Leo says goodbye to teacher Fred Rothert

The
Lion’s Tale
May 21, 2012
Leo Junior/Senior High School
Volume LIV Issue IX
EACS Director of Technology William Diehl
demonstrates iPads to Leo community
By Katerina Mattingly
Staff writer
Next fall, students will
experience a more modern way of
learning with the new Apple iPads.
On Thursday, May 2, a
meeting was held in Leo Jr. /Sr.
High School’s auditorium to inform the community more about
this change. East Allen County
Schools Superintendent Karyle
Green attended and spoke along
with LHS principal Dr. Neil
Brown III; Leo Elementary principal Jill Brady; Cedarville principal Brad Bakle; and EACS Director of Technology William Diehl.
Diehl spoke last and was
the main speaker at the gathering. He was accompanied by
a few iPad experts, Curt Dagner and Keith Madison who
helped with answering various questions from parents towards the end of the meeting.
Throughout the meeting, an iPad 3 with a protective
black case and retina display was
passed around to show the audience what the students would
be using the next school year.
“The
school
system
is getting iPads to support
Blended Learning because you
should not just have one source.
Variety is key,” said Diehl.
Blended Learning is a
liberal, modern strategy for education that combines typical face-
Diehl presents the iPad.
PHOTO BY KAT MATTINGLY
to-face classroom methods with a
computer-based curriculum. According to a PowerPoint, the goal is
New classes being incorporated
for the 2012-2013 school year
By Natalie Hauenstein
Staff writer
According to guidance counselor Cary
Cogdell, new classes for next year include dance,
textiles and fashions, an algebra enrichment course
for students who need more help, and show choir.
“Textiles and fashion will be split into two
sections,” said teacher Rosi Brown. “The first nine
weeks we’ll be learning how to work the sewing machine, and the second we’ll be making three projects.”
For this class, in the next year the school
will be getting 15 new sewing machines. In addition to the new machines, the school will be getting 15 machines already here repaired. Leo is offering this class next year because it is a duel-credit
course, and students have begun to show interest.
“I’m really hoping the class can grow
into an interior design class,” said Brown.
Kim MacDonald, a former show choir
teacher at New Haven, is to be the show choir
teacher for next school year. This program has
a little over twenty students already signed up
and may start growing after schedule changes.
Because of expenses the first year of show
choir will be just for practice and progression
and not used to be competitive, said MacDonald.
“I don’t think the kids will be ready to dedicate
themselves to practices after school also,” said MacDonald. “The first year will be good just to get show
choir out there and become more known at the school.”
The algebra enrichment course is a credit
that is taken with algebra for the students who need
more help to really understand the class. According
to Cogdell, the class is to be taught by several different math teachers and is being added next year because of the need from students and the availability
on East Allen County Schools’ course selection sheet.
“We will also be getting a dance class added
next year,” said guidance counselor Gary Rogers.
According to both Rogers and Cogdell, there isn’t a
teacher determined to direct this class yet. This class
was added to the course selection sheet this year,
and many students signed up to take this course.
“The dance class was requested by many
students and choir directors,” said Rogers. “With
enough students signing up to take this class,
it looks like it is going to be offered next year.”
to engage, not entertain. Students
of this generation have grown up
with technology, communication,
and music. Unlike textbooks, the
iPads provide high-quality pictures and videos for students to
share, collaborate, and compare.
Teachers will be able to record their lectures so they can post
them online for students to listen
to them however many times they
want to so they can have more
instruction time when needed.
Also in the PowerPoint,
not only will students be able to
learn faster and perhaps more,
the iPads prove very educational
when it comes to understanding technology. Students from a
young age can learn how to use
technology, which is very essential for the workforce and society. What iPads do is expand
students’ minds on how to solve
unique, real-world situations
such as fixing a car and what to
do when a flight gets cancelled.
According to Diehl, since
some students will be tempted
to log onto Facebook and Twitter
during the day, powerful filters
will prevent the student from doing things such as this. If any student posts anything inappropriate on their iPad, they will receive
the “technology timeout.” If a
student were to get a technology
timeout, they would on a daily
basis for an unsure period of time
have to pick up their iPad from the
library and return it to the library
at the end of the school day so they
would not be able to take it home.
Students of the month
Technology- Andrew
VonGunten (9)
Science- Leah Delagrange
(9)
Fine Arts- Colin English
(12)
Social Studies- Brandon
Werling (11), Kaylen O’Dell
(11), Justin Stuckey (11)
World Language- Hannah
Zimmerman (9)
Math- Jintida Chanthavong
(9)
FACS- Chandler Fields (10)
Business/ Careers- Katie
Westerhausen (11)
PE- Jordan Delagrange (11)
English- Hope Kimball (9)
Grade 7- Jacob Thompson
Grade 8- Stella Knox
Leo says goodbye to
teacher Fred Rothert
By Katie Lindley
Sports editor
How long have you worked at
Leo?
A: 22 years.
What are the different courses
you taught at Leo?
A: English grades 8-12, creative
writing, novels, U.S. History
grades 8 and 11, and world
history. For the past few years,
I’ve taught mostly 10th grade
English.
What class did you enjoy
teaching the most?
A: I’ve enjoyed them all, no
favorites.
What will you miss about
teaching?
A: Working with students, they
are such a joy; and my fellow
teachers, they are the best.
What is your favorite memory
from teaching?
A: “Team Eight.” This was a twoyear experiment in middle school
team teaching. My team was
Mr. Flickinger, Mrs. Mahoney,
Mrs. Yamano, and Mr. Witte. We
really had an amazing time.
Compare the first class
you taught to the last class
you taught. What are the
differences?
A: I was nervous and uncertain
with my first class, spent a lot of
time making plans, etc. It got a
lot easier and more enjoyable as
time went on and I figured out a
few things.
