The View Issue 3

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october 29, 2009

View

from Park Hill South

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Haunted Happenings pg. 8 >> With Halloween fast approaching and fall in full

swing, the low temperatures are not the only things that are noteworthy this season

A HELPING HAND

[5]

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

[15]

IT’S THEIR TURN

[6]

issue 3, volume 12

the

what’s

In

issue 3, volume 12

october 29, 2009

>>Store what’s Up

SUPPORTING SIERRA [4] friends Organize to help freshman battling Leukemia HOLLA FOR A DOLLAR [6] ODFL asks students to give a dollar for schools

what’s Hot WHERE THE DEPRESSING THINGS ARE [14] “Where the Wild Things Are” too sad for kids ROID RAGE [12] Favre: Immortal Man

it’s amazing--

“

“

THE WORD [12] mothers That smother

we cook food

and I get to eat it.

-Terra Macken, junior

what’s The Big Idea HAUNTED HAPPENINGS [8] haunted Houses, pumpkin shortages & superstitions

what’s What

BALLOON BOY [3] the View staff takes on the over-inflated story

letter

“ 2

Ignorance is defined as the lack of knowledge or education. Whether it be the lack of knowledge or education in a sport, a time in history or even person, most people are usually unaware they are being ignorant and seem to deny it when they become aware.

The other day I heard someone say so-and-so acted a certain skin color. But what I am ignorant to is how you can “act” a skin color. I think the environment and way someone is raised affects how they act, not their pigment when out of the womb.

Another show of ignorance I encountered the other day was when a student explained how they would refuse to be in the same room as someone because of something that is not at all their fault. All people alike seem to need more knowledge of the world around them, so they don’t make a statement of ignorance that makes them look stupid.

That’s what our goal is here at the View: to educate and inform the student body of facts and topics they are ignorant to. So read and educate yourself. If there is something you want to know about, please let us know. —LAUREN MOORE

“

pg

From The Editor

over-inflated media hype >>

T

he Balloon Boy incident is just another classic case of how gullible society is. Millions of people bit the bait that was a pop corn bag floating high in the air of Colorado. How many people stopped to think “how could a 47 pound kid float miraculously in a 15 pound piece of tin foil?” Approximately ZERO. This just goes to show how smart major broadcast networks are. Apparently in the world of 24-hour news, truth is no longer necessary, as is good judgment.

The Heene's, the family that was behind the hoax, was obviously desperate for air time when they were involved in the show “Wife Swap” not only once, but twice. In their latest attempt at fame, Mr. Heene seemed to think that pretending his 6-year-old son Falcon being in the balloon was a good idea. On paper, this sounds ridiculous. But on live broadcast television, it’s genius.

Not only are the people of CNN, Fox News and MSNBC stupid, but the Heene's are as well. Did they honestly believe that all of America would buy into a giant weather balloon carrying their son off into the galaxy? And why in the world would they think that Falcon wouldn’t spill the beans on ''Larry King Live''?

Especially when it comes to something important, all children are rather honest with their parents.

In the end, this whole incident was blown out of proportion. Big, bonehead broadcast stations should be reporting news such as war and national issues instead of buying into the antics of lying, limelight starving parents. This whole event just makes society not trust media organizations for something they had no control over--something we, as journalists, are affected by.

People quite simply need to be more critical of themselves and of anything else they may hear.

Otherwise we will continue to perpetuate and glorify these hoaxes as real news.

—THE VIEW STAFF EDITORIAL

what’s What

on Oct. 15, the world watched as ''balloon boy'' allegedly soared over Colorado. Turned out it was a hoax, but the media circus had already begun. The staff takes on the hype as members of the media.

other famous media HOAXES 1956 QUIZ SHOW 1994 SUSAN SMITH 2005 BRIDE RUNAWAY Mother Susan Smith publicly claimed her car had been stolen by an “African American man” with her two children inside. A massive manhunt ensued, but a week later, Smith admitted to rolling her car into a lake with her two kids inside.

1938

Jennifer WIlbanks disappeared the day before her wedding and called her husband-to-be to say she was abducted by a Hispanic couple.

Turned out she just had cold feet.

WAR OF THE WORLDS

Thousands of New Jersey listeners panicked after hearing the radio broadcast of Orson Wells’ “War of the Worlds” novel on CBS radio. They believed the report of alien invasion to be real, but it was just fictional performance.

The producer of the “Twenty-One” game show secretly coached contestants to get ratings. When the rigging was uncovered, investigators revealed many game shows guilty of cheating their viewers for years.

2008

BIG FOOT

Two scientists claimed to have the legendary Big Foot’s corpse in their freezer. After a press conference, it turned out to be nothing more than a gorilla suit.

pg

3

supporting sierra T

eam is typically a title reserved for sports, but in special cases, team can be a community of people who come together for a common goal.

