Page 1.pmd - Lewis Central High School

The
Wire
Alone Again
Opinion
True Life:
Up com i ng
Events
Februa r y
18-27: Romeo & Juliet @
the Rose Theatre
19: Large Group Speech
All-State. Break a Leg!
25: Dodge PRCA Championship Rodeo @ MidAmerica Center 7:30
26: LC Jazz Band Invitational
Ma rch
5: LC Show Choir Invite
8: Mr. LC Contest
14: Band Concert @ LC
Auditorium 7:30
17: Taste of Chaos Tour!
Bands include My Chemical Romance, The Used,
Killswitch Engage, Senses
Fail, A Static Lulluby,
Saosin and many more @
Sokal Auditorium.
Cost $25.00
21: LC Swing Show
“When Daddy
Was Gone...”
On Valentine’s
-page 2
In Sports:
Diving in to a
New Practice
-page 3
The Phantom
of the
Opera:
An “Angel
of Music”
-page 7
Cell Phone’s Continue Corrupting Classrooms
Should the Electronic Menace Be Banned at Lewis Central?
“Text messaging
is definitely a
serious problem”
Megan Longmeyer
Co-Editor-In-Chief
“Good morning Lewis
Central students, and these are
your student announcements. Cell
phones may be used for after
school ride arrangements, but
should not be turned on or used
during classes, in the hallways or
commons areas unless use is
approved by staff members…”
An announcement as such is
not foreign to the students of Lewis
Central, who have been receiving
reminders in the past weeks
regarding the use of cell phones.
The announcement was broadcast
over the school speakers after
comments and complaints from
teachers started to pile up about
disruptions in their classes. Some
faculty and administration think
that having cell phones in school
is a minor problem; others,
however, view it as a slightly
bigger issue.
“As their capabilities have
grown, some of their annoyance
factor has too,” said assistant
principal Paul Massman. “They’ve
gotten smaller, they’re cheaper,
there are more of them... that
doesn’t necessarily mean there’s
anything wrong with them,
though.”
The problem of having cell
phones in school is not a new issue
for Lewis Central. Since the birth
of this “new age” technology, it’s
become more and more common
for teens to have cell phones, and
even harder for faculty to get
through the day uninterrupted.
“There are too many of them
around,” said attendance office
secretary Marcy Hamsa. “I
understand why we have them, but
they’re disrupting classes and
causing all kinds of problems.”
The people who justifiably
have the biggest problem with cell
phones in the classroom are
teachers. Teachers are interrupted
everyday by cell phones that are
“Picture phones should be
used just for personal
reasons”
neither turned off nor turned down. shocking way: picture phones.
Even if a student puts his cell It’s been reported around the
phone on silent, it’s a good chance area in both high schools and
that its vibration will stir some colleges that students have
attention. Either way, some been using picture phones to
take vulgar or obscene pictures
teachers are less than happy.
“My issue with cell phones is of themselves or other students.
that I didn’t really notice that big Even more shocking is that
of a problem in my class until we students are cheating with
made the announcement,” said them, taking pictures of their
English teacher Kim Muta. “Now tests and sending them on to
they’re going off every five their friends as a way to prep
minutes... sometimes the reminder t h e m f o r w h a t ’s c o m i n g .
can prompt more issues.”
The biggest problem when
it comes to cell phones is ringing
during class. Whether it is another
student in the school or
someone’s parent trying to
remind his or her child of
something, it can be a pretty big
disruption.
“What really irritates me,
probably more than anything else,
is when parents call their kids in
Photo by Hannah Hopson
school, during the day,” said
English teacher Marilyn Freshman Zane Burgenhemke coWandersee. “For crying out loud, vertly plays with his cell phone.
what do they think we’re trying
Neither of these offenses
to do here?”
Then there’s technology’s have been reported at Lewis
newest creation: text messaging. C e n t r a l y e t , b u t t h e
With text messaging being an easy administration and faculty
way to talk to someone, most of are keeping a close eye to
the time part of a person’s cellular make sure nothing is going to
plan, and a little easier to hide than happen.
“It’s up to teachers to
talking on the phone, this has been
students’ next best way to talk to watch, there’s no monitoring,”
their friends undetected. This form said Massman. “There isn’t
of communicating is almost perfect anything special you can do; all
for pent-up teens, and has created you can do is watch for them.
On the student side of
an added challenge that teachers
things, cell phones are not as
have to watch out for.
“Text messaging is definitely big of a threat. For most
a serious problem when it comes students, cell phones are simply
to possibilities of students cheating a way for students to get a hold
on exams and whatnot,” said of friends in case they need to
science teacher David Bergman. “I talk to them, whether the
just try to keep a careful eye out conversations are important
for students to see if they’re or for the heck of it.
“It’s nice because I have
reaching into their bag or pockets
unlimited minutes and
for their cell phones.”
Another new technology for unlimited distance,” said
cell phones has taken the junior Olivia Gaytan. “I can talk
problematic scene in a more to my friends who are out of the
state and not have any penalties for
it.”
Still, other students have cell
phones simply so their parents can
get a hold of them when they need
to, or in case of emergencies.
“(My parents) want me to use
it for emergencies only,” said junior
Andy Sondag. “They don’t want
me to use up too many minutes,
either.”
When asking students about
text messaging on their phones,
some people didn’t see it as a big
deal. Nowadays, a text message is
equivalent to writing a note for
someone and passing it around;
this way, you can pass it anywhere
you want in the entire school, and
you don’t waste one sheet of paper.
It’s simple and, in some ways, less
of a hassle, and to some students
that isn’t such a bad thing.
“If you don’t disrupt teachers
or kids or anything, and if you just
do it when you’re not doing
anything, then it’s alright,” said
an anonymous sophomore.
During the past few weeks,
students have been informed and
shocked when finding out about
the cheating going on with
picture phones, let alone people
taking distasteful pictures with
them. The cheating is less
likely to happen at Lewis Central
with the teachers being wellinformed from other schools.
As for inappropriate pictures on
cell phones, the punishment for
such behavior will be dealt out
swiftly and appropriately by
school officials, with each
punishment abiding by the
handbook
and
being
administered according to the
severity of the crime. However,
regardless of whether it goes on
at LC or not, many students see
using phones in such a manner as
irresponsible and a new
distasteful way to cheat the
system.
“Picture phones should be
used just for personal reasons,”
said senior Kim McFerrin.
“It’s your responsibility to
study for tests, and if you don’t
do it, then you shouldn’t get
the credit for it.”
However
major
or
insignificant cell phones may
be, being referred to the office
for one does have a price.
Students who disregard the
rules can have their cell
phones taken by their
teachers for a day, or worse
yet, have their cell phones sent to
the principal’s office where a
parent or guardian must claim
them for you. Students
refusing to abide by the rule of
no cell phones can be given
detentions by their teachers,
o r a r e f e r r a l t o t h e o ff i c e .
From there, there’s the
possibility of more severe
disciplinary action, depending
on how far a student has gone to
break the rules.
“We’re going to take a
look at (punishments),
because we’re going to direct
a little heavier revision than
normal in our student handbook
next year,” said Massman. “If
there’s an issue, you have to
follow up on it, and
consistently. If there’s no issue,
then you don’t worry about it.”
Cell phones work against
and with the school and all
those who dwell within it. The
administration isn’t looking to ban
cell phones at this point, but to
avoid any future troubles, it
would be best that students
turn them off and not use them
during the day.
“My first advice, of
course, is keep you cell phone
off, you don’t need to have it
on during the day,” said math
teacher Kim Jones. “Don’t use it
during class time and if it has
to be used, talk to your teacher
first and get permission.”
Ray McManus Volunteer Award
A Well Deserved Award Goes Out to the Secretary Serving...YOU!
Dani Mescher
Co-Editor-In-Chief
In December of 2004, Lewis
Central activities secretary Cindy
Brockman was honored with the
Ray McManus Volunteer Award.
The award has been in place for
seven years, and the first recipient
was the man whose name appears
on the award.
“Seven years ago we selected
the best LC football players of all
time, and we held a banquet for
them,” said FCA sponsor Pat
Campbell, “At the banquet a
suggestion was made that an
award should be given to honor
Ray for all of his volunteer work,
and everyone agreed that Ray was
very deserving of an award.”
It was clear that McManus
was deserving of an award
because of his countless
contributions to Lewis Central
over the years. He not only
volunteered during his daughter’s
years at the school, but before and
after as well.
“Ray has videotaped football
for over twenty years, and he also
videotapes girl’s basketball,” said
Campbell, “He’s a mover and a
shaker on the Booster Club, and
he’s a staple at the football jersey
auction. You can always count on
Ray.”
McManus was incredibly
touched at the outpouring of
gratitude that went along with the
award, and he was quick to
commend the LC Fellowship of
Christian Athletes for all that they
do.
“The year I got the award I
was very overwhelmed. The LC
FCA is such a great bunch of
people, and they’re very important
Cindy, and felt that she
was quite deserving of
this award.
“She was an
outstanding candidate
because she does so
much behind the
scenes for this school,”
said McManus.
The plaque that
Brockman received to
commemorate her
award beautifully
summarized all that
Cindy is to this school.
“To know Cindy
is to love Cindy. She is
a tireless worker who
always gets the job
down well and then
some. She is well
known for going
beyond what is
expected. She often
downs that which is
over and above the call
of duty. To be around
Cindy, one finds out
Photo Submitted By: Mrs. Campbell
that she does not
While recieving her award, Brockman was honored to be in the company of complain. She is a very
McManus himself.
positive people person
to the school and the students, and q u a l i f i c a t i o n s n e e d e d t o with a wonderful attitude about
I was very grateful, said receive the honor. She is her work and volunteer
clearly admired and respected activities… She always goes
McManus.
After the initial award was by those in the school and above and beyond the call of
duty-always willing to fill in the
given out, it was decided that the community alike.
“There was a consensus gap.”
FCA, alongside McManus, would
Brockman was very honored
sponsor an annual award given to that Cindy does over and above
her duty,” said Campbell, “All to receive the award, and she
a deserving LC volunteer.
“A person that represents of the coaches and people in the reacted as humbly as would be
volunteerism here at Lewis community agree that she expected when she was asked
Central by doing more than does things in such a way about her achievement. There are
what’s expected in terms of time that she treats everybody many hard-working volunteers at
a n d e ff o r t i s a p e r s o n w h o with respect and she always Lewis Central, and she was
would be a good choice for the h a s e n o u g h t i m e f o r shocked that she was considered
everyone.”
the best.
award,” said Campbell.
McManus himself had
“I was very surprised because
This year, it was decided that
Brockman more than fit all of the nothing but praise to give to I had no idea,” said Brockman, “I
felt there were a lot of people who
were more deserving than me.”
The student body disagrees
with her feelings. Not only does
Cindy help run the office, but she
goes out of her way to support LC
students in all of their endeavors.
Cindy is such a friendly face
in the office, and on top of that
she comes to so many of our
athletic events,” said senior Sara
Gundlach, “She’s just an allaround great person, and we’re
lucky to have her here.”
With this award, Cindy is
now in the company of McManus
himself, who is the standard for
all volunteers to measure up to.
She is also joining others,
including Bernie Heller, who puts
countless hours in with the LC
Foundation and among other
things, announces at home
basketball games. Dorene
Scheffel is also on the list, and she
gives unselfishly of herself to help
the LC drama department in
any way possible. Being on an
equal playing field with these LC
volunteers isn’t an honor that is
lost to Brockman.
“I feel very honored to be
held in that capacity with
them.”
Each year another LC
volunteer will have the chance
to join this list because the
award will continue to be
distributed annually to an unsung
hero whose contributions help
benefit everyone at Lewis
Central. As for this year’s
recipient, Cindy simply stays true
to her character when she
comments about her award.
“I’m just doing my job.”
Clearly she’s doing a whole
lot more.
February 2005
Opinion
Opinion
Love & Lonesome Too Much Homework
hard days for t he single kids
I arise from the comforts of my bed,
get ready, and make my way to
school. It seems as if all is well, but
no, my friend. The true purpose of
the day is yet to come. As soon as I
open the door, “love” envelops
me, making it quite difficult to
g e t i n a g o o d b r e a t h o f a i r.
Couples gaze into each
o t h e r ’s e y e s , h o l d h a n d s , a n d
me!” “Choc olate AND a teddy
bear!
It must be love!”
Ridiculousness everywhere.
Of course, all of this
Has anyone ever noticed that
makes sense when you realize
Valentine’s Day is a pointless
t h a t Va l e n t i n e ’s D a y i s t h e
holiday? I mean, really, who wants
holiday of all evil. Sure, they
to have their noses rubbed in the fact
say it’s about love, but it’s not. It’s
they don’t have a boyfriend or
about the people who have
girlfriend and everyone else does?
boyfriends and girlfriends showing
Okay, perhaps that’s just me.
off their devoted admirer. It’s
Every time Valentine’s Day
about all the singles wishing they
rolls around, a sense of dread
either had a boyfriend or girlfriend
descends on the innocent
or could barf all over everyone who
singles of the world. I, being
does. What kind of celebration is
one of these unfortunate
that?
souls, have decided to voice
I really think that the women
my opinion on this particular
in this world just decided they
issue.
wanted to have another giftS u r e , Va l e n t i n e ’s D a y
g i v i n g h o l i d a y. C h r i s t m a s ,
was, at some time, quite
birthday, why not just put in
enjoyable. I remember the
another one if we can get away
days of exchanging little
with it? Come on guys, you
Va l e n t i n e s
with
your
know what I’m talking about.
classmates, and whoever got the
Your sweetie is always begging
most jumped up and down at least
you to be romantic, and then
a thousand times to express their
t h e r e ’s t h i s h o l i d a y t o t a l l y
ecstasy. Everyone would spend
devoted to everything lovey
hours making the perfect box to
dovey…hmmm.
receive all the messages from
It’s true, if I had a wonderful
friends and enemies alike. Those
person to spend this “delightful”
were the good old days. Now, as I
Photo by Andrea Larison holiday with, I would love it as
look back, I realize why they were
Valentines
Day
keeps
those who are single much as the next person, but that’s
so good… no one had a “special
someone.” Then we had to get to firmly set in the background feeling alone not t h e p o i n t . T h e r e w i l l
always be someone who
high school where the world and somewhat bitter.
k i s s e v e r y doesn’t have someone to love,
revolves around who is going out
t w o h o r r i b l e s e c o n d s . H e a r t s and this holiday will seem like a
with who. Drat.
