Titan Scroll April 1, 2011 by TitanScroll

Titan Scroll www.lswestonline.com

Friday, April 1, 2011 Volume VII, Edition 8

Hookah , a dangerous choice ?

Spring Fashion

Lee’s Summit West High School 2600 SW Ward Road Lee’s Summit, MO 64082

Titan Scroll Staff 2010-2011

Photographers Maddy Arsenault Page Aaron Brower Designers Nicole Conniff Graphics Design Merrilee Boughan Sam Conrad Manager Eric Dedovesh Nathan Foster Hayley Brower Jesse Eiskina Kathryn Hilger Kalie Emma Justin Hunley Photography Joey Franke Morgan Johnson Editor Gabby Hayden Judd Kirn Martin Steele Kylie Lanning Jean Madison Nate Mitchell Katie Maloney Copy Editor Tristan Owen Ryan Miller Sydnee Owens Derec Owens Alex Palmer Rachel Paddock Steve Rhodes A&E Editor Ben Poeschl Bailey Romi Katey Stoetzel Meagan Shanahan Brooks Rast Connor Staponski Writers Advertising Michelle Stout Manager Nikki Andriano Ariel Thompson Brooke Admire Lindsey Bingham Meg Britton-Mehlisch Web Manager Andy Evans Anna Hunter Annie Greenwell Claudia Guthrie Distribution Tiffany Jenkins Manager Taylor Jensen Jed Manaco Tristan Owen Derec Owens Staff Artist Riley Manning Alex Katzfey Carlie Nash Meg Peterson Anna Poudel Haley Roach Katey Stoetzel Adviser Anna Schafer Carol Ullery Business Adviser Karrie Smythia

Titan Scroll

Editor in Chief Jenna Keeble

The Titan Scroll is a student publication of Lee’s Summit West High School. It welcomes all letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit for libel and for space. No unsigned letters will be printed. Letters may be dropped off in Room 2048 or mailed to 2600 SW Ward Road, Lee’s Summit, MO 64082. Volume 7 of the Scroll is published 10 times during the 2010-2011 school year. The opinions contained do not in any way represent the Lee’s Summit West faculty, administration or the R-7 school district administration or school board.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Volume VII, Issue 8

On the Cover

Smoking out of a hookah has recently grown in popularity among students. Although it may be a very enjoyable social event, the heath factors should be noted. Photos by Jean Madison.

News

Going to extremes for looks Hookah Prom checklist

Opinion

Staff Editorial Well If You Ask Me... Health Freak

pg. 4-5 pg. 7 pg. 8

pg. 9 pg. 9 pg 10

Feature Titan Scroll Wants to Know Hartzell Gray Teen Pregnancy

pg. 13 pg. 14 pg. 16-17

Arts&Entertainment Spring Fashion 3-D Movies

Sports

Girl’s Soccer Boy’s Tennis Track Baseball Boy’s Golf

2 •News•Opinion • Feature • Arts & Entertainment • Sports •

pg. 18 pg. 19

pg. pg. pg. pg. pg.

24 25 26-27 29 30

Titan Scroll

W ORL D Business

AT&T buys T-Mobile for $39 billion from Deutsche Telekom, according to Business Insider

Latin America

N E WS

Obama made his first trip to the three countries of Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador, but was criticized for going in the midst of the crisis in Japan. According to CNN.com, Obama emphasized the need for strong economic opportunities for U.S. businesses in Latin America.

Japan

Australia Australian rivers flooded in Brisbane, the country’s thirdlargest city, said the Los Angeles Times. Queensland was affected by previous January flooding, where thousands of homes were damaged, then a category 5 tropical storm Yasi hit the Queensland coast Thursday night, according to CNN.com

Libya The United Nations has kept up the no-fly zone over Libya, and according to NPR. org, Monday marked the day NATO took over the responsibility. Word on streets concerning Libya in several countries is the same: get Gadhafi out of power. April 1, 2011

Haiti Presidential elections are well on their way in Haiti with hardly any obstacles. The winner has a difficult task ahead of them, said BBC News, in rebuilding the already poor country after the 2010 earthquake which killed more than 220,000 people and destroyed the capital.

Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant experienced severe damage and danger due to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. According to BBC News, many fires and explosions occurred, but the main problem was the cooling system, which became ineffective after power supplies were damaged. This continues to cause concern regarding leaking radiation.

United States The U.S. Food and Drug Administration halted imports of all milk products, vegetables, and fruit products from Japan, and all other food products close to nuclear plants will be diverted for testing, according to CNN.com

•News•Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 3

Extreme measures Sydnee Owens Driven by the media, peers, and simply themselves, students go to different lengths to ‘look good.’ “Some people are very comfortable and feel like, ‘hey I don’t care what you think,’ and then others are very concerned about what judgment you make about them,” said Guidance Counselor Susan Hayes. “I like to dress up. I like to wear cute clothes, but it’s not because I want to look cute for someone,” said Sophomore Nina Privitera. “I do it for myself.” “I value the way I look because I want to give people a good impression of me, but I don’t worry too much about it,” said Junior Paige Matheny. “I like the compliments,” said Junior Myles Cheadle. “I do it for myself and for others.” Students explain

their own reasons for dressing up on a daily basis. “I feel like the way I dress represents who I am,” said Cheadle. “I like to dress for success, I feel bummy when I wear sweat pants.” “I never wear sweat pants to school, because I don’t want people to think I’m sloppy,” said Matheny. “I don’t think throwing on a pair of jeans every morning is too much to ask.” Senior Dillon Gasca said, “I aspire to be a successful musician someday and I want to look the part, presentation in this business is key.” However, measures become controversial when it comes to procedures that alter the body, such as piercings, dying hair, tanning, and plastic surgery. “I dye my hair because it’s not permanent and it’s a fun way to express yourself,” said Matheny. Privitera explained that she colors her hair because since she’s a diver, the chlorine washes out her hair. Tanning raises more eyebrows because of the health risks. “I have a very strong bias against [tanning]. Tanning beds are a real

health hazard. I don’t think young teenage females realize what they’re doing to themselves when they do this just for the sake of getting a tan,” said Hayes. Privitera said she tanned because it helped her skin to not break out, and also because s h e wanted to maintain some color. “I don’t go tanning because I don’t want to risk myself getting cancer for something so small,” said Matheny. Plastic surgery may have an even higher health risk.

ely? Have you tried Mary Kay lat

It’s not just your mother’s make-up anymore!

4 •News•Opinion • Feature • Arts & Entertainment • Sports •

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Titan Scroll

for extreme looks “It’s crazy to hear about these young women in their twenties getting Botox and plastic surgeries and implants,” said Hayes “I want a boob job,” said Senior Kayla Nunemaker. “I feel like I would be more confident in myself and it’s something I’ve always been self–conscious about.” “I asked my parents if I could get a boob job for graduation, but they think I’m too young,” said Nunemaker. “But I think I would be fine, I’m going to college, people won’t know me there, they won’t have any pre-judgments.” Matheny is going to have a

April 1, 2011

surgery on her nose to fix her deviated septum, but she won’t be going under the knife to alter her appearance. “My mom had the same surgery when she was 18 and she had them alter the appearance but they botched the surgery. She had to have a second surgery to try to fix it but they couldn’t do anything about it. So after hearing that I definitely don’t want to change my nose any more than medically necessary,” said Matheny. She said, “I think plastic surgery is scary and dangerous.” Many consider the media a major influence on the way they look, especially in younger girls. “The media puts it in your head if you don’t have boobs then you’re looked down upon,” said Nunemaker. “The media plays up appearances a lot,” said Matheny. The media influence may cause teens to take some risks in order to keep up with society’s view of what looks good. “I think tanning and plastic surgery are socially acceptable, but I

don’t think they should be because of the risks that are taken.” “Media influences are tremendous. I think it’s really hard for girls today to fit in and find their place because there’s so much pressure to be ‘hot,’” said Hayes. Although the media influences students in the way they look, some said there really is not a lot of pressure at school. “If you look around, half the girls are wearing sweats and Ugg boots with their hair tied up, so I don’t think there’s a lot of pressure to look good in our school,” said Matheny. “Everyone’s always making judgments; we’re just kind of made that way,” said Hayes. However, some students agree that they don’t care about judgments, they just ignore them. “I don’t care what people have to say about how I look as long as I’m comfortable,” said Nunemaker. According to Hayes, first impression judgments will always happen; but an actual relationship with a person is not about looks, it’s about who the person is. “I like to always look

presentable,” said Matheny. “I think everyone judges people by their appearance especially when first meeting a person. I think people should be aware of how they present themselves to others, but they shouldn’t obsess over it.”

