March 2006 - Oakwood CUSD #76

The Oakwood Times
Oakwood High School 5870 U.S. Route. 150 Fithian, IL 61844
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telee
3/31/2006 3:02 PM
Check out a feature on our state
qualifier in the IHSA 3-point
contest (see page 10)
2The Oakwood Times
2
March 31, 2006
Wilson’s efforts honored by Schools help safety by
being awarded March SOM purchasing AEDs
out her life she has stuck with her activiBy Jena Foley
It’s no surprise that March’s Stu- ties and fulfilled them to the best of her
dent of the Month is one of OHS’ most abilities.
“Kacie is one of the nicest people I
active students, senior Kacie Wilson.
know,” said se“I was very
nior
Chris
surprised, but it is
Chesnut. “She is
an honor to have
always there for
been named SOM
me when I need
before I gradusomeone to talk
ate,” said Wilson.
to.”
Wilson is
Wilson
involved
in
has a very supcheerleading,
portive family
WYSE, National
and one that is
Honor Society,
full of role modStudent Council,
els, one being her
where she is the
mother and sisVice-President, Inters.
ternational Club
“I could
and journalism.
only hope that I
She has also
will possess the
ran cross country,
qualities they
track and is a memhave and I don’t
ber of a competiwant to let them
tive cheerleading
squad outside of
Senior Kacie Wilson is March’s Student down,” said Wilschool.
of the Month. Wilson is involved in numerous son.
Along with
Wilson man- activities at OHS. (Photo courtesy of Wilson)
family, Wilson
ages to handle her
has support from
classes and extracurricular activities along with a job at the teachers as well.
“Mr. (Tim) Lee is one of my biggest
Possum Trot supper club.
As most high school students do, influences, because he expects a lot from
Wilson enjoys spending time with her me, as do most of my teachers,” said Wilfriends and sister Carly, shopping, run- son.
At this time Wilson is deciding bening, and reading.
She is happy to admit that through- tween four different colleges and will be
deciding soon.
Student council sponsors
volleyball tournament for
By Ashley Cook
The OHS student council held a co-ed volleyball tournament on Friday March 24th. Senior Chris Chesnut was in
charge of the tournament for his senior project.
The tournament was between the classes and each class
was able to have two teams. The senior class was the only
class that came up with two teams, while the other classes
just had one.
Each team consisted of four boys and four girls.
“I think the tournament went well,” said Chesnut. “I
had fun playing as well as being in charge of the tournament.”
As this was the first year for the tournament, Chesnut
By Christina Zitello
The schools of the Oakwood
district will be a little safer next year
due to the purchase of three automated external defibrillators (AED)
for the coming school year. The
school board made the decision to
purchase these at the February 22
meeting.
Defibrillators are potentially life
saving devices that send and electric shocks to a person‘s heart.
Most people have seen a
movie or TV show in which the doctor yells, “Clear!” and places two
paddles on the patients chest. These
are a knd of defibrillators used in
The school district has purchased three AEDs
hospitals.
for use in the buildings for next year. There will be
The defibrillators at the school one AED in each building. (Photo by Jena Foley)
will be different than the one’s usually shown on TV because the are automated. and had to make changes in the budget to
They detect a person’s heart rhythm and elec- make room for the new expense.
tronic voice tells a rescuer when to apply an
Of area schools interviewed Bismarckelectric shock.
Henning, Jamaica, Catlin, Westville, and St.
The Illinois state legislature passed a Joseph-Ogden already have AEDs.
law last year mandating that all schools with
Although, Westville principal Guy
an indoor physical education facility have an Goodlove jokingly said, “ We use them to
AED by July 1, 2006.
wake up the sleeping students,” none of these
The schools could chose to buy them schools reported using them in a life or death
over several years, buying one each year until situation.
every building in the district had one, or all at
All other area schools were planning
once, as Unit 76 chose to do. Each defibrilla- to get at least one by next year in accordance
tor cost $995.
with the law. In most schools either all or some
The state did not give schools extra of the staff is trained to use the AEDs.
money to cover the expense of the
At Oakwood, district nurse Amanda
defibrillators but rather suggested that they Sperry, who is a certified trainer, will be traintake the money from the Education and Safety ing key staff members such as coaches,
Grant which every school receives. Most teacher and administrators who will be attendschools, including Unit 76 had already ing athletic events when the use of an AED
planned spending this money in other areas, would most likely be required.
co-ed
MS
hopes the underclassmen in student council will keep the
project going for next year.
“I really hope that someone does do the same project
next year,” said Chesnut. “The money went for a good cause,
and I think everyone had a good time.”
The money that was made from the tournament went
towards Multiple Sclerosis.
Donation cans were set up at the doors on the day of
the tournament, and area businesses sponsored each team to
help pay for the shirts the players wore.
The cost to play was $8.
Senior Mike Palmer serves the ball in a game at the
co-ed volleyball tournament. The tounament was sponsored
by Student Council. (Photo by Erin Pouilliard)
March 31, 2006
32
Lunch prices to increase next year
By Kacie Wilson
Due to a $29,000 deficit in last year’s district lunch program, the school board has recently approved a 20 cent increase
in lunch prices for 7th-12th grade students as well as adults.
The new lunch prices will go into effect at the beginning of next school year and is expected to bring in an extra $8,000$10,000.
Superintendent Kevin Forney says that our school district was relatively low in the county average lunch price, and he
doesn’t expect the increase will affect the number of students eating hot lunch.
Sophomore Britton Tanner, however, feels that the increase could affect whether she eats lunch or not.
“I don’t have enough money already,” said Tanner. “I get my lunch money every two weeks, and I usually run out as
it is.”
Lunch prices for next year’s 7th-8th graders will be $1.80 and $2.00 for 9th-12th grade students. Adult meal prices will also
increase to $2.40.
