Issue 14 by The Harbinger

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harbinger SHAWNEE MISSION EAST

ISSUE 14, APRIL 19, 2004

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Gay/Straight Alliance “Mean Girls” review Money in students’ lives

It’s fourth quarter. Graduation is only a few weeks away. And when it comes to school, all but a few seniors are

drawing a

BLANK It’s nearing the end of school and Molly’s friends are out on a weeknight. But Molly isn’t with them. She’s studying. “A lot of my friends don’t have homework [now],” senior Molly Cobb said. “But I have to stay home and do work…I still have to keep focused and keep thinking, ‘You only have a couple of weeks, so just keep on doing work.’” As May 14 approaches and colleges accept students, seniors are increasingly plagued with apathy to failing and aversion towards work. Many know this attitude as “senioritis.” “There’s nothing left here,” senior Nancy Dexter said. “What we’ve worked so hard for we’ve already succeeded in. There’s no drive.” But for some seniors like Cobb, this feeling can only be felt to a certain extent. Because of final grade reports to colleges,

scholarships and AP/IB testing, some seniors are still working until the end. Senior IB student Matt Stoebner doesn’t think he has senioritis. With five large IB tests he must pass in May to receive his IB diploma, Stoebner can’t afford to slack off. “Although most IB kids say they have it, they don’t get senioritis to the same extent [as others],” Stoebner said. “They just have a harder time doing homework. I used to come home and start right away. Now I have to take a 30 minute break.” Cobb, a member of the varsity girls’ soccer team, also continues to study and do her work in hopes of receiving the Art Newcomer Scholarship Award. To obtain this honor, a student must have strong athletics and high grades through out his or her academic career.

see “Maintaining,” page 2

news 2

THE HARBINGER

ashionably roud

Ellie Weed

After spending a collected six or seven hours working on her dress, senior Annie Biddison is finally ready to strut her masterpiece of plastic, clear tape, and tool down the runway at the first-ever fashion show in the SM East auditorium, Apr. 29 at 6pm. She’s hoping that her colorful and unique clothing will be well represented and show off all of her hours of surging, sewing, and taping from the past few months and win the first prize. “I’ve been working for two and half hours every day at Broadmoor working on outfits for my Fashion 2 class, and I think I’ll be entering six things,” Biddison said. Biddison, along with many other members of the National Art Honors Society, have organized the show for their honors society project. On a special runway designed by the president of the art club, Cynthia Goldman, all student designers will be showing off their

Student designers prepare for first-ever fashion show

clothes to a panel of judges. The judges include volunteer storeowners, designers, students, and the SM Northwest fashion design teacher. To tie the theme together, fun music such as Madonna’s modeling classic “Vogue” will be playing during the show. Unlike most other student designers, Biddison will only be modeling one or two of her outfits, while most other designers will be modeling their own. When the model is walking down the runway, a freeze picture will be taken and put up on the television screen in the background to show the design of the clothing. Everyone is encouraged to enter something into the fashion show, including boys. There are no requirements to enter; everyone is eligible to fill out an entry form and possibly pay a small entry fee that can be found in the art room. Entries must be submitted by Thursday. After winning a blue ribbon in the R&D Forum last year, Biddison has a lot

Maintaining grades: Seniors continue work to ensure college admission, academic success Continued from page one “I’m really ready to be done with school, and I’ve slacked off some,” Cobb said. “But I figure the work will pay off in the end.” According to college counselor Deanna Hunter, grades have a large effect on many scholarship awards such as Cobb’s. “Any time you have an award based on merit, you have to maintain that merit or you’ll put yourself into jeopardy.” Hunter said. She also pointed out that many colleges ask for a mid-semester grade report and a second semester transcript. If the grades are not similar to those sent in the original application, the college has the right to rescind admission. Although this isn’t common, the possibility is still there. “But who wants to end their high school career with F’s?” Hunter said. According to KU admission officer Gail Sherron, the university requires a final transcript at the end of seniors’ second semester. If the student GPA drops in the last semester and then fails in meeting one of the university’s minimum requirements, such as maintaining a 2.0 GPA or ranking in the top one-third of the class, the student will no longer be accepted.

“However, if the person had a good year and drops from a 3.9 to a 3.7, it won’t affect them,” Sherron said. “The one semester slacker probably won’t have a problem.” They may, though, have a problem with their teacher. Senior English teacher Michael Pulsinelli was upset that one third of his students had a C- or below when mid-quarter progress reports were sent home last week. Although this amount isn’t very different from previous quarters, he is surprised that students are slacking at this time of year. “My only assignment has been to read a book,” he said. “And they can’t even come along with that…if you’re rocking the boat, you have to be prepared to accept the consequences.” AP English teacher Donna Skates works hard in trying to keep her students active until the end. “A combination of curriculum, trying to model a strong work ethic, and letting them know that this train is staying on the track until the end: that’s what I’m doing, and that’s what I’m expecting of them,” Skates said. “The end is never easy. What kind of job do you go to and in the last two months you decide not to work?”

of experience. Even though her style may be unique and not normally the kind of clothes you would expect to see, she also makes the typical dresses, too. Stores like Oopsy Daisy’s, where Biddison works, and maybe even the Kansas City Star will be sponsoring the show and its prizes. Before and after the show, items will be on sale such as t-shirts, pins, and bowls, in which all profits will benefit Mattie Rhodes, an organization for underprivileged children. The clothing that will be presented may have been worn to prom, while others, like Annie’s, have been made out of clear plastic tape and paper. Any style of clothing is welcome, as long as it is school appropriate. “The wackier things are, the more fun it will be,” president Cynthia Goldman said. “I’ve heard some great ideas that will be exciting to see.”

RUNWAY QUALITY: Senior Annie Biddison creates outfits to be modeled at the fashion photo by Nicole Oswald show.

Fashion Show Info

When: April 29 at 6 p.m. Where: SM East auditorium How: Entry forms are available in the art room

and are due by Thusday Who: Anyone can enter and everyone is encouraged to come watch Why:All profits go to Mattie Rhodes, an organization for underprivelaged children

news BRIEFS

Graduation Announcements Herff Jones will be making corrections on the dates on the announements. They will be available to pick up at the end of the month by the senior doors.

SHARE/SADD celebration Invitations for the SHARE/SADD celebration are available in room 404. All chairpersons are invited and any volunteers that contributed to the projects. When: April 26 at 7 p.m. Where: SM< East cafeteria Cost: $4 per person to cover the dessert from Sheridan’s. Part of the cost will go to the SHARE program. Students must turn in their registration forms by April 21 to attend.

Multicultural Festival when: April 21 from 6-9 p.m.

what:

6:30 - A play “The Hindu and the Cowboy...and Other Kansas City Stories.” 7:30 - Guest speaker Buck O’Neil Also - Vietnamese lion dance, Brazilian martial arts axe capoiera, Filipino performing arts group (Smag Tala) and more. You can get more info at www.asia-kc.org

Mock Wreck

On April 23 all sophomores will have the opportunity to witness a mock wreck with actual police and firemen. The wreck is set up by the SADD officers and is meant to show new drivers the potential consequences of drinking and driving.

Friends of the Arts Showcase The Art Fair Showcase is a chance for all art departments to show what they have accomplished throughout the year. It will take place on April 30 at 7 p.m. Scholarships and awards will also be given out to select students.

