Issue 19

HARBINGER

O

n a trip to California Jake in 2001, S h e p a r d noticed something there that Prairie Village lacked: skate parks.

Deciding that Prairie Village needed one, Shepard started raising money to make one.

Shepard was diagnosed with cancer in December of 2000, and was not expected to live for more than 6 months.

That year, Shepard and a friend A n d y P e t e r s o n began collecting

over $500 for the skate park. At the same time, Peterson's mother, K a t h y, volunteered to head up a skate park committee in Prairie Village.

"All along, despite his cancer, [Jake] kept a piggy bank for the skate park," Peterson said. "He didn't get to do much, but he was still very much involved."

For Peterson, getting involved meant creating a plan to raise money. So far, the committee has collected almost $15,000.

Peterson projects that the park will probably be finished in the next two years, depending upon how many grants they can receive.

"I hope to raise $100,000 to $150,000 in grants," Peterson said. "That is what I want to shoot for."

Even in the weeks before his death, Shepard was active in planning for the park, despite his health. He helped develop the park lay out with an engineer, and kept up-to-date on the park's

Shawnee Mission East Issue 19 May 6, 2003

progress.

"You knew he would never see this park," Peterson said. "Yet his enthusiasm was there to be that much apart of it."

After Jake’s death, the small group that Peterson headed grew into an official committee of Prairie Village. The committee makes future plans for the park, meeting on the last Monday of every month. Its primary focus is on fundraising.

Money, Peterson says, has been

the biggest challenge. The estimated cost of the park is $210,000. To raise support for the project, Peterson went door to door, getting local merchants in Prairie Village and the Corinth Shops to sign petitions supporting the proposed park. "[The petition] shows the city that there was not only just kids that want [the skate park], but the businesses are very interested," Peterson said. "They have to deal with skaters all the time."

See P a r k , page 3

Newly elected SHARE execs prepare for a year of service Courtney Condron Copy Editor An increasing number of volunteers and continued success of projects are top priority of the four SHARE Executives for next year, and so far that's just what has happened.

The new execs are juniors, Lake Wooten, Laura W i l k e r s o n and H a y l e y H o l t and sophomore E m i l y L i m p i c received a record-breaking 220 applications for chairpersons.

"I think that the students who really want to be involved are going to be no matter what,” Wilkerson said. “If it's something you really want to do, it doesn't

take much of a push to get involved.”

Spreading the word of SHARE is one thing being done to get more students involved.

"I would really like to make the projects better known. I think some of the underclassmen are unfamiliar with SHARE, and it would be great to let more people know about it and to get more volunteers," Limpic said.

Other than extending the program, B e v T i m m o n s ’ s retirement also presents a major change within the program. It hasn't been determined who will head up the program next year.

The execs’ responsibilities go

into full effect Emily Limpic starting with the SHARE fair early next year, at which the governor will be speaking. Their responsibilites begin long before the SHARE fair however. The first step is the election process, which included an interview with the current SHARE execs. They were then put right to work selecting the chairs, and assigning them to projects. The execs are now working on coordinating a picnic in which the chairs will be able to get

Hayley Holt

Lake Wooten

to know the execs, and then early next year they will go through a training day.

"It would be great if we could get all of the projects to do what they are supposed to do next year, because every year there are some that never seem to get off the ground," Wilkerson said. The execs aren't wasting anytime getting

Laura Wilkerson

things off the ground. They've already had several meetings to talk about what they want to accomplish.

"I'm really excited to work with the other execs. We get along great and we have from the beginning. We didn't have to adjust to each other or anything," Wooten said.

News page 2

East music programs

The sound of

MUSIC As the orchestra returns from Chicago, all East musicians prepare for their finales Libby Nelson news editor

WITH THE BEAT: Band director Kim Harrison conducts “America” at the East Area band festival finale. The yearly festival brings students from area elementary and middle schools to SM East to perform. At the end of the concert, all of the groups play one song together. photo by Patrick Menihan

When over 40 orchestra students left for Chicago, they had been practicing and planning for a year. For two days, they toured the city and competed, eventually winning first place.

Violinists and violists carried their instruments onto the plane with them; a parent had already started driving to Chicago with the cellos and basses.

Although all of the instrument cases had to be X-rayed, sophomore B r a d y M e y e r s and junior R a c h e l S i m m o n s agreed that traveling with instruments and a large group wasn’t difficult.

“We got everyone on board and we were all together all the time,” Simmons said.

In not quite 48 hours in Chicago, the orchestra ate Chicago-style pizza at Gino’s East, shopped on Michigan Avenue, heard a Chicago Symphony concert, spent a morning performing at Northwestern, visited the Art Institute of Chicago and saw the musical Dames at Sea at a dinner theater.

“The band and the choir all seem to know each other, and the orchestra didn’t,” Simmons said. “After a few days, we came a lot closer.”

On Saturday morning, the players and their instruments traveled to

Northwestern, where they competed in a festival. They played a serenade by Antonin Dvorak, the final movement of the Simple Symphony by Benjamin Britten, and “Psalm and Fugue,” a piece by twentieth-century composer Alan Hovanhess.

“Our performance was on the highest level we’ve had all year,” orchestra director J o n a t h a n L a n e said after the group played. “We’d played the music before and so we were more comfortable with it… it was definitely on a higher level than at [state large ensemble festival].”

While the group received stores of 95, 95.5 and 97 out of 100, they were not eligible for grand champion status. To win grand champion, it was necessary to win against other orchestras; theirs was the only entry from a school of more than 1,600. “[Being the only orchestra] was a disappointment,” Simmons said. “There wasn’t really any competition.”

