TV Crew Visit LC to See What is “Cool”

Issue 4
the
January 23, 2008
ire
Lewis Central High School
W
3504 Harry Langdon Blvd. Council Bluffs, IA 51503
TV Crew Visit LC to See What is “Cool”
On Tuesday, January 8th, a local news team from Channel 6
stormed the building looking for talent and diversity for a segment
titled High School Cribs.They didn’t have to go far to find what made
Lewis Central cool.
WOWT Channel 6 Morning news anchor Malorie Maddox and
photojournalist Nathan Jank were very impressed with the opportunities available to the students at our school. “It’s amazing to see 70%
Lindsey Lawrence
of the student body getting involved in extra-curricular activities,”
Business Editor
said Maddox.
Pottery, Jazz Band and Corporation were among the six classes chosen for filming.
“I think Lewis Central is unique with its incredible pottery lab,” said Maddox,
“Students were busy showing their creativity the entire time we were there, and the finished products were incredibly beautiful and diverse.”
Jazz Band and Corporation put on a performance for the crew. The camera focused on
group shots as well as individual performances throughout both segments of the video. The
band performed Nostalgia in Time Square and Corporation sang We Still Have Time accompanied by the Corporation Band.
“I think this will be good recognition for our school,” said sophomore Lauren Petri.
“It’s impressive, Lewis Central students have so much pride in their school, they are willing to spend time after school to participate in programs.” said Maddox.“Plus, many of Lewis
Central’s programs are growing, because students are encouraging others to get involved.”
Introduction to Engineering and Design, PC Support, Auto-Cad, and members of Project
Lead the Way were also featured.
“It was pretty cool, we were working on setting up computers and they filmed a few students and the work they were doing,” said junior Vanessa Heredia about her PC Support class.
“It was a really good experience.”
The Introduction to Engineering students showed Malorie and Nathan some of their projects and explained what the class was all about. “They just let us do what we normally do,” said
freshman Tyler Feller. “The fact that we got to talk to Malorie is cool, but actually getting to see
WOWT-6 cameraman Nate Jank films junior Doug Kometscher with what it takes to do the job they have to do was even better.”
Other schools involved in High School Cribs include Benson, Millard South, and Marnews reporter Mallorie Maddox. Kometscher demonstated an Introian. To see the video of Lewis Central’s High School Crib and many more, go to http://www.
duction to Engineering project to Maddox. Photo by Lindsey Lawrence
wowt.com/news/misc/13678032.html and see what’s cool about Lewis Central High School.
Iowa Launches the Election
Top Finishes Belong to Obama & Huckabee
Damien Croghan
Reporter
The first presidential caucuses of the year occurred
on January 3rd, 2008, across
the state of Iowa. Even though
there has been a lot of coverage on the upcoming election,
this is the unofficial beginning of
the end for the Bush Administration. But most of all, this is
the first political experience for
many LC students who will be
voting for the next leader of the
free world.
These aren’t the actual presidential elections, but rather an
S
N
I
:
E
ID
indication of what direction the
elections will be going in. This
year’s results have been history
in the making.
The processes by which
these results are created is very
interesting. I participated in the
Democratic Caucus, which began by me finding my circle of
political allies in their own corner of Kreft Library. The number of supporters of a particular
candidate determined the number of delegates from your precinct that will represent each
candidate. There was a lot of
debating as well; people were
pretty loud, vocalizing their
opinions on who should be the
next president and why. It was
a spectacle for the ears, to say
the least.
The Republican Caucus
was run in a different manner.
making a
L comeback
S page 2
D
Senior Kristen Schweer participated and witnessed this
firsthand. Her precinct met at
the ISD gym, which was filled
with people. “The newspaper
said there were 1,100 people
there. It was supposed to start
at 7 PM, but we didn’t start until
7:30 PM because they weren’t
expecting such a huge turnout.”
Like the Democratic Caucus,
people were separated according to which candidate they supported, and each candidate had
a representative give a two minute speech.
Both ways of running the
caucuses, although different, are
the start of our transition between presidencies. For many
students, this was their first opportunity to express their political opinion in an organized
fashion.
Girls Basketball:
Takin’page
You to4School
what do
YOU
think?
pages 6 & 7
IOWA
C
A
U
C
U
S
REPUBLICANS
MIKE HUCKABEE
former Arkansas governor
25%
34%
MITT ROMNEY
former Massachusetts governor
13%
FRED THOMPSON
former actor
DEMOCRATS
% BARACK OBAMA
38
former Illinois senator
JOHN EDWARDS
%
30
former North Carolina senator
08 29
%
HILLARY CLINTON
former first lady and junior New York senator
TOP
10
of
2007
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TWINS
page 10
[january 2008]
Dealing LSD From The Dorm
Kaitlin Carlson
Reporter
A rave scene is full of
flashing lights and the heat of
fellow dancers. The night is only
beginning for many despite the
fact that it is leading to an end for
others.
On December 8, 2007, a
freshman majoring in chemical
engineering at the University of
Houston was arrested and put on
bail for 1.5 million dollars. Clarke
Denton was committed for dealing
liquid LSD (commonly known as
acid) on campus from his dorm
room. This brings a question to
the mind: is LSD making a come
back?
Denton wasn’t just dealing
the psychedelic drug from his
dorm, though. He had millions
of dollars worth, which means he
was dealing thousands of “hits”
(liquid drops) of LSD.
Denton was dealing the
hallucinogen by dropping the
liquid on top of mints such as
Altoids and candies like SweeTarts.
Each drop has enough power to
give the average recipient, a five
to twelve hour “trip.” That one
“trip” can cause the user to have
short term issues like: extreme
changes in behavior and mood,
chills, irregular breathing, sweating,
changes in sense of hearing, smell,
and time. Long term use can lead
to depression, violent behavior,
flashbacks, convulsions (tremors),
coma, heart/lung failure, and even
ruptured blood vessels in the
brain.
Junior Alli Mingus said, “The
consequences are never worth it.
You don’t need to be high to have
fun, especially if it means being in
a coma or having ruptured blood
vessels in your brain.”
LSD, known for its presence
during the 1970s and early 1980s,
has been making more of an
appearance in the past few years.
Acid gets its popularity from
offering the user an escape from
reality, an intellectual stimulant, and
a possible pleasurable experience
for some. The user begins to
“taste color” and see the world in
its most colorful enchanting form.
A 2005 survey for the
Monitoring the Future campaign
held by the National Institute on
Drug Abuse noted that in 2004,
“9.7 percent of Americans aged
12 and older reported using LSD
at least once in their lifetime.”
Health teacher Tracy McVey
said she thinks that people are
attracted to LSD because it “takes
them out of their own element
and lets them lose themselves.”
LSD is generally associated
with Club Drugs, or drugs used in
night clubs and raves. Club Drugs
have been known to be mostly
used by people ages sixteen to
twenty-three.
After the police had been
contacted about Clarke Denton,
18, selling LSD, undercover
detectives were setup to “make a
buy on campus.” Denton arrived
on a bike and took off when
he found out the buyers were
police, he took off. However,
Denton’s quick scramble to get
away eventually ended as a janitor
found him in a stairwell on campus
where he was taken into custody.
Dorm rooms at IWCC are used for sleeping and eating.This was
not the case for University of Houston student, Clarke Denton,
when police found LSD in his dorm room. Photo by Hayley Perrin
It’s a Strange World After All
Damien Croghan
Reporter
Random Facts
Elephants are the only mammals
that can’t jump.
Time Magazine’s Man of the Year
in 1938 was Adolf Hitler.
*Black Cat Day
Saturday, November 17th, was
declared “Black Cat Day” in Italy.
It was created by animal rights
activists aiming to end the massacre of black cats in that country. The Italian Association for
the Defense of Animals and the
Environment (AIDAA) estimates
that around sixty thousand black
cats are killed every year in Italy
because they are thought to bring
bad luck.
*Mom Wins NYC Marathon
Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain
won the New York Marathon
just nine months after giving
birth. She ran 26.2 miles
in 2 hours and 23 minutes,
an accomplishment for any
athlete, but especially to a
woman who was pregnant
291 days before the race.
*Restroom Restaurant
The Modern Toilet is an unusual
chain of restaurants located in
Taipei, Taiwan. The seats resemble
toilets, the bowls you eat soup
and ice cream from are miniature
commode molds, and the tables
appear to be bathtubs. The
restaurants are very popular in
Taiwan; the managers are even
thinking to create more franchises
to meet the demand.
*Girl with 8 limbs
Bangalore, a city in southern
India, has performed a seemingly
successful surgery on a girl named
Lakshmi. In her small village, she is
thought to be the reincarnation of
a Hindu goddess because of her
deformity; she was born with four
arms and four legs. The scientific
explanation is that she was born
with a headless conjoined twin.
Doctors have removed her extra
limbs, making the two-year-old
appear normal and giving her an
80 percent chance at survival.