•News•Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 5

Debate prepares for national tournament

White Tips $25 Regular $23

Tiffany Jenkins als a student must be in the top 0.1% at a single tournament, their first one last year. Miller stated that the Due to the hard work and dedi- of all competitors, meaning they ever sweepstakes award, first ever first three years were Student Concation of the debate team, this year must perform at a near perfect level overall team championship, and the gress and the last year Original Orathere will be four debaters heading for five straight days of competition. most national qualifiers in school tory. to Nationals. Seniors Hai Kim, Alex To ‘make the cut’ [be in the top 60 history (4 students). Also, they have Miller also said that the National Chang, Clay Reyntournament is very unpreolds, and Codi Cadictable due to the large size ton make up the (around 5,000 competitors) most national qualand talent pool. But he said ifiers in West histhat he believes that his stutory. dents are very talented and Debate Coach have a good shot at doing Chris Miller dewell. scribed the effort “I am amazingly proud of qualifying for Namy team. They have worked tionals requires. “To tremendously hard and set qualify to the Naa new standard of exceltional tournament lence for our program,” said an individual must Miller. “The success of our compete at the NFL team comes from the hard [National Forensics work and dedication of our League] District students. I point them in a Tournament. To do direction, but they have to this they must earn make the choice to put in membership in the the effort to be champions.” NFL, compete regu Many of the debaters larly throughout the said they are excited for the season, and be seupcoming Nationals. “I am lected as one of the very excited for Nationals, top four students in not only is it a huge honor Seniors Hai Kim, Alex Chang, Clay Reynolds, and Codi Caton travel to Dallas in June to represent West at the their event on our to attend but it is a lot of NFL National Tournament. Photo by Kalie Emma squad. Once at Disfun,” Miller said. tricts, they have to “We’re going to Dallas!,” out-score the other competitors and in your event] is considered a great won more rounds this year than any said Senior Alex Chang. be ranked in the top three students honor – anything beyond that is sim- in school history. The NFL National tournament will in the district. Qualifying to Nation- ply amazing,” said Miller. Before this year, the debate team be held in Dallas in June. The debatals places a student in the top 1% of This year the debate team has had earned only four national quali- ers will be competing in Policy Deall competitors in the nation.” brought out several firsts. They in- fications overall, one in 2006, 2007, bate, Lincoln–Douglas Debate, and “To place in the top 14 at Nation- clude the largest number of finalists and 2008, and then the most recent Original Oratory. Student Discount Coupon

6 •News•Opinion • Feature • Arts & Entertainment • Sports •

Titan Scroll

Smoking hookah grows in popularity

Anna Hunter as “kind of weird because Although smoking out of a of all the people around hookah originated years ago, just chilling,” but he later recently the interest in smoking added to the social aspect the tobacco has increased. that ”Smoking hookah Hookah smoke is a form of really is just a social smoking tobacco, specifically event, something to do smoked out of a water pipe. with your friends.” It is legal for people to smoke Schalker added to at age 18 and appeals to many why kids have the urge types of individuals because of to go to hookah bars. it’s variety in flavorings and it’s “When kids turn 18, it’s ability to “de-stress”. a milestone. They get “Waterpipe smoking is an to vote, fight for their increasing trend within the country, and buy tobacco, global tobacco epidemic”, said but nothing of a social The Journal of the American event. Smoking hookah is Medical Association (JAMA) like going into a bar, and in an article about smoking Smoking hookah has become an increasingly popular activity in the Kansas City area over the past because students look hookah. seven years. Despite warnings from health officials, many teenagers naively fall victim to its dangerous forward to adulthood, the Along the lines of knowing effects. Photo by Jean Madison. idea of going into a bar is specifically what it is though, appealing to them, leading the tobacco involves the addition of smoking session, hookah smokers many students aren’t exactly to them going. It’s a trendy thing to many chemicals. Although some of may absorb higher concentrations of sure. According to the manager of do, which is why kids go.” the hookah bar the Jerusalem Cafe in the chemicals do sanitize the tobacco the toxin found in cigarette smoke.” She later added that it’s not a good Westport, Kansas City, “Hookah is a and enhance the flavor, they are according to the Centers for Disease enough reason to go and the money Control and Prevention. wet tobacco molasses with all natural carcinogens.” kids spend on it isn’t even worth it. flavoring. It contains a small amount Carcinogens are cancer-causing The article goes on to say, “A chemicals. Tobacco is considered typical 1-hour-long hookah smoking The setting of a hookah bar is of nicotine and has no drawbacks.” very important to the nature of Senior Tyler Rasmussen referred dangerous because of the carcinogens session involves inhaling 100-200 smoking it. “I work very hard on my it contains. times the volume of smoke inhaled to his first visit to a hookah bar atmosphere. I don’t let people come as a “cool experience and a large “Hookah smoking is not safer from a single cigarette.” in and interrupt it. If they do, I just cultural shock.” He went on to say than cigarette smoking. Hookah The “worst light headed rush” from ask them to leave,” said the manager. smoke contains high levels of toxic smoking out of the hookah, as said by that although his mom didn’t advise He said that he personally makes him to do so, he “really wanted to compounds, including tar, carbon Schalker, is because of the amount of each order to the like of the customer. monoxide, heavy metals and cancer- smoke taken in at one time. experience it.” Because hookah is available in all “I mean it’s legal, so I don’t think causing chemicals (carcinogens),” Smoking hookah may appeal to all said Richard D. Hurt, M.D. on sorts of people though because it’s types of flavors, he orders it from it’s wrong,” he added. less addictive than cigarettes. “All overseas to get the specific all-natural “Although hookah does contain mayoclinic.com. flavoring. nicotine, it’s not easy to get addicted “A leisurely hour of puffs from types of people come here. Parents “The flavoring you want has to a hookah packs the same carbon bring their 18-year-olds on their to because it’s not available 24-7, as do with your taste buds. Murad, my a pack of cigarettes is,” said Karen monoxide punch as a pack-a-day birthday, professionals come in, coworker, or I make it, and we ask Schalker, a Prevention Specialist for cigarette habit”, said the same JAMA retirees, and a lot of students come what kind of fruit you like because article. to relax,” said the Jerusalem Cafe First Call, an alcohol, drug prevention Hookah results in a unique effect manager. “I consider it a de-stressor. it’s all natural.” and recovery foundation. Smith talked about his favorite Though smoking hookah may when smoked. “It does cause a little A lot of medical students come to flavor as well. “I get the tobacco for not be as addictive as cigarettes, bit of a head rush because it’s a water relax after a long day,” he said. my hookahs at a discount smoke it is technically not any healthier vapor and there’s a lack of oxygen Senior Tanner Smith actually store. My favorite flavor is definitely than smoking cigarettes. Schalker to the lungs. Plus the fact that it’s a owns two hookahs. “If you’re 18 and chocolate. It’s so good,” he said. continued to say, “It does contain water vapor causes the blood stream you have nothing to do, it’s fun. I Although smoking hookah may to move faster as well,” said the heard about it from a friend and did tobacco though, therefore it has the be a fun social event, it does have its it, realizing how much I enjoyed it.” same effects and the same danger as Jerusalem Cafe manager. dangers. It is illegal to smoke hookah smoking cigarettes. It contains over “Due to the mode of smoking- He had his first experience at under the age of 18 because of it’s including frequency of puffing, depth a hookah bar in Westport called 1,000 carcinogens and the way in relevant health risks and health which the tabacco companies clean of inhalation, and length of the Sinbad. He referred to his experience effects.

April 1, 2011

•News•Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 7

Prom Checklist 1. FIND A DATE (most important!!!)