What will be happening:

Writers’ workshop - “Cafe Noire” poetry Debate - Jewelry Sale ANHS - Fashion Show Choir - Germany music will be played 5 Minute Film winners will be shown

ay G

3 news

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t h g i Alliance a r The GSA is an alliance with goals to create better rights for gays, and stop discrimination with hopes of creating student unity

Andy Logan

In room 318 everyone is equal- they don’t worry about other peoples’ sexual preference. This is where the Gay/ Straight Alliance meets every Tuesday morning, and it doesn’t matter if students are gay or straight, the GSA is working to introduce more students to different lifestyles in the hopes of making the school a better environment for the Gay community. This group wants to educate students about the issue of homosexuality and gay rights in marriage, media, politics, and everyday life. Their influence and membership is growing amongst students. They formed this student-run activism group to create a safer and more accepting school environment towards homosexuals. The GSA is geared around the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual community, or LGBT. The group is not just for the LGBT, it is also focused on their straight allies. “To create an understanding of the problems we need representatives from both sides, the LGBT and straight students. Then, we can spread our message,” senior Julie Wu said. Currently the group is focused on the Day of Silence. April 21 is dedicated to a student-run project that asks other students to pledge a vow of silence for one day to

represent those in the LGBT community that are silenced by harassment and discrimination. The GSA is hoping to create more awareness with a greater number of participating members and demonstrators. The group hopes that through spreading the word to other students, some will find courage and try to help the cause. “All we want is for students to realize what it is like for the people who have had to stay silent in schools and in their communities about their homosexuality,” junior Patrick Ardinger said. The group wants other students to learn not to be fearful of the LGBT community, and begin to embrace the change and see what good it can do to help a movement like the Day of Silence. The subtle usage of words that can be seen all throughout the school and community have great effect on many peoples’ lives. Actions and words that used to be extremely offensive are now becoming the norm, but the GSA doesn’t approve. “When someone says something like ‘That’s so gay!’ they need to realize what type of an impact it can have on someone around them,” Ardinger said. This is not the only group like this in the country. There is a huge trend taking place in schools of activist groups like

the GSA that have a growing membership. An issue like the new gay marriage laws in Massachusetts, California, and Vermont is discussed in many of these groups. They hope that these changes in state legislature will hopefully be carried over into making a more accepting school environment. There is just a small core of students who come regularly to the meetings, but the members feel that those with opinions, who are unsure of their sexuality, or feel like there is something they can do to help should come to the meetings. “We understand that the group might not be quite as large as we would hope, but that’s only because of how our school is. We know there are students that want to come, but just don’t because it is not yet socially accepted,” Wu said. The group meets every Tuesday morning in Mr. Comstock’s room, room 318. Students are encouraged to come and see what the group is all about, to just give it a try and see if they’re comfortable. “Once people start to realize that this hurt towards the LGBT community is wrong, and students start understanding their words and actions we can then break down that wall of misunderstanding,” Wu said.

Surprise your friends and family for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, ect.

Keep our halls clean

news 4

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Fund Governing Board makes spending decisions Stephen McKim Members of the Shawnee Mission East Fund Governing Board met last Wednesday and approved a drafted proposal of a threeweek evuluatoin cycle which will approve grant requests. The board will begin granting the $120,000 next September on a quarterly basis. Each grant request will be critiqued, evaluated, approved and dispersed during the approval cycle. The process is designed to accommodate the school and allow the principal to have a degree of influence on what grant proposals are accepted. “We are letting them drive our ship,” Grant Committee chair Susan Brown said. Working through the Shawnee Mission East Educational Excellence Fund, the procedure for acquiring grant monies from the fund will include an application that will allow grant applicants to apply for grants in areas the Fund supports. The Fund focuses on four key areas of development for the school, its goal to provide monetary support for professional development, student and classroom programs, technology and supplies. By not focusing simply on a narrow subject, like performing arts and sports booster clubs do, the Fund hopes to be able to provide the greatest amount of money to benefit the largest number of people possible. “By focusing on these areas, we hope that our funds can be directed to make a bigger difference with the students,” SME Fund President Kathy Gates said. “We are

working on a friendly and easy way for into the focus, and bringing everyone along people to come together and present ideas.” in the process of doing things right, not just Bringing people together, according to going out and raising a lot of money,” Gates Gates, is the overarching goal of the Fund. said. “There is a place for all in this group.” By focusing on the process of getting people Since the Fund’s creation and despite involved with the school, not only the the broad vision of benefiting the widest money, she says, people will become more possible range of people at East, the Fund involved and invested in the education of has sparked concern with parents. their children, as well as the community. The primary concern is that the Fund will “When you engage people in conversation create inequalities between high schools in of what they expect and value in education, the same district. While the State and the you cause them to be invested in education,” District provide a baseline for education, Gates said. “It makes them think about how funds, such as the SME Fund, will allow much they value it, why they value it, and some schools to continue to have programs how they and services can make a that may We are focused on bringing evdifference.” have been To date, the eryone along in the process of do- d r o p p e d SME fund has in other ing things right, not just going out s c h o o l s raised money in two ways. within the and raising a lot of money. The first was district. --Kathy Gates a letter sent “ Those to all of the funds are students parents informing them of the fund being raised for things that are not provided and giving them the opportunity to make by the school budget. Other schools will a donation. The second way was through perhaps not be able to raise the kinds of the Feast For East, held last November at funds that will be raised for East,” former St. Ann’s Catholic Church on Mission Road. Shawnee Mission School Board President The Feast raised almost $60,000 for the Walter Hiersteiner said. “I am fearful the fund. funds will be used to give one school and Future fund raisers, including another advantage over another school.” Feast for East sometime in the fall next In addition, district support of funds year, will focus not only on raising money, such as East’s at all levels of schooling raise but promoting a “barn raising” type of concerns about the equality of educational atmosphere, where both students and opportunity at all levels of education within parents from the school can come together the school district. and become involved. “Once the district goes out there and “We are focused on bringing everyone facilitates programming in certain schools

Library easily surpasses used book sale expectations Bryan Dykman

The Library was hoping to generate $2,500 from the used book sale. When the doors closed on Saturday they had generated over $3,000, $500 over their goal. On April 9 and 10, over five thousand new and used books, tapes, videos and CDs filled over ten tables in the East Auxiliary gym. A goal was set by the used book sale committee, a group of students and staff dedicated to the planning and coordinating of the sale, of $2,500. Friday, the gym was open to the students for first pick and the staff was amazed with the outcome. “We had made over $1,200 on the first day alone,” said Kathi Knop, head librarian and coordinator of the book sale. “This total matched the amount of money we raised the first time we had this sale.” After the students had left school the used book sale committee decided to open the sale up to several used bookstores. “Prior to the sale we sent out flyers to used bookstores stating that we would have time set up for them to browse over the remaining selection. Around three or four store showed up and bought several hundred dollars worth of books,” said Knop. On the following day, Saturday, the used book sale really took off. The sale drew many bargain hunters in because of the banners advertising the sale on 75th and Mission. People were also drawn to the sale while visiting the Earth Fair. “The coordination could not have been better. The Earth Fair is all about recycling and reusing. That fits perfectly with what we are trying to do. Recycle your

used books so others can enjoy,” said Knop, After the sale the rest of the books were either donated to Shawnee Mission North’s used book sale or they were given to the Johnson County Library for their used book sale in June. This year the committee used a different strategy to gain books for their sale. They first called on donations from various used bookstores and individuals. Around twelve area used book stores donated to help the cause. These donations helped but the real boost came from the competition created by the used book sale committee. The committee created a competition that involved students bringing in used books. The English teacher that collected the most books through their students received a free cappuccino or cookie and a paperback book at the fair. Mrs. Bramley’s English class won. Now the library has over $3,000 to spend on improvements. Anything from new books to new technology is possible thanks to the students’ competitive attitude and the hardy spirit of the bargain hunter.

that other buildings can’t afford to do, they are creating inequalities that shouldn’t happen,” Advisory Board member Debbie Doud said. “Once we get to the point where the district tells parents how to enhance the curriculum not available elsewhere, [that] crosses the line.” Supporters of the SME fund feel that despite some of the apparent inequalities that the Fund might create, the Fund will allow the community to have the opportunity to support the type of high school they want, therefore creating a school that is reflective of the community. “I am a firm believer of local control and choice and decision making,” former Shawnee Mission East PTA President Janie Carper said. “Some schools might need more funding for athletics or arts. I think it is appropriate that the community is able to fund financially the needs the high school has.” By working to create a grant program the strives to benefit the whole of the school and by working to get the community to be involved, Gates hopes that in the future the Fund will serve as a way for all to benefit, both the community and in other schools. “When this fund was founded, it was [planned] to assist other schools anyway we can. It means that we want to help other schools by sharing experiences with them. There is nothing proprietary to what we are doing,” Gates said. “It is about the process, not the money, and that is essential for people to understand.”

