Log
The Northmen’s
Friday, January 28, 2011
Pommies prepare for regionals page 2
Oak Park High School
Issue 6, Volume 46
Freeze frame
Senior Derrius Ivy uses a six-prong pick to carve her Kansas City tradition-themed ice sculpture. This was Seniors Derrius Ivy and Jose Marroquin compete at was held at the Country Club Plaza Ivy’s first time participating in an ice-sculpting contest. Her partner was a fellow classmate in her NCC culi- on Saturday, Jan 22. They both attend the Northland Career Center. The team was comnary arts class, senior Jose Marroquin. Photo by Kim Green, Photo Editor peting against eight other student participants. Photo by Kim Green, Photo Editor
By: Aggie Rieger Editoral Editor It’s seniors Derrius Ivy and Jose Marroquin versus a 300-pound block of ice. The temperature is roughly 34 degrees, and judges and ice carvers say it is not cold enough. There are 10 student entries, but only three will place. It is a freezing challenge; it is the Eighth Annual Ice Fest at the Country Club Plaza. “Oh no, we got a crack,” said Ivy, of the Northland Career Center. The crack she referred to was on her ice sculpture, which she and partner Marroquin had two hours to create before judging started. “We have a little one here. If I were to keep going, this entire piece would snap off,” Ivy said.
Not so simple
Ice sculpting is no simple task. “Ice sculpting is trial and error, watching someone else doing it and gaining their trust,” said Paul Santaularia, Ivy’s culinary arts instructor at the NCC. “It’s not something you can walk up to and say ‘do it’.” Spectators were clearly impressed with how students handled the high level of difficulty. “You can really see the design coming through,” said spectator Pam Pirkle, as she watched Ivy and Marroquin chip away at their ice with 20 minuets left to carve. “It’s hard to believe this was just a big block before.” Competitors re-
ceived one, and one only, block of ice, measuring 48x12x20 inches. “[We’re looking for] technique, cleanliness, work, uniformity, perfection, professionalism,” said Jean Guypruneau, a master chef in the Kansas City area and judge in the professional division. “The professionals have a lot more experience, that’s why they’re not in the same class,” said fellow judge Gerold Janzen. Talent was apparent in both divisions and in all entries, but as Janzen said, experience proved to be a gap between students and professionals. “Most, if not all [of the students] have carved once or twice. I’m impressed with the raw talent. They’re diamonds in the rough,” said Jeff Addison of Cool Carvings in Grandview.
Learning the craft
Cool Carvings gave lessons prior to competition and provided ice blocks to the Ice Fest at discounted prices. A lesson from Cool Carvings was the only experience most students received prior to competition. “Technically they’re free styling,” said Ivy’s mother Lakecia Holloway, watching from the sidelines. The lesson, lasting roughly four hours, provided interested students with basic information on carving. “We taught a lot of technique, showed them
how to use tools, and safety was another topic,” Addison said. NCC students and Johnson County Community College students, competed in the Ice Fest. “I offered this to all students as an opportunity; 29 students chose not to take it,” Santaularia said. “These five students did.” Spectators and judges were proud of the student entries. “I think the apprentices are doing better than the professionals. They’ve got more heart, more hard work,” Guypruneau said. Ice carving was an extra activity for the NCC students. Ice carving has a history in the culinary arts. Pieces are often also used in hotels for banquets and other events - the fate of the Ice Fest’s winning ice sculptures. “It’s simply another part of culinary arts. It’s expression and another way to do the craft. It’s all about the craft,” said Jim Long, chef and parent of student competitor Dan Long. Long coached his son from the sidelines, hollering instructions within the last 15 minutes of competition. A few carving stations to the left, Ivy and Marroquin were finishing up as well. “I’m not really feeling the pressure,” Ivy said. Her partner Marroquin agreed. “I think we’ll have most of what we wanted when the time comes,” said Marroquin.
Freezing to win
While they did not feel panicked, they sure felt the cold. “It’s intense because it’s so cold and there’s so much ice and I can’t feel my fingers,” Ivy said. Later, she reflected on the temperature again. “My entire body was cold because I was literally lying in the ice trying to get under the sculpture.” The cold may have caused several numb toes and fingers, but helped the competitors. “It’s not too cold and the sun’s not shining. When the sun shines, the ice cracks,” Janzen said. Still, many argued the weather could have been colder. The original ice blocks were crystal clear, but when 2 p.m. approached and judging began, many blocks were cloudy despite pouring water over the finished sculptures. “The reason the ice is cracking and cloudy is because of the temperature and wind, the ice is deteriorating quickly,” Addison said. Ideal ice carving conditions are below freezing, around 26 or 28 degrees, according to Janzen.