The word team in “Team Sierra” is used to represent a support system for freshman Sierra King’s battle with leukemia.

King’s team of 34 people was started with a suggestion from long time friend, Anna Schaeffer, sophomore.

The Natural Helpers club is sponsoring the fundraiser under the leadership of Melodee Patterson, counseling. Based on the number of students at the first meeting, Schaeffer said she was happily impressed.

“I am so excited that students are already supporting Sierra. We haven’t even begun to sell [bracelets] yet and the support is amazing,” said Schaeffer.

King is a freshman and just recently got diagnosed with leukemia. At only 14 years old, she is scared but holding up well, according to her friend Jessica Hayes, freshman. King has been living in Children's Mercy Hospital for over seven weeks and has yet to make an appearance at South this year. King was diagnosed

Students work to raise money for freshman battling leukemia

the Thursday before the school year started.

Team Sierra is holding a fundraiser to raise money for King’s treatments. The members are selling yellow bracelets, similar to the Livestrong bracelet, that say “Team Sierra” on them. They are being sold at lunch for $2 and any other donation can be made there.

The word has gotten around, according to senior Matt Gehrke.

Schaeffer said she was worried that the upperclassmen would not participate because “a lot of them do not directly know Sierra or of the cause.” This has not been the case.

“I heard about [the fundraiser] and my great aunt has leukemia, too and it really touched my heart,” said Gehrke, who purchased a bracelet.

Anyone who buys a bracelet is given a paper red heart that they can sign their name on and add a message of support. These red hearts will be placed on the windows by the exit in the freshman hallway until the very last bracelet is sold. Then the hearts will be given to King.

“Everyone should donate because it lets Sierra know that we are rooting for her,” said Schaeffer. “Plus it’ll be an awesome support system for when she returns to school.”

— AMY WILLSEY

a difference DECA makes >>Fundraising efforts by students make impact for JDRF Last year, every wall of the lunch room was covered with shoes to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). These shoes are going to be sold again at DECA's school store and this year, members are hoping to sell even more.

JDRF is a charity that raises money to help cure Type I Diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes.

These projects were started by and are led in large part by seniors Taylor Spooner and Jessica Nall.

“It is giving back,” said Spooner. “A lot of people at our school are very blessed and there are a lot of people in the world that need help.”

Spooner said she started raising money when she was ten after Austin Dorrell, a diabetic, moved in next door. Since then she has raised about $40,000 by sending out letters to family and friends, car washes and once, she even started a lemonade stand that went on to raise $700 alone.

These fundraising efforts did not slow down as she reached high school. Some students may remember last year's ''kiss a pig'' contest that concluded with more than one teacher kissing a pig in front of the entire student body. And while the ''kiss a pig'' contest was wildly successful, according to sponsor Michelle Goodner, DECA is hoping to raise even more money this year.

“People are already aware of the project,” said Goodner. “With the experience of doing it one year we are better prepared for this year.”

Goodner, who has entrusted the project almost entirely to Spooner and Nall, could not give any indication of what other fundraiser might arise, but students should plan to come prepared to buy a shoe for a dollar at lunch to support the cause. pg “It is not as much about the money as it is about teaching young people that you can make a difference in the world,” says Goodner. “It’s our responsibility to show young people that it is not only doable but easily doable.” — SAM PETERSON

4

A Helping Hand

T

said he thought this cause was worthy of his money.

“I think it’s important because it can affect anybody at anytime. Your mom could get it, your friend or family member could have it.

Buying these gloves gives back and you know you're supporting the people who have had it, have it or will have it in the future,” said Reardon.

Gardner also believes that doing this would benefit the welfare of others.

“It’s a common problem that people need to be aware about, because you never know when it could affect your life in some way,” said Gardner.

The idea and intent may be considered honorable to some, but the true story lies in the symbolism that a football player has with a breast cancer patient.

“Cutters’ goal is to create thousands of pink glove impressions on football fields across the country in October because this unusual sight will generate additional interest in Breast Cancer Awareness, and hopefully motivate others to get involved,” said Laura Beraznik, Cutters’ Co-Founder and Brand Manager said to one reporter. “Moreover, the stereotype of a tough, rugged football player represents the incredible strength required and displayed by those fighting cancer.”­­—MATT SWIHART

what’s Hot

here are a million and one ways that a person can show their support for breast cancer.

Pins, shirts, marathons, anything one thinks possible is done somewhere in the world. But three junior football players took initiative to try and be pioneers in the field of breast cancer awareness.

Juniors Austin Green, Kevan Reardon and Lucas Gardner all own pink football gloves, have worn them for every football game in October and plan on wearing them tomorrow night against Oak Park. October is well known for being breast cancer awareness month, but some players on other teams seem to forget that.

