being sick . There should be no fear of students who have family members who have or have had H1N1 if the
right precautions are taken. “I kept Karlie separated from everyone except for me. I wouldn’t let anyone in her room or pick up anything in her room. I washed my hands a million times, disinfected her room and disinfected commonly touched objects in the house. I’m not worried about catching the virus. I’ve been around her for six days and I have no symptoms whatsoever, neither does anybody else in the house,” said Kay Klimes, mother of Kameron. Sophomore Stevie Tiemann said, “I’m not afraid of getting it. I bet I’ve been way sicker than the Swine Flu would make me.” “I’m not worried anymore than
any other illness at any time. I mean for me, my kids are in elementary school, so they take turns getting sick and my husband and I have to take turns staying home for them, and it makes it hard, but I don’t think it’s more likely for them to get this over anything else, “ said Associate Principal Renee Trotier. Not only is getting sick a problem, more students are worried about missing school. “I get sick a lot during the year and if I am out of school for getting swine flu for a week or two, it pretty much kills any chances of me getting good grades,” junior Jake Stergos said.
See Flu Page 5
Sept. 12 ACT Test Sept. 13 Sophomore OSEP Trip Sept. 15 Rockwood College Fair, Marquette High School 7 p.m. Sept. 16 Staff Development Day Sept. 16 Senior Panoramic Pictures 9:30 a.m. Sept. 20-21 Junior/Senior OSEP Trip Sept. 23 STAR 6 p.m. Sept. 24 Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30-8 p.m. Sept. 27 Tour De Wildwood Sept. 29 STUCO 7 p.m. Sept. 30 Parent-Teacher Conferences 4:30-8 p.m Oct. 1 Key Club 7 p.m. Oct. 2 Senior Lunch on the Shelf
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Opinion
Sept. 11, 2009
2009-2010
Image Staff Editorial Board:
Courtney McBay Managing Editor Mina Yu News Editor Max Thoman Asst. News Editor Rachel Brown Opinion Editor Kara Campbell Campus Editor Chelsea Coleman Adam Harris Feature Editors D.Anne Vollmayer In-Depth Editor David Adams Entertainment Editor Mia Schenone Asst. Entertainment Editor Andrew Martin Gian Wessel Sports Editors Jessica Zadoks Ad Manager Nancy Smith, MJE Adviser
Staff:
Teresa Avila, Kelley Bauer, Leanne Beasley, Ian Bernstein, Mary Buttram, Caleb Cavarretta, Daniel Clutter, Dominic Corvington, Christine Jackson, Katie Jardine, Maddie Johnson, Alyssa Knowling, Alicia Mestre, Alex West, Molly White
Information
The Image is published 10 times a year by the Newspaper Production Class. Subscriptions are $30. Free issues are distributed on campus. The 2008-2009 Image received a rating of First Class from the National Scholastic Press Association.
Philosophy
The newspaper’s primary obligation is to inform its readers about events in the school and community and of issues of national or international importance which directly or indirectly affect the school population. The newspaper, while serving as a training ground for future journalists as part of the school curriculum, recognizes all rights and responsibilities under the First Amendment. Operating as a public forum, student editors will apply professional standards and ethics for decision making as they take on the responsibility for content and production of the newspaper. While the student staff encourages constructive criticism of any part of the newspaper, authority for content rests in the hands of the student members of the newspaper staff. Students will not publish material considered to be legally unprotected speech, or libel, obscenity, material disruption of the educational process, copyright infringement, or unwarranted invasion of privacy.
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We are located in Room 213 at Lafayette High School, 17050 Clayton Rd., Wildwood, MO 63011. Our phone number is (636) 733-4118 and our e-mail address is smithnancy@rockwood.k12.mo.us Visit us on the web at: www.lafayettepublications.com
Policies
Opinions expressed on the editorial page do not reflect the viewpoints or official policies of the school administration. All editorials (unsigned) represent a majority opinion of the Editorial Board. Signed editorials, columns, editorial cartoons and reviews reflect the views of the author and not necessarily those of the Image Editorial Board. Participation through letters to the editor by students, faculty and the community is encouraged. Letters must be signed but names will be withheld upon request and with the concurrence of the Editorial Board. Letters should be limited to 300 words. The Image reserves the right to reject, edit or shorten letters. Letters may be submitted in writing to Mrs. Nancy Smith in Room 213, or to any Image staff member, or via e-mail to smithnancy@ rockwood.k12.mo.us.
Rachel Brown, Opinions Editor
New Missouri law bans texting and driving, excludes texters over age 21 Everyone has one of those friends. The friend who drives while putting on mascara, changing the music and drifting over the median, feeding their pet monkey and clipping their toenails as they steer with their feet. Or one of those friends who drives drunk, wearing a blindfold and playing Parcheesi simultaneously. Or even worse, one of those friends who texts while he or she drives. Last year, according to Missouri Highway Patrol, inattention was the leading cause of accidents in the 40,500 wrecks caused by those under 21. That’s 40,500 bumped and scratched cars, 40,500 disappointed drivers, or damaged drivers or even dead drivers. I applaud Missouri for finally stepping up and becoming the 22nd state to combat this ugly carelessness by putting into effect a law against texting while driving for those under the age of 21. However, something is missing from this picture. Or more accurately, someone. And, that someone is all the Mis-
souri residents 21 and over to whom the law does not apply. Missouri is the only state of the 22 which has not extended the law to encompass the entire driving population. This is absolutely ridiculous. After all, has anyone ever watched their parents try to text? It’s a scene both sad and hilarious, akin to watching a preschooler learn to cut with scissors. Likely, unless your parents are of the technologically savvy sort, they will sit there with their nose an inch from the screen for 10 minutes, punching laboriously at the keys, and mumbling under their breath, only to send the victorious message, “pls pick up milk on way home.” Are these really the people who still have the right to text as they drive? Lord have Mercy. My parents and my friends’ parents are the last people I want to see texting behind the wheel. Such behavior will land them texting from inside a ditch or worse. A good friend of mine was recently forced by her mother to take
a vow to never, ever text and drive. My friend, after swearing she wouldn’t get behind the wheel with a phone in her hand, asked her mom to swear to do the same, explaining to me with concern, “It hadn’t even crossed my mom’s mind that if I shouldn’t text and drive, neither should she.” Surely, the Missouri legislature would argue that older people have had more time to develop their judgment and decision making skills and are therefore are less likely to screw things up. But texting and driving does not require good judgement or stellar decision-making skills. To text and drive, one only needs a pair of thumbs, a phone (prefer-
Dear Readers, This is your space. Really. Take it. It’s yours. Let us explain. Your school newspaper, The Image, is a public forum, which means the student editors make all of the content and coverage decisions and we also take full responsibility for what is printed. Our job is to inform and entertain the Lafayette community. Your job as a reader is to make up your own mind, draw your own conclusions and form your own beliefs. We also strongly believe that each person is entitled to his or her own
opinions, and the right to express those opinions. And, this section of the Image, Opinions, is here for you, our readers, to share whatever is on your mind by writing a letter to the editor for publication. Feel free to complain and compliment, rant and rage, giggle and growl about whatever your heart desires. In 300 words or less, please. Talk about our world, our nation, our community and the issues that make and break us. Discuss little concerns, big concerns and all those concerns in-be-
tween. We encourage constructive criticism of any part of the newspaper. Did we screw something up? Let us know so we can make it right. Do you see things differently than they were presented on our pages? Let us know! We are the ones who make all choices regarding content, and without your input we have no clue what you’re thinking. Printed to the right is our Letters to the Editor Policy. Now, you’ll know what to do next time you have something to say. Please, speak your mind. We, and the rest of our readers, are listening.
Rachel Brown, Opinions Editor
ably full keyboard) and a motor vehicle of some sort. Unfortunately, most of the adults I know have all of these things at their disposal, along with a healthy dose of misled confidence in their texting skills. In all honesty, I would sooner trust my 14-year-old brother to text while attempting to control a car (though I wouldn’t recommend it), and he hasn’t even earned his permit. The Transport Research Laboratory of the U.K. recently found that texting is the more dangerous than drinking and driving, based on reaction time and steering ability. If adults aren’t allowed to drink and get behind the wheel, it seems a given that they also should not be allowed to text. My point is, if there is going to be a law made restricting texting while driving in those under 21, Missouri might as well word the law to encompass the older people, too. I won’t be surprised if some grandma kills me on the freeway, her last words clutched in her fingers. “C u at quilting club.”
Curiously, a letter from the editors to you Letters to the Editor Policy
Participation through letters to the editor by students, faculty and the community is encouraged. Letters must be signed but names will be withheld upon request and with the concurrence of the Editorial Board. Letters should be limited to 300 words. The Image reserves the right to reject, edit or shorten letters. Letters may be submitted in writing to Mrs. Nancy Smith in Room 213, or to any Image staff member, or via e-mail to smithnancy@rockwood.k12.mo.us.
Opinion Swine flu prevention in one easy step
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The Image
Image
The Image does not need to be the one to announce that cold season is here, and it is more snuffly and vicious than ever. A surefire way to know that it’s that virus-heavy time of the year again is the rolls of toilet paper in teachers classrooms, put in place when the Kleenex run out. And as we all know, this is no normal cold season (what cold season starts in August?) and likely to be no normal flu season. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) predicts more than 70 percent of the American population will be infected by the infamous H1/N1, better known as Swine Flu. And without a calculator we can tell you, that’s a lot of people. We are concerned for Lafayette’s well being, and frankly, for our own well being. So please, gorgeous populace of Lafayette, spread the love, but don’t spread the plague.
Here is one important step we can take to avoid falling ill and dying tragically BESIDES washing our hands and not licking up other people’s saliva. It is perhaps the easiest thing we can do to avoid Swine Flu, or any other nasty disease for that matter. If sick, don’t come to school. We realize this is a shocking concept, and a complicated one, but we think it can be pulled off. As a student, know when to stay home. If you are puking, or feverish or convulsing, for everyone’s sake, consider hanging around in bed for a day. Or two
The health care reform debate, the war on terror, the ineffective stimulus bills, the skyrocketing deficit, the stalled economy and the “green” technology movement. These are the things that affect us today. However, looking at the people around me, the realization came that all of these things are unimportant to students. These things do not affect them. Well, I am going to paint a picture of the things going on around the world, and explain why today’s youth needs to break out of its apathetic bubble. I aim to explain why caring about the world outside of West County is so crucial. One of the easiest issues to see this is in the health care debate. The political left is currently trying to ram a bill through congress that would dramatically change the way we receive our health care, and would set us on a path that would likely lead us to adopt something similar to the health care systems of Canada, Britain and other European countries. Why does this matter? Because the result of whether or not this bill passes will have a signifi-
cant impact on our lives. That hip replacement you were going to get 50 years from now? You might be deemed too “unimportant” to receive it when you want it. That cancer treatment? Sorry, but since you are only going to last a few more years, maybe society should not spend so much extra money on you. Oh and that doctor you would have been paying? The really skilled and intelligent one who went through medical school so he could make a lot of money? He chose a different profession, because government control of the medical system really hurt his salary. The quality and extent of our future health care would be dramatically reduced. Another big issue that students really should be paying attention to is the soaring deficit, which under President Barack Obama has already gained a trillion dollars, bringing it to a total of $11 trillion. Inflation is not the only problem here; the people that we burrow money from in order to pay for our expenditures should be distressing. It has gotten to the point that if the U.S. government was a person,
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STAFF EDITORIAL
or three. And parents? If a kid says he’s sick, give him the benefit of the doubt. Better completely paranoid than sorry. As a teacher, think about easing up on your kids. Most of us have seven classes a day, along with sports, clubs, outside of school activities, jobs and if we’re lucky, a social life. So, getting sick doesn’t just put kids behind in one class, but all seven, as well as sports, clubs, outside of school activities and work. Instating ridiculously strict policies about homework’s due dates and making up tests really isn’t doing anyone a favor. All these guidelines do is make kids anxious, stressed and sleepdeprived, which is part of the reason anyone gets sick to begin with. Some Lafayette teachers have gone as far as designing their make-up tests to be harder than
the original test. While this may be an effective tool for keeping students from blowing off a test, it also encourages a sort of suicide-bomber mentality that inspires kids to attend school even when hideously ill. Dripping bacteria and virus with every step, these delirious test takers arrive with a Kamikaze war-cry, “I don’t care if everyone gets sick, I NEED to take this test!” Administration can do its part by sending home noticeably sick students, and perhaps even setting up cameras to film the teacher’s lessons which we are all so fearful of missing. Under normal circumstances, cold and flu victims showing up at school is at best annoying. But in this year’s bizarre concoction of disease, the Image is deeply concerned for Lafayette’s well being and advises taking steps to keep us all safe.
