Sept. 8, 2006

Inside This Edition •Hurry

up and find your date for Homecoming.

The dance will be here before you know it. With an earlier date than usual, students are making hurried preparations for the annual dance.

see page 7

image the

Friday, September 8, 2006 Vol. 38 • Issue 2

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

Tripped Up

Overnight trips get scrutiny due to new policy, AP incident Britt Peters • News Editor For 12 years students and staff participated in an annual AP Art History field trip to Chicago.

That was until pictures of Lafayette students drinking in their hotel room popped up on Facebook. AP Art History students went to Chicago to enhance their learning experience by visiting art museums, the Frank Lloyd Wright House and several parks.

“It was the most educational field trip I have experienced for the fact that I expanded horizons on the many types of art,” Mr. Troy Schreiber, Class of 2006, who was suspended in connection with the incident said.

Assistant Principal Tim Jones confirmed that nine students received out of school suspension last spring for violating the Rockwood School District policies on the trip.

It was widely reported at that time and confirmed by the suspended students that students abused the alcohol/drug policy.

Because of that incident, Ms. Jean Peters, language arts and AP Art History teacher, included a letter in her students summer homework packet that informed them of the loss of that field trip.

Senior Lori Vaughn said the letter stated that Peters had been teaching classes for a long time and had many positive experiences going to Chicago but that her future classes would no longer be able to go.

The change in field trip procedures were already in effect for the 2006-2007 school year before the AP Art History trip to Chicago.

“I’m upset because I heard that when you get in this class you get to go to Chicago. I was excited to get to see the art mostly because I have been there before and the Art Museum was so interesting. So when we couldn’t go I was upset,” Vaughn said.

Schreiber said, “I, along with my other classmates, feel really bad about messing things up for the future classes and most of all disappointing my favorite teacher, Ms. Peters.”

Peters said she informed her students before they left for Chicago that the trip, “is a privilege and if they were to break it no future classes would go.”

Ms. Caroline Song, Class of 2006, also suspended in the incident, agreed she was informed of the contract and the rules that followed it.

Although Song believes that, “if it had been laid down in the beginning of the trip that if things were to go wrong that the punishment would be very severe, I believe many of us would have reconsidered our actions. This is no fault of Peters; she gave us a contract which we all signed agreeing to not break the rules of entering other rooms we were not assigned too.”

The students were not allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies because of the length of their suspension.

“They [the students] got the policy book and were told in meetings by Ms. Peters about the

“I, along with my other classmates, feel really bad about messing things up for the future classes.”

-Troy Schreiber, Class of 2006

photo • Sarah Southerland

•Reflecting Back. A group of girls gaze at one of the many art exhibits around the Chicago area. AP Art History has taken an overnight field trip to Chicago for the past 12 years until nine students on last year’s trip violated the district’s drug/alcohol policy. AP Art History teacher, Ms. Jean Peters, said she will no longer be taking students on overnight field trips.

rules,” Jones said.

He added, “They were good kids. Their behavior just was not good.”

A new overnight field trip policy goes into affect this year, but Jones said “the incident did not change the policy.”

Mr. Tom Keller, the previous Human Resources Coordinator who oversaw the field trip policy committee said, “The plan to develop Policy 5662 was first discussed in January of 2005, or during the previous school year.”

Still, teachers are taking more precautions than ever to prevent future problems on overnight trips. The music teachers, who regularly travel with large groups of students on overnight trips have always been cautious.

“One thing we implemented during the fall of 2005 was to search all bags prior to our departure on an overnight trip,” Mr. Brad Balog, Band Director, said.

Ms. Michele Rodgers, vocal music director, has been going on overnight field trips for 15 years and has always followed her same policy.

Rodgers uses colored stickers to mark female, male and chaperone rooms.

Her students are not allowed to be in the hallway unless their chaperone escorts them to their destination. Also, students are not allowed to use the hotel room phones for personal uses.

Like instrumental music groups, the choir students are required to have their luggage searched prior to their field trip.

Also, chaperones are required to be awake on the floor of the hotel all night. All students are required to stay on the same floor and are not allowed to stay on the ground level.

For the safety of the students they are not allowed to open their hotel room door unless they see a, “chaperone ID” in the peep-hole.

“I do all these things every time I travel: and we have fun. Safety is very important to me. I am not lenient at all when it comes to safety,” Rodgers said.

Teachers also have had to increase the adult to child ratio of 1 adult per 16 students and chaperones have to sign a Code of Conduct, which has not been signed in past years.

The other changes in the policy concern medical forms which are required for all prescription and over-the-counter medications.

page 2 • editorial

sept. 8, 2006

&

throw these off your Homecoming float

Stars To:

Seniors let it all out for Powder Puff For guys, high school is looking forward to asking a girl to prom or playing on the varsity team. For girls, it’s all about Powder Puff.

Powder Puff is the football game of all football games. Girls slamming into each other, full of school spirit and the seniors’ desire to come out on top for one more year.

It’s a haven for junior and senior girls looking for a fight, but not looking to get in trouble for it.

On the other side, that is, the boys of the school, there’s nothing better than seeing a bunch of girls tackling each other in the mud. So everybody wins, right?

Sure this brings joy to many a student at our school, but ever stop to think it’s a bit degrading? Why is it so important that

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

image info

Editor in Chief • Kevin Pinney News Editor • Britt Peters Asst. News Editor • Matt Hibbard Opinion Editor • Mary Belzer In-Depth Editor • Sarah Southerland Feature Editor • Jen Apoian Entertainment Editor • Nicole Castellano Sports Editors • Ryan Bueckendorf, Josh Handler Ad Manager • Brian Ruyle Artist • Ankit Bhargava Adviser • Nancy Y. Smith MJE Photographers • Alexis Myers Staff: Kendall Brewer, Aaron Casias, Alex Davis, Ashley Edlund, Brett Hamlin, Sydney Miller, Brad Schlemmer, Nancy Stiles, Brooke Thibodaux and Nina Walters

girls participate in this just to be gawked at by teenage boys?

We understand school spirit. Hey, it’s Homecoming week. Let’s go all out. But if we’re going to have girls play football, let’s make the guys do something too. They could play field hockey. That’s still kind of tough, so how about just throwing them straight into a ballet recital? Ridiculous?

Maybe. But it’s the same idea.

If we’re not going to turn the tables, why not just go all the way in the direction we’ve already headed. Let’s convert it to Powder Puff: Unrated.

This will mean no rules. Tackle anyone you want. Hey, punch your enemy in the face to get the ball back if you want. We don’t hold back here.

And who needs jerseys? The players are Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of the Gulf Coast a year ago. Help has swarmed in from volunteers all across the country, but thousands are still without homes and have no plans to return.

Some say the government has done all it can, while others say the area has barely been touched. Promises and suggestions have been made, but not all of them have been followed through just yet.

Do you think the Bush administration has lived up to its word to help?

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

already in skimpy shorts and covered in mud, so would a completely uncensored game be so much worse? Of course not.

Let’s let loose on Powder Puff this year.

No boundaries, girls. Show us your school spirit. Show us what you’ve got.

Yes 47%

No 53%

282 students polled

•Paris Hilton’s music video for “The Stars are Blind” was banned in India due to obscene content. At least someone has enough sense to cover her up.

•The Image staff was given the AllAmerican rating with five Marks of Distinction by the National Scholastic Press Association. That’s one more mark than last year. We know you don’t know what that means, but trust us on this one. We totally rock.

•Gas prices are finally dropping.

We never thought we’d say $2.60 a gallon was cheap, but by comparison it’s almost as if it’s free. Maybe now we can afford to get to school and work.

•Buying used cell phones on the internet. Apparently, with a little research, you can uncover someone’s entire scandalous history. Maybe you’ll bust a bank robber or break up a marriage. Go get ‘em, tiger.

•The music selection in the commons at lunch. Sure, we loved the juke box and being able to take our pick from the hits of our childhood, but after a while the tiny selection got old.

It’s about time we made lunch a little more ghetto fabulous.

•The weather is finally cooling down. After one of the hottest summers we’ve had, it’s a nice breath of fresh air when your car doesn’t turn into a sauna after half an hour.

Gripes To:

•Having to put a whole bunch of zeroes in front of your student number when logging into the computer.

We already felt insignificant enough being identified by a number, so thank you, Rockwood, for making us feel even more unimportant.

•Pluto is no longer a defined as a planet. Not only is your 3rd grade science project ruined, but that little rhyme you learned to remember the planets is completely worthless as well.

Yes, your entire educational career has been a lie.

•Steven Colbert’s comedic news show didn’t exactly take the cake at the Emmy’s. Not only did he lose, but he lost to Barry Manilow. Talk about embarrassing.

•Even though we thought it had passed, Ugg Boots are still around.

Sure, it’s barely September, but we’ve already seen countless pairs of the “stylish” accessory. But girls, decide if it’s cold or if it’s hot outside. No more fuzzy shoes with mini skirts.

•Homecoming is ricidulously early this year. Girls are left with little time to find a dress, guys are frantically trying to find just the right tie, and the poor freshmen practially have to ask the first person they meet. This is supposed to be fun, not stressful. Welcome back, everyone.

Publication Information

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

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

Philosophy Statement

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

How To Reach Us:

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

op-ed • page 3

the image

Debate goes into the morning after letters to the editor

Dear Editor, I would like to comment on a stereotype that’s really, really been bugging me for a while. The stereotype that freshmen are idiots who run around the hallways, dress like Britney Spears, and talk all the time in class.

Fact is, not all freshmen do it. I never did any of that when I was a freshman last year. Granted, I messed around with friends a few times, but who doesn’t? I didn’t run in the halls, constantly talk, or anything like that, and I know tons of people who didn’t do it as freshmen, either. Fact is, some people are just flat out, straight up moronic.

Age isn’t the problem here, just plain old stupidity. And another thing, I’m sick and tired of hearing how perfect seniors think they are.

The way some of the people I’ve heard talk is like freshmen are the most immature people ever, and how they’re perfect and have never acted up in their senior year. There’s a difference between “mature” and “arrogant”. There are stupid freshmen, there are stupid sophomores, there are stupid juniors, and there are stupid seniors.

Sincerely Garett Rosswick, 10 Dear Editor, I, like many other individuals in the school, take zero hour. I think that this drowsy and irritable scenario is an all too similar occurrence for many. But, what happens to the unfortunate few that accidentally over sleep?

Last week I was called into the Senior Office.

Confused as to what my purpose for being there was, I nicely asked the receptionist as to why I was there. She remarked that I skipped class last Friday and that I would be receiving a Saturday detention for three hours due to my lack of presence unless I could have a parent call in and explain why I did not show for class.

Knowing that this was incorrect I explained that I had accidentally over slept. Unfortunately, I had to ask my parents to intervene in attempt to mitigate my sentence. If a regular student were ill or had a plausible reason for missing a class during the normal hours of the day, do they not simply get an unexcused absence or tardy?

