The Student Voice of LHS - Robert M. La Follette High School

The Lance
La Follette High School, Madison, WI
The Student Voice of LHS
December 2008
Volume 47, Issue 04
The Zone Hit Hard By Theft
By: Corey Chamberlain
Over the past thirty
years, La Follette students
have been visiting the
Lancer Zone for their
miscellaneous
school
needs.
However, the
store has recently found
itself in a near epidemic.
Throughout the school
year the Lancer Zone
has been threatened by
various acts of larceny.
“There are noticeable
amounts
of
money
missing from the cash
register on a daily-basis
and it seems to be getting
worse,” said Lancer Zone
manager Brett Tortorici
(12). The situation has
soured so much that the
thieves are beginning to
also turn towards the
bucket of tips.
The amounts stolen each
day were concealed by
advisor June Anderson,
but she indicated they are
noteworthy.
“When you take all of
the money stolen over
the quarter, it ends with
a significant amount of
money,” said manager
Cassie Fehrman (12).
While money is often
lost, the class is yet to
have a serious problem
with stolen merchandise.
The core of managers
explained that they are
trying to get an improved
security system in an
attempt to crackdown on
the thievery, but admits
this problem probably
won’t go away soon.
“I don’t think it will ever
be completely solved.
The person or people will
either have to be caught,
or turn themselves in,”
said assistant manager
Aaron Johnson (12).
“The most disappointing
part is that they are
stealing from themselves.
The profits go back to
the students through
programs like DECA
and to improvements
for the Lancer Zone. It
is just really sad,” said
Anderson.
Theories
provided
by Lancer Zone staff
continually
pointed
fingers towards a student
in one of Anderson’s
three classes.
“I think it’s an inside job,”
said Ian Wegger (12).
While
stealing
has
been a minor problem
throughout the history
of the Lancer Zone, it
is clear that they are
reaching new summits.
December 9
Eld-Al-Adha
Progress Reports
Due at 12
December 12
Blood Drive
December 17
Band Concert
at 7:30
By: Dayton Sheppard
than you may suspect. The iPod® Shuffle® is
only $49.99 and can fit
into the smaller pocket
within your pocket
which has absolutely
no use, expect for your
iPod® Shuffle®. These
little guys can be very
cool if you are confident
that you can enjoy every
song of your playlist, but
if not, you’ll constantly
be clicking to find one
you do. However, if you
remember this long ago,
we used to use “Sony
Walkman CD players.”
And now Sony has come
December 3
Junior Parent Night
6-9 PM
December 15
2:15 Dismissal
Chorus Concert
at 7:30
How To Be Cheap Without Cheating Your Friends
Now
that
is
has
snowed, we know the
holiday season is fast
approaching, and it’s
time to think about gifts
you have to give to your
loved ones. So, allow me
to be your guide to great
winter gifts that don’t
break your budget. Since the best iPods®
range up to over $400
dollars, chances are that
kids might not shop
for Apple’s name brand
merchandise. However,
mp3s are still a great
present to give or receive
and are much cheaper
Lancer Log
up with a $90 dollar 4GB
mp3, with a stylish black
design. Or for $90, a
blue tooth compatible
Insignia 4GB is also
available. If music isn’t your thing,
how about a sub $100
USB Flash Drive.
If you have college in
about 9 months this will
come in handy. Bringing
information from a home
computer or laptop to
the school’s computers
or vice versa will be much
easier with one of these
little devices.
Competitive prices have
driven cameras below the
$100 barrier. The Cobra
6MP digital camera is
only $79.99 and fits in the
palm of your hand. The
Kodak 8.2 Megapixel 3x
Digital Zoom Camera is
$99.99. Digital cameras
are great to capture
moments in history,
catch a funny face on a
friend, or get a third of
fall sport participants
suspended, sweet.
Hopefully this will guide
you in the right direction
and, most importantly,
finally make you a mighty
fine present giver.
December 22
Winter Break Begins
January 5
School Reopens
January 7
Financial Aid
Night
6-9PM
Lancer Pride
Editorials
2
The Lance
Editors:
Kate Feuling
Tim Poellmann
Section Editors:
Emily Burrows
Nick Jensen
Brett Klinkner
Mary Marvin
Lucy Tollefson
Visuals Editor:
Adrian Jaramillo
Staff:
Amy Barrington
Ashley Capacio
Corey Chamberlain
Miguel Cuellar-Herrera
Jessica Doyle
Nikki Du Frane
Felisha Flores
Alyssa Riphon
Samuel Rouse
Collin Severson
Dayton Sheppard
Jermaine Ward
Advisor:
Donna Kennedy
Consultant:
Tim Stanton
Images Plus
Printer:
Images Plus
Madison, WI
Editorial Policy:
“The Lance” welcomes letters
to the editor. All letters must
be signed, but may be printed
anonymously at the author’s
request and/or the discretion
of the editors and advisor.
Letters may be edited to meet
space requirements. Submit
letters to a “Lance” staff
member, to Donna Kennedy or
to the address below.
“The Lance”
La Follette High School
702 Pflaum Road
Madison, WI 53716
Views expressed on in this
paper are the views of individual
authors, or in the case of the
staff editorials, the editorial
board. They do not represent
the views of all Lance staff
members.
Uniting the Union Starts with Hope
By: Tim Poellmann
“For
alongside our
famous
individualism,
there’s another ingredient
in the American saga:
a belief that we are
connected
as
one
people.”
Barack Obama said these
words four years ago at
the democratic national
convention, and then
continued this theme all
the way to the present
through the failures of the
current administration,
health care and Iraq
war concerns, and the
economic crisis to be
elected the 44th president
of the United States.
Obama used the theme
of the American dream,
believing in the common
good and morality of the
American people, and
used it to inspire and
create hope in a time
of negativity to bring
new aspirations and a
new means of American
politics.
During his campaign he
was never worried, he
didn’t use attacks and
negativity as a major
focal point, but he used
hope to bring a thought
of optimism to the future
of America and inspired
most of the country to
believe that America can
change and the union can
be better.
The main idea of hope
inspired people enough
to create the one of the
highest voter turnout
rates in 44 years. Hope
inspired people to see past
the overused statements
of Obama being linked to
terrorists and the reverend
Jeremiah Wright, to
move past the racism
and intolerance that has
scarred America’s past
to vote for the AfricanAmerican
candidate
even though race did not
even play a factor in his
campaign.
Senator John McCain did
much in his campaign as
well, but he did not have a
fundamental idea to base
anything off of. He made
too many bad decisions
that hurt his campaign
in the end, including
trying too hard to link
Obama to terrorists and
shed negativity on the
election and choosing
a buddy in Sarah Palin,
whose clear inexperience
and lack of ability to
cover up McCain’s flaws
didn’t help their cause
at all. He ran a good
campaign, but in the
end he made the wrong
choices that resulted in
a loss of support for the
Republican Party.
At this point many cynics
and republicans (who
were synonymous during
the election) who are
reading this are probably
thinking
the
same
thing. Obama is all talk.
Hope and the American
dream are just words
and won’t accomplish
anything for him during
his presidency. But they
mean so much more than
that. Words and ideas are
powerful; they inspire
thought, and they bring
hope, which America so
desperately needs at a
time like this. McCain’s
attacks on Obama and
his constant negativity
on the Obama campaign
only hurt his campaign,
because America didn’t
Drawing by Emily Burrows
need any more negativity
in times such as this.
Obama
started
his
campaign on the beliefs
of unifying and bringing
hope and it worked until
the end, because in the
end that is what America
needs.
Ideas and hope can’t end
wars, and it can’t pull the
market out of the hole it
is in. But right now, at a
time of despair and crisis
America needs hope,
and unifying our nation
under a single ideal and
bringing hope to the
country during hard
times is a good enough
start to bringing America
back up to a place we can
truly be proud of.
Editorialize This!
By: Alyssa Riphon
It has been brought
to the Lance staff’s
attention that a number
of students have been
confused as to what an
editorial is. According to
dictionary.com, editorial
means: “an article in
a newspaper or other
periodical presenting the
opinion of the publisher,
editor or editors.” So an
editorial is pretty much
an opinion article. Some
students have been
confused as to why some
of these articles place a
bias about a subject and
have voiced the fact that
our articles are supposed
to be completely unbiased. While this true
on any other page of the
Lance, it is untrue with
the editorial page. Our
editors, Tim Poellmann
and Kate Feuling, have
no control over what
goes into an editorial.