5 editorial

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Editorial cartoon

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Sara McElhaney

Alex Abnos Dianne Smith Libby Nelson Annie Harrigan Lindsey Melvin

Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editors Art and Design Editor Head Copy Editor

Stephen McKim Copy Editors Corban Goble Carson Black Tierney Weed Stephen McKim Holly Garringer Courtney Condron Annie Fuhrman Barrett Emke Gordon Culver Amanda Allison

Photo Editor Editorial Section Editor Opinion Section Editor News Section Editor Features Section Editor A&E Section Editor Sports Section Editor Special Section Editor

Joanna Cross Ads/Business Manager Bryan Dykman Asst. Ads/Business Manager Pat Menihan Subscription Manager Stacey Golub Peter Goehausen Curtis Shank Evan Favreau Ian McFarland Cynthia Goldman Mallory Toombs Tierney Weed Ellie Weed

News Page Editor Sports Page Editors A&E Page Editors Features Page Editors Photo Essay Editor Op/Ed Page Editor

Sarah McElhaney Staff Artists Cynthia Goldman

Iraq not worth Staff editorial America’s youth We attacked for WMDs and the “imminent” threat posed by Saddam Hussein. Of course, neither proved true. But thousands are still dying for it. The truth isn’t easy, but in preserving the future of Iraq we’re ruining another American generation. Of the recent 15,000 troops that were supposed to come home, not even one was granted the journey back. Recently, resurrecting the draft has been a hot topic among politicians, and who can blame them? There have been over 650 American deaths as a result of the war, more than 80 since April 1 alone. In comparison, we lost 104 troops in Afghanistan. But to completely abandon Iraq as they build up their fledgling government would be irresponsible. President Bush says that we’ll be in Iraq “As long as it takes,” and it’s easy to say that it’s going take a long time. Truth be told, as difficult as it may be, if we plan on keeping troops in Iraq, even after the proposed June 31 deadline of handing control over to the new Iraqi government, we’re going to need to keep a massive amount of U.S. troops in Iraq to avoid anarchy.

Editorial Board Vote Votes For:

Votes Against:

There are ten members on • the Editorial Board. For this

issue, two members abstained and three members were not present. But is it worth a draft? No. As important as Iraq’s stability may be, it’s none of our business and we shouldn’t waste a generation of Americans on it. But with most of our troops fighting in Iraq for over a year now, unless there is a major surge in army enlistment, a draft may be the only resort. But there is one other option. All of Bush’s failings with Iraq seem even more pathetic when he could just give responsibility to the U.N. Ever since that “Mission Accomplished” banner fiasco, the U.N. has requested to be given authority over

the reconstruction in Iraq. Bush says no. Unfortunately, that’s all there is to it. There’s no justifiable reason to saying no to the U.N. If America accepted the U.N.’s generous proposal, many nations would send more troops into the war, giving America the opportunity of bringing tens of thousands of exhausted soldiers home, and with a larger force in Iraq, their government could have a better chance of surviving it’s crucial first years. So one may ask the justified question, “Why won’t Bush let the U.N. into Iraq?” It’s because we have a president who “doesn’t listen to polls.” So all of the protesting going on over the entire world has been lost in the oblivious mind of George Walker Bush. How do we get him to listen then? Vote. It’s a right that thousands have died for in the past all over the world, and yet it seems like a waste of time to our nation’s youth. Teenagers are always criticizing Bush, but few think to vote. But now there is a reason to vote that will seriously affect every teenager in America. The chances of a draft are far from slim, and the second Bush sees so fit, a draft will be in effect.

Jessie Fetterling Staff Photographers Nicole Oswald Joanna Cross Kevin Grunwald Pat Menihan Jessie Fetterling Staff Writers Ross Boomer Andy Logan Pat Ryan Patrick Haverty Michael Woodsmall Dow Tate Adviser A Publication of Shawnee Mission East 7500 Mission Road, Prairie Vilage, KS 66208 Phone: (913).993.6688

Editorial Briefs Bond Issue The school will finally get badly needed money to improve the campus and help students.

Earth Day The Fair brought the community together and gave people a better awareness of ways to help preserve the environment.

Martha Stewart Her punishment is far more severe than a punishment for perjury.

FBI Online Monitoring By trying to gain permission to monitor all emails and online messaging, the FBI will breach personal privacy and become “Big Brother.”

opinion 6

Battle for the better computer Ian McFarland

Macintosh vs. PC: the good, the bad, and the controversial

Patrick Ryan

In my own words

For most of my life, I have been ridiculed for my belief. I try to defend myself, but there are simply too many people to argue with to make any headway. I can never give up the good fight because I know I am right. Macintosh computers are superior to any other product on the market. Something no one can deny is that Apple dominates any PC company in terms of design. Ever notice how any computers in TV or movies is a Mac? It’s because they look so friggin’ cool! I challenge you to look at a Mac and a Compaq and compare them; there’s no contest. They had the guts to break the beige bandwagon and introduce the iMac in 1998, and no one could get enough of them. And ever since then, they’ve upped the visual ante by utilizing smooth silvers and even titanium the G4 PowerMac Cube, the G5 PowerMac, and a little diddy called the iPod. Apple has made a couple of landmarks in regards to music. Every Mac comes with iTunes preinstalled, the greatest music organizer you can find on a computer. And then there’s the iPod MP3 player and online iTunes Music Store, probably “Apple owns any PC the greatest things to happen to the music industry since the Compact Disc. When MP3 company in terms players first came out, they were large, bulky and could only carry a few hours of music. of design.” The first iPod, Apple’s MP3 player, could carry 1,000 songs. I’ve been buying CDs for five years, and I estimate I only have around half “Made landmarks of that capacity. Last year Apple introduced in regard to music”: the iTunes Music Store that, in a world of failed online music retailers, managed to make legally iPod and iTunes downloading music online as easy as clicking on a song. Seconds later, it’s downloaded onto your computer for a measly 99 cents a song, $10 an album. Another reason I love Macintosh is Lacks good Microsoft. In most regards, Microsoft is just inexcusable, both in their business ethics software and their software. They’re monopolizing the computer industry, forcing everyone to “...Sprinkled put their software on their computer, with no opposition because Microsoft owns so much with Microsoft of the market share that barely anyone will buy programs.” their computers. Even the company’s founder and CEO Bill Gates is a dirty rotten scoundrel. He worked at Apple in the 70’s, stole Apple’s “Sluggish perforideas, and formed Microsoft. I’ll admit that I like Microsoft Word, and I hear Microsoft’s Xmance and freBox Live is a lot of fun, but these are the only quent crashes” bright spots I can find in a corporation full of dirty executives and dirty money. The only ground on which Mac falls flat is software. You will never find a gamer who uses a Mac for his games. But with so many great games out on the PlayStation 2, GameCube, X-Box, and Game Boy Advance, you have little of the last 15 need for a PC. Especially with popular PC titles like Doom, EverQuest, and Baldur’s Gate quarters have coming to the aforementioned systems. been profitable I can’t imagine ever buying anything that isn’t a Mac. It’s not just that they look cool, it’s not just that I want to be rebellious, it’s because they’re just better computers. If you ever find the year that me buying a PC, please take me to the nearest asylum because I have obviously gone mad. Apple sold

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Bill Gates is a mole. He tunnels around the grounds of today’s computer industry and quickly pokes his head through all the major areas of the business to stake his claim. Quite frankly, his monopolistic genius has propelled him atop the modern business world. Gates, the founder and creator of the Windows interface, is responsible for components such as Internet Explorer and the X-Box. Windows is run on 85 % of today’s computers. What started simply as an operating system is now a multifaceted mega-giant with hardly any competition. That is, except for the lowly Macintosh. While some of the new Mac products like the iPod are breathing new life into the Apple line, they hardly make a dent on the Microsoft machine. T h e computer I am typing on right now in the Harbinger room is unfortunately a Mac, and from my experience, is extremely inferior to the PC. Its sluggish performance and frequent crashes drive me crazy. It’s not uncommon to wait for two minutes or more for some of the programs to load. How could someone argue that Microsoft Word Apple offers better products when the is a top word Harbinger computers are sprinkled with Microsoft programs like Word and Excel? processing Specific software we used to use has been replaced by Microsoft programs like Word and Internet Explorer (modified to fit the operating system). The Macintosh line is a failure. Look at all the local computer stores in the area and notice how they seem to carry exclusively PC software. Windows is the universal operating system of all of today’s major software. There are always exceptions, and while some may argue that Mac has better software “They’re monopolizing than Microsoft, the numbers still weigh the computer heavily in Microsoft’s favor. According to MSN Money, Microsoft has made $276 industry.” billion in the last 12 months while Mac has made only $10.1 billion. Microsoft’s Market Lack legal music Capita is a whopping 27 times bigger than Apple’s. progamming The one thing Mac has going for it is its sleek designs. But appearance alone does not warrant superiority. Neither do neat Bad and over toys, like the iPod. The Mac-PC rivalry could be compared complicated services to, say, the difference between the Royals and the Yankees. While the Royals are the trendy pick with lots of potential and young talent, the Yankees get 5 times the salary cap and therefore five times the talent. The Yanks not only have great players, they have the stats to back them up (26 world series Microsoft compared to Kansas City’s 1). Microsoft actually has 5.5 times the employees that to Apple Macintosh has. Dividing Capita by number employee of employees results in each Apple employee being worth $1 million while each Microsoft ratio employee would be approximately $5 million. I say power in numbers. Microsoft the number of has the money, experience, and tactical wit, stay on top of the computer industry for times bigger that to years to come.

