issue 7 - New Prairie High School

N
ie
‘07
Prair
w
e
‘08
l
Hi
gh S c h o o
New Carlisle, Indiana
Students extend
learning across
borders
MaryJane Slaby
Editor In Chief
Inside
This summer, two New Prairie groups will
travel across the borders. On June 3, 2008,
several students and teachers will travel to
Canada and spend a week in the mountains.
Just five days after they return, students and
chaperones will travel and spend June 15,
2008 to June 25, 2008 exploring Costa Rica.
“I wanted to take a trip this summer,”
said Spanish teacher Amberly Wendt. Wendt,
along with her friend Jerry Gels, a biology
teacher from Kentucky, planned the trip to
Costa Rica. NPHS students and chaperones
will meet Gels and his six biology students in
Costa Rica.
Science teacher William Spier will take
students to Mount Robson in Canada. Spier
added that he would never go without fellow
teacher Kathy Nova who plans the trip’s
details. Mount Robson is the highest point in
the Canadian Rockies and is a World Heritage
Site, known for its beauty and ecological
importance.
“It’s roadside geology,” said Spier. He
added that students will discuss ecology,
biology and water quality, and view wildlife.
“Some (students) go for the physical
challenge, others go to learn,” said Spier. The
trip to Canada includes a seven mile walk up
the side of a mountain and a side scramble,
which is a non-technical mountain climb.
“(The Costa Rica trip will give) many
students who have never traveled before
the opportunity to travel by boat, train and
bus, not only to a different country, but to a
bilingual one,” said Wendt. Both English and
Spanish are spoken in Costa Rica.
“I want to go for the experience,” said
sophomore Mercedes Gumm, “because of
sports, it’s basically my one chance to get out
and do something this summer.” She added,
“I’ve never been out of the country.”
The trip will include activities such as
white water rafting, walking through the rain
forest and horseback riding on the beach.
Also, the group will see an active volcano, go
to different cities and go zip lining through
the rain forest.
“In zip lining, (you are) basically suspended
from cables in a seated position, hundreds of
feet up in the air,” said Wendt, “You slide (the
length of) multiple football fields above the
rain forest.”
Junior Rebecca Horner will also travel out
of the country for the first time on the Canada
trip. “I wanted to go just for an adventure.
I haven’t been out of the country before
and I love the mountains,” she said. Horner
is looking forward to the rugged camping
experience, hiking and observing nature.
“Not a lot of people can see glaciers (like
we will),”added Spier.
Wendt, however, encouraged her students
to pack lightly for Costa Rica. “We want
everyone to bring just a backpack,” said
Wendt. She added that the humidity will be
high in the rain forest, so cosmetics should be
kept to a minimum. “Your makeup will melt
off your face,” she joked.
Although the students on the Costa Rica
trip will explore cities like the capital, San
Jose, the students and teachers in Canada
will be far from an urban setting. The first
day of hiking is a seven mile walk in a parklike setting, but once the group reaches their
campsite, they are in remote back country.
“We will hike, hike, and hike some more,”
said junior Alexander Bonner.
Beliveau added, “I’ve never even slept
outside. It’s going to be quite the adventure.”
Despite traveling in opposite directions,
both trips allow students to learn about a
different country and extend their lessons
from the classroom to first hand experiences
across the borders.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Volume XL, Issue VII
Renovations help NPHS expand
many upperclassmen will have to go to the the old junior high until the junior high staff
current junior high for afternoon classes. moves out, and they can’t move out until the
However, Clark said that passing periods will new middle school is done. The move into
the new building will begin with junior high
As New Prairie Junior High moves to be a remain at five minutes.
She added that additional hallway principal Jim Holifield’s office. His old office
part of the new middle school, the space left
behind will become the newest addition to supervision will be needed and the hallway will then become the high school nurses’
connecting the current junior high and high office.
New Prairie High School.
Presently, moving will start on
school
will
“(It’s
an)
be
opened approximately June 15, 2008. In addition
opportunity to spread
up for more to a move from the junior high to the new
out,” said NPHS
efficient use. building, the sixth grade teachers from the
principal Clara Clark.
Also, all bells, three different elementary schools will also
All
teachers
fire
alarms move to the new building.
teaching
freshman
According to NPUSC Clerk of Works
and intercom
academy classes will
systems will Keith Dennis and NPUSC Buildings and
move to classrooms
be connected Grounds Director Greg Dudeck, the majority
in the current junior
through
the of the renovations planned for this summer are
high. In addition,
NPHS
main in preparation for larger renovation projects
Project Lead the
during the summer of 2009. Plans for this
office.
Way (PLTW) classes,
In addition summer include painting and cleaning along
publications classes,
to renovations with planning the larger renovation projects.
and art classes will
Both Dennis and Dudeck hope the
of the current
also be in the new
junior
high, renovations will allow the building to “operate
space.
The junior
Photo by Ali Gloff
several changes more efficiently, be more comfortable and
high cafeteria will
The NPJHS cafeteria will become a weight room. will take place enhance the learning environment.”
become a weight
After several renovations, the space in
in the current
room and the wall
that connects the current cafeteria to the choir high school building. The bleachers in the both the current junior high and current high
room will be opened up to create an adjoining high school gym will be replaced. Also, school will meet the growing needs of NPHS
foreign language classes will be moved students and teachers.
cardio center.
“If any community needed it, it would be to current freshman
classrooms.
ours,” said Clark. Both the weight room and academy
cardio center will be open for community Spanish teacher Amberly
Wendt’s current room
members to use.
According to Clark, the lockers not used will be transformed
by freshman at that end of the building will into a simulated office
be used as art lockers to store supplies and for business students.
The other two foreign
projects.
“(The expansion) gives programs room to language rooms will be
grow,” said Clark. Like art, PLTW and bio- used for special education
medical classes will have more room. Also, testing, which is currently
the publications classes will have round tables done in the library.
“It will still be an
and extra room. The extra room will also
provide drama storage. Currently, many of the adventure,” said Clark.
Photo by Ali Gloff
She added that the high
drama supplies are stored on stage.
This wall will be opened up to create a cardio room.
After freshman academy classes are over, school can’t move into
MaryJane Slaby
Editor In Chief
T-shirt sales help Gensic family
Tara Novak
News Reporter
After many steps taken by doctors and with
the prayers and hopes of friends and family;
Mikan is now doing a bit better, but still with
On March 5, 2008, English teacher, Jenna
a number of complications.
Gensic;
delivered
With
all
Mikan’s
Mikan Josiah Gensic,
complications since birth,
a baby boy. Mikan was
hospital bills for both Jenna
born premature and was
Gensic and her husband John
quickly hooked up to
have begun to pile up. To help,
many devices. Some of
the VanOverberghe family
the devices included an
who are close to the Gensics,
IV, a heart rate monitor,
started a t-shirt fundraiser to
an oxygen monitor,
help with the baby bills.
which measures the
“We decided to raise
amount of oxygen in his
money because hospital bills
blood, and a C-pac, that
cost so much. We just wanted
increases the amount
to help them out,” Junior
of oxygen in his lungs.
Art by Caitlin Sanders
Caitlin VanOverberghe said. They asked for
ten dollars a shirt, and for any other donations.
“Our goal was about four hundred shirts. The
more we sold, the more money they got.”
VanOverberghe commented. Any and all
donations and monies for the shirts are to be
given directly to one of the VanOverberghes
that will go straight to the Gensic family.
New Prairie students, staff, family and
friends are encouraged to read and comment
on daily updates on Gensic’s baby blog.
John Gensic runs and updates the blog as
often as possible, in hopes to keep everyone
informed. Check out the baby blog at www.
babyinthebend.blogspot.com.
NPHS students love to help out causes in
need, and when one of their own needs help,
they strive even more!
NP prepares for administrative changes
Tara Novak
News Reporter
As the quick and steady pace of the end of
the school year creeps up to New Prairie High
School, staff and students begin to notice a
new sort of new editions around the building
from time to time.
New NPHS vice principal Scott Braun
is the newest edition to the New Prairie
Cougar family. Also Dr. Philip Bender has
recently changed positions from assistant
superintendent to superintendent for NPHS.
Coming from two different backgrounds, both
Bender and Braun are equipped just right for
what New Prairie has to offer.
