Issue 6

the

Issue 6 11.15.04

harbinger

a publication of Shawnee Mission East • 7500 Mission Road • Prairie Village, KS • 66208

SHARE program advises international representatives on community service

R

SHARE

spreads

worldwide

epresentatives from 20 countries around the world visited East’s SHARE program in an effort to get the youth more involved in volunteerism in their countries. East was one of only five stops the group made in the U.S. Not only were the representatives shocked by the first American school they had ever seen, but also the SHARE execs received new insight on the lives of others.

“They have a hard time recruiting volunteers in their countries,” SHARE exec Brittan Etzenhouser said. “They wanted to know what makes SHARE so effective, and how we make it fun and enjoyable for kids and get the entire school involved.”

The representatives are all non-profit directors as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program from different countries such as Bosnia, Cambodia, India and Sri Lanka. The group came to the library on Oct. 26 where the SHARE execs each spoke to them about their experience in SHARE. SHARE director Pat Kaufman spoke to them about how East gets students involved. They also showed them a video of some of the different projects. Afterwards, the execs showed the representatives the SHARE office and spoke to them one-on-one.

continued on page 2

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news

the harbinger

SHARE with the world Courtney Condron

Continud from page one “They were shocked that volunteering is a cool thing to do at East, almost like a sport,” SADD exec Allison Owens said.

“They were afraid that parents wouldn’t let their children volunteer because it would take away from academics.”

According to Owens, the representatives were completely in awe when they walked into the library.

“They were surprised at how big the library was and how many books we have, and they thought that all of the artwork in the library was so beautiful,” Owens said.

One man from Palestine asked if East had any programs that supported his country. He told SHARE exec Ada Johnson a story of how the week before in his country, a bomb had gone off two blocks away and 109 people died, including 40 under the age of 12.

“I didn’t realize what those kids go through to go to school, and just going outside can cause so much tension for them,” Johnson said.

SHARE exec Hannah Paulsen was given a necklace by one woman.

“She wants me to email her daughter in order to be an inspiration for her, and she wants the youth in her country to learn from us,” Paulsen said.

According to Etzenhouser, the representatives were continuously telling the execs thank you. One representative couldn’t speak English very well so he had an English dictionary in front of him, and he looked up how to say thank you to the execs.

“It was such an honor to hear them say thank you, but I was just thinking what did we do? They’re the ones

Representatives from around the world stop at East to learn about the SHARE program spending their whole lives trying to help other people,” Etzenhouser said.

A representative from Africa wondered what East does about AIDS awareness, because it’s such a large issue in Africa.

“It was interesting because the ones that aren’t necessarily our biggest projects are the ones that effect them the most,” Johnson said.

Botswana has a large problem with drinking and driving. The representative from Botswana hopes to set up a SADD program at the high school there, and wants the execs to help out with how to go about it.

“All of them were fighting to talk to each one of us, and were all trying to promote their country,” Owens said. “As the person from Botswana left, she was asking us to please not forget about them.”

A Pakistani woman asked how students were able to get to the different projects that are downtown. When the execs told her that most students had cars and drove themselves to projects she was shocked. She told them that 15 and 16-year-olds in her country never have cars and that she’s 35 and still doesn’t have a car.

“They were so amazed and wanted to know more about us, and at the same time we wanted to learn more about them,” Johnson said.

Before they left, the representatives gave the execs their business cards and email addresses, so that the execs could stay in touch with them.

“Afterwards we were all so giddy that we couldn’t even focus,” Etzenhouser said.

The SHARE execs hope that in the future, students will have the chance to go to other countries and help out.

“They all wanted us to come to their homes, and form

What the execs said “I thought it was incredible. It showed how blessed we are and made me realize how much we take advantage of our blessings.”

-Brittan Etzenhouser “They were surprised that volunteering is a priority here. We had to explain that to get into some schools you have to have volunteer hours.”

-Allison Owens

links between our countries,” SHARE exec Matt Becker said.

For now, the execs will keep in touch with the representatives through email, and will continue to give them ideas on how to set up volunteer programs in their countries.

“It was so amazing to be able to touch them and have that connection with people from other countries,” Johnson said.

“It was so cool to know we both wanted to help the world to be better and make a difference.”

works to break judgements and C reat i n g unity Unitown stereotypes among students and schools Kathleen Bole One after another, pictures flash on a TV screen, all portraits of high school students.

For each person, participants make an instant first-judgment: a studious girl; a gang member; a high school dropout; on and on.

This is one of many activities at Unitown.

Unitown is a SHARE project meant to teach students to break past their judgments and stereotypes. Three schools from across the metropolitan area participate, staying overnight at Savior Pastoral Center. “[Unitown] is truly an eye-opening experience,” sophomore Tess Hedrick said.

“I learned how different and similar I am to people of different cultures.”

Students are split into groups of about 10 to 15 people from Turner, Wyandotte and East. There are two group counselors for each group to lead discussions with topics on social issues such as family situations, labels, ethnic and gender differences, judgment and stereotypes.

Group

counselors are students who have already been to Unitown before. The counselors from East were senior Matt Becker, senior Hannah Paulsen, senior Meredith Looney and junior Haley Kaufman.

After meeting in small groups, all groups convene as a whole to participate in large group activities. During an activity about racial slurs and labels, Unitown brainstormed degrading labels for different groups of people. In their small groups, the students each made a nametag of something they have been labeled and shared how this label had hurt and affected them.

“You become very close with your group; almost like a family or support group,” Hedrick said.

All activities were led by the Unitown director Natana Howell. She works for the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ), which is a human relations organization. NCCJ runs Unitown along with Anytown, a summer program, Peace Jam, a year-round program, and other programs for college students and adults. Howell has

been volunteering with Unitown for eight years and working for NCCJ for three years.

“For me [Unitown] is a continuous journey to arrive at a bias-free state of mind,” Howell said. “I love seeing people working to make changes in society.”

Co-chairs for Unitown are senior Kate Isenberg and sophomore Tess Hedrick. They organize everyone from East who attends Unitown, making phone calls and delivering information packets to the attendees. Space is limited, so only 18 to 20 students can go from each school. Wyandotte was the host for Unitown, but Isenberg and Hedrick did all the shopping and ordering of food for everyone at Unitown. East will be the hosting Unitown this February.

The goal of Unitown hosted by East is to understand people of different races and ethnicities and their background. Students are encouraged to branch out and meet new people.

“Unitown is just so overwhelming; I always leave bawling,” Paulsen said.

Unitown breaks down the barriers between

Nov. 15, 2004

genders, races, religions and all stereotypes through group activities.

Wyandotte and Turner are more racially diverse than East. This made sophomore Tess Hedrick realize how different East is.

“East was known as ‘the rich school’ so they expected us all to be mean and snobby,” Hedrick said. “They were really nice though and seemed more open than East students.

After I got back I realized how cliquish our school is; most people are only friends with people just like themselves.”

“Unitown is an amazing experience,” Hedrick said. “Everyone should experience it.

Unitown ended with a candle-lit closing ceremony. All participants sat in a circle sharing anything about their experience while passing around a candle. Before loading the busses, everyone said goodbyes to their new acquaintances and friends, exchanging phone numbers, emails, screen names and plenty of hugs with a hope of returning home to make a difference in our schools, communities, city, and nation.

issue 6

Buzzing in

news

Annie Fuhrman

photo by Kevin L. Grunwald

Students strengthen knowledge and have fun on local quiz show

3

Seven desks sit in a semicircle around American Government and IB Theory of Knowledge teacher Nick Paris in room 308 after school on a Monday. Seven students sit and listen for the question to come from their coach. It might be about world capitals, or history, or math, even pop culture. No matter what the question is, the students are prepared. They are the members of the Categories team for 2004-2005 season practicing for a match.

“Sometimes we just shout the answers out, but sometimes we use buzzers, and that is a lot of fun,” junior Hadley Kombrink said.

The questions are varied to prepare the kids for the types of questions that will appear on the show. The team members prepare no notes and do no preparation for

practice. All they bring are their minds “It’s a random sampling of knowledge,” Paris said. The information he uses to quiz the team in practice comes from an SOPHOMORE Liz Reynolds, sophomore Ben Belz, and senior information bank.

Nelson Stauffer practice for their upcoming taping of Categories.

Categories, the quiz bowl show broadcast on cable channel 18, has been in production since a teacher at East, Host of the show for 11 years as well as American Everett Reese, started it in 1974. The show was based on government teacher at SME, Sam Brewster does not have a popular 50’s quiz show called Quiz Kids. Nine teams, any predictions for the rest of the season as of yet. five from the Shawnee Mission schools and four from the “You see if a school does well, but you don’t know Blue Valley schools compete in the 20 matches throughout how well they will do,” Brewster said. “The teams haven’t the season to see who will compete in the four playoff all played each other yet, but having done this for a while matches. The show is filmed at Indian Creek Technical you can start to recognize better teams. East always does Center on its very own permanent set, recently well because we have an outstanding coach in Paris.” Since redesigned by the architectural team from HNTB Brewster is a teacher at East he is careful to not favor the Incorporated.

East team during matches.

To join the team the students must take a high level “In my caution to not favor [the east team] I may take it entrance exam and finish in the top ten of those who too far and handicap them.” Brewster said take it.

In each match East competes in the team of 10 students “The test is just really random, it’s what you know must choose five players to send to compete. When deciding or don’t know,” senior Jordan Hacker said. “Out of 120 who will appear in which matches the verterans of the show, questions I think I got 38 right and I’m on the team.” those who have been on in previous years, will always be The test questions mimic those that will be seen on on, then seniors and then juniors and so on. the show.