Some like it hot
While the cold might not have been enough for competitors, for some spectators it was too much. Starbucks Coffee warmed them up with free coffee. “It’s part of our community relations,” said café ambassador Jim
Brown, who handed out the coffee. “We just love to support the community and what we do. We love the Plaza.” Soon, time was up and competitors had to step away from their pieces. “Some did pretty well, some didn’t do so well, but that’s just how ice sculpting is,” Smith said. He commented on Ivy and Marroquin’s creation. “I like the fact that they incorporated a lot of different things. They might have been better doing something simpler. But with as ambitious as they are, they did very well,” he said. “With the amount of time, they didn’t have enough time to do this elaborate of a design. But that’s how chefs are; they’re too ambitious.” Their design fit the theme - Kansas City tradition. “We sat down during class one day and put it together and thought it looked really cool,” said Marroquin.
After the carving
Both Marroquin and Ivy were proud. “I had a lot of fun, I really enjoyed myself. I don’t care about the results. I never thought I could be carving ice,” Ivy said, before the awards were presented. In the student division, third place was awarded to James McCausland of JCCC. Second place went to Erica
Tatham and Tony Crane of the NCC, and first place to Matt Baker. “I think for the first time, not getting anything, we’ll be good. It was fun. It was fun being here,” Marroquin said. Winning pieces were transported to the Muehlebach Hotel for an inaugural ball of the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association. Other pieces were at first meant to be destroyed. “We have to get the street open,” Addison said. Starbucks intervened in the plans of destruction. “They spent so much time working on them. I’d hate to see them destroyed immediately just to clear the street,” said Starbucks employee Kelly McDonald. Instead, sculptures were brought onto the café deck to be displayed for as long as they last. “We’re rescuing them, like dogs,” said manager Kevin Marshal. With the ice sculpture rescue, the Ice Fest was over. Still, spirits remained high. “[Ivy is] always cheerful, very colorful. She’s very interested, very motivated, an asset to herself and doing what it takes to be successful,” Santaularia said. Both Ivy and Marroquin plan to continue carving and competing in the future. “How many times do you get to carve ice in your life,” Ivy said at the end of competition with a laugh.
Staff members shave heads in support of student fighting cancer By: Courtney Kelley Editor In Chief Oak Park came through when students were in need of help. Whether there was a death and money was raised for the family, or a house fire where the family was left with only the clothes on their backs. In this case a student, junior Ray Saari was diagnosed with testicular and lung cancer. “I feel really good, it helps to have support it makes things much better,” Saari said. Saari’s family has received donations to his fund, along with money, gifts and gift cards. “My family and friends are very supportive and encouraging, they
always try and stay positive,” Saari said. Many students took matters into their own hands. Students made t – shirts with Saari’s name on the back and a Superman sign on the front. Almost all of the soccer players shaved their heads for Saari. “I shaved my head to show support and that I will be with him through the start and end of this,” said senior Mustafa Salihbegovic. “People with love and passion can survive anything.” At the winter assembly on Friday, Dec. 17, students and staff shaved their heads to support the cause. Many barely knew Saari, or had not even met him. “It was a good cause,
I had not even met Ray until the other day,” said drivers’ education teacher Tom Stout. Others had different reasons, including Kim Wohlford, whose grandson, Xander, has cancer and he shaved his head not only to support Saari, but his grandson also. Others just shaved their head because they thought it was the right thing to do. “The soccer guys are all nice guys, other teachers signed up and I thought it was the right thing to do,” said technology specialist Todd Beeck. “Thank you everyone who has helped or who have shown how much they care, it means a lot,” Saari said.
Smiling proudly Kim Wohlford gets his head shaved by his grandson, who has fought brain cancer, in support of junior Ray Saari. Photo by: Dylan Kinder, photographer
Sitting tall, substitute teacher Joel Pabon has his head shaved in support of junior Ray Saari, during the winter assembly on Friday, Dec 17. Photo by: Dylan Kinder, photographer
2lifestyles Adaptive P.E. uses teacher assistants
Friday, Jan. 28, 2011
page
Lauren Grace Lifestyles Editor Fourth hour, a group comes together for a memorable time to play basketball, octopus and dodge ball as though it was the battle of 300. Adaptive P.E. is a class for students with physical limitations or who may take special education classes. Thursday, Dec. 16, the class took its finals just like everyone else in the school. Before class began, they played some basketball and others reunited with hugs, before winter break. All the teacher assistants lined up against the wall as the students tried to recite their
names. “I was scared, I thought I was going to fail,” said sophomore Bruno Barrera. Teacher assistants interact with the students and help them focus. In order to qualify as a T.A. for the class, one has to be a junior or senior, as well as write an essay and collect teachers’ signatures. “You get to see a different side of them since other students don’t get to talk to them outside of school. You know them better, the fun side in them,” said T.A. senior Abbey Schoenrade Freshman Hanna Kelly likes to hang out with T.A. senior Gage Harrison, she considers
” “I was scared, I
thought I was going to fail.”
