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Rock Bridge High School • 4303 S. Providence Rd. - Columbia, MO 65203 • Volume 38, Issue 8 • May 12, 2011

Death of Bin Laden leads to high emotions

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early a decade after the terrorist attacks of Sept.

11, 2001, Osama Bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaida, is dead.

RBHS students reflect upon this significant event and the effect it had on the American psyche.

Muslim students talk about the effect the war on terror has had on them, and what the death of Bin Laden means for Islam as a whole.

Read on page 5

Personal finance advances

After winning state, team members proceed to national competition in St. Louis

DAPHNE

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YU

or the second consecutive year, RBHS placed first at the state Personal Finance Challenge.

On Friday, April 29, teams from across Missouri competed for the state championship.

As a result of their victory, juniors Christian Ackmann, Amy Scott, Nick Sun and Tina Wang will represent the state of Missouri at the national level May 16 in St. Louis.

“Last year we actually came second at nationals,” Susan Lidholm, personal finance teacher and team coach, said, “for a first-time experience [regarding the contest], I was pretty happy with that.”

This is the second year there will be a competition at the national level in the Personal Finance Challenge. In the past, competition stopped when

it reached the state level because the national level did not exist.

The state and regional levels of the Personal Finance Challenge included two individual multiple choice tests as well as one team multiple choice test. The two teams with the highest averaged score after the three tests moved on to a quiz bowl style competition to determine the winner of the state competition. This made the competition more important than just individual preparation and called for intricate group work.

“The four people who are on this team are extremely devoted to this,” Lidholm said. “We run study sessions and actually practice in quiz bowl format on the buzzers; there’s a lot of work that goes into that.”

After regionals, the team agreed the quiz bowl portion was the part of the test that needed the

most work and improvement going forward into the state competition.

“We knew we had enough personal finance knowledge,” Wang said. “We just had to improve our quiz bowl strategy.”

Ackman said the quiz bowl portion was definitely the team’s weak spot not only because it involved group work, but it was also because of the stress of performing in front of others.

“I think for the most part, everyone on the team was calm for the multiple choice tests,” Ackmann said. “When we advanced to the quiz bowl round with the pressure of all the other teams watching you either succeed or fail, we were naturally a little nervous. However, at the state quiz bowl, we were working really well as a team, which helped offset most of the nerves.” story continued on page 5

Families gather for fun, lesson MAHOGANY THOMAS

photo used with permission from AP

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Bill proposes dancing as a P.E. credit possibility

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ew Missouri House Bill 169 offers provisions to add ballroom dancing classes for both fine arts and P.E. credit.

Students in organizations such as show choir and marching band will not be afforded the same opportunity to earn fine arts and P.E. credit.

Members of the organizations not included in the bill weigh in and express their concern for the exclusion of certain activities in lieu of others.

Read on page 3

Trip to Morocco provides unique opportunities

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ast month, three RBHS students, including junior Kate Okker-Edging, received scholarships to travel to Morocco this coming summer from the State Department’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth.

There, they will study Arabic and immerse themselves in a foreign culture. This is the first time many of these students will be able to travel abroad.

The experience allows students to gain a new perspective on the world outside of the United States.

Read on page 3

photo by Adam Schoelz

Clean Fun: Family Fun Fest battles substance abuse with music and activities.

Senior Kellie Pitt (above) looks to the last performance of the night.

photos by Muhammad Al-Rawi

New school year brings new policies PARKER SUTHERLAND

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he 2011 school year will present RBHS with a new scheduling changes. Beginning in the fall semester, students will no longer be able to change their schedules except for what are deemed as “truly legitimate reasons,” guidance counselor Melissa Melahn said.

“Because decisions are made in the spring as far as how many sections to offer for classes and all that, all of those decisions are based off of course requests,” Melahn said. “And so when students come in the fall and make all these changes, that can have

a big impact on the decisions that were made on how many sections for each class.”

Guidance encountered this dilemma with chemistry classes at the beginning of this year. A higher number of chemistry students enrolled in the class than expected resulted in the addition of two more sections.

“You’re two weeks into school, and then all of a sudden your chemistry teacher changes. Or you’re two weeks into school, and you have a different lunch shift,” Melahn said.

“It becomes really disruptive for students and teachers, so that’s really what we’re kind of trying to get away from.”

Index News Features In-Depths Editorials Commentary Arts & Entertainment Sports

ounce houses, rock bands and limitless pizza made the first Family Fun Fest at Flat Branch Park a success. Nearly 100 people came out Wednesday, April 20, to promote alcohol-free entertainment for teenagers by engaging in safe, family friendly activities, such as visiting the Bookmobile and open mic participation.

The month of April was Alcohol Awareness Month, which was this month’s theme for Family Fun Fest.

While many teenagers are aware of the damages of these substances, adults agree it never hurts to reiterate these facts.

“Teen fest created a positive environment for teens to come together and expand their knowledge on alcohol prevention,” Erin Carillo, recreation specialist at Columbia Parks and Recreation, said. “One positive thing that we do is allow kids from the community to showcase their talents in front of the crowd as a way to promote positivity amongst teens.”

Nick Roberts, a freshman at Oakland Junior High School, is one of the band members of the rock band Guilty Party. They played several selections at this month’s Family Fun Fest, which has become a regular occurrence from the past year.

“I want people to see our band and get exposure, so people know who we are,” Roberts said. “This is our second year playing at this festival, and we hope to keep coming back.”

Roberts wasn’t the only person at the event who enjoyed the evening, RBHS sophomore Justin Anderson said he thought Family Fun Fest was an excellent way to spend his Wednesday night.

“It’s good entertainment,” Anderson said. “I’d come again, but only if my friends came along, as well.”

It was apparent that many families and teens saw the benefits of the event for their community, as the crowd actively participated in all of the activities provided.

“The kids came out, which is the first step to a successful event,” Carrillo said, “leaving us to believe that Family Fun Fest is a great way to get information out amongst the community.” additional reporting by Kyme Morris

However, a number of students believe the policy lends itself to slacking off and thus lowers grades.

Students who find themselves stuck in classes they did not want to be in could face trouble. Sophomore Morgan Widhalm worries the policy will affect her work ethic.

“I work hard on principle just because that’s the way I am,” Widhalm said. “But when I really don’t respect a class or a teacher, which usually isn’t the case, but when I’m not motivated to try hard, I won’t do my best.”

Although guidance cites disruption in classes as a problem, money also plays a large role in determining

the schedules available for students each year.

Principal Mark Maus admits the reasoning behind the new schedule policy is largely based off financial funding.

“It’s mainly funding and that is because we have continued to reduce the number of teachers we have,” Maus said. “When we reduce the [number of] teachers, the number of students in each class increases.

So it’s really that we just don’t have any more space in those classes. We would love to have more sections, so our students would have more freedom to change [schedules].” additional reporting by Alyssa Sykuta

Upcoming events

pg. 1 pg. 7 pg. 11 pg. 15 pg. 17 pg. 19 pg. 23

RBHS senior graduation will be Saturday, May 21 at Mizzou Arena.

art by Ashley Hong

The CPS Battle of the Bands will be May 19 at the Blue Note.

Admission is $5.

art by Brandon McGonigle

Bike, Walk and Wheel Week begins May 21. Ride a bike to conserve energy.

art by Laura Ge Song

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News · 3

May 12, 2011

The ROCK

Morocco offers unique chance SONYA FRANCIS

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ast month, juniors Kate Okker-Edging and Tessa Vellek, both traveling in the summer, and senior Joe LaRose, travelling during the 2011 school year, received scholarships to travel to Morocco to study Arabic.

The State Department’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth gives scholarships to students and young graduates to teach them new languages by submerging them completely into a new culture.

“The biggest advantage to it is the ability to see your world outside your world. ... Living abroad provides that and opens your eyes to more possi-

bilities which then opens your ability to learn and to love the people,” Spanish teacher Donnie Silver said.

“When you love the people more because of the culture, you are more likely and more willing to learn their language.”

However, finding unique programs like this particular one can sometimes be attributed to luck. For

photo by Anna Sheals

Arabic immersion program gives students an opportunity: Senior Joe LaRose, sitting in Latin 2, was one of the few students to receive a scholarship to study in Morocco.

example, LaRose came across his information on a skiing trip in Kansas City; Okker-Edging found the program while browsing the Internet, and Vellek found it by word of mouth.

“I don’t think I would have found” the program, LaRose said. “It was pretty random seeing [NSLI-Y] in a brochure.”

NSLI-Y scholarships have eight different programs offering Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Russian and Turkish, but Vellek, LaRose and Okker-Edging all signed up for the Arabic curriculum. Although Vellek does not exactly know what she wants to do as a profession, she chose the Arabic program because she believes it will further her in her career aspirations. Okker-Edging selected the Arabic program as her first choice not only because she is interested in the Middle East, but also because as a French student, she knows that Arabic and French are typically spoken in the same areas.

The program selections have altered slightly with the current stance in the Middle East.

“The Arabic program has the most applicants,” Vellek said. “But because of the revolts in Egypt, it was one of the [programs] with the most number of cuts.”

Each participant has different levels of experience traveling out of the country. While Vellek has traveled extensively in her life, such as through a French foreign exchange program, Okker-Edging and LaRose have not had the opportunities.

“I haven’t done anything major, so this is definitely my biggest international experience,” Okker-Edging said.

During the day students will take

Bill creates debate over credits JUDE EL BURI

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he potential introduction of ballroom dancing to RBHS would be a big change for students; however, this could become a reality with a newly passed bill. Sophomore guidance counselor Jane Piester said if students are interested, RBHS could offer the class. House Bill 169 allows public schools to offer courses in ballroom dance which will be treated as a qualified fine arts and a physical education activity for academic credit.

“It’s nice to know how to dance at school dances or other [dances],” said Katie Winkler, a student who takes ballroom dance at Kearns High School in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“I take ballroom, but we call it social dance. I can either use it as a fine art credit or as a P.E. [credit], and my school has a ballroom team that is starting next year.”

However, passing this bill would not only

affect those who are interested in ballroom dance but also those who participate in other school activities, such as show choir.

“I don’t think it’s fair to pick and choose one fine art, and let it count as a P.E. credit,” sophomore Eryn Wanyonyi said. “I think fine art activities that require an atypical amount of physical activity should count for a P.E. credit.”

Because of the work needed, Wanyonyi said show choir should count as a credit.

They practice, sing and dance for hours.

I work “about 20-30 hours a month — maybe even more depending on the month,” Wanyonyi said.

A regular, alternating P.E. class meets about 17 hours a month. Show choir not only exceeds that but requires out of school involvement.

“City Lights rehearses on B days in the morning, starting at 7 a.m., and Satin ‘n’ Lace rehearses on A days starting at 7 a.m.,” Wanyonyi said. “As it got closer to competi-

tion we had Tuesday and Thursday rehearsals after school and sometimes in the evening for about an hour and a half to three hours depending on the month and circumstances. ... We dance so much, and I think it’s definitely more rigorous than your typical ballroom dance.”

Junior Charlie Davis, also a show choir member, spends hours every month learning and practicing for a 20-25 minute show.

“In just one choir I spend around 45 to 50 hours a month,” Davis said. “However, there are several girls involved in both show choirs who spend around 75 hours a month.”

Davis agrees show choir for credit is a good idea, but he said if the rule is implemented, other issues will arise.

“I think that it would be a very good idea to use show choir as a fine art as well as P.E. credit,” Davis said. “But I think if that was the case then marching band would deserve the same opportunity.”

Past tradition of pranks plague campus KAITLYN MARSH

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lthough some seniors regard them as a tradition, senior pranks pose a threat for administration as seniors prepare their pranks for their final week at RBHS. Some pranks took place before Advanced Placement testing, but senior Bethany Bailey said she knows of a few pranks that will be done the day before the seniors leave school.

“It’s all innocent fun, and I’ve been working so hard for 13 years,” Bailey said. “Here is where I finally get my payback.”

While seniors plan out their pranks, there is one thing to keep in mind: the boundary line.

With a new principal come dif-

ferent policies, rules and expectations.

The graduating class of 2010 released more than 5,000 stolen golf balls in the main hallways, causing multiple safety issues for other students and employees, according to the junior assistant principal Lisa Nieuwenhuizen. People walking the hallways tripped on the golf balls. Students also picked up the golf balls and threw them at each other, hitting bystanders and posing a threat for severe injury.

“Pranks are one thing, but harming someone else is not acceptable at all,” principal Mark Maus said. “Something like the golf ball prank [would be inappropriate] because someone could have gotten hurt.”

At this time of year, a privi-

photo by Adam Schoelz

New trees in the North lot: Two years ago the seniors cut down the 20-year old trees that stood in the north lot, causing $8,000 in damage costs to RBHS

lege seniors hold is graduation, which, Maus said, can be revoked as a punishment. If seniors start pulling unsafe pranks that will cost the district money to clean up and take care of, Maus will pluck them from the ceremony.

A senior’s high school graduation is at serious risk and represents the fine line between a light-hearted prank and an endangerment to someone’s safety, he said.

Graduation “is a very special day and a huge accomplishment,” Maus said. “It’s just hard to comprehend all that when you’re living in the moment because high school graduation is an expectation, not anything that you weren’t ever going to do.”

As for the prank done last Friday on “Senior Skip Day,” where seniors terrorized the cars of sophomores in the south lot and Sophomore Alley, Maus said the prank was “not that big [of] a deal.” He said if someone had serious issues with some fun the seniors had, they could “take it up with the CPD” because the cars parked on Sophomore Alley are technically not on RBHS property.

Besides graduation being in jeopardy, sometimes the law becomes a factor as well. Bailey said upperclassmen might think a few Saturday detentions and some community service might be the most trouble they will get into if they carry out their planned senior pranks. But, according to RBHS administration, the punishments can be more severe.

“A few years ago we had vandalism of our trees in the North

parking lot [where seniors] cut down several trees that were 20 years old,” Nieuwenhuizen said. “It was about an $8,000 act of vandalism, and the police were involved and were looking for people.”

Although school administrators have firm boundaries for what is funny and what is not, not all seniors are considering the problems their pranks could cause. Some have their own opinions on what pranks they believe are fine, which do not necessarily match up with Maus’.

“The golf ball prank, I thought, was pretty funny because it took a while to clean up, and, yeah, that kind of sucks, but it’s a senior prank, it happens every year,” senior Jason Hamilton said. “I honestly don’t care [about consequences]. Whatever I would do, the punishment wouldn’t be that bad.”

Maus said living in the moment may cost some seniors a high school career, affect their futures and even leave an everlasting blemish on permanent records.

Administrators cannot necessarily abolish pranks but controlling them is a different story.

Maus, other administrators and security are monitoring pranks by using extra surveillance and keeping an officer at RBHS 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“It’s nearly over for the class of 2011,” Maus said. “So make good decisions, and don’t do anything that could result in you not being able to participate in the ceremony or could tarnish your ability to move onto college.”

classes with the sole purpose of learning and understanding Arabic. The class load includes approximately 20 hours a week, but during the weekends the students will have the opportunity to go on weekend excursions to nearby towns.

The students will also have the opportunity to learn other talents of the culture such as calligraphy and cooking. LaRose said the program is still “very ambiguous,” and much of the information still needs to be given to the three of them.

Though Okker-Edging, Vellek and LaRose ended up reaping the rewards, they had to go through long application processes with extended periods of waiting for their acceptance. Vellek, Okker-Edging and LaRose applied in the fall but did not hear back about their acceptance until April.

“They had semi-finalists in January, and then you had an interview, but then you had to wait until April to find out. It was definitely a long wait,” Okker-Edging said. “But I’m sure it will prepare me for next year when it’s waiting to hear back from colleges. It was long, but now I found out that it was worth it. It would have been unfortunate if you had waited to find out that you didn’t get it.”

Learning about culture and language is something each of the three students selected for the scholarship value and with this opportunity, they hope to achieve just that.

“I know I want to do something with language because that’s where my passion lies,” Vellek said. “Last summer I went to Tours — a city in France — and did a French language program. It really opened my eyes to a new culture, so I’m hoping I will have a similar experience with this next chance.”

District boundary prevents transfers STAZI PROST

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hile some students do not want to think about another school year with one winding down, CPS administrators have no choice.

On June 1, district administrators determine which transfer requests they will grant and ultimately which students will become Bruins.

This summer, the school board will make decisions for “approximately 41 Hickman students who want to transfer to Rock Bridge and about 30 Rock Bridge students who want to transfer to Hickman,” said Wanda Brown, assistant superintendent for secondary education. “Most of the ones that are turned in before March 1 and that have an appropriate reason are granted.”

Besides HHS students wanting to transfer to RBHS, students outside CPS want to walk the halls of RBHS as well and because of their place of residence, they are denied such a wish.

Their homes are often in Millersburg, a town in the Fulton school district, but are closer in distance to the Columbia district. Kathy Wright, the community relations director of Fulton Public Schools, said it was because of the area’s population development.

One “guess of mine is until recent years [the city of] Columbia was more condensed boundary-wise,” Wright said. “Columbia has grown out because you know Rock Bridge wasn’t even open until mid 1970s so I think both communities have grown, but Columbia also and its boundaries have grown [in Millersburg’s] direction more. That is just the logic I am following.”

Even if there was sense to the boundaries at first, Chelsea Malinski, a sophomore at Christian Fellowship School, thinks the boundaries are outdated and wants them changed.

She said the system caused a major inconvenience for her when she attended Fulton last year. Malinski’s bus route was 42 miles long.

This long distance required her to get on the bus around 6:30-7 a.m. The ride was an hour and a half long with all the stops.

Such an extensive amount of bus time was one of the reasons that spurred Malinski into action. She and her mom used Bill 242 as a way to protest. Though it is not a law, Malinski and her mom still tried to use it for the bill regarding transportation hardship.

Transportation hardship is “if your bus ride is over a certain amount of time [75 minutes], then the school you are supposed to go to has to pay your tuition to another school if you want to [attend there],” Malinski said.

The catch is the school that the student wants to transfer to has to agree to their transfer. RBHS’s response to Malinski’s transfer request was negative because it was “overcrowded,” Malinski said.

Since RBHS has too many students, it really puts Millersburg, or non-Columbian students in general, out of luck.

“I was the only one to go to Fulton,” Malinski said.

“It was just me. I had to take the bus. I didn’t have the choice because my mom worked in Columbia, my dad worked in Columbia, and everyone else went to Columbia. Pretty much we live in Columbia. We are never in Fulton. We have nothing to do with Fulton at all.”

Even if Columbia is where Malinski spends the majority of her time, her parents do not want to relocate.

Malinski’s dad still wants to have access to his workshop that is behind their house.

When deciding between these lifestyles and others, more factors influence one decision or another than just a simple change of home address as Wright cautions.

“When property is purchased, or families move,” Wright said, “they are making a choice by location of where they live and are aware of the school district they reside in.”

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News · 5

May 12, 2011

The ROCK

Sophomores abuse parking lot regulations BLAKE BECKER

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ophomores who want to drive to school everyday must park along Executive Dr., known as “Sophomore Alley” to students.

While this lane provides a way for sophomores to park at school, there are few parking spots in closer proximity to RBHS. This requires students who arrive closer to the time school starts to park farther away from the school, which makes them walk up to 0.3 miles in order to make it to the south entrance of RBHS by the first bell.

Sophomore Sam Phillips often parks at the end of “Sophomore Alley” and encounters some difficulty in walking from his car to the school.

“There are so many cars that can’t drive right, so they almost hit you. When it rains, you get wet and then you have to sit all through class wet,” Phillips said. “When it’s winter, it snows, so you have to walk three miles in the snow all the way to school.”

However, some sophomores do not deal with the daily trek; they paid seniors for a parking pass to the lots of RBHS. Juniors and seniors giving sophomores the parking passes do not lose their spots in the parking lots because they can purchase another parking pass if they report a “lost parking pass” to the main office.

“There is no penalty for losing your parking pass other than having to pay for a new one,” senior secretary Carolyn Odneal said.

Sophomore Alex Jones managed to get a parking pass and can easily park in the lots, unlike many other sophomores.

“I got my pass from Aaron Skinner,” Jones said. “He left after his first semester as a senior, and gave me his parking pass before he left.”

But Jones is not always welcomed in the lot because of his status as a sophomore. Despite the fact that he uses a parking pass, many people recognize his age.

“I get dirty looks from time to time,” Jones said. “But I haven’t gotten in any trouble with any of the students or the school.”

Some upperclassmen like senior Alayna Nieters have found sophomores parking in the lot unnoticed and have considered taking action against them out of irritation.

“I park in the north lot, but I sometimes find one or two sophomores without parking passes parking there,” Nieters said. “It’s really annoying to see sophomores parking there because I never parked there when I was a sophomore. I feel like there’s a certain status you have to wait to get to, and so by the time you get to be a senior you’re going to be pissed at sophomores who park in the lot when it’s already hard to find parking.”

Unlike previous incidences with copied or stolen passes, Chris Plummer, the RBHS parking lot attendant, reported few issues with parking this year.

“It’s been really good this year. We haven’t had many problems so far, unlike the years before where people were doing things like trying to copy their parking passes,” Plummer said. “So we really haven’t encountered much trouble this year.”

Nieters has not reported to Plummer nor taken any action against sophomores, although she plans to. She continues to be surprised by the number of sophomores who do not get in trouble.

