Titan Scroll Oct. 16, 2009

Lee’s Summit West High School 2600 SW Ward Road Lee’s Summit, MO 64082 Volume VI Edition 2

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espite no reported increase to the police, some Lee’s Summit West students said they have been the recent victims of car break-ins at home. Jenna Keeble Pg. 5 Photo by Ryan Babcock Photo Illustration– Kayla Cambers

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No loitering policies strictly enforced

Ally McEntire

The rule against student loitering may have been around for a while, but recently, students began to see a change in the enforcement of the rule.

The problem lies in the fact that students are left unsupervised, said Student Resource Officer Robert Conard.

“I saw a kid jump on a girl’s hood Friday,” Conard said. “Not a good choice, it could end badly for everyone.”

“They can make unsafe decisions,” said Dr. Cindy Bateman.

Most mornings, several students arrive early before they need to go inside. “Sometimes there’s kids here before 6:45 and there’s no adults here,” said Conard.

Conard said that, as the Resource Officer he has to make sure they know they need to be inside, mostly just giving out warnings and making kids aware.

“We try to get you into the building,” said Bateman. “It’s no different than any other place that opens and closes.”

Some students, including Seniors Bryson Bruce and Greg Janssen, were unaware of the policy on loitering.

The policy in the school handbook on loitering specifies rules for after school, stating that students must be out of the parking lot by 3 p.m., but there are no specific rules relating to the morning.

“If there are students you don’t have classes with, the only time to talk to them is after school in

the parking lot since they won’t let us loiter in the commons,” said Janssen. “It’s a good place to meet up,” he added.

Bruce agreed. “The more limitations they put on the students, the more problems they’ll have,” he said.

In the morning before school, Janssen said there are many reasons why students might be staying in their cars.

“Maybe their mom gave them a call. Our cars are ours and if we want to hang out in them, it’s our right,” he said.

Both students disagree with the policy, though they said they understand why it was put into place.

“Some students are irresponsible and illicit bad behaviors in the parking lot,” said Bruce.

LOITERING

Conard believes that having the rule makes the school safer. “From my standpoint, it’s better to be preventative than have to react to a situation,” he said.

However, Conard said as long as the students have a purpose other than just “hanging out,” there shouldn’t be a problem.

Bateman said that sitting out in the car in the morning or after school will just help students make bad decisions. “Not to mention it’s just weird,” she said.

Conard said students can hang out anywhere, not just the school parking lot.

“We have to have some level of protection and enforcement,” said Bateman.

Some students do not agree with the no-loitering policies recently more strictly enforced in the parking lot before and after school. Photo by Jean Madison.

Oct. 16, 2009

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Murder victim’s family fights against predator attacks Sydnee Owens “It happens every night in America.

You hear on the news or you read about it – someone’s been kidnapped or murdered,” said Roger Kemp.

Kemp is the father of Ali Kemp, a 19-year–old girl who was attacked and murdered only a few blocks from her home in 2002.

“These senseless tragedies don’t happen to somebody else. They happen to someone who has dreams, hopes, goals, aspirations; and a predator takes it away from them,”

T.A.K.E. (The Ali Kemp Educational) Foundation. This includes a self defense class and a prom dress fashion show.

The dangers are real and they are close to home.

Andrea Plummer, Lee’s Summit West 2008 graduate, was recently attacked in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Blue Springs while leaving work.

It was dark and she used the side parking lot.

“She was doing everything you’re not supposed to do. She was chatting on her cell phone, not paying

T.A.K.E. Self-Defense Class Thursday, 11 a.m.

LSW Fieldhouse Free for all girls

parking lot instead of the side one,” said Plummer.

Unfortunately, the police did not catch the attacker. The security video could not identify him.

“She got out of it alive, that’s the most important thing,” Plummer said.

“I was told our class saved her daughter’s life,” said Kemp after hearing about what happened. “That really got us. It always really gets us when we hear stories like that.”

Along with the self defense class, there is a fashion show, Ali’s Runway.

Last year it was held at Overland Park

Convention Center and was covered

by Seventeen Magazine.

“It’s the largest prom fashion show in the country,” said program coordinator Diane Maddox.

“There is 99.9 percent of good people out there, but there’s some people who just don’t care and those are the ones we have to be aware of and look out for,” said Kemp.

“It’s really important for the girls to have self defense training,” said Maddox.

“We just want people to be aware.

You have to be aware,” said Kemp.

Watch for more information Tuesday, on Titan TV

said Kemp.

Ali made excellent grades and joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority her freshman year at Kansas State University. She was also one of 80 nationwide collegiate students invited to go on a diplomatic mission from the state department to China, Australia, and France.

She was home for summer vacation and took a job at the neighborhood swimming pool, just a few blocks from her parents’ house. There, she was attacked and murdered.

“Two weeks after Ali was murdered, Ali’s mother and I wanted to start a self defense class for young girls. We didn’t want this to happen to another little girl out there,” said Kemp.

With help from the Johnson County Park and Recreation, Leawood Parks and Recreation, and Blue Valley Recreation, the Kemps put together T.A.K.E. Defense program by 2004.

“There were 16,204 people murdered in the United States in 2002,” said Kemp. In an attempt to decrease the murders and kidnappings, the Kemps set up

attention,” said Michelle Plummer, Andrea’s mother.

She tossed her purse in the front seat and was about to get into the car and before she knew it she was being attacked from behind.

“She told me everything she learned from the self defense class just came to her,” said Plummer. “She threw her keys in a bush like she remembered she was supposed to do from the self defense class. He told her he wanted her purse and she remembered to give him what he wants so she reached in the car to grab the purse she had thrown in the front seat but instead of getting it she laid on the horn and started screaming.”

People finally heard all the noise and came around the corner and saw what was going on and threatened the attacker that they were calling the police. The predator quickly panicked, and fled the scene. She locked herself in her car until the police got there.

“She is more careful on her college campus. She is more aware of what is going on, she doesn’t talk on the phone and she parks in the main

Roger Kemp and his wife started the T.A.K.E. Foundation to help prevent women of all ages from being attacked and have knowledge of how to defend an attack. Photo by Jean Madison.

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t s e W t a r e t c a r a h c d n a n o i t i d a r t g n i h s i Establ

Emily Argotsinger

The Titan parking lot received a makeover this year thanks to the Senior gift from the class of 2009.

As students pull into the school from the light on Ward Road, new fireballs on the pavement lead the way to the football field.

Over the past month, art instructor Bob Klausing has spray painted 17 fireballs on the main circle drive leading to the football field.