I do believe that some actions of discipline are necessary. But only when the punishment fits the crime. The sad part of all this is that I know I can’t be the only one to have noticed this. I would like to say that I respect the school staff regardless of their policies. Please take what I have said in a constructive manor. I hope that one day these policies will greatly be amended.

Sincerely, Jake Ferree, 12

Letters to the Editor Policy

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

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

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

After all I stirred up last year, you would think I know better than to touch on birth control, one of the most sensitive subjects in today’s world. Without fail, kids are going to engage in sexual activity, but nobody wants to wake up one morning and find out they’re pregnant.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter sales of Plan B, an emergency contraceptive, to girls 18 and older. This issue has been a battle between conservatives and liberals for years, and while the moral argument will live on, at least one step has been made in what I feel is the right direction.

As most people know it, Plan B is the morning after pill. If taken within 72 hours of sexual activity, it greatly reduces the chance of pregnancy. It’s not killing a baby; the egg probably hasn’t even attached itself to the woman’s body yet. It’s for those accidents that happen during some unconventional experience, and until now it’s only been available by prescriptions from doctors or organizations like Planned Parenthood. Democrats are still pushing for the drug to be offered over-the-counter to all ages, but this is a huge move, giving a glimpse of hope that there are still some people in the world looking out for the safety of us young ladies.

In my opinion, this drug should have been available to everyone for years. Conservatives are trying to stop the sale of these sorts of contraceptives because they believe having that back up encourages sexual behavior.

But that’s not so. Studies have shown that there is no evidence that increased availability of the morning after pill also increases the amount of sexual activity among teens.

Which basically means, teens who think they are in love, or think it might be fun, are going to have sex. We don’t always think of the long-term consequences, and without help like Plan B, this could result in a lot more pregnancies than anyone would like to hear about.

Conservatives in politics also show an interest in reducing the amount of teen pregnancies, which is com-

Quite

Contrary

by Mary Belzer

pletely valid. I certainly don’t want to have a kid right now, and I’m sure no one reading this column does, either. But in order to do that, things like condoms, female contraceptives and Plan B should be promoted even more. Like I said, teens having sex is pretty inevitable.

So if it’s going to happen anyway, shouldn’t we focus on preventing the worst that could happen?

Of course, there are also those rare instances where the need for an emergency contraceptive isn’t always the poor girl’s fault. As much as we like to deny it, rape happens. There isn’t always beating and kidnapping involved. Girls get pushed into things they don’t want to do all the time, even by people they care about, like their so-called loving boyfriends. In such a case, the girl is punished enough, and she shouldn’t have to carry a baby that she ended up with entirely against her will. Maybe she won’t be able to support it, in which case the baby’s life would be miserable. So it all comes down to deciding which is worse.

I’m not trying to encourage anyone to have sex, and neither are those in support of birth control. Again, increased birth control doesn’t mean increased sexual activity. Just like the over-the-counter sale of aspirin didn’t cause more headaches. We’ve got to stop seeing the situation in only one perspective and start realizing that Plan B is a helpfull pill rather than a catalyst for teen sex.

Formerly formal: this Homecoming Lets face it: Homecoming is freakishly early this year.

School starts, and two weeks in we are slammed with the question, “What am I going to do for this dance?” Add that to the first homework I’ve seen since May, college applications and the frustration of trying to remember my awkward locker combination and I’ll say this is the hardest start of school ever.

The stress of the school year beginning should not be compounded by some dance that isn’t even supposed to be a big deal. Other schools around the country do Homecoming a little differently. There is a theme, but unlike our school, students actually dress up according to that theme. For example, our Homecoming this year would have various superheroes in attendance. Who wouldn’t want to see Wonder Woman cutting the rug with Mr. Incredible?

It leaves me with the question of why Lafayette’s Homecoming dance is so formal. I have some ideas.

Underclassmen. Sorry Freshmen, I can’t single you out on this one. Maybe the fact that this is one of the two dances the underclassmen can attend without an invitation from a junior or senior. Underclassmen want to make the dance a formal affair because Turnabout doesn’t even stand a chance, and we all know that.

Half the students at Lafayette have nothing better to spend their money on. Or should I say their parents’ money? When faced with the of task using large amounts of cash obtained from a seemingly endless supply, students will most often take the easiest way out. They will spend it all. It gives girls an excuse to buy that $200 dress and guys an excuse to show off their Velcro wallet full of

A Pinney For Your Thoughts

by Kevin Pinney, editor in chief daddy’s money. But maybe I’m just bitter that I can’t wear expensive dresses and that I don’t have a sweet noise-making wallet.

In all seriousness, Homecoming is supposed to be a fun event.

Fun to me doesn’t mean worrying about what I’m going to wear and how I’m going to pay for it all. The upperclassmen have Prom to worry about. Formality only makes things more complicated in the end. That’s why I’m calling for every guy to ditch the suit, and wear whatever makes his date happy. I’m wearing dress pants, a button down shirt, and a tie. The latter will probably come off 20 minutes into the dance, if not sooner. Girls can wear whatever, too.

There is no need to waste money on an expensive dress that you’ll wear one night.

Make the night fun. Don’t worry about ruining your expensive dress or leaving your jacket anywhere. A dance originally celebrating the football team isn’t worth worrying over.

Just asking... photo opinion

This month the Image asks “What was your favorite cartoon as a child and why?”

Photo opinion compiled by Mary Belzer and Nicole Castellano

Anne Maryniak, 12 “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I had a crush on Michelangelo.”

Tony Scimone, 11 “X-Men. I loved the huge robots.”

Kelsea Roccia, 10 “������������������������ The Little Mermaid. She could breathe and talk underwater.”�

Grant Hinkle, 9 “������������������������ Recess. They had a king of the playground.”�

Ms. Toni Thiemann, Guidance Secretary “������������������������� The Jetsons. I liked how it was futuristic.”�

page 4 • campus

bits& pieces

news at a glance

•compiled by Ashley Edlund, Sydney Miller & Mina Yu

Questions are ‘Fair’ game on Sept. 18

The Rockwood College Fair will be held Sept. 18, at Eureka High School from 7-8:30 p.m.

“It brings the info to [students] and ads the personal touch, rather then just looking on a website,” college specialist Ms. Beth Brasel said.

The majority of college reps will be from the Midwest, although some will travel from other parts of the country. A complete list of colleges attending can be found in the College and Career Center.

New laws impact teen drivers

Teenagers in Missouri will face some new restrictions as officials try to reduce accidents involving new drivers.

As of Aug. 28, new drivers may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger under the age of 19, for a 6-month period. After that, drivers may not operate the vehicle with more than three passengers under the age of 19. These restrictions do not include members of the driver’s immediate family.

Assistant Principal Matt Dieckhaus believes the law won’t have much impact on students carpooling to school. He said, “I don’t think the police are out to enforce that law when kids are going to school. I think it’s more for evenings and weekends when students are out, possibly misbehaving.”

Junior Kelsey Black said, “It [not carpooling] makes things more difficult, especially with gas prices.”

Dine, donate all at the same time

Steak ‘n Shake and the Make A Wish Foundation are teaming up to grant a wish for many sick children across eastern Missouri and southern Illinois on Sept. 9. Forty-six local Steak ‘n Shake restaurants will be donating three percent of the sales to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Metro. St. Louis.

Key Club set to rally for charity

Key Club will be helping at the Chesterfield Bike Rally Sept.

30. “The ride benefits Chesterfield Kiwanis and Lafayette Key Club charities,” Mr. Jay Buck, Key Club sponsor, said.

The Bike Rally will be held in the parking lot in front of Target in Chesterfield Valley. Kiwanis and Key Club will donate the proceeds to Camp Wyman and DARE programs in the area.

Construction continues on campus

More construction is scheduled to take place. Next up is the building of a new Welcome Center and Nurse’s Office at the front of the school.

Later on, “areas affected by the construction will be the FACS Department, Room 113, Room 107, the dressing room and stagecraft room. Construction will continue through the summer months and into the following school year,” Principal Larry Schmidt said.

fyi

sept. 8, 2006

activities at a glance

(compiled by students in Writing & Reporting)

C520/OSEP

A variety of activities are scheduled for the Committee of 520 (C520) /OSEP. First up is an Urban Adventure on Sept. 17 and Oct. 17 at Metro High School.

C520 will also participate in a fall and spring retreat to southern Illinois at the Touch of Nature Wilderness Center.

Lafayette is “the only school in Rockwood with this program,” sophomore OSEP leader Mr. Brian Fish said.

-Erik Dauster

FCA

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is a faith-based club that holds discussions about sports and encourages partici-

pation in activities such as basketball, flag football, bible study, devotionals and worship.

FCA meets every other Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the old weight room, or in member’s homes.

They will have their first meeting on Sept. 19 where they will relax watching movies and having pizza.

For more information contact Mr. Greg Mathison, FCA sponsor in Room 257 or 247.

-Erik Dauster

ROTC

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) drill team members will be traveling across the country to compete against other high schools in Daytona

Beach, FL. They will also have the opportunity to attend many Missouri locations including Joplin and Blue Springs.

ROTC recently raised $2, 779 for Hurricane Katrina Relief victims and donated the money to the St. Louis Chapter of the American Red Cross.

-Kelsey Zalasky

Vocal Music

All-District Choir auditions will be held Oct. 7. Results of the auditions will be announced in mid-October.

The Vocal Music Department’s Holiday Showcase will be “A Christmas Carol.” Auditions are scheduled for Sept. 25.

-Lindsay Weber

Shows go on despite construction, changes Sydney Miller • Reporter New lighting, speakers and a balcony were added to the Commons to boost future productions such as Coffeehouse.

Coffeehouse features students performing their own poetry and music.

“I have done Coffeehouse each year, performing some sort of comedy. I think Coffee house will be even better because of the new platform,” junior Kyle Johnson said.

However, not all students believe the additions will improve the show.

“All the hassle from the construction will probably turn people off from showing up,” senior Mike Duval said.

Coffeehouse will be held Sept.

21 at 7 p.m. Mr. Steve Klawiter will sponsor Coffeehouse.

“We’re hoping to have a lot of people and hoping to have fun with it. The audience interacts a lot with it so we hope for a good crowd,” senior Courtney Manchenton, Thespian president, said.

Proposition K construction plans will also effect this year’s musical and future productions.

“The musical this year will now be in the Commons, which effected our choice of a show altogether,” Manchenton explained.

The musical, Carnival, will be performed in the Commons.

“We purposely picked a musical that would work effectively in that space,” drama teacher Mr.

Gary Fishgall said.

The fall play, Picnic, will be the last show performed in the Auditorium before construction begins in February.

The play is scheduled for Oct. 19-21 and marks the first production for the new director.

“My expectations for Picnic are mostly for me to work and get to know the students,” Fishgall said. “It’s a single set play. It doesn’t have high demands.”

The new theater is expected to have 560-570 seats. The balcony in the Auditorium will be taken out, and all the seats will be raked down to the stage.

