Issue 11

harbinger

issue 11 / february 21, 2006 / 7500 mission road prairie village, kansas

dodo \’dö-(,)dö\ n, : (1) an extinct species of flightless bird (2) a stupid person; an idiot note: can be seen in new documentary “Flock of Dodos”

Return DODOS of the

Local filmmaker takes a critical yet humorous look at Intelligent Design in new film illustrations courtesy Gang of Seven Animation

story on page 4

page 2 / news / the harbinger

Student on trial for attempted harm of teacher by paige cornwell Freshman Trevor Hackl was charged by the District Attorney’s office on two counts of criminal threat—a threat to commit violence to another, with the intent to terrorize a person. He is currently being held in the juvenile detention center.

The first count of criminal threat occurred on or around Dec.1, when Hackl wrote a note encouraging students to act up in a class so that he wouldn’t have to “kill [the teacher’s] family.”

A student reported the note, and the school investigated, but the threat was not reported to the Prairie Village Police Department, according to District Attorney Paul Morrison.

The fact that the threat was not reported, Morrison believes, poses a problem.

“I never thought that there was some conspiracy to cover it up; maybe it wasn’t reported for a number of reasons,” Morrison said. “The school might have decided to do the investigation themselves, and I don’t in any way shape or form think that East was trying to cover it up, but I do think that maybe just one person dropped the ball.”

The district declined to comment on the issue.

The second count occurred on Jan. 27; Hackl is accused of telling others that he wanted to make his science teacher sick by pouring a foreign substance into his drink, the same day the teacher reported his drink tasting odd.

The science teacher declined to comment.

According to Morrison, several students witnessed Hackl putting a toxic substance in the drink, and another student reported it. It was reported to the Prairie Village Police Department, and Hackl was arrested.

Hackl stayed in juvenile detention for the weekend before his first hearing where his attorney, Joe Horgan, asked for his release. Judge Brenda Cameron ordered him to stay in detention, on the grounds that he was still a danger to himself or to the community. Hackl’s attorney feels that the request wasn’t depicted in a correct way.

“It has been said that his mother was hysterical and begging for his release,” Horgan said. “But in reality I was the one asking for his release, and to ask for a release is not an uncommon thing.”

News Briefs Mulch Sale The East football team and SME Footabll Parents Club are selling Yard/Garden Mulch at the seventh annual sale. They will be selling 2 cu. ft. bags of First Quality Mulch - Cypress Mulch for $4 per bag, Cedar Mulch for $4.50 per bag, Red Mulch for $5 per bag, Dark Oak Mulch for $5.50 per bag and Back to Earth Mulch at $5.50 per bag. All mulch will be delievered to the buyers driveway. Orders will be taken by SME football players until March 22. Delivery is schedules for Sat April 8.

YMCA Stars Volunteers are needed to tutor elementary students. Any students interested will be tutoring Rosehill, Santa Fe Trail and South Park students. The informational meeting will be held Tues Feb. 21 at 2:50 p.m.

Beaver Survives After a year long controversy over the beaver continuing to be the Brookwood elementary school mascot, a final vote was taken. On Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. the announcement was made that the beaver would continue to be the mascot. The beaver won by a great majority and the victory was celebrated with a roar of cheering from the students

His second hearing was Feb. 16. Horgan again asked for his client’s release, stating that Hackl being on house arrest instead of in juvenile detention would be beneficial to all, and that he was complying in detention.

District Attorney assigned to the case Mike Allen felt that the concern with him being released would be when Hackl is not at home. He also expressed concern that Hackl had not undergone a psychological evaluation.

While the two attorneys deliberated in front of Judge Cameron, Hackl, dressed in the gray and blue juvenile detention uniform, sat next to Horgan, his waist and ankles in shackles.

Judge Cameron ruled that due to the seriousness of the charges against him Hackl should stay in detention until his hearing on March 1. Hackl discretely wiped a tear from his eye as he heard the news.

Paul Morrison Discusses Different Types of Threats “A threat can take many forms, it can take the form of saying to someone, ‘Hey, I’m going to poison you,’ or it can take the form of something nonverbal, for example the Ku Klux Klan burning crosses is a nonverbal threat.”

NHS Initiations

Culvers Night

There will be a mandatory initiation practice for all students who are new members of National Honor Society in the auditorium on Mon. Feb. 27 at 2:45 p.m. All members are to meet in the auditorium. The final initiation ceremony will be held on the evening of Tues Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

There will be a reception in the cafeteria following the ceremony.

Culvers will be hosting a second East night at Culvers. Staff members will be surving the food. This will be held on Mon Feb. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. Ten percent of all of the profits will go to the East PTA.

STUCO EXEC Elections STUCO EXEC candidates will be making intercom speeches on Wed Feb. 22. The annoucements will occur after the 4th hour annoucements at 10:30 p.m. Then on Fri Feb. 24 the entire student body will be able to vote for the candidate of their choice.

Lancer Youth Soccer Camp The SME soccer sponcered 9th annual Lancer Youth Soccer Camp will be held again this summer. There is a cost of 65 dollars per participant. This includes the cost of camp, a t-shirt and a soccer ball. All payments should be made payable to SME Soccer. The proceeds go to the SME Soccer Program. The forms and more information can be found at www.teacherweb.com/ ks/shawneemissioneast/soccer.

Former coach arrested, charged by ally heisdorffer and annie fuhrman Former varsity volleyball coach, Terry Wright, was arrested Feb. 13 on charges of rape of an underaged girl and unlawful sexual relations. According to a representative at District Attorney Paul Morrison’s office, Wright pleaded not guilty to these charges at the hearing held on Feb. 14 where he also was released from prison after posting $150,000 bond.

Wright, the coach of the first SM East volleyball allAmerican and first coach to take a team to state since 1982, resigned his position on Nov. 11 to attend Johnson County Community College and get his teaching degree.

With the acceptance of Wright’s resignation came a plethora of differing rumors revolving around the reasons behind the resignation. Wright, who was aware of the rumors that began to circulate, didn’t pay attention to any of them.

“There will always be rumors,” Wright said in December 2005. “Stuff like that never bothered me as long as my family and my players know the truth.”

The current volleyball team members, after a threehour meeting on Feb. 14, decided to stick together and chose not to comment about recent events concerning Wright. According to team members, they are all hoping it will blow over quickly.

Dr. Marjorie Kaplan, the Shawnee Mission district superintendent also declined to comment saying that it was “a case in progress and not appropriate to comment at this time.”

Wright’s second hearing is set for Feb. 23 and will concern further scheduling for more hearings and the trial.

As of press time the trial date had not been set, and Scott Toth, district attorney in charge of the prosecution, was not able to present any further information.

At the preliminary hearing, before the trial date can be set, there must be enough evidence to prove the possibility of guilt.

The court will be looking for several pieces of evidence that will prove beyond a reasonable doubt that these allegations are true, according to Brad Watson, a lawyer at a local firm unconnected to the case. In sexual assault cases, evidence could come in the form of a confession from the defendant, or DNA samples consistent with the defendant and the case. Age of the victim at the time of the crime could also be a factor taken into consideration, Watson said.

Even without evidence in those forms, however, Watson believes testimony from victims would also make a strong point for the case.

“Cases are often made on testimonial evidence.” Watson said. “Tangible evidence is not necessary—[testimonies] can carry the same weight as physical evidence. Weight of the evidence can also be enhanced by the amount of evidence presented.”

issue 11 / february 21, 2006 / news / page 3

Building a barrier Current court case could affect teen relationships with nurses, counselors and lead to possible health issues

numerous health agencies, sued on the grounds that the forced reporting of underage-sex would only discourage Kansas high school counselors and health officials adolescents from seeking medical care and counseling are worried that a barrier is being created between desperate involved in the weighty decision to pursue sexual relations. teens needing guidance and those that can provide it.

Area nurses agree with the Center and argue that the A verdict in the “Kansas Kiss and Tell” case is expected forced reporting would only keep kids from resources, not this week from the Tenth Circuit Court in Wichita that will prevent the act of adolescent sex, which Kline sees as abuse. determine if it is necessary or “What we are trying to constitutional for counselors do is to prevent the rape and Romeo and Juliet Clause: and health care providers impregnation of 12 and 13 to report all cases of sexual aIntroduced by current Kansas District year-olds,” Kline spokesman relations involving adolescents Attorney Paul Morrison Whitney Watson contended. under the age of 16.

“The investigation of child aFirst to suggest that each sexual case shold Social workers and rape is very important, and it doctors believe that teens be treated differently and begins with the reporting of will feel too threatened by examined individually it. the mandatory reporting to Trial witness and Johns aHaving sexual relations with a child who is ask for help or information Hopkins Family Health chair in dealing with their sexual 14 but less than 16 with a partner who is less Dr. Robert Blum agrees with health, including asking for than 19 with less than a four year age differworried counselors that the contraceptives or going through ence may be tried less harshly than the typical mandatory reporting would with STD and HIV testing. only scare children away from “This would put a lock on rape case possibly life-saving medical a helping relationship,” a nurse aDoes not apply to same-sex treatment. who wanted to remain unnamed “The law is being used relationships said. “To turn it into a criminal for political ends rather than matter for trying to help creates to advance the protection of Age of Consent: turmoil where it is unnecessary children,” Blum said. “The and puts a barricade up for teens aAge of consent in Kansas is 16 real intent is that by using trying to get help.” Those health aAnyone 15 or under is considered the threat of reporting we officials that have been following can scare kids into abstaining unable to make decisions regarding the case closely are reluctant to from sex.” speak about the issue because participation in sexual acts According to Johnson by acknowledging the case, they aConstitutes that anyone under 16 has been County Health Department would be forced to follow the official Barbara Mitchell, raped or has participated in an guidelines.

Health Department nurses Kansas Attorney General illegal act and doctors understand that Phill Kline asserts that all laws are there to protect sexual actions by adolescents young people and that there ages 15 and under should be reported to state officials as can be positive and negative outcomes of the current case. abuse because teens are not mature enough to decide for “This issue is not a clear cut one,” Mitchell said. themselves whether or not sexual relations are appropriate “There are always consequences to any action or choice that or safe, even if the act is entirely consensual. is made.”