What’s the most important
lesson you’ve learned through
your years of teaching?
A: Tough question. I’ve learned
to be patient, to plan, to be
creative, and to endure.
What factors led you to retiring?
A: My age is the main factor.
I’m going to be 65 this year,
and I knew that I wouldn’t be
teaching many more years. When
I heard about the new English
curriculum, I decided this would
be a natural time to leave, rather
than devoting a great deal of
time and energy to learn a new
method of teaching and then
retire.
How do you feel about your
decision to retire?
A: I’m pretty happy with it. I will
miss my students and colleagues,
but I’m looking forward to
having the time to do a few
things.
What do you plan to do after
retirement?
A: [I plan to] Play, write, and
record music; write fiction;
garden; canoe and hike; read;
go to movies; organize my
disorderly life; travel; and have
fun!
PHOTO BY KATIE LINDLEY
TCID:PP
May 21, 2012
Page 2
NEWS
Leo sophomores attend field trip to Science Central
By Miller Kern
Special editor
On Wednesday May
2, a group of sophomore
students went on a field
trip to Science Central in
downtown
Fort
Wayne.
“East Allen County
Schools received a grant
for students identified as
‘high ability,’” said Assistant
Principal Jody Smith. “The
field trip was for all EACS
students in this group (grades
seven,
eight
and,
10.)”
The sophomores were
divided into three groups of
about 15 people. Each group
had a different schedule. The
schedules included lunch,
free time, and a lab. Due
to the two-hour delay that
morning, the field trip was not
as long as originally planned.
Students had about an hour
to spend doing each activity.
Many students enjoyed
the free time they had to just
explore Science Central. There
were many exhibits to visit
and activities to participate
in. Students liked visiting old
exhibits that they remember
from their childhood, as well
as new exhibits that they were
viewing for the first time.
Some old classics
that students loved were the
tilted room, the sewer, the
moon bounce, and the bike.
According
to
sophomore Madison Clark,
the moon bounce was her
favorite activity because it
made her feel like a little kid.
As teens, students
noticed some changes in
Science Central. These changes
include both size and content.
“It seems a lot smaller
and they got rid of the pullup chairs,” said sophomore
Breanna
Carpenter.
Some of the new
exhibits included a star
dome and a treasure room.
The treasure room included
various different activities.
At one station, there were
engravings of coins that
visitors could make rubbings
of on a piece of paper using a
crayon. There was also a pit
full of rubber pieces with metal
objects buried underneath.
Guests could use metal
detectors to find the metal
treasures hidden within the pit.
The lab that students
participated in dealt with
radioactivity. Students had
to measure the amount of
radioactivity that was taking
place in different metals
and particle samples. Many
students did not think that the
lab was beneficial because the
information did not pertain to
what was being taught in their
chemistry classes at school.
According to Clark, the lab was
kind of confusing. Students
had to work with unfamiliar
machinery and had restricted
time to complete the tasks.
Several
students
believed the field trip was,
overall,
very
beneficial.
“Science
Central
had a lot of informational
activities that really made
me appreciate science,” said
sophomore Frances Coolman.
Clark thought it was
beneficial to get out of school
and have an opportunity
to explore and have fun.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MILLER KERN
Sophomores Breanna Carpenter and Miller Kern try on the spacesuits during the lab.
Teachers leaving Leo reflect on the past
By Brooke Wilcoxson
Mike Walker
Mercedes Plummer
How long have you worked at
Leo?
This was my first year at Leo.
Why are you leaving Leo?
I don’t know if there will be an
opening for me to come back. If
there is, it’s not 100% I will get the
job. It’s a district wide position, so
if someone that has been teaching
longer than I have and they want
the position they can have it…
What will you miss most about
teaching at Leo?
Teaching of course! I had a
wonderful time teaching health,
P.E., and aerobics. I also really enjoyed coaching middle
school track and field! Also, the teachers who have helped
me with so much and giving me the support I needed to
do my job successfully. I am so proud of my students and
seeing them all excel and grow!
Kevin Jehl
How long have you worked at
Leo?
I have been teaching at Leo for
28 years. I came here in 1984. I
have taught all business subjects,
world history, and US history. I
also coached 7-8 grade track and
7-8 grade football. My favorites
are business, personal law, and
US history.
Why are you leaving Leo?
I was a member of an EACS
committee that was planning
a new type of “early college”
high school at Harding. As the
plan developed and the school
became a reality, I wanted to
teach there the very first year and
help get it up and started.
What will you miss most about teaching at Leo?
This has been a very good year. I have really liked all my
classes and I will miss the Leo students and staff. But, after
4 P.M. I will stay involved at Leo. I plan on announcing for
football and other sports and I will stay connected to staff
and community by working on Polar Plunge and Special
Olympics.
Wilcoxson: So I understand you are
resigning from teaching?
Walker: At this point I’m 99.9% sure that I
will not be back at Leo next year.
Wilcoxson: So you’re saying there’s still a
chance you’ll be back?
Walker: I guess you could say that there’s
a 0.1% chance that I’ll be back. Those odds
would be similar to that of a Tim Tebow –
Kim Kardashian wedding.
Wilcoxson: I just read somewhere that they
were just spotted in a New York City night
club.
Walker: You need to stop reading Mr.
Crosby’s Facebook blogs. Next question.
Wilcoxson: So how long have you worked
at Leo?
Walker: I taught at Leo Elementary for one
year and have here at the Jr./Sr. High School
for 13 very fast years. I coached high school
cross country and track for nearly that long.
Wilcoxson: Why are you leaving Leo Jr./Sr.
High School?
Walker: I would say that the main reason
is the workload and stress that now
accompany the public teaching profession.
Once these things started affecting my
ability to continue being a great father and
a husband, I knew it was time for me to find
another profession. Don’t get me wrong. I
still love teaching. I just don’t love my job
anymore.