Elephant doors, 9-10 ft. doorways to push sets to the side during scene changes, are also being added to the new theater.

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Have A Great 2006-2007 School Year!

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news • page 5

the image

SMARTBoards:

Wiser technology aims to improve student participation, teacher’s lessons Matt Hibbard • Asst. News Editor Teachers are throwing away the dry-erase markers and replacing them with the endless opportunities of the five fingers. With new strides in pushing technology, white boards are out and SMARTBoards are in.

Lafayette’s goals for technology were to maintain and update a state-of-the-art technology based in our classrooms, learning laboratories, library and offices. With the introduction of SMARTBoard technology and other brand new devices, Lafayette has met its goals.

The district was able to increase its technology inventory with Prop K funds. With an amount of $3.6 million, the district purchased 215 new SMARTBoards. Around two-thirds of the money from Prop K funded the new SMARTBoards now seen in classrooms.

Teachers were able to attend four workshops over the summer that guided them through the different tricks and motions that SMARTBoard has to offer.

“When it comes down to it, you’ve become the mouse,” said Mark Pennycuick, one of the instructors heading these SMARTBoard workshops. He added, “This screen makes it more versatile to use then the PowerPoint or Microsoft Word applications.”

Teachers, like business teacher Ms. Mary Lynn Spisak, have taken full advantage of their new SMARTBoards.

“It just stands as a whiteboard now,” Spisak explained, “but hopefully I will understand the power it has to offer to me and my students.”

With numerous ways to improve regular lesson plans, teachers have included ways for the students to get involved. Having student interaction with the material will increase test scores as well as broaden their knowledge of technology.

A major advantage to using a SMARTBoard is the flexibility and easiness of the touch screen.

Being able to move documents, write notes and use the internet with a simple touch of the screen has helped teachers present information in a fun and efficient way.

Having piloted the SMARTBoard last year, social studies teacher, Mr. Steve Klawiter, has learned the basics about this new instructional tool.

“In my opinion, the SMARTBoard is the best instructional tool to come along in the last decade,” Klawiter said.

By using SMARTBoards, teachers have the opportunity to display their lessons in a more

creative and logical manner. Again, helping the students grasp the information given to them in a much clearer and easier approach.

“With history, for instance, I used to have to switch map sets often, the SMARTBoard allows me access to any map on the internet,” said Klawiter.

Although it may seem challenging to learn all of the options, new users like social studies teacher Ms. Brittney Bowers, have the hang of it already.

“The most challenging part of being new to the SMARTBoards is finding all the cool things it has to offer,” Bowers said.

It seems the SMARTBoards are so efficient in creating a creative and focused learning environment it almost pays for itself with what it can produce.

Senior Kelsey Stoffel said, “It seems a lot less stressful for the teachers, since everything is found in one location.”

Teachers are able to clarify what is being taught by circling multiple words in certain text or enforcing lessons with internet information.

Klawiter said, “By allowing teachers and students to efficiently access and manipulate media from PowerPoint’s, software, the internet, and more, it will likely pay for itself many times over in terms of the academic achievements it helps to inspire.”

Old strategies becomes new again with SMARTBoard technology PowerPoint- Several teachers’ use this program to present notes in a more organized and appealing fashion. Using the SMARTBoard, teachers are able to highlight important facts and save them for teachers to use later.

Word- This program lets teachers review articles or student’s essays right on the SMARTBoard. The teacher is able to give positive or negative feedback to improve writing skills.

Internet- Using the web as a myriad of information, teachers are able to pull recent information or pictures for students to view.

Media Player- Viewing movies will aid towards visual learners and help teachers present information in a new and entertaining fashion.

Creating Your Own Material- The SMARTBoard software enables teachers to create their own personal lesson plans. Teachers have the option to broadcast their personal methods for teachers all over the country to use.

photo • Matt Hibbard

•Getting The Fundamentals. Teachers across the district were able to attend SMARTBoard workshops for extra instruction. Many discovered creative ways to present information and improve the student’s learning experience.

Other cool gadgets make learning more interacvtive for students

Improvements in technology will merge the comforts of home with the hectic environment of school. Soon, these devices will become a common tool in most classrooms.

Wireless Internet- With the wiring already in place, wireless internet will be installed in September to meet the extra time for the new schedule in the future. This technology will be found in both the commons and the library.

Personal Laptops- With the new schedule, will come extra time for students to use their own personal laptops to study with. Principal Larry Schmidt said, “Those students who wish to bring their laptops will have internet access through Wi-Fi connection.”

CPS System- Using blue remotes, students can answer multiple choice style questions with a click of a button. This gadget helps receive mass data from tests and sorts it in several different categories for teachers to use.

Virtual Class- This is a computer lab monitoring system that helps students stay on task. The program can create a near silent environment through computer connections, yet encourages participation through text messaging and group chat rooms.

page 6 • news

sept. 8, 2006

Sugar & Spice They Don’t Play Nice Annual Powder Puff game kicks off next week; outcome should not come as a surprise to fans Ashley Edlund • Reporter

W

ar paint, braids and neighborhood trees, blanketed with rolls of toilet paper: the junior and senior woman will keep the tradition of Powder Puff football alive on Sept. 14.

“It’s the first year you get to run through the halls screaming,” senior Christie Gentile said, “It’s fun, [and] I know I’m going to win, it’s my senior year.”

Despite popular belief, Assistant Principal Tim Jones said this is not the case.

“They [the seniors] have to win fair and square. My girls last year knew they had to practice and get organized.”

But junior Erin Petry said it feels like the seniors have more than just extra practice.

“It feels like the refs pretend they don’t see something. If they didn’t win as juniors then how come all the sudden they win as seniors?” Still, Petry says it’s not about winning. “It’s just something fun to do with friends.”

The tradition of Powder Puff football goes way back, according to Principal Larry Schmidt. “Powder Puff was, at one time, a spring event, played after school with very little hoopla. It was somewhat of a ‘Rite of Passage’ for Senior Women shortly before they graduated.”

Still a spring event, students were able to purchase tickets and watch the Powder Puff game Friday, May 8, during 6th hour.

The game took place as part of the 1992 Spring Olympics.

Powder Puff was then moved to homecoming week, created by the administration in 1993. The purpose of the week was to accommodate events such as Spirit Night, Hall Decorations and the Renaissance Fun Run. As a result, the Powder Puff game found a home the Thursday evening of Homecoming.

After the move from what is now Crestview Middle School to the current LHS building, the game grew into a popular event. T-shirts and jerseys are sold by the Senior Women each year at lunch.

Science teacher Ms. Mandy Kotraba is this year’s Senior Women sponsor.

“Senior woman just seemed like a cool group to be around.” Proceeds have benefited different charities each year, although this year’s recipient is undecided.

Lydias house, which is a women’s organization, was chosen last year.

Lafayette graduate and language arts teacher Ms. Jessica Hauser recalled playing in the Powder Puff game.

“It was pretty obvious when I was a junior and senior that the people who were officiating were favoring the seniors

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•Pretty In Pink. The Class of 2007 wore pink jerseys as juniors when they were defeated in Powder Puff. This year, in their black and gold football jerseys, they are pretty confident that the outcome will be different as the seniors have won the matchup every year.

both years. We shouldn’t have won senior year.”

The game has another tradition, which has students like senior Tim Alwell hoping for bad weather. “To be honest, I just want to see the girls wrestle around and roll in the mud.”

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Powder Puff traditions also have underclassman looking forward to participating in the event, long before their junior and senior year. “When I was in 8th grade, I remember going to Powder Puff and being like, wow that’s so cool,” sophomore Michelle Lohbeck said.

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news • page 7

the image

Homecoming Hangup

Homecoming Week Early date causes students to make early decisions at a Glance...

Nancy Stiles • Reporter

For those without a date to Homecoming, the walls are closing in.

Students are scrambling to prepare for the annual Student Council (STUCO) event, which is only a month after the first day of school. “[The date] is okay, but we need some more time to find good ladies,” freshman Matt Willis said.

“I have to miss it now. I’m going out of town,” junior Brandon Zucker said.

“I don’t even care. I don’t have anything for it yet,” sophomore Nicole Migliazzo admitted.

The early date is especially problematic for freshmen who have not had a lot of time to get to know anyone.

“My brother is a freshman and he only knows a couple people, so there is no way he could ask somebody from here,” senior Meghan Judge said.

“It is so early, you are right back to school. It does not give you much time to think about it,” junior Chelsea Kloiber said.

On the other hand, some students are not fazed by the

change.

“We are guys—we really do not care,” sophomore Danny Kenny said.

“I will probably just go with a group,” freshman Connor Peters said.

The reason Homecoming is so early is mainly because of the football schedule, explained senior Ananth Raghavan, STUCO Executive Board president.

“There are a lot of away games, and we would have to make it too late, conflicting with [Homecoming at] other schools.”

Mr. David Choate, STUCO sponsor, added, “All four Rockwood schools are on a rotation so everyone has different Homecoming dates. This year, we just happened to get the early date, and since there are not many home football games at the beginning of the year, we had to choose a date in September,” Choate said.

Some said the early date also conflicts with the actual purpose of Homecoming: the return of alumni. Mizzou only started classes August 21.

“We are kind of worried

about that because some guys are panicking and some girls are thinking they are not going to get asked, and some people in college wont be able to come back and go [to the dance] with their girlfriends or boyfriends,” Raghavan said.

In spite of that, STUCO is not concerned.

“It is possible that many students will not return for the festivities; however, Student Council’s main purpose is to make sure those students currently attending LHS have a great week,” Choate said.

Of course, the guys keep having to top themselves when asking a girl to Homecoming.

“I am going with the flowers leading up to her room,” sophomore Kyle Leonard said.

In the face of frustration, junior Lexi Lee, is prepared for Homecoming.

“I got my dress at Bebe a couple weeks ago; I have to go buy some jewelry and get my dress altered, but other than that, [I have to] just figure out what our group will be,” Lee said.

Girls looking to buy dresses

may be able to find a last-minute purchase.

According to Ms. Pat Brandshaw, Studio 121 Special Occasion Associate at Nordstrom West County, the shipment of dresses is just now coming in.

“We have some dresses on the floor now, so we have got some girls who have been shopping,” Brandshaw said.

“We are expecting a shipment next week, a variety of long and short dresses. Brown is big, and black, of course. We also have a wine-colored BCBG coming in,” she added.

Dillard’s at Chesterfield Mall already has dresses out, said Jenice Bell, Junior Dresses Associate.

“They are still coming in but we had a new shipment today and I just put them [the dresses] out,” Bell said. “A lot of girls have been in.” “[The date] is making everything kind of stressful because not a lot of my friends have dates yet, so people are confused about what group they’re going with. No one has [dinner] reservations,” Lee said.

Out with the old & in with the new Lunch time games replace Spirit Fest for new tradition Nancy Stiles • Reporter For Homecoming 2006, some events will remain traditional, but there have been changes made in hopes of drawing more student participation.