The original proposal also included raising the price for 5th-6th graders to $1.80, but it was declined because it would set
two different prices at the grade school.
Forney does not expect another increase in lunch prices for several years.
The Oakwood Times
Pouilliard
advances to
State WYSE
Erin Pouilliard holds a WYSE trophy she
helped win last year. She will be competing in the
State Competition on April 9. (Photo by Jena Foley)
J.B. Owens purchases his lunch from principal Brenda Ludwig by using his lunch ticket. Next year, the lunch prices
will raise 20 cents to $2. (Photo by Jena Foley)
Sadies returns to traditional theme
By Carley Redman
Tomorrow the sophomore class will hold the annual
Sadies dance. This year the theme is “Hick town.”
The gym will be completely covered with corrals, cardboard animals, hay, and to top it all off a large barn. This
year’s class has decided to go back to the more traditional
theme rather than the unique themes that there has been in
the past.
“We wanted to return to the country theme, because
that is what Sadie Hawkins is,” said sophomore class sponsor Brenda Thornton.
Aside from tradition they did have more of a distinctive
twist to Sadies week. In the years past the week has mainly
consist of classes competing by bringing in food and supplies for the local food pantry.
This year the week was full of dress up days and the
main event, a scavenger hunt. Each class had to work hard to
find the hidden sheriff’s badges all over the school to win for
their class. The winning class’s candidates then had to dress
up in a prison costume.
“We wanted to do some dress-up days and class activities to get the enthusiasm about the event going,” said
Thorton.
The Sadies attendents have the potential to win Daisy
Mae and Lil Abner. The freshman candidates are Katie Lee
and Brady Leeman. The sophomores are Shayla Vermillion
and Mitch Cronk, while the junior attendents are Cortney
Keagle and Tucker Knight. The senior candidates are Mimi
Smith and Justin Knoblauch.
The dance will be held tomorrow from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tickets will not be sold at the door and all regular dance rules
apply.
By Brenden Watson
The Oakwood WYSE team recently competed
at Eastern Illinois University for Sectionals.
The WYSE teams placed second in Regionals
to advance to the Sectional competition as a team.
They had a good showing at the Sectional but only
one person advanced to the State competition
“Sectionals were tough,” said Mr. Geoff
Griffiths. “The move up from Division 300 students
to 700 students hurt.”
Last year the team was in the 300 student enrollment division. This year the school had an enrollment of 311 causing the WYSE team to move up a
division.
“The larger schools have a larger pool to draw
from,” said Griffiths.
The only individual to advance to the State
level was Erin Pouilliard. She received first place in
Biology. Last year, she placed second in State in
Biology.
“My goal is to at least place,” said Pouilliard.
“It would be a great feeling to win State.”
Although she placed second in last year’s State
competition, she still gets a little nervous around
awards time. The participants do not know who has
won until the end of the day.
“I was nervous that I didn’t place when no other
Oakwood students were announced,” said Pouilliard.
The State WYSE competition will be held on
April 9. The University of Illinois will host the competition.
2The Oakwood Times
4
March 31, 2006
MySpace mania making mischief in schools
Cover Story
Compiled by Erin Pouilliard
To become a member, a person is supposed to be at least 14 years old; however, this
“Did you hear what happened to so-and-so this weekend?!”
rule is impossible to enforce so many younger teens and preteens are on MySpace.
“Yeah! I saw something about it on her MySpace.”
Internet predators also pose a threat because of the amount of information that can
With the increasing popularity of MySpace, this type of a conversation can be revealed through a person’s profile. Information on name, hometown, school, and
commonly be overheard in the halls of OHS.
where a person works can be posted. In addition to this information, pictures can also be
But what exactly is MySpace? Wikipedia.com defines it as “a free social net- posted on a profile, making it easy for a predator to identify their target.
working website offering an interactive network of photos, blogs [web log], user
“You have to be careful with what information you put out there. It can be read by
profiles, groups, and an internal e-mail system.”
anyone in the world, not just our little area; that 17-year-old boy you think you’re talking
When a person becomes a member of
to could really be a 345 pound 40-year-old man,”
MySpace, they are given their own
said OHS teacher David Calkins.
webpage that they are able to cusMySpace has also been a source of controtomize. There is space for informaversy in some high school. Many students post
tion on a person’s hobbies, favorite
comments or pictures concerning their less than
movies, books, and TV shows, their
legal escapades. Since anyone can view a user’s
heroes, and who they would like to
profile, teachers or parents can look at this informeet. There is also an area for genmation that they otherwise may not have known.
eral information about a person in
Most schools employ some form of an athletic code
the “About Me” section. Surveys,
or zero tolerance policy, and some students have
music videos, backgrounds, and
gotten into trouble because of what is revealed
other graphics can also be added to
through their profile.
personalize a profile by using HTML
This raises the question of whether or not
coding.
information displayed on a student’s profile should
“It’s basically an AOL profile
be able to be used against them and possibly get
on steroids,” said junior Travis
them suspended from sports or other extracurricuDavis.
lar activities. Many students are against this beMySpace is especially popucause they believe that teachers are intruding into
lar among teens and the college
their social lives.
crowd as a form of social interaction.
“MySpace isn’t meant to be a way for adults
Once one is a member of MySpace,
to spy on us,” said senior Chris Chestnut.
they can request others members to be their
Another problem that has been encountered
‘friends.’ In MySpace language, a friend is a
with MySpace is bullying. Many schools have
member whom you can communicate with in
banned the website because it harbors “student
various ways.
gossip and malicious comments.”
