Issue 11

THE

HARBINGER

photos by Le;sey Brown, Samantha Ludington and Tyler Roste

two

issue eleven february 20 2006

hundred sixty-two

TURN:TO

thousand eight hundred minutes

and the winner is...

The Harbinger previews the nominees for the upcoming Oscar Awards What movies are worth seeing?

Now that the Grammys are over...

What music is worth purchasing?

What bands are worth looking out for?

PAGES 20-22

24 days to

SPRING BREAK

how do you measure six months on diversion?

by [sara steinwart] Every three weeks, junior Bobby Evans has to drink soda after soda.

He’s not allowed water because it dilutes the urine. Once his bladder nears explosion, he takes a 20 minute drive to Consolidated Medical Service in Olathe, waits for an hour and pays $17 to take a urinary analysis in front of a 250-pound male technician. All because of one night of drinking.

Evans, who is actually part of the probation program, is one of the 35 percent of youths who break their diversion contracts. Evans received probation for getting caught in possession of alcohol after already being on Diversion for shooting an Air Soft gun.

He now has to spend six to nine months doing 30 hours of community service, undergoing substance abuse counseling, attending school regularly and meeting an 11:30 curfew, just as he would on Diversion.

But unlike individuals on Diversion, his permanent record won’t be cleared.

see pages 14 & 15 for more

NEWS

page 2 [news]

B R I E F S

East Night at Culvers Come support the East PTA at Culver’s restaurant, for East School Night on Feb. 17. From 5-8 p.m. teachers will be the servers and 10% of all the sales will go to the PTA. Culver’s is located at 7953 State Line Road.

Creating art to help kids

NAHS holding “Kids’ Day” to benefit African school

StuCo Executive Board Speeches

by [devin o’ bryan] supplies.”

Because the Tanzanian school sells the student-made art to keep their classes free, a big concern for Sivewright is making sure as much money as possible is being sent directly to them.

She hopes that buying supplies for Kid’s Day through the district and collecting donations from the community will help raise over $1,000.

Sivewright and the NAHS execs are working hard to plan the fundraiser.

Between creating and delivering flyers, putting up posters, contacting elementary school art teachers, making lists of supplies and working on sample projects, there’s still the issue of how to deal with over 100 small children in an organized and efficient manner.

They decided that the kids will be divided up by grade level into rooms in the art department to make their individual projects.

Ideas for the various African-themed projects came from a collaborative effort between NAHS members.

“Kindergarteners will make beads for a necklace,” Sivewright said. “First graders will make an animal mask, second graders will make a paper batik, third graders will make mud cloth with paper, fourth graders will make an African tapestry, and fifth and sixth graders will make a fabric batik.”

To learn how to assist elementaryaged kids with art, Sivewright and the NAHS executives and chairpeople took a fieldtrip to Kaleidoscope. There they observed and helped a group of first graders draw a self-portrait and work on art projects.

Sivewright thinks observing the younger kids in action is an important part of the planning process.

“It was good for [the execs] to see the ability range of younger kids and how much they are capable of doing,” she said.

What’s

new

with...

...Kansas

Legislation Last Wednesday, students and experts on bullying urged lawmakers to adopt legislation for House Bill 2310, which would implement anti-bullying programs in school districts, and also report bullying incidents to the state. Twenty-seven states have non-bullying laws, and nine others are considering implementing such a law

Senior Amelia Mallet, NAHS vicepresident, found the trip informative.

“It taught us a lot,” she said. “We learned how little kids work and how to help them.”

The execs will use sample projects to teach all NAHS members what they learned at Kaleidoscope at a meeting on Feb. 22. That way, there will be a lot of samples for the elementary kids to see and everyone in NAHS will know what they’re doing.

Despite the time-consuming planning and work being put into this project by Sivewright and others, she thinks it will be worth it to see everyone working together on the very first Kid’s’ Day. “I know the elementary kids love working with high school students and vice versa,” she said. “It should be a lot of fun for everyone, especially since the money is going to a great cause.”

Students running for the 2007-2008 Student Council Executive board will give their speeches over the intercom during fourth hour on the 26th through the 28th. Elections will be on March 2.

“Stump the Sullivan” Officer Brady Sullivan, confident in his knowledge on the law, has come up with this new game in hopes of increasing contact with students and getting more law related questions students might have answered.

The game is simple: come up with a question that is law related, find Officer Sullivan and ask him. If he is unable to answer it on the spot you win a candy bar. Lunch will be rewarded to those who can come up with a question that officer Sullivan hasn’t found the answer to by the next day.

Since last week three studentshave tested Officer Sullivan’s knowledge and one lucky winner was able to stump him with a question on the legal percentage of window tint.

He received a candy bar, and then Officer Sullivan was able to find the answer in his legal book.

National Honor Society Initiation National Honor Society Initiation will be on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

President’s Volunteer Service April 2 is the deadline for submitting volunteer forms which qualify students for the President’s Volunteer Service Award for this school year. The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes students who demonstrate volunteer service between April 1, 2006 and March 31, 2007.

Those 14 years old or younger may receive the Bronze award for 50-74 hours, the silver award for 75-99 hours, and the gold award for 100 hours or more. Those 15 and older receive the bronze award for 100-174 hours, the silver award for 175-249 hours, and the gold award for 250 hours or more.

Senior Graduation Video

Above: Four of the many art projects the kids will make on “Kids Day.” The art projects have an African theme. Photos by Anna Leek

...the nation

Presidential Elections On Feb. 11 Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois announced his candidacy for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. He outlined his agenda, with points including: •Starting to withdraw troops from Iraq, and bring them home by March 2008 •Giving everyone in the nation health-care coverage •Decreasing independence on oil •Improving care for veterans

photo courtesy of Obama’s campaign website

Art teacher and National Art Honors Society sponsor Courtney Sivewright has always wanted to do an art-related fundraiser with local elementary school kids – she just hasn’t known what cause to donate to. So when the idea for Kids’ Day was forwarded to the art department she knew it was the perfect project for NAHS. This Saturday, students from district elementary schools will take a voluntary field trip to East for Kids’ Day. From 14 p.m. they will make African-themed art projects with the help of NAHS members from both East and North.

Each student will pay $25 for supplies and a snack, and the money is going to be sent to TEKUA, a school in Africa, so they can buy new art supplies.

Located in Makumira, Tanzania, TEKUA (derived from five Kiswahili words meaning empowerment, education, poverty, health and understanding) offers free courses in languages and arts to local children and teens. In addition to attending classes, students learn how to use natural resources to create quilts, paintings, metal and cement castings and wood carvings which they sell to raise money for the school.

While TEKUA is over 8,000 miles away, it has ties to East – senior Alex Hodges taught there last summer.

He’s excited to be a part of this project because he has met the people who will directly benefit from the money.

“This is a great thing for the people there,” he said. “They value education above everything so being able to help them is great.”

Sivewright also knows how valuable extra money will be for the African students.

“They have absolutely nothing,” she said. “The kids there use paintbrushes made out of sticks with Styrofoam attached to the top. They need better

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)

the [harbinger]

The Class of 2007 senior DVD is being created to be presented at graduation in May. The senior class officers and representatives are asking that each senior submit one photograph of themselves to be included. The photograph may be a baby picture or a recent photo, which will not be returned.

Please write the name of the student on the back of the photograph, and mail it to Linda Sieck, Senior class sponsor, in care of Shawnee Mission East. All photographs must be received by March 30.

Junior College Planning Seminar Today, juniors will be provided a college seminar by college admission counselors during their United States history class. The same information will be provided to p arents by the East counselors tomorrow, Feb. 21, from 7-8:30 in the library. Topics discussed will include completing college searches, making college selections, and planning college visits.

page 3 [news]

After Murder Conviction, Former Custodian’s Case Dismissed Kansas Supreme Court decision declares key testimony inadmissible by [nathan yaffe] Closure quickly turned to disbelief for those who knew Lizabeth Wilson when the Kansas Supreme Court reversed a ruling on 33-year old murder on Feb. 2.

Convicted and sentenced to life in prison for her murder, a former East janitor, John Henry Horton, is due to be released by the end of the month because of the Supreme Court’s decision.

On July 7, 1974, 13-year-old Lizabeth disappeared after leaving the Prairie Village pool with her 10-year-old brother John. Cutting across what is now called the senior lot to get to their home a few blocks north of East, John ran ahead of his sister to hide behind a column and scare her as she rounded the path towards the front circle.

Lizabeth never came.

When the Wilsons came home that night to find John alone, the phone calls started. Later that night, with no sign of Lizabeth and no clue from the neighbors, a neighborhoodwide search party was raised. Gini Colburn, longtime family friend and East teacher, remembers the hours after her disappearance.

“Larry [Colburn, her husband] and some of the neighborhood fathers spent most of the night going room to room, closet to closet in the school,” Colburn said.

When the search didn’t turn up immediate results, the party turned to the police department next to the school.

“At the time, the rule at the police station was whenever a teen went missing, you waited 24 hours before doing anything in case they ran away,” Colburn said.

But they knew Lizabeth was too responsible to have run away, so they begged the police to help them right away.

All their searching, however, would be in vain. Lizabeth was not seen again until her remains were found at a Lenexa construction site six months later.

There was never enough evidence to try Horton, although police found three bottles of chloroform, a can of ether, a gallon of sulfuric acid, a butcher knife, brown cords and two canvas bags in Horton’s trunk that were stolen from the school the afternoon of Lizabeth’s disappearance.

The case was closed until 2001, when new testimony and evidence solidified the case against Horton. After a threeyear investigation, Horton was put on trial Sep. 20, 2004. By the end of the year, Horton was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

In order to re-open the trial, the state relied on the newlydiscovered testimony of Joy Creager.

According to her testimony, Creager accompanied her friend, Horton’s niece, to a local golf course with Horton to get high. Once at the course, Horton forced a rag containing chloroform over her nose and mouth, causing Creager to pass out. When she came to, Horton had pulled her pants down and was sexually assaulting her. It was only a few

Timeline of events: July 7, 1974 Lizabeth Wilson disappears during her walk home from Prarie Village municipal pool.

months before Lizabeth’s disappearance, and Creager was barely 14-years old.

The same testimony that sealed his fate would later be the basis for a Supreme Court ruling that reversed his conviction and dropped all charges against him. In order for testimony about prior crimes to be admissible, the prosecution must establish a link between the prior crime and the current crime.

Using that standard, Appellate Counsel Joyce Yeager, an attorney who represents clients who want to appeal their cases, argued that Creager’s testimony shouldn’t even have been included in the preliminary hearing. “[The prosecution] could not establish a connection between Ms. Creager and the victim, because the link was too speculative,” Yeager said. “The only similarity is their age and the allegation of sexual assault. That means that the evidence is, in legal terms, inadmissible because it’s not relevant.”

According to Yeager, mistakes made in the preliminary hearing usually no longer matter when the case goes to criminal court. That would mean that even if Horton won the appeal, nothing would be changed.

However, Yeager argued before the court that the criminal proceedings should never have taken place to begin with.

“Without Creager’s testimony, there was not adequate evidence to bind him over for trial,” Yeager said.

To determine whether or not to bind someone over for

The Appeals Process When an issue comes up during the trial that an attorney might like to challenge at a later time, that attorney may preserve the right to appeal.

If that attorney’s client is then convicted, the client has two options:

1. Apply to have an attorney appointed by the Board of Indigent Defense Services

2. Hire their own counsel A lawyer who files an appeal must show that the trial court or administrative agency made a legal error that affected the decision in the case.

Appeals are decided by panels of three judges working together.

A lawyer who loses in a federal court of appeals, may file a petition for a “writ of certiorari,” which is a document asking the Supreme Court to review the case.

Source: www.uscourts.gov

October 2003 Authorities arrest Horton outside his trailer home in Canton, Mo.

Bones belonging to a 12- to 14-year-old white girl are found in rural Lenexa. The Wilsons bury the remains.

July 8, 1974 Authorities first question Horton, who was the custodian on duty at East when Lizabeth disappeared.

February 2, 2007 Kansas State Supreme Court reverses the court’s decision and dismisses the charges against Horton on appeal.

Late 1980’s Investigators re-open the case. They try new DNA testing, but discover that blood collected in the mid-1970s is no longer in good condition.

