The Harbinger: Issue 7 2010-2011

the

ISSUE 7 SHAWNEE MISSION EAST PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS NOV. 29, 2010 SMEHARBINGER.NET

artists’ arsenal Four of East’s best artists talk about how they got into art

JuliaDavis

Walk through the art wing at East, one is likely to pass classrooms full of students learning different varieties of art. From the foundations classes just learning how to sketch to the AP studio art classes working on complicated perspective drawing, the possibilities for a creative outlet are almost endless.

According to Jewelry teacher Wanda Simchuck, in recent years, Shawnee Mission East has become a mecca for art students because of the wide variety of courses offered. East has a big enough enrollment in the art department to have six teachers, the most of any high school in the district, and this allows more specialized art classes like Advanced Jewelry, Fibers, and Printmaking.

Many students have taken advantage of this opportunity. Whether it be a brush on canvas, pencil on paper, a saw on a silver, or even spray-paint on a cement wall, young artists at East have found a lifelong hobby expressing themselves through their work. photo illustration by GrantHeinlein

Special theater pull out section inside The Walker family rebuilds their life after a house fire

p. 8

Senior athletes take a look back over their last games of the season

p. 22

More photos from last Friday’s MORP inside

We’ll just try to settle into our routine, and put one foot ahead of the other.

p. 24

Sharon Walker p. 8

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NEWS

GrantKendall

11-29-10

Will it stay or will it go?

District further discusses decision on Mission Valley HaleyMartin

A

pproximately every 10 years, the Shawnee Mission School District finds something for taxpayers to vote on in order to improve the schools. The last bond was voted on and passed in April of 2004 to build a new, more usable library onto Mission Valley Middle School. It took two years to begin construction on the school, and it was finished in 2006, taking two full years to complete.

Since then, the district has had $20 million cut from their budget, and has had to severely change it accordingly. This year, they have another dilemma: they may have to close schools in the district -- Mission Valley included.

At the beginning of the Board of Education meeting on Nov. 8, superintendent Dr. Gene Johnson announced that the Board would postpone the decision of closing Mission Valley, and has yet to set a date to vote on the closing itself. The decision brought on mixed reactions from attendees.

The rationale behind waiting to decide on closing the school is that the Board of Education needs more time and more information in order to make the right decision. They are looking at the pros and cons of closing schools in the district.

The decision to close Mission Valley versus closing Indian Hills Middle School, on the other hand, deals in budgetary terms. When the director of facilities Rusty Newman looked at the improvements needed for each of the schools, Indian Hills had less repairs needed to hold the large amounts of students.

This has upset many Mission Valley and Indian Hills parents, including Mission Valley parent Chris Bihuniak who had just bought a home so that his children would be closer to Mission Valley.

“This home allows my three sons that will be attending Mission Valley to walk to school,” Bihuniak said. “And, it would allow my students to walk to Rock Band Academy after school. This saves money on gas, and is overall better for the environment.”

Junior Elle McClenney, a former Mission Valley student, is upset that Mission Valley is closing because at she realized two things that she loves to do during her time at the school: being in musicals and reading. She is also upset because if Mission Valley closes the property value will decline due to it being in the Shawnee Mission South area.

Johnson has created a group that is using Mission Valley as a model to look for improvements that could be used in all of the other middle schools in the district. The committee has been put together to decide whether or not two middle schools should be used for the

East and North areas, and to advise Johnson. The committee should meet approximately four to six times, clocking about three hours per meeting. It is comprised of parents, administrators, teachers, classified personnel and students that will contribute to a list of improvements that could be made.

These will be similar to the improvements each high school went through, that the district just recently completed.

If Johnson’s council decides that it would be beneficial to transfer the Mission Valley students to Indian Hills Middle School, then various changes will occur at Indian Hills.

The staff from Mission Valley, for the most part, will move over to Indian Hills. Although the school could be closing, the district still needs to keep the student to teacher ratio relatively the same.

Members of the staff might also go to work for the district in other positions.

“The staff needs to follow the students because we staff buildings on a ratio on the secondary level,” Bysfield said. “And this current year, the ratio is 18.5 per certified teacher. I think people feel that if we put two schools together class sizes will be bigger, but they will not be bigger because it will still be staffed on the current ratio for the district.”

Along with this, the way the school itself operates would be different. Since there would be close to the same amount of classrooms but more teachers, it would operate more like East. Almost every classroom would be used each period, and the teachers would be teaching in rooms that are not necessarily their homeroom.

Bysfield shared a little known fact about the history of Mission Valley and Indian Hills. In the late 70s and early 80s, Indian Hills held all of the students that would then go on to East in sixth, seventh and eighth grade. The district added Meadowbrook Middle School, which is now known as Mission Valley. This was because the district was expanding and needed another middle school. When all of the students in the area attended Indian Hills, it was around the same number that would attend if Mission Valley were to be closed.

This goes to show that the Indian Hills was built to hold a larger capacity of middle school students. If the district chooses to close Mission Valley, Indian Hills will have to return to its previous student population, if not a larger one, a fact that the district officials are keeping in mind.

Taking a closer look at Proposal 10 2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

440 465 501

students students students

2014-15 2015 -16

501

513

students students

Projected Mission Valley and Indian Hills Enrollments with No Closings or Boundary Changes 2010-11 through 2014-15.

because I remember all of the good times I had there. I was in the musical in eighth grade and everyone became really close friends.”

-Junior Elle McClenny

“I decided that the board needed additional information, before voting we are going to convene a comittee consisting of parents, patrons administrators, teachers, classified personell and students to develop a list of possible infrastructure improvements that would be appliable to all middle schools.”

- Superintendent Gene Johnson “We will probably need to make more budget cuts this year because very often they need to change the number of staff we have.”

- East Board Member Donna Bysfield

[SELECTED QUOTES]

*According to the Superintendent’s Report to the Board of Education with September 20 Enrollment Numbers

Close Mission Valley Middle School at the conclusion of the 2010-2011 school year and reassign the students to Indian Hills Middle School, 6400 Mission Road.

DESCRIPTION

“I wish Mission Valley wasn’t closing

54% 2010-11

80% 2011-12

89% 2012-13 88% 2013-14

Projected Indian Hills Utilization with the Addition of Mission Valley Students and a Reduction of the Roesland Elementary Students for the next four years.

¡BAÑO!

NEWS issue 7

DISTRICTMUSICIANS

of

Orchestra and band students pass first round of competition

“Club” of male students dances up controversy AlexGoldman

It was just supposed to be a simple senior prank. While walking down the hall last year, senior Mark Mergen heard music blasting in a room close by. He looked in, saw a class throwing a party and continued his stroll along the hallway. Then, it hit him.

How funny would it be if kids threw a party in some random room and played music loud enough to be heard on the floor below it?

“Kids would just walk by and hear music blasting and not have a clue what it is,” Mergen said. “It would be a classic senior prank.”

Months passed and Mergen kept the idea to himself until just a few weeks ago.

He wanted to do something the seniors had never done before.

“The previous senior classes were lame, and didn’t do anything fun,” Mergen said.

First, Mergen needed to find a room so random that no one would ever think of throwing a party in it.

“It couldn’t be some empty room. It had to be just the weirdest spot to party,” Mergen said.

The bathroom.

Mergen initially planned on bringing in a boom box and blasting music in the bathroom, since he thought it would be a great prank on the students that actually needed to use the bathroom.

Next, he needed to gather a ton of people to actually make it a success. Otherwise it would just be some failed prank and make him look like a creep dancing to annoying music behind a kid using the bathroom. He relayed the idea of throwing a party in the bathroom to several people.

Most of them shot down the idea, thinking it would just flop.

But Mergen stuck to his idea and continued to believe that it would turn out to be something hilarious and even epic. He just needed to find someone that could get everyone else involved. That’s where senior Zach Colby came in.

“Mark told me the idea and I thought it

was hilarious,” Colby said. “The thought of a ton of guys crowding the bathroom and dancing around a boom box was genius. He told me I needed to get a lot kids to do it, so I started telling other guys what is was and got them to get in on it.”

Ten guys became 20, and 30 became 40.

The bathroom dance club began to gain major momentum. Colby even started announcing it on his Twitter account in an effort to get even more people involved.

Finally, it needed a name.

“It couldn’t just have any name,” Mergen said. “It needed something that would stick, and that people would remember.

The first idea was club bathroom, but it needed a little more spice—something that would add more appeal to it. We translated the bathroom to Spanish and there it was: Club Baño.”

The following Friday, it was time to execute the prank. Mergen brought in his boom box and met in the north fifth floor bathroom during the first passing period.

He turned up the volume and began blasting music. The boys started to dance emphatically, and became noticed within no time.

Even the administrators began to notice the massive crowd of predominantly white boys that were singing and dancing around the hall.

“At first, we were concerned that it making fun of another group of people or being racist to other kids,” administrator Steve Loe said. “We called up a few kids that were involved in it and found out what the whole fuss was about. It turned out to just be a group of guys dancing around and being goofy.”

Loe even believes that Club Baño has helped make Fridays better for students.

“School should be fun and you can see that the boys are having a good time when they’re singing and jumping around,” Loe said. “It doesn’t seem malicious at all and is just a group of guys acting like goofs. I don’t want it to get out of hand. As long as the kids are at class on time and there is no

03

GrantKendall

LindseyHartnett

major hall traffic, I’m fine with it.”

Mergen said that Club Baño is open to all kinds of people regardless of race or gender, and he has also been trying to recruit girls to get involved with Baño.

“We are open to kids of all denominations,” Mergen said. “On Fridays, it’s not a boy’s bathroom. It’s Club Baño.”

After a very strong showing in their debut session and a very high demand for another, Mergen and Colby decided to have another Baño session the next Friday. Their next Club Baño proved to be even more rowdy and had even more kids show up.

One of those kids was sophomore Hank Tamblyn. Tamblyn believes that Club Baño has made his Fridays better in every way.

“It’s great to see people actually having fun at school,” Tamblyn said. “I always feel a rush of excitement when I hear the bell for passing period ring. There’s nothing better than the sound of men enjoying themselves.”

Mergen has decided to suspend Club Baño until the basketball season begins.

“Baño is intended to be a celebration of any day worth being celebrated,” Mergen said. “It can’t just be some weekly thing that gets old and not fun anymore.”

Mergen has also been trying hard to improve every Baño session and make each better than the last. He wants to start bringing in strobe lights to make it feel more and more club-like and to also bring food to serve to its loyal partiers. He has even considered making it sort of a fundraiser and charging a one dollar admission fee.

“It’s all about growing Club Baño’s image and spreading the word about it,” said Mergen, who even got a Club Baño chant going at Good Morning America when he was on a DECA trip to New York City. “I want it to get bigger and bigger each time.

We have even thought about getting the community involved with Baño and start fundraising for charities. There’s a lot of potential with this.”

Standing outside the audition room, senior Greg Tracy listens to every move the musician inside makes. He hears every scratch of the string, every pulse of the bow. He listens to their mistakes, the missed notes and pitchy intonation. Tracy works the music through his head, slowly adjusting the notes to make sure he doesn’t make the mistakes he is hearing.

Students from both orchestra and band auditioned on Nov. 6 for the district orchestra and bands.

The auditions are comprised of three different musical aspects: two solo pieces, a scale and a piece to sight-read.

The district orchestra and bands perform during the District Festival on Saturday. Soon after the concert are the state orchestra and band auditions. The audition music is the same but the chance of making the state orchestra or band is much smaller due to greater competition and harder judging.

According to the district festival website—www. ksmea.org—“Students who perform at the district level are then eligible to audition for selection to state ensembles. Thus, the State Festival student musicians are truly ‘the best of the best’.”

Tracy, a bass player in the symphonic orchestra, has auditioned for districts three years in a row. Tracy moved up from second to last chair his sophomore year to middle chair his junior year. He is now first chair.

“I knew how to prepare for it,” Tracy said. “I listened to the music a lot more and I think the fact that it was my third year helped a lot.”

More often than not, the most difficult part of the audition is the sight-reading. Sight-reading is when the judges put a piece of music in front of the auditioning musician he has not seen before.

“Sometimes [the sight-reading] will be in 6/8 time or a weird time signature,” said junior Larson Woolwine. “It makes you count.”

Woolwine, a snare drum player, made the district band for the first time this year. The district band, unlike the district orchestra, is composed of two different bands, the red and blue bands. Band members who made district are ranked and then split off into either the red or blue bands. They alternate with the first chair going to the red band, the second chair going to the blue band, the third going to red, etc.