“A group of senior students from the class of 2009 came up with the idea,” said Julie Lewis, 2009 class sponsor.

The idea was inspired from the tiger paws that run along Blue Parkway in front of Lee’s Summit High School.

Klausing, who also created the giant Titan in the front of the school has been working to complete the Senior’s gift.

“I started at the stadium complex and have gotten them to the first driveway,” Klausing said.

“It’s taken a long time to get them on there because there is a lot of traffic on that road.”

Klausing said the fireballs are

an adaptation from the ones on the football helmets.

“I have four stencils that all stick together and use spray paint,” he said. “Sometimes it’s hard because when the wind blows you get a whole bunch of spray paint in your face.”

Eventually, the fireballs will run all the way up to Ward road.

Klausing and Lewis both agree that the fireballs are a great addition to Lee’s Summit West.

“I think it really reiterates the new traditions,” Lewis said. “It’s nice to see it. It shows that this is Lee’s Summit West, not just a building, or not just a parking lot.”

Klausing said that the new pavement logos, along with the record boards, state banners in the gym, and the all-state wall of fame really add to the overall visual impact of the school.

“For so long we had the nice new, but plain school,” he said.

“All of these add to the history of the school and establishes traditions and character. Any little thing that adds to school spirit is a positive.”

Photos by Martin Steele.

Oct. 16, 2009

Car break-ins Pg. 1

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Junior Garrett Sandbothe’s dad, Mike, caught the thieves red-handed.

The family’s van had recently popped a tire and was left outside to be changed. Sandbothe’s truck was outside as well.

“My mom’s purse got stolen and fifteen bucks got stolen from my truck. And they were in the process of stealing a GPS from my truck,“ Sandbothe said.

Mike Sandbothe went to close the garage door when he noticed the van door was opened. When he yelled to see who was there, a man poked his head out of the van and immediately ran to his parked truck on the street.

Then, another man ran from Garrett’s truck to the parked truck.

“My dad started chasing him and saw the truck as it went under the street light. Then we called the cops and he gave them a description of the truck and they caught them up by the mall on Chipman Road,” said Garrett.

He said he was a little disappointed. “I didn’t get my fifteen bucks back, I guess that’s evidence.” However, his mom’s purse was returned-minus a couple

dollars.

Junior Lauren Brady’s Acura was broken into by a homeless man who used it to sleep in for a night. Lucky for her, Brady never saw the man in her backseat. It was her neighbors who noticed the situation.

“I didn’t drive to school that day, but at 8 in the morning my dad was working in the backyard and saw this guy walk across the yard; but he didn’t really think anything of it,”

Krista Kern

you are doing for that day, she said, that fraction of time just isn’t enough to get a project done in class,” she said.

This year Koch puts in a lot of extra time at night finishing her projects.

“I have found myself turning in my projects on the last day of the grace period that the teachers give us,” she said.

Koch didn’t have block classes in her art class last year, but said she would enjoy having the time to get her projects done, especially being in a more advanced class this year.

Senior Nathan Schultz, who is in I.B. Visual Art this year also sees a disadvantage without block classes.

“I work extremely hard in class and don’t talk so that I can get my project done on time,” he said. “I have had to take home my project once this year

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Winterset had been calling in and reporting stuff missing from their cars,” Brady explained.

Brady thought she had locked her car, but figures she must have forgotten because there weren’t any broken windows. “Nothing was stolen except my friend Kylie’s T-shirt. It wasn’t until later when I went back out there around five that I noticed my seat was put down and there was a pack of cigarettes, napkins, and trash,” Brady said.

Junior Jenny Orrick and her Senior sister Amanda’s cars were also recently broken into.

“They took all of the burnt CDs I had in my car and my wallet which just had my license in it. There wasn’t any money in it thankfully,” said Jenny.

Orrick also thought she had locked the car, but thinks she must have forgotten. They didn’t get the police involved, and aren’t sure who is responsible.

Not reporting break ins such as this one might be part of the reason Public Information Officer Mike Childs said there hasn’t Photo by Ryan Babcock. been a significant increase in the number of car break ins around Lee’s Summit.

said Brady.

When her neighbors noticed the man walking, they thought he looked suspicious and decided to call the cops.

The man was arrested right outside of Brady’s neighborhood, on Third Street, the same morning around 9:30 am.

“The cops said they had been looking for this guy for awhile because they said a lot of people from

Disadvantage from having no block classes Several weeks into the school year with no block classes, students are deciding whether they like the new daily schedule.

“I actually switched out of my block class last year because I didn’t want to sit through two hours of class,” said Sophomore Hannah Eckles, who prefers the daily schedule.

Sophomore Ashley Koch, however, is in Drawing 1 with Bob Klausing this year, and believes it is more stressful without having the extra time on a block “especially for classes like art, because the supplies you need are only in the class,” said Koch.

“You only get about 51 minutes, minus everyone calming down, having to get everything set up, and having the teacher talk about what

just to make sure I got it done on time.”

Schultz would prefer having block classes back. “I haven’t necessarily fallen behind on getting my projects done, but I end up finishing them on the day they are due. I find that other students are struggling to get projects done on time also,” he said.

Sophomore Jordan Dobson said there are different challenges, being in Broadcasting instead of an art class and also playing varsity golf on the side.

“Mainly just the first part of the year I think we need block classes, I made varsity golf this year so trying to balance school and broadcasting has been quite a challenge,” said Dobson.

“Last year it seemed like I finished a project a whole lot faster,” she said.

Dobson believes it’s hard to contribute to the Broadcasting group.

“Well with our last short film project I found it very difficult because I was dealing with golf and catching up on schoolwork, that making a film became very difficult.

But staying after school or coming in before school to work is always useful,” said Dobson.

Broadcasting uses after school time to get things done.

“Mrs. Smythia gives us a work night, which is where we can come work from 5-8 on that certain night to work on whatever needs to be worked on,” she said.

“Putting stories together doesn’t seem that much harder. I think Mrs. Smythia is very understanding about the new circumstances,” she said.

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Titan Scroll 2009-2010 Managing Editor Clayton Kelley Graphics Design Content Editor Manager Ally McEntire Kayla Cambers Copy Editor Photography Editor Emily Argotsinger Ryan Babcock Advertising Manager Ben Poeschl

Billing Manager Darrick Noone

Distribution Manager Amanda Orrick Writers Staff Columnist Krista Kern Katey Stoetzel Jenna Keeble Rylee Webster Sydnee Owens Page Designers Brooke Admire Zach Harris Mick Medlock

Photographers Elisa Cox Jean Madison Martin Steele

Staff Artist Leanna Perry Intro. Staff Hayley Brower Taylor Jensen Nicole Conniff A.C. Long Samantha Conrad Katie Maloney Eric Dedovesh Jed Manaco Jesse Eiskina Carlie Nash Nathan Foster Cam O’Brien Joey Franke Rachel Paddock Gabby Hayden Alex Palmer Rachel Hilton Haley Roach Anna Hunter Megan Roberts Ariel Thompson

The improv troupe “Coffee Break” has been performing during privilege days here at West in the PAC. They play different, spontaneous games to create their own brand of comedy. Photos by Ryan Babcock.

