December 2007

December 2007
Wamego Hi
Wamego, KS
Vol.43 lssue 4
Soldiers spend their holidays deployed
by
Kris
lorson
More than 10,000 United States
soldiers are spending the holidays overseas this year. Last year, Sgt. Darby
Lane and Sgt. Cheryl Colley, from Fort
Riley, spent the holidays in lraq.
"It was the first time I wasn't with
my kids for the holidays, and I missed
them a lot," Sgt. Colley said.
Like Sgt. Colley, many parents
couldn't be with their children. Sst.
Colley's daughter, Jestine, said,
"I
wish my mama was here last year, but
I knew she had to serve her country
but knowing that didn't make it any
easier."
For the soldiers without children,
like Sgt. Lane. it's not an1 easier.
"lt's difficult being away from
people you care about period. But it's
harder during Christmas," Sgt. Lane
said.
When overseas, some of the
soldiers found joy in a Christmas tree.
"One of the best parts were the two
machine guns under the tree. It made
everyone laugh," Sgt. Colley said.
Simple gifts such as candy canes,
playing cards, Christmas lights and
Christmas cards from home made the
holidays a little easier, but what made
many troops happiest was a call from
family members at home.
Adopt-a-Family helps those in need this Christmas
by Melisso Slogle
It's Christmas time, and your fam-
ily is busy preparing the perfect meal,
wrapping presents, sending cards to
loved ones and buying gifts for family
members and friends.
Yet some families don't have
enough money to make Christmas as
special as it could be. Some families
can't buy presents or spend money on
an elaborate Christmas meal. These are
the families that need help this holiday
season to make their Christmas special.
These are the types of families that
apply to become part of the Adopt-a-
aloo'k inside
Community.... .....2
......3
Editorial
.....4-5
Feature
Competitions... ....6
......7
Reviews
.8
News
Family organization.
Adopt-a-Family is sponsored by
the Wamego Christmas Bureau and
the Wamego Council of Churches,
made up of churches in the Wamego
area. Each church within the Council
sponsors the Adopt-a-Family program,
rotating the position each year. This
season, Trinity Baptist Church sponsors Adop-a-Family.
Adopt-a-Family helps famil ies
in need of clothing, gifts, winter gear,
food for a meal and any other items
they specifo on the application to the
Christmas Bureau.
Any organization or group can
support a family through the Christmas
Bureau. Organizations usually fundraise
the money needed and then purchase
gifts, clothing and food according to the
family's information they receive.
To become part of this program,
families are required to fill out an application form, sign it and send it to
Trinity Baptist or contact the Christmas
Bureau Hot Line. Applications are only
accepted from the USD 320 school district, unless the applicant is a member
ofone ofthe church congregations.
Wamego Christmas Bureau received
applications for Adopt-a-Family from
Nov. l5 throush Dec. 15.
Movie Reviewer Kim
The
Lopez analyzes
some movles
that might become holiday,
or everyday,
favorites.
team
7
wrestling
faces a
new season with
a
new
coach.
o
COMMUNITY
DTceMBER
Spanish Club sings
carols to celebrate
the holiday season
By Kim Lopez
Members of the Spanish Club and even students who just enjoy singing spread the holiday
cheer around town Dec. 17.
The group traveled around the community
singing carols to people ofSpanish descent. To
make those families feel more at home, every
song was sung in Spanish.
The carolers consisted ofstudents in the
club or Spanish classes, parents, and Mrs.
Lotus Hazlett, one ofthe sponsors.
One carol in parlicular is a religious tune
which is a time-honored tradition in Spanishspeaking countries. It entails the group singing
to the household, with them answering in
Several students await their turn during auditions for The Little Shop
of Horrors.
retum.
After belting out the well-known Spanish
carols, the group was invited into two homes,
where they ate traditional foods prepared in
advance by the families.
The Little Shop of Horrors main characteq Audrey
II.
EorroRrAL
Technolo gy will be our downfall
DecEMBER
By Jennifer McForlin
With computers being obsolete
a year, iPhones flying off the
shelves, and Intemet addiction at it's
within
highest, will technology eventually
cripple us?