Current political events impact students’ lives
It’s My Turn
[A Rotating Column] This Month: Caleb Cavarretta
he would be likely be homeless and constantly chased by his lenders. Or ironically would be put into prison by the IRS. Why does this matter? Our generation will have to pay for that debt. Our generation will have to adjust to the inflation that it causes. Our generation will have to pay off our foreign lenders. Then there is foreign policy. Someone may argue, “Well if it is happening outside of this country, how could it possibly affect us?” In response, I would like to remind this person, the significance of today, 9/11. The war on terror is not just another war in a foreign land to stop the spread of a movement. This is not Vietnam. American youth can no longer take the ignorant “we should not fight because people will die” approach. If the American youth forces our
leaders to leave the war behind because they “don’t like war,” then it will only be a matter of time before the jihadists come knocking on our door. If the youth continues to let these things happen, we will be facing significant problems in our future. Though most of us cannot vote, that doesn’t mean what we say and believe does not matter. Students need to get involved and pick a side, before the problems of our future are the problems of the present. Teenagers need to express their political opinions openly and intelligently. Attend town halls, go to that political rally, write a blog about your ideas. It is time we let the “wise” adults know that we will not let them destroy our futures, because if we do not, then we can kiss goodbye a large portion of our hopes and aspirations.
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How concerned are you about the Swine Flu epidemic ? Opinions expressed are those of the individuals interviewed, and not of the Image staff.
stars to: The once barely perceivable bells are now ringing full force. Finally we know when class is over. Brand-spanking-new lemon yellow flooring in the freshman and sophomore hallways and new carpets in the math hall. It’s nice to look down and not see old stains. Our school sports three new murals; the doors of the elevator, the production center and one in the weightroom stairwell. Three cheers for Lafayette’s beatification. Lancer Landing. It’s back and its chock-full of clothes, snacks, class books and most importantly, coffee. Thanks to all those parent volunteers that make its operation possible. Reading Rainbow aired for the last time on August 28, ending its 26 year run with a total of over 24 Emmy’s. Take a look, it’s in a book… A lovely new-fangled sign in the front advertises that we are indeed LAFAYETTE.
gripes to: Parking passes are still a whopping $100. Misplaced it? Replacements are still $100. Junior and senior wallets are hurting. Parents dropping off and picking up is causing a traffic disaster. But it’s not your fault freshmen. Froshie parents please drop off and pick up at pool entrance, NOT directly in front of the school entrance. The new addition to Lafayette was supposed to be open by the first day of school. It is tentatively scheduled to be completed in a few weeks. People who find it necessary to stand in the hallways like large unattractive blood clots. Move it or lose it people.
This Month, the Image asks... ?
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stars & gripes
Coffeehouse, the beloved Lafayette tradition that melds traditional talent show with the angsty guitar player is not being held this fall. Looks like we’ll have to sit at home and drink coffee by ourselves.
“I’m so concerned about it. 90,000 people are gonna die! That’s half the world!”
“I’m not very concerned. Sanitation here is good enough.”
“Not at all, because I never get sick. The last time I was sick was, like, the fourth grade.”
“I do think it’s going to be an epidemic, and we need to accept that. But I don’t have elevated concern.”
-Anissa Crowder, 9
-Brandon Sinanan, 10
Liz Desloge, 12
Jean Peters, Staff
Schools across the nation that chose to block out President Obama address to the students. Even LHS students had to have a permission slip to watch. This is America. Since when do we impose viewing restrictions presidential address?
4 Club News
Students can choose from several new organizations
Jewish Student Union
The Jewish Student Union is new this year. The founder of the group, Rabbi Rovishky, said he wants lots of different people to learn about the Jewish faith. It will meet Wednesdays after school at 3:30 p.m. in Vince DeBlasi’s room and should last about an hour.
Mud Club
Mud Club is new Fine Arts club this year. They meet Thursdays at 3:15 p.m. in Room 212 and will be working with ceramics.
Pre-Health Professions Club
The Pre-Health Professions Club’s purpose is to inform and prepare students who are interested in a health care career. The club meets two times a month and has guest speakers, videoconferences and field trips. “It is so important for students to have as much exposure to the fields they want to study,” sponsor Jennifer Keillor said.
Sew Real
Sew Real is a new charity sewing club run by FACS teachers Meghan McGraw and Erin Sieveking. It is open to any student who is interested in fashion. “[Since it is a charity club] we’re hoping to receive donations from teachers and staff,” Sieveking said.
Fit Club
Fit Club is a new fitness club this year. Sponsor Betsy Rivas said the group will meet on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. and activities will include things such as walking/ running the track, Tae Bo and weight training among other work outs and instruction on healthy living..
Orchestra Club
The Orchestra Club is new to Lafayette and was created for students who are interested in string instruments but have not played since elementary or middle school. Interested students should see Joe Gutowski in Room 98 for information.
Campus
Sept. 11, 2009
New Wing should open by early November Kara Campbell / Campus Editor
“The goal is to have 10 classrooms done by August and the Library / Media Center done by first quarter,” Principal John Shaughnessy said last school year. It’s now September and the construction is yet to be finished. “Construction is really not delayed. We were hoping to have it done before school, but a lot of work was added,” Project Superintendant, Adam Paul, said. Paul added, “Starting in the winter months will delay any project dramatically.” As of the beginning of August, the teachers who were supposed to be in the new wing have become traveling teachers throughout the school in order to have a room. A definite date has not yet been set for teachers to move into their new classrooms. Shaughnessy said, “I don’t know (when the construction will be done), the tentative date of completion would be in the end of October, early November.” The $74.5 million bond passed in August 2008 covers the new Family And Consumer Sciences (FACS) room that was completed before
school resumed. It has a professional style kitchen and many other updates. In addition, the heating / cooling system was replaced, new tile and carpet was added around the building and other improvements were made. The bond also covers the new Library / Media Center, the 10 new classrooms, and for the current library to be converted into extra classroom and flex space. However, the bond doesn’t cover the new courtyard and entrance that was added to the new wing. “Orf Construction took care of a lot the cost, so this (construction of the courtyard) could happen on time,” Scott Paul, financial director for Orf Construction said. “It gave the Orf ’s a chance to honor their son Bobby,” Scott said. Bobby Orf, son of Mary and David Orf, attended Lafayette High School. Bobby was diagnosed with Mononucleosis at age 17. This triggered a rare blood disease in 2001. Two years later Bobby died. A paving block in the middle of the court yard will commemorate Bobby. Bobby won’t be the only with a
Finishing Touches
In the soon to be new Library / Media Center a construction worker installs the lighting. The final touches are being installed as soon as possible so the students and staff can begin to use this added wing. (photo by Alicia Mestre)
paving stone in the new courtyard. Alumni, staff, students and community members can all buy a paving stone. A fundraiser will be held for people interested in purchasing a stone. The price and size will not be decided until the construction is
Lancers welcome new faces:
finished. Renaissance came up with the idea to hold a fundraiser for the paving stones. The money raised will go to Renaissance and other Lafayette activities.
New staff members set goals for their first year at Lafayette Jessica Esfahani Art “To have my students leave my class with a feeling of accomplishment.”
Samantha Murphey Language Arts “For students to leave my room being accomplished learners.”
Matt Warren History “To have a great first year at LHS.”
Natasha Toro Theater “To build confidence in all of students.”
Courtney Ford Mathematics “All students can be successful in math if given the opportunity.”
Mark Reeder In-School Suspension (ISS) “To keep the students on task in ISS so that they do not fall behind in their classes.”
Abigail Snyder Spanish “To feel like I made a difference.”
Stefanie Hruby Mathematics “To show kids math can be fun.”
Curtis Ahlers Industrial Technology “To show students that technology really is the future.”
Lisa Funez Language Arts “To make learning more accessible and enjoyable for students, parents and myself.”
Ken Willis Mathematics “For my students to learn and to start to love math.”
Mandy Lewis Freshman Principal “To learn about Lafayette as much as possible in order to begin working on strengthening some of the programs.”
Gretchen Pfarr Science “To share her love of science with students and encourage them to be life-long learners.”
New staff members not pictured: John Barr, Science Resource; Kathy Clayman, SSD Resource; Vicky Ferguson, SSD TA; Kristen Lega, SSD Resource; Jane Mittler, Test Coordinator / Counselor; and Catherine Wieder, Part Time Nurse -Compiled by Kara Campbell / Campus Editor *Editors Note Teachers were either qouted directly from the LHS Staff Directory biographies or from a new teacher questionnaire handed out by The Image. (Photos courtesy of Bill Stewart)
One Type-A Flu sufferer shares his story Swine Flu. I’d only heard and read things like: “It’s an epidemic” “... a flu that’s highly contagious.” But, I never thought I would get it. Unfortunately I did, and when you have swine flu, you’ll know it. Early last week, I felt like I had a cold coming on, but nothing too serious. But, early on Sept. 3. I woke up feeling unbelievably cold around 4 a.m. I wrapped myself in two blankets but was still shivering. Two hours later the fever hit. Instead of forcing myself out of bed to go to school, I found myself glued to it, drenched in sweat. I was exhausted and had an incredibly sore throat. My mom called my pediatrician
to set up an appointment. There I was told the news: I had Type A Influenza, and she said the only type of that going around was the swine flu. I was prescribed a drug called Tami-flu. I was lucky to catch the virus early, so I didn’t get the full extent of the illness. However, for the next couple of days my entire body ached. I went through lots of clothes as I constantly had to change due to the excessive sweating, and generally everything hurt. Fortunately I was back at school Sept. 8 and feeling pretty good. My advice: stay away from people who are coughing. -Sean Alexander, 11
H1N1 hits home (continued from Page 1) Although a majority of students are not worried about H1N1, there have been 556 deaths from H1N1 and 8,843 hospital cases this year in the United States and its territories. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has predicted that 70 percent of America will be infected with H1N1 this year. Chemistry teacher Ryan Bixby said, “People are not paying enough attention to Swine Flu. People are going to get sick.” The Rockwood School District (RSD) has also expected
students to be sick. There are no longer alerts being sent out for every case of H1N1 found in Rockwood schools with over 21 cases of H1N1 found district wide. Other than following precautions that the CDC has given, RSD is continuing to run schools no differently by keeping them clean and reminding students to maintain good hygiene. “The district is using a cleaning product that we’ve had in use for the past couple of years, called Sani-Shield. Not only does it clean the surfaces, it leaves a resi-
due that prevents future microbial growth. The product is intended to last for several days and we are using it on touch surfaces daily,” Wehr said. With H1N1 continuing to enter the district, it is important to take all the right precautions and stay alert about H1N1. While the RSD originally told students to stay out of school for seven days when infected with the virus, the CDC has assured schools that students can come to school after being fever-free for 24 hours.
Teresa Avila / Reporter
tify the means,” Berry said. He said those decorating may be restricted to hall entrances and the space above lockers. The hope is by staying away from high-traffic areas, decorations won’t be destroyed. Also, students may be encouraged to make their decorations out of more stable materials, ensuring they will stand longer. The new method of decorating has received mixed reactions. “I put in so many hours to make the decorations, and to see them ripped down is just sad,” junior Chelsea Gebhart said. Others, especially seniors, are not so supportive. “Couldn’t they wait until next year when we’re gone?” Chelsea Dysko, senior, said. Hallway decorations are not the only change students will no-
tice. “Something new we’re trying out this year is to show an 80s movie after school the week before Homecoming,” Dance Coordinator Carly Jelinek said. Homecoming will still feature traditional events such as Powder Puff Football and the Homecoming Dance. Dance tickets will be on sale Wednesday through Friday of Homecoming Week. Court nominations and voting is also at that time. Lunch competitions between grade levels will feature old favorites such as eating contests and inflatable jousting. “If you really want to get involved, the best thing you can do is make sure you speak to your class officers or your grade level principal,” Berry said.
