WICHITA HIGH SCHOOL EAST
FEBRUARY 16, 2010 VOLUME 117, ISSUE 8
MESSENGER 2301 E. DOUGLAS AVE., WICHITA, KS 67211 // EHSMESSENGER.COM
ADULTS, STUDENTS ALIKE MUST SHOW RESPECT - 5 OPINIONS ON VALENINE’S DAY - 8-9 WINTER OLYMPICS REGARDED WITH APATHY - 12 OBAMA’S ONE YEAR REPORT CARD - 15
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February 16, 2010
WICHITA HIGH SCHOOL EAST
MESSENGER ON THE COVER
Kurtis Tinius, fr., irons a handmade Haitian flag in the classroom of Jason Crippen. The flags were sold to raise money for Haiti. ASHLEY
MATTHEWS, HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
STAFF Editors-in-Chief John Camenzind Jeremy Koehler
Webmaster
Jenice Duong
Advertising Manager Savana Cross
Reporters
Ian Bailey Damien Gilbert Emma Gillespie Lauren Graber Evan Gottstine Aaron Heil Salman Husain Violetta Lopez Ashley Matthews Brae Miner Donald Pepoon Suhayla Sibaai Jessica Thomas Victoria Tran Colin White
Head Photographer Ashley Matthews
Staff Photographer Danielle Dame
Videographers Jacob Faflick Monique Levy
EDITORIAL POLICY “The Messenger” is published in print every two to three weeks, except during vacations, by the Journalism staff of Wichita High School East, 2301 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67211. The Journalism department can be reached at (316) 973-7275 or by fax at (316) 973-7224.
NEWS Debate coach receives awards for excellence I
t is not every day that faculty members get congratulated for something they love to do. For 25 years, debate and forensics coach Vickie Fellers, has coached students to be the best they can be in the arts of debate and forensics. The National Forensics League (NFL) announced that Fellers was inducted into the DCI Coaches Hall of Fame and has earned a fifth diamond degree of membership, Dec. 13. By participating in the Debate Coaches Invitational Debate Tournament, Fellers offers her expertise as a coach and judge to the debaters in the state of Kansas. Her participation and devotion earned her a spot in the Hall of Fame. “Being inducted to the DCI Hall of Fame is so humbling, because the Hall of Fame includes the people that I have the greatest
respect for,” Fellers said. Fellers has also earned a fifth diamond degree of membership with NFL. To receive this honor, Fellers attained a total of 18,099 points. “I think she definitely deserves the awards,” Piritta Porter, sr., said. “The amount of time she dedicates to debate and forensics is incredible. She’s always willing to go the mile for us.” Fellers will receive special recognition at the Lincoln Financial Group/NFL National Debate and Speech Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. Although this is a great honor, Fellers believes earning a fifth diamond degree of membership with NFL is more of a tribute to her students. “I don’t see earning diamonds as the goal, but more of a side-effect,” Fellers said. “I will just continue to teach my students to the best of
JENICE DUONG, WEBMASTER
my ability so that they can do their best.”
NEED TO KNOW LINGO Earning NFL points
Fellers’ students have earned over 180,990 credit points over the years. For every point earned by her students, Fellers earns onetenth of a point. For each round of competition won, students receive six points and for every round lost, students receive three points.
Diamond degrees
On attaining a total of 1,800 points, coaches are entitled to wear a diamond-set NFL key or pin. After setting one diamond in an NFL key or pin, coaches can set additional diamonds for every 3,000 points and five years as an NFL member coach.
Scholar’s Bowl team prepares for State
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he Scholar’s Bowl team is preparing for the State tournament after placing third at the Regional tournmanent, Feb. 4. Teams had to finish in the top four to participate at the State tournament, Feb. 13. The team has won five tournaments, including Goessel, Jan. 23, and the Bishop Carroll Tournament of Champions. At the City League tournament, teams from East received second and third place and won a total of 18 rounds. East boasts a squad of 40 members including many returning scholars. Members on the Regional team share a thirst for knowledge and competition.
“I like (Scholar’s Bowl) because it’s fun to apply what you learn in school outside of just tests and homework,” Anna Chang, sr., said. The group goes to out of city tournaments and has become a close squad. “I really like the people who do it,” Stephen Lowe, jr., said. “They’re a lot of fun to play with.” “We go to a lot of out of city tournaments and the trips there are pretty fun. The people on the scholars bowl team are very creative. They all have obscure knowledge so it’s a lot of fun.” The varsity students meet every Monday and Wednesday. They practice by answering questions ranging from math to current events.
“The Messenger” staff will publish news, entertainment, features and sports in an unbiased and professional manner and serve as a public forum for the students of Wichita High School East. Letters to the Editor may be submitted to room W301 or by fax, and must be signed, legible and concise. The staff reserves the right to edit letters to conform to “Messenger” style. Baseless accusations, insults, libelous statements, obscenity, and letters which call for a disruption of the school day will not be considered for publication. “The Messenger” is the official student newspaper of Wichita High School East and it is distributed free to students. The opinions expressed in this publication reflect those of the student writers and not the Board of Education or Wichita High School East administration, faculty, or adviser.
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VICTORIA TRAN, REPORTER
“It’s great to work with the kids,” David Shelly, Scholar’s Bowl sponsor, said. “They’re enthusiastic and really amazing in what they know and can do in competition.” Even with the wins this season, the squad continues to train for the State tournament. “We’re looking forward to going to State,” Shelly said. “We’re going to meet a lot of good teams but we’re a good team so it will be a great battle.” Even with the preparation, students face anxiety. “I do get a little nervous before tournaments,” Lowe said. “I think we have a pretty good team so we should do pretty well.”
NEWS IN BRIEF DECA
History club
February 16, 2010
Literary Magazine
East dominated the regional DECA competition Feb. 3, with East students taking first place in seven of the 14 events that East entered. First place winners include Daniel Gao, sr., Patrick Stevens, jr., John Camenzind, sr., Gianni Santucci, sr., Amanda Britt, sr., Joselyne Hernandez, jr., and Bertha Triana. The State competition is March 7-9. History club meetings, held in B2 will occur every other Wednsday. Approximately 20 people attended the first meeting.
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NEWS Submissions to the Literary Magazine are due Feb. 15. They can be submitted through email at litmagcom@ hotmail.com. Short stories of 500 words or less, any form of poetry, and works of art are all acceptable.