Wilcoxson: If you had one thing that you
could change about the teaching profession,
what would it be?
Walker: I once read that an ancient Asian
philosopher, or was it a medieval European
Derek Bethay
How long have you worked
at Leo?
I started at the beginning
of the second semester. I
took over for a teacher who
resigned.
Why are you leaving Leo?
The position I am filling had
to be posted in accordance
with the teacher contract.
What will you miss most
about teaching at Leo?
I will miss working with a
great staff and teaching great
students! Best of luck to you
all!
Amy Rodocker
How long have you worked at Leo?
I’ve been teaching for one year.
Why are you leaving Leo?
I’m relocating to Nashville, TN due
to a job promotion for my fiancé –
moving after wedding.
What will you miss most about
teaching at Leo?
I will miss my students the most. This
is my first year teaching high school
and they made it memorable and
amazing.
PHOTOS BY BROOKE WILCOXSON
Editor-in-chief
philosopher. Now that I think about it, they
could have been middle-eastern. No wait, it
was definitely an Asian… anyway, this old
dead smart guy once said, “If we constantly
test to find someone’s weakness, we will
surely discover their limitations. But if
instead we spend our time discovering and
promoting their strengths, we will know
their gifts and can help them pursue their
passion.” Does any of that make sense,
Wilcoxson? Wilcoxson?
Wilcoxson: Zzzz….zzzzz….zzzzz
Walker: (shouting) NEXT QUESTION!
Wilcoxson: So what are your plans after
you leave teaching?
Walker: My wife and I are currently starting
up our own eBook publishing consulting
business. I’ve also written a book, Bully
Busters (that my wife has illustrated), and
will be ePublishing within the next month
or so. It’ll be available on Amazon.com
and iBooks. You can check my Facebook for
release updates. You should give it a read,
Wilcoxson. It written for upper elementary/
junior high age, so it seems right up your
alley. My wife and I are also beginning
some other web-based business ventures
that we can hope will be fun to create and
manage. If none of these entrepreneurial
ideas fly, I can always fall back on my
extended family’s traveling circus company.
Wilcoxson: What in the world would you
do in a traveling circus?
Walker: I don’t know. Maybe I could be
known as the world’s most handsomest
man.
Wilcoxson: Chirp, chirp, chirp….
Walker: What’s the problem?
Wilcoxson: Yeah, ummm… shouldn’t you
be somewhat handsome for that to fly?
Walker: That hurts, Wilcoxson, seriously…
next question.
Wilcoxson: what did you think about the
Harding transition process?
Walker: I honestly wasn’t surprised at
how well it went. I knew the Leo students
would do an outstanding job at welcoming
and then accepting the Harding kids. And
despite being deal a pretty raw deal, I think
the Harding kids showed a tremendous
amount of character accepting Leo as their
new school. Being a Harding grad myself,
I thought the whole process was really cool
and it has definitely improved this school’s
dance-a-bility.
Wilcoxson: What will you miss about
teaching at Leo?
Walker: I will absolutely miss all of the
GREAT students that I have taught over the
years. I’ll even miss most of the not-so-great
ones. The kids here have been awesome.
All of my teaching colleagues will also be
greatly missed the teachers here at Leo
are truly unbelievable. Sometimes I don’t
think students realize how lucky they are to
attend this school. Sometimes I truly forget
how lucky I am to have taught here.
Wilcoxson: Thanks for your time, Mr.
Walker.
Walker: No, thank you…. And try and stay
awake the rest of the day, Wilcoxson.
Wilcoxson: Try not to make up any more
philosophical quotes.
Walker: Whatever
Wilcoxson: Whatev
May 21, 2012
Page 3
“The Lucky One” becomes a success in theaters
By Paige Kaiser
Opinion editor
The latest drama film
“The Lucky One,” based off
of a book by Nicholas Sparks,
is currently number five
in the box office according
to the May 13 weekend.
The lead actor is Zac
Efron, high school musical
heartthrob, who plays the part
as a Marine who just returned
from Iraq in search of Beth
(Taylor Schilling) whom he
believes is his guardian angel.
“I really liked the movie
and Zac Efron looks so good,”
said junior Taalke Wilkens.
While
Efron’s
character, Logan, is in Iraq
on station he happens to
come across a photograph of
Beth on the battle field and
keeps it. Soon after he finds
it, he mysteriously begins
to get out of attacks, while
in the meantime some of
his friends aren’t so lucky.
After he arrives home
and out of the war, he sets off to
find the mysterious girl in the
photograph by matching the
landmarks in the background
of the photo. Soon he finds
himself walking from Colorado
to Louisiana, the hometown
of the mysterious girl, Beth.
After asking around
town, Logan finds out that
Beth is the owner of a local
kennel. Once he makes his
way to her, instead of telling
her right away why he came,
PHOTO BY PAIGE KAISER
Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling star in a love story by Nicholas Sparks.
Logan takes the open job as
the kennel’s new handyman.
Once they start to
interact, Beth writes Logan off
as a lunatic right away and
questions why he was hired
in the first place. Soon enough
they begin to have feelings for
each other and their flirty banter
turns into something more.
Despite
their
happiness the couple is then
thrown many obstacles in their
way, keeping them from being
happy. Beth’s ex-husband, a
local cop hungry for power,
gets jealous of the two being
together and tries to put an
end to their relationship.
“I absolutely loved it
because Logan’s love for Beth is
so strong and passionate,” said
freshman Lauren Westerman.
The biggest obstacle
in the couple’s way is Logan’s
secret about how he truly came
to that kennel in Louisiana.
Earlier on, Logan finds out
the
photograph
actually
belonged to Beth’s deceased
brother who was killed in the
ambush that Logan survived.
The whole movie then
is about how the couple faces
these hardships and gets past
their problems with family
and sudden turns of events.