Fighting Remarks MAC

PROS

“Has hardly any competition.”

CONS

OTHER STATS

14 ‘01

800,000 iMacs

5 :1 1/2

Microsoft’s capita is to Apple

7 ads

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d n u o e r a l l A th

features

WORLD

Annie Fuhrman Differences are an important part of every culture, and on Wednesday April 21, students, dancers, parents, and community members celebrate differences with the SM East Multicultural festival. The event will include ethnic dance numbers, a special guest speaker, and any ethnic dishes that people would like to bring. “[The multicultural festival] is definitely important at East, especially at East, because we live in an almost segregated bubble,” senior Julie Wu, the coordinator of the festival, said. “It is important for kids to experience other cultures, to be aware of them. It widens scope.” The festival will include many performances, including a KU sorority step and rhythm dance group, a Vietnamese Line dancing group, the Philippine Association of greater Kansas City, and more. The groups will be performing dances that represent different cultures. A new event will be a play that is being performed for the first time on the night of the festival, put on by the Mosaic Life stories. They will be performing the play “The Hindu and the art by Annie Harrigan

Come and see -Vietnamese line dancers -Phillipino Association of Kansas City -KU Step and Rhythm dancers -East Indian dancers -Axe Capoeira, a Brazilian martial arts group -former Kansas City Monarchs player Buck O’Neil

April 21, 6:00-9:00 p.m. SM East gymnasium Cowboy and Other KC Stories.” The play is targeted at younger audiences using the fine arts to link current and historical events together making it easy to understand. “The play has never been performed before, and I’m really excited,” Wu said. “The play takes issues and makes them easy to understand.” Baseball legend Buck O’Neil will be the focus speaker. He has played on nine championship baseball teams, becoming the first African American major league coach, and becoming a well known ambassador in the baseball community. Junior Cristin Weekley is one student celebrating a different culture at this year’s festival. She is a performer in the Brazilian martial art, Axe Capoeira. The art is a combination of traditional martial arts and dance coupled with drumming and singing. “I read about it in the Parade magazine last year and I thought it sounded fun, so I went,” Weekley said. The classes take place at the Prairie Life Center.

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We e k l e y has gone on to perform in shows, and even spent time in Toronto at a workshop where she received her next belt. One thing the group will be performing at the festival is a dance involving sticks called maculele. With drums and the sticks, the performers “play” in a dance that looks like fighting back and forth between the two players. Weekley and her group of fellow performers look forward to sharing their talents with the other performers at the festival.

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9 features

walking a thin line

between decent and inappropriate

skin. Whenever the administration clearly bans one item ‘oh, I can’t wear that at school’. But it’s not a real problem,” The dress policy’s wording is (i.e. “spaghetti straps, plunging necklines, halter tops…”) she said. shadowed in gray language and something else takes its place, or students find a way If you have to second-guess whether something is undefined guidelines. Very few rules are precisely worded around it. appropriate or not, it’s probably not. As long as and set in stone; almost anything that requires disciplinary “It’s a constant balancing act of your clothes don’t disrupt the classroom and are action also requires what’s appropriate and what’s not,” “conducive to learning” you should be fine. an administrator’s Dr. Mersch said. “There’s always “It’s all construed on what’s disruptive.” Dr. interpretation of the something new around the corner.” Mersch said. rule and situation. The developing and changing “Conducive to learning”, fashion industry is one reason the “make the necessary administration prefers to leave changes”, “prescribe the its options for disciplinary action “Clothing with vulgar, indecent, appropriate disciplinary open ended, instead of exact. Rules obscene or insulting messages/ action” are all dealing with such a diverse area generalizations, stated as fashion must be adaptable and images are strictly prohibited. in the planner, that interpretable, since every student Clothing that promotes or encourallow the administration in the building could be wearing ages behavior such as smoking, to interpret the rule and something different, every day of drinking, drug use, or physical viuse it in changing times the week. olence, use of illegal substance or and fashion. “There is never a clear line of photos by Carson Black A dress policy, not right and wrong,” Mersch said. which promotes illegal activities is to be confused with a Most teachers and administrators prefer to not have prohibited. Outdoor clothing such dress code, has been in to deal with students violating the dress policy. Dr. as headgear, sunglasses, gloves, place for a long time, Mersch said that there were many “[…] more important coats, etc., is to be removed upon and students have things to deal with […]” than the dress code, and that he always walked the thin deals with problems as they arise. He suggested that entering the building and stored in line between attractive no one is searching for violators of the dress policy but lockers or other designated areas and indecent. From VIOLATIONS: More skin, happen to ‘run into’ offenders. provided by the school.” the long shaggy hair of and shirts adverting alcohol Students don’t have much of a problem with the Dress Policy: SME Planner the 70’s, “Big Johnson” are becoming more common policy either. Senior Laura Wilkerson said that the only t-shirts in the 80’s, drug time she ever thinks about the dress policy is when she and alcohol t-shirts in the 90’s, and now a little too much goes shopping. “I just look at skirts and shirts and think,

Carson Black

What the dress code really says.

Focus

y e n

bove verage

According to the U.S Census Bureau, Prairie Village and Mission Hills soar above the typical average income levels of most cities in Kansas. The average income in Kansas is

$27,374 The average income per household in Prairie Village is

$58,849 The average income per household in Mission Hills is

$179,560

o M

art by Annie Harrigan

Forward• •Thinking

y parents always told me not to be discouraged Cay Fogel by the fact that my clothes were never name brand. They told me that there would always be those people in my classes who wore the Abercrombie and the Express, and had huge diamonds dangling from their ears. They told me that some of them might even try to act like they were better than me because of it, but that it didn’t matter. This is why, when I left my little private middle school (where we all wore uniforms) and came to a huge public high school, I was very surprised and pleased to realize that my parents were wrong. Yes, students do wear expensive clothes and nice jewelry, but I‘ve never felt inferior because I don’t, and I’ve never felt like anyone thought I was. We’ve all been told at one point that money matters. The government even tries to say that students would get along better if no one could really tell who had more money then who. And you’d think that at Shawnee Mission East, in one of the richest school districts in Kansas, that fact would be truer than ever. It’s not. All schools have cliques, and they often have to do with financial status, but SM East seems to have risen above that. When asked about our school’s cliques, I

CaS hing In

can never find anything to say. There are so many of us, so packed together, with such varying degrees of wealth that it all seems to just mix together to form our school. You can walk down the fourth floor halls and not even know from person to person who has more money than whom. People wear ratty, torn up clothes because it’s fashionable, or because they like it, despite the fact that they can afford the best of the best. Students interact with each other and bridge huge economic gaps with their friendships without even thinking about it. It’s obvious that there must be some exceptions, just from knowing the odds. But overall, beating up on the poorer kids and idolizing the richer ones seems to have gone completely out of style, if it ever was “in,” as our parents and authorities seem to express. Your social status as a goth, a prep, a punk, or otherwise is mostly reliant on choice, personality, attitude and preference. Also, when people try to tell me otherwise I get a little offended. I feel like it is patronizing and belittling to try and tell me and people my age that because I’m young, material goods are all I can perceive, and I must make my choices on that basis. I don’t know anyone else who wouldn’t be offended by that attitude. Teenagers on the whole are smarter than that. This gives me hope. Maybe we’ll all grow up this way. The fact is that profiling people basically by their stock holdings is wrong. Thankfully, I don’t have to tell you that.

E t

80% of students have their cars paid

by their parents Students cash in their hard-earned work hours while relying on parents for the big 12% of students pay for half of their c 2% of students pay for the entire car ticket items.

on the

College

CASH

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Looking for ways to cut the cost of college? Here are some scholarships you might not know about. The Chevrolet/Michelle Kwan R.E.W.A.R.D.S Scholarship Program:

Mind

East students deal with the economic and social sides of money

Recognizes 10 outstanding female high school students who are involved in athletics. They must have a GPA of 3.2 or higher, have demonstrated both academic and athletic excellence, and must intend to enroll in an accredited two or four year college where they plan to continue with athletics.The total scholarship is a $5,000 award payable over four years. For more information, visit scholarshipinfo@gmsac.com.