Technology was created to make
our lives easier, and with every new
model we expect to never have to
work again, but they never seem to
do just that. From the way things are
progressing in the world of technology, this dream may come true sooner
than we think. So, when that happens,
how much will we depend on for our
everyday lives?
We are already crippled by our
artificial helping friends. Can you
imagine your life without a computer
to type your homework on or to talk to
long-distance friends?
Can you imagine your life without
a TV to show you the world news or
entertain you?
Can you imagine your life without
digital cameras, scanners, printers,
video games, your car's Global Positioning System, cell phones or home
phones?
What would you do without them?
Some people might say they don't need
any of that, but most of us do. People
almost never use the postal system,
now commonly referred to as "snail
mail," because why would they, when
they have e-mail, an instant mailing
system that doesn't charge you. Or better yet, talk to them in real time on an
instant messenger?
According to Rob McGann of
ClickZ Network website, from the
1970s to the early 1990s, TV was the
source ofbad influences and a source
ofconcern for slacking and addiction
for a young audience, but after that,
the Internet takes over almost indefinitely and replaces TVs as a threat for
addiction for children. Since then it has
steadily increased.
The technology we have come
to depend on in our daily lives mostly
consists of what we use to communicate to others and entertain ourselves.
Some might ask me why I think
technology will be our downfall when
every day it steadily becomes more
advanced and begins to let us do everything we want, some of them not so
positive. Pirating of music and videos
is harming the companies that sell
them, and this is only one easily seen
example. The addictivness of the Internet, the continually better and more realistic graphics and situations in video
games. Who's to say that this won't be
our downfall, but with higher quality in
medical equipment and the like, who's
to say it is?
FTATURE
DTcTMBER
This Christmas, find something to be cheerful for
by Melisso Slogle
Right now Christmas is
everywhere: in the stores, on the
television, on the radio commercials. And that's just fine with me.
Even though most companies now
advertise with "Happy Holidays!"
instead of "Merry Christmas!",
they still acknowledge that this
time of year is special.
What most people don't
realize is that Christmas isn't
about what presents kids ask
their parents for, or cooking that
perfect turkey stuffing for the
family. Christmas is about the
love of family, the hope of a single
man, the joy of the greatest single
season of the year. Christmas is a
time of sharing, giving, loving and
hoping. It isn't a time to hoard our
gifts or whine about the presents
we didn't get--Christmas means
remembering the special people in
Christmas
Christmas is an annual holiday
that celebrates the birth ofJesus.
Christmas festivities often combine
the commemoration of Jesus'birth
with various secular customs, many
ofwhich have been influenced by
earlier winter festivals. The date as a
birthdate for Jesus is traditional, and
is not considered to be His actual date
of birth. In most places around the
world, Christmas Day is celebrated
on December 25. Christmas Eve is
the preceding day, Decemb er 24. The
Nativifl of Jesus refers to the Christian belief that the Messiah was born
to the Virgin Mary.
Editorial
our lives and helping those less fortuit should be all year around,
this time means more than our problems and lives, our hatreds and suspicions. It means caring more about
others than we do about ourselves, a
concept many Americans today just
seem to miss. What makes this time
of the year so special to Christians is
the fact that Jesus Christ was born on
Dec.25, bringing peace and hope to
a world full of death and darkness.
Other religions celebrate this time in
the year for other special events that
have happened in their religion, and
that doesn't bother me. Our society
shouts to take care of yourself, while
our morals shout to put others first.
Despite what many people think,
Christmas is not just for Christians-especially if you follow the values
outlined above. As a Christian.
nate. As
Christmas has a special meaning for
me, yet that doesn't mean that other
religions and beliefs don't matter--it
just means I don't worry about them.
With so many campaigns to
remove God and religion from every
aspect ofgovernment and school
life, it is difflcult to keep sight of the
real meaning of Christmas. With the
words "under God" from the Pledge
of Allegiance being argued over, I'm
beginning to feel as ifthe entire reason this country was founded doesn't
matter anymore. The reason our
founding fathers escaped Great Britain was to have the freedom to worship anyway and anyone we wanted.