“If you’re a sophomore,” Nieters said, “and you’re parking in our lot, I’ll get you.”

Death of Bin Laden brings reflections of past decade PARKER SUTHERLAND

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embers of a U.S. stealth operation launched an attack on Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan May 1, 2011. That evening President Barack Obama held a press conference releasing information on the death of Bin Laden.

Bin Laden, the founder and head of the terrorist cell al-Qaida, masterminded the Sept.

11, 2001 terrorist attacks as well as the 1988 bombings of the U.S Embassy in Kenya.

Almost 3,000 victims died in the attacks Sept. 11.

Junior Medhi Ben-Ayed was in Tunisia at the time of the attacks but they still affected his birth religion later when living in the United States.

“Because of 10 people out of a billion or so, you make Islam such a bad thing,” Ben-Ayed said. “You get a couple of people that say, ‘In the name of Allah,’ which just means in the name of God, [and] it gave a bad name to Islam.”

For people who are old enough to remember the occurrences, Bin Laden’s death brings memories and questions about the impacts on America.

“For the first time Americans felt vulnerable,” media specialist Dennis Murphy said. “We are in a country where we did not think anybody could ever touch us, and they proved us wrong.”

Murphy was at school Sept. 11 when the planes hit the tower. “We were trying to get screens big enough so that people could see what was going on,” Murphy said. “No one really knew what was happening; we were trying to put it up ... to see what was going on. I thought we were going to attack, but we didn’t know who to attack.”

Sept. 11 impacted the lives of more than just adults. Senior Craig Chval and his family lived in Washington D.C. at the time of the attacks.

His mother worked at the National Science Foundation in Arlington, Virginia, where the Pentagon is located.

Chval said the realization of the attacks did not come immediately like it did for adults, but reached him with maturity.

“I couldn’t really comprehend the impact of it because I remember hearing the day after and someone saying it was the greatest tragedy

in American history, and I didn’t think that was true.” Chval said. But “my sister and I knew a girl whose dad died at the Pentagon, so that kind of hit home.”

Junior Syed Ejaz was at home from school Sept. 11 when he witnessed the media barrage.

“I remember it quite vividly,” Ejaz said. “I watched the footage on the news with my dad.

I was so confused. My father sort of made it seem like it was an accident, but I remember how quietly that day went by.”

Ejaz recalls Sept. 11 as the day that plagued him with stereotypes and made his home in Karachi, Pakistan feel unsafe.

“Although my peers were only joking when they called me a terrorist, it made me feel targeted for a heinous crime I didn’t even commit,” Ejaz said.

“The jokes kept getting older, and I kept getting angrier and angrier towards those responsible for September 11.”

Bin Laden’s actions against “The more we celebrate “I think we should celebrate the American people instilled the more [terrorists] will because [terrorists] probably fear in certain people because get aggravated. Us celcelebrated there [on 9-11] of their appearances. During his reign of terror, Bin Laden atebrating will push their so we should be able to as tacked and killed more Muslims attack even sooner.” well.” than he did Americans.

— Tyler Jackson, junior — Toi Hunt, sophomore Ejaz’s home in Karachi, Paki“I think [the terrorists] are still stan became rife with crime and left them unable to return. dangerous because they still have “It felt like people kept their leaders there and will do the same loved ones closer and their rething again. I’m happy he died but I sources closer, and the lack of don’t think we should celebrate betrust among others was apparcause it will just make them mad.” ent,” Ejaz said. “After conditions — Siham Nour, sophomore became, like, they are now, we stopped going. I’m glad [Bin photos by Alex Gregory Laden] is gone.”

Should America celebrate Osama Bin Laden’s death?

A+ program provides seniors opportunities

STAZI PROST

W

hile there are several seniors expecting another four years of education before their next graduation, others will be holding their diploma in two years because of their A+ scholarship. Some expected to utilize these two years while others decided to use it in the spur of the moment.

In her senior year, Kelsie Henry, a 2010 RBHS graduate, signed up and qualified for the A+ program. The program turned out more useful than she expected.

“I actually never thought I would go to community college,” Henry said. “My plan was always to go to a four-year institution — specifically Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau — and finish everything in one place. I went to SEMO for a semester, realized it wasn’t the place for me and decided to come back home. I was planning on going to [University of Missouri — Columbia] when I came home, but since I transferred at semester rather than at the end of the year, [I] didn’t get accepted until about one week before MU’s

classes started. Because of lack of coordinator, said. “And for whattime and [my] wariness, I decid- ever reason, they maybe don’t ed to go to [Moberly Area Com- meet admission requirements, or munity College] and use my A+ they change their mind, or somemoney.” thing changes with their financial Henry is not the only student situation, a parent lost a job or whose plans did not work out for something,” her. ProbSince 2001, the A+ lems arose program has been a part “I actually never of RBHS to provide colfor some, causing thought I would lege choices for seniors. last minute If a student completes go to community 50 hours of tutoring and decisions to be made good grades, college. My plan maintains — many attendance and citizenhaving to ship, they get two free was always to do with years at a community, go to a four-year technical or vocational college.

Students college in the state of instition.” unexpectMissouri. Last year, 88 edly wantRBHS seniors met these ing to use requirements. The school the free has not recorded the two years number of students who is a comuse the scholarship. mon story For many colleges, in that the guidance office hears scholarships are rife with comeach year. petition, especially when there is “There has been a lot of stu- financial compensation involved. dents that initially think that they This is not true for A+. There’s no may be headed towards a four- competition whatsoever because year college,” Jane Piester, sopho- everyone gets the scholarship as more guidance counselor and A+ long as they complete the require-

Kelsie Henry 2010 Alumna

Scholar Bowl!

2nd Place in State Competition

STARTERS

Tied the state record for 600 total points in a game.

The team won its three All-Star preliminary Craig Chval - Senior Missouri Team Member games and its Semifinal matchMarc Micatka - Senior up by an average of 325 points All-Star before losing a Iyas Daghlas - Junior Missouri Team Member tight final round match against Riaz Helfer - Junior perennial state power Ladue, ranked in the top 20 teams in source: Greg Irwin, Scholar Bowl sponsor the nation.

infographic by Brandon McGonigle

ments.

The reason for such a beneficial deal is the main goal of the A+ schools program is “to ensure that all students who graduate from Missouri high schools are well prepared to pursue advanced education and employment,” according to www.dese.mo.gov. This strong support system of the program could possibly link with community colleges in Missouri having an increase which is especially seen at MACC. Dana Ampong, a 2010 RBHS graduate, believes the A+ program is one of the reasons why she sees former RBHS students.

But Ampong also presumes that her fellow high school classmates had the same reasons as her — the indecisiveness about the future — for going to community college.

“If I did not have the option to do A+, I probably would [have] gone to MACC anyways because it is cheaper, and I would only want to go to MU if I had an idea of what I want to major in,” Ampong said. “But since I don’t, I just want to get my general education classes out of the way for cheap then transfer to MU.”

Personal finance team advances to nationals story continued from page 1 Lidholm has devoted herself to helping the team succeed –– not only does she put in hours of time and effort but also prepares study the materials for each team member. It was only natural for her to notice the weak point of the team.

“After we advanced to the state competition, Mrs. Lidholm got buzzers for us to practice the Quiz Bowl part of the competition,” Ackmann said. “She gave us a lot of handouts and practice quizzes. She also got us all textbooks.”

Their hard work paid off at state, as it helped them to take home the first place trophy along with a $500 check for each student who participated. Preparation for nationals has been underway amidst the frenzy of AP testing these past two weeks.

“We meet at least three times a week, and the kids are also studying on their own. I think these students are really committed, and they’re going to commit themselves to both [the competition and their AP tests].” Lidholm said.

“They’re just very loyal about this, and I think they really want it.”

Even though there is no one hovering over their shoulders constantly to make sure each team member is doing his or her part of the work, there is no anxiety that each member will not do the work because of the level of trust they have built up.

“That’s why we have a good team,”

Wang said. “I can trust everybody to do what they need to do.”

Sure enough, the four students not only challenge themselves in personal finance but also across the academic board as well. Between them all, they are taking 10 AP tests but still will have enough time to prepare for nationals.

“After all my AP tests I have a little less than a week to study for personal finance, which is enough,” Wang said.

“I usually just look over little things and the night before I do intensive study.”

This Sunday, the team will head down to St. Louis for the national competition, and will also have a little fun while doing so.

“The nice thing is it’s an expensepaid trip for us,” Lidholm said. “They put us in a hotel, and we get to choose a great restaurant we want to go to.”

On Sunday night the team will meet other winning team members from across the country at a mixer. The next day will be the competition to decide the national champion.

“The competition at nationals will be much steeper,” Ackmann said, “since it will be the best of the best from all the states.”

Lidholm, who attended last year’s competition, agrees it will be hard to win but not impossible.

“We don’t know who’s going to be at the national competition yet.” Lidholm said. “Competition’s going to be stiff, but I think we can rise to the top.”

6 · Ads

May 12, 2011

The ROCK

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Honor your graduate with a beautiful bouquet for graduation

823 East Broadway Columbia, MO 65201

Features · 7

May 12, 2011

Teachers say goodbye NOMIN JAGDAGDORJ MADDIE MAGRUDER

W

ith the year coming to an end, seniors will not be the only ones to depart from RBHS. Fourteen faculty and staff members are also leaving, six of whom are retiring.

After a combined total of close to 100 years served at RBHS, these retiring faculty and staff have touched the lives of thousands of students and fellow faculty members.

“To have impacted, whether positively or negatively, that many people is pretty exciting to do,” said Patti Price, an English teacher who has taught for 23 years, the last 17 of which have been at RBHS. “I feel like I am the luckiest teacher in the world to have taught here at Rock Bridge. People don’t realize what a gem it is.”

After 12 years of teaching at RBHS, Marilyn Toalson, gifted education coordinator, can attest to Price’s feeling toward RBHS and mentoring students.

She said working at “a school like Rock Bridge where all the teachers collaborate and learn from each other [has] just been a good experience.” Toalson said she would miss the “dynamic [personality] of the students,” including her opportunity to speak openly with her students about many topics, even those that are considered controversial.

“I’m going to miss hanging out with 16 and 17-year-olds,” Toalson said. “If a 55year-old disagrees with you, they either get mad, or they won’t talk, whereas with a high school student, you can explore, you can think and you can learn from their opinions, whether they agree with you or disagree with you.”

Students said they benefit directly from Toalson’s expertise, especially with college admissions.

Her students “can ask her about anything related to school or college or life or whatever, and she always has a great answer, especially when it comes to advising about different colleges,” senior Mackenzie Shopland said. “Chances are, name a college and she’ll have a student who’s gone there and knows a lot about it. She just has so much

knowledge that she passes on to people.”

Shopland said even though Toalson has valuable information to offer, her students also appreciate her less academic and more relaxed side.

“One day last year, Ms. Toalson randomly bought a box of bubbles — a whole bunch of different, little bubble canisters and handed them out randomly to people in the hallway. And I’m pretty sure the school was just filled with bubbles, and it was all due to Ms. Toalson,” Shopland said. “It was pretty fantastic — probably my best memory I have of her.”

But students are not the only members of the RBHS family who have fond memories of those retiring. Other faculty and staff are sad to see the retirees go.

Activities director David Bones, who has worked with activities secretary Yvonne Kutz for six years, said the relatively short time Kutz has been at RBHS has been “such a big part of the success of the activities office.” Kutz helps out with almost every type of activity, even ones the school doesn’t think about, Bones said.

She organizes events such as homecoming, back-toschool night and school assemblies, even if her name is not stamped on it.

“Ms. Kutz is just incredible. She’s so great with students; she’s so organized; she’s so enthusiastic,” Bones said. “She just loves being here; she loves the students; she loves the energy, but she’s also a big part of the energy and the success of the activities office.”

Although Bones is “so happy that she’s retiring — sort of moving on,” it has been “a bittersweet thing.”

Personal finance teacher and tennis coach Ben Loeb also expressed a bittersweet feeling toward his own retirement, saying it will be difficult to leave RBHS after 23 years.

“I’ve been part of the business education class since I started in the fall of 1988, and so in some ways I’m going to miss that,” Loeb said. “I just don’t think I’m going to miss the pace of my life during the tennis

seasons. It’s been a lot for a long time, and I think as much as it saddens me in one way. … I’m going to get a chance to take on a new challenge.”

Like Loeb, other leaving faculty and staff said although they are looking forward to new, different challenges, they are unaware of what challenges lie ahead. However, Price said, this is part of the adventure.

“I think the most wonderful thing about retirement is that I don’t [have a plan],” Price said. “I’m just going to, kind of, let life happen however it wants, and that’s really exciting.”

Deborah Bernhardt, German teacher, knows she will miss the kids the most but also miss her ability to make a difference in their lives.

“I keep looking at things like, ‘Gosh, I’ll never do that again,’” Bernhardt said.

Out of all of her years teaching, one of the most memorable moments she had was when RBHS was in a 13-year exchange program with Germany.

Bernhardt said she loves “having the students here and then traveling [with] the students over there.”

Except for Bernhardt, most retirees plan to return to RBHS next year.

Toalson is thinking about coming back part-time.

Price plans to return and continue to teach the African American Experience class every other day.

Carolyn Odneal, senior attendance secretary, looks forward on being a substitute so that secretaries can take time off.

Similarly, Kutz also plans to put her name on the substitute list, she said, although she is looking forward to not waking up to an alarm every day.

Loeb does not expect to be involved with the business program like he has been, but he plans to still be actively involved with a new course on sports psychology as well as returning to coach the tennis teams.

“I just think it’s a great school, and I think it’s a great place to be,” Loeb said. “It’s been a very good experience, and that’s one reason why I don’t want to give it up.”

“I feel like I am the luckiest teacher in the world to teach here at Rock Bridge.”

Patti Price English Teacher

Change carries teachers onward In addition to the six faculty and staff who are retiring, nine others are leaving the Bruin family for other pursuits. Still, they say their time here was well spent.

“One of my greatest moments at RBHS was at my first spring assembly. The school recognized the special needs students for their Special Olympics accomplishments. The entire student population gave them a standing ovation. It reinforced to me that RBHS is a place where all are accepted and appreciated.”

—Amy Switzer Learning Specialist

“I feel like this is the place I grew up. I never imagined how much I would change from the age of 26 to 36. Thanks to my experiences here and the students and colleagues I have shared them with, I believe all of those changes have been for the better.”

“How fun it has been to once again be a part of this unique community and to see that many of the traditions that we started back in 1975 are continued today. Rock Bridge continues to rock wherever they go. Rock, Rock, Bridge, Bridge!”

—Rachel Proffitt Social Studies Teacher

—Caryl Smarr Learning Specialist

“One of the reasons I’m [leaving] is that I see you guys doing so many cool things with your lives. You have these ambitions, and you want to rise, and you want to go on these new adventures. And I feel like I can’t continue to encourage kids to do that if I’m not willing to do the same thing in my life.”

“I am following my husband to Tampa, Florida. I plan on staying home with my son, tutoring and possibly getting my master’s degree. I am excited to start a new adventure but sad to leave everyone here.”

—Trisha Stanley Science Teacher

­­­ —Matt Webel English Teacher “I love what I do; I will truly miss it. I’ll miss what my students teach me about life and about teenage life and what they’re going through. I’ll miss being challenged by their thoughts.”

—Darryl Moss English Teacher

“I was terrified of high school students before I came here — now I love them. I will miss all of the students and staff I have gotten to know over the past school year and hope to see them again from time to time.”

“When many people get a job, they either love it or they hate it, and being at RBHS, I was so amazed at getting up every morning and loving to come to work. The kids make me smile everyday. RBHS is my family.

I’m going to miss it.”

—Katrina Tapp Workroom Supervisor

“We’re moving to Boston so that Mr. Webel can go back to school. I hope to get a teaching job in the Boston area.”

—Megan Webel Math Teacher

—Amanda White Learning Specialist photos by Rachel Shenker, Lauren Puckett, Nomin Jagdagdorj

The ROCK

Seniors focus on final events, look forward HANNAH REESE

A

s the school year comes to a close, seniors anxiously await the end of high school and the arrival of the elusive senior week. Senior week draws near only once a year and consists of a week-long celebration of seniors’ accomplishments, namely graduating high school.

Senior Marie Schaller believes the senior events are an important part of senior year because it is the final chance for high school and after this, they will never be coming back. Schaller is most looking forward to the allnight party because it gives her a chance to see students from other schools.

“This is our last time to all be together in the same way,” Schaller said. “I think it’s nice for us just to have closure on school. It’s a little more emotional than school.”

Senior events will kick off with baccalaureate at 7 p.m. May 17 in the gym. Seniors are to attend in their caps and gowns and arrive at 6:30 p.m. in the PAC. Baccalaureate is an opportunity for seniors to perform for their classmates, hear teachers’ speeches and receive special recognitions.

Although baccalaureate is the first event, few seniors are excited to go and even fewer know exactly what it is.

Senior John Miles is reluctant to attend because of baccalaureate’s dull reputation.

“Nobody really knows what [baccalaureate] means.

It just sounds awful and boring,” Miles said. “I feel like I’m just going to sit in some room for a very long time and just do absolutely nothing. It will be a waste of my time.”

However, he said he will go because like other seniors, he feels a responsibility to attend all of the events because seniors only get one opportunity to go to them.

“It’s one of those things — you only live once — you only go to high school once,” Miles said. “So you might as well make the best of it.”

Other seniors are attending baccalaureate to show appreciation to the students performing at RBHS for the last time. Students auditioned in April to speak in the ceremony; the judges selected seniors Siyuan Gao and Soumaya Necibi to address the senior class. Some seniors will attend to celebrate their classmate’s speeches.

“I know people who are trying out to perform, so I definitely want to go to support them but also just to hang out with everyone,” senior Briana Phillips said.

The next day, Wednesday, May 18 is the senior picnic at Wilson’s Beach Club from 12-3 p.m. Food and drinks will be available for the students.

Senior Dixon Barnes believes the senior picnic will be an excellent chance to spend a last day with his friends, though he is most looking forward to graduation because it means the end to his high school education.

“The senior picnic is a great event because it provides a fun atmosphere for you and your friends,” Barnes said. “It’s an opportune time to hangout with all of your friends before you head off to college.”

Salute to seniors is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 18 in the gym. This event is invitation only for students receiving scholarships and academic awards, and it honors each student selected.

Senior Meghan Hartz applied for many of the scholarships in the community scholarship booklet, which is how students gain invites. However, the applications were completely optional; according to guidance secretary Lynne Moore only about 27 percent of seniors applied for scholarships.

“I think a lot of people just didn’t want to take the time to do it because they either didn’t think they would get one or they just didn’t care,” Hartz said. “I think salute to seniors is a really good way to celebrate the students that did put forth effort though. They deserve to be recognized for high school accomplishments.”

The next day the spotlight shifts from academic and community accomplishments to high school social actions. The senior banquet is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19 at the Marriott Courtyard.

The cost of this event is $10, which includes the rather lengthy senior class video. At this event seniors can look forward to finding out who will be selected for each senior superlative.

Commencement is the day all seniors have been waiting for. On Saturday, May 21 at 7 p.m. seniors will walk across the stage at the Mizzou Arena, but seniors are to arrive at 6:30 p.m. in their caps and gowns. Hartz believes graduation will be her favorite event because she has worked for it throughout high school.

“I am anxious to see which students were chosen to speak at graduation,” Hartz said. “Also I am sure there will be lots of balloons circulating the auditorium, and that will be entertaining.”

Miles shares Hartz’s opinion that graduation will be the most satisfying event. He is anxious to be finished with high school and to move on to something new.

“Graduation signifies me being done with high school,” Miles said. “Knowing that I never have to come back here is a good thought. I might miss it a little, but it’s going to feel good for high school to finally be over.”

Once the commencement ceremony wraps up, the senior all-night party will begin.

This will be the last event for all of the graduates of Columbia (no matter the school) to celebrate their achievements together as a community of seniors. It will be taking place from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the Hearnes Fieldhouse on the University of Missouri—Columbia campus.

This event is $25 in advance or $30 at the door. All students must show a photo ID to enter, and no one is admitted after 12:30 a.m. Tickets buy all-you-can-eat food, prizes, games, music, sports, salons and much more.

Seniors have worked tirelessly throughout high school and are finally getting the chance to celebrate their dedicated work.

These events provide a closing to the end of senior year and allow for students to have a few last experiences together. The graduating class has spent at least three years together and the senior events allow them to end high school through fun, commemorative activities as a whole.

“It’s a good bonding experience for the senior class before they all split up for good, especially considering that most classmates will not be reunited throughout the summer,” Hartz said. “The senior events are an excellent way to provide long lasting memories of high school for all the graduates of 2011.”

8 · Features

May 12, 2011

The ROCK

GMS suspension validity debated MARIA KALAITZANDONAKES

J

Passing the test

photo illustration by Drew Rodgers

Young drivers share driving experiences DREW RODGERS

J

unior Haley Rohrer was anxious to finally receive her license. Her parents made her wait until she was 17 before she could take her drivers’ test. She had practiced the specified amount — 40 hours in the day and 10 hours in the night. But when Rohrer first went to take her test, she failed.