Overall, though, both Simmons and Meyers enjoyed the trip and would go again, given the chance.

“I don’t know why we would, since we’ve already done the competition and everything,” Meyers sad. “But yeah, I’d go again.”

SME MUSIC • DATES TO KNOW

Once in a BLUE MOON Choir’s concert repertoire includes Disney, Gershwin Patrick Menihan staff photogrpaher Only once in a blue moon can you see a concert with the school’s finest musical talent. Once a year, there are two.

For five years the choirs’ annual Blue Moon concert, under Tracy Resseguie’s direction, has shown off the school’s best vocalists in acts ranging from Les Miserables to The Music Man. This year, the concert will consist of solo performances as well as performances by the concert choir, varsity choir, women’s choir, choraliers and chambers on May 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Each choir has been practicing on their music for the past month. The concert choir will be singing from The Little Mermaid, the varsity choir and women’s choir will sing songs from The Sound of Music, choraliers will sing Guys and Dolls and chambers will sing from Crazy For You. Tickets are $5 and are on sale on the north ramp this week. Letters will be awarded at the Friday night performance.

6 may 8 may 9 may 13 tuesday

may

Band/orchestra concert 7 PM, Auditorium

thursday

Blue Moon 7 PM, Auditorium

friday

Blue Moon 7 PM, Auditorium

tuseday

Orchestra banquet 6:30 PM, cafeteria

News page 3

skate park, piercings

PARK: Planners hope it will be safe, fun place for skaters continued from page 1 One of these merchants, Westlake Hardware, has helped the project by donating almost 75 plants for plant fundraiser sales. Mission Mall has also offered space to use for fundraiser activities, which Peterson says will not only raise money, but be fun for teens as well.

"We are talking about doing some kind of event [there] in the summertime," Peterson said. "It will be some sort of teen event like battle of the bands, or some [other] sort of musical event."

Peterson hopes that the money raised at events like these will contribute to a site that is more convenient for teens, especially those who cannot drive yet.

Currently, the only other public skate parks in the area are in Lenexa, Overland Park, and in Lawrence.

"Proximity is the biggest thing," Peterson said. "It is a place that kids can get to without their parents driving them."

The proposed site is in Harmon Park, just behind the Prairie Village Pool Complex.

Because it is centrally located between two major shopping centers, the park could also be beneficial to the city. "[The park would] be between two shopping centers.

People could drop their kids off and go shopping," Peterson said.

"It could actually bring in some revenue for the city."

The other advantage that a skate park could bring to the community, Peterson says, is a safe place for kids to have fun. The park would also reduce damage to both public and private property.

"The skate boarders have caused a lot of damage to the railings and stairs," said Prairie Village Director of Public Works Bob Prysby. "[The damage] is

A

PIERCING issue Piercings have become more and more prevalent among teens. Are they a cool trend or a dangerous health risk?

Lindsey Melvin copy editor

primarily at Harmon Park in the pavilion."

Currently, skaters caught skating on private property, in the street, or where no skateboarding signs are posted, have been ticketed by police officers.

Fines in Overland Park have been as high as $40 for skaters caught skating in those areas.

The park would provide a safe and legal place for skaters to go.

"My biggest fear is that somewhere before this park is built, [someone] will get hurt or killed," Peterson said.

Liability is the final difficulty, after funding that Peterson faces. According to Jim Finlen, assistant to the director of Lenexa parks and recreation, the liability of a skate park is very similar to that of any other public park facility.

"The liability of [of a skate park] is not greater than any other recreational activity," Finlen said. "More injuries occur in soccer than in a skate park."

Lenexa's skate park lists rules on their web site, and on location at the park. One of the rules warns skaters to skate at their own risk.

"It is like wearing a seat belt in your car. It is up to that parents and the kids to make the right decision," Finlen said. "We do the same thing with our skate park."

Although liability is still an issue, Peterson still feels that the park will be beneficial to the city. It is a place, she says, that will be built by teens, and a place for teens to take pride in.

It is this pride that pushes her to get teens involved, and ultimately create a place for teens to go.

"It is common in skate parks for kids to take care of it, and not allow things to happen to it," Peterson said. "The kids are going to take care of it if they make it their own, and that is why I want kids to be involved in it. [If] they take ownership of it, the will take pride in it. It will be theirs."

Skate Park Info May 17: Plant sale at PV city hall May 19: City council meeting to decide on approval

June 28: Mission Mall fundraiser

To get involved: Contact Kathy Peterson kpeterson3@kc.rr.com

She tried not to look at the two-inch needle as she laid on the bed, clenching her boyfriend’s hand. Deep breath in, deep breath out, and it was done: her belly button was pierced. She thought it was cute, a little crooked, but the last thing on her mind was the thought of an infection.

At Freaks on Broadway, 30% of the people who get something pierced come back infected, according to an employee who requests not to be named.

Freaks on Broadway, Skin Illustrations, and Irezumi are three piercing places in KS, each getting an average of between 10-15 people a day, with between 25%-60% being teens. Joe Rodriguez, who works at Irezumi said that the navel and tongue are the most common body parts to get pierced, and the navel is the most prone to infections.

A local nurse said that common navel infections could be small lesions (wounds) that bleed easily, bacterial infections, and excessive bleeding.

Junior S a r a h T a l l e y had her belly button pierced at Irezumi about a month and a half ago. It became infected soon after she got it.

“I was kind of scared because I didn’t want to take it out,” Talley said, “I made myself promise that if it got any worse I would take it out because it’s really dangerous. There have been reports of girls dying if the bacterial infections have entered the stomach.”