What has happened to that idea? What
has happened to that type of freedom?
Now that we are free to worship the
way we want, we suddenly don'twant
to worship anymore.
See Christmas, page 7
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a week-long Pan-
African festival primarily honoring
African-American heritage. It is observed from Decemb er 26 to January
I each year, almost exclusively in the
United States ofAmerica. Kwanzaa
consists of seven days of celebration,
featuring activities such as candlelighting and pouring of libations, and
culminating in a feast and gift-giving.
has gained tremendous acceptance.
Kwanzaa is neither political nor
religious and despite some misconceptions, is not a substitute for Christmas. lt is simply a time of reaffirming African-American peopl e, th eir
ancestors and culture focus on the
traditional African values of family,
community responsibility, commerce,
and self-improvement. Kwanzaa has
come to be observed by more than18
million people worldwide,
by the New York Times.
as reported
FTATURE
EMBER
Ramadan
Ramadan is a Muslim religious observance that takes place
during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, believed to be the
month in which the Qur'an began
to be revealed. Every year in the
month of Ramadan, all Muslims
fast from dawn until sundown-abstaining from food, drink, and
sexual relations with their spouses.
Those who are sick, elderly,
or on a journey, and women who
are menstruating, pregnant or
nursing, are permitted to break the
fast and make up an equal number
of days later in the year if they are
healthy and able. Children begin
to fast (and to observe prayers)
from puberty, although many start
earlier.
By cutting oneself from
worldly comforts, even for a shorl
time, a fasting person focuses
on his or her purpose in life by
constantly being aware of the presence ofGod.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is also known as the
Festival of Lights, and the Feast of
Dedication.
Hanukkah is probably one of
the best-known Jewish holidays, not
because ofany great religious significance, but because of its proximity to
Christmas.
Many non-Jews (and even many
assimilated Jews) think of this holiday
as the Jewish Christmas, adopting
many of the Christmas customs, such
as elaborate gift-giving and decoration.
The Winter Solstice, sometimes
referred to as Yule, celebrates the
rebirth of the sun to the earth, and the
solstice itselfis the longest (hence,
darkest) night ofthe year. Throughout the world, from Scotland to Iran
to the Americas, ancient and modern
peoples have called forth the sun on
the longest night ofthe year.
Its Christianized form is called
"Christmas", which is essentially the
symbology and traditions of Yule
with the Christian story of the birth of
Jesus of Nazareth superimposed upon
it. Yule traditions include decorating
a pine tree, burning a Yule log, the
hanging of mistletoe and holly, giving
gifts, and general celebration and
merriment.
It is a time to look on the past
year's achievements and to celebrate
with family and friends. From this day
until midsummer, the days will grow
longer and banish the darkness to
begin the light that brings warmth and
life to the world. This is the official
first day of winter.
Broaden your horizons during the holiday season
by Lukus Ebefi
Wamego Kansas, with a population of 4,590 majority white Christians. It's the most wonderful time
of the year, Christmas, but wait,
what about all the other religions
and their holidays?
There is Ramadan, Kwanzaa,
Yule, and Hanukkah. Look around
town. Do you see any of the many
decorations related to any ofthe
holidays besides Christmas? You
already know the answer to that
question, and the answer is "No."
Just because we live in a small town
doesn't mean the minority doesn't
exist. Personally, I am enraged at
the fact that the decorations around
town or anywhere are only for
Christmas. I celebrate Yule and
Christmas and to not see any decorations related to Yule or any ofthe
Editorial
other holidays upsets me. What about
the Menorah and deridels for Hanukkah, the Kinara and Bendera for
Kwanzaa, the Crescent Moon and Star
for Islam, or the Yule Log for Yule.
Really, would it be too much
to ask to put up more decorations
acknowledging the fact that there
is a minority? "Happy Holidays"
or "Merry Christmas"--let's not be
greedy. "Happy Holidays" encompasses Christmas. Just because the
majority of the nation is Christian and
celebrates Christmas does not mean
that we're the only ones who have
a holiday in December. America is
said to be open-minded and tolerant,
although I have yet to see this. I really
don't think it would be too much to
ask to at least acknowledee the fact
that there are others in this country
that are not Christian and do not
celebrate Christmas.