“I felt like I had something worth
contributing. I love working with educators
and students, so it seemed the logical
direction.” Bender commented about his
decision to become superintendent. After
being a fourth, fifth, and sixth grade teacher,
Page 5
Read what
advice the
senior class
has for you!
a college professor, assistant principal, and along many important aspects of his life to fill
a principal for 13 years, Bender decided to the position, including a Ball State education
assume the role of New Prairie’s assistant and the goal of moving his family to a new,
superintendent on January 3, 2007,and not friendly area.
long after took the superintendent position in
NPHS
new
vice
principal
and
2008.
superintendent are ready for anything, hoping
As Bender filled the superintendent shoes, for the best, and making big goals for the
seeing to everything from school board school years to come.
responsibilites to student, teacher,
and even community responsibilities,
Braun had begun a journey into finding
his place at New Prairie. After being
a professional baseball player for the
Dubois County Dragons in Huntingburg
in 2001, and teaching second and third
graders at Mary Castle Elementary in
Lawrence, Indiana, it was time for
Braun to take a leap into Pendleton
Heights Middle School where he has
taught seventh grade math up until
Photo by Lisa Hutcheson
now.
Scott Braun, a new coming stranger Dr. Bender is currently assistant superintendent
soon to be friend to NPHS, has brought for NPUSC.
Congratulations Seniors!
Best Wishes
Class of 2008!
From The
Cougar Chronicle
News: 1
Opinion: 2
Arts & Entertainment: 3
Seniors 2008: 4 & 5
Student Life: 6
Features: 7
Sports: 8
2
Opinion
The Cougar Chronicle
China takes gold
medal in Genocide
Olympics
What makes a classic a classic?
Dillon Hooten
Opinion Editor
Katie Carlisle
Opinion Reporter
The Olympic games are supposed to be a celebration
of unity in the world through the act of some friendly
competition. However, this year it seems to be shrouded
in controversy on account of it’s location. Beijing has
been chosen to have the grand honor of holding the 2008
Summer Olympic Games, but not without the outcries of
many people. There are numerous reasons why this location
is under fire, and I will focus on one, China’s outright and
very public financial support for Omar al-Bashir, Sudan’s
president, and a prominent role in the Darfur genocide.
In exchange for Sudanese oil, China is financing
and supplying many of the arms for the Janjaweed, the
military force carrying out the genocide in Sudan. As of
2005 (ironically, the last year these statistics have been made
public) China was the largest arms supplier for Sudan, selling
over 83 million dollars worth of weapons to them.
Since this has been made public China has made
some feeble attempts to act as though they were attempting
to put an end to the genocide. However, why would such a
power-hungry country as China get rid of such a business
opportunity? Access to copious oil and a market for guns are
just too good for them to pass up. There obviously would be
a smaller gun market if there was no helpless individuals to
use them on.
Allowing the Olympic games to take place in China
is a slap in the face to the people who have been directly
effected by the horrible acts taken out by the Janjaweed. It
is showing China that we do not care, and if we allow these
games to go on without any sort of fight, they will continue
supporting the Sudanese government and may even play a
bigger role. For more information please visit http://www.
dreamfordarfur.org/.
As the school year comes to a close teachers
begin handing out information on summer reading;
every student’s favorite summer activity.
Past books have been Flowers for
Algernon by Daniel Keyes, The Picture
of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, The
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, and
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.
But why must we read these novels?
What makes these books any
different from Dr. Suess’ Cat in
the Hat? Many of these books
are considered “classics.” But
who decides what a classic is;
and what makes a classic, a
classic?
Last semester my English 11
honors class finished reading The Adventures
of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Many
consider this a “classic” novel and I can not see
why. The novel follows Huck, a 13 year-old boy,
and his many adventures on the Mississippi River
in the pre-Civil war era. He travels along with his
African American companion Jim, who happens to
be a slave. The book has been banned in a number
of schools because of the use of a certain ‘N’ word,
but I don’t think that is what makes the book so
horrible to read. Twain does a fabulous job of
writing exactly how Huck and Jim would talk.
China, Tibet, the
2008 Olympics
are now in the
spotlight
Not just believing the cause,
but supporting it
Submitted by Jennifer Hindes
Senior
Kyle Shumate
Opinion Reporter
On March 10th, 1959 a Tibetan revolt began to overthrow
the rule of communist China in Tibet, which had once been
recognized as an independent nation. The revolt was a
terrible failure and the Dalai Lama, along with 100,000 other
Tibetans, was sentenced into exile by the Chinese.
Now the 2008 Beijing Olympics are bringing light
on some of the crimes of the Chinese government towards
the people of Tibet. China was supposed to improve on
its human rights record before they agreed to host the
2008 Olympics, and its government is pretty serious about
censoring their failure to do so. If you simply type in “Tibet”
on Google or YouTube, you will immediately run into stories
and videos of Chinese police brutalizing Tibetan women and
children. You might see short “Free Tibet” documentaries
that advertise campaigns to push Chinese occupation
out of Tibet. On the other hand, you might find Chinese
propaganda claiming that the Dalai Lama is a terrorist.
On March 10th, 2008 there were mass protests to
commemorate the failed uprising and demand the release of
imprisoned monks. What started with demonstrations soon
erupted into violence, and by March 14th there were massive
riots in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. After being blamed for
the violent protest, the Dalai Lama announced that he will
give up his position over the government-in-exile of Tibet if
the violence continues.
While many are angered that China is being honored with
being allowed to hold the 2008 Olympics while it has such a
horrible record against human rights, it’s only because of this
opportunity that Western civilization even hears about these
abuses. Perhaps this focus on China is just what Tibet needs.
You personally might not know me. You might not know
my name or maybe you do. Chances are though, you’ve
heard of me. You’ve heard of that stupid kid wearing the
“Got Hope?” shirt, or the kid with the pin on her backpack,
or better yet the kid wearing both on Election Day and
carrying around a rally poster: “Change we can believe
in—Barack Obama”
If you had asked me two years ago what I thought of
politics I would have said, “I hate it.” If you had asked me
if I was a Bush fan I probably would have said, “I wouldn’t
know enough to blame him, hate him, or praise him.” My
philosophy was quite simple “Ignorance is bliss—until I
turned eighteen.”
I refused to follow a candidate blindly. I was going to
research and stand behind the one person I believed could do
the job.
Over a year ago I started believing in change. I to realize
how important this election was, how fast we were going
down and how no one had pulled the parachute chord yet. I
needed a candidate who I felt could do that. I open mindedly
researched each candidate and came to my own conclusion
that Barack Obama was the man I wanted to support.
The best part about being well educated about my
candidate and supporting him, is the fact that I am not alone.
My generation is stepping up to the polls for the first time
in eons we’re being counted, being heard, and being part of
a movement. Don’t let someone knock you down with their
set in stone ways against your candidate, and instead realize
that if you have done the research. Then sit back and wait for
them to realize that you know your stuff. It was always a joy
listening to the critics of my beliefs ask me simple questions
like, “Well do you know Barack’s stance on No Child Left
Behind?”
Inside I had a small victory as I would then explain that
the program had great potential and scrapping it completely
would be a waste, but making major alterations would then
Editor-In-Chief:
MaryJane Slaby
The Cougar Chronicle is an official publication of New Prairie
High School. The Cougar Chronicle is dedicated to providing
the staff and student body with a medium that delivers the news
surrounding New Prairie High School in a timely manner.
The Cougar Chronicle staff will accept any letter to the edior or
student work. We reserve the right to edit unacceptable content
or ask the writer to assist in the editing process. All student
work may be delievered to room 41 or given to any member
of the staff. The Cougar Chronicle is published at the La Porte
Hearald Argus.
The opinions expressed on the Cougar Chronicle’s Opinion/Editorial page are the views of the writers who wrote them and are
not reflective of New Prairie High School, New Prairie United
School Corporation, or the Cougar Chronicle staff
This makes for very difficult reading. Sure there
are themes and important underlying messages,
but I would never consider this book a classic. If
anything it teaches people how not to write.
I began doing some research on classic novels
and came across a number of lists that have several
books in common. One that stuck out in my mind
was The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I
have read the book and seen the movie, and I must
say the movie far outdid the book. I honestly don’t
understand why this is a classic. It was extremely
hard to follow, the writing style was
much too descriptive, and it
wasn’t all that interesting.
The message was good but
overall not a great book. So
how do these books end up on
the classic novels list? And I
ask another question. Why are
all the novels so old?