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The 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 6 of the Scroll is published 13 times during the 2009-2010, as well as special editions. 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.

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Staff Editorial: Ally McEntire Red Ribbon Week is something schools nationwide advocate, but unfortunately, it is an effort students at West look at almost like a joke.

It seems few people remember when Red Ribbon Week is, much less take it very seriously.

Drugs kill people everyday, and yet, people all over the world continue to use them. Parents ruin families with drugs, and children are left homeless because of a nagging addiction that ate away at the family finances.

Addictions are hard to quit. A phrase commonly used is, “well, if I wanted to quit, I could.” Maybe they should look at whether or not they should.

Titan Scroll

Red Ribbon Week, give it a chance Addiction, heart attacks, anxiety, physical alterations, stroke, loss of control, and more are the side effects of drugs. Why would someone want to live their life while risking it on drugs?

In 1985, a 37-year-old DEA agent on the trail of a large scale drug deal was kidnapped by five men, beaten, and killed. His body was buried in a shallow grave in Mexico.

Parent organizations heard word of this murder, and it was the perfect opportunity.

The parents chose a red ribbon as their symbol, and thus, Red Ribbon Week began.

People should see Red Ribbon Week as a time to celebrate the fact that they aren’t addicted to some

kind of drug, and if they are, maybe that week would be an opportunity to look for a way out.

Maybe there won’t be any more ‘trips,’ but why not save the money spent on drugs and go on a real trip to somewhere really cool?

Maybe instead of getting high on the weekend, spend some time with the family and friends so often neglected.

Stereotypically, people associated with drugs aren’t the super popular ones; and more often than not, they are lazy and probably not going far in life.

Realizing the destructive power of drugs and accepting the fact that they aren’t ‘cool’ would be a good start in changing the perception of

this week.

How many people do drugs when they’re adults? How many of that number aren’t losers? It’s something to think about.

Red Ribbon Week should be a time to remember all of the people whose lives drugs have affected, and a time where we should remind ourselves why we shouldn’t do drugs—aside from the fact that most are illegal.

When wearing that ribbon, remember the death that started it all. Remember the other families who have been torn apart by drugs, or the children killed because of them.

When you pin that ribbon to your shirt, remember what it signifies.

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Listen to Elisa:

Music hits a low note

and think this as you listen to mainstream radio, Will you even remember this in a year, or even a month?

Songs today aren’t memorable.

They may be catchy when they are most popular but once a new hit comes out, it is automatically forgotten.

Music is not like it was decades ago. Bands like Forever the Sickest Kids, All Time Low, and Mayday Parade come nowhere near classic bands like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin, true music that changed people’s lives.

As a teenager, Rush was my Commentary by dad’s favorite band. He listened to Elisa Cox their music all the time, had every The music industry is weakening album, and admired their music so much. People today have favorite by the minute.

Artists being played today not bands of course, but it seems like only create bad music, but they no one will remember them in 20 are not original at all. Just stop years.

Rylee’s Reality: Looking at my family, you wouldn’t see much resemblance between the five of us, but the truth is, we are like any other family.

Many of you have siblings and therefore many of you know Commentary by how much of a Rylee Webster headache they can be at times. I have two older brothers and I do not know exactly how I made it through my childhood in one piece, but I do know that my childhood would have never been quite the same without them.

However, both of my brothers are in college

My dad still considers Rush one of his favorite bands, and not a lot of people will be able to say Mayday Parade is a band that made an impact on their life.

Today, people still remember these bands’ music, and recognize their songs when they come on the radio.

Do we really want our generation to be known for one-hit-wonder rap songs and cheesy pop-rock bands? Do we want our kids to look back on our generation’s music and think that it is all a joke?

Sure, every generation has its fair share of terrible music, but it seems like today it is one lame song after another, and people eat it up and act as if what they are listening to is the greatest thing they have ever heard.

The bands who actually have potential for being great are rarely

recognized. I am not talking about heavy screamo bands like Bring Me the Horizon, Suicide Silence, and Blessthefall. Sure, if you listen to that stuff right on, but face it, those bands are not revolutionary.

Bands like Tool, Nine Inch Nails, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Underoath are great. But they do not get the attention they deserve.

These bands can actually play and create good music that is different than everything else. But these bands will not get the radio play they deserve because their music is too “weird” or “out-there” for most people.

Of course, not all music was made to change the world, but it is hard to believe it has gone as low as “The Stanky Leg.”

Family matters

so, I consider myself lucky, as I do not have to fight my brother for which TV I want or where our family should go out to eat.

Like any other family, parents are an essential part of a family. I have a pair of those to go along with my brothers, as well.

My dad likes to throw in the occasional lecture every once in a while and my mom bugs me about the chores I neglect to do (i.e. feed the dogs, unload the dishwasher, etc.)

My parents, like some of your parents, are white, as is one of my brothers.

This, I know, doesn’t fit into the equation but this is because my older brother and I were adopted when we were little.

I’ve gotten many different comments over the years when people see my family, which I don’t mind; but it bothers me that people don’t understand how I can live the way I do or when they feel sorry for me, or they ask me if I feel left

out.

Racial issues are probably one of the most delicate issues, but I think it’s important because it is relevant in my life everyday.

Bigger than any racial issue, is the issue of acceptance and I think our school could use a lot more of it.

Acceptance is a huge part of people’s lives and it’s important to be able to accept different people for who they are even though they may be different from you.

I’m blessed to be able to come home to a dad that makes me laugh and helps me with my math because math isn’t my cup of tea. As for my mom, not only is she my shopping partner, but she is also my weekend movie buddy.

Even though some people see my family as “odd” or “different” I see them as my family and I love them just the same.

Oct. 16, 2009

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Titan Scroll

Are you scared?

Emily Argotsinger Halloween is just around the corner which means it is time for costumes, candy and haunted houses. It is the perfect holiday for terror and fright but for people with a phobia it could bring out their worst fears.

According to Sociology teacher Vincent Careswell, a phobia is classified as an anxiety disorder, an excessive unreasonable fear attached to a potentially harmless stimulus.

