Teacher busts barriers Est. 1879
By Lily Abromeit
Every day, hundreds of students walk the halls at LHS and say hi to the same people — a best friend, that kid from third hour or that girl who plays volleyball. But what about the students who walk the hallways without a single hello? To special education teacher Jake Thibodeau, these students mean the world. These are the students he helps through every day, goes to movies with on the weekends and loves with all his heart. “I always say I can’t believe I get paid to do what I do because I get to hang out and have fun with some of the most extraordinary kids in the world,” Thibodeau said.
Thibodeau teaches in the autism program at Lawrence High. Students enter the program when they first start school and stay with it throughout their education. Thibodeau’s job helps students get through obstacles in life. As a great metaphor for his job, Thibodeau breaks barriers every day - but not in a common form. When Thibodeau was 11, he started taking Tae Kwon Do lessons to release anxiety he had as a young child. He now teaches martial arts students how to overcome challenges, such as breaking boards or cement blocks. At school, he teaches students to take down their challenges, whether they are academic,
Lawrence High School, 1901 Louisiana St. Lawrence, KS 66046
vocational, social or emotional. “I’m working with them to help them be successful in all areas of life, and I’m trying to get them to be as independent as possible,” Thibodeau said. Every student is different, so Thibodeau works to make a program that is perfect for each one. His goal everyday is to help students be successful. When he sees his students in five years - out of high school and experiencing life in the real world — he hopes they will be fulfilling their potential. “Sometimes it’s so overwhelming because I would be devastated if I see them in a few years and they’ve regressed a lot or they’re not in a
www.lhsbudget.com
job that stimulates them and they’re not in an environment that pushes them mentally and physically,” Thibodeau said. Part of Thibodeau’s desire for success comes from his past. He wishes he’d embraced a different outlook as an LHS student. For Thibodeau, school wasn’t a big deal. Without the expectation of college laid out for him, he didn’t see the need to go. Continued on page four. Teacher and Link Coordinator Jake Thibodeau encourages students to tackle challenges by breaking concrete blocks on the first day of classes for freshmen and sophomores. Photo by Barbara Tholen Vol. 122, Issue 1, Sept. 14, 2011
NEWS Students, teachers dealing with YouTube block Students return to find YouTube blocked, teachers still have access to the website By Kendra Schwartz YouTube, a popular video-hosting website, has become a vital tool used at home and in classrooms. But students throughout the school district have been banned from using YouTube on school computers this school year. Some teachers had long been concerned that students used YouTube for inappropriate or distracting purposes while others embraced it as part of daily lessons. Principal Matt Brungardt said a YouTube decision to allow more mature content prompted the change. “YouTube made a policy change adding R-rated content,” Brungardt said. “Because some of the students are not allowed to watch R-rated movies, the block was placed.” This website has been used by teachers and students alike. Although many students use it for academic-related reasons, others use it to listen to music or watch fun videos during their free time. For some students, YouTube being removed is not a great loss. A few haven't
2 | The Budget
even noticed the effects. YouTube was often used in social studies and English classes, said freshmen Emily Murphy, who found the change has made little difference for her academic experience. Film students at Lawrence High School were previously required to use YouTube for film projects. Junior Keyty Ashcraft is a film student and has noted a significant change in her class. “In film class in the past, we downloaded music from YouTube and used these videos as a source for our projects,” Ashcraft said. These students now have to use other music resources for their projects. The district is helping the film class teacher Jeff Kuhr work around the ban. Senior Leah Towle said most teachers will be unaffected by the ban since teachers still have access to the site. “We used YouTube in choir to watch other people perform songs, listened to various genres in orchestra, and in chemistry watched videos to assist with seeing points differently,” Towle said.
Page Design By Mallory Thompson
Graphic by Victoria Secondine
Sept. 14, 2011
BUDGET staff About The Budget
The Budget is published every three weeks and distributed free of charge to students and faculty at Lawrence High School, 1901 Louisiana, Lawrence, Kan. 66046-2999. The Budget is produced by students in the Journalism II course with occasional contributions from Beginning Journalism, Journalism III and guest columnists. The newspaper’s goals are to inform, entertain and present a forum of expression for students, faculty, administrators and community members. The newspaper is financed through advertising and staff fundraising. The editorial staff is solely responsible for the content of this newspaper, and views expressed in The Budget do not necessarily reflect those of the administration of Lawrence High School or USD 497.