Marketing
History instructor Russell Best and History instructor Mitch Tipton lecture during the first history club meeting, Jan. 27. TYLER MALTER, PHOTOGRAPHER
Seven students from Marketing 3-4 class conducted market research and created a video in November 2009 for a Finish Line contest. Their research was chosen as one of the top three nationally. Rachel Butler, sr., Domonick Venskus, sr., and Brittani Lonergan, sr., and marketing instructor Shanna Zimmerman were flown to Indianapolis to present to company executives.
A group of students jumps as part of a music video filmed at East, Jan. 23. CASSIE FAGEN, PHOTOGRAPHER
Music video
Livyhigh, a rock band shot a portion of an upcoming music video at East, Jan. 23 using East students, including crowd shots of around 150 people.
‘Gold and Silver’ homecoming takes place Jan. 23
Tabitha Bohnstehn, sr., Ian Bailey, sr., Laura Combs, sr., Jeffrey Brown, sr., Gaylon Nickerson, sr., Adrianna Ortiz, sr., Joshua Pack, sr., Olivia Duran, sr., Aaron Malone, sr., and Alyssa Sones, sr., were named the 2010 winter homecoming court. Ortiz was named queen and Nickerson was named king. “It was very surprising to be named queen,” Ortiz said. “With the type of people I hang out with I did not even expect to get nominated. I kept telling myself that I would not win, especially because I have only been at East one year.” ASHLEY MATTHEWS, HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
Ashlie Tracy, sr., dances at homecoming, Jan. 23 with Abram Howell, a Wichita State student. ASHLEY MATTHEWS, HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
Need Extra Cash? Start part-time with Primerica. High-income potential on a part-time basis
Call Joyce Franklin at (316) 390-7681 Be sure to mention code “JP18” as reference
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4Cafeteria offers nutritiousEDITORIAL meals using minimal funding February 16, 2010
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hree years and six months into my time at East, I visited a special place for the first time, the school cafeteria. I did so not because I was hungry for a spicy chicken sandwich, but in order to interview Jeff Falkner, the Secondary Nutrition Services Supervisor for USD 259. Falkner oversees all middle school and high school cafeterias in the district, almost 30 schools. The initial intention of my interview was to learn more about an issue that had been the talk of East for weeks; an apparent ban on clubs selling pizza at lunch that had caused an uproar, both from hungry students and from club members hoping to raise money for fundraisers and trips. Not surprisingly, the controversy was, for the most part, a misunderstanding. While district rules do “prohibit private business enterprises from selling or delivering food items on school property…” pizza sales are still allowed by clubs. This rule just means that pizza cannot be delivered to the school; club members or sponsors will have to pick up the pizza from the restaurant, or any location not on school property. While I was somewhat disappointed to hear that “Pizzagate” was overhyped, I did learn that the school cafeteria did more than hurl “PB&J bags” and chef salads at hungry students. For those students living in low income households, almost 70 percent of USD 259 students, the
JEREMY KOEHLER
FOR THE STAFF
cafeteria offers breakfast and lunch and reduced price or no price. Even those students that pay full price are only charged $2.30 for a lunch, which is made with surprisingly high quality and nutritious ingredients. When Falkner compares that price to what a student would pay for lunch at McDonalds, the “Golden Arches” are crushed. Not only does the cafeteria charge next-to-nothing for meals, they also pay for labor and ingredients. Nutrition services essentially works as a separate entity from USD 259, with district funds providing money only for the premises of school cafeterias and nutrition services. The federal government gives a small amount of money to nutrition services for each meal that is sold, and more for free and reduced lunches sold, but even with the federal funding, the ability to stretch their money while still providing nutritious meals to students is stunning. Also surprising are the vast differences in school lunch services between East and other local schools. East has a large kitchen, comparable in size to many fast food restaurants, which means lunches are prepared on site shortly before the lunch hour. Many schools in the district do not have kitchens.
Food for these satellite schools is prepared at in the USD 259 School Service Center before being driven to various schools in the city. Though East has a large kitchen, only 400 students, about a fifth of the school eats lunch in the cafeteria daily, compared to North, where almost half of the school, 900 students, eats lunch in the cafeteria. This is likely due to the fact that East is one of the few USD 259 schools to only have one lunch period, meaning the cafeteria is too packed for most students.
For many students, a school cafeteria is just a small detail in a busy day. While it might not seem like the most luxurious food choice during lunch, the food tastes good, and the money spent goes to a good cause: helping less fortunate students receive high quality, nutritious foods. Next lunch period, forget McDonalds and give the cafeteria a try.
PIZZAGATE FACTS Cafeteria purchases
A Request for Proposal estimates that over the course of one school year, USD 259 will purchase 40,000 pizzas from Pizza Hut and Papa Johns to be resold in school cafeterias.
USD 259 restrictions
A program agreement for school nutritional programs from USD 259 contains three requirements that apply to this issue. • The sponsor agrees to prohibit private business from soliciting, selling, or delivering food or drink items on school property in competition with the nonprofit food service program. • The sponsor agrees to establish regulations or policies to prohibit the sale of restricted categories of foods of minimal nutritional value in the food services areas during meal periods. • The sponsor agrees to assure that proceeds from the sale of all competitive foods accrue to the food service fund, to the school, or to approved student organizations.
What does it all mean?
While clubs and other student organizations may sell food during lunch on school property, businesses like Papa Johns, Pizza Hut, or Godfathers Pizza are not allowed to deliver food to East. Also, clubs are not allowed to sell their food inside of the cafeteria during lunch.