•Game 8: January 11, 12, 13 “I think I was in about 5 [matches] last year,” senior Dan “The questions are mostly school topics and a few Belz said •Game 9: January 18, 19, 20 pop culture,” senior Stephen Powell said. “The show is While the matches are a fun experience for the team, not made to stump you.”

•Game 14: February 22, 23, 24 Paris says that practices are often more fun.

The competition, while it is hard, has not “It’s fun because I get to be with the people with the •Game 20: April 12, 13, 14 posed too many problems for the SME team in the past. widest knowledge of the entire student body,” Paris said. “It’s “We usually make it into the playoff/final matches,” All broadcasts are on channel 18. good to be with kids who value knowledge for the sake of Paris said. “It is a young team this year but there is a lot Broadcasts at 3:30p.m. on Tuesdays, 8:30p.m. on of talent.” Paris expects the team to do well. knowledge.”

Broadcast Schedule

Wednesdays, and 8:30a.m. on Thursdays

Give Blood!

Blood Drive Nov. 17

Nov. 15, 2004

4

news

the harbinger

Lancer Literary Circle Turns Pages Beachy’s bookclub meets at a retirement home to discuss novels with the elderly

Erin Morrissy

news BRIEFS

Choosing a School

parties that Beachy wanted it to continue. She then got the idea of a panel discussion- she would have her students visit Bishop Spencer and interview the elderly people in person.

“They enjoyed it so much that I wanted to continue this connection,” said Beachy.

She then contacted Bishop activities director Toy Hunt, who said that the residents would love to have a book club with the East students. And thus, the Lancer Literary Circle was formed. “[The senior citizens] think that it’s wonderful,” said Hunt. “They enjoy having two totally different viewpoints on a book.”

This year, the Circle has met once to discuss Mark Haddon’s novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. On Oct. 11, the students and the retirees met and talked about the book in small groups, lounging in the comfortable chairs of the homey living room at Bishop Spencer Place.

“It was fun hearing different views,” freshman Hannah Brewer said. “Being able to talk with the elderly and seeing how different age groups react was interesting.”

To go along with the book, Beachy put together themed “doggie-bags”. With the help of Three Dog Bakery, she filled red cellophane bags with dog treats and candy, which were enjoyed by all- and a little bit too much by some.

“Some kids ate the dog treats,” said freshman Zach Williams.

The Lancer Literary Circle is a tradition that Beachy hopes to continue. At their next meeting, which will take place December 6th, the participants will discuss The Solace of Leaving Early by Haven Kimmel.

“It’s going to be really festive and fun,” said Beachy.

“I really hope (the book club) continues for a long time to come.”

“Show Me the Money!”

Financing College with Scholarships and Finacial Aid SME Students and Parents - Turn the light on college planning! Plan to attend Tues. - 7 p.m. - Cafeteria: Turn up the “lights” on finding funds for college and prepare for the financial aid process.

College funding experts will address these issues and field questions. Presenters are officers from the University of Kansas, Rice University of Houston, Texis, Kansas State University and Johnson County Community College.

photo by Kevin Grunwald

DECA mini competition

SENIOR Stephanie Bruggeman signed to play Volleyball at Texas State University on Nov.

Singled Out

Approximately 110 students from Marketing 1 and 2 classes competed in a Marketing competition at SM North on Nov. 8.

Students participated in numerous categories including Marketing Management, Hospitality and Full Serve Restaurant Management. Students completed two parts: a roleplay and a 100 question scantron test.

East had the most students participating out of all schools and had the most students place in the top three.

Nov. 15, 2004

photo by Linda Howard

Books.

The internet.

Books.

The internet.

Try as she might, English teacher Laura Beachy couldn’t find a good resource. She was trying to come up with something interesting that her last year’s freshman students, who were reading To Kill a Mockingbird, could relate to the book. However, the typical references just weren’t cutting it.

Then it hit her. Her grandmother, Virginia Woods, was living at Bishop Spencer Place retirement home- a place chock full of people who had experienced the 1930’s and the Great Depression- the time in which the novel was set.

“It struck me that we had these living resourcesthese human resources- and that they would be a lot more interesting for the students,” said Beachy. Then she began to work on developing a bond between her students and the elderly people- one that has lasted well into this year. What started out as a written correspondence became a full-f ledged book club, which has already met once this semester.

It all started when last year, Beachy decided to have her students write letters to the residents, asking them about the times in which they grew up. She felt that having first-hand accounts would help the students better grasp the setting of the book.

And that it did. The residents wrote back, and Beachy read the letters aloud to all of her freshman classes. The correspondence got such positive feedback from both

SENIOR Erica Hudson gives a hug to her prize as she wins the Singled Out contest.

Singled Out, which is modeled after the MTV game show, took place on Nov. 10. Senior Erica Hudson won a date with Dustin from SM South, and Senior Tyler Harrelson won the date with Brittany. All proceeds go to benefit the Can Drive.

Can Drive dates to know 11/15 Monday Morning Breakfast (breakfast foods) 11/16 Toilet Paper Thurs. (paper goods) 11/17 Warm them up Wed. (coats, mittens, gloves) 11/18 Tomato soup Thurs. (cans of scarves) 11/19 Peanut Butter Friday (jars of peanut butter)

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opinion

issue 6

Parents need to realize that their little kids are growing up Sara Steinwart in my own words As I sit down, taking one minute to relax from my hectic school day, I hear a booming voice thundering up the stairs. I knew what it was. I just wanted to turn up my music and pretend like I didn’t notice my mom calling. If I ignored her I knew she would be persistent, but still I hoped that I would be left alone.

But as the footsteps drew nearer I knew my hope was just a foolish dream. With a voice just inches from my tightly shut door I hear, “Sara, I need you to go get my dry cleaning while I get ready for my dinner party.”

Experienced with these types of situations, I knew better than to argue. I would just work on my homework as long as possible before I was absolutely forced to go. Knowing that every minute I spent out on the errand would be one less minute of desired sleep I would get.

The thing that I didn’t understand was why my mom had to put off getting her laundry until I got home. Could she not understand that I am working on homework, something that really needed to be done?

The fact that parents, like my mom, don’t take into consideration that their little baby who used to think 30 minutes of homework was a lot, and who could actually have friends over after school, does not exist anymore.

From the first time that I walked through the front doors at East there was a change. My work habits changed, but not at the same rate as the homework load. I grew up and

learned to work when I needed to work. I ran o u t of time to run those little errands that my mom needs. Now, as sophomore, I am not the little girl my mom once knew, and she just needs to let me be.

She thinks that her little baby that once held onto her leg must still look up at her with that “Are you going to leave me here, alone?”. Reality check. Those times are long gone. Growing up is a permanent experience. I can’t go back in time and make myself little again, and it would be great if my mom could actually realize that. I’m a teenager, and that is just how it has to be.

Parents with young kids need to move on to the next child in the family. Or, as in my case, this is the baby, take a look at the actual age of the child. There are still great times to be had with older kids, but if parents live in the past those times can fly by unnoticed.

I’m past the stage when I wanted to act grown up and relish in the times when I was allowed to partake in such mature, grown up actions, such as running errands. But I have grown out of that. I would think that my mom would’ve noticed.

But still I am sent on these tedious errands. Can my mom see I am being trapped under mounds of homework? Time after time I go to the store for my mom and end up having to go back multiple times because I forgot something or I got the wrong brand.

Is spending 20 minutes waiting in line to buy broccoli for dinner more important than my homework? It would be so much easier for my mom just to go to the grocery store or pick up dinner herself. She might actually get what she wanted.

After finally getting home from those 20 five-minute errands, I still seem to find some motivation to keep working.

Vetoed

The fast for Haiti sponsored by Mr. Debarthe was vetoed because of dangers repercussions

allowed to do this fast. What Scott Peterson been makes this year different is that he in my own words decided to make it a school wide event, Recently Mr. Debarthe raised a proposal for a fast for the Hope for Haiti fund, which donates the proceeds to help pay for kids in Haiti to go to school. The administration turned him down and told him he could not sponsor it. They also wouldn’t allow students to get a grade out of the fast. This is an infringement on the rights of East students.

The fast allowed participants to find sponsors who will pay for a specific amount for every hour that the student fasted, which is a feat.

For the past three years Debarthe has

But as the night gets later and later, I find it harder and harder to function. Once midnight comes around it is practically pointless for me to even try. I won’t get anything productive done, for I am dying to cuddle up in my bed for those glorious five-and-ahalf hours of sleep.

Staying up late, working hard, making good gradessomehow those positive traits never make it to my mom’s head. She never realizes that I am growing and maturing more everyday. I am getting older and it as if her view of me stays the same as the years progress.

There comes a time w h e n Art by Cynthia Goldman that long overdue flash of reality needs to hit, and parents learn to enjoy their kids for what they are. In my case that day better come soon.

in an attempt to gather more money.

This is where the administration vetoed the idea. The claim is that it could cause complications for the fasters, such as eating disorders, and also could inhibit studying abilities of the students.

Okay, I will agree that the lack of studying abilities can be bad, but it is the choice of the student whether or not to eat anyway. The school can’t force anybody to eat, so why is it a problem that the students do it for a good cause?

Children in Haiti are eating clay for their meals, if that is what you can call it, and a few students wish to fast for a couple of days to try and help solve that problem.

I understand the concern of sponsoring a potentially harmful situation to students, and it is good that the administration is cautious in approaching this. Having said that, the whole idea behind the fast is to get students to understand some of the pain that the people in Haiti are going through. So frankly, pieing teachers in the face at the next pep assembly as an alternative seems somewhat sub par.