With so many events
and
struggles
happening
in the movie, it is fast
paced and lively making
it a great movie to watch.
“The Lucky One was
such a great movie,” said
junior Ashley Ladig. “I would
recommend it to anyone. My
favorite part was Zac Efron.”
A&E
Art feature
PHOTO BY MATT ALFELD
Junior Kayla Fox displays the mural she created of herself.
By Matt Alfeld
Feature editor to characterize individuality,
Junior Kayla Fox
has painted a mural called
“Myself.” She has taken
roughly a month to paint this
mural. Fox made this mural
the negatives and positives of
people, and being your own
person. “I think it was very
good; maybe [I could make]
a few touch-ups,” said Fox,
“but overall it was good.”
Popular television show interests a variety of students
By Miller Kern
Special editor
work together to create the
gang whom viewers love.
Dee is the only girl in
the group and is constantly
made fun of. The guys in the
group harass her about many
things, the most common
being her looks. They tell her
that she looks like a bird all the
time. They also make fun of her
lack of success. Dee has always
wanted to be an actress but has
never made it to the big time.
Dennis thinks that he
is the most attractive person
in the world. He has made
comments such as, “My body
was chiseled by the gods
themselves.” He also thinks
that he is in the prime of his
life. He is convinced he was
the most popular kid in the
school during high school and
still feeds off his “glory days.”
Mac
is
obsessed
with being bulky. He thinks
he is incredibly strong and
is always looking for an
opportunity to tack on mass.
Mac is also always showing
off his martial arts skills
while wearing cut-off t-shirts.
Frank likes to think
he runs the gang since he is
the oldest member. He and
Charlie share an apartment
and live in complete filth.
Frank does weird things that
no one else in the gang wants
to do, such as hanging out with
people under the bridge and
walking through the sewer.
Charlie tries to act
intelligent; however, he is
illiterate. He’s tried his hand
at law, marketing, and other
fields. He created a product
called Kitten Mittens. These
are mittens put on cats to
prevent them from making
loud noises when they walk.
“My
favorite
character is Charlie because
nine times out of 10 he has
no idea what he’s doing,
but he does it anyway,” said
sophomore Hannah Thomas.
Many students at Leo
Jr./Sr. High School have sparked
an interest in “It’s Always
Sunny in Philadelphia,”
a
show about a gang of five
friends who own a bar called
Paddy’s Pub in Philadelphia.
Their names are Dee, Charlie,
Mac, Dennis, and Frank.
Dee and Dennis are
twin brother and sister. Frank
is their dad. In one episode,
though, it is found out that
Frank is not their real father.
Dennis and Dee’s mother tells
them that their real father is a
man named Bruce and he is very
wealthy. Dennis and Dee try to
scam Bruce out of his money
but he catches them in the act.
He leaves them to live their
horrible lives and lets Frank
continue to be their father.
Every person in the
group is incredibly selfish.
The humor of the show is
all of the terrible schemes
the gang gets involved in.
“They are the type
of people that you enjoy
watching,
but
wouldn’t
want to be friends with,”
said sophomore Bryce Beer.
The content of the
show is very crude. Each
episode is rated MA (mature
audience.) There are also
different ratings that change
depending on the episode,
including
sexual
content,
language,
and
violence.
“It’s Always Sunny
in Philadelphia” has had
seven seasons so far and
more seasons are in the
making. The show airs on FX
and reruns are occasionally
shown on Comedy Central.
“Sunny is a show
with a crude sense of humor
and can be quite vulgar,”
said
sophomore
Carter
Davis. “In order to find
this show enjoyable, you
must have an open mind
and not take offense easily.”
Each character has
specific qualities that make
them a valuable addition to
the show. All of their qualities “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” has seven seasons available on DVD and Blu Ray.
The
show
was
created by Rob McElhenney.
The executive producers are
McElhenney, Glenn Howerton,
and Charlie Day. McElhenney
plays Mac, Howerton plays
Dennis, and Day plays Charlie.
McElhenney is married to
Kaitlin Olson, who plays Dee.
Both Day and Howerton’s wives
have guest starred on the show.
“It’s Always Sunny in
Philadelphia” is a show that
people with a crude sense of
humor will continuously enjoy.
“I like that you can
watch the same episode
multiple times and you will
always laugh,” said Beer.
PHOTO BY MILLER KERN
May 21, 2012
Page 4
FEATURE
Freshman Terresa Taylor
Seniors reflect on their
describes her life
Marrisa Swihart
A&E editor
high school experience
What is your full name?
A: Terresa Ocieanna Paige
Taylor-Bieber
Brooke Wilcoxson
What do you want to be
when you grow up?
“I have many good memories from high
school and it’s really hard to pick just one,
but one of my favorite experiences has
been getting three perfect scores at state
ISSMA performing in a mallet (xylophone/
marimba) group with four of my best friends.”
-Senior Allison Rager
A: A model because you
don’t have to be smart.
Editor-in-chief
“I will miss the close-knit friends and
relationships that I built during my whole life.”
-Senior Taylor Horn
What is one weird fact that no
one knows about you?
A: When I’m at home, I like to
draw faces on my belly with a
marker and make it talk to me.
What are two words you would
use to describe yourself?
A: Loud and obnoxious
If you could live anywhere in
the world, where would it be?
A: New York City, and then I’d
always go to Jersey Shore.
What is your favorite thing to do on the
weekend?
A: PARTY HARDY
“The thing I’m going to miss the most about
high school will be our class. We’ve grown
and changed so much this past year, it’s been
great. The class of 2012 will never be forgotten.”
-Senior Bri Strock
“What I will miss most about high school is
the honor I receive of saving little children’s
lives every day through being crossing guard.”
-Senior Nathan Perfect
“I will miss our senior football season; it really
brought our grade together.”
-Senior Elise Spannuth
“I’m going to miss seeing the people I normally
see every day.”