Anti-abortion commercial inappropriate for Super Bowl DAMIEN GILBERT O
n Feb. 7, a third of America, as well as 232 other countries around the world, tuned in to watch the New Orleans Saints battle the Indianapolis Colts in what is consistently the highest rated television event of the year – the Super Bowl. While most watched for the football, a surprising amount of people viewed the game for what aired during the timeouts and halftime: commercials. Americans enjoy these Super Bowl commercials because the companies who air them – well aware that they will be reaching an audience of over 100 million people – do their best to create the most entertaining advertisements possible to promote their products. This year, however, something aired that was a slight departure from the normally funny, lighthearted mood of the regular Super Bowl advertisements. An ad from
the Christian focus group Focus on the Family featured the real-life story of a pregnant mother who was advised by doctors to abort her fetus when she contracted a disease in the Philippines in the late 1980s. The woman refused the advice and gave birth to Tim Tebow, who went on to become the quarterback for the University of Florida and arguably one of the greatest players in college football history. This is unacceptable. CBS, the television station that aired the Super Bowl, made the wrong choice in authorizing the commercial. The viewer backlash started before the commercial even ran – even though no one had actually seen it yet - and some called for the pulling of the commercial, while others called for an actual boycott of the Super Bowl. It also drew criticism from women’s groups, who deemed the commercial “offensive”
and “hate masquerading as love.” Others defended the ad, stating that the theme of the commercial was not anti-abortion, but rather “pro-family.” Tebow’s mother, who also appeared in the advertisement, emphasized on the importance of the themes of family and faith that the commercial focused on. What is certainly interesting about CBS’ decision to air the controversial ad, however, is that in deciding to run an anti-abortion ad, it rejected a commercial for the Toronto-based gay dating site called ManCrunch. Apparently, commercials dealing with abortion are perfectly acceptable to show the American public, but gay dating sites are just too controversial for CBS to run. As an added note, CBS rejected another commercial from Website domain creators GoDaddy.
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REPORTER
com that featured a football player who became a flamboyant fashion designer, citing the fact that - and I quote - “this ad has the potential to offend viewers.” The fact of the matter is that either all controversial commercials are acceptable to run or none of them are - it is simply unfair for CBS to be able to pick and choose. It is a shame that one of the few days of the year that the country can truly unite was placed in jeopardy because of CBS’ decision to air an ad that ignited an old and bitter debate amongst fellow Americans.
EDITORIAL Faculty, students must show respect SALMAN HUSAIN I magine how funny it was when I told my mother I got kicked out of the school library. People who know me could tell you I am not much of a troublemaker. In fact, my version of being “bad” is probably vastly different than many people my age. That is why I was surprised when I found myself being impolitely asked to leave the library by an unaccommodating librarian. I have no problem with following school rules. I was unaware that I was in violation of a rule when I was sitting next to my friend at a computer without my school ID, even though I was not using the computer. When the librarian came around to check for our identification and discovered I did not have mine, she assertively told me that I needed to sit at the table away from the computer. Unaware of the school policy, I proceeded to explain that I was not using the computer. I tried asking the librarian about the reasoning of the rule, but her only response was, “ You have to follow the rules.” After pressing her to offer me the justification for this policy and reassuring her that I would be
REPORTER more than happy to move, she became upset with me. Even though my friend asked her if there was another time we could speak, she angrily told me to leave the library. A rule is a rule and I am not opposed to following it. Although the policy itself lacks any real purpose, I did what I was told and left. The point of my story isn’t to unforgivingly bash on a school librarian. I was mad about getting kicked out of a library, but my confrontation raised a bigger concern about student - adult relationships. It seems that many times throughout our school, there is miscommunication and misunderstanding between students and staff. It seems like a cliché concern, but many staff members and adults in general carry preconceived notions about kids. Students that act rude and cause trouble give teachers reason to be
somewhat cynical. However, it is simply unjust to treat students as if they are inherently out to cause trouble. All teachers and students alike should adopt a philosophy of offering everyone they meet the benefit of the doubt. At the same time, I do not advise ever acting rude to teachers, no matter how inappropriately they might treat a student. A basic level of respect must exist for every individual, especially those in an administrative position. Beyond that level, it is the burden of that person, just like every other human being, to earn their respect. At the end of the day, if every individual can give each other the benefit of the doubt and discount preconceived notions of one another, the amount of student and staff tension could be significantly reduced. The librarian I encountered acted almost instinctively and treated me as if I was trying to start a rabble. As students and staff we must grant each other the benefit of the doubt and have the responsibility to prevent this stereotypical kind of thinking from dictating our actions.
MILES HOGAN, EDITORIAL CARTOONIST
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February 16, 2010
This I Believe: A few tears JODECI JONES, GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
I believe it is okay to cry. When things get hard or just because you are happy, it’s okay to allow a few tears to leave your eyes and change up the current mood. I used to play a hard role around most of my family and friends because I was expected to be strong even when times seemed tough. When my sisters or friends need that person to talk to or that shoulder to lean on they look for Jodeci, a headstrong intelligent young lady. My mother loves to cry. The tears that roll from her pretty round brown eyes used to irritate me; now they are the story behind my belief. “I cry because it makes me feel better. Maybe you should try it,” my mama once said to me when I caught her crying her heart into an invisible river. From that day forward everything changed. Sometimes when I’m sitting around watching the world and the people in it change, I will just start crying. Many will think that’s just plain weird to just cry for no reason at all but I feel it really does help with problems I have and even those that don’t exist. I can just hear a song or think of something funny and will begin to cry. I’m no longer afraid to allow my emotions to show past my pretty toned skin. My older cousin always seemed to get frustrated but would never allow a tear to leave his eyes. “That makes me look weak,” he would say. The first time he cried in front of me I was more than surprised. He just looked at me and said, “Girl it’s okay to cry.” Men have this idea that crying takes away from the manly appearances they are looked at to have. Holding in so much pain and anger can cause horrible explosions like an earthquake ready to cause a disaster and things may happen that may not be intended because of refusal to show such “feminine” or “weak” emotions. Not only men but some women believe that too. I still believe it is okay to shed a few tears. Just because a person is crying doesn’t necessarily mean they are sad or upset, it could be because they’re happy or overly excited about something. No, I’m not weak nor an emotional person. I still stand my ground and speak helpful tips to the people that ask for my advice. I’m the girl that believes that no matter who you are and what you go through or have been through, it’s okay to take the time and shed a few tears alone or in front of a crowd.