Fasting for a day or so is a much closer parallel to the people who have to resort to eating clay for meals than having a teacher shave his beard.

I am relieved, if only somewhat, that the administration did approve “plan B”, which was to have certain teachers do crazy things if a certain amount of money was raised. If $2500 is raised, then Debarthe will shave his head. Other teachers have become involved,

Nov. 15, 2004

like Mr. Nickels and Mr. Pulsinelli, which is great, but I think things could’ve been a lot better.

However, much more money could have been raised had the fast been approved, as donating for every hour of a fast is a much more noble cause than simply throwing water balloons at a teacher, or having to walk into class everyday and be faced with a completely bald Mr. Debarthe. Yeah, I cringe at that too.

While it is somewhat too late to do anything about this injustice for the year, next year maybe the administration could reexamine this cause, and see that there is hope for a damaged, storm torn country, and we need to lead the charge. You know, possibly show some compassion?

6

opinion

the harbinger

SHARE-ing the charity

It’s far too hard to get involved in community service

Ben Whitsitt in my own words SHARE has been the torment to my musing over my two and a half-year education at East. The more I think about how I can’t get into a community service project the more I end up sending myself into a concussion. Each year I am denied the opportunity to better my community, and each year my lack of volunteer service lingers on.

After all the disappointment I find myself writing about how SHARE hasn’t worked out for me and have come up with some reasons that have led to my demise.

Although the sign up sheets at the beginning of the year assembly are a good idea, they would be more effective if they were used. One SHARE project leader told me that they have stopped trying to contact people who sign up, because most people don’t care or they can’t read their handwriting. If the leaders don’t contact people to do their projects then it is humanly impossible to have students show up at them.

Of course, announcements play a role in getting students to attend - and so do signs - but that doesn’t work as well in reality as in theory. Announcements are intended to inform the student body about school activities, but there are little to no announcements about SHARE. When announcements are made no one is listening. As hard as it is to deal with, a lot of students don’t listen to announcements; it is that way in my English class everyday,

and I am sure that it’s the got lost, and I ended up circling the Plaza twice trying to follow her and received same with many nothing except my gas meter going down a couple notches. This is the result of other fourth hour lack of communication between volunteers and SHARE leaders and could be classes. If more corrected by more contact between students and project leaders. announcements Last year I went to the assembly, went through the whole spiel, were made about and was actually contacted about a project, but, alas, I didn’t get to community do community service. The SHARE leaders told me to meet in the service cafeteria at 7 a.m., and, being a responsible student, I did just that. projects, I wound up sitting there until I realized at the five-minute bell that then the they would not grace me with their presence. I was contacted and turnout would told where to meet (a good use of communication on the part of be greater.

SHARE), but no one ever showed up, which was definitely not Repetition beneficial to my never ending journey to do a project. It had all is key. Signs the ingredients of a SHARE project except for the actual part are probably the where I get involved with the project. more ineffective I am sure SHARE would be a great activity to of the two, but that do where students could meet students they don’t doesn’t mean they shouldn’t normally see and have a ball. But it seems like people be used. If they were made as who want to get involved can’t. SHARE could be so though project leaders actually much more successful with a better student turnout cared about getting student by strengthening the communication between involvement then I am sure people students and project leaders. Some may call it a would stop, look, and put the well-established program, but until more students are information in their brain. involved I won’t agree with that statement.

A few of my friends seem to find their way into projects, and, without trying to figure out how they managed to do it, I just ask them when and where it’s happening and how I can get in on it.

Even asking people that you think know what’s happening with SHARE doesn’t give you any more information than you already had.

The friend I asked to follow to the project

You’re moving to

CANADA, eh?

Michael Pope in my own words All right, I’ve got some good news and some bad news; the latter I’ll tell you first to spare you needless pain and / or suffering.

The bad news is if you or someone you love voted for John Kerry, your dreams for the next four years have been crushed like a used cigarette butt under the collective cowboy boot of the Republican Party. The good news is, if you instead voted for the winner, George Bush, congratulations! You have single-handedly brought about the downfall of the United States of America the likes of which we’ve never seen in our entire 229 years as a country! Your elementary teacher was right; even you can make a difference!

Ha ha ha; I kid. It wasn’t just you; a good 60 million other voters also took it upon themselves to send the good old USA into a downward spiral from which we may never recover. At least, that’s what some people think. These national naysayers can easily be spotted moping around with the permanent scowls they’ve had on their faces for the past 10-15 days - a common sign of Post-Election Stress Disorder - and also throwing themselves out of 12th story windows.

The easiest way to locate a potential PESD sufferer, though, is by their incessant rambling about moving to,

of all places, Canada. Now, as a country we’ve all poked our fair share of fun at our neighbors to the north, but now that the time has come for some people to actually consider emigration little is known about this land that time forgot. This is why I have compiled for you, the consumer of Chipotle burritos, a brief and completely unbiased guide of the history and culture of Canada.

Though I’m required by law to place a disclaimer after any potentially debatable information, I’d advise you not to waste your time worrying about them, because after reading this you’ll know so much about the country that you’ll have no problem at all fitting in with your fellow Canadians!1 Canada, the Land of Eskimo Pies2, is the world’s largest producer of Sunshine and Happiness and hockey equipment3.

The language they speak is some sort of bastardization of French and English in which they say “aboot” a lot and end every question with “eh?”4. The country is divided up into provinces in order to make sure that no mail, money orders, skin magazines, etc. coming in will ever get to their proper destination and will instead be diverted to the Canadian Postal Offices for “safe keeping”5.

Hockey, about the only thing Canadians are good at, was invented by national hero Wayne Gretzky in 19676. While taking out the trash, 6-year-old Wayne took his mother’s broom and proceeded to sweep the charred-black discs of her burnt pot pies across their frozen driveway and into the overturned trashcan at the other end7, eventually going on to dominate the sport and win four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League. Tragically, he lost his life soon after in late 1989 during a freak zamboni accident and is buried under the ice in Edmonton’s Municipal

Nov. 15, 2004

Arena8.

Canada is home to a myriad of wildlife, including the great Kodiak bear, their national animal9. If the name sounds familiar, it’s no coincidence; Stephan Ellensburg, the original founder of the Kodak Film Company, was the first person to actually photograph this majestic animal and named his company thusly - unfortunately for him, he did not know how to spell10.

And, as an added bonus to all you flu sufferers out there, Canada is just one of the many foreign countries around the world to offer free healthcare to all of its citizens11.

So what are you waiting for? March proudly up to that ticket window and shout, “A one-way ticket to Canada, please!” Don’t mind all the open-mouthed stares and cries of alarm; after all, if these people had any sense they’d be joining you in line without a moment’s hesitation. Board that plane / charter bus / Vespa moped and give your new Motherland a taste of some good old American initiative. But you’d better not forget to take your Chipotle with you; you’re going to need something to live off of for the next four years.

1 - not true 2 - not true 3 - still not true 4 - technically, that’s not true either 5 - not true 6 - not true, but it seems like it should be

7 - not true 8 - not true 9 - pretty sure it’s not true 10 - completely not true 11 - as crazy as it sounds to the American government, this is actually true

editorial

issue 6

the

harbinger

Michael Pope

Shawnee Mission East 7500 Mission Rd Editor In Chief Assistant Editors

Editorial Cartoon

Art/Design Editors Head Copy Editor Photo Editor News Editor News Page Editors Features Editor Features Page Editors A&E Editors A&E Page Editor Sports Editor Sports Page Editors Opinion Editor Opinion Page Editor Editorial Editor Special Section Editor Copy Editors

Concession without Conceit

John Kerry conceded early and with dignity.

Although we live in a country built on the notion of above these skirmishes and realized that after months of smooth transitions of power, this past presidential election mudslinging and preparing for the election, that the people had the potential to once again defy that reputation. The had spoken, and their choice was President Bush. Nov. 3 last time we elected a president the results didn’t come was the right time to concede a hard fought election. out for months and the entire time they were contested.

Kerry made his concession call with over 200,000 The 2000 election was a dark spot in our nation’s history; provisional ballots left to be counted in Ohio. He realized a time when the people were not that he would need over 100,000 of those votes if he were to win the allowed to decide who would White House. He also realized that the preside over their country.

John Kerry was right to nation would have a repeat of the 2000 Instead the decision was left up to election and that once again the US the justice system. concede when he did.

The 2004 election had the would not live up to its billing of having potential to produce all of the the smoothest transition of power in the world. same problems, maybe even Those who thought that Kerry more. There were thousands of agree disagree absent lawsuits filed for miscounting should have fought longer have a valid point; he still had a small chance of votes and people being winning the election, an election that disenfranchised before the election even took place. Coming into the Nov. 2 election the Democrats desperately needed since they lost seats in there were few in the United States who felt that the next the Senate and House. The problem is that the motivation behind calls for Kerry to continue is not the desire to morning the nation would have a new president.

This was not the case, though. John Kerry reminded us fight for the people’s best interest, but instead to achieve of what the US is all about. He reminded us that there is a personal political gain.

Kerry had what was best for the people in mind when need for a smooth transition of power and that in this time of turbulence the last thing the nation needed was another he conceded. He wanted to give the people the chance to long, drawn out election. decide who their president was, not the justice system.

There are those who thought that Kerry conceded to Whether Bush would have made the same decision is President George W. Bush too early, that he should stay unknown, but the nation can only hope that they elected a and fight to try to win the election. Kerry, however, was man who has the people first in his mind.