Ernie Chambers Finds God In Nebraska
Animal Abuse Sparks Outcries
Taylor Basch
Reporter
With thousands of deaths in
the Middle East and video games
showing blood and gore to new
heights, violence has become a
daily part of our lives. But this
was taken to new heights when
a 15-year-old boy from North
Yorkshire, England, confessed to
torturing and killing a hamster.
“I think that kind of thing
that’s done to animals has
always been around, that cruelty
has always been around,” said
librarian Donna Bush. “I don’t
know if it’s gotten worse, but our
society has finally become more
intolerant of it.”
This intolerance shows in
the conviction of the teenage boy,
whose name was not released
because he is a minor. After
pleading guilty at his local youth die. He put it in a freezer, and ran
court, judges banned the boy it in a clothes dryer. Poppy finally
from keeping animals for four died after being put in a washing
years. He must also be supervised machine.
for twelve months.
An autopsy showed the
“It’s hard to judge something hamster had lesions on its feet
like that,” said sophomore Darin and torn claws. A vet said these
Lohman about the severity of the wounds were most likely caused
punishment. “But I think that’s by frostbite from trying to climb
about right.”
out of the freezer, or hanging on
Others may think differently, the inside of the dryer drum. The
as it wasn’t even the boy’s pet. An vet concluded that Poppy died of
inspector with the
severe respiratory
Royal Society for the
damage.
Prevention of Cruelty
“If they did
“If they did that to my
to Animals (RSPCA)
that to my pet I’d
pet I’d probably act and
said the teen was
probably act and
not go through the proper
staying at someone’s
not go through the
channels first.”
house, who was
proper channels
- Ms. Bush
the owner of
first,” said Ms.
the hamster. The
Bush.
owner was out for
Whether it is
the evening, but came home to find the killing of endangered animals
the hamster Poppy, in a trash can. for their fur, or a teenage boy
Poppy was a gift for the owner’s torturing a hamster for sport,
daughter.
cruelty toward animals still exists.
When the boy saw that The boy from North Yorkshire,
the owner was gone, he began England, was punished for what he
torturing the hamster. It took over did, but there are still people who
half an hour for the hamster to torture and kill animals.
[page two - news]
Lindsey Lawrence
Business Editor
Nebraska State Senator Ernie
Chambers claims to have found
God…in Nebraska? In the second chapter to his lawsuit against
God, Chambers served an official
lawsuit on University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Athletic Director, Tom
Osborne.
Chambers claims that the reaction of Husker fans when Osborne was officially named new
athletic director was a show of
“…adoration, worshipful gushings,
and heart-felt outpourings of hosannas and hallelujahs throughout
the land - appropriate only to one
bearing the status, purported traits
and powers of Defendant; that is
to say, a deity.”
Editorial Policy
We the people ...
Of The Wire (official Lewis Central student newspaper) will distribute to any and all students free of charge. The opinions expressed in
this publication reflect those of the student writers, not Lewis Central administration, faculty, or its advisor. The Wire is published seven
times throughout the school year by the Suburban Times in Papillion,
Nebraska.
The purpose of The Wire is to: inform students of current and
relevant events, interpret and analyze complex events and issues that
affect students, and serve as a forum for discussion of controversial
issues.
Letters to the Editor:
The Wire strongly encourages responses to articles appearing in the
newspaper. Letters may be submitted to room 401 or e-mailed to [email protected]. The letters must be signed, legible, and
concise. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for length, grammar,
and punctuation. These letters should also be free of profanity, vulgarity,
or words with undesirable meanings.
[the wire]
Von Massacre
Athena Burns
Reporter
“You are giving him the fame
he wanted,” “The shooter was simply evil,” and the ever important,
“I’m praying for the families of all
involved.” These were comments
in response to the Westroads
Mall shooting on December 5th,
2007. Now, since this is an opinion
piece, I’ll be giving you my opinion,
not on the shooting itself, but on
the responses to this story.
First, a comment posted by
one Omaha citizen saying, “We
must pass more gun laws and take
away the concealed weapons permits.” Honestly, the shooting had
nothing to do with gun control or
concealed weapons. Most people
might think it does because a gun
was used, however, SKS assault
rifles aren’t legal for ordinary citizens to own.
The concealed gun law only
permits the carrying of concealed
handguns with a license. Getting rid
of the concealed gun law or cracking down on gun control would do
us no good in a situation such as
what occurred at Westroads.
“This is why we need to get
rid of all crazy people!” said another citizen.This comment struck
a chord with me. Getting rid of
the “crazy people” isn’t going to
help. The legal definition of insanity, or “crazy” as this person put
it, is “mental illness of such a severe nature that a person cannot
distinguish fantasy from reality.” In
other words, the person doesn’t
know the difference between right
and wrong.
While Robert Hawkins did
have a mental disorder (Depression), he was not insane. He knew
what he was doing was wrong. He
just didn’t care.And if you honestly
believe that just “getting rid” of all
the “crazy” people is going to keep
others from committing murder
you’re no better than Hawkins.
I know this seems like a harsh
statement, but think about it. You
want to kill innocent people who
were born with a mental disorder
because of a crime someone you
perceive to be crazy did.
“We should remember the
victims and forget the shooter.”
This is not necessarily true. The
shooter was one of the victims.
The families of those who were
injured or died may want to forget
him, but they’ll never be able to. I’m
not sure we should forget him. For
one thing, his friends and surrogate
family are hurting. Despite what he
did they still love him. I believe that
if we remember him and the horrific act he committed, we may be
able to keep this from happening
again because we’ll know what to
look for, the impending signs of an
explosion, if you will.
The final comment I’m going
to respond to is one of hope and
tolerance. “[My] Prayers go out
to all those involved. Love one
another. Demonstrate tolerance.”
This is by far the best response
I’ve heard. I believe this person
is right, we do need to love one
another. We need to love our
friends and families; the people
we know.We need to be tolerant
to those we do not understand,
and help those that need it.
Someone brought up a good
point, an idea which stemmed
from the above comment. “If
someone had smiled at him, said
hello, and asked how his day was,
would he still have done this?”
If you take nothing else from
my musings and interpretations,
please remember: If we demonstrate tolerance and love each
other, we may well be able to
avoid another tragic incident like
this in the future.
Some comments found on
wowt.com.
Photo by Amanda Goeser
Acceptance Not Priority for Westborough
Picketing against
soldier funerals,
We s t b o r o u g h
shows their distinct unwillingingness to accept
anything which
goes against their
beliefs.
Sara Marshall
Reporter
America has suffered many horrendous tragedies: 9/11, Hurricane
Katrina, and even things closer to
home such as the Westroads shooting. What if I told you that there is a
group of Americans that actually find
these events to be good news?
The Westborough Baptist
Church is infamous for being antigay, anti-American, anti-humane, and
in my opinion, anti-civilized people.
This group of radicals is centered
in Topeka, Kansas, where they practice a form of primitive, or “back-inthe-day,” baptism. They have been
a hateful group of protestors since
The Wire Staff
Editor-In-Chief
Amanda Goeser
Design Editor
Maria Jones
Photography Editors
Hayley Perrin
Josh Stroeher
Business Editors
Lindsey Lawrence
Reporters
Taylor Basch
Amanda Berg
Athena Burns
Kaitlin Carlson
Baily Clevenger
Damien Croghan
Jake Ferguson
Savannah Greening
Shelby Klepfer
Sara Marshall
Shaley McKeever
Joe Stokes
Sarah Waldron
Photo obtained from
usatoday.com
they were established in 1955, by
their leader and Pastor, Fred Phelps.
They have since claimed to follow
the teachings of the bible and nothing else, but for a group of Christian
people they sure have far different
beliefs from most Christians I know.
Nearly everyday the Westborough Baptist Church has activists
somewhere in America protesting.
They have stood outside American
soldiers’ funerals with signs that
say things like “God hates America”
and “Thank God for dead soldiers.”
They do this and other ridiculous
things like thank God for Hurricane
Katrina and 9/11. So, why does “God
hate America” so much? Well, if you
talked to a Westborough Baptist,
they would tell you that it’s because
America is pro-gay. They actually believe that all the bad things that hap-
Letter to
the Editor
Editor’s Note: The following
letter was received in response to
the article titled The Pro-Choice
Movement
written by Kaitlin
Carlson, published in the third issue
of The Wire. Because it was signed
and concise, we are choosing to
publish the letter in an effort to
educate our readers on both sides
of such a controversial issue.
Amanda Goeser, Editor in Chief
pen to America are God’s attempt
to punish us for being a gay nation!
Well, this is definitely some
news to me. Aside from the fact
that most Christians believe that
God loves everyone, when did
America become pro-gay? As far
as I’ve heard America doesn’t even
allow the gay community to get
married. In only a few states they
can have what is called a civil union,
but that’s pretty much the extent
of it. Not to mention the fact that
gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people are ridiculed (and
often times worse) everyday. I’m
wondering what they would do if
America was actually as pro-gay as I
think we should be.