Being alone on Valentine’s is a r e h a n d e d o u t , f l o w e r s a r e nightmare. So, until you’re that
one of the greatest horrors known to p a s s e d f r o m a r m t o a r m , person, you can’t talk. Enjoy it
womankind. The day arrives in all “ a w w w s ” e c h o d o w n t h e while you’re young and in love,
its gloom, disguised as a normal day. h a l l w a y s . “ L o o k w h a t h e g o t people.
Jennifer Ettinger
Copy-Editor
Unused Resources
American Sign Language,
The Wave of the Future?
Shun-Sho Fong
Reporter
We are in an educational
environment that does not allow us
to shut our eyes to a world close by.
Our teachers and administration
want us to be inquisitive and ask
“why”, to acquire wondering minds.
And we do. I do. I am asking
“Why?”
Why, since we are in a school
that has deaf and hard-of-hearing
students whose form of language
is ASL, do we not have it offered
to us as a foreign language?
Almost daily I see a deaf
student enter the building or watch
as a deaf student and his/her
interpreter walk down the hallway,
going to their next class. ASL
would not be just a language that
we would take home and set in on
a shelf to gather dust. It would
be
a
usable
form
of
communication with our peers on
a daily basis.
Why are we not being
encouraged in socializing and
communicating with our deaf peers
by being taught a language used just
as much as Sp a n i s h ? D o e s
Spanish matter more because it
is a “spoken” language? Just
because they are deaf does not
mean that they are not people. Why
is ASL not offered right along side
of Spanish? This type of segregation
must stop.
Why, since we live in two coexisting communities, one hearing
and one deaf, do we not have
American Sign Language (ASL)
offered to us as a foreign
language?
ASL is a beautiful and
picturesque way of expressing one’s
self, full of nuances and silent, yet
tonal qualities. Despite this, it is not
just a series of pictures and hand
gestures. ASL has been proven to
be a distinct language in itself. It
has its own syntax (grammar
structure) and its own phonology
(system of language).
As such, ASL has become the
third most used language in the
United States, next only to English
and Spanish. ASL is a way of
communication, not only within the
deaf and hard-of-hearing world, but
also within the world of the aging,
those with special needs, and those
who cannot yet speak for
themselves, such as babies.
Why, since our nation’s
people use ASL as a major source
for communication, do we not
have it offered to us as a foreign
language?
While ASL has always been an
issue of controversy within the deaf
community as well as in the
educational system at large, it
continues to grow in popularity in
all areas of America’s society.
Schools all over the country are
accepting ASL as a foreign language
credit. Some of these are considered
to be the best schools in the nation.
These include Brown University,
M.I.T., Harvard, Georgetown and
even the University of Iowa and
Iowa State.
ASL is constantly gaining
prominence, acceptance and respect.
Editors-In-Chief..Dani Mescher and Megan Longmeyer
Assistant Editor....................................Amber Johnson
Design Editor................................................ Molly Lich
Photography Editor................................Andrea Larison
Ads Editor...............................................Ashley Richter
Copy Editors....................................... Jennifer Ettinger
Design.....................................................Maggie Fields
Reporters................................................Heidi Behrens,
Lindsey Behrens, Vicki Burnett, Kellie Doffin,
Courtney Dusing, Hannah Hopson,
Joe Krezmien, Bridgette Mucha, Alyssa Ranney,
Shun-Sho Fong, Pat VanNordstrand,
Thomas Webering
People are looking towards signing
as a positive answer. Why aren’t we
as a school doing the same thing?
Why, since Iowa School for
the Deaf (ISD) is just across the
street, are there not any active
steps being taken in implementing
this language into our school?
I believe that steps to changing
our foreign language department are
not beyond our grasp. A tremendous
resource is at our fingertips, waiting
to be accessed and opened.
Starting a class that is in
conjuncture with ISD would be a
quick, easy and proficient way of
offering this class to students. With
many other classes being offered to
students from both the Lewis Central
and the ISD campuses, why does this
class still not show up on the list?
Why?
You
see
them
everyday…walking in their own
little worlds. Maybe you try to reach
inside, with a smile or a wave. Yet,
you realize how futile this effort
really is without words. You try and
find some words but find that that is
the exact problem: you don’t have
any. Something needs to change.
In middle school they whet our
appetites with a taste of what ASL
could mean and then they refuse to
feed us. I believe that there is a
hunger in the student body for this
language. Why aren’t they doing
anything about it? I have moved
from asking “why?” to asking
“how?” and “when?” I think that
we need this language and the staff
and administration need to know
that. I ask, “when?”
Kellie Doffin
Reporter
Parents are always telling us that
high school is one of the best
experiences of our lives. However,
how can we enjoy it when we are
always trying to complete homework
assignments and study for tests?
Take myself for example: I really
don’t do much outside of school. The
reason is because I am always
completing homework and prepping
myself for class, by studying notes,
etc. There are some times when I
come home from school and all I do
is homework. Some days I can have
anywhere between four to five hours
of homework a night. Honestly, how
fair is that? I rarely have time to go out
with friends and have fun without
thinking about school.
A particular conflict with
homework for students tends to be
jobs. Let’s face it, as soon as teens
are able to get jobs, a majority of us
do. When teens start seeing the
dollar signs and the incentives of
working, most of their time is spent
“Having homework can make
my life difficult at times, especially
since I have a job, I participate in
church activities, and I’m in
extracurricular activities,” said
junior Emily Cox.
To be quite honest, I’m not
sure how the students who are
involved in so many activities can
find time to do their homework; I have
a hard time just being in student
council, NHS, drama, speech, and
church activities. Having to go
from sports, to drama, then church
activities all in the same night, and
then having to do homework… I
think that it could become very
exhausting.
I guess school is starting to
prepare us for college and all,
but isn’t high school supposed to
be full of fun and positive experiences?
Just going to basketball games or seeing
drama productions are just two of the
many activities that can be fun for
students. In my personal opinion,
I just feel we, as students, don’t get
to have those experiences because we
have such heavy homework loads.
Could This Work?
myself that when a majority of the
students in a class want to learn, they
can easily get everyone else to pipe
down and be quiet. It’s quite a nice
A lot of people might think me
thought, and another good reason why
either stupid or brilliant for writing a
a system like this could work; it can
paper on such a topic, but it is my
easily re-enforce and take care of itself.
opinion, so here we go. Whenever we
It’s a large possibility that faculty
have early-out’s every other
and parents won’t like this sort of
Wednesday, all I hear is “Why don’t
system because we need to be in
we have early-out every day?” After
school, like they were, with the same
an unbearable amount of people said
systems as they were brought up with
that phrase to or toward me, I started
(after all, this is a school of longthinking to myself why we couldn’t
lasting traditions). To that, I’d at least
have it every day. This is a day that’s
like to propose a change that not only
designated so that teachers could have
releases the student body a little bit
their special “in-service” meetings, but
earlier, but also allows for more classes
I’d like to challenge why this couldn’t
and errors on the students’ part.
actually work every day? I have
This change would be to create
just a few suggestions on how this
eight, forty-five minute periods,
could work, why, and why it’d
with lunch being one of them, and
actually come out to be quite the
still get out about a half an hour
success.
ahead of time (this includes the
First of all, I know that
five-minute walking periods
everyone is thinking time; with
between bells.). And hey, if this
early-out’s everyday, that’s going
doesn’t work, we could always
to be freeing up at least some time
just stay with six periods and get
for both the students and faculty.
out over an hour early. My point,
Time is oh-so precious this day
however, is that over the span of
and age, and as a student, I know
four years, this system would give
that I would appreciate the extra
a student twelve more periods to
time everyday after school. Those
fill with electives and required
few precious minutes would be
classes, along with more chances
very beneficial to us, and in more
to graduate on time if he or she
ways than one.
had done poorly in previous
For those students who are
classes. Again, these are just some
overly involved in a variety of
insights, suggestions, and
activities, this would be a
Godsend, because they’d have
Photo by Andrea Larison prompting from a student who
knows the system all too well; it
time to get more things done Joy fills the air as students crowd the
could work, if we’re willing to try
before running off to a dozen doorway on early-out afternoons.
activities every night. The extra time themselves, and their lesson plans. In it out.
Like I’ve stated before, this is just
would allow these crazily-involved the end, this leaves teachers better
students to achieve their academic and prepared, getting everything done that a topic that’s been on my mind, but
extracurricular goals with a little more need to be, and a little less cranky, and it’s one that can easily argued upon
harmony in their lives. Now wouldn’t to me (especially for some teachers), when it comes to whether it’ll work
that be nice?
that doesn’t seem like such a bad thing. or not. There are a lot of positive
Believe it or not, but I think this
Another advantage for teachers benefits coming from rearranging
would also be a good preparatory for would be that with shortened periods, our school schedule, either giving
college. Class periods would be they’d better have the attention of your students more time or an extra
shortened, meaning that more of the students. It’s likely that some are going period to ensure that they get all
knowledge that we come to learn is to “horse around” and not take the their classes taken on time. Setting
learned at home by ourselves. Once shortened periods very serious at first, up new systems like these would take
students go to college, the workload but once they realize they have limited careful planning and much
they receive is pretty big and squarely learning time, a larger majority of consideration, but in order for
on their shoulders; students are students will make sure everyone settle anything or anyone to grow, there
basically put on an island when it down and listen so that classes as a needs to be change. I’m offering it,
comes to learning in college. With this whole can learn. Basically, with a right here, right now. You don’t have
system, students mature from being system like this set up, students to consider my thoughts, or even like
fully taught to a little more individual become more responsible for their them for that matter, but a lot of things
learning and then onto college, where learning, and to ensure they receive can change for the better if we were
they will be fully expected to learn on everything they need from their to try implementing a new system. It
their own. Putting in place a schedule teachers, they learn to listen. It’s kind might not be a probability at this point,
like this could gradually move of an ironic system, but I have full but it is a possibility... just think about
students to relying more on themselves confidence that it works. I’ve seen it.
Megan Longmeyer
Editor-in-Chief
Letter to The Editor
This letter is in response to an article written by Dan
Hall Not Until Marriage, Why Waiting is Worth it
featured in the October issue of The Wire
Dear Editor,
Finally, a refreshing article from Dan Hall on premarital sex. Thank
you. Kudos to Dan for his integrity and courage to write an article that goes
against the current teen culture.
I would like to add two points: the very best gift you can give your
future husband or wife is yourself, Secondly, if you are one who has gone
too far and made mistakes with your sexuality and morality, it’s not too late
to change and recover your purity and self esteem. We have excellent
counselors who could direct you toward resources to make changes in your
personal life and become the person you want to be.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Reida
receiving a paycheck. For a student,
balancing a load of homework, may it
be science; history; English; etc.; and
a job can be extremely stressful.
“Having a job is a commitment
in itself, and excess homework just
adds to it,” said junior Claire
Knigge.
Another conflict for students
and homework is church. Today,
more and more students are
becoming involved in activities
with their church, such as church
youth group, prayer groups, and
Bible studies.
Besides students taking up
jobs and becoming more
influenced through church, some
students
participate
in
extracurricular
activities.
Extracurricular activities range
anywhere from sports, drama, and
speech, to many other fine arts.
Although students do have to keep an
accumulative grade point average of
at least a 1.6 to participate in extracurricular activities, having time to
actually do homework can be a very
straining situation.
than their teachers, and thus preparing
themselves for the journey ahead.
The next (and possibly should
have been the first) thing to think about
would be our teachers. During these
early-out’s, teachers have to go to
meetings and work even harder to get
everything done because they receive
their own homework assignments
during these meetings. If we were to
install a shortened system into our
school, teachers would have more time
for grading homework assignments,
doing their own homework, and
giving students extra help if needed.
This would also give many teachers
more time to better organize
Editorial Policy
Where We Stand
The Wire is the official Lewis Central student newspaper and is distributed
free of cost to students. The opinions expressed in this publication reflect those
of the student writers and 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
*serve as a forum for discussion of controversial issues
Letters to the Editor:
The Wire staff 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.
Advertising:
Advertising will be sold at $25 for a 2 x 2.5 space or $50 for 4.5 x 4 space.
Information can be obtained by calling 366-8220. Ask for Mary Langille. Or
by e-mail: [email protected]
Page 3
Emily
Sports
Straight Ballin’ For Real
Joe Krzemien
Reporter
Photo by Megan Longmeyer
Shanks
Name: Emily Shanks
Year: Senior
Sport: Dance team
Level: Varsity/Select dance squad
How Long Have You Been Doing
This: Thirteen years
Why Do You Do It: I do it because it
allows me to exercise without
exerting myself too much and it’s not
painful.
Main Goal: To make Lincoln’s dance
team.