7-2-2

Nov. 15, 2004

7

Staff Writers

Staff Artists Ads/Business Manager Asst. Ads/Biz Contest Coordinator Public Relations Photographers

Adviser

(913) 993-6688

Libby Nelson Annie Fuhrman Gordon Culver Cynthia Goldman Mallory Toombs Stephen McKim Linda Howard Courtney Condron Katie Jones Ally Heisdorffer Ellie Weed Kathleen Bole Jayne Shelton Madi Moedritzer Ian McFarland Evan Favreau Erin Morrissey Curtis Shank Peter Goehausen Frances Lafferty Sara Steinwart Tom Grotewohl Cay Fogel Amanda Allison Amanda Allison Courtney Condron Cay Fogel Curtis Shank Ian Stanford Evan Favreau Patrick Haverty Ross Boomer Derek Martin Meg Fracol Sarah Burfod Andy Launder Scott Peterson Davin Phillips Michael Pope Bryan Dykman Ben Whitsitt Maggie DiSilvestro Lauren Kelly Erin Morrissey Meg Fracol Emily Rappold Samantha Ludington Molly Magoon Kevin Grunwald Dow Tate

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

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

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

That was then....

Al Gore won the popular vote by 540,000 votes in 2000 and conceded five weeks after the election.

This is now

John Kerry lost this year by almost 4 million and conceded the next day.

8 hi

features

sup

lol i luv u

the harbinger

:)

brb

Ross Boomer im gay remained typed on the window.

“Should I send this?” John* thought.

“One enter and she’ll know.”

He had already been staring at the same message for a minute.

“How will she respond? Am I ready for this?”

John pressed enter, and immediately his message appeared on his friend’s computer.

He was out … from the comforts of an instant message.

Senior John Adams is just one of 13 million teenagers who has embraced instant messaging as a necessary, everyday means of communication. Creating a more private environment, IM services like AIM are revolutionizing the way people socialize, deal with relationships, and use the English language.

A new network In 2001 the Pew Internet and American Life Project – a national nonprofit research center studying the country’s online activities – found that 74 percent of American teenagers used instant messaging. According to head researcher Amanda Lenhart, that number is only growing as researchers collect more data.

Lenhart’s research also found that instant messaging is fitting the social needs of younger age groups as they increasingly start using the Internet.

“We call it a ‘network effect,’” Lenhart said. “As people get to know more people they create these social networks through instant messaging… in the past IM and email were equal partners. Now IM is becoming more popular because it’s more like a conversation, and you know who’s on.”

Privacy and convenience are other factors that lead teens to instant messaging.

“Without a face and a voice to go with the screen name it is much less intimidating to approach that person,” senior William O’Rourke said.

O’Rourke started using instant

Communication is changing.

Friends, relatives, girlfriends, boyfriends—all just a few clicks away. Talk to four or five people at once. And who cares about grammar anymore anyway?

wanna go out w/ me sometime?

It’s

generation

how r u

:(

bye n/m

AIM,

ttfn

and we’re all part of it.

messaging at the end of elementary school.

“It came in handy late at night,” he said.

“I could talk to girls without my parents overhearing. With the phone they could always hear what I’m saying, but on AIM I could talk more freely.”

According to the 2001 Pew study, though, the phone is still the most preferred way of communicating with close friends.

“The phone becomes preferable if inflection and depth are important to a given conversation,” senior Brady Myers said. “Instant messaging is more efficient in terms of the number of people you can communicate with at once, and also in terms of its ability to transmit lengthy written text faster than if it was read or spoken.”

Changing relationships In Adams’ case, he called his friends after he initially came out to them online.

“I felt that it wasn’t like I was joking,” he said. “It was easier to show emotion, so they knew what I was really talking about.”

Last October freshman Chris Nicely asked out freshman Michelle Parsons online.

“I was really nervous,” he said. “I didn’t know how to react to her response [in person].”

Parsons found it impersonal.

“I thought it was rude,” she said. “I ended up breaking up with him online because he asked me out online.”

Just as teenage interest and use of instant messages rose in the past years, so did teachers’. World geography teacher John Nickels decided to get his own screen name after noticing more of his students using IM. “Kids talked me into doing it,” Nickels said. “I talk to kids on all different levels, from homework to any subject that comes up.”

Nickels has also gotten to know students who otherwise don’t speak much in class.

“They are kind of intimidated in class,” he said. “Online is wide open and bullet

proof…but I can’t type. I can’t handle more than three people…[Just tonight] I’m talking to 10 – it’s killing me.”

Social status... online The larger influence of instant messaging on teenagers has also led to an increase of research. American University linguistics professor Naomi Baron recently finished her study on away messages among college students.

“Less often is the message that says ‘I’m not here,’” she said. “There are these functions that this seemingly innocent message actually ends up serving. People customize it to whatever purpose they find useful.”

According to Professor Baron, a common use of the away message is to position oneself socially among the people on his or her buddy list.

“It’s a way for people to know that you have a great social life: you’re out with so and so tonight,” she said. “And sometimes that’s made up; in reality you’re sitting at your home feeling sorry for yourself.”

The study also found that students put substantially more time into their away messages than their actual conversations, making sure everything is grammatically correct.

“A lot of people put a lot of effort into their away messages, putting up long poems up, [for example],” Baron said. “And if you are going to do that, to show off that

Nov. 15, 2004

you’ve actually read Emily Dickinson, you proofread it.”

Grammar check There are also more studies being created on the psychological effects of instant messaging.

“It’s showing signs we’re having some problems of being able to communicate face to face,” psychology teacher John Comstock said. “Some people are becoming more comfortable hiding behind a screen.”

Another effect noticed is the increased use of instance messenger language in school.

“I see what I consider ‘IM speak’ showing up on essays occasionally,” English teacher Susie Schweiker said. “To me ‘w/’ means a McDonald’s order board… it’s writing that is appropriate to a certain format but not as a means of expression on a school assignment.”

Schweiker also believes that instant messaging will have a larger impact on language use among younger generations.

“If the majority of what you’re writing is not elevated language, then how does your own vocabulary get better?” she said.

“Doesn’t it always stay at a certain level?

You’re not noticing new vocabulary words because who of your friends [online] is using them? … an inherent danger exists in the limiting of language.” * names changed to protect privacy

generation... gaim?

Other instant message programs out there

TRILLIAN is an instant message program that combines AIM, ICQ, MSN, IRC and Yahoo with one buddy list for all programs. WHERE TO GET IT: www.trillian.cc GAIM, another instant message program, supports the same programs as Trillian as well as Jabber (another instant message prograim like AIM) and Gadu-Gadu, an instant message program popular in Poland.

WHERE TO GET IT: www.gaim.sourceforge.net

features

issue 6

9

the

STRUGGLE photo by Samantha Ludington

to

enlist Senior defies parents by deciding to enlist in U.S. Army Sarah Burford Sam Dodge just wants one thing for Christmas: his parents’ signatures authorizing his enlistment into the U.S. Army.

He’s just an ordinary guy -- loves golf, works at a hardware store, gets good grades -- but instead of choosing the ordinary college route, Sam plans to go to Iraq. Ever since the war began, he has felt the need to help U.S. troops fighting in the Middle East. His parents, however, have different ideas.

When they agreed to meet with Sergeant Eric Bowman, the recruiter that Sam has been consulting, they merely wanted to respect Sam’s interest... not enlist him. Shock and dismay hit the Dodges as they received the papers to sign.

They had assumed it was just a phase, and couldn’t even consider letting their youngest son go to war.

“We were just so surprised,” Virginia Dodge said. “I guess we thought that if we ignored it, it would just go away.”

But Sam’s mind was set.

Terrorists and insurgents couldn’t get away with killing innocent people on Sept. 11 and in Iraq. Sam is eager to fight alongside the U.S. troops who are trying to restore order and save innocent lives. Even images of Fallujah leave him aching to go overseas; if NFL player Pat Tillman could give up a life of privilege, so could Sam Dodge.

“Basically, I just want to do my part, step out of my comfort zone, make sacrifices for the life everyone gets to live at home,” Sam said.

“I’m doing it for the kids [U.S. soldiers] that need help over there. I’m not gonna’ sit around and do nothing just because I have the Johnson-County-easy-way-out.”

Sam is eager for the challenge of life in the Middle East, the adventure of traveling to other countries, and the opportunity to do things that a civilian wouldn’t do. Things like paratrooping, navigating across foreign terrain, using firearms.

“I want to sleep in terrible conditions, eat bad food, and live a pretty rugged life,” Sam said.

Sergeant Bowman believes Sam has what it takes to be a soldier, having met him on the North ramp last spring when

Sam approched the Army recruiters.

“He’s determined. That’s definitely the mark of a soldier right there,” he said.

Although Sam anticipates the adventure of combat, he also fears what could happen to him, both physically and mentally. “[I fear] breaking down emotionally, seeing comrades killed, having a good buddy killed,” Sam said.

Though Mr. and Mrs. Dodge are opposed to enlisting him themselves, Sam plans to sign the papers on May 10, his 18th birthday. After graduation he will complete a combined basic and special training course at Fort Benning, Georgia, for 13 to 15 weeks. He expects the officers to break him down mentally and physically in order to build him up as a soldier.

After training, Sam hopes to be stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as part of the 82nd Airborne infantry division, which must be prepared to deploy anywhere in the world 18 hours from notification. After two years of service, Sam plans to attend K-State University, full tuition paid by the Army, and major in business.

“I’m not throwing away college,” he said.

“I’m just postponing it.”

But to his parents, the certainty of a college education far outweighs the great risks involved in the military. They would rather he avoid the war’s significant potential for death, and have done everything they can to dissuade him.

“If we sign him up, it’s like saying we agree with his decision, and we don’t,” Mrs. Dodge said.