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ENTERTAINMENT ‘Extraordinary Measures’ actor gives exclusive interview EVAN GOTTSTINE, REPORTER February 16, 2010
G.J. Echternkamp is a family friend, whom I met because he is directing a documentary on the band Split Lip Rayfield which features Wayne Gottstine, my father. The documentary, “Never Make it Home,” is currently in production. Thanks to this connection, Echternkamp was willing to give an exclusive interview. Echternkamp acted in the recent movie “Extraordinary Measures,” which focuses on the true story of John and Aileen Crowley. During the film, Echternkamp acts as Niles, an assistant to Dr. Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford). He has also directed numerous music videos. His biggest film, “Frank and Cindy,” is a documentary based on his parents. Echternkamp has also acted on TV shows such as “How I met Your Mother.” Evan Gottstine How did you become a member of the cast? “I auditioned for it. I have an acting agent who submitted me on the roll because I do commercials, but my agent was throwing parts out there for me. I went to the casting audition, and I had one line, and I just had to try and say it different ways, over and over. I’ve done a lot of commercials, so I had some experience, and my face was out there. With a small part like
this, they could give it to almost anyone, because a million people could do it and be fine. It all comes down to the casting director. It was almost like, “We have seen this guy in a bunch of things; let’s throw him a bone.” What was the acting experience like? “It was funny, because I don’t actually do much. They had me there for six weeks. They had a car come pick me up at my house and take me to the airport, where they flew me first class to Portland. They took me to a super nice hotel, and I just stayed there for six weeks. I was treated like a king. It was just weird being completely alone in this hotel. They would just call me down and I would stand around for a couple hours. My first scene was actually with Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser, where we run out of this building and into a truck. We were just waiting behind this door and the people to say ‘action,’ and I desperately wanted to talk to Harrison Ford, because of ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘Star Wars.’ After we were running to the truck, I wasn’t expecting Harrison Ford to just peel out; grinding the gears and speeding away. The roads were wet and I was scared for my life, while Brendan Fraser just sat there. It was surreal. Also, Harrison Ford was an executive producer, so he was on people all the time. At one point when were running through the hardware store, I had one line. I wasn’t sure about it, so I asked the
Fraser, Echternkamp. and Ford search for a backup generator for their enzyme lab, Priozyme. PHOTO COURTESY OF G.J. ECHTERNKAMP lead script person, and they told me to say it. Once the scene started, we ran in and I yelled, ‘There!’ Afterwards, Harrison Ford asked me if I was writing my own lines, and I was like, ‘No, no! It’s in the script!’”. What was it like acting with legends like Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser? “It’s weird, when you’re in a smaller part like that. They kind of just hire you and you do your thing. The director is mainly focused on the people with the big characters. Even in my scene, they kind of just left it up to me. You’re kind of just thrown into this room with two guys, and you can’t ask questions, you just have to do it. You kind of just hope that if no one ever said anything, you did all right. It’s intimidating. There was one moment when a person was walking around and offering all the actors snacks, and the woman got to me and said, ‘Not for you!’” Are you currently involved in any other filming?
“I’m still waiting to see what comes of ‘Extraordinary Measures,’ but I’m still doing commercials. My primary thing is still directing. All the money I made went to other projects. It was nice, because my acting is funding my directing. It’s hard to get investing for movies, people usually stick with franchises.” Were you always interested in becoming an actor? “When I was a kid, I had always done acting. When I moved to California, I learned it was really hard to get acting. If you want to get a role, you have to do a little bit of everything. You have to put yourself out there. Acting is fun because you have no control, and when you direct you have all the control. I would like to do both, ideally. Being an actor is hard, though; you are in a helpless situation. You are dependent on other people to get your roles.”
‘The Book of Eli’ ventures into realm of religion L ooting bodies, getting ambushed, cannibalism, literally killing for water. The wilderness of post-apocalyptic America seems pretty dangerous. Pair that with the fact that a powerful man commanding gunwielding goons wants you dead just for the last edition of a certain book and the chances of survival seem a little slim. Produced by the Hughes brothers Allen and Albert and hitting theatres earlier this year, “The Book of Eli” follows the story’s protagonist, Eli (Denzel Washington) who, as the story reveals early, is attempting to transport the last remaining Bible to a location on the western American coast after a war that reduced all of the land to ruin. The movie itself doesn’t take place until around 20 years after the war, however, but that doesn’t stop “The Book of Eli” from being a fast paced and somewhat disturb-
ing action flick. After witnessing and participating in violent events in the first segment of the movie, Eli passes through a small settlement in search of water and hopefully electricity. A “bar fight” involving mass decapitation ensues, and Eli is placed in the midst of Carnegie (Gary Oldman) who basically runs the town with the help of a personal army. Through events later that night and in the following night, it is revealed that Eli carries a Bible the later vicious Carnegie lusts after, the last remaining King James Bible. For the rest of the movie, Eli, with the help of Solara (Mila Kunis), attempts to protect the book from Carnegie who wants nothing more than to use the book to manipulate the remaining human population. “The Book of Eli” presents an
idealistic visual of a post-apocalyptic world, and although some bits of the story seem a bit unusual, ultimately “The Book of Eli” is satisfactory in terms of entertainment, as well as religious appeal. Throughout the movie, it’s not a horribly subtle hint that the movie revolves around both good and evil uses for what some may consider the most powerful force on the planet. The movie presents both good and evil uses of the Bible through Eli and Carnegie, Eli wanting to save the lives of people with it and Carnegie wanting to use it to establish dominion over all. The association is pretty apparent through the course of the entire movie, though religion isn’t the only factor. “The Book of Eli” is also very entertaining in an action movie sense, so those who dislike or don’t care for the religious appeal can still be satisfied. The film’s story
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COLIN WHITE, REPORTER
constantly places the protagonists in dangerous and violent situations against Carnegie and his men, and with a swift hand Eli creates a riveting and exciting sequence of actions that could keep many pleased. But, of course, with such intense and graphic sequences, comes the dreaded, or at least for some, R rating. The film includes many uses of strong language, depictions of graphic violence, and other suggestive themes. Younger students will have to have parental supervision or wait until the movie comes out on DVD. Though not a blockbuster hit, “The Book of Eli” proves to be a satisfying start of the new year with emphasis on spiritual elements as well as fast paced action. Even through its somewhat minor flaws, this movie is well worth checking out this winter.