No matter your beliefs on homosexuality, I’m sure most of you
can agree that the Westborough
Baptist Church is extremely inhumane when they act against gays in
these ways. If you choose not to
accept someone because of their
sexual preference then that is your
decision of ignorance, but no one
should ever protest at funerals, or
thank God and pray to God for
deaths of innocent people.
What I don’t understand is why
they’re attacking America on the
subject. There are some countries
that don’t even look at homosexuality as an issue at all, instead they
decide to attack the very country
in which they live in. I would call
that hypocrisy, wouldn’t you? Not
to mention that recent research by
a US psychologist that was printed
in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, suggests that 80% of men who
are homophobic have secret homosexual feelings themselves.
Well what else can I say about
the Westborough Baptist Church,
except for that they’re crazy, homophobic, and that half of them are
probably homosexuals themselves.
They are a good example of how
not to act. It’s not okay to treat
someone badly because they’re gay.
People are people no matter their
skin color, religion, cultural beliefs, or
sexual orientation. Be better than
the Westborough Wackos and practice acceptance!
Research information found on
newscastle.icnetwork.co.uk.
I’m writing in response to the article entitled “The Pro Choice Movement.” The
article points out that abortions are okay because a woman was raped or her health
was a risk. However, if you do some simple research, .08% of abortions are because
of rape and 1.2% are due to the mother’s health. That means that 98% of all abortions happen simply because the mother feels inconvenienced by the consequence
of her actions.
“Pro-lifers” use “graphic” photos to make their point because it shows the reality of the procedures. People don’t realize how well the baby is developed and what
the baby actually looks like after some abortions.
But the part of this article I found most amusing was when adoption was
brought up. First of all, most couples looking to adopt cover the cost of all pre-natal
and hospital bills of the mother. Second, the article states:“Adoption is a difficult task
that people need to decide whether they are ready to make such sacrifices in their
life to where they can give up a part of themselves.” So it’s more difficult to hand this
“part of you” over to a loving, supportive family than it is to kill it with a scalpel?
(Senior) Kristen Schweer
[page three - face off ]
Time
of Our Life
Amanda Goeser
Editor-In-Chief
I hate it when people ask me where I
will go to college. Granted, we are already
in the second half of senior year, and I used
to think it would be crazy not to have a
clear-cut answer to that question by at
least winter break, I (along with a lot of my
classmates) am not decided. I realize the
question asker is simply trying to make
a connection, so they usually don’t mean
anything by it. But, to save yourself the
trouble: I have it basically narrowed down to
two colleges, while still considering a third.
When I choose one I will put it in the daily
announcements, send out little postcards,
and wear the college’s T-shirts everyday for
a week to let everyone know so that they
can stop asking.
It feels like all the pressure has started
to come down on me and a lot of my
classmates, now that we are past winter
break and headed into the downhill slope
of the year. I would compare high school
to skiing (despite the fact that I have never
actually been). Freshman year is the drive
to Colorado (or Mt. Crescent if we are
thinking more local). Sophomore year is
getting all geared up with so many layers
you walk like an Eskimo. By junior year, the
ski lift up to the biggest slope of them all is
closed and you are forced to walk all the way
up it, as an Eskimo of course. The summer
before senior year is standing at the top
and looking down in both excitement and
honest-to-God fear. Senior year is actually
the skiing! Only, come to find out, it is a lot
steeper than the sign said, with a lot more
trees than the guides told you about, and a
lot of rocks you couldn’t see until you were
right on them. And before you know it, you
find yourself at the bottom, looking up and
smiling. Then you pack up and head home
only to start the whole cycle over again
after graduation.
I realize that the next years of our
lives are important, as is developing a plan
for them, but there is such a thing as overkill
in this example. This overkill I speak of
didn’t just start this year either. It seems
from freshman year on, you need a specific
plan. I can’t even keep track of the number
of papers I have written about my future
and goals. Everything from specific careers
to colleges, you name it: I have written it.
Then, the trick is that by senior year
you pretty much have it figured out what
you want to do with your life, but must
go back to square one to explore your
interests, abilities, and values for a required
class. I can see the validity behind such class,
but then again I can’t. How about a class
that helps you apply to colleges, search for
scholarships, and keep up with deadlines
like housing and financial aid? That would
be the most helpful and worthwhile class at
the high school!
But now that I have every
underclassman dreading their senior year,
I should back-track and explain the good
things of being a twelfth-grader. Benefit #1:
More scheduling options and time to take
the classes you couldn’t fit in before. Benefit
#2: You become a leader in each activity
you’re involved with. Benefit #3:There are
finally no upperclassmen: that’s you!
No matter what, just remember that
there will always be “the future” to think
about. So don’t let others bog you down by
forcing you to make a specific fifty year plan
today (or tomorrow for that matter).
[january 2008]
Pro-Bowl Player Death Shocks All
Josh Stroeher
Reporter
During the Glenwood-Underwood double duel, junior
Bret Baumbach scrambles for the top position. Baumbach is the 135# varsity wrestler. Photo by Amanda Goeser
The Pro Bowl. For a player
in the National Football League
to compete in this contest is truly
an honor. Only the best players
of the year are voted on, to play
for their respective teams, and it
shows which athletes are playing
at their best. Interestingly enough,
one of the players that was voted
into this heralded competition had
died, three weeks before the voting
even occurred.
On November 27, 2007, America received news that Pro Bowl
Safety Sean Taylor had been killed
by a gunshot wound to the leg he
had received just a day before. Taylor and his girlfriend heard noises
in the home and Taylor had gotten
up to check on it, when someone
came into his bedroom and fired All Star game three weeks after
two shots, according to Jackie Gar- his death. The National Football
cia, Taylor’s girlfriend. Only one hit League has not yet found a replaceTaylor, but it would soon lead to his ment for him.
untimely death. He
“It will be interhad been shot in his
esting to see who
femoral artery in
will replace him for
the leg and lost sigthe Pro Bowl,” said
nificant amounts of
senior Bryant Rose.
blood. He fell un“I think there will
conscious and died
be more of a spotthe next day.
light on that posiThe
police
tion then on any
had no leads on
other spot on the
who the possible
team.”
shooter was and
Taylor’s team
weren’t even sure
honored him the
if the shooting had
next day by running
been connected Graphic courtesy of http://www. the opening defento a break in at fanfares.com/_images/_design/ sive play with only
Taylor’s home only probowl2008_blue.gif
ten men, instead of
eight days earlier.
the usual eleven;
Authorities had been in and out of leaving his position open.
Taylor’s home for the next few days
Taylor’s death just adds to the
but still had no leads.
toll of violence that has occurred
Taylor, who was a Pro Bowl recently in America, and is just a
selection the season before for the grim reminder that anyone, no
Washington Redskins, was once matter there social or wealth staagain voted into the Pro Bowl tus, is vulnerable.
Schooling All The Opponents
Hayley Perrin
Photography Editor
Point, pivot, pass, penetrate, perform. The
Lewis Central girls’ basketball team is finishing a successful season. Their first ten games
put them at a 9-1 standing in their conference
and 10-1 overall with a win against Thomas
Jefferson.
The only game they have lost was against
Carroll-Kuemper.
“Kuemper was the toughest. They are
quick and can shoot the ball well,” said senior
Katie Darnell.
The varsity line-up is evenly split between
grades ten through twelve with a composition of four sophomores, four juniors, and five seniors. In order to achieve
their goals they have to work together and practice hard. Their practices are for two hours after
school and they are pushed to the limit.
“We run more at practices [than at games]
and Hanafan yells a lot. It’s scary,” said sophomore Taylor Turgeon.
Of course, with great practice comes great
big injuries. The most memorable moment of the
season thus far involved a particular injury at an
away game in Red Oak.
“Katie Darnell ran into a door going after the
ball,” said junior Aletha Lewis. Aletha is the girls’
basketball manager and is in charge of refilling water bottles and bringing them to tired athletes as
well as cheering them on. “It’s fun,” said Aletha, “I
want to get a minor in sports training.”
Having such loyal and dedicated volunteers
to give the team an extra boost of energy is just
what these girls need to shoot for the top. The
season isn’t over yet, so the girls could always use
more support. Wish them the best of luck in their upcoming
games.
Junior Nate Jones looks to make a
pass during a recent home game.The
next home game is this Friday, January 25th.
Photo by Hayley Perrin
Try to guess this issue’s featured winter sports athletes
Who am I...
life
DAY
in the
...
C
R
A
I
G
hendrix
During my four years of high school
sports I have played varsity soccer for
four years, varsity basketball for three
years, varsity volleyball for one year, and I
managed track.
During basketball season I have two
hour practices everyday. Monday and
Thursday are the easier days, Wednesday
is our conditioning day, and Tuesdays and
Fridays are game days. I balance school,
sports, and my job as a referee at the
YMCA. Right now I am taking English
Composition classes and I am involved in
Student Council. I also was one of our
Junior Class Officers last year.