As long as the article
is correctly placed in
the editorial section,
the article cannot be
changed. An editorial is
totally free to be either
completely opinionated
or un-biased, it all has to
do with what the writer
feels they need to put
out in the paper.
Editorials
3
Grandmother Palin In 2012
By: Corey Chamberlain
As the Presidential bid
for John McCain has
ended, the Elephants
find themselves already
looking towards 2012.
Palin has implied a
2012 campaign is likely
and many Republicans
believe she will be a bigtime player in the next
election.
Palin, the little-known
governor of “The Last
Frontier” three months
ago, has now found her
face littering FOX News.
Palin will be arguably
the most recognizable
Republican face when
the primaries begin, but
many strategists feel
she is a major reason for
McCain’s loss.
While she may be a
well-known figure to
the “Grand Old Party,”
there is no doubt many
others find themselves
packing their bags at
the thoughts of Palin as
Commander-in-Chief.
“If Palin got elected in
2012 I’d move to either
Australia or England
without hesitation,” said
Dayton Sheppard (12).
It’s clear that Palin has
a long way to come, but
she has passed the test of
speaking fluently during
her debate against Joe
Biden.
Palin has seen her
popularity
plummet
since McCain named
her as his running mate.
Additionally, her résumé
is hardly impressive.
Palin worked for six years
as the mayor of an igloo
village and as governor of
Alaska (which has more
reindeer than people)
for a measly eighteen
months.
Overall, though, her
largest blemish is the lack
of knowledge on foreign
policy. This was made
bluntly obvious during
Don’t Judge a Book By Its Movie
By: Lucy Tollefson
When you think of your
favorite book, what
comes to mind? A beloved
character? Your favorite
chapter? Or perhaps
it’s the horrible movie
they made based off the
book. A prime example
of movie complaints is
Harry Potter. The popular
magical book was first
turned into film in 2001
when the film incarnation
of the first novel Harry
Potter and the Sorcerer’s
Stone
hit
theatres.
Though this one stuck to
the book, it was quickly
followed by The Chamber
of Secrets and The Prisoner
of Azkaban. Both left
stuff out, and continued
to do so in the following
movies. Not only did the
movies switch directors,
but Dumbledores as
well. Before you know
it, Chris Rock will be
playing
Dumbledore.
And it doesn’t stop with
wizards, the New York
Times bestseller Eragon
has many fans, but those
fans aren’t as loyal to the
movie. Half the book was
cut out, the characters
had the wrong features,
and were portrayed by
people who were a wee
bit untalented, according
to one upset fan. Other
upsets
include
The
DaVinci Code and Series
of Unfortunate Events.
People concur that the
Lord of the Rings series
were better than the book,
and that several others,
including The Lion, the
Witch and the Wardrobe
and City of Ember, were
also relatively the same or
better than the book.
“Hannibal the movie was
better than the book,”
Jessi Reddell (11) said.
“I think it should be
illegal to turn books into
movies, unless the author
is in complete control,”
Nichole Wolff (12) said
“I think some are okay,
but it sucks when the
movie is completely
different from the book,”
Alice Kossow (12) said.
Whatever your opinion
about it may be, books
will continue to be made
into movies. And if you
don’t like them, then
spread the word that the
book is better, then more
people might read instead
of watching movies,
which could be better for
everyone.
her September interview
with Katie Couric. New
York Times television
critic Alessandra Stanley
described the interview
as “disastrous” to the
McCain/Palin campaign
and prompted calls
from some conservative
commentators for Palin
to resign from the
Presidential ticket.
However, if Palin was
the nominee, it would
make things interesting;
her and President-elect
Barack Obama are clear
opposites:
Columbia
and Harvard versus the
University of Idaho,
calm versus feisty and
beaches
versus
the
frozen tundra.
Luckily, these are mere
rumors and there are still
four years until we need
to worry about this.
Plus, Palin would have
to overcome history: No
losing vice presidential
candidate since 1920
Democratic
running
mate Franklin Delano
Roosevelt has gone on
to win the presidency.
Now, I’m not saying
Palin will take the
2012 ticket, but I’d be
surprised if she isn’t
running.
La Follette News
4
Election Draws Record Voters to Polls
By: Ashley Capacio
When what seemed to
be a never-ending twoyear election came to a
close on November 4th,
voters made all of the
ad-campaigns,
phone
calls and debates worth
Barack Obama’s time.
The Associated Press
stated that an estimated
136.6 million voters went
out to the polls this year,
easily surpassing the
122.3 million who went
out for the 2004 election.
So, why the big turnout?
Based on the fact that
history would be made
guaranteed as a result
of the election may
have given many voters
an interest. With what
could have been a female
vice-president, or our
current black presidentelect, both would have
been a first. People of
all backgrounds took an
interest in the diverse
election, with white
voters taking up 74% of
the total voters, which
is down from the 81%
in the 2004 election.
Other voters may have
gone to the polls in
concern of the current
economic crisis and other
issues. Democrats came
ready to vote, upping their
registration 14% from
the previous election,
while Republicans only
increased by 1%. The
Democrats
got
the
turnout they were hoping
for, with Barack Obama
winning the Presidential
spot, and gaining control
in both the Senate and
House of Representatives.
While election experts
disagree whether or not
this was a record-high
number of voters, it
was easily the highest
in the past 48 years,
with the 1960 election
of John F. Kennedy and
Richard Nixon being
the highest competition.
In the 1960 election,
there were an estimated
63.8% of eligible voters
that voted, while the
exact configurations for
the 2008 election aren’t
calculated for sure yet.
Michael McDonald of
George Mason University
calculated a 64.1% turnout
for this year, but many
other experts disagree.
According to a voting
analysis by American
University’s
Curtis
Gans, the voter turnout
fell somewhere between
60.7%
and
61.7%.
Americans exercised their
right to vote this year,
especially in comparison
to the previous election.
Whether or not the most
voters in United States
history went out on
Tuesday night or not,
history was still made.
AVID at La Follette
By: Amy Barrington
The AVID program
is the Advancement
Via
Individual
Determination. AVID
is a program that
focuses on helping good
students with good
intentions learn the
skills needed to get into
college. The program
was created by a school
teacher from San Diego
in 1980, and is now
known in 45 states and
12 countries around
the world. An AVID
class is coming to La
Follette next year with
hopes of getting many
students
involved.
There is a process
including
a
few
guidelines to getting
into the AVID program.
Some of the guidelines
include: being the first
in your family to go
to college, living in a
low-income
family,
have
a
cumulative
GPA from 2.0 to 3.5,
and being a part of a
minority. In order to
join AVID you don’t
have to qualify for all
the requirements, but
the more you do the
better chances you’ll
have of being chosen
to join. Normally,
students start AVID
in 8th or 9th grade and
continue all the way up
to getting into college.
One goal of the
AVID program is to
encourage
students
to take on challenges
while giving them the
support to succeed at
the same time. Each
year throughout high
school, the program
focuses on different
techniques for helping
students in different
ways. Freshman and
sophomore
year
students learn study
skills and how to do well
on homework. Then,
junior year students
learn how to take the
SAT and ACT. Finally,
senior year students
get to go on college
tours learn how to do
college
applications
and interviews.
The AVID program is
for anyone who thinks
they could do well in
it and meet the listed
above guidelines. AVID
comes to La Follette
next school year, so if
you’re interested talk
to Phonekeo Siharath.
$2 off any regular sub sandwich
or free cookie with purchase of $5 or more
when you show your student ID.
4914 Pflaum Road ● Madison, WI ● 222-2155
Senior
Ads
LHS Statesman
Get your senior ads in today!
Get one for a friend.
Pick up an order form in G11.
Sizes:
NEW!
1/2 page - $75.00
1/4 page - $42.50
1/8 page - $32.50
Thank you for supporting the LHS Statesman Yearbook!
La Follette News
5
Foreign Exchange: Homesick or Ecstatic?
By: Amy Barrington
Imagine coming to a
new country by yourself,
living with people whom
you barely know, and
having to adapt to a
completely new culture.
This may sound difficult,
but the truth is, many high
school students endure
these changes every year.