sophomore Bruno Barrera
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him her brother mostly because Harrison is a friend with her real brother Gage Kelly. “I like hanging out with my brother,” Kelly said. Junior Shawn Doughty takes adaptive P.E. New to OP, from Indepen-
dence, Mo., he said he enjoys the class. “It’s fun to be around these people. A cool place to hang around,” Doughty said. The class also has a tradition when students birthdays come up, they decide what kind of treat they would like for celebration. T.A. senior Taylor White and sophomore Danan Hensley’s birthdays were in the month of December. The two agreed upon root beer floats in commemorating another year. Coach Anthony Abbott made the floats with vanilla ice cream and fizzy soda in plastic cups, enough for everyone. “Yummy,” White
said. “And it was fun having people sing to me.” As fun as the class is, adaptive P.E. is not the only class special education students can take for encore classes but also foods for life, weight lifting and art. “Most special education students have an average IQ. They do not lack intelligence; they have difficulty processing some things. It could be in the area of written language, math, etc. They have different learning styles and need information presented in a variety of ways so they can connect to it. Then, there are also some who have cognitive impairments, but that is the minority of the
special education population,” said self-contained teacher Rita Richards. Richards explained her students practice academics with her so they can be as independent as possible after high school. “I love seeing the students finally succeed at something they’ve worked hard to accomplish. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to see them grow from silly freshmen into mature seniors,” Richards said. If a student would like to become a T.A. for the adaptive P.E. classes for 2011-2012 school year, he or she should pick up an application from Richards. Applications are due Monday, Feb. 7.
Peer mediation returns, hopes to eliminate fights Jessica Nichols Sports Editor “Mediations can be accessed in a variety of ways,” Peer Helper sponsor Marilee Frailey said. With fights breaking out between students, distracting from and disrupting the school day, the peer helpers and their sponsors, Frailey and Heather Brennan, knew something had to be done to cut down on the violence. Looking back into past efforts, they found what they hope to be the solution: peer mediation. “The first year the peer mediation program was instituted at Oak Park, it was reported that there were at least 60 mediations held with a 90 percent success rate,” Frailey said. “If we can achieve that kind of positive results now, we will have made a fantastic difference in student relationships.” Ten students began training for peer mediation in the middle of December. The first
session lasted two and a half hours. “In training we learn how to resolve conflict in a mature manner,” sophomore Marvin Byas said. “We also learn how to facilitate conversation fairly between the opposing students and how to find a fair compromise.” The topics covered in training sessions range from steps to problem solving and rules of mediation to the definition and different types of conflicts. “As of now, we, Heather Brennan and myself, are planning two sessions to prepare our students for the mediation process prior to the beginning of work with students, but these sessions will be on-going if the need arises,” Frailey said. The students in the training sessions participate in in-depth discussions about conflict and will practice mediation skills in the meetings before moving on to helping their peers. “A great deal of discussion went into the first meeting,”
Frailey said. “We will begin role playing so these students are prepared for the many situations that they may be called upon to mediate.” Once the training sessions have been completed, the 10 students involved in peer mediation will have a chance to observe mediations before working with students on their own. “After the second session the students will start taking turns observing me when I conduct mediations,” Brennan said. “After everyone has had a chance to do that, we will have another session to debrief and start scheduling students to lead a mediation with me present. We hope, at some time, to have students conduct their own mediations depending on the severity of the situation.” The goal of peer mediation is to assist students who are dealing with conflicts before a situation becomes a verbal or physical altercation. “It is my hope that if students are able to meet with
mediators who are also students they will be able to solve problems before they get out of hand and that understanding, growth and maybe even friendship between both students may occur,” Brennan said. Though administration referrals are the most popular way to get the names of students who require peer mediation, the sponsors hope students will begin to step up on their own. “Administration referrals will probably be the most prevalent, but we will make sure that teachers can also give us names of students who they feel are having issues,” Frailey said. “Our hopes are that students begin referring themselves as they see conflicts arising.” The first training sessions have already begun to impact the students involved. “This training has taught me more about being a mature, professional, respectful, personable mediator and student of Oak Park High,” Byas said. The students and the spon-
sors have high hopes for the rest of the year with the help of peer mediation. “As a student, the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of other students is greater than that of an adult in certain situations,” Byas said. “Through mediation I hope to make a difference in our school. Our team is there for the good of the students. Our hope is that the student body will reduce physical conflict by verbally compromising in a mature and confidential way.” Those interested in becoming a peer helper and training to become a peer mediator for next school year should contact Frailey or Brennan. “We will begin a new series of training sessions, towards the end of the semester, for those students who want to be peer mediators, next year,” Frailey said.
page 3 opinion
Friday, Jan. 28, 2011
Oakie Opinions
“Cram and try to study a little the day before.”
