have a great winter break! - Leo Jr/Sr High School

the
Lion’s Tale
Friday, December 19, 2008
Volume LII
Issue VIII
Leo Junior/Senior High School
2009
Sterling
Sentinel
Nominees
selected
Students are nominated for scholarship in fields of individual talents
INDUSTRIAL
“I should win because I enjoy
writing.”
“I should win because I hate to
miss AP Calculus.”
“I should win because I rock...at
building things.”
“I should win because I sing with
the voice of ten thousand
angels.”
LINDSEY MOHLMAN
“I should win because I made
this page.”
KARISSA MILLER
ANDRE SAUDER
VOCAL
CHLOE MORRICAL
KYLE SLENTZ
JOURNALISM
BETH MCMANUS
SCIENCE
“I should win because my passion
for drama is burning like the redhot forest fires of California.”
“I should win because I put a
lot of work and effort into what
I did.”
“I should win because I’m been
in athletics my whole life and
I’m really dedicated to them.”
ENGLISH
DRAMA
EVAN DELAGRANGE
BUSINESS
ATHLETICS
ARTS
“I should win because I’m Matt
Thomas.”
MATHEMATICS
ANDREA GAGE
KALAH BAER
“I should win because I can cure
cancer.”
CHELSEA BRUNE
SOCIAL STUDIES
MATTHEW THOMAS
“I should win because I should.”
NHS expands school recycling program
First community recycling to take place Saturday, January 10 from 10 a.m. to noon
By Chloe Morrical
Co-Editor-in-Chief
NHS has recently
decided to expand the current
school recycling program into
a community-wide project.
Right
now,
each
classroom individually collects
recycling, and every Friday, NHS
members volunteer their time
to collect the paper. Although
this is a large accomplishment
and movement in the right
direction, the NHS Executive
Committee made the decision
that the program should
develop into something bigger
and take the initiative to start
recycling for the community.
The
community
recycling will collect the same
items as the school recycling,
any paper goods including
colored paper, newspaper,
construction paper, magazines,
cardboard, Crete paper, gum
wrappers, and Post-it notes.
The recyclables cannot be
dropped off at any time;
instead, NHS members will
unlock and attend the trailer
every other Saturday from 10
AM until noon. The students
will be there to assist in dropoff and to help anyone who
cannot carry their goods on
their own.
The
community
recycling will begin with the
New Year, and January 10 is
the first Saturday that it will
take place. Anyone interested
in taking part can drop off their
paper to the trailer parked at
the circle drive on the West
side of the building.
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
COLORED PAPER
NEWSPAPER
CONSTRUCTION PAPER
MAGAZINES (STAPLES OK)
CARDBOARD
CRETE PAPER
GUM WRAPPERS
POST-IT NOTES
HAVE A GREAT
WINTER BREAK!
TCID:PP
Page 2 • Friday, December 19, 2008 • News
Editor: Ali Strang
Forty assets improve teenagers chances for success FORTY
ASSETS
The forty developmental assets are possitive building blocks that children
need in their life in order to become smart, responsible, and caring adults
Bailey Rosembaum, Rory Harris, and Ashlynn Jenkins
Positive peer culture
and healthy asset building
prevents destructive decisions
for teenagers, according to
the coordinator of Great KIDS
make Great COMMUNITIES,
Megan Kelly.
False images from the
media encourage toleration
from teenagers in making
dangerous choices.
Judge
Charles Pratt of the Family
Relations Division in Superior
Court
of Allen
County
provided several tips to reduce
risk behaviors that kids engage
in.
Assets are positive
building blocks that children
need in their life in order to
become smart, responsible,
and caring adults. Assets can
be broken down into two
specific categories, internal and
external. Both types of assets
lead into one another. They
work together, enabling a child
or teenager to make the right
choices to have a good life and
build healthy relationships,
said Pratt.
Allen County Superior
Court has come up with a
program; Great KIDS make
Great COMMUNITIES, in
Staff Writer, News Editor, and Staff Writer
order to ensure that children
are given the opportunity to
succeed in life. Research has
been done by this program,
and it has been found that
ideally there are 40 specific
development assets that a child
should attain.
The first twenty are
the external assets, which focus
on support, empowerment,
boundaries and expectations,
and constructive use of time.
Some examples of external
assets include family support,
positive family communication,
caring neighborhood and
school climate, and parent
involvement in schooling.