If a person is your friend, they can leave
Additional problems that have been encouncomments on your profile, which are mestered with MySpace include underage users, inapsages that are displayed on your profile and
propriate pictures, drug soliciting, spyware, and
can be seen by anyone. Friends can also send
the threat of worms.
messages through private e-mails that can
Although MySpace’s popularity lies in its
only be read by the person to whom it is sent.
social aspect, it has other uses as well. Many muA student looks through her MySpace page. More and more students
Another way members can communisicians have a profile for their band and utilize
are using the web program. (Photo by Ashley Sermak)
cate is via the bulletin. A bulletin is posted in
MySpace as a way to communicate with their fan
a special area on the log-in screen and can be
base. They can post concert dates, music clips,
viewed by all of a member’s friends; it is more or less a mass e-mail. Bulletins are their band’s history, and may e-mail with fans.
quick ways to spread information to a large crowd. A member could easily let people
MySpace hasn’t always been the social networking tool that it is today. The
know about a party, concert, or other upcoming event.
original MySpace.com web domain was an online storage and file sharing firm, but it was
“It’s a good way to keep in touch with all your friends, no matter where they unsuccessful and shut down in 2001. The MySpace as we know it today was founded in
live, and also meet new ones from other schools whom you might have never had July 2003 by Tom Anderson, Chris DeWolfe, and a team of programmers.
the chance to meet before,” said junior Meghan Hohn.
Anderson recently started a side project named MySpace Records, which is a
MySpace has become so popular that its number of users has grown to over music label that signs unsigned artists who have a profile for their bands. The label
64 million as of March 2006 and is the fifth most popular English language website. released a compilation album in November 2005 of artists who had gained fame through
A short film made by an amateur filmmaker was even released over the internet in MySpace.
February 2006.
(Ashley Sermak and Christina Zitello also contributed to this article.)
The growing popularity of MySpace has also created some dangers.
“It’s basically an AOL profile on steroids.”
March 31, 2006
52
The Oakwood Times
Students experience Mexican culture
By Kendra Marsh
After completing several
worksheets, watching numerous
videos, and taking exams, the eight
students have returned home from
their trip to Mexico with OHS
teacher Norma Anderson.
The trip included time spent
in Chichen-Itza, Merida, and Mayan
Riviera. The group had the opportunity to see the Spanish culture
firsthand as they traveled from city
to city. They also visited three different Mayan ruin sites, enjoyed a
full day excursion to Xcaret Park,
and swam with dolphins in the Caribbean Sea.
Their first day brought the experience of seeing a Mayan ruin site
and hearing about this ancient civilization.
The ancient Mayans in
Chichen-Itza constructed the main
pyramid for their rain god. The rain
god was symbolized by a snake-like
creature covered in feathers. The
students heard a tale that during the
equinox in March this rain god descends from the sky bringing with
him rain for the crops.
Even today, thousands of
people crowd this site to see the
body of the creature appear on the
side of the pyramid.
said senior Brittany
Before leaving
Park. “It had refried
Chichen-Itza the girls
beans under tortilla
had the experience of
chips with fried eggs
seeing and swimming
on top. It was covered
in a cenote. The cenin a spicy tomato sauce
ote was one of the
(Ranchero sauce).”
many along the
After spending
Yucatan Peninsula that
the night in Mayan
were believed to be
Riviera, the students
formed as a product of
traveled to see the ruthe meteor that struck
ins of Tulum. These
65 million years ago.
ruins were on the
That evening
shoreline of the Caribthe group arrived in
bean Sea as apposed to
Merida. Every Sunday
being inland like the
Eight OHS students enjoyed the spring break trip to previous two sites. Afnight is a special night
in Merida. The streets Mexico. The students are, front row, from left, Brittany Park, ter hearing about these
are blocked off and full Megan Knoblauch, and Kendra Marsh. In the back row, are temples, the group got
of chairs and tables Kimber Hawkins, Jenna Hazelbaker, Meghan Hohn, Erin to cool off in the water
from the restaurants. Pouilliard, and Brooke Stevens. (Photo courtesy of Marsh) of the Caribbean Sea.
The town square beThe next morncomes crowded by vendedores, through small villages with several ing brought the excitement of
similar to street venders in America. Mayan descendants.
Xcaret Park. Although it sustained
The meals that the students some hurricane damage, the daylong
“Besides pesos, [another difference in Mexico was that] you experienced were not the stereotypi- visit wasn’t a disappointment. The
could bargain,” said junior Meghan cal Mexican dishes. The main food students had the opportunity to
items were the tortilla chips and snorkel in an underground river and
Hohn.
After a short drive, the group refried beans. Many of their meals participate in the Sea Trek. During
arrived in Uxmal. This was the sec- were buffet style so the students the Sea Trek, the students modeled
ond site for seeing ancient Mayan could experience a wider variety of a heavy helmet to make the walk on
ruins. As the trip continued to food.
the seafloor possible going as deep
“I tried Huevos Rancheros,”
Mayan Riviera, the group passed
Sixth annual blood drive a success
Shayla Vermillion distracts Kayla Watson while the nurse begins
to take Watson’s blood. This year’s goal was not met as only 34 people
gave blood. (Photo by Ashley Sermak)
By Ashley Sermak
OHS Student Council hosted
their annual blood drive on March 22.
On Wednesday 44 people attempted
to donate blood, 34 were successful.
Each person who donated
blood saved approximately three lives.
The blood from the donors will go to
the blood bank and be used in 5,000
hospitals nationwide for people who
need blood transfusions.
“I like to give blood because I
like to help save lives,” said junior
Tabatha Costigan. Costigan plans to
give blood next year.
Although there were 34 successful donors the goal of 60 donors
was not met this year, possibly because of the snow day the day before.
Senior Ashley Cook was in
charge of this year’s blood drive as
her senior project.
“I chose the blood drive as my
senior project because it is a good
cause and will help out a lot of
people,” said Cook.
as 18 feet. Xcaret Park also offered
entertainment in the recreation of
the ancient Mayan ball games and
a folklore show that evening.