Where: John Knox Pavilion

2. Pick out that perfect dress

3. Hair/Make-up appointments (Hurry you’re running out of time!)

6. Boys should get fitted for their tuxedos at least 2 weeks in advance.

8pm-11:30pm

Theme: James Bond:

Diamonds Forever

4. Make dinner reservations before your favorite restaurant is full 5. Decide on mode of transportation. . . party bus, limo, town car, parents. . . whatever!

When: April 30, 2011

7. Tanning is optional, but start at least two weeks in advance! 8. Corsages and boutonnieres should be pre-ordered at least a week in advance. 9. Purchase Prom tickets at school the week of Prom. 10. Girls: manicures, pedicures, and spray tans can wait until the week or day of Prom. 11. You should already have plans for after-prom whereabouts (lets keep it clean kids!)

8 •News• Opinion• Feature • Arts & Entertainment • Sports •

Titan Scroll

Staff Editorial: pressure to look good Jenna Keeble Most use their teenage years as a time to find themselves as individuals. It’s a time to experiment, make mistakes, and see what the world has to offer. During these crucial years, we learn the type of people to be surrounded by and what values are most important to the person we are striving to become. No matter what freckles, hair, feet, or other uniques characteristics a person may have, every single person is faced with the issue of appearance at some point in life. These vulnerable teenage years tend to be an area of life that the topic is most prominent. So what’s the big fuss anyway? Well, whether they want to admit it or not, most people care a great deal about their own physical appearance as well as that of others. During high school years especially, many feel that the way they look will affect

every part of the way their life pans out. Teenagers today obsess far too much over the importance of their appearance. Whether someone wears fancy clothing everyday or has never thought twice about a brand name really shouldn’t matter either way. Beauty does not guarantee happiness, success, or an enriched life. All of the excessive tanning, use of make-up, striving for the biggest muscles and all around ‘hottest’ looks is getting out of hand. What is ultimately the reasoning behind the need to look good?

Some feel their looks allow them to gain popularity or attention. Some are insecure with their looks and can feel better about themselves by altering their outer appearance. But this is not a solution to these problems. The attention of others is to be gained through admiration of personality and insecurities can easily be overcome by these relationships teaching us to love ourselves for the person we are. Yes, appearance can be an important factor in some situations such as job interviews, but overall it does not define a person. In a perfect world, outside appearance wouldn’t be a factor whatsoever. But the truth is that just

about every part of the way a person looks, talks, acts and so on will be judged in some way. It is impossible to make everyone happy and satisfy all of their judgements. When we learn to accept this fact, ignore it, and move on is when the exaggerated focus on appearance can begin to shift to more important subjects. We’ve all heard the same age-old sayings since we were little; don’t judge a book by it’s cover, it’s what’s on the inside that counts… We hear these cheesy sayings so often that the message begins to be ignored. These phrases have been around for so long because they always ring true. Physical appearance is not what is really important in life. Teenage years should be spent having fun, learning, and growing into adulthood instead of wasting time obsessing over what others think of the way we look.

Well if you ask me....

Rebecca Black doesn’t deserve the scorn

Commentary by Freshman Courtney Bingham A German playwright by the name of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said, “Nothing shows a man’s character more than what he laughs at.” This man may have died over one 150 years ago, but still the guy had a point.

When surrounded by strangers, nothing breaks the ice like a nicely timed joke, especially if that joke is at the expense of someone else. When Rebecca Black’s music video, “Friday” went viral Mar. 14 she immediately found herself to be the target of jokes by teenagers all across the country. The lyrics to her song had people everywhere doubled over laughing at the absurdity of it all, and students could hardly make it fifteen minutes into the school day without some exclamation about where the random rapper in the middle of the video came from, and what on earth he’s doing hanging out with a bunch of kids half his age. I’ll admit that I’m not exactly a fan of Rebecca Black’s work, and when I first saw her video, I was laughing right along with everyone else. I

April 1, 2011

even pulled up her video on YouTube and took a look at the comments, just to see what people were saying about it. What I saw there shocked me. People had left comments on her channel, saying absolutely hateful things. Some comments even urged the girl to commit suicide. It was then that I decided that it was time to do my homework, and find out a little more about Rebecca Black. Did you know that she is only 13 years old? Can you imagine being under this kind of pressure when you were 13? If someone had told you to go cut yourself when you were that age, would you have done it? Rebecca Black decided to make that video because she loves to perform, and she loves music. She’s a young girl, trying to follow her dreams and become everything

she’s ever wanted to be, and here we are, laughing at her for it. I admire Rebecca Black, not only because she had the nerve to put herself out there, but because she has the courage to not back down. We taunt her, we make jokes at her expense, and there are so many negative comments that would have had a weaker person hiding in shame, yet that music video is still on the internet. While I do honestly believe that laughter can heal you, I also know that it can hurt you. The comments being made about Rebecca Black are an example of bullying, plain and simple, and laughing at the wrong things can do just as much damage as a bully taunting you to your face. Ridiculing a young girl for doing what she loves is shameful, and I think it’s about time we gave her a break.

• News •Opinion• Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 9

Health Freak:

Seasonal Depression

Alex Katzfey Two words: seasonal depression. Is it really something that we can blame our “winter blues” on? Believe it or not, it is possible. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time each year. It usually starts in the fall and continues through the winter season until the nicer, sunnier weather comes around. Symptoms of SAD include depression, anxiety, lack of energy, oversleeping, social withdrawal, weight gain, and a change in appetite. It’s normal to have those occasional days where you feel gloomy and or the weekends when you just have the urge to hibernate on the couch, but when you have these symptoms for days at a time it is probably time to see a doctor. There are a few

treatment options for SAD, which includes light therapy, medication, or psychotherapy. The real question here is how can the changing seasons affect one’s mood? Well, some doctors relate this disorder to a reduced level of sunlight that disrupts your body’s biological clock (circadian rhythm) which is supposed to send signals to your brain to let you know when you should be sleeping and when you should be awake. It can also be a decrease in one’s melatonin and serotonin levels, brain chemicals that transmit information between nerves, due to a lack of exposure to light. Luckily for those with seasonal depression, summer is just around the bend and constant sunny days are in the forecast, which should get rid of your

“winter blues.” But there is a rare 10 percent of people with a type of SAD that begins in late spring and ends in the fall called summer depression. This reversed seasonal affective disorder is a form of bipolar disorder and can bring on symptoms of a consistent elevated mood, agitation, irritability, and anxiety. This can be caused by an inconsistent summer schedule due to no school, body image issues, financial worries, or the heat. But there are easy ways to subdue this depression by planning ahead, getting the needed amount of sleep, not overdoing dieting or fitness, and just relaxing. Source: Mayoclinic.com.

Ways to avoid Seasonal Depression – Get your daily dose of Vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids. This can be easily done by taking a multi-vitamin. – Do something you enjoy everyday or whenever you are feeling down! – Get out and exercise! Establish a workout routine so your moods don’t change due to a lack of physical activity! –Keep yourself from being isolated and unsocial. Make plans with your friends and stay connected with family. – Make an appointment with a massage therapist, chiropractor, aesthetician, acupuncturist, herbalist, acupressure, or therapist.

10 • News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports •

Titan Scroll

Titan custodian from Serbia gains American citizenship Carlie Nash While obtaining U.S. citizenship isn’t a relevant factor in most Lee’s Summit residents’ lives, for custodian Milena Maksimovic it was a life changing experience. On March 17, Maksimovic was officially made a U.S. citizen through a ceremony at City Hall in downtown Kansas City. At the ceremony, 40 different countries were represented by different people becoming citizens. They were awarded with a certificate. Maksimovic moved to America from Serbia when she was only 20 years old to be with her family. “I moved here because I have family here and because I like this country. Also I like to learn different languages,” said Maksimovic. “My dad has been here for eight years and my aunt 24.” Moving to a different country can be hard, especially when you don’t know the language. “I didn’t know English when I came to this country. I learned by going to Penn Valley where I took ESL (English as a Second Language) classes. I did that for two years,” said Maksimovic. “Language [was the hardest part], I didn’t know anything. I only knew yes and no so that was kind of hard. And then before my first day of work