I have received honorable mentions
in volleyball and soccer. My older sister,
who graduated from Lewis Central, was
the Daily Nonpareil’s athlete of the year;
athleticism runs in the family. After I graduate I plan on going to a small college for
soccer.
katie
D
A
R
N
E
L
L
Who am I...
I am a new student here at Lewis
Central this year and am part of the
varsity wrestling team.
We practice three times a week before school and everyday after school.
In my home country I was a four
time national wrestling champion. Currently I am ranked fifth in the United
States for freestyle.
Another one of my many wrestling
accomplishments was being awarded
outstanding wrestler at the Fort Dodge
Tournament.
After high school I plan on going to
the University of Nebraska-Omaha to
wrestle.
Shaley McKeever
Reporter
... a
into
a
LOOK
lives of
sports
STARS
Athletes featured in the last issue were... Craig Hendrix and Katie Darnell
[page four - athletics]
[the wire]
We Got Skills Cooking For a Cause
Skills USA Celebrating First Anniversary At LC
Maria Jones
Design Editor
From nursing to welding,
advertising to design; there are
numerous areas that students
can get involved in when they
join Skills USA. Skills USA is a new club at
Lewis Central. It was started in
January 2007 and has a 15 students currently participating.
A student led club, Skills
USA has an elected president
sophomore Darin Lohman, vice
president Doug Kometscher,
and treasurer Troy Smith.
The tasks may be grueling but in the end the chance
to take a closer look into several different careers is quite
rewarding. The club’s funding
comes from fundraising. One
fundraiser will be taking place
this spring with a mower maintenance clinic.This will cost $20
for lawn mower tune-ups, including an oil change and blade
sharpening.
Skills USA sponsor, Aaron
Nickman commented, “We’re
hoping to get more people doing other competitions like the
foods [competition].”
Skills USA also participates
in several competitions. These
competitions come in the
spring and if a person places
top three, it earns a medal. Also
given are different scholarships
for high placing. First in each
division will qualify for national
competition in the summer. After placing first in nationals the
next competition is the international.
“I enjoy the competitions
we go to. We meet a lot of people from different countries,”
said sophomore Darin Lohman.
At nationals there is a lot
of publicity for the participants and many chances to win
awards. There are quite a few
job opportunities as well. Joining Skills USA is a great way to
get a head start on your career
path. There is plenty of room
so feel free to join. Skills USA
meet on Tuesday at 6 o’clock in
the afternoon.
There are many fields to go
into such as drafting, computer
maintenance, public speaking,
woods, automotive, and foods.
It’s a very diverse club so there
is a great chance that there is
something for everyone.
Shelby Klepfer
Reporter
Have you recently walked past
the foods room after school and
expected to hear silence, only to
hear music and smell cookies baking? You may have just heard and
smelled the school’s newest club,
Cooking for a Cause.
This group is filled with students who have some interest in
cooking and are volunteering time
to make sweet goodies. After the
sweets are made, students get a
chance to sample them, but then
they go to places that needs food
donations. But not only do they
cook, the students have fun as they
make yummy treats.
When asked how Cooking
for a Cause was created, foods
teacher Bev Shriver said, “We saw
there were ways to help people
who were less fortunate, so we got
students together to help out in
some way. I think these students
have it in their heart to help which
gives them an opportunity to provide a service to others using their
enthusiasm for cooking. We have
Donating her time after school, sophomore Brittnie
Kreiser works with Cooking for a Cause. Photo by Shelby Klepf
expanded our program and plan to
deliver to the local fire stations and
retirement centers. “
Cooking For a Cause first met
on December 4th to make a variety of cookies, ranging from snicker
doodles to decorated sugar cookies. Then students took the cookies
to Children’s Square and Mohm’s
Place. For the students who delivered the cookies, it was a priceless
experience.
“It’s was great to see the way
the people reacted when we gave
cookies to Mohm’s Place. It makes
you feel good to do something
good and help out the community,”
said sophomore Shelby Miller.
If you feel motivated to join, the
group accepts anyone who would
like to give their time, even if you’re
not gifted at cooking. Also, anyone
who participates can earn volunteer hours. Listen to the school announcements to hear when Cooking for a Cause meets next!
Large Group Speech Season in Full Swing
During an after
school practice,
choral reading
participants rehearse for competition. As part
of large group
speech, students
enjoy events like
Choral Reading.
Titans - Give it all you got!
Boys and Girls Basketball - January 25 @ Kuemper
Boys Swimming - January 26 @ Johnston
Corp -January 26 @ Westside
Express and Jazz Band - January 26 @ State
Wrestlers Hawkeye 10
Conference Tournament
Saturday January 26th @ Kuemper
Photo by Maria Jones
Driving Christmas Home
Shaley McKeever
Business Editor
Many children young and old
wake up every Christmas morning to a tree full of presents below.
They anticipate Santa, and for you
non believers out there, your parents to give what they have been
asking for all year. However, some
children aren’t as fortunate to get
presents for Christmas. The children who live at Children Square
receive just a new hat, gloves, and
scarf. Only this year the National
Honor Society and others who
donated and participated made
this Christmas one to remember.
Students from the National
Honor Society got together this
last December and held a Toy
Drive fundraiser to acquire different toys and games to donate to
the kids at Children Square. National Honor Society members
advertised, collected, and even
gave themselves.
Not only did many people
and businesses donate toys and
other items but they also donated money, which then was used
to buy more toys. Overall, NHS
reached their goal. The Toy Drive
collected around 650 different
items.
“There was a guy sitting there
drinking a coffee and watching us
as we brought all the presents
in. He kept saying that the kids
would have such a good Christmas, and he couldn’t believe how
we got all of those toys for the
kids,” explained senior, Mallory
Husz on when they delivered the
gifts.
[page five - activities]
FCA Night of Champions
Mark your calendars!
Friday March 14, 2008
Free Pizza - Free Pop
Time: 6:00 P.M. Place: Media Center
Indescribable
With Loule Giglio
“Passion exists to glorify Goduniting students in worship and
prayer for spiritual awakening in
this generation.”
- http://www.268generation.com/
Follow up discussion lead
by LC teacher Mr. Nathan
Doorlag.
Next Meeting: Thursday, February 7th
7:00 P.M. Room 301
Racing for the Senses
What sense could you live without?
Would you rather smell and not taste or see
without sounds? Find out how your results
compare to your classmate’s.
I could live without
sound...
I could live without
taste...
Yes
Yes
52%
No
No
of students said
yes.
8%
No
of students said
yes.
I could live without
touch...
I could live without
sight...
Yes
28%
Yes
No
of students said
yes.
12%
of students said
yes.
Kaitlin Carlson
Reporter
In the latest 2008 survey 50 Lewis Central students were asked which
sense could they live without? The choices were sight,
hearing, touch, or taste but
the real question was who
would be the winner in such
a cut throat race?
With the tallies finally
marked and added up, an interesting lead was taken by
none other than taste with
26 votes. The positive side
people offered for losing
their sense of taste was that
they could eat healthy and
not mind the flavors.
Junior Lindsey Baker,
a touch enthusiast, said,
“Not being able to touch
the trees, the sand, or your
own dog would make life
not so great. Along with
never knowing if you are really badly hurt could lead to
some issues. I’d rather not
taste anything.”
Though many people are
fans of music, the loss of hearing came in at a close second
with 14 votes. Though people would enjoy their favorite songs blasting over the
stereo system, sometimes
a quiet day wouldn’t be so
worthless.
Senior Bailey Perryman
said, “I’ve always wanted to
learn sign language so losing
my hearing would be a good
reason to start up lessons.”
Barely making the last leg
of the race at third was touch
with 6 votes and closing up
the competition was sight
with 4. Being unable to touch
and see the wonderful world
that surrounds us would be
unbearable for most of our
student population, especially
when they have yet to see
the majority of it outside of
Lewis Central.
Knowing what each individual is willing to sacrifice is
an interesting way of seeing
where their priorities lay.
Goes The
Taylor Basch
Reporter
Dr. Pepper
Don’t
drink
pop
Mountain
Dew
Pepsi
Other
Coke
Sierra Mist
Diet
The can hisses as its tab is opened, followed by the sugary
liquid tingling its way down the throat. Bottles are opened across
the school, and teachers warn of its staining properties. There’s
no question about it, pop rains supreme in Lewis Central.
But when asked what the best kind of pop is, opinions are
definitely widespread.
“Pepsi rocks, because it keeps the fizz,” said sophomore
Britney Riner. “ And [it] has a very strong intake flavor.”
Pepsi did tie for third, proving that Britney isn’t the only
one who cites that as their favorite kind of pop. But the sheer
number of names mentioned was the most surprising. How many
do you ask? Fifteen. Some people said pop names that are not
even sold at the school, like cream soda, Cherry Diet Rite, and
Mountain Lightning. Other names one might think of as popular,
like Cherry Pepsi and Sprite, won few votes by students.