Birch Telecom Competition Rocks! Scholarship & Essay Contest:

This contest is open to all seniors who with a permanent residence in the states that Birch Telecom serves, which includes Kansas. The student must have also received their ACT or SAT scores. The theme each year of the essay is how competition is good for the economy and how it benefits every company involved, whether big or small. Total scholarships equal $25,000 with individual prizes equaling $500 up to $25,000. For more information, visit http://www.birch.com/scholarship

Donna Reed Perfoming Arts Scholarship: Must be a senior involved in acting, theatre, musical, or vocal activities. Scholarships are up to $4,000. You must register and apply online. For more information, visit www.donnareed.org

Sons of the American Revolution Eagle Scout Recognition: Any young man who has earned the rank of Eagle Scout is eligible for this award which could provide you with up to $8000 in funding for college. Talk to your scout master for more details.

Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarship:

Any current high school junior who is enrolled in a US high school and maintains a 2.75 GPA for 9th and 10th grades. They must also demonstrate accomplishements in Special Talents, Leadership, Community Service and have faced a significant roadblock or challenge. For more information, visit http://www.discovercard.com/tribute.htm

East kids think they’re better because they have money. They’re not. -North student Does our financial status

as a school effect others’ opinions of us? I think East has both levels: poor and rich. They just have gotten a bad rap. -South student

for

85% of students pay for weekend activities car 15% of students have parents themselves pay for activities

Their school as a whole seems snobby. -Northwest student

Their school spirit comes off as arrogance. -West student

75% of students’ parents pay for college 25% of students pay for their own college

features 12

Radio Days Soren Petro is a geek. A self-proclaimed dork. Always has been. To do Petro’s job, one has to be a sportsloving, interview seeking, game attending aficionado. Whether it’s being packed in with a mob of journalists in a dank stadium basement, or trailing a 300 pound lineman for a sound byte, Petro loves his job as Sports radio talk-host. His journey from young Petro, East student in the late ‘80s, to present Petro, day-time talk host, is an interesting one. “I wasn’t exactly Joe Cool in high school,” Petro says, reflecting on his years at East. Petro was focused on the next step; he began looking at colleges sophomore year. But there was one thing that separated Soren from the next person— a devotion to sports. “I was always into sports a lot more than everyone else, and not necessarily from a playing level,” Petro said. “I was always studying the records.” Petro roamed the halls of East from 1985-1989, grilling his friends, sporting his numerous opinions from George Brett to the Blue Devils. He was devoted to sports numbers like a Chevyenthusiast is devoted to Corvette makes. But when Petro first started examining colleges and majors, he had two in mind: engineering at Purdue or broadcasting at Syracuse. When Petro realized he could turn his favorite hobby into a profession, he followed that ambition, all the way to New York and Syracuse, where Petro blossomed. The interest in research had always been there for Petro, digging up archaic averages and long-slumbering scoring figures. But during his four years at Syracuse, Petro grew into the person he is today. “You grow the most when you get out on your own,” Petro said. “The great time for me

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East Alumn lives out dream job as Sports announcer for AM radio PETRO’S PREDICTIONS

Corban Goble

ON THE AIR: Petro running the show on his 11 to 2 sports talk radio. was college. If I’m going to sit back and tell ‘oh, remember when…’ stories, it’ll be about college.” Petro still stays close with his college buddies, but when he graduated in ‘93, he moved back home, back where college and professional sports rule the plains, interning at 1510 KCTE. He started out in sales, a job he calls “horrible.” But then the opportunity finally arose, and Petro was able to appear in guest spots on sports-talk shows, eventually becoming a co-host with then-notorious talk host Pete Enich. After venturing west to Las Vegas for a few years, Petro returned to Kansas City in 1999. Now Petro holds down the 11 A.M.-2 P.M. spot on 810 AM, after years of service for 980 AM, then the sports-talk

powerhouse. Petro still sticks to his M.O.—“You gotta be a dork to do what I do,” he says. Petro is a sports-loving machine, who participates in fantasy leagues, can rattle of the ’89 MLB league leaders in practically every category, and talks about sports—among other things—for a living. Today on his show, “The Program,” he raps about Royals LHP Jeremy Affeldt. Petro does not classify Affeldt as a number one starter; he asks producer Doug Stewart how long until he will be in the pen. He mentions that minors prodigy Zach Greinke may supplant him in the rotation. Petro has been talking about the Royals for thirty minutes so far. He is fifteen minutes away from

Royals: “What I said on the show was 87 wins, second to the Minnesota Twins. Beltran will have 30 homers and steal 50 bases.” NBA Playoffs: “It’s wide open. I’m a Laker fan, so I’m gonna say the Lakers. But it’ll be either the Lakers, Sacramento, or Minnesota. I’m gonna be different and pick T-Wolves and Pistons in the finals.” Chiefs: “10-6, will make the playoffs. They will draft a Wide Receiver or a Defensive Tackle early in the draft.” Jayhawks: “Looking at two prospects, Malik Hairston and a 6’7’’ shooter from New Jersey (Alex Galindo). They will be the team to beat next year in the Big 12.”

hosting another hour-long show, Royals on Deck with Jeff Montgomery. This is a microcosm of Petro’s crowded spring. This season, Petro will attend between 60 and 70 Royals games. He will hear his fair share of clichés and broken English. But he doesn’t care. Petro found his passion early on—and years later, he is living a dream he’s had since high school.

FREEFALLING Five senior boys take the trip of a lifetime when they spend a weekend skydiving

Senior Taz Carper wasn’t scared until he saw his friend Jack Morse sucked out of the plane like a pancake. It was the weekend before Senior Skip Day and five seniors wanted to make it a weekend to remember. Carper, along with Chris Westphal, Cooper Gilbert, Stan Tanner, and Jack Morse drove east for an hour to Lexington, Missouri to experiment with the extreme sport of skydiving. Gilbert was the one who gave birth to the idea. He researched the local companies in the skydiving industry and found Missouri River Valley Skydiving to be the one with the “lowest casualty rate.” When they finally arrived at the site, they were greeted by a sprawling field and a single building in which they signed eight legal forms covering the liabilities. Each senior then paid a lofty $155 fee and watched a 45-minute video of legal jargon and parachute instructions. The video was followed by a training session out in the field where they learned how to perform basic skydiving skills like body-arching and plane jumping. After the students were deemed competent enough to jump, they were brought up in Cessenas, tiny planes meant for holding two or three people. Each skydiver was required to ride “tandem,” or strapped to a professional who would control the parachute. That policy dissolves after seven skydiving sessions, in which the skydiver is experienced

Pat Ryan

enough to go solo. As the plane climbed higher, Carper would occasionally glance down at the ground as it seemed to shrink more and more. When they reached the elevation of 10,000 feet, they began preparations for their terrifying jump. “The scariest part is when they open the door,” Carper said. “Because this horrifying breach of air enters the cockpit, and it’s really loud.” Morse, being the first to go, sat in the prepared position with his legs dangling out of the plane. Carper felt the knot in his stomach tighten as WHEW!: The five seniors pose after the unforgettable Morse’s legs were whipped furiously by the 120 photo courtesy of Cooper Gilbert mph wind. The instructor strapped to Morse’s experience of skydiving. pulled the plug, the parachute came out, and back gave a hefty push and they zipped out of the plane, right before Carper’s terrified eyes. When his turn the couple slowly descended to the ground. When Carper finally landed, he felt like he had conquered finally came, he held his breath as he was strapped to the something… something that he could tell people about. instructor. He scooted his legs out of the plane as far as they “You can’t even describe the feeling,” said Carper. would go and felt the air suck them out with an incredible Skydiving, which Westphal views as “the greatest [outer intensity. His instructor then yelled, “Ready, Steady… GO!” body experience] that you could possible have,” was an and they flew off the plane and began their freefall. For the first ten seconds of the 30 second freefall, Carper was incredible experience that each of the five seniors loved in shock, but soon felt the intense pleasure of the wind and will always remember as their moment of true freedom. on his body, which the seniors dubbed an “airgasm.” “You basically feel like you’re on top of the world,” Carper said. After 30 seconds, the instructor