East band members have the same audition requirements but for some instruments, the chance for making the district band is much slimmer. The district band only accepts one guitarist and senior Keshav Ramaswami happens to be that guitarist.

“I did more sight-reading practice this year,” Ramaswami said. “That was a barrier for me in the previous years.”

However, improving rank in the district band or orchestra is no easy task.

Junior violinist Luke Holsinger made 45th out of 54 chairs. Even though 45th is a step up from the previous year’s nearly last chair, Holsinger is not pleased.

“I screwed up most of the [music],” Holsinger said. “I really don’t know how I made it.”

Tracy, as well as most of the other musicians, is planning on practicing extra hard the next few weeks to make the state orchestra.

“I’m going to make sure my intonation is perfect,” Tracy said. “I’m going to work out every note for intonation and listen to the excerpts on recordings.”

NEWS 04 11-29-10

S F E I R B E H T event and hopes East kids attend the event because of its benefits for the school.

“Its a great thing,” Fishman said. “I think it’s very nice for any business to donate money to local charities.”

NIGHT

K? N I H T U O Y O D T WHA [the can drive]

- sophomore Caroline Dodd

the week in 3 photos LindseyHartnett

1

Culver’s

“I think it goes for a good cause. I didn’t really bring cans to my fifth hour but we got into it because my history teacher is Mrs. Fishman, so we had a competition between the first and third hours, and whoever won got to have a movie day and bring food.”

Students dance at MORP, cheering on their peers.

“I liked how all the guys could get together and have a good time, cutting loose and getting free from all the stress this year,” junior Brooks Tate said.

dall GrantKen land JackHow

2

event countdow n BAND CONCERT

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29 For three hours on Tuesday, 10 percent of sales at Culvers will go towards East. Additionally, all students in attendance will be waited on by a faculty member. Senior Stuco Vice President Chris Melvin thinks it’s a great way to raise money for the school; and he enjoys seeing teachers out of their element.

“It’s a really cool thing,” Melvin said.

“Teachers who volunteer actually serve food to the kids, so that’s kind of fun to see that.”

The fundraising night for East will take place from 5 - 8 p.m. at Culver’s of Kansas City on 7953 State Line Road.

Melvin has gone in the past and says that a lot of East kids typically turn out; primarily because of the attention STUCO usually tries to draw towards the event. This comes from passing out fliers, word of mouth and also through “text alerts” from Mrs. Miller.

Mrs. Fishman is in charge of the

cember’s e D d n a ’s ovember N t a g n i k loo events upcoming

December 13 7 p.m Auditorium BROADMOOR OPEN HOUSE

December 9 All Day Broadmoor INTERNATIONAL CLUB HOLIDAY PARTY December 8 7 p.m Contact Brenda Fishman for other details, room 307

On Thursday, East artists will be selling their artwork in the Art Auction, a fundraiser for National Art Honors Society (NAHS). “[The auction] is a nice way to show off the work of students,” photography teacher Mr. Finkelston said. “It’s a great way to get recognized.”

Something new that the teachers in charge of the auction are emphasizing this year are more hobbies and less fine art.

Students will be entering work from home instead of just art that they do during class.

With the holidays approaching fast, the auction is

a nice way to purchase a gift for a loved one. The art being shown ranges from photographs to clothing, and everything in between.

The work auctioned off is almost all originals from students but there are a few local donations from area artists. The teachers themselves, like Mr. Finkelston, may even be submitting their own artwork.

The profits will go to art classes so they can buy new supplies like englargers for the dark room and paint.

The auction is in the East auditorium from 5- 7 p.m.

ART

Auction

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

LindseyHartnett

Junior Grant Kendall struts across the stage at the STUCO Bachelor Auction while his peers look on.

“It was really fun and a great experience,” junior bachelor Logan Rose said.

“It was just a really funny night.”

GrantKendall

Mr. Lockard, an Environmental Education Teacher, holds Aldo the class owl. The students visted Belinder Elementary for Science Night.

EDITORIAL

A CHEER

FOR THE FANS

Despite students’ original criticism of Rule 52, which states that “the concept of ‘sportsmanship’ must be taught, modeled, expected and reinforced in the classroom and in all competitive activities,” these guidelines for game nights have slowly but surely made a positive impact on fans of East sports.

The once-rowdy crowd members have figured out how to exercise the appropriate behavior while still bringing the adequate amount of hype to the field this fall season.

There are the kids who attend every game, home or away; the tank top wearers in the 40 degree weather; the chant starters who love to “throw their hands up in the air sometimes.” But no longer will you see the “Proud Violator of Rule 52” t-shirts that graced the chests of boisterous seniors two years ago.

This time around, there is no sneering or jeering or commandeering. It seems that, after much defiance, Rule 52 and the enforcement of it by school officials has effectively kept students in check.

Fans of East sports deserve their own round of applause.

Their own crowd shouting out “ah yeah, East” to pump them up. Their own fans to serenade them with the school song.

But more than half of the glory goes to the administra-

Gra

a publication of shawnee mission east high school 7500 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208

Print Editors-In-Chief Andrew Goble Annie Sgroi Online Editors-in-Chief Logan Heley Pat McGannon Assistant Print Editors Kat Buchanan Evan Nichols Art and Design Editor Emma Pennington Head Copy Editor Kevin Simpson Assistant Online Editor Maggie Simmons Photo Editors Grant Heinlein Dan Stewart News Editor Jack Howland News Page Editors Morgan Christian Editorial Editor

East fans and administrators have created a fun, positive sporting environment

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Letters to the editor should be sent to room 521 or smeharbinger@gmail.com.

Letters may be edited for clarity, length, libel and mechanics and accepted or rejected at the editor’s discretion.

inle

in

Katy Westhoff Opinion Editor Raina Weinberg Opinion Page Editors Ian Wiseman Emily Kerr Mixed Editor Anne Willman Spread Editors Lilly Myers Toni Aguiar Features Editor Sarah McKittrick Features Page Editors Chloe Stradinger Haley Martin Alysabeth Albano A&E Editor Aubrey Leiter A&E Page Editors Kennedy Burgess Tom Lynch Sports Editor

05

events in the past year alone. The positive vibes that have tion for issuing the dictum in the first place.

After seasons full of ridiculous chants against the oppos- emanated from the crowd this season have not only made an impact on the players, but the adminising teams and over-the-top behavior tration as well. ranging from excessive amounts The majority opinion of the of baby powder on the basketball Harbinger Editorial Board “Their cheering is what it’s meant to for against absent be,” Higgins said. “The point of being there court and malicious call-outs to our is to cheer on the team, not to be in HalRockhurst rivals, the administraloween costumes.” tion put their foot down and decided Administrators can attest to the fact to reinforce rules adopted 20 years that this has been our best season yet, as previously by the Kansas State High far as sports and sportsmanship are conSchool Activities Association’s Board cerned. The turn out at games and tournaof Directors. Much to the student body’s chagrin at the time, the officials began harshly con- ments this season has been more impressive than ever, and trolling the unsportsmanlike conduct. It’s clear now that the fans are doing great things that the officials hadn’t seen before, at least in the past few years. Though there have they made a decision to better the experience for fans, been a few jabs at rival teams here and there, the players and administrators. cheers and chants coming from the lips of East In a day and age at East where you can certifiably become a Lancer Soccer Super Fan through students have been more positive and upliftthe purchase of a nifty T-shirt, it seems we have ing than anything else.

So, consider this your pat on the back, rekindled our positive attitude in the bleachers East sports fans. And here’s to continuing with grace and poise. By wearing a tank top and our true school spirit this winter season. shouting their lungs dry in the crisp fall air, students have kept it clean and made a name for their team without actually making the team.

Athletic director Jeremy Higgins has seen a prominent change in the behavior of East students at sporting

Harbinger the

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issue 7

Corbin Barnds

Nov. 29, 2010 Sports Page Editors issue 7, vol. 52

Matt Gannon Freelance Page Editors Christa McKittrick Assistant Photo Editor Eden Schoofs Freelance Page Editors Christa McKittrick Copy Editors Evan Nichols Andrew Goble Annie Sgroi Kevin Simpson Kat Buchanan Jack Howland Morgan Christian Anne Willman Logan Heley Bob Martin Matt Gannon Chris Heady Staff Writers Grant Kendall Alex Lamb

Chris Heady Julia Davis Zoe Brian Anna Marken Caroline Creidenberg Paige Hess Editorial Board Andrew Goble Annie Sgroi Corbin Barnds Logan Heley Kevin Simpson Jennifer Rorie Jack Howland Evan Nichols Kat Buchanan Bob Martin Morgan Christian Photographers Katie East Grant Kendall Sammi Kelley Samantha Bartow Claire Wahrer Tomi Caldwell

Grace Snyder Riley Meurer Marissa Horwitz Kaitlyn Stewart Ads/Circulation Manager Jennifer Rorie Staff Artist Alex Goldman Online Copy Editors Kennedy Burgess Lilly Myers Online Photo Editor Lindsey Hartnett Multimedia Editor Maggie Simmons Convergence Editor Bob Martin Homegrown Editor Nathan Walker Podcast/Blog Editor Jeff Cole Video Editor Alex Lamb Videographers Thomas Allen

Nathan Walker Andrew Simpson Live Broadcast Editor Jeff Cole Live Broadcast Producers Thomas Allen Tom Lynch Anchors Andrew Simpson Jeff Cole Chloe Stradinger Corbin Barnds Kevin Simpson Nathan Walker Paige Hess PR Representative Chloe Stradinger Online Staff Writers Andrew Simpson Adviser Dow Tate

The Harbinger is a student run publication. The contents and views are produced solely by the staff and do not represent the Shawnee Mission School District, East faculty, or school administration.

OPINION 06 11-29-10

WINTER WONDERS I hate the cold, hate wearing a coat and hate running from point A to point B trying to get out of the awful weather. Winter makes me cringe, especially when I think an opinion of Raina Weinberg about the stiflingly frigid air. The only thing that keeps me sane throughout the season is the month of December and all of the wonderful things that come with it.

Christmukkah

For those confused about the previously stated term, allow me to explain. Christmukkah; a mash-up of Hannukah and Christmas making one giant holiday. The smell of Latkas fills the air as I hang stockings on the fireplace. My family puts the Christmas tree in the middle of our living room and to make the finishing touches, I place our menorah atop the mantle among all of the stockings.

As a child it was truly confusing trying to decide how to explain what holiday I celebrated. I struggled to even understand why I was the only kid in my class who celebrated two winter holidays. All I knew was that I was extremely lucky. Eight days of Hannukah followed by one big day for Christmas.

Finally the day came when the two holidays had a name. Thanks to Seth Cohen and the O.C. I knew I wasn’t the only person who celebrated both. Chrismukkah was

born giving all who celebrate both holidays a way to rejoice.

Staffer describes her feelings about the holiday season

Holiday Movies & Music

with and consequently pinned to the ground. In true Festivus spirit, the holiday usually ends with an aggravated crowd.

Festivus

For those people who watch their diet all year long, the holidays bring a feeding frenzy. An array of delicious foods present themselves around the holidays.

Peppermint flavored anything becomes first on my list but by far the best food of December is the Potato Latka, also known as potato pancakes. If a latka and a hash brown battled, the latka would hands down win.

For some reason, people frown upon those who buy pies just for the hell of it. For all those suffering from pie suppression, the holidays are the perfect time to indulge.

It’s almost criminal to refuse a piece of pecan pie at a holiday gathering.

So many cinematic masterpieces grace us when the holidays roll around. Puppies in Santa hats, talking snowmen and frolicking reindeer? What’s not to enjoy? Sitting down with a cup of eggnog and watching the old school animated Grinch is a December tradition I never forget.

Some may think that 12:01 on Halloween is too early to begin listening to Christmas music but I would have to strongly disagree. “Last Christmas” by Wham! is the best way to kick off the holidays. Cheesy 80’s beats lay the foundation for the tragic love story told in the song. Once Thanksgiving ends, holiday music fills businesses and restaurants making for a wonderful month.

A true holiday for the Cynics. The whole point of Festivus; being able to call out all of those close to you and tell them how much they’ve let you down the past year. The holiday replaces the traditional Christmas Tree with an undecorated aluminum pole. It all begins with a feast in which the airing of grievances occurs. During this, all involved go around and say all the stupid and wrong things everyone else has done during the year.