Talley said she wasn’t worried about getting an infection from the actual piercing process because the man made sure she knew the equipment and needle were sterilized.

“He showed me what box the needle goes in to dispose of it. It was one of those red boxes that said like ‘biohazard’ on it to make sure I knew the needle wasn’t going to be used on anyone else,” said Talley.

Talley still cleans her navel twice daily. She knows the risks of another infection and ponders whether it’s worth it.

“The initial excitement went away. It’s just kind of there now,” Talley said.

The stores give pamphlets telling how to prevent infections to people who have just gotten something pierced. The nurse at Shawnee Mission Medical Center said that most infections can be treated by antibiotics or Neosporin, depending on the severity.

Megan Karius, 19, also got her tongue pierced when she was 17 and never became infected.

“It’s really unlikely to get an infection unless you don’t take proper hygiene precautions,” Karius said. “I think if it would have gotten infected it wouldn’t have been a big deal. I mean it’s not a death situation or anything.”

“For the first three weeks you have to eat soft foods, and every time you eat, drink, or smoke, you have to wash it with Listerine and gargle with sea salt. I also had to move it back and forth,” Karius said.

While there might be the temptation to pierce for attention or simply for the look, without proper care and precaution it could cause pain beyond the initial pain of the needle.

Opinion

corporate influence, parking dilemma, wishful thinking

page 4

A parker’s peril

editorial cartoon

Parking spots: East’s hottest commodity

I want to talk about a problem that is affecting students at East, or at least those that can drive. This has not been a problem the whole year. In fact, it has slowly grown and grown and now we are at an impasse. Kids: the parking at East is becoming a serious issue, and we need to do something about it.

My eighth grade teacher, Ms. Howard, used to say that you couldn’t complain unless you had a suggestion for change. To get to the root Holly Garringer of the problem, I have broken down a schedule special section editor of the morning. Pay attention, there may be a test later.

6:40-6:50- Students that have a zero hour arrive. Let’s face it though, these kids work hard and they deserve a little slack.

6:50-7:00- Drill team and other club members arrive. Should we give them some slack? You make the call.

7:00- Sophomores begin to furiously race up Delmar in an attempt to get a spot in the pool lot. No slack will be cut for sophomore drivers.

7:00-7:05- Juniors begin to arrive, some to see teachers, but most to sit in the hall until 7:35.

7:05- Sophomore lot is full, so some will suck it up and go to Delmar, but other rebel types will take the risk and head to the senior lot.

7:08- Junior lot is full, see above plan B for sophomores.

7:30 Seniors begin to arrive. To their horror, they see cars parked in their spaces that don’t have parking permits. They vow swift and brutal revenge.

7:41-Angry drivers trudge into class late and complain, “It’s not my fault! The lot was full! I had to walk all the way from the church lot! It’s not fair!”

And so it goes until we die. But don’t fret students! There are things we can do. Here you go Ms. Howard; here are seven ways that parking can be improved at East.

1. Don’t come so early! Ninety percent of the kids that get a spot in one of the lots will spend 25 minutes just sitting in the hall. If we all came at say, 7:25, it wouldn't be so bad. Fair deal for all.

2. Siblings must come in the same car. Just because your sister doesn't get up early or late enough for your liking doesn't mean you have to come separately. You know who you are and there are no excuses. None.

3. If you live within a four block radius of East, do not drive. I know its hard and there are exceptions, but its not going to kill you to get a ride from your mom, or walk.

4. One word: carpool. Take turns with your friends driving to school.

It will not only save on parking spaces but on gas as well.

5. If you don't have a parking permit, don't park on campus. It’s not fair to the students (and parents) who paid money to get a pass. This applies to parking in the staff lot as well. Teachers put up with our snobby selves all day, so let them have their spots.

6.If you do have to park on Delmar, please don't leave a space the size of a whale between you and the car in front of you. It is nice to leave some space, but take it easy.

7. Seniors, calm down. Yeah, so a junior parked in your favorite spot, but don’t tag them later. We have all been there, and it is the biggest pain to wash off. If you are that concerned, tell the parking officer.

See how easy it is? We can all do it together. It is only going to get worse when this years freshman, one of the biggest incoming classes ever at East, begin driving. The adult in me wants to let you know that parking is a privilege, and if we take advantage of it, we are going to lose it.

HARBINGER The Harbinger is a bi-weekly publication of Shawnee Mission East High School •7500 Mission Road • room 416 • Prairie Village, Kansas • 66208 • 913.993.6688 E d i t o r : David Lucas A s s i s t a n t E d i t o r s :Katie Whitson Andrew Wagner C o p y E d i t o r s : Courtney Condron Grant Calcara Katie Wiley Lindsey Melvin Dianne Smith Nate Milburn A r t a n d D e s i g n E d i t o r : Annie Harrigan A s s i s t a n t A r t a n d D e s i g n E d i t o r : Matt Goehausen

Can you see it?

Companies hold stock in students I was rushing to class one afternoon last week, late, and I decided to cut through the science wing of the third floor and use the seemingly well-secluded and often abandoned North Stairwell.

As it happened, there were scores of elementary school Andrew Wagner classes visiting that particular day. Memories of childAssistant Editor hood visits to Shawnee Mission East flooded back to me. After a bus ride from our school, we arrived at East and were led through a wide bay of heavy doors which opened into a massive entryway with high ceilings and an enormous stairwell, something foreign to our petite educational institutions. Things were happy then: carefree and rested, we spent our days in peace.

