Log
The Northmen’s
Friday, August 27, 2010
Boys of the fall, see more on page 2
Oak Park High School
Issue 1, Volume 46
Warm welcomes greet foreign students By: Jessica Nichols Sports Editor Waiting in an airport terminal can become boring and frustrating as planes are delayed and the person whose arrival you await cannot be found. When another plane lands you may wonder if the family or friend you watch for is on board. Excitement builds as the host families of foreign exchange students wait for their special arrival. They hold welcome signs and some bring gifts for their new “family member.” “I made a little gift bag,” said Academic Year in America program coordinator Laurie Jacobsen. “I like to make jewelry so I made a bracelet for each daughter and I bought them Oreos. Just a little welcome to America.” The school welcomed seven foreign exchange students. “[AYA] is part of a bigger organization AIFS and one branch of it is AYA which brings European and Asian students to the U.S. to study
in America for a year and to improve their English,” Jacobsen said. Last year the school had three foreign exchange students. AFS International Club sponsor Nicole King said she was glad to have an increase in numbers. “Last year was just a rough year for placements, perhaps due to the economy, as well as other factors,” King said. “Whatever the reasons, I’m happy to see that we are back up to our typical number of students hosted at Oak Park.” When it comes to hosting a foreign exchange student, families must participate in background checks and interviews so a coordinator can see if they match well with the students who want to come learn in America. “As the local coordinator I come in a see where the child would be sleeping,” Jacobsen said. “They have to have their own bed, but they can share a room with a same sex host sibling. I’m always looking for someone with a lot of patience and a big heart. The students,
Principals take on additional job duties Timothy Johnson Principal of the freshmen and juniors and all the issues that are involved in those grades, manages substitutes and teacher absences, coordinator of the Student Assistance Team team and coordinator of field trips.
Keith Ross In charge of activities and facilities, supervision over the pop machines, all athletics and the budget of the activities, Booster Club/ PTSA, school grounds, keys for the school, oversees custodians and guest speakers.
Deborah Delsemme, Ed.D Provide assistance to students and the staff, a member of Positive Attitude Support team, student teachers, social studies department and family and consumer sciences department.
Gary Miller
Seniors Friedericke Krueger, Lara Kuhnt and Lilla Foldi pose for a photo before leaving for their first day in an American school on Monday, Aug. 16. Kuhnt and Krueger live in Germany. Foldi is from Hungary.
they have learned, they have studied English, but it’s different to come here and
have to speak a lot of English with all of the slang.” The Marolt family found
Fred Skretta, Ed.D Overall school program, instructional leadership team, building leadership team, Booster Club/PTSA, senior culmination activities, collaboration, community/public relations, Student Council, National honor society, ACT exam program and flex.
that we can still have various things in common with one another. The club plans on carrying out past traditions they have used to get to know the foreign exchange students and introduce them to the American culture. “I am definitely looking forward to the trip to the opera that we have taken every year since I have been a part of AFS,” Young said. Whether participating in the AFS-IC, or hosting a foreign exchange student, the experience and relationships one gains stay with them forever. “They’re with you for the rest of your lives,” Jacobsen said. “Of all the six children I have hosted we’re in contact all the time. You have a friend for life in a different part of the world. Sometimes one of the coolest things is to be on Facebook at night and one of the students from Russia or Germany is on Facebook too and you are communicating with them. It’s one of the best feelings.”