Many programs enable
students to travel to new
countries and become
foreign
exchange
students, and La Follette
happens to have one
of
these
programs.
Currently,
we
have
three foreign exchange
students attending our
school. They are all
juniors and all from a
different country: Japan,
Ukraine, and Germany.
Since things are different
in other countries I
thought it would be a
good idea to ask them
about some of the things
that they miss or may
be different from their
homes. To begin with
I talked to Koji Sano
about his experiences
in America. Sano is
from Japan and says his
school is very different
from
La
Follette.
“At my school all of
students stay in one
classroom during the day
and our teachers move
around to each room.
Also, my school in Japan
is a lot smaller than La
Follette.” Sano said.
During our interview, I
asked Koji about various
things that he enjoyed
or missed about home.
His
response
was:
“I miss my dog and
Japanese food.” He also
stated some things he
liked about Wisconsin:
his host family and
said that the sky in
Wisconsin is very pretty.
Which College?
By: Corey Chamberlain
A new school year means
a new senior class facing
the daunting decision of
choosing the right college.
This is a choice many
students will face. Eighty
percent of student’s in the
La Follette class of 2008
indicated they planned to
attend either a two or four
year college. While the
reasons for applying to
a specific university will
differ from student-tostudent, popular reasons
are location, size, academic
prestige and programs,
cost of attendance and
cultural
attributions.
Nearly
every
senior
polled
showed
the
majority of their interest
was in the University
of Wisconsin System.
According to guidance
counselors Jena Acker
and Shana Dumbleton
UW-Milwaukee, MATC,
UW-Madison,
UW-La
Crosse and UW-Eau
Claire are the five most
applied to schools by
La Follette students.
“MATC is continually
popular
because
of
their transfer program,
but each senior class is
different,” said Acker.
Location is very important
among seniors.
Many
of them want to get
away from their parents,
The second person I
met with is Lyuba Hyrb.
Hyrb is from Ukraine.
She said so far her
experience has been very
different from home.
“I’ve never been to
another country, but
it has been fun so far
although, it is harder for
me to communicate with
people. I also do miss
my friends, but it has
been fun,” said Hyrb.
I asked her about her
school in Ukraine and
she said that her school
was a lot smaller, and
there are only about 800
students in her school.
“I think I will miss La
Follette when I leave
though,” said Hyrb.
Miriam Halm is from
Germany, when we
talked about where she
went to school I got a
very different answer
than every other person
I interviewed. Miriam
goes to an all-girl school
and has 13 classes a
week. Also, her school
doesn’t always get out of
school at the same time.
“Some days we get out at
2:00 and others at 2:30, it
depends on what day of
the week it is,” said Halm.
I asked Miriam about
her favorite parts of
Wisconsin and she said:
“There are a lot more
places to go shopping
and a lot of places to
go biking, I love that.
I also like living with
a host family, it’s so
much fun and very
different from home.”
When you think about it,
life in other places can be
very different or, so close
to being the same that
you may not even feel
like you’re in a different
country. The point is,
think about the idea of
being in a new country
with a new family. You
have to experience a
whole new culture, life
and language all while
trying to go to school.
It takes a lot of patience
and studying, do you
think you could do it?
but they want to stay
close to their friends.
Additionally, students are
surprisingly concerned in
the academic programs.
Seniors are really looking
at the majors to make
sure their prospective
schools offer courses
they’re attracted to. This
appeared to be the most
prominent reason why
seniors are choosing the
schools that they do.
“I’m mainly interested in
UW-Whitewater because
their business programs
are fascinating,” said
Aaron Johnson (12).
“Marquette, Minnesota
and UW-Madison all have
great business schools, but
if I don’t care I’ll probably
end up at UW-Milwaukee,”
said Brett Tortorici (12).
“Eau-Claire
offers
a
criminal justice major,
that’s the focal reason
I’m applying there,” said
Michael Schmidt (12).
Some seniors are looking
to get away from the
high school atmosphere
that we’re continually
imbedded
within.
“I’m not applying to
UW-Milwaukee, it is high
school all over again,”
said Sarah Grahn (12).
Others
viewed
this
transition
to
postsecondary
education
much
differently.
“I know a lot of people
at UW-Milwaukee so it
would make the change
much
easier,”
said
Lindsay La Plant (12).
Virtually all of La Follette
seniors had a plan for the
application process. Like
Acker and Dumbleton
suggest, apply to a reach
school, one you will
probably get into and
lastly, a backup option.
“I applied to UW-Madison
as my reach school. I am
most interested in UW-La
Crosse, UW-Eau Claire
and Minnesota, while
UW-Whitewater is my
fallback,” said Grahn.
“If absolutely nothing
works out I am conscious
of the online options. I am
probably most interested
in the University of
Phoenix,” said Tortorici.
Overall,
La
Follette
seniors appear to be
applying
to
schools
because of their location,
academic reputation and
their academic majors.
La Follette News
6
Leave It To Meissen! New Tardy Policy Brings
By: Emily Burrows
As the year goes on, is it
likely you have noticed
a familiar or new face
amongst the La Follette
staff: Terry Meissen. After
working twenty years
at Whitehorse Middle
School, Principal Joe
Gothard has asked her to
continue encouragement
at La Follette High. Her
new title here as a Lancer
is the Coordinator of
Student
Engagement.
With all of the clubs
and organizations she
helps with, it is almost
a promise you will see
her somewhere. Meissen
strongly
enforces
encouragement in the
halls to give that “La
Follette feeling,” as she
puts it. Not only does
she work lunch duty or
help students get tutors,
but she is interested in
starting new, positive
groups here at La Follette.
First, she is helping
Officer Greg Rosetti form
a “Youth Court” here at
La Follette. Together they
have selected a variety of
students, mainly those
who are interested in
justice systems or law,
to become peer “jurors”
when incidents happen
within
the
school.
Students can then go
to the Youth Court
instead of actually having
a court date, and the
peer jurors decide what
consequences should be
made for their ticket. La
Follette is the first and
only school in Madison
to do this, and the first
“court date” will be held
at the end of November.
She is also starting
an African American
Frustration To Some
Achievement
team,
which consists of male
African American role
models within the school,
grades 9-12. Each month,
an African American
male from the “100 Black
Men” will be selected
and talked about within
this group to promote
leadership. There is a
different male for each
month, such as Barack
Obama, or an athlete, or
any black male that has
made a positive force
within the community.
This program will also
help develop knowledge
on leadership and will
encourage
success
in applying for jobs.
“I was proud to be
in a group of African
American males with
positive
leadership
actions,” said Meissen.
Meissen is also planning on
starting a “Girls’ Group”
in the McFarland area for
La Follette students. This
group will travel via bus
or carpool to Owl Creek
to help in what is known
as community service.
“My goal is to get kids
to go out and work with
younger kids and get
more services, such as a
local bus or community
center,” Meissen said.
By creating a positive
attitude, you can create a
positive atmosphere.
By: Collin Severson
RRRIIIINNNNGGGGGGG!!!!! Oh no,
late again, time to head
to ALEC! Oh wait, the
tardy policy changed…
again. It seems that every
year the tardy policy, as
well as this year’s twist
receives mixed reviews.
This year, instead of
standing and waiting in
outrageously long lines
in front of ALEC, staff
members hand out little
blue passes with the student’s name and a date
and allow the student
to proceed to class. The
student then gives their
teacher the pass and the
teacher is responsible to
enter in that the student
is tardy into the Infinite
Campus database. This
is all an effort to get students to class earlier so
that more learning can
take place.
Though this may get students to class earlier, it
is just another task for
teachers to take care of
during their break. It
saves learning time during the class, but teachers
have to take time out of
Steven Hoffman writes up Michelle Jones (12).
their break. Obviously if
students are coming late
to class, they don’t believe our passing time is
long enough, so why add
another time consumer
to our teachers’ break?
This new tardy policy,
like all others, has its ups
and downs, and students
and staff have different
opinions.
Aaron Mayhall (12), who
has been tardy 6 times
this year says, “I find it
very unofficial, there are
no consequences for your
actions.”
Chase Welsh (12), tardy 7
times this year says, “It’s
weak!” Spanish teacher
Kelly Ferguson says, “It
gets kids to class faster
than the old policy.” “It
should go back to the
way it used to be,” Ben
MacDonald (10) said.