There are a plethora of books
out there that teens enjoy reading
that do have good themes and
messages and are actually well
written, but I’ve never seen any
recently released books on these so
called “classic” novels list. Does a
book have to be 100 years old before it
can enter the classic novel hall of fame or what?
And who makes these lists? Has anyone ever
wondered who decides which books are on the list
and which ones get discarded? Why do they get to
choose? I guess what I’m trying to say is that there
shouldn’t be a classic novels list. Everyone has
different opinions and they shouldn’t be influenced
by some stupid list that a bunch of book critics
came up with.
Opinion Editor:
Dillon Hooten
A&E Editor:
James Hostetler
Features Editor:
Caitlin VanOverberghe
Student Life Editor:
Alysia Harris
Sports Editor:
Ben Davis
Photo/Arts:
Ali Gloff
Caitlin Sanders
create a successful program. Or perhaps I would touch on
his recognized support of teachers and helping lower college
tuition. Oh yes, I was just another one of those stupid,
ignorant, young voters. Don’t you love us?
You can imagine how ecstatic I was when I found out
Barack was heading to South Bend. I started running around
my house screaming like a mad man and dancing. To make a
long story short, after missing two hours of school to wait in
line for tickets, and then waiting another six hours for Barack
to enter the Washington high school gym, I was not only
six feet from him the entire speech, but I shook his hand.
Yes I did wash my hand, but the moment was… epic and
unforgettable. Chants of O-BAM-A filled the air. There was a
presence that this was the moment of change.
As a woman, supporting Barack Obama, as a
student, and as a contributor to his campaign, I can realize
the support surrounding my candidate. The large number
of voters not only registering but voting shows you how
important this election is to everyone. I can see the
grassroots campaign of small donors like me. I can see the
hope in those that listened. I can see change, happening all
around me. I believe that—Yes. We. Can.
Wait...WHAT?!
Did I really just hear
that?!
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The cookie is me, and I am the cookie.
-heard in acting class
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Business Manager:
Katelyn Petrovich
Staff:
Amanda Bikowski, Katie Carlisle, Nick Carr, Joanna Grabarek, Natalie Humeau, Lisa Hutcheson,
Evan Jackson-Boys, Kaylee Jenkins, Katelyn
Loucks, Amber Mills, Tara Novak, Alyssa Pietrzak,
Camryn Pursley, Kyle Shumate
Adviser:
Chrystal Wilkeson
New Prairie High School
5333 N. Cougar Rd.
New Carlisle, IN 46552
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-hear ack to me.
d in P
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Don’t cry in your goggles you’ll drown.
-heard in english
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I can’t vote. I’m not 21!
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Arts &
3
Entertainment
Summer brings music to all ears
The Cougar Chronicle
Katie Loucks
A&E Reporter
As
summer
rapidly
approaches
everyone has those songs that just scream
“SUMMERTIME!!!” The following is a
must have list for this summer, and what
the students choose as their number favorite
summer songs, in no particular order.
1. Curse of Curves by Cute is What We Aim
for - “I went through a punk music stage last
summer, and every time I hear it, it reminds
me of summer,” said junior Hannah Allen.
2. Jack and Dian by John Cougar
Melencamp - “Lindsey and I always listen to it
in my car on the way to the beach,” exclaimed
senior Jessie Staugh.
3. Bye Bye Bye by Nsync - “I am obsessed,”
confessed freshman Danielle Webb.
4. Spice Up Your Life by Spice Girls - “It’s
a group of girls just having fun without a care
and no drama,” said junior Kyla Kuta.
5. Swing by Savage “I like gypsies,” senior
Courtney Dudeck said.
1. One Headlight by the Wallflowers - It
paints a picture of a nice summer, but yet you
know that it won’t last forever and that soon
enough the good times of summer must end.
2. Let’s Dance by David Bowie - Who
doesn’t bust a move every now and then at
the beach or in the car during the hot summer
days?
3. Someday by Sugar Ray - “Just close
your eyes and I’ll take you there. This place
warm, without a care. We’ll take a swim in
the deep blue sea. I go to leave and you reach
for me.” Those lyrics say it all. Long summer
days at the beach swimming and the day just
fading away without a care in the world.
4. Summer Skin by Death Cab for Cutie
- The whole song just talks about the days of
summer and how free and careless summer is,
and then how in a blink of an eye, it’s gone.
5. Sleeping In by The Postal Service “Don’t wake me I plan on sleeping in” That’s
enough to explain it.
6. Hanginaround by Counting Crows Being in Indiana, sometimes it’s hard to find
things to do. So the only thing to do is hang
around town.
7. Waiting for Tonight by Jennifer Lopez
- It is a good song that just gets your body
moving, and the night life in the summer is
always a good time.
8. Soco Amaretto Lime by Brand New They sing about being young and how they
think they own the streets and just growing up.
They just live it up and live in the moment.
9. Roller-skates by Treaty of Paris - The
up-beat music and the lyrics discussing
getting outside and enjoying the weather is
the perfect summer song.
10. Semi-Charmed Life by Third Eye
Blind - “I believe in the sand beneath my
toes.” That says it all! This is one of those
songs that while driving with friends in the
car with windows rolled down and the music
turned up as loud as it will go, and belt it on
the top of your lungs, as everyone down the
highway notices.
11. First Date by Blink 182 - Summer
is full of all sorts of summer romances and
plenty of awkward first dates.
12. Summer Nights from the Grease
Soundtrack - It’s pretty self-explanatory.
When you think of summer songs, this one
is an absolute must! It explains the whole
summer, and so many can relate to parts of
the song.
13. Hand in My Pocket by Alanis Morissette
- Many summers were spent screaming Alanis
Morissette songs in our parent’s cars, even
though we had no idea what any of it meant.
14. Take You There - G. Love & Special
Sauce - The band talks about all the lovely
places of summer that they can take you to.
15. Yellow by Coldplay – Yellow paints
the picture of just lying under the night sky
with loved ones and making memories.
16. Fill Me In by Craig David - During
those late summer nights, you must be good,
because your parents will want to know what
you are up to.
17. Santa Monica by Everclear - They talk
about getting away to the ocean and leaving
all their problems away, and wanting to get
into better and brighter days.
18. Merry Happy by Kate Nash - She just
knows how teenagers feel and her music is
extremely upbeat and can help anyone get
through summer heartbreaks. She talks about
how she can watch sunsets on her own, and
they are still as pretty as they would be with
someone else there.
19. Road Trippin’ by Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Summer is full of all sorts of road trips and
that’s all this song is about. Having fun in the
summer, with careless days, just getting lost.
20. Summer Girls by LFO - When
questioned, all the students said that Summer
Girls by LFO was the ultimate summer song,
and how could anyone disagree to that?
Mp3 Players
Music can be used for relaxation or
inspiration, especially in the stress that is
normally associated with college. The iPod has grown to become a staple
MP3 player, and with good reason. The
newest line of iPod Touch, Classic, and
Nano are all premium products but are
sometimes mocked for their price-tag as
well; however, they di have good build
quality, and sound quality.
The Microsoft Zune MP3 players line
offers similarly well built competitor with
many unique features such as wirelessly
syncing with a home computer. The
recently released Sansa Fuze is a cheap and
well-built alternative but small capacity
player that doesn’t hold as many songs
or videos. Smaller MP3 players like the
Zen Stone, iPod Shuffle, and Sansa Clip
function primarily the same as ultra-small
MP3 players.
Cell Phones
Cell phones’ popularity as not only
communication devices but media devices
has increased exponentially over time and
there stands to be two separate entities.
One phone, the iPhone, is more focused
on everyday applications, media, and form
over function, while the Blackberry Curve
is more capable at scheduling and business
application. The Blackberry Pearl is a
smaller phone with the same functions that
made its larger counterpart a great device.
There is also the Sidekick with more
traditional features and a lower cost over a
new Blackberry or iPhone. The AT&T Tilt
is another alternative that is highly rated
and provides more than basic functions of
simple headsets. The LG Glimmer is a small
slider designed phone with a touchscreen
that may not have a full keyboard, but still
packs in many features.
Popular electronics aimed
at college students
James Hostetler
A&E Editor
Notebooks/Laptops
Laptops have become a valuable part of
modern college life with important projects
or work becoming increasingly more efficient
through the use of computers. Balancing
budget, versatility, and power, the m1330
and Macbook are easier on the wallet than
other larger laptops from each respective
seller and have solid performance.
