The
Voice
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 VOLUME XXV ISSUE III
THE
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE PEMBROKE HILL UPPER SCHOOL
RECORD YOUTH-IN-GOVERNMENT SIGN-UP After a ground-breaking number of students enlisted for Youth-In-Government, the administration was forced to cut first-year seniors and several first-year juniors. Senior Editor David Kemper discusses the student and administration views of this action. The graph below shows the number of sign-ups since 1991. David Kemper Senior Editor
A record-breaking number of students signed up for Youth-In-Government this fall, forcing the cut of dozens of students.
hundred. “We were extremely successful in recruiting new members of YIG this year because many of the upperclassman and veteran members have younger siblings who are freshmen. We
Last year’s ‘Yigsters’ make their way in a long line to the competition, this year’s line will be much longer. Photo credit to David Kemper.
In the end, 85 students will go to Jefferson City from December 4-6, down from an original sign up of well over a
also built up a lot of excitement this year, and I think people were able to understand what YIG really is,” said senior
Kathryn Hjalmarson, president of Pembroke’s YIG delegation. This assessment was reinforced by Kathy WilliamsGriffin, Pembroke’s YIG Sponsor. “Usually we have anywhere from 6 to 10 freshmen. Freshmen don’t usually join stuff because they just don’t know, but there were many siblings in the freshmen class, and double legacies, then they told their friends. We got a lot of freshmen, 29.” Freshman Robert Sorrell is a prime example of the YIG legacy phenomenon. “I thought it’d be fun, and my sister wanted me to do it, so I did it,” said Sorrell. This sentiment was echoed by other freshmen, such as Laura Silverstein. “My sister and brother did it and loved it,” she added, “and I love government.” But sibling pressure wasn’t the only contributor to the high freshman interest, as freshman Katayan Ghassemi explained, “It’s be a chance to be a leader and have leadership roles.
I’ve heard it’s a really fun experience and people would do it again if they had the chance.” She added that many freshmen did it because “their friends were doing it.” This unprecedented success led to the cu#ing of dozens of students. “We had three times as many freshmen sign up, and we had a lot of other people sign up too, just because of we’ve been so successful with winning all of the elections
Boys soccer Introducing Sk-doops 2008 places 4th at state. Nick Anderson takes a look at this semester’s spirit scores. Nick Anderson Contributor Sk-doops. Some hate it, others think it’s the best thing that could have happened for our school spirit. No ma#er what you feel about Sk-doops, it’s not going anywhere. With first quarter done and gone and second quarter well on its way, the Pembroke Hill grade point system created by LAB continues to promote a#endance at sporting events, theater performances, and other school functions. It has o$en been said that, similar to past years, the seniors will once again cheat their way to winning everything including Skdoops. While seniors did triumph over the other grades in first quarter with 283 Sk-doops, they are lagging quite far behind in second quarter to the juniors. The juniors’ sudden rise to the top from their third place status in first quarter can be a#ributed to their victory in the Rap Ba#le. Yes, the Rap Ba#le. While it may have been poorly regarded by many members of the administration for the several inappropriate remarks and its cut into class time, the general
New Teachers and Substitutes at PHS Do you really know Mrs. Jeane#e Jones, Ms. Nancy Lacy and Ms. Marina Ganter? Take a look at the holiday questionnaires on page 2!
student body thoroughly enjoyed watching rising artists such as Teddy Fitzgibbons and James Holcomb spit the flow with well cra$ed lyrics and innovative rhymes. With their success in the Rap Ba#le, the juniors are currently leading Sk-doops with one hundred points. Trailing behind are the seniors in second with fi$y points, the sophomores in third with twentyfive and the freshmen in last with only one single Sk-doop. These losing grades should not give up; however, many events have not yet been added to the scores yet, such as cross country districts and several soccer games, and many events have yet to come. Whether you think Sk-doops is “the worst thing that could ever possibly happened to Pembroke Hill,” (a quote overheard in the Commons), or a truly ground-breaking concept that has changed the face of school spirit forever, keep supporting your grade and cheering on your classmates at every event. Think of Sk-doops as that extra incentive. Like Nick Gheorghita said, “Its be#er than poops, its Skdoops.”
Meet MR. BROWN! Introducing easily one of the most a#ractive substitutes Pembroke has seen. Turn to page 2 for a questionnaire complete with pictures!
New Teachers and Substitutes at PHS
and all of the officers,” said Kathy Williams-Griffin. “We had to pare it down to just two buses. Economically, buses are just too expensive.” “It sucks that we had to cut people, but we have to draw the line somewhere,” said senior Emma Sorrell, vice president of Pembroke’s YIG delegation. Principle Sue Bloemer explained the administration’s reasoning, “It was like we make decisions... continued on page 5
As the Dust Settles:
After the 2008 elections, citizens hope for the best for Obama.
Christian Nagy Contributor
Anonymous Contributor
During the early days of soccer two-a-days, head coach Ma# Pritche# commented on Pembroke being a “big fish in a new pond.” He was discussing the ma#er of this year’s boys’ soccer Raiders being pushed up form Class I to a larger, more competitive Class II. So far, through districts, the Raiders have not disappointed, having taken home the district tournament championship and playing in the state quarterfinal on Thursday, November 13. The Raiders have made incredible progress in bonding as a team from day one of the season. This year’s roster is relatively young, but what they might lack in age and experience, they most certainly make up for with will, determination, and a never-saydie a#itude. Says freshman Ma# Logan, “I’m pleased with our recent performance, and I hope we can make it all the way (State Championship).” This example of optimism is one of the many reasons the Pembroke soccer fire has been burning bright all season, and the team did not need to dim the light during district play. Entering the... continued on page 7
Throughout my politicallyconscious life, I’ve known only one president. Since my faint memory of his 2000 election, I haven’t heard too many good things about him. Now in 2008, it’s axiomatic that these are the worst times of our generation as well as those preceding. It would be unfair to assume that one man is responsible for our nation’s dire state, but Americans have been looking to the future for some time. Even though the elections are over and there will be a Democrat in the White House come January 20th, Americans should not stop. Our problems are still far from being over. The South Park that aired the night a$er the election heavily, and correctly, satirized both McCain supporters and Obama supporters. The McCain supporters were depicted as depressed voters that a#empted suicide because they were certain that Obama’s election would lead to some kind of apocalypse. The Obama supporters were represented as hard partiers who ran around the streets drunk screaming “CHAAANGE!” continued on page 4
Letters to the Editors
Letters to the Editors Take a look at what Claire Bukovac, Colin Baker, and Dr. Frank Smist have to say to The Voice. Readers—don’t forget about your own voice! Page 8
Check out the reactions to and the a$ermath of Pembroke’s election and that of the nation. Students share their opinions of the President-Elect and his former opponent. Page 4
Featured Articles
STATE LINE ROAD, K ANSAS CITY, MO
Editorial and Opposition Face off betwixt Spencer Collet and Carlton McClain. Is gay marriage constitutional? How do you feel about gay rights? Take a look at these opposing views at PHS. Page 3
FYI
2 NOVEMBER2008
SCHOOL NEWS
’Tis the Season: Your Teachers’ Holidays Peggy Pruitt Staff Writer
Nancy Lacy: Latin Marina Ganter: English Jeanne!e Jones: History What is your favorite winter holiday? Lacy: Thanksgiving Ganter: Definitely, Christmas. Jones: I don’t like winter, so I don’t care for its holidays Have you ever a!ended a celebration for a holiday you do not generally observe? Lacy: No Ganter: Yes. I have celebrated Chanukah many times with Jewish friends Jones: Yeah, I go to Christmas parties all the time. Why did you go? Ganter: Because it’s an honor to be included—plus the food is always fabulous! Jones: I like being with my friends What is the best present you’ve ever received? Ganter: From my daughter Zoe, an exquisite li!le ceramic replica of our house, with the door open and the sun reflected in the windows. From my daughter Charlo!e, a Matisselike painting of me holding a rock in one hand and a flower in the other. The inscription reads: “I love my maman because she cares for me and never lets me get hurt.” From my husband, it would have to be when he flew in two of my best friends from Arizona and New York as a surprise for my birthday. When I was younger, I remember being thrilled to find a Baby-That-A-Way and ice skates under the tree. Jones: Gi" cards to Barnes and Noble What is the worst present
you’ve received? Ganter: My brother & sister once gave me coal because they said I had been bad. I can’t remember any bad presents, but when I was li!le, my grandmother used to give me dickeys (awful li!le faux turtlenecks that ended in a flimsy yoke at my collarbone) for Christmas. I’d only wear them in her presence. Jones: Scented candles What is the present you always wanted and never got? Ganter: Hmmm… good question. That would have to be a horse. Never got one and probably never will. But while I’m still dreaming, how about a guaranteed seat at Oprah’s Favorite Things show? Jones: A very expensive cook [book] but with color photos Are you guilty of ‘regi"ing’? Lacy: No Ganter: I don’t regi" and tell. Jones: Guilty as charged-generally scented candles How long do you keep holiday decorations up? Lacy: I put them up the 3rd Sunday in Advent and leave them until Epiphany (Jan. 6) Ganter: The tree goes up immediately a"er my husband’s birthday on St. Nicolas (December 6th) and comes down on Epiphany (January 6th). Jones: I have le" them up til Valentine’s day. What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve worn during the holidays (i.e. ‘festive’ sweaters, antlers, etc.)? Ganter: Christmas morning usually finds me in flannel pajamas and fuzzy slippers, with yards of ribbon around my neck and various gi" bows stuck to my head.