“It brings on a true fear,” Careswell said. “If you have a phobia of snakes, the sight of a snake or the mentioning of one will cause you to go into a fighter flight response; you feel like you are going to die. It is a feeling of impending doom.”

The American Psychiatric Association definition of a phobia is ‘a marked and persistent fear of one or more performance situations’ “We were standing by the locker room and one just fell on my shoulder,” Pearson said. “I freaked out and screamed really loudly. My adrenalin goes up and I just start panicking. I have to wipe everywhere to make sure there are no spiders on me.”

Math instructor, Jesse Dziurawiec is not a huge fan of spiders either.

“I saw a movie in sixth grade about super aggressive spiders that had deadly poison and actually killed people,” he said. “There was a scene where a spider was in the

toilet seat and it jumped on someone’s back in the shower. I would always check the bathroom curtain after that for a week.”

Although Dziurawiec does not have a full blown phobia of spiders, his fear is an example of how phobias can form.

According to Debbie Lemar, a psychologist at Rediscover, a non-profit community mental health agency, phobias can come from an early experience of a trauma, or in Dziurawiec case, a really scary movie.

“It’s weird because I’m fascinated by them in some regards but there’s something about them that gives me the willies,” he said. “I think the eight legs just creep me out, and the fact that they’ve got fangs; that’s never good.”

Careswell said phobias could also be genetically hard wired in a person’s brain, which is why it is sometimes hard for friends and relatives to understand the unnecessary fear.

“There is a social and family pressure to do certain things,” said Lemar. “When the person can’t do that the family takes it personally because they don’t understand the phobia could be a result of a chemical imbalance,” According to Lemar, social interaction is one of the most common situations people are phobic of.

“The top phobias we see are agoraphobia, the fear of leaving the house, and social phobia, the fear of going out

in public,” she said.

These two phobias, according to Careswell, can greatly affect someone’s lifestyle.

“It can impact if they have friends and dating because of that fear of talking one on one,” he said. “It can also impact job opportunities.”

It is that daily impact that classifies a true phobia.

“Phobias affect people on a daily basis,” said Lemar, “They have anxiety, depression, obsessive type thinking.”

Careswell also said phobias control the way people function from day to day.

“If you are scared of heights and you have to drive over a bridge to go to work you alter your life to avoid that height,” he said. “There will be situations where if you are truly phobic of it you won’t do it.”

The number one way for treating and managing a phobia is exposure therapy.

“You need to realize you are not going to die of someone says the word snake,” Careswell said. “It needs to be done in small increments until you repress that fighter flight syndrome.”

This is how Lemar said she treats people with phobias.

“It can be managed effectively,” she said. “We give individual counseling and medication. The patient is gradually reintroduced to the stimuli and they are made to feel like they area safe around it.”

-AblutophobiaFear of washing or bathing.

-Aeronausip Fear of vom

-AltophobiaFear of heights.

-Ar a Fe chno ar of phob sp ide iars.

-Amaxophobia- Fear

Photos by Ryan Babcock and Kayla Cambers.

Oct. 16, 2009

phobiamiting.

- BarophobiaFear of gravity.

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FEAR FACTOR -ClaustrophobiaFear of closed or confined spaces.

-AgoraphobiaThe fear of leaving your own home.

r of riding in a car.

-Information fromhttp://www.phobialist.com/

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

Titan Scroll

PTA Reflections Contest

Arts Recognition and Achievement Program for Students 2009 – 2010 Theme: “Beauty is…”

Basic Rules:

1. Originality: Each entry must be your own work!

2. Deadline: Each entry must be submitted to your teacher by MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2009.

3. Theme: Each entry should be done with the current theme in mind and be work that is done after the announcement of the theme.

4. Name: DO NOT put your name on the front of your entry. Your name should be on the back.

You may enter your original work in any of the 6 categories: Visual Arts

Prints, Drawings, Collages, Fiber Workings, Metal Etchings, Computer-Generated Art, etc… mounted on sturdy material. The entry should be less than 3/8 inches in thickness, and no bigger than 24 x 30 inches including mat board. It is recommended that you shrink-wrap your entry.

Literature

Fiction or Non-Fiction – Poetry, Drama, Prose – no more than 2,000 words. It can be hand written or typed on the computer.

Musical composition

Audiocassette or CD done a cappella or with instruments, with or without lyrics, not to exceed 5 minutes in length.

For detailed RULES, you can ask for a copy in the school office.

Film/Video Production

Videotape or DVD, or computer Disk of the performance. Submissions must be QuickTime, Windows Media, or Real Video. The resolution should be 320 x240 or higher.

Dance Choreography

Videotape or DVD of performance, not to exceed 5 minutes in length.

Photography

Prints, retouched Prints, Collages, Multiple Exposures, Computer- Enhanced entries, etc… mounted on sturdy material, without a frame. Your entry should not be bigger than 11 x 14 inches including the mat board. It is recommended that you shrink-wrap your entry.

If you have any questions, please call Yvonne Bechtold at 765-5243 or e-mail jbechtold1@sbcglobal.net Put Reflections in the Subject box.

Oct. 16, 2009

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

Halloween brings fear to west

Sophomore Danielle Crawford and Sophomore Spencer Chaney both agree that the Beast is their favorite haunted house in the area.

“It scared the crap out of me,” said Crawford. “I cried.”

“It’s funny to look at other people being scared.”

Said Spencer Chaney

“The World’s of Fun haunted houses I think are awful,” said chaney.

“I like being scared,” said Crawford.

Information compiled by Rylee Webster

Photo by Elisa Cox.

Westside Stage prepares unique shows Jenna Keeble

shot down in love,” Caby explained.

“Is He Dead?” premieres on Nov. The West Side Stage is preparing 7 and can also be seen Nov. 13. two fall plays that are said to be “In “Almost, Maine” there aren’t any very different than any of their specific main characters. All of the productions is previous years. men play three roles and the women “They’re both really modern this play two so everybody has an equal year, and nothing like LSW has ever amount of stage time,” said Caby. seen from WSS. They’re both comedies, In “Is He Dead?” Senior Rob Glauz so that should attract a large crowd,” plays the lead male role and he also plays said WSS President Tyler Caby. a woman. “Yes, he wears a wig, dress, “Almost, Maine” is the and make-up,” Caby commented. first play to premiere. It can Caby is confident is predicting a be seen Nov. 6 and Nov. 14. great outcome for this year’s fall plays.