“It’s nice; you don’t have
to wait in a big long line,”
said Kyle Williams (11).
For Madison’s
Finest Flowers
205 E. Broadway
www.fellysflowers.com
221-4200
Lancer Odds& Ends
7
Horoscopes - What’s Your Sign?
By: Alyssa Riphon
Happy
Birthday,
Saggittarius!
Sagittarius (11/22-12/21)
This month is going to be
a 9! Love: After the first
snowfall, take your boo
out for some hot cocoa
and a romantic walk in
the winter wonderland!
Capricorn (12/22-1/19)
This month is going to be
a 7! Love: Due to Venus
entering your sign around
the 13th, you’ll find your
one true love.
Aquarius (1/20-2/18)
This month is a 4! Love:
It’s confusing.
Pisces (2/19-3/20)
This month is a 2! Love:
Take the advice from the
North Star and stick to
watching ‘The Notebook’
this month.
Aries (3/21-4/19)
This month is going to
be a 1.67, if you round
it! Love: Due to the
alignment between Mars
and Pluto, don’t go for it
this month.
Taurus (4/20-5/20)
This month is going to be
a 6! Love: Someone very,
very special someone has
been creepin’ on you, so
watch out.
Gemini (5/21-6/21)
This month is going to
be a 2! Love: Due to the
fullness of our moon, the
stars will align with the
oceans, and due to Venus
running into Jupiter
while the stars are aligned
in perfect harmony,
the Milky Way galaxy
is in tune with the sun.
Therefore, you won’t
find love this month.
How unfortunate.
Cancer (6/22-7/22)
This month is a 9! Love:
It’s all you, baby!
Leo (7/23-8/22)
This month is going to
be a 20! Wow! Love:
Everyone wants you! We
all love you!
Virgo (8/23-9/22)
This month is going to
be a -3! Love: Due to
meteor showers in the
universe, if you’re not
in a relationship, don’t
even go for it. If you
are in a relationship…
perhaps a re-evaluation
of each other’s trust is in
the stars. Things will get
better after the 13th.
filling the atmosphere
during the first part of
the month, you will find
a mega-hottie at Walmart
in the Beauty&Health
department.
Scorpio (10/23-11/21)
This month is a 8! Love:
Due to the universe
synchronizing
with
everything you do, you
are the center of the
universe. Therefore, you
don’t need love!
Libra (9/23-10/22)
This month is going to
be an 8 ½! Love: Due to
the congestive stardust
Happy “Holidays?”
By: Alyssa Riphon
of Allegiance. Even
the simple teaching of
Evolution in freshmen
Biology creates a big
hype, sometimes to the
point where a student’s
parents refuse to let his/
her child learn even the
facts.
This religious tolerance
is also spreading to our
younger generations. At
a local elementary school,
the
teachers
aren’t
allowed to decorate
their
rooms
with
Halloween pumpkins,
and Valentine’s Day
has been changed to
“Friendship
Day.” Really?
The
problem
is that public
schools
have
to draw a line
between religion
and state so the
curriculum does
not
conform
to one religion and at
the same time does not
offend any religions.
Some may think that
prayer and Bible reading
has also been banned
from public schools,
but it really hasn’t. The
constitution states that
individual
religious
expression in public
schools is okay, but the
school cannot sponsor
any of it.
I understand that a
public school needs to
meet expectations of all
diversities, but I’m sure
a lot of students will
agree with me when I
say it’s all getting a little
too technical, almost
ridiculous. It’s alright if
you don’t celebrate the
holiday that I do, that’s
cool, but I should have
a right to call it “Easter
Break” instead of “April
Break.”
Collin Severson (12) frolics in the early snowfall this November.
Need a good gift idea for the holidays?
Get those parents to loosen up a bit
with a great
Gi
f
Sa t C
le ert
On ific
lin at
e! e
Looking around La
Follette, diversity is
prominent not only in
racial background but
also in religion. Public
schools and religious
expression do not mix
well, especially during
the holiday season.
Over the past few years,
there have been constant
debates
surrounding
the issue. I feel it’s
become rather nit-picky
with the ban of “Merry
Christmas!” signs and
the complete deletion
of the “Under God”
phrase in the Pledge
Contact Jennifer Crye
(608) 241-4060
www.yourbodyharmony.com
237 North St. Madison, WI 53704
8
Fe at u r e
Medical Technology at
LHS Helps Everyone
By: Kate Feuling
In addition to recreational
technology, crime-related
technology, and Smart
Houses, another type of
technology that is rapidly
changing,
improving,
and expanding the world
is medical technology.
Advances in medicine
have been made recently
that would have been
incomprehensible thirty
years ago, let alone ten
years. Many forms of
cancer are now more
treatable or preventable;
people with AIDS can
go into remission and
continue living a relatively
normal life, and surgeries
are becoming continually
less invasive.
Medical
professionals
and patients are not the
only people in the United
States reaping the benefits
of advanced technology.
Students at La Follette
are acquiring a wealth
of medical knowledge
in classes like Health
Science
Occupations,
Advanced Biology II, and
Biotechnology.
Biotechnology is a class
offered at LHS that
teaches students how
to use organisms for
creating useful products
for humans.
“The second half of
Biotech is devoted to
DNA science,” Science
teacher Michael Brown
said. “We look at
genetically based diseases
and try to understand
where diseases come from.
The biggest link Biotech
makes to medicine would
be in our studying of
stem-cells.”
Biotech students study
cell-based
therapies,
which include cloning,
genetic engineering to
create
pharmaceutical
drugs, and obviously
stem-cell research.
“I’ve taken Biotech,
Advanced Biology II
and
Health
Science
Occupations I, and they
all teach me different sides
of the medical world,”
Kristi Tyler (12) said. “In
Biotech we learn a lot of
up to date stuff.”
“[Brown] did not even
hand
out
textbooks
because there is so much
to learn and it is always
changing,” Jessica Doyle
(12) said.
These days, Medical
Technology even exists as a
major for college students.
Many
college-bound
LHS students aspire to
go into the medical field.
Kristi Tyler (12) hopes
to go to the University of
Minnesota-Twin Cities
and eventually to medical
school to become a doctor.
Courtney Peterson (12)
wants to become a doctor
and work with babies.
Advances in medical
technology that translate
into classrooms at LHS
help students determine
what their future holds
and what they aspire
to. The next few years
in medicine promise to
hold only more advances
and improvements, and
students are likely to be
the first to reap those
benefits.
Taking A Byte Out Of Crime
By: Nick Jensen
One of the most
important
uses
for
technology is using it as an
aid for preventing crime.
Scientists are always
hard at work developing
ways to apply modern
inventions to the iron
fist of justice. By putting
science to work solving
and stopping crime, the
police, detectives, and
other upstanding citizens
can put hooligans behind
bars before they invade
any
more
innocent
homes.
Surveillance has always
been a mainstay of
criminal
catching.
Security cameras show
exactly who robbed the
convenience store and
deter others who may be
considering turning to a
life of sin. New cameras
from Altech Computers
record break-ins as soon
as they happen, and send
the data to a computer
network that business
owners can log onto
from anywhere in the
world (provided there’s a
computer). When terror
strikes on the streets,
Google Street View shows
police what’s happening
outside a building.
“Google was in the crime
area filming for their
street view service,” IT
expert Charlie Brown
said. “The vision caught
by the Google camera is
exactly the same as vision
caught on an individual’s
video camera, so police
are hoping the vision
will aid them in their
investigation.”
When cameras aren’t
available,
DNA
identification is a versatile
tool for investigators.
It can point to potential
suspects,
prove
the
wrongly
accused
innocent, and determine
who the victim of a violent
crime was. CODIS, the
Combined DNA Index
System, uses DNA from
known criminals as while
as evidence gathered
at the crime scene to
discover the culprit.
IBIS, the Integrated
Ballistics Identification
System,
is
another
important
(and
important-sounding) tool
for forensic investigators.
Designed to acquire
and analyze bullets and
camera depending of the
computer, zooms in on
any stolen camera, phone
or computer. Eye-Fi, is a
memory card that uploads
pictures automatically to
a computer. When it’s
stolen, the photos the
thief takes will show up
on the victim’s computer
and the cops can track
the criminal down.