“I look over the entire chapter and I do the review plus anything I need to work on.”
- senior Richard Borsella
“I usually review the study guide or notes.” - sophomore Ryan Cheung
-junior Jaclyn Pfiefer
“I study for, like, 10 minuets before the test.” -freshman Amber Ivey
How do you prepare for quizzes and tests?
From the Newsroom: Students switch teachers at semester First semester one finds his or herself sitting in Matt Duffy’s Algebra II class. Winter break comes and goes; and second semester starts with a different schedule, a new math teacher, and a new teaching style. Sitting in class, completely confused by the new teaching style, students begin to wonder why they had to switch teachers in the first place. Many students have a hard time adjusting to new teaching styles. Once one gets comfortable with the style of one teacher they get thrown into the style of another. It makes second semester all the more challenging. Switching teachers at semester seems to have a negative effect on a student’s knowledge. After adjusting to one teaching style at the beginning of the year, students often find it challenging to catch up with another teacher’s style. This causes a drop in grades as well as overall comprehension of the subject. Forcing students, who have already become accustomed to one style, to switch teachers at semester, lowers the success rate for that class. Students build relationships with
their teachers throughout the first semester of school. When torn away from their original classes, the students have to rebuild old connections or build new ones. Already having a connection with a first semester teacher, makes it even more difficult to adjust to a new teacher second semester. For a select few, who adjust to new teachers easily, they should have the opportunity to switch teachers if they want to. But students should also have the option of staying with the same teacher in the classes they take for the full school year, especially when a class is required for graduation. Taking a problem to the counselors and trying to switch back into an old class, should not receive a rejection before the situation has been explained. Students should always give new teachers a chance, but when switching classes causes a problem in the way they learn academically, the school should do something about it, preferably putting the student in a class with their first semester teacher where they comprehended the material and understood the teaching style.
Log’s View
By: Kaylan Ballard, Artist
Standing in the morning By: Lauren Grace Lifestyles Editor The alarm clock went off three minutes too late; with hesitation one puts on the t-shirt that was in the back of the closet for a reason and runs down the stairs grabbing a stale Pop Tart. After driving like Evel Knievel to school, they realize they have plenty of time before class starts so they can hang with the Brat Pack, but with realization of how one is wearing the awkward shirt they pick the group of friends who won’t make fun of them, but gently tease. Cliques are not exactly status quo, for people do socialize with diverse people. Though in the morning there is a different observation. People stand in spots with the same people every morning to start the day off with. People like to stand by the office, in front of the main stairs and sit by their lockers. One might say the term mavericks; others prefer the term “soul searching.” But with out a doubt the kids who sit by the office have a place to sit at before class starts. Not exactly the next Woodstock, people just find themselves anywhere to start the day fresh compared to the day before.
”
“I like that my friends have their lockers next to mine and I can talk to them,”
junior Kim Foskett
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“I just remember a bunch of fun times my friends and I had, freshman year, before they all went to Staley,” said senior Megan Krone. Krone said the hallway is also a good place to get to classes easily, but it is also a hopping place. “We're all crazy. If you've ever seen us, we're always running around doing random stuff,” Krone said. People also like to hang out by their locker. Junior Kim Foskett tries to make it to school before the bell rings so she can sit with her friends before she has to power walk to her class. “I like that my friends have their lockers near mine and I can talk to them. Also it's not a really crowded hallway like upstairs,” Foskett said.
Others find themselves in a certain location before their class. Senior Rosy Borrero explains that she goes to Treble FX before school to practice. “I have a hard time getting up and I have to be up there by 6:45, my brother usually makes me late though,” Borrero said, “We warm up our voices and then sing our songs by that time I [am] somewhat awake.” Band students go off blowing their horns as soon as the tan doors open. “It is a great time in the morning, but band is every other day,” said freshman Ben Apley. Other than having a defined location others like to be liberated and go where they please. “Like some times I get mad at the people, they get annoying,” said sophomore Samantha Resner. “I love my friends but they can be as annoying as I can be annoying to them too.” Overall, the choosing of where one stands in the morning is based off of comfort and where friends locate themselves. There is probably further psychology to the matter, but what is a better way to wake up than to see the shiny smile on your friends’ faces, that is saying a lot.