Simply put, the Dodges want to provide for their son a happy and comfortable life, away from unnecessary harm.

“We just don’t want anything to happen to him and there’s no guarantee,” Mrs. Dodge said.

Nov. 15, 2004

Above all, Mr. and Mrs. Dodge fear that Sam will kill another person, return psychologically damaged or be killed.

“We just love the guy and don’t know what to do,” Mr. Dodge said.

But even amid worry and fear, Sam’s parents have found some good in his decision to join the military.

“I think it [will] mature [Sam] and make him more realistic,” Mr. Dodge said. “He’ll be exposed to a greater variety of people.”

While Sam agrees that he will gain some maturity, focus, and discipline, he is enlisting for far different reasons: the challenge, the travel, the soldiers.

“I’m not doing this for attention, not for the school newspaper, or for my buddies to talk about,” Sam said. “I’m doing this for myself and my country... Now, I want to do it with more fervor than ever.”

82nd Airborne Division During training in one year....

-paratroopers train 270 days -run 700 miles -conduct a minimum of 12 parachute operations -participate in day and night live-fire exercises

10

features

Faking

Is it really worth it?

What do the teachers think “I think cheating is very widespread, because students have taught themselves it’s not cheating.”

Yolande Mountjoy Sophomore English Teacher “Kids that are more concerned with their grades are more apt to cheat.”

Chris Burrows Math Teacher

What do the students think “Copying homework isn’t even cheating. When it’s just busy work it doesn’t matter.”

Garrett DeGregory Sophomore Student “...It’s not a disservice to me because I still read the information and understand it.”

Brooke Stanley Freshman Student

What do the statistics say 80% of all students with a 3.0 GPA or better admitted to cheating at least once.

Who’s Who Among American High School Students Half of all students with a 3.0 GPA or better said they didn’t view cheating necessarily as wrong.

Who’s Who Among American High School Students 95% of all students with a 3.0 GPA or better said they’ve never gotten caught cheating.

Who’s Who Among American High School Students

Derek Martins The teacher had stepped out of the room, only for a moment, but just long enough. Former freshman Jake* rushed to the desk; laid out before him were answers to the final he was about to take. His eyes scanned the key, trying to take numbers and letters from page to mind. He heard his teacher’s voice coming back through the door and he rushed back to his seat. “I didn’t study at all, that’s why I had to do that,” said Jake*. “Usually, I wouldn’t.”

Whether it be lack of information or lack of time, cheating is often seen as a solution to a lack of studying.

From copying homework, to looking off others’ tests, cheating has become another way for students to get the grades they want. In a recent study by the Josephson Institute of Ethics in 2004, almost two-thirds of students admitted to cheating on an exam and over 80 percent said they’d copied homework in the last twelve months.

English teacher Yolande Mountjoy is less than surprised by this. “ I think cheating is very widespread, because students have taught themselves, copying and plagiarism isn’t really cheating.”

Students will even go to extravagant lengths to cheat. One Junior, Ted*, said he once skipped a class to prepare to cheat in another.

“I had to write all these formulas all over me, under my watch, inside of the bottom of my jeans, on pieces of paper.”

He ended up getting “A” on the test and said he did feel bad, “I just kind of did it, I me yeah...”

Some students draw the line at c many still copy homework.

“Copying homework is not e Sophomore Gary*, “when it’s just matter.” He also said, “Every mor full of people copying or letting so really cares.”

“If I copy something for li it’s not a disservice to me bec information, and understan Brooke Stanley.

Mountjoy said she didn a way for teachers to pre copying on homework, “It’s an issue of personal much we can do.”

When students in her cheating it’s an automatic ze The first time a student i someone’s paper, it’s half cr Chris Burrows’ class.

“The second time I call th to them,” Burrows said.

Burrows said he catches week cheating.

“Morals regarding academ be taught at home, it’s a sch those values,” he said.

Darset DeGregory, who’s at East, said, she talked to he when he was younger.

“I told him why cheating w he shouldn’t do it, and that le something was still cheating,” she According to freshman Tory Patri less than a superior job of reinfo

g the Grade Through new creative methods, students explain how they think cheating isn’t the worst thing

an dn’t ean,

cheating on tests, but

even cheating,” said t busy work it doesn’t rning the cafeteria is omeone copy, no one

ike a current event, cause I still read the nd it,” said freshman

n’t believe there was event students from

l honesty. There’s not

r class are caught ero. is caught looking off redit in Math teacher

heir parents and talk

s about one person a

mic integrity have to hool’s job to reinforce

s son is a sophomore er son about cheating

was wrong, and why etting someone copy e said. ick, schools are doing orcing those values.

Students learn at home about the reasoning behind not cheating. “[In middle school] they’d always threaten to rip up your test if they caught you,” Patrick said, “but it never actually happened.”

Another potential cause of cheating is the issue of just too much pressure being put on students.

“You have to cheat to get by,” said Jake*.

Dr. Donald McCabe, an expert on t h e subject of academic integrity, gave a speech at Rutgers University and brought up the topic of cheating. He said that students told him schools should stress motivation for learning, not just getting a grade.

“I’ve found that those kids who are more concerned with their grades are more apt to cheat,” Burrows said.

Some wonder why cheating is still a problem in high schools today.

“With reality TV showing people doing whatever it takes, it can effect how people think,” said Mountjoy.

In a survey of 444 first-year college students conducted by Simon Frasier University, a majority said that high school for them was less about learning and more about getting good test scores to get into a good university. Many of them said this quest for the best grades led them to cheat.

The goal of getting good grades is on the minds of a lot of East students. Cheating has become another avenue to reach this goal, but could it be doing a disservice to the future?

“I don’t think so,” Stanley said. “People who cheat just won’t have important jobs.” *Names have been changed.

November 15, 2004

features

11

“Technically” Cheating A new popular way to cheat is through technologically advanced gadgets. Information for tests can be stored in cell phones, pagers, and graphing calculators and are easily accessible during a test or exam.

“Cheating is an epidemicthe root of which lies in high academic standards and low motivation to do anything productive.”

12 features

the harbinger

Family lives in Tanzania, Africa when parents are missionaries

Megan Fracol

ask them. I’m not really talkative if I don’t know people,” Ben said.

Finding out about celebrity names and upcoming movies was just a matter of time and some quality T.V..

Knowing how to talk to people was a social aspect that had to be learned.

“It’s kind of a culture thing to know how to interact with people. [In Africa] When you say you want to have someone over to your house, you mean it and that means you’re going to do it, whereas here it’s more superficial because it may be more casual,” Jonathan said.

In America, 16 is a good age. It means freedom with the ability to drive and go wherever we want whenever we want; no parents, no restrictions. For Ben and Jonathan, driving meant restrictions, not freedom. In Kuria, the boys could come and go as they pleased.

They would ride their bikes through the village all day to play.

Unlike Kuria, their new home town was a lot bigger. Their parents had to know where they were going, when they were leaving, and when they’d be home.

One thing the boys missed most from their African home was their native friends. The villagers don’t have much hope for advancement as the children take up their BROTHERS Jonathan, Ben and Andrew in an African hut. parents’ jobs. Leaving friends Adam and Fred was hard knowing they would grow up to continue their father’s have grown into their new home. low-paying job with no chance of a college education. Left “I think America [is my home] now because we’ve been with only a few notes because friends like Fred and Adam here for two years and bought a house here. We don’t have couldn’t afford to send a 75 cent letter forced the boys to any plans to go back. If you would have asked us a year ago, make new friends and leave their past life behind.

I’d have probably said Africa {is my home],” Ben said.

Parents Cabot and Betsy realized the boys would have Growing up in Africa also completely changed Jonathan’s some trouble adjusting to America from the beginning. perspective of the world.

“I know it’s made it harder for them to fit in, but I think it “I feel I have a better appreciation of the world and it was worth it,” Betsy said. makes me thankful for having been born an American Overall, the boys have taken the last two years to get citizen. People really have no idea how lucky they are at used to their new life. Although they still have a ways to go, East.”

Jonathon still doesn’t know many of the American cars, they photos courtesy of the Sweeney Family

A visit to Grandpa is a handful of airplane tickets, a suitcase of clohes, meeting spots at airports, and pictures of their African home, for the Sweeneys anyway. Big buildings, American movies, and all the ice-cream they wanted were a part of Grandpa’s home, America. After 9 years of traveling between Tanzania and the U.S. the Sweeney family decided it was time to come home, forever.

Parents Cabot and Betsy always knew they wanted to go to Africa. What they didn’t know was when they’d be back.

They got assigned to Africa through Urbana, a mission group they knew about from their church. Both were in the medical field and they hoped to help community development like building roads and homes in Africa while spreading the idea of God and bible teachings.

“The group thought it’d be seven to 10 years, but in our minds and our hearts we were ready to be there forever.

We were ready to do whatever God wanted us to do,” Betsy Sweeney explained.

The Sweeneys decided to return after spending nine years in the African culture. From bikes to cars, dirt roads to paved ones, and water buckets to showers, adjusting to the American lifestyle doesn’t sound hard. However, Junior Jonathan and Sophomore Ben Sweeney faced other difficulties in their transition to America.

The Sweeney boys had no problems adjusting academically. In Africa, the missionaries’ children were educated apart from the villagers. Although the “school” was in a mud building and only made up of about ten kids, it kept up with the American curriculum. As the boys got older, a teacher came in from New Jersey to help. So when Jonathan started at East his freshman year and Ben at Mission Valley, they had no problem adjusting to new classes. The one thing their American education did lack was a social basis.