After four years in high school, I’ve begun to feel like an old pro at the game of education, and I have rather strong convictions about what I think should be done to make things better. Whatever “better” is, though, is a fundamental problem to wrap my head around. It’s easy to complain, but offering a view of what would be an improvement is not always so easy. We can’t change everything and we can’t make unreasonable requests of our politicians: education is a tricky issue when considering the relationship between the federal and local governments. Beyond that debate, there are some clear concerns for lack of government funding of public schools.

One difference between elementary school and high school is the corporate presence. Vending machines, fast food selections and soft drink loyalty in school seems to be a recent phenomenon, and certainly a growing trend. Most students dismiss these intrusions on our mental environment or use the presence to benefit themselves. It’s nice to be able to get vending machine snacks and have pizza

Online Editor and Computer Manager: Andrew Finnerty P h o t o E d i t o r : P a t t y Morrisey A d v e r t i s i n g a n d B u s i n e s s M a n a g e r : Katie Wiley E d i t o r i a l S e c t i o n E d i t o r : Ben Proffer O p i n i o n S e c t i o n E d i t o r : Dianne Smith N e w s S e c t i o n E d i t o r : Libby Nelson F e a t u r e s S e c t i o n E d i t o r : Alex Abnos S p o r t s S e c t i o n E d i t o r : Jimmy Sevcik Arts and Entertainment Section Editor: Libby Brickson P h o t o E s s a y P a g e E d i t o r : Tierney Weed S p e c i a l S e c t i o n E d i t o r : Holly Garringer C i r c u l a t i o n M a n a g e r : Anne Steadman Exchange/Subscription Managers: Gordon Culver Joanna Cross R o a m i n g P a g e E d i t o r s : Patrick Ryan Kevin Bever David Vranicar

or sub sandwiches for lunch. I feel, however, that corporate interests clash with the interests of public education, which claims to advance an education for producing responsible citizens, prepared for independence and success in the real world.

Unfortunately, we aren’t willing to pay for citizenship and critical thinking skills in our students, and while the other government programs receive billions of dollars each year, education remains under-funded. While the impacts aren’t drastic for us, the opening this provides for corporate sponsorship of schools sets American education on a dangerous path towards privatization.

To be able to allocate funds for programs students would like to have, we have an agreement with Coca-Cola. We get profits from the machines, and we sell their products exclusively. Even water, which at any school functions can only be sold inside Dasani bottles, is corporately sponsored. Being educated in an environment that shows us corporate monopolies does not teach free market capitalism. Corporate funding and corporate curriculums are not interested in creating critical consumers; corporations are interested in creating workers and consumers. We are taught in schools a materialist system: venders in every classroom sell us correct answers, which are the only goals students have. To get a good grade, to get the correct answers, to get to the next machine only to meet another: such is our mission.

Students must demand the freedom and cleanliness of an ad-free and corporate-free mental environment: it is our right and our demand to make.

Corporate control of schools would destroy education at a fundamental level, and we must now take action before public education disappears. If you don’t think this is a problem, you aren’t paying attention. Look around, speak up and become responsible citizens who demand public funding for education.

Ben Huntley C o n t e s t C o o r d i n a t o r : Dianne Smith S t a f f W r i t e r s : Andy Heintz Joe West Stephen McKim Paul Thompson Elizabeth Tschudy S t a f f A r t i s t s : Ben Huntley Cynthia Goldman Tom Woodward Barrett Emke S t a f f P h o t o g r a p h e r s : Meg Stewart Tierney Weed Joanna Cross Pat Menihan A d v i s e r: Dow Tate E d i t o r i a l B o a r d : David Lucas, Katie Whitson, Andrew Wagner, Ben Proffer, Andrew Finnerty, Annie Harrigan, Ben Huntley, Alex Abnos, Anne Steadman, Katie Wiley

Mission Statement: The mission of The Harbinger is to entertain, enlighten and above all educate readers about SM East, the community, the nation, and the world. It seeks to be a forum for student opinion and knowledge.

The Harbinger is not an expression of the Shawnee Mission District. All content is the responsibility of the student staff.

Letters & Columns: Looking for a forum to voice opinions? If something in this issue of The Harbinger sparks an interest or if there is some pressing issue that needs to be investigated, please respond. The Harbinger welcomes guest columns and letters to the editor. All editorials are subject to editing, and publication of any letters is left to the editor’s discretion. Please submit letters to The Harbinger in Room 416 or send pieces to eatate@smsd.org.

Opinion page 5

Dangers of tanning, editorial cartoon, making mix CDs

Indoor tanning beds, editorial cartoon SUMMER! FINALLY! barbecue grills have striking similarities THAT WAS A PRETTY GOOD YEAR, BUT I’M READY FOR SUMMER.

by Annie Harrigan IT’S SO WIERD THAT THE SENIORS ARE LEAVING...

TA T U I’M O RE! HE

Whenever I visit my grandmother's house in June, she tells me about her long summer days spent at the pool, tanning all day.

"But you got to be careful with that sun," she adds, caressing her skin, "I just got another dark spot removed last week. Back then we didn't know about the sun's horrid harms, but you do."

When I look at my grandma with her speckled, creased skin hanging from her face, I menCynthia Goldman tally compare her to my other, fresher-faced staff artist grandmother of the same age, who, no matter what, would always carry her sunglasses, her widebrimmed straw hat, and her SPF 45 sunscreen. There's definitely a big difference.

FRESHMAN

SOPHOMORE

SENIOR

JUNIOR

The Tao of Mix:

Making mix CDs requires planning

On my way to fifth hour one rainy day last week, I chatted with my friend about what we were doing after school. I was planning on sleeping (the usual), and she was planning on tanning.

"Tanning?" I ask, "It's freezing outside! Are you kidding?"

"Um, I go to a tanning bed," she answered with that condescending look that I was growing all too familiar with. I nodded understandingly.