“It takes place in a town called “They’re gonna do very well, Almost, Maine and it’s basically all they’re gonna be very successful. these little short plays in this one I’m personally in Almost, Maine big play. It’s all about love and people and I know rehearsals are going trying to find love. People find love in really well and I’ve only heard really weird ways, or some people get good things of Is He Dead?.”

On Halloween, the WSS will schools going at it and we only have participate in the 2009 Trick Or three,” said Caby.

Treat So Kids Can Eat food drive.

According to the Educational Theatre Association, “TOTS-EAT is the International Thespian Society’s (ITS*) annual nationwide community service initiative to collect food for the hungry.”

Last year, the organization collected over 308,000 pounds of food. With the motto, “Because hunger is a very scary thing,” the organization hopes to collect at least 325,000 pounds of food for the hungry.

“We’re actually second in the nation for two years in a row for Jacob Bogart prepares for the upcompounds collected. We’re gonna try ing production of Almost Maine. Photo to get first place this year but we’re by Elisa Cox. up against Wichita and they have 12

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

Titan Scroll

Wild Things hits the big screen Katey Stoetzel

Everybody has visited the place where the wild things are– in their minds anyway. But today the “wild things” come to the big screen where the book from many kids’ childhood comes to life.

The book “Where the Wild Things Are,” written by Maurice Sendak, is a total of 36 pages, and within these 36 pages are a whole lot of pictures.

“Honestly, it takes me ten minutes to read the book. I don’t

see how they can stretch it out to an hour and a half length movie,” said Sophomore Ryan Schafer.

Schafer is predicting the movie to be similar to “The Polar Express,” in which he believed did not live up to the books standards .

To turn “The Polar Express” into a full-length movie, characters were added, as were scenes. Doing this is somewhat of a necessity to make the movie long enough, so it’s okay that this is what happened with “Where the Wild Things Are.”

“Where the Wild Things Are” a childhood favorite, opens today as a major motion picture directed by Oscar-nominated Spike Jonze.

But how much will be added before the movie gets out of hand?

“It can go either way. They can add a few things here and there and add interest, or they can add too much and ruin what the book was,” said Freshman Sarah Martin.

Though this is a kids’ book, some of the “wild things” can be seen as frightening.

“I actually find this book very creepy,” said Sophomore Connor Hampton.

Hampton may find this book to be creepy but he does admire the main character’s imagination.

“I would like to have this kid’s imagination powers and go to this magically creepy place,” he said.

Whichever way this movie plays out, there is no doubting that there is excitement surrounding the air of the movie theaters.

“I read it a lot as a little kid, so I’m excited to see how it will turn out,” said Martin.

“Where the Wild Things Are” hits theaters today.

Oct. 16, 2009

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

17

2012: End of the World ... or just another movie plot?

Katey Stoetzel Give it up for yet another movie about the end of the world. “2012” comes to theaters on Nov. 23, and several people real confident about it.

“It’s a red box movie,” said Senior Sean Winter, meaning that it’s not worth the money to go see it at the theaters.

This movie portrays what is set to happen in the year 2012. The Mayan calendar ends in the year 2012, so people have taken this to mean that it is when the world will come to an end.

“I honestly don’t think it will end in 2012,” said Sophomore Devin

Lanio. But Lanio mentioned that the movie looks “brutally intense.”

The intensity Lanio describes can be seen in the previews, where viewers see the city of Los Angeles breaking–apart, dropping every object from people, to cars, to buildings, to trees plunging into the dark abyss of the unknown. The special effects do indeed make the whole event look “brutally intense.”

But is it too much?

“It just looks like one of those movies with flashy special effects,” said Winter. “Don’t get me wrong, the special effects look great and all, just a bit too much.”

Lanio disagrees with Winter. “I’m excited about the visual effects. They

look awesome,” he said.

The movie may look captivating, and the idea for the movie may have come from the Mayan’s fateful prediction in three years, but the destruction of the world that “2012” shows only came from the imaginations of the producers and writers.

Remember, this is not the first movie about the end of the world.

Others have said an asteroid, or comet, or nuclear war, or a solar flare that gets too close to the Earth is the end of civilization.

There have also been many set dates predicting when it would happen, and those proved false.

“The end of the world has been

predicted so many times and has never happened,” said Sophomore Dill Reader.

“Plus, if Mayans were able to see the end coming, they probably would have been able to see the Conquistadors coming to destroy their civilization, which they obviously didn’t.”

Winter said that even though this movie is predicting the near future, it’s still just showing one perspective and there are a lot of people with different beliefs.

But then, the Mayan’s may have it wrong and maybe it won’t be the end.

Whether or not it happens, the topic does make for some good movies.

Controversial, Tony Award winning show opens in KC Rylee Webster Some call Spring Awakening the musical offensive and shocking, but others think it is innovative and relevant. Either way, it has people talking.

“It’s probably a show that every teenager should see but not a show that every teenager ought to see,” said Theatre Arts teacher, Ben Martin.

According to Martin, the musical is about teenagers going through adolescence in Eastern Europe during the 1900’s.

He said it’s mainly about teens “growing up and coming to grips with themselves, and the joys of those moments and the challenges of those moments.”

Martin also said that some of the material is suggestive with nudity on stage and he would not recommend it.

“I cannot endorse LSW students to go,” he said. “The material would

offend parents, but the issues that are dealt with in the show are important.”

The author of the original play, said Martin, was Frank Wedekind.

The musical was banned as it swept through Europe, and this motivated the producers as it was a “banned show.”

Senior Erin Huffman has been a long time fan of this musical. She went to see it with her mom 2 years ago and admitted that the experience was a little awkward because of some of the content, but that didn’t stop Huffman from enjoying the musical.

“It’s different than any other musical,” she said. “The music is a lot more modern.”

Despite the suggestive material, Huffman said, “I don’t feel like the subject matter ruined the show.”

Huffman has tickets for tomorrow’s show at the musical Hall.

“I have never actually seen the show, but I’ve listened to the soundtrack,” said Sophomore Jacob Bogart.

Junior Katie Maloney’s favorite part is the music as well.

“The music, to me, sounds different,” she said, “unlike any other musical that I’ve seen.”

Maloney feels that teens today can relate to this musical, despite the history gap from then to Senior Megan James traveled to New York and saw Spring now.

“It connects Awakening on Broadway. Photo by Ryan Babcock. to growing up even though when it comes out. The show will be it’s in the 1900’s,” said Maloney. in Kansas City from the 13th to the Maloney has been waiting a year for 18th. the opportunity to see Spring Awak- “It’s the best musical that the ening and is ecstatic for this weekend school cannot recommend,” she said.