And we all have reasons for our favorite kinds of pop, some
more odd than others.
“Sprite [is my favorite] because when you drink it, the bubbles go up your nose,” said freshman Jolene Colton.
So the next time you hear that pop can hissing as its tab is
opened, think about all the pop out there, from Dr. Pepper to
Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi. And for those of us who drink it, pop
has a magic all its own.
The Sweetest of Chocolates
Who’s the Most Smarterest?
Sara Marshall
tensen, staying true to her natuReporter
ral hair color.
The question that’s been
Out of a random poll of
on everybody’s minds for centu- 50 LC students, brunettes have
ries. Not a day goes by with out the “most smarterness” with 23
at least 99.8% of the population votes. But blondes aren’t too
wondering
far
be“I would have to say brunettes are
who’s smartest
hind with
out of blondes, smarter because there are more brunettes 16 votes.
brunettes, and than blondes or redheads, so there is more Step it up
redheads?
red heads!
of a chance of them being smart”
“I would
Only 11
-Caitlin Christensen
have to say
votes for
brunettes are smarter because you. “I think redheads are the
there are more brunettes than smartest though because there
blondes or redheads, so there is are less of them…just like smart
more of a chance of them being people,” said sophomore Britsmart,” said junior Caitlin Chris- tany Sanford.
46%
of students say
brunettes are the
smartest
32%
of students say blondes
are the smartest
Sarah Waldron
Reporter
In the latest 2008 poll at Lewis
Central, when asked what chocolate brand fifty random students
would reach for, the results were
not that surprising. Hershey’s won.
Who doesn’t like Hershey’s chocolate? The results were as follows:
Hershey’s 60%, Dove 16%, Nestle
10%, Ghirardelli 8% and Russell
Stover 6%.
“I like Nestlé’s turtles,” said junior Mabel Castro.
With these figures in mind a
person starts to ponder how chocolate came about? According to www.
fieldmuseum.org the cacao tree was
discovered 2,000 years ago in the
tropical rain forests of the Americas. The pods of this tree contain
seeds that can be processed into
chocolate. Although, the first people
to have made chocolate were the
Mayan and Aztec cultures. They
mixed the ground cacao seeds with
various seasonings to make a spicy,
frothy drink.
How did such a drink be-
22%
come the solid chocolate that we
know and love? According to www.
aphrodite-choclates.co.uk, in 1828 a
Dutch chemist, Johannes Van Houten,
invented a method of extracting the
bitter tasting fat from the roasted
ground beans making the drink
smoother. Using this process the
first solid chocolate bar was produced by Fry and Sons of Bristol in
1847. According to www.hersheys.
com Hershey’s first originated with
candy-manufacturer Milton in 1894
to produce sweet chocolate as a
coating for his caramels. Located in
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, he called his
new enterprise the Hershey Chocolate Company.
of students say red
heads are the smartest
e
v
a
h
s
e
t
o
v
.
.
.
d
The
e
i
l
l
a
t
n
bee
Boy Bands Still
Capture Hear ts
Savannah Greening
Reporter
Today’s high school students were born in the 90’s when
boy and girl bands were popular. Almost every teenager had a
favorite boy band, but the only way to know was to ask the students of LC. Out of 50 students polled randomly, the Backstreet
Boys were a favorite to 17 students. N’Sync came in 2nd with
15 votes. Hanson accumulated 10 Lewis Central fans while 98
degrees was the pick of 8 students
“Their songs were so great back in the day,” said junior
Amanda Wells about her preferred band, N’Sync.
March 2002 was the last we heard of the Backstreet Boys,
but we still have “I Want It That Way” and “All I Have to Give”
on our IPods and Mp3 players. While N’sync left saying “Bye Bye
Bye.” With their last album, “No Strings Attached,” every fan has
danced and sang to the famous words “This I Promise You” and
“Its Gonna Be Me.” To Hanson fans, “MMMBop” and “This Time
Around” was their dance party songs. And 98 degrees won the
hearts of many young girls with “Revelation” and “The Way They
Want To.”
Start Your Engines...
Maria Jones
Design Editor
Among the many vehicles in the school
parking lot, senior Mike Dillon’s Ford
truck is a model of one of the more popular automakers.
Photo by Josh Stroeher
There are many cars to choose
from all around the world, but which
one is the most desirable? From a
random survey of 56 Lewis Central
students, the running was close and
there wasn’t a big win for anyone.
Toyota came in last with Dodge
just ahead. GM and Ford tied for
third with Honda in second place.
Senior Kristi Gamble chose the
Honda as her preference,
“They’re cute and I like the ‘H’,
but they’re really smooth driving,”
said Kristi.
With the most votes, other
held the lead…
Toyota
11%
Other
23%
Dodge
13%
Ford
16%
Honda
21%
GM
16%
Backstreet
Boys
17
8
Hanson
10
15
N’Sync
out of
50
Heartless -or- Brainless
If you had a choice Heartless people do,” said
which would you rather junior Kelsey Moore.
be: The Wicked Witch
However, 6 of you
of the West or
said that you’d
the Scarecrow?
rather be heartHeartless, cruel,
less.
and uncaring, or
“It wouldn’t
of students chose mind
brainless, happy
be much of
over heart.
and carefree?
a
change,”
Out of the stushrugged senior
dents
polled,
Max Shelburg.
44 of you said
All in all, it
you’d rather be
would appear
of students say they
brainless.
that if we were
would choose their heart
“I think I’d
all whisked away
over their mind.
rather be brainto the land of
less. Brainless
Oz, there would
people can hurt others, be far more Scarecrows
but they don’t mean to. the Wicked Witches.
Athena Burns
Reporter
12%
88%
All poll questions were asked to random samplings of Lewis Central High
98 Degrees
School students in an informal fashion
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[january 2008]
A Walk and a Talk Across the Street
Similar to a college campus,
its students live in dorm rooms. It
has beautiful walking trails and a
pleasant atmosphere. It’s less than
a mile away from our school, and is
more than just a place where LC
students can take Metals classes.
I was fortunate enough to
be given an opportunity to spend
an entire school day over at ISD
(Iowa School for the Deaf) touring
the campus on October 11th. It’s
amazing that something could be
next door to Lewis Central yet
virtually unknown.
My interest in deaf culture
was sparked in my creative writing
class last trimester. I would watch
Marsha, a sign language interpreter,
help out two students in my class.
Being able to speak without talking
just seemed intriguing, and I’ve
wanted to learn ASL (American
Sign Language) for awhile. In my life, I’ve learned that
in order to truly experience
something to its fullest potential,
you just have to throw yourself
into it. I figured that the best way to
learn something about deaf culture
would be to visit ISD’s campus.
The first thing I observed were
the students.They feel empowered
and proud of being deaf. They have
turned something many look at as
a negative and transformed it into
a positive.
ISD junior Kiley Peterson is
proud of being deaf because it is a
part of her personality. ISD senior
Heather Nurse explained that she
can understand two languages
(ASL and English), which allows
her to communicate with deaf and
hearing people. She also loves being
active with her hands, so being deaf
is not a problem for her.
Another thing I noticed
was the faculty. They were very
welcoming; if I had a question about
something, it was quickly answered
in a friendly manner. During the visit, I had an epiphany.
I was expecting to see something
so drastically different, but what I
found was something that closely
resembles my everyday life. They
all go to class Monday through
Friday; many have cell phones and
love text messaging. We walk on
common ground.
Learning about ISD has really
opened my eyes. I got to see firsthand how the deaf community
functions, particularly teenage
students. I hope that LC students
will learn more about the campus,
the students, and deaf culture as a
whole.
Sarah Waldron
Reporter
Valentine’s Day is the
day when Cupid makes us to
do sappy things like deliver
chocolates, red roses, and candy
hearts to our cherished friends
and families. Have you ever
wondered if Cupid is alive and
well or how Valentine’s Day is
celebrated in other cultures?
In the United States it is
custom for the man to buy
woman Valentine gifts, but in
Japan, it is just the opposite.
According to www.cougarsbyte.
com, Japanese women not only
buy chocolates for the men that
they like but are also obligated
to give their male co-workers
chocolate. This tradition is
commonly known as giri-choco.
“Giri” stands for obligation and
“choco” stands for chocolate.
In the U.S. the working
woman isn’t forced to buy their
male co-workers chocolate
but if you think about it, there
is a certain obligation felt on
Valentine’s Day. For example, if
you get a gift from a friend and
you didn’t get them a gift you
would feel guilty wouldn’t you?
“I always feel obligated
to get my friends Valentine’s
cards,” said junior Jenny Burnett.