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FEATURE
Struggle
Overseas
COLIN WHITE, REPORTER
Students face family deployment for military I
t is hard enough to live in today’s society with the constant news of terrorism and the current state of the war, but imagining a loved one in the midst of all the chaos has the potential to be devastating. Some people complain about increased airport security that only makes one wait an extra 10 minutes, but others are faced with the constant danger of a family member’s potential death due to the war. As of Nov. 30, 115,00 troops were stationed in Iraq alone, with another few thousand in other countries around the world. Most have families back in the United States, and the mass deployment of the military affects families all over the country,
Absence of a father
Andrew Jennings, soph., has faced the reality of having a father fighting in the war overseas. With his father totaling three trips to Iraq and facing another expedition later this year, Jennings has faced the realities of the war. “It’s kind of a hard situation,” Jennings said. “With the deployment, not getting that phone call, and your
February 16, 2010
The
FACTS
C
urrently 150,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq as well as another 15,000 to 18,000 stationed in Afghanistan.
D
eployment has a variety of positive effects on children including encouragement of independence, fostering maturity, and the strengthening of family bonds.
I
n the United States alone, 500,000 children have one family member currently deployed to another country.
C heart’s pounding because you just something saw on the news about something bad that’s happened or somebody dying. Then getting that phone call you’re thinking ‘thank God he’s okay’.” Jennings is but one of few who has family members in the war.
hildren who have a parent in the military are more likely to pursue activities relating to military service.
Deployment spreads further Rowe Byers, fr., is currently facing his brother’s deployment in Turkey. “I really look up to my brother as a symbol of honor and justice,” Byers said. “He’s been deployed for six months, so I’m just waiting for him to get back.” Further conversation with Byers also revealed that
his brother has a child and is expecting one on his return. “Now if he’s gone a lot, he’ll be missing his kids and it’ll take a toll on his family,” Byers continued. It would seem as though Byers isn’t the only one affected by deployment.
Mackenzie Augustin, sr., reveals a somewhat lighter side to the situation at hand. Her older brother has been stationed overseas for the War on Terror in the past. “When he’s gone we really worry about him,”
Augustin said. “He usually calls about every other week though, so it makes us real comfortable.” Emotions seem to be mixed in the boundaries of the War on Terror.
Duty spreads beyond war What they face today
Although pulling all troops out of Iraq has been thought upon for a few years now, families still continue to face hardships with having family members involved in the current war. Although few, some students continue with having parents or siblings constantly away from home. “It’s kind of hard to deal with,” said Jennings. “But everything it pretty much
In case you were curious... Jennings:
Byers:
Augustin:
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Rank: 2nd Division
Branch: Army
Branch: National Guard
Stationed: Currently home, Stationed: Turkey deployed in Iraq later this year
Branch: Army
Stationed: East coast
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Mackenzie Augustin, sr., reads a note from her brother stationed on the east coast. DANIELLE DAME, PHOTOGRAPHER
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Timefor FEATURE
February 16, 2010
A
Love
JOHN CAMENZIND, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMMA GILLESPIE, REPORTER
Valentine’s Day receives cheers from some, scorn from others, apathy from most in ‘Messenger’ poll
S
aint Valentine created quite a polarizing holiday. While some young (and old) lovers adore the day as a chance to show affection, others decry it as a corporate holiday promoted purely to increase expensive chocolate and insanely overstuffed teddy bear sales. Some Valentine memories are sweet as any chocolate. “I got the biggest gift from a secret admirer in fifth grade,”
Veronica Toy, fr., said. Other experiences range into the bizarre. “Last year, I had this stalker girl that thought I was her Valentine when I really wasn’t,” Danford Wineinger, fr., said. And sometimes the spirit of the holiday is taken too far. “My most bizarre experience was when this boy I really don’t like bought me a bear and candy then kissed me. Eww; it
was nasty,” Ebony James, soph., said. But there was one student who summed up the holiday perfectly. “It’s like if Easter and Christmas had a baby, then Cupid and Halloween had a baby, then if those two babies had a baby, that’s what it is,” Alec Campbell, fr., said
MILES HOGAN, EDITORIAL CARTOONIST
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FEATURE
WHO IS SAINT VALENTINE? The history of Valentine’s Day and the man it is named for is relatively unknown. The Catholic Church currently recognizes three Saint Valentines, all of whom were martyred.
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One legend says Valentine was a Roman priest during the third century reign of Emperor Claudius II. After deciding that single men made the best soldiers, Claudius outlawed marriage for young men: his potential soldiers. The story goes that Valentine saw the injustice of the decree and continued to wed young lovers in secret. He was eventually
February 16, 2010
What do you think about Valentine’s day?
discovered and put to death.
Hate it
2
A different story suggests that Valentine was killed for helping Christians escape harsh Roman prisons.
Love it
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The last legend is that Valentine actually sent the first Valentine himself. While imprisoned, he fell in love with a young girl (possibly his jailer’s daughter) who visited him in prison. Before he died, he allegedly wrote a letter signed with the famous phrase “From your valentine.”
6%
The “Messenger” polled 100 students to see how they felt about the upcoming holiday. Almost half stated they were mostly apathetic about the day.
29%
Whatever, it serves its purpose
Painting of Saint Valentine from a Catholic church. PHOTO COURTESY CATHOLIC.ORG
46%
What is your take on Valentine’s Day? Students were asked to fill out paper surveys during Ace Time for their opinions on Valentine’s Day. “It’s fine for people who have a significant other. Sort of lame if you don’t though.” - Shireen Lankarani, fr.
What is your most bizarre Valentine’s Day experience? “When I had to work so hard to buy a girl an expensive present and a week later we broke up.” - Anonymous
“My best friend hooked up with the guy I had a crush on.” - Mary Johnson, jr.
“Someone broke into my locker and put a bear in my locker with a note where my name was spelled wrong.” - Anonymous
“I hooked up with one of my closest friend’s girlfriend.” Alexander Keomanyvong, sr.
“It’s a dumb Halmark holiday. Spend money to prove you like/love someone. Wow.” Kelsey Lueck, jr.
“It is a day for the people with boyfriends and girlfriends to rub it in the single people’s faces.” - Mercedes Fergus, soph.
“I like Valentine’s Day. It’s okay, I don’t love it. I think if you love somone you should express your love for them always, not just that day.” - Anonymous
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“Valentine’s Day is a way to get rotten teeth and spoil the one you love while also fueling the greedy economy. Although it does bring the awareness of love.” - Paris Cunningham, soph. “It is a corporate holiday created to make profit. In today’s economy it can really drain someone to please another.” - Daniel Waller, sr.