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

Titan Scroll

Gamers wait patiently for new Call of Duty Krista Kern According to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s website, on November 10 the “most anticipated game of the year and the sequel to the bestselling first-person action game of all time” will be released.

Sophomore Zach Carter plans on buying the game the first day it comes out.

“Well in Modern Warfare 2 they’re going to add more stuff to the multiplayer with new weapons and you can do a lot of things, like throw swords into people’s eyes,” said Carter.

Modern Warfare 2 is the 6th game to come out in series.

“I think that is as far as they should go because the story lines are kinda getting dragged out,” he said.

Since Call of Duty is more of a multi-player game Carter plays it on XBox. “I want to say that on PS3 the

graphics are better. But I play it on XBox because all my friends play it,” said Carter.

Carter got interested in Call of Duty whenever the third game came out.

“Well the first call of Duty I played was Call of Duty 3 and that was really Dumb,” he said.

“But then I played Call of Duty 4 and that brought my hopes back up because it brought it up into the modern era and that was really fun and now I’ve been playing Call of Duty: World at War which is even better I think,” he said.

Now that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is coming out and Carter has found more people to multi-play with he has become more interested in Call of Duty.

“I stopped playing for awhile, but now I have been playing it a lot since I’ve gotten to know more people who play,” he said.

Sophomore Ramsy Fowler also plays Call of Duty in his free time.

“I have been into Call of Duty for a long time now. I have liked Call of Duty before most people,” said Fowler. “The first Call of Duty I bought was for GameCube it was called the Big Red 1,” said Fowler.

Fowler thinks the new game will have a lot of change.

“There will be many differences between previous Call of Duty’s and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 because you will be able to have more attachments on your guns, you can throw knives, you can have silenced snipers,

customized kill streaks, you can wear a guerilla suite without using a snipe, and the graphics will be better,” he said.

Fowler thinks that Infinity Ward and Activision will continue making more games.

“Of course Infinity Ward and Activision should keep making more because millions of people are buying Call of Duty from all over the world.

It is my favorite Game of all time.

People would be very disappointed if they stopped,” he said.

Junior Drew Conkling agrees.

“They should keep making more but personally I like the World War 2 Call of Duty’s better because they make the game a lot more personal for me,” said Conkling.

Both Fowler and Conkling plan on buying the game the first day it comes out like Carter.

Come Bowl With Me! League Tuesday - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday 10:00 a.m.

www.summitlanes.com

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

Oct. 16, 2009

Girls reap benefits for dedication Ally McEntire

The Titan Girl’s Volleyball team continues to do well this season with a current record of 22-2.

The game Tuesday against North Kansas City ended in victory for the Titans, making this the third year the team was undefeated in conference play, and their fourth year as conference champions with a 10-0 record.

The team will play in the St. Thomas Aquinas tournament this weekend.

Their winning record is on the heels of a recent game that was mutually forfeited.

On Sept. 26, the girls played in a tournament at Blue Springs South. The girls started out doing well, but then fell to Nernix Hall in the Semi-Finals. This put the team in line to play Blue Springs for third place.

Sept. 26 was also the Saturday of the West homecoming dance.

Some girls on the team had dates, and planned on trying to attend if possible.

Blue Springs is a strong opponent for West, and the girls were excited to have another chance to beat them.

“Whenever we get the chance to play Blue Springs, we want to,” said Senior Amber Geha.

“Beating them in the Mo/Kan tournament was such a great feeling for all of us and it’s always an honor to play such a good team.”

Junior Kylie Rice agreed. “I think we were excited to get another shot at Blue Springs,” she said.

Both teams, however, were exhausted from playing all day, and the coaches could tell. Plus, a third place match is no longer typically seen in tournaments.

The coaches from various teams had been discussing whether or not to play one.

Coach Mark Rice and the coach from Blue Springs had been discussing the match as well.

“We thought it was silly,” said Coach Rice. “We thought we’d be playing each other in the finals, not that we were talking about ourselves.”

“Both coaches decided to let our teams go to homecoming because it was our homecoming and Blue Springs’ homecoming,” said Geha.

According to Coach Rice, many schools in the tournament did have homecoming, and that

was part of the debate. Plus, he said, as the day went on, the girls began to lose focus. “They seemed to be pretty focused, but as the day went on, you could see us lose focus,” he said.

Kylie agreed. “Everyone wasn’t completely focused,” she said. “So we just decided to call it a day because we were all tired.”

“I think both teams were worn out from the long day and having the coaches talk it over to give us a break was nice,” said Geha. “Both teams agreed on it and thought it would be okay.”

The game was decided as a tie for third place and the girls on both teams were able to go to their dances.

“Some of us had planned on going and really wanted to,” Geha said. “Others didn’t even plan on going because of the tournament. No one was leaving early or missing games for a dance.”

The girls’ dedication to the team was rewarded. The Titan’s played this week.

The Senior Night was on Monday against Raytown South.

The girls won 25-9 and 25-11, and played with great emotion, according to Coach Rice.

The girls volleyball team played Raytown South for their Senior Night Game on Saturday, winning by 16 and 14 points.

Photo by Martin Steele.

Conference champs once again Katey Stoetzel

Lady Titans Golf coach Kim Rohlfing declares his hopes that Morgan Maddox and Lauren Fender will get top 10 at state. Photo by Ryan Babcock.

The girls’ golf team came out of Conference with a big win.

“We won conference for the fifth year in a row,” said Head Coach Kim Rohlfing.

Sophomore Allison Nill, and Juniors Morgan Maddox, Rachel James, and Lauren Fender all earned All-Conference. Fender was also a Conference medalist.

On Monday, Oct. 5, the team competed at Districts, where they placed third as a team and came out with three State qualifiers.

These qualifiers consist of Fender, Maddox, and James. Fender scored

an 81, scoring the lowest for the team and placing fifth. Maddox had a score of 85, and James, a score of 95.

State is on Oct. 19 and 20 in Springfield. State is the only meet left in the season, so practice is crucial.

“Just improve my short game and shoot for All-State, which is top 15,” said Fender. This will be Fender’s third year going to State.

Maddox said that she thought they did OK at Districts, but thinks next year the team will be more practiced.

“I think next year will go better because we’ll have more experienced

people,” she said. “I didn’t do as well as I expected, but I did OK.” This will be Maddox’s third year at State. Last year, she placed ninth and made All-State.

“I’m hoping to improve my placement and keep my All-State status,” she said.

In the after school matches, they won six and finished second twice.

In the 18-hole tournaments, they were third out of 15, and earned two fourth place finishes out of 20.

“I was very pleased with the way we played at Districts,” said Rohlfing.

“I’m hoping Maddox and Fender will get top ten at State.”