In 2003, Kline issued an interpretation of a 1982 law Kansas District Attorney Paul Morrison said that that requires officials to report suspected mental or physical regardless of the outcome of the trial, Kline’s opinion has no abuse. According to Kline’s interpretation, the reporting of legislative power or force of law and it would serve only as a all sexual relationships involving those under 16 should be guideline. reported to state authorities in order to prevent abuse.

Morrison added that in that past though, the Attorney Following the release of that statement, the New General’s guidelines have been generally accepted.

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page 4 / news / the harbinger

EVOLUTION VS.INTELLIGENT DESIGN Harvard graduate and filmmaker directs movie further analyzing the evolution and intelligent design debate by adrienne wood Randy Olson says his head went to Harvard, but his heart stayed in Kansas.

After watching the rest of the country ridicule his home state for its “backwards” evolution/Intelligent Design debate, the documentary filmmaker returned to Kansas to become involved.

He interviewed scientists and advocates from both sides for his newest movie, “Flock of Dodos,” which premiered at the Glenwood Theatre on Feb. 2.

Intelligent Design (I.D.) is the theory that a higher being plays a part in nature, similar to the theory of Creation.

Olson believes that I.D. has major flaws as a science and is undermining the scientific method.

“It is nothing more than an idea,” Olson said. “You can’t ever prove if God exists. The idea that cows jump over the moon at night can be discussed in the classroom but there is no evidence about it. So if they want to teach students about intelligent design, the discussion can’t be backed with proof.”

The movie is based in Kansas, where recent school board legislation demanded that science teachers introduce the theory of I.D. alongside evolution. Olson visited with experts on both theories. For Olson, there is no competition between evolution and Intelligent Design, which he calls a “bad

science.” The debate comes down to the inability of scientists to share their research with the public.

“The whole I.D. issue is a symptom of the ineptitude of the communication skills of scientists,” Olson said. “They can’t keep

up with the changing media environment, so they can’t communicate with the public. If I had to sum up the point of my movie in one word, it would be ‘change.’”

This “change” is the transition of public trust from science to politicians and religion. Besides negating I.D., “Flock of Dodos” brings to light the problems with ignoring science.

“It is a serious concern because if, in the next couple years, we should suddenly have a huge outbreak of avian flu—or some other science-related crisis, it could really be a mess if the public ends up listening to P.R. firms’ advice rather than government scientists,” Olson said.

After several years of film school and directing commercials, Olson understands the power of film and decided to use his skills to show how scientists approach the threat of I.D. with a sense of superiority. When arrogance keeps the scientists from standing up to I.D., designers

have a clear path to the public.

“There is a need for a single, clear, knowledgeable and authoritative voice for science,” Olson said. “The attack on evolution is part of the overall attack on science, and for that reason, it is a serious issue. That is the real problem—the idea that people have figured out how to undermine the authority of the science establishment.”

In “Flock of Dodos,” which was filmed on location in Kansas with several fieldtrips to Harvard, Olson interviewed Kansas School Board members, evolutionists, intelligent “designers,” and his mother, Muffy. The interviews blend with Dodo bird cartoons and a rabbit eating its droppings.

Although Olson sprinkles his documentary with humor, he wants people to take it seriously. And they are. A recent screening at the State University of New York brought in over 500 people.

Olson hopes the movie will encourage people to realize the flaws in I.D., which is “nothing more than an idea,” but reiterates that the main problem is with science.

“The time has come for scientists to improve their communication skills, or else risk going the way of the dodo,” Olson said.

illustration courtesy Gang of Seven Animation

issue 11 / february 21, 2006 / opinion / page 5

issue 1 / september 6, 2005

Mislabeled

Labels are generalizations that often aren’t even true art by Laedan Galicia

an opinon of tom grotewohl I have long hair, I don’t eat meat, and I despise Bush. Every once in a while, I might even spend a day without showering, instead choosing to revel in my own filth and play guitar. All of these qualities seemingly make me a prime candidate for hippiedom-but I’m not.

The one time I’ve ever worn tie-dye was during last year’s spirit week, and I had to borrow the shirt from a friend. Whereas your typical flower child feeds on the life force that Phish emits, I tend to get stomach cramps.

Clearly I am no hippie, and yet there are many who label me just that. They judge me at face value and assign the most convenient title that pops into their tiny little heads, despite however inaccurate it may be. “Hippie!” they cry, awaiting a friend to praise them on their thoughtful articulation. While I occasionally like to humor myself with the belief that my persona is more nuanced than a six-letter word, society is doing its best to convince me otherwise.

Such insults do not particularly bother me, but I find the underlying logic that gives credence to this labeling disturbing. The fact of the matter is, very few people actually fit into these stereotypes. Rarely will you find an individual one-dimensional enough to completely fill the checklist of what makes a goth or a jock, a liberal or a conservative. Not every pasty black-haired kid worships the devil--most, but not all. Likewise, not every school sports star is a womanizing prick, and not every member of a political party is the same as every other member.

These categorizations do nothing more than simplify our personas into derogatory terms, and they should be avoided at all costs. They cause us to presuppose a person’s entire identity based on a few qualities that may fall within the realm of a given stereotype.

This sort of labeling is just as bad as any racist, sexist, or other such bigoted remark.

While senseless name-calling may seem harmless when we’re just kids, it escalates into a much bigger problem when it begins to effect how we run our country. A prime example of this is the recent State of the Union Address, in which our nation’s leaders arrived in their finest attire to hiss and pout and generally act like infants.

When the president made a remark on how his social security plan was an immense failure, all of the democrats hooped and hollered, while the republicans remained silent.

But when Bush mentioned his wiretapping of American citizens, the republicans were the ones to rise to their feet, leaving the democrats to wallow in self-pity. A line could be drawn down the middle of the hall separating the two sides almost exclusively, resembling the days of elementary school lunch in which the Pokémon kids sat segregated from the Magic card kids. Neither side is willing to compromise with the other, and our country is for the worse because of it.

All in all it was quite a revolting sight, and it illustrates precisely the type of effect this arbitrary labeling can have. People’s beliefs are incredibly varied and multifaceted. The idea that they can be streamlined into two categories - Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative - is outrageous, and yet that is precisely what our country advocates.

The best way for us to solve this problem is to avoid letting these labels take control of us. We are only victims of the titles others place on us inasmuch as we allow ourselves to become these titles. Don’t do something just because it’s part of your image; do it because it’s an intelligent thing to do.

Whether you’re Republican or Democrat, don’t be afraid to think outside the confines of your party or even renounce it altogether. Make decisions that benefit your country regardless of how unpopular they may be. If you’re both pale-skinned and dark-haired, be aware that it’s okay to leave your satanic ways and accept a less demonic lord. You’re the starting guard on the varsity basketball team? Good for you, now stop popping your collar-it was never cool. And if you call me hippie one more time, I’ll make it plain and clear that I’m no pacifist.

Harrassment from Hamas?

Hamas’s new leadership in Palestine poses a threat for Israel an opinon of thomas bravlasky Democracy. Great word, isn’t it? The tool that spreads humanity around the world. However, as all tools, it can also be used for evil.

Now, I am not talking about our government and its widespread glitches. I am talking about something that happened a few weeks ago: Hamas, a radical terrorist organization, won, “democratically,” a majority of seats in the Palestinian parliament, ripping away almost any hope for peace along with it.

This group was created almost 20 years ago with the purpose of destroying Israel.

It has since murdered hundreds of civilians through attacks, most notoriously suicide bombings. These include such attacks as the one on June 1, 2001, when a Hamas suicide bomber detonated himself in front of a teenage nightclub, killing 20 people and injuring 120. Dozens of such attacks and hundreds of others (including car bombs and rocket attacks) have meant that for the past few years, Hamas has been enemy number one for Israel. And now it is governing in Israel’s backyard.

Let me put this into a little more perspective: the election of Hamas for Israel is the equivalent for the United States of Al-Qaida winning elections in, say, Canada. Except it is even more severe for Israel, which must make peace with the Palestinians.

How can this happen when they are headed by an organization which calls for Israel’s destruction? How can Israel, which technically owns much of the land that will be part of a future Palestinian state, give this land to a body which has rejected peace

talks and vowed to continue its “armed struggle”? The answer is, it can’t.

This is a huge problem. Peace in the Middle East needs to be achieved, and the timing of Hamas’s election could not really have been worse. The violence that had been occurring for the past few years had recently subsided. Though peace talks had not been restarted, Israel unilaterally evacuated all of its own citizens from the Gaza Strip. Then, Ariel Sharon had a stroke, throwing Israeli politics into a storm. And now that this election has set Hamas to power, everything could dramatically change. All of the progress made could reverse. Though the president of the Palestinian Authority is still Mahmoud Abbas, a man who is more moderate when it comes to dealing with Israel, he will not be able to do much without the approval of the ruling party, Hamas.

As if its refusal to discuss peace isn’t enough, Hamas has announced that it still expects the United States and European Union to send the Palestinian Authority monetary aid, as they did before. However, it has declined the calls from these benefactors for it to disarm and recognize Israel. So it basically wants money for nothing.

I’m not saying that the world should now totally ignore Palestinian needs. I think the current practice of “waiting to see what happens” is good. Maybe Hamas will become more moderate and abandon its militant views and aims. Then we’ll find out if democracy truly does work.

However, anyone who is concerned about racism, hatred, and unwarranted violence should speak out against Hamas’ current stance, because in the quest for peace, we cannot allow such groups to be the key leaders. Not even democratically elected ones.

page 6 / opinion / the harbinger

Abortion in Proportion With two new Supreme Court Justices, opinions on this issue are still strong an opinion of ian mcfarland

an opinion of ben whitsitt

I try to be open-minded in life. I try to stray from my Catholic Women should have the choice to have an abortion school education. I try to allow for the possibility that I may be because the government should not have the power to wrong and others are right. tell them what they can and can’t do with their bodies.

But when it comes to the always debated topic of abortion, I There are a lot more issues that can be handled fail. I fail because I don’t understand how anyone thinks abortion by the government nationally rather than coming down could be thought to be anything else but what I think to be: on certain women who have abortions. Abortions get murder. so personal that it is impossible for the government to It’s nothing more than legalized murder. But even though an overturn of Roe v. Wade decide if a woman has the right to end potential life. is far off to say the least, recent events have made being pro-life in our political landscape You can have a room full of jurors decide that it’s not OK for women easier. to have abortions but they know nothing about the situation the woman is in.

