Titan Scroll www.lswestonline.com
Friday, April 29, 2011 Volume VII, Edition 9
Battle of the Bands Nerf Wars take over Lee’s Summit
Lee’s Summit West High School 2600 SW Ward Road Lee’s Summit, MO 64082
Titan Scroll
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 Advertising Michelle Stout Manager Ariel Thompson Brooke Admire Writers Nikki Andriano Web Manager Lindsey Bingham Anna Hunter Meg Britton-Mehlisch Andy Evans Distribution Annie Greenwell Manager Claudia Guthrie Jed Manaco Tiffany Jenkins Taylor Jensen Staff Artist Tristan Owen Alex Katzfey Derec Owens Riley Manning Carlie Nash Meg Peterson Anna Poudel Adviser Haley Roach Carol Ullery Katey Stoetzel Business Adviser Anna Schafer Karrie Smythia 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 29, 2011
Volume VII, Issue 9
On the Cover Local bands battled it out last Thursday with a variety of sounds. Christian scremo, indie, rap and latin alternative were all present at the first Battle of the Bands West has ever hosted. Photo by Samantha Conrad.
News
Gender Barriers Battle Of The Bands Nerf Wars
Opinion
Staff Editorial Well If You Ask Me... Health Freak
Feature
Money Saving Tips Lauren Feekin Senior Guide
pg.3 pg.6 pg.16-17
pg. 7 pg. 7 pg. 8
pg. 12 pg. 13 pg. 15
Arts&Entertainment
Disney Movie Match Up Slang Words
Sports
New Coaches The Benefactor
2 •News•Opinion • Feature • Arts & Entertainment • Sports •
pg.18 pg.19
pg. 23 pg. 31
Titan Scroll
Dating with age differences comes with judgment Sydnee Owens
Students tend to be judgmental when it comes to dating in high school, especially regarding age difference. It seems girls are prone to judgment by others more often than guys. This especially becomes apparent when a girl dates a guy either younger or older than herself. “The reputation of a female carries more weight than the reputation of a male, which really isn’t fair. It’s a huge double standard,” said Counselor Joni O’Neil Junior Megan McGeehee is dating a freshman at the University of Missouri. She said she receives plenty of judgment from people at West. “A lot of people definitely look at it as, ‘she must be willing to do more with a guy,’ because when
they’re older, guys are generally thought to want to do more, but that’s not how it is,” said McGeehee. “They look down upon you thinking that you can be able to trust somebody when you don’t see them everyday and you don’t see them around all their friends,” she added. Junior Lyndsey Sherrow is also dating a freshman in college. “I get crap for it all the time. Everyone always says he’s cheating on me.” Some girls are also judged, often a little more harshly, for dating a younger guy. “If a girl dates a younger guy The dating controversy does not seem to affect couple Senior Julia Fleenor and then they’re known as a cou- Junior Jon Gibson. Photo by Martin Steele gar,” said Sherrow. 16-year-old and a 14-year-old, it’s As controversial dating someone Senior Hannah Frye is dating Junior Nathaniel Franklin. “A like a 16-year-old and a 16-year- either older or younger is in high school, many said the judgments lot of people made old.” However, some argue that guys fade after high school. fun of me at first. They see the guy as are judged just as much for dating a “When people get married, their gap is sometimes like seven years, the one that should girl that is not their own age. “There’s pressure on guys too that ten years. [Even] a one year gap in be in control,” she they have to be in charge, they’re high school, you still get so much said. One reason girls supposed to have power. Women are bad criticism for it,” said McGeemight be judged for supposed to be behind the scenes,” hee. O’Neil said once students get dating a younger guy said Junior Nickoy Cooper. “I think it really works both ways. out of high school and into a more is because of the even All [his] friends at college say, ‘dude, populated environment, it will be bigger maturity level what are you doing, you could have easier because there will be more gap. “Girls mature fast- any girl you want here, you can have people from which to choose. er. A 16/17 year old girls spend the night, you can have “Finding someone the exact girl might be on the all of this, and you only get to see same age, when you’ve been around same maturity level this girl once every couple of week- these people so long in high school, if you’re not dating someone by as a 18/19 year old ends,’” said McGeehee. O’Neil added, “With an older the time you’re a junior or senior, guy,” said O’Neil. “When a guy is person dating a younger person, there’s probably not someone dating someone his sometimes the perception might be you’re going to find. That might not own age, he’s already that they are taking advantage and happen until college,” said O’Neil. two years behind. sometimes I think it’s more likely “I feel like the younger you are, So, if you’re going to to be perceived that a male is tak- the more criticism you’re going to get for dating somebody a different go a couple years be- ing advantage of a female.” Junior Jon Gibson is dating Seage because the maturity level from hind that, that’s like a 16-year-old dating nior Julia Fleenor. “It’s stereotyp- year to year is just huge. I think as a 12-year-old,” said ing to assume one gender will be- we get older and we mature and we McGeehee. “If the have a certain way in a relationship. go to college and start dating people guy is two years older In reality, it isn’t about the age of different ages I think the response Junior Lyndsey Sherrow texts her boyfriend to than the girl, then the person, it’s the motives the per- we’re going to get from our peers is keep in touch while he is at college. Photo by Ariel a lot less critical,” said McGeehee. instead of it being a son has,” he said. Thompson
April 29, 2011
•News•Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 3
Senior joins the music industry as a drummer Katey Stoetzel
has since then been in three other bands. “I always ended up quitting on them because I didn’t see much
It makes me feel great! I’m beyond proud of him and I’ll be beside him every step of the way!” said Ford. “I just try to support him the best I
“They talked in the studio alone for awhile. I could see them but I couldn’t hear them. They finally called me in and we sat there in awkward silence for a minute, and then they offered me the job,” Senior Dillon Gasca said. The ‘they’ Gasca is referring to are the members of an alternative rock/metal band called SynCity Cowboys, for which Gasca is the new drummer. While he was outside the studio waiting for the band to make a decision, Gasca sat calmly. “I wasn’t nervous really. I kind of knew that I would make it because I was prepared for the audition,” he said. “I am pretty confident with my playing as well. When they told me I was in, I just smiled and thanked them for Senior Dillon Gasca is the new drummer SynCity, an alternative rock/metal band. this opportunity.” Gasca said he’s been searching for Photo by Aaron Brower. this “perfect group of guys” for the past two years and just happened talent or drive to go all the way to can.” to find the SynCity Cowboys on the the top and make the big bucks,” As for the band, Gasca said they Gasca said. have a Three Days Grace, Hinder, internet. But calling it quits on those bands and Nickleback feel to them. Right “My dad was looking online for bands that needed drummers and did not phase him. A little something now, they practice four days a week, he found these guys. I auditioned called inspiration has brought him but will go to practicing every day of the week once school is over. for them because the music sounded to where he is now. good for it being a self–recorded “My dream to be a rockstar is Checking out their music is simple; what inspires me and also the ones just log onto itunes and search album,” he said. Gasca started playing the guitar who are always there for me. My SynCity Cowboys. Gasca predicts and the drums when he was seven, girlfriend, [Senior] Olivia Ford, that will not be the only place to taking lessons for about a month. always inspires me to be the best I hear them for very long. “We aren’t on the radio just yet. It When he was 12, he joined his first can be,” said Gasca. “I’m glad I can be an inspiration. is possible that we will be in the near band and played the guitar, and
4 •News•Opinion • Feature • Arts & Entertainment • Sports •
future. If that happens then that means we have to travel and back the songs up with shows across the Midwest,” Gasca said. “If people like the songs on the radio then they will want to come see us live.” Ford also believes that the SynCity Cowboys will one day be playing live and on the radio. “His new band is awesome! I have their CD in my car and I listen to it all the time. I definitely think he could make it. He’s an amazing musician! And when he starts touring, I’m definitely going to be a groupie!” she said. “We all have what it takes to go far, but it will take a lot of hard work and dedication,” said Gasca. Gasca believes that their hard work will make it easier to become something big, just as long as they keep going at it. “’A lot of people think it’s all luck to make it big. It’s easier than people think. If you are good and you have a profitable look, then you will create a buzz in the business,” he said. SynCity Cowboys plan on promoting themselves by playing shows and selling T-shirts, CDs, and wrist bands. But no matter what happens, Gasca is dead set on making music his career. “Playing music is what I love to do. When I’m playing it seems like everything in the world is prefect and nothing can possibly go wrong.”