Saving the best for last, the
day to swim with dolphins had arrived. This seemed to be the group’s
favorite activity of the eight-day trip.
Due to hurricane damage,
they were unable to swim at Xcaret
Park as planned. Instead they took
a boat ride through the Caribbean
Sea arriving on Isla Mujeres for the
opportunity of a lifetime.
“Swimming with dolphins
[was my favorite part]. I liked the
foot push. I went the highest in my
group,” said Park.
Ending on such an exciting
activity made the journey home a
difficult one. Luckily, there were no
problems that hindered the trip.
“It was definitely the most
problem free trip I’ve ever taken due
to the group of students and adults
that went with us,” said trip coordinator Anderson.
The inaugural trip worth a
semester class credit in biology was
a success. Anderson is unsure of
future plans for a second trip, but
clearly impressed by the first.
Audiences thrilled
by Aida
Seniors
Brittany Park
and Jessica
Whitington
perform a duet
during OHS’
recent
production of
Aida. The cast
performed two
shows. (Photo
by Ashley
Sermak)
2The Oakwood Times
What is your
MySpace
headline?
By Kayla Phillips & Nick Vinson
6
March 31, 2006
WHEN ANIMALS ATTACK IV
The Erin Davis Chronicles
When I was a little girl, I dreamed of being a veterinar- was young, Eli wasn’t even thought of, and the rest of my
ian. I loved everything about animals, and being a vet seemed cousins were generally uninterested in me. I wandered around
to fit my life goals perfectly. I spent lots of time examining our the picnic aimlessly, until I saw the dog of my dreams, named
Persian cat, Jo, who didn’t like me
Baxter. Baxter was chained up
very much. I remember counting her
apart from the party, and I felt bad
teeth and examining her ears.
for the poor guy. I wasn’t having a
My dreams continued to
good time at the party, but at least
grow and flourish with a visit to the
I had the option to join people.
movie theater. Grandma Ardyth
My sympathies overran
took me to see the “Horse
me, and I walked over to see him,
Whisperer,” and all I remember
dog treat in hand. I approached
about the movie was that I was gocarefully, with my arms open ready
ing to be the next horse whisperer.
to embrace the boxer. As I neared
Not only a horse whisperer, though,
Baxter, he realized that he wanted
I began planning on having inme nowhere near him, and he
depth relationships with cats, dogs,
lashed out. I don’t remember a
penguins, and probably dolphins
whole lot after he bit me. The entire
too. Any animal was going to be
time, I contemplated what I did to
my best friend, and it was going to
Baxter that was so terrible.
share all its secrets with me.
Peculiar
events
I began my medical practice
continued to happen. On a family
in my bedroom with a Shamu
trip to Florida, I was the only
stuffed animal. Lucky for me, the
person on the whole beach to be
Shamu doll shared the same feelstung by jellyfish, and I wasn’t
By Erin Davis
ings as the real, swimming, breathstung just once, but multiple
ing Shamu. I quickly learned all
times.
there was to know about the sea
Once in high school, I
life, what made Shamu sad and what his favorite meal was. As began dating someone whose family had multiple animals; it
my fascination continued, I quickly realized that my dreams was like a safari. While at his house, I was bit by a parrot, a
would never come true.
turtle, and also a lizard. The parrot had bit people before, but
While the fake Shamu and I hit it off, I was beginning to the turtle was mild-mannered previously. I was told he had
understand that living, breathing animals hate me with a pas- mistaken my finger for food, but I have my doubts.
sion. My dreams of being a vet dissipated with the shocking
To this day, animals still hate me. Every time I enter
realization.
my friend Boo’s house, I’m greeted by snarled teeth and
The first incidents
scary barks. Honey Bear,
occurred before memory
the Boughs’ dog, hates
serves me. I was seven
me no matter how much I
It walked up to me, and it stole
months old when my
bribe her. Last month I
the lavender sock right off of my
Grandma Ardyth thought
went to Amanda Towell’s
foot. Grandma Ardyth searched for
that it would be a good
house before our big trip
idea to expose me to the
to Indianapolis. While at
my sock, but it was never recovered.
cows at the farm while she
her house for a total of 15
I darn near lost my toes.
was gardening. She
minutes, her dog, Snoopy,
pushed my stroller up to
barked continuously and
the gate so I could get a
didn’t allow me within a
closer look. I was left alone for the most part, but one brave 10-foot radius of him without growling.
cow approached me. It walked up to me, and it stole the lavMy most recent attack was over Spring Break. I was
ender sock right off of my foot. Grandma Ardyth searched for viciously attacked by an elk, which is something not very
my sock, but it was never recovered. I darn near lost my toes. many people can say. I was helping Clinton feed the animals,
I was one and a half years when my Grandma Thomas’ when the elk was sidetracked from the food and became more
dog, Lady, attacked me. I was walking along, minding my own interested in eating me. The elk glared at me with anger in her
business, when the dog was let outside. Lady made a beeline eyes and reared onto her back feet. Even though my eyes
from the door to me, where she jumped up to meet my neck. were shut in terror, I’m fairly sure that she was pawing the air
She latched on and showed no signs of letting go. Following in disgust.
the traumatic experience, Lady was immediately taken to the
With all these incidents in mind, I’m glad that I
animal shelter. The incident was the first time Lady had shown realized that the field of speech pathology was better
any signs of violence.
suited for me. I always wanted to help animals, and in this
A few years passed without further incidents. When case, at least I’ll be able to help people. Everyone has their
I was four, I was at a Labor Day Picnic with my family. Travis expertise.
5 In T
he Hall
The
Erin’s Space
Megan Bartlow, Freshman
“Thank God for my 2 true
friends.”
Minda Pichon, Sophomore
“I <3 Mike.”
J.B. Owens, Junior
“I only date redheads.”