“I was so nervous that I forgot the simplest things,” Rohrer said. “I forgot how to work the high beams and couldn’t tell the difference between the back and front defrost. I wouldn’t completely stop at stop signs — I would sort of just roll through. ... I really wanted to pass because I was 17, and everyone had their licenses, and my parents made me wait so long … I looked over and saw [my score sheet] before he told me, and he said, ‘I’m sorry, unfortunately, you did not pass today.’ I felt like I was going to cry. I was upset when he handed me back my permit, and I was afraid I may never pass.”

Fortunately for Rohrer, she went back and took the test again. That time she passed and she now has the freedom to go wherever she want whenever her parents give her permission However having the freedom to drive is not the case for everybody.

Driving “is something you take for granted,” senior Abby Holman said. “You don’t even know what you’re missing until you get your license. My car wheel would shake when I drove, so we had to order a new wheel, and I still don’t have it, and so now I don’t even have a

car. I can’t even go up the road turn signals are, and about varifor five minutes or go to a doc- ous other components about tor’s appointment in the middle the vehicle. of the day or anything.”

“We do an inspection of the The passing grade for the cars before we start out on any driving test is 70 out of 100. of the driver’s tests,” Lisa SwasThirty points may seem like a sord, Department of Motor Velot of wiggle room, but when hicles driving supervisor, said. one is accompanied by an “We want to make sure we have evaluator with a clipboard, the working turn signals and brake pressure can be intense. lights before we go out into the “I felt like I was going to car. Some things, like the horn, take the final exam in Spanish,” as long as they know where it sophomore Brett Williams said. is, we can go without a horn.

“During parallel parking I got If they don’t have any brake in, and I was really close to the lights, no. Turn signals, if they curb, but I was still really ner- are not working, depending on vous, so I was pulling out, and the weather — if it’s 20 below I forgot to use my turn signal, — we’re not going to drive with but when I realized, it was too the windows down so you have late.” the option to give arm signals.

Butterflies in the stomach Make sure all equipment is are not working.” the only Knowing the thing that interior of the “You can control causes car and also the what you do, but complirules of the road cations. can change evyou can’t control Holman erything. These what the other said not simple conknowing cepts, as well guy does.” the inside as mastering of the car the road, can can also be one’s ticket Laura Swassord to freedom. Albe problematic. ways being alert DMV “I was and focused are in my huge concerns, m o m ’s and instructors new car, and I hadn’t really had need to know that those conthat much experience driving cepts are understood. If one is it,” Holman said. “So when I not aware of what is going on got into the car, [the officer] was on the road, an accident is more telling me to check the lights likely to happen. and everything. Well, I had nev“So much of driving is deer done it on [my mom’s] car, so fensive driving,” Swassord I really didn’t know what I was said. “You’ve got to watch the doing, and he had to walk me other guy because you can through everything.” control what you do, but you The testers will normally ask can’t control what the other guy where the windshield wipers, does, so you really have to be high and low beams, emergen- aware and observant. And durcy break, defrost, left and right ing this day and age, we have

so many other things going on, you know — radio, whatever, all this other kind of stuff. That is what people get in trouble for a lot of times. When they get distracted and when a good driver gets distracted, they may be in an accident because that’s when they happen.”

Swassord said it is important for drivers to realize it is not only about them driving, but about everyone else on the road as well.

“I learned that whatever your parents do, don’t do,” senior Kris Rankin said. “Whenever I turned into the left turn lane 100 feet before I was supposed to, [the evaluator] said that it was an illegal move and failed me.”

Even though this is a test, it is a test of the law, which signifies that everyone must learn and obey the rules. The DMV has a free booklet at their office with the rules of the road for drivers to review before the test. ”During my test, I completely failed parallel parking,” junior Katie Paul said. “I couldn’t get [my car] between the cones.

When they are like, ‘Pull over for an emergency vehicle,’ and you’re supposed to signal and pull over — well I accidentally hit my blinker saying I was going left, but I was actually going right — that was embarrassing.”

Paul said the drivers test was way more difficult than she expected. Between both her nerves and embarrassment she wasn’t as prepared as she thought.

“I passed with an 82,” Williams said. “But I thought I was in the 90s, which shows how fast all those points can really slip by; making me realize the drivers test was way harder than what I expected. ”

arrett Perry stayed home April 7-8 after being suspended from Gentry Middle School for “touching.”

The previous afternoon seventh grader Perry and his best friend were playing at Bethel Park around 3:10 p.m. Perry’s mother was running a few minutes late and told Perry to stay with his friend, whose mom was in the park’s parking lot with them and a few other boys.

The boys started “slap boxing,” which Perry said is a sort of “play fighting.”

According to Perry, GMS science teacher Kyle Popa received a message on his walkie-talkie saying, “We’ve got two fighters.” The teacher went to the park and found Perry laughing and jostling with his friend.

“Then he yanked us over and walked us up to the school and took my phone to the office,” Perry said.

“My eye was sort of red, so they took a picture. My friend’s mom was there the whole time in the park, so she came, too … then the officers questioned me and decided that there wasn’t anything illegal going on, so they couldn’t do anything and left. … The next day I tried to go to school, and [the administration] made me leave because they said I was suspended.”

Gentry administrators declined comment about the punishment. Confused about his son’s punishment, John Perry met with the principal, who informed him of the school’s responsibility to act as a “surrogate parent.”

“A parent would listen to the story of the kids, and wouldn’t suspend their kids for playing around with their best friend,” John Perry said. “They’d say ‘cut it out’ … the punishment is excessive and just ridiculous.”

This parental surrogacy is the core of the confusion.

Loco parentis, a Latin and legal term for “in place of a parent,” blurs the lines among school authority, law enforcement and individuals’ responsibility. Under the school’s jurisdiction, the administration is essentially a student’s substitute parent.

“It’s a very gray area,” Mark Maus, RBHS principal, said. “One of the more confusing ones would be if a student lives within two miles of the school and walks to school, then technically from the second they leave their front stoop they are [RBHS’s staff’s] responsibility … This is only if the student walks a direct route, though. If they stop and take side roads and drink alcohol, then they aren’t under our jurisdiction.”

Maus said if a RBHS student is truant from a class and leaves the property of his or her own will, then the school is not responsible for discipline.

The same gray area comes up with smoking, both on and off of campus. Maus said if students smoke outside restaurants or nearby areas to RBHS and are above the age of 18, then they are not under the school’s jurisdiction. Even under the legal age, the school very rarely will use or have authority over such smokers.

But if they are not of legal age and smoking on campus, they could be punished through the school system.

“I smoke over past the baseball fields,” senior Aaron George said. “Sometimes a teacher will say something to me, but usually it’s just like, ‘Put that out, please,’ and then they move on. They know I’m old enough.

Rock Bridge is pretty easy going.” Although smoking is not often seldom an issue, fighting can be.

“Fighting is probably the trickiest to understand because it can disrupt the learning environment more easily than smoking or drinking could,” Maus said. “If two willing, Rock Bridge students leave during lunch to fight off-campus, they are still under the school’s jurisdiction. Because with open-lunch policy the students are still our job. If, however, two willing students leave from a class and fight off campus, it is not our job. It’s the police’s. If they leave class and fight on campus, it’s our job again … and the same with smoking.”

“Most of it is up to judgment of the administration, as to what they choose to enforce.” Maus said.

Jarrett Perry’s personal opinion of his administration was broad.

“It’s just completely unfair,” Jarrett Perry said. “We were playing around. I sleep over at this guy’s house. I would never want to hurt him. We were playing. And the school decides that they are powerful enough to tell me and my friend what we were doing. Like they know anything about what actually happened. But they don’t really want to know the truth.”

Don’t be a bum, have some fun: Last minute tips for prom

art by Drew Rodgers

Before you meet the parent

No need to be so awkward

Did you brush your teeth? Neither your date nor his or her folks want to deal with your bad breath.

•If you happen to find yourself continuously tripping on your words, take a bathroom break. Go to the rest room and splash some cold water on your face and get yourself together. Do not head back out to your friends until you have got your mojo. Remember you cannot smooth any type of situation if you’re not on top of your game.

Have you straightened up your clothes? You cannot come in with your tie jumbled or cocked to the side. You must look presentable. Is your cell phone turned off? You cannot walk in someone’s house with your ringer going off because your ringer could be too loud, inappropriate or just embarrassing. This could give his or her parents a bad idea of who you really are.

•If you happen to find yourself constantly saying bad jokes that no one is laughing at, do not keep telling jokes.

Clearly your humor is not the best, so try getting your dates attention using some other technique. Try dancing, singing or maybe even starting a normal conversation.

But whatever you do, do not just stand in the middle of the group and be quiet; it might just put you in a deeper hole than you are already in.

Have you changed your vocabulary from slang to proper? No parent wants to be referred to as ‘dude’. Remember ‘Yes, ma’am and ‘No, sir.’ Try to be polite when you are with the parents.

•If you happen to say something highly offensive to your date on accident, there is only one solution — COMPLIMENTS! Since you probably do not have a Twix bar to stuff your mouth with, give your date something to smile about. Talk about how nice her dress is, or how much better he looks than his friends. If you can get your date to smile, everything will be okay.

For men, is your suit ironed? Although the idea of ironing might be outdated, you must remember to not show up wrinkled on prom night. Wrinkles in your clothes can come across as irresponsible, which is a parent’s worse nightmare. For ladies, have you practiced walking in your new high heels? Your date does not want to hear you complain about your feet before prom even starts. Take an hour or two and walk around your house, living room, bedroom; it does not matter. It is important to give your feet a taste of what the night will be like before prom.

•Ladies, if you happen to trip over your dress, fake it until you make it. Act like it was the new dance move that you learned the other day off YouTube. No one will know anything is wrong until you tell them. art by Ashley Hong

—Mahogany Thomas

Features· 9

May 12, 2011

The ROCK

Student teachers learn class and life lessons MIKE PRESBERG

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tudent teaching is the final phase of a long process education majors must complete before becoming eligible for a full-time teaching job. After years of learning teaching theory, they put their knowledge to the test in the classroom.

A four-week transition period in the beginning allows the professional teacher to slowly integrate the student teacher into daily plans. Then for the next six to eight weeks, the student teacher takes hold of the reins of the adolescent beast of the high school classroom.

“The hardest part of student teaching was when the class became mine,” said Matt Dingler, second year social studies teacher. “I became accustomed to working 12-hour days and staying up way too late to produce good lessons.”

As to whether this experience helps future teachers in the long run, opinions differ among those who have been or are currently involved in the program. According to a recent study

by Janus Education, a Cambridge University research institution, the majority of student teachers say the program “provides a valuable learning experience.”

“Student teaching was the most worthwhile experience of my college education,” Dingler said. “I struggled a lot and came up with some pretty bad stuff, but these experiences showed me what good teaching should look like.”

Whitney Danze, a student teaching under math teacher Vera Reichlin, echoes that opinion. She believes learning based in the reality of a classroom is the most important step in becoming an effective teacher.

“Student teaching has been a really positive experience,” Danze said.

“Teaching is definitely a complicated job, and I have a lot to improve on in terms of transitioning from one aspect to the next without confusing kids and trying to be more bold or direct with them, not letting the students run the class.”

Kristen Appelbaum, student teacher for social studies teacher David Graham, has had a similar experience. The amount she learned on any given day during her tenure at Rock

photo by Kylee Fuchs

Lending a helping hand: Catherine Walker, student teacher under Advanced Placement Art teacher Sharon Hyatt-Wade, gives gradient change tips to senior Michael Wilson as he lays down an urban landscape in charcoal.

Bridge surprised her tremendously.

“I have been able to take so much away,” Appelbaum said. “I never in a million years thought I would learn so much. I have not only grown as an educator but as a person. The students have really taught me a lot about myself and my future career.”

However, questions as to what effect it has on the professional teachers and the learning environment are more controversial. Reichlin sees the good of the program, but is also aware that students can find transitioning as difficult as factoring radicals.

“There are more positive things than negative things about it,” Reichlin said. “When a student just gets

Stress from parents break pupils’ psyche SHAILA KATHKE

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chool can be tough, and for some it only seems to get worse with the stress of parents expecting strong grades, extracurriculars and being social.

Nagging parents can hinder the quality of school work, leading to lower grades and even grounding. This pressure is the downward spiral of some high school careers.

Junior Shawn Crouch said she struggles to live up to her parents’ expectations, which were set by her older sister. Crouch said when she got a D in Spanish 3, her parents were hard on her.

“I know my parents want the best for me,” Crouch said. “So I understand why they worry about me getting good grades and getting into a good college, but I feel like I need to learn from my own consequences. If I do bad on a test, I should be able to face it myself and not have my parents sit over me.”

Sarah Coller, a Ph.D in psychology, said too much parental pressure is not as beneficial as parents think. Coller believes high expectations come from the parents’ views.

“Personal self-esteem and ‘success’ which is defined as having a 4.5 GPA, going to a prestigious college,” Coller said, “and having a ‘successful’ career.”

Sophomore Kayla Doolady agrees, thinking maybe a student’s best effort should be sufficient and parents should distance themselves from academic matters in which merely the scholar is involved in. The kids get too much to handle, leading them down the wooded path to worse grades.

“Pressure just adds stress,” Doolady said, “and stress distracts from school work.”

Doolady admits, however, her parents’ punishments can have the effect they desire. She said she does not enjoy having

her iPod taken away or spending her weekends at home because of punishments, so she tries to avoid them.

“Consequences do help me think about what I did,” Doolady said. “And I’ll start putting more effort into school.”

Coller said parents should not be too involved in their child’s grades when the child does not have the same expectations for achievement. She believes students should learn to set goals for themselves, rather than continue to strive for what in the end makes their parents happy.

“I do not believe that parents should participate in their child being too busy chasing the 4.5 [GPA] or being in a zillion extracurricular activities,” Coller said.

“I believe a salient minority of children and teens have grown to expect instant gratification and the 4.5 GPA.” But Jennifer Reed, parent of former RBHS student Kayla Benton, said her concerns lie with the future of her children. She wants them to do well in school because it reflects on their success in college.

“For me it’s important for my kids to do well in school because I want them to succeed in the long run,” Reed said. “High school gets them into college and prepares them for life.”

Some students who do not receive nudging in the right direction at home can quit caring about their high school performance altogether. Reed said not caring about high school can set a student back in the entire game of life. Coller believes a bad home life can be self-correcting if a student turns to school for help.

“Many students become underachievers when they don’t get positive reinforcement,” Coller said. “However, they often turn to teachers as a way to get those needs met when they are neglected at home thereby often becoming overachievers as a means to get those needs met somewhere.”

used to a teacher’s style and then all of a sudden a new teacher comes along, it can definitely cause frustration.”

Sophomore Andrew Hutchinson also has conflicting feelings on the topic. He would like to see a more balanced approach between the two teachers in the classroom environment.

“I think it would be better for students if the time between the student teacher and the actual teacher was even,” said Hutchinson, who has a student teacher in biology and world studies. “That way you have a balance between the more seasoned approach and the student teachers.”

Sophomore Ryan Nauser, on the

chemistry

other hand, has only positive things to say about the educator’s education program. He believes the buoyant energy student teachers bring to the learning atmosphere helps the young learners become more engaged in the subject matter, and be more effective in the idea’s inception.

“I think student teachers connect with the students more,” Nauser said.

“They bring kind of a fresh feeling to the class because they interact differently with students than actual teachers do. In the end, though, it’s about what produces good teachers.”

Dingler summed up the experience of most student teachers, evidenced in the Janus Education study.

spanish

In his opinion, real-life experience in the classroom is far more valuable than lectures by a professor. The pragmatic approach student teaching offers to budding educators is in the long run, and more beneficial than a textbook approach.

“In order to produce better teachers, universities and colleges should invest more time in actual classroom experience and far less in learning theory,” Dingler said. “My struggles and successes in the classroom were the best textbook I could have used in college. Far better than the expensive ones I spent outrageous money on and never even opened.”

Additional reporting by Luke Wyrick

calculus AB

BC 42 76 european10 58 U.S. historycalculus 71 latin computer science history studio art 106 5 3 2 pyschology 16 biology music theory english language world history 150 40 80 human geography 3physics b117 comparative 15c statistics government physics mircoeconomics 19 18 39 U.S. government 2 2 RBHS students taking AP exams 19 english literature

infographic by Shannon Freese

AP classes bring chances to excel DALTON BOGGS HANNAH REESE

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t 12:01 May 2, after the Advanced Placement Chemistry test at Forum Christian Church and immediately prior to his AP Psychology test at RBHS starting at noon, senior Kyle Pudenz squealed his blue pickup into the North lot after covering the two miles between the two testing locations.

“I had her up on two wheels,” he describes, grin on his face, despite declaring that he “looked like he had just gotten out of a mental institution” while dashing into the Psychology test waiting room.

Every year, thousands of high schoolers purposely subtract several years of their own life in pursuit of passing the test that may set up the course of a college career. The stress of the test creeps up slowly until the realization of its presence overflows into their forebrain like the tide of an informational tsunami.

Passing an AP test, a three or above out of a scale of one to five, can give students up to nine hours of college credit. The test can save money equivalent to

buying a laptop or a cruise, considering the average three-credit hour class at University of Missouri costs about $736, and an AP test can yield the same amount of credit for $87.

Students must weigh the benefit of saving money with the more rigorous workload and time commitment that an AP course entails. Because of the difficulty, RBHS’ gifted education coordinator Marilyn Toalson is wary of students committing to something they are not prepared for.

“They should only take AP if they’re ready for the challenge.” Toalson said.

“But if it doesn’t work out for them at first, they can still challenge themselves junior year.”

Senior Ryan Taylor considered himself ready for AP classes his sophomore year. Although his first experience with AP classes in AP World History was very intense, he feels he benefited from the demanding essay templates, readings, and the fabled “Hell Week”.

“AP World my sophomore year seemed like a college-level course,” Taylor said. “Without question, it kind of created the pathway for my work ethic as far as balancing course work and extracurriculars.”

Once students survive

the year, they are faced with the biggest challenge of all: taking the AP test. The first time taking an AP test can be intimidating.

Senior Desmon Turner isn’t daunted by the prospect of the challenge of an AP test. Turner said he felt nervous yet optimistic about taking his first AP tests: Comparative Government, U.S. Politics, and Psychology.

“I’m on the fence about it,” Turner said. “I’m kind of eager to take them to see how it will be and how I’ll do.”

Senior Alan Ni remembers feeling unsure before his first AP test sophomore year in AP World History.

He was unfamiliar with the testing atmosphere and recalls making an effort to let go of any misgivings. Ni, a self-described “hapless romantic” remembers weeping over the tear-jerking love story “The Notebook” the night before the AP World test in an attempt to ease his mind and take a soul vacation.

“I was definitely really nervous because it was my first time, so I didn’t really know what to expect,” Ni said. “But the day of the test I ran up the testing rows yelling ‘fives for everyone’ with [senior] Ryan Taylor, and giving everyone high

fives.”

Toalson tries to alleviate some stress from the test by telling students a little about what to expect. She talks with the sophomores and guides them through their first testing experiences. She witnesses their stress first-hand.

“I was with the sophomores and told them the test would be at Forum Christian Church. They kind of went into a little panic because they thought the tests would be at school,” Toalson said. “Once [you] take a test, you kind of become seasoned.”

Toalson finds that, in the long run, students appreciate taking demanding classes. The workload causes students to band together. Toalson sees that, as a taker of the AP Economics exam might say, the benefit outweighs the cost, and that the classes and tests are ultimately an excellent choice for intrepid students who want to throw down the educational gauntlet.

“They’ve waited a long time to take a really hard, challenging class and they kind of build a love-hate relationship with it,” Toalson said. “Like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s really hard,’ but once they do it they’re really happy with it, and they become a real learning community.”

10 · Features

May 12, 2011

The ROCK

Personal taste, nutrition impact food selection ABBIE POWERS

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he world is constantly evolving. The cavemen chased their dinner, the woolly mammoth, around with stone tools thrown savagely through the air. They lived to survive.

Today the world dines. It sits in fancy restaurants and chats about exotic wines while a chef grills a striped bass to perfection and whisks a red dulce seaweed vinaigrette into a blissful concoction of flavor behind the doors of some far-away kitchen. They survive to live.

The sophistication of what the masses do for food changes as drastically as the clothes they wear and the amount of facial hair they trim. But there is still a slight distinction between the way they feed their hunger and the reasons that inspire their choices.

“I eat mostly whole wheat and organic foods,” junior Lauren Moyer said. “They have much lower preservatives, lower carbohydrates and a better nutritional value. They’re just better for your body overall.”

Some students view this approach to food as traditional; they believe the healthiest way to live is to use food for its true advantage, not just for its taste or appeal, but for the benefit of improving oneself through eating. Although this choice is healthy, not all students think it is the right or only one.

“To me, eating is like an art; it should be enjoyed,” senior Daniel Little said. “Food should be creative. It takes skill and expertise to be a great painter, as it does to be a great chef. They use their abilities to make masterpieces through the flavor, presentation and quality of ingredients of their food. All of these things work together to make foods unique and enjoyable.”

In food, as in life, there are two sides to consider — one could live to eat or eat to live. People have to decide whether it is better to eat, and die of a heart attack, or to get rid of unhealthy food choices altogether. These questions are of personal preference and echo firmly throughout the everlasting, starving cave we call hunger. Some students, such as senior Elise Meyer, strive to find a balance between these two lifestyles.