Reckless driving may wreck lives By: Aggie Rieger Editorial Editor If I am hit by a car because the driver swerved away from a pack of wild turkeys, I will shake the driver’s hand for being admirable. If I am hit by a car driven by an old man with a lazy eye rushing to his only daughter’s wedding, I will limp around a bit to make him feel bad. But if I am hit by a car because an student was texting or popping wheelies, I am suing. The act of driving, operating a motor vehicle when in need of transportation, is not dangerous in itself. Not looking at the road because you are texting is. So is popping wheelies in an icy parking lot to impress friends. Now I have to stop myself here, I myself am an enabler. I was once in a car accident in which the first thing I screamed even before asking if everyone was okay was, “There’s too many people in the car. Someone needs to get out, get out,
get out.” I have interviewed a student for the newspaper on the phone while they were driving. Oops. I suppose I have yet to seriously learn my lesson. But what will it take for us to learn our lesson? A severe punishment, an injured friend, a totaled car? Or maybe it takes a serious, heartbreaking accident. We are bombarded with information on the dangers of careless teen driving. Yet, we still keep the mentality the next accident will not, could not possibly be ours. We participate in reckless driving because of this, the thought that we are too safe for concern. It is time to learn from what is on the news and what happens to others who we do not know. It is time to think our decisions of driving through. It is time to drive safely, before we learn our lesson the hard way.
Students should think while driving, not text. photo by Dylan Kinder, photographer
The Northmen’s Log Staff &Policies “The Northmen’s Log” is published 10 times during the school year. “The Log” is a student forum for expression; it is produced by students for students. “The Log” accepts letters to the editor in rooms E133 or E134 or cgeabhar@ nkcsd.k12.mo.us. Letters cannot exceed a length of 350 words. We will not run letters that are libelous, obscene, or that may cause a verifiable disruption of the education process of Oak Park. Letters must be signed. Advertisers may contact the business manager at 413-5352, or 825 N.E. 79th Terrace, Kansas City, MO, 64118. Opinions expressed in “The Log” do not reflect staff endorsements of that product or service. “The Log” is a member of NSPA, MIPA and Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists. “The Log” is affiliated with JEA and JEMKC.
Editor-in-Chief Courtney Kelley
Lifestyles Editor Lauren Grace
Photo Editor Kim Green
Entertainment Editor Tatyana Pekarsky
Editorial Editor Aggie Rieger Sports Editor & Feature Editor, Business Manager Jessica Nichols
Artist Kaylan Ballard Writers Stephanie Agabekyan Anastasia Colosovschi Caleb Eissler Lilla Foldi
Zach Lancaster Photographers Johnna Hensley Dylan Kinder Adviser Christina Geabhart
4sports
Friday, Jan. 28, 2011
page
A month in sports Boys Basketball Friday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m. vs Staley at Staley Tuesday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m. vs Liberty North at Liberty North Friday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m. vs Kearney at home Tuesday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. vs Platte County at home Friday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m. vs Blue Springs at Blue Springs Tuesday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m. vs Grandview at Grandview Friday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m. vs Lincoln Prep at Lincoln Prep Girls Basketball Tuesday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. vs Park Hill at Park Hill Thursday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m. vs Staley at Staley Monday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m. vs Liberty North at Liberty North Thursday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m. vs Platte County at Platte County Girls Swim & Dive Saturday, Feb. 5, 8 p.m. Conference at NKCSD Natatorium Saturday, Feb. 12, Last Chance TBA Saturday, Feb. 19, State Wrestling Friday, Jan. 28, Baldwin Tournament TBA Saturday, Jan. 28, Baldwin Tournament TBA Tuesday, Feb. 1, 6 p.m. vs Liberty North at home
Eissler’s Insight
New team, new Arrowhead, new hope By: Caleb Eissler Writer As he clipped on the last strap on his shoulder pads, Kansas City Chiefs center Casey Weigman could hear the deafening roar of the fans above his locker room bench and the memories began flooding back. He remembered what Arrowhead once was: the loudest, most intimidating stadium in the NFL. Opposing teams could hardly hear the plays and audibles called by their quarterbacks. Ever since the downhill slide of the past few years, with the eventual smack on the ground with a 4-12 season, all of this intimidation and intensity had seeped out of the Truman Sports Complex. But for this one day, this one game, the team, the stadium and the city were absolutely overflowing with inspiration and excitement. For the first time in a long time, Arrowhead felt like it did in the ‘90s; filled to the brim and exploding in adrenaline.