Festivus comes to a close only after the “Feats of Strength” where the head of the household is wrestled

Seasonal Food

Winter Apparel

At what other time of the year would it be okay to wear a sweater with dancing polar bears and reindeer clad in hats? Sweaters, the ultimate comfort attire is what makes the season what it is. Hats, gloves and coats can be trendy as well as festive, and as far as I’m concerned, the more layers the better. Although I hate cold air with an icy-hot passion, the cute style choices that the frigid gusts of wind provide are more than welcome.

FORGET YOUR CAMERA? WE DIDN’T. SMEPHOTOS.COM

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OPINION

SpeakSmart issue 7

07

Junior discusses the lack of political knowledge students have when they talk about politics

An opinion of EvanNichols Obama isn’t an American citizen.

Obama is a communist.

Obama hates the wealthy.

It’s the stuff I hear floating through the halls and cafeteria whenever politics comes up. And it pisses me off. Sure, it’s funny to joke around about politics—we’re not actual politicians debating, and there’s no press reporters breathing down our necks and recording every word we say. But there’s a certain level of knowledge I expect people to have if they’re going to seriously criticize or comment on the federal government’s actions.

If someone says, “Obama’s taking all the money from the rich,” they better be able to back it up with some actual facts about his policies, or maybe a documented story with of Obama tip-toeing into their house in the middle of the night, smashing their piggy bank, and running away with all the cash inside. And if someone happens to come across a printed copy of Obama’s master plan to make America a communist nation, I’d love to see it.

It’s pointless, and incredibly frustrating, to hear complete falsities thrown around as if our entire school felt they were seasoned political experts. But, according to the data below and most of the statements

Y

N D B

Y

E

A

C

Do you know who won the Nov. 2 election for Kansas Senate Representative?

YES- 33% NO- 67%

How interested are you in the election process?

A. VERY INTERESTED 17% B. INTERESTED 23%

C. SOMEWHAT INTERESTED 34% D. LITTLE INTEREST 19% E. NO INTEREST 7% vote?

Have you registered to s only) ior sen d an s ior jun r (fo

N

YES- 35% NO- 65%

I’ve heard, that is not the case at all. The opposite of that, actually.

So here’s what I’m saying: If you really want to discuss politics and discuss them well, do your research. Here are some helpful ways you can prepare yourself for that next big lunch room discussion.

If you don’t know, don’t talk.

Probably the most broken rule of all conversations, political or not. Everyone feels the need to interject their opinion, as misinformed as it may be. But I’m asking you to bite your tongue. If it’s not a subject that you’ve ever heard—like the government’s national relations with Cambodia—you won’t be able to contribute to the conversation. If you do feel the need to contribute, try and listen to what others are saying and build your opinion from that. People aren’t always at liberty to discuss or analyze something seriously, but they always have the right to formulate their views based off the discussions of others.

The internet can help you (with caution).

The internet is filled with different sites to help keep you informed, although some can claim more credibility than others. Try and avoid stumbling into obviously slanted websites—ihateobama.com and mccain-

politically

misinformed A survey of 87 East students shows lack of political education and awareness

High school political awareness has been an issue that has been put into the national spotlight. But our data shows that even though efforts are being made to promote political awareness and involvment, it still hasn’t reached it’s goal.

Political Education websites www.factcheck.org www.ontheissues.org www.uselections.com

sucks.com seem to be a little biased. A quick glance through the politics section of more credible news websites such of CNN. com, or watching a video or two on cbsnews.com once a day will provide a good outline of the current political happenings, and enough information to keep you afloat during talks. And if you come across some information that you’re not sure is true or not, factcheck.org is one of the best online resources available for checking the validity of statements and claims. Note: If you still believe Obama isn’t an American citizen, I suggest doing a little reading on factcheck.org.

Don’t let misinformation be spread.

I’ve never claimed all-knowing political knowledge. I’m no expert. That doesn’t mean my conversations have to be meaningless and misinformed. If I hear something that I don’t understand or something that’s blatantly untrue, I’ll take the initiative and do my research. Don’t sit around waiting for people to stop running their mouths off. Knowledge about politics and current events takes time and effort, and it should not be treated as a simple subject.

With education comes entitlement to truly discuss politics.

WHAT PARTY DO YOU MOSTLY CLOSELY AFFILIATE YOURSELF WITH?

37%

63%

REPUBLICAN

DEMOCRAT

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR PARTY AFFILIATION?

A. The same as my parent’s 36% B. The same as my friends’ 2% C. Research on each party’s views 31% D. Other 15% *all data based off of Nov. 23 survey of 87 East students

FEATURES 08 11-29-10

A memorial for the Walker’s missing pets was arranged by neighbors.

AndrewGoble

e After their house burned down, th Walker family learns how to take life

one step at a time Dan, eighth grade at Mission Valley Jack, freshman at Washington University Sharon’s staff shirt Jack’s two state rings TV and computer Abby’s flute

AndrewGoble

East parent Sharon Walker leans back, lets her eyes close and just tries to think. She pictures herself in the living room of her home. What was on the ground? What was on the floor? What furniture was there?

She records what she can remember, and then moves on to the next room, and then a closet, and then maybe a clothing drawer. She remembers Buster, her half-beagle shelter dog—along with the family’s cat and turtle—but the insurance company can do nothing about that. There are a “million things” Sharon would rather do right now, but the insurance company needs to know about all of their possessions before they can even attempt to reimburse the Walkers.

All of these things—gone. Forever. Sharon tilts her head back again, shuts her eyes, and tries to remember every last thing she will never see again. *** Sharon woke up in her hotel room at 7:15 a.m. on Sunday Oct. 24. She had woken up early, but she didn’t want to wake her three kids in the room with her, so she just laid in bed, thinking.

The night before, she, her daughter junior Elli Walker, Dan, a seventh-grader, and Abby, a fifth-grader, had gone to a juggling show at Simon Hall as a part of Family Weekend at Washington University in St. Louis, where Sharon’s son Jack, a ‘10 East graduate, goes to college and is a member of their swim team.

Sharon had turned her phone off for the performance; thinking about it, she decided to turn it back on. Around 15-20 missed call and text notifications flooded her screen. The top call was from her mom, the top text from her sister who lives in New Jersey.

Sharon read the text: “call me or kate as soon as you can.” Maybe something had happened to her father, she thought. She called her sister Kate Mahoney, who lives in town. Sharon could hear her sister shuffling out of Mass.

Kate told her that her house burned down, and that she needed to call their neighbor, Jennifer McGonigle.

“It’s surreal,” Sharon said. “I kept asking about our pets, and they said, ‘Don’t hope.’ They might see the dog running around the neighborhood or something, but there was really nothing left. Don’t be hoping there was an animal in there or something, there was nothing to find.”

The fire was called in to 9-1-1 at 4:18 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 24, according to the Leawood Fire Report. By the time the first fire truck arrived, the house was “fully involved.”

The whole house would end up on fire. Captain Frank Herrick said that the results of the investigation were not public record as of press date. Sharon said that both the Leawood Fire Department and her insurance provider have classified the cause of the fire as “undetermined.”

“People were panicking when they saw the house,”

McGonigle said to FOX4 the day of the event. “Then I heard an explosion and a ‘psss’ sound, and I got up to see what was up. When the fire department got there, there were 20 foot flames coming out of the top of the house.

The entire home was engulfed with flames.”

The Walkers sat on their bed and cried when they first found out. After Sharon made some necessary calls, they came back from St. Louis, taking the route so that they would come to the McGonigle’s house from the south.

They didn’t want to see their home—not yet. They eventually walked north to their home. Sharon estimated around 30 people were there to see it with them.

Everything in the home was destroyed, according to Sharon. Even in parts where there was minimal or no fire damage, flooding had ruined almost everything inside.

Sharon remembers seeing the refrigerator on its back.

Abby saw the melted TV. They saw Elli’s prized Homecoming dress, smoldering.

“I remember telling them our faith, family and friends were all intact, so it was going to be OK,” Sharon said.

“The rest of it...the pets were in heaven. [My brother Joe] passed away a year ago, and Joe would be with the pets.

When we have the rest of the stuff, it was going to be OK.” The Walkers hadn’t packed much, and they were left with only what they had taken with them. Sharon packed lightly, only bringing her work and a few clothes. Abby remembers bringing a few more clothes and her books.

Elli brought clothes, but was upset that she forgot her school work.

Relief efforts started even before the family returned to Kansas City. When they arrived, friends of the Walkers had school gear for them. The McGonigle family opened up their home for them to stay in until they could find somewhere else.

The Walkers have insurance, but it is still unclear how much will be covered. Sharon hears from insurance employees from all over the country that have been put to the task of figuring out what will be completed next. Sharon works full-time as a teacher leader at Wyandotte High School, and has to find time after work or on the weekends to deal with the ensuing paperwork.

Senior Hanna Jane Stradinger, working with her sister sophomore Chloe Stradinger and junior Emily Frye, decided that they wanted to help. They chose to plan the Walk for the Walkers, a one mile walk around East.

“We all agreed we needed to do something, and we didn’t know what to do,” Hanna Jane said. “Emily suggested a walk, and at first I was like, ‘Wow, that’s going to be a ton of work.’ I didn’t think we could pull it together because I knew it had to be really soon so that we could get as much funds as we could raise as quickly to them as possible. We decided we could do it if we had a lot of help.”

The Walker’s home burned down when they were visiting Jack at college. Virtually nothing could be rescued from the fire.

all photos by LindseyHartnett

The walk took place on Nov. 5—less than two weeks after the fire--and started at the East track. The Stradinger sisters and Frye organized for a radio station and the East drum line to come play music, and Krispy Kreme donated 1,200 donuts.

“The walk itself was so awesome,” Hanna Jane said. “At the beginning of the walk, seeing all these people come, I was like, “Oh my gosh, people are actually coming.’ It’s people I don’t know...but they heard about it and here to support the Walkers, which was so exciting.”

The walk raised over $10,000. Sharon also thinks one of the best parts is that her extended family got to see Elli and Dan, who both have Down Syndrome, interact with their friends from school.

“It’s so heartwarming to live in the community we live in and to have people show up and offer their support in love,” Sharon said. “I had a bunch of relatives there and they saw Elli with all of her friends and Dan with all of his friends...it was good for them to see the kids in their natural environments.”

The Walker family lived with the McGonigles for the first two weeks, and then moved into a home just down the street that had recently been vacated. The owner had recently moved into a nursing home, and the house wasn’t ready to be put on the market, so they were offered a chance to rent it. Sharon’s friends helped gather furniture and art to put in the new home, and they also painted some of the rooms. Jack’s college teammates from his swim team and their families donated 21 boxes of kitchenettes; as Abby says, “normal stuff we don’t have.”

Sharon still is trying to replace some of the things that mean the most to her kids. Abby lost her flute in the fire, and she worked with the Toon Shop to get a new rental.

She has been working with the East staff and parents to get some of Jack’s academic pins and awards back. Elli was upset about losing her Choralier’s robe and her art supplies, so Sharon has been working to get those, too.

They have been relying on friends and family to provide clothing: each of Dan’s friends gave him one of their t-shirts and signs it, and he likes to choose which one to wear by the name. They all have needed clothing, especially as cooler temperatures required things such as sweatpants and jackets.

In the end, Sharon is just hoping that her family can move on. She remembers Elli recently becoming upset after seeing the debris being cleared away from their home, and says that all of them have had it hit them at different times. Although the process of returning things to normal is far from done, Sharon is constantly working to keep her family happy.

“We’ll just try to settle into our routine,” Walker said, “and put one foot ahead of the other.”

closets and drawers full of clothes kitchen utensils Ellie’s Homecoming dress their dog and turtle Ellie, junior at East Abby, fifth grade at Briarwood Elementary Sharon, employed at Wyandotte High School

FEATURES issue 07

When Caleb was 9-years-old, the night went like usual. As they take their seats to eat, his parents are silent. Caleb glimpses his dad’s left hand and the familiar three stones aren’t there. This is the first time he knows they’re getting a divorce.

A few days later Caleb wrote about that night. He doesn’t know exactly what he wrote, but he remembers how he felt.

“It was one of those venting things, where you don’t really think about it, you just write,” Caleb said. *** Senior begins sending his stories to the same publishing Caleb’s first poem was company as Christopher Paolini, the author of Eragon titled “Fire.” In the seventh grade at St. Agnes, he was SamanthaBartow given an assignment to write AnnieSgroi a poem using as many adjectives as possible. After reading As Senior Caleb Hayden refills water glasses at 801 Chop- through dictionaries, he settled on writing about the cycle of fire. house, he can’t stop grinning.