-Senior Ashton Roberts
“My favorite memory was going to football games
and being with my friends. I’m going to miss being
able to see and talk to my close friends every day.”
-Senior Rachel Bougher
“My favorite memory is having fun with
friends at football games and being in marching
band. I will also miss the great teachers.”
-Senior Brittney Clark
Do you have any celebrity What are some foods or drinks
crushes?
you could not live without?
“My favorite memory from high school is
having art classes with Mr. Bearman. He never
told me that I couldn’t do something when I
broke the rules of clay or how some spectacular
vision that would be difficult to make.”
-Senior Courtney Costanza
“I’ll miss all the people and friendships I’ve
made throughout all the years.”
-Senior Sarah Wilder
“I will definitely miss all of the people and
friendships I’ve made over the years.”
-Senior Morgan Ryan
“We have always been the class that is
acting up or causing trouble. I am going
to miss us being together, but I think we
are all ready to meet new people as well.”
-Senior Megan Clark
“I am going to miss talking to my
friends and learning English language.
I love to learn new things. I am going to
miss my teacher who helped me a lot!”
-Senior Don Hau Nuam
“I will miss soccer and the soccer team
a lot, but what I will miss the most are
all the friends and relationships I have
created during my high school career.”
-Senior Lucas Lengacher
“My favorite memory from high school was
superfanning for football season.”
-Senior Grace Ackerman
“The thing I’ll miss most about high school is seeing
all my friends and boyfriend five days a week.
-Senior Delaney Cole
“Favorite memory = “High Sticking!” in gym class
behind Mrs. Roth’s back with Audrey Coolman.”
-Senior Katie Pannabecker
A: Justin Bieber, MGK, and A: Arizona tea and caramel
Mac Miller
apple suckers
What is one think you want to If you had the chance to say
do before you die?
one word on your deathbed,
what would it be?
A: Kiss Justin Bieber
A: YOLO (You only live once)
Do you have any pets?
If somebody asked you what
A: Yes, 2 cats and 2 dogs. Me you thought of yourself, what
and my kitty kat are going to would you say?
get married.
A: Well, I’m crazy, loud, and
Q: Who is the most inspira- a little dumb. But people love
tional person you know?
me.
“I will miss my friends and the different, great
teachers that I had.”
-Senior Bethany Fenker
“My favorite memory is cheering on the varsity
squad my sophomore year and having Ms.
Daughtery as coach. I will miss all the people I’ve
grown up with, even though some don’t get along.”
-Senior Bree Schmucker
“What I will miss most is being in band with all
my friends and getting to see them every day.”
-Senior Natalie Grames
A: My Mamo, (grandma) be- Who are your best friends?
cause she’s never been to jail
A: Jintida, Cora, McKenzie,
Who/what is most important Lexi, Cameron, Seth, Ashia,
to you in life?
Jasmine, and Siobhan
A: Baby Nate. He’s a kid I What is one goal you have for
watch, and I love him like I the next five years?
love food. (A LOT)
A: TO GET A BOYFRIEND!!!
“I will miss Dr. Brown always yelling at our
grade. Also, I will miss Mr. A’s humor.”
-Senior Aubree Smith
“My favorite memory will be graduating.”
-Senior Stephen Wierzbowski
PHOTO BY BROOKE WILCOXSON
Seniors Logan Eicher, Audrey Coolman, Lucas Lengacher, Katie Pannabecker, and Mr. A pose together.
“I will miss the Friday night football
games and all the guys I have ran with
the past three years. I will miss all the
stupid things my friends and I have done.”
-Senior Tyler Schroeder
How to...
make the most out of your summer vacation
Kelly Lantz
Editor-in-chief
As the year comes to
an early end many students
have their eye on the light at
the end of the tunnel: summer.
Students imagine spending
summer with all sorts of
plans when in reality hours
will be spent in boredom and
staring aimlessly at the TV.
Here are some ways to not
only be busy this summer,
but make the most use out of
this large chunk of free time.
Job shadow or intern. Many
students associate interning
only with a school year, when
in reality, interning positions
are available all year round
even in the summer. This
is a great opportunity for
underclassmen who cannot yet
intern to get a feel for a field
they are interested in. Summer
internships can also benefit
upperclassmen who would
like to look into another field
or build relationships with
professionals in their desired
field. If you would like a
short term career experience,
scheduling a job shadow would
be a good idea. Businesses are
usually happy to accommodate
students interested in their
field. Be sure to schedule an
appointment early in advance.
Get a summer job.
With
seemingly endless time during
the day and more expenses
such as gas, car insurance, and
spending money becoming
necessary in a teen’s life,
getting a job is a good decision.
Many students picture a job
aimed at teens involving
serving fast food or working
as a cashier, but there are
many opportunities for teens
to have unique summer jobs.
If you enjoy working with
kids, nannying, babysitting,
or working at a summer day
care or camp can be positive
experiences.
Students who
are potentially pursuing a
business career can start their
own business mowing lawns,
making bracelets, or pet sitting.
Many pools also are in need of
life guards during the summer
as well. Check websites such as
snagajob.com for local listings.
Spend time volunteering.
Volunteering at least once a
week for a few hours can make
a big difference in others’ lives.
Students should be thinking
about building a solid college
application, and committed
volunteering is something
that stands out to most
colleges. Helping others is
also beneficial to the volunteer,
with research proving it
improves mood and self-worth.
Plan a trip. Many people do
not go on vacation over the
summer, but that does not
mean that they must stay
in Fort Wayne during all of
summer vacation. Gather up
a group of friends and take a
trip to Indianapolis or Chicago,
which are only a couple hours
away and can make for a great
day trip. If you are feeling
the need to get a few thrills,
visiting an amusement park
such as Cedar Point or King’s
Island can be great trips as well.