The week will kick off with the Fun Run on Sept. 10 at 1 p.m.

Mr. David Choate, Student Council (STUCO) sponsor said, the first 200 participants will receive a free T-shirt complimentary of STUCO. One change this year is the elimination of Spirit Fest.

“Spirit Fest is when they announced the Homecoming King and Queen, and only a fourth of the school would come. We decided to do it [coronation] at the dance so people will actually see it,” senior Ananth Raghavan, STUCO Executive Board president, said.

“Lack of student involvement led to the decision to cancel Spirit Fest. This year we will incorporate activities during all three lunch shifts to get all students involved and excited about the week,” Choate said.

The activities will include jousting, arm wrestling, a pie eating contest, a jazz band performance and penny wars.

One event that has not changes is Powder Puff. The junior girls are getting ready to face-off with the seniors in the muchanticipated flag-football Powder Puff game.

“If it rains, it’s good,” sophomore Tyler Sellers joked. “We like seeing athletic females.”

As usual, Male Escadrille will be performing at the half time of the Powder Puff game.

Just asking...

“How does the early Homecoming date affect your plans?”

Photos compiled by Sydney Miller and Britt Peters

“Male Escadrille finally gives me a place to express myself without getting in trouble,” senior Drew Dolan said.

In previous years, inclement weather has forced the players off the field. The brand new field will also be an even bigger liability in the case of rain.

Activities Director Steve Miller said if it rains, the game will be moved to the B-Baseball Outfield.

“That’s what we did four years ago—moved it to the B Outfield.

We’d have to move the [game] time up, but it’s the best way to do it,” Miller said.

Sept. 15, kicks off with the Homecoming Pep Assembly and the Parade, which bolsters with school spirit.

“The free food gets kids excit-

ed. The football, and the parade always helps when we dress up and show off school spirit and school colors,” Raghavan said.

The rest of the Pep Assembly, however, “is a surprise” Choate said.

The theme this year is Superheroes.

“The five year anniversary of September 11 [was an inspiration], also STUCO officers felt this was a theme we could do a lot with in regards to hall decorations, floats, dance decorations, etc.” Choate said.

“We wanted to get a different theme and we wanted to honor the people we should honor. By honoring superheroes, we can honor people like firefighters who really deserve the credit,” Raghavan said.

Sunday: •1 p.m. - Fun Run •First 200 participants get a free T-shirt courtesy of STUCO

Monday: •Dress-Up Theme: College Shirt Day •6:30 p.m. - LPO General Meeting & Grade Level Meetings •7 p.m. - Rockwood College Night

Tuesday: •Dress Theme: Favorite Super Hero •All Lunch Shifts: Pie Eating Contest •All Lunch Shifts: Penny Wars

Wednesday:

•Dress Theme: Group Day •All Lunch Shifts: Strongest Man/Woman Contest •All Lunch Shifts: Penny Wars •After School: Hall Decorations

Thursday: •Dress Theme: Pajama Day •All Lunch Shifts: Obstacle Course •7:30 p.m. - Powder Puff Football Game

Friday: •Dress Theme: LHS Spirit Day (Black/Gold) •End of Day - Pep Assembly •5 p.m. - Parade •7:30 p.m. - Football Game vs. Mehlville

Saturday: •7:30-10:30 p.m. - Homecoming Dance in the Commons

”

Olivia Brown, 9 “���������������������� You have to know what fashions there are and what dress to get.”�

Sean Moser, 9 “���������������������� You don't get as much time to plan it all out."

Kelsey McCowen, 11 “���������������������� We don't have as long to prepare our dance for Escadrille.”�

Brian Peyton, 12 “���������������������� You have to get money quicker and everything quicker.”�

page 8 • news

ACT scores are:

sept. 8, 2006

a. increasing for LHS students b. determining scholarship winners c. getting students into college d. rising nationwide e. all of the above Brooke Thibodaux • Reporter Imagine one a single point separating you from being the best or the worst.

Imagine a score dividing you from your peers, making you college bound for either the top or more common colleges.

Imagine a test, one that has been prepared for and stressed over by thousands.

Imagine an exam that will define you.

Imagine the Aptitude College Test.

The ACT, the rival of the SAT, is taken to prepare and predict college readiness.

This test can either be stressed over or prepared for.

Fortunately, the ACT prep class offers students the opportunity to get ready for the test.

Senior Rachel Costello, who took the ACT prep course said, “I think it helps with a little practice everyday, eventually I saw my test scores improve.”

Students and the administration are adjusting to ensure they are prepared for the test.

“Before, we [teachers] didn’t try hard to provide students with experience they will see on the ACT,” Ms. Sue Curtis, ACT prep teacher, said.

Test scores not only affect the ability to get into college, but scholarship chances as well.

With a score of 30 or more, 81 Lafayette seniors qualified for Bright Flight, a scholarship of $2,000 a year for five years to any Missouri college.

“More kids now take harder courses and are taking them more seriously. Also, the curriculum prepares student’s better by giving them more questions they are sure to experience, while taking the test,” Curtis added.

Getting into college has become tougher and impacts students’ futures more than ever. Education is more highly emphasized than ever before compared to the past when it was considered a luxury.

Not only has education become more valued, test scores have risen nationally making competition for college admission and scholarships more intense.

“Of the 435 seniors who took the ACT, the overall average was 24.1,” Principal Larry Schmidt said.

In the past two years, the average national composite score rose from 20.9 to 21.1.

According to CNN, officials at the independent ACT said the increase of 0.2 is significant due to a record of 1.2 million test-takers nationwide last year.

Missouri’s average composite score

last year was 21.6. However, Lafayette’s composite score of 24.1 is not only higher than the state’s, but also rose 0.3 from 2004-2005.

How exactly have test scores risen so significantly?

“In the last three years, our students have been scheduling up and taking the higher, flex, AP and upper level classes, which has a direct bearing on scores,” Schmidt said.

He added, “the credit for rising scores goes directly to students and teachers.

More students are starting to value their grades. They’ve also been able to take the skills they’ve learned in class and can apply it to the test,” Schmidt said.

In the end, this generation seems to be more serious overall about their grades, tests, college and education.

Expires September 28, 2006

Expires 12-31-06

in-depth • page 9

the image

Most vital supply? A wallet

Students bombarded by back-to-school expenses Sarah Southerland • In-Depth Editor The National Retail Federation reports families with school-aged children spend an average of $483 on backto-school items. This value is up from $450 just a year ago.

Are the students of Lafayette experiencing the strain of back-toschool expenses?

“Yes!” sophomore Alex Holder said when asked if she spent a lot on school supplies.

Holder purchased numerous supplies in preparation for the year. Her purchases included the usual necessities: binders, paper, pens and pencils. Holder also purchased a Barron’s Study Guide for AP European History.

Students enrolled in AP courses are usually encouraged to purchase similar study guides.

A typical study guide costs around $15-20. With several students buying multiple subjects, the cost of these study guides adds up.

Students, however, swear by these guides, making the cost seem negligible.

In addition to the cost of study guides, many students are spending money on registration for standardized tests like the ACT and the SAT. While high scores on both of these tests pay off in the long run, taking these multiple times can get costly.

Preparatory courses are also an effective but nonethe-

less an expensive way to increase standardized test scores.

Fortunately, textbooks are provided free of charge. Many classes, however, encourage students to purchase additional items to aid in their study.

For instance, many foreign language teachers suggest that their students buy dictionaries to help with translation and to help expand their vocabulary.

Senior Michael Horton bought 501 Spanish Verbs by Christopher Kendris to consult when conjugating verbs.

“I might take a Spanish class or two in college, so I will probably use it again,” Horton said. One usually only needs to make this type of purchase once.

In fact, students can save a lot of money by simply taking care of the

things they already possess.

A graphing calculator is an expensive (and hopefully onetime-only) purchase. Most upper-level math classes require the use of graphing calculators.

Texas Instruments’ TI-83 Plus is usually recommended for math and science students who are new to graphing calculators because of its easy-to-use graphing interface and simple programming language. Students are also permitted to use the TI-83 Plus on most standardized tests, making it a safe choice.

The cost of a TI-83 Plus usually ranges from $89-$110, depending on where you shop.

It is hard to argue over the costs of something that helps you academically. After all, an education is an investment.

But the costs do not stop there. In fact, most students spend a small fortune before entering the building on the first day of school.

The reason? Parking passes. Students who do not wish to ride the bus or get dropped off by a parent are required to purchase parking passes.

Students drop $100 to park for an entire year. Since the cost is high many students split the cost and car pool.

Many of these high costs are required to pay for school essentials.

Lafayette is a learning institute and a small business.

Students who wish to be involved in certain clubs and activities find that there is a price tag there, too.

Superfans, a club committed to fostering school spirit, charges

$30 for membership. Membership includes a Superfan T-shirt and free admission to all home sporting events. Therefore, students who truly are “superfans” end up saving money in the end.

Key Club is an additional club that requires that dues be paid. These dues are necessary for a lot of the community service projects that Key Club participates in.

Lunch is another typical cost for a student. Freshman Richard Holekamp buys his lunch from school every day. “It’s more conveinent that way,” Holekamp said. The school provides affordable lunches, but buying your lunch every day adds up.

While students are spending increasing amounts of money each year, their purchases are often necessary and unavoidable. Since students do not have control over these costs, they should try to limit the types of costs they do have control over.

Many students are surprisingly smart and frugal when it comes to money.

Senior Josh Mann seemed to be quite knowledgeable, having already “set up a Roth IRA.” Mann, who is currently planning for retirement, also plans to “invest in China next year.” In addition, Lafayette offers classes like Personal Finance that teach students to be wise with their money.

On the other hand, some students are just savvy shoppers. Many

students opt to go to the library or Book Rags, a used bookstore on Manchester, instead of paying full price when looking for a book.

Students have come up with creative ways to save money.

In order to reduce the amount of money he spends on gas, junior Ryan Conde adds a few dollars worth at a time in the hopes that his “parents will drive [his] car, see that it is empty, and fill it up.”

Either way, whether it is through investing, bargaining, or other creative methods, several students have found ways to reduce the cost of being a student.

Breakdown of Back-to-School Spending Values based off $483 total and provided by the National Retail Federation

$219

Clothing

$101

Electronics

$90 Shoes

$73

Supplies

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features • page 11

the image

“I feel more attractive when I tan. I’m conscious of [the health concerns], but I still do it. I tan at Exotic Tan and I have a Level One package for $39.”

Hayley Williams, 12

“Before a dance I tan because you have pictures taken of you. I tan only before dances. I know I shouldn’t, but I’ll deal with that later.”

Brittany Femmer, 11

“[Being tan] makes the dress color look better and makes you look skinnier. It fades your acne. I go ten times [before Homecoming]. I buy a package at Cool Rays.”