School, parents, teachers, youth
providers, and activities all
influence the decisions made
by a teen, said Kelly.
Relationships are the
core of the development of
the external assets. Through
relationships, students gain the
ability to amplify assets.
“Relationships make
a big difference,” said Pratt.
“You are an asset builder by
what you do.”
The other half of
the 40 developmental assets
focuses on the internal assets
of students. These assets are
based on a commitment to
learning, positive values, social
competencies, and having
a positive identity. Some
examples of external assets
include school engagement,
responsibility,
cultural
competence, resistance skills,
and self-esteem. The internal
assets will bring out the
external assets and vice versa.
It is important for the
staff at a school to get to know
students by name. According
to Pratt, a student who feels
isolated is more likely to fall
into the cracks and get their
self into trouble. One way to
do this is to assign teachers to
students and have a student be
greeted by that staff member
on a general basis. Assigning
upperclassmen to various
students to talk to and eat lunch
with can also help students feel
encouraged to reach success.
It is important for students to
receive recognition through
the newspaper, yearbook, and
through interaction with other
students. These are all examples
of prevention for students from
destructive behavior. Asset
building is a community effort,
said Pratt.
1. Family Support
2 .Possitive Family Comm.
3 .Adult relationships
4. Caring Neighborhood
“A lot of it I think
5. Caring School Climate
comes from their peers,” said
6. Parent Involvement
Dean of Students Chad Houser.
7. Communitiy Values
“I think they get pressured by
8.Youth as Resources
their peers to make destructive
9. Service to others
decisions and that the influence
10. Safety
of society plays a big part.”
11. Family Boundaries
The
program
is
12. School Boundaries
not about holding others
13. Neighborhood Boundaries
accountable though. It is
14. Adult role Models
not that the students are
15. Positive Peer Influence
unacceptable but that their
16. High Expectations
behavior
is
unacceptable.
17. Creative Activities
Because
of
surrounding
18. Youth Programs
media, teenagers and children
19. Religious Community
have become over tolerant of
20. Time at Home
unacceptable behaviors. It is
21.Achievement Motivation
important to remind youth
22. School Engagement
that although accepting others’
23. Homework
choices are okay, it is not okay
24. Bonding to schools
to accept destructive decisions
25. Reading for Pleasure
made by others, said Kelly.
26. Caring
“It seems a lot of it
27. Equality and Social Justice
is just poor decision making
28. Integrity
because you guys are new at
29. Honesty
it,” said Officer K. Litzenberg.
30. Responsibility
Both
Houser
and
31. Restraint
Litzenberg
agreed
that
32. Planning and decisioneducating students on their
making
consequences would be best
33. Interpersonal Competence
in preventing students from
34. Cultural Competence
making bad choices.
35. Resistance Skills
External and internal
36. Peaceful conflict resolution
assets cannot be formed
37. Personal Power
without the community. It is
38. Self-esteem
a cultural shift that takes time
39. Sense of purpose
in promoting healthy asset
40. Positive view of person
building.
future
FAFSA is more useful to students than anticipated
Seniors applying for scholarships should consider looking into Free Application for Student Aid
Lauren Drefke
Opintion Editor
There are many
forms of financial aid but the
most common and important
for high school seniors to
apply for is FAFSA (Free
Application
for
Federal
Student Aid).
There
are
misunderstandings
surrounding the filing of the
FAFSA form according to
Guidance Counselor Christi
Smeltzley.
“The common
misconception of FAFSA is
that why should I fill out
FAFSA when I already know
my family will not qualify,”
said Mrs. Smeltzley. “Many
scholarships and other forms
of loans require FAFSA.”
Filing this form can
prove to be important for
all students. “By filing a
FAFSA, students and parents
are not committing to having
to accept financial aid,”
said Assistant Director of
Financial Aid at IPFW Vickie
Dahl. “It simply means they
wish to be considered and that
aid can be offered to them.”
Also many families
think that if they have filed
FAFSA one year and didn’t
qualify, that they don’t need
to bother filing it the next year
because they won’t qualify
again. “If a family already
has filed a FAFSA, there is
paperwork that the student can
do with the college to ‘update’
information rather quickly,”
said Dahl. These families are
misinformed because their
financial status may have
changes in the past year to
allow them to qualify.