What Separates This Season From
All The Others: It’s different because
I’m actually a leader this year. It’s
been four years, so we want this year
to be the best.
Most Memorable Moment: When I
was Janet when we did Rocky
Horror Picture Show.
As time winds down, Justin
Toole spots up for a three pointer to
give the Titans a one point lead with
only a few minutes left. This is a
normal occurrence for the Lewis
Central boys basketball team. It
always seems as though they
perform best when the clock is ticking
the fastest.
Thanks to seniors Doug
O’Reilly, Dan Gulden, Brady
Erickson, Justin Toole, Ben
Edwards, Adam Cooney, and Brad
South, the Titans have managed to
hold almost every game to within just
a few points. The ability of starting
junior Troy Weber and inside
presence Eric Burmeister are quite
an advantage as well.
The Titans have acquired a
record of 10-6 over the season, and
their victories can often be credited
to clutch performances from every
Titan player. It appears as though
the Titans get stronger as the game
goes on. O’Reilly, and Burmeister
look unstoppable down in the paint,
pulling down rebound after rebound,
and putting it right back up for an
easy two. Justin Toole could be
having the worst shooting day ever,
but when it comes to the last quarter,
the crowd can prepare for a show
because Toole is unstoppable from
behind the arc. Dan Gulden’s defense,
although nearly flawless for the entire
game, does nothing but improve. His
feet seem quicker, his hands better,
and his look more intimidating, not to
mention Gulden’s much improved
shot. Brady Erickson seems
consistent through most of the game.
His remarkable ability to drop threes
all game, as well as his impeccable
free-throw percentage, only add to the
awesome mullet factor.
Troy Weber is a perfect
representation of his jersey number,
23, that of Michael Jordan. Weber
may not elevate from the free-throw
line to stick his tongue out and dunk
the ball as if it were a golf ball on a
nerf ball hoop, but he has his own
Jordanesque qualities. Weber is
dominant both inside and out, and is
one of the most dependable players
in a Titan uniform. Fans know when
Weber enters the game that there
could be a quick rally from a deficit,
or an increase in a lead.
Brad South is incredible inside.
South can jump higher than anyone
else on the Lewis Central team, and
it is clear when his 6’2 frame elevates
(what appears to be four feet) to pull
down a monster rebound. His
aggressiveness makes him an even
more impressive player. There is not
a single play when South is not
hustling for a loose ball, or trying to
stop a play inside.
The starters are not the only
ones holding together the Titan
season. Off-the-bench players Ben
Edwards, Trent Hough, and Adam
Cooney, have played a huge role in
all of the Titan’s games. It is as
though everyone on the bench is
sixth-man of the year; all have
dependable defense, and the offense
to match any team.
Overall, the Titans may not have
the best record in high school
basketball, but they certainly are
deserving of it. No team could hustle
more, or want a perfect season, more
than the Titans. From watching just
one game, a fan can see how dedicated
the players are. From morning shootarounds to afternoon practices, it is
obvious that the basketball team has
got as much passion, if not more, than
any other team. “I’m pleased with
the way the guys have played, and
I’m excited about the possibilities as
we come into the last few weeks of
the season. This is a great group of
guys, and we’ve had a fun year. They
are good students, and good people,
which is more important than
basketball,” said basketball coach, Mr.
Miller, of his Titan team.
December 2004
Time
Out
!
!!
Sports Talk With
Joe Krzemien
Bowl Bonanza
A Recap of This Year’s Bowl Games
Joe Krzemien
Reporter
The college football season
came to an end on Tuesday January
4, when the USC Trojans went head
to head with the Oklahoma Sooners.
The game was anticipated to be the
most exciting bowl game since Ohio
State beat Miami for the
championship in 2002. The bowl
season included some of the most
gut-wrenching games in bowl history.
The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl was
January 1, 2005, and ended in a, 357, decisive victory for the fifth
ranked Utah Utes. In a game that
was expected to be a shootout until
the very end, the Utes surprisingly
dominated on both offense and
defense, and allowed only one
touchdown for the Pittsburgh
Panthers. Utah quarterback Alex
Smith completed 29 of his 37
Boys’ Swimming Dives Right In
Courtney Dusing
Reporter
Photo by Megan Longmeyer
While practicing a jazz routine,
Emily Shanks kicks and holds her
leg.
A
ce!
n
T
Da
H
of
L the
E Issue
T
E
S
Dan
Boys swimming is a sport that
Lewis Central has a hard time ranking
well in because of numbers, but this
year may change that. The team is
three-and-four in duals and has
placed as high as third in
invitationals, but this doesn’t mean
they aren’t doing well.
“The top three in each event
get a certain amount of points,”
explained freshman Caleb Housely.
“Since we don’t have that many guys
on the team, we won’t win the most
points overall – even if we win every
event.”
The team includes boys from
Lewis Central, Glenwood, and boys
that are home-schooled. With all of
that talent, plus new hopefuls next
year, many are anticipating that the
Photo by Megan Longmeyer
Practicing his breast stroke,
Johnathan Matula swims like a
champ.
team will go far. However, a few more
guys adding a few more points could
make a world of difference.
“We really need more guys,”
said team captain Chris Williams.
“Like when Abraham Lincoln beat
us – we out-swam them, but they
pulled more points.”
One benefit of being on the
team is that the boys have a great
time together. Every time they have
a meet, you can see them in the halls,
high-fiving each other and getting
pumped up.
“I love being on swim team
because it’s really fun and we have a
lot of team spirit,” said sophomore
Anthony Garlough.
Even other students realize the
team spirit the boys have. Seeing
them have a good time (even during
school) puts a smile on many faces.
Sophomore Melissa Carroll
said, “When I see the swim team
boys talking about the meet and
getting pumped up, it gets my spirit
up too!”
With all that energy, no wonder
the guys are getting great times. At
the Lewis Central Invitational on
January 22nd, the team finished eighth
out of fifteen. With such a small
team, that’s pretty good. The boys
had many great finishes, such as Sam
Black placing third with 2:25:51 in
the 200-yard individual medley.
Lewis Central’s own Jonathan
Matula finished next with 2:27:34.
In the 100-yard backstroke, Chris
Williams finished third with 1:04:86,
along with Sam Black, who was
nipping at his heels with a time of
Photo Taken from cbssports.com
On his way to a 57-yard touchdown,
Clinton Solomon helped lead the
Hawkeyes to victory.
Photo by Megan LongmeyerHaving finished their strokes, the
boys take a moment to get some
air.
1:05:75. Chris Williams, Sam Black,
Jonathan Matula, and Chris Paff
finished fourth in the 400-yard
freestyle relay with a time of 3:57:35.
With the boys doing fairly well with
those times, and with a little more
time to improve, going to state is a
thought that crosses their minds.
“None of the boys right now
have times that would usually qualify
for state,” said coach Bruce
Shomburg. “But if they improve,
they could have a great chance.”
Seeing some of the boys go to
state on the 18th would do the team
well-deserved justice. Yes, they’ve
got the potential, but what they need
is more guys. They can out-swim in
the pool, but not in ratings because
of the same problem. And for the
boys that are questioning joining the
team, you should dive right in and
try it out. It might just be worth it.
Hot In More Ways Than One
Photo by Megan Longmeyer
Gulden
Name: Dan Gulden
Year: Senior
Sport: Basketball
Level: Varsity
How Long Have You Done This:
Since I was in about third grade
Why Do You Do It: It’s really
exciting and I love playing with other
teams and players, I’ve been playing
with them my whole life.
Main Goal: Be successful and have
fun; just to have fun I guess.
What Separates This Season From
All The Others: It’s my senior season
and every game is closer and closer
to the last game we’ll be playing.
Most Memorable Moment: The first
game I started last year was Atlantic,
and that was a huge win… that was
awesome.
Photo by Megan Longmeyer
Working on his shots, Dan Gulden is determined to do his best.
Kellie Doffin
Reporter
A long-standing tradition for
Lewis Central has always been
basketball, especially girls’
basketball. This year has been no
exception for the girls, who now have
a winning streak of seventeen out of
eighteen games this season.
“The girls have played great this
season,” said head coach Chris
Hanafan. “We are all very proud of
them; it’s hard to play so many games
and to keep such a high achievement
in winning, but the girls have fun and
the team works together well.”
Something that the entire team
has is unity. It is visible every time
the girls step out on the floor and
begin their warm-ups, and it
continues to be seen as the girls
compete like a team throughout the
game. Whether it’s during the first
basket or the very last, the girls
continue to work together.
“The unity that the team has is
because we have fun during the game.
It’s the reason why we play so well,”
said junior Kim VanNordstrand.
Even though the team works
together so well, they also have their
hardships. Sometimes they might not
agree on everything such as who runs
the ball down the court, whose house
will sponsor the team dinner, or what
to do after practice. The most
unfortunate of all circumstances,
however, is the fact that the team has
many strong leaders who will be
leaving after this year. The current
senior members on varsity this season
are: Courtnie Dennis, Sarah Gundlach,
Jessica Hansen, Bekki Heideman,
Photo by John Petri
Prepping for a shot, Jessica Hansen and Mallory Hutz (left) work to get
the team some points.
Ashley Knoble, Dani Mescher, and undefeated, next year still holds great
Ashley Richter.
promises for the team. Many
“This year we will lose some dedicated players such as Kim
great players and role models,” said VanNordstrand, Mandy Husz, Diana
VanNordstrand. “The majority of Mescher, Megan Higgins, and
the players on varsity are seniors.”
freshman Mallory Husz will have to
All in all, the season has gone step up and take the open leadership
exceptionally well for the players. positions and the challenges that
The girls have played hard to fulfill come with them.
their goals and they have won
“Everyone in the program is
seventeen games out of twenty-one going to be a promise, if they
games so far this season. The girls contribute to the cause,” said
remained undefeated until they played Hanafan. “We have quite a few
against Denison in early January, but juniors, sophomores, and a couple
the girls have picked up the pace again freshmen who are definitely going to
and have not lost since.
help us a lot.”
“As the season went on, more
In order to end the season well,
and more pressure was put on the the girls will continue to play hard
girls to continue their streak, but and finish the season strong. The
when you play basketball, pressure girls will compete at districts on
is what comes with the territory,” February 17, then followed by
said Hanafan, “and the girls have regionals. The outcomes of these
handled it well.”
games will determine if state is a
Although the girls might not possibility. So girls…good luck and
have finished their season make us all proud!
attempted passes and threw for a
total of 328 yards and four
touchdowns. Smith, however,
shocked the Pittsburgh Panther
defense by leading the team in rushing
with 68 yards. Utah has got a lot to
look forward to in upcoming years,
however is disappointed to have lost
head coach Urban Meyer, to Florida.
The Rose Bowl was the
complete opposite of the Fiesta
Bowl. The game featured the
fourteenth-ranked
Michigan
Wolverines against the fifth-ranked
Texas Longhorns. Texas held the lead
early, but the score shifted with what
seemed like every possession.
Michigan’s Rivas kicked a field goal
to give the Wolverines a 34-28 lead.
However, they soon lost hope when
Texas quarterback Vince Young
scrambled into the end zone to give
Texas a 35-34 victory in the first
meeting between two of the best
college football teams in history.
Vince Young accounted for an
astonishing five touchdowns,
including one passing, and four
rushing.
At the end of the year, there
were three undefeated teams in college
football. One of those teams was
the Auburn Tigers. The third-ranked
Tigers had been fighting all year for
a top two rank, seeing as their record
was as good as both the first and
second-ranked teams. However, the
Sugar Bowl, which matched Auburn
with ninth-ranked Virginia Tech,
destroyed any hope the Tigers had
in sharing a championship. The
Tigers won the game, but did not play
like a National Champion team,
defeating the Hokies by only three
points in a 16-13 finish. Jason
Campbell of Auburn was named
MVP of the game, but the real hero
was Auburn’s kicker John Vaughn,
who was responsible for nine of
Auburn’s 16 points.
All year, fans from Oklahoma,
USC, and Auburn had been
competing for the number one rank,
and this year’s Orange Bowl was
thought to be one of the most
exhilarating BCS games ever played.
Analysts had split opinions has to
who would win, and ESPN spent
weeks building anticipation among
college football fans. The game,
however, made it clear that there is
only one team deserving of a National
Championship title, the USC
Trojans. Oklahoma took an early
seven-point lead, on a great pass from
Sooner quarterback Jason White.
However it soon became clear that
the touchdown would be the only
decent play from Oklahoma all night.
USC quarterback Matt Leinart was
absolutely phenomenal, as was
running back Reggie Bush. Leinart
threw for 332 yards and a record,
five touchdowns, and singlehandedly devastated the Sooner
defense. USC’s defense was
impeccable. It seemed like every
single Oklahoma possession resulted
in a forced turnover, from either an
interception or a fumble. Leinart led
the Trojans to a 38-10 halftime lead,
and a 55-19 win. USC coach Pete
Carroll decided after the game to stay
with the Trojans rather than accept
an offer to coach pro football for the
San Francisco 49’ers. Now Trojan
fans just hope that Leinart will return
for one more year before entering the
NFL draft.
When asked what he thought of
the championship game, senior
Kevin Bogardus exclaimed, “I lost
ten dollars in the stupid game!”
(What’s funny is that he lost it to
me.)
One game that hit especially
close to home for many residents of
Council Bluffs was the Iowa vs. LSU
Capital One Bowl. The Iowa
Hawkeyes held a lead over the Tigers
until the fourth quarter, when LSU
shocked fans to come back and gain
a 25-24 lead over the Hawkeyes.