Homecoming to mix old, new
News Briefs Missouri Teacher of the Year Finalist
AnnMarie Gilman represented Lafayette and the entire Rockwood District by making her way to the finals of the Missouri Teacher of the Year program. “When I see Ms. Gilman I see the quintessential Lafayette teacher. She is not only excellent in her classroom, she gives back to the building all the time,” Associate Principal Renee Trotier said. Senior Matt Parks said, “She is a very entertaining teacher, always keeps our attention, and never gets off track, but at the same time she always gets the point across,” he said. After each finalist was interviewed by a selection committee, Lee’s Summit Middle School teacher Susanne Mitko was selected as the Missouri State Teacher of the Year. She and the five finalists will be recognized by the State Board of Education at a Nov. 16 banquet in Jefferson City.
No Txting @ the Wheel
Effective Aug.28, texting while driving is banned for all drivers under the age of 21. The fine for texting and driving will be $200. Missouri is the one of 22 other states who have made texting at the wheel illegal.
LHS Parking Lot Reminder
At 3:05 p.m., the parking lot becomes flooded with students, busses and staff members trying to leave school, in addition to parents entering the lot to pick up students. This makes for a potentially dangerous situation. Principal John Shaughnessy said, “I’d like to reiterate that drop off and pick up zones are in the east and the west parts of our parking lot.” “Please drive slowly and carefully through the lot, especially at the end of the day, as it is very dangerous with everyone rushing out of school,” Officer Oliver Helbig said.
Students will see a mix of old and new during Homecoming week. Along with traditional events, the 80s-themed week will feature new movie nights and a change in the hall decoration contest. Student Council (STUCO) and administrators are working to ensure that hall decorations last longer and use fewer resources than they have in recent years. “Part of the problem we’ve had in the past is that there’s been a very lengthy evening…trying to get decorations done, and then they’re either torn up or ripped down right away,” Activities Director Steve Berry said. “Part two of the concern was the amount of paper and resources just being wasted. So we’re trying to determine if the ends jus-
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Sept. 11, 2009
Public vs. Private: Schools offer different experiences Caleb Cavaretta / Reporter
As families adjust to the economic crisis, many have had to reconsider where they send their children to school. This is evident in the increase of private school students transferring to LHS. In the past, the number of students from private or parochial schools was about 30. This year it increased to 60. “I would say that with the economy the way it is, and Gateway Academy closing, brought some kids over that probably would not have attended here,” Principal John Shaughnessy said. At the end of the 2008-2009 school year, Gateway Academy shut down its high school, forcing many students to attend other schools. Sophomore Matthew Bouche is one of them. “The reason I transferred was the closing of my school, and Lafayette was my number one choice,” Bouche said. Gateway’s closing is not the only reason to transfer for some students. “I am sure there are insinuating circumstances that families go through in this time with the economy, the loss of jobs, and what-not, that would probably play a factor in why students would choose to come here versus parochial school,” Shaughnessy said. Tuition plays a large part in the choice to attend private schools, but some consider the different opportunities and environments offered at a private school to be worth the cost. “We are not just a private school, but a Catholic school,” Principal Greg Densberger of DeSmet Jesuit High School said. “Parents often choose DeSmet to have
religion in the curriculum.” The highly selective John Burroughs School, another local private school, also provides a different experience, Principal Andy Abbot, Head of the School, said. John Burroughs only enrolls 600 students a year, and their enrollments have been unaffected by the economy so far, but 21 percent of students do receive financial aid for tuition, which is $20,400. The school offers a unique experience to students compared to other schools, in exchange for the tuition fees. “The entire school is built around being able to try lots of different things,” Abbot said. He continued, “Everyone who comes here will take painting and drawing, music, theatre, home economics, industrial technology, computer classes, along with all of their core academic requirements, and they will also all be involved in athletics.” John Burroughs also focuses on bringing its diverse student body together. “The social experience here is phenomenal. Very quickly, you will know all students in your grade, and I think that people really enjoy the fact that we draw students from about 45 different zip codes,” Abbot said. Abbot also said, “It is a religiously diverse community, and it is racially diverse.” “You really can get to know people that you might not come in contact with compared with just a specific neighborhood,” Abbot said. Academically, John Burroughs is also highly competitive. Abbot said, “The experience is very intense and exciting. It is a harder place to go through lightly rather than a public
school.” “I think that, what we really try to say is this is something that if you attend here, you are going to do all of these things, and you are going to discover some things about yourself,” Abbot said. DeSmet Jesuit High School offers a more religiously-centered experience for students, with its tuition at $10,440, $160 up from last year. DeSmet has had to deal with a little trouble because of the economic crisis affecting families. “Our enrollments are down just a little bit from past years,” Densberger said. However, more financial aid is also being distributed. While providing a Catholic environment for students, DeSmet also offers options to students academically. “We have well over 100 hours of college placement classes,” Densberger said. “Probably not a whole lot different that LHS.” While these schools have high tuition and provide different experiences than a public school, Shaughnessy believes that Lafayette is competitive with them. “I’d like to think that we offer a pretty strong program here that would compete with any school, public or private. We have a very good program,” Shaughnessy said. Lafayette also holds a large number of extra-curricular activities, which attracted junior Jake Williamson, a former student at Christian Brothers College High School. “At Lafayette, I get to experience more of the activities that this school has to provide, because CBC didn’t provide many activities,” Williamson said. Lafayette being a coed school also attracted him. He said that he left CBC because he had more friends at LHS.
Comparing Education Lafayette
Tuition: None Average ACT Score: 25.2 Student Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Avg. Expenditure per Student: $8,481
DeSmet
Tuition: $10,440 Average ACT Score: 26 Student Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Avg. Expenditure per Student: $11,984
John Burroughs
Tuition: $20,400 Average ACT Score: 31 Student Teacher Ratio: 7.5:1 Avg. Expenditure per Student: $26,514
CBC
Tuition: $9,655 Average ACT Score: 22.8 Student Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Avg. Expenditure per Student: $12,100 Information from St. Louis magazine March 2009
Williamson also believes there is a difference in difficulty. “Classes are easier here. There are way more advanced classes that you can take, but the overall standard of classes were harder at CBC.” “I think that the Rockwood school district itself, being a public education and a public forum, would offer more opportunities for kids then you might find in that kind of private venue,” Shaughnessy said.
October 4-10 Lafayette High School is going
Totally 80s Homecoming 2009 Tue
: Sundapy .m.
sday: Dress Up D ay: Favorite 8 0s TV Chara Lunch Activit cter y: Pie Eating Contest Hall Decora tions
Fun Run @ 1ts receive
icipan (First 200 part shirt) a Totally 80s T-
Wednesd a
Dress Up Day: Ral
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ph Macchio and M olly Ringwald Day or your favorite 80s m ovie character
Friday: zz Band unch Activity: Ja
Spirit Day; L Parade Pep Assembly; @ 7:30 p.m. LHS vs Oakville
: Thursday ay
ma D Dress Up Day: Paja ging Tough on the an H y: it iv ct A h nc Lu Joust
Saturday : Homecoming Dan ce 7:30-10:00
*Tickets for the danc
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sday 7th - Friday 9t
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News
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Shaughnessy returns to classroom Q&A: The road from teacher to principal and back again
the 2007-2008 school year after Mr. Larry Schmidt retired from the district.
Mina Yu / News Editor
With a handful of new staff teaching this school year, Principal John Shaughnessy was also one among them.
Teaching a group of 24 students, Shaughnessy is teaching 6th hour Freshman Seminar, hoping to leave the freshmen well adjusted to the new high school setting at Lafayette.
Freshman Seminar was first offered last year to help freshmen learn organizational skills and familiarize themselves with the resources to do so. “Freshman Seminar is a lot of transitioning activities to help incoming freshmen get acclimated to Lafayette,” Shaughnessy said. “There’s a lot of organizational-type of things to help as students now that they’re involved in activities, clubs and sports. We want them to maintain that level of interest and do well in classes also,” he added. Teaching a small group of young students has given Shaughnessy a chance to step back and build relationships with his students as well as step in the shoes of the teachers. With his teaching background in math and science at other schools, Shaughnessy hasn’t taught a class at Lafayette. He began his career here in administration in 2004 as a sophomore principal. He served as Associate Principal for one year before becoming Principal during
But now that he has been teaching again, he is reminded of all the time and effort teachers dedicate. “One of the things I’ve found is that the teachers are very good instructional leaders and they bring their A game to our building every day for our kids and it just makes me appreciate teachers even more,” he said. But how did students react when they found out their teacher was the Principal? “At first I didn’t know what to think but after we talked about it. I realized that there could be benefits having the principal as your teacher since he will always know what’s going on at school,” freshman Annie Henning said. Shaughnessy’s idea for teaching a class came about last April during a hiking trip to Babler State Park with a group of students during the Freshman Mentor Program. “A couple of kids mistook me as the track coach and asked if I needed to go back to practice, and after asking several kids who I was, they didn’t really know. It was then when I realized I needed to do something to remain connected with the student body,” Shaughnessy said. When former Associate Principal Jodi Davidson was putting together the teaching schedule for this year, Shaughnessy requested to teach an open class if available. “I think one of the things that is really
How is Freshman Seminar so far?
-I love it. It gives me a chance to leave the office for a little bit and connect with the kids, become involved in their life in a classroom setting. One class a day, does that. It also makes me very aware of all the expectations the teachers deal with everyday.
How do you think kids felt when they found out the Principal was teaching their class?
-At first I think they were a bit surprised but when we talked it out, it was fun, looking at all benefits that you have when you have a principal as a teacher. I think after talking to them and explaining the situation and what I wanted out of it, they were okay.
What is one thing you look forward to everyday?
Field Trip To Computer Lab
Principal John Shaughnessy teaches his students how to navigate through Infinite Campus. He is teaching one section of Freshman Seminar during first semester. (photo by Reed Buie)
important is that kids see me in a different light. They get to see me as a teacher as well as an administrator,” he said. “When you’re principal, you don’t get to interact with them on a daily basis, this helps them understand me a bit more and my perspective, my role as a building administrator,” Shaughnessy added.
-The spontaneity that the kids provide and the humor that goes with teaching. I think that working with freshmen is a lot about the unknown. I like laughing and the humor that they bring to the class, it makes my day. It’s nice to sit down from being an administrator and work with the kids one on one in the classroom. It’s the excitement they bring everyday about learning things about our school and the perspectives they bring that are fun to hear and are also refreshing because of their new and young attitudes.
Do you have future plans to teach next semester/year?
-My plan is to do one semester per year so hopefully I’ll do Freshman Seminar again at the beginning of next year. I want to keep doing this because I think it’s important.
Users find filtered websites a roadblock to educational process Mary Buttram / Reporter Courtney McBay / Managing Editor
Networking sites linking students to one another have caused the internet to no longer be used solely for researching purposes, but for social reasons as well. In school environments, these social sites are restricted in order to minimize distractions in the classroom. Rockwood School District (RSD) uses Lightspeed Systems on district-owned computers to block websites with content the district deems unsuitable for student access. But like many of its students, Rockwood has both a Facebook and Twitter account. “Rockwood has had the Facebook fan page for about two months,” Internal Communications Specialist Leah McCoy said. “The purpose of the page is that it is just one more way to communicate to our patrons.” RSD’s Twitter account has about 25 followers and the Facebook fan page has around 200. McCoy said, “The accounts have the
same information as the home page of our District website, but Facebook and Twitter are another way to communicate the District news with our community and staff.” Students cannot access the RSD pages from the district computers unless a staff member logs in and authenticates the site. But, McCoy said it does not seem ironic that RSD should have a site which is inaccessible from district computers. Director of Instructional Technology Will Blaylock is responsible for implementing the vision for technology as it impacts the classroom. “We follow the Children’s Internet Protection Act as a basic guideline. This requires us to block sites related to obscenity, child pornography, or sites that are harmful to minors.” Associate Principal Renee Trotier said the district filters games and social networking in order to protect students from objective material. But some argue that many of the blocked sites, including social sites could be useful in the classroom. When asked about the filtering system
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in the RSD, Jodie Fowler, industrial technology teacher said, “It bugs me that I can’t get on YouTube. I understand blocking Facebook, Twitter and other social websites, but there are videos that I would like to show to my class.” Allowing YouTube to be available in schools could allow access to unsuitable content for minors, but it could also provide as a teaching aid. Blaylock said, “Personnel in the Technology Department who have to review sites are allowed to enter the sites by the system. Their username is given additional rights to override the system.” Staff members are also provided with access to override sites that may be necessary. Senior Caitlyn Rumsy said, “When you’re researching something at school, it’s very time consuming when you can’t get to sites because it’s blocked due to content. It’s just annoying because you have to go to other sites with less information.” Although these sites may contain inappropriate material, teachers often find it necessary to override the system. “When we’re doing a research project
and my students can’t get to some websites, it is very frustrating,” Fowler said. TeacherTube, a site designed to provide “and online community for sharing instructional videos,” is not blocked by the District. But for videos exclusively on YouTube, teachers can embed clips into powerpoints and presentations. Blaylock said, “The pros [for filtering social networking sites] are that it is easy for inappropriate contact to be pushed through these sites that would place us in violation of the Children’s Internet Protection Act. The cons are that the sites have value in connecting people and enabling communication.” According to Blaylock, the sites the district chooses to filter are reviewed and discussed on a regular basis in order to provide the best educational environment for students. Filtration of social networking sites in the district is needed in order to keep students from inappropriate material, but some teachers insist the sites could be managed in a way that allows for classroom use.