Feedback
Letters to the editor and story ideas may be submitted in room 139 or by e-mail to lhsbudget@gmail.com.
Editorial Board
Taylor Kidder, Online Lily Abromeit, News Mallory Thompson, Sports Yu Kyung Lee, Features Jacob Mason, Design Abby Gillam, Photo
OPINION
YouTube should be restored Block keeps students from using important tool that aids learning By Taylor Kidder During the Aug. 24 assembly, students were informed YouTube was blocked and would remain blocked. They also were told that everything they search for on the Internet would be closely monitored to ensure they are properly educated, and attempts to bypass blocks via proxies would result in consequences. Students were told that this was for their own benefit. It is most certainly not. Many teachers illustrate points and provide tutorials on YouTube. It is an easy-to-use video source
that covers a wide array of topics. Complex science demonstrations, Photoshop tutorials and documentaries are all provided on YouTube and can serve as powerful tools for teachers. Even if teachers do have access to YouTube, giving students the ability to view them on their own is beneficial to both. As well, an important part of many classes is to give a demonstration. In the same way YouTube helps teachers, it can help students. Without YouTube in the school, finding videos is difficult for some students. Many students also learn best while listening to music. YouTube provides a variety of music artists for free who cannot be viewed anywhere else. The streaming nature of YouTube also prevents students who listen to music on it from filling
What’s on your
mind? What is your favorite school tradition? By Morgan Wildeman
“Everybody goes to the football games, and it’s a good friendly atmosphere. Everyone goes to the sporting events here.”
ChandlarThomann senior
Maxwell Butterfield
Staff:
“Dressing up for the Free State game.”
TaylorDoonan junior
“When the students learn the Alma Mater.”
SusanMicka teacher
Business Manager: Susan Bell
Adviser:
Barbara Tholen
“Spirit Week and Red and Black Day.”
TonyCipollaro sophomore
Sept. 14, 2011
problem with YouTube by proxy. If students are watching videos when they are not supposed to, the teacher is to blame, not YouTube. Teachers should be able to see when a student is watching a video instead of doing class work and discipline as necessary. Because blocking YouTube does not address the problem, it does nothing to stop it. The students who view YouTube videos in class will just watch videos on their phones. Effectively, blocking YouTube does nothing but hurt students. It is insulting that the school claims to be educating students for the everchanging world yet block websites that are vital to that world. It would be idiotic for the district to not allow students access to such a meaningful tool for education, crippling educators and students both.
Do you prefer the new schedule or the old schedule? By Ashley Hocking
150 students were polled during fifth hour about the schedule change at LHS.
New Schedule 57%
Advertising Manager:
Anessea Anderson Candace Barnes Mackenzie Breithaupt Azer Chaudhry Jamiera Flowers Sarah Helwani Ashley Hocking Molly Lockwood Ella Magerl Mara McAllister Weston Norris Tiffany Robbins Kendra Schwartz Victoria Secondine Shelby Steichen Morgan Wildeman
up their data storage devices, saving them money and hassle. The reason given when one attempts to access YouTube is that it contains “Mature Content.” This is a lie. YouTube is one of the few websites that has managed to properly deal with “mature content.” Pornography is almost instantly deleted. If something is even the least bit suggestive or contains even a single vulgarity, it is set to only be viewed by users over the age of 18, which is more puritanical than the school even. While “mature content” is the reason given for the block, it is clear there is an ulterior motive. They really want to keep students from spending time on YouTube. This seems like a good reason at first. Students should not watch videos while teachers are lecturing. However, this is only a
“Football games.”