“Becky had to fill out
FAFSA the first year,” said
senior Beth McManus. “She
didn’t fill it out sophomore or
junior year. Her senior year
she wanted to take out loans so
she had to fill out the FAFSA to
get them.”
Regardless
of
household income, everyone
qualifies for an unsubsidized
Federal Stafford student loan
by completing a FAFSA.
Stafford Loans are federal
student loans made available to
college and university students
to supplement personal and
family resources, scholarships,
grants,
and
work-study.
Nearly all students are eligible
to receive Stafford loans
regardless of credit.
Seventy-six
percent
of American middle class
households are not financially
secure according to “From
Middle to Shaky Ground: The
Economic Decline of America’s
Middle Class, 2000-2006”,
written by Tamara Draut
Jennifer Wheary, Thomas M.
Shapiro, and Tatjana Meschede
in an article on www.demos.
org. Middle income families
don’t always qualify for the
FAFSA program or any other
financial aid programs. “The
system is screwy because my
family and I are middle class
so we don’t get much financial
aid at all,” said senior Abby
Reece, “but just because we
are in middle class doesn’t
mean we have thousands of
dollars to spend. It shouldn’t
be if I work and have an
income that I get deducted on
FAFSA even though I’m just
making minimum wage.”
Congress is trying to
do more to help the country’s
middle class but for now that
assistance is in the form of
Stafford Loans.
Students who fall
under the middle class
income bracket have a better
chance of qualifying for
federal money. “I’m almost
at an advantage because of
my family’s financial status,”
said senior Beth McManus. “I
qualify for financial aids and
people that are middle class
families can’t necessarily pay
for college but don’t qualify
for federal money. They are
better off than some families
but don’t have that money to
spare.”
High school seniors
should file a FAFSA no matter if
they think their family qualifies
or not. Information can be
found in student services.
FAFSA is not a specific for but
can be filed online at www.
fafsa.ed.gov. The deadline for
completion of FAFSA is March
1, 2008. If you have any further
questions please contact Mrs
Smeltzley.
Page 3 • Friday,December19, 2008 • News
Editor: Rory Harris
Lion’s Tale
the
SSH shops for Christmas families
Contact Information
Mailing Address: 14600 Amstutz Rd., Leo, Indiana 46765
Phone: (260) 446-0182, Ext. 7162
Email: Staff members of the Lions’ Tale may be contacted at
[email protected].
Responding to Lions’ Tale
Andrew Rogers and Maggie Richardson shop for families.
By Brooke Markham
Feature Editor
As soon as the
excitement
of
Christmas
break subsides, the next big
Leo event is semi formal.
Leo’s
2009
semi-formal
will be held on Saturday,
January 17 from 8-11 P.M.
Just like last year, semiformal will take place at the
Grand Wayne Center. Because
of its location, the Grand
Wayne Center is conveniently
located near a wide variety
of dining restaurants. Some
of the most popular ones
are; Takaoka, Cork n’ Clever,
Biaggi’s, Bakers Street, Oyster
Bar, Granite City, etc. Semi
formal means that it’s half
as fancy as prom. So, even
though these restaurants
get great business the night
of semi, so do fast food
restaurants for the students
who don’t feel the need to
splurge on a night until Prom.
“For last years semiformal, a group of my girlfriends and I went out to
eat at Taco Bell,” said junior
Melanie Matteson. “We didn’t
feel the need to go all out
and spend a bunch of money
for Semi, so we decided
PHOTO BY ANDREW RODGERS
to fine dine at Taco Bell.”
Last year Leo’s Student
Council members chose Hot
107.9 to DJ for the dance. This
year, semi-formal DJ will be
(GOIN TO KNOW SOON),
according to Student Council
President Chloe Morrical.
In the past years, the music
has consisted of mainly hip
hop and the occasional slow
song. This years’ selection will
include more of a variety of
hip hop, country, slow songs,
etc. according to Morrical.
In general, just dance music.
Anything that is liked by the
student body will be attempted
to be played while trying
to maintain a dance vibe.
“I liked the music a
lot last year because Hot 107.9
was the D.J.,” said senior Zach
Baron. “It could have been a
little better but overall I thought
it was a good choice of music. I
hope this year is just as good.”
This year’s semi-formal
is expected to be better than
last year according to Student
Council Vice President Lauren
Thoman. More students decided
to join the committee this year
so that decreases the stress and
chaos of getting semi-formal
organized and put together.