With 20 seconds left and two
timeouts, Hawkeye quarterback
Drew Tate completed two passes for
two first downs. Then from his own
forty-four yard line, with sixteen
seconds left in the fourth quarter,
Tate threw a fifty six yard hail mary
to Holloway to retake the lead as
time expired.
Photo Taken from cbssports.com
Posing with their new trophy, the
Hawkeyes celebrate their victory
over the LSU Tigers.
Nearly every student of Lewis
Central must have watched the
game, because on the next school
day it was the talk of the halls.
Walking down the halls it was
impossible not to hear the story over
and over again. The story of Drew
Tate with sixteen seconds left,
dropping back, and launching a
bomb to an unknown senior, in what
seemed an impossible play. Then
how Holloway not only caught the
ball, but ran right through a
potential stop. That was definitely
a game that will be remembered in
the history of Iowa football, but
maybe next year it can be done for a
championship.
Sport’s Calendar
February 14th:
• 9th/JV/V Boys’ Basketball vs. Shenandoah @
home
February 15th:
• JV/V Boys’ Basketball vs. T.J. @ home
February 17th:
• JV/V Girls’ Basketball @ Districts
February 18th:
• 9th/JV/V Boys’ Basketball vs. Red Oak @
home
• Boys’ swimming – state meet @ Iowa City
February 19th:
• 9th/JV/V Wrestling – Districts @ A.L.
• Boys’ Swimming (continued) @ Iowa City
February 22nd:
• JV/V Girls’ Basketball @ Regionals
• JV/V Girls’ Basketball vs. A.L.
GOOD LUCK SPORTS!!!
Page 4
February 2005
Feature
Feature
True Life: When Daddy Was Gone
True Life Stories are stories meant to tell about realistic events in many teenagers’ lives, and provide help on such issues. These articles are a part of a series, but may be another person’s story and not my own,
although written as told to me. Note: The following events described in this piece did not take place at Lewis Central. If you would like to be featured in True Life, submit a short description of your story and
contact to The [email protected]
said he didn’t want another only to find a dead end. I turned some CD’s left in the car, and an old games for our Sega Genesis. I
Amber Johnson
Did You
child…he REALLY didn’t want around and started back towards “Happy Father’s Day” card that thought that, for sure, things would
Assistant-Editor
Know…Children
another child, which is why he had school to start over and find my way mom had stuck to the refrigerator get better when he said that he was
When I was little, I used to tell pushed mom down the stairs.
From Fatherless
home, only I couldn’t find my way with a magnet. I guess mom didn’t sorry and that he would see us
people that my daddy ran away from
The next week was hectic. We back there either. I must have know that he wouldn’t be waiting for tomorrow, we would go ice skating.
Homes Are:
home, like I hadn’t loved him stayed at grandma’s a few days and walked around for hours before I sat us. That night, mom didn’t stay up My brother and I waited in front of
•
5 times more
enough. Like he would come back then went back home. It took a down crying on the sidewalk, a waiting for Dad. She knew as well the window for two hours before
if I were to just wait in front of my while but things got back to normal. stranger took me back to school, and as I did that that was it, and we both mom told us to come eat dinner. He
likely to commit
window long enough. But reality Mom had my baby brother, and dad, they called my mom.
cried all the same. It took a while, never came.
suicide
had it that my father had everything; of course, was always away with
Waiting in the office, all I could but we adapted
The day before my twelfth
• 32 times more
a loving wife, daughter, and soon to work.
think about was how I had failed
I guess I never really accepted birthday Dad came again, with
be son. Reality had it that he didn’t He would leave for work early in the him. Disappointed him. How I had the fact that he had left. When presents at hand. I was so excited
likely to run away
come back… at least not for long morning and not come back until the screwed up and how he could never Father’s Day rolled around each that I didn’t even open the presents,
• 20 times more
periods of time.
late ends of the night. I know this be proud of me. How I was a bad year, I would make up reasons why and told him that I would save them
likely to have
I was only five the first time I because mom would often times sit daughter. I was only five at the time. I couldn’t work on the class Father’s for my party the next day. He took
saw my dad hit my mom. I up and wait for him to come home
When mom finally arrived, I Day project. I would tell teachers my brother and I swimming and out
behavioral disorders
remember being woken up in the and go to sleep, and I would sit up cried in her arms and she told me that he had died saving someone’s to lunch and promised he would be
• 14 times more
middle of the night by screaming. and wait for her to do the same. He that it was going to be okay and that life, because after all, most of the there the next day to see me open
likely to commit rape
They were fighting again. They became more distant each day, until daddy loved me. She told me that I other kids saw their dads as heroes. my gifts and blow out my candles.
were always fighting. I remember one day… he was gone.
would see that he loved me because I wanted my dad to be a hero. I But…he never came. Mom had to
• 9 times more
opening up my door and peeking
I remember Daddy not leaving he would be waiting for me at home didn’t want him to be the abusive open up my gift from him a week
likely to drop out of
into the hallway only to see my dad for work early that day. Mom and that he wouldn’t be mad at me husband that never wanted kids and later, and I blew out my candles
high school
thrust my mother against our china decided to take advantage of the at all.
wishing to never see him again.
was never there.
cabinet. Frightened, I slammed the situation and asked him to pick me
We pulled into the driveway
But every year I did. Once a
I built up this image in my head
• 10 times more
door and ran and hid under my up from school. He said that he and went inside.
of what my father would be like if year he came and once a year I was
likely to abuse
sheets.
would. When mom left, Daddy
“Dad?” I called.
he had stayed. My images were let down. Promise after promise,
chemical substances
For an hour or so the yelling asked me if I knew the way home
No answer.
filled with us doing all the father- year after year.
and clamor went on, starting with from school, being that it was only
“Daad?” Silence.
After countless times of broken
daughter things from riding on his
• 9 times more
thumps and bangs, and ending with a block or so away. I said I did, and
I set my backpack down and shoulders to him tucking me in at hearts, shattered dreams, and placing
likely to end up in a
soft and distant sobs coming from he asked me if I could be like the ran to the living room only to find night. When my dreams didn’t come the blame, I finally came to realize
state
operated
my mother. And then… there was big kids and find my way home that the keyboard and his music true, I remember asking Santa Claus that having the perfect family
silence. I couldn’t figure out why day. I said that I could.
equipment… gone. I tore open his for a daddy on Christmas. He just doesn’t come from being picture
institution
Daddy was punishing mom. Had
I was so anxious that day to go closet… empty. I pulled out his smiled at me and asked me if I perfect. You don’t have to have a
• 20 times more
she been bad or something?
home and show my dad that I was a drawers… vacant. I even opened up wanted a pony instead.
perfect house, in the perfect
likely to end up in
The next morning mother woke big kid. That I was smart. That I the cabinets and checked under the
I never did, and I stuck with the neighborhood, with a white picket
me up, packed our things, and we wasn’t a baby and knew how to bed… but everything and every sign same wish until sure enough, Daddy fence, and a perfect mother and a
prison
went to grandma’s house. I was told come home by myself. I wanted to of ‘him’ that ever was… wasn’t showed up on Christmas Eve when perfect father. In the perfect family,
Resources:
to stay in the bedroom as mom make Daddy proud. The moment anymore.
I was eleven. We spent the whole all you need is love, and I had that.
Childrenofdivorce.com
talked with the police about what the bell rang I headed off, past the
I tore our house apart that day, day together watching movies,
That night I crept downstairs,
they had been fighting about. Mom flagpole, past the playground, down just looking for something… playing board games, sled riding past the bathroom, down the hall,
Divorce Care Hotline:
was three months pregnant, and I the street, down the other street anything… but all I could come up everything like I had imagined. He and posted on the refrigerator…
708-386-3900
didn’t know it then, but when dad where my house should have been, with was a few used rolls of film, even bought my brother and I new Happy Fathers Day, Mom.
Americans Contribute
to the Relief Effort
Photo attributed to www.wataugademocrat.com
The generosity of the American spirit comes in many forms, including drops from helicopters.
Lindsay Behrens
Reporter
On Monday, January 3,
President Bush, with former
presidents Bush Sr. and Clinton by
his side, encouraged Americans to
contribute to the relief effort for the
tsunami victims in Asia.
“We know that Americans have
a history of rising to meet great
humanitarian challenges and of
providing hope to suffering people,”
President Bush said from the White
House. “I ask every American to
contribute as they are able to do so.”
The United States made an
initial commitment of $350 million
for disaster relief, but the President
stresses the impact private donations
have on the relief effort.
“The greatest source of
America’s generosity is not our
government; it’s the good heart of
the American people,” he said. “In
the weeks since the tsunami struck,
private citizens have contributed
millions of dollars for disaster relief
and reconstruction.”
These millions of dollars are
very important for not only
reconstruction and medical needs,
but also to feed the millions of
people in the region.
“We should definitely send
money and people over to help the
tsunami victims,” said junior
Chelsea Luth. “There are more
people who have died in this natural
disaster than Americans have died
in any war we have fought. These
people need our help.”
President Bush brought
together ex-presidents George H.W.
Bush and Bill Clinton to lead a
private fund-raising campaign.
“In the coming days, President
Clinton and Bush will ask
Americans to donate directly to
reliable charities already providing
help to tsunami victims,” said Bush.
“Cash donations are most useful.”
President Bush has privately
contributed $10,000 to help with the
relief effort. He is now asking
former Presidents Bush Sr. and
Clinton to “solicit contributions
both large and small” to help the
millions of people affected by the
tsunami.
Businesses in Council Bluffs
and Omaha have started fundraisers
to collect money for the tsunami
victims.
“I work at Super Saver, and
customers may round up the cost of
their groceries to the next dollar,”
said junior Andrea Larison. “The
extra change is then given to the
relief fund.”
Bakers supermarkets in Omaha
are also taking part in this type of
fundraiser. In the first week of the
program, Bakers collected $19,000
for the relief effort. Also collecting
donations to send to tsunami
victims, Gordmans Inc. is
conducting a “helping hands”
fundraiser, where customers may
purchase paper hands for one dollar,
and the Mall of the Bluffs has
donation sites for people to donate
money to the American Red Cross.
At Lewis Central, Fellowship
of Christian Athletes is doing its own
fundraiser.
“FCA is collecting old cell
phones and sending them to an
organization that will pay us to
recycle them,” said instructor Pat
Campbell. “The money will be used
to help the tsunami victims. We sent
out letters to students informing
them about this, and it will last
throughout the year.”
“ We g o t t h e i d e a o f
donating cell phones from the
Internet,” said sophomore
D i a n a M e s c h e r, w h o i s a
member of FCA. “We chose
this type of fundraiser because
other groups have had a lot of
success with it.”
Lewis Central students are
also donating money through their
churches.
“My church took an offering to
send to the tsunami victims,” said
senior Brady Erickson.
Private donations like these are
a crucial part of helping the relief
effort.
“For more information about
how to make a donation, you can
visit the USA Freedom Corps
website
at www.usafreedomcorps.gov,”
said President Bush. “I ask every
American to contribute as they are
able to do so.”
When Life Turns You Toward
the Cheetos
Courtney Dusing
Reporter
When life gets you down and
you’ve got nowhere to turn, an increasing
number of people turn to food. America
is a country where food takes over in any
bad situation. Let’s say a family member,
or even your dog, dies. What do people
give you to bring you comfort? Food.
Or when your boyfriend or girlfriend
dumps you, what do you do? Eat. Now,
everyone has something they do or eat
to comfort themselves, but males and
females of different generations have
different choices of comfort foods.
Young males have interesting
cravings when they are upset. Some
want sugar in a natural setting, like fruit,
while others want sugar in candy. Some
boys just don’t eat at all.
“My comfort foods would be
apples and apple juice,” said sophomore
David Ebke.
Young girls, on the other hand,
aren’t so conservative. Younger females
usually turn to junk food when they are
upset.
“When I’m upset I usually eat
starch – fatty foods,” explains freshman
Nicole Bridgeford. “It isn’t good unless
there are lots of carbohydrates!”
Chocolate, ice cream, and popcorn
are among the many favorites, but as you
age you start eating more practical things.
The older generation tends to find
comfort in foods of their youth. Eating such
things as their mother’s cooking, soup, or
even macaroni and cheese reminds many
of their childhood and takes them away
from all of the troubles of the adult
world.
Spanish teacher Kathy Thomsen
said, “Any of my mom’s cooking is
comfort food for me.”
Although both the men and women of
this older generation gravitate toward food
reminding them of their youth, they still
have different tastes in comfort foods.
Men in this older generation love
main course farm foods, such as biscuits
and gravy, stew, and beef and potatoes.
“I eat barbeque when I don’t feel
good and am upset,” said science teacher
Tim Spencer.
As much of the older generation
grew up on farms, this makes perfect
sense, but as you can tell, the number of
farm families is fast decreasing. This then
changes the foods we eat normally and
our comfort foods. Those of the
younger generations are now reaching
out toward the commercialized candy
and chocolate market instead of their
own backyard.
Altogether, comfort foods
change as you age and are extremely
different for genders. As you age, you
become more aware of what is somewhat
healthy, but you still ache to be young
again, even with your mom’s cooking.
Males and females are opposite when it
comes to comfort. Females eat anything
and everything that’s bad for them. Males
eat whatever looks good at the time.
Either way, males and females of all ages
eat what makes them happy, and that’s
all that really counts.
aspects of character, but the sun
sign is the main determining factor.
With information from the planets,
predictions about different events
throughout a person’s lifetime can be made.
“I read my horoscope almost
everyday. It’s pretty close except the one
about work,” said junior Ashley
Johnson.