Meerkats in hats make this holiday season even better!
Jones: I don’t do holiday clothing Which is be!er: a snowy holiday in KC or a sunny beach somewhere warm? Lacy: snowy holiday in K.C. Ganter: I’ll take a white KC Christmas over Hawaii any day. Jones: snowy holiday in KC (as long as I don’t have to drive in the snow) What is your favorite holiday beverage? Lacy: eggnog Ganter: Champagne! I’m also partial to eggnog. Jones: egg nog On a scale of 1-10, how much do you like carolers? Why? Lacy: 10 I love Christmas music Ganter: I love the idea of carolers but not the reality. Jones: 5--they brave the weather What was your favorite holiday custom as a kid? Lacy: Coming down in the morning to see what ‘Santa’ had le". Our parents decorated the tree and put out all of the presents during the night. They blocked off the living room and made us wait until everyone was there before we got to go in and see. It always
Welcome to town, Mr. Brown.
Not only that, he is also studying to be a pastor. He moved to Kansas City last year to a!end graduate school at the Nazarene Theological Seminary, where he is working to earn a Masters Degree in Divinity. A"er work and classes, Mr. Brown volunteers at his church, studies, reads, and spends time with his wife (he has a cat too). He also likes activities such as running, watching baseball, and playing video games, and his favorite color is red. Like many, Mr. Brown finds
Julia Marsh Assistant Editor
By this time of the school year, there are not many unfamiliar faces at Pembroke. However, some of us are just discovering the existence of a certain substitute teacher: Mr. Gerard Brown. Yet apparently, Mr. Brown has been substitute teaching at Pembroke, mainly in the math department, since the spring. Mr. Brown has a B.S. in mathematics from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, which boasts a campus that he believes is “easily the most beautiful” in the country. In addition to substitute teaching, Mr. Brown works at J.Crew (on the Plaza).
looked beautiful. They did not wrap the big, important presents. As we got older they didn’t do it anymore because we were more involved with decorating. But I still remember the impact it had. Ganter: My favorite holiday memories all center around food. I especially loved eating crêpes aux sucre with my family on Christmas Eve. A"erward, I’d go lie beneath the twinkling tree and fall asleep. Jones: Performing skits with my siblings and singing inappropriate Christmas carols How do you feel about holiday travel? Lacy: It depends on where I am going. Ganter: I’m not too keen on holiday travel; I’d rather be at home. Jones: I hate it, hate it, hate it! What are your plans for the coming holidays? Lacy: staying home with family Ganter: Rest, Monopoly by the fire, building snowmen with the girls and their cousins, and finding creative uses for le"overs. Jones: Heading to NYC right a"er Christmas When was the last time you went sledding? Lacy: last winter Ganter: Last Thanksgiving on Vail Mountain at dusk. Jones: never What was your New Year’s Resolution in 2008? Did you succeed in following it or abandon it completely? Lacy: I never make one Ganter: I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions, but my family, who is Greek Orthodox, always bakes a New Year’s
vasilopita (a sweet breakfast bread). Whoever finds the gold coin of St. Basil will have luck all year long. Jones: So do NYRs Have you ever watched the Plaza lights turn on? On TV or in person? Lacy: Yes. In person. Ganter: We usually make it to the television in time to watch them get turned on. I’ve been on the Plaza for the ceremony in the past but the combination of the crowds and the bracing temperatures has kept me from rushing back down there. Jones: Yes, must drive by with the kids. What is your favorite holiday movie? Lacy: Holiday Inn or A Christmas Story Ganter: My favorite Christmas movie is without question How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the original one, with Boris Karloff ), with The Year Without a Santa Claus, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer running a close second. Jones: Still--Its a Wonderful Life. (Also, all those 70s Christmas cartoons) Other memorable moments: Ganter: My grandfather died right before Christmas when I was 10. So the entire family – aunts, uncles, cousins – traveled to Canada to spend Christmas together. I had never seen so much snow. We went tobogganing, rode on an early snowmobile and ice skated on the frozen lake. There weren’t many presents, but it didn’t ma!er because we were having such a great time together. Other holiday favorites include: Home for the Holidays and The Four Seasons.
the students to be the best part of PHS. So what doesn’t Mr. Brown like about Kansas City? The winters. A"er growing up in southern California near Disneyland, he “still can’t figure out why people live in parts of the country where it gets cold enough for the rain to freeze.” (For the snowmen, of course.) For those of you who have yet to meet Mr. Brown, be on the lookout, whether walking in the math hall or shopping at J.Crew!
Mr. Brown spends his free time maintaining his fit physique by running marathons. Photo credit: Mr. Brown
Mathematics: A Language of Its Own New math teacher Mrs. Caroline Butterbaugh shares her love of the subject. Anna Plunkett Contributor
Mrs. Bu!erbaugh is a new teacher at Pembroke Hill. A"er studying both French and math, she obtained a Masters degree in mathematics at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. She has graciously agreed to be interviewed by The Voice. What brought you to Kansas City? I recently got married, and my husband is enrolled at Avila University. What made you decide to be a math teacher? Math is like art. The more that you understand and learn about it, the more beautifully it fits together. Does math tie into your French education at all? It does. Math is just like a foreign language.
With her creative viewpoint, Mrs. Butterbaugh lightens up an odious subject.Photo credit: PHS website.
What do you like most about teaching? I like the way that student’s eyes light up when they understand. When something clicks, it is like a light has been turned on. What are all the classes that you teach? I teach both Geometry and Algebra II Accelerated. Do you prefer one over that other? I love both for different reasons. I like Algebra II Accelerated because it has more advanced ideas and Geometry because it has proofs.