8 Growing American Youth For more than 25 years, Growing American Youth has been supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or questioning (GLBTQ) youth in the St. Louis area. They host events for those 21 and under, and welcome their families and friends as well. Growing American Youth also takes donations for outreach projects and social activities that keep these youth from feeling isolated from their peers. Growing American Youth has meetings on Thursdays from 8-9:30 p.m. at Trinity Church 600 N. Euclid in the Central West End. Despite the fact Growing American Youth meets at a church, it is not affiliated with one specific religion.
Out in the City Prom On July 11, 2009 Growing American Youth held their fifth annual prom for GLBTQ youth and any of their friends who are 21 and under. The location for the 2009 prom was the City Museum and it ran from 8-midnight. For $10, there was food, dancing, and special drag performances from celebrity chaperones. The event was alcoholfree and formal or casual dress was allowed. The date for the 2010 prom has not been announced yet, but updates can be found on the website www.growingamericanyouth.org Ways to register include sending an e-mail, register and pay online, register at a Thursday night meeting or by phone.
Sept. 11, 2009 In-Depth Dances respect gay student rights D.Anne Vollmayer / In-Depth Editor
One of the biggest stressors concerning school dances is finding a date. But for gay students, even after they find a date, there is the concern of how their presence will be accepted by other at the dance. The Rockwood School District does not have any policy which forbids same-sex couples from attending a dance. Student Council sponsor David Choate said, “It’s not our place to because it’s sexual discrimination. They can bring whoever they want as long as they’re under 21 and a good citizen,” he said. But, simply having equal access may not make showing up any easier for gay couples. In fact, Choate said there have only been a handful of gay couples that have attended the dances in the past several years.
Jake Haselman
Gay senior Jake Haselman thinks not many people here know much about him. Haselman moved here in December of his sophomore year. He said he thought he was bisexual for a few years, but knew he was gay since October of his junior year. He came out to friends and family and said they were very accepting of Jake Haselman who he is. “At my old high school people weren’t as accepting. One teacher lost it when she found out and told me I was going against nature,” he said. Despite the incident, Haselman thinks students are branching out from the views of their parents. He has had plenty of kids question his sexual orientation and use harassing words towards him, but he tries not to let it get him down. “Some people have a problem with it. They say it’s not normal, or being gay goes against their really strong religious views that they want to impose on me,” Haselman said. He believes the student handbooks don’t mention gay couples to avoid conflict, and wouldn’t mind if it was specifically mentioned, just as long as it doesn’t say “going to a dance as a gay couple
is not allowed.” Haselman said, “They can’t tell me I can’t bring someone I love to Prom.” He hasn’t gone to a dance with a guy yet, and doesn’t have plans to because he said he has not found anyone worth going with.
Luke Klein
Senior Luke Klein is one of the students who has gone to a dance with another guy. He attended his junior Homecoming with his gay friend Zack Hayworth from Parkway West. “A lot of people at school know I’m gay already so they weren’t weirded out by it. In general they were happy to meet this guy because they knew that I liked him,” he said. Luke Klein Klein came out to his friends freshman year and to his family when he was a sophomore. Klein feels people are more accepting of homosexuality at Lafayette than in other places. He said when he told his friends they were all very accepting of him, and when he told his parents they weren’t surprised because his older brother is also gay. They had assumptions and prepared themselves. Being a gay youth, Klein has received little harassment from others. “A few days ago someone mentioned that being gay was gross to them and I guess they didn’t realize I was gay,” he said. At the dance, Klein said a lot of people danced with him and Hayworth, and buying the ticket was a breeze. All Klein was asked for was Hayworth’s name and if he was a good kid. “You can’t deny entry to school functions based on sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, so there’s no need to say you can’t bring same sex couples. What makes them different?” he said. Klein said the phrase, ‘That’s gay’ doesn’t make him angry or offend him personally. He believes it is part of our culture and he can’t change that.
Andrew Schenone
“I’m probably the most flamboyant one here. I
get called a fag all the time and it’s just like we’re back in middle school. Then it really bothered me but now I just say, ‘Yeah, so? What else is new?” junior Andrew Schenone said. He was 15 when his parents told him if he was gay they Andrew Schenone still loved him no matter what. Schenone thinks they always knew and loves how comfortable they are with it. He has never actually said ‘I’m gay’ to any of his friends, but knows it’s not a secret, and thinks some of his friendships have actually gotten stronger. Schenone said he hasn’t gone to any school dances with other gay guys because he doesn’t want to have to deal with other kids staring at them and making judgments. “I just want to go to have a good time. I know it’s not that big of a deal but still they are going to look at you weird, which is annoying,” he said. In terms of general acceptance of homosexuality, Schenone thinks kids are beginning to realize they might have different views than their parents, and are becoming more open to it. He had one incident of harassment during his freshman year, and said after the fact she acknowledged what she said was inappropriate but never apologized for saying it. Schenone said he sees commercials with celebrities talking about how calling something ‘gay’ is ‘spreading hate’, but, he isn’t bothered by the fad at all. “It’s been around forever, and you’re just saying a word like ‘that’s cool’. It’s offensive to some people, but not to me,” he said. The most annoying thing for Schenone is when people complain about seeing same sex couples making out, because he feels the same way when he sees straight couples together. “They talk about how Gay Pride Parade is all in your face, but seeing straight people is in our face every day,” Schenone said. His favorite quote is from Chris Crocker, who said, “Behind every pretty girl, is her gay best friend.”
A week of 80s: Homecoming 2009 Activities Oct.4
Fun Run 1 p.m.
Oct.5
Oct.6
Hall Decorations 3:30 p.m.
Oct.7
Oct.8
Powder Puff Football 7 p.m.
Parade 5 p.m. Football vs Oakville 7:30 p.m.
Oct.9
Oct.10
Homecoming Dance 7:30 p.m.
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Feature
Breaking down barriers:
Language gap provides biggest challenge Leanne Beasley / Reporter
Ping Lin is a typical new student. She’s bright, diligent and friendly. But unlike most new students, she can’t speak fluent English. This school year Lin is getting her first taste of American education as a sophomore at Lafayette. She is from Fujian, China and her family was forced to move here due to her father’s job. “This place is really, really different. I feel lonely,” Lin said. Lin knows sophomore Tingting Peng through family and was able to speak about the language barrier blocking her communication to teachers and fellow students through Peng’s translation. “It’s really hard not being able to talk to the people around you. A lot of classes I know what to do and when I don’t I ask a teacher and they try to explain it to me,” Lin said. Without Peng in her classes, Lin is mostly oblivious to her teachers’ lessons. “I’ll ask her, ‘Do you understand?’ and she’ll say, ‘Yes’. Then I ask a qualifying question and she says, ‘No.’ She’s very polite,” science teacher Ryan Bixby said. Lin is a student in Bixby’s Physical Science class and he tries his hardest to make sure Lin understands the lesson he gives. “Well, I try to [explain], but she seems to not understand. But when
she turns something in, it’s flawless,” Bixby said. Lin understands a little English, but when an issue arises, she uses a translator device in which she types words or phrases she is unfamiliar with. “She uses it for written stuff. It looks like a Nintendo DS knockoff,” Bixby said. The language is not the only difference Lin notices. Scheduling and classes are also different in China. “Teachers teach in classes with about 50 in them. When they switch classes, the teachers leave and the students stay in the room. Here there are different schedules for everyone. In China, everyone has the same schedule,” Lin said. In Fujian, Lin attended a sleep-in school where 95 percent of her time was spent studying and doing school work. Very little free time was given to students as they spent over eight hours doing other school-related work. “An alarm goes off at 6:30 a.m., and we have to get up and classes start at 7 a.m. We get off at 11 a.m. for lunch and rest for two hours. After our noon break, we go back to classes until 5 p.m. We go back to class not to learn but to do homework and study,” Lin said. When discipline was mentioned Lin replied, “The discipline is a lot of copying. They don’t do a lot of
punishing. In China, they are strict about dress codes. You’re not allowed to wear sandals or flip-flops. Some schools don’t allow long hair. For my school, we’re not allowed to wear shirts that show our backs,” Many may not understand how strict schools are and how vital education is to the Chinese. Their education does not come cheap. High-end schools require payment in order for children to be taught. Expenses were necessary at Lin’s school. Lin is not the only one who has faced this before. Peng also took a walk in Lin’s shoes at a time. “I was in her position in first grade. I wasn’t in school [in America], I was in China for six months and I forgot most of my English. I couldn’t say anything but I got used to it and kept to myself,” Peng said. Peng can relate to Lin and her situation in a new American public school and is doing everything she can to ease Lin into her new surroundings. Peng has not only served as a companion, but as a translator in school. “She was in my geometry class, so I helped by translating what the teacher was saying,” Peng said. Lafayette’s hectic atmosphere is no different than that of her school back in China. The crowded, chaotic scene in the halls does not faze her.
“It’s kind of the same in China. When we first begin school, it is crowded but during classes it’s not,” Lin said. Lin’s counselor, Emily Lee, is another more knowledgeable source that she can go to for a more indepth look at LHS. “We want them [new students] to know we are here as a support and resource for them throughout their experience. Many times I will contact teachers to make them aware a new student is starting with them, as well as help the student find classes and figure out what lunch shift they are eating. Things like finding a table to eat at during lunch can be so scary and overwhelming. We also have mentors to help students with the transition, and the Counseling Department sponsored a New Student Breakfast to help give student information about what life is like here,” Lee said. Being involved is an important piece of the Lafayette student body, and getting Lin into clubs and activities will certainly make things easier, according to Lee. “Don’t just go to school at Lafayette, but become a part of it. If a new student can find one club or activity to be a part of, that can be a really positive thing,” Lee said. From language, to classes, to teachers and to people, Lin has a challenge set before her that may seem to some impossible.