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Swimming

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with the

BIG BOYS Adult Swim is the best comedy on TV

Evan Favreau In my own words

The Flintstones. Tom & Jerry. Looney Tunes. While these cartoons may still amuse kids, their older brothers and sisters are rarely entertained by them. But now a new breed of comedic cartoons have been born through Adult Swim. The types of cartoons that Adult Swim has publicized and made popular represent the best way to create comedy on

television. Adult Swim, which airs at nights on Cartoon Network, shows comedic cartoons and action-oriented anime. However, Adult Swim owes its success to the animated shows. Some of these are syndicated, like Family Guy or Space Ghost: Coast to Coast. Some of the originals borrow characters from older cartoons, but the comedy and the ideas are totally original. These shows owe some credit to their ancestors, namely The Simpsons and South Park. The success of these cartoons and their wide appeal helped fuel the creation of today’s most popular cartoons. But Adult Swim has surpassed these shows and is even superior to today’s or yesterday’s sitcoms. These shows are better because with animation, so much more is possible from a creative and visual

standpoint. Take Adult Swim’s satiric remake Sealab 2021. Based on an old and laughable bad adventure cartoon Sealab 2020, its cast is made up of an overly stupid crew aboard an underwater base. On any given day they will contemplate the possibility of putting their brain in a robot body or discover the horrors of a disruption in the space time continuum. It sounds weird, but it’s funny. And you will never ever see this stuff on your everyday sitcom. This show is one of many that demonstrates the possibility these animated comedies have. And, thankfully, viewers have caught on. The success of Adult Swim is easily seen with the remarkable history of Family Guy. The show, which premiered to good ratings after the Super Bowl in 1999, lasted three seasons on Fox after a decline in viewers. Adult Swim started airing the syndicated episodes of Family Guy last year and it quickly became their most popular show after attracting new and old viewers. After being the number one selling television show on DVD last year, Family Guy went back into production of new episodes, the first of which are scheduled to air in early 2005. The re-birth of Family Guy only solidifies Adult ’s superiority when it comes to comedy. Granted, Swim’s some live-action sitcoms are just as funny, namely Arrested Development and Curb Your Enthusiasm. But for healthy doses of original hilarity, Adult Swim is the place to be.

THE USUAL SUSPECTS: Space Ghost and ‘Sealab 2021’ crew members Debbie and Murphy

Good Luck Spring Sports Robert L. Smart Jr. ABR Senior Sales Executive Chairman’s Circle 7200 College Blvd. Overland Park, KS 66210 Office: 913-451-6660 Fax: 913-381-5029

CRIMINAL: Peter of ‘Family Guy’ fame

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‘Going’ into familiar territory Jennifer Garner makes unoriginal ‘13 Going on 30’ sparkle falls off, but the enthusiasm she left in the beginning of the movie leaves enough of a mark that it’s forgivable. Andy Serkis, who you may All right, I admit it. I liked 13 going on 30. not recognize but supplied the voice of Gollum in Yes, the movie where the little girl wants to be all The Lord of the Rings also charms the audience grown up and wakes up a successful 30 year-old and yields the biggest laugh as the quirky editorfashion magazine editor. Me, the guy who thinks in-chief of Jenna’s magazine “Poise.” And Mark it doesn’t get any better than The Matrix, liked a Ruffalo claims the part of the love interest easily chick flick. But I’m not ashamed of it, because with his charm. it’s sharp, funny, and The cinematography is just made better than just right, appropriately filling this about any other teenage lighthearted girls-night-out of girl comedy. a movie with bright and fluffy ‘13 Going on 30’ 13 finds itself colors, especially purple. It somewhere in between feels like an Easter egg hunt. Big and The Princess The last act of the movie is Diaries. The pubescent devoted to the romance aspect Staring: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo Directed by: Gary Winick nerd tries to become of the movie completely. It popular and ends up losing was well done, but it also The Best: The entusiastic acting her friends in the process, felt like the same thing they The Worst: You’ve seen it before only to become popular and throw into every other movie realize she was better off released in this genre. I’d In Theaters: This Friday before. Of course, you’ll find have rather seen more of the cold-hearted popular Jenna getting used to being girl, the sweet guy whom you don’t realize you not only an adult but of being a citizen in the 21st love until his wedding: the dream-come-true century. scenario sensation. In other words, you’re not But then again, maybe I’m not the right going to see anything new here. But the actors person to review this movie. It was tailor made are into their characters enough that they keep for girls, and in the end, very few guys will even your attention, and in trying not to be great the see it. I only saw one in the packed theater. But movie is all the better. there is enough in this movie that will entertain Jennifer Garner bubbles as Jenna Rink, the most guys, even if they don’t admit it. confused child stuck in a grown-up’s body. As the third act begins, there’s nothing interesting happening to her and interest in her character

Ian McFarland

Movie Review

GOING PLACES: Jennifer Garner in ‘13 Going on 30’

You might remember ‘The Alamo’ But even if you don’t, at least it’s nice to look at Evan Favreau

The Alamo is kind of like a crushed candy bar inside your backpack. The contents of the shiny, nicelooking wrapper are all screwed up but still enjoyable. The same applies for this film: everything looks great and you still end up having an enjoyable experience, but some flaws underneath the surface prevent a truly great film. After being delayed four months from last Christmas, The Alamo is here. Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Dennis Quaid and Jason Patric, the film tells the story of the little-fort-thatcouldn’t in southern Texas. It’s hard to screw up this story, but unfortunately they decided to add on a little bit to it that didn’t seem to fit. The biggest problem with this

film, however, is the acting. There are a few good performances, mainly coming from Billy Bob Thornton as Davy Crockett. He gives the character enough energy to live up to the legend, but also enough emotion to make him seem human.

Movie Review Unfortunately all the other actors either over-act or under-act. This is especially true for Dennis Quaid. The whole movie he walks around with his face scrunched up in a scowl. There is absolutely no development in his character. On the opposite end, there is a lot of forced-feeling development between two other characters. These factors drastically detract from the movie. The technical aspects of this film are, for the most part, outstanding.

The cinematography is comparable to The Lord of the Rings. You have to appreciate the fact that they built a full-size replica of the fort, resulting in breathtaking authenticity. The battles, while somewhat sparse except for the big battle towards the end, are filmed very well. One segment that follows a cannonball shot not only gives you a unique view, but it also gives a great shot of the battlefield. The sound effects in this film are superior. In most movies you never notice them, but the battle sounds in this movie jump out at you. This also adds to the overall authenticity of the movie. With a great look but some lackluster insides, The Alamo is not nearly as good as it could have been. But if the movie sounds like your type of thing, go ahead and see it. Just make sure the candy bar you bring isn’t smashed.

WE WERE SOLDIERS: Dennis Quaid plays Sam Houston in ‘The Alamo’

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Let’s hear it for the ‘Girls’ Tina Fey’s debut in film is a great one with ‘Mean Girls’ Ian McFarland

REBEL: Lindsay Lohan plays Cady Heron, the new kid who aims to take down Regina and the rest of the popular click in ‘Mean Girls’

Lindsay Lohan may seem like part of a new generation of talentless teenage actresses, but don’t dismiss Mean Girls just for that, because it’s the best thing she’s ever done, and not just because her previous movies have sucked. Mean Girls seems like just another Lindsay Lohan (Freaky Friday, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen) flick– new girl in high school wants to be popular and, to her surprise, does, but in the process becomes a ‘Mean Girl.’ But less than a minute into the movie, the film separates itself from the actress’s résumé with wild humor that appeals to everyone– not that stuff you see on Lizzie McGuire and ask yourself “Is that supposed to be funny, or are they trying to be stupid?” The star of this movie is Tina Fey’s sharp script. Fey, who is the head writer of Saturday Night Live and co-anchors

the show’s weekly segment “Weekend Update”. You’ll notice parallels between the quirks of “Weekend Update” dozens of times throughout the film. It’s Fey’s writing that makes this not just a movie for girls, and not even just a movie for teenagers, but a movie for anyone who has ever felt picked on. Lohan does a decent a job at playing Cady Heron, but you can tell she never really tries to do very much for the character. That’s okay because her hilarious Saturday Night Live costars and alum fill the void. Fey, in addition to writing the movie, has a small part of the film, playing the Calculus teacher Ms. Norris who has something witty to say every scene she’s in. Amy Poehler plays Regina’s mom, who worships Regina even more then her friends. But the most funny actor in the movie is Tim Meadows as the school principal Mr. Duvall. He delivers most of the hilarious lines in the movie, with his character’s Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Something that may interest East

students is that this movie was based on “Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends and Other Realities of Adolescence” by Margaret Talbot, a.k.a. ‘The Raft Lady.’ It seems particularly obvious of her involvement when the girls are aggregated and talk about girls bullying other girls and how bad it feels. It’s these moments though, that hamper the movie’s humor, and the film’s worse off with these segments. It’s these “share the pain” moments that keep Mean Girls from being a great comedy, but considering what this movie could have been if put in the wrong hands, Mean Girls is by all means a triumph.