Although neither of the Supreme Court’s new members added over the past year, Circumstances arise that can’t be handled on a national level and abortion is Samuel Alito and John Roberts, will acknowledge which side of Roe v. Wade they consider one of those. themselves a part of, past documents such as job applications they themselves have filled The government should not have a right to tell anyone what to do with their out have painted both to be supports of outlawing Abortion. It is their appointments that is body. Strangers should not be allowed to tell a woman the she must have a baby making the possibility of overturning the infamous 1973 Supreme Court case more likely. after she has been raped or if she is unable to care for the baby when it is born.

Abortion is, simply put, killing a fetus. Some try to hide behind the definition of fetus, To answer the first question you might have when reading up to this claiming that a fetus isn’t a person; but simply put, a fetus point: the answer is yes, I am a guy and I am writing is developing into person. It should, unless an abnormality about women’s rights. Remember, it takes two to make arises, grow into some one no different from you or me. a baby. When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, both According to an article in the Journal of the American man and woman should discuss what they want to do Medical Association by Dr. Hannibal Hamlin, after less but in the end, it is the woman’s right to do what she than six weeks the fetus can emit measurable brain wishes without any outside influence. The couple needs waves.

• Roe v. Wade- 1973 to analyze the situation carefully and see if abortion How can you consider something with brain waves to really is the answer because it is not a situation to be Supreme Court case which not be alive? taken lightly.

It’s not violating a woman’s right to choose by outlawed restrictions to It’s bad enough to face all the protestors outside outlawing abortion. The simple fact remains that having abortion clinics, but when you have the government abortion. sex is choosing to become pregnant. Granted, there are breathing down your neck, your right to choose doesn’t reliable birth control methods that will most likely keep seem like a right anymore. It seems as if the whole world • In order to overturn Roe impregnation from occuring, but the possibility is still has turned against you and that your decision will present.. v. Wade, the Supreme destroy your life. But that is wrong and the whole issue Some people argue that abortion should be allowed of abortion is blown out of proportion altogether.

Court must reconsider its because women will decide to hurt themselves in back Abortion comes down to a personal, moral decision alleys with uncertified doctors if we can’t let the procedure decision. and that there are a lot more important things to worry take place in a sanitary environment. about. The whole abortion debate will never be settled • In the past five months, two Well, we might as well allow any crime to take place if because there are so many circumstances that come into it’s in a proper setting. Sure, you can steal that family’s life new justices (out of a total of play that no one can put a law on and call it good. savings, just be sure to file the proper paperwork to inform One circumstance that comes up is what women nine) have been confirmed your district official of the activity. Kidnap that woman’s would do if abortions were illegal. A lot of women will child, so long as you take him to a government-run facility to the Supreme Court. still try and get abortions it’s just that the way they do it to insure that he’s healthy. will be very unsafe. I don’t want to get into graphic detail People are going to break the laws if they disagree with but the fact is that it’s not sanitary at all. it, and that’s just a fundamental fact. But as long as they There will never be a total agreement understand the consequences, there is no just reason to on this issue but there should be an agreement alter the law to facilitate their desires. that women have rights. As long as they have Even with illegal abortions gone wrong, the the right to have abortions, their right to privacy danger women were put through was seriously remains intact. No one needs, let alone wants less grave than most think. According to somebody else to tell them what to do with nrlc.com, in 1972 (the final year before the Roe v their body, especially when it comes to Wade decision) only 39 women died as a result pregnancy. Who’s hounding the guy that gets of illegal abortions. Granted, 39 people dying is a woman pregnant and then leaves her out a lot of people, but it was their own independent to dry? If the government wants to eliminate action to pursue this dangerous option. abortions altogether, they need to focus their I’m not saying that rape victims are getting efforts elsewhere. Making abortion illegal won’t what they had coming to them – what they’ve solve the problem of unplanned pregnancy, that’s been dealt is terrible even if they don’t become another problem that needs to be attended to. pregnant because of it – but it’s not enough to justify This is about preserving women’s rights. killing the innocent.

There are tons of world issues that we can worry about The only circumstance when abortion is appropriate rather than invading the privacy of women to see if they’re is when the a pregnant woman is placed in serious danger going to have an abortion or not. because of her pregnancy. If you have to choose between two lives, choosing the one that I personally would not have an abortion but I can respect the right for people have come to know and love should be the logical one. women to have one if they want.

But in most cases, it should be simple to understand. Abortion is ending a fetus’s life.

Ending one’s life purposely and not in self defense is murder. Abortion is murder.

Quick facts about Abortion

STOP ABORTION NOW

issue 11 / february 21 / editorial / page 7

the harbinger a publication of shawnee mission east high school 7500 mission road, prarie village, kansas 66208 february 21th, 2006 issue 11, volume 42 editor-in-chief annie fuhrman asst. editors amanda allison evan favreau art & design editor ian mcfarland head copy editor bryan dykman news editor sara steinwart news page editor melissa lem opinion page editors thomas braslavsky clare jordan editorial editor foster tidwell features editor ellie weed features page editors katie jones christy beeder center spread editor laura nelson center spread asst. editor michelle sprehe mixed editor libby nachman a&e editor derek martin

page editors ally heisdorffer rachel mayfield photo editor linda howard assistant photo editor samantha ludington ads / buisness managers kristen crawford kevin grunwald vanessa legat circulation manager davin phillips copy editors amanda allison bryan dykman evan favreau annie fuhrman hallie mccormick laura nelson staff writers paige cornwall joe demarco clark goble tom grotewohl ronan mcghie stephen nichols meg shackleford adrienne wood photographers karen boomer katie james frances lafferty kelsey stabenow katie woods adviser dow tate

a&e page editors joey soptic ruth stark sports editor peter goehausen sports page editors jayne shelton ben whitsitt

Letters to the editor should be sent to room 521 or smeharbinger@gmail.com. Letters may be edited for clarity, length, libel and mechanics and accepted or rejected at the editor’s discretion.

The Harbinger is a student run publication. The contents and views are produced solely by the staff and do not represent the shawnee mission east or smsd faculty, or administration.

With freedom comes Responsibility Danish cartoons may not have violated laws, but they overstep moral bounds The conflict over a depiction of the Prophet Mohammed printed in a Danish newspaper has urged a lot of discussion about free speech. Free speech for the newspaper that published the cartoon, free speech for the papers that printed and reprinted it.

The words are being wielded in hopes that they defend against all assaults of responsibility, but they can’t.

The term gets thrown around like it’s a cureall, and it simply isn’t. Freedom of speech can’t be manipulated to mean that you can insult and cheaply attack anyone in any way. The overreaction of fanatics is indefensible, but so is the negligence and happy complacence of the people who fudged the line because they wanted to make the front page.

The eye-catching horror of this situation is the physical reaction; the dangerous, violent protests and fatal riots happening throughout the Muslim world.

But some people are better at getting around the idea of free speech, better at blurring the lines. Smaller horrors are being missed.

Take the Danish journalist who illustrated this cartoon: lethal protests were raging through the streets of Islam when he proclaimed that he had no regrets about his publication. Take the Norwegian newspaper that knowingly reprinted the cartoons and expanded the conflict.

Take the Afghani newspaper that, in some morbid competition, put out a call for freelance cartoons that mock the Holocaust.

This is freedom of speech gone terribly wrong.

Saying inappropriate, offensive and unnecessary things is not against the law, but respectable journalists should stop not when the law tells them, but when their own sense of integrity does. The people involved in this conflict are not utilizing the concept of free speech, they’re bastardizing it. They’re giving it a bad name.

No newspaper can be held accountable for the irrational reaction of its readers, but that doesn’t absolve newspapers of their responsibility to them.

The Muslims’ insult and anger would be easily anticipated by anyone who had done their research, and if the cartoonist hadn’t researched, he shouldn’t have created the cartoon in the first place.

Muslims were upset not because the Prophet Mohammed was depicted with a bomb as a turban, but because they believe that depicting the Prophet at all is a blasphemy that can lead to idolatry. This cartoonist could certainly have found a way to make his point, valid as it may be, through a different, less offensive medium. This is not compromising, this is not neutering the point—this is responsible, honest journalism that can open eyes and cause conflict, but not the empty, hateful clashes that come of purposefully and pointlessly taunting an entire religion.

Freedom of speech isn’t to be used vindictively or violently, it isn’t supposed to be a tool for avengement. Everyone involved in this madness has twisted the ideal, made it confused and misshapen for his own unworthy purposes.

Letters to the Editor Dear Harbinger, About a week ago, I approached a fellow senior whom I knew was a member of student council.

Remembering how things had been done in years past, I asked them when auditions for graduation speeches would be taking place for any and all interested members of the senior class. When my question was answered, I was shocked and appalled.

Not only are we not having auditions for graduation speeches, but apparently two seniors were handed the opportunity to give graduation speeches without any sort of audition or application process. To me, this seems as absurd as it would be to give someone a starting position on the varsity basketball team without ever having to attend try-outs; As unjust as it would be to give someone the leading role in the musical without ever having to audition. It simply isn’t fair and doesn’t make sense.

The mere principle of being in a class of over 450 seniors and not allowing ANY of them to even tryout for something as important and memorable as graduation speeches is just outrageous. The bottom line is that everyone deserves a chance to audition.

I have mentioned this new “policy” on graduation speeches to a number of other seniors in my classes and they were equally as outraged. Whether or not they had wanted to audition to give a speech or not didn’t change they fact that they knew it was unjust and not right.

I realize that there is a committee that works very hard to put the graduation ceremony together, and I am in no way trying to imply that I don’t greatly appreciate all that they do. But taking away a senior’s right to at least TRY and have the chance to give a graduation speech is simply wrong. Offensive and wrong. I really hope that the graduation committee and/or the senior class will reconsider their stance on this issue.

I think a lot of seniors would greatly appreciate it.

Sincerely, Mary Walsh

Dear Harbinger G, PG, PG-13, and R are all ratings that we see on movies when we go to the theatre. They are placed on movies to allow parents to shield their children from drug references and sexual innuendos.