Growing up with only ten other kids and in a completely different culture, the boys worried most about how to interact with the kids at school. They didn’t know who Brad Pitt was, whether Findng Nemo was the name of a dog or a fish, or the difference between a Vespa and a Harley.

“I didn’t really talk to that many people; I just listened to them. I’d hear stuff all the time that I didn’t know and then I’d

THE SWEENEYS get help from villagers with their car stuck in the mud. During the rainy season it is difficult to travel.

Nov. 15, 2004

mixed up

issue 6

13

student profiles. teacher snapshots. college previews. t-shirt of the week. drinking fountain reviews. health advice. hot spots around town. price chec ACED hot list. cool student rooms. scholarship info. hot jobs.student profiles. teacher snapshots. college previews. t-shirt of the week. health advice. hot spots around town. price check. ACED hot list. cool student rooms. scholarship info. hot jobs.student profiles. teacher snapshots. college previews t-shirt of the week. drinking fountain reviews. health advice. hot spots around town. price check. ACED hot list. cool student rooms. scholarship info.

second 30 thoughtswith

the page about life

1.If you were a rock star, what kind of hair would you have?

A mullet.

inside outside

F

o r those of you intimidated by more well known colleges such as Harvard, Tufts serves as the perfect alternative.

Curriculum: Includes the School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging , The Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy (Boston headquarters is in the Jaharis Family Center) The school maintains a rigorous academic program that is specifically designed to make students more independent. Tufts receives more than $120 million for academic and medical research. The Carn-

O

egie Foundation recognizes the University as a “Doctoral/Research Extensive” institution - its highest classification for degree-granting colleges and universities - based on the breadth of basic and clinical research.

The travel abroad program is one of the most recognized programs in the world.

Extracurricular:The University is home to six a cappella groups, several dance troupes, and dozens of plays and musicals put on by students each year. Recreational sports -- including ultimate frisbee, ballroom dancing and karate -- are also abundant. With more than 1,000 participants in their volunteer corps, Tufts’ largest student organization the Leonard Carmichael

topgrade what’s cool

O

K

Society - sponsors more than 40 community service opportunities and programs every year.

Political, cultural and religious organizations are also popular choices, with more than 50 active groups on campus.

Enrollment: 1,4528 freshmen applied; 3,836 accepted.

93% were in the top fourth of their senior class.

Admission: 1,4528 freshmen applied; 3,836 accepted. ACT or SAT required. 46% male and 54% female. Very little diversity.

Contact: (617) 628-5000 Web site: www.tufts.edu Admission: Total cost is $30,969 and room/ board totals $9,030

5. How many North Face jackets do you own?

Zero!

Helath Guru

L

2. How would your grandma describe you, in one word?

Tubular.

3. Jessica or Ashley? Why? Jessica, because Ashley is annoying 4. If you were a teacher, how would you punish your students?

Hang them up by their fingers and tickle them.

the guru the guru the guru the guru the

were cool because you were the only ones shopping at Wild Oats, scooping up your bundles of soy nuts and varying shapes of tofu, I laugh. You are no longer alone.

More people are realizing that it is indeed not right to stuff a half masticated cow in your mouth. Thanks to this, vegetarians are on the rise.

”

the guru the guru the guru the guru the

what’s hot

today For those of you that thought you

“

Although it’s cliche: wash, wash, wash your hands. With flu season upon us, it’s imperative.

yesterday Jeez guys. Panera offered “Low Carb Bagels” and “Low Carb Bread” just to appeal to the hordes who aspired to be a size 0. People counted fiber (which by the way can be subtracted from the total carbs) and only “Carb Friendly” milk was acceptable.

Um...everything contains carbs. Well, everything but brocoli. Hence, our choice above.

Nov. 15, 2004

lookout

Think Silence of the Lambs.

Think Hannibal. You get my point? Yeah. Cannabilism. If that is too harsh a term for you, try meat eating. Constantly. That’s it: no vegetables, no bread. Nothing but meat. Hmmm...steak.

Not only for special occasions anymore. It’s been kinda cool to eat only veggies and fruit, but seriously. Look out for this one. It could be dangerous.

14 features

the harbinger

Being bilingal Ellie Weed

Speaks for Itself

Speaking two languages helps a student to communicate with everyone

He’d asked the question three times, and there still wasn’t an answer from his parents. Fine, he’ll ask it in Spanish.

Finally, there was a reply. But that’s the way it always is for junior Miguel Velasquez—it’s a rule at his house.

He’s bilingual, and in order for him to remember the Spanish that his parents taught him at a young age, they don’t allow him to use any English at home.

“They don’t really like me to even slur my words together,” Velasquez said.

“Usually [my parents] won’t answer my questions when they’re in English.”

Velasquez was raised in the United States, but his parents are both from Mexico City. He was taught Spanish when he was around two years old. When he was young, his parents would read him and his siblings books in Spanish. After a while, he started to read the books on his own.

“A lot of it was conversational, and the books really helped,” Velasquez said.

After learning it progressively with his English when he was younger, he said it’s still confusing.

“I sometimes get confused at home, because I like to mix in my English, or throw in a Spanish word in a conversation with a friend from school,” he said.

After growing up knowing two languages, Velasquez says that there is one that he prefers over the other.

“I like Spanish better- it’s easier.”

But it’s not just at home that he said he uses his Spanish. A lot of people around SM East speak it too. Even though a lot of his friends and family can speak Spanish, most of the people around East don’t have a clue what they’re saying.

“It’s fun to speak in Spanish with my friends,” Velasquez said. “The best part is when you’re talking to someone in a different language, and everyone around you has no idea what you’re saying.”

There’s also a lot of students that are impressed with Velasquez’s ability to speak a different language.

“A lot people come up to me and ask me to say something in Spanish,” Velasquez said.

“Most of the time I’ll say it, but it gets kind-of old.

They a l w a y s want to learn some random word.”

After t a k i n g Spanish 1 and 2 during his freshman

¿Hablas

Español?

and sophomore years, he dropped his Spanish 3 class within the first couple weeks of school.

It wasn’t very fun for him, being able to speak the whole language with ease, Velasquez isn’t really interested in taking upper-lever Spanish classes at East.

“They’re not challenging for me,” he said. “It’s really boring.

I know almost everything, it just seems like a waste of time. I’d rather just get credit for a different class that I’m more interested in.”

To get more practice with his Spanish, Velasquez spends his winter holidays along with a part of his summer every year in Mexico with his dad’s family, who still lives in Mexico City.

Velasquez considers his ability essential for things that will happen later in his life.

“I will most definitely use it in my career later on in my life,” Velasquez said.

It’s something that only makes him more unique, and shows Velasquez’s family background, it made for a good side note for any resume and made communication more interesting and entertaining for him.

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Nov. 15, 2004

Do you speak Spanish?

Name: Miguel Velasquez First language: English Started Spanish: age 2 Family from: Mexico City Age: 17 Class: Junior ”I like to mix in my English, or throw in a Spanish word in a conversation with a friend from school.”

Twice a year, he goes to Mexico, but would never want to live there.

ZEPPELIN unledded a&e

issue 6

15

ʻ

Live DVD ‘No Quarter - Jimmy Page & Robert Plant Unledded’ nearly rekindles Led Zeppelin’s Glory Days

Andy Launder The noticeably aging Jimmy Page and Robert Plant take the stage and begin to perform. At the time, Led Zeppelin had been broken up for 14 years, but right as Page began strumming the opening chords to Thank You I got the feeling a part of Zeppelin had been resurrected. This DVD is probably the closest we will get to a Zeppelin reunion that there will ever be. And it doesn’t disappoint.

The duo plays with the London Metropolitan Orchestra and an Egyptian ensemble to achieve Arabian/Middle-Eastern sounds. This is an ongoing theme throughout the DVD, which takes place in Morocco.

It starts out with the powerful title track No Quarter where the only instrument being played is Page’s 12 string acoustic guitar.

During the song, the camera pans through the hillsides of Morocco, and pictures Page and Plant playing by themselves in a natural setting. This displays the spiritual side of the two, which was recurring throughout the DVD.

No Quarter, like many other Zeppelin songs performed, was much different from the original version. When the Levee Breaks has been molded to fit a completely different genre. Zeppelin originally wrote the song as a blues piece featuring slide guitar but now it has turned into an Arabian ballad. The relatively few Zeppelin songs that they keep close to the same are Thank You, What is and What Should Never Be, Gallows Pole and Since I’ve Been Loving You. It’s easy to tell that after the past 14 years, they haven’t lost it. During Page’s guitar solos he can still get into that zone where I find myself wondering, again, if he really does have magical powers.

The new songs that were performed are different from anything Led Zeppelin had released. They reworked material into something completely new and different as opposed to just taking the role of a jukebox. The sounds they created had a definite MiddleEastern twist. Although Zeppelin was inspired by Middle-Eastern sounds in songs like Kashmir, Page and Plant created a more definitive sound of this genre by incorporating many different instruments that were not used in Zeppelin songs, such as bamboo flutes and bodhrans.

Of course nothing can equal Led Zeppelin at its height back in the 70’s. The absolute craziness of the late John Bonham’s drumming, the rhythm belted out by bass/keyboard player John Paul Jones, the presence of Robert Plant’s vocals, and Page’s guitar solos could put you in some kind of indescribable trance.

No Quarter

“

...a must have for all of you Zepp-heads out there

”

DVD Track Listing No Quarter Thank You What is and What Never Should Be The Battle of Evermore Gallows Pole Nobody’s Fault But Mine City Don’t Cry The Truth Explodes Wah Wah When the Levee Breaks Wonderful One Since I’ve Been Loving You The Rain song That’s the Way Four Sticks Friends Kashmir

Because there is very little live Zeppelin material available, this DVD is a must have for all you Zepp-heads out there, even if it is just 50 percent of the Zeppelin experience. It was filmed in 1994 for MTV’s Unplugged, which was an extremely successful show at the time. The two saw it as a great opportunity to reunite and rework old material as well as write some new material.