‘Mean Girls’ opens on April 30

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Bulldogging his way to Yale SM East football player to test his skill at the next level

Curtis Shank Michael Duvall is not your typical jock. Sure, he’s going to play college football at the Division 1 level, but typical jocks at that level are able to slide through their college career taking classes like underwater basket weaving. Michael Duvall is different. He’s going to Yale. Most people would quake under the pressure of juggling three-hour football practices and the academic work required of a top-level Ivy League school, but Duvall is unfazed. “I think it will be a step up in work for sure,” he said. “But I’ve taken some of the hardest classes at East and played sports every season, so I think it will be the perfect mix.”

John Stonner, his football coach for four years, agrees that Duvall will have no problems adjusting to the work load. “Michael’s one of the most hard working kids I’ve ever been around,” Stonner says. “He’s doing something I could never dream of doing, and he will do it without any problem.” Duvall’s road to Yale started in the fall, when he sent out his playing tapes to several schools. “I got responses from five or six schools, but Yale was really where I’d always wanted to go,” he said. “I visited there and met the coaches and some of the guys on the team, and that solidified my decision.” Duvall is not quite ready for college football though. “I have to gain 25 pounds this summer,”

he said. “I saw some of the other guys on the team and they’re just huge. I’ve been hitting the weights really hard and I’m eating almost nothing but protein.” “Hitting the weights heavily” means over two hours in the weight room on some days. As a tight end, Duvall needs to be able to block linemen upwards of 300 pounds-something he will have trouble doing at his current weight and strength levels. Duvall’s focus at Yale, however, will be on academics. “I think football will be a college thing only,” he said. “I’m really interested in business and that’s probably what I’ll do after I get out of school.”

Michael Duvall College- Yale Position- TE, DE 2003 Stats

Recs.- 26 TDs- 2

Yards- 440 Avg.- 19.92

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Lacrosse team shoots for success Andy Logan

junior Robbie Lee said. Lacrosse was first played by Native Americans, and in the past few years it became popular at Eastern colleges. Just recently the game has become popular among high school students throughout the U.S. as a club and intramural sport. The game is played with 11 players, and the field is set up much like hockey. It’s all about control. Every player runs while cradling the ball, holding the ball in the crosse, or stick, and spinning the stick. They then pass the ball to other teammates upfield while trying to score goals. “You really have to be aware while you’re playing because you can get hit at any time. It’s actually a full contact sport, and you can only wear thin pads. It’s so fast paced that you might be cradling the ball and all of the sudden, out of nowhere someone might come and steal it from you. It can get intense,” Nye said. The team plays its games on Mondays and Thursdays at Blackbob Park, and this Thursday they play Olathe East. The team currently holds a record of 1-0, but this is misleading because it came as a forfeit last Thursday. The practices normally take place Monday through Wednesday at 5 pm at 99th and Mission, behind the church. Players are still welcomed and encouraged to come out and play if they are interested. “The team is still growing, and if there’s the same sort of improvement as this year

photo by Patrick Menihan

With a new team, a fresh season, and strong expectations for the future, the lacrosse team is making great strides and is becoming a popular activity. The team was started in December with few expectations, and now has over twenty members. “We started this team with just a few players going out and learning, and hoping to stay in shape and have fun. And it has now turned into something really fun that a lot of kids are getting better at,” sophomore Brent Nye said. The team has been practicing since January, and its numbers are still growing. While many of the players are rookies to the sport, the team is improving weekly. They practice three times a week at 99th and Mission Rd. for usually about two hours, but these aren’t like most practices. “The team goes out and basically just tries to learn. We just start with the fundamentals and try to improve week by week. It’s actually a lot of fun and really relaxed,” Nye said. The players are encouraged to learn at their own pace, and it’s a very loose environment. Everything is not as structured as a school sport. Many kids don’t always come to the practices, but there is always a strong turnout for the games. The system has proved itself with

a core of about ten players really improving and learning the game. The team is mostly comprised of first-time players, but a few have played on teams in earlier years. One player, freshman Ricky Stern, has been playing for two years, first at Pembroke Hill, and now here at East. He got his start by playing hockey. Stern describes his two experiences at East and at Pembroke as vastly different, but both positive. “I really like playing here. The East team is much friendlier, and it allows us to really become a team, while at Pembroke it was a much more intense experience,” Stern said. The team’s coach Chris Torline plays in adult leagues around the city, and has set up a welcoming environment where many first year players, and those with experience, know they can get better. Everyone is learning together and picking up quickly. The system is very self-motivated. Many of the players have watched Torline demonstrate the moves and fundamentals, and they try to emulate the play on their own and together in groups at practice. “Our normal practice starts with stretching, and then we go into dribbling and fundamentals. Then, we throw around the ball to work on our passing, and we set up the plays and field. Just with that we make great progress in learning the game,”

CROSSED UP: Two midlfielders grapple for the ball during a recent practice. I’m sure there could be a team next year. I have thoroughly enjoyed it, and there’s a lot of potential. We’ll be great if this keeps up,” Lee said.

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Why is the lion dancing? ��

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Stepping Up to the

Pl te

photo by Kevin Grunwald

Peter Goehausen

In May 1995 seniors were enjoying the third grade life. Juniors Tyler Rzepka and Jeff Winters were palling together as second graders at Brookwood. Varsity baseball coach John Stonner was coaching at Center High School. And the Lancer baseball team was enjoying its second state title. In May 2004 the team hopes to repeat history and win a third state title. “Though six wins to the state championship is a big jump,” Stonner said. “This would be our group to do it.” This season the team will be the most experienced

DELIVERING THE HEAT: Senior Brett Harrop throws the heat against Olathe South it has been for years with eleven seniors and two juniors. “The maturity of this team is definitely one of our strengths,” Stonner said. “We do not make the rookie mistakes that we have in the past.”

Led by eleven seniors, the baseball team hopes to make its first state run in nine years

“The seniors do a great job taking control and leading the rest of the team,” junior catcher Tyler Rzepka said. “We all kind of build off each other.” Winters agreed. “They make the game much more enjoyable and create team camaraderie,” he said. Besides becoming more mature, the team also grew more experienced this offseason with the new arrival of former SM North head coach Tim Jarrel. “He brings a wealth of knowledge to the team,” Stonner said. “Having played and coached at the college ranks, he brings good experiences.” Aside from the experience of this team, they are also very well balanced. “The pitching and hitting always seems to step up when needed.” Senior Carter Holt said, “Whether we need insurance runs or getting out of a jam, one of those can pull through.” Stonner agreed. “We have no given strength, sometimes it’s pitching, batting, or even fielding,” he said. The team the season winning four of the first six games with big wins 2003 state competitor SM West and Olathe South. Their losses have come at the hands of rival SM North both times. So far, Senior Brett Harrop has led the team in hitting with a .714 batting average and in pitching with two wins and a 1.8 earned run average. Overall, the Lancers feel they have what it takes to bring the program back to the glory land of a state title. “We have lots of talent and a confident attitude to ride us to state,” Rzepka said. “The seniors put the team first and how they can help the team,” Stonner said, “ and that is what we need to go to state.”

* The starting lineup changes daily

Key to Success- Andy Mutert “ The main key is the team unity. In the past we haven’t had the succes we wanted because some of the older guys just played for them selves. This year, we are all very supportive and play together.” With what seems to be the right ingredients for success, the baseball team hopes to fulfill their dream of becoming the school’s third state champion.