KarmynStarks-Cowper junior
Page Design By Abby Gillam
Old Schedule 42% Neither 1% The Budget | 3
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
A day in the life of a marching Lion
Reporter puts aside notebook to try one day of marching band By MacKenzie Breithaupt
“Get set!” band director Mike Jones shouts to the marching band. Many students at LHS don't know exactly what our marching band members do or how hard they work. Sure, they play instruments and march on our football field to catchy tunes, but many students don’t realize the time and effort band members contribute. As someone who has never been a part of band, I went through an adventure. On Aug. 30, band held its regular 6:30 p.m. Tuesday practice on the LHS football field, and I was there to march. Walking through the gate, I received strange stares and awkward smirks. Fellow flute player junior Lily Abromeit placed me in a line of flutes diagonal from where she was standing. Before I began marching, one of the two objectives Abromeit instructed was to “follow me." Easy enough – until she added to never “get directly behind” her. I nodded, sure of my knowledge of what to do. But as soon as I heard the words “Get set” from Jones, everything Abromeit just plastered in my brain shattered. Thereafter, I was smack dab behind my partner in crime. Not 10 minutes into practice, I was sweating. Wearing a T-shirt and shorts, I couldn’t imagine memorizing and marching these steps in the LHS band uniform — unless the temperature outside was negative five. As I began marching, it was strangely difficult to keep up with everyone around me. Not only was it difficult to remain in the correct position with the other flutes, but I had absolutely no idea where they were going or what I was
supposed to be doing. With a Find pictures and less-than-three videos of Breithaupt's second lesson with Abromeit day in band at about how www.lhsbudget.com. many steps to take left, backward and then right, I ultimately absorbed nothing but which way my feet were instructed to face. Even Jones noticed me sticking out. “Everybody knows where to go and you had no idea,” Jones said later, “and when you don’t have any idea, you stick out. You were in such a place where you were getting in people’s way because you were so close.” I pity flute player and sophomore Elsa Regan for any confusion I caused while marching. It seemed as though every step I took was in the wrong direction and in place of another band member. Thankfully Jones sympathized with me. "We’re going from the normal person who doesn’t know how to march to someone we ask to memorize about eight minutes worth of music and memorize probably about 60 formations in between those,” Jones said. Being previously involved with dance, I imagine marching band is similar to a dance routine — only double time. The students must learn and memorize the music along with all of the formations. Band members spend about five and half hours practicing every week. I give props to them for all the effort they put toward musically supporting LHS. “What kind of day is it?” It’s a great day to be a lion.
Online
Junior MacKenzie Breithaupt smiles up into the sun during her one and only marching band practice Aug. 30. Photo by Abby Gillam
Thibodeau: Student encouraged teacher to rethink career choice Continued from page one After high school, he took after his father and earned certificates for firefighting. But Thibodeau was never certain that was the right path for him. If it weren’t for a special student, Thibodeau might have stayed where he was. While working toward his firefighting certificates, Thibodeau was a personal paraprofessional for a student at Free State High School. During their years together, Thibodeau and this student became close friends and would talk about life. One of those talks happened to be about Thibodeau’s future. “I was thinking about fire fighting, and he just told me flat out, ‘Jake, you need to be a teacher,’ and when he told me that, it just really changed my perspective,” Thibodeau said. “It was his upbeat attitude and the way he tackled life [that made me believe I could do it].” 4 | The Budget
Page Design By Joe Mills
Today, this experience is still the core of what keeps Thibodeau strong. “He’s always going to motivate me when times are tough,” Thibodeau said. For his students to thrive, Thibodeau knows it will take more than the small team in the Autism Program. It will take everyone at LHS. That is one of the reasons Thibodeau became a Link Coordinator, in addition to wanting to do something positive for the school that he didn’t do when he was a student. While making connections with Link leaders, Thibodeau hoped to create opportunities for students with autism and expose the Autism Program. “If I’ve made a connection with some of the Link leaders, when they see me in the hallways, when they see me with my kids, they’ll say hi to me, they’ll say hi to my kids,” Thibodeau said. And really, he said, that’s what