Getting To Know ESOL •English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teaches English and American culture through reading, writing, speaking and listening •Teacher Cindy Biehle work with students based on specific needs •This year, students in ESOL speak Spanish, German, Somalian, Hindi, Chinese and Portuguese •At Lafayette, there are seven full-time members who attend the class one hour a day and three students who are monitored and check in when they need help •Students spend one to two years in ESOL at the high school level •Teachers attend to students based on proficiency in class •Teachers don’t translate, only English is used while teaching •The use of District technology is highly emphasized •ESOL makes the connection between languages used at home and English at school •District Core Curriculum Objectives (CCOs) are used to evaluate students progress and accomplishments
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Feature
Fast & Furious:
Sept. 11, 2009
Students put time, money into “souping” up cars Adam Harris / Feature Editor
At 8 a.m. and 3:05 p.m. the parking lot comes alive with the hustle and bustle of students weaving through rows of cars looking for a parking spot, or flooring it out of one. Yet some cars attract more attention than others as they roar up and down the aisles. Even in high school, displays of modern engineering are not hard to come by. With modified engines and sleek timeless body work some students take owning a car to the next level. Junior Ryan Tegethoff drives a 35th anniversary model of a 2000 Z28 Camaro. With a V-8 LS1 corvette engine and .330 rear wheel horse power the car definitely draws attention on the roads. “I got a ticket because cars by me were racing and I got pulled over for it, and last week I just got pulled over and searched for no reason,” Tegethoff said. For Tegethoff it is a small price to pay for owning his prized Camaro. “I love the sound it makes, the look, ttops are a definite plus. It’s basically a convertible besides the strip of metal down the middle. It’s black which I think is the best
color if its clean and it’s a V8 with tons of horsepower which is fun,” he said. Being a sports car the Camaro has sports suspension which Tegethoff says, “is very tight so you can feel every bump of the road which I like but probably isn’t comfy for my passengers.” Tegethoff prefers the American look and sound of the car so he decided to put his money towards the engine. “It has a SLP intake and a Ram air hood on it that takes the air from outside to cool off the engine. I also have flowmaster 80 series exhaust on it,” Tegethoff said. “My aunt and uncle have an amazing red 1968 SS Camaro which basically inspired me to get a Camaro. It’s a piece of art work. They help me with making lists and showing me how to take care of my car which is nice to have someone giving me tips all the time,” he said. Another proud owner is junior Jeff Holiday who owns a 2007 Hyundai Tiburon GS. “I have a Razzi body kit, XXR rims, Goodyear low profile tires, blacked out tail lights, window tints, took off the Hyundai
Face Lift
Modified with a Razzi Body kit junior Jeff Holiday’s car sits parked in the school lot. Holiday replaced the Hyundai emblems with Tuscani emblems which is the European model of the car. (photo by Daniel Clutter)
emblems and put on custom airbrushed Tuscani emblems, blue neons in the foot wells and trunk, blue LED’s around speakers and in the map light, painted interior trim, 12” Alpine type R subwoofer, custom sub enclosure, Alpine amplifier and Infinity kappa speakers,” Holiday said. With an extensive list of modifications Holiday’s Tiburon is extremely unique. He put about $2,500 into the changes. Holiday’s favorite part of his car is the sound system because he enjoys music and, “it handles great since I haven’t touched my engine at all yet.” Senior Andrew Mackey has owned his 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STi for little over two years. Putting $7,500 into modifications Mackey said, “As of right now the motor is Stage 2 protuned, which means I have a full exhaust, intake and computer which has been professionally tuned which puts the boost at about 20 psi.” “As far as the rest goes I have BC coilovers to make it handle better, Prodrive wheels and high performance tires. On the inside there’s multiple gauges that monitor the engine, as well as a Kenwood DVD/navigation unit with infinity speakers, Kenwood amp and an Alpine type R subwoofer,” Mackey added. Like Tegehoff’s Z28 Camaro, Mackey’s car attracts the attention of law enforcement. “The car stands out like a sore thumb, cops tend to see it and are much more suspicious. It was so bad when I first got the car that I almost considered selling it because of the harassment,” Mackey said. “Most of my friends are into cars and Blast From The Past
have similar cars and they like it a lot and can appreciate what I have done to the car because they have the same passion for cars,” Mackey said. Senior Emily Burgess is not a sports car enthusiast but has a unique car herself, a 1977 Transporter Type II she’s had since sophomore year. “We’ve put carpet, a new stereo, ‘trays’ that have real cup holders, a fat hula guy for my dash and some fuzzy dice,” Burgess said. Burgess’ “bus” used to have a tire on the front which she put on the back and says that other models have 18 windows and a V split in the front. “My car reflects my personality most definitely. I am a hippie at heart, I love trees and nature, hate when people litter and I love driving all my friends around and I am a lot about love,” Burgess said. “I’m big, red and loud just like my bus. I tend to stand out and make a lot of noise,” Burgess adds. “My close friends think it’ awesome. But so far I think some people are mad I have it. I do the peace sign to some people and all I get is the finger back, it all depends on who it is and what day I guess,” she said. Burgess enjoys the music she plays in her car as well as the bumper stickers she decorates it with. “I think I have five now. They are the Grateful Dead Bears, the Jerry Garcia band and then some trippy design. I think they all suit me and my car,” Burgess said. In a high school parking lot a students car can express a lot about their interests and personality by the time and effort they spend making it their own.
Referred to as “the bus” senior Emily Burgess’ 1977 Transporter Type II brings back memories from 70s. “We’ve put carpet, a new stereo, ‘trays’ that have real cup holders, a fat hula guy for my dash and some fuzzy dice,” Burgess said. (photo by Daniel Clutter)
2010 Legend Oct. 16: Business/School Organization ad forms due Nov. 20: Grad Ads due Jan. 16: Senior Portrait deadline For additional information, visit the Student Publications website: www.lafayettepublications.com
Feature
The Image
Students find outlet in ‘Home-Made’ Media Alex West / Reporter
Ever since the start of YouTube in February 2005, people all across the globe have become fixated on watching video clips online. YouTube has turned into a national phenomenon that appeals to people of all ages. In 2008, YouTube hit 100 million viewers in the United States alone. This popular webpage has especially appealed to high school students. In fact, some Lafayette students run their own accounts on YouTube to share their interests with the viral world. Sophomore Jonathan Perera is the master behind the account PereraProjects, which focuses on a large variety of skateboarding stunts. Perera would like to go into cinematography as his profession, and YouTube gives him just the start he needs. “I decided to create an account so that I can share my work with everyone else. It allows my friends and family to check out the videos as well as the general public, which gets my name out there,” he said. Along with sharing their work the students on YouTube said that the website benefits them in many other ways. Senior Logan Richards of MudButtProductions said “We’ll have random people come up to one of us and say ‘Hey I saw your video and it’s really funny’ and
when you hear that it makes your day.” Alex
Freshman Kevin Donahue, creator of the YouTube account Colossal Films, said, “You show a lot of people what you can do instead of just telling them.” Students also have the benefit of meeting people all over the world that have the same interests as they do, which allows them to meet people who have watched their videos and know who they are. Perera and Donahue both said it is always exciting when someone recognizes their videos. “One of my friends in Iowa saw my videos and I hadn’t told him about my account yet,” Donahue said. “One time when I was out with my friends in progress of shooting a new video at the skate park, a kid came up to me and knew who I was,” Perera said. He continued, “There I am all the way in South County, and someone at the skate park knows who I am, just by the appearance of my friends and the camera that I film with.” However, the main advantage students say YouTube gives them is a chance to take a break from their hectic lives and just enjoy themselves. “We made our account kind of just for fun. Me and my friends just wanted to make some videos,” Donahue said. His video Call of Duty Five Funny Dog Glitch now has over 22,000 views. While some believe YouTube is just
for nonsense and has no real value, many think otherwise. “I think this type of home-made media definitely enhances the community because the internet has quickly become taken over by the mainstream media such as news stations, TV stations, etc. YouTube at this point is slowly being taken over by big TV companies and news networks,” Perera said. Richards believes YouTube media enhances society because it can lift people’s moods. “So many people go on YouTube when they’re bored and look up funny or crazy stuff, and people who watch our videos say that they always laugh, even after a few times of watching it they still laugh, and it feels good when you hear that.” Richards said. Perera also believes making his YouTube videos has changed not only society but himself as a person. “Ever since I started filming and editing videos myself, I truly realized what kind of thought, work and creativity went into other peoples work. I have become much more appreciative of art and other peoples individuality,” he said. Just by filming and editing videos Lafayette students have achieved their personal goals and given themselves a creative outlet. YouTube has changed the ways not only of media but also self expression.
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Lafayette’s Related Videos
Jonathan Perera, 10 - Perera Projects
As he performs a kick flip, skater Adam Edelman launches off a staircase as Jonathan Perera films. Perera has used his cinematography skills to film over 50 skateboarding and snowboarding clips.
Logan Richards, 12 - MudButt Productions With his fellow production friends, senior Logan Richards walks happily in a new comedic skit called A Werewolf in St. Louis. Richards said he creates videos purely for the viewers’ entertainment.
Kevin Donahue, 9 - Colossal Films
Pushing down on the accelerator, Kevin Donahue go-kart races down the street. The freshman has made several other racing videos as well as clips of gaming and RC monster trucks.
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Feature
Sept. 11, 2009
Family members share Lancer Pride
Students appreciate parents’ presence Maddie Johnson / Reporter
As the school day drags on, each face passed in the hallway looks more and more like the rest. But for certain students, what may look like just another face in the crowd to others is actually someone much more familiar. Family ties are more common than most of us realize: many parents of LHS students work at this school. Common assumptions are made about the experience these kids have at school in comparison to others. Some feel things might be less stressful for students with parents at Lafayette. Junior Rob Berry falls into the category of students whose parents are administrators; his father, Steve Berry, is the Activities Director. “People think I have it easier just because he’s here,” Rob said. Yet, Rob thinks sports tryouts are just as fair, and he is treated the same as everyone else, despite the fact that his father oversees all of Lafayette’s activities. “I have to work just as hard as anyone else for a spot on the team,” he said. “If anything, the bar of expectation is set even higher for me.” Senior Varun Mehrotra agrees completely. He believes he is held to a higher standard than other students because his mother is Assistant Principal Kirti Mehrotra. “You have more responsibilities than other students and some teachers even say things like, ‘If you misbehave, I’ll send you to your mother,’” Varun said. “I’m constantly being watched, and everything I do or say gets reported to my mom,” he added. “The expectation is that he should be very responsible,” Mehrotra said. “He’s aware of what he shouldn’t do that other students might do and get away with.” However, not all aspects of having a parent on campus are negative. “I never forget a permission form,” Varun said. “I also have a fridge to keep my food, and a place to go in and sleep after school.” There are other students and teachers in
Like Father Like Son
On patrol of the fields, Activities Director Steve Berry oversees the activities taking place after school with his son, junior Rob Berry, at his side. Rob rarely gets a ride on the Gator as he is usually in the Gym fulfilling his duties as manager for the girls volleyball team. (photo by Daniel Clutter)
the building that have a family connection; some of which could not be happier with the situation they are in. Senior Rachel Gilman and her mother, AnnMarie Gilman, Human Anatomy and Physiology teacher, are fortunate enough to see each other very often during the day. “I see her all of the time. We’re actually really good friends, so it’s really cool,” Rachel said. “I loved the class. It definitely fascinated me.” While Rachel once had her mother as a teacher, she is now a part of the Cadet Teaching Program, and assists her every day during 6th Hour. Rachel notices no difference in the way
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her mom taught last year when she was in the class as compared to how she teaches now. “She’ll still tell the same embarrassing stories, but I don’t care,” Rachel said. “It’s awkward sometimes, like the reproduction unit is awkward, but not too bad.” Rachel believes having a parent at school everyday has proved not to be a burden. “I’m so glad she’s one of those teachers that everyone loves. She’s a tight teacher and no one hates her,” Rachel said. Some students even find relief in always having their mom or dad near. Freshman Alex Voss said it was nice to have her dad, Coach Rick Voss, at school. “It was an ad-
vantage because I knew my way around the school before I came,” she said. While most parent-to-student relationships at Lafayette remain at home, the few at school are not as unusual as many believe them to be. Students still follow the same rules and receive the same consequences for their actions that the rest of Lafayette’s student’s do. According to Rachel, having her mother at school is nothing unusual. In fact, if Gilman was not a teacher at Lafayette, things just wouldn’t be the same. “It’s not as weird as people think,” she said. “Having my mom at school is actually really cool.”
Feature Complex Sibling Relationships: The Image
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Multiples face more competition in high school Kelley Bauer and Molly White/ Reporters
Competition between siblings generally includes arguing for the last chocolate chip cookie, whose turn it is to unload the dishwasher and who instigated the last fight. Having a twin or triplet sibling, however, doubles the competition in grades, friends and sports. Although many multiples say that having a sibling of the same age can provide a great deal of support, they admit competition and comparisons often present a source of problems especially for twins or triplets. Sophomore twin Laura Whiteley said, “For me, it definitely helps. It’s a source of motivation a lot of times.” She and Adam participate in similar activities such as music and sports, and they share three classes together. “We both have different fortes, but we always support each other,” Adam said. However the two siblings find it sometimes hard to separate their lives because of their similar interests. “Sometimes since we do the same things, it gets to be too much and you want it to stop,” Laura said. Adam agrees. “The competition is good until it gets to a certain point where it turns into fighting and craziness.” Seniors Eric and Alex Volstromer also consider their relationship as incentive in schoolwork as well as cross country. Eric said, “We push each other to do our best, but we are not bad sports about who does better, we really just like to see each other do well.” “There is a lot of competition between Alex and I. It’s kind of like if one of us is doing… the other has to do it too or they will feel guilty about it,” Eric said.