“Last
year
there
was barely any student
involvement,” said Thoman.
“Chloe was president and I was
the vice president of student
council committee and we were
only juniors. No seniors were a
part of the committee, so it was
just us two and Mr. Sauder
who planned the formal. Now
that we have more participants
this year, there is more
eagerness and involvement
to make this a great dance.”
One thing that is being
questioned about the dance
this year is whether or not the
committee will be providing
snacks
and
beverages.
According to Thoman, they
aren’t certain on whether they
will provide food. In the past
years, water has always been
offered is you are thirsty. Also,
knowing that students just
came from a big dinner, the
committee feels that it’d be a
waste of money to provide
food to a bunch of full bellies.
“This year, student
council has really come
together and collaborated
to plan a great dance,” said
Morrical. “I hope that our hard
work pays off and everyone
has a fun time at the dance.”
Students prepare for semi-formal
By Ali Strang
News Editor
Leo’s 2009 semi-formal
will be held on Saturday,
January 17 from 8-11 P.M.
Just like last year,
semi-formal will take place
at the Grand Wayne Center.
The Grand Wayne Center is
conveniently located near
a wide variety of dining
restaurants. Some of the most
popular ones are Takaoka, Cork
n’Clever, Biaggi’s, Bakers Street,
Oyster Bar, Granite City, etc.
“For
last
year’s
semi-formal, a group of my
girlfriends and I went out to
eat at Taco Bell,” said junior
Melanie Matteson. “We didn’t
feel the need to go all out
and spend a bunch of money
for Semi, so we decided
to fine dine at Taco Bell.”
Last year Leo’s Student
Council members chose Hot
107.9 to DJ for the dance. This
year, semi-formal DJ will be
(GOIN TO KNOW SOON),
according to student council
president Chloe Morrical.
In the past years, the music
has consisted of mainly hip
hop and the occasional slow
song. This years’ selection will
include more of a variety of
hip hop, country, slow songs,
etc. according to Morrical.
In general, just dance music.
Anything that is liked by the
student body will be attempted
to be played while trying
to maintain a dance vibe.
“I liked the music a
lot last year because Hot 107.9
was the D.J.,” said senior Zach
Baron. “It could have been a
little better, but overall I thought
it was a good choice of music. I
hope this year is just as good.”
This year’s semi-formal
is expected to be better than
last year according to student
council vice president Lauren
Thoman. More students decided
to join the committee this year
so that decreases the stress and
chaos of getting semi-formal
organized and put together.
“Last
year
there
were barely any students
involvement,” said Thoman.
“Chloe was president and I was
the vice president of student
council committee and we were
only juniors. No seniors were
a part of the committee, so it
was just us two and Mr. Sauder
who planned the formal. Now
that we have more participants
this year, there is more
eagerness and involvement
to make this a great dance.”
One thing that is being
questioned about the dance
this year is whether or not the
committee will be providing
snacks and beverages.According
to Thoman, they aren’t certain on
whether they will provide food.
“This year, student
council has really come
together and collaborated
to plan a great dance,” said
Morrical. “I hope that our hard
work pays off and everyone
has a fun time at the dance.”
Letters to the editor will be accepted. Letters may be submitted to
Room 332, placed in the mailbox of Cheryl Ashton, e-mailed to
[email protected], or mailed to school. All letters must be
signed or they will not be recognized. Names will be published.
(Letters sent via e-mail will be taken to a student’s class for him or
her to sign.) Letters must not contain personal attacks against and
individual and may be edited.
Purpose
The Lions’ Tale is a student publication distributed to students,
faculty and staff of Leo High School, with a press run of 1,300.
Copies are distributed to Harlan Elementary and Leo-Cedarville
Elementary, and can be viewed at eacs.k12.in.us/lhs/. Opinions
expressed in the newspaper are not necessarily those of LHS nor the
Leo High School faculty, staff, or administration.
Credentials
The Lions’ Tale belongs to the Indiana High School Press
Association and the National Scholastic Press Association.
Advertising
Businesses may advertise in the Lions’ Tale if their ads adhere to
guidelines. The advertising policy is available in Room 332 or can
be attained by contacting staff at [email protected].