“I think Valentine’s Day is about caring about your significant other. You don’t have to be in love. It’s just a day to show that you care.” - Chalissa Ridge, sr. “It is more like Single Awareness Day. If you are single you just spend your day watching chick flicks, reading romance novels, and eating cookie dough ice cream.” - Lindsey Harpenau, fr.
FEATURE 10 Tragedy strikes Haiti February 16, 2010
T
he volunteers were trapped in a 3-by-5 square foot space, surviving on a few pieces of gum and a Tootsie Roll Pop for 55 hours. An earthquake of magnitude 7.0 hit 10 miles southwest of Port-auPrince, Haiti Jan. 12. The most powerful quake to strike Haiti in over a century, the tragedy decimated buildings and power lines in the Western hemisphere’s poorest country. Hundreds of people were left dead and thousands left homeless. Over 200,000 people were trapped under buildings and died because rescue forces did not come in time. Luckily for assistant prinicpal Ashok Surender’s sister-in-law, rescue came in time. Ann Varghese left for Haiti Jan. 10 with IMA World Health, a nonprofit organization based out of Baltimore, Md. that raises money for medical supplies and health education. Varghese is a program officer who deals with tropical diseases in countries such as Haiti. Varghese traveled with president and CEO Rick Santos and United Methodist pastors Jim Gulley, Sam Dixon, and Clinton Rabb. They were standing in the lobby of the Hotel Montana when the building collapsed. Varghese’s family did not know
HELP HAITI
Students Against Prejudice
are working with Global awareness and Peace Promoters to collect spare change during lunch to donate to IMA World Health.
National Honor Society is donating money to Haiti.
Administration Auction
is allowing teachers to have time off if they are the highest bidder following Haiti week.
she was trapped; all they knew was that they could not get a hold of her. After the earthquake, communication was cut off. “We had an idea of where she was (Hotel Montana) and we saw that it was completely demolished,” Surender said. Around 12 a.m., Jan. 16, Varghese and the others were rescued by French firefighters, however, one pastor died at the scene and the other pastor died Jan. 18 at a Florida hospital. Surender said that Varghese was not physically injured, but emotionally, it was hard to say. “The toughest part has been that two of the Methodists did not make it and it may have been from the injuries they received,” Surender said. Despite being trapped for 55 hours, Varghese will be heading to Africa later this year. She also plans to return to Haiti as the need is higher now than ever. Varghese said that the work she is doing is her calling and she will be there in Haiti to help. Surender is not the only person at East who has worried about loved ones in Haiti. Alan Jean, fr., moved to America from Caphaiti, Haiti in January 2009 with his father. All of Jean’s family and friends
Spanish Club
is authorizing a direct donation of $300 to the American Red Cross from existing funds.
Selling Haiti Flags
is a project by Jason Crippen’s Special Education class who will sell Haiti flags for $1 to students, parents, and staff. All proceeds will go to Haiti as a part of Aces for Haitians.
are still in Haiti and, surprisingly, none of them died in the earthquake, although, homes of his family and friends were reduced to ruble. Jean did not hear from his loved ones until a week after the earthquake when his father called family and friends. Communication was limited and Jean’s loved ones were trying to find others amongst the destruction. “I was scared because I could have lost family and friends, but I feel blessed that none of them died,” Jean said. Jean’s family and friends plan to stay in Haiti to try and rebuild. Jean is going to try and help his loved ones by sending food, clothes, and support. Haiti has a long rebuilding effort and the best way to help the people of Haiti is to donate money. Many agencies already have connections and they are able to get through the bureaucracy and give the aid the country needs. “I hope the people don’t just help initially, and forget them later,” Surender said. “This will take a long time.” Many clubs are helping the people of Haiti the best way they can to rebuild the country that is in ruin.
- The school is raising $6000 through fundraising events and outside work to package meals that day. The school plans to package 20,000 meals to send to Haiti. - The school will sell t- shirts to Ace Time classes, in which money will go to a Haiti Relief fund. T- shirts will be $7 and will be sold until March 11. Tshirts can only be bought through Ace time classes.
A young boy sits on the rubble of his neighbors home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti Jan. 27. PHOTO COURTESY OF MCTCAMPUS
Jalen Jackson, fr., makes flags with Jason Crippen’s Special Education class to sell for $1 to help Haiti in their relief. ASHLEY MATTHEWS, HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
Ronzale Bankns, fr., Demmetrian Grant, fr., and Sabrina Sauls, fr., adervtise Haiti week with Darham Roger’s AVID class, along with STUCO, Choose Respect and Student Leadership. ASHLEY MATTHEWS, HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
Rico’s
We got you covered!!!!!!!
Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
This map of Haiti illustrates four cities and towns and the location of the epicenter of the Jan. 12 earthquake and Jan. 20 aftershock. PHOTO COURTESY OF MCTCAMPUS
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February 16, 2010
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SPORTS
February 16, 2010
IcyReception
Viewers give Winter Olympics the cold shoulder AARON HEIL, REPORTER EVENTFUL MONTH A fter a few short years the Olympics are back! Will Michael Phelps swim for nine gold medals? Will Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt break his own world records? Oh wait. Wrong Olympics. This year’s events are the Winter Games, held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from Feb. 12-28. In comparison to their summer counterparts, the Winter Games have less of a viewership. “In America, they don’t; in other countries they do,” Dylan Morlan, sr, said. Morlan, a hockey player in his free time, attributes the lack of American viewership to favor for sports not found at the Winter Games. “Basketball and baseball are in the summer and are more popular than snowboarding or hockey,” Morlan said. Lack of American sports will not deter Morlan from seeing the winter events. “(I am going to watch) hockey, bobsled, curling, snowboarding, and skiing,” Morlan said.
1.
Dillon Youngman, soph., said that the athletes in the Summer Olympics draw more viewers than do winter athletes. “The summer ones make you think of Usain Bolt,” Youngman said. “The winter doesn’t get as much publicity.” Youngman, a skier himself, does not plan to watch the games. “Most of the sports aren’t that exciting,” Youngman said. Tanner Follis, soph., finds that the lack of love for the Winter Olympics is found in both the competitors and their sports. “(There are) not as popular events,” Follis said. “Nobody can name many winter athletes.” Follis has a job at The Slope, a specialty ski store on Central. Unlike Morlan, he finds motive to watch the Olympics from movies. “‘Cool Runnings’ made bobsled look pretty awesome,” Follis said. “Maybe (I’ll watch) figure skating because of ‘Blades of Glory.’”