I had heard about tanning beds, those machines that bake your skin until it reaches a color quite similar to a grilled hamburger. You know, that golden brown color, or even a "rare" reddish color depending on what you want. You see, I've always thought tanning beds are much like George Foreman grills. Envision a hotdog, if you will, between the two grill surfaces. There's even a little timer that says when your "done."

Despite these gruesome comparisons and knowing that tanning beds cause the same effects of natural sun, people still waltz into tanning salons. Those harmful effects include premature aging, dark spots, loss of elasticity, wrinkles, eye damage and skin cancer. And yes, when the doctors say skin cancer, they do mean basal cell carcinoma and melanoma, the kinds that accounts for more than 1.3 million new cases each year and can possibly cause death. Tanning beds are just like getting regular sun exposure outside except the malignant ultraviolet radiation (UV) is expelled from its source closer to the skin.

Plus, according to SunSmart.com (a skin cancer control program of The Cancer Council Victoria, based in Canada), tanning beds are havens for all types of fungi and can even damage your immune system. Not to mention, if you weren't to wear goggles while tanning, those pesky UV rays would penetrate through your eyelids and damage your eyes, causing blind spots and permenant eye damage. These are the scientifically proven long-term effects of tanning beds. This is what we know right now, but think about the long-term effects we'll discover ten years from now. I predict that one day tanning beds will be like cigarettes, so we'll see more public service announcements due to the extreme hazards and popularity.

Till then, I'll heed my grandma's admonition and continue to persuade my friend that tanning beds are only hamburger grills in disguise.

For more information, see page 11

art by Barrett Emke

A new form of art h a s emerged in the last couple of y e a r s .

Sweeping the teenage d e m o Kevin Bever graphic by page editor storm, CD burning is such a large presence that its copyright violations don’t seem to have any effect on its popularity.

Consequently, every software pirate out there has seemed to develop their own philosophy on mixing compilations of stolen songs.

In light of the Harbinger’s recent mix CD contest and the still hot debate over file-sharing and developing file-sharing technology, I thought it appropriate to voice my own philosophy on burning CDs. Despite being neutral on the whole copyright issue, I continue to burn CDs to tailor to my ever-changing musical interests, as do millions of others.

There are a few ways to mix a CD. One common method is just throwing any set of thirteen songs onto a CD and listening to it for the content of each song individually. This is a respectable method and I have no problems with peo-

ple who can enjoy a CD purely for it’s content. Often times, I am one of those people, but other times I need more out of a CD. The second method involves a number of factors that all tailor to the compilation-

liste n i n g experience.

It is often wise to begin with a theme in mind. All the songs should have a thematic unity, not necessarily of the same genre, but certainly of the same mood. The

songs should only provoke one facet of an emotion at a time.

Switching the mind’s gears in the middle of the CD is often detrimental to the experience. After selecting the track list, It is important to arrange them in logical order as relative to the theme. Switching from Elton John to System of a Down doesn’t exactly seem logical. Think 11th grade English class. Think transition.

Also important in burning a CD is keeping an open mind. Just because no one has heard of Les Claypool and the Frog Brigade doesn’t mean they don’t belong on a mix CD. Use reviews of bands you enjoy to find similar bands. Concert matchups also do well to showcase up-andcoming bands.

In order to perfect the Tao of Mix, practice is key.

Try out different themes or new bands an see how your mixing ability stands up to those of your peers. Next year I’ll expect to see a good number of quality mixes in the Annual Harbinger Mix CD contest.

Don’t disappoint me.

art by Ben Huntley

Sports

Girls’ swimming, Spring Sports Ticker

page 6

Girls’ swimming: racing towards State A record number of girls out for the swim team has added to a squad already loaded with returning talent.

Gordon Culver Subscrition Manager Some teams are composed of one or two superstars with mediocre role players.

Other teams are full of only role players with no one to step up and take over a meet. The SM East girls’ swim team is neither of those teams. From top to bottom the Lancers have one of the most skilled varsity swim teams in the area. There are a couple of stars complemented by a sensational group of other swimmers that could be stars on any other team.

“Our varsity is very deep. All of the girls that swim on varsity will have at least state consideration times, if not state times,” coach R o b C o l e said.

The swim team is approaching the most important time of the season. The league meet is coming up on May 9-10. SM East hopes to repeat last year’s league championship. The state meet is coming up right after that on the May 23-24. The Lady

Lancers plan to be competLOOKING AHEAD: Freshman Megan Sayler listens intently to coach Rob Cole as he explains the teams ing for a top three finish, photo by Tierney Weed and have a realistic chance plans for State meet in Manhattan. of winning the title. ing up to you, and you want to make sure man. Soon though I began to meet every“We have three great captains this year. that you always are doing your best and one, and the team became a lot of fun to Seniors M e r e d i t h W e s s l e y and D o t t i e always fill your and their expectations. It is be a part of. This is a really supportive B a y l e s s and junior captain C h r i s t i e a lot of fun though,” Fuchs said. group of girls,” Booton said.

Fuchs.

K a t y K l i n k e n b o r g Sophomore has The diving team has also qualified four “They are a great group of leaders for us. also been a force for the Lady Lancers girls for diving state, M o l l y O g r e n , They always have the best interest of the E l l e n S t o l l e , H o l l y T h o m a s and qualifying for state in multiple events. This team at heart,” freshman B r o o k e B u b l i t z Carrie Yeast. is only her second season on the team, but said. she has worked hard throughout her swimWith all of their returning depth, the Fuchs is not only a captain of the team, ming career for her club team. Her hard swim team hopes to make another sprint to she is making a big splash in the pool. She the finish. has qualified for state in 200 Free, 200 IM, work has paid off in her second year in a row qualifying for multiple state events.