Just because Israel says Happy
Hanukkah and not Happy Holidays, and we say Merry Christmas
because they do not say Happy
Holidays, two wrongs do not make
a right and besides, America and
lsrael are'Just a little bit" different.
The point is we are all unique
in our own way. It does not matter your gender, race, nationality,
religion, culture, sexual orientation,
or the holiday(s) you celebrate the
fact is everyone needs to be noticed
and accepted notjust tolerated. You
have the power ofchange! So, are
you going to start recognizing others or are you going to ignore them
just because they have a different
style, believe differently, look different, or talk differently?
COMPETITIoNS
DTcEMBER
estlers get ready for break-out season
by
Kris Lorson
Wamego wrestlers are facing a
tough season with six rivaling teams
placing in the top l0 in the state, but
the new coach Kevin Cathcart has con-
fidence in the boys.
"l think the season will be good
with some tough challenges along the
way," Cathcart said.
When asked who was expected
to lead the team, Cathcart replied, "l
expect some great senior leadership
out of Austin Atwood and Hal Rivard."
Charlie Synder is also expected to have
a break out year and many underclassmen are hoped to surprise Coach
Cathcart.
This year's roster includes Chase
Conrad, Caleb Hemby, Austin Atwood,
Nick Hartwick, Mark Wilson, Andrew
Seufert, Denver Boatwright, Quinn
Parker, Marc Rolph, Colby Jackson,
Tyler Douglass, Tyler Lough, Chris
Hartwick, Joh,n White, Bryan Adams,
Corbin McMillan, Hal Rivard, Cody
Torbol, Charlie Snydeq Taylor Shaffer,
Boys' basketball season begins
by Cortney Woodword
This year's boys'basketball team consists of37 boys, I I ofthem being
freshman. Grant Shaw is a three-year starter. Mark Teneich also started last year,
and Alec Philip. too. is a returning starter.
Monday though Friday the team practices anywhere between two and twoand-a-halfhours. The team occasionally practices on Saturdays, and there are
voluntary workouts Sunday nights.
Some of the strengths are that they are a fast team with great chemistry.
"The team works well together and they all get along well," said Coach
Troy Hemphill. "On the other hand, some of their weaknesses are that they are
not the biggest team and they are 'skinny' in some spots; they could work a little
harder on rebounding."
"We are excited to play our games and see how things workout. We are hoping to win the NCKL title, and have a chance to go to state," said Hemphill.
On Dec. I 8th the Wamego Red Raiders won 67 -63 against the Chapman
Fighting Irish, making them2-2, 1-0 in conference.
Girls' basketball record improves
by Cortney Woodword
This year's girls'basketball team "is a great group with a lot of talent. The
team is a young group with great leadership," aid Coach Travis Hardenburger.
All 24 girls show up to practice Monday - Friday for two hours each day.
The girls occasionally practice on the weekends and will be practicing during
the holidays.
"The hardest thing about coaching is trying to keep Coach Gerwick in line.
He is kind of like a rock star," Hardenburger joked.
Defense, rebounding, and team unity are some of the team's strengths.
Another strength is that there are several key retuming players some of them
being Amy Chambers, Beth Neilsen, Tera Ingalsbe, Lindsey Leonard and Elyse
Pachta.
"We hope to win league and go to state, like every year," says Hardenburger. "This season will depend on whether or not the team can shoot from the
outside."
On Dec. l8th the girls played the Chapman lrish, winning 38 to 35, making
them 3-1, l-0.
Larry Boggs and Bryce Seljestad.
They started the year getting fifth
as a team, beating Chase County, De
Soto, and Herrington, and only losing
to Seaman and Corcordia at their first
dual.
Individual results for varsity were
Caleb Nelson 2-3; Austin Atwood 3-3;
Nick Hartwick 1 -0; Marc Rolph 4- I ;
Quinn Parker 1-3; Tyler Douglass 1-4;
Kevin Dean l-4;John White 2-3;Tyler
Lough 4-l;HalRivard 5-0 Charlie
Snyder 5-0; and Bryce Seljestad 3-2.