Crime
technology
doesn’t have to have
computer chips or a
fancy acronym. Simple
videos and photos taken
by ordinary civilians can
be important evidence
for the police. Even nonelectronic measures, like
carrying pepper spray,
cartridges, IBIS can create
and compare images
of 2D and 3D bullets.
Scientists can use these
to determine exactly
what weapon and bullets
the criminal used.
Individuals can also help
the police when they can’t
get there in time. Gadget
Trak, a device or web
are powerful steps in
protecting the innocent.
As our world grows more
complex, the lowlifes
of society gain access to
new tools in their dark
efforts. The law-abiding
must adapt their own
technology to stop crimes
before they happen, and
solve them if they can’t.
Technology
9
Google Earth-A Place For Stalkers?
By: Emily Burrows
Have you ever had the
feeling that someone was
watching you? Well, it
could be possible! With
the technology these
days, you’d figure almost
anything is possible,
and by now you’d think
inventions are running
out.
Many of you may have
probably heard of or
messed
around
on
Google Earth, which is a
program on the internet
available to anybody that
allows you to look at
different places all over
the world from a satellite.
A satellite is an object
moving around a larger
object; in this case it is a
man-made satellite. These
mechanical
machines
were built and placed
in orbit for scientific,
communication
and
application
purposes.
They can relay phone
calls, TV signals, and orbit
to measure energy wave
lengths. Satellites also
help us look at weather,
plate shifting, and ozone
depletion, among many
other helpful purposes.
Google makes it easy
to access Google Earth
from any computer by
just clicking “Maps” at
the top of the Google
home page. Type in any
address, and it will give
you multiple location
choices throughout the
world so you can find
what you are looking for.
You can view it as a map,
like you would see in your
geography classroom; as
a terrain, which is a view
of the land; or in satellite
mode, which is a 3D
overview of buildings,
fields, etc. It gives you
an overhead (or bird’s
eye) view of the world
from outer space. You
can view stars, planets,
constellations and stars
and literally scroll to
zoom in enough to look
at your own front porch
as if you were standing
in the street. Creepy?
Although, I must admit,
I have found myself
curiously checking out
my own neighborhood to
look at familiar locations
and landmarks. I even
typed in Hollygrove,
New
Orleans
to
explore Lil Wayne’s old
neighborhood…
Yes,
creepy, I know...
Google Earth is free on
the internet (and now on
iPhones) and offers a free
downloadable
version,
but has limited features.
There are other programs
you can download to have
a clearer look at things.
Google Earth Plus is
an annual subscription
upgrade for $20 a month
and comes with realtime GPS tracking. You
are able click anywhere
you want, say the Rocky
Mountains, and watch
the sunrise or sunset on
the mountains from your
own computer screen.
Exploring weather and
traffic is also accessible
with this program. Google
Earth Pro ($400) is faster
and comes with other
features, but is accessible
for commercial use only
(which is probably a good
thing - we don’t want
stalkers!).
What about privacy? The
satellite that is accessible
on the internet isn’t live,
but shows pictures taken
from years ago. Satellites
can approximately zoom
in about 18inches by
18 inches (give or take
a few), but nothing
to worry about; only
higher government can
access this. So if you ever
look out into space and
wonder if something is
looking back at you, it is
possible. Just wave!
H.A.L (hybrid assistive
limb) available which is
designed to help those
with limited mobility.
signals through a sensor
attached on the skin of
the wearer. It is powered
by a battery that can be
recharged in any outlet.
The main activities that
H.A.L. was created for
was to help the elderly
and disabled get up from
chairs, walk, and climb up
and down stairs. H.A.L. is
expected to be modified
so that it can be applied
in various fields such as
rehabilitation support and
physical training support
in the medical field.
H.A.L. To The Rescue
By: Miguel Cuellar
What if you could wear
a suit, have super powers
and the ability to fly?
Sounds pretty cool, huh?
Unfortunately,
these
kinds of inventions are
still science fiction, but
for people with limited
mobility, a suit that can
help disabled and elderly
walk like an average
person could be lifechanging.
Fortunately
for them, that kind of
technology is around
the corner. In Tokyo,
Japan there is a suit called
H.A.L.
catches
brain
10
Fe at u r e
School Tech 101 Textology
By: Collin Severson
Since the early 90s,
advancements
in
technology have been
happening all around us.
This rapidly expanding
trend reaches from space
travel to motion sensor
urinals. New appliances
are taking the places of
old machines and even
people.
Since the early 90s,
personal computers and
graphing
calculators
have played a huge
role in the lives of high
school students. Before
the personal computer,
papers were typed on
typewriters.
Though
funding for computers
was limited at first,
most schools today
have computers of the
same quality as those
that people have at their
houses. When asked what
the most valuable piece
of technology he used
was, science teacher Brian
Webb said, “Definitely
my personal computer.
I use it all the time.”
Computers within the
school system are used for
countless applications.
By: Brett Klinkner
Graphing
calculators
also aid student learning
in many areas. The TI
calculator series started
in the early 90s allowing
students to plug in more
complex equations. These
calculators are not only
helpful in math courses
but science courses as
well.
Katie Ackerman 12,
said, “I need a calculator
because I don’t know what
the heck I’m doing in my
head.” Without graphing
calculators, using things
like Avogadro’s number
or remembering the first
12 digits of Pi would be
nearly impossible.
Some students also use
their iPod® or MP3
players to help them
concentrate during class.
The
advancements
in
technology
have
hugely altered the face
of education. Teachers
as well as students use
computers in school on
an almost daily basis. The
extreme advancements
still being made, make me
wonder what will be used
in schools next.
Need scholarships for college?
Want the chance to be part of the longestrunning reality show ever?
Now you can find both in one place, a place to showcase your
talent, intellect, and poise. Start your journey toward the Miss
America stage by competing in the Miss Madison-Capital City
Scholarship Program: February 15, 2009.
Now accepting contestants ages 17-24. No entry fees, but space
is limited. The new Miss Madison-Capital City will receive a
scholarship and trip to compete in Miss Wisconsin.
For more information, contact Rachel Kleber at [email protected]
or Mary Alice Sicard at [email protected].
Texting is a hobby, a
priority, and the best
means of communication
for most high school
students these days. As you
walk down La Follette’s
hallways, you’ll be able to
see a texter clicking away
on their phone in just
about every classroom.
The texting craze hasn’t
always been so common,
though. It actually came
about quite recently.
In the mid to late 90’s,
when you really started to
see cell phones everywhere,
text
messaging
was
thought of as unnecessary
and a waste of time. Over
the past decade, however,
it has really picked up
and the majority of cell
phone owners, mainly the
high school to college age
group, text.
Here in 2008, most cell
phone plans are including
free unlimited texting and
offering
text-centered
phones with flip-down or
slide-out keyboards. Also,
most phones will offer
alternative typing methods.
Rather than texting words
letter by letter, commonly
labeled ’Word’ or ’T9’
will guess the word after
you hit the series of keys
corresponding to the
letters that spell it. Many
texters prefer this option
because it‘s faster and
nearly always correct. Why
not utilize this option
when it helps spread
gnarly pieces of gossip
even faster?
There have been many
pioneers in the world
of text messaging. And
I’m not referring to the
technology of texting but
rather the techniques.
Much respect goes to
the person whose idea it
was to put a single, large
pocket in the hoody. The
development of the flip-
open desk, although rarely
seen in the high school
setting, was also very
clutch.
Steve Breese (12) let me
in on one of his personal
tactics. “I wear pocketed
shorts during gym class so
I can keep texting strong
throughout fourth block.”
Many students are utilizing
this newfound strategy.
“Neumann has no idea.”
“Cell phones should
be off and away from
8:25 to 3:33.” Business
teacher Darrin “D-Geezy”
Graham said.
“I know every student
does it.” Business teacher
June Anderson said. “It’s
becoming the normal
form of communication.
Texting is this generation’s
email or party line.”
“Technology is amazing!
Breese said.
I scanned the halls of La
Follette High School to
find some students who
could give me their take on
why texting is so popular
these days.
“Because school is so
boring.” Atticus Jaramillo
(12) said.
“It’s more convenient.
You can talk to more
people at once.” Stephan
Marton (12) said.
“Texting is awesome!”
Cole Ziegler (11) said.
“If you don’t see people
during the day, you got
to keep in touch.” Kristi
Tyler (12) said.
“It’s easy to get away with.”
Michael Schmidt (12) said.