When parents sign a permission form for their child to see a play, as do the parents of elementary and middle school students to allow their children to go on a fieldtrip to view student plays at East, they probably aren’t thinking that they are sending their daughters to be encouraged to smoke and drink, and their sons to be taught to degrade women.

These kids look up to high school students, and whether we like it or not, they watch everything we do and say. Therefore we need to set the best possible example. I know I don’t want my seven and nine year old siblings to think that they have to drink and smoke to be cool in high school. I especially don’t want my twelve year old sister, who will be in high school soon, to think that dating older men behind her parents’ backs is commonly accepted. It is outrageous that the same children that are put through years of D.A.R.E. program and taught not to drink or have sex are being sent to plays like “Grease” which glorify the exact opposite.

Ratings similar to those assigned movies need to be used to classify student productions. These ratings need to be clear on both the tickets and permission forms parents sign, allowing parents to make the decision they feel appropriate for their child.

Sincerely, Nykki Hicks

page 8 / features / the harbinger

Dreams

take

flight

Junior Taylor Hinson is two weeks away from being a licensed pilot

I

by rachel mayfield

ntrigued, junior Taylor Hinson carefully watched the incoming planes, absorbing every bit he could. This happened frequently on his trips to the airport with his Grandfather.

Becoming a pilot is a long term goal Hinson has been working to fulfill since he was five years old. Hinson has been working at an airport called Air Associates in the Line Service for about a year and a half now where he tows, washes, fuels and services planes.

In June of 2005, Hinson started working with flight instructor Joe Hoskins to get his pilots license. Now, seven months later, Hinson has completed just about every check and exam needed to get his license. He logged 40 flying hours, and successfully passed the written, oral, and medical exams. He has one lesson left where he will have his final check ride and go over aircraft maintenance information with his instructor. He is officially receiving his license on Feb. 19 all before he completes his junior year. With his license, he will be able to fly with passengers under certain weather conditions.

On one of Hinson’s flights, he decided that he would fly for a minimum of four hours. He flew to Springfield and on his flight home, he noticed he hadn’t taken four hours to get back. He slowed down to about 60 mph and at the time was flying over a highway. When he looked down, he could see cars passing him.

When Hinson was younger, he often went to the airport with his grandfather to watch the incoming planes. This interest quickly developed into a love that he knew he wanted to engage in. Working with aircrafts isn’t difficult for Hinson. He’s always open to learning new things and isn’t scared easily.

“I’m not scared of flying but there are times when I think back about mistakes I made and how it could have been bad.” Hinson said.

Sometimes being late to parties and other events with friends are some of the sacrifices he has to make, but Hinson’s desire to be a pilot is a top priority. Since

DOING HIS JOB: Junior Taylor Hinson works at Air Associates Airport photo by Kelsey Stabenow

both flying and working at the airport are major time commitment, Hinson has to make sure he manages his time wisely. He makes sure that he stays on top of his school work, practices with his band The Case at least 2-3 times a week, works hard at his job, flies with his instructor and spends time with family and friends.

“My parents really encourage me to fly. It gives me something to do and they think it keeps me out of trouble,” Hinson said.

Flying jets is the career that Hinson wants to pursue.

His older brother Brandon has been a pilot for four years now, and Hinson plans to follow in his brother’s footsteps.

Once he receives his license, he plans to work on getting his instrument rating which will allow him to fly planes in all types of weather.

Junior JJ James, a close friend of Hinson’s admires how ambitious and hardworking he is.

“Very few high school kids can say they know what they want to do when they are older,” James said. “I think its cool how I just learned how to drive, and he just learned how to fly a plane.”

Mirror Image by meg shakleford

Normally, people would cover the left side of their chest when saying the Pledge of Allegiance, but if you stand next to freshman Mitchell Jennings when doing so, you will notice something different. He covers his right side because that’s where his heart is.

Not only Jennings’ heart, but also the placement of all of his other internal organs from his neck to above his waist— including his kidneys, liver, appendix, and lungs—are all mirror opposites of each other.

“We were told that he had the disease called Dextra-Cardia with Sinus-Inversus,” Mitchell’s mom Amy Jennings said.

It all started in November and December before Jennings’ thirteenth birthday when he was on vacation in St. Louis. He had received flu medication that

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Freshman Mitchell Jennings suffers from DextraCardia, which makes his organs backwards

was supposed to cure him after ten bouts.

Much to everyone’s surprise, he woke up after the tenth day and discovered that he had a bad cold. Thinking that it might be pneumonia since he exhibited a few of the symptoms, his parents took him to the hospital to get a chest X-Ray. The doctors handling the X-Rays thought they had put the film in wrong since it appeared to be backwards. After a few tries they realized that Jennings, not the film, was backwards, and it had been like that since he was born.

“We were all just sitting there in the waiting room when the nurse came in and told us,” Jennings said. “We weren’t expecting any news at all like that, and at first I was just shocked and had no idea what it meant.”

The nurses explained that his syllia— or the tiny hairs in your respiratory system that help clean out the mucus—didn’t

work, so Jennings had to undergo sinus surgery to clear his sinuses out.

“The surgery itself didn’t hurt as much as when they took the gauze out of my nose,” Jennings said. “I’m much more comfortable now, but I still have to use the ‘flushing bottle.’”

The flushing bottle is used to clear out what the syllia won’t. If he puts pickling salt, baking soda and water into this special bottle that has tubes that go up his nose, he can squeeze the solution up and it will help him breathe better.

Jennings also has a vest to help clear the mucus out of his lungs.

‘The vest goes around my chest and then plugs into an outlet,” Mitchell explained. “It expands back and forth, vibrates and initially shakes all the mucus out of my lungs. If I feel like I’m getting a cold or something, then I put the vest on more often.”

Whenever Jennings is put on antibiotics then he is sent to see specialists to make sure everything is in good shape.

It may come as a surprise that the doctors found out about his heart thirteen years into his life, considering he went for all those yearly check-ups.

“The doctors weren’t irresponsible.

When he was a tiny baby they weren’t able to tell by listening and they probably wouldn’t now even, because it all sounds the same,” Mrs. Jennings said. “Now that they know where his heart’s placement is, it’s much louder when they listen to it.”

Despite Mitchell having some serious sinus issues, it hasn’t stopped him from being a normal kid. In the fall he played JV soccer and hopes for a spot on varsity next year. He also plans to participate in track.

“We’re really lucky you could say,” Mrs. Jennings admits. “He’s a really healthy kid.”

issue 11 / february 21, 2006 / features / page 9

joeywaters

There is no doubt in senior Joey Waters’ mind about where she wants to attend college. Knowing she’s going to UMKC to major in flute performance next year gives her more time relax and practice since she doesn’t have to worry about deadlines and college essays.

“UMKC has a great music program and faculty,” Waters said. “I took lessons from the flute teacher there for a little over a year and I really like it there.”

This year, Waters is taking band along with two independent study classes allowing her to work on her pieces in the practice rooms.

“Being able to practice at school has really helped me prepare and gives me more free time at home and time for my job,” Waters said.

Waters has been playing the flute for eight years and is the first chair flute in the district and state orchestra. She received first place in the Kansas City Flute Association Rising Stars competition in 2005. Her sophomore year, Waters got third in the Kansas City Symphony Concerto competition and runner up during her junior and senior year.

“The KC Symphony competition is very

competitive because I’m not competing against just flutes,” Waters said. “It’s a competition against all instruments to find out who’s the best so it makes me work harder.”

With all of the awards she’s won, colleges have been trying to recruit Waters to play at their schools.

“KU and Baker have been trying to recruit me, but it’s not working,” Waters said. “I’m sticking w i t h UMKC.”

mattowens

They already told him he was basically in, that no matter how this audition went he would be accepted.

Senior Matt Owens, who has played upright base since freshman year, auditioned for Nebraska University. He had met the professors and they had heard him play before.

“It wasn’t really stressful, because they had told me I would get in,” Owens said.

Owens plans to have a double major, getting his bachelor of arts, allowing him to have music major and have the ability to go into other areas.

Political science is also and interest of Owens “There aren’t a lot of job opportunities in music,”

dan

ketter

He was ready to play, he had practiced and played before, and he was ready to play again.

Senior Dan Ketter has played cello for over seven years, and was on his way to Easton to audition at Rochester College, his ideal school.

They have a good reputation and a chamber music program that attracted him to this school in particular.

“It had basically everything I was looking for in a music school,” Ketter said.

He had auditioned at Cleveland University of Music and Indiana University, so nervousness is no longer a factor for him.

“I feel like I have a good grasp on what to expect now” Ketter said.

Each school that Ketter has auditioned at requires different set of music to play for admission. A movement solo from Bach-cello sweet, etude, and movement from

SATs, ACTs and...

Bach?

Owens said.

lane

garner

He had practiced for months, in front of his family, for friends and for teachers. Now he waited to play what he had worked so long on, for just one person.

Senior Lane Garner has played jazz guitar for eight years, and he is hoping to do Jazz Studies and get a performance degree.

“I will hopefully do performance as a carrier,” Garner said.

The University of North Texas is the top school that Garner hopes to get into, because they have the best jazz guitar program in the country. He had his audition for UNT this week. Garner had sat in the auditorium for twenty minutes waiting for the professor to arrive.

“I was nervous and the waiting started to make me freak out a little,” Garner said.

After the professor arrived he talked

tori

olson

Born and raised amongst a family of musicians, it was no surprise when senior Tori Olson started looking at colleges where she can major in bassoon performance. With a degree in music, she hopes to get an by michelle sprehe and davin phillips orchestral job. photos by samantha ludington Though she has been playing the bassoon for only four years, she has made district and state competitions all three eligible years. Over the summer, she played at Interlochen Arts Academy on an Emerson Scholarship, an award given to only one person in every state.

It was at Interlochen where she to Garner developed tendonitis about the in her right arm school and from holding the asked if he bassoon for so had any long during qu e s t i o n s. hours of He was now practicing. relaxed and With ice ready to start and pain playing. He reliever, played three h e r songs: Stella arm

by Starlight, Adrift Sweet, and Lullaby of the Leaves.

“I messed up a little but nothing really noticeable,” Garner said Garner won’t know whether he made it into UNT till March fourth.