Editor-in-Chief of Writing
Allison Troutner
Editor-in-Chief of Pictures
Lindsey Mohlman
Editor-in-Chief of Advertising
Chloe Morrical
Editor-in-Chief of Layout and Design
Lauren Thoman
Page Editors
A&E
Opinion A&E
Feature
Sports
Junior High News
Special
News
Feature
Kassi Galbreath
Lauren Drefke
Evan Delagrange
Alyssa Turney
Stephanie Strang
Madison Carrol
Rory Harris
Amanda Overholt
Ali Strang
Katie Wertman
Beth McManus Abby Reece
Kristin Craft
Ashlynn Jenkins
Sarah Cummins
Brooke Markham
Bailey Rosenbaum
Staff Writers
Alicia Christman
Katelyn Figgins
Jeff Fox
Mitch Meinholz
Katie Pannabecker
Andrew Rodgers
Scott Smith
Page 4 • Friday, December 19, 2008 • Special
New Year’s
Editor: Amanda Overholt
2008
celebrations vary
among Leo students
By Amanda Overholt
Special Editor
With the New Year
come celebrations, parties,
resolutions, and many different
ways to commemorate. Some
bring in the New Year with
family.
Others
celebrate
with friends. Yet others
simply await the coming of
midnight on January 1. Leo students celebrate
the New Year in many different
ways. Junior Ali Strang and
senior Stephanie Strang have
never been to a New Year’s
party. Instead they go to their
dad’s house in Columbus,
Ohio, and go to a random house
belonging to a person that they
don’t know. They sit in a room
alone and enjoy each other’s
company
until
midnight.
“Last year we watched
Wedding Crashers and taught a
kid how to play Rollercoaster
Tycoon,” said Strang. “We
also get little sparklers and
sparkling grape juice to bring
in the New Year. I love it.”
Eighth grader Kayla
Overholt attends a winter
retreat every year with her
church,
Wallen
Baptist.
“I go on a retreat every
year over New Years. We bring
in the New Year with a concert. I
get to hang out with my friends
and have a really awesome
time. Last year we literally
almost brought down the
building. The concert got a little
out of hand. It was crazy but I
had a lot of fun,” said Overholt.
Some
students
choose
to
attend
New
Year’s parties to celebrate.
“New Year’s parties
are usually a little [dressier]
than others,” said sophomore
Rachel Burtnett. “I like getting
ready with my friends and
dressing up. Usually at these
parties, they have festive hats
that are fun and get people
in the celebration mood. Last
year, I made three New Year’s
resolutions and did my best to
accomplish them all. This year,
I don’t have any ideas for any
yet, but I hope to make some
when the ball drops. It’s always
fun to set goals for yourself even
if they’re [close to] impossible.”
Still some students get
together with a few friends
and bring in the New Year.
“I have a party with
some friends from church
and we pull an all nighter
watching movies, playing
Guitar Hero, and other games,”
said senior Dane Gerig.
Resolutions are made
on New Year’s Eve in an
attempt to reach a goal one sets
for oneself in the upcoming
year.
Some
resolutions
are to reach certain goals.
“[My resolution]
is to get enough money to
be able to go to England
with Maddie [Carroll],” said
sophomore Emily Johnson.
Still
others’
resolutions
are
made
to
better
one’s
self.
“Resolutions
I
have are to be a better
person
and
get
better
grades,” said sophomore
Alexis
Ramos-Sweeney.
Yet others make
spiritual
resolutions.
“My
resolution
is the same as that of my
church,” said sophomore
Jon Dammeyer. “It’s called
‘Resolution 268.’ It comes from
the Bible verse Isaiah 26:8
which says ‘Yes, Lord, walking
in the way of your laws, we
wait for you; your name and
renown are the desire of our
hearts.’ My resolution is to
live my life accordingly.”
Some
students
spend time with their
family on New Year’s.
“My family goes to our
neighbor’s
house
[every
year],” said Ramos-Sweeney.
New Year’s is
a time to reflect on the
previous year and to
celebrate the coming
of a new one. There
are many different
ways to bring in
the New Year. No
matter the way
that the New Year
is celebrated, the
point is that it is
enjoyed by all.
Police inform
public about
holiday safety
By Lauren Thoman
Co Editor-In-Chief
From the infamous
Black Friday to New Year’s
Eve the Fort Wayne Police
Force is on high alert and
doing everything they can
to make sure the public is
keeping themselves safe.