Curious for the details of
in-school correspondence
via text, I asked Schmidt
who he usually texts. “Idk,
my bff Jill.”
From what I’ve observed,
teachers don’t take it
too well when they see a
student with their phone
out during class.
Being able to text is terrific,
especially for deaf people.
But there is definitely a
time and place for texting.
In school, during a class is
not the time or place.” Sign
language teacher Michele
Guyette said.
Although text messaging
is rapidly spreading to
older age groups, some
inexperienced adults are
curious about the texting
language. So here is a runthrough of some common
shorthand.
Lol= laugh out loud
Lmao= laugh my a** off
Jp/jk/jc= just playing/
kidding/chilling
Ttyl= talk to you later
ik= I know
A few tricky ones:
2mro = tomorrow
Sup= What’s up?
R= are
B= be
So that’s the wrap on
texting. The twenty-first
century has shown us a
boom in text-nology and
we have yet to see it all.
Arts&Entertainment
11
What’s Hot Leave ‘Twilight’
What’s Not Out in The Dark
By: Brett Klinkner and Corey Chamberlain
What’s Hot: High school
and College basketball
starting
What’s
Not:
NBA
basketball starting
What’s Hot: Voicing your
opinion in The Lance
What’s Not: Not knowing
what an editorial is
What’s Hot: Visitor
parking
What’s Not: No ‘wet
paint’ signs. Many thanks
for the red shoes
What’s Hot: Taco Bell
and their fresh new classy
look
What’s Not: Wendy’s.
Your commercials aren’t
kidding anyone, you are
DEFINITELY fast food
What’s Hot: Sun Chips
and a Juicy Juice at the
school store for $1.75
What’s Not: Stealing Sun
Chips, a Juicy Juice, and
tons of cash
What’s
Hot:
This
month’s “What’s Hot,
What’s Not.”
What’s Not: The past
two months of “What’s
Hot, What’s Not.”
PAPA BEAR’S BBQ
Barbeque That Takes You Home!
Buy a Sandwich - Receive a free side
4527 Cottage Grove Road
Madison, Wisconsin 53716
(608) 222-2374
Present Coupon when ordering
Limit One Coupon Per Customer
Expires: 3/31/09
By: Mary Marvin
Warning: This review
contains a few spoilers,
but if you don’t already
know these things, you
should probably crawl
out from under that
rock.
Twilight, by Stephenie
Meyer, is one of the
most popular books in
the nation right now.
You see girls with it
everywhere you go,
and it resides on the
bookshelves of teens
across America. I’m
sure probably about
80% of those reading
this have read it at
some point. From the
annoying
bumper
stickers to the obsessive
fangirls forever fawning
over Omigod!Edward,
Twilight
is
slowly
taking over the world.
It has a following of
epic proportions, and
this reviewer simply
cannot
understand
why. From my point
of view, Twilight was
rather boring and the
main character made me
yawn so much, I almost
unhinged my jaw. For
those readers who have
never come across a bad
review of Twilight, brace
yourselves, because here
it comes.
The protagonist of any
book is really important
to the story; he or she has
a personality that makes
the story interesting
and keeps you reading
because you want to
find out what happened
to them. Did the
protagonist of Twilight
have an interesting
personality or life that
made me want her to
prevail? Not really. Bella
Swan, said protagonist,
did laundry for fun. On
Friday nights. She had
no hobbies or exciting
secrets, no thrilling past
or fascinating abilities.
She was so very average
that it was a chore to get
through the book.
And then there’s Edward
Cullen – suave, debonair,
sexy, intelligent…Isn’t
there anything wrong
with this guy? I mean,
I love a dreamy piece of
hunk as much as the next
girl, but why is it that the
very mention of Edward
has girls slobbering?
Something about him
is just off to me. Also,
I don’t understand at all
why Edward is in love
with Bella when she’s so.
Dang. Boring. Seriously.
The girl isn’t even very
funny, and, according
to the description in
the book, she’s not very
pretty. She has all these
boys fawning over her,
like Mike Newton and
Jacob Black, but she’s so
dull!
And while we’re on the
subject, let’s talk about
Jacob Black. He’s a
very minor character in
Twilight, but in the later
books we see him often.
Far too often. He’s a nice
guy, I guess, but he’s a bit
of a jerk. Bella is always
telling him, “No, I’m
in love with Edward!”
and he’s always like,
“NO, I SHALL MAKE
YOU LOVE ME!!!”
It’s like, dude. Lay off.
She’s not even that good
of a catch. There are
hundreds of other fish
in the sea. I know of at
least seven girls who
would love to jump his
bones *ahem MOLLY
COBB ahem*.
And
that’s
just
my opinion of the
characters. Don’t even
get me started on the
plot. The slow-moving,
super-detailed story line
involved more school
scenes and Bella doing
her homework than
vampire fights or drama.
Omigod! Bella just did
her history homework!
No way! Now she’s
COOKING…Good
stuff.
Arts&Entertainment
12
Quantum of Solemness
By: Nick Jensen
What could be duller
than watching meat cook
on Channel 4? As it turns
out, watching James
Bond shoot people and
engage in high-speed car
chases.
In ‘Quantum of Solace,’
Bond (Daniel Craig) is
apparently
consumed
with a desire to avenge
his girlfriend’s death,
but he acts more like a
video game character
who has to kill all the
nameless enemies in sight
to progress to the boss.
M (Judi Dench) becomes
increasingly
frustrated
with Bond going rogue,
and gets all the hilarious
lines. Maybe she should
become
the
main
character, so we could
have scenes in which
she tracks down an evil
tobacco executive bent on
world conquest, sets him
on fire and says, “Don’t
you know smoking’s bad
for you?”
Instead we have Bond
looking dour and taking
a “kill first, don’t ask
questions at all” attitude
towards everyone from
fellow M16 agents to nice
Italian people watching
a parade. Bond uses his
only ally as a human
shield, then throws him
in a dumpster once he’s
dead
(although
this
doesn’t stop them from
sharing a touching death
scene).
Bond is made doubly
dangerous by his newly
acquired psychic powers,
which allow him to
predict exactly where
to go to move the plot
along. Said plot goes for
gritty realism, so instead
of building a space station
to launch spores that
make men infertile onto
the Earth, the villains
are trying to control
the water supply of...
BOLIVIA! The DVD
will no doubt include ads
that remind us to turn the
faucet off when we brush
our teeth, but if people
don’t do that already then
James Bond isn’t going to
convince them.
In keeping with the
storyline, the villains are
not the type who make
you jump on alligators
to reach them. The main
one (Mathieu Amalric) is
just an annoying-looking
faux-environmentalist,
although he and his fellow
shadowy cabal members
do descend into silliness
from time to time. In one
scene, he and a general
(Joaquin Cosio) have a
conversation about how
evil they are; and later
the general and his men
sit on a porch in the
desert, sipping lemonade
Hooked on
By: Mary Marvin
After a long, hard day
at school, some of us
go to sports practice
or jobs. The rest of us
go home to finish our
homework (wink, wink)
and perhaps surf the ‘net
a little. After plopping
down on a comfy chair,
armed only with a mouse
and thirst for adventure,
we pull up the internet
and go at it. Three
guesses what the most
popular website among
teenagers is… That’s
right: Facebook. This
deliciously
addicting
website is what keeps
most of us in touch
with the world and is
also the main reason for
unfinished homework.
But have you ever
thought about how
much time you spend
on Facebook? It’s like a
drug – you simply can’t
stop. The Facebook
epidemic is spreading
far and wide as more
and more teenagers join
the community. The
question you need to ask
yourself is this: Are you
a Facebook addict?
The need to check
Facebook every time we
log on to a computer is
overpowering. Most of
the time we don’t even
and reminiscing about
the time they kicked a
puppy. They are about as
intimidating as the puppy
they kicked.
But these characters only
exist as ways to string
together action-packed
setpieces. Blowing up a
secret desert compound
sound exciting on paper,
but when the action just
doesn’t stop, it only
makes you tired. And
when the rope Bond
is attached to stops
him an inch from the
ground and his parachute
activates without actually
causing him to negatively
accelerate
(assuming
down is positive), yet still
saves him, the setpieces
aren’t anywhere near as
believable as the wateris-our-most-preciousresource storyline wants
to them to be.