“Blue Springs was hatin’ on [the gloves] and were making fun of us coming out of the locker room, but I think after the game they thought they were cool because they figured out what they were for,” said Green.

Green was not the only one trying to spread the word. Eastbay.com gave away 1,000 free pairs of these pink gloves. For every $45 pair that is purchased, half of the money goes to breast cancer research. Reardon

Football players show their soft side for breast cancer

>>Above: One of the Cutter gloves that Green, Reardon and Gardner each wear. >> Left: Junior Austin Green runs down field following another catch in the game Oct. 16 against Park Hill.

Photo by Paige Pendell

Rock for Babies >> Nov. 20 at 8 p.m., Mix93.3 will host a “Rock For Babies” concert with Five for Fighting at the Midland Theater. Proceeds will benefit the March of Dimes.

Dress Down Days >> On Oct. 1, teachers paid $5 towards breast cancer research to wear jeans to school. Teachers were also able to do this on Oct. 15 for “Dress Down for Down Syndrome” day. The money went to the Down Syndrome guild.

Jingle Bell Run >> Nov. 22 at 9 a.m, the Jingle Bell Run will held at Zona Rosa.

The money will go towards arthritis research. Sign up at jbrkc.kintera.org.

Scholarship Bake Sale

>> Dan Burnett, 504 Coordinator, asked teachers to donate baked goods for him to sell at lunch. All the proceeds went to the Evie Penn Memorial Scholarship. $800 has been raised so far, but Burnett is looking to ultimately get $2,000.

pg

5

>>Holla for a Dollar ODFL raises interest around South

M

ost people can afford to give up something little each day: not getting that last dollar of gas, getting a water at lunch instead of a Gatorade, or even maybe not having a Caribou Coffee every morning. These are just some of the things that students can give up buying to donate a dollar to South’s new organization, ODFL. ODFL or “One Dollar For Life” is a club sponsored by Lindsay Hern, art. The group asks students to donate a dollar a day to raise money to rebuild schools in developing countries.

“Last year we went to Nicaragua, which had a school with trash bags for walls,” said Hern.

ODFL originated in California, then was brought to South

by Hern. The idea was thought of by a student and two teachers to get gradual donations from students to raise money.

“What will happen is the last week in October, we will advertise ODFL, then Nov. 2-6 we will give each first block a box and each day they will pass it around and each student will put in a dollar,” said Hern.

She explained that the whole idea of donating a little each day is because it seems like people are donating less when in reality it will be the same as a large donation.

“When you ask for a flat donation it sounds like a lot,” said Dean Frazier, senior.

Frazier is one of the few students chosen to be a part of ODFL. Hern sent an e-mail to teachers last year asking for names of students with good leadership skills.

“We kept it a smaller group this year, but hope to branch out in later years,” said Hern.

Students like Christopher Hamilton, senior, have heard about the club and would like to be involved. “[I would like to be a part of ODFL] because I like to help people and it would be a a great thing to be a part of,” said Hamilton.

So to students at South, ODFL is asking to please give up that one extra dollar students could do without and help someone who really needs it.­­—LAUREN MOORE

pg

6

Give one dollar each day in your first block

Nov. 2-6

IT’S their

Varsity sports not the only topic of disscussion in South’s halls this fall season

TURN

Freshman sports are not normally a topic of discussion among the South student body, but after near-perfect starts to their seasons, the freshman football, soccer and volleyball teams are turning some heads.

The freshman football team was undefeated through 6 games, the freshman soccer team was 10-1 through 11 games and the freshman volleyball team was undefeated through 14 games.

The freshman football team is having an impressive start to the season and looking towards an undefeated season. It has been a couple of years since the freshman football team has seen this kind of success.

“We have discipline and a lot of talent on the team we stay focused to,” said Marcus Harris, freshman running back.

Focusing on the goal is an important part of success. Discipline is not jumping offsides on a hard count or just committing stupid penalties at the wrong time.

“The coaches made sure that we were prepared during the summer camps and workouts. They told us what to expect from the teams we are playing,” said Harris.

The football team is not the only freshman sport that has had success at the beginning of their season. The soccer boys were 10-1 in their first ten games with their only loss coming on Oct. 12 to Lee’s Summit North.

“We have good team chemistry because most of us play on the same club team,” said Kevin Briody, freshman midfielder.

Some of the freshman victories have not come easily. Their first game was against Oak Park on the road and they won 2-1. Others have also not been so close. On Sept. 6 they defeated rival Park Hill 6-0.

“We are pretty much a big group of friends,” said Briody.

The volleyball team has also joined in on all the freshman teams’ success. The freshman volleyball team was undefeated up to the 14 game mark. In recent years the conversation about volleyball has been all about the Varsity team but now it was the freshman’s turn.

“We really work well as a team. We just seem to click as a team,” said Savanna Chojnacki, freshman.