Titan Scroll
Mr. Titan struts his stuff for Project Grad Lindsey Bingham
The PAC was packed with West students awaiting the Mr. Titan competition on April 13, a fundraiser for Project Grad. The male beauty pageant started off with a group dance number. All 10 contestants were competing for the same prize of the title of Mr. Titan and each guy came with their game faces on. The group dance number was followed up by the formal wear competition. Each competitor was escorted by a girl in their own formal wear, that is all but Ryan Piersee who was escorted by his cousin Brandon Kalwei. While the gentlemen took their turns strutting their stuff across the stage, the audience was informed of some interesting facts about each guy such as their proudest and most embarrassing moments. According to the crowd’s enthusiasm, the exciting night was just getting started. The next phase of the competition was the talent portion. Each guy had a chance to express themselves in their own unique way. Sterling Daniels chose to highlight his rapping skills with his own rendition of “Seasons of Love.” He was not the only contestant taking a new spin on things. Brian Hamm performed a cover of Trevor Hall’s Lime Tree and the audience seemed to love the performance. Hamm said that the best part of the competition was playing on stage. However, singing was not the
only talent portrayed. Contestants he felt like it was “a fair competition. Besides the title of Mr. Titan, Mr. Josh McDonough, Thomas Gardner, It was hilarious and I didn’t know how Congeniality was voted on by the Montana Rex and Armand Stricklin everyone would react.” contestants was awarded to Montana showed off their dancing abilities. Rex and Mr. Entourage and Jared Bajkowski entertained the voted on by the audience and audience with a improvised bass awarded to Brian Hamm. guitar solo, Ryan Piersee presented “It was definitely a cool a video production and Austin feeling,” said Hamm about Williams showed off his impressive winning Mr. Entourage. He Pommel Horse routine. said that he didn’t have too Following the talent portion of many expectations going the evening came the swimwear into the competition, he “just competition. Everything from wanted to have a good time.” classic swim trunks to a zebra “Each guy deserved to win,” print Speedo graced the stage. said Nevinski. “Brian Hamm McDonough came out with the drew a big crowd, Montana works for a day in the ocean: yellow just had a really good spirit and flippers, swim trunks, life vest and was very positive and Ryan snorkel. For Piersee, this was the came with his game face on.” best part of the evening. Nevinski who himself had The evenings verdict was competed in a similar contest anxiously awaited by the crowd but at his high school said, “I liked the dance performed by Raegan how students could express Wagner, Olivia Roberts and Lauren themselves in a positive Volz helped entertain everyone environment.” while the judges tallied. Each of the guys spent Finally, the winner of the third 8 to 10 hours learning the annual Mr. Titan competition was ropes and choreography of announced: Ryan Piersee. This the contest, not counting the decision was made by judges Matt time each spent on his own Turner, Jesse Dziurawiec, Michael “pruning their skills on talent Shortino and Todd Leabo, from and preparing mentally,” 810 Sports Zone. according to Nevinski. “There were a lot of good guys All of the proceeds from and I didn’t expect to win,” said Ryan Piersee (above) won the title Mr. Titan while Bri- Mr. Titan went to Project Piersee. His video presentation is an Hamm won Mr Entourage and Montana Rex won Graduation. now on YouTube and growing in Mr. Congeniality. Photo by Jean Madison popularity. As of last Thursday there were almost 500 views. Piersee said
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•News•Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 5
Rockin’ and not stop pin’ Meg Britton-Mehlisch
With the invention of the fist pump, the rise of an artist who spells her name with a $, the release of a movie about a Canadian pop sensation, and a song about the days of the week by a little girl named Rebecca, music has been changing around the country and in Lee’s Summit. Last Thursday, the Battle of the Bands was hosted for the first time at West. This year, the Author and the Illustrator, Gentle Mind, The Happy Campers, The Homeless, Oceans of Grace, Static Society, The Whurlitzers, and Tom Petrucci competed for a prize of opening for the Sons of Great Dane last weekend at a concert in the record Bar in Westport. After a night of drums and guitars, the Author and the Illustrator won the prize. West was finally allowed to host the Battle of the Bands as a fundraiser for Project Grad this year. “I’m glad we moved to Lee’s Summit West, it’s always been at Lee’s Summit and West has gone to the Lee’s Summit one to play and we finally got it moved here because we had a ton of bands,” said Senior Jared Bajkowski, who is the bassist for The Whurlitzers. Battle of the Bands is an annual competition between local high school bands of all genres. The bands are judged and scored on a scale of one to ten on their originality, skills with their instruments, overall performance, and crowd response. This year, out of the eight bands that competed, each one included at least one West student. Though they each share a member from West, the bands’ similarities stop there. From rap to bongo music, there was a variety of sounds and many bands commented on how they were looking forward to hearing each other’s music. “The Whurlitzers are my favorite local band; they blow me away, espe-
nounce that Gentle Minds had taken 3rd place, The Whurlitzers took 2nd, and the Author and the Illustrator had played their way to 1st place. Her announcement was met with loud whoops and applause. Judges Jared Tomasino, Hallie Richardson, and David Sager, were selected by the Project Grad members for their background in music and had the tough task of picking the winner that night. Tomasino and Richardson, both West Alumni of 2007, are studying at the UMKC Conservatory and David Sager is the owner of Toon Shop. Before judging that night Tomasino had said, “It’s so tough The Homeless featuring Emily Marriot and Ryan Dahmer were one of eight bands that to quantify what makes a band performed at Battle of the Bands. Photo by Nicole Conniff good. You can’t do it in a setting like this, I think it really comes cially their new song. Like seriously “prayed about it and this is the name from a personal interaction and that goes on the record, they are John Lennon sent them.” intimate knowledge of the artist and freakin’ awesome,” said Senior Ian After Gentle Mind’s performance, the music.” Dobyns, the drummer for the Au- there was an intermission in which The Author and the Illustrator’s thor and the Illustrator. Making Movies took to the stage Dobyns, agreed that the decision The Battle started out with a again and sang their song “Libertad”, of the winner was a tough one that crowd welcoming guest band. Mak- in Spanish. night. “Quite frankly I feel like it was ing Movies is a Latin band originally The Whurlitzers continued the going to be a between all three bands from Lee’s Summit. show and surprised their many fans that won. I personally thought the Soon after, the first competing that were in attendance, with a new Whurlitzers blew everyone away band of the night, Oceans of Grace song. The Whurlitzers left the stage with their new song. I really thought took the stage by performing an to shouts of fans offering to “person- that The Whurlitzers did incredible.” original piece that won them a gig at ally fund your album”. Despite, thinking that The the University of Missouri last week- The Author and Illustrator’s Zack Whurlitzers had won the Battle with end. Hames, Greg Janssen, Evan Croteau, their new song, guitarist Hames and Next came The Homeless, with Ju- Cliff Mills, and Ian Dobyns were met Dobyns told fans to expect more. nior Emily Marriott on bongos and by cheers equal to the Whurlitzer’s. “To everyone who comes to our Senior Ryan Dahmer on guitar. They Though they started their set with shows, expect more music, I can’t joked and warmed the crowd with some microphone difficulties, their thank people enough for giving us their indie sound. fans in the audience made sure the their support,” said Dobyns. “I can’t The Homeless was followed by lyrics were heard by singing right believe we get this many people to Tom Petrucci, who had the crowd along with Janssen. come to our shows,” said Hames. captivated with his solo performance The Happy Campers followed and Whether or not they knew of their on the drum kit and snare drum. gave the audience an edited preview fans existence or won any more sup Static Society made their appear- of their raps in the absence of their port, all bands involved created muance after Petrucci’s set, and got the third member. They too were vic- sic for a good cause. Though the main crowds’ heads banging with their tims of microphone failure, but that purpose of the Battle of the Bands Christian screamo. didn’t keep the crowd from bobbing was to showcase the musical talent Gentle Mind opened up their time along with the beat. The crowd en- of Lee’s Summit, it was also helped by having emcee of the night and joyed the evening’s closer and settled raise over a thousand dollars for West Alumni of 2006, Banen Chaney, down to await the results. Project Grad and hopefully a new era explain that to name their band they Chaney returned to stage to an- of West hosting Battle of the Bands.