Senior musicians prepare for college auditions

standard concerto are the standard pieces that he played.

“I have tried for a small number of schools compared to others, so it hasn’t been that hard” Ketter said.

healed, but now the tendonitis is back— just in time for her college auditions.

“It hasn’t really affected me too much,” Olson said. “I just came back from two out of state auditions, and I think I did okay on them.”

Olson has already auditioned for four colleges and will be auditioning for the Manhattan School of Music and Julliard School of Music in March.

“I don’t really think I have a chance to get in to those colleges, I’m auditioning more to have the experience than anything,” Olson said. “But who knows, I might actually be accepted.”

page 10 / spread / the harbinger

identity

ILLU

Changes in th make fake IDs

by kristen crawford

face the

consequences.

Senior Claire Cody knew whom to call—he went t KU and was her connection to a fake ID. But when sh called she was met with disappointment. He wouldn be able to get her a fake ID because she no longer ha the old ID and the vertical ones were too hard to copy.

“I just wanted a fake to get in to a concert,” Cod said. “He said I couldn’t get a Kan. one [because] the were too hard to make.”

In May of 2004, the Kan. Department of Revenu began issuing new driver’s licenses. The new forma issues residents under the age of 21 a vertical ID. “Doing this allows officers to be much more efficien They can just glance to tell if you’re underage,” Bonni Brown Legal Advisor Department of Motor Vehicle said.

While this change may aid the officers in thei work, it was not the original purpose. September 1 and an increase in illegal immigration documents wer the driving forces behind the change in ID format.

The new ID also displays a one-dimensiona and two-dimensional barcode. When swiped, thes barcodes display 15–21 lines of information regardin that ID. If the ID is fake, the barcodes may display few to no lines of information.

More evident changes are the colored bars below the identification picture. A green bar shows that the ID carrier is under the age of 18, and a red bar is assigne for persons under the age of 21.

“These bars make it more difficult for establishment to deny they sold to underage individuals,” Budget an Operations Manager for the Alcoholic and Beverag Control Jackson Armbister said. “This way they won

photo illustration by Linda Howard

• If you are caught with a fake ID, it is charged as a misdemenor offense, resulting in a year in jail.

• Your license can be suspended upon a judge’s decision.

• Making a fake ID can be charged as a felony and there is a minimum punishment of a year in jail.

• If you are caught with a fake ID for a second time, there is a $2,500 fine and you can recieve a year in prison at the least.

: students who answered ‘no’ to poll questions

: students who answered ‘yes’ to poll questions

360 students polled

students

12.6%

87.4%

who own fake IDs

issue 11 / february 21, 2006 / spread / page 11

know the

cards.

USION.

ID additions have changed the look of the card.

3 4

1

he Kansas driver’s license s more difficult to forge.

d

to he n’t ad y. dy ey

ue at

nt. ie es

ir 11 re

al se ng w

w D ed

1. There are now barcodes on the licenses for added security.

2. This little line, believe it or not, repeats your name and birth date over and over.

3. The Kansas flag is new.

4. The box around the Kansas flag repeats the word “Kansas” over and over to make it harder to replicate.

spot the

FAKES.

1 2

atio rm

info

ts nd ge n’t

2

have to do math.”

Department says they have see no decrease in the Some changes are not as obvious to the common amount of alcohol consumed by underage individuals teenager. after the release of the new IDs. “IDs are much harder to copy because they have They have, however, seen an increase in the more difficult parts to replicate, such as micro-printing majority of people using other people’s ID for the same with ultra lights and other hidden changes,” Brown purposes. said.

However, the new ID has not deterred people from attempting to make realistic fake IDs. These are most often found on the Internet under the guise “novelty ID.” Even as a novelty, the consequences of these fake IDs runs steep.

Should a minor be caught attempting to buy • Police officers are trained to look for illegal merchandise from a business with a fake holograms when trying to identify a fake ID, their ID will be confiscated by the employee and the police will be called. The police may driver’s license. then issue them a notice to appear before the court, or arrest and book them for a Minor in • The new licenses make them harder to Possession. reproduce because of the format, a new Just having a fake ID is illegal under Kan. Statute 8-260 and the penalty could result in barcode and smaller, usually forgotten 100 hours of community service or more. The details. perpetrator might also be fined $500 or more.

The business that sold the ID to the minor • When examining an ID, police look will also be cited for administrative purposes and for type inconsistency. fined a regulatory fee.

Should someone be caught again with a fake ID, they may then be fined $2500 or be forced to serve one year in prison.

While the police force is trained in sighting fake IDs, Patrol Sergeant Lovett of the Prairie Village Police

our

3

e

lic po

who know where to get a fake ID

Ky.

who know a fake ID owner

52.7%

on,

60.2%

47.3%

4

ngt

39.8%

exi

yL

tes

students

nc

students

1. New holograms over the face.

2. A smaller picture behind the identifying information makes cheap, fake IDs easy to spot.

3. The bar below the ID picture is green if you’re under 21, red if you’re over, helping police identify underage IDs. 4. New patterns at the bottom of the ID make replication more difficult.

issue 11 / februrary 21 / features / page 12

Teacher Tantrums

photo illustration by katie woods

Kid a Klub

Think homework is tough?

Try putting up with students by stephen nichols Want to push teachers over the edge? Try ruining a new textbook or mooning a video camera, or just blowing off their class completely.

Students walk a fine line when they test the patience of their teachers. Some teachers have the patience of a saint; while other are quick to react, but most learn from their mistakes and all in all they become better teachers for it.

There are consequences when kids refuse to pay attention to teachers, consequences that aren’t always pleasant.

Last spring in a portable classroom, teacher Michael Chaffee’s patience was quickly running thin. He had been trying to teach a group of second semester seniors about American Government, however the students had already caught a bad case of senioritis and had stopped paying attention to their exasperated teacher.

As he handed out an editorial for the students to analyze, he soon realized that the class had paid little if any attention to his assignment.

“I realize what irritates me, and I try to let it go to an extent,” Chaffee said. But the blown off assignment was just too much for Chaffee.

Finally, he lost it.

He started to yell, so loud that the classes in the other portable classrooms could hear him.

“They paid attention for a day after that,” he said.

And while some teachers such as Chaffee yell when they get upset, Art teacher Shelly Trewolla tries a very different method.

Trewolla has a total silence day when kids get out of

hand.

“The first person who speaks up gets an eighth hour [detention], the second person, who is usually defending the first, also gets an eighth hour. The third person, who usually says that’s not fair, also gets an eighth hour. There is never a problem again.”

Teachers such as Mrs. Schweiker regret the first time they lost control. She was in her first year of teaching and had been given a beautiful set of new books to hand out to class.

A boy who was passing one out threw the book into the air towards another student.

She still remembers the sound the book made as the book hit the floor and the spine cracked, trashing the book in mere seconds.

She picked up the book and hit him in the head with it, not like a Barry Bond’s swing, but hard enough to get the point across.

“I’ve mellowed with age,” she said. And through experience she now sees her students in a different light.

“I see students from a more well-rounded perspective in that I know there is life beyond the classroom.”

Along with Schweiker, teachers such as Spanish teacher Senora Hunt, gain experience and learn how to keep their poise.

“Going to bed by 9:00 and having a quiet time in the early morning before coming to school is the best way for me to keep the reservoir of patience at a good level,” Hunt said.

“When I do not do those things I can really tell a difference.”

The stress of students misbehaving can cause some teachers to lose it. But teachers Ms. Manville and Ms. Stucky, who have learned to cope, can lose it when a student is way out of line.

A boy thought it would be funny to play a little prank in Manville’s Radio TV class. As the students were recording an interview, the boy came up and mooned the camera. The boy was suspended.

But when it comes to the small irritations of day-to-day class, Manville and fellow teacher Ms. Stucky have learned not to sweat it.

“Sometimes it’s easy for teachers to let the small stuff get to them, but for me, I don’t,” said Stucky.

Their trick is to pull out the stacks of letters written by the graduating seniors, thanking her for all her hard work. This pick-me-up keeps Stucky and Manville from taking out their frustration on their class.

Teacher Debe Bramley thinks that every teacher has a different teaching style that is beneficial to students.

“As a student it’s good to have a variety of teaching styles and personalities because that’s life,” Bramley said.

“One teaching style or personality will mesh with different students.”

Patience comes with the responsibility of teaching; however, so does discipline. But when is comes to getting angry, Trewolla agrees that students behaving well in the first place is much better than having to punish them. “Prevention is better than the cure,” she said.

Despite age, 77-year-old father keeps up with children by joe demarco When recent Pembroke transfer junior Josh Jacobs goes out for baseball this year, he knows for sure one person will be there watching him: his dad.

Josh’s dad may not look like the most energetic fan in the stands but he will be there. Dr. Walter Jacobs, Josh’s dad just turned 77-years-old, with two of his children still in high school, one at East and one at Pembroke.

“My dad has been going to my baseball games since I started playing. If it weren’t for my dad and me going to Royals games and playing catch in the yard, I don’t think I would even be interested in baseball,” Josh said. “He’s there and that’s all that matters.”

According to The National Vital

Statistics report the average age of parents is decreasing. But for Dr. Jacobs a real man’s age is always kept a secret.

Dr. Jacobs practiced at Menorah Medical Center as a gastroenterologist up until he retired last year.

“I love being retired and spending time with my family,” Dr. Jacobs said. “I have had two very rewarding professions, first, of course being a doctor and now being a parent. I am very, very fortunate.”

Unless Dr. Jacobs is vacationing in Florida, he is usually at home watching TV or reading. The family never has to come home to an empty house.

“I think it’s great that he’s at home because I work long hours as a nurse, and Walter is always there for Josh whenever he needs something,” Josh’s mom said.

For Josh having the opportunity available to take more vacations is a plus.

“And obviously I get to spend more time with him,” Josh said.

Sometimes with elderly parents, physical activity is limited. Josh used to play baseball with his dad up until about eight years ago but now because of his fathers age they cannot.

“I loved playing baseball with my dad but now there’s no way,” Josh said. “Of course I felt bad that we really couldn’t go throw the ball around out in the front yard, but I just realized I couldn’t stop time, so there was nothing I could do.”

Josh’s friends are used to his dad’s age and at first were a little surprised, but have grown accustomed to it.