Keep learning.
This is an
important but not often
prioritized aspect of summer.
Many students want to keep
school out of their lives for as
long as possibly until August
rolls around, but in reality, that
is not a good plan of action.
Colleges are getting stricter in
their admissions and any edge
students can have can make
a difference, especially if he
or she is an upcoming junior
who will be taking the SATs
during the 2012-2013 school
year.
Get a recommended
reading list from an English
teacher and practice doing
math problems every so often
during the summer. A little
can go a long way and being
prepared for the next school
year could put you ahead and
reduce the number of concepts
a student will have to “relearn”
during the next school year.
May 21, 2012
Page 5
OPINION
High school memes begin to target innocent people
By Marissa Swihart
A&E editor
Students at Leo Jr./
Sr. High School agree that
memes took a turn from innocent to hurtful when a
picture
of
three-year-old
Heidi Crowter, a Down syndrome patient, was used.
According to fortytwotimes.com, Crowter, who
is now sixteen, and her family
were shocked after finding out
a picture of Crowter was being
passed around the web with
various captions, which were
often poking fun at retardation, since 2009. They had no
idea that Crowter’s picture had
been circulating and were completely unaware that she was
known all over the world as the
“I Can Count to Potato” girl.
Many
sites
have
posted memes with Crowter’s face on them, and this
has had an impact on her.
“Heidi has told me
she is very upset by the sites,”
said Liz Crowter, mother
of Heidi, on fortytwotimes.
com. “She turns her head
away when we have them
on the computer screen.”
The Crowter family
has been trying to find multiple
different ways to remove the
picture permanently from the
web, but they have not received
full cooperation from sites such
as Facebook.com, where the
picture was commonly seen.
“It’s almost like Faceless rather than Facebook,” said
Liz Crowter on fortytwotimes.
com. “We have been repeatedly trying to take these distressing sites down and I have not
once had a direct response.”
Several
students
at Leo Jr./Sr. High School
have
also
heard
about
the Heidi Crowter case.
“I
am
definitely
PHOTO BY MARISSA SWIHART
The “I can count to potato” meme is becoming an offensive icon towards special needs people.
against the use of the ‘I Can
Count to Potato meme,”
said junior Talitha Fischer.
“There’s no need for that.”
Memes have become
popular on the internet within the last few months, and
for some people it is nearly
impossible to use a social
networking website without coming across a meme.
“I
see
memes
around the web almost every time I get online,”
said freshman Erin Sheets.
Heidi Crowter’s case is
not the only way people have
been targeted through memes.
Websites such as highschoolmemes.com are places that
showcase varieties of studentmade memes. These memes
are often innocent, clean fun
but can sometimes be direct-
ed towards students and staff
members in negative ways.
“People cross the line
and sometimes make hurtful
memes instead of ones that
are simply just funny,” said
freshman Ross Vardaman. “I
see it on the internet a lot.”
According to macmillandictionary.com, the definition of an internet meme is
some kind of idea or piece of
information that spreads very
rapidly across a large number
of Internet users and is the online equivalent of an inside joke.
“To me, the point
of memes is to share clever
little truths about modern
society using visual and textual jokes/gags,” said Fischer,
“but people definitely create hurtful ones instead of
ones that are just funny.”
“If my picture was used
in a meme layout and I was targeted for something I couldn’t
help, I would be really upset,”
said Sheets. “It’s so sad that
people can make rude memes
without feeling bad after.”
Though the Crowter family is trying to squelch
the “I Can Count to Potato”
meme once and for all, doing
this has proved to be a challenge. Photos of other people have been used through
memes in derogatory ways
also, and many people are determined to bring down this
new form of cyber-bullying.
“It’s not just Heidi,”
said Liz Crowter on BBCnews.
co.uk. “It’s photos of other
people’s children as well.”
One of the easiest
ways that hurtful memes like
“I Can Count to Potato” can
be taken down for good, is
for meme creators not to use
it as a layout. It has proven
humiliating and degrading to
Heidi Crowter and her family
and should not continue being
posted. Though meme posters
may not see any harm in creating the “I Can Count to Potato”
meme, their creation has certainly had lasting effects on the
Crowter family, and the same
can be said for other memes
that target people. Memes are
meant to be funny, but when
another person’s feelings are
at stake, the memes aren’t just
jokes anymore; they’re insults.
Every day routines become habitual
Over use of trendy phrases causes annoyance
By Jenna McAbee
By Jordyn Furnish
Editor-in-chief
Special editor
Students at Leo Jr./
Sr. High School go through
thousands of routines a
day without even realizing
how habitual their lives are.
Students wake up,
get ready, go to school, come
home from school, go to
work, do homework, and then
finally go to bed. Students
live this simple routine every
day. Without even realizing,
students perform actions
everyday of their lives that
are so small that when a
routine is changed just
slightly it can seem strange.
Think about a normal
day. The alarm clock goes
off at 6:30 a.m. One usually
wakes up and rolls over to
turn the annoying sound
off. Without even realizing
(depending on what side of
the bed one’s alarm is on) most
people use the same hand
everyday to turn it off. After turning off
the alarm, the next part of
the day is getting out of
bed. Rolling out of bed on
the same side everyday is a
routine many people do not
think about; however, getting
out of bed on the opposite
side would be abnormal and
not feel right. Within only
minutes of waking up in
the morning, two routines
have
already
happened
without even recognizing
they have taken place.
Taking a shower is
another daily routine. When
most people take a shower
they get their bodies wet,
use shampoo, conditioner,
use body wash, and finally
get out. If one really thinks
about it, people do things in
the exact same order in the
shower. Washing a body with
soap seems simple and usually
comes after one is done with
washing their hair. One starts
with the soap (usually in a
specific hand) and begins
to wash a specific arm first,
and then moving down the
body until the leg is cleaned.