50 Free, 100Fly, 100 Free, 500 Free and Upcoming Events The older kids are not the only ones 100 Back. This is about every event that May 9-10 Sunflower League Meet making a big impact for the team. she competes in. She is hoping that she @ Olathe South A n n i e B o o t o n Sophomore newcomer has can place very well at state. This is her had a good season so far in qualifying for third solid year on the team and things state in 100 free and 100 back.

May 14 Last Chance Invitational can only get brighter for her.

“It was kind of weird coming here as a 4:15 @ SM East “There is some extra pressure being a capnew team member, especially because I was tain. Everyone on the team is sort of lookcoming as a sophomore, not a new fresh-

Spring Sports Ticker Boys’ Tennis

Girls’ Soccer

Shawnee Mission District Meet 1. SM East, 39; 2. SM Northwest, 24; 3. SM South, 21; 4. SM West, 11; 5. SM North, 5.

Results

Upcoming Matches: Wednesday, May7 8:00 a.m. @ Topeka West Tournament

Tuesday, Apr. 29 SM Northwest SM East

Thursday, May 13 8:00 a.m.

League Tournament @ SM East

Track The boys’ team placed first for the second year in a row in the Apr. 26 Leavenworth Relays.

Senior Roy Loren placed first in the 100 and 200-meter dashes.

Upcoming Meets: Friday, May 9 3:30 @SM North Relays Friday, May 16 3:30 League Meet @ Lawrence

Monday, Apr. 28 SM East SM West

1 2

0 2

Upcoming Games: Wednesday, May 7 7:00 vs Lawrence Free State

Boys’ Golf Upcoming Events: Thursday, May 8 3:00 @ Olathe North Monday, May 12 3:00 @ Leavenworth Wednesday, May 14 8:00 @ Lawrence

Split a double header with SM West, winning 7-3 in the first game, and losing the nightcap 30.

Upcoming Games: Thursday, Apr. 24 vs Olathe South 4:15 @ JCGAA.

College Signings Senior Jeff Liebrandt verbally committed to Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont to play soccer. Norwich, a Division III school, does not sign National Letters of Intent.

Saturday, May 10 1:00 vs Topeka West Monday, May 12 7:00 vs Blue Valley Northwest Team Leader Stats Player Goals Asst.

Kaylin Hertel 5 4 Amy Holst 3 1 Erin Henry 1 2 Heather Bartlett 0 3 Emily Flatley 1 1

Softball

Injury Report Junior Lauren Hodgson Girls’ Soccer

Sprained LCL (knee) in Apr. 29 game vs. SM Northwest Probable return.

Kirsten Gradinger Girls’ Soccer

Awaiting MRI results on knee.

Questionable return.

Baseball Upcoming Games: Tuesday, May 6 4:15 vs Leavenworth @ 3&2 Field 1 Saturday, May 10 12:00 vs SM Northwest @3&2 Field 20

Girls’ Swim State Qualifiers: 200 Free: Fuchs 200 IM: Fuchs, Gage, Klinkenborg, Wessley 50 Free: Fuchs,Higgins, Melling 100 Fly: Fuchs, Klinkenborg, Warner 100 Free: Booton, Fuchs, Higgins, Warner 500 Free: Fuchs, Klinkenborg 100 Back: Bayless, Booton, Fuchs, Klinkenborg 100 Breast: Bublitz, Hart, Munsch Diving: Ogren, Stolle, Thomas, Yeast

By the Numbers

3

Goalies used by the girls’ soccer team in it’s 2-0 win over SM Northwest on Apr. 29.

Defender Amy Woodsmall replaced starting keeper Lauren Hodgson late in the fisrt half. Libby Dix then came in for the 2nd half

4 7 39

Events that swimminers are allowed to participate in at the state meet.

Events that junior Christie Fuchs has qualified for through Apr. 30.

Matches, out of 40, won by the boys’ tennis team at the district meet.

Sports page 7

Softball, baseball

Swingin’ Away with Erin Gerkovich Heather Bartlett Staff Writer Well, he’s a funny guy. He always expects the best out of us. He always expects us to play our best. I appreciate it. We run a lot in practice, he really puts his heart into every practice.

What makes this year different from last year?

A

Q

Everyone is good this year. We are playing off of each other better. We pick on each other’s skills and help each other get better.

A TEAM MEETING: Coach John Stonner tries to jump start his team during one of the four pitching changes in an 11-0 loss photo by Libby Brickson against Olathe North on Apr. 29.

Dropping Baseball team looks to recover the from a streak of costly errors Liz Tschudy Staff Writer The SM East baseball team started off the season with a bang with a win against defending state champion Olathe East. However, the team struggled in the following games against Shawnee Mission North, Emporia, and Wichita Heights due to the increasing number of errors.

“Any baseball game that we have been in, if we didn’t have errors, we could have won,” Coach J o h n S t o n n e r said.

While the team has out hit three of the teams they have lost to, the number of defensive errors have increased.

To keep this from happening more, players and

BALL coaches have spent practice time working on the infield and outfield. Left fielder D r e w S t e h l and third baseman J o n B a t e s have switched positions. If an error is made in practice, players are forced to run extra.

The hard work in practice has paid off for the team. In their Apr. 22 game versus SM West, Stonner saw the practice put to use when junior A n d y M u t e r t threw out a Viking baserunner at home plate.

“It was the perfect play. Something we work on all the time,” Stonner said.

If the Lancers’ pitching continues to do well and the number of infield errors is reduced, Stonner believes his team will win.