Ricky Powell, Senior
“I love Carly!”
Mr. David Calkins, Teacher
“The Original C-Daddy.”
Are video games for ‘adults?’
OIM
From: Josh Bough <Josh23>
To: Jessica Whitington <Soprano1>
Josh23: Did you hear about the
new online fad? And I’m not talking
about Myspace.
Soprano1: What, Home star runner?
Josh23:
No, this new ‘mudding’
thing. It’s like playing a game online
with people from around the world.
Kind of like a video game. LAME.
Soprano1: Lame? Mudding’s a lot
better than some stuff out there. Why
do you say “lame?”
Josh23: Video games in general are
lame. People in high school are playing these games. Even people that have
graduated from college!
Soprano1: What does that matter?
Video games are just as sophisticated
as other forms of entertainment. I
have games that are much more intellectually advanced than some movies I
own. You can’t make a judgment like
that on the medium as a whole.
Josh23: Are you kidding me? Video
games are made FOR KIDS. Playing video
games is one of the most juvenile forms
of entertainment out there.
Soprano1: Not all video games are
made for kids, in fact, the majority
of them aren’t. What about “Silent
Hill” or “Grand Theft Auto?” Would
you want little kids playing those
games?
Josh23: It doesn’t matter if I
want kids to play them or not. They DO
play them. I remember being in junior
high and having friends that had “Silent Hill” parties. IN JUNIOR HIGH.
Soprano1: So what says that people
our age can’t play them? What is it
that makes them immature? Just because kids in Junior High do something, it doesn’t make that activity
just for Junior High kids. Junior High
kids breathe too, that doesn’t mean
we shouldn’t.
B
I
U
Courier New
What do you think?
Josh23: Video games are a replacement for friends. In junior high, kids
don’t have cars, and their parents don’t
like driving them all over. So, they
play video games to pass the time. If
you continue to play video games your
whole life you won’t ever grow socially.
Soprano1: Again, you’re making too
much of a generalization. True, if you
do nothing but stay in your room and
play video games you won’t have any
friends. But that doesn’t mean that if
you play them you automatically won’t
have friends or grow socially. If you
focus your entire life around any one
thing you won’t have friends. And I’m
not arguing that locking yourself in
your room to game for hours at a time
is healthy.
Josh23: But once you have a car,
why continue playing games when you
can go to a friend’s house or do something active. Sitting in front of a TV
or computer screen all day gets you
nowhere. And it’s been proven that at
a young age video games can help children learn faster, or more, but NOT as
adults or teens.
Soprano1: Didn’t I just state that
playing them all day was not what I am
arguing? I believe that I did. And you
can go over to a friend’s house if you
play video games. It’s not an all or
nothing deal. I still go over to my
friends’ houses, or out to the mall.
You could even play video games with
your friends. You’re looking at this
in an absolute manner, and it is not
meant to be looked at that way.
Josh23: Whatever. I stopped caring. I’m going out with my friends.
Soprano1: That’s fine, I should
have been doing Biology homework
anyways.
10
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The Oakwood Times
Everyone should
try a cruise
By Brooke Eickhoff
Have you ever thought about taking a vacation, but never really knew what would make everyone happy? Well, recently I went on a Carnival
Cruise and I absolutely loved it! The best part was
the huge variety of activities.
My favorite part was that the food
was amazing and all-inclusive.
There were a couple of really fancy
restaurants where I didn’t even recognize what I ordered. It was so fancy that
you got 10 pieces of silverware, and of
course, I had no idea which one I was
supposed to use. No one ever seemed to
mind though, they would just try to help
you by telling you that your drinks are
on the right and breads on the left so
you don’t end up drinking or eating after
someone else.
Sometimes it turned out to be great
and I really liked what I got, but other
times I would pick around and just make
it look like I ate it. Then I would go down
and hit the buffet or the cheeseburger
stand for more my style dining.
“The best part was that you could even go
get pizza at 3 a.m,” said senior Brenden Watson,
who went on a Carnival Cruise two years ago.
There is always plenty to do when not eating. They have everything from ping pong tournaments and Fear Factor contests to art auctions
and champagne tasting. They have different
shows every night with dancers and singers that
I would never imagine took place on a boat. Other
options of things to do were play bingo, watch
movies in the theatre, visit the casino (if 18 or
older), lay out in the sun, or swim in one of the
three pools onboard.
The best part was every night when you
went to bed, the ship kept on moving. You would
wake up and be in an entirely different place. The
cruise we took went to two ports; Cozumel, Mexico
and the Grand Cayman Islands. Before you even
leave the ship, the cruise line provides many different tours or activities you can do. They also
give you a shopping map so that you don’t get
ripped off and find the best deals possible.
Another fun thing about the trip is that so
many nationalities are onboard. The crew on my
ship consisted of over 50 different cultures and
people speaking 11 different languages.
For me, it was hard to believe that all of this
was on a ship in the middle of the ocean, and a
couple of times I even got lost trying to get from
on thing to another. I mean, how does this huge
thing float? I still don’t really know the answer,
but I do know it was a very neat experience for me
and I recommend it for anyone who wants to try
something different.
My tw
o cents
two
72
March 31, 2006
2The Oakwood Times
OHS should
provide more
non-traditional
classes
Editorial
We, the staff of The Oakwood
Times, believe that earning class
credits in the non-typical classroom
setting is a good idea.
Eight juniors and
seniors recently spent a week
in Mexico over Spring Break
and earned a semester’s credit
in biology as a part of the trip.
In order to go, the trip
participants had to learn about
Mexican history, culture, and
wildlife in the area by watching
videos, doing worksheets, and
taking exams.
Learning in more
hands-on situations benefits students
because it allows them to learn in
different ways than they would in a
normal classroom setting.