“When I read about embers they were described as a Pouring water in the elegant private dining room with malightening and darkening,” Caleb said. “I saw an affiliation ple-paneled walls isn’t new. But this time is different because of whose glass he’s filling: Christopher Paolini, the 27-year-old between fire and life. The way that embers burn up and past embers light new fires.” author of the critically-acclaimed sci-fi novel “Eragon.”

Caleb was drawn to the descriptions. He remembers seeing Caleb knew right away it was the author he idolized bea connection between the changing embers in poem and the cause he’d seen the picture of him on the back flap of the way his life was still changing after his parents’ divorce. novel.

Since his mom initiated the divorce, Caleb focused his an“May I help you?” Paolini says. ger on her. Now Caleb says he knows that their communica“I just wanted to say thank you for writing,” Caleb says, tion had broken down from both sides and he sympathizes stammering.

Paolini tells Caleb that his view of the world inspired him with his mom’s choice.

But at the time, all his tension was aimed at his mom. Durto start writing. He explains that he feels an energy around ing one fight, Caleb shattered a tile floor by stomping on it, him when he looks around and that’s magic in itself. during another, he punched a hole in a door.

Caleb tells Paolini that the people in his life are his muse.

“When we did split, all the kids saw was that I left,” ElizaHe leaves to go give water to the rest of the restaurant, but beth said. “That I walked away from their Dad. But I think he then comes back to give the dining room party one more refill. As Paolini pays his bill, he hands a business card to Caleb. fought against me because I changed everything he knew.”

After the divorce, Caleb felt like he needed to be a father It is for his editor at the publishing company Alfred A. Knopf. figure for his Elijah and Isabella. To him, this meant listening “If you really want to get into writing, then give this man to them, helping them with their homework, and sometimes, a call,” he says. protecting them. *** When Isabella was 8-years-old, she came home from St. Waiting tables has been a part of Caleb’s life since he was 6-years-old. Caleb often visited his parents, Elizabeth and Agnes one afternoon with a cut on her face. Caleb saw it and Christopher Hayden, while they worked at the Classic Cup. asked what happened. After she told him a kid on the playHe grew to love the energy of restaurants and the bonds be- ground threw a stick at her, Caleb was furious. He ran down tween people that were made there. He spent countless hours the street to the school, found the kid, picked him up and sitting at a table folding napkins with his dad or in the back screamed, “Never hit my baby sister again or . . .” But the rest with the cooks, sometimes getting to add a pinch of spices or of what he said is a blur because then teachers, parents and the principal came out and stopped him. a bit of olive oil to a dish.

Caleb also began to feel protective of Elijah, who is four Caleb enjoyed the routine of going to restaurants, but that same routine also meant time away from his parents. His years younger than him. Elijah is mildly autistic and he somemom often worked during the day; his dad, all through the times doesn’t understand why people are mean to him. Caleb tries to explain that they don’t matter; what they think of him night.

When Elizabeth got home she would sit and talk with doesn’t matter because he has his family. *** Caleb. When Christopher got home, he would take off one of A now doodle-covered journal with a once-white cover his two rings for Caleb to spin on his bedside table as he drifted to sleep. The first was Caleb’s grandfather’s silver thumb taped to the bottom of a stereo houses Caleb’s “dead” poems. ring, with a spiral on it and 9:45, the time of his late Uncle The ones where he was writing and “the music just stopped.”

Jim’s birth engraved inside. The second was his wedding ring. One of these is about a falling star. He’d described the glowing It was silver, with three diamonds, one to represent each of descent, but couldn’t bring himself to write about the crash when it met the Earth. He didn’t want to write about someChristopher’s children at that point; it mesmerized Caleb.

Those daily traditions kept them connected as did their thing that sad.

There are three novels that Caleb won’t stop working on. annual ones. Every Halloween, Caleb’s parents would take him, his brother Elijah and sister Isabella trick-or-treating at He works on them in spurts. Sometimes going weeks without the Quivira Crossing shopping center. There was a Haunted touching them; sometimes writing for hours on end. The first House and all the stores gave out candy. The Haydens would “Through Lycan Eyes” details the lives of a family of weretrick-or-treat, then stop for dinner at the Hometown Buffet. wolves and their struggles in society.

The second is a sci-fi novel about electric powered roller-

A NOVEL ENCOUNTER

09

blades and families that come together to ride them.

The third is the novel Caleb has been sending to a publisher at Knopf ,an untitled fiction conspiracy novel about four brothers. They’re all successful; one a doctor, one a lawyer, one an engineer and one a writer. The writer gets thrown in jail for writing an article exposing what seems to be a conspiracy between the U.S. government and business interests, hurting soldiers in Afghanistan. The other three brothers band together to get him out of jail and let the truth be known.

Elizabeth said in this novel particularly she sees how Caleb’s perspective has become more inclusive of others’ motives as he’s grown.

“He can look at more than just his side, he can look at all sides,” Elizabeth said. “If there’s five people involved, he can look at the five different sides and see that each person brings their own entity into it. They each have their own reasons, their own rationale.”

Every novel Caleb is working on has a common thread: family. The Lycan’s family protects each other, the futuristic family must work together, and the four brothers have a common goal. Though his family life has not often been stable, family means everything to him. And for him, friends, can be family too.

He has two friends, Kyla and Matt, who he lets edit his work. Matt will point out portions that need reworking or plot problems. Kyla focuses in on smaller pieces like word choice.

He trusts them to be honest because he knows them so well. Caleb said he tends to forge close relationships because he wants his connections with people to be strong.

“I don’t want to be like my parents,” Caleb said. “I don’t want there to be one fight that ruins an entire relationship.

I want us to be close enough so that one fight will just be a speed-bump.” *** When he was 14-years-old, Caleb found out that writing was part of his family’s past. His dad told him that his grandfather was a writer in addition to being a carpenter, sculptor and architectural photographer. For the Kansas City Star, he wrote a series about buildings that were soon to be demolished. He’d take pictures of each structure and then write their stories— from their functions to what they meant to the community.

For The Ladies Home Journal he submitted poetry. For Reader’s Digest, he wrote about his experiences in the Korean War. According to Christopher, it was a passion Robert passed on to his sons. Christopher’s brother Jim wrote poetry and so has Christopher —all inspired by the people in his life. *** When Caleb speaks about his Writers’ Workshop class this year, he starts to laugh and smile. That class, he said, helped him expand his writing and try out a new, lighter tone on projects like writing a children’s book about a tiger that bonds with orphans.

Caleb’s writing is brighter now than it once was, mirroring his life. Christopher has a new girlfriend and Caleb thinks they’re good for each other. He sees that she can put him in his place if necessary. He thinks Elizabeth is happier now. She’s a nurse at Shawnee Mission Medical Center and works parttime as a bartender at 801 Chophouse with Caleb.

Right now, Caleb is in the process of revising his novel about the four brothers and sending drafts to an editor at Knopf, who sends them back with suggestions. He knows he has a long way to go before being published, so he hasn’t told his mom about being in contact with the publisher. He worries about getting her hopes up and then letting her down.

Caleb is hesitant to get other people’s hopes tied up in his writing, but he remains optimistic about his chances. He hopes to be published, but he says that he believes writing isn’t only about accomplishment.

“Make it a goal but at the same time don’t let it be your only aim,” Caleb said. “Look around, don’t just look at that one tree, look at the entire forest.”

10

FEATURES

Computers in combat 11-29-10

East’s network analyst Ben Eukel used to work as a satellite communications technician with the special operations in the Air Force LoganHeley

What was supposed to last as long as a regular workday ended up keeping East’s network analyst Ben Eukel awake for 40 hours straight. Attack after attack rolled in, preventing Eukel and his team from unloading the trucks storing essential equipment for them to communicate with home base. When they finally were able to move the last piece of equipment off the trucks the set up began. Rather than the usual ten minutes, it took two hours for the team to connect to the satellite. It started raining as Eukel was laying cable, one of the most strenuous jobs when setting up a mobile communications system. There was some confusion and Eukel kept working as other soldiers arrived and took to their beds. Finally, the exercise at Fort Dix in New Jersey ended for Eukel, but as there wasn’t a tent available, Eukel laid down in the grass using his rucksack as a pillow.

For six years Eukel worked as a satellite communications technician for the Air Force in support of special operation forces such as the Army Rangers, Marine Recon and CIA. It was Eukel’s job to set up the equipment that allowed those fighting on the ground to have real-time communication with the Pentagon and CIA headquarters. Eukel spent most of his six years at Hurlburt Field Air Force Base, but was deployed overseas twice: once to Kuwait from March-Aug. 2003 and once to Afghanistan in April-June 2004. After serving in Afghanistan, Eukel was promoted to second-in-command of the division at Hurlburt that oversaw the maintenance of the communication systems.

Eukel was never in a combat situation, instead, his experience was different than what many might imagine when he brings up working for special-ops. Most of Eukel’s days consisted of him sitting in the tent they called “base” in an airconditioned room for 12 hours, seven days a week. The team was required to check in with the satellite controllers every eight hours to confirm that the dish was still up and running.

Between confirmation calls Eukel had a front row seat to what he compares to a video game. The network Eukel’s team installed at the base could directly interface with special-ops on the ground as well as any pilots or Predators being used in the mission.

“So, that was basically it,” Eukel said. “You just sit in the tent making phone calls. Because once you’re set up, you’re set up until it’s time to move on.”

On base, the rules special-ops follow are different than what regular Army and Air Force personnel are subjected to. Specialops aren’t required to wear a hat when outside and saluting officers is optional. One of the most useful differences, according to Eukel, was not being forced to wear the standard Air Force uniform.

“Our uniform was khaki or black shorts and a black or brown T-shirt,” Eukel said. “[It was] really nice because it’s obviously very hot over there.”

Eukel was always someone to push the limits during his

Least favorite base: Reason-

KUWAIT

Kuwait was the worst because there were a lot of normal Air Force and Army guys there, so Eukel and his team had to wear their uniforms in the 120 degree weather. Eukel and his team were normally excused from wearing their uniforms.

time in the Air Force. Senior airman Chris Ellcessor, Eukel’s friend while at Hurlburt, remembers he’d often come back from physical training in the morning to find Eukel asleep on the floor. Even so, Ellcessor said Eukel always passed his PT tests. Another time, Ellcessor recalls, Eukel thought the office was getting a little too boring and brought in an emulator that allowed original Nintendo games to be played on the government PCs at the base.

Pushing the limits of Air Force rules wasn’t always a matter of fun and games with Eukel. He is Jewish and even studied under the local rabbi at Hurlburt to become a rabbi himself, though he never completed his studies. Eukel wore a yarmulke throughout his time in the Air Force not only because of his religious beliefs, but also because he felt he needed some way to make himself unique.

“I never just pictured myself as another cog in the wheel and you can only distinguish yourself so much by outstanding service or being good at your job so sometimes you just need a gimmick to get noticed,” Eukel said.

When Eukel turned 10 he got his first computer — a “blazing” 66 mgHz Pentium 1 that he claims “basically nothing at all” could be done on. That painstakingly slow machine was where his interest in computers began and he soon started making his own improvements.

“If [a computer] starts running slow, I wanted to just see what was inside,” Eukel said. “I would tear it down and put it back together and eventually you start doing it for your friends, your friend’s parents, so by the time I graduated high school, I had a pretty good background in computer repair and optimizations.”

Today, Eukel’s job consists of maintaining software and hardware on all the computers, printers and laptops in the building. He sees his position as a customer service role because it’s his job to make sure teachers aren’t inhibited by technology available to them, but rather helping teachers use it to enhance their lesson plans.

He often looks back fondly on his days in the Air Force and sometimes thinks about where he would be if he stuck with that career path. This year Eukel would have been halfway through his 20 years to gain full military retirement benefits, but he’s currently taking online courses to get a college degree in network design and management so he can fulfill his dream of becoming an information technology consultant.

Story from a military base:

OPERATION INITIATION As told by Ben Eukel

As a going away present, sort of an initiation in reverse, someone said I had a phone call over on the other end of the building, so I started walking that way. Everyone was looking at me which was a little odd but I ignored it, which I probably shouldn’t have done.

I walked 10 more feet and all of a sudden, everyone jumps me.

I don’t know what’s going on so I’m fighting back, punching, biting, kicking. They start taping me with duct tape to a chair, but I bit through the duct tape and I actually bit one of the guys.

They pull me outside in the parking lot and start pouring mustard and ketchup, maple syrup and relish and honey and flour on me. Then they put me in the back of the pickup, and drove to the other side of base and went through the carwash. It really sucked because that has tremendous pressure.

Thankfully they used cold water; it was in Florida in the middle of summer.

Then they dumped me on the other side of the base and I had to walk 3/4 of a mile back to where my shower and everything was.