6 •News•Opinion • Feature • Arts & Entertainment • Sports •
Titan Scroll
Staff Editorial
All men AND women are created equal
Jenna Keeble In The Declaration of Independence, the founding document for the existence of our nation, one of America’s most famous phrases derived. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.” This founding philosophy is a prime example of the double standard that has existed between men and women since the beginning of time. In our society, men are viewed as the dominant role. They are believed to be superior to the women of the world. Now that we are into the 21stcentury, it is long overdue that this separation between genders be abolished. It is unacceptable that men can get away with sleeping around and get praise for their actions while women are judged as skanks. When a woman spends time and effort into working for a company
she often receives lower pay than the men for doing the exact same level and amount of work. Both men and women do not help
the issue by creating stereotypes for themselves in hopes of being accepted by the other. Too many women feel that it is impossible to
be smart and attractive at the same time. Due to this false assumption, some ladies become obsessed with their looks and dumb themselves down while guys tend to act whatever way that they feel their peers thinks is cool. The truth is that men and women are created 100 percent equal and in turn should act and be treated 100 equal. So ladies, don’t be afraid to step out of the box and stand up for yourself as a strong and independent woman. This will attract the right type of man that respects women. And guys, don’t be afraid to stay true to yourself and never allow a woman to be treated as a minority.
Well if you ask me.......
It’s okay to act like a kid sometimes
Commentary by Brian Hamm When I was a kid I looked up at a tree and saw a challenge, an adventure to a place where no one had gone to
before. My garage door and a ball were all I needed for an afternoon of fun. At the age of 18, I pull into my driveway everyday hardly noticing the same tree and that very garage door is just in the way of me getting inside my house. Six short years and I have already lost so much of my creativity. What the heck? I blame a few things. Growing into a phase of wanting to be older and becoming more mature is one. The other is society. Yes, society incorporates a copious amount
April 29, 2011
of different elements, but it’s the generation gap between adults and children that concerns me. Bear with me for a minute before you pass judgment. Kids have some of the most creative minds in the world and it’s partially because they haven’t learned any confines that “society” inadvertently places on people. Kids don’t have any preconceived knowledge on what’s possible or not. We can learn a lot from kids. They challenge us to challenge what we
previously thought was impossible. I was walking in the halls the other day and saw Wayne, one of the janitors here at West, and stopped for a minute to enjoy some casual conversation with him. Wayne isn’t someone I have to report or talk to, like a teacher or administrator, nor a peer of mine. Wayne is a just my friend. Age shouldn’t dictate whom we share conversation or ideas with. So next time you write off someone because of their age, think again.
• News •Opinion• Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 7
Health Freak:
Is Frozen Yogurt a Healthy Choice? Alex Katzfey All around the country it seems that on every corner of every new strip mall, a new frozen yogurt business is popping up just in time for summer. When the temperature is 90 degrees outside, I know that any place that offering a delicious frozen treat will be packed! So the question stands, is frozen yogurt a healthier choice than ice cream? And if so, should we forget our beloved ice cream parlors and classic sundaes? First, there is an obvious difference between the two that adds additional health benefits to frozen yogurt that are not available to ice cream. This is due to the fact that fro-yo is made with yogurt instead of cream resulting in a less added fat content in the frozen yogurt itself. This addition of live and active cultures from yogurt can help reduce cholesterol, enhance digestion, and boost the body’s immune system. According to the website the “World’s Healthiest Foods” yogurt is recommended as part of a healthy diet due to the vitamins B-2, B-12, B-1, A, and D along with the minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, selenium and zinc. But ice cream does offer some of the daily allowance of protein, calcium, and Vitamin D in its ingredients. So what is it about frozen yogurt that makes it a better choice than ice cream? It’s primarily the lesser fat content. Most frozen yogurts contain less than 10 grams of fat per cup compared to the estimated 15 grams in a cup of ice cream but neither of these statistics factor in toppings. When considering all the toppings and syrups that we all add on to our self-serve fro-yo the sugar and fat content spike, which then makes ice cream and fro-yo very similar! Lesson of the day, if you want frozen yogurt to be a healthier choice for you than ice cream I would recommend you stay away from all of the added sugary toppings and stick to the fruit choices along with your fro-yo, otherwise there is not a huge difference between the two frozen treats. Frozen yogurt does have added health benefits but it still can have a high level of fat and possibly an even greater amount of sugar depending on what toppings you choose!
Nutrition Facts Vanilla Ice Cream
Nutrition Facts Vanilla Frozen Yogurt
Calories: 145
Calories from fat: 71
Calories: 117
Calories from fat: 36
Total Fat: 7.9g
Cholesterol: 32mg
Total Fat: 4.0g
Cholesterol: 1mg
Sugars: 15.3g
Protein: 2.5g
Sugars: 17.3g
Protein: 2.9g
All chart information from Caloriecount.com
8 • News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports •
Titan Scroll
Bateman says farewell Letter from Principal, Dr. Cindy Bateman
Principal Dr. Cindy Bateman bids farewell as she prepares to retire after 32 years in public education and 7 years at West. Photo by Morgan Johnson
April 29, 2011
Thank you . . . thank you . . . thank you. In reflecting on my 32 year career in public education, I must thank each of you for making the past seven years at Lee’s Summit West High School the best experience I have ever had in high school. Thank you to the talented students, faculty and staff of West for your enthusiasm and kindness. Thank you to the students, their families, and our staff for the Titan Pride in everything we have set out to accomplish. Whether it is academic, fine arts, or athletic performance; West has simply never settled for being second in the city or the state. Thank you for encouraging our school to grow and succeed.
Titans are a family. And as I look forward to retirement, I feel much like the members of our Senior class. We are sad about the loss of familiar faces and places that we have relied on for the past four years. But there is also tremendous anticipation for the future. On each of our horizons are new opportunities, new places, and new people. So on behalf of the Class of 2011 and myself . . . thank you Lee’s Summit West High School family for caring about us, teaching us, and allowing us to move to our next place with great memories and unsurpassed confidence that we will always remain Titans.
• News •Opinion• Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 9
Titan Scroll wants to know......
How did you ask your date to Prom? Senior Montana Rex
Junior Ryan Argotsinger
“I wrote Prom in the sand in Myrtle Beach and took a picture with me in it, and then made a collage of it.”
Senior Katie Lutz
“I asked my date to Prom by writing her name and ‘Prom?’ on a banner and hung it in the commons so everyone could see it.”
“I asked my boyfriend to Prom with a fortune cookie at dinner.”