As noted by everyone else,
Bond doesn’t talk a lot.
The character interaction
in in this movie is a
resource more precious
than water, even when it
involves giving the sortaBond girl Camille (Olga
Kurylenko) “depth” by
establishing that she
had a tragic childhood.
The title is taken from a
short story about talking
to people at a boring
dinner party. Maybe
they should’ve paid more
attention to the source
material. They’ve got the
boring down, but if the
characters talked a bit
more instead of running
to exotic locales to get the
plot over with, maybe the
audience would actually
care about them. Unless
the next movie has Bond
fighting cobras in a pit
using a cell phone he got
from Q, I doubt it will
rate higher than a C-.
notice what we’re doing
and, before you know
it, you’re hitting up
your friend’s walls and
commenting on the latest
status. What is it about
this site that draws us in?
There’s communication
with
friends,
silly
bumper stickers and
flair, all the entertaining
applications, and, if it
so pleases you, you can
creep on your latest love
interest.
Between the updates and
chatting, the hands on
the clock keep spinning
without our knowledge,
and before you know it,
you’ve wasted two hours
of your life. Writing
this article, for example,
took much longer than
it should have thanks
to Facebook. (Mmm…
Bumper
stickers…so
very amusing…) We
as a generation should
have the willpower to
get off Facebook and do
something useful with
our time! Teenagers
would be much less
distracted and perhaps
even have better grades
if Facebook was not
available to us…But
where’s the fun in that?
Yeah, Facebook is super
addicting, but what
else are we going to do
with that time? We’re
teenagers. It’s what we
do. Now - I wonder
if Stephanie replied to
my comment on her
status…
Brain Strain
13
Sudoku Useless Facts
Word
Scramble
cdeeebmr
__________
lafekonsw
__________
aawnzk
__________
aaunkhh
__________
rchsimtsa
__________
tohoohcaletc _________
pplaeicdre
__________
eesntrp
__________
haronem
__________
stleimoet
__________
3
9
4
8
1
5
3
7
2
7
4
6
1
3
8
4
1
3
6
5
2
7
3
8
5
2
5
1
8
7
2
More people are killed by
donkeys annually than are
killed in plane crashes.
The number one most
popular cat name is
“kitty.”
There are 293 ways to
make change for a dollar.
Penguins can jump six
feet.
Turtles
can
breathe
through their butts.
Michael Jordan shaves
his head on Tuesdays and
Fridays.
Peanuts are one of the
ingredients of dynamite.
A mosquito has 47 teeth.
3
It is illegal to hunt camels
in the state of Arizona.
In Atlanta, Georgia, it is
illegal to tie a giraffe to a
telephone pole or street
lamp.
Apples wake you up in
the morning better than
caffeine.
ACROSS
1. you can’t touch him
4. A small, usually flat and crisp cake made from sweetened dough
5. you make it out of clay and spin it
6. Emily Burrows loves to do this in the winter
8. wrap up in one to keep warm
9. fun to do down a hill in the snow
10. helps you connect and share with the people in your life.
DOWN
1. keeps your hands warm
2. you can’t catch him
3. an electric Pokemon
7. you use these to decorate
trees
Americans eat 12 billion
bananas a year.
Polar bears
handed.
are
left
Owls are the only birds
that can see the color
blue.
In England, the Speaker
of the House is not
allowed to speak.
A crocodile cannot stick
its toung out.
14
Sports
Big 8 to be Great in 08(and 09)
By: Brett Klinkner
The rain turns to snow.
The t-shirts change to
hoodies.
The grunts from the
football field change into
squeaks of basketball
shoes on the hardwood
gym floor.
Basketball season is in
the air.
November 17th arrives,
which means coachplayer
interaction
is
WIAA-legal
and
the high school boys
basketball season can
officially begin.
In the southern region of
our fine state, programs
from
four
Madison
schools, two Janesville
schools, Middleton, Sun
Prairie, Beloit, and newcomer Verona prepare to
compete within the Big 8
conference.
You may have noticed
that Verona’s move from
the Badger South to the
Big 8 gave the conference
ten teams. There was
talk that the conference
might take up a new label
this year, one proposal
being
the
Southern
Wisconsin Conference,
but at school year’s
start we found our self
remaining in the Big 8.
The second highest
by enrollment in all of
Wisconsin, and annually
one of the most talentfilled, the Big 8 should
host a very exciting
basketball season this
winter.
Here are some teams to
follow, players to track,
and dark horses to watch
out for.
Madison Memorial
The Spartans check in
at number one in the
preseason state rankings
and deservedly so.
Memorial went 23-3
last
season
(15-1
conference) which ended
in an overtime loss to
Wauwatosa East in the
state championship. With
6 straight conference
crowns and a combined
92-3 (conference) record
over that span, they
return three starters and
aim to continue their
reign in the Big 8.
They are also starting
to get some national
recognition,
as
prepnation.com
gave
them the 24 spot in
the US High School
Basketball poll, released
on November 3rd.
Junior point guard Tre
Creamer, junior combo
guard Vander Blue, and
senior forward Jeronne
Maymon
hope
to
continue where they left
off last season.
Blue was a highly touted
college prospect and gave
his verbal commitment
to the University of
Wisconsin this past April,
the end of his sophomore
campaign. He received
all-state
honorable
mention in the 07-08
season and UW-Madison
looks forward to this
class of 2010 gem.
Maymon, maybe the
most versatile player in
the state, comes off of
a season in which he led
the conference with 20.9
points per game and was
named the Wisconsin
Player of the Year by the
Associated Press. Postgraduation,
Maymon
is headed to Marquette
University on a full ride.
Memorial tips off on
Saturday, December 6th
at home against Madison
West.
Janesville Craig
The Cougars went 17-6
last year (12-4 conference)
but lose full-time starters
and key scoring options
Lucas Burns and Cooper
Cullen to graduation.
Senior forward JoJo
Pregont has been a part
of Craig’s varsity squad
since his sophomore
year and averaged 12.4
points per game last
season. Guard/forward
Kyle Goike was a solid
contributor in 07-08
and returns 7.4 points
per game.
Craig debuts on Saturday,
November 29th in a nonconference matchup at
Madison Edgewood.
Madison La Follette
The Lancers, holding
the 10-spot in the state
pre-season
rankings,
finished
third
last
year with a 16-7 (11-5
conference) record.
La Follette loses leading
scorer Cashton Craig,
who was a varsity starter
since the end of his
freshman season and
averaged 16.4 points per
game last year, a stat
which placed fourth in
the conference.
They do return six
varsity players, though,
including two starters
in junior guards DJ
Fuller and Jon Dybevik
who averaged 16.3 and
5 points per game last
season, respectively.
A strong showing this
summer
and
loads
of
experience
and
determination
could
make this squad one
to watch out for come
March.
La Follette opens their
season at home on
Wednesday, December
3rd against Milwaukee
Washington.
Madison East
The Purgolders finished
9-13 (6-10 conference)
last season and return
three starters, amongst
them junior forward and
two year varsity starter
Marquis Mason.
Mason, who averaged 17.9
points per game last year
(second in conference)
committed
to
UWMilwaukee in August
but was originally going
to play for Marquette.
Former Golden Eagles
coach Tom Crean offered
Mason a scholarship at
the start of last season but
after Crean took up the
head coaching position at
Indiana the recruitment
of Mason ceased.
The second best team on
the east side of Madison
begins their season on
Saturday, December 6th
at Middleton.
Verona
Verona, a newcomer
to the Big 8, went 18-5
(10-2 conference) in the
Badger South last year.
They bring senior forward
Jason Ziemer over who
averaged 21.5 points per
game last season and will
be in his fourth year of
varsity ball.
The cats begin their
season at Madison La
Follette on Saturday,
December 6th.
Sports
15
Basketball Looks to Heat Up in Cold Months
By: Tim Poellmann
The future is looking
bright for the LHS
Boys and Girls varsity
basketball teams going
into their seasons this
winter.
The boy’s team is coming
off a 16-7 (11-5 in
conference) season last
year in which they took
third place in the Big 8
conference. They return
six varsity players from
last season including two
talented junior guards
in D.J Fuller and Jon
Dybevik. Fuller was one
of the top scorers in the
Big 8 last year, scoring 17
points per game.