“It’s important to keep our body healthy and properly fed in order to get energy for everyday activities,” Meyer said. “Personally, I feel better about myself when I eat a healthy meal. However, every once in a while I like to treat myself to something that tastes sweet because it makes me happy.”

Although eating less healthy foods comes with obvious unwanted effects, not all students believe it is a purely negative thing.

“We eat healthy most of the time: a lot of fruits, vegetables and meats,” Moyer said. “Some of the organic foods I eat are gross, but I eat them for their nutritional value. They’re what I’ve eaten for so long, so it really is now like I’m eating for enjoyment. It’s like a bonus. I can eat for nutritional value, but I enjoy what I’m eating at the same time.”

While some eat with attention to flavor, texture or satisfactory enjoyment of the foods, others rely on eating simply for its nutrition. To some, this approach is one of the purest regimens that remains in a society tainted by cereals made of sugar and burgers fried in fat.

“You can have all the healthy food in the world, but if it tastes like rubber, people aren’t going to eat it,” CPS nutrition services supervisor Janie Garrett said. “We tend to be a nation that has an overabundance of food and has lots of food, so we tend to be overfed and undernourished. We don’t have the healthiest options out there. We may not look like a malnourished country, but in reality, we may be missing some of the nutrients we need. We have to start focusing on the healthier food groups that we know people really miss out on.”

Students will always face the issue of choosing how and what to eat, but one thing is unquestionable — students believe they will always choose to eat what they eat based on how it makes them feel.

“Eating for nutrition is better for your body — now and in the long run,” Moyer said. “I would rather eat stuff that’s good for me rather than eat stuff that’s bad for me even though I may enjoy it more. Eating well just makes me feel better in general. It’s what keeps me stress free. It’s a great lifestyle to have.”

Photo by Asa Lory

Man of the people: Art teacher Shannon Blakey jokes with Precious Steele and Darold Pruitt while discussing art last Monday. The friendly atmosphere is part of what makes his Foundations class as enjoyable as it is.

Bonds extend learning Teaching environment impacts type of classroom relationships NOMIN JAGDAGDORJ

soever. Student and teacher relationships often differ depending on the particular student and teacher. Some students have friendly teacher elationships star in hit songs, teenage relationships, while others are strictly academmovies and high school clichés. Boy ic. meets girl, boy woos girl, boy dates “It depends on the kid and how comfortable girl and then it comes to an end. they are with [the teacher],” math teacher MeBut the story rarely includes the everyday gan Webel said, arguing that the type of relaonlookers of this never ending cycle of teenage tionship the student and teacher have is a huge angst: the teachers. determining factor in how far is too far.

“It’s easier to notice [relationship issues] RBHS has an environment that allows than students think,” student friendlier studentteacher John Bowen said. teacher relationships, “Rock Bridge Social studies teacher Dastudents and teachers vid Graham argued these both said. facilitates a relationship issues and per“Rock Bridge fasonal problems can be discilitates a much more much more open tracting. He also believes open relationship,” teachers should not only Bowen said, “that alrelationship that voice concern when they feel lows student-teacher allows studentnecessary but should offer relationships to behelp. more involved.” teacher relationships come “I don’t think that if you Some students, have boy problems or work though, think even to be much more problems or other teacher this type of relationproblems, and you come in ship with the teacher involved.” here, that you can completely voicing concern is divorce yourself from that,” only acceptable to a Graham said. “Not only that, certain extent. Once but why should you have to? the student expresses You should have people that discomfort, they think can help you through stuff the teacher should like that.” back off. Likewise, Students shared similar sentiments, agree- many teachers believe in the same boundary ing that teachers can express their concern for lines. a student.

“I think [teachers] can help you without “Is it their job? No,” sophomore Carly Allen trampling into your personal issues,” Allen said. “But I think that it’s the right thing to do said. If a teacher continued to pursue the subas a human being.” ject even after a student expressed discomfort, Still, how far is too far? Some students want she said she “would feel offended and very unteachers to be concerned while others do not comfortable because it’s not professional, and want teachers involved in their business what- it’s like saying ‘I’m a teacher. I have authority

R

John Bowen student teacher

over you. You have to tell me stuff.’ And that rubs me wrong because it means you are lesser of a person.”

However, a teacher would rarely cross this point, Graham said, arguing teachers should never challenge boundaries set by the student.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for teachers to bug students. If a student told me that it bothered them ever, there’s no way I’d ever continue on with that at all,” Graham said. “I don’t think any teacher out here would.”

English teacher Matt Webel said RBHS policy, its guidance department and the school as a whole are sensitive to the idea that students have personal issues that can keep them from focusing on academics.

“I think the spirit at Rock Bridge really encourages [the less formal relationships],” Matt Webel said. “You know, the mission statement is something like, ‘Learning is for life,’ and, following that, you can’t forget the life part of it.”

RBHS creates an atmosphere where students know their teachers care about them, not just their academics.

“There are teachers like Mr. Graham that all the students seem to really like. Most students would take his advice to heart and consider him a friend as well as a teacher,” senior Haley Cajandig said. “I think that most [of] the students at Rock Bridge believe to get respect you have to give respect and get along well with teachers who believe the same.”

Graham also believes teachers should try to understand and care about the well-being of their students and what is going on in their lives.

“You may learn nothing in class other the fact that there’s another human being out there that cares about you,” Graham said. “I think we are encouraged, and it is an important part of the culture out here ... learning never stops and caring about people doesn’t stop.”

Fashion promotes promiscuity MAHOGANY THOMAS

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or some girls, as the temperatures rise, shorts get shorter and necklines fall lower, revealing excessive amounts of skin.

Meanwhile some guys sag their shorts, presenting their boxers to the public.

As summer approaches, the question of immodesty appears as students decide what is and is not appropriate for school.

Some students, such as sophomore Jesse LaFond, believe others need to consider how they are portraying themselves through fashion.

“When someone dresses immodestly, they are sending a message to everyone else in the rest of the school,” LaFond said. “Clothes are, literally, an outward promotion to everyone else in the school. You are promoting who you are, what your morals are and the sorts of people you want to attract for yourself.”

Sophomore Chris Bush, who sags his pants, said faculty repeatedly ask him to pull them up because it

violates the dress code.

“I sag all the time, and they tell me to pull them up,” Bush said. “But I don’t see a problem with it.”

Bush said he sees sagging as a trend, not as an offensive way to dress or a violation of a code. To him, sagging does not promote bad morals or bad character. He sags because he likes the designs on the back of his pants and wants people to see them.

“I don’t see it as immodest behavior,” Bush said. “Who cares if I sag?”

However, some people say they care when it comes to the revealing of one’s skin. Athletic secretary Karen Morton said all acts of immodesty are an inappropriate distraction.

“Cleavage may be a little bit more understandable because some shirts fall low,” Morton said. “However, sagging pants just come across as lazy.”

Sophomore Madison Burke admitted she sometimes shows an inappropriate amount of cleavage but teachers seldom ask her to do anything about it.

“I wear tank tops a lot, and

sometimes, they come down a little far,” Burke said. “But no one is saying anything to me, so it must not be that big of a deal.”

However, junior Kalen Posey believes immodesty is more than just a girl shrugging her shoulders and saying it is not a big deal. She said it is an act for attention.

“Some girls like it when a bunch of guys [are] on them,” Posey said. “It makes them feel like they are the ‘it’ girl.”

Posey believes immodesty is inappropriate because of the attention it causes, while Bush thinks immodesty does not matter, believing that students should be allowed to dress as they want.

“A lot of times I’ll hear people say, ‘Don’t judge people with what they are wearing.’ But the way you dress is an outward signal to who you are,” LaFond said. “And the only way people can distinguish who you are, and who you hang out with is on your dress. If you dress a certain way, [it] prompts a certain act, which in some cases can cause people to avoid you.”

Infographic by Dan Hainsworth and Laura Song

In-Depths · 11

May 12, 2011

The ROCK

Downtown Columbia offers free concerts during summertime KAITLYN MARSH

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he end of the school year announces the beginning of summer as students eagerly await the coming months’ activities. For those who love music, downtown Columbia is the place to be. The Blue Note on 9th Street organizes its annual Summerfest — a free concert on 9th Street and E. Broadway.

“Another business owner downtown and I were chatting one early summer day, and we were concerned about how quiet it is downtown during the summer,” Blue Note owner Richard King said. “He suggested we try and do a concert up the street and I said, ‘Sure, I can handle that.’”

For the last few years, the Blue Note has coordinated a series of free concerts throughout the summer, held in the evenings. These events are on 9th Street and Broadway, attracting large crowds of fans, regulars and first-timers.

The first concert of the year will take place Wednesday, June 8. On the day of the concert, the Blue Note will set up a collapsible stage in front of its doors for evening performances, roping off the whole block for crowds that sometimes extend beyond the designated areas.

Collections of people stand on the street, on the curbs and sometimes even watch from the tops or the inside of buildings up and down 9th Street Summerfest is “free, and it brings the community together because it’s something everyone can do,” sophomore Carly Allen said. “You can make it a family thing. You can go with friends.

You can just go by yourself and you can go and make new friends and get to know people in the community.”

Besides adding another event downtown, the live concerts attract quite a crowd, the main objective. Since they are free, the concerts are extremely popular with teens who may not have spare cash to pay for expensive tickets other concerts at the Blue Note require.

The fact that the Summerfest concerts are freeincreases the popularity. The Blue Note makes no profit from the concerts, but the pride from their crowds and jaw-dropping celebration is good for their downtown business.

“It’s nice to get out and put on a large scale concert because aside from the Blue Note and Missouri Theatre, Columbia doesn’t have any real large music venues,” senior Kyle Pudenz said.

“So it’s cool to bring in some bigger bands than you usually see here, and you get to see without being concerned about getting tickets.”

The Blue Note has a variety of bands that participate in the 9th Street Summerfest, including artists like Los Lonely Boys, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Of Montreal, Death Cab For Cutie, Chump Change and Snoop Dog, providing about every genre of music imaginable for attending audiences.

“It’s free live music; you can’t get much better than that,” senior Jeremy Davis said. “It’s the concert atmosphere, and if the band is good and you get to see them for free, it’s even better.”

The Blue Note sponsored eight Summerfest shows last year but is hoping to exceed that number this year. They have planned five concerts so far but intend to have up to 10 by the time the Summerfests come to a close at the end of the Summer.

The first 9th Street Summerfest concert is on Wednesday, June 8. Reggae singers Toots and the Maytals will perform with doors opening at 6 p.m. On Friday, June 24, the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will take the stage, and the following concert will feature country singer Darius Rucker on July 14.

“We want people that like music — that’s really the most important thing,” King said. “If you’re 10 years old or 90 years old ... you like what we’re doing, we want you to come out and feel comfortable and have fun.”

photo by Asa Lory

Voices ring out: The summer musical season is just warming up for local students. The cast sang numbers from their show, “Les Miserables,” in rehearsal last Sunday as they prepare for the show premiering in July.

Broadway comes to Columbia

LAUREN PUCKETT

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ver since Broadway theater began in the early 1800s, the term “Broadway” has developed as one of the most captivating and well-known aspects of culture. Now Columbia’s youth theater programs are taking on two of its productions: “Hairspray” and “Les Misérables.” Theater Reaching Young People and Schools is producing Hairspray, the story of young Tracy Turnblad, who is trying to fit in with the culture of 1960s Baltimore and its racist attitude.

“Tracy is coming to know that the world isn’t really ‘all bright and sunshine’ even though she thinks it is,” sophomore Eryn Wanyonyi said. “She’s realizing that some of these things going on in Baltimore aren’t right, and she’s fighting with being different herself because she’s bigger. … Really, [“Hairspray”] tells two stories: one about diversity and the other about realizing that you have to take a stand for what you believe in.”

Participating in her first TRYPS musical, Wanyonyi is playing one of the “Dynamites,” a group of African American singers who fall on the side of Tracy and her mother, advocating for an end to racism.

“I like that I get to play [a Dynamite] because I went to [College Park Christian Academy], a much smaller school, so I haven’t really had a chance to do anything like this before,” Wanyonyi said. “It’s honestly fine with me that I’m not a [named character] because I think as long as you have fun with your part; it’ll be a good part.”

Junior Dakotah Cooper also tried out for “Hairspray,” landing the role of Mr. Pinky, the women’s showy fashion designer, a role Cooper describes as “the stereotypical Dick Clark kind of guy.” Cooper says that the message of “Hairspray” sparks the intrigue.

“I think people should definitely come and see ‘Hairspray,’” Cooper said. “I mean, in U.S. Studies the other day, we were talking about how, although we have all been able to enforce the laws of diversity and immigration within schools and within the world itself, it’s still the concept of ‘you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.’ People still see in black and white, even if they’re forced to not act upon it. And I feel like shows like this will help change that mentality. It’s the shades of gray that you see in Tracy and within Motormouth Maybelle that make it a good show for morality, and it just portrays such a great message. So it’s really hard not to love.”

While TRYPS focuses on negating racism through “Hairspray,” Columbia’s second youth theater program, Performing Arts Children’s Education, is producing “Les Misérables.” This musical tells the story of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who is forced to run from the law and the chief of police, Javert. Years pass, creating a tale of love and salvation with the redemption of Valjean and the story of two of the lead girls, Cosette and Eponine, and their love for a soldier in the Revolution by the name of Marius.

“First of all, [“Les Misérables”] is one of my favorite shows,” PACE artistic director Angela Howard said. “After [PACE] did West

Side Story, we realized that we had the talent, the team and the directors we needed [to do a big show like this]. So, when [executive director Megan White] and I started talking about it, it was, ‘We are going to be the people in Mid-Missouri who do it first.’”

Those who auditioned for “Les Misérables” received specific excerpts to sing from as their audition for the show. Many students sang songs from previous Broadway musicals such as “Jekyll and Hyde” and “Miss Saigon.” Howard said some actors sang their songs up to four times, performing them in a different way each time so the director could hear the emotion they put into their voices. The emotion of the show is key to what makes the theme so powerful, said Howard. “[I really love this show] because of the theme of this story ... this man, Jean Valjean, was jailed for something he should never have been jailed for,” Howard said. “And it made him bitter, and it made him feel sorry for himself. And then he was shown kindness, and he realized that his life could be redeemed because of what one other person did for him. And so his entire life, he devoted to being honest, to helping others, to giving his life so that other people could have a better life. … It’s such a great story.”

Senior Kristen Thackery, an actress in “Les Misérables,” has been involved with PACE for about as long as it has been around. Thackery is the president of PACT, PACE’s youth council, and has been in several past productions. In “Les Misérables,” she plays the role of Fantine, mother of Cosette and a worker at Jean Valjean’s factory.

“I know people who have gone to see this show and they just go on and on about how it’s just breathtaking when you hear the huge chorus singing with this incredible sound,” Thackery said. “And just the message of love is really powerful. It shows the difference you can make in another person’s life just with simple acts that you do.”

According to their web sites, www.kidsintheact.org and www.trypskids.com, both PACE and TRYPS have been providing children with theater opportunities for eight and 10 years, respectively.

However, there is still some controversy over which theater program is the best. Sophomore Morgan Widhalm, who is in her 10th year at TRYPS and is playing one of the Nicest Kids in Town in “Hairspray” does not believe there is any reason for the controversy.

“Everyone says that TRYPS is more relaxed and PACE is more like, ‘We’re going to work super hard and get this done,’ but I really feel like everyone in both companies really loves what they do, and they put their all into it,” Widhalm said. “Maybe they have a different away of going about it. … I think everyone involved in children’s theater is putting out a great end result.”

The two programs have been working diligently to provide quality theater to the youth of Columbia no matter what their age is.

“You know, I want anybody who is in Columbia to say, ‘I will come out, and I will support this young community by buying a ticket,” Howard said. “I will come into the theatre and watch what these kids do because I will not be disappointed,’ And so, to me, it’s like, “Columbia, you’ve got a whole, huge talent pool of people. Come see what they can do.’”

“I know people who have gone to see this show and they just go on and on about how it’s just breathtaking.”

Kristen Thackery senior

Debuting movies promise thrill in theaters ‘X-Men: First Class’

‘Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon’ ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part: 2’

Release Date: June 3 Plot: Charles Xavier (AKA Professor X) and Erik Lensherr (AKA Magneto) are two young men discovering their special abilities.

Banding together with fellow mutants to stop a threat to the world, a rift grows between the two forces, leading to the founding of professor X’s X-Men and Magneto’s Brotherhood and the beginning of their eternal war.

Actors/Actresses:

Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone)

Rose Byrne (Get Him to the Greek)

Michael Fassbender (Jane Eyre)

James MacAvoy (Wanted)

January Jones (Mad Men)

Kevin Bacon (Footloose) Opinion/Hype: The movie itself will be in an interesting plot setting because of the intersecting fiction and 1960s American history of the Cuban missile crisis. Even though it will create a false time line, it will be a fascinating film of historical fiction combined with the older comics generation. I can’t wait to see the struggle of the characters as they find their role and place within life and the amazing fight scenes the trailer depicts.

But the best part of movies like these are always the special effects.

Release Date: July 1 Plot: Against the backdrop of the space race between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S., the alliance between Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf) and Optimus Prime is put to the test against a common enemy: Shockwave.

Actors/Actresses:

Shia LaBeouf (Disturbia)

Tyrese Gibson (Legion)

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (Victoria Secret Model) Hype: To be honest, I am tired of the alien vs. human-population movies that seem to come out every few months. From what I can tell, they will be saving the world once more in this movie but with a lot of struggle, heartbreak and an unusual loss of hope. The trailer has some of the same types of scenes from Battle LA except with giant robots falling from the sky in massive waves with space ships.

It will be an epic movie that will be fun to watch but slightly more historical fiction twist to it.

Release Date: July 15 Plot: The end continues in part two as Harry, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts to find and destroy the final horcruxes. But when Voldemort finds out about their mission, the battle we have all known has been coming — Harry vs. Voldemort — looms large on the horizon. And who will triumph?

Actors/Actresses:

Daniel Radcliffe (The Woman in Black)

Emma Watson (The Perks of Being a Wallflower)

Rupert Grint (Wild Target) Hype: After 10 years and eight movies, the much-loved series is finally coming to an end. The most popular septology of books turned movie is bound to be a thriller especially after putting years into this final movie alone. Harry fights for his life along his friends in the most epic battle ever seen on screen. Who will live? Who will die? Watch this to find out. There is no replacement for a classic thriller turned intense and groundbreaking entertainment for the generations to come.

—Alex Gregory movie images used under fair use exception to copyright laws

12

Pool Review

In-De

The ROCK

They’re the perfect way to cool down, have some fun and catch up with friends. Which are the best in our town? — Lauren Puckett

Wilson’s

2902 Forum Blvd Five minutes from RBHS

Oakland

1900 Blue Ridge Road 20-25 minutes from RBHS

Membership costs range from $199 to $625 depending on the package and number of family members.

For anyone who’s 16 or older, it costs $3.75 per visit. For sophomores still stuck at 15, it’s $2.50.

• Of Columbia’s pools, Wilson’s probably holds the most activities for the lowest price. For starters, there’s a 120-foot slide, tennis court, beach volleyball area and shuffleboard set up; that is not including the concession stand and the “KIDZone” playground that younger siblings can abuse.

• Because this pool usually attracts a crowd, it will not be hard to find a friend to mooch off of for a little ice-cream. However, the crowd can be both a blessing and a curse. Finding a chair is going to be an adventure. Get there early for a sun-filled spot • With more people in the water, there are bound to be a few unpleasant things floating around. I remember coming out of Wilson’s several times with a used Band-Aid or some other disgusting paraphernalia stuck to my leg. Just make sure you are prepared.

• Oakland is home to a nice filtering system that just so happens to have a truckload of little bugs in its vicinity.

The pool as a whole is not too dirty and, because the area is spacious, you can usually just swim away.

• You do not have to worry too much about a huge crowd. The pool is big enough to support a lot of people without getting too cramped.

• Oakland’s activities are not anything special, but they are enough to keep a reasonable level of entertainment. There is the concession stand and deck area, and the pool itself is a nice 50 yards long with several large umbrellas if shade is a necessity. Of course, there is also a cute double-loop slide for any of you slide connoisseurs. Beyond the tennis courts, there is also a little disc golf set-up, if anyone even remembers how to play it from P.E. class.

CCMO

1300 Woodrail Ave. Five-10 minutes from RBHS

Douglass

400 N. Providence Road 10-15 minutes from RBHS

Many membership packages are available at varying costs.

There is a $1 admission fee. Honestly, I think it is just there to spite you.

• CCMO’s amenities are either really great or rather boring­— it depends completely on your membership package. Packages can include access to the golf course, pool, racquetball courts, fitness center, tennis courts, dining area, etc. The choice of how much to spend is yours. The downside, however, for teens looking for a job is that members of CCMO cannot actually work there.

• CCMO usually does better than Wilson’s in keeping everything nice and clean, but that does not mean you are not going to see some creepy-crawlers and even a few larger creatures. Beetles are a specialty, as well as the occasional frog, so be on your guard.

• CCMO is more exclusive, so a crowd is not usually much of a problem. There is no limit to the number of guests you can bring to the pool; however, too many people will make the tiny area a tight squeeze.