January-February 1975

1980

trial—that is, to advance from preliminary to criminal proceedings—the court uses the doctrine of reasonable belief. In Horton’s case, that means an ordinary person could entertain reasonable belief that Horton kidnapped Liz. The Supreme Court agreed with Yeager. Since the decision in the preliminary hearing was based on Creager’s irrelevant testimony—and since, in their view, that evidence prejudiced the jury—the Court not only reversed the decision, but dismissed the complaint against Horton as well.

Colburn remembers how she felt when she found out about the decision.

“We couldn’t believe it. We were just stunned…. We’d gone through the trial with these people, when everyone in the room was just crying,” Colburn said.

For her, the sting of his release is sharper because of all the years they had to wait for justice to be served.

“I don’t think he even looked over his shoulder. He thought he was free and didn’t even look to see if anyone was gaining on him,” Colburn said. “Now he’ll be free again.”

Those who knew Lizabeth aren’t the only ones upset at this development.

“It’s safe to say that I’m extremely disappointed,” Rick Guinn, the attorney who prosecuted Horton’s case in addition to representing the State before the Supreme Court, said. “This was a hard-fought case and a tough case to prove.

It meant a lot to that family.”

The Wilsons could not be reached for comment.

The future of the case is in the hands of the District Attorney’s office. Assistant DA Brent Venneman, who served as trial counsel to Guinn, is overseeing that effort.

“Our office has been in contact with the family to advise them regarding the decision by the Supreme Court, and also to advise them as to the procedure that will take place over the next month,” Venneman said.

At the end of that month, the decision becomes final and Horton will be released. In the meantime, the DA’s office is working on a motion for reconsideration, which is scheduled to be completed this Thursday. If the Supreme Court, after reviewing the motion, decides their opinion remains unchanged, the only recourse is to re-file the charges and begin the trial process anew.

At that point, it’s up to the family and the DA’s office to decide whether or not they can build their case without Creager’s testimony. But before they address the legal aspects, they have personal questions to answer: the family has to decide if they’re willing and able to repeat the trial process.

Colburn, for one, understands why they might hesitate.

“They had to put this to rest in their own minds. They came to their own closure, somehow, long before that trial….

They had to,” Colburn said. “The damage this man did to this family and people who knew this family was so profound, so far-reaching. It was a life-changing event.”

1990

August 2002 Authorities who have re-opened the cold case interview Horton.

Feb. 20, 2007

2000

September 2004 A Johnson County Jury finds Horton guilty of felony murder in the death of Lizabeth.

Source: Kansas City Star

page 4 [news]

Science curriculum continues to evolve State Board of Education encourages greater emphasis on evolution in classrooms

• 1831: Charles Darwin completes his studies in Theology at Christ’s College, Cambridge.

• Nov. 24, 1859: First edition of Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species,” outlining his theories about evolution, is published.

• July 10, 1925: In Dayton, Tenn., John Scopes tried for violating state law against teaching evolution. The “Monkey Trial” lasts eight days; Scopes is convicted and fined $100, but conviction is overturned on appeal. The anti-evolution law isn’t repealed until 1967.

• Nov. 12, 1968: U.S. Supreme Court strikes down an anti-evolution law in Arkansas, saying it violates a First Amendment mandate that government remain neutral on matters of religion.

• June 19, 1987: U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a Louisiana law forbidding teaching evolution unless creation science also taught. The ruling bans teaching of creationism in public school. information from the Lawrence-Journal World

• June 1991: Phillip Johnson, University of California law professor, publishes “Darwin on Trial,” criticizing evolutionary theory. Johnson becomes known as founding father of intelligent design movement.

• May 11, 1999: Kansas Board of Education reviews proposed science standards written by committee of educators. Board member Steve Abrams, an Arkansas City Republican, offers own proposal, drafted with help from others, including the president of the Creation Science Association for Mid-America.

• Aug. 11, 1999: Board votes 6-4 to adopt science standards in which most references to evolution are eliminated.

• Feb. 14, 2001: Board votes 7-3 for new science standards restoring evolution’s previous place in the standards as wellfounded science, crucial for students to learn.

• Jan. 11, 2005: Martin sworn in, giving conservative Republicans a 6-4 majority on the board.

• Nov. 8, 2005: Board votes to approve proposed science standards.

Boys’ Varsity

“ “ “ “

What do the science teachers think?

A history of evolution vs. religion

Last Tuesday, the Kansas Board of Education changed the state’s science curriculum standards. Because of a shift on the board from a conservative viewpoint regarding intelligent design and evolution to a more moderate standing, the Board passed a 6-4 resolution to change the state curriculum, requiring a more heavy emphasis on evolution in the classroom.

This is the third or fourth time that these requirements have changed, and it’s nothing new or different anymore.

I think that this is just the regulation du jour. Also, it is only a state standard, not a district requirement, so we aren’t required to follow it.

- Cole Ogden, department head

This probably won’t have an effect on us at East. That’s mostly because the teachers teach what I feel they should be teaching already, and that doesn’t always follow state policy. I feel this is an appropriate move, and definitely not a step backwards.

- Morning Pruitt

Girls’ Varsity

Substate Semifinals Next Wednesday: More details TBA

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page 5 [community]

Rebuilding by [daniel heady]

It was just like any other day when senior Christy Beeder got up to go to school. Her day was normal at school, but little did she know that her day was going to be interrupted on her drive home.

It was 2:20 p.m. when it happened; Beeder and her brother were still in school, oblivious to the fact that Beeder’s belongings were being burned while her room was in an inferno, which was rapidly destroying her memories.

At 3:10 p.m. she got a phone call, it was her mom. Beeder’s Honda Civic was sitting at the corner of 83rd and Mission road when her phone rang.

“There has been an accident,” her mom said, “and a fire.”

“I dropped the phone, when she said that” Beeder said. “My brother asked what happened, and I told him, I made it to my house as quick as I could.”

As she pulled onto her street, she expected to see the worst.

“I expected to see like two beams of my house standing,” Beeder said.

Much to her surprise the only thing that looked out of place was her busted front window. The fire was put out and as she ran towards her house she saw firemen with hoses spraying her room down, and she saw her belongings being thrown out of the window, first her sheet music then her mattress.

The fire was concentrated on her room only, although her brothers’ room and an adjacent office had smoke damage.

An electrical flaw in one of Beeder’s outlets caused the fire.

“They said that it was either bad wiring or appliance failure,” Beeder said.

According to Lieutenant Josh Register of the Prairie Village Fire department, electrical fires are actually the most common of fires in our area.

“Most of the time the fires around in our area are due to electrical flaws or due to candles,” Register said. “That’s compared to Kansas City where it’s more arson fires.”

Beeder’s lost almost everything in her room; her clothes, her memories. When the officers told her it was OK to go back into her room she walked up the steps toward her room and prepared herself for the worst.

“I was just thinking, OK what would be the worst thing that I would lose’ just to Prepare myself,” Beeder said.

When she got to her room, she saw her stereo melted. Then she saw her bathroom, with her shampoo bottles melted and then re-solidified.

The aftermath is something that she will never forget.

“You always think that it will never happen to you,” Beeder said. In our area we have to be especially careful. Fire safety is something you can’t take for granted.”

Senior copes with loss of possessions and memories after fire ravages her room

DANTE

Fire Safety Tips

photos by mackenzie wylie

SURVIVES by [bernadette myers]

One of the few items that survived the fire was a copy of Dante’s “Inferno” and “Purgatorio”. Beeder, a member of Dante club, found it ironic.

“Both of them are about hell and purgatory,” Beeder said. “And they survived through the flames.”

In Dante Club, a group of 15 seniors read and discuss Dante with Kelly Fast and Michael Pulsinelli.

“It doesn’t help me at all,” Beeder said. “I wish it would have been some of my clothes.”

Though Dante wasn’t her first choice, it is something she doesn’t have to replace.

• Do not trap electric cords against walls where heat can build up.

• Take extra care when using portable heaters.

• Keep bedding, clothes, curtains and other combustible items at least three feet away from space heaters.

• Only use lab-approved electric blankets and warmers. Check to make sure the cords are not frayed.

• Replace mattresses made before the 1973 Federal Mattress Flammability Standard. Mattresses made since then are required by law to be safer.

• Place at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home and in halls outside bedrooms.

4,000

FIRE

by

deaths caused by fire every year

the

NUMBERS injuries due to deaths causes

20,000 fire every year 600 by bedroom fires

information courtesy of www.usfa.dhs.gov

East 2007 MULCH Sale

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Call: 913-993-6688 Email: smeharbinger@ gmail.com

page 6 [editorial]

Give the shot a shot Kansas legislature should pass bill requiring HPV vaccine asked Gov. Perry to reverse the order.

Some lawmakers also worry that a consequence might be an increase in sexual activity. Because HPV is spread through sexual contact, they are concerned that the vaccine will give those who receive it a false sense of security, therefore increasing the chances that they will have unprotected sex.

Those who worry the vaccine will give girls a new reason to have sex are wrong. Gardasil won’t encourage those who receive it to go out and have unprotected sex, much like how receiving a hepatitis B shot won’t encourage those who receive it to go and do drugs.

HPV is a relatively unknown disease, something that many people don’t think twice about. The fact that the vaccine will be given to sixth grade girls makes it even more unlikely. And for those who receive it that are older, a word of caution from a doctor about the other risks of unprotected sex, will help even more.

The lawmakers need to look at the big picture and think about all the women that could be protected from this disease, stop worrying about the unlikely consequences, and think of the lives that could be saved by a simple vaccine.

AGREE DISAGREE ABSENT

D

A new bill in the Kansas legislature may help save lives. The bill, BH 2227, would require that all girls, before sixth grade, an injection of a newly developed vaccine called Gardasil, which prevents a disease that causes cervical cancer. The cancer can be caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a common disease spread by sexual contact.

Lawmakers should pass this bill, and modify it so that the vaccine is not required, but available to anyone who wants it. Legislators worry about the consequences, but the benefits of the vaccine outweigh theses unlikely effects.

HPV is a silent virus: some exhibit symptoms and some don’t, and, especially among males, there is often no way of knowing who has it and who doesn’t.

HPV is a group of viruses that includes more than 100 strains of a virus, according to the Center for Disease Control. More than 30 strains are sexually transmitted, and are spread primarily through genital contact.

According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. The vaccine prevents about 70% of the viral strains that cause cervical cancer, which affects 10,000 women each year. Of those 10,000 people, 3,500 die from the disease annually.

On Feb. 2, Texas Gov. Rick Perry ordered a bill that, starting in fall of 2008, will require all girls going into the sixth grade to receive the vaccine. Twenty other states are also moving forward with bills. South Dakota has decided to not make the vaccine a requirement, but instead offer it free to those without health insurance, and Washington state officials are planning to spend millions of dollars on 100,000 doses of the vaccine, and hope to make enough to treat every girl in the state.

The vaccine is currently available for $360, but Kansas needs to follow the examples of Washington and South Dakota; Making the vaccine free and available to everyone is the only way to ensure everyone who wants to be protected is. However, to appease those who oppose it for religious or health reasons, it should not be mandatory. That way, those who want it still can receive it, but there won’t be any controversy like in Texas, where social conservatives have already-

D

10 1

1

What is HPV?

The majority opinion of the Harbinger Editorial Board

Each issue the 12 members of the board choose a topic and a member writes the editorial. Before being published a consensus is made and the results are published here.

Please bring Letters to the Editor to Room 521 or e-mail it to smeharbinger@gmail.com

The Harbinger is a student-run publication.

HARBINGER staff AMANDA ALLISON

Assistant Editor

PETER GOEHAUSEN LAURA NELSON HALLIE MCCORMICK

Head Copy Editor Art/Design Editor Photo Editor

DEREK MARTIN ELLIE WEED SAMANTHA LUDINGTON

Assistant Photo Editor News Section Editor News Page Editor Op/Ed Section Editor Opinion Page Editor

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Features Section Editor Features Page Editors Spread Editor Assistant Spread Editor Mixed Editor A&E Section Editor A&E Page Editors Sports Section Editor Sports Page Editors

Skin growths in the groin, genital, or anal areas. They are considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD) because they are caused by a virus that can be spread by sexual contact.

Who does HPV affect?

It affects both men and women. In women, HPV can cause cervical cancer.

This is the main reason for the vaccine and the shot. In men, HPV can cause genital cancer or anal cancer.

What does HPV do?