Favorite base:

AFGHANISTAN

Reason-

Reason-

Afghanistan was the best place to be deployed because they had facilities like a spa. It was $5 for a facial and $10 for an hour massage.

photo courtesy of BenEukel

FEATURES Senior Faye Schumacher walked into Jewelry 1 class at East not expecting to like it. She had taken it as a last resort art class because she needed to fill her schedule, but she walked out one semester later with a newfound love of jewelry making.

It was her sophomore year. She went into art teacher Wanda Simchuck’s jewelry class expecting to hate it, and at first, she did.

However, things changed when she made her second project in the class: a ring.

“I fell in love with [jewelry], and I’ve been taking it ever since,” Schumacher said.

A turquoise stone surrounded by a metal flower, that first ring is still her favorite piece that she’s made so far, because of the complexity of it.

DanStewart

NICKLUCAS PAINTING

Now a senior, Schumacher has taken Advanced Jewelry once already, and is currently enrolled in the course. She is also taking it next semester. She specializes in making rings, and has made a total of 14 so far.

Almost all of her pieces have some sort of coloring, and she loves incorporating flowers in her jewelry.

Schumacher loves the concept of wearing her own pieces, and says it is one of the things that makes the medium of jewelry one of her favorite.

“I just think it’s cool that I can make anything I want and just wear it,” Schumacher said. “I love the idea that I made it and know where it came from.”

issue 7

11

GrantHeinlein

FAYE SCHUMACHER JEWELRY

Being a featured artist at a coffee house is a rare honor, one bestowed upon senior Nick Lucas in November when he was declared “Artist of the Month” at Starbucks in the Prairie Village Shopping Center.

Lucas, whose medium of choice is painting, did not get his start until sophomore year, when he took a painting class with Jodie Schnakenberg. After that class, he started painting in his free time as a way to stay busy.

The walls of Starbucks are currently lined with Lucas’s pieces; ranging from a solitary silhouette of a tree in the night to a cigarettesmoking old man lost in thought, grey mountains looking on behind him. Men in suits are a common theme, and unique affinity of Lucas’.

“I feel like painting is so different from any other thing, any office job, and it’s kind of an oxymoron to bring the professionalism that

comes along with wearing a suit onto canvas,” Lucas said.

He uses his family’s guestroom as a studio and often spends hours on end working on his pieces.

“I’ll feel like it’s been fifteen minutes but I’ll have been doing it for two hours,” Lucas said. “I turn on Kid Cudi and just go to work.”

Lucas’s mother has been a regular at Starbucks for a long time, and knows the manager. After the scheduled November Artist of the Month cancelled unexpectedly, the manager asked Mrs. Lucas if Nick would be interested in filling in, and he seized the opportunity.

“I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on my work. I think it’s really cool. It’s just exciting to have it up,” Lucas said.

He plans on applying to the Chicago Art Institute and seeing where his painting takes him in the future.

ARTISTS AT EAST

continued from page one Pink, green and yellow splotches filled in the letters of his name, making them look like part of a neon sign against the black Sharpie encircling them. He finished sketching the final shadows into the letter “L” on his graffiti-style piece, and admired the finished product.

It was seventh grade, and current Junior Miguel Bojorquez had just started drawing for fun.

Today, drawing is an essential part of Bojorquez’s life. He even calls it his “passion.” He draws everything from landscapes to portraits, but what he really loves is freelance work, where the ideas come from his imagination.

Bojorquez is inspired by ordinary everyday objects- things he hears or sees going through his hectic life.

“The posters and pictures that are hanging up in the Crossroads and Westport really inspire me,” Bojorquez said. “They’re just like weird abstract drawings and characters.”

He describes his style as very “pow, in-your-face” and likes work-

DanStewart

BRANDONEVINGER GRAFITTI

ing mostly with bright colors. His sketchbook travels with him everywhere, and is a part of who he is. When he needs to express himself, he turns to a new page and draws.

Bojorquez’s peers love seeing his latest drawings, and always give him feedback on his work.

“I’ve gotten a lot of positive comments, and that keeps me fired up to continue being an artist,” Bojorquez said.

As for the future, Bojorquez plans on studying graphic design, and keeping art in his life forever.

Throughout the years, Bojorquez has drawn his fair share of pieces, but he says that his favorite drawing is still the graffiti piece of his name that he drew four years ago in seventh grade.

“I always go back to it and I remember,” says Bojorquez. “I just look at it and I think about how much I’ve grown from that point and how much I still have to learn as an artist.”

Senior Brandon Evinger looks at the pencil sketch he holds in hand, and slowly tries to copy each curve in the design onto the cement wall in front of him using white filler paint. Once the sketch he holds is duplicated on the cement, he begins spraying color over the white, filling in the letters one layer of color after another. He starts with the deep purples and blues, and over the layers of paint he makes his way to the brighter yellows and whites.

He steps back to see if the piece looks complete. Once every blank space has been filled, Evinger quickly sprays the letters S-N-A-Z in the bottom corner, just like he’s done dozens of times before.

“Pretty much every piece I’ll do, I’ll have the word snaz in it,” Evinger said. “I don’t even know why, it just makes me feel happy because it’s a funny word.”

Before he took drawing at East sophomore year, Evinger was never into art. He would make attempt after attempt but get fed up when his work did not turn out as he had planned.

After countless tries, one successful drawing made Evinger realize his

GrantHeinlein

MIGUEL BOJORQUEZ PAINTING

knack for art.

“After I got one thing that was really good, it just took off from there, and I loved it,” Evinger said.

The idea of creating a piece of art featuring a word that has meaning to him drew Evinger to graffiti.

“At first I was just doing [graffiti] to try and create something cool-looking, but then I just started doing it because of my emotions, and it just became more fun,” Evinger said.

One thing he has always wanted to change about himself is his short temper, and graffiti has provided an outlet to help him calm down and relax if he needs to.

“It pretty much just helps relieve stress,” says Evinger. “ It helps me just get away from all the real world drama stuff.”

Once he has snaz written in the corner of his piece, it is finished. He steps back and takes it in. It reads “VIRTUE,” and each time he looks at it he is reminded of the role graffiti has played in his life.

12

SPREAD

Harbinger Holiday Preview 11-29-10

Christmas

In America...

66.7%

celebrate Christmas

think the ho lid season is ay biased towa Christmasrds

Hanukkah %nts 2.7tudeate

s r ah of eleb ukk c an H s t n e ud te st bra f o ele s c o day w i t ol h

7% .

2

Kwanzaa 27%

of students don’t know what Kwanzaa is

Kwanzaa is an AfricanAmerican celebration of life from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.

It is a seven day festival celebrating African history, culture, and ancestors and giving thanks.

information from a poll of 75 East students

What People Spent Money On (2009)

$763.40

$760 $756.32

$740

Food

$700

$682.74

$660

14%

$705.01

$702.03

$680

$640

4 million Tradition?

When People Began Shopping (2009)

$738.11

$720

Gifts for friends

$648.85

Gifts for family

57%

10%

$671.88

Decorations

6%

$620 2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Other

6%

Gifts for co-workers

4%

Flowers

3%

October November

20%

39%

tons of wrapping paper the US uses every holiFirst 2 day season weeks of

79 million

December

17%

Before Last 2 September weeks of 13% December September

6%

5%

people that shopped on Black Friday in 2009

information the National Retail Foundation and Clean Air Council

At East...

When Did You

Less than $10 10.0%

STOP Believing Santa?

Leaving town

More than $50 13.7%

$30-40 19.7 %

42.6%

Staying in town

57.4%

Students prefer getting or giving gifts

Giving

70.6% $20-30 28.3%

$10-20 28.3%

Getting

29.4%

9-10

27.4%

Four and younger

8.2%

11-12 13.7%

“ “ “

My family drives around town looking at all the different Christmas decorations on the houses. Then we go out on Christmas and spend the whole day seeing movies and eating Chinese.

”

Senior Ashly Rosenstock

We only celebrate one day of Hanukkah and we celebrate it with our cousins. We watch “A Christmas Story” 24 hour marathon on TBS. We get to open one present on Christmas Eve, and we eat Jewish Coffee Cake on Christmas morning.

Students going out of town over Winter Break

Average amount spent on each gift

13

Your

Adults 18+

”

Freshman Jordan Hall

In

% 6 .

9o4 ts n e d f stu

issue 7

What’s

Average Holiday Spending Per Year $780

SPREAD

5-6

17.8%

7-8

27.4% 12 and up 5.5% information from a poll of 75 East students

Everyone has to bring a cheap $5 gift, and we all stand around the pool table and pass them different directions as my grandpa reads a story that uses the words “left” and “right” a billion times. Previous gifts have included: to-go toilet paper, a cabbage patch doll, and an African American hula girl for your dashboard.

”

Junior Molly Jennings

all photos by GrantKendall

12

SPREAD

Harbinger Holiday Preview 11-29-10

Christmas

In America...

66.7%

celebrate Christmas

think the ho lid season is ay biased towa Christmasrds

Hanukkah %nts 2.7tudeate

s r ah of eleb ukk c an H s t n e ud te st bra f o ele s c o day w i t ol h

7% .

2

Kwanzaa 27%

of students don’t know what Kwanzaa is

Kwanzaa is an AfricanAmerican celebration of life from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.

It is a seven day festival celebrating African history, culture, and ancestors and giving thanks.

information from a poll of 75 East students

What People Spent Money On (2009)

$763.40

$760 $756.32

$740

Food

$700

$682.74

$660

14%

$705.01

$702.03

$680

$640

4 million Tradition?

When People Began Shopping (2009)

$738.11

$720

Gifts for friends

$648.85

Gifts for family

57%

10%

$671.88

Decorations

6%

$620 2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Other

6%

Gifts for co-workers

4%

Flowers

3%

October November

20%

39%

tons of wrapping paper the US uses every holiFirst 2 day season weeks of

79 million

December

17%

Before Last 2 September weeks of 13% December September

6%

5%

people that shopped on Black Friday in 2009

information the National Retail Foundation and Clean Air Council

At East...

When Did You

Less than $10 10.0%

STOP Believing Santa?

Leaving town

More than $50 13.7%

$30-40 19.7 %

42.6%

Staying in town

57.4%

Students prefer getting or giving gifts

Giving

70.6% $20-30 28.3%

$10-20 28.3%

Getting

29.4%

9-10

27.4%

Four and younger

8.2%

11-12 13.7%

“ “ “

My family drives around town looking at all the different Christmas decorations on the houses. Then we go out on Christmas and spend the whole day seeing movies and eating Chinese.

”

Senior Ashly Rosenstock

We only celebrate one day of Hanukkah and we celebrate it with our cousins. We watch “A Christmas Story” 24 hour marathon on TBS. We get to open one present on Christmas Eve, and we eat Jewish Coffee Cake on Christmas morning.

Students going out of town over Winter Break

Average amount spent on each gift

13

Your

Adults 18+

”

Freshman Jordan Hall

In

% 6 .

9o4 ts n e d f stu

issue 7

What’s

Average Holiday Spending Per Year $780

SPREAD

5-6

17.8%

7-8

27.4% 12 and up 5.5% information from a poll of 75 East students

Everyone has to bring a cheap $5 gift, and we all stand around the pool table and pass them different directions as my grandpa reads a story that uses the words “left” and “right” a billion times. Previous gifts have included: to-go toilet paper, a cabbage patch doll, and an African American hula girl for your dashboard.

”

Junior Molly Jennings

all photos by GrantKendall

FEATURES

11-29-10

www.trueknowledge.com

INVISIBLE CHILDREN

What: Awareness-raising DVDS and bracelets Who to give it to: Your philanthropic friend Who it benefits: Citizens of Uganda Most of us have heard of the ever-growing charity Invisible Children, especially after the special presentation the organization put on during seminar two weeks ago. Basically, it’s a group of three guys that started out on a film-making adventure by traveling to Uganda, where they discovered the tragedy of the rebel war. They came back to the states and started Invisible Children, a not for profit group that raises awareness of the children that are being used to fight.

Invisible Children sells DVDs about different children and follows them throughout their normal life. Watching the touching and insightful videos makes people want to do something to help—and this holiday season you actually can.

The DVDs come with bracelets that help to raise awareness about these children. These bracelets are made in Africa with a different color for each child, and the bracelets themselves make a really cool statement. The jewelry is made by people in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, the project is helping the workers earn their income.