• Douglass is a public pool in a highly-populated area that does not cost much to get into. Because it is popular among families with younger children, naturally, it’s not as clean as the other pools. It is not enough to make it totally unappealing, but just be warned.

• Douglass’ activities fit into the “cute” category but not exactly the “high-school-friendly” category. There is a concession stand, loop slide and miniature climbing wall (if you can even call it that. The thing is three feet tall.) There is a jungle gym and basketball court over near the park area and a “sprayground” for younger kids. Otherwise, there is not too much excitement.

• This pool is smaller than the others while still being in an area with a lot of people, so it is bound to get pretty crowded toward the middle of the day. We all know how much fun it is to be sandwiched between two total strangers.

Southwest

1101 College Park Dr. 15 minutes from RBHS

$400 is required in total dues. $25 application fee is included in total dues.

• There is an insanely long waiting list to get in to this pool, so if you are one of the lucky ones with a membership, stop hogging and grab a couple friends.

• This pool definitely gets the prize for being the cleanest. Those who like swimming laps and using goggles will not have to worry nearly as much about vision. On a good day, the water’s crystal clear.

• Southwest is almost up to par with Wilson’s from an activities standpoint. There is the pool as well as tennis courts, basketball courts, shuffleboard, beach volleyball and a playground for the little kids to romp around in. It is also “The Dream Pool” for working teens because of its friendly staff and nice area.

• Southwest is crowded, but that does not mean it is not worth it. There is a decent selection of chairs, so if you can get there in time to nab one, you will be able to tan and hang out before the area gets too shady.

Lake of the Woods

6700 St. Charles Road 25-30 minutes from RBHS

The pool is smaller, but you still have to pay the $3.75/$2.50 that applies to Oakland pool.

• Lake of the Woods is another place where a crowd might be a problem. Then again, not many people with large families go there simply because it is so small.

It is up to your better judgment to decide whether you want to take the risk.

• Lake of the Woods does not have a whole lot to do. The pool is small. The slide is smaller, and even though there is a golf course right next to it, you cannot swim in a golf course.

• Lake of the Woods is pretty average in regards to its cleanliness. It is not Douglass, but it is not Southwest either, so just push away any small amounts of bugs that might be floating around. Or, of course, you can always splash them at your little brother.

Be in style for any oc accessorizes with simpl or a significant other. So floral shop My Secret G

Dress

MARIA KALAITZANDONAKES STEPHANIE PERRY

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he shackles of Missour winter have now surr their power over you . robe. Long gone are the day pants were the staple and tigh the only remedy to hide th legs. Now the flowers are bl the fake tans are spraying and cheeks are showing.

With a the shift to summe a whole new season of clo pack up those stockings and on summer’s hottest trend — Take a look at the long run even the crowded downtow walks and you will see twirlin ing dresses instead of those noticeable shorts.

Acade

College vis

ISAAC PASLEY

S

enior Arjun Khurana w out in preparing for just a month ago in ear After doing little in t college visits the previous s Khurana spent a whole wee Ann Arbor, home of the Univ Michigan.

Khurana visited Michigan he had family who taught e ing there and was interested ing there himself. Khurana into college life at Michigan the next few days. During h he went on tours of the cam explored his interests in e ing, learning about the progr school had to offer.

Khurana went so far as t a review session for one of th he was interested in, as his v pened to occur right befor week.

“I could visualize what n would be like,” Khurana s Michigan “I got to see actual life for myself.”

Khurana’s visit to Michig like what many students wi rience as they visit campuse ready for college.

Other students, however, w touring colleges much earli Khurana. In many cases, thou process begins in the summ the student’s junior year.

Guidance counselor Melahn said students should the summer of their junior ye ing for colleges because not mu remains afterward, though s seem to have their whole sen to make up their mind at first However, “the majority of of applications are due in Dec of the student’s senior year, said. “Because they don’t hav

13

epths

May 12, 2011

Which dress is right for you?

Bottom Heavy: Full skirts with fitted top Thick Waist: raise, lower or eliminate waistline Wide shoulders: asymmetrical neckline Curvy Legs: Long skirts (midcalf or longer) Full Bust: Wear V-neck, square neck or wrap style and avoid clingy fabrics infographic by Laura Song

photo illustrations by Maria Kalaitzandonakes

ccasion: Junior Torie Deckert (above), welcomes summer with a playful, multi-color floral pattern. She le silver pendant and Bohemian bracelets. This dress is perfect for a warm evening outing with family ophomore Christina Young (right) spices up her dress with big hooped earrings and a bright smile at the Garden in Columbia. Her look is perfect for an afternoon stroll with friends in the mall or park.

s in summer fashion

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No dissing on Daisy Dukes here, I see their good side: sex appeal for 15 bucks and a solution to the hot history classes at noon. But there may be another option. One of my favorite things about summer is the vast array of sun-dresses popping up.

Maxi, empire waist, mini, sequined, jean, cotton — anything will do. Dresses are neat because they can fit any body shape, unlike those ittybitty shorts that leave even the thinnest girl self-conscious about sitting down all day.

This flowy article of clothing is a classy option to dress down for hanging by the pool or dress up for a date.

Especially with money tight this year for most, buying a versatile sundress makes a whole lot of sense.

The beautiful thing about dresses is their flexibility. Girls can doll them up with a belt to give off an alluring,

playful look or subtract the belt and throw on a brightly-colored beaded necklace and the result is a sweet, innocent image. Add a blazer, and you instantly have an outfit suitable for a serious work environment. There it is — one dress and at least three different styling options for vastly different occasions.

Although dresses never go out of style, it is easy to create a fresh look with new and exciting lines that pop up like wild flowers during summer.

This year H&M is introducing an affordable new line, the Night Collection, in which any dress-lover’s taste can be satisfied. From romantic, girly maxi dresses to the little black dress in every girl’s closet, this line has it all. Included in the collection are the popular ruffled dresses that give off a flirty vibe and are perfect for a graduation party or a night on vacation.

This girly guise meets the disguise of a fashion friendly afternoon. When donning an outfit like this you must proceed with confidence — the real accessory to match that cute mini.

Dresses can range from intense to playful; the facial expression that accompanies them must always be a smile.

When you walk down the street in your new garb, be prepared to turn heads, not just for that pattern but for the poise and elegance you accompany with your dress. Be ready to walk in a strut — that unique high-heeled strut — that is all yours.

With the hemlines almost disappearing, the new summer option is the feminine and simple dress. As the summer months roll around, do not bundle those thighs in jeans — give them a break and dress them up in a dress.

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then, summer is the best time to start the college search.”

For many juniors, “summer is the time they will narrow down college choices,” Melahn said. At this point students will likely be scheduling visits with the colleges that they express interest; experiencing the campus firsthand will probably give them a clearer picture of where they want to go come senior year.

Some will travel long, far and wide to visit colleges and universities.

Junior Nikhilesh Sharma, for example, plans to go to California to visit U.C.L.A., the University of California—Berkeley and California Institute of Te c h n o l o g y in the coming months. He also plans to visit the Institute of Technology in Georgia and Purdue University in Indiana.

“Getting admitted into your college of choice has gotten harder in recent years, so you want to have a big spectrum,” Sharma said. “If I don’t get into a few [colleges], I’ll get into some other ones.”

Melahn said more often than not, students will go through a very involved process on college visits. Typically, prospective students will meet with the admissions officers and take a tour of the campus to familiarize themselves with where they would be going each day.

In addition, students conducting visits will sometimes sit in on classes or take a look at the dorms to gain a

firsthand perspective of what life at the college will be like.

The students “should see what the place is like [and] talk to the admissions counselors,” Melahn said. “You just need to have the idea of, you know, a general grouping of schools that you’re interested in applying to.”

Senior Julie Wood started visiting colleges her junior year. During spring break last year, she visited the University of Minnesota and Carleton College. She said her experience was different at each school.

“At Carleton [College] they had a little film thing that the students put together,” Wood said about the orientation.

“It was a bit more studentcentered.”

Wood, however, did not have that much time to tour Carleton because she was sick and felt tired after touring the Minnesota campus, which took the whole day. She decided to attend college at Minnesota.

Depending on how thorough the visit is and how far away the college, visits can greatly vary in length.

Melahn said most take about two to three hours, but on some occasions, it can take as long as a whole day, as was the case with Wood when she visited Minnesota.

“The more you can see about the school beforehand, the better you will be,” Melahn said. “You want to maximize your time to see and learn as much time as possible.”

“Getting admitted into your college of choice has gotten harder in recent years, so you want to have a big spectrum.”

Nikhilesh Sharma junior

This is especially true when students are visiting campuses far from home, since they may not have many chances to go back for a second visit.

Consequently, college visits can take up a big portion of a student’s time during the summer, especially if the number of schools they visit is large.

But even if they do not embark on campus visits, juniors still spend their summers getting ready for life after high school. Melahn said of the students taking the SAT this summer, 75 percent are juniors.

Even though some juniors, like Sharma, have already taken the ACT, the SAT or both, they may still take one or both tests over the summer to improve their chances of getting into the college they want.

“If I’m not happy with the scores, I can study over the summer and retake them in August,” Sharma said.

Some students who have not had time during the summer to do college visits have prepared by taking the ACT and SAT. Because she had already decided on a college after her trip to Minnesota last spring break, Wood did not visit any colleges last summer. By taking the tests, however, she still took steps to prepare.

Melahn realizes students should leave room for other activities to occupy themselves, aside from tedious standardized tests and college visits.

“It’s important that students get involved in other things, such as volunteering and working,” Melahn said.

Still, it is just as important, if not more so, for juniors to become familiar with the schools they might want to attend so, come senior year, they will have a better idea of where they want to go. After all, there is not much time afterward.

The students “really only have [after summer] the fall of their senior year,” Melahn said.

Economy affects teen employment SONYA FRANCIS

F

inding a summer job in the struggling economy is no easy task. The economic crisis forces employers to put people with wonderful résumés and large amounts of experience into lower job positions than expected.

With more people hitting the streets to find a job, teenagers who pay for their own summer fun and activities often recieve the most disappointment.

“Many of the younger people don’t seem to have the opportunities they did previously since there is such a high unemployment rate,” said Jan Mayberr, district manager of H&R block.

It is part of Mayberry’s job to hire employees for many different offices through parts of Missouri. She sees people apply for jobs they would normally be overqualified for. However, even these people get beat out by others that are in the same position — just trying to get what they can.

For sophomore Whitney Martinez, “Taco Bell was the only place that would hire 16 year olds willingly.”

Martinez’s coworker junior Ben Bosley said it took him a few months to find the job that he has now. After applying to many different places Martinez and Bosley were both successful in the job search.

Junior Nicole Baldridge holds two jobs, one at Journeys and the other at Taco Bell. When people hear she has two jobs, they assume she must have difficulty managing her time between them. This is not the case.

“Most people would think that I could get the amount of hours I want between two jobs, but I still need more,” Baldridge said.

Nevertheless, a few people say they thought finding a job was the easy part. The trickiest thing was getting the desired amount of hours during the summer months. Sophomore Haley Evers works at the Activity and Recreation Center and has a summer job lined up at Oakland to be a lifeguard.

“Getting the job[s] was pretty easy: give a good interview and know how to do simple math,” Evers said.

Evers loves her jobs, and that is just another reason she wants more worktime.

“I definitely wish I could get more hours, anything more than what I get would be nice. It’s easier [to get more hours in the summer] because the pool will be busier, so they will need more guards,” Evers said.

The need for a strictly summer job limits employment options for teenagers who find it hard to balance school and a job during the school year.

Sophomore Nina Parker believes once students come back from summer vacation, it is a trying task to attempt to balance academic necessities and an occupation.

“It’s hard to juggle school and a job because over the summer you have more free time; school takes up most of your day,” Parker said. “And then you don’t want to come home late every night, take a shower, then do your homework, eat dinner and whatever.”

Not only must teenagers compete with much more experienced and qualified adults, they also have to compete with students attending the colleges in the area.

“People are going to hire them because they are older, plus they have a high school education,” Bosley said.

With competition between getting the jobs in the first place and then competing for the hours, it really is every man for himself. However, there are some lucky ones like Evers who explains that the people she will be working with this summer make her job better and without them it would not be worth it.

“We get mandatory breaks so just right there having friends with you makes it fun,” Evers said.

The job market is slowly getting better, however, so for those that still need a job keep looking, and for those that still need more hours keep trying for more but realize that others may have less.

“It was really hard to get my job, but once I did, it became really easy, so it is essential that people always keep trying,” senior Amber Elem said.

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Editorials · 15

May 12, 2011

The ROCK

Safety issues call for addition of sidewalks ISAAC PASLEY

H

ere’s a headline you’d never want to see in The Rock: “RBHS student killed while crossing street on the way to school.”

While everyone hopes it will not happen, the truth is that south of RBHS, the conditions are ripe for such accidents to occur.

Many students drive their own cars to school, and while it gives them extra freedom and saves their parents from having to pick them up, it can present problems.

Traffic is often backed up on the north approach road to RBHS. Lots of cars jockey for a good space, causing traffic problems in the parking lot, and because of this, students are sometimes late. However, when sophomores drive to school, they face additional parking challenges.

Unlike juniors and seniors, sophomores are not allowed to park on campus. The closest place they can park is on Executive Dr. south of the school — “Sophomore Alley.” People may wonder what’s so bad about having to cross a street to get to school. The problem is the south side of Southampton Dr. has no sidewalks.

Getting to school from “Sophomore Alley” can be an ordeal. To reach RBHS from there, students must cross Southampton Dr., a busy street just south of campus.

Currently, the only designated place to cross Southampton Dr. between Bethel St. and Providence Rd. is at a crosswalk mid-block. However, there’s no sidewalk in between Executive Dr. and the crosswalk.

Students wanting to cross have to walk on the grass, which isn’t an option in wet or snowy weather. On those days, students parked in sophomore alley have to walk against the traffic on the road.

In other words, the crosswalk on Southampton Dr. is practically useless, since there’s no sidewalk to connect to it. And if students do not use the crosswalk, they risk life and limb darting into traffic and dodging the cars turning from Providence Rd., all while toting large textbooks or a heavy backpack. Many sophomores have to cross this busy road every day on the way to school, so adding sidewalks would greatly increase student safety.

Furthermore, sophomores walking to and from their cars are far from the only source of foot traffic along that part of Southampton Dr. Students of all ages often walk across the street to It’s a Grind Coffee Shop to grab a cup of coffee, a bite to eat or just to socialize.

In fact, about 20 percent of the customers at that restaurant are RBHS students, said an It’s a Grind employee who declined to give her name. If sidewalks were installed along the south side of Southampton Dr., perhaps more parents would be willing to let their kids walk to It’s a Grind by themselves. This, in turn, would help boost business at the popular coffee shop, which would be a big help as the economy still struggles in the wake of the recent recession.

Also, six times every fall, sidewalks would come in handy during RBHS’s home football games. Because the football field is on the south end of campus, people going to games often park on the other side of Southampton Dr. Having a sidewalk go to the crosswalk would help fans greatly, especially when it comes to people unfamiliar with the area.

Finally, sidewalks should be added along Southampton Dr. because several RBHS students live nearby and could walk to school. If sidewalks are installed the entire length of Southampton, perhaps more parents would be willing to let students walk to school by themselves.

For these reasons, the City of Columbia should add sidewalks to the south side of Southampton Dr. outside RBHS. Building a sidewalk will improve pedestrian safety by eliminating the need to walk in the road right-of-way.

Since Columbia is well-known as a walker-and biker-friendly city, it should be made as safe as possible for pedestrians. Adding sidewalks along Southampton Dr. will benefit RBHS and the community, but it is only possible if people take action.

Students should hold a petition to convince school administrators to call city officials or the developers along Southampton Dr. and talk to them about tax increment financing. This means developers in the area increase property taxes, with the increase going towards paying for the project. If these strategies are successful in raising funds, it will be helpful in making the city a better place.

art by Drew Rodgers

Biking saves money by reducing gas

THOMAS JAMIESON-LUCY

T

his spring, gas prices have gone up and down. Last summer, the national average was $2.76 per gallon, and in early 2009 gas hit as low as $1.38 per gallon in Missouri, according to www.missourigasprices. com. This summer the Energy Information Agency predicts the national average will hit $3.86 per gallon.

Gas reached $3.89 per gallon in Columbia but now prices have begun to fall due to events in the Middle East. The oil market is unpredictable and one small event could send prices back up.

Biking from place to place this spring and summer not only avoids the volatile gas prices but also offers other advantages that driving cannot match.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a car emits, on average, 19.4 lbs of carbon dioxide for every gallon of fuel used. Not only does that gallon cost almost

$4, but it also has a major effect on calories an hour, and people who the environment by contributing to bike 20 miles each week reduce global warming. their risk of heart disease by 50 perEach day, more of RBHS stu- cent. Biking is an enjoyable form dents’ or their parents’ hard earned of exercise with the added benefit income disappears at the gas pump. of not only getting people to their However, there is an easy solution destinations but is also a healthy to this problem. Biking does not habit. require gasoline and In Columhas major benefits.

Make a change; bia, making the Driving contribswitch to biking instead of utes to the nearly is easy. Since 7,000 million metric 2006, GetAbout driving to tons of carbon diColumbia has school, start a oxide the U.S. emits received more each year, according than $22 milhabit that can to EPA, so ride a bike lion to make to school to reduce Columbia a change the carbon emissions. better place for world and be Although it may not cyclists and seem like one person walkers. With beneficial to you. the new bike can make much of a difference, making routes and a change can lead to sidewalks, it is others following that person’s ex- possible to bike or walk almost anyample. where in Columbia. Bike, Walk and Biking every day has numerous Wheel Week, May 14-21, offers the health benefits. According to www. perfect time to start saving money, adultbicycling.com, biking burns 300 help the environment and lead a

healthy lifestyle by not using a car to get around town.

During the past few years GetAbout Columbia has put in over 125 miles of bike trails, routes and sidewalks throughout Columbia to make it a safe place to bike. They have just completed six projects including the bike path along the stadium in front of RBHS. This provides an easy and safe route to RBHS that connects to almost any place in Columbia. Also, finding a route will only get easier as there are 12 more projects up for construction.

Now is the time to switch from driving to biking with Bike, Walk and Wheel Week next week. There will not be a better opportunity to start a money-saving habit and begin avoiding expensive and unpredictable gas pumps. Make a change; instead of driving to school, start a habit that can change the world and be beneficial to you. Bike to school and change your life and the lives of those in the community for the better.

As Obama’s popularity wavers, U.S. should consider Donald Trump for next President

ALEX BURNAM

A

s the U.S. continues to descend into the depths of recession with unemployment hovering around 10 percent and the national debt rising every day without end, Americans are questioning the abilities and decisions made by President Barack Obama.

In his dealings with the most important aspect of the American way of life — the economy — Obama’s track record is dismal. His failed stimulus package, combined with unemployment continuing to hover around nine percent have provoked many Americans to question the economic credentials of the President. Obama has only passed one significant law throughout his presidency, Obamacare. This is a highly controversial bill that provides socialistic healthcare that the country cannot afford, and in turn has become wildly unpopular.

The inability of his administration has provoked some Republicans to run for the presidency who otherwise wouldn’t dream of it, such as Donald Trump.

While many Americans know him from his show, “The Apprentice,” Trump’s popularity is not derived from it. Trump is a hard-working American real-estate entrepreneur who made his money developing and selling properties

The Rock Rock Bridge High School 4303 South Providence Rd., Columbia, Mo. 65203-1798 Vol. 38. Issue 8 The Journalistic Writing class produces this issue of The Rock. Call us with comments at 573-214-3141, ext.

1.

The Rock’s purpose is to inform, educate, enlighten and entertain readers fairly and accurately in an open forum. The Rock is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and International Quill

throughout the U.S. Through his ingenuity and business savvy, he sculpted his business into a real-estate empire which has, in turn, earned him more than a billion dollars.

A patriot and capitalist, Trump has expressed his dissatisfaction with the Obama administration and revealed his interest in the office of the presidency. Trump is not happy with the direction that the country is going and, if elected, would take serious action to fix the destructive course the U.S. is currently on.

The real-estate magnate wants to implement a more sensible foreign policy that places America before her competitors, such as China. In an interview with “Good Morning America,” he outlined his foreign policy: “Forget about doing it by playing nice. China will only give up oneway free trade (free for America, protectionist for them) when they are coerced into doing so.”

Trump vowed to impose a 25 percent tariff on Chinese goods in order to give the U.S. the competitive edge that it deserves. A tariff like this would offset the cheap cost of labor in China and encourage American companies to move jobs back to the U.S. In the same interview Trump discussed how he would handle the situation in Iraq. “I look at what’s going on in Iraq, and my prediction is as soon as we leave, Iraq will explode and Iran will take over Iraq, and they’ll take over the oil in Iraq

and Scroll.

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The Rock accepts letters from the students, teachers and community members signed with a valid signature only.

The Rock reserves the right to edit contributions if they are libelous or obscene. Any grammatical errors at the fault of the writer will be printed.