Besides causing cancer, HPV can cause genital warts on both men and women. Increased risk is caused by having sex when young and having multiple sexual partners.

the

Editor-in-Chief

Notes on HPV

SARA STEINWART

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page 7 [opinion]

So Long

Early school hours leave grades sleeping and students sleepy

Sleep Stats

Photo by Frances Lafferty

This morning I woke up at 6 a.m. My alarm clock wasn’t accidentally set on London time zone. I wasn’t sleepwalking.

And it definitely wasn’t for the sheer Michael Hake joy of being up before the street lights turn off. I had to get ready for school.

After sleepily running into a few doors, stubbing my toes on furniture, and muttering the appropriate curse words, I was ready to leave for school. Backing out of the driveway felt vaguely similar to sneaking the car out, as it was still dark and I oddly didn’t feel the urge to wake the neighbors up with Lil Wayne or E-40.

Later on as I walked in late to first hour U.S. History, I saw about half of the class with their heads down on their desks. There was more yawning than at a Mel Gibson movie. That’s when a major epiphany hit: Why, at the culmination of 12 years of schooling, when our grades are most crucial, are we deprived of our necessary sleep?

At a time in our lives when we have the largest workload of our public school careers, we are required to be at school by 7:40 a.m., and, for those who have to drive to school and get a parking space, even earlier than that. The effects of sleep deprivation are practically endless, and include health risks like obesity, depression and immune deficiency.

So, basically, when you come to school and learn valuable pieces of information like the date of the Boston Tea Party or how many dozen times Nader has run for President, you may also gain 10 pounds and catch a cold. Comforting, no?

High school students often have to stay up at all hours of the night doing homework, then have to wake up and

Art by Ren Li

an opinion of

prepare for school at 6 a.m. the next morning. According to WebMD.com, teenagers need about nine hours of sleep per day to maximize their energy and performance during the school day. Due to homework loads and extracurricular activities, it can often be hard to get to sleep before 11 or 12 p.m., making it next to impossible to get the necessary amount of sleep.

Since starting school later would only push the afterschool practices and activities later, I suggest each class be

cut by five to ten minutes. This way school could start later and everyone would be much more awake, and instead of 50 minutes of heads down on desks, classes would be 40 minutes of students actually paying attention.

Mission Valley starts school at 8:45, a time much more fit for high school. Due to bus routes, it wouldn’t be possible to have a high school and middle school start at the same time, which is why a switch in times would be a reasonable solution. High school students need the extra hour of sleep much more than middle school students do, as the homework load is larger, and the grades that students achieve in high school are much more important.

Not too long ago we had a late start, in which first hour began at 9:40 a.m. Everyone around school was much more awake, ready to pay attention, and, believe it or not, I didn’t even mind being at school. I’m not saying that our start time should be shifted a whole two hours, but certainly a happy medium can be found somewhere between 7:40 and 9:40 a.m.

In 2004, the University of Minnesota did research that compared students who went to school at 7:15 and those who went to school at 8:40. They found that students who went to school at 8:40 got higher grades and more sleep on the weekdays. On six to seven hours sleep, does it seem likely that a student is going to be able to ace a Spanish test?

There’s a better chance of a gothic kid wearing a Polo and khakis.

Make an argument for the other side if you will, but the numbers don’t lie. Students learn better with more sleep.

But since the start time won’t likely change in the near future, one year from now I’ll still be waking up at 6 a.m., and I’ll still be spacing out in my first three or four classes.

Oh well. It’s not like we’re hear to learn or anything.

9.5 hours of sleep the average teen needs per night 1 rank of “sleep” as a US health-related problem (1997) points SAT exam scores jumped when 7.4 hours of sleep the average teen gets per night 100 average schools in Minnesota started 1 hour later 8.0 hours of sleep children (ages 9-10) need per night Information Courtesy of Denise Witmer and Patti Teel (about.com) and CNN (Apollo)

Classification Education an opinion of

Elizabeth McGranahan

Martin Luther King Jr. day, Jan 15. In South Carolina at Clemson University, white students gathered for an on-campus party entitled “gangsta day”. The students were invited and encouraged to dress according to a “hip hop lifestyle.” Outfits included baggy pants and black face paint. Several African American students and students of other races were offended because they felt that the party was racist.

The repercussion was an unsigned apology letter from the party- holders to the general public mandated

by the administration.

When I read this article about the “gangsta party” it made me ashamed. Even though I have no idea who those people were, or what they were thinking, I felt embarrassed and responsible. Because these are my people. I don’t mean my people as in they are Caucasian like me. No, they are my people because we come from the same place, not the same race. They are American, as am I, and Americans such as those students are sending the message to the rest of the world that we think racism is OK. Well I’ve got news for them its not.

So was the punishment enough? In my eyes, no. I wouldn’t even call an unsigned apology letter a punishment—more like something done to make the public settle down.

The administration took no action to discipline the students until the public started pressuring them to. The college students probably intended for the party to be a joke, but

Society makes race labeling acceptable

it got out of hand and became an issue of racism. I’m not sure that any punishment can make what they did OK. For white students to mock a day named after the man who greatly influenced the civil rights movement is wrong. I’m not sure that it is possible to right a wrong like that. What those students did will be difficult to forgive, but it doesn’t even feel like the students really care if they are forgiven or not.

We are supposed to be this fresh generation that has been taught that everyone was created equal. And for the most part, we are. In my classes I see all different kinds of people working together on a daily basis. It makes me proud to be among such accepting people. I know East isn’t exactly the most diverse atmosphere but we do have diversity whether you realize it or not. We as a school and as a country represent different colors, nationalities, religions and styles.

How did the party happen in the first place? These college students obviously didn’t just wake up one day and decide to have a racially-charged party. I believe it happened because we as a society let it happen.

The point is that when we allow such names such as ‘cracker’ to become a joke, we let the issue of racism become a joke. It starts earlier on; it starts in elementary schools, middle schools. When at a young age kids are allowed to say these names jokingly, they are subconsciously being taught that what they are saying is acceptable.

Maybe if we stopped letting these racial labels be taken lightly, parties like the one at Clemson University wouldn’t happen.

Just maybe.

Feb. 20, 2007

page 8 [opinion]

12

20

Twelve going on twenty Elementary school children are beginning to take on teenage roles

It was between discussions of chromosomes Art by Ren Li and viruses that it hit me—the realization that as a junior in high school I was stuck in the extra curriculars that I had chosen. My high school experience has pretty much been planned out.

I realized this when my teacher noticed that one of his students decided to drop his class to take Journalism . I said, “It’s rather late in his school career to be deciding that he wants Hallie McCormick high to be a journalist.” This simple little sentence got me thinking—I’m that guy’s same age. Why is it too late for students my age to be taking up new activities? After thinking it over for a while, I came up with the answer: to be recognized for any achievement at East, students have to take part in an activity for at least three years. The only reason most of us take part in extra curriculars is to be noticed by colleges for our outstanding achievement in them. This is why by junior year I am already entrenched in my niche.

What feeds into this trap is that the second students enter as freshmen the obsession over college begins. What do colleges want? Does a “B” in an AP class look better than an A in a regular class? How many extra curriculars should I have?

I became so blind following the strict guidelines that colleges go by, that I forgot to take advantage of what high school is meant for: finding what you love doing.

In the name of college, freshman year we are expected to quickly choose an activity, be it yearbook, STUCO or SHARE, and then pursue it for the rest of our high school careers. We never looked around for other interests in fear that if we change our paths Harvard will label us as a person who doesn’t know exactly what they want to do with the rest of their lives! *gasp* I’ve already had to choose between the few classes I’ve taken. I haven’t even had the chance to think about other classes I haven’t tried.

Think: it was only13 years ago that I wanted to be a ballerina. In retrospect that isn’t very long ago. If my career interests can change that drastically in 13 years, who knows how different my interests will be at 30?

The problem is that I am trying to stick with an activity to show colleges how dedicated and interested in life I am. Ironically, showing that I’m “interested in life” means never trying out new interests.

If you have been planning since sophomore year to go to the school with the best photography program, what will happen if you suddenly realize in the middle of senior year that you want to be a chef? You’re stuck with going to a college that specializes in a career that you were only semi-interested in in the first place.

And the age is only getting younger for looking at college. Did you know that Columbia University has a web page for elementary and middle school students who are interested in attending? The page displays tips for 12-year-olds on how to get in. Basically it says this: stop being a kid. It stresses always doing your best in school and the importance of taking the hardest classes you can—a weight that no little kid should have yet.

At this rate my kids will be required to declare a major and a college of choice when they buy WinterWinter Spring Fall their first notepads and markers for kindergarten. [junior[junior year] year] [junior year] [junior year] Fall The future elementary school activities will be • Register for tests [junior year] quite different. You will be given your class rank • Sign up for the SignPSAT up for the PSAT Register for tests Prepare for SAT in kindergarten right before you go home and High school Spring Develop a college search list Start wait for Santa; SAT prep will begin in first grade • Develope a college search list [juniorvisiting year] colleges Consider financial aid and by fourth grade you will be in the midst of • Consider financial aid • Prepare for SAT writing your college essays.

Summer With this schedule, you would have no time • Start visiting colleges [junior year] Winter to find out what it is you want to do. Giving us Fall [senior year] [senior year] only 15 years isn’t much better. 15 years isn’t long enough for me to discover all the different Continue college visits • Send in applications Narrow application list directions my life could go; and it is ridiculous for • Apply for financialRequest aid applications Decide on earlySpring decision Winter anyone to try to be achieving it. [senior year] [senior year] Continue to research Summer But college makes us do it.

• Pick a school [junior year] scholarships Spring If I keep with one activity for four years, I [senior year] with college visits • Continue might get into my dream school. But I would Send in applications Fall • Request applications from colleges never get the success that comes from trying and year]aid Apply[senior for financial Pick a school narrowing down specific interests later in my • Narrow application list life.

• Decide on early decision If you like something, you are going to want Your at college! to spend more time on it and perfect it. This you • Continue to research financial aid courtesy of collegeboard.com courtesy of collegeboard.com can achieve at any college.

an opinion of

Mapping Mapping out out college college preparation preparation

START START

XX

FINISH

X

FINISH

X

the [harbinger]

e h t f o e n n o

i t lu

page 9 [features]

ho

After 35 years, cell phone trends and technology still constantly changing.

o v E ll P e

C

by [rachel mayfield]

Cell phone technology is rapidly advancing and phones are often looked at as a fashion accessory. Right now, Sprint’s hottest and most popular feature for new phones is the MP3 player. Some phones, depending upon the phone and its memory, can hold full-length songs like a mini-ipod.

Sprint’s current hottest phone is the Motorola Razor.

The razor has an MP3 player and Bluetooth. The Bluetooth enables a wireless headset that is easy to use. With Bluetooth, some phones can use infrared beaming to transfer files to other phones.

According to a Sprint Store Representative, the newest technology that Sprint has come out with is the Nextel/Sprint direct connect on the Sprint service.

With this service, phones can be on the Sprint service, but can also use the walkie talkie feature from the old Nextel phones. The i402 and i502 came out at the beginning of February and more should come out before summer. Eventually, the cell phones should have the direct connect, MP3 and camera.

photos courtesy of motorola website

the numbers

2.9 billion

text messages were sent in June ‘04

7.3 billion

text messages were sent in June ‘05

3,600 seconds in one hour 86,400 seconds in one day 31,536,000 seconds in one year 5 seconds average speed per text message texts per year could be sent if you

6,307,200 were texting every five seconds

years it would take to send 7.3 billion text

1,157 messages at a rate of one text every five

seconds calls are made from a cell phone 224,000 911 per day info from Lets Talk Mobile

can’t put it down?

Information from a survey conducted by Let’s Talk, a mobile retail company. out of

2,119 people

38% said it was OK to talk on the phone while going to the bathroom

1973

45%

said it was OK to answer your cell phone at dinner or in a restaurant

75%

said they have their cell on and within reach during their waking hours

59% said they wouldn’t even think of lending a phone to their friend for a day

Nokia 1011

Motorola Dyna-Tac

all about

1992

said it was more important to go home to retrieve a cell phone than a

26% wallet

Motorola ic502 Motorola ic402

Motorola iDen

what do you think?

What is the coolest feature you have heard of for a cell phone?

Motorola Star-Tac

“The MP3 player would be my favorite because I love music.”

- junior Jonathan Harms

“I like the MP3 player because it’s cool how you can have everything in one.”