3.
ICE EVENTS: Bobsled - Feb. 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27 Luge - Feb. 13-17 Skeleton - Feb. 18-19 Ice hockey - Feb. 13-28 Figure skating - Feb. 14-16, 18, 19, 21 - 23, 25, 27 Speed skating - Feb. 13-18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27 Short track speed skating - Feb. 13, 17, 20, 24, 26 Curling - Feb. 16-23, 25-27
SKI EVENTS Alpine skiing - Feb. 13, 14, 16, 17, 19- 21, 24, 26 ,27 Freestyle skiing - Feb. 13, 14, 20 - 25 Snowboarding - Feb. 15-18, 26, 27 NORDIC EVENTS Biathlon - Feb. 13, 14, 18, 21, 23, 26 Cross-country skiing - Feb. 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, Ski jumping - Feb. 12, 13, 19, 20, 22 Nordic combined - Feb. 14, 23, 25
Going for Gold
5.
2006 TORINO GAMES 2.
Medals Germany USA Canada
4.
1. Olympic gold medalist Shaun White catches air during his run on the Men’s Halfpipe snowboard competition during the 2006 Winter Games. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS: ANDREW P. SCOTT 2. Ted Ligety skis in the first run of the Men’s Slalom competition in the 2006 Torino Olympics. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS: MARK REIS
3. The logo for the 2010 Vancouver Games. GRAPHIC COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS 4. Apollo Ohno skates for a gold medal in the short track at Turin, Italy. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS: DANIEL A. ANDERSON, 5. The competitiors of the Women’s Biathlon shoot at the start of their 12.5 kilometer event. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS: ANDREW P. SCOTT
Gold 11 9 7
Silver Bronze Total 12 6 29 9 7 25 10 7 24
TOTAL PAST OLYMPIC MEDALS Medals Gold Silver Bronze Norway 98 98 84 Russia 111 81 78 (with USSR) USA 78 80 58
Total 280 270 216
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February 20/21, New World Symphony with Janina Fialkowska, Piano and Andrew Sewell, conductor. March 13/14, Fanfare for Three Uncommon Men with the art of Norman Rockwell and Andrew Sewell, conductor.
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February 16, 2010
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FEATURE
February 16, 2010
Bond
Issue
Update
b. a.
c. d.
Bond issue blueprints finished, contruction underway
A
fter a long and exhausting battle for teachers and taxpayers alike, progress has finally begun on renovations for East and other schools throughout the district. Replacing the soccer and football field turf was the first project to be undertaken, and was completed last summer. Julie Hedrick, Director of Design and Construction, said, “The tennis courts will begin (construction) in the spring. The new construction will start this summer with utility relocation. The gym and pool construction will be the first phase of the improvements.” Blueprints have been drawn of these modifications, and all work is expected to be completed by August 2012.
Among these plans is the conversion of Roosevelt Auditorium into a lecture hall, while upgrading the existing auditoriums. Not all changes are as large in scale. All restrooms will be renovated, along with the clock and intercom systems, and upgrades will be done on the library and FACS suite. Other East projects include construction of a new practice gym, pool, and a fine arts building with a music studio and a 750-seat theatre that will also function as a FEMA shelter. This $9,150,000 project renovations will be completed in several phases and will be accessible to this school year’s freshman.
block west of Central and Hillside, behind
A. Theater in Fine Arts building
C. Overall plan
B. Swimming pool
D. Lecture hall
SPEAK OUT
I can’t experience all the Bond issue changes, I’m a little irritated, but I’m fine with it because someone else will be able to enjoy it. Joseph Thompson, soph.
Exclute Custom designed prom dresses and tuxedos $5 Observations www.exclute.com 316-686-1631 9 A.M.-9 P.M.
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I think it would be nice to have a swimming pool so the swim team doesn’t have to practice at other places. Shawna Briscoe, fr.
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FEATURE
February 16, 2010
Obama: year 1
SUHAYLA SIBAAI REPORTER
Commentary: President deserves positive report card after first year
R
unning on a platform of absolute change, Barack Obama instilled high hopes for his presidency in the American people, a people frustrated by eight years of failed presidency. Obama’s slick speech and proud promises may have been an irresistible flare to his campaign, but after a year of reign his ability to fulfill those promises are coming into question. While Obama may have gotten himself in over his head trying to create the ideal face for this country and provide an all-purpose solution, people disallow the fact that Obama has four years to fulfill his campaign promises, not one, not to mention the fact that he came into office after eight years of botched policy decisions and a deficit of trillions accumulated by former president George Bush. It is imperative that we look at the progress Obama has made, policy initiatives, significant and overlooked alike, rather than dwell on only those he has not been able to carry out in his first year as president.
Economics-
Obama hit the ground running with our country’s financial crisis, the worst economic situation in over 50 years, by pushing the economic stimulus package through Congress. Despite negative feelings from some about this package, there has indubitably been show of a slow economic recovery, as well as his provisions for financial reform aimed to prevent any repeat of the economic meltdown. The success accumulated by this
stimulus package can often be overlooked due to the disappointment with increase in job unemployment numbers and other economic depletes. It is ridiculous, though, to expect a well of employment amidst this financial downturn, which analysts speculate to have begun in 2006 in the middle of Bush’s presidency. In scope, the $787 billion economic stimulus package was a necessary measure and an active start to his presidency along with a series of dealings to help the devastated banks, homeowners, and small businesses. It is evident that the financial crises had been amassing to its threshold over a matter of time induced by the Bush administration’s policy of deregulation and deliberate inattention to major banks. This set a precedent for Obama’s willingness to work with Congress and take necessary measures to reform the economy.