Kelsey Calvert, 10

“I use aerosol spray cans like Neutrogena. One bottle a month is $11. I understand why some girls tan, but I think they should consider safer options.”

Hilary Kirwan, 12

“I kind of like being pale. I think to myself: people who tan could get wrinkles when they’re older. I wear SPF 60 sunscreen!”

Jenn Thrasher, 11

“I use Mystic Tan to even out my tan and burns from Lacrosse. I burn—I really burn. I’m definitely concerned with the cancer in the box thing.”

Lauren Edens, 12

“You’re only young once, so you might as well look good...”

-Kelsey Calvert 10

In search of a

“Healthy Glow” Jen Apoian • Features Editor Limp-plumping gloss, cellulite and anti-fat creams, hand mirrors, “tingle” tan accelerator lotions and firming solutions.

This is American beauty.

At least it’s what is on the counter of nearly every tanning salon in St. Louis.

And it raises the question: how far will the teenager consumer go to look good?

“Vanity reigns at any age, but it reigns much more when you’re a teenager because there’s a lot of peer pressure,” the director of community education for the Melanoma Hope Network, Ms. Stephanie Lickerman, said.

Studies have named relaxation and preparing for an event the top reasons for it. Girls do it more than boys. Vanity rules.

It was started by Coco Chanel.

Besides the costly quilted handbags and the line of cosmetics sold at every major department store, Chanel began the fashion fad that would outlast her: Tanning.

Lickerman explained the phenomenon. “It started back in the 1920’s with Coco Chanel. She went on a cruise and while she was on the cruise, she got a tan, which is something the wealthy generation never did. Coco Chanel came out and became the rage in the 20’s. Ever since then, it’s been this way. It’s gotten worse in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s.”

“A majority of our customers are high school girls. And they do that after school. I think it makes them feel better about themselves,” Hollywood Tan store manager Ms. Danielle Staebell said.

“They [teenage girls] do get that nice glow and whether it be for a dance or whatever, they feel good about themselves.”

Senior Ashley Hudson said, “It’s liberating.” She also said that tanning is “awkward the first time you go.”

The facts are there; every study done, picture released and testimony heard with a choking thought: ‘this might be me’ out rules it. Despite the red flags, teenage girls

continue to tan.

Lickerman said one of the reasons for perpetual tanning may be linked to the government.

“There are no federal mandates keeping people from irradiating themselves.

Most of the sun protection programs are geared to adults; there’s not much out there for teens,” she said.

And it is teens, she said, who consider themselves immortal, not affected by cancer or funerals.

Some of it, as suggested by Dr. Summer Youker, assistant professor of Dermatology at St. Louis University, may be contributed to addiction.

That’s right, just like cigarettes and chocolate, getting a tan is addictive.

“Sun is addictive because when you tan, you release endorphins and it makes you feel good,” Youker said. But besides that, “It’s definitely a cultural thing, like thinking women look good in heels.”

Lickerman added, “There have been a

bunch of studies; the most recent [study] in 2005 by the American Academy of Dermatology(AAD) Teen CARAVAN, said that vanity rules; they refer to cosmetic reasons. They [teens] look better with a tan.”

“I think people look good however they are and if they want to enhance that by wearing makeup, going tanning, losing weight, exercising to feel good, then that’s great,” Staebell said.

Although the method of obtaining a healthy-looking tan differs, most students can agree on a few things.

Shannon Hinkle, senior, said, “I go on occasion to not be white. I just like a healthy glow.”

“With certain colors [of dresses], you have to go tanning,” Hinkle added.

Senior Ashlen Snellen commented on the bottom line in a way that reflects many girls’ overall opinion about tanning.

She said, “I think everyone looks better with a little color.”

page 12 • features

1600s A male “suitor” would request for the girl’s hand in marriage from her father or two fathers would converse. Once an agreement was reached, the process of “courting” could begin. Colonial couples did not date, but bundled-sleeping in the same bed fully clothed and sewed in bedclothes-a common way to get to know each other in New England areas.

Isn’t That

Romantic?

In terms of dating, the trouble has always been for love birds to find new and intriguing ways to ask out their date. LHS teachers and students were willing to share some of their favorite stories about how they were wooed.

Compiled by • Kendall Brewer & Aaron Casias

1800s

“Love tokens” such as flowers, painted figurines and jewelry were presented as objects of affection. The diamond ring became a popular engagement jewel. Love letters and cards were used as well. Valentine’s Day was largely popular during this era.

1950s

During the 1950s, it was inappropriate for girls to ask boys on dates or instigate the dating process in any way. Pick-up lines were emphasized to make approaching girls easier. Double dating and blind dates emerged. After a period of dating, “going steady” often took relationships to higher levels.

2006

Maybe this is the era of “anything goes.” Traditional ideas of male-female relationships are being challenged. Older women are remaining single and many young girls are finding innovative ideas in asking out boys.

sept. 8, 2006

“I went to buy some shoes at Journey’s. The guy helping me was really cute. When I paid for my shoes, he had me sign for using my credit card. Then, he gave me another receipt and said if I put my phone number on it, he could call and ask me out.”

“Oh, the boys weren’t very clever. They are not nearly as clever as you guys. They usually just asked through three different guys. Steve asked so and so who asked so and so to ask the girl out for them.”

“Gosh it’s been so long. My wife won’t let me date. When I was 13 I called a hotline that connected guys to local girls. That’s how I met my first girlfriend.”

Mr. Jay Buck, social studies teacher

Ms. Ginny Colombotto, science teacher

Ms. Katie Kupfer, science teacher “For Homecoming last year, I brought a boom box to school and a set of baby teething keys. I walked down the hall carrying the boom box on my shoulder playing the eighties song ‘Get Out of My Dreams, Get Into My Car’ and I gave the girl flowers and the baby keys to go along with the idea of the song.”

- Pat Niday, 12 “My fiancee and I went to Mexico. I paid a kid $1 to write ‘Will You Marry Me?’ in the sand.”

- Mr. David Choate, language arts teacher “My husband worked on a landscaping crew, so he took me to a hill and wrote my name out in leaves on the side of the hill. Isn’t that romantic?” - Ms. Dawn Indelicato-Faw, language arts teacher “I got asked to prom during dance class. I found a poster on a mirror that said “I’d like to see your moves at Prom.’” - Shannon Nicholson, 11 “For a dance, I gave the girl a flower every day in her locker. On the twelfth day, I was holding the rose as I gave her the final flower.” - Garrett Tripp, 10 “I met my fiancé at the gym. I was exercising and the same girl kept working out next to me many days in a row. I decided to strike up a conversation and quit being a weenie about this. So, we started talking, and the conversations went from “Hi, how are you doing?” to “What are you doing this weekend?” And that blossomed into a relationship.”

- Mr. Brian Fish, foreign language teacher

Studio 703

636-536-6770 thestudio703.com 703 Long Road Crossing Chesterfield MO 63005

features • page 13

the image

New mp3 players emerging to take on iPod The iPod

The Sandisk Sansa

•Has one-, two- or four-gigabyte capacity •Comes in black and white •Small, sleek design •Apple product: comes with support, the iTunes program and accessories •Color display •14 hours of battery life •Stores music, photos and videos The iPod is a great product. The iTunes and MP3 players are easy to use.

However, some students have had problems with Apple. Junior Jessi Roach had to replace her iPod because it was faulty, “Apple couldn’t even fix it,” she said.

Roach said the desk employee asked her to bring the iPod back later, they couldn’t do anything about it at the time. It was brought back as asked, but they gave her a replacement because they couldn’t fix it.

“Most of my friends who switched to different players like theirs a lot better,” Roach said, “they just last a lot longer.” photo illustration by Courtney Manchenton

•Has either two-, four-, six- or eight-gigabyte capacity •Thin design •Comes in only one color •Color screen •Digital FM tuner and voice recorder •Expansion slot for extra memory •20 hours of battery life The Sansa is sensational. Recently, it just sold out at RadioShack and it is one of the major competitors with the iPod Nano.

The price ranges from store to store, but consumers can find a $60 difference when comparing through the companies’ websites, and at electronics stores like Best Buy. The Sansa comes with some add-ons that the iPod doesn’t, but one must consider the iPod’s accessories and iTunes program.

Concerning size, the Sansa’s expansion slot makes it a little bit bulkier.

A Best Buy attendant said, “The iPod provides you with the brand name and support, but other companies are really putting themselves out there to compete.” story by Brad Schlemmer

5

things you didn’t know about...

Assistant Principal

with Brett Hamlin

Fending off the age old statement that shaped a generation: “Can’t tuck this!”

The hottest trend for this September, 2006 is fronttucking your T-shirt.

Sure we’ve all seen those “friends don’t let friends’ front-tuck” shirts, but let’s face facts people: you’re probably the friend in the group no one likes anyway.

“I front-tuck because it’s cool,” junior Mike Fox said. “It helps me pick up chicks too.”

If you don’t know about front-tucking, let’s get one thing straight: you’re behind in hot trends.

Front-tucking is when somebody tucks the front of their shirt in but not the

back. Preferably behind a giant belt buckle.

Some don’t find front-tucking to be a trend at all.

“Front-tucking? It’s almost as bad as back-tucking,” junior Steve LaCour said.

“I’m not too sure that’s still a trend,” Senior Ali Van Lue said.

“If it still is, it isn’t cool at all.”

Between the hate and love for front-tucking, some have managed to find a happy medium.

“I front-tuck on accident sometimes,” Ms. Carrie Guenzler, social studies teacher, said.

“But only with the giant polos that Lafayette gives me.”

I took the time to compare

the success rates of front-tucking and letting it all hang loose.

To get more of an idea of what the seasoned generation thinks of this hot trend, I asked Assistant Principal Matt Dieckhaus.

“When I see a kid front-tucking, I just think: Wow, that kid’s too lazy to tuck the whole shirt in,” he admitted.

It draws an important question, is front-tucking a fashion statement? A blatant stand for laziness? Or maybe it’s best put like this…

“It’s basically an outcry for below-the-belt attention,” sophomore Jordan Gonzalez said.

Jodie Davidson

1.

She competed on the 80s television show American Gladiators...and won.

She attended college at Bowling Green State University, then transferred to Miami University-Ohio.

3.

2.

She is a passionate sports fan, especially for the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals.

After the original performer broke her leg, Davidson was a guest trapeze artist at the Florida Circus which was practicing in Georgia where she was on vacation.

4.

5.

She still plays competitive soccer and softball. compiled by Brett Hamlin

page 14 • sports

sept. 8, 2006

Manzonelli heads to Europe, plays for Villarreal Nina Walters • Reporter

photo • Alex Erdman

Pursuing Perfection. Practicing for the season opener against Kirkwood on Sept. 1, the Lancers square off in a scrimmage. Trotting out a revamped starting 11 on both sides of the ball has created the need for a new system anchored by new players.