This type of learning may also
help certain students retain
information because some students
learn differently than others. It is also
a nice change of pace from your
average, everyday class.
Another way that OHS
students may earn credits in addition
to their normal high school curriculum
is by dual enrollment. Students who
are enrolled in rhetoric at OHS are
also earning a college credit at
Danville Area Community College.
Many students also earn
college credits by taking summer
classes at DACC. By taking classes
at DACC, students can earn some of
their college credits for cheaper than
they would at the college they will
eventually attend.
The Oakwood Times
encourages more of this type of nontraditional education in the future.
8
March 31, 2006
I didn’t know it, but I
missed the music in my life
When was the last time you felt important or that you
I tried to stay open minded, but I still had the mind set
were actually needed? I recently discovered that through sing- that I was a terrible singer.
ing I could open my heart to new people.
It was all about me.
< Not a sound is heard. The silence seeps into my ears,
One day at a rehearsal, I heard songs being played and
and it’s all I can hear. A steady squeak is heard as the curtain laughter coming from the band room. I opened the doors to
glides open. I can hear people cough and fidget with their see many of my cheerleader friends dancing with my music
friends. The dancers took a
clothes. I know they’re growbreak and the musical’s leads
ing restless. All at once the
sat down to grab a drink and
spotlight hits me! There I
talk with the dancers.
stand, a lone figure illumiThis may not seem like
nated in the darkness. All
a big step to you but previeyes are on me. >
ously I talked with my music
You see I am a senior,
friends about music only and
and the pure ecstasy that
my cheerleader friends about
comes from standing in a spotall other things. That may
light should’ve worn off years
sound like I was blocking off
ago right? Wrong! My heart
one group or the other but I
skips a beat when I throw mynever ran out of conversaself before a crowd.
tion.
I left the music departI went to journalism
ment my sophomore year. I
By Dixie Sexton
class the following day and
had successfully helped
heard many of the dancers
with three musicals. I was satisfied with ending my musisinging the songs of the mucal career on a high note. (Pun intended.) I
sical. Similarly, I had seen my
had come to the realization that my voice
music friends dancing that morning. My friends usually
would not improve, and I didn’t want to emdefined by cliques were melting into one anbarrass myself any longer in high school.
other right before my eyes.
Well this summer a friend of mine tried
The dancers finished their dances
to convince me to join chorus, but I was not
on closing night and were just as sad
accepting. I had turned in my schedule with
for the finale as the musical performthe classes I wanted, but sure enough like evers were. The stereotypical cliques
ery year before, I couldn’t take them all due to
had united to produce an awesome
conflicts. It just so happened I needed a class
musical, but even more they had
for second hour. Second hour happens to be
formed friends were once only enthe one and only chorus hour at OHS.
emies could be found.
Before I knew what hit me, I was back in
For me, I took a personal
the music department.
flight on the wings of music. I’m not
I told my friend, “I don’t want to do this
saying I’m ready to sing the national anthem, but I did gain a
newfound confidence in my voice and myself.
all year, but I know at the end of first semester I’ll
My friend couldn’t realize the effect he had just by
get wrapped into wanting to stay for the winter
suggesting a subject I had long blocked out. My senior year
musical second semester.”
would not have been the same if I didn’t have a constant
I held true to my own prediction and
voice pushing me to do what I never thought possible.
found myself not
As for the rest of my friends, I never thought I would
able to drop the
see the day that so many different people could find a comclass.
It
mon interest. I hope I could open your heart to the unity that
wasn’t becomes through music. Unity, leadership, and friendships all
cause of
played a hand in producing one of the best musicals OHS has
schedulseen. Aida: In Concert – 2006
ing, my
< I looked up. I welcomed the light. This was my time. I
grades, or
wanted to prove who I was and what I could accomplish. I
my like/
approached the microphone, opened my mouth, and allowed
dislike of
my voice to take flight. >
anyone but
I don’t know if it was the best sounding, but that voice
rather because
I heard through the speakers was mine. In that moment my
for the first time
heart, soul, and mind took that steady flight on the wings of
in my life I had earned a
music.
solo position.
Whistling Dixie
I took a
personal flight
on the wings of
music.
Other cultures aren’t wrong,
they’re just different
I used to think my world was the
only one out there. I didn’t think it was
perfect by any means, but it was simply
the only choice there was.
Growing up here in a little town, I
rarely got out to see anything besides
ballparks and cornfields. My travels to
Disneyworld and the occasional trip to
Chicago or the beach fascinated me at a
young age, but it wasn’t until I had the
chance to travel outside of the country
during this past year that I truly did learn
about life outside of Oakwood.
I knew that things were different in
other countries and cultures, but I somehow had this idea that all the people wanted
to be just like us, just like Americans. I
think it came from social studies when they
teach us that the United States was formed
because everyone wanted to escape there
own country. We must simply be the best
there is out there. Everyone else must still
dream about becoming an American, and they all copy our
every move. Well, I hate to admit it, but I was wrong.
When I traveled to Europe this past summer with my
classmates, we seemed to refer to everything that the Europeans did differently as “wrong.” They drove on the wrong side
of the road, they wore funny clothes and ate weird foods, and
in some instances, they spoke in languages that seemed ridiculous and made us wonder how they ever understood one
another. I for one never thought, that they could possibly be
looking at us in the same strange way.
It didn’t matter that I was in a different country; I still
thought that everyone should behave in the same ways that
I did. It didn’t take me long to figure out that we were quite
outnumbered, and to my surprise, most people could care
less about what we were doing. They didn’t want to be like
us; some even hated us. I was still, however, stuck on the fact
that our fashions, music, language, and food was simply the
only option, and everything else was, well, just not right.