Even though the Chiefs suffered a crushing blow with their 30-7 loss to the Ravens, it wasn’t a total loss. There was a win in this situation. Arrowhead was just like it was in the old days. Fans were actually excited to see the Chiefs play. After this season and the miraculous success of the guys in red, there’s a glimmer of hope for Kansas City football. I’ve watched the Chiefs my entire life and have seen plenty of ups and downs (more downs than ups, but it’s still fun to watch). I’m a fan for life, but I’ve gotta be honest, it was a little difficult to watch my team the last few seasons. At times it was almost like a chore. I’ve seen some terrible football in my time, but oh my gosh, the Chiefs have played some terrible games in the past two to three years. Take for instance their game against the Chargers three years ago. A terrible season, freezing weather, only 15,000 fans spaced out in Arrowhead, and a blown
21-point lead late in the fourth. After that I was almost a little sick of the Chiefs. Every Sunday was beat down. It was like watching David and Goliath, except Goliath just beat the living snot out of David time and time again. So this season when my team started off 3-0 I was in absolute shock. I couldn’t believe it. I started getting really excited for games. I was fully tuned in to every game, every play and every yard related to the Chiefs. But it wasn’t just me getting excited, it was everyone else around me too. Instead of constant complaining about the play calling, players, or the coaches, people were raving about the Chiefs. Enjoyable conversation actually came up about the team. Instead of comments about the cry baby Dick Vermiel, how horrible Herman Edwards was, that D Bowe can’t catch to save his life, Todd Haley doesn’t know how to play call, or the never ending (but oh so true) King Carl
jokes, it was compliments on Charles’ speed, Jones ‘power, or Cassel’s leadership. Fans were actually pumped to see their team play. Before you call this past season a fluke, think about some facts most people haven’t realized. We’ve got a young team that’s packed with firepower and speed. Our running game should continue to dominate and with one and heaven forbid, two good receivers, our offense will become a dynamic force to be reckoned with. It’d almost be reminiscent of ’03 with Green, Hall, Gonzalez and Holmes. Just like the old days, we’ll be hearing the echo of the famous Mitch Holtus line way more often. “TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY!”. Our defense is getting better and better, and our team is taking several guys to the Pro Bowl. As long as we can snag a good offensive coordinator and another good draft, this team is basically guaranteed to be play off bound. All this being
said, our division is reloading and beginning to take back the powerhouse position it once had, so our road to the playoffs won’t be easy. But if we can take the top spot in our division this coming year again, our team will be more prepped for the playoffs than it’s been in years. And this is all with a young team. Give the Chiefs a little time and a new future for Kansas City may come to be. The future for the boys in red is bright. The laughter about “the new Arrowhead” advertising is over. The old soul is being healed and revamped. The glory days aren’t coming back, they’re being totally redone and improved. It’s an exciting time to be a Chiefs fan, and when more people begin to realize it, Chiefs football is gonna become more exciting than we’ve ever seen it before. Practice your tomahawk chalk and your touchdown chant because before you know it, it’ll be game time Kansas City.
Stressed importance on stretching eases muscles By: Courtney Kelley Editor-in-Chief
Basketball players and seniors Kris Reed, Nick Deason, Will Frazier, and Matt O’Brien stretch after practice on Monday, Jan. 23. All photos by Dylan Kinder, photographer
One of the most important things for an athlete before active movement or physical activity is to stretch. Not only in sports can stretching be important but stretching also limits future injuries. Stretching is important in every sport, but each sport focuses on certain parts of the body to stretch. According to Jason Fowler, football and golf coach, there are two types of stretches, the movement stretch and static stretch. Movement stretch is stretching before an event
that warms up the body. The static stretch is the type of stretch after a workout. In football they stretch the whole body; the most used stretch is the “greatest stretch,” which is a lunge workout. “In athletics, it is very important to stretch,” said Fowler. The most common injury from not stretching would be the pulling of the hamstring. “Stretching is very important, If you don’t, the older you get you have a higher tendency to get hurt,” boys basketball coach Fred Turner said. For the boy basketball team, the athletes form
a circle at the beginning of practice every day and call out the stretches as a team. The team jumps rope for three to four minutes each practice, along with new and old stretches working the whole body. “It’s important to also stretch after a workout because they relax the muscles and allow them to get used to the movements,” Turner said. In girls tennis, the girls jog and stretch their arms and shoulders, mostly the upper body. “Stretching helps loosen up the athletes,” said girls tennis coach Tana Stock.
Pommies dance their way to regionals By Lauren Grace Lifestyles Editor On a cold winters day, students had a day off. Though on that day pom pon squad members questioned if they would get to do a pre-show, it was bad enough they had practices postponed a number of times because of the snow, and now a last chance to perform before the judges. Thursday, Jan. 20, Pommies performed in front of family and Northmen before their competition on Saturday Jan. 29, at Lee’s Summit North. As the school is used to them dancing to the fight song, however, this time, the girls performed solos and ensembles to songs they choreographed. “[I enjoyed] seeing the girls dance, and seeing [junior Chelsie Yo-
” “I don’t really know what to look for as a judge, but from my perspective they were great.”