Scholars'Bowl
looking ahead
to league meet
by Megan Solfronk
Scholars' Bowl varsity team
has been busy this season, traveling
to schools across Northeast Kansas.
They've participated in nine tournaments so far, out of 14 possible.
The varsity team this year includes
Jarrod Krebs, Patrick Mattia, Chelsea
Rose, Amanda Huse, Kris Velasco,
John Hazelwood, JeffDendurent and
Blake Colson.
Compared to last year, Scholars'
Bowl sponsor Ron Cook said jokingly,
"Because of excellent coaching, our
expectations are far exceeding our
ability."
Cook seems to have high hopes for
the league meet Jan. 21 and regionals
the following week. League will be a
home meet.
Other than league and regionals,
tournaments included one Dec. 6 at
Junction City and one at Manhattan
High on Dec. 13. Others with Topeka
West and Shawnee Heights follow.
As a last comment, Cook added
after a long pause, "Do you know what
a group ofturtles is called?"
He explained that it had been one
of the questions at a Scholars' Bowl
tournament the previous night.
Answer? A bale.
MovrE RrvrEWs
DTcTMBER 2007
to
i3trfl;fr,'p\&el
eooi
I
I
2 Stars: Monev-waster
i s,r-
I
L------J
Movie
6foa
Movie reviews by Kim Lopez
What lThink.
The Plot
Starring Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Robin
Williams. One love affair of a guitarist
and a cellist results in a child, given up
for adoption. Evan Taylor, or August
Rush as he is later known, is a talented
young boy who hears music in everyday
things. He believes that if he can play,
his parents will be able to hear him and
find him. What he doesn't know is that
his mother is indeed trying to find him,
while his father is on a quest to once
again see the womar he loves. Rated
PG for mild violence and
\
language
August Rush
Rating
Augusf Rush is a musical adventure that will inspire you to
go out and thump a guitar. Freddie Highmore is at times incredibly adorable and talented, and thenjust a little crazy But
in the good way! This movie is rather cheesy and a little too
feel-good at times, but the scenes with any musical instrumenl
are amazing; those are really what made me like this film
Contrary to all the previews. where Robin Williams is portrayed as an inspiring musician .. He is actually a complete
jerk who houses dozens ofchildren in an abandoned theater,
t7 t7
t,'-\
only to use their musical talent to his advantage.... Somebody
wanna call Social Services? One thing that really disappoinf
ed me about Augusf Rus,h was the build-up, which resulted
in something not-so-special. Anti-climactic and cheesy it
a decent movie. Be careful, though, af-
may be, but it's still
"l
thing What results is a
desperate
help and search for answers
plea for
Rated R for profaniry an intense disturbing situation and brief drug use.
Awake
I give this
believe in music
the way some people
believe in fairy
tales."
ter you watch it, you might find yourself talking to the moon.
Starring Hayden Christensen, Jessica
Alba and Tenence Howard. Clay Beresford has it all: a wife he loves, a
well-paying job, and friends who care
about him. Unfortunately, he also has
a severe heart oroblem and when he
goes under the knife to get a new heart,
things start to go wrong. Instead ofbeing put to sleep as anesthesia should
normally do, he's awake throughout
the entire procedure, feeling every-
*
*
one a three for effort, because I really don't think
it
deserves any more than that. It's a disturbing idea that
30,000 people every year have difficulty with their anesthesia, but I don't think I expected to see what I did I got
to watch the main character mentally scream in pain while
the graphic surgical scenes were happening They could
definitely be considered torture,
as our
"hero" is undergoing
an important surgical procedure paralyzedby anesthesia and
unable to cry for help, but
still able to feel excruciating pain
I sat through most of Arvake, hoping that
it would eventually get better,... This movie certainly is interesting, but it's also depressing, It made me a little paranoid,
l1
t-z\
*
)r
L-{
What a nightmare!
in fact. I'm afraid to ever have a surgery now. Maybe thal
"Only one thing
matters now: He is
was the desired effect from the director? In my closing argu-
awake."
ment,
I would like to quote the always wise Michelle Dob-
kins, "Kudos for making a bad movie out of a good idea."