They, like many other charities, give the people of Uganda an opportunity to save and loan money among many other business principles. The people that make the bracelets then get the money from the sales, and many start their own businesses, thus flourishing and building a new life for themselves and their once-struggling families. You can have a part in helping someone get back on their feet again, and make a life for themselves. Just buying a simple DVD for someone can help raise awareness (as well as money) for resolving the issues in Uganda. Just think, the gifts you give this year could not only bring joy to your friends or family, but also support someone who deserves a better life.

bizrate.com

14

KROCHET KIDS

What: Nonprofit knit winter goodies Who to give it to: Your mom Who it benefits: Women in Northern Uganda Krochet Kids international (KKi) is a charity that aims to change the lives of women in Northern Uganda. The charity is great because their mission, “to empower people to rise above poverty,” is being lived out daily in Uganda. Eighty-seven women who make up the “family” spend their days crocheting hats, scarves, and laptop cases to earn their living.

Women work with KKi for a minimum of three years and they not only teach them how to crochet, but other work skills they can use for life. The women get a mentor who works with them and trains them on how to maintain a budget, save and loan money, and manage a business. These are skills that can raise women and their families out of poverty and off of humanitarian aid. As we all know, mothers are one of the greatest influences on children, so by helping the women you are in turn helping their children. The women are not only crocheters, but seamstresses who sew in the tags. There are also women who are called “hut leaders” who are working in the compound in Northern Uganda.

KKi makes eight different styles of hats, but you can also purchase shirts, scarves, and laptop cases. They are about $25-30 and the money goes back to support the women and their families in Northern Uganda. Instead of buying a generic hat from Target for your friends this year, think of the women you could be supporting in Africa. You can carry out KKi’s motto: “Buy a hat. Change a life.”

Give it all Away

[Ways you can help donate this holiday season] JenniferRorie

CHARITY: WATER

What: Graphic Tees Who to give it to: Your significant other Who it benefits: Third-world countries lacking resources Turning on the faucet in our kitchens at home is a day-to-day task that most of us don’t think much of; we take our instant access to clean and purified water for granted. The harsh reality is that a billion people on earth can’t just turn on a faucet and get clean water. Most can’t even turn on a faucet and get any kind of water. http://blogs.myspace.

Charity: water is trying to fix that problem. They are com/superdeluxestyle trying to make a small dent in the amount of people who have to stand at a well for eight hours to get water, or have to carry 80 gallons of water five miles in the blistering hot sun.

So now you ask how can I help? There are several ways to help out with charity: water, but for this holiday season and the time of gift giving a T-shirt is best. The shirts are $25, with $15 going to help with building wells for people in need. Charity: water has helped over one million people get fresh clean drinking water, just in the past year. The support of 37 companies like Banana Republic and Cisco also support the company’s efforts and in turn help them to provide water to impoverished people.

This holiday season when you’re drinking eggnog around your fire, remember the people half -way around the world that can’t even get a sip of safe water—and that you can do something about it. Helping someone obtain a basic necessity to live could be the most rewarding thing for more than just them this holiday season.

TOMS SHOES

http://www.hippyshopper.com

What: Nonprofit shoe/accessory company Who to give it to: Your best friend Who it benefits: A needy child in a third-world country

Buying a loved one a pair of TOMS not only protects their feet, but also a child in a third-world country. The “one for one” motto that TOMS has come up with gives a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair bought. TOMS come in many different styles, ranging from every solid color to neon splatter paint to glittery black. They have shoe styles for men, women, and children, but they also sell T-shirts, hats, and many other things—and all of these proceeds go to supporting the company.

The reason 31-year-old Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS, decided to create a nonprofit foundation selling shoes was because of all of the children, specifically in Argentina, that were contracting diseases because they didn’t have anything protecting their feet from the ground. Having shoes is an essential to children in other countries because, like us, shoes are a requirement for school and without them they are unable to receive an education. For these kids, a simple pair of shoes can allow them to realize their potential and receive a much-desired education.

TOMS run about $44 for the most basic shoe —a little pricey for slip-ons, but you are also buying two pairs of shoes. Just, think: with that money not only are you making a friend or family member happy (and trendy), but giving hope and an opportunity to a child who wouldn’t have it otherwise.

14

FEATURES

11-29-10

D E MIX

30

SECONDS WITH... junior Audrey DiCarlo

a little bit of this and a little bit of that

HOW TO spend your time in seminar

when you have nothing to do

pass time

Q Best part of being a twin?

check it out

The library is always an option. It is a great place to get on the Internet, check out books, meet in groups or even look at some magazines. Don’t forget to get your seminar pass signed! The library has numerous sources, put them into good use! The computers and laptops are great for getting projects completed.

Get a pass to see another teacher.

Plan ahead. If you need something to do and you forgot to bring a text book, have a teacher sign your seminar pass. Don’t waste your time in seminar if you don’t have to. Make some good use of your time.

A Having an over-night every night.

Q Favorite joke?

A What’s a deer with no eyes? Noeyed-deer Q One thing you would change about yourself?

iPod

ALPHA-talk

The iPod never fails. If your teacher allows you to use it, take it out and begin the fun.

Play games, listen to songs and enjoy! Make sure that you charge it.

A Be a little less outspoken and to be a little more respectful.

Q Dream job?

Yes, the graphing calculator is for math, but it is much more useful than that. If by chance, your seminar teacher does not allow you to talk, use the calculator as a means of communication. Simply use (2nd) (ALPHA) and begin typing.

A Inventor. I want to invent a floor that opens and leads to an entirely new room.

l?

schoo r o f l a i t n Esse

“

WATER BOTTLE I got this water bottle from coalition and it is easy to drink water and it is convenient.

””

“

Sophomore Mariah Morley

WATCH

I wear it because a lot of the time there isn’t a clock where I am.

It was also my dad’s watch which helps me to remember him.

”” Sophomore Kyle Winston

ways

FOUR

1

{from Harbinger staffers}

Haley Martin

They are used for seeing the board. They are also unique and describe my personality!

Instead of just attending Friday night basketball games, go to a wrestling or swim meet to show support for teams that don’t get as much attention.

2

”

Freshman Lizzie Wrablica

3

to show that you have SCHOOL SPIRIT

Participate in activities that are sometimes overlooked, like small clubs. Also, try out for sports even if you don’t think you will make it. Sometimes you will surprise yourself.

“

GLASSES

Wear your pep club and school sports apparel outside of school to let people know that you love East.

Evan Nichols Sarah McKittrick

“

SCREW NECKLACE

It reminds me of all of my foot injuries and how it shaped me as a person.

”

Sophomore Allie Chesbrough

Spirit days are meant for students to break out and dress crazy. It’s not weird to dress up for the theme, it just shows that you’re full of school spirit.

Chloe Stradinger

4

all photos by SammiKelly

www.trueknowledge.com

issue

INVISIBLE CHILDREN

What: Awareness-raising DVDS and bracelets Who to give it to: Your philanthropic friend Who it benefits: Citizens of Uganda Most of us have heard of the ever-growing charity Invisible Children, especially after the special presentation the organization put on during seminar two weeks ago. Basically, it’s a group of three guys that started out on a film-making adventure by traveling to Uganda, where they discovered the tragedy of the rebel war. They came back to the states and started Invisible Children, a not for profit group that raises awareness of the children that are being used to fight.

Invisible Children sells DVDs about different children and follows them throughout their normal life. Watching the touching and insightful videos makes people want to do something to help—and this holiday season you actually can.

The DVDs come with bracelets that help to raise awareness about these children. These bracelets are made in Africa with a different color for each child, and the bracelets themselves make a really cool statement. The jewelry is made by people in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, the project is helping the workers earn their income.

They, like many other charities, give the people of Uganda an opportunity to save and loan money among many other business principles. The people that make the bracelets then get the money from the sales, and many start their own businesses, thus flourishing and building a new life for themselves and their once-struggling families. You can have a part in helping someone get back on their feet again, and make a life for themselves. Just buying a simple DVD for someone can help raise awareness (as well as money) for resolving the issues in Uganda. Just think, the gifts you give this year could not only bring joy to your friends or family, but also support someone who deserves a better life.

15

KROCHET KIDS

bizrate.com

FEATURES

What: Nonprofit knit winter goodies Who to give it to: Your mom Who it benefits: Women in Northern Uganda Krochet Kids international (KKi) is a charity that aims to change the lives of women in Northern Uganda. The charity is great because their mission, “to empower people to rise above poverty,” is being lived out daily in Uganda. Eighty-seven women who make up the “family” spend their days crocheting hats, scarves, and laptop cases to earn their living.

Women work with KKi for a minimum of three years and they not only teach them how to crochet, but other work skills they can use for life. The women get a mentor who works with them and trains them on how to maintain a budget, save and loan money, and manage a business. These are skills that can raise women and their families out of poverty and off of humanitarian aid. As we all know, mothers are one of the greatest influences on children, so by helping the women you are in turn helping their children. The women are not only crocheters, but seamstresses who sew in the tags. There are also women who are called “hut leaders” who are working in the compound in Northern Uganda.

KKi makes eight different styles of hats, but you can also purchase shirts, scarves, and laptop cases. They are about $25-30 and the money goes back to support the women and their families in Northern Uganda. Instead of buying a generic hat from Target for your friends this year, think of the women you could be supporting in Africa. You can carry out KKi’s motto: “Buy a hat. Change a life.”

Give it all Away

[Ways you can help donate this holiday season] JenniferRorie

CHARITY: WATER

What: Graphic Tees Who to give it to: Your significant other Who it benefits: Third-world countries lacking resources Turning on the faucet in our kitchens at home is a day-to-day task that most of us don’t think much of; we take our instant access to clean and purified water for granted. The harsh reality is that a billion people on earth can’t just turn on a faucet and get clean water. Most can’t even turn on a faucet and get any kind of water. http://blogs.myspace.

Charity: water is trying to fix that problem. They are com/superdeluxestyle trying to make a small dent in the amount of people who have to stand at a well for eight hours to get water, or have to carry 80 gallons of water five miles in the blistering hot sun.

So now you ask how can I help? There are several ways to help out with charity: water, but for this holiday season and the time of gift giving a T-shirt is best. The shirts are $25, with $15 going to help with building wells for people in need. Charity: water has helped over one million people get fresh clean drinking water, just in the past year. The support of 37 companies like Banana Republic and Cisco also support the company’s efforts and in turn help them to provide water to impoverished people.

This holiday season when you’re drinking eggnog around your fire, remember the people half -way around the world that can’t even get a sip of safe water—and that you can do something about it. Helping someone obtain a basic necessity to live could be the most rewarding thing for more than just them this holiday season.

TOMS SHOES

http://www.hippyshopper.com

What: Nonprofit shoe/accessory company Who to give it to: Your best friend Who it benefits: A needy child in a third-world country

Buying a loved one a pair of TOMS not only protects their feet, but also a child in a third-world country. The “one for one” motto that TOMS has come up with gives a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair bought. TOMS come in many different styles, ranging from every solid color to neon splatter paint to glittery black. They have shoe styles for men, women, and children, but they also sell T-shirts, hats, and many other things—and all of these proceeds go to supporting the company.

The reason 31-year-old Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS, decided to create a nonprofit foundation selling shoes was because of all of the children, specifically in Argentina, that were contracting diseases because they didn’t have anything protecting their feet from the ground. Having shoes is an essential to children in other countries because, like us, shoes are a requirement for school and without them they are unable to receive an education. For these kids, a simple pair of shoes can allow them to realize their potential and receive a much-desired education.

TOMS run about $44 for the most basic shoe —a little pricey for slip-ons, but you are also buying two pairs of shoes. Just, think: with that money not only are you making a friend or family member happy (and trendy), but giving hope and an opportunity to a child who wouldn’t have it otherwise.

16

A&E

11-29-10

egometer

DARK TWISTED WORK OF ART

kanye’s most egotistical lyrics “of all time”

(The New Workout Plan) “Thanks to Kanye’s workout plan, I’m the envy of all my friends See I pulled me a baller man, (yeah) And I don’t gotta work at the mall again”

Kanye West’s new album provides fresh beats and bold rhymes BobMartin

(Barry Bonds) “Top 5 MC’s you ain’t gotta remind me Top 5 MC’s you gotta rewind me I’m high up on the line, you can get behind me But my head’s so big you can’t sit behind me”

(

B

old as it sounds, rapper Kanye West transcends fame.

Snatching a precious moment from America’s sweetheart Taylor Swift, publicly challenging former President Bush and being demonized by the mainstream media are more than publicity stunts for the 33-yearold—they are a way of life. When every sound bite, every tweet and every public appearance are so brutally criticized and written about, all that’s left to put the skeptics to rest is the music. In his brilliant fifth release, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” West wholeheartedly acknowledges that he’s not a ‘good guy.’ But in his defense, being a jerk never seemed quite so great.