April 1, 2011

I was kind of crying because I didn’t ple at her work who helped her with know what people were going to speaking English and figuring out think about me because I really don’t the things she needed to do at work. understand that much but I have to “People were really, really nice to work. But after a week it was kind of me. They were trying to help me by better.” writing on papers and drawing just Not only can language be a prob- to help me know what I needed to lem, but how do,” said to make a Maksiliving as movic. well. T he “I lived process with my of bedad. Then coming I started a citizen working at is not We n d y ’s , short. that was First, my first job the perin my life. I son who had never wishes to worked bebecome fore, then a citizen I went to has to Penn Vallive in ley everythe U.S. day. I was for five a full time years student at Melina Maksimovic, a native of Serbia earned her certifi- and live Penn Valley. cate to be a citizen of the United States after a five year here for journey. Photo by Martin Steele. At Wendy’s at least I worked 40 eight hours a week. It was hard,” said Mak- months out of each year. Then the simovic. person has to take a test of ten ques Maksimovic said that luckily she tions about various things that have ran into some very welcoming peo- to do with America. To pass the test,

they have to get six out of ten questions correct. “You can go online and pull the questions out about citizenship. There are about one hundred. So I’ve been learning them for a couple months,” said Maksimovic. There is also an application that they must fill out with one hundred questions about the applicant’s criminal record and other information. “The application was the easy part. Those are easy questions about yourself,” said Maksimovic. But for Maksimovic, the actual test was not even the hardest part, knowing the information was. “It wasn’t really hard. But for me, I didn’t study American History before so there were some new questions that now I’m happy I know them but I didn’t know them before,” said Maksimovic. Now, that Maksimovic is a citizen, her goals have not changed. “I’ve been going to school at Longview and I will keep working here at West,” said Maksimovic. “I will earn my degree in society and business also,” said Maksimovic. Although it’s taken her awhile to become a citizen, her excitement has only grown. “I am so excited,” said Maksimovic. “It feels like I’ve been waiting for this for a really long time.”

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• Interior / Exterior paint • New Homes • Commercial • Existing Homes

• News • Opinion •Feature• Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 11

Need a caterer for your end of the season banquets? Price Chopper has the solution.Chicken, Salads, Pastas, Sandwiches and speacialty cakes from the Bakery. 12 •News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports •

Titan Scroll

Titan Scroll wants to know:

Junior Ashley Donally: “If I was given one million dollars I would move back to California, buy my own place, and then donate the rest to charity”

Junior Abby Doane “If I was given one million dollars I would give some of it to the breast cancer foundation, some to my family, save some, and use the rest to go on a trip to Australia.”

April 1, 2011

What would you do if you had a million dollars? Senior Lauren Fender “If I was given one million dollars I would donate most of it and then use the rest to pay for college and then buy an iPad.”

Freshman Monte Harrison:

“Put a basketball goal in my house.”

Junior Megan Silick “ If I was given one million dollars I would travel to Italy and visit all of the big cities. I would go shopping a lot and try to go on an excursion.”

Freshman Michael Orrick “Buy

a nice house, buy a nice car and then I’d mess around with it. I might buy a little monkey.”

• News • Opinion •Feature• Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 13

Titan track alumni receives a wake up call means he can train with the team every day without having to compete. He said he hopes the tests will be done in a couple weeks. “You pretty much have to start back at square one. You have to slowly work your way up; nothing happens over night, which is frustrating because I was doing so well, now I have to start all over,” said Gray. Boys Track Head Coach, Bob Klausing, said his initial reaction to Gray’s heart condition was surprise. He said he remembers Gray to be “a very positive individual, very energetic.” He also said he has no doubt that Gray will be back on the track in full force. “It was a major issue in the first place, but with his attitude, nothing’s going to hold him back.” Gray hopes to start competing again later this month.

Hartzell Gray, right, has had a very positive outlook on his hopes of getting back to the level he once achieved in track after recently being sidelined because of a heart condition. Photo courtesy Hartzell Gray

Anna Poudel

2010 Titan Alumni Hartzell Gray was a six time All-State sprinter during his time at West. He ran the 100 m, 200 m and the 4x1 relay. He has placed in the top five for all his events in college track. When he was diagnosed with a heart condition this past winter, he had to stop running and start his training over again from the very beginning. Gray is in his freshman year at UMKC, where he attends on a full track scholarship. He calls college track a full-time job, because he spent up to 40 hours a week working out and training for it. The transition from high school track to college track, along with the 17 class hours and his job, on top of his high blood pressure is what he thinks caused his Left Ventricular Hypertrophy. “It’s kind of sudden something I developed… once I started this full-time track and all the track meets and the lifting and stuff,” he said. “I don’t know if it was too much too soon on top of school and work.” Left Ventricular Hypertrophy is a thickening of the wall of the left ventricle. The thicker the heart’s walls, the harder it is for the blood to flow. “Remember that the heart is a muscle just like any other in your body and it will increase in size if you use it more – like with exercise or if you force it to work harder – like in hypertension,” said Dr.

Emily Robb. “It can go away if caught early and treated appropriately with medications to decrease your blood pressure.” “It was definitely a wake-up call, I have to slow down a bit. After Christmas break I stopped running for a month and I worked a little less. I slept a lot. I went from getting four to five hours a night to 10 to 12, which was weird. I watched a lot of movies while I was out. I read a lot too; I’m kind of a history nerd so I read biographies. I watched track too,” said Gray. Gray said that during his time off, he became a “student of the sport,” watching YouTube videos of track meets, learning about form and watching his team at UMKC train. “At the beginning I sat on the sidelines and watched and recorded times. So I was a glorified manager,” said Gray. He started up his training again in mid-February. Now he lifts weights, rides a stationary bike and builds up his endurance by swimming every day. Gray’s doctor didn’t want him to run again until after a medical test he took Tuesday. The test was to make sure only his heart is having problems and that they’re not caused by his brain. More follow-up tests were scheduled, but Gray has officially been put on medical hardship. This

14 •News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports •

Gray was a six time All-State sprinter during his four years at West. file photo

Titan Scroll

Prankster or victim? Shower Surprises

*Paint a bar of soap with clear nail polish. *Throw freezing ice cold cups of water on your victim in the shower. *Shut the water off in the whole house when your victim is showering.

Put a life saver in the head of the shower so when your victim gets out and drys off they have a sticky residue all over themselves.

*Under the toilet seat put a piece of bubble wrap so that when your victim sits down they are surprised with a loud POP!

Peanut Butter Handle Glop some peanut butter under someone’s car door handle.

Coin Confusion Super glue some coins to the ground and see how many pedestrians attempt to retrieve them. April 1, 2011

Tape down the nozzle to the sprayer on the sink.

Toilet Trouble

Sticky Life Saver

Peanut Butter

Classic

*Secretively put some Vaseline on the toilet seat so when your victim sits down it’s a slippery mess. *To give someone a midnight startle, put Saran Wrap between the bowl and the lid so when your victim goes to the bathroom in the middle of the night they are stuck in a gross surprise.

• News • Opinion •Feature• Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 15