19 sports

THE HARBINGER

Young and ready

The Lady Lancer swim team is an inexperienced group that hopes they can mature fast Gorrdon Culver

One y e a r after the Lady Lancer’s swim team won the Sunflower League title and placed second at the state meet, it is time to start things all over again. They hope this year they can repeat as champions at the Sunflower League meet on May 7-9 and equal, if not improve, on their second place finish at state last year on May 21-23. “It would be nice to repeat as league champion. It is going to be a tough battle with Lawrence Free State and Olathe East,” junior captain Maddie Simpson said. “It would also be nice to be in the top four in state. At state we will have to compete with those two teams and Blue Valley North. It is going to be very stiff competition.” This daunting task that sits in front WATER BREAK: Darcy Latourneau has a drink of water durof the Lancers is both familiar and ing a down time at a recent swim practice. unfamiliar. The team returns pretty The one thing that coach Cole really hopes for is that the much intact from last year’s team. younger, less experienced girls step up in the big meets. The They lost four real standouts, but other than that, are the same. The biggest loss wasn’t in the number of people they only way he feels that the team can really do well in league or state is if everyone starts to swim up to their potential in big lost, it was in the experience. “We are very inexperienced in larger meets. The swimmers meets. “This year at state we don’t have the luxury of the seasoned we lost last year were used to them, but this year’s team has swimmers. We really need the younger girls to step up now.” some kids in unfamiliar places,” coach Rob Cole said. Cole said, “We can’t afford for the girls just to go to state, we To make up for their inexperience the team works hard. Cole has said that this is the hardest working team that he has need them to place at state if we want to win.” The most encouraging thing that the team has seen is the had since he came to SME. The varsity team has practice six improvement. The team came in this year looking a little off times a week. They have two morning practices at 5:40 a.m. of competition shape and not very seasoned. Since the year (which is the earliest they can come, if they could be there earlier, Cole would have them there) and four practices after has gone on though they have improved by a large amount. Pretty much every girl on the team has improved some of school. “Practice is really hard. We have to swim so much; it is so their times to make it so that there are a lot of girls that have tiring. I guess that it is worth it in the end because it really state consideration times. “Our season really does get better as we go on. We come makes us a lot better,” Brooke Bublitz said. in a little out of shape, so we get to see some really good They have one true star in Christie Fuchs. She has contemplated trying to compete in the Olympics but has yet to improvement throughout the season. It is really great,” Cole really commit to it at full strength yet. She just joined the team said. With the biggest part of the season still upcoming for the in the last few weeks but has already made a big difference. Lady Lancers, their time to repeat as league champions and She qualified for state in two events, the 100 fly and 500 free, state runner-up is fast approaching. The only question this both in her first meet of the season for the team. “You have to make a time for trials. It is a hard time to year is whether they can regain the form they showed at the make. I haven’t made that time yet. I haven’t really worked end of last year and match if not better last year’s results. that hard to make it there though,” senior captain Christie Fuchs said.

SPORTS T IC

TS TICKE R OR P S

Mon. Apr. 19, Pembroke Hill Wed. Apr. 21, Aquinas Tournament Wed. Apr. 28, Rockhurst High School

SCHEDULE

Thur. Apr 25, @SMS Sat. Apr. 17, SMS Mon. Apr. 19, Ward Tues. Apr. 20, SMW Fri. Apr. 23, River City Classic Sat. Apr. 24, River City Classic Tues. Apr 27, @SMNW

Moved

Wessley was one of the three captains on last year’s team that won league. She was a four year

Mon. Apr. 19, SMNW tournament Mon. Apr. 26, Topeka West tournament Tues. Apr. 27, Olathe Sout tournament

SOFTBALL

BATTING AVERAGE (team) .362 ERA (team) 4.48 WINS 3

SCHEDULE Tues. Apr. 20, Olathe East Thurs. Apr. 22, SMNW

Warner was a great performer last year. This year she finished 3rd in the New York State meeet in the 100 butterfly.

varsity swimmer.

Kristen Smith

Katie Klinkenborg

Graduation

Club Team

Katie decided this year that it would be better for her to train only with her club team. The option of her returning next year is open.

Smith was a very solid swimmer for last year’s team. She qualified in multiple events for the state meet.

What was gained Mellissa Melling Freshman

Haley Malone Freshman

Darcy Letourneau Freshman

Monica Garciapaz Sophomore

Coming in as a freshman, Mellissa has had a great season so far. She competes in the 100 fly and has times that are close to state.

As a freshman, Malone has competed in the 500 and 200 free. She has made a big impact in both. She qualified for state in the 500 free..

Letourneau has made a big splash in the 100 fly and the 200 IM. She has a promising high school season in front of her.

Making a big improvement since last year, Garciapaz is now a varsity contributer. She has high hopes for making state this year.

What Remains the Same ANNIE BOOTON

CHRISTIE FUCHS

JUNIOR

SENIOR

Booton was a state qualifier from last year. She has already qualified for state this year in the 100 back. The rest of the season looks promising for her.

Fuchs is probably the best swimmer on the team. She is a two time captain. She has two state qualifying events. She is the odds on favorite to win the 100 fly.

BAILEY GAGE

HANNAH MUNSCH

JUNIOR

SENIOR

Gage was a consistent state qualifying swimmer last year. This year though she has qualified for state in five different events. She hopes to really compete for state titles at the state meet.

Munsch is the other senior captain. She has multiple state consideration times. She has high hopes.of returning to state. She hopes for a big senior campaign.

State Qualifiers BAILEY GAGE- 100 Free, 200 Free, 500 Free, 100 Fly, 200 IM CHRISTIE FUCHS- 100 fly, 500 free HALEY MALONE- 500 free MEREDITH HART- 100 Breast KATIE BROWN- 100 Breast ANNIE BOOTON- 100 Back MAGGIE HIGGINS- 100 Free CARRIE YEAST- Diving HOLLY THOMANS- Diving MOLLY OGREN- Diving TRACK

1.Charles German 2.Sam Dodge 3.Andrew Spitsnogle 4.Will Noyce 5.Wasserstrom SCHEDULE

1. Garret Gates 2. Nolan Lem 3. Will Gates 4. Bryce Warnock 5. Lake Wooten SCHEDULE

TIC

KER TH E

BASEBALL BATTING AVERAGE Brett harrop .714 HOME RUNS Brett Harrop 2 ERA LEADER Brett Harrop 1.8 WINS Brett harrop 2 RBI Tyler Rzepka 6

Jamie Warner

Graduation

BOYS GOLF

BOYS TENNIS

E SP O HE H R T RT KE

ST E TH

What was Lost

Meredith Wessley

BOYS Triple Jump- 1 James Wetzel 100 meter- 3 Carson Hinderks 4x800- 3 Jeff Judd, Justin Simonich, Evan Jerrald, John McCormick GIRLS 4x200- 3 Carolin Goehausen, Bridget Howland, Bre Farnum,

WHO’S HOT

BRETT HARROP- leads the baseball team in home runs, batting average, earned run average and wins. The team feeds off of his success. LANCER BASEBALL- beat two Olathe teams in the same season and are two wins away from equalling last year’s total. SOFTBALL- the team has won three of their first four games. They are having a great offensive showing with a team average of .362

Kathrine Lunt 4x400- 4 Caroline Goehausen, Bridget Howland, Bre Farnum, Kathrin Lunt 4x100- 3 Caronline Goehausen, Bridget Howland, Jennifer Franklin, Kathrin Lunt Long Jump- 2 Jennifer Franklin

High Jump- 2 Jennifer Franklin

WHO’S NOT

BOYS TENNIS- team had to run twice around the track last Tuesday, then had to play tennis. A little rough. ASHLEY KORNHAUS- out for the swimming season with a back injury. Looks like she will have to wait till next year to imrpove on last year’s season. JOHN McCORMICK- time has gotten slower in the mile than it was last year. He “will pick it up.”

BATTLING IT OUT: J.W. Vanderloo and Robbie Lee start the team off with a drill at practice.

Net

Gain

Students acquire new hobby with lacrosse.

photos by Patrick Menihan and Jessie Fetterling

NICE CATCH: (Above) Sophomore J.W. Vanderloo catches the ball in an intense practice. The team practices three times a week for two hours.

‘ROCK THE CRADLE: (Below) Junior Robbie Lee looks for an open teammate in a practice scrimmage. This is the team’s first season.

SCOOP IT UP: (Right) Taryn Myers scoops up a loose ball in an attempt to complete “Apache Jen,” a potential winning play for the team.

GOT SPIRIT?: (left) Senior Taryn Myers cheers with her team before a game in a tournament held in Columbia. Their winning goal was scored in the last 23 seconds against Parkway West.