Foreign Policy-
One area of irrefutable success by President Barack Obama has been in the Foreign Policy sector, surpassing his predecessor, Bush, immeasurably. Since the start of Obama’s campaign, leaders worldwide have been indisputably impressed by him and his genuine commitment to improved international relations. Obama has carried through on three areas specifically in which he stressed differentiating his policies from the Bush administration: changing the nature of US foreign relations, decreasing military in-
volvement in Iraq, and concentrating on Afghanistan and Pakistan. He has managed to stick to each of the stressed campaign focuses. In terms of the war in Iraq, while not fulfilling his campaign rhetoric of taking 16 months to remove all combat forces, he will now bring forces down to 50,000 Gls within 19 months. His focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan remains, with a commitment of 30,000 additional troops. While many within America may have found his winning of the Nobel-Peace prize “premature,” it signifies the positive international view of him, and indicates how he has rejuvenated soured relationships between the US and other countries. Obama’s ardor of cooperation and peaceful engagement, exhibited by his numerous speeches and talks with leaders in the Muslim world, as well as other regions, demonstrates America’s willingness for friendship and cooperation. One area of defect in Obama’s foreign policy this year was when Israel denied compliance with Obama’s demand to end hostilities. Rather than persevere, Obama backed down from the issue. Despite this display of weakness, it is likely that Obama is not done with the conflict in this region, and will pursue other methods of settling it in his years of presidency to come. A concluding major success for Obama’s first year of presidency was his Executive order solidifying the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facilities and the review
and disposition of those detainees. Overall, President Obama has managed to bolster the United States’ image appreciably within his first year, and stuck to his campaign appeals.
Domestic Issues-
Domestically, Obama has made considerable progress in regards to the environment. More has been done within his first year than in the whole of the past decade, however, he has faced setbacks in terms of health care. Obama has invested in clean energy technology, and through the stimulus bill increased energy efficiency, equipping America for a greener path, and environmental protection. Obama’s bipartisan efforts so far to push a health care bill through Congress has amounted to little. It seems as though regardless of the amount of compromise worked into the bill, no one is completely satisfied with the initiative. The struggle with health care may be the biggest disappointment to all sides yet. While it may be easy and a quick default to attack holes found in Obama’s first year, there has been undeniable progress and show of more to come. Obama has managed to provide accomplishment in each area, all of which were in turmoil prior to his inauguration. President Obama’s first year is a solid promise for at least three more successful years to come.
Obama’s 2009 Timeline June 4-
Jan. 20-
Gives a speech in Cairo, Egypt, fulfilling campaign promise
Administration of Oath of Office
26-
March 9-
Obama signs Presidential Memoranda for Overturns rules limiting energy independence, establishing higher federal money being used 27- Removal of American combat troops from major for embryonic stem cell fuel efficiency standards Iraqi cities begins research
Feb. 4-
Obama signs the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009
April 21-
Obama meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan
Aug. 3-
Meets with Sheikh Sabah, Oct. 10Emir of Kuwait President Obama speaks at the Holds numerous town hall meetings in different Human Rights Campaign’s 13th annual national dinner states
July 15-
May 5-
Nov. 9-
Senate committee apSigns an executive order proves a plan to revamp Meets with Israeli President establishing the Council on Shiron Peres to discuss prospects the U.S. health care system Veterans Employment of a two-state solution
6- Holds a summit with Afghan
President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Zardari
Sept. 14-
Speaks at the Federal Hall on Wall Street about the financial crisis 24- Chairs a U.N. Security Council Summit, dedicated to nuclear disarmament and proliferation
Dec. 18-
UN Climate Change conference in Copenhagen
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President Barack Obama speaks to the nation at the State of the Union Address. PHOTO COURTESY OF WHITEHOUSE.GOV
16
FEATURE
February 16, 2010
Wonderful World The of EMMA GILLESPIE, REPORTER
Disney movies have created smiles for decades. With characters varying from perfect princesses to heroic lions. Giant squid, to fire breathing dragons, Disney movies have always been adored. East High students were asked to share what their favorite movie is and why.
Disney
Be careful what you wish for
“‘The Little Mermaid’ is my favorite Disney movie because Ariel is beautiful, and when I was little my mom use to tell me she was a mermaid, and that when I turned 14 I would have to choose between staying on land, or moving to the ocean with her.” Savannah Golden, soph. “I like Sleeping Beauty because it shows that true love always wins. The end where they contiuously fight over what color the dress should be is extremely entertaining.” Asia Moore, sr.
Tne life of Walt Disney
W
alt Disney was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicago Illinois. Walt was one of five children, four boys and a girl. He grew up with little money and often sold his art work to make a few extra bucks. In 1918, Disney tried to enlist for military service. But he was only sixteen years old. Instead, Walt joined the Red Cross and was sent overseas to France, where he spent a year driving an ambulance and chauffeuring Red Cross officials. His ambulance was covered from stem to stern, not with stock camouflage, but with his drawings. 2010 “Alice in Wonderland” In 1932 Disney produced the first 2010 “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” color cartoon ‘Flowers and Trees.’ 2010 “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” In 1937 ‘Snow White and the Seven 2010 “Further Adventures in Babysitting” Dwarfs’ made over a million dollars. 2010 “Rapunzel” This made Disney’s dream of an 2010 “National Treasure 3” amusement park in 1955 come true. 2011 “Frankenweenie” Walt Disney’s worldwide popularity 2011 “The Lone Ranger” was based on the ideals which his 2011 “Captain Nemo” name represents: imagination, 2012 “Swiss Family Robinson” optimism, creation, and self-made 2012 “Pirates of the Caribbean 4” success in the American tradition. 2012 “King of the Elves” He brought us closer to the future, 2012 “John Carter of Mars” while teaching us many lessons we all 2013 “Jungle Cruise use in life today.
True love will conquer all Remember who you are Upcoming releases: “‘The Lion King’ is the best because it teaches life lessons and the sound track is amazing.” Lorena Ramos, soph. “‘The Lion King’, cause it has a lot of points and morals that go along with real life.” Nolan Crissman, jr. “‘The Lion King’ is the best Disney movie because its a powerful story about finding your destiny.” Kyle Charles, soph.
All of your dreams can come true
Don’t judge a book by its cover “‘Beauty and the Beast’ because it makes me think about how true love is hard to find these days. He was so lonely trapped in a tower and then he finds this amazing girl and she sees the real things inside him instead of judging him for being a beast. Belle always makes him feel great not because of the way he looked or anything but because she loved him for him.” Michael Nguyen, sr.
“I love ‘Cinderella’ because it’s adorable and I love showing it to my baby cousins. I don’t like the new versions though, they suck.” Kaytie Beasley, fr.
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