The Dell m1330 has a strong Intel
processor under its belt and can be configured
with a dedicated graphics card which allows it
to handle moderately graphical programs at a
price-tag that is quite decent when compared
to most in its hardware class. Starting at $999
for a low powered but arguably compact
and lightweight system, the m1330 can be
personalized allowing it to climb higher to
a powerhouse while still catering to college
students in versatility.
The Macbook stands as a very well
designed and attractive laptop with the clean
Mac OSX interface, grand performance
rated as a tad higher than the m1330, and
an appreciably small form-factor; however,
the laptop lacks a dedicated graphics card
and includes a heftier price for the added
processing performance. Starting at $1099,
the well-built Macbook is light, sturdy,
and appealing; especially for media editing
programs. It can also be configured with
faster processors, bigger hard drives, and
other features. Among students, a new laptop
is the most popular electronic investment
into college. Senior Rich Kaminski said,
“I’m probably going to get a new laptop and
the books I need.” Senior Dan Corley stated,
“I’ll probably get a laptop.”
Summer entertainment for students easy to find
Kaylee Jenkins
A&E Reporter
Excited for all the upcoming summer
entertainment? Whether it’s going to the
movies with your friends, or going to New
Buffalo to eat some ice cream at Oink’s,
there’s plenty to do with yourself this summer.
Here are some movies, games, and activities
for everyone to look forward to in the fast
approaching summer days.
Ten Upcoming Movies
1. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants: 2
2. Transformers: 2
3. Batman: The Dark Night
4. Twilight
5. Indiana Jones: The Kingdom of the
Crystal Skull
6. The Incredible Hulk: 2
7. Narnia: The Prince of Caspian
8. What Happens in Vegas
9. Harry Potter: The half-blood Prince
10. Speed Racer
Activities/Places to hang out
1. Oink’s - New Buffalo, MI.
Oink’s is a fun place to hang out and eat
delicious ice cream. There is also quite a lot
of pig decor to look at while deciding one of
the many ice cream flavors that are available.
(Credit cards not accepted!)
2. Temple News Agency - La Porte, IN.
Temple News has been around for years
and it is still an exciting place to sit and drink
coffee, eat ice cream, perform original music,
or just sit and hang out.
3. Lake Michigan
Whether going to the local beaches in
New Buffalo or in Michigan City, one can still
enjoy the beach with friends at any time. One
can go picnicking, swimming in the lake, walk
on the boardwalk, and make sand castles, are
some fun ideas in New Buffalo!
4. Mud Bogging
Mud bogging is a very popular activity for
New Prairie students. Got a truck and some
mud? Go drive through it!
5. Campfires/Camping Out
Another popular activity, camping and
campfires are an easy way to have a fun night
out with family and friends. Whether it’s
charring some s’mores or just sitting around
the fire telling some stories, camping is a great
activity for nice summer nights.
6. Warped Tour and Lollapalooza
Warped Tour and Lollapalooza are fun and
action-packed places to go during the summer.
It’s where tons of bands come together on
a tour to play their music for thousands of
people. Lollapalooza lasts for three days and
Warped Tour only lasts one, but they both
travel to different locations.
7. The Cove - South Bend, IN.
The South Bend Silverhawks are a popular
baseball team around Northern Indiana and
their home stadium, The Cove, is a fun and
exciting place to go to watch some good, ‘ol
American baseball. With “dollar days” during
the week and weekend games, hanging out
at the Cove is w way to have good innocent
fun.
Video Games
1. Fallout: 3
“I’ve read many articles about Fallout: 3 in
XBOX360 and EGM magazines and it sounds
like it’s going to be a smash hit in the fall.”
-Kenny Buda
2. Grand Theft Auto: 4
“Grand Theft Auto 4 is ballin’!”
-Kyle Oglesby
3. Halo Wars
4. Guitar Hero 3: Aerosmith
5. Final Fantasy 13
6. Gears of War: 2
7. Faith and a 45: Bonnie and Clyde
4
The Cougar Chronicle
Seniors 2008
Top Ten of 2008
Caitlin VanOverberghe
Features Editor
1. Rich Kaminski
College: University of Indianapolis
Major: Physical Therapy
Elementary School: Prairie View
Can you whistle?: Yes
Favorite super hero?: Sonic the Hedgehog
Dream Car?: Lamborghini
Worst injury?: Dislocated thumb from a game of
dodge ball.
Have you ever written in a library book?: No
Favorite Christmas song?: Rudolph the Red Nosed
Reindeer
Have you ever Googled your name?: Yea. The
first thing wasn’t about me.
Rock, paper, or scissors?: Scissors
3. Katie
Widup
College: Goshen College
Major: Biology and Pre-Med.
Elementary school: Olive
What is your dream job?: To be a surgeon.
Who’s your role model?: My mom
Have you ever been to another country?: No
Best thing ever invented?: The laptop computer
Song that always makes you sad?: “Please
remember me” by Tim McGraw
What was your favorite toy as a kid?: Legos
How many TV’s do you have in your house?: Five
If you could be invisible for a day, would you do it?: Yes
2. MaryJane Slaby
College: Indiana University, Bloomington
Major: Journalism
Elementary School: Olive
Do you prefer pen or pencil?: Pen, pencil gets all
over my hands and then I have to wash them.
What color is your car?: Fran is in the maroon
category.
What would you do if a vending machine took
your money?: Cry or panic.
Do you play any sports?: Tennis
Why did the chicken cross the road?: He was
running from Kore Heronemus.
Have you screamed on a roller coaster?: I’ve
only been on one roller coaster in my whole life
and I kept my eyes shut the whole time.
Can you impersonate anyone/anything?: A squirrel, but only when I’m really hyper.
Which store would you max out a credit card at?: Target because it has everything, and really
awesome shoes.
4. Jessica Snyder
College: PNC / Purdue
Major: Doctrine in Veterinary Medicine
Elementary School: Prairie View
Favorite Season?: Spring
Have you ever been to the ER?: No
What toothpaste do you use?: Colgate
total
Have you ever dyed your hair?: No
If you could return to any point in
history, where would you go?: The
Dinosaur Age. I want to be a cave man.
What do you hope to accomplish by the
end of 2008?: Start college.
Can you stay up all night without sleep?: Yes, and I’ve done a few one hour nights, too.
Favorite city?: Madison, Wisconsin
6. Joel Glon
5. Kara Schondorf
College: Indiana University, Bloomington
Major: Business Management / Financing
Elementary School: Olive
What kind of car do you drive?: Mitsibishi
Eclipse convertible
Do you have any nicknames?: No
Have you ever sat on a roof?: No
Do you dog ear pages or use a bookmark?:
Dog ear pages or use post it notes.
Favorite time of day?: Evening
Can you juggle?: No
Do you own slippers?: Yes
Favorite kool-aid flavor?: Blue raspberry
7. Zach
Foreman
College: PNC
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Elementary School: Prairie View
What do you like to do in your spare time?: Read
or work on cars and robots.
Do you collect anything?: No. I used to have a
big collection of model cars.
Who are you voting for?: Barack Obama
Best movie ever made?: Billy Madison
Favorite sundae topping?: Caramel
Can you write with both hands?: No
What is a word you say too often?: I say all words.
What song always makes you happy?: “Wala Wala” by Offspring
9. Lindsay
Jurczak
College: Indiana University, Bloomington
Major: Elementary Education
Elementary School: Olive
Do you make a wish at 11:11?: Actually,
I’m more concerned with 12:34.
Do you have a job?: Yes, I make a pig of
myself at Oinks.
What’s your biggest fear?: I’d have to say college scares me pretty bad right now.
Worst book ever read?: “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee”
Did you ever take piano lessons?: Nope, I took saxophone lessons - 5th and 6th grade band.
Who’s you favorite Disney Princess?: Belle from Beauty and the Beast
If you had to choose between $1 million or flying, what would you pick?: Well, flying
because then I wouldn’t have to pay for gas. But if I have $1 million I would be rich, and
spending money on gas wouldn’t matter, right? I’ll go with flying to save the environment.
If you were stuck on a desert island, what would you want to have with you?: I’d bring a
friend. It might get a little lonely.
College: Indiana University, Bloomington
Major: Biology
Elementary School: Olive
What word in the dictionary best describes you?:
Patient
Favorite Jelly Bean?: NOT rotten egg.