It wasn’t until earlier this month when I headed off to
Australia for spring break that I finally
began to see things differently. As soon
as we arrived, my sister began to complain about the Aussie’s driving on the
wrong side of the road, and suddenly, I
was annoyed. I had acted the same way
when I entered Europe, but my viewpoint
was different this time around. It wasn’t
the wrong side of the road; it was just
the left side. And without even noticing
at first, I saw lots of things differently.
Instead of wondering why there
wasn’t a ‘u’ after the ‘q’ in the name of
our airline, Qantas, I was asking myself
why in the world we found it necessary
to follow every ‘q’ with a ‘u.’ I had lots
of other questions too, like why we don’t
use fun words such as ‘bloody’ and
‘mate,’ or why we don’t include the tax in
the price of goods like many other countries do. (It makes shopping much easier!)
The more thought about it though,
I began to be able to answer my own questions. Each country has its own style and way of life just like every person has
their own personality. It’s what makes travel interesting.
I sat through 30 hours of airports and planes rides
each way to see Australia’s rainforests, kangaroos, and
beaches -- not skyscrapers, cities, and amusement parks. I
went there and was delighted to get a taste of their culture.
Sure, there are aspects of life that tie the whole world
together and sometimes you witness those while you are
vacationing, but the real magic comes in the differences. It’s
amazing to think that they can all work together to form a
world that is, for the most part, at peace.
These differences, not wrongs, build the strongest ties
between people within a country, state, or even family. They
build loyalty and patriotism that is usually impossible to break.
So what I’ve learned is that not everyone is longing to
be an American, and that is a positive thing. It creates diversity, fun, and a sense of adventure that you can’t find in the
next cornfield.
Just In
Kace
Cartoon
By Kacie Wilson
The Oakwood Times
T he Oakw
ood Times
Oakwood
Volume 20, Issue 8
Members of the staff are enrolled in Journalism Class. The paper is published by The
Oakwood Times staff.
Subscriptions are $8 per year and may
be purchased by contacting the staff at
Oakwood High School, 5870 US Route 150,
Fithian IL, 61844.
The Oakwood Times encourages signed
letters, comments, art, or columns from
its readers. The Oakwood Times reserves
the right to edit all submissions for length
and clarity. No submissions will be
printed that are considered libelous, in
poor taste, or are intended solely as a
personal attack. Opinions expressed do
not necessarily reflect the opinions of
the entire staff or the district employees.
Editors In Chief
Erin Davis
Dixie Sexton
Managing Editor
Josh Bough
Copy Editor
Kacie Wilson
Business Mgr.
Brooke Stevens
News Editor
Carley Redman
Opinion Editor
Kendra Marsh
Sports Editor
Nick Vinson
Photo Editor
Jena Foley
Reporters
Ashley Cook
Brooke Eickhoff
Kimber Hawkins
Jenna Hazelbaker
Laura Lucas
Kayla Phillips
Erin Pouilliard
Ashley Sermak
Brenden Watson
Jessica Whitington
Christina Zitello
Advisor
Mr. Tim Lee
Staff Bo
x
Box
92
March 31, 2006
2The Oakwood Times
10
March 31, 2006
Pratt #2 for 3s
Where has Junior qualifies
the Pit gone? for State again
Sports Column
In the past few years, I have noticed a steady
decrease in student involvement in their high
school. In particular, student attendance at extracurricular events has decreased drastically.
Two years ago, our varsity basketball team
was winning many games and many fans
came to show their support. At the beginning of the season the student attendance was
not
very
high; however, after
winning
many games,
students
seemed to
become more
interested.
Teams
that
are
By Nick Vinson
struggling,
especially if they are close but just can’t
get that extra push at the end of games to
close them, need the student involvement
and cheering section for extra motivation
to finish the game with.
Many other area schools have cheering
sections where students from their school go and
cheer on their team and argue with the opposing
teams. That is one thing that I have noticed that
is lacking at OHS. As our team walks onto the
court or field, the opposing teams’ fans start trying to get into our heads, while our fans just sit
quiet and wait for the game to start.
Fan involvement is a huge aspect of any
game. Hearing your fans roaring and cheering for
your team can pump the players up and give a
boost of adrenaline. However, is there is a lack of
fan involvement, it can get the teams morale down
and be detrimental to the team’s success.
Another thing that you may see that I do
not understand is students who cheer against
their school. I’m sure you think that this is not a
problem, but I have seen it happen. Why would
someone cheer against their school, the place they
go everyday for four years?
Next time you have a couple of free nights
during the week, try and go out and cheer on
your school’s athletic events. Not only will it give
you something to do, but it will give a tremendous amount of support and extra motivation for
your team.
Knowing that your student body is behind
you and hearing them cheering you on can be
one of the biggest motivation boosters that you
will receive while you are playing a sport.
By Laura Lucas
Junior Aaron Pratt has placed in the Illinois High School
Association’s 3-point contest held in Peoria for the second
year in a row.
Last year, Pratt received third in state. Pratt shot six
other times this year before making it to the State contest.
“I never thought while playing basketball in second
grade that I’d ever accomplish anything like this,” said Pratt.
Pratt first advanced in the Regional contest at Westville
High School with 13 baskets. Pratt then easily advanced
through Regionals and Sectionals which eventually led him
to State.
While at State, he was one of the 64 best three-point
shooters in the state. They were then quickly narrowed down
to four. After advancing to the final four, Pratt received second place this year with twelve shots the first round and 11
shots in the second.
“I’m really glad that I made it farther this year than I did
last year,” said Pratt. “It’s a lot of fun, and I still hope to do
even better next year.”
Pratt shooting contributed to the team as well.
“Since getting off shots during the games is tougher,”
said OHS coach, Jon Heath, “it probably helped prepare him.”