According to the freshman athletes, teamwork has played a major part in their success. Game planning plays a critical part in a teams success as well.

“The coaches made sure we were prepared for the opponents,” said Chojnakci.

Varsity athletics aren't the only sports that need all the attention now. Freshman are the future of South and freshman athletes are the future of the athletic program.

—CODY MEADE

16-0

7-1

15-1

Post Secrets Write Secrets on Index Cards and they will be Published in our November Issue!

Rules: R ulles: Appropriate Appropriate Short S hort Simple Simple Artistic Artistic Drop Box in Room C200 pg

Due Date: Friday, November 6

7

haunted happenings

M

ost people are aware of the fabled Beast and Edge of Hell haunted houses located in the somewhat well-known West Bottoms district. They have been shown on TV and have dominated the haunted house scene for years, but not many people have given much attention to the Macabre Cinema and the Chambers of Edgar Allan Poe. These two haunted houses are relatively new and a portion of the proceeds go to the Dream Factory. Tickets cost $20 each, or go to both for $33. The two houses are located right next to the Beast and Edge of Hell, so if nothing else, you can go to these two haunted houses when you don't want to wait in a long line. And trust me, you will not have to wait in a line. My group basically walked right into the Chambers of Edgar Allan Poe on a Friday night in October.

The first place we went was the Macabre

pg

8

Lesser Known Frights

The Chambers of Edgar Allan Poe and Macabre Cinema provide alternative in a dominated scene

Cinema. It's pretty obvious that the Chambers of Edgar Allan Poe is dedicated solely to the works of Edgar Allan Poe, but I actually did not know that the Macabre Cinema is just a recreation of many different horror movies. They've created pretty accurate replicas of the sets of ''The Exorcist,'' ''Halloween,'' and ''Nightmare on Elm Street.'' It was pretty cool thinking that maybe I would see Freddy Krueger and Jason Vorhees, but really it sort of falls flat. As far as recreations of classic horror movies, they have that down, but if there are 30 rooms in the haunted house, it seemed like there were only 25 people working, and they were far more dedicated to their characters than actually scaring us.

The focus on the sets in Macabre actually hurts it because they have to light it so brightly, but in the Chambers they really don't even make very elaborate sets, they just shut off the lights. It was odd seeing hotel rooms from ''The Shining'' but the simple fact that it was from a scary movie didn't make it scary. In that sense, it comes off as sort of half-baked.

The Chambers of Edgar Allan Poe was the exact opposite. All of the refrences to Edgar Allan Poe stories were really kind of half-hearted and they didn't really seem to care about making you reminisce about the plot of ''The Pit and the Pendulum,'' but instead just focused on trying to scare you. It definitely seemed like they had more people working and there wasn't much focus placed on the sets.

From what I had heard, I expected the Macabre Cinema to be totally legitimate while the Chambers of Edgar Allan Poe would be a children's haunted house of some sort. The opposite wound up being true. While Macabre Cinema was very nostalgic towards its subject matter, the Chambers of Edgar Allan Poe didn't even try for a very literary approach.

In the end, neither of them were actually very scary.

I mean, the Chambers of Edgar Allan Poe was relatively scary, but it can't really hold a candle to the maze of the Beast or the Edge of Hell. So if you want to say you went to a haunted house, or act big for your britches, then these two haunted houses are perfect. They have all the pomp and circumstance of a haunted house without the guts to finish it off. —SAM PETERSON

& &

tradition superstition

superstitions

superstition>> ''If you see a dog and it snarls at

you, then you will wake up in the middle of the night unable to breathe, with bite marks on your neck.''

Logan Reser, 12

tradition>> ''Eating the candy I'm supposed to be passing out.''

Zac Covault, 12

--Burning a candle inside a jack-o-lantern on Halloween keeps evil spirits and demons at bay.

--The superstition doesn't just apply to black cats; a white cat on Halloween is very bad luck for the next year too.

--Ringing the doorbell to trick-or-treat helps ward off evil spirits for the entire following year.

--AMY WILLSEY

pumpkin shortage leaves families traditionless

I

t is normally tradition to gather around the kitchen table and carve a jack-o-lantern for Halloween.

This year, a gourd might have to be plan B for families wanting to carve something. The national pumpkin shortage could possibly put a damper on the trick-or-treaters' fun.

“It is really regional and hit and miss,” said Steve Frey, owner of Red Barn Farm.

Red Barn Farm is a farm where parents like to take their children to pick the year's jack-o-lantern.

It has been owned by Frey and his wife for 20 years.

“I have really had one of the best crops that I have had in a while, so it is really hard to call it a full shortage,” said Frey.

The shortage is not just affecting farmers on the coast but it’s hitting home as well. It is affecting the canned pumpkin supply also. Thanksgiving pumpkin pies are in jeopardy all over the United States.