From these Zodiac signs,
horoscopes can be created for the
The water elemental signs of Scorpio,
Cancer, and Pisces are best when
planting above ground crops and flowers.
Those should be planted during the new
moon and first phase of the moon. Fire
and air signs, including Leo andAquarius,
are the best for cutting crops away
or putting down pesticides.
Some people view astrology as
a deep method of explaining how
everything is spiritually related. Not
only does it let
people explore
th e m s e l v e s ,
t h e i r
relationships,
and their places
in the world, but
also how their
environments
affect them and
how the people
affect their
environments.
S y m b o l s
surround every
person each of which has special
meanings. Through interpretations of
these symbols people are able to see how
random events relate directly to
experiences in those people’s lives.
Astrology can be utilized for many
different purposes among the wide
scope of understanding personality,
relationships, and the basic fabric of
existence and knowing when to plant
for the best harvest. Horoscopes have
been and continue to be used to predict
the future. To attain some of this
deeper knowledge, seek the stars.
Personality By The Stars
Vikki Burnett
Reporter
According to astrology, the stars
determine personality. Though that is
not the only use for astrology, it is
the most common. One less
common use is that astrology can
inform a farmer of the sign to plant
during for the best harvest.
Astrology is a science of the
stars. It studies
t
h
e
relationship
b e t w e e n
personality and
locations of
planets at the
exact place and
moment
of
birth.
The
constellations
that can be seen
around the earth
are divided into
twelve sections
that represent different Zodiac signs.
“I think Sagittarius is the kind that
really drive in their career,” said junior
Racheal Brookover.
All of the signs like Capricorn,
Virgo, and Libra, have different
personalities, planets, elements, body
parts, and birthstones associated with
them. The sun passes through one
of these signs a month and whatever
constellation the sun passes through
when a person is born is his/her
sun sign. The ascendant and
moon signs help determine some
day, month, or year. In modern
times, these horoscopes give readings
of events that will happen. Through
calculations and measur e m e n t s ,
astrologers have generated symbolic
patterns, which aid in the accuracy of
these predictions. They use those
patterns to analyze, explain, and predict
future social, political, and emotional
characteristics of life on earth.
Astrology can also be used when
planting crops. Some people plant
during different signs and moon
phases so their crops will grow better.
Page 5
February 2005
Feature
Dropping Out Equals Flippin’ Burgers
Bridgette Mucha
Reporter
“The roots of education are
bitter, but the fruit is sweet,”
philosopher Aristotle once said.
Getting an education may prove to
be a difficult task for many teens but
once you have it you will be
rewarded with a good job. Teens
from across the country have always
had the option to quit anything they
want. Many teens have been
quitting one very important thing,
school. By the time some people hit
their teen years they are past being
ready to be done with school and
therefore drop out.
Teens that drop out of school
have many different options on
which direction they would like to
go in life. According to an article
by Wendy Schwartz, “Youth Who
Drop Out: Why They Leave and
What Happens to Them,” nearly
20% of dropouts were held back a
grade, and half failed a course.
Twenty-five percent of them
changed schools at least twice for
disciplinary reasons.
“Lewis Central is one of the
few schools that I know of that it is
common to see students going into
their 5th and 6th years of high school,”
said Lewis Central counselor,
LuAnn Peverill.
Marriage is one of the most
popular reasons for student to
become dropouts, 20% of dropouts a drug problem, or perhaps they
are married or divorced. Out of that don’t feel safe with people at school
percentage 40% have or are who have such problems.
“Regardless of their reasoning
expecting a child.
“Here at Lewis Central for one for leaving, students must keep a
hour of Thursday nights there is a part time job, of at least 20 hours a
week, in order
“support
to keep their
group”
license,” said
f o r
Peverill.
young
S o m e
women
dropouts just
w i t h
run away from
children,”
home, nearly
s a i d
12% of them
Peverill,
take this route.
“ I t
E l e v e n
encourages
percent of
t h e s e
them were
women
arrested and
t
o
8% spent time
balance
school
Photo By Andrea Larison in a juvenile
home
or
a n d “I work hard at school because I want a
having a good future ,” said sopomore Shanna Delfs. shelter. Onethird
of
child.”
Young students in high school dropouts were suspended, on inmake the decision to quit for many school suspension, or put on
different reasons. Some students probation, and more than 15% were
just don’t like the school that they either expelled or told they could not
must attend, while others don’t get return.
“I think that it would be
along with the faculty or students,
and therefore have disciplinary difficult to prevent teens from
problems. Others must get a job to dropping out of school. I think that
help their family get by, or to support this is due to ignorance; most
their new family after they or their students have the mind set that they
girlfriend get pregnant and can not don’t need school. There is no
handle bother school and work. changing their minds,” said
Some other students may even have sophomore, Jessica Ohlinger.
Poison in the Air
Alyssa Ranney
Reporter
Plastics are not the only
material that can be reused or
recycled. For example, cars can be
In the 1950s, people in Japan reduced to scrap by giant shredders
became ill with a new disease called and the valuable metal used again.
Minimata disease. The disease
Industrial waste, such as
was traced to eating tuna fish that poisonous chemicals or radioactive
had become contaminated with waste, usually has to be buried deep
m e r c u r y. T h e
underground
mercury
had
to prevent
come
from
contamination.
ch e m i c a l s
“Right
poured into the
now, people
sea by factories,
don’t really
and it had been
care about
co n c e n t r a t e d
pollution. I
along the food
don’t think
chain. In a study
that people
made in 1986,
will really
more than two in
care until they
five flatfish in
are on their
the Nort h Se a
last breath of
were found to
a i r , ”
have cancer-like
Photo Obtained From Yahoo c o m m e n t e d
disease.
B r o d y
Search: Pollution
Pollution is Polluting the air, this powerplant Bockenstedt.
not
a
new harms the environment.
M a n y
problem. In the
people like the
Middle Ages, most towns were dirty, idea of reducing pollution but not
water supplies were foul and when it affects the way they live.
diseases spread quickly. Although Pollution must be controlled, and
much has been done to improve sooner rather than later. Doing so
sanitation, new problems have will cost a lot of money and a
arisen. Since the Industrial change in lifestyle. For example,
Revolution, problems of waste filtering the harmful fumes before
disposal have become more they emerge from power plant
complicated. Incidentally, every chimneys can reduce acid raid,
i n d u s t r i a l c o u n t r y f a c e s t h e but doing so will likely increase
problem of waste.
the price of electricity.
Factories produce new goods
Looking on the optimistic
for people to buy, and old are thrown side, we can make a difference if
away. Garbage is burnt, dumped in we act now. For starters, recycle
rivers and seas pollute the water, p l a s t i c s , g l a s s , c a n s , a n d
and garbage dumps are unpleasant newspapers. Be informed and
and take up much-needed space. c h e c k u p o n y o u r s t a t e a n d
Because getting rid of plastics is federal government; make sure
particularly difficult, some choose to they are passing recycling and
reuse by recycling.
clean air acts. Bring and reuse
“I recycle because it’s better for your own sacks when buying items
the environment,” commented at the mall or g r o c e r. W h e n
conscientious sophomore Alex l e a v i n g a r o o m , t u r n o f f
Royce.
computers, lights, and T.V.s.
After some time wood and Don’t think you are going to be
paper decay, but plastics never around in forty plus years to care
decay. Scientists are trying to when pollution gets worse? Who
make plastics that will break knows, technology has come a
down naturally into harmless long way in the past century, and
substances.
you might live longer.
When the Snowing Gets Tough...
Top Ten Things To Do On a Snow Day
Hannah Hopson
Photography
1. Bake some of your grandma’s world famous cookies or your dad’s
firehouse chili. Look through old family cookbooks to see what else you
can make for a delicious lunch or just combine anything in your kitchen
and see what you can come up with.
2. Keep warm and go sledding at the same time. Grab a nylon sleeping
bag or anything that will slide down your stairs and let loose.
3. Call up a couple of friends and play a game on your X-Box live. Test
out the game everyone has gone crazy for (Halo 2, duh) and see if it
measures up to the hype. Blowing up buildings and taking out the bad
guys just seems more fun together.
4. You know that brother or sister that always steals your stuff or does
annoying things to you? Seek revenge on them. While they’re enjoying
sleeping in, give them something to yell about and be sure to take pictures.
I mean, who says your sister doesn’t look good in a mustache or your
brother in pink lip-gloss and eye shadow?
5. Shuffle up and deal! Invite a few friends over and play some Texas
Hold’em. Play with poker chips or use dimes and nickels to keep it cheap.
Have a movie that everyone likes playing in the back round for the losers
that get out early and call it the “Losers Lounge.”
6. Burn a cd or make a new play list with all of the funniest songs you
have ever heard. I know it sounds corny, but you’ll have fun listening to
Weird Al’s “The Night Santa Went Crazy” or “I’m a Barbie Girl” by Aqua
while your driving to school or hanging out with friends.
7. Try playing your favorite sport indoors. Get creative and use chairs for
a net or a teddy bear as a football. But be careful so you won’t have to
explain how a teddy bear broke a lamp later on.
8. Blast some tropical music and grab a coconut shell drink with a little
umbrella. Imagine sun bathing beside the pool or hanging out at a bonfire
to keep your hopes.
9. Watch a movie or something on TV at the same time as a friend. Instant
message each other during it to make it seem like your sitting beside each
other. Funny comments about a bad hairpiece between friends can make
even the most boring movie fun to watch.
10. If all else fails, just go outside and wage war against the neighborhood
kids in a snowball fight. Go skiing or snow mobiling and maybe even try
a snow angel. You have a cup of hot cocoa and cozy blanket to look forward
to once you’ve had your fun.
HAVE A FUN SNOW DAY!
Congratulations!
Lewis Corporation
holds the title of the
Grand Champion at the
Westside Competition!
Express performed well
at the AL Competition
and received a II rating!
Large Group Speech
All-State nominees are
Reader’s Theater and
Large Group Mime
cheaper
because David knows how to do
some exterior and engine work.
A lot of students dream of
“Because of taking this class, I
having a powerful car that people can knock at least $1,000 of the total
envy. With this car comes the cost,” said Stokes.
glamour of being stared at when at
Some students have already
a red light, having people want to begun their pimping projects. Mike
ride in your car, and winning races Warner, a sophomore, has invested
along with the respect of the close to $7,000 in his Ford Taurus.
person you beat. The kids that want His investments include rims, paint,
these cars also know that it is almost body work, neon lights, Pioneer
sound products,
and
some
reupholstering.
“I know it is
only a Taurus, but
it’s my baby and
an overall fun
project,” said
Warner.
Another
student that has
done
some
pimping to his
vehicle is senior,
Photo By Andrea Larison Josh Probst. Josh
Before the pimping this car looks plain and
has a Honda Civic
ordinary...
that includes a
impossible to buy a stock car that stereo system, rims, and racing seats,
meets all of their requirements; if ringing up the price around $1,000.
they do find this dream car, it
“I didn’t do a lot to the car,
probably costs the equivalent of a but I still get looks when I am
house. So to improvise they buy the driving it,” says Probst.
next best thing (or what they can
One student that has found the
afford). Soon after that, the easy yet time-saving way out of
ex p e n s i v e p i m p i n g p r o c e s s manual pimping labor: E-bay.
begins.
This online auction site sells
For David Stokes, a junior, varieties of every car, including
his recently bought 69 Chevy C a lot of cars that are already
10, a classic truck, is in desperate pimped. This is what junior Becca
need of some work. Unfortunately Shepard has resorted to. She bought
for David, Xzibit (the host of Pimp her Dodge Neon (fully pimped with
My Ride on MTV) does not typically an after market horn, carbon fiber
travel all the way out to Iowa to take hood, custom interior, and more) on
a “crappy old piece” to West Coast E-bay this last summer.
Customs to have it customized
“Some guy from New York
and worked on. Also, Pimp My Ride was wanting to get rid of this
doesn’t usually pimp
out the engine, a
necessity to most
motor heads such as
Stokes. He will have to
invest his own hardearned mon e y t o
l o w e r,
paint,
reupholster interior,
upgrade engine, and
put new rims on his
Photo By Andrea Larison
truck. He basically ... but after the pimpingit’s a high-tech beauty.
wants to turn his truck
into his own version of the “Pimp little beauty, and I got a bargain
Mobile,” also known as a decked out on it,” said Shepard.
car.
Whether you want to take
“It’s going to be expensive, the easy or hard way to get the
but well worth it,” says Stokes.
body kit, sound system, turbo
Fortunately for David, he is e n g ine, new paint job, and
in the auto body class at ISD, customizing for a decent cost, it
where he has learned how to work is a possibility. Students at LC
on cars and make them “prettier.” have found ways to do it and you
Also, taking this class helps in too can officially be pimped just
making the cost of work on the truck like them.
Megan Heckerman
Reporter
Senioritis: The Curse Strikes Again
Thomas Webering
Reporter
There’s More Than One Way to Say, “I Love You!”