TAP
Do you have any advice JAZZ for students that are in your BALLET classes? HIP HOP Math itself is not difficult – it just takes pondering. Do not LYRICAL expect it to just click. You will MODERN succeed if you make an honest PILATES effort. Do you have any hobbies DRILL outside of school? LEAPS & TURNS I love to dance (she is the assistant cheerleading coach), read Harry Po!er, and, of course, learn more about Beginning to Advbanced! math. Competition & Recreational! Are you teaching anything for Now Enrolling for Summer and Fall! Jan Term? Yes, in fact. I am teaching tapdancing. The Pulse Performing Arts Center Where do you see yourself in (816) 941 2278 ten years? I will definitely still be teaching Red Bridge Shopping Center math, and learning about it, 11141 Locust Street Kansas City, MO 64131 too. It such a vast subject – there is always more to learn!
DANCE
www.ThePulsePAC.com
CL ASSES
VOICES
3
STUDENT OPINIONS
SEPTEMBER2008
A Divisive Decision: Proposition Eight In the election this November, California voters passed a ban on gay marriage. The controversy made its way from the coast to the midst of our own hallways. Carlton McClain, junior, and Spencer Collet, senior, explain their opinions.
vs. Spencer Collet Assistant-Editor On Election Day the citizens of California passed a ban on gay marriage. I have one thing to say to Californians: What the heck were you thinking? SERIOUSLY!!!!! Never in the history of our fine nation has a group of people been given a civil right, and then had it revoked. That would be the equivalent of giving women the right to vote, and then having the states change their mind and revoke it. People would be up in arms if that were to happen, and justly so. There are many arguments against banning gay marriage, but I will only list a few. First, many people say marriage is a sacred institution. I say that marriage may have been sacred in the past but now is a completely different story. The divorce rate in this country is over fi"y percent. Over fi"y. That means the majority of marriages end in divorce, thus the majority of those “sacred” unions end in taking back the “sacred” covenant that the two commi!ed themselves to. Basically more than half of married couples are saying, “God, you know how we said we would have each other through sickness and health and all of that stuff. Well, we kind of made that decision in a bit of a hurry and can we take it back?” Commi!ed homosexual
couples stay together far longer than most heterosexual couples. Furthermore, when you have in-and-out wedding chapels where the wedding is presided over by some Elvis impersonator, the sacred institution has been diluted with the other sacred institution of rock. Marriage is the way for society to condone the production of children. Or at least that was how it was in the past. Many married couples now do not reproduce. Also many couples reproduce who are not married. There is no longer a stigma to children out of wedlock in our society. Furthermore, shotgun weddings lead to unhealthy relationships. In the great words of Tina Fey, “Marriage is a sacred institution between two unwilling teenagers.” Marriages of that kind just lead to resentment and very rarely end up working out. The biggest argument, however, in support of gay marriage is the fact that all must be equal. Marriage comes with tax and visitation benefits that civil union does not entail. There is no reason that gay couples are somehow less qualified to receive these rights then heterosexual couples. Our nation is founded on equality and must remain that way. For those reasons I believe the California Supreme Court was in the right, and the voters were not. I hope you all think the same as well.
Write for The Voice! Where do your views stand concerning Proposition 8? You have a right to voice your opinion, and we really want to hear it. Tell us what you think at voice.phs@gmail.com. Don’t be afraid to raise your Voice!
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Never in the history of our fine nation has a group of people been given a civil right, and then had it revoked.”
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The American people made a bold statement— very loud and very clear. We did not want to redefine what marriage is.”
Carlton McClain Contributor In this year’s national elections in November, California Proposition 8 qualified for the ballot. The ballot measure was an amendment that would override portions of the ruling of In Re Marriage cases which had struck down California’s 1977 one-man one-woman marriage law and legalized same-sex marriages in the state of California. The court ruling in California fomented a considerable amount of disapproval both locally and nationally which greatly contributed to its petition which became California Proposition 8. Proposition 8 was an initiative whose purpose was to restrict the definition of
marriage to a union between a man and a woman. In order to qualify for the ballot, Proposition 8 needed 694,354 valid petition signatures, equal to 8% of the total votes cast for governor in the November 2006 General Election. The initiative proponents submi!ed 1,120,801 signatures, and on June 2, 2008, the initiative qualified for the November 4, 2008 election ballot through the random sample signature check. On November 5, 2008, the people of California voted in favor of Proposition 8— officially legalizing the ban of same-sex marriages. There were many factors that contributed to the enactment of this California constitutional amendment. Those among these factors included the turnout of AfricanAmericans, church goers, as well as Republican Party members. African-Americans participated in the 2008 general elections in record numbers. This was in large part spurred by the African-American presidential nominee Barack Obama and his campaign for presidency. African-Americans sided in favor of Proposition 8 by a ratio of more than 2 to 1. Churchgoers sided in favor of the measure by a ratio of more than 4 to 1. Republican Party members also sided in favor of the measure by a ratio of more than 4 to 1. These three groups accounted for the vast majority of eligible voters in California. As a result, Proposition 8 was enacted because an overwhelming 52.1% of California voters voted in favor of it. Personally, I feel that marriage is a sacred rite that has been divinely inspired, ordained, and favored. Marriage is a sacrament that should only be
shared betwixt the union of a man and a woman. Matrimony legitimizes sexual relationships and the creation of families and eventual progeny. Marriage is the sacred benefaction of the continuation of the human race through legal, religious, social, and spiritual approval. The inherent ideals of marriage cannot be validated by the union of two men or the union of two women—for those unions cannot procreate anything. Thus, the institution of marriage should always be between a man and a woman. However, I do believe that homosexual couples should have the right to some legal recognition—namely civil unions. I believe it is fair for same-sex couples to a!ain rights, benefits, and responsibilities similar to, but separate from opposite-sex civil marriage. Gays should not have legally recognized unions that are categorized with opposite-sex unions (“marriage”) because homosexual couples constitute a different type of union, so, therefore, they should be treated as a different, unorthodox type of union. Some have argued that civil unions are separate but equal; however, I feel the usage of that phrase for homosexuals is ludicrous because homosexuality is completely extraneous to the racial oppression that AfricanAmericans have endured in this nation for centuries under the phrase of the same name. In my opinion, the American people made a bold statement—very loud and very clear. We did not want to redefine what marriage is. The American people integrally came to a consensus of what we felt was rectified, justified, and constitutional, and, with
Trick-or-Treating for Seniors: College Style
Seniors, in their stressed attempts at making their applications perfect, have to sacrifice things that they used to enjoy. Emily Bamberger, PHS senior, relfects on how she spent last Halloween. Emily Bamberger Contributor
It was seven o’clock on a cool Halloween night. If I listened closely, I could hear the ding-dong of doorbells ringing down the street, the crunch of leaves under costumed feet, and the crinkle of premature unwrapping of candy. However, I was not at a rowdy Halloween bash. I was not taking my li!le sister trick or treating. And I was most certainly not trick or treating myself. Instead, I was si!ing at my kitchen table, with all of the lights on, working feverishly to complete my application to the University of Chicago. It was not that I had le" it off to the last minute. In fact, I had been working for weeks, staying up an hour past the completion of my homework each night to dra" and redra" each of the four essays required for the application. However, my Common Application needed tweaking, my resume was lacking some essential explanations, and those odious essays required one more read-through. As usual, I had severely underestimated the time necessary to
complete all of these final tasks. I had go!en up at nine o’clock that morning, figuring that I would have several hours of work, and then I would have the evening free to celebrate Halloween. All I have to say is that it was a good thing I le" the whole day open. The few activities remaining took me almost twelve hours, although I admit I was less than efficient. Thus, at seven o’clock that night, I found myself with over two hours of work ahead of me, wishing to be anywhere but at that kitchen table. It had been a terrible day. My back was stiff; I had writer’s cramp, and I was feeling extremely sorry for myself. However, I knew what I had to do. I pushed myself and pushed myself until, just a"er nine o’clock, I had a sealed, stamped, and addresses envelope si!ing before me on the table. I was very proud of myself, but I had missed Halloween, my last Halloween in Kansas City. Chances are, I would never again have the chance to enjoy the night of October 31st in my own neighborhood, or take my li!le sister trick or
treating. But was that night a waste? Was I right to regret that I had missed out on such a fun holiday? No, I don’t believe I was. To me, the college process symbolizes not only physically growing up, accompanied by moving away from home and living by ourselves, but also mentally maturing. It is more than the simple responsibility of completing essays and applications to meet a deadline. In addition, it is the acknowledgement that we must make, some of us for the first time in our lives, that not only will the world not conform to our schedules, but that what we desire now must be near-permanently set aside for the sake of our futures. Thus, on that Halloween night, not only did I complete the first of many applications to come, but I took the first step on the journey to adulthood. That’s not to say that some small part of me doesn’t wish I could go trick or treating again and return to a time when life was simpler. But hey, I still got some candy!