his students want — a simple “Hey” or “How was your weekend.” For Thibodeau, it’s all about compassion. “I know they have busy days but maybe think outside of themselves a little, say hi to kids with special needs and really appreciate what they have been given in life,” he said. “Know that other people are less fortunate and then make a concerted effort to really give back and help people that are less fortunate.” Thibodeau also hopes this will carry through to the future. “Maybe they’ll think back to this high school experience and [think] ‘you know there’s these kids that I saw, and I would really like them to have a good future so I’m gonna vote or I’m gonna put my money toward some of these programs,’” Thibodeau said. All it takes, he said, is just one tiny gesture. Sept. 14, 2011
NEWS
Students miss warning bell by Molly Lockwood Elimination of the warning bell this year is causing problems for some students getting from class to class. Students have responded to the change in positive and negative ways. But the change, whether liked or not, is here to stay. “They don’t have a warning bell anymore because they don’t want students staying in the halls,” security guard Boome-Salazar said. “They just want them to go straight to class.” Many upperclassmen dislike the change. The lack of a warning bell “isn’t eliminating the crowds in the halls, and I hate not having it,” senior Ellen Kyriakos said. “I need to know when there are only two minutes left.” Students had used the bell to guide punctuality. “I think they should have them, so you know when you’re running late and need to speed up,” freshman Grace Barr said. Science teacher Tim Kuhlman said
the bell's removal has been positive. “It was a little disorienting for a while, but I’ve actually had less tardies than I did last year,” Kuhlman said. “Last year they would just wait and go when they heard the warning bell. This year, the students usually go immediately.” Others see the same thing. “It doesn’t really bother me because I head straight to class,” senior Matthew Grom said. Still, senior Maddie Parkus said because there is no warning bell, running into something unexpected makes it easy to lose track of the time. “I was late to class today because my locker wasn’t cooperating,” she said. “When I got it to work, I didn’t know how much time I had left.” English teacher, Kim O’Brien is sympathetic to students. “I think [the bells] do help students get to class on time,” she said. “I didn’t know how much until I heard seniors complain about not having them this year.”
Options considered for Lions Den window by Tiffany Robbins Shut off from their lunchtime snacks, students want to know about the future of the Lion’s Den. Upperclassmen associate the window inside the lunchroom with treats such as Spicy Hot Cheetos and candy. But federal regulations put an end to that this year. According to rules, no clubs or classes may compete with a school lunch program. For the Lion’s Den to continue, only nutritional foods can be sold this year. Jason Crawford’s business classes are taking the reins by brainstorming fresh ideas to keep business booming. Some ideas have potential, including one to offer an ala cart option of smoothies. Changing the name from “The Lion’s Den” to “Chesty’s Sub and Grub” also is being considered. “The idea is to pull kids from the lengthy lines to eat faster,” senior Keegan Russell said. Russell is co-manager of the Den with senior Ryan Schulteis. Sept. 14, 2011
“We want to provide a personal touch so every student feels like they have a say in what they eat,” Shulteis said. Crawford and his students say they are confident this will benefit students and provide the most profit. Previous profits were directed toward trips and activities for the business classes and maintaining the window itself. However, future profits would go to the school lunch program with students using lunch cards for payment. With remodeling left to do, Crawford estimates the smoothie bar won’t be up and running until second semester. But, he and business students hope to sell other foods in the meantime. With 400 additional students, another hope is that the Lion’s Den can help relieve lengthy lines for food in the cafeteria. Junior
Chandler McElhaney said she is looking forward to the changes.
Got a story idea?
“I think it’s a good idea,” she said.
Page Design By Abby Gillam
Tell The Budget.
lhsbudget@gmail.com The Budget | 5
FEATURES
Platt recovers from crash
In print. Online.