Shun-Sho Fong
Reporter
Afrikaans ..................................... Ek is life vir jou
Bengali .................................. Ami tomake bahlobashi
Czech ................................................ Miluji tev
Dutch .............................................. Ik hou van je
English .............................................. I love you
French ................................................ Je t’amie
German ...................................Ich liebe dich
Hawaiian ..................................... Aloha wau ia ‘oe
Italian ................................................... Ti amo
Japanese ....................................... Kimi o ai shiteru
Korean ................................... Dangsinul stranghee yo
Lithuanian ..................................... As tave myliu
Malaysian ....................................... Siya cintamu
Norwegian ..................................... Jeg elsker deg
Polish ............................................ Kocham ciebie
Russian ....................................... Ya tyebya lyublyu
Swahili ............................................. Nakupenda
Thai ............................................... Phom rug khun
Welsh .......................................... Rwy’n dy garu di
Zulu .............................................. Ngiyakuthanda
There are ways to prevent teens
from dropping out of school to make
sure that all young people get a good
education. It’s key to always make
sure that the option for tutoring,
making up missed work,
transferring, and placing those in a
special program are available to
them. Make sure a counselor,
teacher, friend, parent, or even a
sibling is there to talk them through
their problems. Letting students
know the possible outcomes of their
decisions is also an option. A GED
program should be encouraged to a
teen if they do not finish school.
“It think that a GED is a better
alternative for high school
dropouts,” said sophomore, Alyssa
Brewer.
D r o p p i n g out of school
could cost a teen a great deal.
Dropouts earn an average of
$200,000 less than high school
graduates, and over $800,000 less
than college graduates, in their
lives. In the last 20 years, the
earn i n g s o f d r o p o u t s h a v e
doubled, although, it nearly tripled
for the college graduates.
There are big differences
between the people that drop out
and the others that stay in. The
live of those that do stay in high
school to later go on to college have
more career option and better
alternative than those how do not.
Be cool and stay in school!
get through the last five months of
the high school era.
“We’ve been going to this
school our entire lives, and now we
can see the finish line. It really
feels great to be a senior, but now
As the final term is suddenly
on our doorstep, many seniors
reflect on how close they are to be
graduating in May.
To some this means
buckling down and
working even harder
than they were to end
the high school years
on a good note, but
for many this time
is the time where
they
have
to
c o n s t antly
be
reminded
by
parents and teachers
to just get the work
turned in and
completed. This is
due to the annual
bug called Senioritis,
which hits virtually
every high school
Photo By Andrea Larison
across the country For students struck with with senioritis, sleep
when graduation becomes one common aternative to school work.
just around the
corner. This is no different at I’m ready to take the title of
Lewis Central High School.
alumni. I’m so sick of waking up
“It’s so hard to keep coming to at 6:30AM to come to school and
school. I have enough credits to go through the exact same motions
graduate already but have to keep that I’ve been going through for 12
c o m i n g t o s c h o o l . I t a l m o s t years,” said senior Barak Davis.
makes no sense to me,” said
Although high school is a
senior Ricky Paulsen.
time to develop study habits and
Many students share the to make friends, it’s also a time
same feeling and are struggling to to look forward to being released
into the real world after
graduation.
“I ‘m really looking forward
to getting out on my own, and
using all of this schooling for
something. It’s so hard to keep
focused when you’ve been
infected with this bug. I know I
should keep going, but I can’t help
think of the end of high school,” said
senior Lauren Thomas.
As this bug begins to build
its nest, better make sure that
everyone knows the symptoms of
this epidemic.
This
bug’s
sym p t o m s
may
include:
skipping class, not doing
homework, not even coming to
school, having off- campus
lunch, and pretty much getting
through school with as little
effort as possible.
“I’ve definitely been
infected with the epidemic that’s
taking control of many seniors. I
keep finding it hard to stay up with
everything because I know that
I’m going to graduate in a couple
of months, and it just doesn’t
seem as important as it used to,”
said senior Josh Grovesnor.
As a fellow senior, I share all
the feelings that the seniors share.
All we really need to know is that
in about five months we’re
going to be the class of 2005,
a nd we’ll be the ones saying to
the under classmen, “ Have fun
next year.”
Page 6
February 2005
Feature
LC BAND; Dressed To Kill...Literally.
AND ALL
THAT JAZZ
Hannah Hopson
Photographer
and I Remember Clifford. Bluford
picked these songs because he
likes to teach the students about
There are so many ways for different styles and also have
self-expression. Painting, writing, music that fits the ensemble.
“My favorite song is Cycle
and singing are all excellent
methods. Another more musical because I like the feel of it; it’s
method is through playing an funky,” said junior Tiffany Clark.
A few different styles the
instrument in a jazz band.
“Jazz band allows for a little band likes to look at are Count
more individuality because jazz is Basie and Duke Ellington. Both of
primarily about improvisation,” these are swing styles, but in the
said band director Derick Bluford. Count Basie style everything is
Improvisation is when a played laid back and Duke
musician plays a solo off the top Ellington is played more lightly
of his/her head. Although it may with a contemporary sound. As
seem intimidating to think about with every other activity, there are
playing something at random in some aspects of jazz band that not
everyone enjoys.
“ M y
personal
dislike
is
learning base
cleft
and
having
to
transpose it,”
said junior
A n d r e a
Oehme.
S o m e
students had to
switch from
their concert
b a n d
instruments to
a more jazz
s t y l e d
instrument.
The time of
rehearsal is
also
an
inconvenience.
In years past,
jazz
band
used to be
Photo by Hannah Hopson during school.
Nathan Quick getting jazzy at an after school practice. The band got
front of a large audience, the same amount of rehearsal time
improvising lets the individual as they do now, plus scheduling did
interfere
with
other
express his/herself in a very not
relaxed and laid back manner. The extracurricular activitie s l i k e
musician gets to decide the notes, speech and bowling.
Even
with
these
the beat, and the style that he/she
plays. Improvisation is practiced at inconveniences, jazz band is still
rehearsals by any of member of the doing well. The season is going a
little slower than it has other years
jazz band that is interested.
“It’s a lot more serious (than but this year the band is younger.
eighth grade) and we actually do The show is still pretty solid.
work,” said freshmen Derek Stuhr. Their first competition was on
The jazz band practices every January 29 at Abraham Lincoln.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday The band has the possibility of
after school. During rehearsal the playing into early April at the Jazz
band plays as a whole and breaks Championships at Des Moines.
Jazz is about style and selfdown into sectionals to work on
any parts that are giving them expression. Improvisation is a
trouble. Bluford also helps soloists m e t h o d o f s p o n t a n e o u s selfexpression that is intimidating and
work out with difficult rhythms.
The band plays four exciting. In our jazz band there are
stylistically different songs. The a few inconveniences but they
songs they are playing include w o n ’t b e p l a y i n g t h e b l u e s
Teddy the Toad, Duke it out, Cycle, anytime soon.
Vicki Burnett
Reporter
pic for JAZZ
BAND
Loud music, great dancing,
friends, and, of course, a little
drama all add up to what? A school
dance. It’s a place where busting
a dorky dance move is just part of
the fun.
All of the great
decorations (thanks to Student
Council) and a good DJ help make
the night memorable. But when it
comes to deciding what to wear,
there are all kinds of answers.
“When I go and pick out a
dress for a dance, I just wear
whatever I like,” explained junior
Ashley Smith, “I just have to feel
comfortable in it.”
Homecoming is more informal
with shorter dresses and hair done
at home for girls. Boys go with
khakis and polos.
“I like homecoming because
it’s warm weather and I don’t have
to bundle up just to walk to dinner,”
laughed senior Erin Higgins.
Sno Ball is more formal with
long, sleek dresses and hair done
at a salon with boys in a nice dress
shirt and tie.
“Sno Ball is like the under
classman’s prom because most go
all out. I just can’t wait though
until I go to my junior prom,” said
Smith.
And then there was one.
PROM. That little four-letter
word that makes some girls go
crazy. From finding the “perfect”
dress, shoes, and accessories to
getting a date, making plans, having
your hair done…the list can just go
on and on. Boys get a sharp tux and
others have a little fun and dress up
like a pimp, cane and all.
But with all the excitement that
comes with a dance, how do you
decide what’s appropriate or not?
In today’s fashion industry,
shocking outfits are considered
normal. Plunging necklines and the
motto “skin is in” make some outfits
considered risqué. It is becoming
more and more common to show
some skin at inappropriate times.
Think of what your grandma
would say if she saw you in a miniskirt and a sheer camisole. Where
do you draw the line, especially at
dances?
The school handbook makes
a point of not wearing profanity,
sexual references, and etc. But it
doesn’t specifically mention
school dances. It basically leaves
final decisions up to the principal
or the authority figure patrolling
the event. Serving as a large
loophole in some minds. With no
exact rules, some show a little
more than any one wants to see.
“Some dresses are a little too
revealing for my taste. But other
people were brought up with
different
expectations,”
commented Cayla Gillette.
With some students pushing
the boundaries with certain dresses,
are there any actions being taken at
school activities to cover up?
“There is no specific dress
code for dances. The only time that
actions would be taken was if the
outfit caused disruption, was
inappropriate, or didn’t comply with
the school’s code,” Mr. Massman
explained.
Some students would have
concerns if an actual dress code was
created.
“I would be afraid that the school
would be way too strict and we
wouldn’t have a chance to wear what
we want,” said Smith.
On the other hand, there are
those who think some harsher rules
would be a good idea.
“Personally, I think we should
just wear some nuns dresses,”
smirked Higgins, “I mean, it would
be a good idea for some guide
lines, but not like super strict
rules.”
Of course a different set of
rules apply when you compare
every day clothes to more formal
events like prom. You wouldn’t be
asked to put a tee shirt over a dress
at a dance like you would at school.
But there are always some that
decide to challenge authority and
more severe consequences have been
created. If you were asked to change
by an agent of the school board and
didn’t respond to it, you could be
asked to leave and be suspended from
school Mr. Massman said. If you
chose to return, you would be
charged with trespassing and be
turned over to the police, who would
most likely give you a ticket that
would cost you about $54.
“Most kids know the limit and
they know when they cross the line,”
said freshman Tyler Lowman.
It all boils down to whether or
not you feel comfortable in your
own skin and realize what the
consequences could be. Most
people come to dances to have fun
and hang out with friends. Many
don’t want to see more than what
they bargained for. You just have
to express yourself in appropriate
ways.
Baskets For Bucks
Shun-Sho Fong
Reporter
Kids gather to the court, lacing
up their shoes with a mission ahead.
Even a mascot shows up, in the form or
a dog no bigger than a toy. Teams scatter
across the court. An athlete steps up to
the free throw line; he shoots. One down,
nine hundred and ninety-nine left to go.
That is exactly what happened
when the Fellowship of Christian
Athletes (FCA) held their annual FreeThrow-Athon on January 23. The 19year running fundraiser boosts resources
for the organization. The money goes
specifically to the organization’s “Being
An Example” scholarship, but it also
allows for accomplishing different
projects, such as the Angel Tree
Christmas gift program, the Birthday
Party for Jesus, or even flowers being
sent to a family of someone who died.
FCA sponsor Pat Campbell has
been organizing and directing this
every winter. He originally started
the Free-Throw-Athon the year after
he began teaching at Lewis Central,
20 years ago.
It “enables us to do things
without collecting a buck from
everyone each time something needs
to get done,” said Campbell.
The idea of spending the time
working on basketball skills is a
selling point for many of the FCA
members. For first-timer, sophomore
Justin Carlson, the idea of shooting
hoops was definitely a perk.
“Since I’m a part of FCA and
(it’s) doing something with
basketball, I figured I would do it,”
said Carlson.
On the day of the Free-Throw- and they told me it was really fun and something that keeps the shooters on
target.
Athon, eight to twelve teams of FCA that I should (too),” said Husz.
“Every time I miss, I just think
Even though the Free-Throwmembers get together to spend the
‘That’s
basically one less penny,’”
Athon
happened
in
January,
gaining
afternoon shooting 1,000 free throws.
For freshman Mallory Husz, that support started months ahead. The said Husz.
The students managed to make
number seems to be the downside of the students involved went around
an
average
of 70% of their shots. The
asking
friends,
family
and
teachers
event.
to support them by donating a money will eventually be collected
“That part is not fun,” said Husz.
Despite the overwhelming number certain amount for every free throw from the sponsors and be spread
of free throws, over twenty students that they made. A commonly among the different projects for the
came out to shoot some baskets on suggested donation was a penny per rest of this school year as well as the
their Sunday afternoon, the groups completed basket. That thought is 2005-2006 school year.
ranging from
one to three
people.
Although not
a
schoolwide event,
the athletes
entertained
themselves,
shooting,
chatting, and,
d u r i n g
breaks,
enjoying the
s h a r e d
refreshments.
The occasion
ahs become a
family affair
as well, with
brothers and
sisters both
participating.
That was a
major reason
for Husz’
involvement.
“ M y
sisters have
Photos submitted by Mr. Campbell
a
l
l
(participated) Members of FCA shoot freethrows at the 19th annual FCA Free-throw-athon.
ADream Come True?
Lindsey Behrens
Reporter
On January 15, 2005, Lewis
Central students and their dates
danced the night away in the small
gym, where the Snoball dance was
held. The dance, like its theme,
was a “dream come true.” The
decorations took on a “dream” theme,
and included a working waterfall,
complete with a pond full of blue
water.
“My favorite part of the
decorations was definitely the
waterfall,” said freshman Sydnie
Dennis. “I also thought the picture
scene turned out to be gorgeous.”
These decorations didn’t just
put themselves up. Students in
student council worked hard the
morning of Snoball putting together
the decorations for the dance.
“I spent all morning putting
together one arch for a doorway,”
said senior Joel Edwards. “All the
decorations turned out to look
really good when we were done,
though.”
During the day on Saturday,
most girls spent their day
preparing for the dance. Getting
hair, makeup, and nails done can
be both expensive and stressful.
“When I got my hair done, the
lady did a terrible job and I
literally looked like I had a
mullet,” said junior Meredith
Sillau. “I had to have one of my
friends redo it for me, but it turned
out to look good after she fixed it.”