Favorite Cartoon?: Luney Tunes
Have you ever seen a baby pigeon?: No
When you were a kid, what did you want to be
when you grew up?: A ninja
Favorite comic strip / book?: Batman
What is you favorite drink in the morning?: An
ice cold glass of milk mixed with grape kool-aid.
If you were going to a costume party, what would you go as?: Ben Johnson’s conjoined twin.
8. Corey
Kownacki
College: University of Chicago
Major: Biology, Physics, Psychology
Elementary School?: Prairie View
What is you ethnic background?: Mexican and Eskimo
Indian
How many siblings do you have?: Two, a brother and a
sister.
How far can you throw a football?: 1/4 mile
Best kind of gum?: The kind I make in my basement,
Double Bubble Triplelicious.
Name of your favorite stuffed animal as a child?: Teddy
Tooker
What is your perfect pizza?: Gummi worms and tator tots
Favorite kind of candy?: Eye candy
Best toy you’ve ever gotten in a McDonald’s happymeal?: When I had a mullet, they gave me
a Barbie doll because they thought I was a girl.
10. Eric Collins
College: Purdue Tech of South Bend
Major: Mechanical Engineering Technology
Elementary School?: Holy Family in South Bend
Do you daydream?: Sure
Would you ever go skydiving?: Yes
Are you afraid of the dark?: No
Where is your favorite place to go?: On walks to
nowhere, just to clear your head.
Were you ever in a school talent show?: No
Can you roll your tongue?: Yes
Best April Fools joke you’ve ever pulled?: Plastic wrap
over the toilet seat, on my dad.
Favorite movie quote?: “Are you not entertained?” Gladiator
Photos by Photos Team
Seniors 2008
The Cougar Chronicle
5
Class of 2008 A Letter from the Editor
We’ve got the scoop!
offers advice
Caitlin VanOverberghe
Features Editor
ainst
ing ag
m
m
i
w
flow; s nger.”
e
h
t
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go wit kes you str
t
’
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o
D
a
“
rrent m y Kownacki
u
c
e
h
t
re
- Co
“Don’t feed the teacher. Take
everything seriously, seriously.
Save the environment.”
- Dustin Kulwicki
“Hang ou
t with
Kramer.”
- Mike Pie
rce
e you dig a large
“Ask for help befor
t of.”
hole you can’t get ou
- Mark Scott
“Don’t be influenced by others.”
- Jessie Strauch
“Keep your friends close.”
-Kyrie Sratton
Here it is. The end of the school year. The weather is
finally warm and scraping snow off cars seems like a distant
memory as the class of 2008 counts down the days until
graduation. It’s been a full four years, packed with memories
and each of us, even if we won’t admit it, has something
we will miss about NPHS. For me, it’s this: The Cougar
Chronicle.
We’ve had an awesome year and I’m sad to see it
end. We began excited and ambitious, with our color-coded
staff folders. Ok, I might have been the only one excited
about color-coding, but this staff did some amazing work this
year. And as hectic as it is, I’m going to miss brainstorming,
deadlines and hours spent on layout after school and during
lunch. But mostly, I’m going to miss this staff. Even though
newspaper could make me stress out, I could always count on
this staff and CWilk to make me laugh and somehow, in the
end, every issue came together.
But not without CWilk, who let us stay day after
day to work on layout, helped solve dilemmas (layout and
otherwise) and helped me try out all kinds of headlines.
Also, this year we had a lot of student write-ins.
I was so excited that students not in newspaper wanted to
make their voices heard. Thanks for adding to the Cougar
Chronicle and hopefully the amount of write-ins will
continue to grow.
Being editor-in-chief is one thing I’m going to
remember about high school.
So when we hand out this
issue of the newspaper, I’m
going to savor it. Because
despite the not-so-fun parts,
there are some things, like
high school, we’re never
going to do again. So class
of 2008, savor these last few
days at NPHS before you
move on. After all, you only
graduate from high school
once, even if you have to go
back for finals.
And to Miss Katie
Carlisle…you’re going to be an awesome editor! And don’t
be afraid to start those pow-wows a little louder. Can’t wait
to hear about the amazing issues you’ll have, and don’t forget
to call and tell me about them!
Bring on the nostalgia
“When Mr. Presely got his tie stuck in the
podium freshman year.”
-Kris Wolford, Haylee Stombaugh and
Jessica Kniefel
Katie Carlisle
Opinion Writer
“When we won regionals our freshman
year for football and went on to semistate.”
-Zach Foreman
“The look on Mr. Eldridge’s face when he saw
Eleanor’s tattoo.”
-Kore Horonemos
“When Joe Pask hit a “deer” on his way
to weights our junior year.”
-Corey Casto
ne
ll defi t
i
w
l
o
o
s
gh sch it’ll only la
i
h
t
a
h
,
t
e
t think t of your lif
’
n
o
D
“
es
r the r
o
f
u
o
n
y
ars.”
evenso
e
t
y
S
r
r
u
o
fo
an
- Ele
“Don’t fall behind in a world that is
moving so fast.”
- Ted Emigh
“Buy an elevator
pass. It will
help you in life.”
- Jordan
Smoroske
Elevator
Pass
e
o becom
t
e
t
a
l
o
ever to been.”
“It’s n
ve
uld ha
o
ins
c
u
o
y
an Elk
g
e
M
-
what
“You’d be surprised by how many peers you’ll
see after high school, so be kind to them.”
- Joel Glon
“The time that Mr. Presely lost our finals
then found them a few weeks later in his sock
drawer.’
-Alyssia Harris
“Freshman year when MerBear hit the
Jr. High sign and her mom followed her
around sophomore year.”
-Kelly Kincaid, Kyle Oglesby,
Haylee Stombaugh, Jessica Kniefel, and
Kris Wolford
“My greatest memory from high school would
have to be Friday night football games. I’ll miss
the atmosphere and the closeness of everyone
cheering the boys on.”
-Lindsay Jurczak
Art done by Caitlin Sanders
NPUSC teachers bid
a fond farewell
to NPHS Class of 2008
To the Class of ’08,
Three years ago I started my career as a teacher
at New Prairie High School. Let’s just say that I had not
had the best experience during my student teaching and
I was really scared that I had just wasted four years of
my college career and about to enter a job that I thought
would pay the bills for a year or two. Fast forward to
the first day of class when I was late for my very first real
teaching experience and later on in the day when Candice
Stoner scared the crap out of me. It took me awhile to
get used to the way things were but I fell in love with “the
class that no one loved.” I felt a connection with all of
you and I am sorry if I made mistakes that first year. I
never claimed or will ever claim to know it all-but I do
know this-I will miss all of you because you have made
me see the type of teacher I want to become. Because of
all of you this turned from a scary experience to one that
I hope will never end. You were the first class I had and I
will love and miss you all so much. Stop in and see Cocoa
anytime! PS- I will never forget quote walls, navy ships,
VITO, Jen’s vocab quizzes, Comedy Club-Meow, sending
Kyle to the hall after his intro speech, theatre, trying to
get Courtney in that dress in record time, and Boo.
Love, Mrs. Kramer
To my former 6th grade students,
“Finish your homework on time. Don’t
procrastinate.”
- Gisela Solis
Congratulations on completing your career at
NPHS! You are my first group of students to graduate, so
that make you guys extra special to me.
Teachers can’t spend 180 days with a class without
sharing a part themselves with their students. That being
said, I tend to keep track of that “part of me” that I’ve
sent with you. Whether you know it or not, I do my best
to keep track of your achievements and I’m extremely
proud of the the young men and women you’ve become.
Photos taken by Photos Team
Mr. M
To the Class of 2008,
Though this has been an “interesting” year, I
am sure that moments like the impressions of “Ahnold”
and the way the West Side represented, with or without
binoculars, will remain with me for a very long time. I am
looking forward to FINALLY seeing Joe Hyduk’s happy
face on graduation day, and what will we do without Joel
“Candyman” Stockton?? We will sadly have to retire
MoMo in newspaper class, but this year’s publications
seniors have paved the way for incredible success in the
future. I’m proud of everyone who survived dual credit
AND senior exit. I told you it wouldn’t kill you, and, holy
cow, it didn’t! What it did do was build your character,
skills and confidence and better prepare you to proudly
represent New Prairie as you go out into the world. We
began this year talking about “The Power of One.” After
all the work we’ve done, I hope this idea has taken root in
each of you. Through your experiences this year, I hope
you have come to realize that you CAN make a difference.