For those women who think
that it is unfair you will be thrilled
to hear about March 14. On March
14, the Japanese men give gifts to
the woman who gave them gifts in
the previous month this is called
White Day because the return
gift used to be white chocolate or
marshmallows but in the modern
world men give lingerie instead.
In Korea, there is a day for men
who did not receive any Valentine’s
gifts on Valentine’s Day which is
commonly known as Black Day.
On this day the men get together
in groups to wallow in their misery
and eat “Jajangmyun” (a Chinese
style of noodles in black sauce).
We all know the stereotype
of single women sitting home on
Valentine’s Day. Usually they are
portrayed to be watching a chick
flick while sobbing. But is there
a stereotype for men? What do
single men do on Valentine’s Day?
“On Valentine’s Day when
I don’t have a date I don’t really
do anything but give valentines
to my close friends and
family,”said freshman Ricky Ardato.
According
to
www.
associatedcontent.com, in South
Korea they celebrate Peperos
Day on November 11 because
four cookies side by side would
resemble that date. Peperos are
cookies coated in chocolate and
shaped like straws. The tradition
of the holiday is to exchange
Peperos sticks or romantic gifts.
In China they have a
daughter’s festival called the Night
of Sevens because it is held on
the seventh day of the seventh
month. On this holiday people
go to the match maker and pray
for a possible marriage. Children
also participate in this holiday by
putting water in their backyard
overnight in hopes that if they
wash their face with the water it
will enhance their natural beauty.
In Brazil, on June 12, they
celebrate the “Dia dos Namorados”
which stands for Boyfriend/
Girlfriend Day. It is celebrated
on this date because it’s one day
before St. Anthony’s Day who is
considered the marriage saint.
On this day lovers exchange gifts
such as lingerie, chocolates, cards,
and the usual bouquet of flowers.
It isn’t hard to tell that despite
the cultural differences from our
own unique Valentine’s customs,
they’re here to stay. So whether you
are a Japanese woman participating
in giri-choco, a Korean man
miserably enjoying a Jajangmyun,
or an American feeling obligated
to buy Valentine’s cards, your
active display of these customs is
what makes cultures unique. Take
pride in doing your part to keep
our own unique customs alive!
Damien Croghan
Reporter
Established in 1854, ISD’s first
building was constructed in
1870. Due to changes in the
law in the 1970’s, students
were allowed to stay with their
school districts, and interpreters were provided for them.
Thus began the partnership
between LC and ISD. Photo taken by Sara Marshall.
St. Valentine Seen Around the World
Top Ten Headline
Sarah Waldron
Reporter
10. The movie and television writers declared they would
embark on an industry wide strike for the first time since
1988 on November 5th.
9. Britney Spears released her comeback CD called “Blackout”
on October 30th.
8. Ernie Chambers tried to sue God on September 14th.
•
•
7. The last book in the Harry Potter series: Harry Potter and
the Deathly Hallows was released on July 20th.
6. The Red Sox won the World Series by beating the Colorado
Rockies on October 28th.
5. Barry Bonds broke the home run record with hitting his
756th home run to beat Hank Aaron “Hammering Hank”
by one homer on August 7th.
4. A new snake was discovered in Kenya- nine feet long with
enough venom to kill fifteen people on December 7th.
3. Anna Nicole Smith died, launching the custody battle of
her daughter Dannielynn on February 8th .
2. Tim Tebow became the first underclassman to win the
Heisman on December 8th.
1. The metro grieved after the shooting that took nine lives at
the Von Maur store in Omaha on December 8th.
A Few Fun Facts
•
•
2007
Grabbers of
Approximately 1 billion Valent ine's Day cards are sent each year
The expression "wearing your heart on your sleeve” comes from a Valentine’s
Day party tradition.Young women would write their names on slips of paper to
be drawn by young men. A man would then wear a woman’s name on his sleeve
to claim her as his valentine.
The oldest Valentine card still in existence was sent in 1415 by Charles Duke of
Orleans, at the time a prisoner in the Tower of London, to his wife. The Duke's
Valentine's card is now preserved and displayed in the Br it ish Mu se um.
North America first adopted the concept of Valentines Day in the 19th century
when it was introduced by some settlers from England.
[page eight - inside look]
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[the wire]
Happy and Single on
Valentine’s Day
Amanda Berg
Cartoonist
There seems to be a common
misconception regarding how
single people feel toward February
14th. This perception is that the
single individual is heartbroken, or
even spiteful toward the corporate
holiday known as Valentine’s Day.
This is not a true representation of
all solo folk.
“I feel that being alone isn’t
always a bad thing,” said senior
Daniel Stout.
Contrary to some odd beliefs,
single people do not go home,
cuddle with their teddy bear and Seniors Rick DeVoss and Jessica Formanek aren’t
cry while listening to Celine Dion getting down on themselves for being single on Valbelt out “All By Myself.” Nor do entine’s Day. Neither plan to watch hopelessly rothey watch The Notebook over and mantic movies with a box of Kleenex’s this upcoming
over again while downing a pint
February 14th.
Photo by Amanda Goeser
of Ben and Jerry’s cookie dough
ice cream. Further more, they do
This, however, is not the case. they seem to be the minority.
not throw darts at an old picture In fact, in some instances, it is so far
“I hate being alone on
of their ex that they just had lying from the truth that it is humorous. Valentine’s Day,” said senior Haley
around… for two years. Valentine’s
“I
really
Gregory “It’s like
Day pity parties are not as common don’t care [about
I’d rather be alone
a reminder that
as perceived.
Valentine’s day.]
you don’t have
and okay with myself
“I’d rather be alone and You don’t need
someone who
okay with myself than feel like I a “lover” to be
you.”
than feel like I absolutely lovesThese
absolutely had to have a mate,” said happy,” said junior
LC
senior Jessica Formanek.
Britany McKern.
romantics
are
had to have a mate
Due to the nature of this
This seems
not as theatrical
statement, imaginary outcries from to be a common -senior Jessica Formanek as the imaginary
romantics everywhere are now view among single
ones mentioned
pouring in.
LC students. Some even take it a earlier so don’t fret over them.They
“What? But being with step further.
will be okay. This corporate holiday
someone completes you! It is all
“Valentine’s Day? If I’m not season, do not mourn for your
there is to live
dating someone, single friends. They’re not going to
Valentine’s Day?
for!
Someone
I forget it even go home and throw a pity party
who is unlucky
said senior because it’s “singles awareness day.”
If I’m not dating someone, exists,”
enough to be
Rick
DeVoss. Nor will they sit in a corner and cry.
single must feel
Point
well Hence, there is no need to worry
I forget it even exists
some pain in
made. Though about them or perpetuate untrue
- senior Rick DeVoss
their heart about
there are real stereotypes, such as, single people
being all alone on
Lewis
Central are incapable of happiness or are
the greatest holiday ever!” possible students who defend Valentine’s unable to think about anything
quote from the romantic masses.
Day and would rather not be alone, other than coupledom.
“
OurSpace
daughter,” said senior CK Patterson.
She says she found her on MySpace
and met her this summer. Before
their MySpace connection, CK had
never met her. She still sees her
occasionally.
Savannah Greening
“It’s really amazing. I hope to
Reporter
find my own brother someday,”
said freshman Kyla Spencer. She
It came after the Bermuda has looked for him on MySpace.
shorts, the big belts, and text She has had her MySpace for about
messaging. iPods, Crocs, and fur a year and hasn’t worried about
boots are also added to the list, vicious predators. Spencer has had
but still, it comes after all this and a few friends find their siblings on
skinny jeans, leggings, and YouTube. MySpace.
Get ready for it…it’s MySpace!
To say that there is absolutely
When any teenager is told nothing to worry about on MySpace,
“MySpace,” they know exactly would be a lie. Even though there
what a person is talking about. is good in MySpace, the predators
But if you said
still
see
“MySpace’’ to MySpace proves purposes it as the
an adult, they
beyond sharing photos “predator’s
would start
playground”
and communicating
questioning
and search
you like crazy.
day
and
with friends
“Who have
night
for
you been talking to?” “Let
their next victim.
me have your password.” “Who is
While many predators exist in
this and who is that?”
all forms of internet chatting, there
Although MySpace can be is one thing that most parents
a dangerous place for people to approve of: finding those longchat, MySpace is not all that bad! lost family members. It can also
MySpace is being used for more be done on MySpace, Friendster,
useful and fulfilling matters. Some Xanga, etc. So next time you are
teenagers, use the site to find their having a family night where you
‘‘long-lost’’ family members using gush about old family memories,
the site.
ask who the strange relative is and
“I found my dad’s older look them up!
”
“
”
. .
Wack y &Bi zarre
Words You’ve Never Heard
Taylor Basch
Reporter
Do you want to bewilder your contemporaries with mind-boggling terminology?
Substantiate your intelligence to disbelieving parents? Then check out these wacky words.
defenestration –noun \dee-fehn-is-tray-shun\
nudiustertian
–noun \new-dee-uhs-ter-shun\
1.To talk informally, or chat
2.To fill in gaps of memory
through fabrication
Integrity Builders Inc.