New StuCo advisor asks members to take on new responsibilities By: Jessica Nichols Sports Editor
nate money, or a full-blown canned food drive,” said StuCo president senior Haley Cope. “I remember sitting in the field Some of the preparations for the house watching another losing effort activities ahead have been started. against a much better OP team,” said “We’re planning themes and ideas Student Council advisor Bryan Eding- for shirts and dances,” said StuCo er. “When I was a high school senior, member senior Shriji Patel. “We’re it had been 32 years since the Hornets trying to get more people involved in had defeated the Northmen in football. school spirit for pep rallies and games.” To have the opportunity now, eight Edinger also wants to create a stuyears later, to be a part of the founda- dent-lead environment with students tion of that tradition is an opportunity stepping up to help run StuCo activithat I could not pass up. I can’t wait to ties. get going.” “Every single event whether it is a This is the first year Edinger has continuation of tradition or the starting advised StuCo. He stepped up to re- of a new will be 100 percent student place Carrie Marcantonio, who accept- created and student led,” Edinger said. ed a job at Winnetonka. “I would like to encourage them to look “Initially, I did not want to be a down several different avenues.” part of StuCo. Once I really started to Edinger has already seen a numthink about the task, however, my mind ber of StuCo representatives step into quickly began to change,” Edinger said. larger roles. As well as keeping the old tradi“I have been amazed at the willingtions of StuCo, Edinger has tried to en- ness of the members of StuCo members courage new activities and ideas. to step up and play an active role in ac“He suggests doing a lot more tivities over the summer such as paintcharity things, whether it be just do- ing the boots, registration and Fresh-
For the past two years Freshmen Day has helped upcoming freshmen the day before school starts. This year Freshmen Day was optional. “Incoming freshmen are usually nervous about the size of the school, locating their classes and lockers. If the economy gets turned in the right direction. I believe Freshmen Day benefits the students,” said social studies teacher Seth DeRose. With a big turnout from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, students and parents gathered in the big gym receiving information and a feel of what the first day of high school would be like. “Freshmen Day has helped me find my classes and has helped me out a
men Friday. I am very lucky to have a group of students like this. These students make Oak Park look good,” Edinger said. Some StuCo members have welcomed Edinger with open arms. “I think Mr. Edinger is a great addition for student council,” Cope said. “He seems pretty excited about everything we do. He is suggesting new things and activities. He fits right in with all of us. I can tell it’s going to be a great year.” Edinger would like to see StuCo make a bigger statement at the school and in the community. “I would like each student to be able to see the impact of StuCo as they walk around the halls. I hope that Student Council leaves a mark that community members and supporters can see as they move around in our community,” Edinger said. If you are interested in joining StuCo, pick up an application in room E234 and return it by Friday, Sept. 3.
NFL jazzes up in KC
Optional freshmen day supplies big turnout
By: Aggie Rieger Editorial Editor
By: Courtney Kelley Editor in Chief
Master schedule, technology and tech support, residency issues, A+ program, eCampus, grade submission and deadlines.
themselves hosting Friedericke Kruger from Germany. They hosted Alina Luckl from Austria last year. “Hosting a student gives us a wider appreciation of America, as well as a new understanding of customs, traditions and norms of another country,” said host parent Julia Marolt. “We enjoy learning so much from them as well as sharing America with them.” The foreign exchange students are encouraged to get involved in school activities and experience as much of American culture as possible, as well as maintaining grades and making new friends. Some of these friends may come from the AFS-International Club where students from the school gather with students from other countries to learn about different cultures. “The best part about being an AFS member are the people that I have been able to meet,” said AFS-IC officer junior Gabrielle Young. “It is crazy to think that although we all come from different backgrounds and cultures
On Friday, Aug. 13, senior Kris Reed helps freshman Justin Walker find his classes. “Having the help from the upperclassmen helped a lot,” Walker said. Photo by Courtney Kelley, Editor in Chief
lot, also having upperclassmen friends, will help,” said freshman Justin Walker. Leadership students and Peer Helpers helped freshmen find their way around school, locate and open lockers, and find their classes.
*This story is also online at www.northmennews.com.
The NFL was hosted by the North Kansas City School District over the summer. No, not football -- National Forensic League; and that’s not crime scenes and dead bodies, it’s debate and competitive acting. The tournament was held on June 14 to 18 and had the tag line “Jazzin’ It Up In KC,” conceived by debate/forensics teacher Arianne Fortune. More than 5,000 debate and forensics students from all over the country gathered in Kansas City to compete at our local high schools. The first two days of competition took place at Oak Park. Senior Devon Whitton said, “It was definitely a success. We received nothing but compliments. People marveled at our school and staff.” After OP, the top 60 competitors moved on to Park Hill schools. Participants also took a break from
the rush of competition to relax and mingle with each other at a party held at the Power and Light District and hosted by NKC schools. Whitton competed. “It was a very unique experience because I got to experience the making side and then the competitive side of the tournament.” In the category of Original Oratory, a speech recited and conceived by the student, Whitton placed 63rd out of 250 competitors. “Taking 63rd at nationals is a big deal,” Whitton said. Because of how well the tournament went over, and because of the convenient location at the heart of the country, the National Forensic League has decided to have the tournament held in the Kansas City area every four years. “Oak Park was the model and reason,” Whitton said. Although the tournament was stressful, students and staff look forward to next year.