After experimenting with auto-tune and his singing voice two years ago in his fourth album “808s and Heartbreak,” Kanye’s return to surgically precise production and a sample-heavy

sound is absolutely welcome. Not a bar of ‘Twisted Fantasy’ goes to waste as West strings together sweeping choruses, giant orchestral pieces and even dramatic narration into a majority of his 13-track creation.

These larger-than-life moments often steal the show, giving West the momentum he needs to lay down some beautiful flows. The chill-inspiring intro, “Dark Fantasy,” exemplifies this to the fullest, as a multi-tiered chorus belts “Can we get much higher?” again and again until the beat drops and West rolls in to give his best solo performance of the record.

“My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” proves to be a team effort, as West features some sort of accompaniment in almost every song. The basics are all covered with Rihanna’s consuming pop vocals and Kid Cudi’s mellow autopilot rhyme style, but it’s the most unexpected guests that

steal the cameo show. Performing alongside Justin Vernon, the soft spoken front man of bellowing folk group “Bon Iver,” West shows absolute versatility while creating some of the most impressive moments in all of “Twisted Fantasy” with their stellar duo “Lost in the World.”

On the rhyme side, rap goddess Nicki Minaj turns her brief verse on “Monster” into an overpowering spectacle of grit and passion. She even manages to come across stronger than heavy hitters Jay-Z and Rick Ross. It would be a crime to pick favorites in a work like this, though.

Each and every instance is able to stand out so much on its own.

Even the extended nine minute version of the September single “Runaway” is worthy of repeat. Next to up and comer “Pusha T,” Kanye takes the vocal hook, one of his best in years.

“Let’s have a toast for the scum bags, every one of them that I

know,” West sings over an utterly simplistic piano track. The song is a rare moment of unadulterated honesty, one where arguably the biggest ego in the game is able to look past the shining lights and into himself, divulging who he actually is.

The Kanye West behind “Twisted Fantasy” is the one that I am a fan of, not the face on television or magazine covers. The artist who staunchly refuses to follow genre trends, but rather creates his own. Originality runs through this man’s veins, and at this point in his career, nothing less should have been expected.

“My Beautiful Twisted Fantasy” is a masterpiece, and only serves to further idolize Kanye West as the greatest living hip-hop artist of our time.

killerhiphop.com

STAR SCALE

EAR PLUGS

RADIO ONLY

ADD TO PLAYLIST

PRESS REPEAT

Buy one admission and get the second free with this coupon!

at The Ice at Park Place, Leawood, 117th and Nall.

Open daily through February 21st, visit www.ParkPlaceLeawood.com for more information or call 913.663.2070. Group discounts available!

The Ice at Park Place, Johnson County’s only outdoor ice rink, in Leawood’s downtown!

Coupon not redeemable 12/23-1/3.

18

A&E

11-29-10

Test your knowledge

HP Quiz

WITH AN

SEVENTH YEAR “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” stays true to JK Rowling’s book

STAR SCALE

hid his soul. The only problem: they have no idea where to look. They spend months tirelessly camping in the English countryside, desperately trying to find a Horcrux. However, a strange symbol captures their attention: the sign of the Deathly Hallows.

For once, I was able to watch Emma Watson act without staring at her eyebrows move up and down in a desperate attempt to “act.”

Rupert Grint was finally able to become a character and was given a chance to empathize with the audience, moving up from the red-haired comic relief constantly in Harry’s foreboding shadow. The 11-year-olds have grown up and have really come into their own. Because all the actors in the series are so recognizable, it doesn’t feel like watching a movie: it feels like you’ve been drawn into the book. These aren’t actors: these are the actual characters, and there’s something magic about them.

Though many of the Ron and Hermione “romantic” scenes seemed a bit awkward and forced, the 7-year-long romance is playing out nicely, expanding from the last movie where the seeds of romance began to take form. While there may not be much offscreen chemistry between Rupert and Emma, the romantic tension between Ron and Hermione is clear—unlike the uncomfortable acting from Daniel Radcliffe and Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright), who can’t seem to figure out how to kiss on camera.

From the books, there isn’t much to complain about what was left out. Of all the ear-related humor, they kept “holey” Saint George, one of the few lighthearted remarks made by a Weasley twin who just had his ear blown off.

When Harry and Hermione went to visit an old woman’s run-down and gruesome house, the scene was riddled with the same suspense from the books, and had me physically jumping out of my seat. Dobby, the lowly house elf from the second installment, shined brighter than he ever had before, book or movie: his computer-generated performance was nothing short of Oscar-worthy.

Unfortunately, the movie also kept the endless camping scenes that did nothing for the plot. The golden trio spent most of their time sitting around, waiting for the next explosion. Had director David Yates cut some of the big-budget scenery shots, there would

STAY AT HOME

RENT IT

have been time to explain some of the gaping plot holes. What kept the camping in the book interesting was the explanation of their situation and the back-story, which was noticeably missing in the movie adaptation.

The explosive scenes the characters do encounter are, thankfully, done well. Whether they’re being chased through the forest or being tortured by Voldemort’s minions, the promised excitement is present, and even though I have read the books countless times, I couldn’t help but think, “What happens next?” The way Yates handled the story of the Deathly Hallows was beautiful. The animation was a brilliant way of telling the story in a way that made it clear it was just that: a fairy tale.

Throughout the series, we’ve seen our heroes face darker and darker times as Voldemort rises to power and death becomes more prevalent in their lives. The movie’s score even reflects this; the classic and recognizable “Hedwig’s Theme” takes a turn for the ominous, mixing the nostalgia of the decade-long saga and the new atmosphere the characters have to deal with.

The first book in the series, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” was released in the U.S. in 1998, and the whole world is now under its spell. Come the release of Part 2 in July of 2011, the Potter Era will have lasted 13 years.

To so many, myself included, “Harry Potter” is more than a story: it’s a whole way of life. Midnight premieres and re-reading the books and costume parties keep me in a constant Ho g w a r t s

a) Diary, Locket, Nagini the Snake, Harry, Hufflepuff Cup, Diadem of Ravenclaw, Gaunt ring b) Diadem of Ravenclaw, RAB Locket, Harry’s wand, the Elder Wand, the Invisibility Cloak, the Resurrection Stone c) Sword of Gryffindor, Diadem of Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff Cup, Slytherin Locket, Diary, Nagini the Snake, Harry

Which character is correctly paired with the Horcrux? they destroy? a) Harry (the Locket) b) Luna (the Diadem) c) Neville (the Snake)

From which Perevell brother did Harry inherit his Invisibility Cloak? a) Ignotus b) Antioch c) Cadmus

From whom does Harry win the Elder Wand? a) Voldemort b) Draco Malfoy c) Dumbledore answers: A, C, A, B

KatyWesthoff I had been counting down since June 28.

I had to wait 145 days to Nov. 19: the day I would turn 18, and the beginning of the end.

That birthday marked the release of the first part of a worldwide phenomenon’s epic finale. Everyone knows his name and anyone can recognize his scar. The first trailer brought tears to my eyes; the release had me nearly peeing my pants with excitement.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1,” the seventh movie installment of the Harry Potter series, the one I had not-sopatiently waited for, had finally arrived. Ever since I was seven, reading the first book by myself with a flashlight under the covers, I have loved the series. I’ve grown up with it, waiting for the next books and racing my friends to see who could read “Goblet of Fire” the fastest. I’ve read fan fiction and watched parodies and have met most of my best friends through the power of the Harry Potter fan community. It was as if Warner Brothers knew how big of a Potter-head I was, and decided to release the movie on my birthday as a present.

I was second in line at Cinemark Theater in Merriam, showing up at 5:30 on a Thursday night for the midnight showing. My copy of “Deathly Hallows” was in hand, and I was ready to eat copious amounts of cake while watching the previews for movies that could never measure up to Potter.

For a while, I was concerned that the anticipation would kill me. I have never gone into the movie adaptations with much excitement, because I knew they could never match the books I hold so dear to my heart.

Instead of fretting over what the director did or didn’t include, I’d rather just have fun and enjoy the movie for what it is: a separate entity from the novels.

That said, “Deathly Hallows” was a movie made for the fans, true to its trailer’s title of “epic phenomenon.”

“Deathly Hallows: Part 1” shows the series’ large and in-charge antagonist, Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), in control of the Ministry of Magic, as well as most of London. In an attempt to fulfill the late Dumbledore’s last wish, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) become the wizarding world’s only hope to defeating the Dark Lord. Their mission is to destroy the six “Horcruxes” in which Voldemort

What are the 7 horcruxes?

state of mind. “Deathly H a l lows: Part 1” delivered, and I could not be happier with the result.

The new countdown begins: 230 days until the end.

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WORTH SEEING

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ESCAPING THE MOLD

A&E

issue 7

Unique prison break movie “Next Three Days” delivers a well-acted thriller

19

AlexLamb

Sometimes good movies get unlucky.

Writer/director Paul Haggis’s prison breakout flick “The Next Three Days” has found little box office success, primarily because it was released on the same day as the new “Harry Potter” film. In addition, it’s also been misadvertised as a high speed thrill ride when in reality it’s a slow-build crime drama. While that may turn viewers with shorter attention spans away, it serves as a surprising treat for those welcome to out-of-the-ordinary, deliberately paced thrillers.

Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks star as John and Lara Brennan, a loving couple with a young son and idyllic life. One morning all that’s destroyed when the police show up and charge Lara with murdering her boss.

Jump ahead several years and John has exhausted every option of getting an appeal to prove his wife’s innocence. Upon learning she’s hopelessly trapped in prison for the next twenty years, Lara tries to kill herself.

Banks usually plays comedic roles, but

STAR SCALE

when she occasionally takes a more dramatic turn like she did in “The Uninvited,” she always proves quite a fine actress. Her arguments and tender moments with Crowe make for several of the most stirring scenes in the movie, particularly when they discuss whether or not she’s actually innocent.

Determined to save Lara, John realizes there’s only one thing he can do -- break her out. He contacts a seven-time escapee (Liam Neeson, cool as always) and learns everything he needs to know on how to execute a prison break.

Up to this point the movie stays continuously interesting, but when this simple college professor begins planning the elaborate liberation of his wife, while simultaneously having to take care of his son by himself, it really becomes compelling.

However, for the entire first hour of “The Next Three Days,” there are no exciting action sequences. Haggis relies on his actors to provide the entertainment, spending a lot of

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time developing John and Lara into sympathetic characters. Most importantly, he fleshes out John from a man who lost the most important person in his life to a man who will do anything to get her back. Crowe embodies the dedication and intensity of John with great emotion, once again proving why he’s one of the best actors working today.

In the second half, when the action finally picks up, Crowe turns John into a force to be reckoned with. He robs some drug dealers in a swift and tense scene that kicks off the gripping last hour, soon followed by the lengthy and riveting breakout of Lara. While the first half of the movie often feels bloated and unevenly paced, the second half makes

WORTH SEEING

up for it. Haggis delivers plenty of kinetic action and suspense while they’re being chased in their escape.

The slow build up structure makes the long, thrilling payoff all the more satisfying, even if the ending meanders a bit. The acting

by Crowe and Banks throughout is strong enough to carry the slow parts though, so while “The Next Three Days” probably won’t appeal to those just looking for an action fix, more intelligent filmgoers will find a fresh take on the escape genre.

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RELOADED SPORTS 20 11-29-10

After a 6-15 season, the boys’ basketball team is refreshed with young talent KevinSimpson

The youth movement has begun.

When head boys’ basketball coach Shawn Hair talks about the upcoming basketball season, it’s hard not to notice the excitement in his voice as he discusses the recent infusion of talent the program has received from its sophomore class. Two starters return to the team — sophomores Vance Wentz and Zach Schneider—and one other second year player, sophomore Chase Hanna, will play major minutes this season.

Hair says that the class of 2013 has the potential to be the strongest class of players he’s had since JD Christie, Garrett Webb and Will Gates wore the Columbia blue, black and white in 2006. Besides the three headliners, the class also includes JV players like Billy Sutherland, Connor Rellihan and Connor McGannon. Hair is certainly taking advantage of this talent, and he’s now using the sophomore team in his JV/Varsity practices to raise the intensity level.

But it isn’t just the sophomores that Hair is amped about. He says that this year’s team is ultra-competitive in practice, which causes each of the three teams to raise their competitiveness. Unlike last year, the varsity team is having a more difficult time handling the younger teams, which Hair attributes to the intensity of all squads.