“When I first heard about it, I was a little

surprised, but now it just seems normal,” Junior Alex Block said. “He’s no different than any other parent,” Having an elderly parent can also increase responsibilities for children. As parents age, it may be necessary to rely on their children to perform more strenuous chores, “My dad loves to garden, but now that he can’t, I am obligated to take care of it.

It’s not good for him to be out in the heat,” Josh said.

Although Josh does have to worry more about his dad, the benefits are greater than the disadvantages.

“I think I would much rather have a retired dad over a working one because he is always there when I need him.”

mixed Cappuccino Friday issue 11 / february 21, 2006 / mixed / page 13

and how it came to be...

the history

the changes THEN: Made with chocolate milk and coffee syrup NOW: Made with mixes (smoothie and cappuccino) THEN: Used coffee pots and blenders NOW: Uses three smoothie machines

April 14

the cookies M&M Peanut Butter

Snickerdoodle Chocolate Chip

mon february

dayafter

Almost every day is a holiday. Here are some of the more entertaining ones...

March 3

THEN: Word-of-mouth advertising NOW: Starting last year, DECA students have made an official advertising campaign, including commericals and posters.

sun

DAY

upcoming Cappuccino Fridays

Oatmeal Raisin

tue 21

wed 22

Inconvenience International Yourself Day Mother Language Day Single Tasking Day

26

For Pete’s Sake Day

27

28

International Pancake Day

march1

Refired, Not Retired Day

National Tooth Stop the Bad Fairy Day Service Day

5

thu 23

Curling is Cool Day

sat

24

25

National Chili Day

2

NEA’s Read Across America Day World Book Day

6

Healing From the Inside Out Day

fri

3 I Want You To 4 Be Happy Day What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs? Day

International Hug a GI Day Scrapbooking Industry Day

Fun Facts About Names Day

tips ‘n’ tricks

Namesake Day

from http://www.brownielocks.com/

photos by frances lafferty

Cappuccinos. Slushies.

Hot chocolate. Cookies.

Cappuccino Friday is the library’s most loved fundraiser, bringing in students in search of tasty food and fun.

Before it was started in August 2001, the library had not been attracting many students.

“We wanted them to feel comfortable in the library,” librarian Kathi Knopp said. To show the school that the library could be fun, into the library, Cappuccino Friday was started.

That first day brought in over $1,700, though the cost of supplies brought the final profit down to $821.

The second Cappuccino Friday was right after Sept. 11, so all the proceeds were donated to the Red Cross and the tradition of donating profits to charity was started.

Donations have been made to two charities a year, including Habitat for Humanity, Tsunami relief, Dominican Republic and the Jake Shepard skate park.

“We’ve tried to give back to the community at least once a year,” Knopp said.

In 2003, the district cut the library funding. Knopp and co-librarian Chris Larson were relieved that they had the money from Cappuccino Friday and used some to purchase new books. They continue to use part of the profits every month to purchase new books and improvements for the library.

tips ‘n’ ‘n’ tricks tricks tips

sophomore Emmy Hartman’s

free thr w steps

1

take a deep breath

“When you’re in the heat of the game, you need to take a step back and get focused.”

2

bounce ball twice This is to “get into a rhythm and get focused” as well.

3

set the ball

This “starts the shot and makes sure it’s the same shot as every time.”

4

bend your knees

The knees must be bent enough so that there will be “the right height on the ball.”

5

shoot and follow through

The hand that was underneath the ball must be “on line with the basket.”

issue 11 / februrary 21 / features / page 14

Trying for

Trilingual Quentin Allonville

French, Belgian exchange students work at learning third language by sara steinwart

While attempting to translate a story in Spanish class, French exchange student Quentin Allonville has a realization. It finally clicked why he was able to understand Spanish so easily to himself, but struggled to express what he was trying to say. Allonville had a third step in his translation process, French.

Every time that Allonville has to translate something from Spanish to English he has to first translate the Spanish to his native tongue, French, and then from French to English. The reasoning behind this is that he first learned Spanish in France and then took it up again during his stay here in the United States.

“It is very common for foreign language students to have difficulty learning a foreign language not in the native language,” foreign language specialist Gregory Fulkerson said.

Fulkerson explained how students usually think in their natural language and that it would take much time and practice to not have the middle step of that translation.

“Quentin has come a long way in studying Spanish,” Spanish teacher Ann Hunt said. “He has gotten better at thinking in English which makes his Spanish to English translations easier.”

Allonville is currently enrolled in Spanish 2 at East. He studied Spanish while in France and last semester was in French 5, but decided to switch into a class where he would be learning new things.

“I am getting much better at translation,” Allonville said. “Over time and with practice I have been able to improve on translating from Spanish to English.”

Allonville studies Spanish just like any other subject, and over time he has been able to study and get increasingly more comfortable speaking Spanish.

“All he needs to do is keep talking and working on his English so that he doesn’t have to have three steps of translation and he will be able to pick up Spanish even easier than he already is,” Hunt said.

Koen Deciercq

When looking through a course book attempting to pick his schedule, Belgium foreign exchange student Koen Deciercq had a difficult decision to make.

What foreign language, if any, was he going to take? Deciercq had already studied Dutch, English, French and German, and had to decide whether to take a fifth language.

Deciercq decided to take Spanish and started off the year in Spanish 1.

Deciercq spent one week in Spanish 1 and then was moved to Spanish 2 where he excelled.

“When Koen moved to Spanish 2 he was as successful, if not more, than any of the other students,” Spanish teacher Ann Hunt said.

Even though Koen had not studied Spanish before, he was able to succeed due to his previous studying of foreign languages. He was able to use the skills he had acquired from learning other languages in his studies of Spanish.

“It is basically the same alphabet so that makes it a lot easier to learn,” Deciercq said, “All languages have similarities and you learn to relate the similarities to other languages when trying to learn them.”

Koen also said that after learning multiple languages, it gets easier to learn more of them. This is because it is possible to compare the language one has already learned to the new one.

Deciercq found that learning French and now Spanish came the most natural to him.

Those languages, being romantic, and their alphabets were the most similar to Dutch.

Because English isn’t a romantic language, it took a lot more time and effort to succeed at learning it. Deciercq became fluent in it anyway.

“Koen is not afraid of learning the language, this makes him less tentative in attempting to learn a foreign language,” Hunt said.

Learning Spanish: Belgium exchange student Koen Deciercq works in his Spanish textbook, . photo by frances lafferty

come to

s c h o o l

cheap eats

issue 11/ february 21, 2006 / a&e / page 15

In a world of fast food these three resaurants offer a quality meal for a bargain price

by clark goble

All-you-can-eat buffets have a stereotype of mediocre food and cheap prices tied to them. Cinzetti’s, located at 91st and Metcalf, breaks those stereotypes and more with its number of quality meal choices and reasonable prices.

The classic exterior of the restaurant makes you think you might need a suit and tie to dine within its walls, but exactly the opposite is true. There are people from all walks of life dining, from a 30-year-old man with an “I can’t help being Awesome” t-shirt to a full youth basketball team.

The buffet is what brings them to Cinzetti’s. At $14.95 on weekends, $11.95 Monday through Thursday, the stop-eating-when-you’re-full dinner appeals to many different sorts of people.

The food isn’t lacking either. There are plenty of choices, including Chicken Parmesan, a full salad bar and 16 flavors of gelato. On any given night, there might be 60 separate options for fine Italian dining. And unlike other buffets like Pizza Street, the food is hot and ready to eat.

Finished with your first plate? Not a problem. Just move your plate to the corner, grab another plate in front of the buffet line, and come back to a clean table. The service is very sharp as the waiters double as bus boys.

All in all, Cinzetti’s is a great place to stop if you want to get your money’s worth. You can eat in and be out in less than 20 minutes if you were in a hurry, and that just adds to the appeal. If Cinzetti’s hits the spot, and your Saturday mornings are open, try the $8.95 brunch buffet, complete with waffles, pancakes and omelets.

What do you love about...

Cinzetti’s “They have lots of variety. They make crepes right in front of you and custom make your omletes.”

-Michelle Braslavsky, freshman

T.G.I. Friday’s

“They have 4,3,2,1, all appetizers under $4. I’m big on loaded fries, too.

They’re fries with cheese and stuff.”

-Jake Lipsman, senior

Buffalo Wild Wings “The Tuesday night special, 35 cent wings, they’re just amazing, in any flavor.”

-Charlie Greene, senior

photos by linda howard

Walking into TGI Friday’s reminded me of walking into a garage that hadn’t been cleaned in years. It’s almost overwhelming how many pointless items topple over you as you sit down to eat. Flashing stoplights, orange juice ads and even a wooden canoe line the walls of the restaurant at 117th and Mission, just outside of Town Center.

The greeters, adorned in their red and white striped ties, were welcoming, while the waitress didn’t seem like she wanted to be there. She spoke in the same monotonous voice and was about five minutes behind when I requested a water refill.

But those looking for an old-fashioned, family-style eatery need to look no farther than Friday’s. There are also plenty of eating options, such as juicy steaks, fresh chicken salads and low-carb enchiladas.

While prices are low for some items (a tender 8 oz. steak will run you around $12), others are extremely over the top for what is actually served. The Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger, for a name that has the word cheese in it twice, had about half a slice of cheese between two bricks of bun. It ran around $10, and I guess about $7 was for the bun. Bread fans, look here. Real burger fans, avoid.

For the most part however, TGI Friday’s is a good eating option for those short on cash but desire more than fast food. If you have a lot of patience and just love the Friday’s way, I would recommend purchasing a “Gold Card”, where each $10 spent would move you closer towards free appetizers and deserts.

As you enter Buffalo Wild Wings at 106th and Metcalf, the first thing you notice is the abnormal number of TV’s hanging around. There’s college basketball, interactive trivia games, and even Olympic curling displayed all over the restaurant. Right after the realization that this isn’t an electronics store, but rather a bar and grill, you see the numerous great deals available on food.

The name tells it all when it comes to the restaurant’s specialty, but surprisingly, the New York-style chicken wings are also a great deal. On Tuesdays you can get wings for 35 cents apiece and Thursday’s boneless wings are a mere 50 cents apiece. The rest of the week, wings are still a good deal due to the popularity of them. The fact that you can purchase 250 wings in one $99.99 deal illustrates how many people love these things.