“Teen Mom” is not just a show; for some, it is reality Haley Roach

mad as I thought she would be,” she said. When Collier told the baby’s father, her ex-boyfriend, that she was pregnant, “he didn’t want me to keep her at all,” she said. While most high school students wake up to the sound of alarm clocks, a Mcleod said that her boyfriend was “excited and supportive” when she told few wake up to the sound of a crying baby. More than the responsibility of him the big news. getting to first hour on time, a few have the responsibility of caring for a tiny “Me and him have been together for four years before this,” said Lawrence human life. about her boyfriend, “At first we were scared but now we’re excited about it In March of last year, Senior Kiauna Collier learned she was pregnant. She knew it was a possibility she was pregnant and she had dreamed of herself and plan on making the best family we can.” Collier, Mcleod, and Lawrence said they always knew they wanted to keep taking an at-home pregnancy test and the results being unsure. When she their babies, though they were aware other options were out there. woke up she took the test for real, and the results were positive. “My parents wanted me to see the other options,” said Mcleod, “they never Senior Jessica Mcleod is also in the midst of raising a child and Senior tried to push anything on me, and they just wanted to make sure keeping him Megan Lawrence has a baby on the way. Mcleod found out she was pregnant last August. Mcleod kept her pregnancy was best.” “I don’t believe in abortion,” Collier said. to herself for the first three months. Lawerence found out about her pregnancy this Dec. and said at that time, “I “With adoption, I would always feel like a part of me was missing; knowing someone was out there,” said Mcleod. was really scared.” Collier said she didn’t consider adoption. “If I was going to have her, I was She added, “the fact of growing up so fast and having to be a mom at such a going to keep her,” she said. young age” is what scares her most. Both Collier and Mcleod describe the feeling of knowing they were pregnant “It was my action that got me here, so it’s my responsibility to deal with it,” said Lawrence. the same, “It was surreal,” said Collier. Kiauna & daughter Heaven Lee-Marie Brown born December 19th, 2010. Being pregnant while going to school may pose challenges to young girls. “I’ve missed some school from being exhausted,” said Lawrence, “at the beginning, I was just dead.” “Getting from one side of the school to the other on time was hard,” said Collier, “and it was hard for me to get some papers turned in on time.” “It was hard because all you think about is ‘baby, baby, baby,’ so it was hard to keep my grades up,” said Mcleod. Collier said she had support from friends and staff members at school. She told the nurse and her counselor of her situation. “They helped me, they were there for me Photo by Samantha Conrad. Photo courtesy of Kiauna Collier. too. They were supportive,” she said. “At my school my friends would carry my things for me. They were there “I was in shock,” said Mcleod, “I was happy though, I for me and showed that they still cared,” said Collier. knew I was going to keep him.” “Days that I am really scared or sad about it, they tell me everything’s going For all three girls, their moms were the first to know. to be okay and no matter what, they will always be there,” said Lawrence about “I talked to my mom about it,” said Lawrence, “so I would have someone her family and boyfriend. there to talk to.” Mcleod said she also had support. “My parents have been here the whole Mcleod’s mom came to her, and asked about the pregnancy. time since they found out.” “At first every parent’s reaction would not be the happiest, she was shocked Mcleod said she has also found it as a way to relate to her parents. “I’ve but after awhile you just have to accept the facts,” said Mcleod. learned how my parents felt, to be a parent, and how they have always worried When Collier told her mom, “She was a little disappointed but she wasn’t as

16• News • Opinion •Feature• Arts&Entertainment • Sports •

Titan Scroll

about me,” said Mcleod. Along with the pregnancies came emotional and physical consequences for these girls. Walking down the hallway there is “a lot of attention to the belly,” said Collier.

was Christmas, which is why Collier chose the name ‘Heaven’. March 9, 2011 Mcleod gave birth to Jacen Andres Mcleod. Aug. 20 is Lawrence’s due date, and she hasn’t found out the sex of her baby yet. For Collier, she said that once she was given her epidural, she was fine. Photo courtesy of Jessica Mcleod. Photo courtesy of Tanner Smith. For Mcleod it was a different experience. “It was horrible. You hear the stories but I didn’t think about it until the day,” she said. Both the girls said holding their babies for the first time was quite an experience. “It was surreal, I felt like I was in a dream. My last push when she came out, it didn’t feel real, I couldn’t believe it was happening,” said Collier. Now that the babies have arrived, the mothers said that new concerns have arisen. “I worry that I made the right decision and that I will be able to give [Jace] everything he needs and wants,” said Mcleod. Collier, who hopes of becoming an artist, plans to take next year off, but possibly go to an art college the next year. She has her mom to help her take care of Heaven. Collier got a lot of Heaven’s necessities from her Jessica and son Jacen Andres Mcleod born March 9th, 2010. baby showers, but she also has her family to help her When Collier told her baby’s father she was going to keep her baby, “he when she needs it. said he’d be there for her,” said Collier, “he wants to be in her life but he’s not Lawrence’s future isn’t in concrete right showing it. Actions speak louder than words.” now.Since her baby will be born right before “It was the worst, I was always tired,” said Mcleod. “By the end, your feet her first year of college should start, she will hurt, your back hurts, everything hurts.” have to start college late. The girls said there were other worries as well. “I was afraid of labor but I “I would have to take night classes because I always put that at the back of my head,” said Mcleod, “the pain I was going to don’t have any one who could watch the baby,” go through.” said Lawrence. For all three girls, worry is something that is present throughout their Mcleod also is still unsure about her future pregnancies. plans. Mcleod said she worried about “being able to do it, to raise a baby so young.” “It’s weird to think you are going to be a mom,” said Lawrence. “I worry there are things I won’t know how to do.” see page 32 Something that helped Mcleod out a lot was her mom. “Without my mom, I couldn’t have done it,” said Mcleod, “and since she was my mom, it was something to relate to. If I had a question, I could ask her.” For Collier, her baby kept her going. “When I was pregnant, she was my motivation to keep going, not to give up,” she said. The girls also experienced the exciting sides of pregnancy. Mcleod said, “The most exciting part was going to the doctor and seeing the sonograms.” “They threw me a surprise party baby shower in my class at school,” said Collier. “I had one outside of school too.” Dec. 19, 2010 Collier gave birth to Heaven Lee- Marie Brown. Her due date

April 1, 2011

• News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 17

Spring Fashion lo

stripes

one-armed shirts

flo

high-waisted shorts

lip

high-waisted belts

tig ht s

long earrings and necklaces

skirts

t-o

colored

open-toed sandals

18 • News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports •

s e i r o cess

Titan Scroll

3D quality advances in theaters Lindsey Bingham

The first 3D movie made was “The Power of Love” and aired in 1922. However, the industry didn’t really kick off until 1953 and 1954 with the hits “It Came from Outer Space” and “Creature from the Black Lagoon.” Senior Sarah Bechtold said that thinks, “3D adds an unexpected stimulus that normally isn’t seen on 2D screen, making the viewing experience more exciting.” In fact, the release of the top grossing film of all time, “Avatar”, was partially so popular because it had mastered the art of 3D film, according to Collider.com. Assistant Manager of Blue Springs 8 Theater Keiva Cross said that, “I do think that 3D is a lasting industry because every theater is going digital and making that investment.” She also said she thought that, “It’s a better movie

April 1, 2011

experience all the way around.” “I believe 3D technology is going to continue being further developed and eventually used for more than just entertainment purposes,” said Bechtold. Although Blue Springs 8 Theater currently doesn’t show 3D movies, they will show them within the next few months according to Cross. The 1997 film that won 11 Academy Awards, “Titanic”, is scheduled to be released in 3D vision in 2012, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the sailing of the ship. Even though the technology has been around for almost 90 years, 3D hasn’t been as common as one might expect. This might have something to do with the fact

that it costs as much as $100,000 to $120,000 to convert a movie into 3D per minute. Prices of tickets are expected to rise to pay for these additional costs according to Filmcontract. com.

Going to the movies isn’t the only way the get the 3D fix. Computers, cameras, gaming systems and televisions are upgrading their technology. But it does come without a price. The Samsung 58’’ Plasma TV currently

costs $2,999.98, not including the $149.99 cost for individual glasses. Pricing is not the only downside of 3D

vision. Nintendo confesses that the gaming devices could cause eye development issues in children under 6 years old. “The success of 3D will depend on the quality, the necessity of 3D glasses and the long term effect that this technology will have on the viewer’s eyes,” said Bechtold.

Services include: Mowing Chemical applications Landscaping Outdoor kitchens Spring and Fall cleanups Mulch Contact us at 816-966-1400 or www.perfectionpluslawncare.com

• News • Opinion • Feature•Arts&Entertainment• Sports • 19

Down 2. What movie about a girl involved in a shark attack comes out this month? 3. What college basketball games are being played tomorrow? 4. Fill in the blank for the lyric: “Everybody’s lookin’ forward to the _________ 6. Rebecca Black’s viral song. 7. Enviromental awareness holiday this month. 9. What professinal sport begins this month? 12. What is the month?

4 3

7 1

Across 1. April ______ 3. Bring May ____ 5. Something you pull on people today 6. What country did April Fools Day start in? 8. What sport does March Madness involve? 10. Jewish holiday this month 11. Christian holiday this month 13. Who won the Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament last year?