Football faces tough schedule Ryan Bueckendorf • Sports Editor Few high school events can match the electricity in the air during a Lafayette Homecoming football game. The cool fall night air, the cheering of the fans in the stands, the emotional play on the field; a Homecoming game is truly a fitting culmination to one of the most exciting weeks of the year.

Last season, however, en route to a District Championship season, the Lancers lost their Homecoming game in a heartbreaker to the Lindbergh Flyers, 14-10.

This season, they’ve revamped, reloaded, and are ready to redeem themselves.

For fans and players alike, winning homecoming makes a huge statement about the team, and as such an invisible yet entirely palpable importance is placed upon the game.

“Coaches teach us to treat it like any other game,” said senior Mike Stasiak, “but deep down the players know it’s the Homecoming game.”

This season, the Lancers take on Mehlville for their Sept. 15 Homecoming match.

They handily put down the Panthers last season 38-7, and to do so again would provide a reprieve from a schedule that has seen the Lancers face perennial power Kirkwood and 2005 State Champion

DeSmet in their first two games.

“We try to take every game the same,” Head Coach Boyd Manne said, “but Homecoming’s always exciting.”

The Lancers, coming off of a rollercoaster 6-5 2005 season that saw both devastating losses and blowout wins and, ultimately, the hoisting of a District title, have had to rework their entire system.

Many key role players of last season have all graduated, and players with different skills and strengths have stepped into fill the void. In fact, the Lancers return only 2 starters from last season.

Players like seniors JJ Conti, Mike Stasiak, Anthony Fullilove and junior Matt Brewer and will be expected to increase their workload in the wake of the large graduating class.

Stasiak has emerged as the team’s starting quarterback, and will be at the helm of an offense that has seen many of its starters graduate.

Brewer, who saw work as a fullback and linebacker last season and Fullilove, will both see their playing time increase on both sides of the ball with the departure of standout running back Cartez Parker.

Conti will fill the hole at wide receiver vacated by Buddy Blevins.

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With new weapons comes a new game plan, as Manne has had to rework the entire system to build around the strengths of his new starters.

“We’re going to become a lot more run-oriented,” Manne said. “This opens up opportunities for juniors and seniors to compete for starting spots.”

The Lancers kicked off their 2005 campaign last Friday against Kirkwood, losing 28-21.

After a scoreless first quarter, the teams traded touchdowns before Kirkwood scored 21 unanswered points.

Lafayette managed to close the gap to 7 before time ran out.

Brewer had two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving, and Stasiak also threw for a pair, one to Brewer and another to junior Dan Holaday.

Tonight’s game features the 2005 Class 5 State Champion DeSmet in a game that offers the Lancers an opportunity to make a loud statement as to just how talented a team they are.

Manne, however, cautions the only thing that matters is how a team is playing come the District Playoffs.

“We hope to improve week in and week out, and to be peaking in time for Districts,” he said.

Imagine watching the World Cup, and thinking how awesome it would be to participate and compete at that level. For most the closest they get is high school soccer, but for junior Brandon Manzonelli that’s another story.

Over the summer, Manzonelli went over to England and Spain to be looked at for their teams.

He first went to England and got to train with teams such as Manchester City, Blackburn and Villarreal.

“Going to England was a great experience; it’s different then playing here. England is all about being tough and Spain everyone has skill and not so tough,” said Manzonelli.

He added, “High school is both skill and rough ‘n’ tough.”

After playing with Villarreal in a tournament he realized this was where he belonged: playing with a skillful team.

Manzonelli signed with Villarreal because “Spain is where I could tell I wanted to play.”

Not only did he sign with Villarreal, Manzonelli will be moving to Spain for 2-3 years. During those years he will live in a college like dorm on the training grounds, and will be getting paid weekly to play.

Moving to Spain will keep him away from his family and high school soccer.

photo courtesy of the Legend

Crossing Oceans. Awaiting the ball, Brandon Manzonelli plays for Lafayette last season. Manzonelli now plays for Villarreal, a Spanish pro team.

sports • page 15

the image

Volleyball gains ‘big gun’ from Indiana Alex Davis • Reporter

The 2006 Lancer volleyball season has begun its year and is now in full swing with a 1-1 .500 record.

To help out their chances for the rest of the year, the team has gained a great asset out of Munster, IN. Six foot one lefty junior Natalie Emro was a new addition to the Lancer squad this year.

“I like it a lot [the team], I really think that we are coming together as a team, despite our loss to St. Joe’s,” Emro said.

Emro comes to the Lancers from the 16 and under National Championship team and she will be a “big plus for the team,” Head Coach Steve Burkard said.

“Emro will fit in just right with the offense that we run,” junior captain Casey Chernin said.

Last year, the offense was switched from its normal 5-1, to an aggressive 6-2 that has been returned for this year, and with the acquisition of Emro, it should work just as well with her size.

“I like the 6-2 a lot especially for this year because it gives Natalie [Emro] a chance to hit,” Chernin said.

She added, “Natalie [Emro] so far has been a huge difference. I can’t wait to see throughout the year how amazing she works [with us].”

“I am used to running a 5-1 where I would set all-around,” Emro said. “Now this gives me a chance to hit and I like that.”

Burkard is positive on how his team will perform. “The girls and I have set our

sights very high this year, but I don’t know how to describe what I consider to be a satisfying season,” he said.

“I don’t really know much about volleyball around here, but for me I would like it if we won Districts and made it to State,” Emro said.

Despite an early season-opening loss to St. Joes, the team is sounding pretty positive on how they will turn out.

The girls lost a nail-bitter on Aug. 28 against St. Joe’s at St. Joe’s 25-27, 25-23, 20-25.

“We were up by like 10 the first game and they came back,” Chernin said.

For every team, no matter what your status, with the big gains, there comes losses.

Fortunately, the big gain was Emro.

Unfortunately, returning starting outside hitter, sophomore Brooke Boggs is that loss.

Boggs has been out since the summer due to ankle surgery and her return is questionable.

She started as an outside hitter last year as a freshman, and is currently out with ankle surgery. It is not known when she will return.

“It has been pretty hard, but fortunately, we have two other outside hitters; Andrea Ollander and Birkely Idel [9], and I can fill the role as well,” Chernin said.

Along with the success expectations for the team this year, some are having some high hopes for themselves as well.

photo • Josh Handler

Getting Air. Jumping above the net, junior captain Casey Chernin works on her spike. She and co-captain Allison Kerr have led their team to a 1-1 start to the new season as they get ready for the annual St. Charles Invitational this weekend.

“I am going to try and get on top of the stat board by the end of the season,” Chernin said. “Also I hope that as team captain I can do a good job and lead my team to State.”

This weekend, the team heads on out towards St. Charles West where they will

compete in the annual tournament there.

“We have won the St. Charles West Tournament the past 3 years and I think we can do it again,” Burkard said.

Opponents in this tournament “differ from year to year,” Burkard said, so scouting is vitrually impossible.

Paying To Play: Golfers overcome unique cost of their sport Ryan Bueckendorf • Sports Editor Ask any student athlete, and you will find no sport is free. Baseball and softball players have to purchase bats and gloves; field hockey players have to buy cleats and sticks; lacrosse and hockey players have to buy pretty much everything.

Even swimmers have to buy Speedos.

However, no sport has the expenses of golf. It starts with the gear.

“Each girl has her own equipmentballs, clubs, shoes, etc,” Coach Gaylen Laster said.

The clubs, which can range from the entry-level iron to the multi-hundred dollar titanium alloy driver, eat up most of that cost, but a constant supply of practice balls and $65 shoes can require a chunk of cash as well.

Some golfers, including senior Jessica Kollar, found ways to beat the costs.

“I just use my mom’s old clubs. For balls, I just go into the weeds and find them,” she said. “Not having to supply practice balls really cuts down on the costs.” That cost, however, just covers the equipment.

The thing that separates golf from almost any other school sport is that Lafayette does not house an 18-hole golf course.

Golfers, therefore, have to find other places to play.

These include the St. Albans country club, House Springs Golf course, and Forest Park, among others.

The rate for charge for these courses runs from nominal to pricey. Luckily for the golfers, very little of the match cost

Lafayette FACS presents Recipe of the Month

reaches them.

For St. Albans, specifically, the golfers are required to go and volunteer at the country club in exchange for playing privileges.

For other locations, Lafayette takes care of the money issues using the school athletic budget. “[Lafayette] incurs most of the home matches,” Laster said. “If it is an away match, the other school incurs the cost.”

Just heading out to the driving range falls upon the golfers to pay for, and to help them they run a team car wash, Kollar said.

Car washes only drum up as much as $200, however, so the expense of a season’s worth of practice still can wear. As soon as

everything is paid for, there is still the season to be played, and this year looks like an exciting one for the Lady Lancer squad.

“We have a really good team,” Kollar said, We’re a lot closer this year.”

Co-Captains and seniors Kollar and Shannon Hinkle will be expected to handle much of the load, but an exciting crop of juniors and underclassmen hold a lot of promise heading into the season.

Freshmen Sarah Whitman and Lindsay Carper, two faces fresh to the high-school golfing scene, hope to have a highly successful season.

“We could be a dark horse come Districts,” Laster said, “provided the girls keep working hard and lowering their scores.”

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page 16 • sports

sept. 8, 2006

It’s More Than Tape And Icy Hot

Injuries, game prep all in day’s work for ‘Chad The Trainer’ Alex Davis • Reporter

Mr. Chad Wheatley, Trainer

To almost every student in the building, and to almost every athlete, Head Athletic Trainer Chad Wheatley is known as Chad “The Trainer.” If you play a full contact sport, you have probably crossed paths with Wheatley at some time.

Well, once he tends to your injury, you head out to practice.

Have you ever found yourself wondering, what does he do all day on that golf cart?

Wheatley is an athletic trainer at the ProRehab Clinic located on the intersection of Clarkson and Manchester Road. The clinic does an outreach program for the high schools, and Wheatley is in his fourth year at LHS. “I love Lafayette,” he said. “I love the athletes I work with, the photo • Alex Davis coaches that are here, and the administraIt’s A Wrap. Wrapping an ankle, for sophomore Jen Krueger, Mr. Chad Wheatley, Lafayette’s trainer, begins his busy aftertors. Altogether [it’s] noon. In addition to tending to injuries, Wheatley also tapes up players before games and practices to prevent injuries. a really good school to work at.”

While he was there, he worked very similar ers, but also does sports medicine coverWheatley works at Lafayette full-time after school until about 6-6:30 p.m. on practice days, to what he is doing now, but “never earned a set age for the Junior Lancers. and can be here as late as 9 p.m. on game days salary.”

But, to every side, there’s an equal flip In addition to that, Wheatley also worked side to everything. that are not on Fridays for football.

On football days, he can stay here until as late with the Rams and worked a lot of their train“I have seriously had days where I have ing, but just on internship, back in 2003-2004. as the game ends. sat in my golf cart and watched practice, “I love the constant interaction with every- those days are good because there are no On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, he works at the Clinic from about 8 a.m. until about body,” Wheatley said. “I do my best to educate injuries,” Wheatley said. “There have been the athletes on proper hydration, nutrition, fit- other days where I have had to call three 1 p.m., when he heads for Lafayette.