- sophomore Dina Kostrow

“I like the MP3 player because it’s cool.”

-freshman Alex Wilson

1994

2006

Motorola DMB

2005

Motorola 3GSM

2004 Feb. 20, 2007

Motorola Razor

2003

Motorola MPX

2002

Slider V5 *MTV Edition

2001

Sanyo SCP-4900

1998

Motorola Timeport

Nokia 5100

1996

2006

Band Concert

Wednesday 21 at 7 pm

Come to the

Columbia Brew Coffee Shop

Coffee......Flavored Hot Chocolate......Vitamin Water......

Starbucks Frappuccinos......Biscotti......And More......

Recycle PSA your Harbinger

Junior College Plan Tuesday 20 ~7:40 am

Come to the

Tailgate Party Friday 23 5:30 pm

page 11 [features]

Staying in the Game Sophomore overcomes everyday difficulties of having only one hand by [meg shackelford] Sophomore Catherine Barrera is leftfooted, and her parents think she was supposed to be left-handed too. She is right-handed not because it was easier or because she was taught that way, but because she was born without a left hand.

Missing a hand doesn’t stop Barrera from doing ordinary things, such as playing her favorite sport, soccer. It doesn’t give her too many disadvantages either, besides having to wear a prostheses, or prosthetic hand, which she quit wearing in the seventh grade.

Where most people have fingers, Barrera was born with what is called “digits,” which were a quarter inch long protruding from her wrist.

Her digits would rub raw and sometimes bleed when she wore her prostheses. When she was three, Barrera underwent surgery to remove the digits. Now all she has is a wrist.

“The doctors don’t know why it happened,” Catherine’s father John Barrera said. “There was not any gene in our family with this, so they called it a onetime occurrence. Looking at skin patterns and family histories helped the doctors to determine it would never happen in our

bloodline again.”

The Barrera’s were prepared for her disability because of ultrasounds, which showed more than just one imperfection.

The doctors could not see one of her legs, and mentioned Down’s Syndrome as a possiblity. Her family was very relieved that it was just a hand she was missing.

“Our older son is hearing impaired so I think there are worse things that can happen,” John said. “I think it would be a lot harder for her to have lost the hand when she already knew what it was like to have it. She has grown well accustomed to not having it though.”

Every morning, Barrera had to devote a few extra minutes of her schedule in order to attach her prostheses. By seventh grade it became too much of a hassle for her to wear. During the day it would sometimes fall off if she had her arm resting at her side.

“I think she thought the prostheses made her clumsy,” John said. “I think she wanted to become more accepted by her peers so she grew away from it.”

There were two different types of prostheses that she used to wear. The first was mechanical, which she wore

particularly during soccer. It went on her arm with an attached cable that went over her right shoulder to keep the whole thing in place. A plastic hook acted as the fingers so she could grasp things.

“Sometimes I would just be walking down the hall and the hook would pinch me on the leg,” Barrera said. “I would have bruises all over my legs.”

She started wearing the other one in fifth grade. It was myoelectric and had a battery. Inside, a sensor attached to her muscles. If the sensor was touched it moved the “hand.” “[The myo-electric] didn’t bother me as much because it went up to my elbow and was more secure,” Barrera said. “It was cool because I picked it out specifically to match my skin tone, and it does almost perfectly.”

She used the myo-electric to play the violin in middle school. With her right hand she would finger the strings, and she would lock her electric hand around the bow.

“I think I’m better off without it,” Barrera said. “It mostly bothered me when I played soccer.”

The prostheses would bother her when she ran, and would need to be adjusted if it were to slip off.

She joined a recreation soccer team in first grade and knew she had a love for the

game.

In sixth grade she joined the KC Legends and has been playing with them ever since. Last year she tried out for East soccer and made the sophomore team as a freshman.

“Her hand didn’t impair her at all,” Barrera’s fellow player, sophomore Samantha Benson said. “She played just like everyone else, if not better. I hated having to scrimmage Catherine at practice. She’s extremely aggressive and has really good footwork.”

The only thing Barrera cannot do in soccer are the throw-ins.

Another thing she cannot do is lift weights. She is able to put her arm around the bar and lift it, but not with her hand.

She can still do squats though.

Typing on keyboards, tying shoelaces and zipping up jackets are all simple tasks Barrera can perform now. It took a lot of practice, but she’s learned how to just use her wrist and it comes naturally. Now she can probably type up 70 words per minute.

“She even flosses with both hands,” John said. “It really surprised me, but she’s found a way to get it all done.”

Information from: Yanke Bionics

What You Need to Know...

Reasons for Prosthetic Limbs

-Vascular Diseases. Disease accounts for the largest amount of amputations. Some are due to diabetes and some aren’t. 54,000 lower limb amputations were done in the United States in 1990.

-Trauma

Photo by: Karen Boomer

. Events such as car accidents and serious injuries can result in the need for an amputation.

-Tumors.. Tumors most often occur in the long bones and tissue of young

people age 11-20, When promptly treated rehabilitation for amputees can be relatively short.

-Congenital Limb Deficiency.

Below: Barrera does push-ups with a large group of girls by the main stairwell during girl’s soccer conditioning.

Steven T. Joyce, M.D. Thomas P. Phillips, M.D. Charles E. Rhoades, M.D. Dan M. Gurba, M.D. Mark Bernhardt, M.D. Lowry Jones, Jr., M.D. Robert C. Gardiner, M.D. Timothy M. Badwey, M.D. Stanley A. Bowling, M.D. Brian J. Divelbiss, M.D. Thomas L. Shriwise, M.D. C. Lan Fotopolous, M.D.

. Results from failure of all or part of a limb to develop. Sometimes a person will undergo a surgery to better shape the limb for a prosthetic device and make it easier to cope with.

Dickson-Diveley Midwest Orthopaedic Clinic, Inc. “For All Your OrthopaedicDec.Needs” 4, 2006

KC Orthodaedip Institute 3651 College Blvd Leawood, KS 66211

(913) 319-7600 Medical Plaza Bldg. I

4320 Wornall Road, #610 KC, MO 64111

(816) 531-5757

STUCO Exec ~~~~~~~~~~

Elections Friday March 2

page 12 [features]

FRIDAY

Highlights from last MONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAY week’s Frequent countdown to Friday and the history MONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAY of the productions MONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAY

HISTORY

Cast members Sam Slosburg and Maggie Blake rehearse for “Plaza Suite” written by Neil Simon. Sam played a man named Sam who is married to Karen, Maggie’s character. In the play, the two have been married for 23 years but Sam still can’t manage to find time for his wife and to celebrate their anniversary at the Plaza Hotel. “The auditions went really well and I got an amazing cast,” director Reina Murphy said. photos by karen boomer

6

YEARS OF FREQUENT FRIDAYS

Frequent Fridays have been going on since the 2001-2002 school year. Theater advisers and teachers Tom Defeo and Brian Cappello started them as the major project for the Advanced Rep class.

There are nine students in the class this year, so there will be nine shows throughout the year.

“The rationale is that directing and completing a one-act play is the culmination of four years of theatre study,” teacher Brian Cappello said. “It is something that will show what the student has learned during that period of time.”

All costumes and props needed for the shows can be borrowed from the theater department at school. “if there is something special that I need for the show that the theater doesn’t have already, then I will have to go out and get it myself,” Plaza Suite director Reina Murphy said. “But other than that everything is already supplied for me and everyone else doing Frequent Fridays.”

97 19 SEATS IN THE LITTLE THEATER

compiled by [elizabeth mcgranahan]

DIRECTOR ROLE As a junior, enrolled Advanced Rep. students are given a date for their Frequent Friday for the following school year.

About two months before the show, they hang up audition sheets so that people who are interested know when they can try out.

Auditions for last week’s “Plaza Suite” directed by senior Reina Murphy had big turnout.

“I had about 15 to 20 people show up and audition, which was wonderful because I was afraid I wouldn’t get a good turn out because the musical was still going on at the same time,” Murphy said.

For the next three or four weeks, the cast and director meet after school for a few hours to work on memorization and blocking.

March 2nd- Reina’s Frequent Friday: Plaza Suite.

HIGHEST NUMBER OF SHOWS IN ONE YEAR

SME 2007 MULCH Sale

9

FREQUENT FRIDAYS THIS YEAR

End of 3rd Quarter!

the [harbinger]

. . . f o fe

page 13 [features]

i l e

Micah Patterson

h t in

Freshman buys and manages vending machines to make a profit by [rachel birkenmeier] Freshmen Micah Patterson wasn’t like most kids who made extra money from a lemonade stand or by babysitting. He had a better idea. Just last year, when Patterson was in 8th grade he decided the way to make that extra money was to buy small quarter vending machines.

“I wanted extra money on the side,” Patterson said. So he found a local vender. “I found him in the phonebook.

His name was Charles Hannah. He recently quit his larger business for a smaller one.”

Patterson then contacted the man and bought two small vending machines.

“I paid for them all by myself, by taking the money out of my savings account,” Patterson said.

Next, he had to find locations to place them. He decided that the Prairie Village Barber Shop would work well.

“I had known the guy that owned it ever since I got my hair cut there,”

Patterson said. “I told him I’d give him 20% of all the money I made, and he said that sounded great.”

Patterson stocked his machines full of M&M’s, Skittles and Runts candies.

“I normally have to refill the machines every three to four months, and that costs around 60 dollars,” Patterson said.

“I buy all my candy at Sam’s Club.”

After only being in the shop for about a year, Patterson has already earned back the money he has put into it, and then some. He has made a rough estimate of about 300 dollars.

Patterson’s other machine however was broken when he bought it. The quarter knob on it broke due to all the usage.

“It’s sitting in my basement right now. I have to buy new parts for it,” Patterson said. “I plan on talking to Mr. Hannah about it sometime soon so I can get it fixed.”

Patterson hopes to one day buy more candy machines to be able to make more money.

Freshman Micah Patterson stands behind his candy vending machine at the Prairie VIllage Barber Shop. photo by samantha ludingtton

Dec. 4, 2006

page 14 [spread]

D

iversion is a county-run program devised to keep youths away from trouble by forming a contract with them. Each county devises its own program in an attempt to guide youths legally after committing a minor offense. Punishments for crimes such as drug paraphernalia, alcohol, battery or other misdemeanor accounts range from drug tests and community service, to a curfew and counseling for an assigned period. After six to 12 months, individuals are left with a clean record, something that can’t be achieved in other programs when found guilty.

The intent and effectiveness of the Diversion program is questionable. According to students, specific aspects of the program, such as counseling, having a general consensus of being beneficial, but as a whole the program struggles to have great success in actually changing people because of the lack generalizations it makes in assigning consequences.

“The problem [with Diversion] is finding people who will be changed by the program,” Supervising Court Services Officer II Charlene Whitney said. “The goal is to help everyone, but there are some cases that are in need of more than the Diversion program has to offer.”

Whitney wants to find those who can turn their life around and become lawful citizens with the help of the program. But with 1,146 youths in the program in the past year, there isn’t time for an officer to counsel and get to know each new entry.

“Just by reading an application or talking to an individual for a short period of time, it is hard to judge a person’s future,” Whitney said. “We want to be optimistic and help anyone that there is a chance with. I believe this leads to the large number of people who revert back to old

DIVERSION

continued from page 1

ways during or after the program.”

Prairie Village police officer Dawn Johnson views the p their slate clean. She is familiar with the program due to the made testifying for or against Diversion contenders.

“However,” he added, “it is inevitable that if a person who for granted as a way to get out of a legal charge.”

After getting arrested for possession of marijuana, seni gram very seriously. However, after group counseling ses youths on Diversion, he began to see things differently.

“The counseling helped me a lot,” Thompson said. “It w at and how bad off I actually was.”

The counseling sessions opened Thompson’s eyes abou without marijuana.

“Right after I went on Diversion and I stopped smoking, I noticed a great difDiversion is ference,” Thompson said. “ It was like my When the head was a lot clearer, and I instantly did much better in school.”

Still, Thompson hasn’t entirely changed his behavior. The program opened his eyes, but was not able to reconstruct his lifestyle by eliminating his previous actions. Thompson’s arrest led him to be a member of Level 3 Diversion.

Diversion is divided up into four levels. Each of the levels has different requirements, in increasing harshness due to the severity of the crime. Level one is for individuals who get a standard MIP (Minor in Possession goes up to Level four for battery and domestic violence c individually so no level is guaranteed for any offense.