If one were to try and change
this shower routine, such as
starting with the foot, it would
feel strange and unusual.
Routines do not end
with getting ready for school;
athletes have them too. Before
a game, athletes have pregame
warm up routines such as
bouncing the ball a certain
number of times or warming
up with the same partner. This
helps them get pumped up and
ready for the big competition in
their own way. Changing that
routine could cause the player
not to be ready for the match.
People like routines
in their daily lives because it
keeps things simple. We are
creators of habit. A routine is
what humans do to achieve
control in their everyday
lives. In order to go through
a day, a month, or a year
successfully one needs control.
Whether it is getting
ready in the morning or driving
home from school, students and
people have to include some
sort of routine in their lives.
The users of social
networking sites have a
tendency to overuse sayings
and pictures. Recently, many
users have made acronyms
and slang terms part of
their everyday vocabulary.
Social
networking
sites like Twitter and Facebook
both have their pros and cons.
They can be seen as positive
because they allow people
to connect and interact even
when they are not together.
Lately, sites such as
Twitter are only aiding in
creating a new and annoying
vocabulary.
Sayings
like
“YOLO” and “oomf” are just
some of the acronyms that
are used excessively. The
sayings are normally used as
a “trend” on Twitter, which
allows everyone one else who
trended that same topic to
see one’s tweet. These sayings
do not contribute to the
English language and almost
devalue it to some extent.
“YOLO,”
meaning
“you only live once,” is most
commonly used after someone
does something outrageous or
out of the social norm. Many
teens started using this saying
after rap artist Drake used
it in one of his songs. This is
another thank you to celebrities
for “dumbing” society down.
It is acceptable to some
extent to say “YOLO” in one
or two tweets on Twitter but
saying after everything one
does is a little extreme. Using
this acronym after idiotic
statements like “Just walked
my dog” does not even make
sense. No one cares to see that
PHOTO BY JORDYN FURNISH
The “YOLO Jokes” Twitter account shows different “YOLO”
examples.
someone is doing something
ridiculous and tweeting it
followed by trending “YOLO”
on Twitter is simply irritating.
Besides the annoying
overuse of the acronym, the
meaning behind it is quite
absurd. Most human beings
are aware that they only live
once and that when one dies
they are no longer living, so
the constant reminder becomes
very redundant. Nonetheless
“YOLO” is just an excuse for
one to do stupid stunts and
think that it is acceptable.
Using “YOLO” in
conversations with friends or
family members is also a very
big problem. It may be funny
at first, but when one is in the
middle of telling a person about
a particular thing they did and
the other person interrupts by
saying “YOLO,” it is bound
to cause some friction. In that
situation using the acronym
is completely unnecessary.
Another
overused
saying on Twitter is “oomf.”
The acronym means “one of
my followers,” and is used
when someone does not want
a specific person to know that
they are talking about them.
Like everything else, using
words or sayings in moderation
is OK, but when one overuses
or uses it for the wrong
reasons it becomes a nuisance.
The other problem
with using “oomf” is the fact
that it can create unnecessary
conflict. If one is going to
talk about another person he
needs to address that person
themselves. Too many times
people try and “solve” their
problems
or
arguments
by posting or tweeting
unnecessary remarks. This
way of problem solving
only creates issues and
does not help the situation.
The solution to the
problem is not necessarily to
remove these sayings from
one’s vocabulary entirely, but
to use them as least as possible.
They may be funny at times, but
are not essential to the English
language
therefor
should
not be used to excessively.
The excessive use of
slang terms will always have the
tendency to be irritating. Made
up sayings should not be a part
of everyday conversation, and
it should not be considered
part of the English language.
SPECIAL
Special Olympics 2012
May 21, 2012
2nd Place!
Page 6
“Let me win,
But if I cannot win
Let me be brave in the attempt.”
3RD Place!
1st Place!
PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRANT ADAMS
May 21, 2012
Page 7
SPECIAL
Top Ten of the class of 2012
valedictorian
salutatorian
“God is an amazing God, and I give the glory to Him in everything I
do. It feels really cool to know that I did this not only for me, but for
Him. I had a great high school experience and He deserves all of the
credit.”
-Hannah Field
“My parents have been telling me since I was little to always do my
best in everything and to not let my abilities go to waste.”
-Morgan Ryan
3.
“I have always wanted to do my best at any
task and academics just fell into line with
that motto. Even when my best doesn’t seem
to measure up I can trust that I did all I could.”
-Jennifer Miller
4.
5.
“My parents have always pushed me to do my
best at everything and I’ve been motivated by
knowing that grades are important for scholarships for college.”
-Mason Heller
“Being able to go to any college I want motivated me to achieve high grades in high
school.”
-Tyler Haber
6.
8.
“I think the best way to explain my motivation is with
the words of Elvis Presley, “Ambition is a dream with a
V8 engine.” I am a hard worker by nature and I know that
I won’t achieve my goals by giving up or making excuses.”
-Natalie Grames
“I did not have a single driving motivation to succeed; it is sort of inmy personality and simply a
quality my family life has caused me to grow up
with.”
-Cody Gage
10.
9.
7.
“My dad said if I got all A’s in eighth and ninth grade he
would buy me a laptop. Once I realized I was capable of
achieving all A’s, something clicked inside of me; I have
never stopped pushing myself since.
-Kacie Klopfenstein
“My motivation was to do my best for myself,
my mom and God.”
-Bethany Fenker
“I have always received high grades and I wanted
to continue that through high school. I have also
always been encouaraged to do my best in everything.”
-Jamie Schroer
May 21, 2012
Page 8
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08-11-134
May 21, 2012
Page 9
8 unknown things about...
By Jenna McAbee
SPORTS
Softball
Special editor
1. We warm up with the same person for games and practices.
2. We meet in right field before taking infield every game.
3. We practice outside in any temperature.
4. Almost everyone who can drive has a tan vehicle.
5. We love food. We are not allowed to have peanut butter however, because Coach
Shappell cannot stand it.