“I went to the store with my mom and there was no canned pumpkin on the shelves,” said Dana Willsey, senior.

The fresh pumpkin shortage may not be affecting the Kansas City area that much but canned pumpkin is being affected the most.

“I was disappointed, we didn’t get our pumpkin muffins,” said Willsey.

According to The Washington Times, the pumpkin shortage has to do with a very rainy spring. The rainy weather is leaving pumpkins green and still on the vine. The biggest threat to a pumpkin that is still green and is cut off the vine is that is will start to rot and gather mold. To ripen, a green pumpkin needs a lot of sunlight and warmth.

That is what poses the problem for the pumpkin farmers; the cloudy weather doesn't allow sunlight through.

There is also a pumpkin fungus that is attacking the orange fruit in the field. A combination of the high temperatures and rain cause the fungus to form and attack the defenseless pumpkins.

Carving pumpkins has been a tradition for decades and now that is threatened by fungus, rain and heat. —CODY MEADE

what’s The Big Idea

the great pumpkin scare

pg

9

Foreign Affairs

F

>>German exchange students share their culture with South

or two weeks, students from across the sea travel all the way to South to experience a change in culture.

The differences between American culture and German culture can be staggering when crushed into a mere two weeks, but at the same time, there are no differences at all.

“They are very similar to us,” said Alicia Mitchell, senior, who hosted German exchange student Karolin Tigiser. “They’re just like us. The only thing I ever noticed was they’re really quiet and their eating habits are really weird.”

Germans, unlike Americans, have a much healthier diet consisting mainly of fruits and vegetables.

“The food [here] is too fatty and unhealthy,” said Katharina Schwamm, German exchange student. “We eat more vegetables and fruit. We don’t eat so many hamburgers and fries so often.”

Before coming here, teachers typically forewarn the students to eat whatever fruits and vegetables they can get their hands on when they can, as they will not see them often.

Another major difference between Germany and America is the schools.

“I think it would be good if we could put the German school and this school together,” said Schwamm. “I like how you can choose your subjects and only have four classes, but I don’t like the schedule.”

Now imagine life without school sports, without clubs, without any after-school activities.

According to Meredith Williams, foreign language, that’s Germany.

She said their schools are purely academic and gear the students towards preparing for college.

They don’t even have Prom.

“It would be better if the school could provide those activities,” said Schwamm.

Originally, the German hosts were going pg to hold a pseudoHomecoming/Prom for the German

10

exchange students as a way to make up for their lack of one in Germany. But, according to Mitchell, due to unforeseen cultural issues, the idea was dropped.

“I feel sorry for everyone it didn’t work out for,” said Corinna Pfleiderer, the German exchange teacher. “I feel very sorry actually, mainly for the Americans, but for everyone.”

Despite this, there was still a goodbye party for the German >>The German exchange students pose outside with their teacher students before they left Oct. 17. before leaving Oct. 17. Photo by: Jennifer Coloma While some host and exchange student pairings faced unresovable culture differences, others, like exchange student Lukas Roese and his host Luke Breeding, senior, said they got along perfectly.

“It’s fun to have them here,” said Breeding.

In order to learn more deeply about each other’s culture, in the foreign language classes the students gathered into a large discussion group and exchange questions with one another. There may be cultural differences, but general student curiosity existed on both sides.

“Everybody loves being here,” said Pfleiderer. “They’re very enthusiastic.”

To students that may wish to participate in the program in the future, a kernel of advice from Mitchell is to make sure to have enough contact with the person to know how it will be as a host.

“If you can get them out of their room they're nice,” said Kramer.

There may have been some clashes between our culture and theirs, but overall, the two week foreign exchange program did its job: giving students real-life experience of what Germany is like and providing German students the chance to perfect their English. “[The exchange program] is awesome,” said Williams. “This is the best and most real way to learn a language-- the most authentic way.”

— JENNIFER COLOMA

German slang to

English

“Was gibt’s?” Slang for “What’s up” Direct translation: “What gives?”

-Meredith Williams, foreign language “Ich liebe dich. Ich hasse dich. Du saugst.”

Direct translation:“I love you. I hate you. You suck.”

-Alicia Mitchell, senior “Doch.”