“I think Diversion is really helpful,” Level 1 Diversion m am playing it a lot more safe. Now I make sure that I know w going on so that I am not doing anything where I could get Atkinson got an MIP at the Shawnee Mission Northwest paragraph confessing and pleading his guilt. Due to his ho of Diversion, including only 30 hours of community servic is such a low level, there is no curfew.

However, students like Evans, who have their Diversion tract, end up with more severe consequences. More than consequences to Atkinson if he had not been on Diversion Evans was arrested for the second time at the football ga prior to the arrest, he had signed a contract stating that he and would not get arrested again. He broke this contract an In court, Evans had to tell the judge exactly what happe in return the judge told him he could not drive for 30 days a of probation, with a possibility of getting off after six for goo “It was really hard to not be able to drive,” Evans said. “ just got sick of giving me rides places.”

Evans said he has made no significant changes in his so

— Char

what does

Stories from and the rewards of Johnson County’s only youth correctional program that keeps your record clean. by [sara steinwart]

photo illustration by tyler roste

“

The prob program going to

the [harbinger]

Diversion cos

The program usually costs $150 ment to a counselor if that is decid “The program can become qu Services Officer II, said. “But we ar cutting fees in half or waiving them However, with more than 500 yo a very special case to receive the fin Junior Steven Rowe had to sacri to pay for his Diversion cost along was not given the allotted amount t 16 birthdays.

“Not being able to get a car lik ment of all,” Rowe said.

“Diversion is not a mandated se the prices have to be so high beca program and have it run smoothly.”

page 15 [spread]

tion, other than being more aware of his surroundings. Evans sees major flaws in the whole court services program.

“I don’t think that people like me should have to take UA’s because I didn’t get into trouble due to smoking which is what those tests are for,” Evans said. o is in a bad place may take the program Taking a urinary analysis is the most effective way that Court Services, the business that manages the Diversion and Probation programs, has found to monitor and prevent youths from breakior Drew Thompson didn’t take the pro- ing their contracts. ssions once a week with five to 10 other According to Cassidy Sporhase, a Court Services Officer, marijuana is usually detectable in the system for around 30 days after usage, and with a new screening alcohol can actually be tested for was good to see where everyone else was after a full five days.

“With these new tests, there is no way for individuals to be able to predict when they will be ut how much healthier his life would be able to partake in these illegal activities and get away with it by trying to beat the system,” Sporhase said.

Evans doesn’t try to beat the system, but often bends the rule of not hanging out with people also on Diversion or probation bes a county run program devised to keep youths away from trouble. cause he finds it unfair. e program is completed individuals are left with a clean record.

“I don’t even really pay attention to who I am with because it is a dumb rule,” Evans said, “Just because they are on Diversion doesn’t mean that we are going to do anything together that would get us in trouble.”

It may be difficult to decipher who may or may not be on Diversion or probation, and exceptions will be made. However, when out on the weekend with friends, officers such as Sporhase feel confident that students should be responsible enough to be aware of their surroundings to know who is on one of the programs and follow their contracts by staying away from these people.

“I have found that if youths continue to hang out with people who are involved in illegal activities then they have a much less n) or other minor offenses and the scale chance to succeed themselves,” Sporhase said. cases. However, each case is reviewed Following a broken Diversion contract, more serious charges will be filed and both the original charge that placed the individual on Diversion and the charge violating it will appear on their permember senior Michael Atkinson said. “I manent record and the violator will enter a program such as probation. who I am with and where I am and what’s The specifics of the contract of a probation case all depend on the nature of the offense and the in trouble.” severity of the crime. In general, people on probation have more frequent UAs, more community football game last fall. He had to write a services hours, are subject to searches of personal belongings at anytime, possibly require sumonesty, he was placed on the lowest level mer school, along with other things. However, curfew times are standard to age, no matter the ce and urinary analyses. But because it crime or the level of Diversion or probation.

A concerned parent Gale Atkinson holds is in the fact that parents hold no clout in the disciplinn revoked because they break their con- ary process. n likely, Evans would have had similar “The court gives off the impression that they will just take care of the problem,” Gale said. “It prior to the arrest. gives a parent the feeling that they are not capable of disciplining their own child.” ame with Atkinson. Twenty-four months Gale feels that it would be beneficial if the parents or guardians were more included in the prowould not partake in any illegal actions cess and that if parents were consulted and the punishments were more individualized, then the nd now suffers the consequences. program would be more beneficial. ened the night of his second arrest, and Whitney feels that a program like this is the most effective way that has been found to work on and would have to undergo nine months correcting and providing consequences for youths who break the law, without jeopardizing their od behavior. futures due to one mistake.

“It was hard to obey because my friends “Diversion is a privilege,” Whitney said. “It is a one-time opportunity, with no exceptions. If the individual doesn’t take advantage of their second chance, then that is their loss.” ocial life due to Diversion, or now proba-

program as a chance for youths to wipe e multiple appearances in court she has

STUDENTS SPEAK

Do you think Diversion is effective?

It’s not effective. After people are off diversion, they just start doing bad stuff again.

– Adam Levin, 9 It’s not effective because kids will drink and stuff even though they’re on Diversion. They’ll just drink lots of water when they have to see their counselors.

– Chase Lucas, 10

blem is finding people who will be changed by the m. Because who really knows what individuals are o change their lives. The goal is to help everyone.

”

A lot of people don’t care and will just find a way to get around Diversion.

– Lauren Coomer, 11

?

n st

Prices are high for the chance to participate in the program

0-300 plus $17 for each Urinary Analysis and payded necessary. uite pricey,” Charlene Whitney, Supervising Court re willing to with individuals in financial burden by m all together.” ouths under supervision at any given time, it takes nancial aid. ifice a car due to his arrest and Diversion. In order with group and private counseling sessions, Rowe that each kid in his family receives for a car on their

ke my brothers and sister was the biggest punish-

ervice from the state,” Whitney said, “So, basically, ause we have to have money in order to fund the ” – by sara steinwart

comparing

JOHNSON JACKSON COUNTY COUNTY DIVERSION DIVERSION up to 12 months

max. 6 months

up to 75 hours of community service can be required

an average of 25 community service hours are assigned

There is a cost; price increases at subsequent levels

There is no cost to be on Diversion

Therapy is more solitary and counselorbased

There are group activities like barbeques and bowling nights

courtesy of Alan Wigodner, coordinator of informal adjustment in Jackson County compiled by bernadette myers

2006 DIVERSION STATS

photos by patrick mayfield

rlene Whitney, Supervising Court Services Officer II

It’s effective while kids are on Diversion, but the minute they get off it, it’s no use.

– Megan Ellis, 12 compiled by bernadette myers

{Diversion Conditions}

Teenagers on Diversion have to follow a strict set of rules. Here are a few.

The Respondent Shall...

• regularly attend school with no unexcused absences, to include suspensions, and study and be prepared for each class • not stay the night at friends • not socialize with others known to be involved in illegal activity or who are currently on Diversion • make restitution to the victim(s) as ordered by the court •testify truthfully against all those charged (juvenile and adult) in this incident Courtesy of the Johnson County Court System

5600 Number of cases filed by DA: 3113 Level 1: 273 Level 4: 7 Number of cases that applied for Diversion: 1509 Level 2: 233 Drug/Alcohol: 385 Number of cases Level 3: 216 granted for Diversion: 1146 Number of cases referred to DA:

courtesy of Charlene Whitney, Supervising Court Services Officer II

Degrees of Trouble

The Diversion program is broken into several levels with varying degrees of severity Level 2

Level 1

Cost: $150.00 Length: Four months C.S.* Hours: 25 Example: Disorderly conduct

Feb. 20, 2007

Drug/Alcohol

Cost: $175.00 Length: Six months C.S.* Hours: 30 Example: Alcohol/ Marijuana possession

Cost: $175.00 Length: Six months C.S.* Hours: 30 Example: Low level cases needing more than four months

Level 3

Cost: $275.00 Length: Nine months C.S.* Hours: 50 Example: Burglary (automobile), arson

Level 4 Cost: $300.00 Length: Twelve months C.S.* Hours: 75 Example: Burglary (building), Aggravated assault, Aggravated battery

Courtesy of the Johnson County Court System *C.S.=Community Service

page 16 [a&e]

New Album New Sound

After seven other albums, artist RJD2 will release “The Third Hand” in March. This album takes on less of a hip-hop style and goes for a more lyrical flow. This drastic change may not be what fans have been waiting for.

http://worlds-fair.net

can’t be good. by [erin morrisey] He has his moments, though—I’ll give him that. On the sixth track, The Beatles made pop music. Led Zeppelin made pop music. Elliot Smith made pop music. At least that’s what musician RJD2 believes. “Laws of The Gods,” his singing actually works with the music, instead And, like his musical idols, he wants to make pop music, too. His of creating an unpleasantly sharp contrast. It actually sounds a little forthcoming third album, “The Third Hand,” is like nothing he’s ever bit like something The Beatles would have made had they had access done before. He’s abandoned his trip-hop beats and rap spasms of to the studio equipment around today. It’s something you could find the critically acclaimed “Deadringer” and “The Horror EP” for a folky, yourself humming throughout your day. It doesn’t seem like that’s RJD2’s goal. At least, it wasn’t with his first lyrical style that may send his fans running for two albums. I guess, now, he’s just trying to the hills. get in your head. It’s working.

It’s not all bad—it’s just different. And, by He couldn’t completely emancipate different, I mean it’s a little bit awkward. Gone It’s not all bad­–it’s just different. And himself from his DJ-esque style, though. On are the days of RJ’s perfectly spliced and looped the seventh song, “Get It,” he’s like a kid in by different, I mean awkward. hypnotics. Instead, he’s opted for messy masha candy store—robbing the place. He uses ups that sometimes just don’t work. “The Third seemingly every single one of the bells and Hand” is evidence that he’s taken a turn with his musical style. The whistles on his beloved synthesizer—but he does it with soul. The the execution of the changes are simply inconsistent, and it shows.

Take, for example, the fourth track. “Reality” has all the makings perfect dose of classic RJD2 that could keep his fans around for a few of a decently catchy tune. However, the lyrics are mediocre at best, more albums. I can only hope he’s just going through a phase with this and the singing comes dangerously close to grating the ears of the indie-rock stuff. I miss my RJD2. listener. “Reality” sounds like a Maroon 5 song on crack, and that just

“

New Events •

”

• He plays at the Bottleneck (Lawrence) today.

• His most popular song, “Orange Sky”, has been featured in movies including ‘Garden State’ (although it was not released on the soundtrack), It was also used in the trailer for the film ‘Paradise Now.’ • Murdoch hails from London, and he came to the U.S. to study philosophy at Drake University.

Release date- March 6, 2007 Price- $13.99

Pete Yorn

&

Aqualung

Crazy costumes meet Indie pop at this concert tonight

AlexiMurdoch

9. The Bad Penny 10. Beyond the Beyond 11. Sweet Piece 12. Rules For Normal Living 13. Paper Bubble 14. Just When 15. The Evening Gospel

1. Intro 2. You Never Had It So Good 3. Have Mercy 4. Reality 5. Work It Out 6. Laws of the Gods 7. Get It

Taking a closer look at three ticker events

Of Montreal

Soft guitar solos come to KC tonight

The Third Hand

Aqualung opens for Pete Yorn next week in Lawrence

• They play after the opening band, Elekibass, at the Granada tonight.

• The musicians in Of Montreal manage to combine sometimes wry, sometimes outright silly lyrics with a kind of vintage ‘60s pop sensibility.

• Catch this show on Feb. 26 at the Granada

• Their concerts usually consist of copious amounts of neon lights and ostentatious costumes, making the experience all the more magical.

• Pete Yorn’s debut album went gold on the strength of the lead single, “Life on a Chain.”

• The band was created by Kevin Barnes after a failed romance with a woman from Montreal. Barnes met the rest of the band in Athens, Georgia.

Together, they recorded their first album, “Cherry Peel”, as well as “The Bird Who Continues to Eat the Rabbit’s Flower” and “The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy”.

• Matt Hales, better known as Aqualung, is an English singer and songwriter.

www.ofmontreal.net

www.peteyorn.com

the [harbinger]

page 17 [mixed]

3

ways avoid to

getting sick :

- No one can be infected by the coughing and sneezing of a sick person if they are far enough away from them. The essential rule is to stay at least three feet away, not getting up close and personal.