Junior Aaron Pratt took second place in State in the
IHSA’s three-point competition. Pratt also qualified for the
State finals last year. (Photo by staff)
Baseball team hopes to make another
run at Sectionals with veteran squad
Senior Robert Hubbard warms up his arm in the OHS
gym. Because of poor weather, the team hadn’t played a game
by March 27. (Photo by Nick Vinson)
By Kimber Hawkins
The OHS baseball season is underway with good
hopes for another Regional title. The past two years the
team has advanced to sectional finals.
“We have many experienced letterman returning this
year,” said junior varsity coach Dave Markwell.
The team has eight out of nine starters returning
this year and promising talent showing from the freshmen. Only second baseman Sean Ritter graduated from
last year’s team.
According to head coach Bob Sermak, OHS hasn’t
seen as much talent as the current team holds this year in
15 years.
Although they are a veteran team, some of the
younger players are expected to step up and play some
varsity. The younger players are going to have to fill positions in the field when the upperclassmen are pitching.
“There are decent pitchers returning and there is a
lot of experience at all the positions,” said Markwell.
With only losing one senior the baseball team has a
lot of leadership this year with seven returning seniors.
The seniors are expecting to lead on and off the field.
The downfall for this season so far is that the team
has not yet made it outside due to the conditions of the
field at Oakwood Park and weather.
They were not able to play their first game until
most teams had been on the fields for about 10 days.
11 2
March 31, 2006
The Oakwood Times
Lomax jumps to good
start, others follow
By Brooke Stevens
With the track season underway, senior Corey Lomax has gotten off to a good start.
Lomax participated in the indoor track meet in Charleston on Saturday, March 18. He
placed sixth in the high jump, jumping six feet. Starting at six feet, he surpassed his starting
point of last year by one inch.
Coach Gary Denhart also has high expectations for junior J.B. Owens, who did very well
last year in shot put and discus.
Denhart also expects his team to do well as a whole once again this year. With a team
of 20 boys, they will be able to fill most events.
“I suspect that we will be in the top three in the county and conference again this year.
If everyone sticks with it and stays eligible, we should have no problem,” said Denhart.
This year, the team has two returning seniors and one first year senior that will be
expected to step up as leaders. Lomax is the only senior to have run all four years. Mike
Palmer is returning for his third year, and Jesse Eaton is trying out the sport for his first time.
Senior Corey Lomax practices his high jump skills indoors in the wrestling room.
Lomax has already cleared six feet this season. (Photo by Brooke Stevens)
Girls track team sees
increase in numbers
By Dixie Sexton
The 16 OHS track girls gladly welcomed Armstrong
Potomac’s Liz Todd to round the girls out to a 17-runner
team.
This season the girls have already faced strong competition. On March 11, sophomore Stephanie Denius
placed fifth in the indoor triple jump at Eastern Illinois
University.
“I want to get better, but I think it was pretty good
for the first meet,” said Denius.
The girls team is being led by freshman Kayla
Corzine, sophomore Denius, and junior Ashley Sermak.
“They will be the force of competition,” said Coach
Lynn Anderson. “The others will be complimented by these
runners.”
Sermak returned this season after suffering from a
stress fracture last season, missing the entire outdoor season.
“I missed out on a chance to go to State, and I want
to break my own school records in the 1600 and 800,” said
Sermak.
This year’s team has 10 more people than last year’s
team. The team welcomed six freshmen, but will be losing
four seniors at the close of the season.
“I’m hoping for leadership and a good example from
the seniors,”said Anderson.
Corzine and Denius also compete in the field
competions in addition to running.
“It’s definately harder competing with the seniors,
but that’s the drive that forces me to excel,”said Corzine.
On March 25, Sermak and Denius participated in a
meet at Illinois State University.
The outdoor season started with the Tuscola Invitational on March 30. The girls next meet will be the
Georgetown-Ridge Farm Invitational on April 4.
Freshman Kayla Corzine puts the shot in a recent
practice at OHS. Corzine is one of many freshmen on this
year’s squad who will be counted on for varsity events.
(Photo by Brooke Stevens)
Returning
starters earn high
expectations
By Brenden Watson
This year the OHS softball team is relying on leadership for success. The team is stacked with seniors who have
a lot of varsity experience. They know what it takes to be
successful at this level.
“The strength on our team is our experience,” said head
coach Rick Bough. “We have seven players in the lineup
who have started for three or more years.
The expectations for this year are much higher than
previous years. The team had a 15-17 record last year. That is
the best record since 2003. They are hoping to surpass the
win record which is 18, set in 1992, 1995, and 2000.
“We want to play to the best of our ability all season,
not just part of it,” said Amanda Towell.
A few members of the team have been working out
since December. These members are Kendra Marsh and
Amanda Towell. Katie Lee and Megan Bartlow have also been
doing extra work this winter.
Towell, the team’s main pitcher, has been throwing to
marsh one or two days a week since December. During practice Towell throws 100 pitches a day.
“I have been working on my placement,” said Towell.
“My placement and my speed changes is what I base my
pitching on.”
Marsh has also put in a lot of time over the winter since
she did not play basketball for the first time. Marsh has spent
the practice time learning how to hit lefthanded.
The seniors are also trying to show leadership for the
incoming freshmen. It is important for seniors to be role models for young players. That will help build a program that is
successful year in and year out.
“The underclassmen watch us and learn from us,” said
Towell. “We do things as team and try not to leave anyone
out.”
More people in
China speak
English than in
the United
States.
Ingrown
toenails
are
hereditary.
Until the 1960s men
with long hair were not
allowed to enter
Disneyland.
Babies
are born
without
kneecaps.
Did you know...
There are more
chickens in the
world than
people.
By Jenna Hazelbaker
Pigs can run a mile
in 7 1/2 minutes.
Money isn’t
made out of
paper. It is
made out of
cotton.
Facts taken from http://www.teentwist.com/Fun/randomfacts.html
Barbie’s
measurements
if she were
lifesize:
39-23-33.