While wings would be the main reason for heading out to Buffalo Wild Wings, there are many other options on the menu that would be enjoyed just as much. The Potato Wedges are a different style French fry, but nonetheless great with the wings or a burger.

But, with the great food and good prices, there are many just-out-of-college kids who go to the bar to have a good time, but instead almost ruin yours.

They scream and shout as they hit the bulls-eye on the dartboard or pocket the 8-ball on the pool table.

Buffalo Wild Wings, for all of its craziness after work hours on weekdays, delivers a great dining experience for fair prices. These prices and food quality greatly outweighs the negatives of such a rowdy environment.

page 16 / a&e / the harbinger

Notes on Success: by derek martin

Local band discusses the internet, shows and life after graduation.

original yet true to its roots.

The band’s maturity and song Among the drudge of pop-punk acts flooding the writing prowess is quite evident on mainstream these days, finding a band with a unique sound and a passion for what they do was quite refreshing. the track “Worlds Apart” from their Finding them at Shawnee Mission East was just surprising. upcoming album, which has yet to Transition Element a pop-punk quartet featuring East be titled. While hearing the song, seniors Ian Cook, Andy Koelker and Sam Tucker as well as a Boxcar Racer-like anthem about Shawnee Mission North senior Jared Martin, offer a unique children seeing their parents love fall blend of musicianship and energy which combine to form apart through a painful divorce, you an amazing musical experience. Transition uses crunchy can’t help but notice that it reaches power chords as a pallet that melodic guitar melodies can well beyond the typical break-upspill across. The low end is held down by jazz influenced and-go-cry-about-it lyrics running beats and fast bass tones which combine to form a steady rampant in local music these days.

Beyond the lyrics, musically the band groove to hold it all together.

Started just two years ago, this band has rapidly gone is far beyond their years, combining from a few guys messing around in a basement to a band tempo changes and multiple layers in on the brink of success. Through online community each of their songs; they manage to MySpace.com and numerous shows in the KC and Lawrence create a sound more oft attributed to area, Transition Element is gaining the reputation as the an established pop-punk juggernaut than four guys from Kansas City. next big thing.

For Transition, though, the road to pop-punk stardom is Their most recent EP, “End of Summer,” exudes a maturity and creativity not often found among high school paved not in gold but in pixels and MySpace comments.

“This whole internet community, it gets people to listen bands. Built around the foundation of lead-singer Ian Cook’s ultra-visual, emotional—not emo—song writing, Transition to the songs,” Tucker said, “and then at the show you see Element has managed to do what some thought impossible people singing along and that’s really awesome.”

“What [the internet] does is it in the pop-punk genre, create a sound that is takes the local music scene and makes it completely not so local,” guitarist Andy Koelker said.

The band attributes a great deal of their popularity to their MySpace.com site.

Beyond familiarizing fans with their material, MySpace has provided the band with a few key breaks in their young career.

“A couple weeks back we were contacted by a band from New Zealand,” drummer Jared Martin said.

“No less than a week later a band from Canada contacted us as well and they both wanted to play shows with us.”

Beyond just getting their name out there, Transition uses their musical style to bridge gaps in the traditionally loyalty-heavy music world.

“You go to our shows and you see punk kids, skater kids, ska kids, kids wearing Abercrombie & Fitch: it’s the type of music that everyone can get into,” Tucker said.

Cook, Transition’s primary songwriter, says he wants to write songs that people can identify with. “I might watch a movie and then go jam,” Cook said. “I’ll eventually come up with something that mimics the feeling that I have at that point.

That’s what I want people to feel, what I was feeling when I wrote the song.”

This emotion certainly transfers to their live show.

Having played everywhere from band members’ basements to The Granada in Lawrence, Transition has developed a live persona Playing with passion: Bassist which gets fans into the Sam Tucker performs during a show. recent Transition Element show.

According to Cook when photos by samantha ludington Transition Element plays a show, the wilder they get

the worse they play, but the more fun the show is for both the fans and the band.

“At our first show at The Granada, some dude broke his nose in our mosh pit,” Tucker said.

Only within the last few months, though, has the band returned to the stage and shifted their focus back to the band.

“I had football, and Jared had a lot of stuff going on, so we just didn’t have a lot of time for the band,” Tucker said.

However, Martin pointed out that with this time off the group was able to grow and improve.

“It gave us time to write and go in the studio,” he said.

“I feel like we’ve matured, we have a lot more variety with guitar parts and bass fills and stuff,” Tucker added.

The band also used this time to develop a fuller sound and become more of a group.

“This band’s not about ‘that one guy sounds good’,” Koelker said, “it’s ‘that band sounds good.’”

That band does sound good, but with graduation and college looming, Transition is still figuring out just what they’ll be doing. Tucker is going to college in Chicago while Martin and Koelker will be

“This band’s not about, ‘that one guy sounds good,’ it’s about, ‘that .’” band sounds good -Andy Koelker

attending K-State. Cook plans to attend KU. “The band will exist in college,” Tucker said, “I have one hell-of-a-long winter break, and so we’ll definitely play a bunch of shows then. And if we get a record deal, I’m not going to Chicago.”

The rest of the band seems less sure about their future than Tucker, but they all agree Transition Element will survive graduation.

“We’re trying to set up a tour this summer,” Cook said. “If that happens it’ll be really awesome.”

The band wants to tour mostly in the Midwest—Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa—and they all agree that if the tour happens it’ll be a huge step in the right direction.

At this point, though, Transition will continue to put all they have into the group and their future together “Right now I spend like, 14 hours a day at school with swimming, drum line, and STUCO,” Martin said. “I’ll always make time for the band though.”

Through college and maybe beyond, Cook says they’ll always manage to find time for the thing they love.

“You don’t plan your band around your life; you plan your life around your band.”

Curious Bore

issue 11 / february 21, 2006 / a&e / page 17

Jack Johnson-driven soundtrack fails to follow the lead of its popular headlining song by ellie weed

Jack Johnson wasn’t kidding when he titled his new soundtrack for the movie Curious George “Sing-a-Longs and Lullabies.” While some of the tracks have the same Jack Johnson flare, most of them will either put you to sleep or be best to put in the CD player when you’re babysitting.

I guess it’s hard for me to complain when it warns me right on the cover, but at the same time it was kind of hard for me to take it seriously. Who ever could have thought Jack Johnson could sing lullabies? Don’t think it’s a huge step out of his normal tone – he manages to maintain that same tone that so many have come to love even in sing-a-longs, and not in a great way.

The first two songs of the soundtrack are definitely the types of songs that you will hear on the radio and will automatically be recognizable as Jack Johnson; they have the same sound as his other signature songs. But don’t let the first song deceive you, it’s more upbeat than most things Jack Johnson is done, but it still has that same sound that he’s so infamous for. There’s a remix of the song at the very end of the album that doesn’t do much justice to the word “remix.” He even brings in a bit of a jazz flare in “Broken,” by playing a little electric guitar, but beyond track two, the CD gets progressively and frustratingly worse with every song.

The middle songs of the CD seem to be filled with tracks that are just plain boring. It’s hard to listen to the whole song, and I was tempted to hit the “next track” button, but I refrained, figuring it

may get better. But it didn’t.

It was followed by a Sing-a-Long song, “The 3 R’s.”

Johnson, along with a chorus of children, goes over the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling. That’s not the only moral-to-the-story kind of song, there’s also a song called “Share,” teaching, just as the name intends, the importance of learning to share. Sing-a-Longs was no exaggeration.

Sing-a-Longs and Lullabies is definitely a bold move. I do think it was a creative idea for Heitor Pereira to ask someone like Jack Johnson to write the music, and I’m interested to see how well the music corresponds with the film. Until then, I’ll be falling asleep at night to Jack Johnson’s lullabies. GRADE: C+

Left: The man in the Yellow Hat and George make an escape after George paints all over a room with his paws.

About The Movie...

Stars Will Farrell as the Man in the Yellow Hat who keeps with him his pet monkey, Curious George.

Singing Regret

Alternative country singer delivers a solid release

by ronan mcghie Neko Case sings about sex, drugs, and rock and roll on “Fox Confessor Brings the Flood” but she’s not a rock star, Case is an alternative country singer. Blending country with alternative in her fourth studio album, Neko Case seeks out and disproves the if- you-try-to-please-everyone-you-won’tplease-anyone idea, with a solid release. Music critics have already begun calling it one of the best albums of the year, and while it is an excellent record, I don’t consider it among the best releases of the year.

At first listen, Case sounds like a bar singer singing her blues but after listening to a song or two, one realizes the complexity of Case’s emotions.

Besides the intricacy of her emotions, the other thing that sets her music apart is Case’s vocals. Her strikingly versatile and strong voice is accompanied by an odd array of instruments one might expect to hear in a bar in Tennessee.

A heavy drum with the strumming of guitar is a theme throughout her work, but tambourines, electric guitar, and piano can also be heard. Case’s voice often acts more like an instrument than vocals. Her voice can be heard bouncing up and down with the drumbeat, sometimes not even singing words. Much of the mood of the album is conveyed through the tone of Case’s voice, which has the power and emotion heard in a spiritual.

It is appropriate then, that much of the album seems to be about Case’s spiritual search. In the album-titled track, “Fox Confessor Brings the Flood,” Case asks “Will there be no one above to put my faith in?” in a beautiful, wavering acapella. In the following song, “John saw that Number,” Cases recounts a biblical tale with John the Baptist, and she praises “my holy lord.” The contradiction and confusion found on Fox Confessor gives the impression of a women searching for herself or perhaps a therapeutic catharsis of emotion.

The album seems to be a form of therapy for Case who looks back at past boyfriends and mistakes. She sings regretfully of the past “If I knew what’s so obvious now/ You’d still be here baby,” in “The Needle has Landed.”

The album is also a cautionary tale to others. She tells others not to feel sorry for themselves, warning “Go on, go on and scream and cry, aren’t you aware no one will find you?” on the second track, “Star Witness.” She sings this, not in a voice of despair but of self-strength and independence.

“Fox Confessor” is sparingly edited which gives the album live, real tone. At the end of songs I find myself straining, expecting to hear applause in the background.