4 NOVEMBER2008
FEATURE Election Section FEATURED ARTICLES
After the Election: Now What? Shajiah Jaffri Senior Editor
Less than a month ago, Americans voted. And, as election night wore on, America welcomed back old Congressmen and greeted new ones, Democrats snagged Congress seats le! and right as Republican members bit their nails and prayed that, come January, they would still have a seat in the United States Congress. Then, mere moments a!er the polls in California closed, Barack Obama, the Democratic Presidential nominee, became the President Elect. Celebrations exploded like fireworks across the nation. People cheered and sobbed and cursed and laughed. And many people were filled with pride. We now have a new White House administration, a new Congress,
and new ideas. As some people asserted, the page was turned, and a new chapter of American history is ready to be wri"en by new leaders, new ideas, and a new outlook. But now the euphoria of November 4th fades away and somber reality has set in. America is fighting two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and we might even have to enter Pakistan. We are in recession and facing an economic crisis not seen in decades that is not just affecting us, but the rest of the world: Japan is in recession and Iceland is still bankrupt. Millions are losing jobs on both Wall Street and Main Street, and there are new house foreclosures daily. The stock market is erratic, rising and dropping by hundreds of points, a!er its major plunge weeks ago. An unpopular financial bailout package was passed out of necessity to save the lending sector and now the auto
Conservatives accept the new president Blake Pierce Staff Writer So Barack Obama wins! Would I rather have had John McCain elected? Sure. So am I supposed to hate Barack Obama now? Of course not. I’m not going to be bi"er about the election just because “our guy” didn’t win. At this point, it is time to move on and come together as a country. Although I supported John McCain and Sarah Palin, I certainly don’t see it as the end of the world that Barack Obama is the new president-elect. So what about Sarah Palin? I think she was a good addition to the McCain ticket to help gain voter support. I’m not one to analyze her potential in the 2012 election, but right now it’s hard for me to imagine her winning the election. I’m sure Barack Obama will do a fine job. We’ll have to see what “change” he installs and how he does it. He has the support of most people which is nice to know. Hey, maybe we’ll get lucky and not have to watch everyone bash our current president anymore. I know I’m tired of seeing all the anti-Bush slogans, videos, pictures, etc. Quite frankly, it doesn’t ma"er who our president is, or from what party. ALL of us should give him or her our full support. How are we supposed to function as a country if half of us aren’t supporting our leader? In case you didn’t watch John McCain’s farewell speech, he showed his support of our new president-elect: “I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him [Barack Obama], but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, be"er country than we inherited.” John McCain recognizes that it is crucial that we move beyond supporting McCain/Palin and on to supporting Barack Obama.
continued from Page One... because they believed that Obama’s election would alleviate every single problem that they had. The allegorical message given in the episode was that maybe Obama will not be such a bad President and that he will not make life perfect, a compromise for both sides’ perception of reality. All of these overly positive and overly negative a"itudes are making me wish that it was still pre-November 4th, because then, no one was angry or smug. What has been most irritating to me are the untrue negative things people have said about Obama, even though he’s not even in office yet. One is that our economy’s
industry is requesting one as well. And don’t forget our nation’s tarnished reputation and the disillusionment among the general public. Our lame duck president and lame duck Congress are unlikely to accomplish anything before their departure, so solving this mélange of problems will fall to the next president. It will not be simple. Some of these problems will not be solved in a month or even a year or even four years, maybe even longer. None of this is new news, but these are the problems facing us and, for the good of the nation, they cannot be ignored or forgo"en. President Elect Obama faces a long and rocky road ahead of him and carries the hopes and expectations of a nation on his shoulders. He ran for the highest office in the land, rallied large numbers of people with his tempting message of
change (that we need), and gave people everywhere hope. And, on his last visit to Kansas City, he reminded us that they (the Democrats) could not screw up more than the Republicans did. The President Elect proved he could stay calm and collected during his entire campaign, even as the metaphorical “poop” hit the fan. And now he is already naming the members of his future cabinet (from what I’ve seen so far, he’s chosen strong candidates) and outlining plans for his presidency. We have seen the beginnings of bipartisanship. But the real test will begin a!er January 20th, when we will be able to see whether or not the next president can start making his message a reality. Change for the good of America, to help pull this great nation out of its rut. The pen is in Obama’s hands. It’s time for the next chapter to be wri"en.
Worldwide acceptance of president Not only have both Democrats and Republicans come to accept their new presdient, but places around the world see a new hope for America. Korey Haug, who will be attending Obama’s inauguration, reflects on the world’s acceptance. Korey Haug Staff Writer Weeks ago, many Americans went to vote for either John McCain or Barrack Obama. Here in the United States, people were hyped-up over one candidate or the other, but the world seemed to have a firm endorsement of one candidate: Barack Obama. Pembroke Hill students had the unique opportunity of web cha"ing to a school in Germany. We hosted two forums to discuss pre and post election opinions. Our side was well represented with a mix of Republicans and Democrats; however, Germany was firmly liberal. They were ready to see some change in the
United States and US foreign policy because they were tired of Bush’s ideals. We discussed topics ranging from the war in Iraq to internal issues relating to both the United States and Germany. Contrary to common knowledge, Germany has much of its army in Iraq, and it is hopeful that the war in Iraq will wane or end with Barack Obama, which means these troops can return home. It was also evident that Germany isn’t familiar with the concept of partisanship. They assumed that John McCain represented the same policies as George Bush, and they strongly disagree with them. This is the way most of the world viewed the US elections. They are ready for the change that Obama promises, and with that, the whole worldwide community is looking forward to the next four years.