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

Titan Scroll

Tennis team ends season with confidence Emily Argotsinger

The tennis team went out with a bang as they ended their season with a second place finish in Conference and a third place in Districts.

“We finished second in conference to North Kansas City after we lost in a close dual match with them,” Assistant Coach Tammy Slavens said.

“If we would have won that dual we would have tied for first in conference, but we couldn’t quite pull that off.”

The Titans had some great performances throughout the conference season, but the North Kansas City Dual brought out one occupational performance.

“That was the day when [Junior] Emmie [Andres] had her break through match,” Slavens said. “She really embraced her role as our number one singles player.”

Andres and the Titans continued to perform well at the District meet where they pulled off a solid third place team finish. Andres, seeded third, along with Freshman Brandi Vollmer, seeded fifth, played the two singles spots. Both had phenomenal matches.

“Emmie was the District champion,” Slavens said.

Andres beat out number one seed Jourdan Mercurio from LSHS to grab the District title.

Vollmer also had an outstanding match.

“Brandi finished in 5th place, which was what she was seeded going into the meet,” Slavens said. “She did a really great job, and won the consolation bracket.”

Vollmer was one place short of advancing in the state playoffs, seeing that the top four singles players move on. However, she had a great

season, losing only three of her sin- “We only graduate [Senior] Chay gles matches throughout the whole [Mehl] this year and will return a strong line up for next year.” year.

“She did a really great job and fin- ished 25-3 overall in singles,” Slavens said.

“It was really fun and was such an honor to play with these girls,” Vollmer said. “They were very welcoming and always involved me outside of tennis.”

“Brandi earned her place on the ladder,” said Slavens. “There was never a question or conflict because she continued to defend that place on the ladder.”

The Titan’s season ended Tuesday when they lost a state playoff dual against Blue Springs South. However, Andres advanced to the state tournament and will play next Friday mornLady Titans Tennis ended their season on ing.

“I think we gained some confi- Tuesday when they lost a state playoff match dence,” Slavens said of the season. against Blue Springs South. Photo by Jean Madison.

Titan cross country runs like the wind Sydnee Owens

The Boys and Girls Cross Country are picking up the pace with Districts coming up.

The team did well at the KC Metro on Oct 3.

“We did awesome,” said Blyholder.

“We dominated that meet and it’s a big meet.”

With the goal of scoring the lowest amount of points, the team scored 24 and the second place team, LSN, scored 129; therefore the Titans won by 105 points.

“The girls ran as well as I’ve ever had a team run,” said Griffin.

The girls also won the Suburban Mid-Six Conference meet last Thursday.

“It was good but the weather was really bad,” said Senior Crystal Lohr.

“The rain made the course really muddy and slippery.”

“We were the third race so it was really bad because the ground was even worse,” said Phoebus.

“It was a Blyholder.

“We want to hard course to be humble,” said run on and the Phoebus. “We know weather made we’re pretty fast but it even harder,” said Lohr. we don’t want to get cocky about it.”

“There was “We don’t want to a giant hill of jinx ourselves,” said just mud,” said Lohr. “We’ve won the Phoebus.

“I slipped a few past two years but anything can happen. times, a couple As long as everyone people fell. It stays healthy I think wouldn’t have we’ll do fine.” been as hard if “We need to take it hadn’t been care of business with so muddy.” the meets in front of When looking ahead towards Junior Chelsey Phoebus striding to us and then do well at the end of the finish second at the Invitational in State,” said Griffin.

Minnesota.

Photo by Jean Madi The Boys Cross season, Blyholder Country team took a admits that son. blow when boys on there are some superstitions varsity got the flu.

“The whole Varsity team got among the girls about State.

“It’s a silent goal to win State. sick at the same time and it killed We don’t talk about it but we know us in the middle of the season. We it’s all on each other’s mind,” said did so crummy,” said Junior Russell

Muffoletto.

In the KC Metro on Oct. 3, several of the boys had to sit out because of sickness.

“We didn’t do too bad considering we had a pieced together team,” Shortino said.

“We only ran a few Varsity guys but 3 guys placed in the top 30,” said Colon. Colon, Russell, and Junior Conor Hourigan all placed in the top 30.

However, illness is behind them and the tables are turning. The guys won Conference last Thursday.

“We’re over the sickness and really starting to come together,” said Colon.

“We are pretty healthy now,” said Muffoletto. “We’ll definitely make it to State.”

“All the big meets are coming up,” said Colon about Districts, Sectionals, and State. “We want to fly under the radar and win them all.”

Districts are next Saturday for both boys and girls.

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

Oct. 16, 2009

Hard work = a great weekend

Krista Kern

The Boys have been having a challenging season and are working hard at practices to win future games.

“We are doing well as a team now and are doing some great things to work better together,” coach Mark Lutman said.

The team played in Springfield in a tournament and got second Senior Clayton Kelley runs down the field dribbling the ball. The boys place. soccer team placed second in the Kickapoo Shoot out losing in overtime “We did great as a team,” he of the championship game against Eureka. Photo by Leanna Perry. said. “We came together and really played well this weekend,” said Freshman Troy Perry gives his “Overall, I thought we played Lutman. insight on the tournament. really well, but we just couldn’t

quite finish out the final game,” Perry said.

Perry thinks the team only looses games by silly mistakes and the team is working really hard at practices.

“Were practicing really hard for the Lee’s Summit North game and their a physical team so we’ve been trying really hard,” he said.

“We know a lot of players from North and we really want to beat them,” he said.

Go support the boy’s West soccer team at LSN tonight at 6:30pm.

Archery club draws AIM Ally McEntire

Shooting into West, one student

proposed the idea for a brand new club. Archery aims at students who may not be as athletic, but still want to be involved.

Junior Brianne Orr came up with the idea for the club.

“It’s a passion of mine,” said Orr. The first meeting was on Sept. 22, and students that were interested attended.

Orr said she was surprised at the turnout to the meeting.

The club has two sponsors, Tim Wieland and Kim Corbett. Wieland has personal experience with archery.

“I bow hunt,” he said. “I’ve been shooting for 20 some years.”

Wieland said that he hopes the club can have a couple of different competitions throughout the year.

For now though, the club is just trying to get on it’s feet.

“Right now, we’re trying to grow and find equipment and facilities,” he said.

Although archery is a sport taken a bit for granted, Wieland said that

the student body is behind the club.

“I’ve talked to students.

They seem excited about the possibility of participating.”

Sophomore Laura Wiltshire is one of those students. She said she is extremely excited for the club.