lhsbudget.com
History teacher David Platt is back at school after surviving a car crash in May. Photo by Yu Kyung Lee
By Yu Kyung Lee
www.lhsbudget.com 8 | The Budget
A few days after summer vacation began, teacher David Platt cruised down Interstate 70 toward Cincinnati where his cousin lives. Heading the opposite direction, 16-year-old Bethany Budwell, of Marine, Ill., drove through St. Louis pre-rushhour traffic. With Corey Roloefs, a former LHS student, in the driver’s seat, Platt was observing traffic when Budwell’s vehicle suddenly crossed the median. “We were in the outside lane, there was a car beside us, and there were cars behind us,” Platt said. “There was nothing we could do. The only other option we had would be to cross into the opposite lane of traffic, which would not have been a very good option.” Platt realized what was going to happen. “I thought ‘Looks like this is not going to be very good,’” Platt said. Budwell’s car tore through the passenger side of Platt’s SUV. “Corey turned to me and asked, ‘Are you OK?’” he remembered. “I could not respond to him. I was gurgling at the time because I had some internal bleeding.” Platt watched as Roloefs attempted to revive Budwell, who had just finished her sophomore year and was looking forward to being the captain of her cheerleading squad. Her injuries were too severe. She was pronounced dead at the hospital. “It was sad. I kind of knew it at the time of the accident,” Platt said. “Even though I was trapped and couldn’t move out of my car, I still had a line of vision. Corey had actually gotten out and pulled her out of her car, and tried to revive her with CPR. I knew it probably wouldn’t have been good. “I thought at the time too that it probably wasn’t going to be very good for me,” he said. “At that time, I thought I was paralyzed.” Platt was taken to St. Louis University Hospital, where he stayed for nine days. “I had two broken ribs on both sides, my sternum was split, some internal bleeding,” Platt said. “I had blood pooling up specifically between my ribcage and my lungs, which is not good, and my entire right shoulder was crushed. And then I had burns, some up to third degree burns, across my chest.” Page Design By Yu Kyung Lee
“It’s a serious story -- it’s a sad story. I mean a 16-year-old died. She just isn’t there anymore.” — David Platt
Roloefs left the hospital after five days, but later lapsed into a lifethreatening condition. “He actually had to have his spleen removed later,” Platt said. “He almost died when he came back to Lawrence.” Platt told friends and families about his accident, but didn’t initially
share how serious it was. “The night it happened, he texted me and told me that he got in a ‘little accident,’ ” said junior Taylor Vardys, a student and family friend of Platt. “I thought that it was not serious, that he wasn’t that hurt, but when I saw what actually happened on the computer, I was very shocked. I was very worried.” As he recovered, Platt received lots of support and wellwishes. Families and friends visited him during his hospital stay, as well as upon his return to Lawrence. History teacher, Tracey Murray, among others, went to see Platt. “I think he had been back in Lawrence for about a week, and he was doing really well,” Murray said. “He couldn't lie down to sleep, but he walked around and could interact.” Many students, like Vardys, also went to Platt’s house to help with household chores. “That was one of the things that really was the nicest, just seeing how much support and outreach we are getting,” Platt said. “People brought me food, sent letters, and it was almost too much, almost overwhelming. It was nice, but I can’t put any more food in my refrigerator. “It helped your attitude, too,” he said. “You had people there for you that they care enough, so you probably should get back on your feet, so you can start doing what you are supposed to do.” Platt returned this year despite his ongoing recovery. “These are internal injuries that will just heal,” Platt said. “It does make me a bit more tired than usual; my endurance isn’t as strong, but I’m just glad that I can still teach.” Sept. 14, 2011
FEATURES
Student volunteers time in Kenya Junior travels abroad to provide aide for those in need of help By Ella Magerl On the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya, a group of volunteers provided help to Kenyan citizens. Junior Royce Harrison travelled with Kenyan Educational Service Trips along with three other girls and group leader Jennifer Geilings. The goal of the organization is to educate American teenagers and adults to be responsible and effective global citizens, and to show that one person can make a difference only by taking action. “It is enormously satisfying to help people,” Harrison said. Harrison left July 12 and returned Aug. 13. Group members focused on volunteering, not engaging in any sort of tourism while they were there. They created camps for Kenyan school children and helped out doing farm work. The volunteer program