Senior Grant Conrad
Senior Aubree Freeman “Keith had Coach Boehm call me down to the counseling center and he came around the corner with a dozen roses and a shirt that said ‘Aubree Freeman Prom?’ and then gave me the roses and I said ‘yes.’”
Lauren
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• News •Opinion• Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 11
Money Saving Tips General
When going out with friends, only carry the cash you’re willing to spend. Leave credit and debit cards at home; it’ll be less tempting to overspend. Save change. All those pennies and dimes add up.
Cars Don’t do a quick acceleration from a complete stop, brake less, and use cruisecontrol.
Just because QuikTrip has $.49 drinks, doesn’t mean they should be bought everyday. If someone were to buy one drink every day of summer, they’d be spending about $50 just on soda.
Summer Jobs
Offer to mow lawns, pet-sit, or baby-sit for neighbors or family friends.
Apply early at many different places to increase chances of getting a job for the summer because college kids often come home to work summer jobs, meaning less will be available. Lifeguard at a neighborhood pool or local aquatic center.
Consolidate trips and know where you’re going before leaving the house so gas isn’t wasted driving all over town. Both rolling the windows down and air conditioning waste gas. Roll up the windows when going over 55 mph, and roll them down when convenient and when driving at slower speeds.
Shopping Look both online at sites such as retailmenot.com and in the Sunday paper for coupons. Consignment stores will pay for gently used items, such as clothing, shoes, and accessories. Places such as Plato’s Closet, Ditto, and Mary Margaret’s have name brand items at a lesser price. Thrift stores offer cheap, yet unique items for almost every occasion. Art supplies, summer outfits, home décor, and more are at low prices.
12 •News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports •
Titan Scroll
Lauren Feekin gets involved in the community
Anna Schafer Junior Lauren Feekin gives the community a helping hand by committing herself to community service. Feekin is a part of an organization called the Truman Heartland Community Foundations Youth Advisory Council which coordinates community service projects for youths in the Kansas City area. “Some of the things I did was I cooked at Restart Homeless Shelter. There are three different shifts, one shift was all men, the second was women and children, and the third was family. A good majority of people who go to Restart live at Restart. We cook the food then serve it out to the people. I once cooked up 60 pounds of meat. Then after we cook things up, we wash and put them away. I usually go once a year,” said Feekin. “We also clean up places, like my church camp and Drumm Farm which is a place where kids with unstable family life go. We also did Ali’s Runway, which we had to sell tickets and it was ten dollars a ticket. Then later you get taught how to do self-defense. After that we all got to put on dresses, and then we did self defense in the dresses then just walked around. It was great because we were just in these beautiful dresses doing self-defense,” she added. “The organization focuses on community service and once I figured out the ins and outs of community service it got me really excited and I just jumped into it,” Feekin said.
Nicole Stevens, the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Truman Heartland Community Foundation and also the Adult Advisor for the Youth Advisory Council said she believes the THCF is a great organization. “The Truman Heartland Community Foundation is all about encouraging and growing charitable giving in Eastern Jackson County. The Youth Advisory Council’s role is to help grow and engage young philanthropists in charitable giving,” said Stevens. Most teens do community service to get hours put in because they have to whether it’s for school or something else, but Feekin has a different idea for community service, and the drive that keeps her going. “I just do community service for fun, I think about how many people it will effect, also it’s just knowing how many people it would help. It’s a difference, even if it’s a small difference it still makes me feel good,” Feekin said. For the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) this organization has been helping the community out for years. “YAC has been a program of the Truman Heartland Community Foundation since 1998. It was established with the primary goal for the Community Foundation to receive advice from teen leaders about grant proposals affecting young people. Each year, YAC members review youth-related proposals the
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Community Foundation receives Endowment Fund,” Stevens said. and makes recommendations to Feekin completes her community the Grants Committee about which service over a period of time. charities should be funded. Their “At one time I’ll probably get four voice directs more than $400,000 or five community service projects worth of requests from charities each in a period of two months. Then I’ll year,” Stevens said. go a couple of months without doing According to Stevens, The YAC was some,” Feekin said. said to keep stepping forward as well Community service has also as trying to get more people to make impacted Feekin’s views. a difference with them. “It’s been such a big impact on The Youth Council began as an how I look at the world, that I will 11-member board, but today it’s an continue community service in my 110-member board and there are future,” Feekin said. 13 high schools represented. Those schools are Blue Springs, Blue Springs South, Grain Valley, Fort Osage, Lee’s Summit, Lee’s Summit North, Lee’s Summit West, Raytown, Raytown South, St. Mary’s, Truman, Van Horn and William Chrisman. “But not only has YAC grown in size, it has also grown in responsibilities. Members review nearly 1/3 of all proposals received by the Foundation and make grants to deserving charities from their own fund that they established as the Community Foundation - the Youth Advisory Council Endowment Fund. The fund supports youth-serving charities in Eastern Jackson County. Members also do community service as a means of learning more about the charities who submit funding requests. Junior Lauren Feekin believes that community These opportunities are monthly. service makes a giant difference when it comes Lastly, they also do fundraising to looking at the world. Photo by Katie Maloney as a means of growing their
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Braces for children and adults! • News • Opinion •Feature• Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 13
Redd missions in Tanzania Anna Poudel
Senior Ethan Redd traveled to
Tanzania for eight days last summer with his dad, a general surgeon, in order to perform surgeries as a senior trip, as well as a mission’s trip. Tanzania is located in East Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean. One third of the population lives in poverty, according to World Book Online. Redd and Dr. Redd stayed in a village 60 miles from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s biggest city. The two got the opportunity to go to Tanzania from a missionary doctor they met when they lived in Minnesota. “He needed some help with surgery and we went over to join him,” said Dr. Redd. “A lot of people are afraid of getting major surgeries done unless you worked at a major hospital, and so a lot of people don’t believe they need surgery because it’s expensive and they just think we’re trying to take money from them,” said Redd. Redd helped his dad on four surgeries and all of them were successful. Redd said the experience was intriguing and not as gross as it seems on television. “I just found it really interesting; kind of like ‘oh wow, that’s the inside of a person…’ My dad was doing the cutting and I was holding sponges to
soak up the blood and keep the guy from bleeding out. And there was another guy holding a flashlight so we could see what we were doing,” said Redd. Redd is considering studying medicine, he said, but
crazy, wacky dream is I want to move to Scotland and make Scotch. I think that’s the easier, simpler life. I don’t want to make a lot of money, but I want to live the life where I can own a bunch of land and have a nice house in the country,” said Redd.
“It opened up my eyes to how poor, and how bad the living conditions are in other parts of the world,” said Redd. “Kids up to the age of ten bathe every day, then they go to every three days or once a week, because of water.” Redd said that even though people hear about Africa and the problems with poverty and water and disease the reality where he was at least, is different than what people picture. “Everyone lives in concrete cinder block houses. They’re right next to the equator so it’s always in the 90’s and there’s no air conditioning, except in the city. Everyone has a palm tree in their front yard, they have banana trees, huge papaya trees, and every kind of plant there, they’ve figured out how to eat. Everyone there has flip-flops, no one wears actual shoes except if you’re going to the city because there’s broken glass everywhere,” said Redd. He said that people where he was didn’t live in cardboard boxes like people would imagine. They have actual houses. But the people were poor. Drinking water is Senior Ethan Redd assisted his dad performing surgeries while in Africa. Photo courtesy easy to find, and cheap, but water for bathing is more scarce. being a doctor is not his first choice. Although the trip didn’t totally “It’s just really different,” said “I’m thinking about possibly going convince Redd to be a surgeon, he Redd. into the medical field and be a gener- said the trip did impact him in a difal surgeon, like my dad does. But my ferent way.
14 •News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports •
Titan Scroll
Attention Seniors: 16 days until graduation!
8 days left of school!