The day before
yesterday
fungible -adjective
\FUN-juh-bul\
1. A throwing of a person or
thing out of a window
2. A swift dismissal or expulsion
(as from a political party or office)
Taking a break from classes, sophomore Tyler Points
surfs the web. MySpace is actually blocked on the
school’s computers.
Photo by Josh Stroeher
Rob Klepfer (712) 310-6743
confabulate –verb
\kun-FAB-yuh-layt\
1. Interchangeable
2. Flexible
[page nine - inside look]
Craftsmanship with Integrity
IBI
Integrity Builders Inc.
10471 280th street
Silver City, IA 51571
Custom kitchen and baths
Office #: (712) 526-2059
[january 2008]
Sticky
Note
s!
Secret et?
a secr
Have
it to
Bring 01!
4
room
I still have t
o
sleep with
my
mom durin
g
thunderstorms!
to
t
u
o
b
I’m a e and
at
gradu ve the
lo
I still hannel!
yc
Disne
I still
wet the
bed on
occasion.
ing
h
t
y
r
e
Ev
or
f
s
i
o
d
I
n.
o
i
t
n
e
t
at
Seeing
Seeing Double
DoubleSeeing
Seeing Double
Double
Joe Stokes
Reporter
How often do you hear
“Which one are you,” “Are you
that one” or “You look exactly
alike!” Probably not often, unless
you are a twin. There are four
sets of twins in the freshman class:
three identical sets and one set of
fraternal.
Twins are formed when the
egg splits into two embryos during
early development. There are two
types of twins. Fraternal are twins
that do not look similar and can be
boy and girl. Identical twins look
similar or could look exactly the
same. Twins account for over 90
percent of multiple births.
If you think of twins you may
think about the 1998 movie, The
Parent Trap. In it, Lindsay Lohan
plays a set of identical twins named
Hallie and Annie who switch places
with each other and play jokes on
their parents. But being a twin is
not all fun or as glamorous as you
may think; there are downfalls to
Studying hard, freshmen twins Nadine and
Denine Scott compare notes and the outcomes
of their experiments.
Photo by Joe Stokes
being a twin.
“Sharing is a huge problem
when you are a twin. Katie and
I shared the same room for 14
years!” said freshman Hannah
Jacoby.
I imagine if you had a twin
you would try, at least once, if
not more, to switch places or pull
pranks on people as in The Parent
Trap. There are endless pranks that
can be pulled off by having a twin
switch places for a day.
“The funniest prank Jesse and
I ever pulled is we switched name
tags at work for two days and
we really confused people,” said
freshman Becky Safarik.
While twins look alike, they
strive to separate themselves
from one another. Twins may
share common traits or genes,
The World According to Butler
Josh Stroeher
Reporter
Football, a killer voice, and a
sweet head butt. What do all of these
things have in common? The answer
is Tyler Butler. Butler, a sophomore
here at LC, is an intriguing individual.
Being swamped takes a new
definition when you look at Tyler
and his activities in high school. Not
only does he compete in football,
wrestling, and soccer; but he is also
active in the drama department and
our show choir, Lewis Corporation.
One can only wonder how he
balances his workload with an active
social life and still keeps time for
himself.
“I read a lot of books,” said
Butler. “And when I don’t have
homework, I like to just chill and
listen to music; it’s relaxing.”
Butler is an interesting person
for many reasons, ranging from his
athletics to his vocal skills, but one of
his most interesting skills is that he
beat-boxes, a hip hop form of vocal
percussion, and does it well. He
performs this act during the show
choir performance and if you’ve
ever been around him, he practices
almost all the time.
“I personally love the fact that
Tyler beat-boxes,” said sophomore
Nick Wells. “Especially during our
show, it pumps us up and gets us
energized.”
So when he isn’t practicing
for the next wrestling match, or
preparing for a choir invitational, he
is studying, reading, or even laying
down a beat. Butler is just one of
the many talented students that
occupy the halls of our school.
r
a
e
w
l
l
I sti
tighty
s!
e
i
t
i
h
w
Showing off his moves,
sophomore Tyler Butler
practices for Corporation.
Photo by Josh Stroeher
A Day in Mr. Drake’s Shoes
Damien Croghan
Reporter
I’m i n l o
ve
wi t h my
b e st f ri
end.
but they have differences like any
other siblings. They may try even
harder to show those differences
by doing things like styling their
hair different, hanging out with
completely different friends, or just
being an individual.
“You can mainly tell Nadine
and I apart by the way our hair is
parted. Also Nadine has freckles,”
said freshman Denine Scott.
If you are having trouble
distinguishing a set of twins, try
to find distinct characteristics like
a scar on their face or eye color.
Also notice a difference in the way
they may talk. Most twins will talk
differently, either by the words
they use or their tone. When all
else fails just simply say, “Sorry
which one are you?”
I had a chance to sit down with
three sets of twins; all identical. It
was quite an experience. Trying to
not mess up on their names and
remembering who said what; it
was no easy task. They finish each
other’s sentences sometimes; they
seem as if they have a telepathic
bond. Yet they still have their own
distinct identity separate from their
twin.When you get down to it, they
are just high school students… it is
just that there are two of them.
His day starts when the alarm clock rings at 4:45 A.M.,
when he wakes up to walk in the park with his dog, Elly May.
“I know to you guys she’s a dog,” said social studies teacher
John Drake,“but to me she’s a small hairy child with a speech
impediment. And as the only child of a single, elderly parent,
she is indeed spoiled.” After walking his dog, he proceeds with
his morning routine and eventually arrives at LC to teach upperclassmen.
Many students receive the impression that Mr. Drake is
just a crazy old conservative who can be insensitive.“My first
impression was that he looked very strict and mean,” said senior Jan Fernandez.“Like he goes by the rules and that he was
going to be boring. But after a day I realized he wasn’t like that
at all and he turned out to be one of my favorite teachers.”
Drake is also known for being fun and helpful to his students. “I think he is a great teacher because he helped me
out with my work when I needed help with it,” said senior
Joslynne Patrick.“He gives funny nicknames to people so it is
really funny and he’s always happy.”
He enjoys his job and the people around him, but specifically likes being able to see the world through “fresh eyes” via
our student body. His work life seems to coincide with his
Mr. Drake preaches the social life because he views the social studies department as
law of the United States. an extended family. “Teachers are not only co-workers, but
also friends,” he explained.
Photo by Josh Stroeher
With 33 years of teaching total, previously in Dunlap
[page ten - faces]
for 10 years and Sumner for 12, he started working at Lewis
Central 11 years ago.
Originally going to college to become a physical therapist,
Mr. Drake wanted to go into a career field where he could
make a difference in someone’s life. That’s why he became a
high school teacher.
As a teacher, the lesson he wants his students to remember and take with them into the real world is their importance.“As Thomas Hobbes once said,‘Life is a brutal struggle,’
and for some people it’s much worse than others,” Drake
said.“We all have the power to make life more pleasant.”
He also emphasizes that students have rights, and they
need to know what they are.“You guys are the future,” he said.
Drake is also a very objective teacher who makes learning about seemingly boring subjects interesting. “Mr. Drake is
fun. He likes to go against your opinions and make you think,”
said senior Sami Juel. “He wants you to think about why you
believe certain things.”
Went to a Nazi rally to get a well-rounded opinion on
what they represent. He develops opinions based off
fact instead of hear say.
He’s colorblind; can see blues and greens, but reds,
browns, and oranges are just brown.
His favorite television show is I Dream of Jeanie because
“Barbara Eden is hot.”
[the wire]
Book Review: White Oleander
Kaitlin Carlson
Reporter
Photo taken from www.
fantasticfiction.co.uk
“Oleander time,” she said.
“Lovers who kill each other now
will blame it on the wind.”
Janet Fitch’s debut book was
White Oleander. The story is of
a young girl, Astrid Magnussen,
searching for love and affection
in all the wrong places. Astrid
begins her story living in the
downtown area of Hollywood,
California, with her mother in
present day society.
Astrid’s search for warmth
and security from a parental fig-
ure quickly becomes an obsession after she gets thrown into
the foster care system. Her
mother, a brilliant but disturbed
poet, is scorned by a man, murders him, and is sentenced to life
in prison.
Astrid’s mother, Ingrid, can
be compared to a Siren from
mythological stories; passers-by
knew the impending doom that
would occur to them if they
came near, but were entranced
by the goddess-like creature as
she twists them in with a glint in
her eye and promising poems.
This is exactly how Ingrid
keeps Astrid clinging on. Astrid
worships her mother and the
private world they once created full of fantasies that no one
could touch.
As Astrid attempts to grow
out of the mold Ingrid has
placed her in, she finds herself
taking more steps backward
than forward. She dives into
relationships destined to fail
and can never seem to get her
head above water as she wades
through years of foster care.