With accompaniments by Garth Hudson from The Band, Calexico’s Joey Burns and John Covertino, and Howe Gelband from Giant Sand, and a well developed sound, this is easily Case’s strongest album to date. This should be the album that propels Case into a category of artists that

transcend genres and demographics, such as Elliot Smith and Wilco.

At times the album is long and drawn out, not unlike Case’s vocals, but “Fox Confessor Brings the Flood” should be a winner with fans of her earlier albums, and will doubtlessly draw new listeners with this (for once) easily accessible country sound. Personally, I had higher expectations for this highly anticipated release. It is a good and very listenable album, but after two years in the making I expected more.

Grade: B

Discography of Neko Case...

“Furnace Room Lullaby” (Bloodshot/Mint, 2000)

“The Virginian” (Bloodshot/Mint, 1998)

“Canadian Amp” (Lady Pilot, 2001)

Ordinary Olympics

page 18 / sports / the harbinger

The Winter Olympics have too many pointless sports

losing his hearing and mobility but somehow has the hot hand on the curling rink. To give some proof on how interesting and eventful the sport really is, the leading story on the NBC Olympic curling web site is, “Fenson samples Italian Pizza.” That story would actually probably interest me more then the sport itself.

2. Once they get the brooms out of the games, the committee needs to remove the Skeletons from their closet. The skeleton, which is making its second appearance in the Olympics, consists of so-called “athletes” who wear a rubber suit and lay down face forward, on their stomachs, on a brake-less sled flying down the hill at the speed of light. Yes, it may take a lot of guts to fly on down the mountain on a sled, but the sense of skill or even strategy doesn’t come into play.

Not only is the sport completely out of tune, but the American team is also the craziest team in the games. First, the top American skeletoner, Eric Bernotas, just took up the sport in the last five years. As for the rest of the Skeleton Team, they could possibly have more scandals lingering around them our school. First, the team suspended its coach after accusations of sexual misconduct against female skelentonists. Then Zach Lund, tested positive for a hair-restoration pill that is used to mask steroid use in a drug test, needless to say he was kicked off the team. Out of every possible explanation I could think of, not one of them made sense to why someone would needs drugs to help them sled down a hill.

3. Finally, the IOC needs to cut the sport that John Candy made popular in 1993 movie “Cool Runnings”, the bobsled.

Though the Jamaican bobsled team was wicked cool in that

art by sara mcelhaney

an opinion of peter goehausen A week and a half into the twentieth Winter Olympics, the idea of the games excite me about as much as the chance to go hunting with Dick Cheney. The games have featured such sports as the bobsled, curling, and the skeleton which require no athletic talent at all, yet hundreds of the athletes are being praised for their accomplishments. I hate to break it to you, America, but chipping away at ice to get a puck to stop doesn’t take much athleticism.

The International Olympic Committee doesn’t have to put us through two weeks of boring of events because some of the events are interesting and entertaining such as: snowboarding, ski jumping, and speed skating. They could make the games as popular as the summer games if they just cut three sports.

1. All housewives who enjoy sweeping, there is an Olympic sport waiting for you! No they can’t play for the women’s hockey team but rather sweeping away ice on the curling team. Curling consists of two teams of four, each team slides the 42 lb. stone puck down a strip of ice, chipping away ice to get the puck to stop on the target (the Tee). The wacky sport was derived from the same place as binge drinking, Scotland (I don’t think that’s a coincidence either).

The greatest evidence of the sport not deserving an Olympic spot or athleticism is the fact that it features the oldest athlete in the games, Scott Baird, who at 54 is probably

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movie, the sport they were competing in was anything but. Men and women wear spiked shoes and sprint as quickly as they can, on an ice track, while pushing the sled before jumping into the sled and cruising down the hill. While the sport make take some muscle pushing the sled for five seconds, sitting down while a sled takes you down the hill for a minute requires little skill.

Though this sport could be glorified at Kansas City’s Suicide Hill, it doesn’t have a place in Olympics.

Though the XX Winter Olympics in Torino will feature some amazing highlight reels from the half-pipe and snow jump, it still lacks that greater feeling of a true athletic achievement. Don’t get mad snow fans, because the summer games aren’t that much better, it’s just that they just feature all of the cute gymnasts.

issue 11 / february 21, 2006 / sports / page 19

LIFE ON AND OFF THE FIELD SENIOR SWIMMER BRANDON BARNDS

ON HOW SWIMMING HAS IMPACTED HIS LIFE It has kept me out of trouble guess. It makes me use my time wisely, I just make sure that I have a good schedule.

There’s a lot of people that I have met too.

ON HIS AND THE TEAM’S PROSPECTS FOR STATE Personally, I have a shot to be top three in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle and to be All-American in one of those.

It’s so easy to mess up though, I could lose it on a bad start.

It’s so easy to mess up on something like that.

ON HOW TEAMMATES HAVE HELPED STEP UP HIS GAME They have made me and the whole team better. Luke (Tanner) and John (Cook) help push ourselves.

We wouldn’t work as hard if we didn’t do that. We do Junior Nationals together and I think that we are going to go again this year.

Swim shark: Barnds has been an integral part in his team’s success. The guys won state last year and went undefeated. photo by karen boomer

“

ON WHAT HIS FUTURE PLANS I am going to swim at Washington Lee in Lexington, Virginia. I went to visit there and I liked the team a lot and they also have a good coach.

ON HOW COACH WILEY WRIGHT MOTIVATES THE TEAM He gives us our fun but makes us work hard at the same time. It’s up to us to make the sets hard. With Wiley it doesn’t get boring.

ON HOW HUNTING IS LIKE SWIMMING Achieving the goal is the same I guess, it takes a lot of hard work to hunt and to swim. It can take two years until you kill a turkey.

ON THE SWIM TEAM BEING THE BEST EVER AT EAST AND IN KANSAS Yes, you could pretty much say that. We won the MO-KAN invitational, the Olathe invitational and the SME invitational for two straight years. We’ve never done that before. We’re going to try to set the state record but we can’t say anything yet.

ON THE WEIRDEST THING HE’S EVER HEARD AT A MEET OR DURING PRACTICE My mom used to tell me I had bees behind me so I would go faster. I usually zone everything out.

I hear the voices but I don’t know what they’re saying.

”

Barnds and the rest of the swim team swam at state on Feb. 18.

As told by Ben Whitsitt

The Week Ahead

What to watch for in Lancer Athletics By Peter Goehausen

TUESDAY 2/21

Bowling @ SME Tri (Senior Night)

The inaugural senior class will compete in their final home meet tonight at Mission Bowl against SM South and KC Christian. They will move onto regional play this weekend. Of late, the girls team has been hot when they won their Feb. 3 Tri against Miege and KC Christian. Samantha Kirkwood has continued her impressive season while leading the state in bowling with an average in the upper 500s.

THURSDAY 2/23

Girls Basketball vs. SM South (Senior Night)

Though the girl’s team only had two seniors, their presence was vital to the success of this season’s team. Both Katelin Clark and Molly Stewart (left) were considered defensive gems and the team leaders. With the majority of the team being underclassmen, Clark and Stewart’s experience was one of the main reasons the girls had as good of a season as they had, considering their expectations.

Though no Sunflower League title will be brought to East, this season’s team will be a good building block for the future.

FRIDAY 2/24- SATURDAY 2/25

Wrestling @ State

Although the wrestling team wasn’t even sure of who would be representing them this weekend at the State Tournament in Wichita, it should be a sure bet that junior John Carr and sophomore Joey Lutz will be attending the meet. Both wrestlers took second at the Sunflower League Meet (Carr 145 lb. class, Lutz 119 lb. class). Though neither of the wrestlers will be expected to repeat Ryan Sondereger’s feat of winning state last year, they both have had very successful seasons.

Both will be looked upon to lead the team into next season where the team only loses two seniors. Sophomore Matt Baker (189 lbs.) took third at the Sunflower Meet.

FRIDAY 2/24

GAME OF THE WEEK-Boys Basketball vs. SM South (Senior Night)

After starting their season off with a 30 point clobbering of South, it seems only fitting the Lancers will have a chance to end their season that way. Friday’s game will also be the final home game for one of the greatest basketball players to grace the halls of East, J.D. Christie. Christie, still undecided of where he’ll play college basketball, will go down as the all-time leading scorer passing Michael Johnson. He crossed the 1,000 point plateau in the middle of his junior season. The other seniors who will play their final home game are Mike Drier, Will Gates, Scott Mahley, Brian Tagg and Garrett Webb will be watching from the bench with a broken tibia. They begin sub-state next week.

MONDAY 2/27

Start of Spring Sports

The third and final season of the year starts Monday with girls softball, soccer and swimming and for boys golf, tennis, and baseball, and track and field. The boys baseball team will be the most hyped team of the season after making an appearance at State last season.

photos by kelsey brown and samantha luddington

page 201/ /photo essay 6, / the harbinger issue september 2005

Heart to Heart SHARE sponors the annual Down’s syndrome Sweetheart dance featuring karaoke, dancing and refreshments with local boys and girls of various ages with Down’s syndrome

Dancing the night away: Senior Cailin O’ Grady dances with Tyler Weekly to the song “Lean On Me.” Refreshments and snacks were available as well so kids could take breaks and enjoy the treats. photo by linda howard

Sing your heart out: Tyler Weekly, freshman Abba Goehausen, Pat Rodden, and freshman Allie Marquis sing “My Heart Will Go On” into the karaoke machine together. Popular karaoke songs varied from “Dancing Queen” to “Lean on Me.” Kids took turns singing and East students joined in on the fun. photo by linda howard Rock on: SHARE sponsor Pat Kaufman walks through the dance floor with Sean Mcllahon. Students gathered together in two lines directly across from eachother as different couples walked through the middle and danced. photo by linda howard

Dance party: Junior Rachel Sixta dances with Paul Steven to Will Smith’s Wild Wild West. SHARE execs from East and South sponsored the dance in the East cafeteria. Several students attended and danced with the kids from 7-9 p.m. photo by linda howard Funny faces: Junior Erik Deddens gives David Whitman a piggy back ride and holds him up. The guests with Down’s syndrome enjoyed the festivities and the company of the high school students. photo by kelsey stabenow