Christmas
Continued from Page 4
What has happened to that type
of freedom? Now that we are free to
worship the way we want, we suddenly
don'twant to worship anymore. Just
the fact that God has been removed
from this time of the year doesn't mean
that we should ignore Him altogether.
And does Christmas only stand
because of a religion? Christmas is
the time of year to give freely to other
people, whether or not you believe in
its religious themes. Anyone can spend
time with his or her family during
Christmas, anyone can make hot chocolate after playing in the snow, anyone
can give gifts to friends the way they
might not normally do during the year.
This Christmas, don't let go of the
important things, whether you are a
Christian or not. Don't let go of love,
laughteq smiles, hope, presents and
candy. Christmas is only important in
what it means to those who celebrate
it. The physical gifts we receive this
time of year aren't what Christmas
means.
All those presents will
be
forgotten within a year, but the love
and connection with family we share
this time of year continues to last on
through the New Year. So, go ahead
and celebrate, because this year we all
have something to be cheerful for.
And I, for the record, will say
"Merry Christmas, everyone."
DTcTMBER
Semi-formal iced out twice,
to be rescheduled in February
By Rochel Tanking
According to the
Dec. 8th was to be a very big day
for WHS. STUCO had set up a winter
semi-formal for the students. However,
an icy storm passed by that weekend,
causing the dance to be rescheduled for
announcements on
Dec. 14, the
dance was set
another time
in February.
No specific
the following Saturday.
For the following, however, the
problem didn't end there.
Icy rain came around that froze the
sidewalks and streets. This meant the
school had been closed until people
could drive safely on the roads. Also,
the temperature dropped each night,
and the ice stayed on the roads for the
next two days. The students didn't have
school Dec. 11, 12 and 13.
School did. however. resume Dec.
14. There was still a change of plans,
though. More winter weather was coming and school officials postponed it
again. The snow came, and the dance
date left.
date has been
set, nowever.
This wasn't actually a bad thing,
some of the students think.
Question?
of the
Month?
What is your favorite
gift
you've received, and what
was the occasion?
"My favorite gift was a puppy
named Angel that I got it for no
reason whatsoever, other than the
fact that my neighbors had puppies.
It was awesome."
as
-Beclgt McFarlin, Sr
"I'm happy that the dance was
rescheduled," said Chelsea Brus. "l
wasn't really planning on going anyway."
However, there were some who
were hoping the dance wasn't going to
"l
got my PlayStation Porlable and
my electric guitar for Christmas.
They are my favorites because they
I wanted that year."
-Erin Jennings, Fr
are exactly what
be postponed.
"l was hoping to go to the dance,"
said Becky McFarlin. "My friend was
going to bring a guy she likes, and she
wanted me to meet him."
Peer counselors
Brent Long: Being a senior at Wamego High School, I enjoy
doing a lot of things. Some of them are going hunting, working
on my truck, fishing, spending time with my friends, and
hanging out with my girlfriend. Also going to all the football,
basketball, and volleyball games.
"It would have to be my Playstation 2 that I got several years ago for
Christmas."
-Kevin Henne,
"My favorite gift
was my class ring.
My dad got it for me for my Christmas present."
-Kristina Baken
Sarah Van Petten: I am a junior. I enjoy hanging out with my
friends and playing sports. I especially enjoy volleyball and
basketball. I am an officer for FBLA and SADD. I am willins
to talkANYTIME you need!
Jr
"My favorite gift that I got
So.
was my
iPod, and I got it for Christmas."
-Dexter Walsh. Fr.
Jessica White: I am a junior this year and a temis player. My
favorite movie is "My Cousin Vinnie," and my favorite author
is Juliet Marillier. I love to read, watch movies, and cook my
favorite dessert, CHEESECAKE! I hope everyone has a great
year and makes new friends! Good luck!
"I love my dog, Lucky, that I got for
Christmas. My dad wrapped it up in
this cute little box. I loved it."
-BreAnna Briggs,
Compiled by Rachel Tanking
Jr