Barack Obama delivers a rousing speech in Kansas City this October. Photo credit to David Kemper.
continuing downfall is a direct result of Obama’s election. False. Our economy was plummeting before November 4th. Reasons for this include sub-prime loans given to virtually anyone, regardless of whether or not they could pay them back, overstock on housing which leads to the declining value of the realestate market, the Iraq war which sucked money from our economy (billions daily), rising oil prices (which have fallen recently), people borrowing more money instead of saving it, and people spending too much money on consumer items, to name a few. There’s a saying “Correlation does not equal causation.” Thomas Friedman wrote about this with regards to the Golden Arches Theory, which states that no two nations
with a McDonald’s ever went to war with each other. The point being that when something happens, it is not always in direct accordance with another event. Some things are just coincidences. Or, as in the case of our economy, there are major preexisting variables that affect such a correlation. Another erroneous belief I’ve heard about is that French President Nicolas Sarkozy issued a statement that bashed everything about Obama. Again, false. It is true that Sarkozy took issue with Obama’s stance on Iran, but that’s only one miniscule aspect of Obama’s presidency. In addition, Sarkozy had this to say on July 25th, 2008: “Obama? That’s my buddy!” Direct quote. Also, on a more general notion, when have we ever cared what the
French opinion of us is? I guess it is true that ignorant things are said a!er every election, whether your guy won or lost. If you supported Obama, that’s wonderful. If you supported McCain, that’s fine. It’s too bad he lost. But people, he was elected a week-and-a-half ago. Give the poor guy a break. It is WAY too early to make any generalizations about how everything will play out in the next four years. The reality is that on January 20th, he will be my president, he will be your president, and he will be every American’s president. We all have to accept it willingly or not. Now, all we can do is wait and see. Hopefully, Barack won’t let us down.
FEATURE
5
NOVEMBER2008
Science Olympiad: What is your passion? Michael Dieterle Contributor
When you think of Science Olympiad practices, what do you imagine? Do you picture the silence of a library where students stuff their heads in mounds of paper, where the only sounds are the turning of a page and the moan of the students as their last hopes of fun are smashed by the twoton text-books? Well, nothing could be further from the truth (well… at least for most members of the team). Normal practices include a collage of activities, a seemingly random collection of private interests: bo"le rockets shooting toward the sky, electric cars running down the hall, and wooden bridges groaning under the immense weight of sand. Unfortunately,
many have come to believe that Science Olympiad has nothing to offer them, or they have nothing to offer Science Olympiad. However, Science Olympiad contains twenty-three diverse events that focus on unique subject ma"ers. The only question you need to answer to find a role in Science Olympiad is simply, “What is you passion?” Are you interested in music, or maybe electronics? How about drawing or building? Might you be an environmentalist, or even a lizard lover? Well, the Science Olympiad Team has an event and a need for you! The events range from “Write it Do it,” in which one person writes the instructions to build a structure and the other one takes the partner’s writeup to recreate it, to “Electric Vehicles,” the creation of ba"ery powered cars that can start and stop at a moment’s
These Five Earned Their Turkey Lauren Rosenfield Faculty Advisor
You thought cross-country season was over? Man, were you wrong! Boo! On Sunday, November 23, five cross-country team members ran the Gobbler Grind half marathon at Corporate Woods. Blake Pierce, Lilly Fisher, Nick Anderson, Nelson Collet, and Isaac Alpert participated in the event. The five ran the half marathon (that’s 13.1 miles) for various reasons, but one remained consistent: to keep running during the off-season and to have fun. “I want to keep running a part of my life forever, and I figured this half marathon would be a great way to be with my teammates and have fun,” said Blake Pierce, junior and crosscountry team captain. “Plus, I’m trying to stay in shape for the PierceBrother-TurBlake Pierce prepares for key-Trot- Ri- credit to David Kemper. valry-Race this Thanksgiving, and I want to destroy my brother Seth.” Isaac Alpert, junior, shared similar sentiments, although he’s not planning on destroying David or Solomon. “Signing up for the half marathon was motivation for me to keep running after the season. We made a lot of friends on the course, and it was nice that Ms. Rosenfield was there to support us.” Senior Nick Anderson also enjoyed the race. “The best part was at the halfway point. We started singing Bon Jovi’s ‘Living on Prayer’, and runners around us didn’t want us to stop singing. We totally inspired
them!” Freshman Nelson Collet, though, had to have had the most fun. “The race was so totally super awesome I almost lost bowel control. It was so great to be with my teammates for such a long race.” As a spectator (darn hip flexor!), I can honestly say I was very proud of Pembroke Hill’s cross-country contingent at the Gobbler Grind. I cheered for the fabulous five at several points during the race, and at every spot their energy and enthusiasm was evident. The five stayed together throughout the whole race, and when they crossed the finish line, they did so in cross-country Team Love fashion—together. “There was no way I could have done this race by myself,” Anderson said. But really, the best part about running for two solid hours is the gorging that takes place afterwards. “We ate our weight in breakfast food at Eggtc,” said Alpert. “I his cross-country race. Photo had the Athena’s Omlette. Mmmm.” Anderson said. “I had these amazing blueberry pancakes and a blueberry bagel. And the mango drink was deelish,” Collet said. Mr. Medlock always says that no one does cross-country for the wrong reasons. Well, it’s obvious these five truly do run for the right reasons. I don’t know many high school students who would voluntarily get up before six in the morning to run thirteen miles. Better yet, I know they enjoyed every mile of it and will continue to run when crosscountry season is over, even though it never really is.
notice. There are even events such as “Herpetology,” the study of reptiles and amphibians, and “Ecology,” the study of our environment. On the other hand, all of you diehard scientists might be freaking out and thinking, “Where are the knowledge events?! Where is chemistry? Where are the biological sciences?” Don’t you worry! Science Olympiad has got you covered with events such as “Health Science,” the mind numbing study of the human body, “Chem Lab,” where you can put all of the hard work from sophomore year to use, and “Cell Biology.” As you can see, Science Olympiad pertains to a wide range of individuals. Not only this, but the Science Olympiad Team is looking for any and all potential recruits, because last year a large portion of the “Varsity” team graduated. So there are many open positions, and they all must
Physics Math - all
be filled! But Science Olympiad is not just about learning and winning, although the team has gone to Nationals fi#een times out of the last seventeen years. It is also about enjoying yourself. With games such as “truth and dare” and amazing movies, the Science Olympiad bus is never boring! Who needs more incentive! Well, just in case, an additional treat is the fact that any college resume would be greatly strengthened by the mention of all the awards you win at regional, state, and even national Science Olympiad competitions! So, follow your interests and join the Science Olympiad Team. To join, come to the weekly meetings on Thursday during meetings period or talk to any of the captains: Mark Reardon, Emily Bamberger, or myself, Michael Dieterle!
“Improve your grades!!”
levels
Chemistry -
R. Kaufman, Ph.D
642-7359
!"#$%&"'()*++$,#$-.) Batteries: • Alkaline • Automotive • Rechargeable • Button
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Electronics(35 cent/lb. fee) • Cell Phones • PDAs • Pagers • Printers • Fax Machines • Scanners • Cables • Printer Cartridges • Telephones • VCRs • Cable Boxes • Small TVs • Monitors • Computers Cleaning Items: • Aerosol Cans • Pool Chemicals • Cleaning Chemicals • Paint Cans • Fluorescent Light Bulbs Automotive: • Oil • Fuels • Fluids
All Types of Glass All Plastics (1-7) (Deffenbaugh only recycles 1-2) Lawn and Garden Products Price $10 for 1st 7-gallon tub (provided upon pickup), $5 for every tub after Pickup Let me know if you would like a pickup. I will make a weekly trip to the recycling centers on Saturday. Contact Information: Max Gall 5835 High Drive, Shawnee Mission, Ks 66208 Email: maxyg123@hotmail.com Home Phone: (913)-362-9303 Cell Phone: (913)-522-5774 Please contact me via email if you are interested or have any questions. Thank You,
PHS Class of ‘11
Poll of Perilous Moments: Ms. Davis Katie Smith Staff Writer
We have all done something stupid. Every day, we can tell stories about others’ rather embarrassing moments. At such websites as weirdnews.com, we can also read about the quirky news that somehow
misses more mainstream sources. Stories such as the epic of the shooting stove. Ms. Cory Davis, of Port Angeles, Washington, was shot in the leg by her stove last week. A .22-gauge shotgun shell had evidently found its way into some newspapers that she had put on to burn. “There’s always that one problem stray,” She told
authorities. Rest assured, she says that she will keep better track of her bullets, although I hope to never be invited to her house for dinner. Now, though I’m sure none of us here have ever done anything near so reckless or absurd, we all have our stories. If you would like to share a story of stupidity, weird whale of a tale, or absurd anecdote,
you can be featured in the next issue of The Voice. Submit your epics to voice.phs@gmail.com. You can request anonymity or, if you’re just too proud of your embarrassing moment, let us know that you want the world to know it was you. And please remember to look for that “one problem stray” if you burn any papers.