Twins Motivated By Competition
Twins at Lafayette are sophomores Sara and Anne Perry (right), seniors Alex and Eric Volstromer (left), and sophomores Laura and Adam Whiteley (center).
Nevertheless, like most twins, the brothers couldn’t imagine life without eachother’s friendship and support. “We moved to St. Louis during the middle of sophomore year, so we didn’t know anyone but each other, and since then we have been ridiculously close,” Eric said. Both Eric and Alex consider having a twin is easier than a regular sibling, because they are able to share alike interests and look for similar qualities in friends. Like the Volstromers, sophomores Sarah and Anne Perry have many of the same friends and sports interests. “We hang out with the same people…so we’re always with each other,” Sarah said. However, the sisters don’t have a problem it. The Perry twins still feel competitively driven in sports. “I always beat her,” Anne teased. Triplet juniors Jordan, Jessica and Jimmy Malke all have dramatically different personalities, friends and interests. “Since we are so different, we inevitably are slowly becoming less and less “friends” in the sense of hanging out… more like friends in that we will always support each other
on our own individual paths of life,” Jimmy said. Yet, a certain amount of sibling rivalry still exists. “There is pressure to compete to see who can achieve the most or who can have the most friends,” Jordan said. Over the years, Jessica said the competition has decreased. “Jordan and I would always try out for the same things. It used to cause us to argue a lot because one of us would feel that the other was better. I think that is why that as we grew older, we all separated into doing different things,” she said. The Malkes maintain their distinct personalities and avoid competitive conflict by setting some guidelines. “You have to constantly make boundaries with being friends of those people who your other siblings may be friends with, because then it’ll become some sort of game of who is better friends with that person than the other,” Jessica said. Jordan said she finds it sometimes helpful to be a triplet, “We are all going through the steps of life at the same time so we can understand how it feels to be in each other’s shoes.”
Sept. 11, 2009 14 Sports Volleyball bounces back from opening loss Christine Jackson / Reporter
After a 33-3 season, the Lancers have returned with hopes for another shot at the Conference title. What has not returned is four of the team’s players from last year. As with any varsity team, the Lancers lost players to graduation and must replace them with new talent. The team has found this new talent in freshman Melanie Crow and promising sophomores Allie Novak and Marilyn Dick. Captains Berkley Idel and Abbey Meier seem confident in these new players. “They’re mostly front row players who have great blocks and hits. They’re our young powerhouses,” Idel said. Lafayette tied with Parkway South and Oakville for first in the Conference last year with a 7-1 record.
“I’m going to try my hardest and focus on improving the most I can to help out the team,” Novak said. The team plays a tough schedule, but feels they have what it takes to have a successful season. “The girls are used to competing at a high level and that should continue,” Coach Steve Burkard said. “The girls are well aware of our past successes and strive to achieve or better the accomplishments of previous teams.” With returning players like Idel and Meier, and promising additions like Dick and Novak, hopes are high for the Lancers The team took their confidence into the first match against defending State champion St. Joseph’s Academy. Despite their efforts, the team would lose in three games. However, the Lancers recovered and beat Seckman in three games the next day;
and defeated Eureka in four games the day after. One factor motivating the team is a way they go through practices and games with a motto called “Welcome To Pound Town.” “It stared last year with our assistant coach Zack Young. He would yell it every time we got a kill. We still like to use it as an inside joke,” senior Torrie Stellern said. The team is confident in its success. “We have a great balance of upperclassmen and young players,” Meier said, “experience plus talent equal success, so this year we’re gonna rock it.” The Kill Zone
Against Eureka, senior Berkley Idel goes for the spike. Idel and senior Abbey Meier were chosen as co-captains this season and are cornerstones for a strong frontline. (photo by Daniel Clutter)
Swimming gets team strength with individual times Andrew Martin / Sports Editor
After finishing the regular season undefeated last year, the boys swimming and diving team still has room for improvement. “We look pretty solid this season, with a lot of strong younger kids,” Coach Todd Gabel said. One of the freshmen who has made an early impact is Johnny Glaser. “He is very good and he is going to be a major factor for us this season,” senior Connor Peters said. Peters had an impressive season last year finishing 18th in State in the 100-yard butterfly. “I am pleased on what I did last season,
but I have to keep working and swimming well,” Peters said. The team looks to keep improving this season with difficult practices. “We try to have high intensity workouts, lots of kicking drills, distance and time trials,” Gabel said. With only 48 days in the season they need to stay as fresh as possible and keep the practices hard. “With our short season we need to make sure we focus on our stroke work and endurance,” senior Tucker Nyhan said. Nyhan had a successful junior year finishing in the top 25 in the area for the 100-yard backstroke and top ten in the 200 individual medley.
“The practices are tough but you make it as challenging as you want it to be,” senior Sam Collier. Collier had a successful season last year finishing in the top 15 in the area for the 500-yard freestyle. “I am happy on where we are now. We look pretty good,” Collier said. One of the different aspects of swimming is that competitors do not qualify State as a team, it is completely individual. “It is all individual. You need to make the time for yourself,” Peters said. After the team qualifies each swimmer competes in his event and then the team points are added up to determine a school winner.
“It is always good to be in State, but as a team we want to just do the best we can,” Peters said. The team has high hopes for the season with strength in the pool and on the diving board. Mostly, they and wants to make sure they equal their success from last year. “Our goal as always is to be Conference champions and hopefully to finish in the top ten in State this year,” Nyhan said. The team kicked off the season on Sept. 8 against Parkway West and faced CBC on Sept. 9. This weekend the Lancers will compete in the Marquette Relays. “We got second last year, so we are gunning for first place this year,” Nyhan said.
80s Movie Nights!
The week before Homecoming 2009
Do you like movies? Do you like 80s movies? If so, this ad is for you! Every night the week before Homecoming a different movie from the 80s will be shown. For $1 you can laugh or cry at a hand-picked movie from the Greatest Decade while enjoying a bag of delicious popcorn. All proceeds will go to help support Muscular Dystrophy. Movies will be unveiled later this month.
See you at the Movies!
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Sports Tale of Two Seasons:
The Image
Softball works to meet expectations after opening year with three losses Christine Jackson / Reporter
Coming off a devastating loss to Howell Central in Conference last season, it has been a shaky start for this year’s Lady Lancers softball team. The team lost five seniors, including starting pitcher Meghan Lamberth, who was also second in the District in home runs. Lamberth is now attending Northwestern on a full scholarship “We’re going to need some underclassmen to step up and fill last year’s spots,” senior Liz Desloge said. “Ashley Parks has done great so far filling in for last years starting pitcher.” Desloge took a ground ball to the face during a practice and suffered a dislocated jaw, but she is not worried about it affecting her play. “It has a little, but not having much of an effect on my performance,” Desloge said. After that accident, Head Coach Scott DeNoyer is requiring all first and third basemen to wear face masks.
Not only is the team down a starter, but the Lancers started with a 10-0 loss to Ft. Zumwalt South. “That game was a fluke,” sophomore utility player Abby Uphoff said. “We were not at the top of our game and we didn’t have a lot of practice due to weather.” The team went into the Affton Tournament with high hopes, but were disappointed with a devastating loss to tournament winner Webster Groves. They would, however, claim second place in the consolation bracket. “I expect to be playing our best by the end of the season. Playing with confidence and ready to compete against the best in State,” DeNoyer said. The team appears to have recovered from a tough start, with 17-1 win against Kirkwood and a 7-5 win over Northwest. Junior Kate Weinzirl, freshman pitcher Ashley Parks and freshman catcher Mara Worley will be vital to the team as it hopes to make another trip to the State Tournament. “I think the thing we have to do is come together as a team and play as one,” Desloge said.
Aim For The Target
From second base, senior Anne Park looks to throw out a base runner. Park is the Lady Lancer softball team co-captain and will lead a team looking for a run at the playoffs. (photo courtesy of Prestige Portraits)
Field hockey doesn’t lose step, wins Gateway Classic Dominic Corvington / Reporter
Teamwork serves as the groundwork for every team, in every sport. Yet on the varsity field hockey team, it’s a little more than a basic principle. “This year after we graduated 10 seniors, the girls are working hard and having fun. And as most coaches that coach girls know, the most important [thing is] getting along and playing together,” Coach Kate O’Connell said. The team is putting much of their time this season toward the importance of playing as a team, and involving each player whether they are new or returning. “You can’t have one individual playing the whole game, because that wouldn’t be a team effort,” senior Maddie Conklin said. Freshman Kate Barber, and sophomore Kelsey Clayman are also making roles for themselves as newly found members of the varsity squad. Barber comes off a very successful summer, where she earned the gold medal in both the National Field Hockey Championship and the Junior Olympic, while Clayman just began playing field hockey this year, and has easily moved up to the varsity level. “It’s intimidating playing with older people and players,” Barber said.
“I’m very nervous, but it’s exciting,” Clayman added. On Sept. 3, the Lady Lancers brought their teamwork into play with an impressive 9-0 win against Webster Groves. “No team is going to be successful if you don’t have teamwork, none of it’s going to work right if you don’t,” senior Christine Hibler said. The team competed in the Gateway Classic this past weekend, where 44 high school teams from the St. Louis area and neighboring Midwest states compete in tournament pool play. The Classic is known to set the tone for the Lady Lancers during the regular season. “It’ll make a challenge for us, if we can play at their level then we can play against other teams during the season,” senior Kelsey Steis said. Lafayette defeated Edwardsville (IL), Holland Hall (OK), and MICDS, earning them first place and securing their third pool championship in four years. “Every team is the same. On any given day any team can win. Whether you have won zero games or twenty, every team will come out hard. We have to play Lancer [field] hockey,” O’Connell said. Next up, the Lady Lancers take on the Marquette Mustangs on their home field at 4:15 p.m.
Challenging practices set pace for boys, girls cross country Andrew Martin / Sports Editor
With the season just starting, both the boys and girls cross country teams are unaware of what are their full potential may be this year. “It is to early to say, but I definitely think we have the potential to be good,” Head Boys Coach Randy Seagrist said. The boys team has some runners who are looking strong based on the first meet was Sept. 4. “(Junior) Kurtis Harshman had a excellent meet with one of the fastest times I have seen in years,” Seagrist said. Harshman along with senior Eric Volstromer are going to be looked upon to support this team this season. In order to prepare for a grueling 5,000 meter race the team must train hard in order to stay in shape. “We run about 4-7 miles a day depending if it is a long distance or short distance day, in all challenging,” senior runner Collin Bueckendorf said. One early setback is that Volstromer is out indefinitely with foot tendonitis. But, as they face the adversity of an injury, the team still has high hopes for the season. “We have a pretty good looking team and are definitely looking to win Conference,” Bueckendorf said. The girls cross country team has a good feeling about the season as an incoming group of 22 freshman joined the team this year. “They definitely add some youth and potential to the team as well as more responsibility for (senior) Elizabeth Worely and me,” senior runner Carly Michaelis said. The team has no problem with the incoming freshman and they are all coming together as one. “Overall we are bonding as a team and we are going to make this season the best we can,” Michaelis said.