- The trick to not getting sick has always been to wash hands. Although this is true, it is better to create friction by rubbing hands together with the soap and water for 15 seconds. If soap and water are not available, carry hand sanitizer around, such as Purel. Wash hands before setting the table, putting in contact lenses, eating, helping someone that is sick and treating a wound.

It is also good to wash after using the bathroom, coughing or sneezing even if it seems harmless, playing with pets, preparing food, changing diapers, touching cuts and handling dirty utensils and dishes. Washing should be essential after being around someone that is sick or when feeling on the verge of sickness.

- After dishes have been used by a sick person, a simple washing is not good enough. Soaking them in a solution with ten percent chlorine bleach— which is basically nine parts water and one part of bleach—for at least 20 minutes. Bleach should not be absorbed through the skin so it would be helpful to wear gloves and rewash the dishes after soaking them in the bleach solution.

- information courtesy of Kansas City Star photo by patrick mayfield

what you didn’t know about : Sam Stewart photo by anna leek

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR SNOW DAYS? - Usually sitting at home, watching TV WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO GO SLEDDING? - Suicide Hill TELL ME ABOUT THE COOLEST SNOW FORT YOU’VE EVER MADE. - It was sort of like an igloo and it had a roof.

It was kind of burrowed in.

things to do when you’re bored in class

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

text people count the tiles on the ceiling and see how far you get play Tetris on your phone or calculator take a short cat nap like the other half of your class become friends with the person sitting next to you so you can play Hangman or Tic-Tac-Toe with them

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

:

read the nutritional facts on the food you may have with you, it could be interesting doodle on the margins of your paper make to-do lists so you are prepared for everything that comes your way eat your sack lunch organize everything in your binders and back pack

Feb. 20, 2007

weird words freck: (v.) to move quickly, nimbly. It can also mean keen for mischief, or ready for trouble. bogglish: (adj.) to be uncertain, doubtful or a wee bit skittish about something rimbombo: (n.) the sound of booming roar.

troke: (v.) to fail; unable to do something; or, to deceive.

‘Rising’ above the rest

page 18 [a&e]

Young stars bring depth to ‘Hannibal’

photo courtesy of movieweb.com

by [landon mcdonald]

Gaspard Ulliel as Hannibal Lector torments a victim in ‘Hannibal Rising.’

A ‘Hannibal’ History with Landon McDonald

‘Manhunter’ (1989)

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

‘Hannibal’ (1999)

‘Red Dragon’ (2003)

Contrary to popular belief, ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ was not the first Lecter tale to hit the big screen. ‘Manhunter’ centers around the tracking of a serial killer called the Tooth Fairy

by FBI Agent Will Graham. To catch the killer, the agent enlists the help of, who else, Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

The crown jewel of the series, this masterpiece stars Sir Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal and the magnificent Jodie Foster as young FBI agent-in-training Clarice Starling. Clarice must convince Lecter to help her stop serial killer Buffalo Bill.

This was the last film to “sweep” the Oscars.

Despite another Oscar-worthy performance from Hopkins, this sequel failed to live up to its predecessor. Maybe Foster’s absence was the problem (Julianne Moore took over the role of Clarice).

More likely though, it was the abundance of gross-out tripe and many unneeded subplots.

The series got back on track with this third Hopkins entry directed by the usually sub-par Brett Ratner. Despite being a haphazard remake of Manhunter, the strong performances from Hopkins, Edward Norton, and Ralph Fiennes serve to elevate the film from mediocre shocker to high horror art.

the [harbinger]

The last few years in cinema have seen a dramatic influx in the number of “origin stories” hitting the big screen.

Thanks to a combination of audience/ fanboy curiosity and Hollywood’s insatiable lust for profit, we all now know the background behind the rise of such box office icons as Darth Vader, James Bond, Batman, Spider-Man, and countless more. Some, like last year’s Casino Royale and 2005’s Batman Begins, have proven themselves to be exceptional and enlightening films that are well worth seeing. However, the vast majority of these films, like The Fantastic Four, The Hulk and Star Wars Episode I, have been nothing more than disillusioning claptrap, made for turning a shameless profit and nothing else.

So I was understandably cautious when I attended a late-night screening for Hannibal Rising, a prequel that relates the untold early years of everyone’s favorite gentleman cannibal, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The movie had been getting poor reviews and the trailer I’d seen for it wasn’t scary and didn’t make a lot of sense. I was anticipating a sub-par shocker with a couple of gotcha moments, an abundance of pointless gore, and a second-rate teenage emo Hannibal.

Imagine my surprise when the movie started. You see, Hannibal Rising is actually a very good movie. Maybe even, dare I say it, a great one in its own right.

While it can’t hold a candle to the original masterpiece Silence of the Lambs, it still manages to be a captivating revenge thriller that flirts with being an outright horror movie. It’s easily the second best movie in the series so far.

The story unfolds in the small European country of Lithuania towards the end of World War II. Following the traumatic death of their parents, an eight-year-old Hannibal Lecter and his baby sister Mischa become the captives of a group of bloodthirsty Nazis on the run from Russian soldiers. As the winter gets colder and longer, the Teutonic fiends resort to cannibalism to survive.

Hannibal’s beloved sister is among the victims.

Hannibal escapes the Nazis and, years later, swears to avenge his sister’s death by systematically hunting down her surviving killers and administering his own brutal brand of vigilante justice. He does this with the help of his beautiful samurai-obsessed aunt Lady Murasaki, played with quiet dignity and majestic class by “Memoirs of a Geisha’s” gorgeous Gong Li, who eventually becomes Hannibal’s first love.

This movie is made great by the depth and magnitude of its central performances. Newcomer Gaspard Ulliel is a worthy enough successor to Anthony Hopkins’s original diabolic devil incarnate. The likeness between the two actors is nothing short of

stunning. But Ulliel’s performance is far more than just a spot-on impression.

Here we see an unformed Hannibal who is not yet the mastermind tactician of the later films. He makes mistakes. He feels real emotion. He still has within him a fading spark of humanity, a light growing fainter by the second, but still there nonetheless. This flickering sense of moral civility may not make him as frightening a villain, but it definitely serves to make him a much more conflicted and intriguing protagonist.

Gong Li holds her own in a role that would have left many lesser actresses stilted and emotionless. Dominic West’s character, who frankly needed a bigger role, makes for a worthy police inspector for Hannibal to have his trademarked bantering sessions with. The real performance of note here however, is that of Rhys Ifans as the wicked Nazi commander whose love of sadism is nearly a match for Lecter’s own. His inhumanly bestial performance haunts the audience long after Ulliel’s scary smirk has faded.

Much has been made about the film’s violence. Yes, there’s rampant cannibalism, disembowelment, beheadings, gougings, and other acts of primeval butchery, but it never feels like overkill. The camera leaves the absolute worst up to the audience’s collective imagination. Some of the atrocities committed, particularly the mutilation of an uncouth butcher who insulted Lady Murasaki by a samurai sword-wielding Hannibal, is so fluid and well-shot that one forgets the brutality in favor of the surreal style. This artful show of restraint was something the other films in the series, besides the masterful 1991 original, sorely lacked. It serves to elevate this movie above the Saws and Hostels of the world into something infinitely more refined, cultured, and sophisticated, which is just the way Dr. Lecter would have liked it.

Perhaps the only significant flaw in Hannibal Rising is also one of its greatest strengths: the absence of Anthony Hopkins. Yes, Ulliel is admittedly excellent in the title role and almost succeeds in ultimately humanizing the monster, which is a direction that Hopkins never undertook. Yet Hopkins’s Hannibal did so much more. Not unlike the character of Iago in Shakespeare’s Othello, Hopkins gives us a chilling vision of pure, cold-blooded, ultimate evil that is rarely equaled and never bested. Evil that had no method to its madness, no sad past to explain its existence, nothing but the evil itself. It was just there, always had been, as old as God and damn near as powerful. That was what Hopkins created in Silence of the Lambs, a depraved and savage immortal who saw all and knew all. He can never be outdone. But this movie does its best to come close.

‘Sunshine’ cloudy at best World premiere in KC met with mixed reviews by [rachel birkenmeier] Walking into the Glenwood Arts Theater, I was expecting the worst because I had seen the two-star ranking the Kansas City Star has given the movie.

“A Ray of Sunshine” was exactly what I thought it would be — awful. Not only did it bore me to death, but there was also so much going on that I was confused 75 percent of the time.

In the movie, a troubled teen named Rachael (Cheyenne Rushing), goes to Los Angeles in search of her father (John Phillip Law), who left Rachael and her mother when she was little. When Rachael arrives in Los Angeles, she goes to look for her father at Ms. Lilly’s Bar because her dad had left her a card saying he would be there. Rachael also finds out that her mother was killed. At Ms. Lilly’s, Rachael meets Ms. Lilly (Nancy Kwan) and The Count (Curt Lowens). They help her find a place to stay and work while she is staying in Los Angeles, and eventually help Rachael uncover a shocking family secret.

One reason why this movie was so terrible was because of the transitions between the scenes.

They were too choppy, making it hard to follow.

One minute, there would be a scene of Rachael on a Greyhound bus, the next she would be sitting at home playing the piano. There was also a lot going on in the movie. The plot was very difficult to follow, because there were too many conflicts.

Also, the costumes were very unrealistic. When Rachael first goes to Los Angeles, she dresses up

as a boy. Not only was the reason unclear, her costume was too unbelievable. She wears a black hat and overalls and she also puts on this voice that sounds like a bit of a hick. What’s really frustrating is that everyone in the movie actually bought her disguise.

The movie itself was very unbelievable. It is not likely that a girl will leave town, go to Los Angeles and meet some very nice people the first minute she goes there. And while she’s gone, her mother gets killed. That is too unlikely.

I also didn’t get why Rachael’s mother was killed.

One minute, she’s on screen drunk with some man, and the next, she’s killed. They never actually said how she was killed, it just kind of happened. And once again, I asked myself how this was relevant to the movie in any way, shape or form. When the director, Norbert Meisel, was asked about this in the Q&A follow up, he said it was due to the fact that the movie was too long and they needed to cut unnecessary scenes.

The only decent thing I could find in this movie was the acting. The actors and actresses did a very nice job of portraying their characters. They really brought the lines to life, even if the lines themselves were extremely unbelievable. However, this movie just didn’t hold my attention. Within the first 15 minutes, I was already lost. For a $10 ticket and 1 hour and 30 minute long movie, it definitely wasn’t worth it.

page 19 [a&e]

Keys to the groove: Notes on where to find the hippest and most up to date tunage by [derek martin]

1.

The less familiar the better. If you haven’t heard of them, then you don’t know how awesome they are. Check out the recommended artists on iTunes and the “Customers also bought...” section of Amazon.com for ideas.

2.

Listen to Internet radio. It’s free, it’s always on, and there’s millions of artists waiting to be discovered. You can tune in at places such as www.musicovery.com. Type in your mood, preferred genre, and era of choice, and Musicovery does the rest. You can spend hours finding new bands based on your ever changing moods.

3.

Look at the concert flyers at independent music stores. Every band these days has a street team — a few die hard junkies who will kill thousands of trees to make sure that you know their favorite band is coming to town.

They plaster up flyers all over the place, and taking a casual look at those flyers can help you discover new artists you may have never heard of, not to mention finding out about upcoming shows.

page 20 [a&e]

Blueprint of the Oscars Plan on checking out these nominated films before watching the Oscars

art by ren li

The

compiled by [joey soptic] and [melissa mckittrick]

Nominations

• Penelope Cruz in ‘Volver’ • Judi Dench in ‘Notes on a Scandal • Helen Mirren in ‘The Queen’ • Meryl Streep in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ • Kate Winslet in ‘Little Children’

Best Picture

• ‘Babel’ • ‘The Departed’ • ‘Letters from Iwo Jima’ • ‘Little Miss Sunshine • ’The Queen’

Best Actor

• Forest Whitaker in ‘The Last King of Scotland • Ryan Gosling in ‘Half Nelson’ • Peter O’Toole in ‘Venus’ • Will Smith in ‘The Persuit of Happiness’ • Leonardo DiCaprio in ‘Blood Diamond’

Best Director

• Alejandro González Iñárritu for ‘Babel’ • Martin Scorsese for ‘The Departed’ • Clint Eastwood for ‘Letters from Iwo Jima’ • Stephen Frears for ‘The Queen’ • Paul Greengrass for ‘United 93’

Oscar Nom nat on Totals Babel The Queen Dreamgirls Pan’s Labyrinth Blood Diamond [harbinger]

photos coutesy of www.movieweb.com

Best Actress

page 21 [a&e]

Best Picture

Checklist

Check off these Three films nominated for Best Picture so you can be Oscar savvy this Saturday

photos coutesy of www.movieweb.com

Babel The Queen

In the days immediately following the death of Princess Diana in 1997, public grief turns to outrage at the perceived lack of response to the tragedy on the part of Britain’s royal family. As the recently elected Prime Minister Tony Blair urges her to be more responsive to the mood of the nation, Queen Elizabeth confronts the changes that modern life has forced on the centuries-old monarchy.