A&E
6
NOVEMBER2008
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
The Lion King: Broadway’s AwardWinning Musical
Art of the Issue
Sierra Stites Staff Writer
The Lion King came roaring into B roadway’s Kansas City earlier this year, and in true Disney
spirit, didn’t fail to stun its audiences with its touching message and amazing cast. Everyone has seen the Disney movie (if you haven’t, shame on you!); the coming of age story of Simba has remained current throughout both the Clinton and Bush administrations. Who can forget Zazu singing, “I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts, do-do-lee-do/ Here they are standing in a row…” Amazing, right? And then there is Timon and Pumba, who are always priceless. No ma!er how many times I’ve seen the movie, those two never fail to put a smile on my face. However awesome the characters are, the story and the message that it sends are really the greatest parts of The Lion King. The Lion King has touched audiences across the globe with its message of remembrance and community. PHS students were lucky enough to have performers and inspired artists come to Hall Student Center to talk about this production. Earlier this semester, when performers and artists came to school, I had never been more excited. I couldn’t wait to meet the people that were a part of one of my favorite musicals of all time. Everyone was expecting them to talk about the production of the piece, but they all actually talked about the spirit of The Lion King, and how it had moved each of them individually. For the participants, The Lion King is much more than a movie-turned-musical; it’s a microcosm for life. Lion King is about “remembering the [your] pride.” Whether that means respecting yourself, your parents, or your peers, we have to remember that, essentially, we are “all part of the same thing”; we all live in one world, and the best way to do that is to take care of each other and ourselves.
Su
gge
Call teachers by first names.
Let students mail things from school.
David Kemper should be president of theUnited States.
t is a given that there are Imore good restaurants—
for both fine and not-so-fine dining— south of the river. A quick perusal of a “Dining in Kansas City” guide will reflect the fact that for every place mentioned north of the river, there are at least ten places in downtown KC or further south. The northland is catching up, though. Zona Rosa comes to mind
as an a!raction offering varied and excellent choices to us living up in the north. Zona Rosa, just west of Interstate 29 and north of Barry Road, is a couple of hundred acres of Kansa City’s newest shopping and dining choices. Some of Kansas City’s old favorites—The Herford House and Smokehouse BBQ—also thrive at this locale. Throw in KC’s newest comedy club and a megaplex to watch
sti
Have the robotics robot burn the school.
ons
Lunch people: PLEASE stop making only one good deserts [sic] and 2 moderate deserts [sic] a day, just make all of it a good desert [sic]. In other words, everyone hates it when there’s 1 plate of cookies, 1 plate of ginger bread cake, and 2 bowls of leon custard.
:
Just make a bunch of cookies.
TURN UP THE HEAT!!!
Free Cheese. I suggest that I am a vegetable.
Out and About KC Corrie Vesely Asst. Editor
Maggie by Helen Higgins
newly released films and you have a popular a!raction for us living up by the airport. For those with a hankering for Indian food, it is hard to beat Swagat Find Indian Cuisine. Across the street from the comedy club and hidden on the northwest corner of Zona Rosa Swagat is the best lunch buffet that I have found on either side of the river. (Believe me, I have tried a lot of them.) Their website will promise a
cozy atmosphere and a relaxed ambience for an evening dinner. The owner/chef, Gurdev Choong, along with his staff, will certainly fulfill this promise. But it is the lunch buffet that is quickly giving Swagat its sterling reputation among those seeking a noon-time adventurous eating experience. Do not confuse Swagat with other ethnic buffets which are found all over the metroplex.-you know—those five dollar buffet lines serving Americanized Chinese food. Swagat offers and delivers mouthwatering northern and southern
Indian choices on their daily buffet. The lunch buffet—from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.—features over twenty five menu options including a lamb dish, a beef dish, and at least one chicken entrée. The chicken tikka masasla might be the single best buffet item in all of Kansas City. The oven-reddened chunks of breast meat, served in an incredible sauce, is likely the singlemost favorite dish on the line. Savory vegetable side dishes, homemade soup, chutneys, tandor breads and varied desserts complement the main dishes. The Swagat
lunch buffet is a bit pricey relative to the other noontime offerings. It is well worth the extra coin, though. For about $9, the all-you-care-toeat buffet is hosted by a friendly staff in a new and meticulously maintained facility replete with Indian charm. Unlike most Kansas City midday dining specials, the Swagat lunch buffet is offered for the same price seven days a week. If your plans are taking you north along Interstate 29 anytime near the noon hour, plan to eat at Swagat. You will not be disappointed.
SPORTS
7 NOVEMBER2008
SCHOLASTIC SPORTS
Cheer for your Peers! Mark your calendars with these upcoming home sporting events... !Monday, December 1 Basketball: Varsity Boys vs. Lincoln Prep, 7:00 PM !Tuesday, December 2 Basketball: JV Boys–Lincoln Prep (Away) Basketball: JV Girls vs. Cristo Rey, 5:30 PM (Away) !Thursday, December 4 Basketball: JV Girls vs. Grandview, 5:30 PM Basketball: Varsity Girls vs. Grandview, 7:00 PM !Friday, December 5 Basketball: Varsity Boys vs. Archbishop O’Hara, 7:00 PM (Away) !Saturday, December 6 Wrestling: Varsity Boys vs. North Pla!e, 9:00 AM (Away) Basketball: JV Girls vs. Kansas City Christian, 1:00 PM (Away) Basketball: Varsity Girls vs. Kansas City Christian, 3:00 PM (Away) Basketball: Varsity Boys vs. Kansas City Christian, 4:30 PM (Away) !Tuesday, December 9 Basketball: Varsity Girls--Blue Springs/Blue Springs South Tournament, 4:00 PM (Away) Basketball: JV Girls vs. Saint Teresa’s Academy, 5:00 PM !Thursday, December 11 Basketball: Varsity Girls--Blue Springs/Blue Springs South Tournament, Swimming: Varsity Girls vs. Liberty High School, Lee’s Summit, Kearney High School, 4:00 PM (Away) Wrestling: Varsity Boys vs. West Pla!e, Olathe Christian School, 6:00 PM (Away) Basketball: Varsity Boys--Blue Valley Shootout, 6:45 PM (Away) !Friday, December 12 Basketball: Varsity Girls--Blue Springs/Blue Springs South Tournament Basketball: Varsity Boys--Blue Valley Shootout !Saturday, December 13 Basketball: Varsity Girls--Blue Springs/Blue Springs South Tournament Basketball: Varsity Boys--Blue Valley Shootout Swimming: Varsity Girls-N.K.C.S.D. Inv. at Natatorium Facility in Gladstone, 7:00 AM (Away) Wrestling: Varsity Boys-Bishop Miege Tournament, 9:00 AM (Away) !Friday, December 19 Swimming: Varsity Girls-Independence Invitational, 10:00 AM (Away) Basketball: Varsity Girls vs. Shawnee Mission West High School, 2:30 PM (Away) !Saturday, December 20 Basketball: Varsity Boys vs. Shawnee Mission West High School, 10:00 AM (Away)
Raiders make a splash in the pool Micah Friedman Assistant Editor
The 2008 Raiders swim team is off to a blazing start in the pool. In a recent meet the Raiders finished in 8th place out of 15 teams. Junior captain swimmer Emmo Jenkins, comments about the success of the team: “That’s pre!y good for 4 guys.” Success has not only been at the team level but also by several individuals. The largest time drop to date has been by freshman Spencer Chu. In his 200 IM, he has managed to drop a massive 16 seconds. With many changes from last year’s swim team, the Raiders are looking focused on this year as a year to work on li!le things such as leadership.