Fort Wayne Public
Information Officer Michael
Joyner says that the team tries
to inform as many people as
they can to try and decrease
the crime and accident rate in
Fort Wayne. The department
takes precautions during
the holiday season such
as informing shoppers of
ways to prevent robbers
for stealing their newly
purchased Christmas goods
and preventing intoxicated
drivers from entering the
dangerously
slick
roads.
Last year from the
November 23 (Black Friday) to
December 31 (New Year’s Eve)
there were 1667 reported traffic
accidents and 1143 various
types of theft and robbery just
in Fort Wayne according to
Richard Wurm from the Fort
Wayne
Police Department.
This year the Police have
informed Christmas shoppers
that by leaving purchased gifts
in the trunk instead of in plain
sight it makes it less of a target
for vehicle robbers. Also while
shopping at night it is better
to shop in pairs and to keep
hands free. Not overloading
your arms with bags and boxes
will not only make shopping
easier but if a thief comes up, it
makes a person able to defend
themselves better. Parking close
to the building will make it less
likely for someone to come
up and rob if there is a chance
someone else could witness it.
For people who prefer
to do their holiday shopping
online, the shopper needs to
be aware of when the packages
are going to arrive and instead
of having them dropped off at
the home, have them stopped
at the terminal and go pick
it up. Although it may seem
inconvenient, some robbers will
follow a UPS or FedEx truck
around. When the delivery
man rings the doorbell and no
one answers, the robber will go
grab the package and repeat
the process at other homes as
well. This also makes a prime
place to break into if the robber
knows the house is vacant.
If the worries about
robbery aren’t enough, the
public also needs to be aware
of the weather and driving
conditions.
According
to
Officer Kenny Litzenberg the
rate of automobile accidents
and suicides also go up
during the holiday season.
Officer Litzenberg also said
that he stocks up on the
necessary
paperwork
for
drinking and driving arrests
and breath tests tubes for his
portable breath test (PBT).
“A large portion of
what I prepare myself for is
mental,” said Litzenberg. “I
need to make sure that I am
ready to handle multiple calls
and many that involve alcohol.
Along with this it is important
that I prepare to leave what
happens at work, at work.”
Joyner also noted
that along with the regular
traffic
enforcement
they
have units that go above and
beyond to look for impaired
drivers. With this, the rate of
reported accidents has gone
down to 659 as apposed to
last year’s 925 from the date of
November 28 to December 11.
2009
Editor: Kassi Galbreath
Page 5 • Friday , December 19, 2008 • Special
Christmas Traditions
How Leo Students are celebrating a holly jolly Christmas
By Kassi Galbreath
Special Editor
To celebrate the holiday season this year, several Leo students and faculty members are
taking their Christmas spirit to warmer destinations though the majority of the student
body is staying close by.
For sophomore Jenae Bennington, the moment school lets out for Christmas break
December 19, she and her family will be on their way to the sunshine state.
“For Christmas this year my family is going to Siesta Key for a week instead of being
stuck in the cold weather,” said Bennington. “I’m really looking forward to getting a good
tan and escaping all of the snow.”
Student teacher Mr. Dan Thurber will also be traveling south for the holiday season and
is anticipating a great Christmas celebration with loved ones. “I’m planning on visiting my
family in Florida for Christmas,” said Thurber. “I’m really looking forward to pigging out
on good food. Presents and hanging out with family is what the holiday is all about.”
A large faction of Leo students will be staying in Indiana for the extent of their
Christmas holiday but are still planning to take part in fun and unique
celebrations.
Sophomore Alexis Ramos-Sweeney will be celebrating Christmas
with family members at her grandmother’s house in a Mexican tradition.
“I’m going to my grandma’s house for Christmas this year,” said RamosSweeney. “We have a Mexican Christmas with a lot of Mexican food and
a gift exchange. I can’t wait to see the rest of my family, and I’m really
excited because my sister is coming home this year.”
Senior Lauren Drefke is also planning to remain in Indiana
for the holiday season; her family is planning to celebrate with a huge,
festive party themed around particular aspects of Christmas. Because her
family is so large, the Drefke family also annually rents out the auditeria
of a nearby elementary school to host the celebration.
“The way my family celebrates Christmas is pretty much the
same as other people in the aspect of getting together with family and
having a big dinner,” said Drefke, “but we have a unique way of planning
the party each year. Because my mom comes from a family of eight, each
year is a different child’s year to plan, and they get to choose what our
Christmas party theme is.”