After watching this DVD you will soon discover that the unledded experience is just as musically profound as the original.

After school food for thought

Maggie Disilvestro

18% Candy

Nov. 15 2004

9% 6% Veg gies No Sn ac k

ein Prot

13%

Da

iry

17% Fruit

26% Carbs

10%

After a long, hard day at school hunger has taken over. to faint or inflicting some other injury, leading to Many turn to their refrigerator for relief. But students need hospitalization or worse. think about what they are reaching for. Those cravings for If students, like freshman Kate O’Neil, don’t have time for an after school snack, Dr. Kelling says candy and carbs may not be the healthiest choice.

Nutritionist Dr. Gregory Kelling says students should eating a lunch with a lot of fat and protein will keep be eating protein and organic foods after such a trying day. their bodies going until dinner.

These types of foods can help stabilize blood sugar and are Students shouldn’t skimp on meals frequently a great source of minerals. however, The survey that the Harbinger conducted, however, “What, I think, everybody forgets is that high found that East students are predominantly eating carbs school kids need up to 500% more nutrition [than and candy. that of a fully developed adult] due to growth and Dr. Kelling wants to caution students involved in sports activities. You can’t get by on a banana,” said high-endurance activities (i.e. cross-country, basketball, Dr. Kelling. swimming, and wrestling) to watch how much sugar is in Students at East need to be more health conscious the carbs they are eating. If they eat too many high-sugar- when choosing what to have for an school snack. carbohydrates, their blood sugar could drop causing them ACCORDING to a recent survey , out of 212 students, more eat foods with carbs after school than any other kind

16

a&e

the harbinger

‘Neverland’ soars

Davin Phillips The story of Peter Pan has been recreated in numerous movies, but never has there been a movie about J.M. Barrie, the playwright with the tremendous imagination to create Peter Pan and his world Neverland.

Set in London in the early 1900’s, Finding Neverland stars Johnny Depp as James Matthew Barrie, whose once successful carrier has recently been declining. With the failure of his latest play, his is plagued with writers block.

Barrie soon finds inspiration in Sylvia Davies (Kate Winslet) and her four sons who are without a father. Much of the movie focuses on Barrie and the roleplaying adventures he has with the sons that encourage Barrie and result in his only surviving play, Peter Pan. But the time he spends with the boys and Sylvia causes Barrie’s wife Marry (Radha Mitchell) to suspect him of cheating on her.

Depp plays Barrie wonderfully, speaking in a soft Scottish accent and by developing a youthful personality

that portrays Barrie as a man who never really grew up.

Winslet expertly costars as a caring mother trying to help her sons deal with their father’s death. At times, though, she can be predictable and act in a conservative way.

Supporting actress Mitchell is excellent as a woman trying to meet society’s high standards while having a husband who naturally stirs up gossip. She brings a certain stern aspect that subdues the lightheartedness of scenes. Up-and-coming actor Freddie Highmor as Peter Davies is sure to make many more fantastic movies as he terrifically portrays a boy who has emotionally grown up too fast.

The script is finely embellished with small details (a tinkling bell, a flying kite) that find their way into Barrie’s play. The script brings you into the imaginative and sometimes odd mind of Barrie and how he sees the world as a story waiting to be written. Some scenes of imagination can be over the top and unusual. The dramatic switches from reality to imagination, causes conflict on whether to take parts of the movie seriously or not.

Finding Neverland is an incredible drama that stirs up laughs and tears at the heart.

“ ”

photo courtesy of Miramax Films

‘Peter Pan’ playwright’s life is brought to the screen by Johnny Depp in ‘Finding Neverland’

...an incredible drama that stirs up laughs and tears at the heart.

JOHNNY Depp as J.M. Barrie in ‘Finding Neverland’

Does your teacher need a makeover...

VOTE for them at

www.smeteacher makeover.com

Nov. 15-Dec. 5 The winner will receive a new hairdo, new outfit and much more!

Questions? Ask Courtney Condron, Kelly Dvorak or Jaclyn Frankenberg

Nov. 15, 2004

a&e

issue 6

17

Turkey Day Trends Try Tofurky instead.

Katie Jones As the holiday grows closer, a cacophony of personal Turkey Day traditions begin to fill hallways and classrooms. There are a lot about grandma’s house and mashed potatoes topped with Uncle Harry’s special gravy, but there are a chosen few at SME who share a unique Thanksgiving with their families.

* * *

Junior Lane Garner enjoys the holiday with his aunts, uncles and cousins, and he piles multiple helpings of ambrosia on his plate. With one significant difference. Instead of many of people’s plump, sapid, feathered friend Mr. Gobble Gobble, Garner prefers a Boca Tofurkey, a turkey made of tofu (a soy bean delight). All this is because Garner is a vegan, someone who doesn’t eat anything coming from an animal.

“Not only do I thank the pilgrims and the Native Americans on Thanksgiving, turkeys thank me,” Garner said.

* * * Unlike most people, Thanksgiving isn’t all about the food for Junior Lora Hawkins. On Thursday her whole family sits down at the kitchen table and lights

up the model of a lighthouse, each window representing a member of the Hawkins’ family.

“The lighthouse is a metaphor because, like the ship-guider, a family can get one through the toughest tempest, and it’s the yellowy lights in the tiny windows that’ll warm the heart when it’s cold,” Hawkins said. After the lighthouse is lit, Lora and everyone else write thankyou letters to all the people they know for the whole day. When it grows dark, each Hawkins mails their letters off to the people whom they are truly thankful for.

* * * Every year the Slaters drive down to St. Louis to have the conventional Thanksgiving with the family…gone wrong.

“The drive down there is hell because of Sam and Ben [her brothers] screaming the whole way” Senior Aimee Slater said. Then, after the ham and turkey feast has come to a stop, if Slater wants to talk to each grandparent, she has to keep plodding from room to room. The couple got a divorce a few years back, but still

spend Thanksgiving together. At night, after the day of continual family time, Slater says she, the kids, and her grandma play poker until the early morning, which involves tons of one-dollar prizes like little army action figures and cheesy dice.

“But then, after all that, the worst part is having cold, dry turkey sandwiches for about a month. I get so sick of turkey everything. But oh well, it is pretty exciting anyway,” Slater said.

* * * Not only is Thursday the 25th the day of the pilgrims and the Native Americans, it’s sophomore Joe Wheeler’s birthday. Before the Wheeler family goes to an aunt’s house for turkey and pie, they go out to celebrate Joe’s birthday with some dinner and a movie. Unlike most students, Joe gets food and presents on Thanksgiving, making it a very special holiday.

“One time when I was little I ate a whole pumpkin pie and then I finished it off with some cool presents,” Wheeler said. “Beat that!” art by Davin Phillips

Have you ordered a

S.H.A.R.E. package?

If you would like to provide a Lancer with a package that will make finals a little eaiser send cash or check for $10.00 to : SHARE Shawnee Mission East High School 7500 Mission Road Shawnee Mission, KS 66208 Please provide the following information when you make your order:

• • • •

Name of student Grade First hour teacher A Message

Please use a separate order form for each student—extra order forms can be picked up in the front office.

ALL ORDERS MUST BE IN BY FRIDAY, DEC. 3.

Make checks payable to SME SHARE!

Nov. 15, 2004

18

sports

Ready to wrestle

photo by Molly Magoon

Patrick Haverty After winning the 160-pound wrestling state title last February, there was a good chance that East Junior Ryan Sonderegger would repeat as champion, seeing that every placer behind him would be graduating.

Fast-forward nine months to now. There is no chance that Sonderegger will repeat as the 160 pound champ. Gaining fifteen pounds, he will wrestle in the 171-pound division, and might have to challenge last year’s winner Neil Cisper of Aquinas if he wants to win back-to-back titles.

He’s not worried. Cisper too has gained weight and will probably wrestle in class 189 this year.

“He (Cisper) is on team Kansas with me and although I have never actually wrestled him, I have practiced against him and I think I have a good shot at beating him if he wrestles 171, ” Sonderegger said.

“After Cisper there are no placers back from last year.”

Sonderegger has already been preparing to defend this title in the off-season competing in nationwide tournaments for team Kansas, a team made up of top wrestlers in the state of Kansas.

Ryan also has received interest from many colleges including Missouri, where his dad was an All-American wrestler, North Carolina State and Old Dominion University.

“At this point I am highly interested in Missouri. This week I am visiting North Carolina State, Old Dominion, and Virginia,” Sonderegger said.

The best training he gets

the harbinger

Senior trains year-round in hopes of being an All-American however is by wrestling his dad, a former All-American, three times a week at his dad’s house, and at East Kansas Wrestling Club. They have been doing this since freshman year when Ryan started to wrestle.

Back then Dad had to hold back, but now that Ryan is better and more experienced, they both wrestle all out.

“I am the best competition that Ryan can get in the city, ” His dad and coach John Sonderegger said. “ We are both equal in size. I used to always beat him, but he has gotten a lot better and now beats me two out of three times.”

Through this Ryan has improved in many different areas.

“He is a lot better fundamentally, and makes less mistakes,” John said.

“He is also better in scramble positions because of his strength. He is also 25 percent more experienced than he was at the start of last year.”