After students were finished
getting ready for the dance, they
began their evening by going out for
some fine cuisine.
“My group went to Biaggi’s for
dinner,” said junior Austin Strohbehn.
“I kind of felt bad for ordering the
most expensive meal, but my date
had enough money and the food
was really good.”
After dinner, it was time to
dance. The music this year was
noticeably different from last year,
because student council switched
DJ’s from DJ Rob to DJ Mecca.
“I thought it was more like club
music than music for a school
dance,” said senior Brody
Bockenstedt. “There weren’t as
many slow songs as there were
at the dances last year.”
Despite the difference in
music, it was evident that
students had fun at Snoball this
year.
“Over 500 kids were at the
dance,” said associate principal
Paul Massman. “There were still
about 300 students at the dance when
it ended, so the kids must have had a
good time.”
With beautiful decorations at
a l a rg e s t u d e n t a t t e n d a n c e ,
Snoball this year turned out to be
a “dream come true.”
Page 7
Entertainment
Movies That Make You
Want to Say...
“Awwwww”
Heidi Behrens
Reporter
was made in the 80’s, it is still very
good and relevant to current times.
I am a big fan of movies, but
there is a certain kind of movie that
I can barely stand to even think
about seeing, let alone sitting
through. This is the romantic movie;
however, there is some good in all
bad. To help you find this goodness,
I’ve compiled a list of the better
romantic movies.
“Pretty Woman”
“The Family Man”
Jack Campbell is a
stockbroker that seems to have it all,
until one Christmas he wakes up to
find his whole world has changed.
His bachelor life has been traded in
for a family. Through some blessing
or curse he is now married with two
kids. Slowly he learns how to cope
with, and find himself with a life he
never
knew
he
wanted.
Unfortunately for Jack just as he’s
getting used to his new life he is
brought back to his normal life. Jack
must live knowing the happy life he
could have had if he made different
choices.
Edward Lewis is a down-onhis-luck businessman, when he
picks up Viv Ward for directions. As
is turns out Viv is a woman who
makes her money by ways of
questionable morals. Edward needs
someone to escort him to social
events so he hires Viv for a few days.
During this time Viv and Edward
have a lot of fun going to social
engagements and pretending to be a
couple. Slowly, but surely, they
realize they’re falling in love.
“Where the Heart Is”
“Romeo + Juliet”
My only love sprung from my
only hate. This is an updated version
of Shakespeare’s famous play about
star-crossed lovers from feuding
families. Romeo Montague and
Juliet Capulet fall in love
instantaneously upon their first
viewing of each other. They pledge
their love to each other, despite all
of the odds working against them.
Although the movie takes place in
modern times all of the language is
very Shakespearian. However, this
love story is one of tragedy.
Novalee Nation is a pregnant,
seventeen year old high school drop
out on her way to California with
her boyfriend. While stopped at
Wal-Mart, her boyfriend promptly
drives off without her, leaving her
stranded in a small town in Oklahoma. With the help of some local
town folk, Novalee is able to get her
life back on track, and eventually
she finds true love in a town she
comes to call home.
“Garden State”
“For Keeps”
Darcy Elliott is a straight A
student with career ambitions and a
bright future. Then one day Darcy
and her boyfriend Stan get a really
big surprise: they’re going to have a
baby. Unlike the average teen
pregnancy flick, Stan decides to
stick around. Darcy and Stan are
disowned by his parents, and must
forge through life on their own.
Together they face the challenges of
married life, while learning how to
make a family. Though this movie
Andrew Largeman returns to
his small town in New Jersey for the
first time in ten years to attend his
mother’s funeral. While home,
Andrew reconnects with some old
friends and realizes all that he left
behind. When Andrew is at a
doctor’s office he meets a young
woman named Samantha, who
seems to be as corky and unusual
as he is. At first Andrew wants to
leave his hometown and return to
his current place of residence, but
Samantha offers a reason for him to
stay.
So there you go, a few
romantic movies that I can stand to
watch. They may not be the
greatest movies ever, but they are
definitely the top of the barrel
when it comes to romantic movies.
So if you are bored this Valentines
Day and Blockbuster is not that far
of a drive, I recommend picking this
up to get you into the romantic
mood.
All Movie Posters Obtained From Yahoo Image Search:
The Family Man, Romeo and Juliet Movie, For Keeps Movie,
Pretty Woman, Where the Heart Is, Garden State.
February 2005
Wonka and the Golden Ticket Return
From Sweet and Simple...to Scary and Shocking
Amber Johnhson
Assistant Editor
Director Tim Burton has done
it again, and this time is taking old
friend Johnny Depp along for the
ride. It has been fifteen years since
the two dazzled viewers with
Edward Scissorhands, but their
upcoming film holds no room for
any ordinary ride. This wild ride is
filled with magic, thrills, excitement,
and… chocolate?
Upon its initial release in 1964,
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
was but a book. That is, until it’s
nearly perfect cinematic rendition in
1971. We sympathized with
Charlie’s poor family, good heart,
and love of chocolate, and we were
mesmerized by Wonka and his
magical world. To this day, it is
impossible to deny that Willy Wonka
and the Chocolate Factory is a
classic that will set high standards
for Tim Burton to beat.
“I think as any sequel, that it’s
just another attempt to make a
profit,” said junior Chris Loftus, “I
think that advancement
in technology will make
the movie more
interesting to watch,
but I think the
storyline will be
nothing like the old
movie. You just can’t
match it.”
Some Lewis
Central students
disagree.
“The first
one was so good,
but I think Tim
Burton and Danny Elfmen will work
wonders,” said senior Adam
Tomford. “The set of the movie is
just mind-blowing and Johnny Depp
seemed good by the Trailer.”
Shocking many viewers,
Burton will stick more closely to the
book version when
reinventing the
story,
giving
viewers different
scenes and new
adventures.
However, Burton
started off in the
right
direction
signing Hollywood
hottie,
Johnny
Depp, as Willy
Wonka. Known for
his
stunning
performances in
E d w a r d
Scissorhands
(working
with
Tim), Pirates of the
Caribbean, Secret
Window,
and
Finding Neverland
Photo Obtained from Yahoo Search:
Depp is looking
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
forward to his new
character.
With Johnny Depp starring as Willy Wonka, the new movie will be one wild ride.
“It’s
great
being back with Tim (Burton)- it’s one sight after another, the tour before, and less on Charlie Bucket
like coming home,” says Depp in an holds more than just a few surprises. and his innocent, bland role.
“Charlie and the Chocolate
MTV interview. “We’ve been
“I personally like the old
Factory is Tim’s version of the version because it’s a classic,” said
having a great time.”
For those that don’t Ronald Dahl classic book, and it’s junior SarahBruning,” and I don’t
know the story, Charlie and gonna be a wild ride,” says Depp. t h i n k t h a t t h e y s h o u l d h a v e
the Chocolate Factory is “Taking that character of Willy changed a perfectly good movie!”
about an eccentric Wonka and going somewhere
Despite the fact that the movie
chocolatier, Willy Wonka, completely different is… he sort of will remain much darker and in
and Charlie, a young boy made the job infinitely more ways more adult than the novel,
in a poor family that difficult for me.”
it will still remain a Ronald Dahl
The original film does a pretty c l a s s i c . O t h e r R o n a l d D a h l
spends most of his time
dreaming about the good job of sticking with the book classics include Matilda and
chocolate that he loves right up until Violet Beauregarde James and the Giant Peach.
but can’t afford. chews the gum. After that, the new
“ I t h i n k Ti m ’s m a k i n g a
Things change when version will change. It will move r e a l l y
amazing
filma
Wonka, head of the quicker, exposing Veruca Salt to combination of Tim Burton and
Wonka Chocolate some trained squirrels as opposed Ronald Dahl is just a match made in
Factory, launches a worldwide to the Golden Geese. Charlie and heaven,” says Depp, “so it’s very
contest to select an heir to his candy his grandfather don’t actually break exciting.”
empire. Five lucky children, any rules, therefore leading to no
Charlie and the Chocolate
including Charlie, find golden angry Willy Wonka claiming that Factory will hit theatres in July
tickets in Wonka bars and win a tour Charlie won’t be receiving any 2005. The movie trailer can be
of the factory that no one has stepped chocolate. The focus is also turned found
online
at
foot in for fifteen years. Dazzled by more to Willy Wonka than ever chocolatefactorymovie.warnerbros.com
The Music of the
If Only I Knew Now...
Night Hits Big Screen What I Didn’t Know Then
by Mini Driver. Finally,
Carlotta is tired of the
threats so for one night
Christine becomes the
star of the opera. As she
is singing, Raoul, the
manager of the opera
notices Christine because
they were friends as
children.
Almost
instantly Raoul, played
by Patrick Wilson, starts
to form a crush for
Christine. Once Raoul
talks with Christine after
her
beautiful
performance, the two fall
in love.
Photo Obtained from Yahoo
The
Phantom
Search: Phantom of the Opera becomes jealous over this
The Phantom of the Opera dazzled moviego- because he has loved
ers, bringing in nearly 42 million dollars.
Christine for a very long
time. To try and get Christine back
Megan Heckerman
the Phantom terrorizes the couple,
Reporter
but Raoul will not leave Christine.
Along with the twisted plot of
Here it is love-birds, the perfect
movie to go see on Valentine’s Day lasting love, there is beautiful
with that special someone. I don’t singing throughout the entire movie.
care what those darn movie critics The harmonies give goose-bumps
say, Phantom of the Opera is and the ballads could make a person
BEAUTIFUL! I suppose you have cry. The allegro songs of the scenes
to have an appreciation for art and with the Phantom were full of life
music to understand; even if you and energy that could cause a want
don’t, the movie is still worth your to dance in the seat. The scenes when
Raoul and Christine confessed their
time and money.
The cast is not made up of love for each other on the rooftop of
familiar faces, but they still rocked the opera house and in Christine’s
the stage of the “Opera Populaire.” room, made me melt (because
For starters, there is the Phantom, nothing like that happens anymore).
Add all that with gorgeous
played by Gerard Butler. Butler is
fantastic in playing the mysterious costuming of fancy old-world ball
role of a mentor, a terrorist to the room dresses with vibrant colors,
opera company, a man insecure with sequins, and diamonds and sleek
his hidden deformity, and the man tuxedos, great stage and dancing
who has a deep love for Christine choreography that was beautifully
directed and filmed from all the right
(Emmy Rossum).
As a young dancer with a angles that gave the movie a lot of
hidden singing talent, Rossum really different visuals that helped
makes the movie shine. She plays understand what was happening at
the abandoned Christine Daae, who all times.
Also, pretty scenes of fancy
was taken in by a former dancer for
the opera. She was brought up to rooms and enchanted nights that
know almost everything about the looked like actual settings that
opera, and when she was old enough sparkled and shined; you get one of
she became a dancer for the show. the best love movies of all time that
Christine wanted to be more than a has been adapted from a Broadway
dancer, though, so at night through musical and put on the big screen.
If you are very much into
the walls, and in the shadows of the
opera house, the mysterious dancing and singing then this is the
Phantom taught her how to sing like perfect movie for you. Even if you
are not, go for the romance. I
an angel.
The Phantom wanted Christine recommend that everyone go see
to be the star singer of the show, so The Phantom of the Opera with that
he placed many threats on Carlotta, special someone; it will really be
the lead singer for the opera, played worth your while.
Megan Longmeyer
Co-Editor-In-Chief
Ever since I’ve been nearing
the end of my senior year, my mom
has been on me about reading this
book, Ten Things I Wish I’d Known
- Before I Went Out into the Real
World by Maria Shriver. She said I
could relate to it a lot, since I want
to be a journalist, and this woman
describes a lot of her experiences as
she trudges through the corporate
ladder. My mom said this book
would be a quick read and that when
I was done to come talk to her about
it. She gave me this book around the
holiday season and it collected dust
until a few weeks ago when I
decided to pick it up and read it. She
was right, it was a quick read, but
what I really didn’t expect was that
I would actually like it. I read it in
about a day, and thinking back on
it, realize how many of these lessons
my mom has taught me herself and
how long it took her to learn them.
Needless to say, I liked the book...
here’s why...
The one thing that I really love
about this book is how Maria gives
so many personal accounts of her
years as a journalist. Of course,
seeing as I’m going to college to
study journalism and mass
communications, it’s easy for me to
enjoy her takes on the business
world of journalism. However,
that’s not the only reason I love her
insightful remarks... it’s the fact that
she’s learned so much from these
experiences she has had. In almost
every lesson she teaches, she has her
work somehow tied into how she
learned her lesson.
She learned humility, that to
fail is to grow, and that every
grueling job you do is to build you
up, not tear you down. Mostly, it’s
inspirational how she learned so
much just by doing her job, and that
if you’re willing to keep going,
anyone can learn the same lessons
she did. It was a very comforting
thought that a job can be more than
a place to pull hours and receive a
paycheck; it can be a life-altering
experience.
Another aspect of this book
that I liked was the lessons that
Maria wanted to share, lessons that
had taken her some of her life to
realize and comprehend. Lessons
that you need to find what you’re
passionate about, and stay true to
that no matter what comes up
against you. To be willing to fail in
life, and embrace it as a new chance
to grow. Learning that you can’t do
everything all at once, and that you
shouldn’t expect yourself to.
Embracing that children change
your life drastically and that being
married isn’t always having it easy.
These lessons and more enhance the
power of her book so much; they
show that she really learned
something. Along with teaching a
lesson in each chapter, there are little
reminders at the end of each chapter
that adequately sum up each thought
and make you ponder about what
she’s trying to teach her readers. I
found her lessons to be very
humbling and open up my eyes for
what’s ahead. If I thought I had it
easy before, I’m a little less naive
about what to expect from the world
after reading this book.