6. Our dugout is our second locker room.
7. If someone doesn’t bring sunflower seeds, we go through seed withdrawals.
8. Freshman Katie Adams braids our hair before every game.
PHOTO BY JENNA MCABEE
Seniors sign to colleges of their choice to play sports
By Natalie Hauenstein
Staff writer
Hannah
Field
illi
nt
Kyle Sa
What college are you signing with?
Manchester College in North Manchester,
Ind.
What college are you signing with?
Adrian College in Adrian,
MI.
What sport are you playing?
Basketball.
Why did you choose this college?
I picked this college because they have a
strong economics program, my mom went
there, and it’s a perfect distance from home.
Mason
What sport are you playing?
Baseball.
us
i
Heller
What college are you signing with?
Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind.
What sport are you playing?
Tennis.
Why did you choose this college?
I picked this college because
Bethel is a small, Christian college that will fit my personality
really well.
Why did you choose this
college?
Adrian is far far away from
Leo/Dr. Brown, as well as it
had a lot to offer me as well
as the opportunity to play
baseball.
s
s
ne
Te
nt
o
aP
What college are you signing
with?
Huntington University in Huntington, Ind.
What sport are you playing?
Basketball.
What did you choose this college?
It’s a small school, close to home,
has a good coach and a good program.
Alex E
gan
orn
H
Taylor
What college are you signing
with?
Wayne State University in Detroit, MI.
What sport are you playing?
Baseball.
Why did you choose this college?
I choose Wayne State because it’s
only three hours away, the campus is amazing, they have a great
program, and I don’t have to pay
much at all.
What college are you signing
with?
Ball State University in Muncie,
Ind.
What sport are you playing?
Football.
Why did you choose this college?
They have a major in technology
education.
PHOTOS BY NATALIE HAUENSTEIN
May 21, 2012
Page 10
SPECIAL
Seniors say farewell to journalism
Haley Herran
I never thought the
day would come when I would
be finishing my senior year
of high school. This year has
by far been the best year of
my life. I’ve made so many
great memories with so many
people that I will never forget.
I was on the yearbook
staff all four years of high
school and my favorite
memory by far has to be the
New York trip. From the crazy
nights at the hotel, subway
rides, conferences, long talks,
and the amazing dinners, I
will never forget all the great
times we all had. I grew really
close to a lot of people on this
trip and I am so very thankful.
Yearbook has been a
major part of my senior year.
I’ve bonded with so many
different people and gotten to
enjoy every minute of working
with our staff. The constant
“editors need to be up and
moving” and all the laughs
and good talks we have, I can
honestly say I will miss it. I
want to say thanks to all my
staff members for making this
year one to remember. And
of course I want to thank Ms.
Ashton. She has been nothing
but a positive role model
to me the last four years.
Thank you all for all
the great memories I have made
all four years of high school.
Brooke Wilcoxson
Last April, during my
junior year, when I was chosen
to be an editor-in-chief for the
school newspaper, I was excited
to say the least, but I had no
idea what I was getting myself
into. Now, a whole school year
has gone by and I’m writing
my very last piece of writing
for The Lion’s Tale, my final
farewell. I remember reading
these from the editors-in-chief
every year but never thought
it’d finally be my turn to write
my very own. This year was
the most stressful year I have
ever endured when it came
to newspaper. Being the only
senior in the whole newspaper
class, let alone the only senior
EIC, it was an experience I
never imagined I’d endure.
The journalism room
is my home away from home,
my safe haven. To my staff
members, you guys made this
year a year to remember. You
all have taught me so much
and I will miss everything
about the staff I had this year.
You all were truly amazing.
No matter how frustrated or
upset I got with any of you this
year, I still value you and
the relationship we have
created. I hope for nothing
but the best for all of you.
I would never
have survived deadline
days without Jordyn
Furnish. You were my
rock this year and helped
me through everything.
I could always vent to
you when frustrations
occurred, and I didn’t
know how to handle
them. You always knew
how to help. Not only did
we grow closer as fellow
EIC’s, but you became a
big part of my personal
life and someone I can call
a true friend. I don’t know
what I would have done
without you this year; you
are absolutely amazing.
Ms. Ashton – you
have been such a help and
inspiration to me this year. You
have helped transform me into
the person I’m still becoming.
Your criticisms and motivation
have completely helped me
become the leader I am. You
cared enough about me to
pinpoint my weaknesses and
guided me to improve them.
Everything you’ve done for
me this year has never gone
unappreciated and I’m so
thankful to have you as not only
an adviser, but a second mom.
I will never forget
traveling to New York my
sophomore and junior years,
creating lifelong memories;
Haley confessing her Diet
Coke addiction, Ms. Ashton
running into a curb with the
short bus, counting the number
of males who did a double take
at Jordyn Furnish, and many
hotel memories that we will
all have. I will miss everything
about newspaper from the
tears, the laughs, the smiles, the
stress, and the closeness of the
staff. You guys are amazing.
Kendyl Liechty
When I was asked
to be an editor on yearbook,
I was so excited. I have been
on staff all four years, but
this year has been the best.
I was happy that I could be
creative and make something
that no one would forget.
Being an editor is
challenging; it takes patience
and dedication, but I wouldn’t
change anything. Through
Ms. Ashton’s “talks,” our
wall of shame, New York
and everyone I have meet,
it has been well worth it.
Thank you to all our
staff members for making
this book come alive. I wish
you all the best of luck next
year and will miss you all.
Ms. Ashton, for always
directing us on what we should
do even if we didn’t want to
hear it. Every year you have
always encouraged me to work
hard and get things finished,
and I thank you for that.
I will miss everything
about yearbook, and all the
memories that come with it.