Several interwoven storylines unfold across four countries as difficulties in communication and understanding complicate life in the shrinking global village. A Moroccan shepherd, a pair of American tourists, a deaf Japanese teenager, and a Mexican nanny and her two young American charges are among the characters whose lives connect in unexpected ways.

Departed The

Unbeknownst to the Massachusetts state police department, crime boss Frank Costello has placed a mole in its ranks: cadet Colin Sullivan. The police succeed in infiltrating Costello’s organization as well, however, providing a credible criminal background for undercover cadet Billy Costigan, who manages to gain Costello’s trust.

the [harbinger]

S M E

page 22 [a&e]

Giving out Grammys A recap of this year’s winners, and other acts you might enjoy as well by [john mcguire]

Best New Album

Best New Artist

Carrie Underwood

Dixie Chicks

Taking the Long Way If you like the Dixie Chicks, check out...

•Sugarland- They’ve been in the spotlight for around a year, and have quickly gained fame from their hit “Twice the Speed of Life.” Another album is due later this year.

•Allison Kraus & Union Station- Alison Kraus is an acclaimed artist and has won 17 Grammys. She has also helped produced records for bands like Nickel Creek and The Cox Family.

•Melanie Cannon- Growing up in Nashville gave Melanie her country roots. She recorded her first record at 14, and since has played with Kenny Chesney and Randy Scruggs.

•The Wreckers- Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp lead this modern country band. Their debut album “Maverick” sounds like both country and pop, with a little bite. information courtesy of wikipedia.org

Rock Album of the Year

Red Hot Chili Peppers Some Hearts

If you like Carrie Underwood, check out...

Stadium Arcadium If you like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, check out...

•Talking Heads- This American rock band existed from 1974 to 1991. They mix punk with pop that gives them a funky sound.

•Dispatch- All jam bands have heard of Dispatch.

Their album “Bang Bang” features the hit song “The General.” the [harbinger]

•Mandy Barnett- Critics compare Mandy to Patsy Cline. She has worked with country greats like Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Vince Gill.

•Julie Roberts- Her album “Men and Mascara” got great reviews. Check out the song “The Girl Next Door.”

•Taylor Swift- At 15, Taylor became the youngest person ever to sign with “Big Machine Records.” She released the single “Tim McGraw,” which is a hit song on the country charts.

•Leann Rimes- Famous for her hit song “Blue,” which was released when she was only 15. Since then she has won numerous Grammys, and sold millions of records. information courtesy of wikipedia.org

page 23 [a&e]

cinematic

REACTION by [ruth stark]

Staff member has something to say after viewing controversial “Jesus Camp” “Jesus Camp” is a documentary about kids who go on a spiritual journey to become better Evangelical Christians. “Kids on Fire Summer Camp” in North Dakota is the setting for this somewhat disturbing movie.

Their goal; to take back America for Christ.

For most of these children, all of who appeared to be about 12 or younger, their passion for this cause and motivation for attending this camp comes from their parents and camp leader Becky Fischer. The extremes to which the people in this movie took their religion were bizarre on several levels- to say the least.

There are no ghost stories at this camp, because ghost stories don’t bare truth and beauty… duh. There are no meals eaten in some families until you have said a certain version of a pledge of allegiance while holding an Evangelical flag. There is absolutely no dancing “for the flesh” or to the music of say Brittany Spears and Lindsey Lohan. And under no circumstance is Harry Potter acceptable because warlocks are demonic. A 12 year old boy with magical powers who enjoys playing Quidditch is surely hell bent.

If you had been told from day one that you were going to hell unless you

followed very specific rules, I imagine you would probably act the same as a lot of these children.

The parents in this movie didn’t plant the seed and let their child develop healthy beliefs and religious observances.

These children were literally brainwashed and all this summer camp did was further the madness instilled into the minds of these impressionable children. They start their days praying, yelling and crying about putting an end to abortion. Nothing like tears with your toast to start the day on the right foot.

One person’s devout faith can look like someone else’s insanity. Being a faithful, church going Christian I was shocked to see the lack of nurturing discussion as means of teaching and the overwhelming presence of the threat of hell and eternal damnation. I don’t accept the idea of developing faith through fear and tears. Becky Fischer seems to thinks this is her calling; picking on little ones instead of having the skills to try and persuade a matured and reasonable adult mind.

Most of us began to experience our spirituality at a young age, but it seems we were taught to make it a life long journey for ourselves and not for the sake of a political agenda.

If you liked “Jesus Camp” try other recent controversial films: “An Inconvenient Truth” (2006, directed by Al Gore) “Fast Food Nation” (2006, directed by Richard Linklater) Playing herself in the film, Becky Fischer is a young girl who attends the “Kids on Fire” camp photo courtesy of movieweb.com

B O W L I N G Regional Tournament Saturday 24 More Details TBA

Spring Break

Feb. 20, 2007

Is Next Month!

JOHN JANDL

page 24 [sports]

Senior John Jandl has known he’s going to DePaul University for over a month now.

There was no doubt in his mind that it was the school for him.

But after he and three other seniors signed their letters of intent to play soccer on Feb. 8, there was no turning back. His parents were When East alum Eric Gellar told senior Peter Krivena giving him hugs, telling them how proud they were of him. about an upcoming recruitment day at Johnson County CommuNow that the letter had been signed, he was bound to attend the school and nity College, he thought he’d try it out. Realizing that his GPA isn’t play Division I soccer. quite high enough to play at a division I school, JuCo seemed to be the

It wasn’t until his junior year on the East soccer team that Jandl realized he best option. After practicing with the team and attending some practices, he’s wanted to play soccer in college. looking forward to playing for one of the top junior colleges among the nation.

Playing on a club team, Jandl had seen his share of college scouts. He’d attended showcases in Playing at a community college doesn’t involve as formal of a process. Krivena Texas and tournaments all over the Midwest. will have to try out for the team over the summer and doesn’t have to sign a letter After he sent out a highlights tape of his best playing he got a response from a handful of coaches. of intent. He’s already had contact with the coach, though, and knows him through He narrowed the list of schools down to three: Elon, Rhode Island, and DePaul. Ultimately, DePaul was the his club team. best fit.

After two years of getting prerequisites out of the way and building a solid GPA at In mid-December, he decided to go to DePaul and e-mailed the coaches from the other schools to Johnson County, Krivena hopes to play at a division I school in Chicago. let them know.

“I’d love to play at DePaul with John [Jandl] or something like that, but I re“It was something that was hard to do, but I basically just told them that I loved Chicago ally haven’t put a whole lot of thought into it yet,” he said. and loved everything about DePaul and that was just the better fit.”

Ricker has been an encouraging high school coach for Krivena along While his high school soccer career is over, he still has a lot of work ahead of him with all the other seniors playing next year in college. before he leaves for school. He plans to play on his club team, the Legends, “He’s proud of all of us,” Krivena said. “I would be too if I was It’s his last summer before college, and this spring and summer. During the winter, he has been playing on two him. It’s gotta be an honor for him to see all of his players senior Alex LaPrade will be cutting it short. different indoor soccer teams. succeed. He’s gotta be proud to be able to say that he’s the During the third week of July, he will be headed toward With the countless hours spent practicing, trips taken, goals coach of all these division I and college soccer playthe Cincinnati area to Xavier University where he will be playscored and games played, he’s still in it for one thing: the love ers.” ing soccer to start his conditioning. of the game.

“I figure, it’s just one of those sacrifices you have to make,” he said. “As seniors, we get out two weeks before everyone else, so I’m not really losing that much time.”

Sitting in It may be a sacrifice, but there’s so many other things about college soccer that make seventh hour study hall, senior Blair it worth it. At Xavier, as well as most other Division I schools, there are tutors for the student Slapper got a weird feeling in the pit athletes. They also get priority registration, meaning they will almost automatically get their first of her stomach. After school that day, pick for classes. That’s especially important for LaPrade, considering his parents are worried she would be signing her letter of intent about his academics. to play division I soccer at University of Not only were the academics important in making his decision to attend Xavier, but also Nebraska. was the fact that it’s a Jesuit school.

She’d known for over a year now that “It came down to two schools: Villanova and Xavier,” he said. “But my dad liked this is where she was going to play. Since Nothat Xavier is religious and it’s the type of school where I’d have to go to church every vember 9 of her junior year. But now that the Sunday.” time had come to finalize her plans, she wanted On top of all of his conditioning, he also put together a team with his little brothto cry. er to play as much as he could. Injury is always a concern, but it’s something that “I’d been looking forward to that moment for he doesn’t really worry about. He’d like the school with or without the soccer. so long,” she said. “It was such a relief to get it over But when it came to signing his letter of intent, other things were going with.” through his mind.

She has the Nebraska soccer camp to thank for ev“I was kind of nervous,” LaPrade said. “It’s like you’re signing away erything. After her sophomore year, she had gone duryour next four years. But really, I know I’m making the right deciing the summer for prospective players. She exchanged sion.” e-mail addresses with the coach after he expressed interest to her about playing for the team.

And before most juniors started making college visits, she had already committed to a school.

Senior Peyton Warwick had his doubts “Ricker couldn’t even believe it when I told him about playing college soccer, but after watching both of his older because it was so early,” she said. brothers play at Division I schools, he was convinced it was something Nebraska is the perfect distance away for her. he wanted to do. In late November, he committed to the University of Rhode “KU is just too close, and K-State didn’t have a Island. girls soccer program, so Nebraska seemed perfect,” “I owe my brother all the credit for soccer,” he said. she said.

When he was an underclassmen, his mom wanted him to focus on his studies, in To prepare for all of her Nebraska training, hopes that he would do something with medicine after high school. But after his sophomore Slapper works out at the Center for Athletic by [ellie weed] soccer season, he decided to take soccer more seriously.

Performance. It’s kept her in shape and made

“I just grew this unbelievable passion for the game,” Warwick said. her stronger – something that her Nebraska From then on, he trained with his brother’s friend who had played division I soccer, but blew out coach asked of her. During the middle of his knee. He couldn’t play anymore, but rather just conditioned with Warwick. her high school soccer season, she’ll get And when sophomore year ended, Warwick had to make an impression on the coaches of the schools a book from Nebraska with a work out he was interested in. He played on the Kansas Olympic Development Program team, ODP, and got his share of itinerary for her for every day. exposure to college coaches.

“I will have to work harder than ALEX LA PRADE It was during the ODP Regional tournament in Iowa where he first met the coach from Rhode Island. He went I’ve ever worked in my life, but I Xavier University with fellow varsity player senior John Jandl to visit the school during the fall of their junior year. wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

“Their team was in season at the time, so the prospects weren’t allowed to be with the players, but I still had a great time,” Warwick said.

JOHN JANDL Over winter break of his junior year, he visited the University of San Francisco, another school with a DePaul University soccer program that he was seriously considering. He had also attended their camp and played with their team with other prospects. While he liked that school, ultimately Rhode Island was a better fit.

“I love the coach and his personality,” Warwick said. “And I’ll be living close to New York and Boston, which will be a blast.”

BLAIR SLAPPER With his high school soccer behind him, Warwick still has a lot of soccer to look forward to University of Nebraska this year. He’s fighting with one other player for the goalkeeper position next year, and is doing everything he can to get stronger so that he can play as much as he can his freshman year.

“I started doing pilates last month, and it was made the biggest difference, I couldn’t even PETER KRIVENA believe it,” he said. “My mom has always thought it would be a good idea, and she was Johnson County Community College definitely right.”

Now that his letter of intent is signed, all he has to do is look forward to four years of college soccer.