Slang for “Whatever” for yes/ no questions Direct translation: “But” or “yet” -Emily Kramer, senior

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RAGE

>> ROID

T

Immortal Man

o most people’s surprise, Brett Favre his career in Oakland in 2001, posting two decent seasons returned for yet another season following until face planting in cow maneur. Desperate not to end on a dramatic 2009 offseason. This 40-year- a low note, Rice washed his face (hopefully), and then went old man is now the second oldest player to Seattle in 2004. After another sub-par season, Rice finally in the NFL, next to the Patriots’ Junior Seau, who I believe to gave in to father time after being cut from the Seahawks. He be clinically insane. Needless to say, Favre is right up there finally hung up the pads at the age of 42. with Seau. So when does it end? When does enough become The thing that all of these men have in common is that they enough for Favre? It never will, because I’m convinced Favre were once living legends. They were some of the great faces is immortal. of the NFL. They all were successful players, and they all had What’s the big deal anyway? Some gray-bearded madman great potential to still be. Age just caught up to these three is tossing the pigskin around in greats, and they had to give in. This is professional football. Big deal. He’s where Favre joins a league of his own. doing it well. With 1681 yards and Favre has actually done better later 12 touchdowns, Favre is showing in his career, throwing for 7,627 yards all doubters that he is very capable the last two seasons. That’s only 139 of continuing to play. Not to mention less yards than when he led the Packers that he is leading one of the most to a 26-6 record and two Super Bowls potent offenses in the NFL with an undefeated record. These during the ‘96 and ‘97 seasons. Not to mention, Favre had an statistics actually make Favre more sane than some other extra seven games to throw only 139 yards more in those two oldies that stuck around. Take Seau, Doug Flutie and Jerry seasons.

Rice, for example.

All these signs point to Favre being immortal. He wreaks of Seau is entering his twentieth season in the NFL manliness, throws footballs so hard dogs miles away can hear compared to Favre’s nineteenth. He’s even a little older the seams whistle, rocks a nice pair of Wrangler jeans and than Favre by 10 months and Seau is also a linebacker, the he’s only getting better with age. All this being said, I will be most physically demanding position in football. He broke sourly disappointed when I cannot watch a 92-year-old Favre his arm last season, keeping him out until the Patriots’ toss another touchdown to add to his great and ever-living last four games of the regular season. Favre is at least legacy. —MATT SWIHART protected by five men that could eat your mother. Seau *All statistics from espn.com or databaseSports.com takes on those men head-tohead.

Almost everyone remembers the great Flutie. Everyone in Buffalo loved Flutie Flakes, and Anyone who has seen TLC’s newest example pitches so she could do scales. for good reason. Flutie threw for exploit hit since “Jon & Kate PLus 8”, I really hope they all know they look 7,582 yards and 47 touchdowns “Toddlers and Tiaras”, has enjoyed completely insane. I, who was standing in his three years in Buffalo. giggling at their televisions at the inbetween these nutso's without my In the ‘98 and ‘99 seasons, ridiculous “parenting” that the has-been parents, could not wait to leave and never Flutie led the Bills to the AFC typically overweight mothers engage in. be associated with these people again. wild card game, which is their However, when you see these carnies The sad thing is that everyone knows last appearance in the playoffs in action in real life, it crosses the border a parent like this in whatever activity since. Remember, Flutie was 37 from amusing to kind of upsetting. they participate in. It's probably a result and 38 years old during those I was at a choir audition at one of those of all the social networking technology seasons. So what happened Lee's Summit schools a few weeks ago, that 40-year-olds are now discovering. to Flutie after? He was traded and I was grossed out by all of the overly Parents can keep up with their offspring to San Diego and eventually to involved parents. I watched three or more virtually to live vicariously through New England. Granted, Flutie mothers press their ears against closed them and avoid having their own lives. was a fluke during the rest of his doors in a vain attempt to hear their Sounds like an awesome plan. career. But his great play earlier cherub child's angelic voice descending It's nice to have involved parents who in his career still allowed for him from the heavens while they close their keep up with their kids and know their to be in the league up to his eyes and sway. Awkwardly. children as actual people, but some of forty-third birthday.

Then, before her daughter went into these parents need to get some hobbies.

Our last senior citizen is the sight-reading competition, one of the Moms, go join a bunco league. Dads, the great Jerry Rice. Rice is socially incompetant moms immediately make a fantasy football team. Get off hands down the best receiver whipped out her cell phone and called your Facebook pages and stop writing on in NFL history. Snagging 1,549 eight of her closest mom friends (they your kids' walls that you love them and passes for 22,895 yards and probably all have the same Kate Gosselin wish they had a good day. Maybe you 197 touchdowns, Rice was a haircut) and asked them to start praying raised your kids well enough that they'll dominant player for her daughter because she looked be able to find their own pitches and sing in the league for pg nervous. The mom on my other side was their own scales without you holding their a whole decade helping her daughter warm up her voice, hands. —JULIA SUMPTER (‘86-’96). Rice then and was audibly giving her daughter some decided to continue

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just caught up to Age these three greats

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and they had to give in.

Mothers

The Word

That Smother

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Last Minute

Knit Hat

$3.00

Halloween Hockey Mask

$2.00

Costumes

H

alloween is two days away and you still don’t have a costume - much less any idea of what you are going to wear. Panic begins to set in.

What. To. Wear.