Coupled with this youth is an experienced backbone of six returning letterwinners.

Junior Andy Hiett and

BASKETBALL

PREVIEW

2010-11

seniors Robby Moriarty, Sean Cameron and George Brophy join Wentz and Schneider on a Lancer team determined to prove the doubters wrong.

“A lot of people don’t think we’ll be very good,” Hair said. “They think we’ll be a little bit better than last year but still not very good.

Our kids seriously believe that they have a chance to be a good basketball team.”

In order to become a good basketball team, Hair said the Lancers must accomplish a few things. He’d like to see his post players control the boards and his guards handle the ball. Finally, Hair wants to see his backcourt consistently knock down jumpers, because, as he once told his team, making shots helps “make a hamburger taste like a steak.” It turns a good team into a great one, which is what Hair hopes to see over the next few months. Hair is confident that his young team has the talent to improve into the metaphorical steak. All it needs is some seasoning.

DanStewart GrantHeinlein

SPORTS issue 7

Getting to Know the Starting Five

Andy Hiett Junior PG The former Hawklet will be called upon to be the steady hand offensively for the Lancers. Hiett is also a sharpshooter from deep.

Chase Hanna Vance Wentz Zach Schneider George Brophy Sophomore SG Sophomore PF Sophomore PF Senior C Hanna is an athletic wing that can light it up from long distance. Hair said the team will need his shots falling in order to pile up the wins.

As one of two returning starters, Wentz provides experience to a young team. He can score inside and out, and is a great defender.

THREE GAMES YOU WILL WAIT AN HOUR IN LINE FOR

@ SM South, FridayAs the first game of the season, Hair says that this game is a huge opportunity for the Lancers to get the bad taste of last year out of their mouths.

The Raiders will attempt to make up for the loss of the graduated Will Spradling with a bevy of three point specialists, including senior Jake Reid and junior Dylan Christie. Hiett and Hanna will have to extend the pressure on defensive end.

21

Wichita Heights (@ McPherson, TBA)This potential matchup at the McPherson Tournament of Champions (Jan. 20-22) would pit the Lancers against the two-time defending state champions. The Falcons boast Perry Ellis, reigning state player of the year and major D1 recruit.

Hair said that the Lancers would put Brophy or Cameron on Ellis and encourage him to shoot from deep.

@ Rockhurst, Jan. 28After two straight Hawklet wins over the Lancers, the tide has begun to turn in this rivalry.

If Hair hopes to regain a stranglehold on bragging rights against his alma mater, he’ll need a big contribution in the paint from Schneider, Cameron and Brophy. The Hawklet frontline includes twin towers Dan Tapko, an OU football commit listed at 6’4”, and Frank Arbanas, listed at 6’5”.

League freshman of the year last year, Schneider will be the star of this team.

Hair compared his versatile game to Dirk Nowitzki.

A 6’3”, 230 pound load in the paint, Brophy will be the reliable rebounder and one of the toughest players on the team.

FINDING THEIR NICHE

Coach Hair defines the players’ roles

14Vance Wentz - Shooter 11Zach Schneider - Scorer 15Andy Hiett - Ball Handler 50George Brophy - Rebounder 21 Chase Hanna - Shooter 23Jaquan Brunt - Defense 45Sean Cameron - Rebounder 12 Alex Schoegler - Ball Handler 32 Robby Moriarty - Defense

22

SPORTS

11-29-10

allphotosbyGrantHeinlein

Taking a Look Back

Senior athletes reflect on their last seasons

AnnaMarken

Goalkeeper Chris Melvin looked at the clock: five minutes left. Five minutes until the end of his last season. He could see his team starting to fall apart. The offense wasn’t breaking through. The defense wasn’t holding up. Every minute was closer to the end. Closer to the whistle to end the season for the team that had become a family.

Melvin had been playing soccer since he was five. His dad had played the game and loved it. He was the coach of a team and signed Melvin up. Making the jump from a recreational team to a premier team, helped Melvin determine his place on the soccer field.

“The coaches on the premier teams gave me more flexibility to play goalie instead of field. I was just too slow to play on the field,” Melvin said.

When it came time for high school tryouts, Melvin didn’t know what to expect. He was much smaller than most of the older players. More than anything, he was ready for a higher level of competition. Every year, Melvin became more relaxed. On the last day of tryouts his junior year, Melvin checked the team postings with his parents.

“When I saw that I made Varsity, I was really thrilled. I knew what I was in for though. I was with the big boys now,” Melvin said.

This year’s team, led by 17 seniors, had become a tight knit family over the course of the season. The core of the team had been playing together since their freshman year on JV. They would hang out before every game and on weekends.

“You could tell when we played how close we were. There was so much leadership, but it wasn’t like anyone was trying to be a dictator,” Melvin said.

Lucas Throckmorton led by example. Cam Smith led with his voice. Melvin led with his energy.

Head coach Jamie Kelly saw the bond between his players as their greatest strength. They worked hard not for the coaches or the school, but for each other. Every day in practice and at every game they gave everything they had to make each other successful. The way his players communicated and got along impressed Kelly.

“The best way for a team to be successful is to put aside stuff from outside of soccer and give yourself to the team,” Kelly said.

At the beginning of the season, Kelly didn’t know what he would get from Melvin. A player who would compete every game, or a player that was there to have fun. In the end,

Melvin gave him both, giving him his most successful season at East. Melvin was named first team goalkeeper for both the region and the Sunflower League. Along with these awards, Melvin also accomplished his goals for the season: getting at least five shutouts and winning the Sunflower League.

Going into the game against SMNW, both Melvin and Kelly knew the challenge they had on their hands. SMNW had only last two of their last nine games, once to East. Melvin felt the pressure fell on him.

“I [felt the pressure] going into every game. When you make a mistake [as goalkeeper], it usually directly results in a goal and everyone can see it,” Melvin said.

Looking back on the season, Melvin has only one regret.

After he injured his ankle, he sat for two games. His injury wasn’t serious, but he wasn’t 100 percent. When he didn’t play, the team lost to Lawrence Free State. The loss made them co-champions of the Sunflower League. A win would have given them sole ownership over the title.

“I looked back on the season and we did really cool things.

We lost early, but we have so much to be proud of. [The loss] wasn’t heartbreaking,” Melvin said. *** For linebacker George Brophy, however, his team’s loss to Olathe South in the first round of the state playoffs was heartbreaking. As the leader of the defensive line, Brophy felt that the loss was his fault.

“I run the defensive line and I just didn’t get them organized,” Brophy said.

Going into the game, Brophy felt an enormous amount of pressure. Olathe South played a full run game, which put most of the stress on the defense and Brophy feels he didn’t take charge. While the team thought they would win, they knew it would be a challenging game.

“You never want to expect to win, but we definitely thought we would,” Brophy said.

The moment Brophy knew his final season was over came when he hung his helmet in his locker for the last time.

The team had gotten back to East and finished saying their goodbyes. Brophy and junior Jeff Cole were the only two left in the locker room. For the rest of the weekend, Brophy went into a depression. He didn’t go anywhere, see anyone or talk to anyone.

“I just needed time to get over it,” Brophy said.

Getting back together with the team on Monday and knowing they could always hang out on weekends helped

Brophy get over the early loss.

The team had become a brotherhood over the course of the season. Everyone was best friends and would hang out several times a week. After games, they would get together and play Mario Smashbros. There were many inside jokes shared between the team.

“We would walk through the halls and yell our inside jokes at each other and people would look at us like what the hell are they talking about,” Brophy said.

The closeness of the players was Brophy’s favorite aspect about the team. When he was a having a tough day, Brophy looked forward to getting to football field, where he could forget everything about his day and spend time with his team.

When Brophy and his teammates looked back, they realized that while they lost earlier than expected, they had a record breaking season and lots to be proud of. *** “I looked at the score and realized I was about to play my last point at East,” Lauren King said of her team’s match against Blue Valley North in the Sub-State game. What upset King most about the loss was having to end the season on negative note.

“It stinks that only one team gets to end their season with a win,” King said.

Since her freshman year on JV, King had become very close with the rest of her teammates. What she looked forward to most each season was spending time with her team everyday.

All of the girls on the team got along well and became like a family. At team dinners, everyone would talk about their days and what was going on each others’ lives. On game days, the team dressed up in crazy outfits that included neon tights and headbands.

“Everyone gave us weird looks and asked if we had a game,” King said.

After the team’s loss in the first round of playoffs, the team went to junior Taylor Wolf’s house and watched “Letters to Juliet”. Making fun of the movie lightened their spirits. They weren’t expecting to win the game, which made the loss less upsetting.

“We really just hung out and talked about the highlights from our season which made it way easier,” King said.

While her time at East is over, King’s volleyball career is not. She plans to continue playing for a club in college.

MOVING ON Younger athletes describe what they will miss about senior leaders Junior Will Webber

“These seniors set high goals and left a mark on East. I am going to miss their leadership and drive, on and off the field.”

Junior Jeremy Young

“I am going to miss the great leadership they brought to the team, and how they made everything fun.”

Freshman Katie Knight

HibaAkhtar

“The seniors brought a really good energy and attitude the court. They could always put the team in better mood.”

landing the PERFECT DIVE

SPORTS

with senior Peter Frazell

1

The first step to a perfect dive is a good stable hurdle.

The hurdle is set up by an approach of no less than three smooth steps.

2

On the hurdle, make sure the arms completely circle to ensure maximum jump.

issue 7

23

3

In mid-air, establish the position of the dive, making sure everything is tucked in and tight, all of the muscles are tight.

4

Kick out and spot the dive, and throw the arms straight above your head.

tips

When doing a flip, look for the diving board and use it as a way of telling you where you are.

EdenSchoofs

Seniors on entering their Returning athletes remember their final winter sports season first varsity game Shannon McGinley Collin Enger “ “ Basketball Swimming

Right before they called out our names for the lineup I got pretty nervous but once the game started I was completely comfortable in there and although I learned just how intense varsity basketball was, I realized that I could do it and that it was really fun.

This year I have trained harder in the preseason so I am more confident in my abilities. And since it is my last year, I have higher expectations for myself because I want to finish my high school career on a good note and help the East team do well.

Chase Woofter

“

I want it to be a memorable season because it’s my last season, so obviously I want it to be as successful as possible.

Andy Hiett Basketball

“

There is a sense of urgency. I’ve done just about everything but place in Wrestling state. So this year is the last chance I’ll have to do it. But at the same time I try to be pretty relaxed about it so I can enjoy my final season. Also, as one of the most experienced wrestlers on the team, I’m forced to be a leader, so I’m trying to embrace that.

MackenzieWylie

KatieEast

Danielle Norton Basketball

“

starting your winter sports season

“

I got my first varsity time when we were getting killed and the game was pretty much over. Despite that though, I was still incredibly nervous as I went into the game because it was what I had been building up for my entire life.

“

The first time I got in, we were up by like 30, but Rhoades decided to put a bunch of the sophomores in. I scored my first two points and it was really exciting.

“

“

“

“

Molly Rappold

Basketball

“

GrantHeinlein

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SATURDAY

Girls’ Bball at Aquinas

Boys’ Bball at SM South

Swimming at Olathe East

Wrestling at Gardner Edgerton

24

PHOTO ESSAY 11-29-10

Throwing his hands up, senior Jake Lybarger, left, shows his enthusiasm for the rave-esque atmosphere of this year’s MORP dance. His bright hoodie featured an electro luminescent wire zipper that he had made himself for the occasion. “I figured I might as well rave my head off,” Lybarger said. GrantHeinlein The DJ, above, mixes up popular songs into synth-heavy jams worthy of the cafeteria dance floor. “My favorite song that they played at the dance was ‘Jump On It,” senior Julie Chalfant said. “It’s so fun, and gets you really pumped up.”

GrantHeinlein

LIGHT IT UP

Neon lights live on with this year’s birthday party themed MORP

Wearing a sombrero and jersey, senior Chase Woofter, above, enjoys his time crowd surfing above the dance floor. “I felt like [the dance] was pretty fun,” Woofter said. “A lot of seniors missed because of the marketing trip, but the underclassmen stepped up and made it fun.”

GrantHeinlein Seniors Kelsey Chadd and Elizabeth Colburn complete the “A” formation alongside history teacher Vicki Helgesen, as the three dance to the classic song “YMCA.” Students and teachers alike were able to enjoy the “Birthday Party” LindseyHartnett theme that StuCo decided on for the dance this year.

For additional coverage including videos and photos of this year’s MORP dance, visit smeharbinger.net