in Kenya was called Nyumbani, and it contained three parts. The first was an orphanage in Karen called the Nyumbani Children’s Home. The orphanage is home to more than 100 HIV positive children who were either abandoned or had lost their parents. Harrison and his group were at the orphanage for one week. “Not all of the younger kids were used to seeing white people,” Harrison said. “A kid rubbed one of the girls arms and then checked his hand to see if the white would come off her skin.” The second part of the Nyumbani program took the volunteers to Kitui, a village of about 700 people plagued by the AIDS epidemic. In the village, about 10 children are grouped with grandparents to form families. The goal is to have 1,000 people living in the village. Harrison spent the majority of his trip there, a total of 3 weeks. The third part is called Lea Toto, which means “to raise the child” in Swahili. Lea Toto is a slums outreach program where the volunteers helped provide medical assistance and counsel-
Junior Royce Harrison sits with Kenyan children in the Kitui village during his trip to Kenya. Harrison spent a month volunteering overseas. Photo Courtesy of Royce Harrison
ing. Harrison was only in Lea Toto for one day of his trip. In order to prepare for the trip, Harrison had to take Doxycycline, an anti-malarial drug. He had to take this medicine every day months in advance of going to Kenya, and has to continue taking the drug even after he has returned. Harrison said the drug has unpleasant side effects, such as stomach pains and vivid, intense dreams. The flight to Kenya took 21 hours, plus around 10 hours of layovers. Once they landed,
Harrison recalled seeing a random pile of burning tires along the tarmac. A typical meal consisted of beans and rice, “plus the occasional rock mixed in,” Harrison said. Everything was relatively cheap, too. An avocado cost Harrison a mere 15 cents, and “it was the size of my face,” Harrison said. The volunteers also visited a Masai village, where Harrison went goat herding with one of the Masai warriors. “That was probably the coolest part of my trip,” Harrison said. They had to watch out for snakes and be on the
lookout for unexploded ordinance such as land mines, artillery shells, and other explosives. For Harrison, finding the words that best describe the experience is difficult, but he left Kenya inspired to volunteer again in the future. He hopes to return to Kenya. “It is really difficult to describe because it was such an amazing experience.” Harrison was forever impacted by the people he met and the friends he made. “It's definitely something I’m never going to forget,” Harrison said.
Local volunteer opportunities By Ashley Hocking Jubilee Cafe
From 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Friday at Jubilee Cafe, friendly workers cook breakfast for hungry Lawrencians. Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Location: First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont Street For more information: (785) 841-7500.
Sept. 14, 2011
LINK (Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen)
LINK provides hot meals to hungry and lonely citizens of Lawrence. LINK serves lunch at 1 p.m. every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Location: 221 W. 10th Street. Contact: Greg at (785) 331-3663.
Lawrence Humane Society
To volunteer at the Lawrence Humane Society, you must visit the volunteer coordinator, and you must be at least 16 years old to volunteer by yourself. The Humane Society’s volunteer program is on hold currently, so if you are interested in volunteering, you can contact Casey at (785) 843-6835 or look at its website www.lawrencehumane.org.
Page Design by Yu Kyung Lee
Lawrence Memorial Hospital
High school students can volunteer after school at LMH. To start volunteering, you must send in an application and have a followup interview. Contact: Becki at (785) 505-3146.
The Budget | 9
SPORTS
Optimism abounds for fall sports
LHS athletes have high hopes, especially for match ups against rival Free State teams By Mallory Thompson
Boys Cross Country
Boys cross country started off the season with a first place win at the Manhattan Invitational Tournament Sept. 3. “We’re looking about the same as last year, if not just a little bit better at this point,” coach Brian Anderson said. Seniors Zach Andregg, Reid Hildenbrand and Simon Fangman have been on the team for three past trips to state. “They already have two [first place] state titles under their belt,” Anderson said. “Their goal is to get a third.” All seniors have shown leadership abilities this year. “Zach Andregg is very talented and can push us a lot in practice,” Hildenbrand said. “Simon Fangman is good at pumping us up and working hard. Nathan Stringer and Dylan Orth [too] — everyone pushes each other.” Competing against Free State doesn’t bother Anderson or Hildenbrand. “We will beat Free State,” Hildenbrand said. “We haven’t lost to Free State, and we won’t this year. They’re looking better, but so are we.”