I wish you luck and the will to make a difference in the
world. Keep in touch.
CWilk
P.S. This will be…an everlasting love!
I hope you find your dreams. Good Luck!
Mr. Zahrt
Good Luck!
6
Student Life
After the final bell:
The Cougar Chronicle
It Won’t
Happen To Me
Skin Cancer
Evan Jackson-Boys
Features Reporter
Some think that they are benefiting their body by going
to the tanning salon and hopping in that tanning booth.
There are many risk factors involved with over exposure
to these appliances.
Many
get
hooked on the
deals some salons
offer. One used by
a lot of students in
our school is the
unlimited tanning
for a month. This
encourages people
to come in to tan
more and more.
Every
year,
100,000
people
Art by Caitlin Sanders
are diagnosed with
skin cancer. Nonetheless, people are still anxious to catch
the best deal to spend time in some artificial light. Tanning
booths emit ultraviolet rays that can tan your skin in a
short period of time. The rays are two to three times more
powerful as the suns rays alone.
The beginning stages of skin cancer start with the skin
becoming pink and in some cases red. The skin then can
blister up and peel off. Some people just ignore these
signs and just keep on tanning. This is the wrong way to
go about this. When you see these signs you need to give
tanning a rest, and stay in a dimmer area where you can
just relax.
“I just don’t think it is worth it [using tanning beds],
there are just too many risks,” Reports Junior Anna
Hutcheson. Many other students agree with her viewpoint.
Some others don’t tan in beds because they freckle or
sunburn easily.
UV exposure can lead to many other physical ailments.
It can cause eye damage, immune system changes, and
premature aging of the skin. With so many negative
effects tanning has on people, why do people still do it? It
could happen to anyone, so it is smartest to take as many
precautions as possible.
Junior Katie Waldo who works at local tanning salon,
Tanz ‘n’ Tanglez sees no problem with tanning every now
and then. But there are some who over use the tanning
booths. “I see a lot of people who come in who don’t even
need to be more tan,” says Waldo.
When tanning, remember to always wear your
protective goggles in the booth, and when something has
you worried, like irritated skin, have it checked out. You
can never be too safe.
It Won’t Happen To Me is a new feature to the
Cougar Chronicle and will be on the Student Life page
each issue. It is not meant to offend or scare anyone,
but rather, to inform students of issues they may not
have a full understanding of. If you would like to submit
anything in response to the issues mentioned in It Won’t
Happen To Me, please follow the same guidelines on the
Opinion page about submissions.
Teachers hold interesting jobs
Camryn Pursley
Student Life Reporter
It’s difficult to imagine that teachers actually
do have lives outside the classroom.
Many of New Prairie’s
teachers actually possess
afterschool jobs. These jobs
range from a full time mother
to a member of a barbershop
choral group, with many others
in between.
Algebra
teacher,
Karen
VanOverberghe, has a busy
summer planned with her four
children in mind. Ages range from
eight to 17 years old and caring
for her children becomes a full
time job. VanOverberghe explains,
“With four kids I am a mom; which
as you all know means nurse, coach,
team-mate, counselor, referee, cook,
tutor, chauffeur,
confidante, etcetera.”
Other than taking care of her children, VanOverberghe also
has to keep her teaching license renewed, make sure that her
husband gets up for work, and help coach or keep the score
book at her children’s sports games.
As many fans of teacher Cortny Kramer know, she
has been involved in theater arts for most
of her teaching career. Since
she began teaching
at New
Prairie,
s h e
has also
been coteaching
y o u t h
classes
at
Dune Summer
Theater with
established
actress Peyton
Daley.
Kramer will
continue working at
the theater this
summer, but will be directing
more than teaching. Kramer will be stepping up one more
level in the summer of 2009 when she takes over the LaPorte
Little Theater Children’s Program. Kramer also makes money
by mowing lawns over the summer for a little more
income.
Industrial technology teacher Mark Glassley holds a
couple of jobs outside of teaching. He works a couple
days a week at RadioShack in addition to being a
groundskeeper. Over the summer, he plants flowers, does
landscaping, trims trees, and other odd jobs for hire.
Another teacher holding an after-school job is Sid
Shroyer. He is an employee at WVPE-FM 88.1, an Elkhart
area radio station. He regularly works from four o’clock
in the afternoon until seven o’clock every Saturday. He
also works there during some school holidays and over
the summer. He explained, “My most important job is
maintaining the station, recording, and doing live local
station breaks that have to be timed to the second, and
making sure everything is where it is supposed to be as
far as what plays when.” Some of Shroyer’s past summer
jobs include driving a cab, working at a photo lab, and teaching
summer school.
Counselor
Gary Trost also holds an afterschool job as an emergency room
nurse at LaPorte Hospital two to
three shifts a week. Trost, who has
been nursing for over 20 years,
stated, “It’s surprising when I
am working and see students
come in as visitors or patients.”
He also sees many students at
the hospital as employees or
volunteers.
Aide, Alan Merrifield,
holds a unique job after the
bell rings. He sings baritone
in a barbershop choral
group. He explained, “The
group is made up of 27
singers who sing at various venues in
southwest Michigan and a couple areas in Indiana.”
This is Merrifield’s fifth year in the group, and he hopes that
this hobby
can help
to keep the
tradition of
barbershop
choral
alive. In
addition
to being in
the group,
Merrifield
a l s o
teaches
summer
school in Galien Michigan.
All the teachers have different motives for their after-school
jobs. Shroyer said that the main reason for needing the extra
cash was the rise in gasoline prices. Kramer exclaimed, “I
would be just as happy sitting at home, but I was sought
out. It’s also nice to have a little extra cash.” Merrifield
admitted that he just likes the comradery of the other guys
in the group. Trost’s main reason for his afterschool job is to
keep his nursing skills updated.
No matter what it is that teachers do with their time once
school is out for the weekend or summer, they all agree that
holding a second job is beneficial to their teaching careers.
Now Boarding: Dream Vacations
Natalie Humeau
Features Reporter
The sweet and tangy sensation of a tropical smoothie
grazes one’s lips. A gentle breeze meddles with one’s hair
as the brilliant sun caresses her cheeks with its rays. This
advantageous scene could be taking place somewhere on an
exotic island or even in one’s own backyard. This summer,
with a creative mind, a pocketful of cash, and approximately
three months to spare, dream vacations are anyone’s for the
taking.
For some, faraway destinations catch their eye for a dream
vacation. For sophomore Sherri Jeske, the possibilities are
potentially endless.
“My dream is to move as far away from here as possible.
Maybe Poland or something,” Jeske commented.
Freshman Tiara Yates desired to stay within the United
States on her vacation.
“A trip to Hawaii, because I’ve never been there and it
would be interesting to go there,” said Yates.
The state of Hawaii encompasses eight major islands and
over 120 smaller islets, providing plenty of space to perfect
one’s tan.
Chris Kolar, a senior, said he won’t feel obligated to shower
for the duration of his trip.
“I want to get on a plane. The first stop is the Bahamas. From
the Bahamas, I’ll go to Ireland. I want to catch a leprechaun
and raise it as my own. Then, I’ll go to the Neil Armstrong
Space Camp the week of his appearance and he can take me to
the moon. Once we get to the moon, I want to scuba dive with
aliens,” stated Kolar.
According to Irish folklore, a leprechaun is a fairy in the
form of a tiny old man wearing a top hat and works as a
shoemaker. Each was believed to possess a hidden crock of
gold.
Unlike Kolar,
sophomore Sean
Everingham is
not in search
of
miniature
men
with
golden riches.
He would like
to visit Jaipur,
India.
“I’ve been
there once and
would like to
revisit if I had
the
chance,”
exclaimed
Everingham.
“The food was
good.”
If
Indian
cuisine is not
one’s
fancy,
perhaps a trip
‘down under’ is
considerable.
“I would say going to Australia, then boxing a kangaroo,”
said senior Mat Henning of his dream vacation. “Then I would
visit a Steve Irwin memorial, and go to a nude beach. Then I’d
go to the outback and catch feral cats then cuddle with a koala.
Then I’d fly home first class,” Henning laughed.
Getting the chance to actually go on one’s dream vacation
is rare, but for New
Prairie’s own librarian,
Mr. Jim Groendyke, this
summer his dreams are
coming true. He will be
traveling to Ana Maria
Island and renting a
condo for seven days,
which conveniently is
located a block from
the beach. All beachgoers know of the pesky
seagulls trying to snack
on one’s beach treats
but for Groendyke, that
won’t be a problem.