Editors: Kirsten Buchanan, Maddie Davis, Shannon Freese, Halley Hollis, Ashley Hong, Avantika Khatri, Joanne Lee,

Brandon McGonigle, Alyssa Mulligan, Jackie Nichols, Sami Pathan, Jack Schoelz, Shivangi Singh, Laura Ge Song, Caraline Trecha, Tessa Vellek Alex Walters, Walter Wang, Emily Wright Writers: Chas Barbee, Blake Becker, Dalton Boggs, Cameron Brown, Alex Burnam, Jude El-Buri, Sonya Francis, Nadav Gov-Ari, Alex Gregory, Nomin Jagdagdorj, Thomas JamiesonLucy, Alex Johnston, Maria Kalaitzandonakes, Shaila Kathke, Maddie Magruder, Kaitlyn Marsh, Kyme Morris, Isaac Pasley, Stephanie Perry,

and if anyone is going to take over the oil in Iraq it’s going to be the United States. It’s not going to be Iran.” With the threat of the Iranian regime upon a fledgling, oil rich Iraq, the most safe and sensible place for Iraqi oil to go is the U.S. After all, the U.S. not only liberated the Iraqi people but spent billions of dollars and lost thousands of soldiers in doing so. If anybody knows about getting a proper return on your investments, it is Donald Trump.

Trump also has strong, sensible solutions to the enormous national deficit our nation faces.

He would first remove the government from industries they lose money in, including Amtrak, bus systems and farm subsidies. The U.S. loses billions of dollars every year on each of these programs, and the private sector is almost always better at managing and running businesses. Simple cuts in these three areas alone would save the U.S. billions of dollars, and Trump said these small cuts would only be the tip of the iceberg.

To sum up, Donald Trump is a patriot with powerful passion and opinion about the future of the U.S. Americans need to seriously consider the practicality and sensibility of what Trump has to say. In order to fix the direction the country has been traveling since 2008, the Americans need to listen to the opinions and ideas of potential candidates such as Donald Trump.

Casey Porter, Abbie Powers, Mike Presberg, Stazi Prost, Lauren Puckett, Hannah Reese, Drew Rodgers, Adam Schoelz, Rachel Shenker, Parker Sutherland, Alyssa Sykuta, Mahogany Thomas, Matt Weatherford, Luke Wyrick, Daphne Yu Photographers:Muhammad Al-Rawi, Kylee Fuchs, Asa Lory, Anna Sheals, Savannah Viles Artists: Dan Hainsworth, Grace Priest, Sawyer Wade, Theresa Whang, Adviser: Robin Stover

Editorials · 16

May 12, 2011

The ROCK

editoral cartoon by Sawyer Wade

Middle East intervention raise questions America struggles with monetary aid home and away

ADAM SCHOELZ

L

ibyans have been having a hard time lately. Like their North African counterparts, Libyans enjoyed quite a bit of success against Moammar al-Qaddafi’s regime in the early days of rebellion, controlling the entire eastern portion of the country. Unlike the others, the Libyans’ early successes were quickly reversed.

However, the long gory insurrection is finally gaining ground against the tyrannical al-Qadaffi after United Nations coalition forces grounded his air force.

Victory does not come without criticism. The no-fly zone and the United States involvement with it has spurred much controversy. Both liberals and conservatives complain about United States intervening only in Libya, while the Ivory Coast fights more desperate struggles. Older interventionist movements decry the lack of action over outrages in Tibet and Darfur. However, if all the political steam and ideological smoke are removed, the debate boils down to one thing: resource allocation.

Although the influence of U.S. is large in scope, it is not infinite. The deep, bloody cuts that have been made to the national budget are a direct result of this influence. Not accounting

for foreign or domestic aid programs, U.S. military spending alone eats up more than a third of the total budget. The importance of these programs cannot be understated; it is the job of the government to protect its people, including the downtrodden, the hopeful and the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” The problem our government faces is applying these programs.

The first week of the current intervention in Libya cost $600 million for the U.S. alone. To put the money in perspective, if the yearly salaries of 17,000 teachers were combined, that could almost cover the amount displaced for military use during the first week in Libya. U.S. intervention in Libya came at the cost of not being able to put that money toward the myriad problems at home, such as the budget, the economy, hiring 17,000 teachers, or being put toward protecting the elderly’s medical benefits in Medicare.

Unfortunately, the money cannot be used for all three. It is best to commit to protect those who we can.

To drastically simplify things, imagine a game of Risk. With the military engaged in two wars, it could potentially invade one more country, but spread manpower and budget very thin. Anyone who has played Risk can conclude this strategy always rips a player apart. However, the world stage is not a Risk board; the armies and their enemies are not plastic figurines — they are human lives of incredible value.

Although it may seem ignoble to operate in Libya while quietly ignoring the violence running rampant through sub-Saharan Africa, it is also ignoble to complain about intervention — or lack thereof — while the poor are starving on one’s doorstep.

Do we act in Libya at the expense of the poor at home, or do we support Medicare, welfare and Social Security at the expense of possible human lives?

Though it is not an easy choice, the answer is to simply protect those at home. If we cannot resolve the conflicts around the world without an extreme outpouring of resources and the goodwill of other countries, then we should not try. We need to first protect the troubled

U.S. intervention in Libya came at the cost of not being able to put that money toward the myriad problems at home

Nuclear energy helps make the U.S. greener ALEX BURNAM

C

urrently, green energy is at its highest demand, and United States dependence on foreign oil is becoming an increasingly larger issue. Many Americans cry out for alternative sources of energy.

There are many forms of energy that Americans praise and have begun to implement such as solar and wind energy, but, as “green” and politically correct it is to have a solar panel on your roof or a windmill in your backyard, the practicality of these energy forms is absolutely dismal. Solar panels only work when it is sunny and windmills only work when it is windy. On top of this limited reliability, both solar and wind technologies are horrendously expensive to develop and install. The situation seems hopeless, right? Wrong. There is a form of energy that is perfectly

clean and safe that produces massive amounts of energy; nuclear. On average, nuclear power costs around 15 cents per kilowatt hour of electricity.

This is almost half the price of solar, wind, and even coal energy priced around 30 cents per kilowatt hour.

Many European nations, such as France, realized this genius method of energy production over three decades ago.

According to www.world-nuclear.org, beginning in the 1980s, France implemented nuclear power into its electrical grid as the nation’s primary source of energy. Positive results were almost immediate. The new plants produce large amounts of energy at almost zero cost to the environment. Today, nuclear energy accounts for a staggering 80 percent of the electricity in France.

Why then has the United States been so reluctant to implement a similar sensible solution into its power grid?

The primary answer is simple ignorance on the topic.

Eco-extremists claim the waste produced by nuclear plants is more harmful than the carbon dioxide put out by coal power plants, when, in actuality, the opposite is true. According to a report done by the Thinkquest Education Foundation, nuclear waste is stored in one of three extremely safe ways that do not impact the environment.

We either bury it beneath the ocean floor or literally shoot it into outer space. All of these methods are safe in that they displace toxic waste into places where they do not harm humans or the planet.

However even logic sometimes isn’t good enough. People still argue against the safety of nuclear energy by citing the recent nuclear meltdowns following the Japanese earthquake a few months ago. This argument stands on an extremely loose foundation.

Japan has had nuclear ener-

gy almost as long as France has, and this was the first disaster as a result of a nuclear meltdown in Japan. This was not caused by the technology in the reactors, nor was it caused by a malfunction within the reactors.

It was a result of the largest earthquake in Japanese history.

Furthermore, there have been no deaths to this date as a result of the radiation from the reactors. Even the most sophisticated inventions of man stand no chance against mother earth in all her fury, and to expect nuclear reactors to be exempt from this simple fact. To condemn nuclear energy is without any footing in logic whatsoever.

Nuclear energy is not only the best solution to the energy crisis within the United States, but it is also the safest and most efficient solution. Americans need to realize the massive benefits that the U.S. could reap from the implementation of nuclear energy as the primary source of energy for the nation.

Letter to the Editors

On April 22, 2011, I had the unusual experience of folding and distributing what would be my final edition of The Rock. While the ordeal was sad at first, boredom caught up with me quickly, and before long I was back in the journalism lab, where an interesting opportunity presented itself to me.

I call it an opportunity, but really my say in the occurrence made no difference in its unfolding. Standing in the middle of the journalism lab on April 22, the midget who had found his home on my back over the last two years hopped off and strolled away, leaving me feeling alone and lighter than ever.

In some ways, this midget was a source of stress and anxiety, refusing to leave my back for even a second, texting me in

the middle of the night to edit his stories and calling my name every time he had a problem. A couple of times throughout the year, when the stress actually led to physical illness or when the other midgets in my life were demanding my time, I thought silently to myself that I wished the burden weren’t there. It was at these times that I turned and faced the midget, looked him directly in the eye and said, “D’fu**? D’fu** you doing, midget? Get off my back.” (For those following the metaphor, that last line has nothing to do with anything) But despite any stress he may have caused, the midget on my back has been the best experience of my high school career. He has helped me through hard times, both inside of the classroom and out and has taught me how to be a better leader, journalist and person. Over the last two years, we have shared success and failure together, as well as elation,

anger, food, laughter and doubt. We have celebrated together during the highs and been there for each other during the lows.

I have grown attached to this midget, and it’s sad to see him go.

I honestly can’t tell you why I’m still talking about midgets, so I’m going to switch to regular talk now. Being an editor on The Rock has become a part of my identity over the last two years. Now that the burden of always thinking about the next pre-design or preparing for the next deadline has been lifted off my shoulder, I feel almost empty.

While I adjust to this sensation, junior writers and editors will also have to adjust to a new year and a new staff. As you make this transition, just know that I have complete confidence in all of you (even the J-writers AND Walter), and I expect only the best from the newspaper next year. Good luck and good bye! ­­—Senior Omar Taranissi

at home who are close, easy to access and need just as much help. This can be done with some sacrifice on the part of those well off by raising taxes and closing loopholes in the tax code that allow multi-billion dollar corporations to pay less taxes than a man earning minimum wage.

Once we have solved such basic domestic issues such as the supply and availability of resources, we can then turn our attention to the demand of these resources throughout the world.

This is not an idealistic perspective but a pragmatic one. The blind should not lead the blind. Similarly, our country should not and cannot afford to throw money and men at problems on other countries when we need money and men at home. And it is not a hard problem to fix. Simply spending a few hours a week volunteering at a soup kitchen, donating to the food bank or even just paying taxes and voting can easily alleviate the struggles of the common man and the struggles of our country.

Every generation has a chance to change the world. Some do; some do not. Those that do concentrate on the legacy they leave behind.

The Greatest Generation fought to preserve democracy itself — a legacy to them and their children, ensuring freedom at least. We must fight a different war, to protect democracy from itself and to leave a lasting legacy of good will toward man.

NFL lockout affects more than just players, owners tling in court for over two months. Recently federal Judge Susan Nelson ruled risp winter air and in favor of the NFLPA, but grocery stores stock- the ordeal is not finished. ing up their chip The NFL filed for a retrial aisles usually signal the and the judge reinstated start of football season in the lockout. While the America. Fans will start to lockout is dealt with, playflock from every corner of ers and teams are losing the globe to watch their fa- money that they could use vorite teams play every Sun- for free agency to improve day and spend even more their squad. The average time watching highlights NFL team makes nearly $6 and reading about them on million dollars by selling the Internet. The Entertain- players’ jerseys. ment Sports Three Programof the top With a lockout ming Netfive best looming over work, a maselling jerjor player in the the league, fans seys in the Naleague benow have to tional Footlong to the ball League three main face the ugly coverage, speakers gets roughfor the Playreality of no ly 18 milers Associfootball to fill lion visitors tation — monthly Tom Brady, their october while also Drew Brees schedules. broadcastand Peyton ing NFL Manning. games to 93 million homes.

With players already In a world where we eat winning the first portion of and drink football, what the court case and the court would you do if it disap- reinstating the lockout, peared for a year? the league could be facing With a lockout loom- a players strike similar to ing over the league, fans the one in 1987. The NFL now have to face the ugly does not want this to hapreality of no football to fill pen, but it seems like it is their October schedules. heading toward that opThe lockout is a mystery tion. Roger Goodell needs to fans, but the fact is that to please the massive fan the owners have withheld base the league has worked money from jersey and hard to create, or he will merchandise sales they sold be on the chopping block. with the players’ names Football is one of America’s and numbers — causing most cherished sports, and an uproar among players. nobody wants a lockout.

Furthermore, NFL owners Players and owners are giving family members need to settle differences jobs allowing them to do no and make this season work, but still get paid six happen. I don’t want to figure wages. go to Kaufman and watch The NFL and the Nation- the miserable Royals get al Football League Players crushed by the St. Louis Association have been bat- Cardinals.

CASEY PORTER

C

Commentary · 17

May 12, 2011

The ROCK

Future does not have to be a nail-biter MARIA KALAITZANDONAKES

I

U.S. could learn from Oz

art by Grace Priest

Citizens need lessons of scarecrow, tin man, cowardly lion ABBIE POWERS

“J

ust do it,” I told myself, gripping the sides of the slide with white, stiff hands. I couldn’t seem to let go. My mind was refusing to budge at the top of the 28 feet per second plunge.

Who does this? Who thinks this is fun? I waited for something to release my fear so I could conquer the waterslide. As I heard an eager six-year-old sigh in deflated exasperation behind me, I decided it was time. If anything, courage should be summoned when someone half your age thinks you’re pathetic.

After a few deep breaths, it rushed over me, like a tangible, soothing mist, straightening out every anxious twist. Only then did I let go.

Years later, a song came floating through the door in a fountain of sweet, familiar notes. “I’d be friends with the sparrows and the boy who shoots the arrows; if I only had a heart.” I walked into the living room to see my brother in front of the television in a state of childlike bliss, one I thought he’d almost forgotten. But as I stood watching the colorful characters and shining visage of a wonderland, I realized nobody could grow out of this movie: “The Wizard of Oz.” The plot is quite simple: a tin man wants a heart; a scarecrow wants a brain; a lion wants courage; and Dorothy just wants to go home. Four people set

out on a quest searching for some of the most basic things in life. It would seem foolish if someone were to journey all the way to Oz for a heart, a brain or nerve in today’s world.

All of these problems are quite basic, a little sad and obviously fantasy. Even children know how unrealistic the world of Oz is compared to real life. But maybe that’s why this movie is such a magical part of childhood. It’s the time when misfortunes could only go missing in that great, faraway land. Kids assuredly think that no matter what, they’ll have a heart, a brain and their courage to back them up. But as our lives mature, we realize these things are not reliable, not even in the real world.

People need hearts. In 2009 Bath and Body Works earned $2.3 billion in revenue according to Yahoo Finance. According to www.ysop.org, one in four children of New York City lives in poverty.

How could a population so selfish have any claim to a feeling heart?

People need brains. According to www.cdc.org, U.S. citizens spend about $80 billion on tobacco, which comes with no positive effects. An estimated 1.8 million kids 12 years and older are currently using cocaine, according to www.teendrugabuse.us.

The country does not just use these narcotics — it depends on them. For some reason, being naturally happy isn’t enough of a thrill. People don’t rely on their brains at all; they rely on chemical substances.

People need courage. There have been times when opportunities passed right before my eyes because I’ve been too afraid to speak up. Looking back at these moments of weakness, I always imagine my parallel universe; the one that flickers like a movie in front of my eyelids at night.

The scene looks exactly the same as it does in reality, but when it comes to the crucial moment, the epic instant when I’m supposed to take action, the fearless self of my dreams delivers something I wish courage would’ve given me when it actually counted.

Although the only way we’ll ever be able to find any of these elements is through ourselves, I can’t help but imagine millions of people storming down a yellow brick road on a pilgrimage to Oz.

Kids assuredly think that no matter what, they’ll have a heart, a brain and their courage to back them up.

Mission Impossible: Childhood memories reveal adulthood flaws DAPHNE

A

YU

t 12 a.m. one December morning, it wasn’t the cold that woke me up, nor was it my older sister’s snores. It was a poke.

I am sure my younger sister had tried to wake me gently at first, but being a heavy sleeper, I probably had not responded. Her last poke was very hard. And painful.

“Da-pha-neee!” my four-year-old sister whispered loudly in her outdoor voice, “Wake up! Spy Club, remember?”

The first signs of teenage-dom had already begun to settle into my first grade body, and I rolled my head away from her cute, irresistible face, groaning slightly as I resettled in the bed, trying not to think about the promise I had made to one of the two members of the prestigious, invitation-only Spy Club.

“But Daphaneeeeeee,” the voice wheedled, “you promised! Spy club tonight, remember?” Her persistent, cutesy voice and tiny fingers clawing at my back made me surrender. I finally

caved in.

“Oh, fine,” I mumbled, gathering my pillow and covers, “Let’s go.”

Spy Club rituals contained a few easy steps. The first thing was to move everything from our bed to the hallway outside the bedroom. Once accomplished, we would either sit, sleep or spy, for the next six hours, on nothing except the creepy clown night light our dad bought from a garage sale a few years ago. This was all done on our makeshift sleeping bag until 6 a.m., when we returned everything, including ourselves, back to our bed and pretended we’d been sleeping there all night.

Spy Club meetings happened about once every month until I entered fourth grade; I had told my adorable sister in the nicest, grown-up, grumpy voice I could muster that I was simply getting too old for childish games and creative ideas that didn’t really accomplish anything — the creepy clown night light never did anything worth spying on.

She didn’t take it lightly. Instead, she shouted in return, “I haaaaaaaaate growing up! You’re no fun anymore,

meanie.” Then she stuck her tongue out at me, and we didn’t speak for a week.

I remember feeling offended and highly disrespected. I mean, after all, at age 10, I was a “grown-up,” right? I was in the double digits, when everything supposedly happened.

However, once I reached high school, responsibility increased, and I realized it will only increase and never decrease. Sometimes I just want to take a break. The truth is, now I wish I hadn’t grown up so fast or ever wanted to anyways.

Growing up isn’t fun at all; it wasn’t fun when I learned with disappointment that my mom was Santa one Christmas morning as she realized she forgot to put my Christmas present under the tree, and I caught her in the act, or when I learned about the inevitable reproductive cycle.

It’s a process that can’t be measured and can’t be determined by age. It’s something undefined by words and unhindered by boundaries.

Physically, I will always be growing up, but intellectually and psychologically, it is a process that can only be

compared to and defined by one person — and that is me.

There will never be a time I stop growing up simply because I’m 18 and can vote, 21 and can legally drink or because I’m 65 and qualify for good deals from the government.

I wish I had told myself to slow down and enjoy life when there was no pressure to do well or act a certain way.

I wish I had known that to grow up I’d have to sell my childish dreams and actions for a more generic, standard and expected way of living.

Because once I reached the age I had dreamed to be for so long, I realized I lost the ability to be spontaneous, unexpected and exciting without thinking about my image.

I have become one out of a million in a world full of factory-produced robots all striving to be the same thing: recognized, rich and respected.

As I now remember the disappointment on my obedient younger sister’s face, I realize the anticipation of the fairy tale, non-existent world of grownups spoiled the childhood experience I only had one chance to live.

never wanted to be president — the White House always seemed creepy to me. I never wanted to be a firefighter — I was sort of a wimp when it came to flames. Not an ice-cream truck driver — I hated cars.

Not a doctor — it annoyed me when people coughed. Not a lifeguard — afraid of sharks — nor a teacher because I didn’t like school lunch.

The perfect job, therefore, was an artistic director of a nail lacquer company, or “nail polish namer.” Even at six I knew I didn’t want to end up hating work.

When my mother would grocery shop, she would leave me in the cosmetic aisle. My jaw would drop as I saw row after row of colors, all in little, shiny bottles with a big, fat label. Being an early reader, it was my pleasure to treat the other shoppers to a continuous buzz of nail polish names. As I ticked them off, I dreamed one day I would not just be saying these perfect little declarations, but I would be the one to decide each of them.

Though I grew up some and left behind this dream, I never skipped reading the labels. Gone were the days when a company could get by with “Light Blue” or “Glittery Red.” No, now we have names with emotion. We need names with class like “Don’t Socratease Me” or ones with regret like “Iris I was Thinner.” We, the desperate consumers, get to have names that are sexual like “Kinky in Helsinki,” festive like “Baby, It’s Coal Outside” or offensive like “Under Eighteen.”

The quick chuckle or even the loud guffaw I receive from a nail polish name is something like a stabilizer in my crazy teenage life. When I find myself in the pressure cooker of high school, I find solace in this moment of remembrance of a simple, happier time.

I place great importance on the little nugget of joy I find in the names of these individual paint colors. Those names keep me grounded and composed throughout the continuously hectic daily grind we call life.

Maybe that’s why I get so mad when I come across the duds. There are so many examples of the complete ill-use of the great power of naming. Things like the sexist “What’s a Tire Jack?” or the ever absurd “Red Raven” or the promotional blah “Yoga-ta Get This Red.” There is a sort of honor, prestige even, one has when giving something its very own name: a baby, a hurricane, a puppy. Nail polish is also a great responsibility. This responsibility entails that the name will not just endorse consumers to buy more of that $7 bottle but to encourage the detection of the smaller things in life.

Too often we walk through the beauty product aisles of life without a backward glance. We shuck off precious moments of laughter, like I find in those names, and continue on with our day — not stopping to even think. The nail polish names are just one person’s tether to reality, to enjoyment and to a symbolic idea of happiness.

These companies and their namers hold the task of making me, one lowly consumer, smile every time I read the label.