5 8

20 • News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports •

Titan Scroll

April

April Fools Day

22 Good Friday

No School 29 Arbor Day

Kansas City Film Festival Continued

Easter

Plague by Michael Grant Premiers

25 Passover Begins

King’s Speech is released on DVD

Kansas City Film Festival Born to be Wild: 3D comes to theaters

Earth Day

27 28 Operation Impact Auditions for Lee’s Summits Got Talent

Prom

Passover Ends

Lee’s Summit West National Honor Society presents the

BLOOD DRIVE

On Your College Application with SAT Subject Tests™ • The only national college admission tests where you choose the subject

Lee’s Summit West High School Friday, April 1 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Aux Gym

April 1, 2011

• One-hour tests in a variety of subject areas: math, science, literature, history and foreign languages • Required or recommended by many colleges

This spring, take an SAT Subject Test; next fall, make your college application shine.

Upcoming Test Dates: May 7 & June 4 Learn More, Register and Get Free Practice Tools:

www.SATSubjectTests.org

www.savealifenow.org 11b-3367

• News • Opinion • Feature•Arts&Entertainment• Sports • 21

Comedy Movie Match-Up Hall Pass

Just Go With It

Stars- Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate

Stars- Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Brooklyn Decker

Total Money Made- $35,000,000

Total Money Made- $94,000,000

Release Date- February 25, 2011

Release Date- February 11,2011

Critic Review- “Hall Pass isn’t by any means flawless, but its ability to integrate extreme scatological humor with moment of genuine feeling is rare”- James Berardinelli, Reel Views.

Critic Review- “Sandler has so successfully lowered the standards for Hollywood comedies that it’s hard to imagine his fans caring about the deficiencies of this bland, excruciatingly long and creatively inept rom-com.” -Geoff Berkshire, Chicago Tribune.

“I love Owen Wilson. He’s my favorite actor. All in all, I thought this was a really funny movie,” said Senior Kristen Cooper.

Synopsis- On a weekend trip to Hawaii, a plastic surgeon convinces his loyal assistant to pose as his soon-to-be-divorced wife in order to cover up a careless lie he told to his much-younger girlfriend. http://www.adamsandler.com/index.php?section=moviesalbums

Paul

Synopsis- A married man is granted the opportunity to have an affair by his wife. Joined in the fun by his best pal, things get a little out of control when both wives start engaging in extramarital activities as well. http://hallpassmovie.warnerbros.com/

Rango

Stars- Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen Total Money Made- $13,000,000 Release Date- March 18, 2011

Stars- Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin Total Money Made- $68,000,000 Release Date- March 4, 2011

Critic Review- “This is a well-made, well-plotted and sensitive movie.” -Mick LaSalle, The San Francisco Chronicle.

Critic Review- “In a pinch, Rango’s mantra is ‘crunchy, creamy, cookie, candy, cupcake.’ Way too sweet. I’m thinking ‘brainy, batty, buzz, bong, bananas.’ Rango is like nothing you’ve ever seen.” -Peter Travers, Rolling Stone.

“Paul really made me laugh. It was really funny! I would totally recommend people who like this kind of comedy to see it,” said Sophomore Nick Ramierez. Synopsis- Two British comic-book nerds trekking across America meet an alien, Paul, outside Area 51, and have to protect him from the government while trying to return him to his home planet.

“I really like the quality of the actors and the special effects are very high tech. It inspires me to be a better person,” said Freshman Britney Holden. “Rango was a genuinely funny movie. He’s a funny character and Johnny Depp did a really good job,” said Sophomore Tiffany Lee. Synopsis- Rango is an ordinary chameleon who accidently winds up in the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West in desperate need of a sheriff.

http://www.universalpictures.com/

All statistics are from www.imdb.com.

22 • News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports •

http://www.nick.com/shows/rango

Titan Scroll

Red Riding Hood hits the big screen

Katey Stoetzel The classic tale of the girl with the red hood who went for a stroll through the woods, going to her grandmother’s house and was inadvertently stopped by a wolf, has made its way to the big screen. However, “Red Riding Hood,” based off a book by the same title written by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright, is a twisted, sexy, and yes, even awkward, version of the 700-year-old tale. The movie stars Amanda Seyfried in the role of Valerie, aka, Little Red Riding Hood. The village that Valerie lives in has been haunted by a wolf for years, but has been kept at bay by annual farm animal sacrifices. But then the wolf started killing humans again and then it started talking to Valerie and from there, things get hectic. The movie was directed by Catherine Hardwicke, who directed

April 1, 2011

the first Twilight movie, and did not seem to understand that she was not directing “Twilight” this time around. Everything from the scenery and the story line seemed the same. Although there were no vampires, there are were-wolves and a love triangle. There never really seemed to be one focal point of the story line, with the story often moving too quickly for the audience to actually get into. The movie is a mystery, with the unknown being who is the werewolf because Father Solomon (Gary Oldman) told all the village people that the were-wolf walked among them. Since the story moves fast and doesn’t linger on anything of great importance, the audience does not get to join in on the fun of trying to solve the mystery. It is also difficult to figure it out when everyone is made to seem

suspicious-and this is where the that’s what matters the most; but awkwardness of the movie comes in- just to be on the safe side, wait until ranging from Valerie’s grandmother the movie comes to DVD. to her fiancé to her boyfriend and then basically to everyone else. What makes the movie even more awkward is the acting, or the lack thereof. Aside from Seyfried and Oldman, everyone else just fell a bit short of comfortable. However, for Seyfried, this was not one of her best roles and Oldman’s performance was a bit questionable, just adding to the fact that he is great as Jim Gordon in Batman and as Sirius Black in Harry Potter. Despite those faults, they were better than their co-stars. But all of this criticism doesn’t mean that the movie is not entertaining; because it is. And Classic tale turns into a epic action packed when it all comes down to it, movie.

Expires 5/1/11

• News • Opinion • Feature•Arts&Entertainment• Sports • 23

Girl’s soccer bond for success Meg Britton-Mehlisch The world of soccer is filled with a variety of sounds, but one sound the Girls’ Soccer team is becoming more used to this season is the whoosh of a soccer ball as it hits the net and scores a goal. The team is starting out their season with 4 -1 game record. “I think that we have a capability of being a strong team, we have the capability of being competitive,” said Head Coach Todd Krey. “We play a lot of tough teams and I think it’s going to prepare us to get to the state playoffs at the end of the year. I think they’re capable of doing some things it’s just amatterofhowmuchtheybelieveandwant to buy into it and work hard,” said Krey. Krey has coached soccer at West since its

how well they get along with each other,” he said. Sophomore Jaycie Johnson, a Varsity forward, said she doesn’t think the team will have issues with bonding. “We all know each other, we all get along and we hang out and we always have fun together and know how to laugh with each other.” Even though the team is serious about winning and making it to the state finals, that doesn’t mean that they don’t take a second to have fun. Johnson said the funniest thing that’s happened this season so far was “at soccer practice, when we played butts up.” Butts up is a game that the soccer team plays to improve their shooting accuracy. The team lines up and the players take turns participating in a competitive shooting challenge. The winners of the challenge are then allowed to take shots at the butt of the player who scored the least points, and has to stand in the goal with their butt in the air. The game worked to their advantage because the team won their third game against Blues Springs, 3-1 on March 25th. The team was happy at the victory and one of the three team captains, Senior Katie Davis, expressed her feeling that Sophomore Jaycie Johnson and Senior Katie Davis re- the team was on to bigger group around after scoring a goal. Photos by Judd Kirn and better things. “Ever since tryouts I felt like we opening and coached at Lee’s Summit High were really good and had the potential to go School for four years before that. Speak- to State.” ing from his experience, Krey said that the Davis said after the March 25 game, that bond between the girls is going to be an im- she was already looking forward to the soccer game against Lee’s Summit High School portant factor to their success this year. “I think as a team they’re quickly finding that was on Monday. that it’ll be worth it if they all bond and trust The girls brought home a 3 -1 victory each other on and off the field. I think we’re against Lee’s Summit. They continued their getting better at that. It’s that chemistry or winning streak with a shutout win of 10-0 against North Kansas City on Tuesday and

played Park Hill last night at Park Hill High School. Though it may seem like a minor goal, winning the next game, but it’s one that the girls work every day to achieve. Johnson and Davis both said they work very hard every day in training during the season. “I train very hard, we run every day at practice and I run a lot with my team on the off season, said Davis. Johnson also said the training was very running oriented, but Johnson and Davis both agreed that the running they do now doesn’t compare to the exercises they went through during the first three weeks of practice. “We did so much fitness to get in shape. That was the hardest training that I’ve ever had to do because we just ran every day and just went at it.” Though the first few weeks may have been a little rough on the girls, the training since then has stayed consistent according to Krey. “We try to get the girls prepared the same every game, whether it’s a team that’s supposed to be the top in the state or a lesser team we know that we got to go out there prepared and confident that we can win every game.” While Krey is always looking for confidence on the field he said that with this team he doesn’t normally look for long. “We’re fortunate to have girls play like they play out here so I’m fortunate as a coach to have a team that should be competitive on a regular basis and so it’s just a matter of making sure we’re ready to go.” Some of that confidence and competitive nature that Krey is talking about comes from the fact that the girls have been playing for so long. “I first kind of started from my older brothers. They played and I always went to their games and I always had a ball at my feet. When I was old enough, my mom just signed me up and I haven’t stopped playing ever since,” said Johnson who said she’s been playing soccer since the age of three. Davis has a similar story. “My older brother played soccer, he’s two years older. He played soccer for LSSA [Lee’s Summit Soccer Association] and his coach had a little girls team that my dad wanted me to