Girls Cross Country
“We haven’t looked this good since 2007,” coach Brian Anderson said. “There are 10 girls ahead of where our fourth girl was last year.” Junior Grace Morgan agrees. “It looks good, there’s a lot more people coming out, so it’s kind of exciting,” she said. The girls team also started the season well at the Manhattan Invitational. The varsity team finished fifth place out of 10 teams and JV took third. When the girls compete against Free State, the team is unsure of what the outcome will be. “I heard they practice a lot, but we’ve been working really hard,” Morgan said. As a result of injuries, Anderson said the outcome will depend on “how long we can keep everybody healthy.”
Football
After a summer of hard work, the football team kicked off the season with a win of 35-12 against Shawnee Mission West. “We’re looking really good,” junior Kharon Brown said. “The defense is getting better, and the offense is figuring it out.” According to Brown, seniors Sean Thomas, Garret Cleavinger and Charles Jackson have been stepping up as leaders. 10 | The Budget
Seniors Reid Hildenbrand and Simon Fangman embrace each other before the mile run at the Jamboree fall sports kickoff Aug. 24. Photo by Amanda Fevurly
“All the seniors have done an outstanding job of leading this team so far,” coach Dirk Wedd said. “As a group they are not loud, but they lead by example, which I prefer.” As for the big game against Free State this year, Brown said the team will “whoop” the Firebirds. Wedd, on the other hand, isn't yet focused on the cross-town rivalry. “When we play them in week nine, which is our last scheduled game, we will worry about them,” Wedd said.
Volleyball
The volleyball team looks strong and focused for this season. Players hope to make it to state. “If we work really hard, we can do it,” senior Kelsey Kilburn said. The three seniors, Kaley Wingert, Christina Haswood and Kilburn are stepping up in many ways. “Our seniors are incredible leaders,” coach Stephanie Magnuson said. “They put everything on the court every day and have set the bar high for the underclassmen.” The nine returners for varsity are anxious to face Free State once again. “It will be a close match, but we can pull out a victory because we have a student section behind us,” Kilburn said. Magnuson shares the same opinion. “We have come out on top the last four times we have met them, so we have every
intention of keeping that winning streak," Magnuson said.
Boys Soccer
“This will be our best year,” junior Dalen Reed said. Coach Mike Murphy is also optimistic about this season. “I think the team will be fun to watch this year,” Murphy said. “They are working hard and learning from their mistakes. We should continue to improve as the season progresses.” Senior Tanner Click is highly respected by both coach and players for his ability to lead the team by example. “He has been pushing everyone to do their best,” junior Dalen Reed said. Click is only one of the eight seniors on the team this year. “The senior class as a whole is a talented group, and I expect all of them to contribute as leaders,” Murphy said. Junior Justin Riley, one of the key players, is captain as an underclassman, a rare sight in some sports. “He had a good year in 2010, and we expect another fine season from him,” Murphy said. The game against Free State is expected to be interesting this year. “We’re going to destroy Free State this year,” Reed said.
Page Design By Mallory Thompson
Girls Tennis
Although the girls tennis team is still adjusting to a season with new coach Chris Marshall, he is happy about the season so far. “I have been very impressed with our numbers and skill set this year,” Marshall said. Senior Taylor Eubanks is optimistic as well. “We have a very strong JV,” Eubanks said. “Our tennis bond is stronger than ever.” Eubanks is valued as one of the few seniors on the team. “Taylor Eubanks has stepped up in several ways,” Marshall said. “She helped organize and was in charge of getting all the players their dresses and shirts for matches. She has organized the snacks for all matches, which has been a big help.” While Marshall has never played Free State before, Eubanks knows their skill. “Free State has a very good team, but they are missing key players and that will get us our edge,” Eubanks said. Marshall looks forward to the challenge and is optimistic about the outcome as long as hard work is put in. “If we all improve and play to our abilities, I think we should be able to compete and win our matches against them,” Marshall said. The tennis team is expected to have a successful season. Continued on page 11. Sept. 14, 2011
SPORTS
Sports off campus By Shelby Steichen At Lawrence High, many students are involved in sports, usually at the school. There are also students at LHS who do not participate on school teams, but are dedicated to sports off campus.