Not because the name is just catchy, not because of the bad puns, not even because of the color, but instead, it is important that we bask in the trivial wonders of each day. I grasp on to those tiny names for dear life, an insignificant detail that makes my day brighter.

And while the president argues with his balding colleagues, and the ice-cream truck driver is annoyed by the repetitive jingle, and the lifeguard’s red nose peels over from the sun, the nail polish namer sits back in her chair, satisfied that she just granted a name.

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The ROCK

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Arts & Entertainment · 19

May 12, 2011

Internet anonymity offers new freedom CAMERON BROWN

E

veryone is exposed to the Internet one way or another; whether it’s being on Facebook for 10-20 minutes a day, browsing their favorite forum daily or simply spending multiple hours of the day wasting time. Because of so much Internet traffic, incidents such as “Zangief Kid" and Casey Haynes, who defeated a bully on camera after being harassed, become well known, and their videos watched on a mass scale.

These videos went viral, meaning they spread rapidly across the Internet, and anyone who spent any amount of time online heard about it and saw the video. One of the most prominent differences between online culture as compared to real-life culture is the easy-toaccess, rapid and massive, beyond all comprehension network of contacts for such information to spread through.

Anonymity lends a hand in this, as most people online are not held accountable for what they say, promote or do and can freely discuss topics that may otherwise seem taboo to support. This protective shield can bring out the best and worst in people and can be clearly defined as neither beneficial or a hindrance.

Most forums or websites will have accounts to log into, which, while separating you from your real life persona, still makes you uphold a reputation as your alias. You can take this a step further, i.e. in the context of www.4chan.com, www.futaba-chan.com, or any other anonymous image board out there. This is where most Internet cultural phenomenon's get spread via internet meme's (catchphrase's or concepts that spread quickly, much like an esoteric inside joke). It can be inferred that those who understand such memes are relatively informed in online culture, and those who don't, are not. This is exhibited in cases such as when the Westboro Baptist Church and Anonymous — a group primarily opposing Scientology, but also for Internet rights and freedoms — were interviewed together.

The Anonymous representative dropped many memes into the interview, such as "Over 9000," while the Westboro representative completely missed the joke and made a fool out of himself and his organization. While it may seem petty to make jokes at an opponent in a debate, the Internet successfully does what people often fail to do in real life. Instead of giving the Westboro enthusiasts the negative attention they seek, allowing them to make fools of themselves while Anonymous commentators simply troll for fun.

Anonymous in this sense was a successful troll, and you'd be crazy to think the entire Internet didn't laugh with them.

So why bother building a community, in fact, a culture, over the Internet? A perfect example of the beauty of online communities is the Touhou Project.

For the uninitiated, the Touhou Project is a series of Danmaku, or “Bullet Hell” games, that take the form of vertical top-down arcade shooters, made by Team Shanghai Alice, which consists of a single individual, Zun. A large source of popularity for the Touhou games is the Internet. The vast expanse of the Internet, and mere word of mouth is more than enough to amass a large popularity or following of all of Zun's games.

Zun's games have had a huge influence on so many people that it is impossible to discredit them.

With all of these famous, recognizable tunes, anyone can find something to like. The series has even gone as far to spawn various memes, the most notable being the phrase “Yukkuri Shite Itte Ne!” roughly translating to "Take it easy," which always seemed to be appropriate in terms of the demeanor of the Internet.That is what's great about the Internet.

The Internet is a device that people around the entire globe are always seeking justifications for. On the Internet, you need no reasons, no goals and no vendettas. The Internet will continue to produce insane remixes of songs that you have never heard of, wacky and disturbing demotivational posters that, in hindsight, you wish you had not seen. You will always click that YouTube video with more than 100,000 views that has a cat in it. Nothing will hinder this eccentric nature that exists online. The sheer vastness of the Internet allows for large communities to grow extremely fast around the smallest things, and despite the anonymity of the Internet, these communities manage to be just as human, whole and fruitful as any other communities in the non-digital world.

America, Rock Bridge pick top 5

The ROCK

Songs 1. Rolling in the Deep - Adele 2. E.T. - Katy Perry 3. Just Can’t Get Enough - Black Eyed Peas 4. On the Floor - Jennifer Lopez & Pit Bull 5. Lazy Song - Bruno Mars Apps 1. Angry Birds 2. Angry Birds Rio 3. Tiny Wings 4. Gears 5. Fruit Ninja

Songs 1. Friday - Rebecca Black 2.Black and Yellow - Wiz Khalifa 3. E.T. - Katy Perry 3. Never Say Never - Justin Bieber 5. Show Goes On - Lupe Fiasco Apps 1. Angry Birds 2.Facebook 3. Tiny Wings 4. Words With Friends 5. Twitter

T.V. Shows 1. American Idol 2. The Bachelor 3. NCIS 4. Glee 5. Dancing with the Stars

T.V. Shows 1. Family Guy 2. Jersey Shore 3. Glee 4. Modern Family 5. House

Infographic by Theresa Whang

The Rock surveyed 180 students on May 5, 2011 sources: www.top10songs.com, www.apple.com, www.tvguide.com

Visual novels replace traditional storytelling CAMERON BROWN

M

ost people living in the United States have no idea what a visual novel is. Simply put, a visual novel is a game that is identified by its minimal amount of gameplay. It is a unique graphic style consisting of generic backgrounds representing locations used in the story with character graphics, depicting the characters in the foreground.

The lack of focus on gameplay may seem counter-intuitive, but when thinking back on the prevalence of cutscenes in modern games, visual novels are not far from the same idea.

The lack of gameplay might seem restrictive, but it allows them to focus on the story, plot and characters. The player interacts with the game in other ways, manipulating paths in the story, leading to a single or a possible array of endings.

There is still a controversy over whether games should end up sacrificing gameplay.

One side, however, defends visual novels by saying the story is what counts. Until gaming as a medium finds the proper balance between story and gameplay, visual novels will reign in the realm of storytelling.

Visual novels trump movies because they have fewer restrictions placed by public ideals. They can delve into themes that would otherwise not appeal to the public and cause a movie to tank in profit, something most movie producers are not willing to risk.

On top of that, the producers are already a relatively public market, and considering this, developers have no need to worry about whether mainstream audiences will find

certain themes offensive; the developers seem falling into the trap of stalling development to have a lower risk-curve in this regard. completely for the sake of a PG-13 rating.

Unless you’re Nitro Plus, a visual novel It’s admirable that visual novels continue to development company that based their entire push the envelope despite scrutiny from the visual novel around it. Their visual novel public.

“Saya No Uta” (translated “Saya’s Song”) is It is misleading to say visual novels do an example. It is not a stretch to say that story, not contain any gameplay. Some, in fact, plot and character content is all relatively, if even include large amounts of it. There are not utterly, taboo. The so many types of visual novels, story revolves around from Kinetic Novels, where the Until gaming as a the protagonist who player has no interaction within medium finds the suffers from the the story at all, to the average effects of a traumatic visual novel, which will have proper balance injury in his past, his key choices placed at segments own mind distorting throughout the game in form of between story and the world around multiple choice routes, all the gameplay, visual him into horrific, way to strategy role-playing unrecognizable games in which characters must novels will continue be actively controlled on a field visions. It follows his descent into madness to reign in the realm or grid. The only shallow sex while he struggles to scenes are ones in the current maintain a way of life video game generation where of storytelling. in a world containing the scene fades to black and nothing familiar or comforting, until he meets nothing develops.

Saya, the one person who isn’t distorted from Overall, it is a bit baffling to see the his ailment. It is also often revered for having reception visual novels get here in the United an intriguing take on morals and humanity, States. Most people have no idea what they and just how shallow our views on these are, and a majority of the rest are offended by subjects are. them. For modern storytelling, this is a nearly While “Saya No Uta” does have an tragic development. Most game developers amazing plot line, what drives every point of could learn from visual novels, whether that the story forward is the interaction between be altering their current design style’s form or the protagonist, struggling between his own just comparing and contrasting the strengths sanity and humanity, and Saya. of each style and using that information to It is important to mention the scrutiny adapt their work. Both video games and many visual novels come under fire for visual novels — like all modern media— are sexual content. Visual novels have never far from perfect, but a bit more cross exposure had a problem including sex. Including could do a lot for both media in terms of sexual relations between characters avoids design.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are on the internet?

“I like to get on Facebook and catch up with people I haven’t talked to in a while.”

—Josie Camden sophomore

“I enjoy poking people hardcore on Facebook.”

—Ben Morgan junior

“Get on ESPN and check sports because I don’t have time to watch all of it.”

—Taylor Whitman senior Photos by Chas Barbee

20 · Ads

May 12, 2011

The ROCK

TRAIN like a TIGER

MIZZOU DIVING CAMP JUNE 25-29, 2011 The MU Aquatic Center The Mizzou Aquatic Center features a separate diving well with two 1M and two 3M springboards. The adjoining dryland center consists of two Olympic size trampolines, two dryboards, overhead spotting rigs, and more.

Training and Daily Activities Athletes will be placed in training groups based upon skill level, experience & age. The camp is open to any and all youth between the ages of 10 & 18. Each day will consist of two water workouts, dryland training, strength & conditioning, performance enhancement educational workshops, & fun evening activities!

Supervision, Housing and Meals Responsible & experienced counselors & coaches provide 24-hour supervision for all campers.

An athletic trainer will also be present during all training sessions. Campers will be housed 2 per room in the residence halls on the University of Missouri Campus. Roommates may be requested on the application form at least 2 weeks prior to the beginning of camp. Meals are prepared and served in the campus dining facilities.

Insurance Requirements All campers must be a current AAU member. in addition, proof of medical insurance (health and accident) are required. The parent's insurance will act as the primary carrier & AAU insurance as the secondary carrier.

What to Bring -Swimsuits, chamois, towels, workout clothes, tennis shoes -Casual clothes (t-shirts, shorts, jeans, etc) & Pajamas -Bedding (twin size sheets, blanket, pillow) -Spending money for souvenirs or other items not affiliated with camp Registration Registration forms can be obtained at www.stadiumroar. com/ missouridivingclub or www.mutigers.com. All registration forms & fees must be submitted via mail to complete the registration process. A non-refundable deposit of $150 must accompany all registrations; the remaining balance is due by June 13, 2011. Registrations should be submitted with all applications, waivers, forms and deposit checks to: Mizzou Diving Camp c/o Amy Gosney 1700 Forum Blvd. Apt. 1107 Columbia, MO 65203 Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Register early to guarantee your spot!

2011 Camp Fees Residential $495 Day Camp $325

Questions?

Contact one of our staff members!

James Sweeney 573-356-9398 Amy Gosney 314-397-2888

Arts & Entertainment · 21

May 12, 2011

The ROCK

Musical performers hit high note Bruin band musicians attend state solo, ensemble festival DAPHNE

M

YU

usic students from Missouri swarmed the University of Missouri—Columbia campus at the end of last month for the annual State Solo and Ensemble Festival. RBHS performing arts students made appearances on the first day of the three-day long festival. For seniors, it was a bittersweet end to the year as they prepared for their last high school state music festival.

“I’ve gone to this for four years, and I used to be really excited to go,” senior vocalist and violist Catherine Sandstedt said. “Now it’s just like, ‘Oh, it’s another chance for me to perform.’”

Sandstedt is staying in Columbia to attend MU’s music school in order to nurture her viola and voice talents. What she will miss the most about state is not the performance or the judging process but the overall experience.

“I know I’m going to keep performing,” Sandstedt said. “As much as I like enjoying it with my friends, I know that I’m not going to stop performing. I’m glad I got to do it, but I’m not sad.”

Sandstedt is a veteran at the festival, but for her friend senior Allie Blaylock, this year’s festival was an entirely new experience.

“This is my first year to state,” Blaylock said.

“I’ve never taken a solo before, and last year my ensemble got a ’II’ [rating] and didn’t make it to state.”

Since this is Blaylock’s senior year, she decided to add a twist to her event choices this year.

“I normally don’t sing solos because I have such bad stage fright,” Blaylock said. “But since it’s my senior year I wanted to give it a try. I just took everything I learned from Pierson and really applied it the best I could.”

Another first-timer, sophomore David Wang, also turned to his teacher for help and guidance on his auditions.

“My teacher gave me advice on musicality,” Wang said. “And occasionally my mom would listen and tell me about note errors or tempo errors or things that would be hard to pick up if I didn’t have anyone else listening.”

Music teachers and parents were not the only people to influence Wang during his time preparing for his three separate performances — two solos and one ensemble. Wang’s academic teachers also played a big part.

“My teachers gave me a lot of homework,

photo by Christopher Roberts

Going for golden: Junior Leyna Craigmile rehearses in band. Craigmile performed a flute solo for the state music festival April 28, receiving a “I” rating. and there was a ridiculous time-span given to complete these assignments,” Wang said.

“They stressed me out and still are [stressing me out].”

Stress is the one thing that can make or break a performance. Being nervous or jumpy is not the ideal mood to be in right before performing.

Junior Katie Hobbs attended the festival last year and knows from experience how to prepare herself mentally and physically.

“In the long term, the biggest challenge was scheduling everything and finding time to practice for all of my events and still have enough time to do my schoolwork,” Hobbs said. “I had to make sure I was using my time well, and I was slightly more nervous at state last year, especially for violin. I learned that being nervous does not help at all, and I was able to be more confident going into my violin solo this year.”

However, the biggest problem for Hobbs this year could not be overcome by simply more practice — it was something that was out of her hands, unexpected and uncontrollable.

“I [was] recovering from sickness, so the most immediate challenge was getting sick so close to my performance and trying to get over

it quickly,” Hobbs said. I “tried to stay calm and not to let myself worry too much about it because worrying would have made it much worse.”

Sandstedt, however, has no problem with nerves. Instead, she was so at ease that she even found a pastime to keep her occupied during the day while she waited for her performances.

“I try not to do it, but I do it automatically — I critique everybody I see with vocal and viola,” Sandstedt said. “Like, I’m not trying to be mean, but you learn from it. So I’ll be like, ‘Oh, I can do that!’ or, ‘They’re really good!’ or, ‘I need to work on that thing.’”

Twenty-one students in band received “I” (superior) ratings, along with all six orchestra students and 10 choir performers.

Even though it cannot be guaranteed that practice will make perfect, working on a technique to improve the overall quality of a performance is a big part of the preparation and plays an even bigger part determining how well a student will do at state.

“I felt fairly confident going into my events,” Hobbs said. “I knew I had worked hard to prepare for them.”

Investigating Columbia tunnel’s truths, myths ADAM SCHOELZ

T

hroughout the years, I’ve heard a numerous amount of stories about the tunnels of Columbia, Mo. From dark drainage ditches to mythical portals between schools, the tunnels compelled me to survey and rate the more interesting of them.

Tunnels received a score from one to 10 with 10 being the best.

They were rated on their darkness, creepiness, amount of insect life, claustrophobia-inducing small spaces and overall coolness.

West Junior High tunnels, or ‘Wunnels’ The ‘wunnels’ of WJHS are a strange breed. They don’t seem to designed for human use yet aren’t just simply gaps between walls.

They stretch on into darkness with no apparent end. Cleverly placed teachers and trash cans guard the wunnels during “West Walk,” but one can still manage a glimpse into the mysterious worlds below. After school, however, the ‘wunnels’ are easy to enter; you wouldn’t even need a clothes hanger.

The biggest problem with the ‘wunnels’ is their filth, as each is covered in a thick layer of dust, cobwebs and bug corpses.

SCORE: Seven — because of strangeness.

Jefferson Junior High Tunnels, or ‘Junnels’ Probably the school in Columbia best known for its tunnels, JJHS has “junnels,” which are reportedly ‘dark.’ And despite whatever conspiracies you may have heard, absolutely no tunnel exists between Hickman and JJHS. The only one that exists at JJHS is a simple tunnel from the cafeteria to the gym.

It is useful for avoiding prying eyes when retrieving mid-P.E. snacks but little else. It’s also short when you come out on the cafeteria side, so get ready for a fun, knee-scraping adventure.

And while the junnel is truly dark, it is no Jeff-Hickman connection. The truth, once again, is unsatisfying.

SCORE: Six — out of sheer disappointment.

Giant Drainage Tunnel behind Wal-Mart on Grindstone One’s first reaction upon seeing

the great drainage tunnel of WalMart is saying, “Wow. This was here?” It is jaw-droppingly cool, especially compared to other, lesser tunnels.

Indeed, the Great Drainage Tunnel (GDT) is one of Columbia’s better-kept secret tunnels because it is hidden below ground, behind Wal-Mart.

It is quite an astonishing sight, being at least 30 feet tall and more than 30 feet wide, with walking paths along both sides. It’s like the Grand Canyon of mid-Missouri, except it’s a drainage tunnel. It is built over a stream, but why it is so ridiculously tall remains a mystery.

Theories abound, but most agree it is in proportion to its ridiculous shortness — the GDT runs almost 500 feet before petering out.

The GDT almost certainly is large enough to fit a house and is conveniently located close to WalMart. In fact, if it’s not already taken, I suggest you go on down right now — literally, stop reading and check it out.

It is rather hard to find, however, and the easiest way to get there is from Green Meadows road.

SCORE: Eight — because of height.

Rock Bridge High School tunnel — The ‘Runnel’ Notoriously guarded by “Murph-Dog,” or Mr. Murphy, speculation on what the Rock Bridge Boys’ Bathroom Tunnel (RBBBT) is runs rampant, ranging between a simple sweatshop to a staircase into Hell. However, the truth, as always, is not nearly as messy or horrifying.

Behind that barrier of Narnian proportions, the door known only as “That Door in the Boys’ Bathroom that Probably Has a Tunnel Behind It,” lies a platform with a ladder leading downward. That ladder leads into a facile series of maintenance passages that contain little other than rat poison. However, rat poison is a rather ominous portent because rat poison typically implies the presence of many rats.

This tunnel may also contain a connection to the Math Lab’s door, with both an asbestos and electrical warning, that is left unlocked.

SCORE: Six — unless the rats are still alive. Then: Troubling.

Small downtown diner serves breakfast bliss MARIA KALAITZANDONAKES

U

pon hearing the word ‘Columbia,’ I think home. Being a Boone-baby myself and having been raised on the dishes of downtown restaurants, it’s not a ‘Stretch’ to guess that some of my fondest early memories were made at Broadway Diner, feasting on the infamous Stretch.

If somehow you have been deprived of this delicacy, I’ll explain. The Stretch is a steaming hot, white plate of crunchy hash browns, scrambled eggs, spicy chili, cheese, peppers and onions all piled up and served

by Big Ed’s finest.

Added to the menu after many tipsy college kids would order this late-night plate, it is now available for the sober man’s palate too. The Diner has become a sort of Columbian’s retreat, a place for people of all ages, types and tastes to fill their empty bellies.

Sitting alone enjoying my breakfast, I am free to let my mind wander. The place is bustling, overflowing with hungry customers. The shiny row of pastel-colored doughnuts look at me longingly. The crackle and hiss of the potatoes being flipped is coupled with the smell of pancakes. The plastic-lined booths squeak under my weight. The cooks do their magic in plain sight — their gleaming spatulas spinning to a careful tempo, their white aprons covered in the remnants of my favorite meal’s careful preparation.

Looking around the tiny diner, I see a college student, big dark bags under his eyes, obviously working too hard on his studies, digging into his Stretch. An old couple sits at the back booth holding hands over the table and asking for “the usual.” A young kid spins at the counter, screaming in a shrill voice about a doughnut.

Through it all, “Big Ed” Johnson, the owner and long-time Columbian celebrity, stands at the front with patient eyes and knowing smile.

All you have to do is come in once, and he’ll remember you, asking about the family or a new division in your job.

The jukebox in the corner plays its faithful music, a low hum below the buzz of the fluorescent lights and chaos that is the diner.

The waitress calls a loud order to the cook.

And a few minutes later the waitress transfers the hot plate from the kitchen, lifted on her careful fingertips, to the rowdy table.

The Stretch is not a quiet meal. It is not a food consumed in a stony silence. It is not a polite meal. It is not a diet meal. It is a food that deserves your respect. It is a loud food, full of fat and deliciousness, a meal to be savored with good company. For when you slip that first bite into your open, drooling mouth, all coherent thoughts slip away.

The Stretch is an icon of Columbia and I, Stretch-Endorser, have taken many Diner newcomers and all but forced this beautiful bite down their throats. Then their eyes glaze over, new found love on a fork. They sigh happily and scoop bite after bite until the whole plate is finished.

They always leave satisfied — heart and belly ‘stretched’ wide.

photo by Alex Gregory

The Stretch: The Broadway Diner of downtown Columbia serves the “stretch,” a breakfast favorite.

22 · Arts & Entertainment

May 12, 2011

The ROCK

photo by Asa Lory

Entertaining the crowd: Junior Landon Fitzpatrick, playing the part of the cautious father, flusters senior Kyle Sherman, acting as the hopeful fiancé, as they lose track of their goal to arrange the possible marriage of Sherman to Fitzpatrick’s daughter in their humorous piece “The Marriage Proposal.”

Performing classes showcase artistry MADDIE MAGRUDER

L

ast Friday and Saturday, the 29 students of the Musical Theatre I/II/III classes and the 13 students in the Acting II/III class held a theatrical showcase to display their talent and hard work, for which preparation started at the beginning of the semester.