Don’t Forget To Complete the Senior Exit Survey found on the LSWHS homepage and pay all of your fines in the main office
Prom
Last Day May 11th
Senior Letter Opening •Summit Lakes Middle School in the Library Media Center •Monday, May 2, 2:45 p.m.- 3:45 p.m. •Free ice cream
•Saturday, April, 30th at John Knox Village Pavilion, 8 -11 p.m. •Theme is Diamonds are Forever
•Watch 8th grade Talent and Awards Shows
Senior Finals Schedule Monday, May 9th 5th hour final
Tuesday, May 10th 1st hour final 6th hour final 7th hour final
Wednesday, May 11th 2nd hour final 3rd hour final 4th hour final
Graduation • May 15th at 2 p.m. •Community of Christ Auditorium
April 29, 2011
Baccalaureate •Non-denominational service to offer blessings on the class of 2011 •May 11th, 7 pm •PAC
Project Grad
•Drug & Alcohol free senior celebration sponsored by PTSA •May 15, 9:30 p.m. - 3:00 am •Sports City in Blue Springs •Activities include inflatables, photo booth, DJ, dancing, soccer, basketball, volleyball, batting cages, a hypnotist and more! •Food and Drink •Tickets only $10 on sale during lunch through May 6. Be sure to buy tickets with friends you want to sit with on the bus ride there!
• News • Opinion •Feature• Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 15
Taylor Jenson
Simply saying the phrase “nerf war” grabs anyone’s attention and within these past weeks, it quickly turned into the topic of conversation. It comes up during lunch, chemistry lab, track practice, anywhere and with anyone. It all started with a spark from Pleasant Hill with those who made it happen. “It’s an intense way to keep you busy. A lot of people are suffering from senioritis and waiting for summer to be here and this is a way to bring it closer,” said Junior Jake Kouba, nerf judge. Junior Jordan Staggs said he was the one who set up the highly-visited Facebook event “Nerf Wars LS” and put together the rules. “A kid from Pleasant Hill sent me his rule list. He saw that I was making one and sent me most of the rules that are on there. I made a bunch of new rules for it though,” said Staggs. At the very beginning, Roxberry served as the meeting place for Staggs and the two judges, Sophomore Aaron Brower and Kouba. The three of them planned out the Nerf War specifics. “Jake, Aaron, and I went there for two or three hours tr ying to get it set u p . People were bringing in money and it was just so good to see different groups of people from the school coming together and all the money lying on the table,” said Staggs. Staggs said the judges were chosen because they were not only friends, but people he knew he could trust. Senior Kellen The judges’ responsibilities are Warren is on team many and it’s not always easy. Razzel Dazzles of “I have to answer everyone’s Fantazzlemagazles. calls, report all their ‘kills’ Photos by Martin online, and enforce any Steele.
questionable calls or rules we need to clarify. I am on the nerf page several times a day,” said Kouba. According to Kouba, he’s had many ridiculous comments and questions on the page regarding ways to kill, exceptions, and technicalities. “Someone asked if it was okay to put a nerf dart in a sandwich and, if they took a bite, if it would be a kill or not,” said Kouba, “I said it’d be a kill.” Another involved physically harming someone with the nerf dart. Junior
Brandon Wesley asked if it was legal to replace the ends of the darts with thumb tacks. That proposal was definitely shot down. Although the judges deal with some crazy stuff, their hard work literally pays off. “Each judge gets 15 percent of the money, so about $120,” said Staggs. What to do with the large amount of money that came from the $30 per team entry fee, somewhere around $960, is still an unresolved issue according to Staggs. “A lot of people don’t like the idea of giving it to charity because we already told them we’d give it to the winning team. I personally would want to give it to charity for people who need it more than we do.” While Kouba also said he agrees that giving it to charity would be a good move, he also thinks that whatever they do, he’s fine with, as long as he gets his cut. The war started as a free-for-all with limited organization, and then the word spread and the number of teams increased. “At first people were just like, “What is a nerf war?” and then it blew up to 186 people. I wanted a bunch of people to participate, but in no way did I expect this many,” said Staggs. The official start of the tournament was Friday April 8th and the teams who’d participated in the free-for-all before the tournament definitely had an advantage of experience according to Staggs and the judges. A bracket of the 32 teams has been compiled and is updated every week on Facebook. Each round used to be two weeks, but has been reduced to only one, resulting in a faster paced game.
16• News • Opinion •Feature• Arts&Entertainment • Sports •
Titan Scroll
Along with Staggs and the judges, there are also about 200 players that make the war happen; and many adapt war strategies to Lee’s Summit in order to win their round. Senior Celeste Roberts said in her opinion, sabotages work the best. Having the team name “Creeps Never Sleep,” it entails part of their game plan. That game plan, however , did not work out perfectly since Roberts’ team has been eliminated from the game. “We put a lot of energy into trying to find the other team but we’re not good at shooting. We have bad aim,” said Roberts. “We figure out when they go out or come home. We definitely creep; we know where all of them live.” Junior Alec Stanke said he also knows his teams’ strengths, but opted out of telling everything for fear of giving his opposing team an advantage. His team name is “The Whistling Bananas,” he said they have a good shot at winning. “I don’t like the team name; it’s not a very manly or tough name,” said Stanke, “but we have raw guns.” Although the team names are often times questionable and take some very special people to come up with, they stick. The nerf war proves to be a great way to pass the time; possibly too much time. “A lot of the times I’m sitting around with my friends thinking, “what can we do?” In Lee’s Summit it’s always the same things: go eat, go to the movies,
etc. This gives kids something to do and as long as they don’t take it too far, it’s fun,” said Stanke, but he added, “I am now paranoid everywhere I go and I know some of my teammates and I have taken our [nerf] guns into public places such as Chipotle and Best Buy.” Roberts said everyone is tense because they’re worried about what’s going to happen next. “People are deceiving and you have to be careful who you trust.” Kouba also cautioned, “Watch your back at all times and make sure you have your [nerf] gun on you at all times. Be careful when you go to your car in the morning or when you go to your house.” Three specific aspects of the war were anticipated, yet people have different
April 29, 2011
thoughts about them. One of the current concerns is cheating. “Right now we have a rule that if anyone is caught lying or cheating, they’ll be automatically disqualified. The game’s all on trust and friendly kills. Cheating is not acceptable. I would simply tell [whoever it is] to leave and uninvite them,” said Kouba. It’s been said around school that the girls’ teams are the ones cheating, but Roberts said she doesn’t believe that is the case. “You shouldn’t cheat. A lot of people call in saying they’re not shot when they are. I don’t think girls’ teams cheat.” Stanke pointedly said “no comment” about the girls’ teams. The other aspect is a new one, melee Mondays, which came from Josh Hastings of Pleasant Hill, where you can only use nerf material swords and axes. “Personally, I don’t like melee Mondays because I’m much better at shooting than fighting with a sword. It makes me feel safer though, so I don’t have to watch for guns everywhere,” said Roberts. One of the most prominent aspects is the drama created. Whether it be online, at school, or on the streets, the drama seems inevitable. “From what I’ve seen, once the game is over at school, everyone’s cool. During playing hours though, people get pretty heated about it. Outside of school people are getting frustrated with each other, which is understandable,” said Stanke, “I don’t think things need to be decided over Facebook; talk about it. Don’t type on a keyboard and talk to an empty screen.” Kouba said, “Its definitely created rivalries. Some people get mad which is stupid because it’s just a game. There’s still the possibility their team could win and they be revived.” Stanke also said he thinks the money probably should have been left out, but it makes the game much more competitive. Both Kouba and Staggs said they think the Razzle Dazzles of Fantazzlemagazles have a good chance of winning. “In the first day of the tourney they got three people out in thirty minutes of the start. They probably spent about $300 on guns,” said Staggs. As the war rages and teams are eliminated, the competition will continue to grow. Roberts said, “It’s fun and gives us all something to do and it adds entertainment,” said Stanke. “It’s a fun game and it needs to be done again over the summer.”