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Sports
Sept. 11, 2009
Under The Bright Lights
Lancers avenge last season’s loss to EHS; follow with win over Lions Andrew Martin / Sports Editor
On Aug. 28, nearly 6,000 people came charging in wearing their team colors all for one goal, a victory. The seasonopening football game against Eureka has become one of the most intense rivalries in the area. The game was the talk of the school, and everyone was ready for it. “I am so excited. I have been looking forward to this since our cheer practice started,” senior Tori Rigman said. The Superfans had a pre-game tailgate with food and live music and dozens of other students showing their support with body paint. And this season marked the first time girls were allowed to join in on the tradition. “I love the idea of body painting. It helps separate ourselves from other schools,” senior Mason Jones said. With all the excitement about the game, nerves were a key factor for the Lancer varsity football team. “I was real nervous before it happened, but as the game progressed I started to relax and have fun,” senior defensive lineman Ryan Lewis said. “I was pretty much nervous all day and then when I saw all the fans surrounding the bus the nerves hit me big time,” senior cornerback Jacob Ripp said. “It is going to be fun but intense,” senior quarterback J.T. Miller said. With all the build up to the game, players were ready. The team took the intensity into the week of practice before the game. With the players focused and excited for the week ahead, Head Coach Boyd Manne had to make sure the hype did not go to their heads. He created a motto to make them feel as one: “I got your back, foxhole member 2009”. “We created the T-shirt so everyone will watch out for each other and leave everything out on that field,” Manne said. The team put the quote to use, avenging last season’s loss to the Wildcats with a wet and wild 14-7 win on rival Eureka’s home field. “[It was] an awesome game, a great experience to be apart of,” Ripp said. Lewis, Ripp, Miller and Caito all described the game in one word, intense. The intensity was visible on the field with hard hits and timely plays from the offense. Ripp had two interceptions that were a key factor in the game, “Those interceptions were amazing and were a key part to change the momentum our way,” Lewis said. “A great high school football atmosphere,” Manne said of the event. “This was no question one of the greatest times of my life. The chance to play football in front of a crowd like that (was) amazing,” Ripp said. The team moved on from that rainy night under the lights and it was back to business, “Our next opponent
Red Zone Opportunity
Running back Kyle Green takes a handoff close to the opposing goal against the Eureka Wildcats. Green rushed for 117 yards in the Lancer victory, 14-7. Green looks to add to his season total of 227 yards rushing tonight at the home opener versus the Fox Warriors. (photo by Gian Wessel)
is always the most important,” Manne said. And, getting back to business is important for the team. High expectations have been set for the season, with the Post picking the Lancers to finish first in Districts. “It is good now that teams respect us but we have a target on our backs now,” Miller said. The team is off to a quick start starting the season 2-0 defeating Northwest on Sept. 4. “Our performance has been okay. We don’t play consistently as much as we should,” senior fullback Tyrone Steinback. The defense has a lot of strength, with Caito being named to the First-Team All Metro before the season. He lived up to the selection by recording eight tackles in the season opener.
“Always a good thing but not in my mind, (I am) concerned about our season,” Caito said. The offense is looking solid as well with a reliable senior running back Kyle Green. “Kyle has really stepped up earlier in this season as a leader,” Manne said. One thing the team will look to do is improve their offensive and defensive lines. “We are lacking experience in both offensive and defensive lines but as the season goes on they will improve and are a key factor to our success this season,” Miller said. The team is excited for what the season has to offer them, but it is important to keep focused every week, “We want to improve week to week and be a fundamentally sound team,” Manne said.
The Fans Go Marching In
Students, parents and community members from the area put up with the rain and came in to show their support for the football team Aug. 28. There was an estimated 6,000 people in attendance for the game in Eureka. Shuttle buses transported fans from LHS because of a lack of parking at EHS. (photo by Kelly Lacey)
Scrambling For An Extra Yard
To avoid the rush, senior quarterback J.T. Miller leaves the protection of the pocket to gain some extra yards. Miller had a strong performance throwing no interceptions versus the Wildcats. (photo by Alex Vanderheyden)
Locked Down Defense
The Lancer defensive line gets set for a play on their own goal line. Lafayette’s defense has only allowed 14 points in two games. (photo by Chelsea Dysko)
Quick Stats J.T. Miller: 20/45, 242 yds., 0 TD, 0 Int Kyle Green: 32 Att, 227 yds., 2 TD Nate Perry: 4 Rec., 100 yds. Alex Caito: 15 Tackles Jacob Ripp: 13 Tackles, 2 Int.
The Image
Sports
The Thrill of the Chase
In the varsity soccer season-opener, sophomore Blake Hoover pursues a loose ball against Cape Notre Dame. The Lancers won 2-1 on a last minute shot in double overtime. (photo by Gian Wessel)
17
With Perfect Form
At practice, junior Maddie Roll plays a doubles match with partner junior Chelsea Coleman. The team returns after an undefeated season with a fairly new varsity lineup. (photo by Gian Wessel)
Rebounding From Graduation Even after strong start, players still look to fill roles After losing key seniors tennis remains consistent Gian Wessel / Sports Editor
The Lancers needed two overtimes and a last-minute goal from junior Nick Tolmais, but the season-opening 2-1 victory over Cape Notre Dame was a much-needed boost to an inexperienced team. “It gets moral up and it is a wake-up call,” Tolmais said. “Games like that are character builders. It creates a winning attitude. Every game is going to be a dogfight and this teaches you how to win a one-goal game,” Head Coach Tim Walters said. There are still many uncertainties surrounding this year’s team. With only six players returning with varsity experience, there are several starting spots open to competition. The loss of so many seniors hit the team’s defense especially hard. “Traditionally, our strength has been defense but we’re going to be better offensively. The defense has potential but they are untested with only one starter returning,” Walters said. The loss of last year’s leading scorer Kyle Biernacki means sophomores Lucas Hake and Blake Hoover will be relied on to contribute more. “You don’t replace 15 goals, but we need a few more kids scoring,” Walters said. “I will be more of a play-maker making plays for guys like Lucas Hake, Blake Hoover and Zac Walters. He (Hoover) will
be our main goal-scorer,” senior Javier Iglesias added. Junior Drew Garrone and sophomore Jean-Luc Panchot split time in goal last year and played equally well. Both ranked near the top of the conference in winning percentage and goals against average. Panchot will move to forward this season, but Garrone is still not guaranteed to be a starter. Walters was impressed by Garrone winning a national championship with his club team over the summer, but is careful not to put too much stock in it as the team did not face elite competition. “It was great for his confidence, but he still needs to be pushed. (Senior) Ethan Brunk is breathing down his neck for the starting job,” Walters said. Garrone allowed just one goal on a penalty kick in the opener, but Brunk was credited with the win. Both goalies played a half, and had four combined saves. The Lancers are just two years removed from an appearance in the State playoffs, but expectations aren’t as high this year. “With most of the best players at private schools, it’s only every six years or so you have a team like that,” Walters said. He added that advancing to Districts for the second consecutive year would be considered a success and that anything beyond that would be a bonus.
Dominic Corvington / Reporter
After coming off an undefeated 2008 season, the Lady Lancers look to continue their success despite graduating five seniors, including a State qualifying doubles pair. With the lack of varsity experience, many players are looking forward to filling in or stepping up. “I think we’re going to have a good team,” Head Coach Donna Stauffer said, Still, she added, “We graduated five of our top six players which makes it difficult.” Senior Kawen Zhang, a four-year varsity veteran and three-year varsity player junior Maddie Roll are serving as the foundation of the varsity squad this year. “Even though we are a younger team, I think we will do just as well,” Roll said. The team will rely on its depth this season with their doubles and lower singles courts being important factors this year. The team is off to a 4-1 win-loss record so far this season, with a tough 4-3 loss against the undefeated Ladue Rams “They’ve got two freshman players that have been playing since they were three or four, and they did not graduate many players from last year,” Stauffer said. With matches against Marquette and Kirkwood later this month, keeping a solid
varsity lineup will be key to guarantee a firm victory. In order to do so, the Lancers look to take a team-first attitude. “Having a lot of support for everyone, having support for the team. Keeping everyone unified,” Roll said, is how the team plans to stay strong during the season. “Keeping everyone’s spirits up when we’re down,” Zhang added, is also essential. The Lady Lancers have been competing in the Parkway doubles tournament this past week, as the final round of play continues today. “They work hard. This team has to play so much higher than the one last year. Most of these girls haven’t played as much tennis as some of the teams I’ve had in the past,” Stauffer said. Being a younger group and having large expectations places unwanted pressure on most teams, and the Lady Lancers may not be any different. Even so, what comes first and last to them is helping their teammates and playing the game. Their pursuit of perfection may no longer be a realistic goal, yet they’ve achieved victory even without having dominant standout players.
18 Fall Sports Calender Boys Soccer
-9/15 @ Marquette 6 p.m. -9/17 @ McCluer North 6 p.m. -9/18 @ Howell 7 p.m.
Boys Swimming
-9/15 vs. Ladue 4 p.m. -9/17 vs. Mehlville 4:15 p.m. -10/1 vs. DeSmet 4:15 p.m.
Cross Country
-9/13 Stan Nelson Invitational -9/18 Parkway Central Invitational -9/26 Warrior Invitational
Field Hockey
-9/14 vs. Marquette 4:15 p.m. -9/15 @ Ladue 4:15 p.m. -9/16 @ Summit 4:15 p.m.
Football
-9/11 vs. Fox 7 p.m. -9/18 vs. Kirkwood 7 p.m. -9/25 @ Lindbergh 7 p.m. -10/2 @ Mehlville 7 p.m.
Girls Golf
-9/15 vs. Mehlville 3:30 p.m. -9/16 vs. Parkway South 3:30 p.m. -9/17 vs. Parkway North 3:30 p.m.
Girls Softball
-9/14 vs. Mehlville 4:15 p.m. -9/15 @ Marquette 4:15 p.m. -9/18 @ CMSU Tournament
Girls Tennis
-9/14 vs. Kirkwood 4:15 p.m. -9/15 @ Parkway Central 4:15 p.m. -9/16 @. Mehlville 4:15 p.m.
Girls Volleyball
-9/14 vs. Francis Borgia 5:15 p.m. -9/15 vs. Parkway South 5:30 p.m. -9/17 vs. Mehlville 5:15 p.m. 9/21 Conference Tournament
Sports
Sept. 11, 2009
High school rivalries are the best kind There are only a few events most Lafayette students look forward to every year. These include Homecoming, Prom and the annual football games against Marquette and Eureka. Whether you like football or not, or even if you hate sports, the games are big around here. Chances are that most of you don’t know anything about the history of the two rivalries, but that’s what makes them so great. Both schools could have long losing traditions and it would still be the talk of the school that week. For a lot of people, the experience has nothing to do with the game. It’s an event where football is the backdrop for getting together with friends and cheering for your school no matter what the score is. At the end of the night though, everyone knows who wins and that school has bragging rights for the rest of the year. It’s all about “my school is better than your school,” and that is what a true rivalry should be.
As good as the Cardinals-Cubs series might be, it’s just not the same. Those games could be 10-run blowouts or extra-inning classics, but either way the players still go home with their lucrative paychecks. That makes you wonder whether the intensity is genuine or not, and usually the rivalry means more to the fans than it does to the ones playing in it. In high school you know you are seeing the real thing. Every game means as much or more to the players as it does to the fans. The players are part of the school just as much as everyone else and school pride is on the line with every play they make. High school athletes go week to week competing for starting spots and scholarships, and looking to prove themselves during grueling summer two-a-days and camps. The intensity and hype that surrounds these games leads to the type of atmosphere on display on Aug. 28 when the football
Gian Wessel, Sports Editor team traveled to Eureka. Lafayette students attended the game in record numbers, and refused see their team lose to “a bunch of country boys from Eureka.” Several Superfans even painted their chests to say “John Deere” to stir things up. Where else do you see this kind of good-natured and competitive spirit? It is only in high school that sports are seen in their purest form, when it’s all about the love of the game and pride in your team. And only high school rivalries bring out everything we love about sports.
Golf mixes young talent, returning State qualifiers Dan Clutter / Reporter
The girls golf team is returning three State qualifiers, seniors Lindsey Carper and Sarah Whitman and junior Kelly Lamarche. These three were a part of the undefeated conference champions last season. Along with these, Coach Gaylen Laster said Claire Norfleet and Maddie Vanhouse will be key players. Laster said, “Vanhouse and Norfleet are underclassmen who I feel will make our team highly competitive.” With the combined talent of the veterans and the younger players, the team has high expectations. “I hope we continue the pattern and take the whole team to state,” Carper said. Also contributing to the team this year is the confidence the players have in each
other. Whitman said Lamarche has been playing really well so far this year and has definitely stepped up her game. “This year Carper, Whitman, and Lamarche are at the top of varsity again,” junior Michelle Leone said, “They are great golfers; sometimes it is just amazing how good they are.” Even with the addition of some underclassmen, age has not created barriers on the team. Whitman said all of the players on varsity get along great and definitely work well as a team. “We help each other a lot and bond really well,” she said. Not only is there a strong relationship between the players, but Whitman said Laster has been a great coach who is always there for them and it has been great to have
him all four years. This season the players are looking forward to achieving a lot as a team but also individually. Laster said, “I hope we can repeat as Conference Champions and will be able to win the District Tournament and berth at the State Tournament in Springfield.” Leone said every year the goal is to make it to state as a team, which has not happened in a few years, but with the team this year they have a really good chance. “As an individual I’m hoping to play my best for my senior year and make it to state for the fourth and final time,” Whitman said. Overall, the team has a lot of confidence in each others abilities, high expectations for themselves and even higher expectations for the team as a whole.