“I usually get here about 1:30 p.m. or so, and ness, and injury management.” ambulances for three serious injuries.”

Wheatley has been around sports his entire then work out for about half an hour to 45 minNo one likes those days where people utes. And then at 2:15 p.m., I get to the training life. From when he was in middle school in get seriously hurt, but we are all thankful room where I set it up and get it ready for the Champagne, IL where he played soccer, to when for having Wheatley here. he was in high school where he played football, ‘Mad Rush’ right after school,” Wheatley said.

On the topic of his nickname, Chad “From about 3-4 p.m. after school, it’s a mad basketball, baseball and golf.

“The Trainer, Wheatley has been known His career was abruptly halted when he was as that for his entire tenure at Lafayette. rush to get to the training room. After school I usually see about 20-30 kids. Some days I can playing basketball, and while he was diving for “I do like being called Chad ‘The see up to 50. At about 4:15 p.m. I head out on my a loose ball, hit a bleacher and tore his menis- Trainer’. It’s just kind of what people know cus in the knee. He then had a partially tore LCL me as, if I am not personal with someone golf-cart to patrol the practices,” he added.

Wheatley hasn’t always worked here at Lafay- (Lateral Collateral Ligament). like good friends, that what they know me From that point on, Wheatley thought he as,” Wheatley said. “I prefer Chad “The ette, when he was just out of college at Eastern Illinois, where he got his under-grad, Wheatley would like tending to injuries and seeing the Trainer” to Mr. Wheatley.” headed down to Auburn University where he other side of sports.

Wheatley is 28, and is set to be married Wheatley not only does work for the Lanc- in July of 2007. got his master’s degree and graduated in 1996.

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sports • page 17

the image

Softball, led by Carmody starts 9-1 Ryan Bueckendorf • Sports Editor

Lafayette softball has always been a program of proud tradition, as generations of Lady Lancers have extended the standard of excellence on the softball diamond. For one family, this tradition holds a more personal meaning.

Senior Chelsey Carmody and her mother, Ms. Kelly Carmody both starred in varsity softball roles during their respective years at Lafayette.

Chelsey, who pitches for the current Lancer squad, leads the team with five wins and her 21 strikeouts are behind only sophomore Megan Lamberth.

Offensively, Chelsey paces the team with a .593 batting average, and is third on the team with 6 RBIs. Ms. Carmody, has enjoyed watching her daughter excel at the high school level, and the significance of their playing at the same schools is not lost on her.

“It is awesome to watch Chelsey playing for the same school I did,” she said.

During the elder Carmody’s three years at Lafayette, she played first base and then shortstop, with her teams twice reaching the State championship.

This provides special motivation for Chelsey. “I think that pushes me even more to get one [title],” she said.

Chelsey appreciates her family’s influence on her game, giving her parents and her sister credit for teaching her how to play. “Softball is big in my whole family,” she said.

While recognizing the similarities between her and Chelsey’s softball experiences, Ms. Carmody also mentions the differences between the two.

“I started playing at age six just like Chelsey did,” she said. “It was just way different when I played. We did not play as many games or practice as much as Chelsey does.”

Having played on the 1978 and 1980 State Championship teams, watching the team advance all the way to the State Finals last season was especially meaningful for Ms. Carmody.

“It was really neat to see the girls go as far as they did last year,” she said. “It brought back some great memories.”

The significance of having this type of

softball lineage on his team is not lost on Coach Scott DeNoyer.

“Having Mom talk about her experiences on winning back to back State Titles definitely motivates Chelsey,” he said.

This year, Ms. Carmody is behind Chelsey all the way, but hesitates to offer too much counsel.

“I support Chelsey in any way I can,” she said. “I don’t give her a lot of advice because she has been playing at a high level for a long time and has received a lot more training than I did. I just tell her to keep hydrated, to eat right, things like that.”

DeNoyer agreed. “I think Ms. Carmody’s influence to motivate her stopped years ago,” he said, “because the only way a person becomes that good and that confident is from an internal desire to be the best.”

As for where Chelsey wants to go from here, Ms. Carmody does not try to influence her daughter too much, saying that it is Chelsey’s decision.

“It is ultimately up to her where she wants to go,” she said.

Chelsey appreciates the freedom to make her own choices when it comes to softball. “My parents have always let me do my own thing,” she said.

The Lancers, who have started the season 9-1, are again at the top of the Suburban West.

The team’s runs scored differential is 46-10, tied for first in the Suburban West with Marquette.

They are coming off a stretch in which they’ve won eight games in 6 days, including two tournaments.

The most recent, a 13-inning classic against Oakville for the championship of the Suburban South/West Tournament, put the Lancers in sole possession of first place in the Conference.

With Chelsey’s only loss coming in a tough opener against Parkway West, she looks very much like the pitcher the Lancers need her to be.

She has held up for five of the Lancer’s nine wins. Her .593 average is first on the team and second in the Conference.

“She is playing like one of the top re-

photo • Josh Handler

Swing And A Miss. Pitching the Lancers to victory, senior Chelsey Carmody gets ready for a game in a recent tournament in Columbia. The Lancers were 4-0 and won the tournament. cruits in State, which she is. She is a leader on and off the field, and is helping get our team in tip-top shape to compete for the State Championship,” DeNoyer said.

Lamberth has also been pitching well, winning all four games she pitched in including the Lancers’ 13 inning thriller against Oakville. Her 31 strikeouts are the most on the team, and she is averaging 10.85 Ks per game.

DeNoyer said he expects a more experienced Lamberth to add some potency to the Lancer’s lineup, which took a hit from Class of 2006 grads Jodie Shead and Erin DeStefano.

Defensively, the fleet feet and talented glove of senior Sarah Bieser patrols centerfield, and has also been a differencemaker on the base paths.

Lafayette’s early offensive success has been keyed by timely hitting from junior Sami Dunger and senior Kathleen Hunter, who are hitting .455 and .417, respectively. Senior Shelby Krammer’s bat has also played a major role, hitting .500 with a team leading 10 RBIs. The Lancers, with one Carmody on the field and another cheering the team on in the stands, are poised for a repeat performance of last year’s solid season.

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page 18 • sports

sept. 8, 2006

Demos returns to tennis team Swimming gets off Josh Handler • Sports Editor After years of pain, junior Gabby Demos finally got surgery last June 30, on her injured rotator cuff.

Demos missed a month and a half and it took her until February to get her 2004 All-Metro serve back.

“I was ready for it (the surgery). I went through years of pain,” Demos said.

Demos’ rehab consisted of a lot of physical therapy, light weight lifting and basic strength training among other exercises, She said the arm feels better, “It’s (the shoulder) good. I have good days and bad days.”

Even after the time she missed, Demos was able to finish third in State in singles. Because of the surgery she had to serve underhand last year.

Despite the missed time, Demos managed to land on the All-Metro Second Team. She was the only LHS All-Metro representative. Now Demos said she is back to 90 percent and she has some lofty goals for the season.

“I am really hoping to go to state in singles and for the team to,” Demos said.

After going to State last year without being able to serve, that goal seems realistic.

The Lancers suffered significant losses to graduation such as Elise Bailey, Ellen Pappas and Meghan Scobie.

Even with these losses senior

to fast start in first ever fall season Nina Walters • Reporter

As the year begins swimming gets off to a fast start, winning their first match against Parkway Central 96-90. Not only did they start off well, they started in a new season.

Boys swimming is now in the fall. Girls will swim in the winter and water polo moves to the spring. This allows girls to have more options in sports to play through out the year.

Captains this season are seniors Morgan Dodge and Stephen Noce.

The change in swimming makes the year less hectic for some swimmers.

“I’m happy with the change because my winter and spring won’t be as hectic having both high school meets and select meets all at once,” senior Sean Mathews said.

Mathews is a two-time State Champ who helped lead the Lancers to a third place finish at State last season.

Having the season at the start of the year will help the team be stronger.

For those on a select team, they can swim outdoors and train right before pre-season starts.

In their second meet the Lancers were able to beat Parkway West by a score of 118-68.

The effort was lead by seniors Max Beushausen, Mathews and Taylor Parsons. Also winning their events were junior Nathan Rahe and senior Jason Weise. photo •Ashlen Snellen

Fenced In. Returning a serve, senior Rachel Costello fires one back at her opponent.

Costello is expected be one of the top doubles players this season.

Rachel Costello will be a top returning player this year.

The team has opened its season undefeated beating Eureka, Webster Groves, Parkway Cen-

tral, Parkway West and Parkway South.

Their next tournament is Sept.. 5-8 at the Parkway Doubles.

photo •Brooke Thibodaux

Finishing Fast. Freshman Elizabeth Worley runs in the First Capitol Invitational.

Worley finished 8th in her first high school race.

Teams keep running despite key losses to graduation Josh Handler • Sports Editor photo • Rachel Bader

Fighting For Possession. Sophomore Chelsey Medlock jabs the ball away from the opposing team as teammate senior Sara Jolly acts as an outlet at the Gateway Classic Tournament. The Varsity team won their pool at the tournament that was held at the Anheuser-Busch soccer park, only the second time ever winning the classic that is held by Coach Kelly Yates every year.

Making Up For Meg: Field Hockey team moves on Josh Handler • Sports Editor

For the first time in years the field hockey team has a notable name missing from its rosterO’Connell.

Meg O’Connell graduated last year as the national career assists leader, and older sister Kate graduated in 2003. Both were four year varsity players.

Despite this loss, the team feels that they are going to continue to be successful this year.

Senior Hillary Kirwan says “I think we’ll do really well.”

The team lacks experience but senior captain Katie Steis says they are “stepping up to play.”

Steis is the only senior captain after being selected by her peers along with Junior Taylor Stellern

and sophomore Nina Walters.

Although Steis says she feels that the team will be okay, a number of players lack experience.

Freshman Christine Hibler, Sophomores Korie Klosterman and Kelsey Calvert and Junior Emily Leeker are all playing for their first time this year. Steis says that these players along with Sophomore Emily Brcic will be key to the team’s success.

Leeker scored in her first game leading the Lady Lancers to a 1-0.

In their second game against Visitation, the Lancers won thanks to goals from Taylor Stellern and Leeker’s second.

Leeker has scored in each of her first five games.

Leeker appears ready to fill part of the void left by O’Connell and her fellow graduate Melissa Lantz. O’Connell is playing at Indiana University with older sister Kate.

O’Connell’s mom Kelly Yates remains the head coach.

Even with out an O’Connell, the LHS field hockey team seems well prepared for another competitive season.

Last weekend the team competed in the Gateway Classic.

They played to a scoreless tie against Whitfield, before beating Pembroke 2-0 and University School of Milwaukee.

With only one senior lost to graduation, the boys cross country team heads into 2006 ready.