Here are some quick ideas and tips for those last minute desperate situations. Don’t worry. It’s only Halloween, no vampire will eat you alive if you don’t have the perfect costume. — JENNIFER COLOMA

$9.50

Extra

Extra

Old make-up hiding in your closet: Free

Bat stuffed under your bed for when your sister or mother hear strange noises and send you to investigate: Free

what’s Hot

Camouflage Hoodie

Cat Headband

Total

$14.50 + Imagination

$1.00

7 Costume Making Tips

1.

2.

3.

4.

Start with a picture of who you are going to be.

Go around to thrift stores and look for pieces of the costume. Find as much of the costume whole as possible; it saves time with editing and making individual pieces of the costume.

Depending on what you want to be, you can go to different stores. Thrift stores are good for zombies.

When dying hair, use temporary dye and buy lots of spray cans.

5.

6.

7.

“Don’t buy a complete Halloween costume—it makes it too uniform and common. Your own costume stands out much more.”

— Ryan Sprague, junior.

“If you don’t have a pattern, it’s extremely easy to make.

Get paper and a shirt. Turn the shirt inside out, put the sleeves in, trace it and you have your pattern [to sew clothes].” — Jessica Moore, senior.

“You could always tear up your existing clothes and paint them to look like you want them to.” — Jessica Moore, senior.

Scarf

$3.50

Cat Gloves

$3.00

Total

$7.50 + Creativity

pg

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>>Where the depressing things are

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Bring tissues to the theater for this kids book adaptation

children’s book is usually full of wonder, imagination and, most of all, happiness. The children’s book “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak is the tale of a boy named Max who causes mischief in his home, resulting in his mother sending him to bed with no dinner.

His imagination soon gets the best of him and his room turns into a sea where he sails to an island where the “wild things” roam. Max declares himself king of the wild things and the “wild rumpus” starts.

But soon Max misses home and finds the supper he wasn’t suppose to have waiting nice and hot for him when he returns. A happy story, right? I can’t say the same about the movie.

“Where the Wild Things Are” the movie was directed by Spike Jonze and in true Spike Jonze character, it was odd and depressing. The character of Max, played by newcomer Max Records, is a troubled boy who runs around in his wolf suit and starts trouble. However, the trouble he causes basically amounts to throwing temper tantrums. His sister's friends

smash his igloo, so he wrecks her room.

His mom starts dating another man, so he throws a fit and bites her. Max runs out of the house after a freak out with his mother and ends up on a boat (as in the book) to the land of the wild things. Right away we see that these “things” are angry, or in some cases, sad. Carol, voiced by James Gandolfini, smashes houses that belong to the other things because of his anger. He, like Max, also throws a lot of fits.

This movie is full of morbid and dark times and, in my opinion, was not made for little kids. A child should not endure such sadness. Now, I’m not at all saying the movie was bad. It had a lot of lovable moments, like when Max and the wild things are playing and having fun, the plot was very interesting and the visual effects kept my attention the entire time. The only problem I had was how sad the characters were most of the time. Most people going to a movie based on a children’s book wouldn’t expect to be almost in tears by the end. I get the fact that the “things” were supposed to be based on Max’s loneliness, but that is not how the book

>>

portrayed it.

Overall I give this movie two and a half stars out of four, because frankly I didn’t know how to feel about it afterward.

One moment I was giggling and the next I was scared of the “things” trying to eat Max. I advise people to go see this movie, but please try not to be in a deep saddened state when you exit the theater. —LAUREN MOORE

HEAT turned up @ Sprint Center

buy the Nashville Predators with the plans of moving the At the Sprint Center the Miami Heat and New Orleans Hornets team to the Sprint Center. This possibility came to an end played an exhibition NBA game on October 15. This was the when Biaggio ran into some legal and financial issues over second straight year that a summer league NBA game was unpaid loans. Since then, there has been no real threat of held at the Sprint Center. another professional franchise coming to the Sprint Center.

Several South students attended the game. Christian “[We need these games] because people are tired of Walker, senior, sat in a box suite at the event. going to the Chiefs and and Royals,” said Walker.

“It’s a fun summer league game to watch,” he said.

Williams had the same cynical attitude towards starting a Senior Aaron Williams sat a couple of rows behind the new franchise. commentators.

[We need these games] because “If we have two bad teams we This game featured young of going to the might as well take our chances with NBA stars like Dwayne Wade are another one,” said Williams. and Chris Paul. Chris Paul Lauren Taylor, senior, was also averaged a double-double -Christian Walker, senior at the game and he was rooting for last year, and Dwayne Wade the Heat more than particular players. average over 30 points a game last.

“I’ve been a Heat fan forever,” said Taylor.

Since it was just an exhibition game most of the starters This game could also meaningful to many people did not get the usual large amount of playing time, but because there were players from local colleges playing in nonetheless this game definitely did not lack star power. this game. For Walker it was Micheal Beasley.