I think the best aspect you get
from this book is a real taste of Maria
Shriver. After years of being
recognized as a Kennedy (and a
Democrat), as a beautiful woman
with national importance, and as the
wife of Arnold Schwartzineiger, it’s
nice to get a real taste and feel for
who this woman is. Throughout the
book and the lessons that she teaches
you, you can see her personality
shine through and watch her
transform from the girl she was to
the woman she’s still becoming. You
get a sense of how, in some ways,
she was naive and sheltered, and that
as she came into the world, she
compensated for what she didn’t
know by working hard and learning
how to deal with life. She matures
and grows so much throughout her
years as a journalist and a mother;
it’s invigorating that a woman with
every opportunity would work so
hard and achieve so much. This book
really puts a whole new face on
Maria Shriver.
I think the main lesson that I
learned from this book, and the
lesson that Maria would have
wanted her readers to embrace, is
that you have to make your own path
of life. Forge your way through
everything, hold strong to what you
want, and work your butt off to get
there. This really is a great book if
you need some lessons on life, and
even if you don’t, I suggest you read
it anyway. You’ll come to
recognized and appreciate one of the
great women of our country, and to
appreciate her for what is important,
her being who she is, herself.
Page 8
February 2005
Student Life
To Ms . Mu t a
Mallor y,
Yo u s u r e a r e a
shor t y
Will you b e my
Valenti ne? ? I
We t h i n k you r you nge r t ha n for t y
don’t have one this year, and I thought
you would b e a goo d p ers on to ask! !
But you r lac k of heig ht
You k now I’m always here for you if
Is w hat m a ke s Eng l i sh r ig ht
you nee d me ! When Mom a nd Dad
Yo u r h a i r s u r e i s f u n n y
get
mad I’ll b e there to st ick up for
Ye t y o u r r o o m i s n ’ t s u n n y
you! I just wanted to say I LOVE U
We h a t e t h e We s t W i n g
a nd tha nks for b ei ng my
B u t y o u l o v e t h a t d a r n t h i ng
sister!
You cla i m we c a n’t c r i p wa l k
<3 You r favorite
We s ay you r a l l t a l k.
big sis,
Ju l ie ,
Hey hope ya
-6t h Pe r io d
Ma ndy
have a good Valentines day. Thanks
Engl ish Comp
for eve r y t h i ng you ’ ve don e for m e .
You’re the best friend I could ever ask for!
–L au r a
D e a r A m b e r & D av id , t ha n ks
for bei ng such awe some friends!
K now that you’re al ways
i n m y he a r t .
<3 A l way s ,
D ay
D e a r LC C olorgua rd, Happy
Valenti ne’s Day ! I hop e you all
have a g re at day; fille d with love . I
c a n ’ t
wa it for the next se ason to be gi n; I m iss
you all! I hop e next se ason is as fu n fille d as the last ! I love
you
guys!
L ov e
Ya ,
K i m m ie
Cla rk
Happy
one- ye ar!
~I love you~
J a re d :
Hey Honey ! Happy
Valenti ne s Day.
I LOV E YOU!
<3 Always,
B aby Gi rl
And rew
R ichter
Hey, I just wa nte d to you k now
that you’re a g re at p erson a nd
friend. I wish you a great Valentine’s
Day. I wish you
happiness and joy. –
To G o of y/
D on a ld D uc k ,
Sabri na
T he s e p a s t 8 mont h s , have b e e n t r u l y
Mat te s
a ma z i ng a nd I’m s o ble s s e d to have you
i n m y l i fe . I c he r i sh eve r y d ay we sp e n d
together! You me a n so much to me . Baby,
you r eve r y th i ng I’ve eve r wa nte d a nd
a whole lot more! I LOV E YOU soooooo
much oh ya Happy Valentines Day!
Love Always,
The Be st
Sa ra h A n ne
& R ac h ie~
G i rl f r ie nd T ha n ks for b ei ng my BIG siste rs ! You
E ve r
a r e t he b e s t f r ie n d s I c ou ld eve r a sk
XOXO
for, a nd I c a n’t b e l i eve t hat t h i s i s
My Hu l kTha n k you
s o much for
com i ng back i nto
my life! You a re so special & perfe ct
for me ! Prom is e we’l l b e to gether for
a long, long time and maybe just forever! I
love you with all my heart! You r Baby-g i rl
A b by I just wa nte d to let you k now
that I love you! Will you b e my
Valentine?
–L ove , J a ke
Happy Bi rthday
Ly n d s ay ! ! We
Love you! Sometime soon you’ll get out of
t h e wa t e r a n d s t a n d o n t h e c l i f f, a n d
eve r y t h i ng w i l l b e f i n e ! I n t h e me a ntime
however pu rple or blue? Next ye a r you,
Kratie , B otox, a nd Iwill b e just fi ne . No
reason tomove to Maryland. Happy 18th
Lyndsay! We love ya! (Nothing fancy
nothing fishy just a little happy
birthday wishy!)
-Molly,
J e s sic a D a pp e n , Hey ! D on’t forget to re ad you r horos cop e ! That’s h ila rious that they’r e always rig ht ! D ra matic
Oh h h h, even thoug h I don’t
k now what’s goi ng on!
Ha ha! I do not bre a k…
well… not ever y th ing!
Well I hop e you have a
g re at Valentins Day !
Oh wa it ! What am I
say i ng ? I k now you
will b e c aus e all the
g u y s wa n t y o u !
Ha ha! L ove - C a s sie
April, and Luigi
ou r la s t ye a r of h ig h s c ho ol
together. I a m goi ng to m iss you
so much! Happy Valent i ne’s
D ay ! I love you g u y s !
<3 You r Lit tle Sis,
B e t ha ny
Em i l y & M a l lor y Sha n ks, What’s up Dawg ? How’s you r day going? I’m
re ally g lad I got to meet you t wo when I move d here , it made it a lot e asier,
plus I would have had to wal k to sk i zzo ol otherwis e a nd that would suck, but
re ga rd le s s, you guys i ntro duce d me to most of the friends I have… T hat
me a ns I’d b e a big los er if I d id n’t me et you, then I’d los e al l s elf-confidence ,
a nd would just sit all day, s o tha n ks. It was fu n the fi rst month a nd a hal f of
s cho ol when we hu ng out a lot , I hop e we c a n st a rt doi ng that aga i n. Happy
Va l e n t i n e s D ay E- U n i t a n d M a l l o r i z z l e ! – J o e K r z e m i e n
J o s e ph- I aspire to be able
J o e B oy, Holla! You would
to da nce like you. Not to
k now that if you watche d
mention si ng as well as
Ellen. Maybe you, Em, & I
you. I re ally miss listening
c a n si ng a l it tle h ig h
to you sing ing, extremely
pitche d Mace i n the J&B
hig h, to Mace after s chool.
Blue Lig ht Lou nge a nd afJ u s t r e m e m b e r, E l l e n
ter that you could d islo c ate
D e g e n e r e s , c ha n n e l 8 ,
you r shou lde r for Em ily.
3 : 0 0.
~E- U n i t
L ov e ,
Ma l lori zzle
Kyle ,
I never thoug ht
somethi ng goo d
could come from working at Old Navy, but I’m
He y C a s si e! Happy
Va lenti ne’s Day !
s o happy that I worked there b ec aus e i met you.
D r a m at i c O h h h! A n d
you r bre a k
ever y th i ng! Horos cop e s ro ck! You’re the g re ate st a nd I suppos e we c a n
You’re the b e st friend a nd b oy friend that i could
forget about all you r emba r rassi ng ti me s! Ha ha! Have fu n a nd enjoy you r
ever ask for, a nd I love you so oo much for that !
Va lentine s Day !
-J e s s
Thank you for hobbling around Sno-ball with
me , a nd for telli ng me I’m b e autiful (even
thoug h we both k now it’s not true ! ).
R
achelEric,
When
you
asked
me
who
I love you sooo much and hope we
b I guess I just don’t know
my b e st friend was, I knew that
have many more days to celebrate.
where to begin; you are one of the
you alr e ady knew the answer, I just
most understanding guys I know.
I love you!! Me ga n
d id n’t know how to say it. I’m at your hous e
Happy V-Day
Thoug h my personality was a big change al most ever y nig ht and love ever y m inute
(S ch nooku ms)
so much Korey Gene!!!
for you & it took you a while to get used
of it , good mood or bad. I tell you everyday
XOXO
has ever happened to me!
J eremy- Thank you for
sticking by my side after
ever y thi ng we’ve b e en
throug h! I <3 U S O
MUCH!
L ove~ Da n i
babe!!! I love you
You’re the best thing that
J Its great that I finally
to me being loud & open
how great you look, and I mean
have s ome one who
loves me, just as much
every word. You always know
about every thing, I can
as I love him. You’re
my favorite… ever yjust how to brighten my day or
still count on you being
t
h
i
n
g
.
Yo
u
r
s
o
sweet!! ! I hop e
make me smile. You’re always
there. I couldn’t ask for any
we
a
re
together
forever! I LOV E
right, no matter what. You’re the
more from you, although
I
hop
e
ever
yone
YO
U
S
O
MUCH! ! ! ! !
most unique person I know
you still get red when
has
a
nice
You’re
my
life
,
my l o v e , m y
and you don’t need to change
certain subjects come
Valentine s Day. –
at all. There’s so many things
KOREYGENE!
<3 Baby Gu rl
up and when McKayla
I’d tell you but would never
Rob ert
S a r a y ou
a re the best
decides to leak foul
put in print, but I’m sure that
t h i ng t hat
has ever
gases. I know you get
you already knew that.
happ ene d
to me. I love
Toots, you’re my favorite
sick of my
you
s
o
much.
You
person to talk with (and
stubbornness and
me a n
everything
Mi
ke
;
turn
red),
hang
out
sometimes you
to me . I
don’t know
with (win at cards),
Hey baby! Can you believe its b e en
want to hit me
what els e
to s ay, but, I
watch movies
a
ye
ar,
it’s
seems
li
ke
just
ye
sterday
with a frying pan,
with (Sweet Home Alabama),
love you!
I was t al k i ng on the phone with you
but you never do no matter
do homework with (math), or go out
-Korey
a
nd
Zack
till
fou
r
i
n
the
morn
i
ng.
how mad I make you. I’m glad on the weekends with (Valley
I
love
you
lots
baby
!
we are such good
View Park & Manawa).
L ove Always,
friends and I want to D o you ever pla n on
Pe a nut !
cros si ng the
thank you
Happy Valenti ne s
picket l i ne?
for everything.
Day to all my
Happy Valentines
-Rachel
Valenti ne s!
Day,
Mallor y,
Hey bab e .
Hey And rew !
–Ma rc y
S a ra h hu n ny
-Eric
We’ve
had
some
great
times together
Happy Valenti ne’s Day ! I hope
Te
Amo Siempre Te qu iero con
the
last
5
months.
I
c
a
n’t
wa
it
for
you have a g re at day! We’ve had
to
do
me cori zon a nd no I d id n’t
the
ti
me
s
to
come
.
Have
a
g
re
at
some goo d time s! I hop e we have
Ka rrie ,
forget
you Trent Byers Te amo to
V
alentine’s
Day
Sweetheart!
a lot more! I luv ya lots! !
I j u st wa nt e d to l e t you
you
to J ack ie ! A nd to Trevor
L
ove
,
A
nd
rew
Love , Mal
k n ow t h at b e i n g w i t h
love ya to big dude !
XOXO
you ha s b e e n g r e at .
<3 Ros e a n ne
Happ y Va le nt i n e s D ay !
K rist i n Ebbs you a r e a n
L ov e T homas
awe s ome p e r s on ! D on’t eve r
Steph & Erda:
let a nyone tel l you d i fferent !
Hey guys! Happy
Ly n z- tha nk
you for b ei ng
Wi l l you be my Valent i ne?!
Vday ! <3 ya!
such a goo d friend!
Me only b ei ng a
–You r S e c r e t
Shau na
sophomore you always let me hang out with all you r
Abby Feller
you are a n
Va le nt i ne
older friends a nd ever y thi ng th is ye a r has b e en a
awe some g i rl! Don’t ever let a ny one
blast s o fa r, a nd who k nows whats to come of it . But
tell you d ifferent ! You a re my hero!
I just wa nte d to tha nk you for ever y th i ng you’ve
Da n i,
Happy V-Day !
Will you b e my valenti ne?!
B obble He ad
Boy- You walk done . ~BF~ D -Rob
–You r S ecret Valenti ne
I wo u l d l i ke t o w i s h We n d y
S el l e r s a n d L o opi e a h a p p y
V A L EN T I N E S d ay ! L ov e
S t e p h a n i e Hu g h e s
You a re the g re ate st sister who ever
l ive d on the face of th is pla net ! I don’t
k now what I’ll do without you r da rl i ng
s elf next year! Have a great day! Love, Diana
L i t tle Si s te r, just wa nte d to tell you
that I love you bu nd le s, a nd you
a r e the b e ste st sister a g i rl
cou ld have . Have a
y u m my day,
da rl i ng .
<3 D a n i
by me ever yday, a nd I thi nk that Hey Bloss om & Buttacup! I just wanted
you both to k now that Hig h School
you a re g ra ndpa cute! I also
would n’t b e as gre at without both of
thi n k you a re
you! Happy Valenti ne s Day!
RAD
<3 Ya~ Bubble s
T O TH E M A X!
I love you!