New coach Chris Steil said, “I think they’ve moved away from it [individuality]. They’re more of a team. They support each other at every event.” Leadership among the older swimmers is one thing that Coach Steil would like to see more of in the future. He looks for Emmo Jenkins to lead the younger swimmers, including Spencer Chu and Will Sharp (sophomore). Other changes from last year’s team include the loss of key swimmers, Will Bolen and Nick Burford. However, the loss of the experience from last year’s team has been more than made up for in talent with the addition of junior John Heddens. The returning swimmers also commented that the coaching change created much more of
a relaxed atmosphere during practices, during which an average workout totaled 4500 yards. “A very difficult 4500 yards,” Emmo Jenkins reiterated. Coach Steil believes that the changes helped the swimmers mature and says that he has seen large amounts of improvement over the course of the season. Many goals were
accomplished at the end of the season. Emmo Jenkins qualified in the 100 Backstroke and barely missed the state qualifying time in the 200 Freestyle. Unfortunately, the team did not finish in the top three at their conference meet. However, finishing fourth, the team can make finishing in the top three at conference a goal for next year.
Emerson Jenkins finishes his last lap. Photo credit to Micah Friedman.
Boys soccer places 4th at state in St. Louis. Continued from Page 1... ...tournament as the number two seed, the Raiders squared off against number seven ranked Hickman Mills in the quarterfinals, the opening round of the tournament. This meeting was of li!le challenge at all to the Raiders, who dusted away their opponents 11-1. Sophomore Ben Keeton scored four times, and senior Will Pa!erson ne!ed the ball three times. A#er the breeze of a match against Hickman, Pembroke progressed into the semifinals to take on the three seed, O’Hara, a school that was yet to be defeated by a Pembroke team in district play. However, soccer spoiled this streak, knocking off O’Hara with a convincing 5-1 victory. Following the successful match in the semifinals, the Raiders headed on to take on the number one seed Harrisonville. This would be the only match throughout the entire tournament where the Raiders would not be favored to win the game. This statistic,
however, proved to have li!le importance to Pembroke, and they defeated Harrisonville 43 in a very exhilarating match. The Raiders had won their district tournament!
Congratulations, Raiders, on winning districts, but is this the end of the road? According to senior captain Will Pa!erson, it isn’t, “I think we have a team capable of winning state, but we’ll see. It’ll be a journey.” For this big fish, the journey had just begun! In the state quarterfinal, where the Raiders took on Bolivar, in what would be a great match. This would determine whether Pembroke Hill had the privilege to travel to Fenton to play in the state Final Four. The game ended in regular time kno!ed at 2-2, and went into sudden-death overtime. In the second half of overtime, Ross Payne lined up and curled the free kick beautifully to win the game 32. (See the goal at h!p://www. youtube.com/watch?v=0o_
N0NjubAE. It’s the second goal.) And so it was, the soccer team had yet again made the Final Four, and was set to play St. Dominic for a chance to book their ticket to the final. Although a fantastic effort, at the end the boys came up short 3-1. However, St. Dominic went on to win the tournament, so Pembroke would be playing for 3rd against Cape Notre Dame. Unfortunately for the Raiders,
they fell to the Bulldogs 2-0 and therefore finish in 4th place, which, with all due respect, is a fantastic result this season considering the fact that we had been bumped up a class. And so this season of Pembroke Hill soccer comes to a close. Time to hang up the cleats, turn in the jerseys, and get ready for next year, because remember, for the truly dedicated, there is no off-season. And this big fish has no off-season.
Sam Olsen makes his way to the goal. Photo credit to the PHS website.
College Basketball: Season Preview Micah Friedman Assistant Editor
THERE’S STRONG, AND THEN THERE’S DANCE TEAM STRONG Sierra Stites Staff Writer This year, dance team is off to a great start. With eight new dancers and eight veterans, this is the biggest squad Pembroke has ever seen. In the past three years, the dynamic of dance team has completely changed with the induction of a new coach: Tina Budsinki. Coach Tina is the best thing that has ever happened to the PHS dance program, and all are grateful for her. The team has been participating in numerous competitions and adding to Pembroke’s accomplishments. Many people think that dance team is an easy gym credit and doesn’t involve much work. Au contraire, fellow students! Dance is extremely athletic; Coach Tina’s goal is for each dancer to get a good sleep when he or she goes home a#er practice, and I’m sure that even the football players
The Kansas City area colleges look as though they are planning to have a great basketball season. The only improvement possible for Kansas, coming off of a National Championship run, would would have trouble finishing be to improve the defensive the dance team’s practice. The quality of yet another top five dancers have to work to get recruiting class. Freshman on the team and work even and Bishop Miege graduate, harder to stay on it. There are Travis Releford, will add some camps during the summer key minutes, possibly even and workshops during the off- starting for most of the season. season. In short, dance team is Both Marcus and Markieff not for the faint of heart. Even Morris will add some size and last year, at the Pembroke-Pius scoring ability along with other basketball game, the Pius fans newcomer, Quintrell Thomas. cheered louder than any other Guards Mario Li!le and visiting team for dance team! Tyrone Appleton come to KU If Pius screams for us, then already experienced as junior our point is proven: dance college transfers. The star of team can serve it up Pembroke the group looks to be Tyshawn Taylor. He has an uncanny style. ability of ge!ing to the basket, so look for Taylor to develop into a Mario Chalmers-esque caliber of player. The weakness of the Jayhawks will be their lack of experience with no starters returning from last year’s team. However, look for Sherron Collins, Cole Aldrich, Tyrel Reed, and possibly Brady Morningstar to collect valuable minutes. Consider a successful season for the Hawks a trip to the Sweet 16. Moving West, think of Ali Corbin and Augi Grasis are all smiles at the competition. Photo credit Kansas State’s success from a to Sandra Stites. season ago as a fluke. Losing
their two top scorers, the Wildcats will be lucky to earn an NIT bid. Last year’s season can be accredited to Michael Beasley and Bill Walker, two players who admi!edly only a!ended KSU because of former coach, Bob Huggins. Look for Kansas State to be a below average team this year. Until Frank Martin gets his own recruiting classes together, look for the Wildcats to return to their traditional status of Big 12 bo!om feeders. In Columbia, Mike Anderson has finally put together a squad of kids that will not only be able to challenge for a top spot in the conference, but also, stay out of prison. With returning stars, Leo Lyons and DeMarre Carroll, and local newcomers, Steve Moore and Marcus Denmon, the Tigers should not only hope for a berth in the Big Dance, but expect it. The level of post-season play that this team reaches will show the ability of the coaching staff. If Mizzou does not make the NCAA Tournament, MU fans should demand a coaching change. Although Anderson’s “40 minutes of hell” style basketball might work in some conferences throughout the country, he has already put the Missouri fan base through “2 years of hell.”