Helen Hawkins
Ballet and jazz, 15 years Would you ever join the school’s pom squad?
Makaela Mason
“I’m not into competitive dance. I want people to come see me dance, not to judge me. It’s an art that should be enjoyed.”
Tae Kwon Do, four years What do you do during practice?
“We practice our forms and work a lot. We do a lot of practical application.”
If there were a Tae Kwon Do team at LHS, would you join? “Heck yeah.”
your homework time?
How does Tae Kwon Do affect
“I bring my homework there sometimes if I’m behind or have a lot, and my instructors even help me with my Pre-Calc when I need it.”
Dallas Conway Rugby, one year
How often do you practice a week?
“I go to one, but we’re suppose to go to two.”
Does rugby affect your homework time? “Yes, completely.”
What is your favorite part about playing rugby?
“Being able to say I play rugby.”
How does dance affect your homework time?
“I don’t like doing homework right after school, and my classes usually go late, so I just stay up later finishing school stuff.”
What’s your favorite part about dance?
“The feeling I get when I dance is indescribable.”
Ami Harvey
Competitive Cheer 11 years What are cheer competitions like? “Pretty much like the ones you see on ESPN. Busy, very loud, usually in a big arena, and tons of sparkles and hairspray.”
How does cheer affect your homework time?
“Usually practice doesn’t get over till 8 or 8:30, so if I don’t have time to do it before 5 I have to do it after.”
What’s your favorite part about cheer?
“Spending time with all my friends. We are all really just a family. Or the adrenaline rush you get performing in front of thousands of people.”
Fall Sports: Teams have high hopes for productive fall Continued from page 10. “We are very deep and competitive team,” Marshall said. “We have several players that are going to help us at varsity and JV this year. It looks like a lot of players worked hard over the summer which has helped a bunch.”
Gymnastics
After almost being cut and getting a coach at last minute, gymnastics has been doing surprisingly well so far. “We’re looking good,” junior Lindsey Fangman said. “Better than last year, we have some pretty good girls.” The team practices with Free State every day and has an accurate image of their competition. When the Lions take on the Firebirds, “It will be interesting,” Fangman said. “Free State is definitely better.” Despite the odds, Fangman believes in the strength of the team. “We work good as a team this year,” Fangman said. Sept. 14, 2011
“There’s not one specific [standout] person.”
Girls Golf
For the first time in 11 years, the 2011 girls golf team got first at a varsity tournament. “Every year we are improving,” senior Anna Koppes said. “This year is even better than the last.” Senior Payton Covert has been standing out as a leader and golfer. “She is very encouraging and good at organizing team bonding outside of school,” senior Alyssa Crider said. The team is confident in their abilities to beat Free State. “At the first varsity tournament, we beat Free State by 76 strokes,” Covert said. “At the second, we got first, and they got last.” Senior Katie Reynolds agrees with Covert. “We’re going to be better,” Reynolds said. “We’re LHS, and you know, that’s just us.” Page Design By Mallory Thompson
red&black
yearbooks
Buy your copy now in the finance office and save! The 2012 yearbook will be handed out in May. The Budget | 11
Friday night lights Photos by Abby Gillam
At the end of halftime at the Lion's first football game Sept. 2, there was a 45 minute delay due to complications with lights. This didn't stop the Lions, who came off the field with a 35-12 win.
Left: Senior Charles Jackson and Garrett Cleavinger celebrate after Jackson's successful play. Top Photo: Senior Katie Reynolds squeezes between trombone player Elliott Klopp and saxophone player Clark Rials during band's halftime performance. Above: The student section gets ready for the traditional roller coaster ride, led by seniors Trevor Champagne and Chandlar Thomann.
yearbook
house red&black ad Buy your copy now in the finance office and save! The 2012 yearbook will be handed out in May.
Sept. 14, 2011
Page Design By Abby Gillam
The Budget | 12