If you plan to take the

SAT or ACT...

Be prepared to score your best!

Q

What were some key plays that contributed in the wins against Leavenworth?

There were two very good plays. Senior Megan S p e n c e r caught a hard hit line drive and dove for it.

Sophomore M a r i a C o l b u r n caught a ball in the outfield that should have probably been over the fence.

A

Q

How do you think the rest of the season will unfold?

We are playing hard teams but we are going to try hard and it will be fun to see how we do. We have a group of really talented girls so it should be a lot of fun.

A

Where does the leadership come from on this year’s team?

Q

We have two senior team captains that provide leadership. We look up to them and there aren’t really any problems.

A

What do you think about Coach Heavilin?

Q

What is the team doing outside of practice?

Q

People take hitting lessons.

Sophomore Kelly Rose and I have a pitching coach.

A

Q

How is the team’s attitude in practice?

We have a really good attitude. We push each other hard to make sure we do the best we can. Every time we do something we are like “Wait a minute.

Let me do another one because that wasn’t good enough.”

A

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Features page 8 & 9

TÇv|xÇà

Football Record :Then

EAS

1959: 3-6

A look back in time at some of our

Cheer Before: Name Name , CIrca 1962, cheers during a basketball game

THE CIRCLE DRIVE: Initially, the circle drive had a large roof over it, which has since been removed. in addi VIEW FROM THE CORNER: Since 1960 , the trees have grown, a sign has been added, and the windows replaced.

Current Photo by Patrick Menihan

Heather Bartlett Staff Writer

A

t one point in time, the southwest corner of 75th Street and Mission Road was not occupied by a high school, nor were there parking lots filled with cars. Instead, an occasional car would fly by the one lane road and pass a vast cornfield.

The site would soon become Shawnee Mission East, home of the Lancers and Legendary school tradition.

Technical theater teacher T o m DeFeo came to work at the school in 1995, one year before the school was renovated.

"We upgraded the auditorium. We also got air conditioning and that made a world of difference.”

“Computers used to be a joke.

There was no Internet access or anything like that. They were trying to create the paperless system and dehumanize the school so that everything could be done on the computer. It was also very rare for teachers to have phones in the classroom," Defeo said.

Student trends changed. At the school's beginning, students wit-

nessed the birth of rock listened to Danny and The Platters, and Jerry L the time the calendars the hallways were fille another walking trend.

"When I first started tea there was a large conglo gothic kids. It was more metal mode. The clothin There were no midriff t girls wear now. Having was in," Defeo said.

Compared with rece techniques, students ten could be considered tech disadvantaged. Junio teacher Carolyn Sze has been at SM East fo recalls when students h down into the library o floor.

"Students are much m edgeable in certain area are more aware of biza You never used to hear stalking before now. St have a smaller attention cannot concentrate for la of time. Students are mo use ADD as an excuse. B find kids with good ma

East history

Football Record :Now

STĂ‰ĂœĂ§

2002: 4-7

schools most memorable landmarks.

ition., al lthe wondows have been replaced, and new banches have been added. Current photo by Patrick Menihan

and roll and the juniors, Lee Lewis. By date 1990, ed with yet

aching here, omeration of e of a heavy ng changed. tops like the longer hair

ent learning n years ago hnologically or English ckely, who or 32 years, had to step on the first

more knowlas now. They arre crimes. r terms like tudents also n span. They arge periods ore likely to But you still anners, con-

CHEER NOW: Junior Amanda EAston, cica 2002 , carries on the cheerleading tradition

trary to most adult belief," Szeckely said.

Girls' sports have become increasingly more competitive over the years. New sports for girls' have been introduced and have reached very high levels of intensity, especially in the past few years, Szeckely says.

"I remember seeing a girl walk into class with her golf clubs, her books and a bag of spikes. It's wonderful to see that," Szeckely said.

The class of 1960 has been famed for becoming the first class to paint the old water tower. So it was at this school that many traditions came to be. Who knows what traditions the future has in store? M e l a n i e A l l m a y er, mother of freshman N a o m i A l l m a y e r has seen the school change for years.

"There are many more course offerings, extracurricular activities, especially sports for girls, and students. The intensity of the honors class homework is more. The caliber of the music program, especially orchestra, has improved immensely.

The school spirit is the same, because a Lancer I will always be,"

THE CAFETERIA: Since 1960, several changes have been made to the courtyard, incuding a glass enclosure for the cafeteria. Current photo by Patrick Menihan

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Features page 11

Tanning

More than skin

D E E P

Lindsey Melvin Copy Editor She read the sign once. She ignores it now.

“Danger: Avoid overexposure.

As with natural sunlight, overexposure can cause eye and skin injury and allergic reactions.

Repeated exposure may cause premature aging and skin cancer,” reads the warning sign. It’s taped to the outside of a tanning bed at Zappers tanning salon. The risks related to ultraviolet radiation don’t stop teens like junior Amanda Dyer from going to Zappers sometimes once a week.

“I tan outdoors and in a tanning bed,” Dyer said. “The skin cancer rate scares me a little bit.

My grandpa had skin cancer but got it removed.”

Her grandpa did not have melanoma, the most serious and often fatal kind of skin cancer related to UVA (ultraviolet A) exposure. Her grandpa had basal cell carcinoma, and he still goes in every six months for a check-

up. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there are an estimated 47,700 new cases of melanoma and 7,700 related deaths anticipated this year.

The American Cancer Society estimates 9,600 people will die this year from any kind of skin cancer, and more than 1.3 million new skin cancer cases are likely to be diagnosed. Tanning beds emit mainly UVA radiation, and they are just as dangerous as UVB radiation from sunlight.