Nearby, there is a
restaurant that serves
its customers pancakes
to share with seagulls.
“Wonderful restaurants
and good food” is what
Groendyke states as
being a highlight of
his trip. His internal
Photo by Ali Gloff
librarian will also tag
along. “I’m going to sit
back, relax, and read,” stated Groendyke.
With the school year winding down and summer vacation in
sight, students can put their seats and tray tables in the upright
position, fasten their seatbelts, and prepare for take-off.
Features
The Cougar Chronicle
7
New Prairie seniors answer the call of duty
Alysia Harris
Student Life Editor
With the school year winding down, the seniors face making
final decisions on what to do in the fall. While most are headed
back to school in the form of college, a few have decided to
take a different path; enlisting in the military.
Seniors Austin Feller and Nick Lambert are both headed
into the Marines. Both have looked towards the military for
a long time. Lambert said, “[I have] always wanted to go.”
Feller agreed, adding that he enlisted mainly to serve and to
“do my part.”
Feller went on, saying he had looked at all the branches,
comparing them. He
made his decision on
the Marines because
they “seemed the
best”, having the
hardest
training,
being the most
physically fit, and
the most mentally
challenging.
Both guys made
their decisions early,
before the school
year even started.
Feller signed his
enlistment
forms
on July 3, 2007 and was sworn in ten days later on July 13.
Lambert enlisted in early August. They will both receive their
basic training in San Diego and are leaving on June 23, 2008.
Feller and Lambert both expressed happiness in having the
other go with; they were “glad to have a friend.”
However, Feller and Lambert are far from being the first
New Prairie students to serve in
the armed forces. New Prairie
graduate of 2006 Matthew Wood
has been serving in the Navy for
the past few years.
Wood joined after he took
the Armed Services Vocational
Aptitude Battery, better known as
the ASVAB, his junior year. He
enlisted partly because the Navy
offered to pay for his college
education and also because
serving gives him the
opportunity to travel
around the world.
Like Feller and
Lambert,
Wood
enlisted
early,
joining the Navy on
November 11, 2005,
entering in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP),
which allowed him to finish high school. Wood
added, “this program allowed for me to learn basic
Naval customs, rank and recognition, and endure
physical training.”
Wood has done well in the Navy, currently
serving as an Interior Communications Electrician
Petty Office Third Class, which he added is “generally known
as IC3”. As an IC3, Wood is “in charge of maintaining the
ship’s general announcing system, audio/visual entertainment
Exchange students
prepare for departure
Camryn Pursley
Student Life Reporter
As the school year draws to an end, so do the adventures of
two foreign exchange students. Juniors Felix Weber and Alan
Nguyen will soon be heading back to their home countries, but
not without making some good memories and friendships here
in the United States. The two boys have spent
the school year living with their
hosts, the Feltz family. Although
they look forward to going back
home, they both agreed that they will
miss various aspects of the states.
Weber explained the various
differences and similarities between
his home country, Germany, and
the United States. He claims that the
people and food in both countries are
about the same, but the school system
is much different. In fact, Weber is
already graduated in Germany, but is
only considered a junior in the states. He
added that the party scene in Germany
is much different than what is found in
the United States, due to the difference in
alcohol consumption laws. Weber believes
that he has less freedom now than when he
was home.
Vietnam native, Nguyen, contradicted
Weber when he said, “I have more freedom
here. I have to study a lot more and go to school every single
day (at home).”
Nguyen and Weber agreed that their main reason for coming
to the United States was to have fun. Weber also said that he
wanted to learn something new and see what a small town was
like. They also agreed that their trip added up to what they had
hoped; a fun experience.
Both seem to have enjoyed their stay with their host family.
Nguyen commented, “I like it here because it’s different than
home. The schools here are also easier. Weber added, “I really
like it here.
It’s not better than Germany, though, just
different. Actually, neither is better than
the other.”
Although they are excited to go home
and see their friends and family, there
are many things that they will miss
from their foreign adventure. Weber
said that he will miss the people he
met here, and Nguyen added that he
would miss his host family and the
freedom, too.
Weber admitted that the first
thing he’s going to do when he gets
home is go to a party to be reunited
with his friends. Then, two weeks
later, he will be going on vacation
with his family.
Nguyen’s plans for the
summer are quite different.
Although he hopes to spend
some time with friends and
family, he will spend a majority
of the summer preparing to
come back to the United States in August to attend
college in Arizona.
The view that Nguyen and Weber have of the United States
has changed since they actually lived here. Weber stated, “The
US is a lot different than what you see in movies, that’s for
sure.”
system, telephone and alarming systems.” Currently, Wood is
serving on a ship that is out at sea.
As time goes on, Feller and Lambert have different
reactions to leaving. Feller said that as
June gets draws near, he feels more and
more nervous. Lambert, however, felt that
he is not nervous at all.
Family and especially friends played a
big role in Feller’s decision. As far back
as sophomore year he was invited by New
Prairie graduates Todd Benjamin and Todd
Houser to join them in training. Lambert,
on the other hand, felt that he made his
decision on his own and was not influenced
by others.
Lambert added that he has always
wanted to serve. His family, especially his
mother, would rather he not. She doesn’t
want him to go. Despite this, Lambert
stated that he would serve, even if he had
to “sneak in.”
Going away and living alone for the first
time is a daunting task for most seniors. A
few have taken on that plus more. Feller, Lambert, and others
past and present have all taken on the responsibility to serve
and protect the nation’s people.
NP seniors make
decisions for fall
of 2008
Joanna Grabarek
Student Life Reporter
Preparations for the upcoming commencement
ceremony cloud the minds of New Prairie’s senior class.
Among the list of preparations is the decoration of one’s
graduation cap. Nearly 86% of the class of 2008 will
place logos for the college of their choice on their hats.
A large portion of New Prairie’s college goers are
headed for the nearby campuses of Indiana University
South Bend (IUSB) and Purdue North Central (PNC).
The results of a recent survey of New Prairie’s seniors
displayed that 21 students will attend IUSB and 18 will
head to PNC.
Senior Krista Carter is among the clan bound for
PNC. “I liked PNC because it was close to home. Plus,
I could save money while I go to school,” commented
Carter. This elementary education major does not plan on
transferring to Purdue West Lafayette.
Unlike Carter, 10% of New Prairie seniors will
continue their education at Purdue.
Still, Carter believes that the reason many choose local
colleges is simple. “These schools (PNC and IUSB) are
convenient and close to home. You can get the same
education as you receive at the larger schools for less,”
replied Carter.
However, the majority of seniors are attending schools
alone, that is without any fellow New Prairie class of 2008
graduates. Twenty-four percent of seniors are enrolled in
private or less known colleges. Some of these include:
Valparaiso University, Vincennes, International Business
College, and Butler.
Blazing their own trail, 14% of seniors are not planning
on attending college after graduation. Among this group
is senior Samantha Dake. “I plan to work until I know
what I want to do and where I want to go to school,”
replied Dake.
Surely, any who attend the commencement ceremony
will be witness to a vast array of designs atop the
graduation caps of the class of 2008. These designs are
the beginning constructions for the future of New Prairie’s
senior class.
8
What you need to
know about
Cougar...
Baseball
Seniors Justin Gorny, Jared Emmons,
Marc Lindsey, Dennis Jedresyk, Sam
Zucker, and Jordan Smorske
The New Prairie Cougar baseball team is
a serious contender for the Northern States
Conference title crown this season. The team
is currently in second place, behind Jimtown.
All the seniors on the squad have made huge
contributions this season, leading the team to a
solid 14-6 record.
Softball
Seniors Lindsay Jurczak and
Jessie Strauch
The New Prairie softball team is having a great
season, as they look to close out their with a solid
state tournament run. The team is lead by their
two seniors, Jessie Strauch and Lindsay Jurczak.
Boys’ Golf
Swimming his way
to greatness
Natalie Humeau
Features Reporter
On February 22, 2008, junior Ben Ziolkowski
made his mark on the New Prairie Swimming
program when he competed in the 50 yard
freestyle at the state
finals. The meet,
which was held at the
IUPUI Natatorium in
Indianapolis, featured
the state’s best
swimmers, including
32 participants in his
event. Ziolkowski
beat out 22 of those
competitors and
placed tenth in the
state with an amazing time of 21.85 seconds.