Acting teacher Mary-Margaret Coffield and Musical Theatre teacher Mike Pierson organized the showcase.

Because class periods focused on preparing for the showcase, the result was a performance well-received by the audience.

When selecting the acts to perform at the showcase, Coffield tried to find works that could best show the varied abilities of her students.

She “thought about the kids who are in it and what is [best] in order for them to be challenged,” Coffield said.

Coffield spent time finding skits for her students to perform. She said her goal was to find acts to show off the strengths of her students while staying around their skill levels.

Students began by viewing their personal skits or songs a little before spring break when they started “learning our lines, and then after spring break [they] started interpreting them,” Acting II/III student junior Tobias Gansauge said.

Senior Kyle Sherman said the acts ranged anywhere from old-school Broadway songs to dramatic skits, which were exciting for the students to experience.

Sherman was in several acts: a comedic play, a dramatic play and a musical act from Songs for a New World along with three other students in the Musical Theatre class.

A comedic act featuring Gansauge and junior Sarah Henzel told the story of an engaged young couple.

“It was a short play, about five minutes,” Gansauge said. “It gets pretty funny.”

Junior Tori Crosby was in a comedic song from Little Shop of Horrors. The act gave her room to play around with the emotions of the character and humor she could portray to the audience.

“The scene is just about how I’m in love with this guy, but I’m dating this crazy guy who abuses me,” Crosby said.

In the Musical Theatre classes, the girls had the option to audition for the scenes they wanted, but Pierson told the boys which scene they would be performing.

“Since there’s only five guys, [Pierson] just sort of placed the guys” in a number, Sherman said.

The audience enjoyed seeing everything from classic Broadway songs to elaborate performances.

They are “much more relatable or recogniz-

able shows than [they were] last year,” Sherman said. “So the audience would find it more entertaining because they’d be more familiar with the songs. There’s stuff as far back as ‘Singin’ in the Rain all the way up to ‘Songs for a New World.‘ [The songs are] just really musical-theatery songs from the shows they did on Broadway.”

Sophomore Morgan Widhalm attended the show on Friday night and thought the show was “one of the best I’ve ever seen. The talent was just incredible.”

Coffield said she knew her students would be excited to perform after all of their preparation.

“What is fun to see is [when] the Musical Theatre kids have been preparing all semester, and the acting kids have been preparing all semester, when they come together and they start to pull their show together, as a complete ensemble,” Coffield said. “It really does get pretty exciting.”

Puppet Show delights community children

Spirit fuels music

MIKE PRESBERG

he lunch bell rings, and students pour out of their classes, scurrying to the cafeteria like mice to a wedge of cheese.

One student holds back from the temptation of food and stands in the main hallway instead, striking three chords.

Every other day, junior Cory Cullen brings his Dean acoustic guitar with him to school, playing for everyone to hear.

Cullen has always loved music but never played instruments until he got a cheap electric guitar at age 14.

“When I got my first guitar ... I had no plans on being serious with it,” Cullen said. “I would just play along with the songs that I listened to, and that was it. I finally started to write my own music, and it hit me that I could have my own free creativity, and from there I just loved it. My parents ... got me my black Dean acoustic guitar which, to this day, is one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten.”

Cullen started playing guitar in ninth grade but did not play seriously until sophomore year. While some guitarists play hoping to collect money for their skill, Cullen plays for his passion for music with a closed case.

“Too much music nowadays is just done for money,” Cullen said. “No one seems to care anymore about the love of music, and that’s where I come in. I’m here just playing my guitar and singing lyrics from the heart and bringing back the love.”

However, Cullen is not the only one with such passionate feelings towards music. Junior Grant Peters has a similar outlook on the music scene but has a slightly different background. Peters experimented with different instruments but knew right away playing music was what he wanted to do.

“I remember when I first started drums for our middle school band,” Peters said. “I liked it, but it wasn’t like the music I listened to [and] wanted to play, like my favorite hardcore bands.

That’s when I started to learn guitar and bass.”

Because of this, Peters formed a band. Starting in a pop-punk group, he and his fellow band members played a few shows and practiced once a week.

“It was pretty sweet, playing shows at such a young age,“ Peters said. “Hearing the cheers of our fans really gave me a rush — not to mention a boost of confidence, which has made me who I am today.”

Four years later, Peters no longer plays in the pop scene. He classifies his band, For the Sake of Martyrs, as hardcore or metal.

This continued participation in bands can sometimes conflict with school.

“It’s been tough balancing school work with my music,” Peters said. “I’ve dedicated so much time to perfecting music I haven’t had much time to study and do my homework, which can be seen in my grades.”

While Peters finds school a distraction from the time he wants to spend on making music, Cullen uses school as his venue. Both say they just play wherever they can, sharing their love with the audience around them.

“I don’t care if I’m making money or not,” Cullen said. “I’m always going to play just for the love of the music, spreading peace and love.”

A

s soon as a visitor enters any one of Theresa Overfelt’s Children’s Theatre classes, he or she experiences an overwhelming sense of joy and community. Smiles radiate from students’ faces and there is a wealth of laughter in the air.

More than a thousand children have seen the puppet shows every year since 1985 and this year was no exception.

From April 26-28, Overfelt’s classes performed a total of nine puppet shows for approximately 1,760 children. Local charities received the rest of the money that the Children’s Theatre program did not need.

“The whole environment is just awesome,” junior Joey Perkins said. “Thanks to Mrs. [Overfelt] and the fact that we’ve all been working together so long, it’s a really great atmosphere. The sense of community is probably stronger than anything I’ve been a part of before, which is pretty amazing since it’s just a high school class.”

Perkins said what makes these puppet shows so magical to children is the spirit of hard work that reflects the efforts of Overfelt and her students.

“Everyone pitches in and does their part. It would be kind of unthinkable to do anything else,” Perkins said. “Everyone feels so loyal to Mrs. Overfelt and all the passion and feeling she puts into it, so we all work together to achieve what she’s worked so hard for.”

As a teacher, Overfelt believes the cooperation and generosity of the class comes from the fact that the students perform to an audience composed of people outside their peers at RBHS. “It would be one thing to do this for our class, credit and grade,” Overfelt said. “But when we take the learning outside to the community, there is a service ­­­— learning that occurs whereby we are giving something to area children while, at the same time, we are growing ourselves. Knowing [what] the end result is for the public makes us more accountable and more enthused.”

The way she and her students bring joy to so many children even in the smallest of ways also inspires Overfelt.

“This year we got a request for a group of 100 kindergartners to come to the show, but then they were cancelling because their bus funding fell through,” Overfelt said. “We were able to offer to pay for their bus with our funds and now, they’re excited and appreciative to join us. Little things like that are fantastic and magical.”

The puppet shows themselves are not complex. But it would be a mistake to think these simple plays are easy to formulate. photo by Kylee Fuchs “We’ve had to do a Reaching for laughter: Junior Jeremy ton of stuff this semester,” junior Michelle McDaniel entertains children with this year’s Reehl said. “First of puppet show, “Lack of the Rings.” all, we wrote out our scripts, then we had to make our puppets classes but also to all of her pupils.

“We’ve all kind of felt welcome from and picked who was in our puppet show.

Since then we’ve just been practicing a the beginning,” junior Clayton Otto said.

“None of us really knew one another all whole bunch and making the scenery.”

However, Overfelt has a way of mak- that well whenever we came to the class, ing hard work interesting by placing re- and now we’re like a big family. It just sponsibility on the students while still kind of came naturally.”

Children’s Theatre has been a part of giving them freedom to work the way RBHS for more than 20 years and has not that is best for them.

“I’m surprised at how fun she’s kept always been easy to fund. But in Overfelt’s the class through it all,” junior Josh Mon- eyes, all the hassle is worth it because of taigu said. “The constant theme is mak- the positive effect it has on her students ing sure to put on a good show for the and the surrounding community.

“When I started this program, there kids, but at the same time, she’s not telling us what to do. She just emphasizes was no money to sustain anything we did group work and cooperation and then so we had to come up with ways to fund ourselves,” Overfelt said. “We continue trusts in us to get the job done.”

The responsibility and freedom Over- to do so, [and] each year we are able to felt places upon the students lead to the donate hundreds of dollars to area chilstrong sense of community that is obvi- dren and causes. That’s the reason we ous to not only those who observe her keep doing this year after year.”

ALEXANDER LUCIDO

T

Sports · 23

May 12, 2011

The ROCK

A run for your money: Sophomore Sienna Trice jumps over a hurdle during the 300 meter hurdles race Saturday, May 7 at the RBHS Invitational.

Trice went on to finish the race in first place.

Trice ran against sophomore runner Mallory Short, who finished in second place at the Invitational meet.

Track continues the strong season photo by Kylee Fuchs

ALYSSA SYKUTA

B

oth boys and girls’ track and field teams will compete in the district meet Saturday at RBHS. As athletes continue their vigorous daily training in hopes of earning a spot in sectionals, coaches maintain high expectations for the outcome of districts.

“I think both the boys and the girls’ teams are better-rounded than they have been in the past,” head coach Neal Blackburn said. “I think that all events are starting to contribute a little bit better and we also have depth in each of the events. I think that will really be helpful at districts.”

Athletes will compete for one of the top four places in their events in order to move on to the sectionals meet. These performance require-

ments to continue the season gives districts a level of intensity unmatched throughout the regular season.

“There’s definitely a kind of intensity that you just feel,” senior Callie Floyd said. “You know how much it really matters because if you don’t make it out, your season is over at that point.”

Sophomore Megan Schulte attests to the forces of pressure. She said placing in the top four is not typical of everyone, and athletes change up their strategies and rhythm in response to the anxiety that comes from trying to attain a high placing in the race.

“It’s just almost sort of a desperate feeling if you’re at the edge,” Schulte said, recalling her two-mile race at the district meet last year. “I just remember realizing after the first mile there was no way I was going to get through because

the first pack was starting to go ahead. I was in sixth, but Coach told me I had a shot to get into sectionals. So he told me to try and stay with the leading pack, which is not what I would do normally, but I felt that I had to in order to get through.”

Despite the intensity of the event, athletes find different ways to cope with the tension, which sometimes sparks a lack of focus. Junior Caleb Wilfong keeps himself motivated through his losses.

“I’m the bomb,” Wilfong said. “I like to win, and if I lose, I get really surprised at myself. I’m a winner, so there’s not any more added pressure. I’m just a winner.”

However, motivation does not always come from self-confidence. Getting ready to graduate, Floyd uses her senior status to drive herself to the finish line.

Trainer connects with athletes CHAS BARBEE

T

he athletic trainer’s office is a nondescript room tucked away in the basement of RBHS. It is always buzzing with activity. This is where athletic trainer Greg Nagel makes a living and where all of the student athletes know they can go for help with their ailments.

“Greg was really helpful to me whenever I needed to go in after practice or before practice when I had my quad injury,” said senior softball player Nicole Jamison, who strained her quad last season. “He always helped me with a smile and gave me a positive attitude, and I know for a lot of athletes it means a lot that we have him there at all times. Greg has a really positive effect on all athletes at Rock Bridge. He’s always got a great attitude about everything, and from just a minor injury to a major injury Greg will always be there to help you get back and recover your strength.”

Nagel dedicates up to around 12 hours a day to RBHS and its athletic program. He helps 2030 athletes everyday and plays a major role in helping the school’s students succeed not only on the field, but in the classroom as well.

Day-by-day Nagel treats athletes from all sports with a variety of tweaks, strains, broken limbs, and more.

“Whenever something is hurting Greg is there on the spot to tell me what’s wrong and how to fix it,” junior soccer player Allysa Fancher said. “He always has your best interest in mind so you can get back to the field.”

Nagel trains and teaches student-athletes to fulfill the potential that they are capable of achieving.

After school the training room comes to life. Nagel works with athletes as soon as the dismissal bell rings until nearly 6:30 p.m. when things start to slow down.

“I know that we are extremely lucky to have him because not a lot of schools have an athletic trainer like Greg who really cares about the students and athletes,” Jamison said. “I know for me especially I am going to miss him and his uplifting personality. I remember whenever I went into Greg’s for help I would always

be a little down on myself, but For athletes who are in the lete heal is the biggest reason he he would always help me with a training room often, Nagel makes chose to be a trainer. great attitude and would bring a the best out of every injury , add“To see that athlete that oversmile to my face.” ing occasional humor and uplift- come any injury [for example] a Two weeks ago, Nagel won ing spirit. hip flexor, a low back injury, even the Bruin of my Life award. He “Usually they come in with a if it’s a simple ankle sprain or a recieved the award from senior depressed look on their faces,” shoulder surgery which isn’t quite soccer player Ryan Taylor along Nagel said. “And when I see that so simple, yet a long three to six with seven other senior soccer I always do my best to lift their month rehab, to see that athlete players and spirit and get back on a field and compete senior cheergive them for the first time is really fulfilling.

“From just a minor leader Hayley something to The attitude changes drastically injury to a major inTrom.

They look forward from the time an athlete walks all wanted to into my room to when he or she jury Greg will always to.” show their Through- is released,” Nagel said. “Every be there to help you appreciation out the train- athlete grows a giant smile and get back and recover ing process brings a wonderful vibe to the to Nagel and his services to Nagel helps training room.” your strength .”

RBHS. with everyNagel says being a trainer has Nicole Jamison “Ever since thing and affected him in a positive way. He I was a freshis very sup- said he loves being able to work senior man Greg has portive. He one on one with kids here and helped me looks ahead enjoys personal connections he drastically,” Taylor said. “He al- cautiously, but optimistically has with each student that comes ways gave me the attention that I awaits each day when he is able to see him. Sometimes Nagel has needed even if he was way busy to release an athlete. his down days and can get very and he always found the way to “I remember when I was a stressed. What keeps him going get to me along with everyone freshman I didn’t really know during the day is wanting to be else.” who Greg was,” Taylor said. “I in the training room because the Playing soccer at RBHS since felt kind of awkward the first time kids inspire him. Seeing their freshman year, Taylor has come I went in there for help, but Greg smiling faces and happy attitudes to know Nagel and is apprecia- cracked jokes to me and made me always keeps him going. tive of what he has done for him feel very welcome and I felt like “I came from the college level and for the school’s athletes.

I was a part of Rock Bridge even and that was more of a business “I wanted to thank Greg some- though I wasn’t going there yet.” for the athletes there,” Nagel said. how besides just giving him a gift With every injury there is al- “Now that I’m at Rock Bridge I certificate to somewhere or just a ways a time when athletes are see many athletes that play, literhandshake in the hallway,” Tay- finally finished with their reha- ally just for the love of the game lor said. “I thought that the Se- bilitation and can return to their and seeing kids just being kids is nior Bruin of My Life Award was sport. For Nagel, helping an ath- so refreshing to me.” something that I had to do and just made total sense.”

No matter what, Nagel willingly gives attention to any athlete that enters the training room to see him. He is the type of guy does not ignore the athletes even if he has too much going on. Student says he will take the time to have a face-to-face talk with any athlete in order to get them where they need to be.

“You can take two approaches when your down [in the trainer’s room] and there’s twenty or thirty people coming through the doors every day,” Nagel said. “The first approach is basically a weed-out approach and take a hard-line to getting everyone out as fast as photo by Muhammad Al-Rawi possible, or you can try and just put your head down and get to ev- Treating injuries: After school, trainer Greg Nagel ery person and at least give them the time of day to say, ‘Hey here’s diagnoses and helps out Austin McDonald with his injured a home exercise program and let’s knee to get him back onto the field so he will be able to try this and see how things go.” finish out the season. Nagel does this daily after school.

“I really want to remember the season,” Floyd said. “I want to get myself to a point I’ve never been before. But it’s not as important to me this year that I, in particular, make it through districts or sectionals or state as much as I want to see everybody else do really well.”

Although coaches hope the team will make it to the district championship, they understand the tension brought by the athletes competing.

However, Blackburn points out that each athlete has control over their individual performance, but their opponent is out of their sphere of influence.

“I obviously don’t think that [pressure in competition] doesn’t exist,” Blackburn said.

“But you know in the end, you can’t control the athletes around you do. You just have to control yourself, your destiny and do the best you can.”

Baseball prepares for district tournament CHAS BARBEE

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ith the baseball season stacked with 26 games and many long practices, the baseball team is preparing for the district tournament May 16 at Timberland High School. The Bruins’ focus is to win a district championship, and to get there they have to compete with high intensity every game.

The Bruins played a border showdown earlier in the season in St. Louis. There they faced Granite High School, a team from Illinois, and fought for a win. The Bruins won the tournament 9-7 and moved forward through the season.

Playing these games has helped the Bruins prepare for what might be presented at districts.

The team’s packed schedule is what will get them ready to make some noise at districts.

“We talk about our one goal is a district championship and we have to take care of business in order for that goal to happen,” Justin Towe, the baseball head coach, said. “You just have to play every game one at a time and if we’re playing well enough we’re going to give ourselves a chance to win.”

The intensity level starts to pick up with the team approaching districts, the better a team plays and the better record a team has, the better seed that team will receive.

“You kind of have two seasons in baseball,” Towe said. “This [regular] season is the season that tries to get you your good seed, and once that’s over the second season starts, which is your district tournament.”

The Bruins intend to show up at districts ready to give fans and opponents a great experience.

They will give districts as much effort, if not more, as they have given in the regular season.

“Obviously we continue to practice and keep the intensity up in our games,” senior catcher Wilson Pfeiffer said. “We have multiple games left and we need to play up to our potential for every one of them because it will keep us focused and ready for districts.”

The Bruins know they have to push through the regular season and play their best in every game so they can come out of districts on top.

“The thing is, for any other team having so many games and practices like ours it would tire them out a fair amount,” senior pitcher John Miles said. “With us though we are so talented and so deep in our lineup that we don’t really become tired.”

The Bruins say they have put up a fight this year and will continue to do so as districts approaches. Miles said the team’s main focus is to win a district title and the entire team believes that they definitely have the man power to do so.

“We for sure have what it takes to get ourselves a district win,” Miles said. “I am so excited to play at this year’s district games especially with such a great team and so many good guys beneath us. We’ve done just about all we can do as far as being prepared, now we just have to go out and play the way we know how to play.”

24 · Backpage

May 12, 2011

The ROCK

Right on track: At the Country Club of Missouri, senior Tyler Kolb lines up a putt during practice on Tuesday. After clinching back-toback district and sectional championships in 2010 and 2011, the RBHS golf team hopes to seize the title on May 16 and 17 at Twin Oaks Country Club in Springfield, Mo. Last year, the Bruins fell second place to Rockhurst; the Hawklets beat RBHS by four strokes. photo by Savannah Viles

Ramping up for state

Boys’ tennis prepares for upcoming sectional matches, state tournament NADAV GOV-ARI

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ame, set and match. The Bruin boys’ tennis team has been quite competitive, losing only two individual matches, both at the National High School Championships tournament in Louisville, Ky. Having completed their slate of ‘non-conference’ games, the team will participate in the district tournament, which started May 9.

Although not a varsity player, junior Nick Sun has been on the team since his freshman year and is proud of the way the team has handled itself so far this year.

“Our team is serious,” Sun said. “We have the destination and ending in sight, and having experienced the taste of sweet victory last year, we’re eager for more.”

The tennis team is the reigning Class II Missouri State High School Athletics Association state champion. Sun said this made practices this year just as intense as those last year.

“Practices are as intense as day one,” Sun said.

“Varsity especially, they’re on a whole other level.

We’re excited and ready to perform at the state level.”

Both Sun and sophomore Alex Jones cherish their team unity this year. A united team makes for a better team because team communication and closeness raise morale, an important factor in team sports, Jones and Sun said.

“This being my third year on the team, I’ve gotten to know all of the varsity guys really well,” Sun said. “Tennis is like a family for me — I just love all the guys here.”

Jones said while the opposition may not be the best, the team has still held strong mentally.

The team has been practicing every day after school until 6 p.m. since tryouts in early March, and they agree that practices are as intense as ever.

Senior Jimmy Hunter stayed modest in his expectations for districts. While he would not give his predictions, he did relay his expectations.

“I’m confident in our abilities to perform similarly to how we performed last year,” Hunter said, “and that turned out well.”

Sun has observed that over the past few months, the intensity and increasing dedication at practices.

“We’ve been almost as successful this year, I think, as last, and our unity as a team grows every day,” Sun said.

Sun and Jones both noted the team’s family aspect. Long practices in the elements and gutwrenching losses have made the team especially close.

“Team unity is great; everybody gets along with everybody really well,” Jones said. “This year, we’re working harder than ever even though we know the competition because you can never be too ready.”

Hunter said the advantage of being nationally competitive is that the team has received the opportunity to play at national level tournaments.

“Some of the trips we’ve gone on, only the top few guys were able to go, unfortunately. They’ve been really fun,” Hunter said. “We’ve gone to Louisville for the Tournament of Champions, and the guys have gotten really together through that experience.”

2) photos by Kylee Fuchs

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3) 1) Determination and drive: Senior Joe LaRose returns a hit during the North Central Missouri Invitational at Bethel Park on Saturday.

2) Undefeated: Living up to past expectations, junior Ford Zitch helps his tennis team remain unbeaten after their win at Bethel May 7.

3) Serves with style: Senior Jimmy Hunter starts a point with a strong serve.