While a second state championship would be great, Ryan would also like to become a High School All-American. To do this, he would have to finish in the top two at State. After state he would go on to a tournament where the top two or three wrestlers from each state would wrestle. If he were to finish in the top eight at that tournament, he would be declared a High School All-American.

“It would be nice to be an All-American, but right now I’m not too focused on it right now,” Ryan said.

“I’m more focused on getting college scholarships.”

His dad says to become an All-American, Ryan will have to continue to use his strength, which helps him muscle his way out of a position when he is in trouble. And mentally make as few mistakes as possible.

Besides wanting to excel as an individual, Ryan also wants his teammates to excel by encouraging them to wrestle year round, and helping them whenever they need it.

“When were in practice and I need help, Ryan always comes over and teaches me how to do the right thing. He also just comes up and helps me when he notices something’s wrong with my technique, and fixes it, “ sophomore Cole Johnson said.

He’s not only another coach to the rest of the team; he is a source of motivation.

“Watching him, he makes the whole team want to be state champions. He leads by example, and by watching him in practice we all know what it takes to be a champion,” Johnson said.

‘We’re all freshmen again’ Rick Rhoades takes over as girls basketball coach Frances Lafferty With girls’ basketball tryouts starting on Nov. 15, players have already started worrying about fitness, jump shots, and rebounding. But this year they have an added stress: a new head coach.

After coaching for 11 years at East, athletic director Lane Green felt he needed to step down from the job and resigned last April. Between teaching, being the athletic director, and raising two kids, he said he was just stretched too thin. Coaching basketball had to be pushed aside.

That’s how coach Rick Rhoades found his way to East.

Green, Principal Dr. Cocolis, assistant principal Mike Wolgast, and boys head basketball coach Shawn Hair formed a committee to find a new head coach for the girls basketball program after Green’s resignation. After looking at 15 applicants, Dr. Cocolis had to make the final decision for the committee and hired coach Rick Rhoades. Green said he would have done the same

thing.

“He has new ideas and a new philosophy,” Green said.

“It will create a little stress for the girls, but I’m confident that they are going to like him a lot.” He went on to say that Rhoades has proven how good he is by coaching varsity for nine years, going to State Championships, and being a major competitor in the Eastern Kansas League with the Blue Valley teams, Bishop Miege, and St. Thomas Aquinas.

“He has a positive effect on everyone and knows what he is doing,” senior Brenna Walker said about Rhoades.

She thinks that having a new coach will inspire players to impress him and play even better. As with any new coach, her only fear is that the chemistry won’t be as positive as it was with Green. “I just hope nobody butts heads,” Walker said.

Rhoades says the team may be at a little disadvantage early in the season because he and the girls have to get acquainted. He has a quicker, more aggressive style than last year’s team with more full court defense.

Nov. 15, 2004

Green agrees that at first the team will be at a disadvantage, but that comes with having a new coach.

Although the coaches are different, he thinks that there are enough similarities between himself and Rhoades that the girls will adjust quickly.

“With coach Green, we had a certain friendship level, and we all knew him,” Walker said about having a new coach. “With coach Rhoades it’s all about basketball, but that’s what he’s here for,” she said.

“We’re all freshmen again,” said senior Sarah Bachand. She believes the main difference between Rhoades and Green is their different styles of coaching.

“We’re trying out for the first time again.”

Rick Rhoades first found out about the position when he read in the newspaper that Green had resigned.

After working at Blue Valley high school for four years, he decided to try something new. He liked the East basketball tradition of excellence and the talent that came with it.

“Girls basketball is a little more serious here,” Rhoades said. “In the preseason there are always 20 or more [girls] here [at preseason conditioning].”

Green is certain that the players and Rhoades will grow a strong bond. “I’ve known him for many years.

He cares about the kids and is a good role model,” he said. “I’m a coach; I’ve seen him at work. He’s a great coach.”

sports

issue 6

19

Follow the

Christie

Leader

Position- Guard/ Forward Ht.- 6’5” Last Season- As a sophomore Chrisite started all 23 games and averaged 20 points and 6 rebounds per game. He lit it up against Park Hill South putting up 33 points in the HyVee Shootout. Also hit the game winner against South in the opening game of the season.

photos by Linda Howard and Kevin Grunwald

J.D.

Junior J.D. Christie will be looked upon to lead the young and inexperienced team to the State tournament in Emporia this March.

In his freshman year, they lost to BV West in overtime after blowing a seven point lead with thirty-five seconds left. In his sophomore year, after averaging 20 points, they lost a physical game (Robbie Jones was ejected, and 2 technicals) to BVNW in the sub-state final.

The loss to BVNW didn’t only end their season, but it was the end of a career for seven seniors, including starting center Ryan Hintz and guard Jack Keller.

“Those seniors were very good and brought a lot to the table,” head coach Shawn Hair said. “ We will especially miss Hintz down low.”

This season, the team is convinced, will end differently. The new jerseys will not be the only thing looking different this season, the Lancer team will be filled with new faces with only four returning lettermen.

The most notable two Parker Stock Ht.- 6’0” are junior starters Scott postion: Guard/Forward McElvain and J.D. Christie.

Last Season- Stock played But the Lancers potentially significant minutes on varsity. have the most depth they Lit up against O. South, he ever had. Last seasons JV went 4-5 from behind the arc. team, who went 14-6, will bring up the majority of their team to the varsity ranks to help fill in the wholes in the inside and outside left by last seasons seniors. The inside void is to be most likely be filled by either junior Mike Drier or sophomore Bryan Nelson.

And on the outside, seniors Parker Stock and Jeff Winters will battle out for the final starting position. This year’s team can possibly be on the best teams to ever come through East, Hair said.

“We expect to go to State,” said, “we have a lot of Sean Finley Ht.- 6’4” athleticism, depth, postion: Forward and leadership.”

Last Season- Finley played In order to be three JV games last season until a leg injury forced him to sit out the rest of the year.

Peter Goehausen

successful, the team believes they must attain certain keys. First off, is “for every to know their role.” Hair said. This seasons team must find where they fit in for the team to enjoy the most success, whether that means being an unselfish or a major scoring threat.

The biggest problem that the departure of 6”6 Ryan Hintz left the Lancers with is a lack of size. With no true experienced post player this season, the team must utilize their athleticism and run their transition game flawlessly, according to Coach Hair.

Also, coach Hair expects more out of all his returning players.

“If they were a role player on varsity last season,” Hair said, “then I want them to try to be a starter for varsity season.”

The coaching staff will particularly expect more from junior J.D. Christie, who averaged 20 points and 6 rebounds per game last season. Christie attended AAU camps and tournaments against some of the best high school players in the country this off-season and he “bettered his dribbling and his shot.” He will be competing in his third season on the varsity level, and will be looked upon to be the team leader this season.

“J.D. is one of the best players in Kansas,” Hair said. “But no one man can carry a team on his shoulders.

This season J.D. will have a lot of help to lead the team to State. Juniors Scott McElvain and Garrett Webb will provide the biggest help to Christie. Both played substantial varsity minutes last season and will be looked upon to lead the inexperienced players on the team. Junior Mike Drier and sophomore Bryan Nelson are going to have the tough job of replacing Ryan Hintz in the paint on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Senior Parker Stock will be expected to be the team’s sharpshooter. Stock came up big in the clutch from behind the arch last season, especially his 4-5 effort against Olathe South. Also, helping carry the load will be seniors, guard Jeff Winters and forward Todd Crawford, 6’4” junior guard Sean Finley, and 5’11” sophomore guard Ross

Nov. 15, 2004

Simpson. In order for the team to enjoy their desired success, these role players must take some of the load off of J.D. “The more they score and make plays, the less pressure JD will have one him.” Scotty McElvain said “We need to utilize JD as much as possible,” senior Jeff Winters said. “ but the rest of the team must fill their rolls and contribute.”

After being a senior dominated league last season, the Sunflower League will now be dominated by the underclassmen of the league. In order for the team to make the state tournament they will have to win some important games to set a tone, McElvain said.

Most importantly will be their opening game at South. The Raiders, who lost three starters return dominating junior guard/forward Ryan Jehle, who was named one of the best sophomore in the state last season (KC Star). Another tough Ht.- 6’3” opponent for them will be defending Mike Drier postion: Center Sunflower League champion, Olathe South. Though they lost four starters Last Season- Drier they are still very talented. The Lancers started at center for JV will play at Olathe South January 7th. He averaged 10 points.

Lastly, their other key game will be Rockhurst. The Lancers will travel to coach Hair’s alma mater January 28th. Though the Hawklets will not as a big of a threat as they have been in the past after star senior J.D. Hoard quit, this game will be one that will set the tone for the rest of the season. The Lancers tip off their season December 3rd at South.

After his last two seasons ended in heartache, J.D. Christie is already saying this year will end differently.

“The last two seasons we have had very selfish teams,” Christie said, “ but this year, everyone is Ht.- 6’5” excepting their Scott McElvain postion: Point Guard roles and expects Last Season- As a newcomer from to win State.”

BVNW, McElvain ran the point on varsity. He averaged 6 points and 3 assists.

20 photo essay

the harbinger

FAR LEFT: Senior Ashley Weaver applies lipstick to senior Jane Tocco’s face to represent war paint before they begin to play.

SOPHOMORES Bryan Nelson and Alex Block sit off to the side and watch the sophomore girls play each other.

Let the Games Begin SOPHOMORES Betsy Jensen and Kortney Jones fight and joke around at first base over whether Kortney was safe or out after her big hit.

Students face off in the annual Wiffle ball tournament photos by Linda Howard

TEAM STRUTTIN huddles together before their game to pump up and talk about their game plan. Struttin was a team of all senior boys who won both their games.

Nov. 15, 2004