• News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 17
Disney Movie Match-up Aladdin
Beauty and the Beast
Aladdin, one of Disney’s most well-known romance movies, is about a princess who falls in love with a street-urchin. Even though her father is completely against it, she chooses to run away with him anyway. Total earnings: $200 million Date released: November 25, 1992 “You gotta love
Even though they are complete opposites in some ways, Belle and the Beast fall in love anyway. It all started with a spell that could ruin his life forever, but not if Belle can help it in the end.
“I like the moral of the story because it’s representative of beauty on the inside instead and on the outside. And you can see a lot of positive innuendos that refer to good qualities and morals and virtues.” -Junior Rose Moscosco
Aladdin, the genie is the best part. And the music is really fun to sing along with.” -Junior Lisa White “It’s an amazing awesome movie, they had good music in there” -Senior Brian Hill
Total Earnings: $403 million Date Released: September 1991
The Lion King
The Little Mermaid
Ariel has one dream--to walk on land. But her father, King
Triton, disapproves. So she seeks the help of the sea witch, Ursula. Ariel’s wish is granted, but for a price, she’d be losing her voice for the chance to fall in love.
Total Earnings: $211 million Date Released: November 14, 1989 “I just love The Little Mermaid, when I was little I had red hair and I would go around calling myself Ariel, because she was my favorite disney princess.” -Junior Brittany Kalleberger
Simba is a lion born to inherit the throne of his father Mufassa. But when his vengeful uncle Scar kills Mufassa to steal the throne, Simba is forced to run away and meets unlikely friends Timon and Pumba, who show him a new way of life.
Total Earnings: $783 million Date Released: June 15, 1994
“I liked the Lion King a lot because I liked the loyalty in the whole kingdom and, in both movies, it also showed forgiveness a lot.” -Junior Kristen Lutrell
18 • News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports •
Titan Scroll
Updating your Sick
Raw Slang: An adjective describing something completely hard–core and awesome; anything truly amazing and cool; anything tight in the ultimate way;
Dictionary: Any non-human animal, especially a large, fourfooted mammal.
April 29, 2011
Slang: 1. A secondary word for awesome. 2. Gross, disgusting.
Slang: 1. Very close friends. 2. Cool, hip, fashionable.
Swag
Boss
Dictionary: A person
who employs or superintends workers; manager.
Slang: Incredibly Awesome;
Slang: A person who is very good at something
Slang: 1. A person, typically male, who says or does things that cause you to give them a ‘what-are-you-even-doinghere’ look. 2. One who lacks the mental capacity to know he is being used. 3. Someone who tries too hard; a poser.
Dictionary: Firmly or closely fixed in place; not easily moved
Dictionary: A suspended wreath, garland, drapery, or the like, fastened up at or near each end and hanging down in the middle; festoon.
Beast
Dictionary: An implement, especially one held in the hand, as a hammer, saw, or file, for performing or facilitating mechanical operations.
Tight
Dictionary: Afflicted with ill health or disease; ailing.
Dictionary: Uncooked, as articles of food: a raw carrot.
Tool
SLANG
Slang: The way in which you carry miraculous; great yourself. Swag is made up of your overall confidence, style, and demeanor. Swag can also be expanded to be the reputation of Dictionary (Juice): The natural your overall swagger. fluid, fluid content, or liquid part that can be extracted from a plant or one of its parts, especially of a fruit:
Juicin’
Dusty
Dictionary: Filled, covered, or clouded with or as with dust
Slang: To screw someone over, to ditch someone.
Slang: Describes someone or something that’s ugly and/or badly dressed.
Bet Dictionary: a pledge of a forfeit risked on some uncertain outcome; wager Slang: To understand, acknowledge, roger etc.
Trippin’
Dictionary (Tripping): 1. Light and quick, as a step or pace. 2. Proceeding with a light, easy movement Slang: 1. To be talking crazy and/or not making sense. 2. Sometimes used to say to people when they insult you or insult a friend of yours. Definitions from Dictionary.com and Urbandictionary.com
• News • Opinion • Feature•Arts&Entertainment• Sports • 19
Sunday
Monday 2
1
Senior 8th-grade letter opening 2:45 p.m., SLMS
8
9
Festival of Strings
Mother’s Day 15
Graduation
16
3
Tuesday
MAY
10
Academic Awards in the PAC at 7 p.m.
11
Senior Finals !!!! 17
Thursday
Wednesday 4
Seniors Last Day
5
Cinco de Mayo 12
18
19
25
26
Theater awards
22
23
29
30
24 New Lady Gaga CD “Judas”
Hangover 2
31
Friday
Saturday
6
7
Senior Athlete luncheon 5th hour
Friday Night Live 7 p.m.
13
14 Rockfest Liberty Memorial
20 Tim McGraw Sprint Center
21
27 Half Day Last Day of school
28
Bruno Mars With Janelle Monae Uptown Theater
Memorial Day
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Titan Scroll
Hottest Apps. “I like Peggle because it’s addicting.” -Sophomore Evan Whyte
TOP FREE
1. Stylish Sprint 2. Facebook 3. Angry Birds Rio Free 4. Night Vision+ Free 5. The Impossible Test
“Fall Down is my favorite game because I like to try to beat my friends’ high score.” -Junior Zach Boyd “My favorite app is Moon Phases because I like to look at the stars and moon.” -Senior Derrick Whitney
p
TOP PAID
“I like Words with Friends because I feel like it’s a creative game that makes you think while interacting and mingling with friends.” -Junior Robbie Jarrett
1. Air Penguin
2. Angry Birds Rio 3. Angry Birds 4. Tiny Wing 5. Fruit Ninja
f
“[Fruit Ninja] It’s fun and it gives me something to do when I’m bored. It’s kind of weirdly addictive.” -Senior Kylie Newsom
22 • News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports •
photos by Alex Palmer.
Titan Scroll
The new year brings new faces Haley Roach
As the school year comes to an end, West is preparing for the changes that will effect next school year; including three new head coaches. With the budget cuts, caused by the levy in the February election and teacher’s busying schedules, three of West’s current head coaches are stepping down from their positions. The girl’s swimming team, boy’s soccer team, and the volleyball team are all receiving new leadership. Taking over for the girl’s swimming team is fifth grade teacher at Greenwood Elementary, Laura Bliss. Current head coach of the boy’s and girl’s swim team and Spanish teacher at West, Colleen Gibler decided she needed to cut back her workload, and asked to be relieved of one of her head coaching jobs. “When budget cuts were made, I was going to have to lose one of my
assistant coaches, so the decision became obvious that the season I would leave would be girl’s,” said Gibler. Chris Brizendine, a P.E. instructor at Greenwood Elementary, is becoming the boy’s soccer head coach. Current head coach and science teacher at West, Mark Lutman, is resigning from his spot in order to have more time to spend with his family. The head volleyball coach role will be taken by O’ Hara teacher, Lori Hanaway. Current head coach and West art teacher, Mark Rice, is resigning in order to have more time. This will allow him to fully support his daughter, Senior Kylie Rice as she starts playing college ball next year. Hanaway is currently a history
teacher and assistant athletic director at O’ Hara but next year she will be teaching history at West in order to be the volleyball head coach. During her coaching career, Hanaway has won eight State titles and received the Coach of the Year Award each time. Bliss and Brizendine will both continue their teaching jobs at Greenwood Elementary. All three head coaches are starting with experience and New volleyball coach Lori Hanaway has passion for their sport. been a head coach for 21 years. . Bliss has been the assistant Photo by Martin Steele.