PEYTON WARWICK “I’ve had a lot of people ask me if I knew whether or not soccer would effect University of Rhode Island my college social life,” Warwick said. “But I know it will be so worth it.”

PETER KRIVENA

ALEX

LaPRADE

G N I N IG r

S

BLAIRSLAPPER

s

r e c c o fo

i d e d s r e y rs of PEYTON WARWICK a l p r r yea o i n e five s their fou soccer cate llege to co WHO’S GOING WHERE?

the [harbinger]

page 25 [sports]

WANTED: softball players

Softball team struggles to find players to try out, but keeps a positive attitude Head softball coach Jennifer Horn runs the four girls who showed up for the conditioning drills.Each of the past three years the number of players trying out has declined. photo by Sally Drape

by [paige cornwell] Two years ago, 33 girls played softball for East. Last year, it was 27.

And as spring approaches and students are conditioning for spring sports, Coach Jennifer Horn expects the number to be 24 and Horn, who has been coaching for ten years, has noticed that in the past ten years the numbers have decreased. This may be due to soccer, the past seasons, or a change in the availability of other sports.

She and the rest of the returning players are trying to recruit girls, especially freshmen, to raise that number. To get the word out, the team made a video showing clips from last season. But Horn isn’t sure if this will work.

“I’ve seen the numbers go down in lots of schools, mostly because of soccer. Soccer has a more winning tradition,” Horn said. “ And ten years ago, there wasn’t as much soccer available.”

Sophomore Eileen Gallagher, a returning player, has noticed that soccer is a factor, also.­ “A couple of girls have come up to me and said that if

it wasn’t for soccer,” Gallagher said. “That they’d go for softball.”

Horn also thinks that a reason may be because softball is a spring sport.

“Spring sports don’t get much attention,” Horn said, “It’s like once winter sports are done all sports are done.”­ Junior Paige Colburn thinks the decrease is related to how the team has been in the past years. Last year the varsity softball team was 5-16.

“Our softball season last year wasn’t great, and [there was] lack of experience,” Colburn said.

Horn agrees.

“Two years ago we lost six seniors,” Horn said. “So we were playing girls that didn’t have varsity experience, and we lost two pitchers.”

With the decreasing number of girls, playing on the team has been harder.

“Girls get hurt, or girls can’t make it, and then one team’s stealing from another team.”

Since there are so few girls, there is only a junior varsity

and varsity team, and no “C” team as in previous years.

“With not having three teams you lose the ability to let inexperienced girls play,” Horn said.

But there are advantages to the small team, too.

“There is more one on one attention,” Horn said. “And that lets kids get better.”

This year Horn expects the decrease to not be as detrimental.

“It will be an interesting season, coming off not a very good year, but we only lost two seniors, so the varsity is very intact,” Horn said.

Still, Coach Horn is optimistic about the team, and encourages girls to try out. Since the video, two freshman girls have expressed interest.

“We have a lot of fun,” Colburn said. “And hopefully win some games.”

Go

Lancers lAncers laNcers lanCers lancErs lanceRs lancerS

Toombs

page 26 [sports]

TRACK RECORD

Foreign-exchange student’s times, nationally ranked in Germany, have a lot of people expecting big things from the boys’ track team

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fall, but even that didn’t account for the road mileage he season, Kresinszky is completely confident in their ability would have been expected to cover had he remained in the and willingness to work with him—both to help him improve Fatherland. and to keep him healthy.

But in spite of being a phenomenal athlete, Kresinszky is “I like [Distance Coach Trisha Beaham] and Coach adamant that running isn’t his Meschke a lot,” Kresinszky said. top priority. It certainly isn’t the “They have been really nice to me reason he came to America. and helped me, and they seem “I obviously did not come really excited for the season.” here to run,” Kresinszky said.

But the coaches aren’t the only “I came to America to meet Here’s a quick look at the times Kresinszky will ones excited to see Robin run. new people and learn about a Toward the end of the cross-country have to deal with if he wants to win state different life.” season in November, Meschke was It is this willingness to amazed and delighted to notice venture out of his comfort zone the small pockets of spectators that prompted Kresinszky’s beginning to gather at the chain Keron Toussaint, Lawrence Free State link fence above the track, hoping decision to spend a year in America.

His decision to catch a glimpse of the German Robin Kresinszky, SM East was influenced as well by prodigy tearing through track that of his older sister Zara workouts.

Aryan Long, Olathe North Kresinszky, who lived for a “They couldn’t believe [how year in Indiana under the same fast he was],” Meschke said. “They foreign exchange program. By just stood there and watched. It’s spending 2006-2007 stateside, absolutely awesome to see an Robin has chosen to sacrifice example of a runner like Robin Jake Stecklein, Maize a year of his schooling in pulling so many people into the Germany, not to mention a sport. It’s exciting, and it’s exactly Robin Kresinszky, SM East critical 12 months of track what we need.” training.

Meschke tries not to dwell on the Mitch Hunter, Garden City For this reason, the one truth of the matter that Robin will person who wasn’t so keen only be at East for a year. In fact, Connor Allison, Manhattan on Robin’s decision to study she tries not to focus on anything abroad was his coach Chrsten *-projected, all other times were run at further down the road than May the 2006 state meet Roemer. Roemer’s experience 25-- the first day of the state track with previous runners who tournament. had spent time in the States “The fact is that Robin being was that many returned home injured—products of poor here is a gift,” Meschke said. “A one year gift. And we will coaching and over-exertion. definitely take what we got.”

But having gotten to know several of the East running coaches, including Meschke, during the cross-country

TIMES TO BEAT

the

by [foster tidwell]

With the track season beginning in a little over a week, Head Coach Brie Meschke is looking to build off the momentum of last year’s third place finish at state. With the help of German foreign exchange student Robin Kresinszky, the team’s prospects of pulling off a blitzkrieg at state this May look particularly promising.

“I was shocked when [his] coach in Germany sent me a packet showing his times,” Meschke said. “They are absolutely unbelievable for someone his age.”

At the age of only 16, Kresinszky has already snagged two North German Championship titles in the 800 meter, as well as a third place title in the 400 meter for his age group.

According to Meschke, Kresinszky’s time in the 800 (sub 1:57) would have landed him second at state last year, and his sub 50 second 400 times will easily place him at the top of the team in that event as well.

Meschke is confident that Kresinszky is just what East needs to fill the void left by the graduation of star runner John McCormick. She is quick to point out the critical role of dominant athletes in addition to the solid team base that East is already returning from last year.

“If you look at the teams that win state, most all of them have at least one superstar in some event,” Meschke said.

“Usually one or two.”

And with junior Terrance Thomas returning from last year with the state title in the 100 meter, it appears as if Kresinszky will complete the one-two running punch that could propel East to its first ever boys track championship.

But Kresinszky is reluctant to look that far ahead. Right now, he insists on enjoying the luxuries of the American off season—the Coca-Cola, the free time and especially the Sonic hamburgers—that will soon be off limits.

“I like Sonic the best,” Kresinszky said. “But McDonalds is good too. America has made me love fast food.”

Compared with his running—not to mention eating— regimen in Germany, training in the States has been a breeze.

Running in Berlin is year round—there are two track seasons and two cross-country seasons, and athletes practice around six times a week. Robin ran cross-country for East in the

photo by karen boomer

an impressive...

6A 400 Meter Dash

49.27 <50.00* 50.32

6A 800 Meter Dash

1:56.56 <1:57.00 1:59.64 2:01.36

Spring SporTS Begin Monday 26

Boys Varsity Wrestling

S T A T E

Championship Meet Fri 23 - Sat 24

4

page 27 [sports]

did you know?

1 2 3 4 5

photo by samantha ludington

lancer sports

The girl’s drill team had one of their best finishes ever at the Kansas Spectacular. Seniors Molly Emert and Natashia Howell were first runner-up in the duet category. Their next stop is Florida the first weekend of March for a national competition.

A Shawnee Mission school has not won the state wrestling team title since 1977, when SM West won 5A. With seven wrestlers in the top five in their respected weight class, East has the second most topfive wrestlers in 6A , trailing only Goddard by a spot.

The last boys’ golf state champion from East was Simon Thompson in 2001. However, East will have a good shot this year behind junior Scott Willman. As a sophomore, Willman tied for second at state losing by only two strokes.

East is one of two schools that has both the girls and boys basketball team ranked in 6A. As of Feb. 14, the boys are ranked first, while the girls are only a couple spots behind at sixth. They have the most combined wins out of any school in 6A. In the history of the East boys’ swim team, they have won backto-back state championships three times: in 74- 75, 78- 79 and in 05-06. However, if they won last Saturday it would be the first time they have ever won three consecutive state championships.

1

predictions by peter goehausen

Terrance Thomas will break the Kansas 6A 100 meter dash time set 11 years ago. Thomas’s 10.4 second personal record is .04 seconds from the record.

2

3

4

Behind, junior Taylon Johnson, the girls basketball team will advance to the state tournament for the first time under Coach Rick Rhoades.

“

Although his East career is over, senior All-American swimmer Luke Tanner will still make waves by qualifying for the 2008 Olympics.

Wrestling coach Chip Ufford, will turn the East wrestling program into one of the best programs in Kansas 6A.

they said it

”

“ I felt bad for the fans who were at that game because it was so boring,” senior basketball player Bryan Nelson said. He was referring to the low-scoring 38-26 win over SM Northwest on Feb. 9.

Nelson finished the game with 10 points.

The Week Ahead

What to watch for in Lancer Athletics By Peter Goehausen FRIDAY 2/23

Girls Basketball @ SM South

With a top 10 ranking in Kansas 6A and a second place standing in the Sunflower League, Rick Rhoades is experiencing his best season in three years at East. Rhoades’s team has been lead by junior guard Taylon Johnson (13 points per game) and has been successful with a strong defense.

Rhoades’s idea of having his team scrimmage former boys players has also paid off -- they have won eight of their last nine games.

TUESDAY 2/20

FRIDAY 2/23

Boys Basketball @ SM South

After winning six straight over the hated rival, this game shouldn’t be much more than a warmup game for sub-State. However, with it being South senior night and having already lost to East by 30 once this year, expect the Raiders to give the Lancers a run for their money. The Raiders, who are led by senior Brad Lewis and freshman Will Spradling, have been dwelling near the bottom of the Sunflower League all year with a lowly three league wins.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY 2/23-24

Wrestling @ State (Wichita Coliseum)

Since Ryan Sonderegger and his two state championships left two years ago, the wrestling team struggled; until now. With seven Lancer wrestlers in the top five in their respective 6A weight classes going into last Saturday’s regional qualifying meet, head coach Chip Ufford seems to have completed a total turnaround. With junior Matt Baker at first in the 189 pound class, senior John Carr second in the 160 pound class and senior Drew Robinson third in 215 pound class, East has at least three legitimate contenders for the state championships and a shot at the team championship. photos by samantha ludington

Feb. 20, 2007

GAME OF THE WEEK-Boys Basketball vs. Olathe East (Senior Night) After departed JD Christie donned an East jersey for the final time last year, many were skeptical about the direction of this year’s team. However, behind the leadership of senior Bryan Nelson (15 points per game), the Lancers are in the running for the Sunflower League title, which would be a first under Hair. The key match up in this game will be senior guard Ross Simpson against the Hawks’ sharp-shooting Blake Bales, who leads them in scoring.

MONDAY 2/26

Start of spring sports

After placing third at state last year, the boys’ track team will be the headlining story this spring. Behind junior sprinter Terrance Thomas and senior jumpers Dylan Ballard and Peter Helmuth, they will be expected to be back in Wichita competing for the state title this May. The boys tennis, who won state last year, will also be expected to fair well behind sophomore Chris Fotopolous.

page 28 [photo essay] Senior John Carr wrestles against Lawrence high school in the consolation semi- finals.

John wins, putting him in the finals. photo by Kelsey Brown

A

pinning comeback

The Lancers moved up five places from a year ago, placing second at League this year.

Left: Junior Matt Baker wrestles against a Shawnee Mission West student in the league finals. Baker won, making him the league champ for his weight division.

Below: The trophy case is bulging to hold all the honors won this year by the East Wrestling team. photos by Kelsey Brown

Above: Coach Ufford talks to the team about how proud he is of their improvements from last year. Right: Senior Cole Johnson on the metal stand after winning the title of League champ. photos by Kelsey Brown

the [harbinger]