senior
Alvaro Pino Quintana
“
kum] dance and enjoying it,” said her grandfather Bob Yokum. Seniors Melanie Holmgren and Elizabeth Garnos and juniors Chelsie Yokum and Jessica Nichols did an ensemble to the song, “He Had It Coming” from the musical “Chicago” using props
of red fabric to add drama to the song. “Competitions are just exiting to work for,” Yokum said. “This is the first one, regionals alone we get to do our own choreograph.” There were also duets, one from sophomores Taylor Mills and Hannah Mabrey. They preformed to the song, “Hit Me with a Hot Note,” and had it choreographed by Teri Day. Both girls are new to the squad and their dance shows off many challenging technical moves. “The hardest part of our duo is the speed of the music,” Mills said. “Finishing every movement before going on to the next.” Sisters Melanie Holmgren and freshman Natalie Holmgren also prepared a duet for competition to “Ruby, Don’t
Take Your Love to Town.” “We really wanted to take advantage of this time because it’s the only chance we’ll have to perform together without the rest of the team,” Melanie Holmgren said. “I think we connect well in our dance, because we are always around each other, that bond can only help the dance.” Nichols prepared her second lyrical solo for competition to “Bang, Bang.” “Taking a solo is a big leap of faith,” Nichols said. “You have to believe in your choreography and yourself. You have to be confident in yourself because you know the judges are critiquing your work and your technique.” There was a good number to the crowd especially since it was last
Senior Melanie Holmgren, juniors Jessica Nichols and Chelsie Yokum, and senior Elizabeth Garnos dance to “He Had it Coming” on Thursday, Jan. 20. All four girls have been on the Pom squad for two years. “My favorite part is getting to do a dance with just the returning Pommies,” Garnos said. “We’re all so close, so it’s fun to be able to do a dance with just us. And it helps that we all know each other’s strengths and weaknesses so we can make the dance show off all of us.” Photo by Johnna Hensley, photographer
minute rescheduling, but enough people to feel reassured that with all the excitement the girls are still able to dance gracefully and be affected by butterflies. “[I like] that it wasn’t cancelled, with all the
snow, and the girls’ enthusiasm in the show,” said senior Alvaro Pino Quintana. “I don’t really know what to look for as a judge, but from my perspective they were great. I think they’ll do well.”
Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 entertainment
Entertainment event calender Concerts Saturday, Jan. 29, Linkin Park @ Sprint Center Friday, Feb. 4, Purple Haze & Bad Reputation @ Beaumont Club Friday, Feb. 11, 96.5 The Buzz presents Afentra’s VD Party with Fitz & The Tantrums, AWOLNATION, and The Limousines @ The Midland by AMC Sunday, Feb. 13, Salt N Pepa @ Municipal Auditorium Tuesday, Feb. 15, Hawthorne Heights @ Beaumont Club
Games Jan. 31 “Conspiracy” (PS3) “Star Raiders” (X360, PS3) “UFC Trainer” (X360, PS3, Wii) “Dungeon Defenders” (X360, PS3) Feb. 1 “Rock Band (X360,PS3,Wii)
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2”
Feb. 8 “Trinity: Souls of Zill O’ll” (PS3) Feb. 14 “Dragon Quest IV: Realms of Revelation” (DS)
Movies
REVIEW: Wii vs. Xbox 360 By: Lilla Foldi Writer The Xbox 360 is a seventh generation game console, the successor of Xbox developed by Microsoft, IBM, ATI, Samsung, and SiS. The device was first released on May 12, 2005. Its main rival is the Nintendo Wii. The Wii is a video game console produced by Nintendo. The former name of the console was Revolution. This machine is the successor of Nintendo GameCube. “I like the Wii better because you are up and moving while playing games. Although I have an Xbox and love to play it, it makes me feel lazier,” said sophomore Toni Manzo. Its special feature is that the game is controlled by a wireless remote control, which is called the Wii Remote. When using this tool it should be held in hand and 3D movements can be done with it in accordance with the events of the game. The Wii console is aimed at a wider layer of population
courtesy of www.sfl360.com courtesy of: http://www.shopdev.co.uk
than its competitors. It tries not to be exclusively available for the video game-loving consumers, but also addresses a layer of consumers who have not been interested in video games or found them too complicated. “I like the Wii better because you also get a work out while having some fun, it is more interactive,” said sophomore Abbey Henning. The advertisement uses the following words: “Wii would like to play” and “Experience the new way to play.” Nintendo’s advertisement shows the grandparents and their children having fun with
the Wii game console. The 80 percent of the advertisements are aimed at the adult population widening the usual range of Nintendo consumers. However, despite advertising or the even more enjoyable games, the Xbox 360 is still much more successful. For those who find the graphics important and who love more serious games the Xbox 360 is the perfect choice. Maybe that is why the majority of students chose the Xbox. “I think Xbox is better because they created the Kinect, so if you want to get active you can or if you just want to sit down
“Messiah” concert
Jan. 28 “The Mechanic” “The Rite” “Biutful” “From Prada to Nada”
“Jersey Shore” is an MTV reality show where eight people spend their summers together. In their first season, the cast members spent their summer together at the Jersey Shore, second season at Miami Beach and the third season, they return to the Seaside Heights, N.J. Accommodat ing the new season, Jersey Shore introduces a new cast member: Deena Cortese. Season three of “Jersey Shore” premiered on Thursday,Jan. 6. Cortese, 23, was on the cheer squad in school. Cortese attended Brookdale Community College and New Egypt High School in New Jersey. “I like her,” junior Alex Hubbard said. “She is fun-sized and she has already brought a lot of new excitement to the show.” Sophomore Monica Nguyen feels the same way. “Well most of the people I know don’t
Feb. 4 “Sanctum” “The Roommate” For the past 46 years, band, orchestra and A Cappella choir welcome alumni to sing with them. The A Cappella members sang several songs from “Messiah” including, “And the Glory of the Lord,” “And “He Shall Purify” and “Glory to God.” All photos by Kim Green, Photo Editor.