April 29, 2011
boy’s and girl’s swimming coach for the past three years. She has also been the head coach of the Winterset Sharks Swim Team for 8 years. Brizendine, who has been the assistant coach for boy’s and girl’s soccer for the past four seasons at West said, “I have a passion for soccer, and I hope I can share that with the guys.” Brizendine was also previously an assistant coach in Springfield, and Kirksville; as well as a head coach in Kirksville. Hanaway has been a head coach for 21 years; 20 at O’ Hara and one at St. Teresa’s. She said, “I love volleyball so I think that I will bring a certain passion for the game and for winning.” Walking into a head coaching job, of an already developed program, the new coaches said they know there will be challenges. For Bliss, “to go from already being an assistant to taking over all the responsibilities,” as head coach has is the most worrisome part. Another challenge is, “not being in the building everyday,” said Bliss. “I think anytime you start a new
job it is kind of nervewracking,” said Hanaway, “I have always taught at a private school so being at a public school will be a change.”
New girls swimming coach Laura Bliss has been the assistant boys and girls swimming coach for the past three years. Photo by Nathan Foster.
After assisting for boys and girls soccer the past 4 seasons, Chris Brizendine is the new head soccer coach. Photo by Nathan Foster
• News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment•Sports• 23
Hard-hitting Titans aim toward State Andy Evans
Head Coach Jay Meyer said he believes this team is something The Titan Baseball team is sitting special. “The common goal and at first place in their conference mission for this team has been with a record of 15-2, including a the same since day one and they win over the previously undefeated are motivated to reach it,” said Shawnee Mission West team. Meyer. Senior Cam Johnson agreed with his coach and said, “We [Senior players] make sure the team is always on goal, which is Springfield, where State is.” Senior Jerico Burasco said, “Ever since last season ended we have all been working our hardest. Even since before football season started, we were all trying to become better baseball players.” “We have a lot of young athletes on the team that are becoming baseball players. We as a team put in work, day in and day out,” said Johnson. With five of the nine starters being seniors, the seniors play an important role in the teams success. “We keep the younger kids focused on our goals,” said Johnson. “Having good seniors makes the juniors on the team really earn their spots,” said Junior catcher Matt Fultz is part of the 15-2 Titans looking toward a strong fin- Burasco. ish this year. Photo by Ryan Miller
24• News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment •
Johnson said he believes West has some of the best coaches around helping them to achieve t h e i r
goals. “Our coaching staff is amazing. You can tell they really love us by how much time and energy they put in every day. I don’t mean to be
cocky or anything but I think we have the best coaching staff in the state,” said Johnson. “We wouldn’t be even close to where we are today without our coaches.” But Titan Baseball is not “all work and no play,” as the saying goes. “We have a lot of fun. We dance around in the locker room and stuff. We just have a good time together, but we take it seriously when we need to,” said Johnson. “This team has more chemistry than any other team I’ve played on. We just like to hang out together all the time,” said Burasco. The Titans next game is on Monday at Ray-Pec.
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(816) 347-0064 Fax (816) 347-0593 • News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment•Sports• 25
Luark leads team by example
Coach Todd Krey. Luark said that her favorite thing about soccer is competing in games. “Games use all your abilities like athletic skill and mental problem solving,” said Luark. “Everything comes together,” she added. So far, the team has won by a significant amount of points in their games. On April 21, they beat North Kansas City 11 to 1. Five days later, they beat Park Hill by 3. The girls said that they hope to win Conference and Districts. Luark shared the hopes of winning Districts, but she also has her own Luark’s favorite thing about soccer is the competition, but she goal in mind. “I want to walk away keeps her mindset on her goal of feeling good after every game from every game feeling good about how I she plays. Photo by Judd Kirn played,” she said. “Her leadership is very valuable to us. She has the respect of her teammates, and she’s Claudia Guthrie a solid defender. She has a lot of confidence,” said Krey. “She’s continued to get stronger and more Through all her years playing soccer, Senior confident.” Melissa Luark has proven to be an important “She definitely contribmember of the Girl’s Varsity Soccer Team. utes a lot. She is a solid Luark began playing soccer when she player and we can alwas just four years old, and she’s played ways count on her for West at the Varsity level since she along with the other was a freshman. She’s now a defenddefenders when er, but grew up playing midfield. there is a break “When I got into high school, away,” said Senior Coach Krey asked me to play defense. Katie Huff. Huff is It’s helped me become a better player also on the Varsity because it’s made me more versatile,” team. said Luark. Besides playing soc “With the position she plays, she’s an cer for West, Luark also extremely valuable player. She has great participates in the marchexperience and good leadership,” said Head ing band and symphonic band
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for which she plays the clarinet. Luark said that soccer has impacted her life ever since she was a child. “When I was younger, soccer helped me develop characteristics. It taught me how to handle competition. It’s carried on through life,” said Luark. The next Varsity game on May 2 can be seen at home. The team will face off against St. Joe Central.
Luark began playing soccer when she was four years old. Photo by Judd Kirn
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Titan Golf moves on to Sectionals Riley Manning The boy’s golf team participated in Districts Wednesday and finished in second place, which means they move on to Sectionals, which will take place on May 4th. “The best part of the season so far was finding out that we’re moving on to Sectionals as a team, since it’s only happened two other times in West history,” said Senior Jake Kouba. Their Conference game was originally scheduled for Monday, but due to the rain, is now slated for next Monday. “We’ve done pretty well this season,” said Head Coach Richard Myers. “We’ve never finished lower than fifth place and we even won the Ray-Pec tournament,” he added. Myers said that the team has bonded significantly this season. “Our boys get along real well with each other. They enjoy it and are
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always joking around. They’re never too worried and are always having fun,” he said. “I really like my teammates,” said Junior Trent Mosier. “It’s a good team and we have fun together.” The boys have developed many of inside jokes, one of which is “whoopie cushion at Wal-Mart.” “When we were on a trip for a tournament the boys had a whoopie cushion and tried to fool me into thinking it was real,” explained Myers. The boys recently defeated both Lee’s Summit High School and Lee’s Summit North High School in the City Championships, which they’ve only won one other time since West’s opening. The boys won with a score of 318. Junior Grant Grego led the way with a score of 76 and Junior Ryan Argotsinger was close behind with a 79.
Myers said he’s glad “to see everybody improving because sometimes people will regress in golf. I’m seeing more of us becoming a team.” Myers said, “The boys don’t let bad weather affect them. They don’t complain, just go and play in it. Golf takes a lot of patience.” “It’s hard to not lose it with my mind. If I have a really bad hole it’s hard to keep my focus. One hole can ruin it all,” said Mosier. “I always tell the boys to do the best they can, and if they don’t have their best day, don’t get too caught up in it,” said Myers. Mosier said that he likes golf because, “It’s all about the score, not about if the coach likes a certain person. The score tells Junior Andrew Argonsinger reads the green to sink a putt. Photo by Aaron Brower. all.”