8 NOVEMBER2008
TO THE EDITOR
Letters to The Voice from the PHS community To The Voice In Response to “Talkin’ About a Revolution” Dear Editor, Please take a moment to turn to the back page of this issue and read the Voice’s purpose statement. One phrase really catches my a"ention: “an open forum.” But I have recently heard some disappointment, from students and parents alike, with the Voice. To many, it appears that the Voice is not as receptive and free as its purpose statement would like everyone to believe. I hear certain articles don’t get printed because they “don’t reflect well on the school.” This is absurd. Why should legitimate school news or students’ opinions be shelved because it might rouse some controversy and debate? Do these articles truly reflect poorly on the school? In my opinion, they do the opposite. They demonstrate to everyone, other students, faculty, parents and alumni, that we Pem-Hill students can organize our thoughts and express in an articulate, provocative manner. They also show that we learn in an environment that fosters freedom of thought and expression and are given an outlet, i.e. the Voice, to convey our ideas. It appears the Voice is particularly afraid of our big, bad, and easily offended parents. But, since when do parents dictate our school newspaper? How should their opinions restrict students’ ability to express their own in the Voice? Parents’ views on the Voice truly should be of secondary importance. The Voice is a paper first and foremost for students, and their concerns should, sans question, be weightier in influencing the Voice’s article lineup. C’mon, Voice, don’t forget for whom you’re really writing. My charge to the Voice: be gutsier, stretch the boundaries. I feel the Voice and those who edit it should embrace students’ writing angst. Controversy and comedy should reign. Anger and disappointment or jubilation and optimism should carry us readers from page to page. We students have plenty to say, and our motivation and emotion should soak the Voice’s pages, not the ink of articles that supposedly “reflect well” on Pem-Hill, but really just fill space because more potent ones were cancelled. Sincerely, Colin Baker, senior
Claire Bukovac ‘08 stays in touch with Pembroke Hill from her Georgetown dorm. Dear Editor (and Pembroke Hill students), Although I graduated last year, I have been lucky enough to receive the September and October issues of The Voice here at Georgetown. I have very much enjoyed keeping in touch with Pembroke news through the articles. However, one article in particular surprised me. In the October issue, Brad Bolman wrote the piece “Talkin’ About a Revolution,” in which he criticized the school’s recent changes. The ungrateful a"itude expressed in this entire article shocked me. Bolman insists that the “gi#” of Wi-Fi is not a gi# at all, but a “reciprocal change, i.e. we accept the gi# of Wi-Fi but give up our ability to use it everywhere.” As an alum, may I remind you that you did not give up an ability to use Wi-Fi everywhere because there was no Wi-Fi for students anywhere before this year. Where is the “thank you”? The school gives you a gi#, and it is only followed by complaints? You may not realize it now, but everything that the school is doing in terms of restrictions is for your benefit. If students had access to the Internet in all classrooms, what would keep them from surfing the web during class? As someone who now has some classes with more than 100 people and Wi-Fi in almost every class, let me tell you that if you stood at the back of a class and watched all the students that had laptops out, you would see that 90% of those students are on Facebook, Perez Hilton, or RateMyProfessors. Taking away the temptation to surf the Internet during class is an additional gi# in my eyes. I feel the same way about cell phones. Why do you need to have your cell phone during
class? You shouldn’t be body be telling the teachers how students to please take texting; you should be listening to act? What are the teachers advantage of your high and learning. Although I doing that would deserve school experience. Cherish appreciate Bolman’s effort to advice, and what makes you the small classes, the easy make connections between think you are qualified to give going atmosphere, and the psychoanalytical theory, basic it? Wisdom? No. Experience? relationships you have and are rights and the use of cell phones No. Concern for their overall making. Don’t waste your time and I-pods in school, I find that well being and future? complaining about the few he is forge"ing one basic fact: Obviously not. It is all of these limitations the school imposes school is for learning. qualities, however, that give the but try to keep perspective One of the things I faculty the right to advise and on your educational have truly come to believe now counsel the students. Second, environment. I truly loved that I am away at college is that many teachers do ask for my years at Pembroke Hill, sometimes you do not know students’ opinions on teaching and feel I grew mentally the value of what you have styles, course content and and emotionally while I was until you lose it. Pembroke assignments and alter their there. And although I am very Hill provides an exceptional classes accordingly. To claim much enjoying the college life, education in a wonderful that you find nothing when my high school years were facility. Please appreciate the teachers are asked to do irreplaceable. relationships you have with something is delusional. Good luck with the rest of the faculty. The teachers at So, in conclusion, I your year. Pembroke Hill are all amazing, would like to ask all current Raider Love, and you should feel lucky to Pembroke Hill High School Claire Bukovac ‘08 be taught by such interesting and educated people. Why do you need to have Internet in the classrooms when you have Dr. Tostevin who probably has more in-depth information in his brain than any website. Why would you want to be EDITORS IN CHIEF Rima Abhyankar and Greta Shum texting during class, when you could be listening to Mrs. The Voice is published monthly by the students of the Pembroke Hill School Gordon talk about the crazy during the academic year. The paper is an open forum, distributed to the conversations in Catch 22 or students, faculty, parents, alumni, and other members of the Pembroke Hill watching Mrs. Wells fill a giant community. Its staff editorials represent the view of the majority of the editube with gas and light holes tors. All decisions concerning grammar, layout, content, and photography are made solely by the editors themselves. All comments, concerns, and in the top of the tube on fire! complaints should be forwarded In addition, I find it horrifying directly to the Editors in Chief. that Dr. Bellis’ speeches on the first day of school are being As an open forum, The Voice encourages its readers to submit Le"ers to the criticized! The challenge Dr. Editors. These le"ers can either be sent to The Voice at the Pembroke Hill Bellis gave to the school my School, 5121 State Line Road, Kansas City, Missouri, 64112 or be emailed senior year was to expand to voice.phs@gmail.com. According to school policy, the le"ers must include our social circles. How is it the author’s name or will be rejected immediately. The editors also reserve that you find the need to find the right not to publish le"ers which they deem to be too long or contain questionable or unverifyable subject ma"er. fault where there is none? Dr. Bellis does not propose an impossible ideal, but he gives Senior Editors you advice that comes from Shajiah Jaffri experience and wisdom. Also, David Kemper to suggest that if the student body were to suggest how the Assistant Editors teachers should act and that Spencer Collet nothing would happen is so Alex Nay preposterous and uncalled for. Julia Marsh First, why should the student Slesha Patel
THE
Corrie Vesely Sierra West
Dear Editor of “The Voice”:
Associate Editors Micah Friedman Jay Todd Max
Congratulations to Pembroke Hill senior Jay Todd Max, who on election day worked a precinct in Missouri as an exit poller for Edison/Mitkofsky and ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, Fox, and the Associated Press. Jay Todd was the youngest exit poller in the entire United States. Jay Todd did outstanding work as an exit poller and was featured in the “Kansas City Star” and on two national TV networks. Unfortunately, Jay Todd will only be paid $250.00 for his work on election day. Jay Todd represented Pembroke Hill well. Sincerely, Frank J. Smist, Jr., Ph.D.
Write for The Voice! These three members of the Pembroke Hill community were not afraid to voice what they had to say. The Voice wants your letters to the editor. Do you feel that there is a mistake in this issue of The Voice? Do you have an opinion to voice? Send us your letters at voice.phs@gmail.com. We’re looking forward to reading them!
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