Sept. 11, 2009
Wii Sports Resort is worthy addition to gaming system
David Adams / Entertainment Editor
The greatest game ever created for the Nintendo Wii is in stores now. Wii Sports Resort (the sequel to the now iconic Wii Sports) is an improvement on the original in every way. This game is the first to utilize the new Wii-Motion Plus technology, which is a new attachment for the Wiimote that is included in the $50 package. Additional attachments can be purchased for $20 and are required to play against friends. Wii-Motion Plus captures the player’s every movement, so the game provides a realistic portrayal of sports such as swordplay, frisbee, and even wakeboarding. The only returning games from the original, bowling and golf, feature new ways of play and are even more enjoyable. In bowling, a 100-pin game is now an option. The highlights include basketball, which involves three-point contests and pickup games. Some games like cycling, which involves pumping your arms up and down to peddle, are true workouts. The island setting of the game makes it feel like the game has an actual story line (even though no story line is present). Wii Sports Resort is the perfect game to play with friends on a Friday night.
19 Infotainment Three new artists worth a listen Little Boots “Move while you’re watching me, dance with the enemy, I’ve got a remedy”, the United Kingdom’s disco sensation, Little Boots, sings. The 25-year-old Victoria Hesken, the sole member of Little Boots, is not new to the music scene. Hesken sang and played piano at age five, wrote songs at 13 and took part in a UK talent search at 16. Throughout high school, Hensken’s sound evolved from disco, jazz and punk before finally embracing pop. In June of this year, Little Boots released her debut album Hands (released as Illuminations in the US and Canada), which is filled with 12 pulse pumping, electro-pop songs. Her song, Remedy, declares that dancing is the cure to everything, while “New in Town” is a poppy ode to partying on a budget. Laced with catchy choruses and dance fused beats, Little Boots has been compared to Lily Allen and said to rival Lady Gaga. Hands will have you jumping up and down, dancing till your feet fall off.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’
The Morning Benders
Another band to keep your eyes open for is the Brooklyn trio, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ (YYY’s). Said to be a mix between Blondie and Siouxsie and the Banshees, the disco punk band has been together for nearly a decade. Lead singer Karen O and guitarist Brain Chase started the band, Unitard, before meeting drummer Nick Zimmer, and then changed to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’. With the release of their third album, this past March, titled It’s Blitz! the band is sending out a new sound that varies from their previous albums. You can hear it in the keyboard rush of Heads Will Roll, in the electric-punk beats of Zero, and in the soft funk groove of Dragon Queen. YYY’s switch to a more dance-fused sound is getting them good praise. Spin Magazine gave It’s Blitz! four and a half out of five stars, while Rolling Stone gave the album four out of five stars, and said the album is “infected with disco’s feel–good spirituality.”
“There will always be smart, sensitive musicians dedicated to the art of a jangly guitar hook and a well-crafted lyric-- and this band practices that art better than anyone this side of the Shins,” Spin Magazine said about the Berkeley, CA based surf-rock band, The Morning Benders. Made up of Chris Chu, vocals/guitar, Joe Ferrell, guitar, Julian Harmon, drums and Tim Or, bass. The boys started the band after meeting while working at a theme park in 1989. The Benders’ started with covers like I Wanna Be Like You from the Jungle Book and Lovefool by the Cardigans, before releasing their debut album, Talking Through Tin Cans, in May of 2008. Talking Through Tin Cans contains songs like I, Damnit Anna and Boarded Doors that are filled with acoustic guitars, harmonic vocals and simple drum rhythms, that melodically soothe and groove. Mia Schenone / Asst. Entertainment Editor
MuteMath’s attempt at “Armistice” backfires big time Katie Jardine /Reporter
With the creation of Armistice, MuteMath went for an entirely new sound; a sound which completely contradicts that of the band’s self-titled debut album. Risky? Yes. Respectable? You bet. But an adequate follow-up to their first studio release? Hardly. Armistice is an awkward contemplation of average songs. The record consists of frenzied instrumentation combined with often overly-ambitious vocals. The product of this imbalance is scarcely more than a lacking foil to MuteMath’s previous album. The first two tracks are a beautiful representation of this new direction. Not a trace of MuteMath’s usual sound is heard, as singer Paul Meany ditches his engaging
vocals for more pop-thirsty hooks, and drummer Darren King reduces his typically dynamic beats to those of a more reserved nature. But these changes can be overlooked as their aim is clearly obvious: originality. The music is not what was expected, but the intent is appreciable. Track three, Clipping, reveals the first hint of a climactic build on “Armistice.” Incredible is still evident, as the build is created by means of strings and keys versus the usual drums. But hunger for dynamicallyinteresting songs has been nearly fulfilled. The hope instilled by Clipping is false. Through the course of the entire rest of the album, the inspired optimism is never justified. Disappointment hits quickly. Appreciation becomes annoyance, as creativ-
ity morphs into a cycle of redundant elements. The same devices are used throughout all of the record: abstract piano parts, ambient-esque strings and, of course, clapping. Each of these components has the power to transform a tolerable piece of music into something unbelievable. But the over-use of every single one proved to be a massive backfiring, playing a prevailing role in granting the album its average status. The biggest disappointment on Armistice is the absence of King’s heart-pounding drumming; a distinct constituent of MuteMath’s music, gone. He is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding musicians of this era, a drummer with an uncanny amount of talent. Yet his fire suppressed on this record. So much so,
that it seems almost entirely burned out. Beats that were once so full of emotion are empty. A kick drum that could be felt booming inside bones is now border-line boring. This particular change proved to be more than the loss of a specific technicality. It’s a loss of emotion, of what set MuteMath apart from others. It’s the loss of identity. The stylistic changes demonstrated on the record had plenty of potential to be impressive. But gorging new technical elements until they are run into the ground ultimately counteracts the sense of originality that was intended. This music leaves a feeling of utter dissatisfaction, a longing for emotive composition, and hope that MuteMath’s next work will more closely resemble their first.
For information on 2009-2010 Yearbook sales, visit the student publications website:
www.lafayettepublications.com
10/11/09
10/11/09
10/11/09
10/11/09
The Image
Entertainment
19
20
Sept. 11, 2009
Infotainment Four celebrities to follow:
Katy Perry Believe it or not, Perry is absolutely hilarious and does not over tweet. Diablo Cody The Juno screenwriter proves that her movie wasn’t a fluke with her comical observations on pop culture. Chuck Palahniuk Fight Club’s author utilizes Twitter to make book recommendations and announce news surrounding his writing. John Mayer His only goal is to make his followers laugh. And he succeeds.
Three celebrities to avoid following at all costs:
Perez Hilton The gossip blogger has a serious Twitter addiction. His followers inboxes are suffering for it. Miley Cyrus She plays Hannah Montana. Enough said. John Mayer While hilarious, like Perez, John has a serious addiction.
By David Adams
thingstodo
! m o o B t e Twe
Film Releases
As Twitter popularity grows, so does impact Ian Bernstein /Reporter
It was only a matter of time before Twitter’s immense size started having an influence on the entertainment world. With users tweeting (posting short messages) instantly from their phones and computers, opinions can be shared with the world within seconds. The tweets ‘impact on the entertainment industry, is known as the “Twitter Effect.” While it seems hard to believe that these 140 character-or-less messages can actually dictate entertainment sales, one must consider how Twitter works. Whenever a new release comes out, the artist or movie will usually make it in the Trending Topics section. In this section of the site, whatever is being frequently talked about is shown on the home screen. From here, you can view every single posting, good or bad, about that particular movie or CD. Box-office watchers have found that some box-office sales have correlated with the response from Twitter. An informal poll from Movietickets.com shows only 12 percent have or have not seen a movie due to responses from Twitter. Even then, with the mass amount of users, 12 percent is a significant number. Actor Sacha Baron Cohen’s comedy,
Bruno, which satirizes homophobia in America, debuted with a notable $14.4 million in box office sales, but dropped a significant 39 percent the next day to $8.8 million. Movie analysts say that Bruno generated negative Twitter buzz, with many audiences posting about the brash scenes of nudity and sex. This, in turn, could dismay those who were intending to see the film. At the same time, Universal speculated that most of Bruno’s main audience may have shown up on opening day, thus limiting the profits for the following day. Twitter can have a positive effect on movies as well. This summer, The Proposal, a film that wasn’t promoted heavily compared to other summer movies, generated an outstanding $160 million, in part due to Twitters instant “word of mouth.” Commendable tweets can help independent films prosper as well, which often have a budget five to ten times smaller than a major production. “Even though, I didn’t see much advertising, I saw positive tweets about (500) Days of Summer which compelled me to see the film,” senior Zack Barnes said. Instead of trying to fight the nearly instant effects of Twitter, movie studios will now have to use it to their advantage. The Weinstein Company, who was in charge of the highly popular
film Inglourious Bastereds, administered a limited showing to viewers who won via Twitter. In addition, they held the first ever “Tweetup,” where celebrities like pro skateboarder Tony Hawk, and comedian Sarah Silverman received an advance viewing and were encouraged to tweet about the film. This strategy proved to be a huge success for Inglorious Basrterds, that boasted a $38 million opening weekend, a career best for director Quentin Tarantino. According to Variety, the film was the first major hit for the Weinstein Company since 2006’s Scary Movie 4. Inglorious Basterds was a hit with audiences and critics alike, and to date has made $153 million worldwide. However, if the film was a “flop,” the advance viewing could have been a disaster. The experiment shows, when used correctly, Twitter is a highly effective tool. Although less affected by Twitter, musicians can use the site to post anything and everything about their band. Groups like Coldplay and Muse often share pictures and updates that make the experience more personal, rather than visiting their website. While there isn’t any hard evidence on the outcome of Twitter’s popularity, the mass discussions of all things entertainment will surely change the game as we know it.
Sept. 11 Sorority Row Whiteout Sept. 18 Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs Jennifer’s Body Love Happens Sept. 25 Surrogates Fame Pandorum Oct. 2 A Serious Man Zombieland Whip It Oct. 9 Couples Retreat
Concerts
Sept. 28 Ben FoldsThe Pageant Sept. 30 Kings of LeonScottrade Center Oct. 6 Brand New w/Manchester OrchestraThe Pageant
TV Premieres
Sept. 14 Gossip Girl-CW The Jay Leno ShowNBC Sept. 17 The Office-NBC Sept. 21 Heroes-NBC How I Met Your Mother-CBS Sept. 23 Modern Family-ABC Sept. 24 Grey’s Anatomy-ABC CSI-CBS Sept. 26 SNL-NBC Sept. 27 The Cleveland ShowFox Desperate Housewives- ABC •For more dates go to http://www.thetvremote. com/2009-fall-premiereschedule/
Picks of the Month
David Adams’ top entertainment choices for the month of September
Book:
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson Published after the author’s death, this gripping mystery novel is filled with memorable characters and suspense.
Album:
(500) Days of Summer: Music from the Motion Picture Music from Regina Spektor, The Smiths, and many more amazing artists are featured on this soundtrack to a fantastic movie.
Restaurant:
Brick House Tavern + Tap Being 21 or over is not required to enjoy this restaurant. Fantastic atmosphere and great food combine to create a fun dining experience.
Event:
Blink 182 Concert Postponed until Sept. 29 due to DJ AM’s funeral, punk-pop legends, Blink 182, will take the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater stage for their first tour in five years.
Movie:
Jennifer’s Body Megan Fox + Diablo Cody + Sex + Blood = A surefire hit. Mean Girls’ Amanda Seyfried also stars in this horror-comedy.