The Narnia movies, she said is what initially got her interested. “Through the books and through the movies, I saw how they used archery for different things. I figured I might as well go to the meeting and see what it was all about.”

Both Wieland and Wiltshire said there is even the possibility of scholarships in archery.

Wieland added that “it provides them an opportunity to become a part of their school through an organization.”

On top of that, he said “it provides discipline, hand-

eye coordination, a bit of strength training for their upper body, as well as teaching them about the physics behind real world applications.”

Wiltshire believes that it would be a good skill to add to her resume.

“It’s also something cool you can talk to your kids about,” she said.

Wiltshire is also interested in drama, and said she could use it there too. “For acting things you can say ‘yeah, I can do archery’.”

She plans to continue to participate in archery in college. For now though, the club needs to earn money for equipment, probably through fundraising, according to Wieland.

They are discussing setting up a shooting range somewhere behind the fields or courts outside.

Students will be asked to use their own bows and arrows if they have them, and the club may be able to purchase a few bows when the club gets going.

For now, the club will continue to meet in classrooms.

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

Titan Scroll

Softball girls go down swingin’

Rylee Webster

With Conference out of the window, the softball team was looking to Districts to reach another goal which was to get past the 1st District game.

“Our hope of taking Conference is fading away,” said Head Coach Whitney Morehead. “It was a big loss for our team.”

“We set out to accomplish that,” said Senior Erica Doane. “It hurt us as a whole.”

Unfortunately, the girls lost against Ray-Pec on Wednesday 2-0 in their first District game of the season. Due to single elimination, the girls were not be able to advance in any district games.

Doane was sad that the season had to end on a loss.

Junior Alexis Perkins said that the

girls wanted to finish the season as best they could.

Like any sport, the team takes each season as a learning experience.

Perkins learned that “hard work and dedication is all you can ever hope for because you can’t step on a field thinking that you’re fully prepared.”

With this season being the first for Whitney Morehead as the Varsity Head Coach, the girls learned a lot from her as they progressed through the season.

“She prepared us for every single game,” said Perkins.

Perkins said that Morehead gave the girls a mental toughness that helped them through each game.

Next season will be tough without Seniors Brooke Plummer and Erica Doane, but Perkins and Doane have confidence that the girls can step up

and take leadership.

Doane is positive that this year’s Juniors will fill Plummer and Doane’s shoes next season.

Perkins will be sad to see the Seniors go.

“It’s going to be hard not having them there,” she said. “I’ve played with them since my Sophomore year and I’ve always looked up to both of those girls.”

Despite having to watch Plummer and Doane go, Perkins looks forward to next season.

“I’m excited for next season because it’ll be my Senior season,” she said.

Senior Brooke Plummer pitches it down the pipe. Photo by Ryan Babcock.

The ‘cool cats’ aim for state

Katey Stoetzel

Usually in swimming, the “A” relays get all the hype. But for the West swim team, the 400 freestyle “B” relay team comes in at a close third place finish.

In fact, this “B” relay team even has a nickname, courtesy of Junior Montana Rex. “I named our team ‘The Cool Cats’ because not a lot of people pay attention to the “B” relay,” he said.

Another unique quality about this relay team is that they are close to qualifying for State, which is not usually in

the nature of “B” relay teams.

The Cool Cats don’t always have the same people on their team, but mostly consists of Rex, Freshman Chance Smith, Senior Sam Hassler, Sophomore Ryan Schafer, and Sophomore Connor Bruns.

Since the “A” relay team is generally faster, “The Cool Cats” have other goals in mind.

“Our motto is ‘Get Third’,” said Rex. “Since our “A” relay team is so awesome, they will get first every time. The other “A” relay teams get second, so our purpose is to get third.”

Sophomore Drew Adams,

who is a member of the “A” relay, is a fan of the The Cool Cats.

“They scare the opposing teams,” he said.

Bruns has only been on The Cool Cats one time.

“It’s an honor to join The Cool Cats every now and then whenever they decide to give me a chance,” he said.

“I thought Montana was a good leader and we came out in third place, which was our goal.”

Rex also mentioned that while the “A” relay does all of the hard work, “We do the dirty work.”

According to Head Coach Colleen Gibler, if the The Cool Cats end up qualifying for State, they will not be able to swim at State as the 400 freestyle relay because the “A” relay has already qualified. At State, each team is allowed only one relay to participate in an event, and for West, that would be the “A” relay.

But this fact doesn’t faze The Cool Cats.

“We’re not the best, but we’re the best of the worst,” said Rex.

The West dive team, as well as the swimmers, is working its way toward state competition. Photos Jean Madison.

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Oct. 16, 2009

Titans get a boost heading into districts Emily Argotsinger Titan football had a strong showing in last weeks’ great Conference win against North Kansas City, defeating the hornets 42-6.

“It went very well,” Head Coach Royce Boehm said. “This was the biggest game heading into Districts.”

The Titans already had the game wrapped up at halftime, holding the Hornets to zero points with a score of 42.

This presented different players with playing opportunities.

“The starters did not play the second half, and the number two’s and three’s got to play,” said Boehm.

“It was awesome for them to get Friday night experience.”

This win put the Titans in second place in Conference behind Fort Osage.

“If Fort Osage loses then we would

tie for first in Conference, but I think they are done playing Conference games,” Boehm said.

As the Conference winds down, the team is looking ahead to the post season and is preparing for Districts.

“Our focus is winning the next three games,” Boehm said. “You want to come out number one in Districts because you will have a bye in the first round.

If you come out The Grandview Bulldogs look on as a pack of Titans tackle the running back for a loss of yards in a recent number two it is a 38–8 Titan win. Photo by Ben Poeschl.

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tougher road.”

Sophomore Quarterback Luke Knott is one Titan player who had a tough road the past two weeks.

During the Grandview game last Friday, Knott suffered an injury to his leg.

“He was getting ready to pass and was caught from behind and rolled,” Boehm said. “It’s not a true break, it is a partial break, but he is still out for the season.”

“I was getting tackled from behind and the guy landed on my leg real awkward,” said Knott.

With healing, Knott may be back

within the season. “The M.R.I. results were good,” said Knott.

However, Boehm said the team is making adjustments to make up for the loss.

“We are still moving ahead. James Ritch is our number one fullback and he is now our second quarterback.”

Senior Zach Harris will be the fulltime quarterback for the team.

“He’s a real good leader,” said Knott.

“He’s a pretty funny guy; people look up to him.”

Knott is confident in Harris and the team. “Offense and defense, I think we’ll be just fine,” he said.

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Senior Photo Make-up day 2010 Yearbook Oct. 22 lecture hall

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