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Girl’s Track aims high for this season Tiffany Jenkins
The Girl’s Track team is fired up for this year’s season after last year’s State Championship, and is continuing the tradition by winning just about every meet and event they have attended this season. Coach Christy Dabalos said Seniors Chelsey Phoebus, Lauren Cheadle, and Juniors Brittany Kallenberger, and Essence Chalmers are leading the pack throughout this season. “Everyone contributes but they help score more points in the meets than anyone else does and helps us to win,” said Dabalos. Kallenberger has been competing in track since seventh grade and this year has been helping to drive the team to victory. She has recently earned several school records for her events, the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, high jump, and pole vault. “It’s been a good year,” said Kallenberger. According to Kallenberger, “[the team has] done really well and we have someone pretty dominant in each event.” “We’ve won just about every meet so far,” said Dabalos. Dabalos stated that the team’s goals are very lofty and that they definitely aim high. “We always have the goal to win Conference, Districts, Sectionals, and State. And we still have the team to do it right now if everyone stays healthy.” Once Kallenberger started high school she said that she joined off season teams to help keep her in shape over the summer and winter. She also did gymnastics for thirteen years,
swimming for five years, and cheer for three years, but she said that just this last year she quit everything else so that she could focus mainly on track. “I like track because it’s fun and allows me to meet new people and it gives me something to do. When I’m competing I just like to tell myself to do the best I can do,” said Kallenberger. Kallenberger said that her coaches help to support her through her performances and help to motivate her. “Just having them there to say good job keeps me pumped for each event,” she said. The JV Lady Titans took seventh place at the Tiger Classic last Thursday. Last Friday, the Varsity team took first at the KU Relays. Conference Prelims begin Tuesday at Staley.
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Photos by Kathryn Hilger
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Boy’s Track focuses on individual events Annie Greenwell
Boy’s Track has been excelling to far lengths,
with high expectations towards all of the athletes. Head Coach Bob Klausing said that West track has many unique qualities. “There is a lot of early improvement in the athletes,” he said. While some kids may struggle in order to keep up with the stronger or faster kids, everyone is showing very high determination for self improvement. West has won every meet so far, including Liberty, Blue Valley, and Grandview invitationals. “Pole vault and sprint relays are very consistent,” said Klausing. He explained that it is a good thing not to have good and bad days but to stay at a constant rate. Sophomore Quinn Cosgrove said, “Track is not bad, sometimes it feels like an obligation because all the work put towards it, but it’s good to stay in shape for the off season of football.” “Running warm ups, stretches, and lifting are
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what a normal practice consists of not including practicing for own individual events,” said Sophomore Lane Pennington. “A lot of the seniors and upperclassmen who have been on the team before help take control and lead the team,” explained Cosgrove. “Coach Parks really pushed me to be in track, he said it will really help to improve me as an athlete,” said Pennington. Track athletes agreed that track is a great sport because there are so may events that everyone gets to focus on what they want to do, set personal goals, and really enjoy what they are doing. Klausing said, “March we practice six days a week, and will eventually go down to five days a week, depending on what event you’re in.” Pennington said, “Teammates are really counting on each other to try your hardest since a lot of the events are team based.” Today, the boys will compete in the Tiger Invitational and Lee’s Summit High School and Conference will begin Tuesday at Staley.
Track is unique because athlete’s can focus on individual events. Senior Drew Padget throws shotput. Photo by Nicole Conniff
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On the road to success
Meg Peterson After school, it is likely to see the tennis courts full of rackets and tennis balls fly as the team puts in blood, sweat and tears to get ready for their next match. When watching the tennis team compete, they make it look easy but in reality the sport is much harder then it looks. “As of now the team is undefeated in their conference and are hoping that will continue through the end of the season,” said Head Coach Paul Klene. Recently, the tennis team had the biggest tournament of the season at Blue Valley North that took place on the Plaza courts. “Many teams from around the state met up to compete. The competition was tough but as a team we did very good,” said Junior Andrew Plemons, a member of the
Junior Varsity team. “So far we are having a really good season. As a team we are doing great
the JV team. “A lot of practice and dedication has been needed to make it this far
as we are undefeated making the score 11-0. Individually I have had one bad day but other than that I have been doing really good,” said Plemons. “I have done pretty good, I need to challenge everybody else so that I can move up the ladder,” said Sophomore Evan Whyte, also a member of
in the season,” said Klene. Many of the players have had to take outside lessons and practice consistently on their won to get to where they are now. “Private lessons really help because our coaches cannot always give one on one attention to each player because there are so many of us,” said Plemons. There are current-
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ly six members on the Varsity team, six members on the Junior Varsity team, and six members on the exhibition team. “I would say that the coaches do a pretty good job at organizing everything and they do a good job at constructing,” said Plemons. “As the season is about halfway through, many of the players have high goals,” said Senior Trenton Piepergerdes, a member of the Varsity team. “I would really like to go to State again, I went Sophomore year and got fourth place. I would like to make it individually and it will be cool to see how far our team can go into State,” said Piepergerdes. Piepergerdes has been playing tennis since he was seven years old. “By the time I was ten I was in the top ten twelve year olds in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Oklahoma,” said Piepergerdes. Klene said that he has high goals as well. “I would definitely like to make it to State with either the singles, doubles, and possibly the team. In order for the team to be able to get to State they would have to beat Rockhurst which is a huge obstacle, but that would be really great if we could pull it off,” he said. “I really want to be able to stay on JV and keep my spot or even more up one or two places and next year I am hoping to be on Varsity,” said Whyte. The team has made many accomplishments throughout their first half of the season. “Our number one, Brian Halfner, is undefeated and we won the MOKAN tournament a couple of weeks ago,” said Klene. “When the season comes to an end I hope that we are still playing our best tennis and that we finish really strong and go to State as a team,” said Klene Titans are in the Blue Springs doubles tournament today and will face Liberty on Monday. Photos by Aaron Brower
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The Benefactor: Wait before judging
Commentary by Benjamin Poeschl To remain hopeful is all we do. The Royals started off hot this year, but how long will it last? After that embarrassing sweep to the Texas Rangers I bet some people are already rolling their eyes. Let’s face it though, the Rangers are quite likely to be the best team in the American League, and maybe the Majors. Kansas City’s lineup was only out-hit 30-28 showing that we can be confident at the plate. The Royals’ young players
played quite well disregarding the fact that we lost all the games in the series. Alex Gordon really took a turn this season and is shaping into the player once considered to be baseball’s top prospect. Gordon made adjustments to his swing in the middle of spring training. It shows in his eighteen game hitting streak, and his .356 batting average that is third best in the league. People gave him no chance his first year in Kansas City. After a few injuries, one key adjustment to his swing, Gordon looks like he could be the American Leauge Most Valuable Player. On the other hand, Royals’ manager Ned Yost has concerns about some of his other players. Yost and Royals scouts are looking down at the Minor League for new talent. One player in Yost’s scope is first
baseman Eric Hosmer, who has a .381 batting average. This is of interest because first baseman Kila Ka’aihue is off to a slow start. Yost claims that the Royals’ lineup is strong with Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, Wilson Betemit and Jeff Francoeur, but they have to find an offensive balance in their lineup where there is some consistency. If Yost is worried about consistency on the offense, he won’t have to worry about consistency on the defense. That is the great thing about all these young players, they have the versatility to play multiple positions. When Jarrod Dyson comes in as a pinch-runner, he usually goes to center field with Melky Cabrera switching to left and Alex Gordon moving in to play first base. This improves the range factor in the outfield with Dyson at center field because he is quick.
Gordon is not the only alternative to Billy Butler and Kila Ka’aihue at first base. Third baseman Wilson Betemit is expected to be used at first as well. Bruce Chen has shown some signs of vulnerability after three quality starts. Last year Royals pitchers had quality starts in 43.2% of the games. In 2011, they have had a quality start in 54.5% of their games so far. Even with the loss of Cy Young winner Zack Greinke, the pitching is doing very well. It is still fairly early in the season. People get their heads down after the Royals get swept once but that is the benefit of having an 162 game season. Every team is going to have a bad weekend and teams will get swept. The Royals have some great characteristics that make me believe. I believe.
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Job Olympics
Several students from Lee’s Summit West’s Lifeskills program competed with area students last week at Job Olympics. The Activity helps kids prepare for a future working environment. Top left: Freshman Kris Green competes in shelf stocking. Top right: Senior Chris Braun practices changing a diaper and baby care. Bottom right: Sophomore Aaron Raines receives a medal during the awards ceremony for third place for professional appearance.
Royals Game with the
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