“Tanning is generally bad, but tanning bed rays go deeper into the skin and cause injuries at deeper levels although you can’t see it right away,” Dr. Waxman, dermatologist at Dermatology Consultants Midwest, said.

Dr. Waxman warns teens that any kind of tanning ages and discolors skin more rapidly. Both types of UV rays also may be linked to immune system damage and giving the skin a wrinkled, leathery appearance.

“I do worry about pre-mature wrinkles,” Dyer said, “I sleep with Clinique anti-aging crème around my eyes a couple times a week.”

Since skin damage is not immediately visible, teens often do not think tanning will affect them, but 80% of sun damage occurs before age 18 according to AAD. Those with pale white skin, white, or average white skin (skin types 1,2 and 3) are at greatest risk in the sun. These skin types burn and tan minimally or very gradually.

“The people who have a more difficult time getting a tan shouldn’t try. This means there is less pigment in their skin and they are most likely to get burned and have skin damage,” Dr. Waxman said.

Junior Kathleen Helmly has red hair and light skin, a skin type prone to damage. It doesn’t stop her from going to tanning beds though. She goes to Celcius Tannery about three times a week.

Even though darker skin types are less likely to burn, it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t use sunscreen. Dyer, though she has lightly tanned skin naturally and burns minimally, always wears SPF (sun protection factor) 15 on her face and shoulders while tanning outside.

Tanning beds have also been linked to causing cataracts, the clouding of the eyes, which can lead to blindness. According to AAD, it’s important to wear eye goggles when in a tanning bed and to wear sunglasses while laying out.

If an unusual mole, a scaly patch, or a sore that doesn’t heal develops on the skin, call a dermatologist. While a small amount of sunlight is needed for the body to manufacture vitamin D, skin cancer, wrinkles, and eye damage are risks from overexposure.

Finding that happy medium could be a life-saver.

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A&E

Bunch of Bands

page 13

Bunch of Bands

battle it out Paul Thompson staff writer

Band of Brothers: Guitarist Ryan Donegan from the band Dish. Stopping Power drummer Ray Mallory.

Guitarist Andrew Gray from First time ‘Round.

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It’s Friday night and the Shawnee Mission East gym is crowded with cheering fans, rooting for their favorite players. Yet, these fans aren’t cheering for pick and rolls, three pointers or home court wins, they’re cheering for pounding drums, funky guitar licks and great music.

This is the Bunch O’ Bands concert, a hit for all attendees, which consisted of a couple of hundred people. None of the players weren’t wearing Lancer basketball jerseys.

The event was set up in much the same format as the previous year, with the lights turned off and each band’s ‘stage’ set up in separate corners of the gym which allowed for a quick transition from one act to the other. Each band was given 25 minutes to play, with only a couple of minutes between performances, Bunch o’ Bands provided nearly nonstop music.

Each band’s altruistic styles of music were an important factor in the event’s success, with sounds ranging from punk rock to jam bands to more mellow rock. Each band provided their own unique sound, and every act left the crowd roaring its approval.

The competition ended with

Vanilla Funk placing first, followed

by Plastic and Dish. The end of the music, however, was disappointing for some students.

“I thought there were some more bands that deserved to make the competition,” says junior S a m W e i n s t e i n.

The competition was a great time for most fans, many of whom felt the need to move to the music.

“The music sounded really good,” continued Weinstein, who unfortunately was not spotted on the dance floor.

Some fans, and band members even shot silly string into the crowd during Dish’s and Plastic’s performances. Bunch O’ Bands was not only a good time for the fans, it was also fun for the performers to feed off the crowd.

“It was cool how people started dancing during our performance,” said sophomore and First Time ‘Round guitarist M a t t M a h o n e y.

Everything during this years competition enhanced the annual Bunch O’ Bands reputation as one of the premium events put on by the school each year.

The attendees are the ones who keep the event going, and they definitely did their part this year.

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A&E page 15

Harbinger Mix Contest

I like music

As the mix contest wound down to a close and the quiet sounds from the Harbinger CD player recycled themselves over and over again, it became apparent that the entries received were not as numerous as we had hoped.

Disappointment in the productivity of the Shawnee Mission East student body swept through the newspaper room at first, followed quickly by appreciation and respect for the mixes that were received. There’s talent in this school for creating pleasing combinations of sounds, and the contest should be taken as a challenge for every student to practice and be ready for next year’s contest. Yes, there will be another.

Yes, it will be better. Yes, you will enter a mix. Until then, stay plugged in and tuned out.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

CHILL

ROAD TRIP

HANNAH MILLER

JAMES MCNOWN

MIKE YOUNG

RAINY DAY

AFTER SCHOOL

KRISTIN APPENBRINK

ALEX ABNOS

STAFF FAVORITE

MAKE OUT

BRANDON HIDAKA

KEVIN COLSTON

Art by ben huntley

Best Mix Cover Design: Annie Harrigan

Awards will be distributed shortly and will be a mix CD created by the Harbinger Mix Contest Board. . .an example of excellence.

Photo Essay

Mock Wreck

page 16

Paramedics tend to a “victim” who was hurt in the “crash.”

Reality Wreck:

Sophomore students see the actual events of an alcohol related accident at Mock Wreck, put on by SADD.

Photos by Patty Morrisey

Junior Brooke Jandl acts injured in the mock wreck .

(Above) Rescuers remove the top of wrecked car to help injured passengers.

Juniors Brooke Jandl, Emily Perry, and Abby Maurin are taken away.

(Left) Kitty and Kirby Thomas lay “dead” on the scene of the accident.