Ziolkowski began his stellar swimming career
quite recently.
“I started swimming my freshman year
because my friends swam and I wanted to
get in shape for baseball,” he stated. “The
first lap of my life was freshman year,”
After his sophomore year, Ziolkowski
joined another swim program, Irish
Aquatics, to train and get better for his
school season. Between the two, he
enjoyed the high school swim team
more.
Ziolkowski can pinpoint Kerry
Moore as his favorite coach throughout
his swimming career.
“He was my first swim coach and he knew
what I could do. He pushed me from day one to
be good,” said Ziolkowski.
Breaking a record
is respectable,
but breaking
one’s own record
multiple times
is astonishing.
Ziolkowski not
only broke the
school’s 100 yard
freestyle record, but
broke the 50 record
five times!
He describes the
feeling as “awesome.”
“Seeing that all the hard work pays off was
really worth it,” he commented.
The boys’ golf team had three seniors on the
varsity team this year.
“It’s been a fun year,” said senior Brandon Kresca. The team is looking forward to sectionals at
Erskine golf course on May 30, 3008.
Check out where these
seniors are going on
athletic scholarships
Sam Zucker is planning on attending
Valparaiso University in Indiana and has
received a sports scholarship.
Morgan Mrozinski has received a
volleyball scholarship and will be
attending the University of St. Francis in
Illinois during the fall.
Jarek Hollingsworth will be going
to Manchester, Indiana for a sports
scholarship. He will most miss playing
football as well as his team and friends
from New Prairie.
Robert Croumlich will be attending
Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois
for a football as well as a track and field
scholarship.
Nick Poplawski has acknowledged a
football scholarship for which he will
be attending to St. Joseph College. Nick
will also miss all of his friends from
New Prairie as well as playing football.
Information gathered by Alyssa Pietrzak.
With such outstanding accomplishments, state
was in the future for Ziolkowski. When he found
out he would be participating in the state meet,
he couldn’t believe it.
“It didn’t really hit me until later that I was
going to state. Only one other guy swimmer from
New Prairie has gone to state so being the second
ever was unbelievable,” said Ziolkowski.
At the state meet, Ziolkowski was
flooded with different emotions.
“It was a mixture of nervous,
anxious, calm, pumped, hungry, and
tired. It was kind of funny because
the coaches always isolated me from
everyone else down there. I had my
own room and nobody could room
with me. I was the only one on the
pool deck. It was pretty cool,” stated
Ziolkowski.
Before his meets, Ziolkowski
chose any Rolling Stones song to pump him up.
“I eat pretty much everything and watch
Space Jam before a meet,” he expressed.
Ziolkowski’s goals for next year
include, “get
more records
and just shake
and bake!”
With another
completed
season under his
belt, Ziolkowski
finished with
some amazing
career milestones
that cannot be
stated with out
giving credit to his support system. He’d like
to thank, “everyone on the team! I know
I wouldn’t have made it to state or break
those records without the guys on the team
pushing me every practice. Also, the girls
team for their support and the families
of the swimmers. Also, Clint Eastwood,
Sonic the Hedgehog, Optimus Prime,
Buck Fremen, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie
Ray Vaughan, my childhood hero,
his airness, Michael Jordan, Bugs
Bunny, the Sandlot kids, The Rolling
Stones, Baby Jesus, John Belushi, Otter, a
special thanks to Kerry Moore for making me the
swimmer I am today, and most of all, my family
for their love, support, and everything they’ve
done for me!”
Farewell Coach Curtis
Ben Davis
Sports Editor
Seniors Joe Pravecek, Steve Pravecek,
and Brandon Kresca
Sports
The Cougar Chronicle
As the 2007-2008 school year at New Prairie
High School draws to a close, and bids good
byes and good lucks to all the seniors who are
departing for the next step of the journey in their
lives, we are reminded that this year, it is not just
the seniors that we will be saying good bye to.
New Prairie has to say farewell to the best
football coach it has ever seen. A coach who took
a football program that was virtually unknown
in the state of Indiana, to the levels of a regional
championship. A coach who built a program
on teamwork and respect, and lead his team to
victory over a conference foe who had won its
last 60 conference games to that point. And now,
after all he has accomplished at New Prairie,
Bart Curtis too is departing this school for the
next stop on his life’s journey. Mishawaka High
School and 5A football.
When I first heard the news that Curtis was
going to leave New Prairie to take the head
coaching position at Mishawaka, I am not
afraid to say that I felt enraged that the man,
who seemed as though he would stay as the
cornerstone of the Cougar football program,
would abandon it. I am sure I am not the only
person who felt that way at first. But the more I
thought about the situation, the more I realized
that Curtis was not abandoning the New Prairie
football program, he was moving on in his life,
leaving the Cougar football program better than
it was when he got here, and entrusting it to
good, capable coaches who have the tools to
build future success on the foundation that Curtis
built.
The New Prairie football program has had
success in recent years, and just because it is
losing the coach with the most wins in its history,
does not mean the success will not continue. It
just means that while New Prairie says goodbye,
Mishawaka says hello to one only of the best
football coaches in the area. We here at New
Prairie should not be sad or angry, but thankful
that we had the opportunity to have him as our
head coach. Bart Curtis is not only of the finest
football coaches in the state, but he is also one of
the finest human beings that I and many others
have been lucky enough to know, and he will
not only leave the Cougar football team with a
great record and memories of the great teams
he lead during his tenure, but he will leave with
grace. And so Bart Curtis, although it is with
heavy hearts that we at New Prairie High School
have as we watch you leave, you have left us
with great memories about the past and bright
thoughts about the future of New Prairie football.
That is why we were blessed to have you, and
that is also why Mishawaka will be lucky to
have you. So from all of us you have been lucky
enough to have been connected to New Prairie
football during time here, we say thank you for
what you did, good bye, and good luck on your
next stop on your journey.
What you need to
know about
Cougar...
Boys’ Track
Seniors Joel Glon, Robert Croumlich,
Tom Kesling, Cody Williamson, Nick
Poplawski, Brock Roberts and Chris
Miko
The 2008 boys’ track team is
almost over. They will be going to
sectionals to compete soon. Competing
for the Cougars for the very last time is
Senior Nick Poplawski. He played a big
role in helping out his team and hopes to
do well in sectionals.
Girls’ Tennis
Seniors Tricia Slevin, Krista Carter, and
Mary Jane Slaby
The girls’ tennis team finished their season
10-7. They also placed third in the NSC conference. Wnning the conference tournment were
junior Robin Young at number three singles and
the number 2 doubles team of senior MaryJane
Slaby and sophomore Margaux Jarka. The number one doubles team of senior Tricia Slevin and
freshman Ally Lang placed second in the NSC
tournment.
Girls’ Track
Seniors Morgan Mrozinski, Melissa
Bromely, and Courtney Underly.
Not Pictured: Senior Candice Stoner.
Girls’ 2008 season is drawing to a close
end. The girls still have sectionals left on their
schedule. This year, Senior Candice Stoner had
an outstanding season as a Cougar and is going to
do well in the sectionals.
Attention Seniors!
Sports training through
summer camps
Nick Carr
Sports Reporter
What are many dedicated athletes
going to be working to do this summer? Sports
training.Over the summer, athletes who are going
to be or want to be on sports teams next year will
be busy with sports summer training activities.
New Prairie will be offering penis
swimming, basketball, volleyball and football
sports programs this summer. These programs
are open to all New Prairie students who are
interested in participating in these sports. This is
a good opportunity for students to try out these
sports to see if they would like to continue to
participate during school next year.
Coach Dan Shead commented on the girl’s
basketball saying “we will have three morning
practices a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and
Fridays throughout the month of June”. “The
second week in July we have a team camp,”
commented Shead. “There will also be games at
the John Glenn league in June”.
Coach Chad Cripe of the boy’s
basketball team said that “we will be having
open gyms, conditioning workouts, and team
camps shootouts.
Another sport that will also have over the
summer programs is the girl’s swim team.
Coach Cathleen Lower commented that “the
girls will have two choices for swimming this
year”. “The first is a 6:30 to 8 a.m. early practice
and another one in the afternoon”. The girl’s
swim team also has more than just showing up
to school to swim. Lower added that “I have
several students who will swim at different
competitive programs. We have several girls
going to camp”.
The many sports programs at New
Prairie will be busy over the summer to work on
getting a head start on the 2008-2009 seasons.
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