She goes through several
homes where she forms different obsessions with the residents near-by. First is Ray, the
boyfriend of her first foster
mother. After she is thrown
from that house she is eventually
taken in by a paranoid depressed
has-been actress, Claire. Nearing the age of eighteen, Astrid is
put with a Russian woman who
makes a living by working at flea
markets and pawning anything
worth some cash that comes
along.
The characters that Astrid
meets along her journey are
incredibly detailed, making the
people themselves much more
tangible than what a novelist
generally brings to the table. As
readers turn the pages of this
book with anticipation, they will
cringe at the thought of setting
the book down. Her struggle
to crawl forth in life doesn’t
leave a reader unsatisfied as
they move along with Astrid’s
adventures.
This book explains the capabilities of the human psyche
and what it is capable of overcoming. This is a story of a
woman’s survival and the positive experience she gained from
everything, including the absurd
preaching of someone wanting
to repress the individual within.
Writer’s Strike Puts TV on Hold Spiffy Children’s Movies
Savannah Greening
Reporter
It’s Monday night and you have
been waiting all day for your favorite show to come on. As you turn
on the TV, you think “I have already
seen this episode.” TV is going to
be reruns for a while because of
the Writers Guild of America going on strike. If a show is not on
reruns yet, it will be soon if the
strike doesn’t end.
March 7, 1988, to August 7,
1988, was the last time the Guild
went on strike and now two decades later they are at it again.This
time they are striking for more
profits from TV on DVD or TV
shown on the internet.
“It’s a matter of recording.
Should writers be upset about
people recording their shows as
well? That’s free to the public and
then they could watch any show
they want at any time they want.
But the writers aren’t getting paid
for every single person watch-
ing the show,” said junior Amber
Peterson. “What would become
of YouTube?” Peterson also said
about her favorite show, “Metalocalypse on Adult Swim. It’s only 15
minutes though. It has had reruns
for a while now.”
Many stars are striking with
their writers, like Tina Fey and
Seth Meyers who gave joined with
the Saturday Night Live writers.
Rashida Jones, Richard Belzer, Colin Quinn, Kristin Davis, and Lost’s
Michael Emerson were supporting their writers. Fey is optimistic
about the end of the strike coming
soon.
Meyers, a writer and actor
for SNL, also hopes the strike will
end soon. He says “picketing is
harder than writing for Saturday
Night Live.” Big Love’s Bill Paxon,
Desperate Housewives’ Nicolette
Sheridan, Everybody Loves Raymond’s Ray Romano and George
Lopez Show’s George Lopez were
spotted picketing together.
Lost, 24, The Office, Chuck,
Grey’s Anatomy, Heroes, the Biggest Loser, The Daily Show, Ugly
Betty, and all of the soap operas are
going to be effected by the strike.
The soap operas shoot episodes
two or three weeks in advance so
they are going to be resorting to
reruns. Even The Da Vinci Code’s
sequel Angels and Demons is being
postponed. Lost and 24 are scheduled to begin airing in early 2008,
but if the strike continues fans will
be faced with unintentional cliffhangers.
For the reality show lovers,
you’re safe. Reality shows such as
Dancing with the Stars and American Idol would be “strike-proof”
because they are not under a guild
contract.
As of January 2, the late-night
shows returned. David Letterman
and Craig Ferguson are the only
late-night show hosts who came
back with their full staff because
both are owned by Letterman’s
production company, Worldwide
Pants. Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, and
Jimmy Kimmel are also back on air,
but they are left to write their own
jokes. Those hosts’ are trying to
save their non-writing staffs jobs.
Stephen Colbert and John Stewart
have also come back to Comedy
Central January 7.
Although it seems as though
this conflict is far away and won’t
affect us in any way; it will. The
strike leads to shows airing reruns
and new series being delayed.
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium
This fantastical adventure can only
be described as heartwarming and
thoroughly entertaining. As is any
movie whose philosophy is, “fun
and mental equals fundamental.”
Amanda Berg
Cartoonist
Although you’re a high school
student and probably have an utter
disdain for childish things, these
movies are still worth checking out.
As we grow and become adults, it
is important to remember to let
loose once in awhile and to enjoy
life as only a child can. The following movies shall brighten your day,
induce childlike thinking, and the
best part is some of them might
be new to you.
The Fox and the Hound
A heartwarming story of two unlikely best friends, and their friendship. Todd and Copper could teach
us all a thing or two about being
a friend.
Josh Stroeher
Reporter
Hawthorne Heights, a rock
band known for their hits This
is Who We Are, and Pens and
Needles, suffered a great loss
on November 27 when their
lead guitarist Casey Calvert
was pronounced dead. Casey
joined Hawthorne Heights,
one of the bands for last year’s
River Riot, as a guitarist and
den loss of their “quirky best
friend” and that all upcoming
shows were to be cancelled.
For awhile it was not known
whether the band was going to
look for a replacement guitarist, but it has recently been released that due to the wishes
of Calvert’s wife, the band will
continue on and find a replacement.
Although
Calvert
has
passed, he will be remembered
in the hearts of his family and
friends and honored in the lyrics of the songs, they wrote before his passing.
All Information Received from
MTV.com
[page eleven - entertain me]
The Land Before Time
Littlefoot and friends take you
on a harrowing journey to find a
home that might not even exist.
Dinosaurs never looked this cute.
Photo taken from
w w w. d v d . n e t .
Aladdin
This movie of a young man and his
enchanted friends on a quest to
get the girl and save the kingdom is
most certainly worth your time.
Saying Goodbye...this time
“screamer.”
Despite rumors and speculations, Calvert’s death was not
drug related. Officials believe
that it had to do with Casey’s
asthma attacks he had been
having recently.
He passed
away while sleeping on the
band’s tour bus the night before they began their Wintour
tour across America.
“It will be tough for the
band; it was a huge loss,” said
senior Matt Spitznagle. “They
won’t have his talents or insights anymore.”
The band posted on their
official site that they were
deeply saddened by the sud-
Beauty and the Beast
A wonderful story full of interesting characters, and admit it, great
songs.
Photo taken
from www.
dvdtown.
com
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The quirky story of a pumpkin
king’s dream of Christmas and
the consequences of messing with
someone else’s holiday.
The Muppet Movie
Need anymore be said? It’s the
Muppet movie. Kermit is in it!
[january 2008]
2
y
r
0
a
u
f
e
bruar
jan
y 0
8
&
SUN 20
MON 21
TUE 22
Conferences Girls JV/ V,
Home @ 6:15
27
3
28
4
29
WED 23
The Wire
Issue 4
Hits
5
FRI
25
30
Conferences No School
6
31
7
All Girls,
1
12
ISU Honor Choir ISU Honor Choir
17
18
19
Guess what day
it is Charlie?!
8
9
All Boys,
ACT Testing
Home @ 5:45
13
14
State
Wrestling
----------->
No School
20
21
15
16
No School Jazz Festival
All State Speech All State Speech
22
Good Luck:
Speech
Corp
Express
Where does the one legged waitress work?
The ihop
What do cows do for fun?
They go to the moooovies
Why was the energizer bunny arrested?
Because he was charged with battery
Really? I was unaware the end of the world
was upon us. Valentine’s Day is just an
excuse for corporations to squeeze more
money from the ignorant masses. Who
decided this day had to be so important anyway? I mean, it’s not even about real love!
I mean if you really loved someone you’d
do sweet things for them all the time, not
because Wal-Mart is having a sale on Chocolate in hear shaped boxes.
r
e
b
m
Nu
Well, I guess I’m
going to have
to return you
special edition
DVD box set of
Indiana Jones.
Well,Valentine’s
Day’s not all
bad…
BLOCKS
Bring the
completed
puzzle
to
Mrs. Langille
in room
401 for
a prize
Puzzle created with the help of: http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/NumberBlocksForm.asp
P
Why do monkeys have big noses?
Because they have big fingers
What do you call a fish with no eyes?
A fsh
Why don’t aliens eat clowns?
Because they taste funny
.
.
.
23
Early Out
U
h
(it)
g
u
La
What is it?
It’s
Valentine’s
Day!
2
Bluffs Jazz
Festival
11
What is
it now?
Dunno
Speech Night All Boys,
Good Luck:
7:30 pm, Aud. Home @ 5:45
Speech
Home @ 5:45
10
Wakey wakey
eggs-n-bakey
SAT 26
Good Luck:
Corp,
All Boys,
Wrestling,
Jazz Band,
Newsstands Home @ 5:30 Home @ 5:45
Express
Swimming
City Meet,
Early Out
Home @ 7pm
Girls JV/V,
Home @ 6:15
THU 24
The Life and Times of the Food We Eat
The missing numbers are integers between 0 and 9.
The numbers in each row add up to totals to the right.
The numbers in each column add up to the totals along the bottom.
The diagonal lines also add up the totals to the right.
[page twelve]