Dwayne Wade had 14 points and six assists. Chris Paul “He was drafted out of Kansas State and that’s where I had six points seven rebounds and four assists. This star want to go,” said Walker. power was an attraction for fans like Williams.

Michael Beasley showed up for the local fans with “CP3 [Chris Paul] because he holds it down for the point a double-double. Beasley registered 11 points and 11 guards,” said Williams.“It’s fun to see players like Dwayne rebounds in 28 minutes of action Wade and Chris Paul.”

Be it the big names, local players or the excitement of The overall consensus was that Sprint Center should foreign teams in Kansas City. Taylor had a positive attitude host teams on a more permanent basis. The pg about the whole experience. people of Kansas City have been taunted with “It’s a good thing NBA teams came, it brings fun stuff rumors of a professional franchise coming here,” he said. “Everyone should go.”­—EVAN WHITE to Kansas City. In 2008, rumors reached a climax when William Del Biaggio tried to

“

14

people

tired

”

Chiefs and Royals.

W

South students practice for school musical, “Once Upon a Mattress” on Oct. 22. Photos by Julia Sumpter

ritten as an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, “The Princess and the Pea,” South’s fall musical, “Once upon a Mattress,” involves princesses, castles and men in tights.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover, there’s more to someone than you see on the outside, good wins over evil, true love triumphs. It’s about all of that,” said musical co-director, Elizabeth Brockhoff.

Despite its fantasy nature, cast members assure the audience that they will be able to relate.

“There’s lots of boy-girl drama, which everyone can relate to. There are crazy overbearing parents that get what they deserve in the end, and there are lots of funny jokes with good ‘that’s what she said’ innuendos,” said Jordan Locke, junior, who plays one of the leads, Princess Winnifred.

The cast and crew describe it as laugh out loud funny with «over the top comedy.

“It is very visually appealing with lots of big dance numbers and

colorful costumes,” said senior Katie Camlin who plays Locke’s antagonist, the Queen. “I think that people will be entertained. It’s a funny show,” Camlin said.

The cast features over 35 different members, and by the time of opening day, over 150 people will be involved from tech crew to make-up crew to band and orchestra players in the pit.

Everyone involved in the production has to be committed and work hard to get along.

“We have rehearsal every day and the beginning of the rehearsals are only like two hours. By the end, when we are getting down to the wire, they can be five or more,” said Camlin.

When the cast spends so much time together (rehearsals started on Sept. 14), it can become difficult to focus on working as a team and staying positive. However, this year the cast and crew members said they have displayed great camaraderie throughout rehearsals.

“They really help each other out. They work like a team,” said Brockhoff. “It’s a good group. They

help with getting people rides [to and from rehearsals] and reminding them about practices and things like that,” Brockhoff said.

Both Brockhoff and co-director Vicki Witt said they have been impressed by the maturity of the cast.

“We are both really pleased with the cohesiveness of the group. Everyone is really good at supporting each other and helping out. The older kids have gone out of their way to step out and help the younger kids,” said Witt.

In mid-November, after the cast, crew, pit members and directors have invested countless hours, the two-hour production will finally be ready for opening day. On Nov. 12, 13 and 14, the doors of the South auditorium will be opened to a world filled with fairy tale magic and true love.

Tickets go on sale the week before and the week of the show for six pg dollars.

—JULIA SUMPTER

15

Dashboard Confessional @ Beaumont Club 6:30 p.m.

“Wicked” opens at the Music Hall

october

29

31

november

8 Pick up the next issue of the View

11 12

20

Opening night of “Once Upon A Mattress” in auditorium Runs Nov. 12-14

important dates: Oct. 29 no school Nov. 9 winter sports seasons begin

>> want more of the view? visit phsview.com for updates

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LAUREN MOORE editor-in-chief

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SAM PETERSON copy editor

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MATT SWIHART

managing editor

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JULIA SUMPTER art director

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NICK WORTH

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Happy Halloween!

the View

business manager

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EVAN WHITE reporter

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AMY WILLSEY reporter

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JENNIFER COLOMA reporter

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CODY MEADE reporter

>> MEGAN HUGHES adviser

The Park Hill south High School newspaper, the View, is part of the educational curriculum of the Park Hill School District. Although the paper is a classroom activity of newspaper class, material may be submitted for consideration from students who are not enrolled in the course. Students’ submission should meet guidlines set forth in the board policy and regulation IGDB, copies of which are available in all buildings and Central Office. Students may also submit letters to the editor which are 500 words or less on timely issues. Editorials must be published with the name of the responsible individual. Bring any submissions to room c200 or e-mail them to the adviser at hughesm@ parkhill.k12.mo.us. All submitted material may be edited for content, length and grammar. The View is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association and the Missouri Interscholastic Press Association. The View is printed

by Osage Graphics in Olathe, Kan.