Goals have been set since midsummer when Coach Randy Seagrist sent the team letters.

“Last year, our team qualified for State, and we expect to do that again,” he said. “We need to place high in Conference and Districts.”

Senior John Buttram, one of several veterans from last year’s State qualifying team, said younger runners are key, citing sophomores Steven Stallis and Shawn Brands, along with junior Drew Stiehl.

“I think some of our new guys will step it up,” he said.

Buttram also expects continued improvement from the returning runners.

“My expectations are mostly the same as Coach’s,” he said.

“I’m hoping we can win several meets this season. We definitely have the ability.”

Seagrist is counting on his returning runners to fill the void left by three-time State qualifier Nick Robinson.

“We have three of our top

runners back from last season in Buttram, Neumann, and Lutz, and I expect them to be our top three all season,” he said.

The team took the first step at the annual First Capitol Invitational Buttram finished 12th and Lutz finished 19th. The team took 6th overall.

The Lady Lancers return to action without mainstay runners Emily Baker and Kelsey Henshaw for the first time since 2002.

Senior Ashley Hudson hopes the team will “definitely qualify for State.” She adds that they expect to get a good place at both Conference and District meets.

“We’ll take it once step at a time,” she said.

Along with Hudson, a fouryear varsity runner, the team returns fellow senior and State competitor Sara Flower, juniors Hayley Olson, Katy Cover, Kirsten Sommer, and sophomore Brooke Thibodaux.

This mix of experienced runners is highlighted by newcomer Elizabeth Worley, who has already made her mark at the First Capitol Invitational, where she took 8th.

sports • page 19

the image

Where are they now?

Banister now plays at Central Missouri after leading Lancers to Final Four Josh Handler • Sports Editor

photo courtesy of the Banister Family

•Big Blocking. Playing during his senior year, Paul Banister guards Poplar Bluff Center Tyler Hansbrough. Having led the 2003 Lancers to a Final Four finish, Banister has now taken his duties of ‘low-post’ to CMSU.

Three years ago, center Paul Banister teamed with Matt Lawrence and Landon Shipley to lead the Lancers Basketball team to a third place finish in State.

The last time most Lafayette students heard about him, he was headed to Central Missouri State University (CMSU) on a scholarship to play.

Banister, now a junior at CMSU, finished his sophomore year averaging 3.4 points per game while playing in eight games.

Banister said the Final Four appearance was his best LHS memory and that there is not much difference between high school and college basketball,

“There is not a whole lot different. You practice every day… you have to be there every day.”

As a senior Banister led LHS to a 28-4 season before being eliminated by Poplar Bluff led by now University of North Carolina Center Tyler Hansbrough and finishing third.

Banister also finished second in the conference with 252 rebounds.

In the Poplar Bluff Game, the Lancers fell 72-57 before beating Jefferson City 60-52.

Banister spent last year as one of only three underclassmen on the CMSU squad and is likely to see increased playing time in the next two years.

Off The Bench:

Tony with St. Louis is not working Josh Handler • Sports Editor It is time for the Cardinals to move on. The past ten years have been good, but I am not happy.

It has been a whirlwind of players nearing the end of their career or suddenly falling out of their prime (see Chuck Finley or Mark Mulder).

I am tired of hearing one line ,too. Tony LaRussa is not a great manager.

Something must be done. It would be nice to hear an accurate account of the team’s problems on the radio.

The problem is that the Cardinals own the station that they broadcast on. The people that they brought in to make the station better are morons.

I am challenging Cardinals

fans to turn off KTRS. All of the games are on television. Watch it and stop listening to this biased view of the team.

Try listening to another station. This may come as a surprise but the other stations too talk about the Cardinals. The advantage to stations like KFNS and KMOX is that they provide a completely neutral view and unlike KTRS they tell the truth.

The Cardinals were pretty bad before LaRussa got here, sure, but other than a good 1996 season, the team was pretty miserable until 2000.

LaRussa was lucky to have the King of Andro, Mark McGwire overshadowing his years of lousy teams, but lets go on. I am not

here to talk about the past.

I could go on for hours about what is wrong with Tony’s managing style, but I am going to focus on one thing. He is too faithful.

Faith is good in a relationship or in most jobs, but managers need to know when to move on.

This team has immense talent.

It should be in first by fifteen games by now.

Pitching started out the year on a positive note. That didn’t last long.

Mark Mulder’s sudden collapse and the incredible inconsistency of Jason Marquis is crazy.

One day he is Cy Young and the next day he is that little league

kid you saw striking out 12-yearolds on national television.

I am going to go out on a limb though and blame it on a certain 34-year-old closer. That’s right.

Izzy’s gotta go.

The next thing in your mind now is going to be that he is among the National League leaders in saves. That would be great, if he hadn’t blown nine.

If you do the math, 31 saves and nine blown adds up to about 1 in four save opportunities that he has blown.

As of August 28, if he had saved those games, the Redbirds would be a comfortable twelve games ahead of the Reds.

How many times do we have to hear the classic LaRussa-ism,

“He is our closer and as long as he is in St. Louis, he will be our closer?”

Sorry Tony, he is useless at this point and for that matter, so are you.

When most Cardinals fans, myself included are watching on television and see that dreaded number 44 jog in from the bullpen, they change the channel to WGN so that instead of seeing Izzy blow another one we can see something happier. The Cubs getting destroyed again.

Correction:

In the August issue of the Image, senior Shelby Krammer was left off of the list of State competitors for track and field. She placed seventh in discus.

Dances not your thing? Try these alternatives Mary Belzer • Opinion Editor From sitting under the moon to watching a movie from your car, ditching the dance can have its perks, too.

Concerts are an option, and often loaded with better music than that of the DJs at the dance.

•Get Artsy. Talk about a cheap date, The Art Museum is free. Directly across from it lies Art Hill which has a gorgeous view and a perfect picnic spot.

On Sept. 16, UMB Bank Pavilion welcomes the Classical Mystery Tour featuring the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

This will be a haven for Beatles fans and orchestra lovers. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster for $18.

For couples who aren’t into the Homecoming idea, Forest Park is a perfect alternative date.

The St. Louis Zoo and the St. Louis Art Museum are free and open until 5 p.m.

Forest Park offers plenty of other date options as well.

Or, celebrate the evening by jumping back in time. Belleville, IL is home to the Skyview Drive-in open Friday-Sunday.

Cost is $8 for adults. Shows start at 7 p.m.

in•out•about photo • Nicole Castellano

page 20 • entertainment

Check your wallet, then make reservations When it comes to Homecoming dinner, love don’t cost a thing Nicole Castellano • Entertainment Editor

$$Often, when the word “boathouse”

comes up, most think of an old man standing in a bright yellow raincoat.

However, at Forest Park, it’s a family-friendly restaurant that’s also a great choice for Homecoming. Whether sitting outside listening to live music or renting a romantic paddle boat for two, The Boathouse has it all.

The food is typical all-American cuisine and prices range from $3-$15. Reservations are recommended.

Saturdays the restaurant is open until midnight. Besides the great eats, the gorgeous scenery around the lake and the rest of Forest Park provide a perfect photo opportunity.

Junior Cassie Michel said, “I love it because it’s handy, and it’s the center of everything in Forest Park. It’s a perfect date place.” www.boathouseforestpark.com.

$$$ Nicoletti’s Italian Restaurant off of Big

Bend at Hwy 141, is a hop, skip and a jump away. This cozy restaurant features both Italian and steak dishes.

“My favorite dish would be the Pasta Con Broccoli,” said manager Vesta Bur-

ton. For the medium-ranged spender, Nicoletti’s has wallet friendly entrees, with prices ranging from $15-$20.

An interesting fact about Nicoletti’s is the freshly baked bread shipped from the Hill daily. Burton said most of the pasta is made at Di Gregorios by a little old lady who has been doing this all her life. Open for both lunch and dinner, reservations at Nicoletti’s are appreciated. www.nicolettis.com.

$$$$ Finally, for the high-roller date, one

last dining suggestion sits right down the road at Xanadu, a new addition to the Chesterfield Valley food scene.

The array of food is endless. Dining in this high-end atmosphere is a bit costly with the prices ranging from $5 for the least expensive appetizer to $35 for entrees. But, what you save on gas, you can spend on a gourmet meal.

“Two of the most famous dishes featured at Xanadu would be the Chicken or the Beef Xanadu, which comes with the Chef ’s choice of vegetable and a starch,” said manager Joe Couser.

Reservations are highly recommended and Saturday dinners start at 5 p.m. www.xanadurestaurant.com.

Upcoming Events The Pageant -Sept. 14 at 8 p.m.

MUSE w/ The Like $30 [$2 surcharge] -Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.

Cyndi Lauper $35-$40

Creepy Crawl

-Sept. 19 at 8 p.m.

The Early November w/ Steel Train $12- $14 -Sept. 23 at 4:30 p.m.

Ludo w/ Centerpointe and Amsterband $8- $10

UMB Bank Pavilion

-Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.

Chris Brown w/ Ne-Yo, Lil’ Wayne and Dem Franchize Boys $25-$55

-Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles feat. the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra $10-$20 -Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Toby Keith w/ Joe Nichols $32-$65

Mississippi Nights - Sept. 23 at 8 p.m.

Calexico w/ Oakley Hall $15 -Oct. 7 at 8 p.m.

Cursive w/ The Thermals $13-$15

Pop’s

-Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.

The Dave Matthews Tribute Band w/ Eclectic Fusion FREE

The Fox Theater

-Sept. 21 at 8 p.m.

So You Think You Can Dance $28-$48 -Oct. 1 at noon and 4 p.m.

The Cheetah Girls $29-$45

Windsor Crossing

-Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.

Fleur de Lune w/ Tree Heart Orchestra and Shot Shot Oh no! $5

Lafayette Commons -Sept. 21 at 7pm Coffeehouse featuring Lafayette Students *Got an event coming up that you want students to know about? Contact Nicole Castellano in Room 213

photos • Nicole Castellano

In Tune with Nicole

UK’s Aqualung is much ‘brighter than sunshine’ Nicole Castellano • Entertainment Editor

If Coldplay and U2 got married and had a child, it would probably sound something like Aqualung.

The soothing style of Matt Hales can make anyone’s rainy day have that extra sparkle. His only album out, Strange and Beautiful was released in the UK in 2002.

The title track was used over there in a VW Beetle commercial; soon enough everyone wanted that song.

“A friend burned me a mix and that song was on there,” junior Allie Martin said. “I instantly had to burn more from them.”

Hales’ music expresses his feelings of confusion, dealing with adolescence and broken hearts.

Some people may recognize Matt’s music from movies such as Wicker Park {“Strange & Beautiful”} which came out in 2004, and then again in 2005 when A Lot Like Love {“Brighter than Sunshine”} hit the big screen.

Hopefully, you already have your ticket for The Fray, as Aqualung is the opening act.

Unfortunately, tickets are sold out. But you can catch them next in Tennessee.