24• News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports •

Senior Kayla Kemp steals the ball in Wednesday’s game against NKC. photo by Judd Kirn be on, so I played with that and ever since I’ve just stuck with it.” Whether the girls have been playing for a lifetime or since they began high school, their coach says watching them play can be really fun. “We have some girls that are very talented at playing the game and can be really fun to watch. There have been times when they make it look easy, and when they make it look easy they make it fun to watch. Even from a coach’s stand point, there are some times that you have to kind of remind yourself that you’re coaching and not just watching,” said Krey. Whether they look fun or not to watch, there’s one thing the girls agreed gives them a confidence boost and that is bleachers full of cheering fans. “West students should come out and watch our games because we’re really fun to watch and we like to have people at our games cheering us on because it only makes us play even better!” said Johnson. Davis described playing for the West soccer team “is very fun, you make a lot of cool friendships and we rock!” The girl’s next game is Wednesday at St. Joe Central High School. They will play in the Heart of America Classic tournament at home starting Thursday.

Titan Scroll

Practice makes perfect for seniors

Anna Schafer The Boy’s Tennis season kicked off their season with an away match at

photo by Nicole Conniff

Lee’s Summit North last Tuesday. Boy’s Tennis also had a match at Park Hill yesterday and they have a match coming up on Tuesday at Blue Springs High School. Head Coach Paul Klene said he trusts this season will be a particularly strong one. “I think we have a great season coming up, it’s the strongest team for four of our lettermen seniors,” said Klene. Senior Nick Baker said he believes that this season will also be a positive one for him and the other players to experience, if they keep the practice up.  “It depends on how everyone improves and practices. But if we play good we have a great shot at Districts and State,” Baker said. Senior Trenton Piepergerdes said he also thinks optimistically that tennis this season will dominate.

“We’re going to State!” said Piepergerdes. To make the players hopes come true, Piepergerdes said that the team is working hard to get to the top. “On Varsity we have two juniors and four seniors so we have a lot of experience as a team. We work hard at practice, and we are also eating our Wheaties,” Piepergerdes said. Baker had similar thoughts of the team’s prospects. “We’re doing a lot of drills to get all the strokes down perfect,” he said. Klene said he is sure to get his players up and practicing. “We’ve been practicing the last few weeks, and some [players] get private lessons, and also just training them by trying to get a goal everyday of hitting different types of shots. I really think repetition is the most important thing and to try and just hit as many balls as possible,” said Klene. Klene said he believes in his se-

April 1, 2011 • News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment•Sports•

niors and their ability to carry this sport on later in their future. “There is a lot of potential in former players and some are looking into scholarships as well for tennis in college, and those scholarships could possibly even pay for their education,” Klene said. Baker said that he intends to play tennis during his college career. Regardless of what their future is, Piepergerdes and Baker each agreed on the reason they love the sport. “I like it because it’s an individual sport,” Piepergerdes said. “I have more control over it than a team sport and I really like that about the sport in general,” said Baker. Klene said he enjoys coaching tennis very much. “I believe it to be a character-building sport and also I think it’s a lot of fun, and you can do it your whole life,” said Klene.

Boy’s Track set their goals and expectations high

Taylor Jensen Boy’s Track launched off their season with high esteem and energy at the Ron Ives Invitational. “The first Varsity track meet was last Friday; we won the Ron Ives Invitational,” said Head Coach Bob Klausing. West scored 146 points, placing in 15 of 18 events. They placed 1st in pole vault, 4x100 relay, and shot put. Klausing said they placed 2nd, 3rd, or even both in 10 of the 18 events. With another meet today at Blue Valley Northwest and many more to come, practices are of top priority.

“It looks as promising as it ever has. We’ve got a different kind of team than last year, said Head Coach Bob Klausing. Senior Adam Klausing agrees that this year there is a promising member in every area and because of this wellrounded team, the likelihood of the State Championship has increased. Both Klausings said they hold their goals at a high standard, and everyone is preparing to succeed and preparing to reach their goals. “My goal? Win Conference. Win Districts. Take as many to State as possible and hopefully contend for a State title. There are a lot of things that have to take place between now and then,” said Coach Klausing. A. Klausing said, “My personal goal is to qualify at State in both shot and discus, and place highly at State. The coaches told us at the beginning they want to win Conference, Districts, and State Championship.” Although the less-than desirable weather wasn’t ideal, it hasn’t slowed them down. Klausing said he thought it’s been difficult with the rain since they don’t get to run as much, but everyone’s been practicing Junior Brandon Miller prepares for the upcoming for the upcoming meets season. Photos by Riley Manning just the same.

Junior Hunter Hansen said, “We’ve had to practice in the auxiliary gyms numerous times, restricting the drills we can do.” Klausing said, “Cold weather is always a pain; we don’t get as much work done but it’s that way every year. It hasn’t hindered us anymore than it has any other team.” Along with practicing and reaching his goals, Hansen is anticipating the hard work that comes with the season. “I want to see if I improve this year as much as I hope to. I could improve of my technique of throwing and the release of the implements. I’d like to throw shot 40 feet and the discus 100 Junior Evan Boehm and Sophomore Jaycie feet. I’ve improved since last year Pearson are getting ready for another sucand I feel we have a great team cessful year. this year.” Although there’s always certain lives. aspects the team has to improve on, “I like track and it keeps me from Coach Klausing said he thinks West being lazy. It helps me with football team is showing promise in several as well; it makes me quicker and events. stronger,” said Hansen. “People who haven’t been Varsity A. Klausing said, “I’m not as big as athletes before will have to step most of the guys I compete against, up. We lost our top-notch distance but I’m a lot quicker. It’s a change runner Kevin Colon. We need to from most other sports. Football is develop depth,” said Coach Klausing, such a high adrenaline sport where but added, “we’ll be strong in the in track it’s a chill sport where you 400, 800, 4x400 relay, the throwing can just focus on your event.” events [shotput and discus], and While the individual goals may high and pole-jump.” vary a little, there’s still a clear Both Hansen and A. Klausing focus throughout the team that said that they enjoy track and its Hansen readily expressed, “State rewarding benefits. Track has proved Championship or bust!” useful in multiple aspects of their

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Girl’s Track prepares for the upcoming season Nikki Andriano West Girls Track and Field started off this month, fighting the unpredictable weather, with the first meet scheduled for last Monday, but was cancelled due to weather conditions. “We have great coaches here, and I appreciate all their help,” said Howard. “I wouldn’t change a thing about their coaching styles.” The coaching staff for the girls is Head Coach Derek Howard, with Assistant coaches Christy Dabalos (jumps), Jeff Heron (pole vault), Jesse Griffin (distance), Jereme Hubbard (throws), Chris Barrows (hurdles), and Allison Hunt (sprints and relays). Sophomore distance runner Shae Boyd said, “I really like Coach

Howard and I think he’s a nice guy. He makes you work hard, and he doesn’t get mad. He is really encouraging. He is just a good coach.” State champs returning this year to Track and Field are Seniors Lauren Cheadle, Chelsey Phoebus, Alex Katzfey, and JacQue Timberlake; and Juniors Essence Chalmers,

“My favorite part is getting better each day and exceeding my goals.” –Shae Boyd and Brittany Kallenburger. Howard said that the only thing he would change about this season is the weather, which has kept the team from certain meets.