Books Feb. 1 “Blackveil : Book Four of Green Rider” by Kristen Britain “Trapped” by Michael Northrop
“Messiah” was composed by Fredrick Handel and A Cappella used the Novello Choral Edition.
Feb. 8 “Spirits in the Stars (Seekers Series #6)” by Erin Hunter “A Discovery of Witches” by Deborah Harkness “The Secret Soldier (John Wells Series #5)” by Alex Berenson Feb. 14 “Angel (Maximum Ride Series #7)” by James Patterson “A Tale of Two Pretties (Clique Series #14)” by Lisi Harrison
Sophomore Stephanie Barr, junior Sarah Shoup and senior Leah Clark perform at the “Messiah” concert on Sunday, Dec. 14.
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really like her, she’s pretty funny. She’s a ‘walking holiday,’ plus she came on the show really open-minded to things and just ready to have a good time.” Senior Brittney Montague thinks otherwise. “I don’t really like the new girl, Deena. She talks too much and her voice is annoying. Plus she likes to start stuff. But I do like her a lot better than Angelina.” Season three boosted ratings. “Jersey Shore” first premiered Dec. 3, 2009, averaging 1.4 million views. The first season finale ended with more than four million views, almost tripled the initial views. The second season’s premiere started on July 29, 2010 with more than five million views, ending with the finale of seven million views. Season three premiered with 8.5 million views, making it MTV’s most viewed series telecast ever, according to MTV.com. “Jersey Shore” airs at 8 p.m. Thursdays on MTV.
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and chill you can just play the Xbox,” said freshman Ashley Campbell. Video games, ever since their release, are the subjects of debate, many people accuse them with generating aggression and addiction. However, at the same time, more and more studies appear on their positive effects, according to which they improve vision, reflexes, and are even effective in killing pain and, last but not least, they entertain. However, unfortunately 9 percent of young video game users are addicted. Playing video games is fun, but there always should be time for something else as well.
“Jersey Shore” hits three Zach Lancaster Writer
Feb. 11 “Just Go With It” “Gnomeo & Juliet” “The Eagle”
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page photo essay
Friday, January 28, 2011
Future legacies for wrestling programs
On Monday, Jan. 24 in the big gym, wrestlers from all over the district worked. They meets Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday for Victory, a youth wrestling club in the Northland. “He gets a lot of good one-onone instruction. There are a lot of kids his age here. They get one-on-one attention; it is real intense here at practice,” said father of Zechariah, Andrew Bunyar. Photo by: Courtney Kelley, Editor In Chief
Practicing live wrestling, Zechariah Bunyar and partner train under the watchful eyes of coaches. “Most live here in the district, but I come from an hour away, there is a mixture,” said father of Zechariah, Andrew Bunyar said. “My son gets a ton of attention we live an hour away and don’t get treated any different.” Photo by: Courtney Kelley, Editor In Chief
Assisant head coach of Victory wrestling Randy Smith gives instruction to the athletes. “Yeah, they yell at us to do stuff,” said athlete Eli Ashtcroft. “It’s fun.” Photo by: Courtney Kelley, Editor In Chief Former Victory club member, senior Gage Harrison helps out with coaching. “Coaches here are not paid; everything they do, they do because they love wrestling,” Harrison said. “This is where our wrestling lives start.” Photo by: Courtney Kelley, Editor In Chief “I can’t think of another school in the state of Missouri that year in and year out, produces this level of talent than here at Oak Park, Kansas City and the state of Missouri is very lucky to have this school and this program.” Smith said. Photo by: Courtney Kelley, Editor In Chief