The Lancers will miss
all-conference
player
Cashton Craig and a
strong senior class from
last season, but also bring
in a lot of talent from a
successful
sophomore
team from last year.
Coach Reggie Williams
returns for his third
season as the varsity
boy’s basketball coach,
where he has compiled a
29-17 record in his first
two seasons.
The Lancers summer
basketball team, which
contained most of the
players that will be on
this year’s team, finished
second in the Middleton
Cardinal Classic, which
features nearly 40 of
the best teams from
around the state. They
also won the Wisconsin
Dells Jimmy V Classic
tournament, doing so by
beating an elite Canadian
AAU team in the
championship.
The Lancers go into
this season ranked 10th
in state with conference
championship thoughts
hard on their mind and
confidence that they can
make a run at state come
March.
The boys open up
conference
play
December 3 against state
powerhouse Milwaukee
Washington
at
La
Follette.
“We’re going to be a fun
team to watch. Come and
support and we won’t
disappoint,” Jaren Singh
(11) said.
The girl’s team is coming
off an 8-13 season, and is
also returning six varsity
players. They lost a few
key seniors from last
year’s team but bring in a
young and talented group
of players highlighted by
a strong junior class.
“We’re going to be a
young and small team.
But we’re going to use
our small size to our
advantage and run the
other teams off the
court,” Junior Captain
Hannah Schwartzer said.
The Lancers also have
a new coach in Steve
Bartow, who is a special
education teacher at La
Follette. Bartow was the
girl’s sophomore team
coach in 2006-2007,
leading them to a 17-3
record.
Bartow also coached the
boy’s sophomore team
last season.
The girls opened up their
season by playing Monona
Grove high school on
November 18. La Follette
math teacher and former
state championship coach
Eric Nelson coaches the
Monona Grove girl’s
varsity team. The Lancers
beat Monona Grove 5040 thanks to 20 points
from senior Samia Taylor.
They open up conference
play December 4 against
Verona at La Follette.
“It will be a tough
season, but if we keep
working hard and work
well together as a team
we should have a good
season,” Sydney Temple
(11) said. Temple is also a
captain on the team.
The team is looking to
finish in the top half of
the Big 8 this year, and
to make it deep into
sectionals. With a young
and talented team they are
setting their sights high
in making a run at state
this year or the next.
Home Field Advantage
By: Collin Severson and Corey Chamberlain
While
the
mercury
plummets, La Follette
winter athletics are just
heating up. As the season
draws nearer athletes
aren’t the only ones with
high expectations. Fans
are also beginning to
prepare for the upcoming
seasons.
When the season comes
into swing, home games
are sure to provide an
edge to the Lancers. In a
recent study conducted
by Cyril Morong, a homefield advantage specialist,
5 out of 6 professional
teams perform better at
home. Lancer coaches and
players hope this trend
holds up throughout the
winter season.
There are a variety of
reasons while home field
advantage could possibly
be translated into wins.
“It always gives incentive
to play well in front of
your home fans,” said
Jaren Singh (11). “It
makes the biggest impact
at the begging and end
of the game,” said the 2nd
year varsity hoopster.
Coaches also feel it plays
a part in a team’s success.
“Oh yeah it’s big.
Basketball is a sport of
energy where players feed
off the fans,” said Head
Boys Basketball Coach
(and Drivers’ Education
instructor)
Reggie
Williams. “Plus players
are more comfortable on
their home court.”
Playing in front of friends
drives athletes to play
their best. “A lot of guys
on the team are driven by
seeing everyone in the
stands, rather than just
seeing your mom and
dad,” said Lakers Hockey
Captain Tony Ales (12).
Home field can also
provide
a
mental
advantage. “Playing at
home creates a huge
psychological edge,” said
first year Head Girls
Basketball coach Steve
Bartow.
Williams and Bartow
agreed that Madison
East and Beloit Memorial
are two of the hardest
placed to play in the Big
8 Conference. Williams
concluded with a wish for
better road fan support to
help take the edge off the
other teams’ home court
advantage.
So play your role this
winter…show up and be
rowdy.
Lancers of the Month
16
Athletes of the Month:
Klinkner and Becker Diving Into Success
By: Ashley Capacio
As
winter
athletes
prepare for the upcoming
season, we would like to
recognize athletes this
month that are always
ready, thanks to their
year-round training.
Earning varsity letters in
basketball and baseball
since his junior year, Brett
Klinkner is prepared for
his senior year.
Passionate
about
basketball, Klinkner has
been playing since he
could walk. With the
Lancers being ranked
10th in the preseason
polls, he looks forward to
seeing what the team can
accomplish this season.
“Our team has a lot of
depth and talent. If we
can come together and
gain a strong sense of
urgency, we will really be
able to go places,” Brett
Klinkner (12) said.
Since age 7, Klinkner has
been playing baseball,
starting his career out at
Kennedy Little League.
Klinkner
recalls
his
favorite baseball moment
being sophomore year
against Janesville Craig
where the Lancers won
on a walk-off bases
loaded walk by former
athlete of the month,
Ryan Waeffler.
Maintaining a 3.6 G.P.A
is not an easy task for
Klinkner,
especially
with older brother, and
ping-pong coach Trevor
Klinkner orchestrating
intense 3-a-day practices,
every day, year-round.
Playing ping-pong since
the day he came out of
the womb, Klinkner
thrives on the intensity
of the sport and all of
the mental toughness it
requires. Preparing for an
upcoming tournament,
against various Lance
class members, Klinkner
looks forward to the
good
competition;
especially against rival
Corey Chamberlain.
“Klinkner has a very
diverse skill set. He
has the ability to make
any shot in the game,
but occasionally his
aggressiveness can be his
downfall,” rival Corey
Chamberlain (12) said.
Aggressive
he
is.
Frequently leaving sweat
on the table and marks on
the wall made Klinkner’s
parents hesitant to give
him a ping-pong table
for Christmas in 2003,
however, they gave in,
thanks to Klinkner’s
success in the past.
Another prime example of
hard work and dedication
paying off can be seen in
Rachel Becker. Diving at
least 6 days a week all year
since age 5 has gotten
Becker a scholarship to
Cal-State Berkeley.
Participating in the swim
and dive team freshman
and sophomore year,
Becker was a two-time
runner-up at the state
dive meet, as well as
earning the Top Points
and
Best
Freshman
awards.
In addition,
she was also a two-time
All-American. Becker, a
national qualifier since
age 11, also won A.A.U.
nationals in 2005. Due to
strong advisement from
her personal dive coach,
she did not participate
in high school diving her
junior or senior year, to
focus on preparing for
college diving.
Using her diving skills for
more than just the pool,
Becker also took up polevaulting her sophomore
year. Although struggling
to find time to fit practice
in along with diving each
night, Becker was still
able to win the Waunakee
Freshman/Sophomore
meet.
Yet with all of the athletics,
Becker continued to
achieve her classroom
goals, by maintaining a
3.97 G.P.A.
“I’ve been working really
hard, and I’m really
looking forward to diving
at Berkeley next year.”
Rachel Becker (12) said.
Artist of the Month:
By: Nikki DuFrane
December’s artist of the
month is Jennifer Roth.
As a student of art teacher
Brady Nichols, Roth
shows great strength in
her work at home and
in class. Although she
has not been able to take
painting at La Follette,
drawing is one of her
favorite classes.
Nichols would like to
enter one of Roth’s
pieces into the Wisconsin
Scholastic Competition,
Roth Goes Above and Beyond
which is the largest art
competition in the state.
The pieces of art that
receive awards go on to
New York for display.
“It’s like the state
championship of art,”
said Nichols. Roth has
only had a few of her
drawings placed in the
art gallery at school,
so being entered in the
Wisconsin
Scholastic
Competition will be a
great achievement in her
high school career.
Although art classes are
offered as an elective at La
Follette, Roth has tried
to take as many as she can
before graduation. She
has applied to Alverno
University for art and
design, and although she
hasn’t heard back yet,
her hopes are high for
admission.
Nichols has been Roth’s
teacher all though high
school, but her interest in
art didn’t start in school.
“As long as I can
remember I’ve had a
sketchbook,” said Roth.
By drawing anything at
home or school her skills
have been improving
though the years. Her
favorite type of art is
surrealism, known by
many as the kind of art
that doesn’t make any
sense.
Be sure to check out
the next gallery opening,
which includes Roth’s
work.