With outdoor practices and cold weather, the girls have to work to stay healthy for their meets. “I have learned to make sure you keep your team healthy,” said Howard, “because if your team is healthy and has a little bit of talent, you can be pretty successful.” “I like almost every aspect of track,” said Boyd. “My favorite part is getting better each day and exceeding my goals. I’ve learned that if you want to be good and go to State, you have to work really hard and you need to do what your coaches say or you’re not going to have the ability to make it as far.” The girls’ season will begin with the Blue Valley Northwest Spring Classic this afternoon. Junior Danielle Crawford works on her form in practice. Photo by Justin Hunley.

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Titan Baseball Leads Off With a Great Start Carlie Nash

The Titan Boys Baseball season is leading off with a promising start. The team placed second in the Metro Leadoff Tournament last week with a record of 4–1 in the tournament. “The season’s been good so far. I think we’re hitting the ball real well, seeing the ball. You can always improve on everything because baseball’s not really all about one player or one inning, it’s about being consistent over the course of the entire season and that’s what wins championships,” said Head Coach Jay Meyer. Aside from the game against Lee’s Summit High School in the tournament, as it did not go as planned, Meyer said he has high hopes. The game started off with a promising 11–0 score. As the game pro-

gressed, the Tigers fought back and filled the large gap but the Titans still managed to come out on top with a score of 11–8. “Even though the game did not go as we wanted it to, sometimes those are good lessons early in the season and to keep us focused on what we’re trying to do,” said Meyer. “I expect to get better every day and to remember that a championship team has to dwell on self-sacrifice and it’s not about an individual’s performance, it’s about the overall productivity over seven innings to win the ball game,” said Meyer. Although baseball is a team sport, one player in particular sticks out. Junior Matt Fultz has recently been ranked number one player in the state and top 150 in the country according to an amateur scouting organization, Perfect Game.

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Junior Matt Hall takes the mound against Park Hill South in the first game of the Metro Lead-Off tournament this week. West will face Truman at 4 p.m. today at the WAC. Photo by Justin Hunley “That’s a very good honor and that’s a very respectable top scouting organization nationwide so yeah, I would challenge that I don’t know of any better catcher in the state of Missouri. Not in my fourteen years,” said Meyer. “He receives well, he throws well and he’s a left handed hitting catcher which is also a bonus there and he hits the ball very well,” said Meyer. “In the aspect of not necessarily saying the best, is he somebody to watch? Absolutely,” said Meyer. Despite the success, Meyer said he makes sure Fultz always stays grounded. “Yeah, Matt’s pretty good at what he does but at the same time he’s still human too, and makes mistakes just

like the rest of them,” said Meyer. “He loves to play the game. He works at it and he’s a good student of it. But the minute he forgets that he can learn something everyday is when he wont. You’ve got to learn something everyday. Maybe not necessarily from a physical swing, throw, hit, catch an all that stuff, but just how you carry yourself, how the games developed and how people perceive you,” said Meyer. Recently West has been on a winning streak with a 10-1 win against Raytown Monday in five innings and a 3-2 win Wednesday against St. Joe. The Titans take the field at 4 pm today in a home game against Truman.

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Positive attitudes lead to great golf also has a fire burning in their stomAnnie Greenwell The Boy’s Golf season has recently ach, Rockhurst, their biggest combegun with several goals in mind. petitor. “This season we are expecting to “This year we want to beat the win State,” Rock,” said Mosier. The boys worked hard to said Juprepare for their first tournior Trent Mosier. nament, which was Mar. 21. They practice close by near “But we have a lot Longview at Fred Arbanas Golf Course. of good players on “During practice and tournaments we play nine the team holes and hit on the range this year. and putt on the putting We have green,” said Junior Andrew the talent Argotsinger. to win Dis “This year the team is retricts and ally striving to do even betmake it to ter than the past years, even State as a if that means long and diffiteam,” he Junior Andrew Argotsinger practices cult practices, it will pay off said. in the end,” said Mosier. The team his swing. Photo by Ryan Miller

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Mosier explained that although golf may be portrayed on television as a ‘nothing to it’ sport, it requires a lot of hard work. “What a lot of people don’t know about golf is that it’s not as easy as it looks. On TV they make it look simple, but it takes a lot of commitment,” he said. Argotsinger and Mosier agreed that the most important thing to remember during golf is the mind set. They said staying positive makes a good game. The boys said they became involved with golf by their families, but Mosier also said he was hooked because of the movie, “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” The team’s next tournament is the Raymore-Peculiar Tournament Monday at Country Creek.

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The Benefactor: Royals spring preview

Commentary by Benjamin Poeschl Spring is here, and that means a few things. First, beautiful weather and second, the Royals. Opening day was yesterday so I thought it would be good to give you a look at how our Royals did in the preseason and how the season might look this year. The Royals have gone 19-10-1 in the preseason and are looking somewhat impressive. With the new season comes a lot of changes and a lot of new faces on the roster. Brayan Pena is finally going to be starting

at catcher after Jason Kendall went through off-season surgeries, and Billy Butler is still the designated hitter with the big stick. Miguel Cabrera was traded from the Marlins and will be a great addition to the Royals’ outfield. He’ll also be a big bat in the middle of our lineup. Kila Ka’aihue hit his seventh home run just recently in the preseason giving the first basemen a top spot in the starting lineup. Ka’aihue is one of the many new faces, along with Jeff Francoeur, Chris Getz, and Alcides Escobar. Mike Aviles picked up his winter strength program up and got the arm he needs to play third base. The coaches tried him out at third last year but said he did not fit. It’s good to see him there so Alex Gordon can play left field and utilize his speed to chase down fly balls. We all know the biggest news in

the off season though. Our Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke has been traded to play with the Milwaukee Brewers. In return, the Royals acquired shortstop Alcides Escobar, outfielder Lorenzo Cain and righthanded pitching prospects Jake Odorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress. Jeffress, a relief pitcher, had a 2.70 ERA in the 2010 season (his only career season). Royals general manager Dayton Moore explained the deal, “[this] made sense for Kansas City because the young players they acquired from the Brewers fit into what is expected to be a wave of promising young players coming up through their system.” (Associated Press). Greinke was 1014 with a 4.17 ERA for the Royals last season which is a step back from his standout 2009 season. If you’re looking forward to the starting lineup, expect Aviles to lead off, Ka’aihue to get a majority of the

time at first base, and Getz to play second base. Getz’s batting average has improved recently which would solidify his status as the starting second basemen. Dick Kaegel wrote on MLB.com, “I just like the fact with Getzy at second is [that] he has very good range, he’s a very smart heady player and he can turn the tough two [double play],” said General Manager Ned Yost. Escobar at shortstop and Getz are predicted to be a defensive upgrade in the middle of the diamond, sounds better than Aviles and Betancourt in the middle. Ka’aihue looks to be splitting time with Billy Butler at first base. Yost says Ka’aihue is definitely the more athletic player, but Butler is a great DH. Personally I cannot wait to see how the Royals turn out this year. Although I can never get my hopes up.

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Teen pregnancy

from pg 16-17

“My dream was to go to culinary school. I still want to got college, but I don’t know what my future goal will be,” said Mcleod. Mcleod is currently on homebound instruction, and is not sure if she will return to West, but she will still graduate. When Mcleod is not with Jace,

she is usually at work, earning money to pay for Jace’s financial needs. “I work at Burger King right now,” said Mcleod, “and my parents help a little bit.” Collier said that strength and growing have both come as a result of this experience. “It has made me stronger because I felt that in order for me to make it through, I had to grow up and focus on more important things,” said Collier. Because the girls are still in high school, their lives and their babies are affected. “I will have to pick a career still and obviously most moms already have a career and money,” said Lawrence. The girls also believe their decisions to graduate will affect their babies

lives. “I feel like if I would have dropped out it would have been harder to support me and [Heaven] later in life,” said Collier. After everything they have been through the girls have ended up with something great. “To see his face, makes everything I went through worth it,” said Mcleod.

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