Though junior Aaron Crow will also be spending the extent of his
holiday season nearby, he is hoping for a gift that will enable him to travel
extremely far from home this coming summer break. “Like most people,
I will be hanging out with my family for Christmas,” said Crow, “but I’m
hoping I will be getting money to put toward a trip to South Africa that I
will be taking over next summer.”
Though Leo students are planning to celebrate the joyful season in
very different ways, most are greatly anticipating jolly celebrations with
family, friends and, of course, plenty of delicious food.
Foreign exchange students look forward to the holidays
By Andrew Rodgers
Staff Writer
Some foreign exchange students are looking forward to participating in some new holiday
traditions as well as remembering what their families will be doing for the Holidays.
Sophomores Jinny Lee and Yena Lee, two exchange students from South Korea, agree that
they are very excited to spend Christmas here in the United States. “Technically we do celebrate
but it’s not that big, but we make up Christmas trees. I am looking forward to presents, my choir
concert, and snow boarding,” said Jinny Lee
South Korea is the only East Asian country to recognize Christmas as a national holiday.
Koreans engage in some holiday customs such as gift-giving, sending Christmas cards,
and setting up decorated trees in their homes. According to allthingschristmas.com, children especially, appear to have embraced
Santa Claus, whom they call Santa Haraboji (Grandfather Santa).
“Well my family’s tradition is we go to the Korea Palace once a year to celebrate our ancestor’s day because my dad’s
side was royalty,” said Lee.
“I come from Kyunggi, South Korea. We celebrate by setting up Christmas trees, and giving presents to kids,” said
sophomore Yena Lee. “My family usually goes to the beach and eats sushi. This year my family and I will go to my
grandparent’s house and travel.”
Junior Mathieu Chaumette is an exchange student from France. French Christmas traditions
are very similar to United States traditions. “We celebrate Christmas the same, but we don’t eat the
same things,” said Chaumette. “Our dessert is called: Buche de Noel, which is also known as a
Yule Log. A Yule Log is a rich butter cream-filled cake. My family always has dinner and spends
Christmas Eve together.”
According to junior Isabelle Rohleder, the Germans call Christmas Weihnachten and
Santa Claus is known as the Weihnachtsmann. “We celebrate only on the 26th at least most of
the people do,” said Rohleder. “At night we go to church. After that the family meets
in the living room to unwrap the presents and eat. In the beginning of December
we always build a gingerbread house.”
Many of the new students will be experiencing some new types of
food this Christmas. “Some things I like to eat for Christmas are cake, ice
cream, and pie,” said Jinny Lee. A Korean Christmas meal usually
includes sweet potato noodles, rice cake soup, barbecued beef
(Bulgogi) and spicy pickled cabbage.
“Christmas dinner is usually goose and gluewein which is
a special kind of wine, gingerbread and cake,” said Rohleder.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLICKR.COM AND ANDREW RODGERS
“My mom told me Santa is bringing me coal
for Christmas, so I’m
just waking up to disappointment on December 25. I’m not looking
forward to it.”
-senior Lindsey Mohlman
“I am planning to
spend the extent of my
Christmas break fighting ninjas and fending
off invading
pirates.”
-senior Evan Delagrange
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!
Page 6 • Friday, December 19, 2008 • Sports
Editor: Stephanie Strang
NFL teams are looking forward to playoffs
NFL playoffs begin on January 17 and will air on ABC and ESPN
By Mitch Meinholz
Staff Writer
The season is wrapping
up around the National Football
League, and many teams are
looking forward to the playoffs.
With only a few weeks
left in the regular season, the
playoff picture breaks down
quite interestingly. In the
National Football Conference
(NFC), there are 4 different
divisions. They contain the NFC
East, North, South, and West.
In the NFC East,
the New York Giants, led by
Quarterback Eli Manning, stand
at the top with an 11-2 record.
They have relied heavily on the
running game this season, with
their bruising backs which
include 264 pound Brandon
Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw,
and Derrick Ward. They have
already clinched their division.
In the North, the dog
fight continues between the
Minnesota Vikings and the
Chicago Bears. The Vikings
lead the Bears by a game in the
division, but with 3 games left
the door is open for both teams.
Adrian Peterson is the team
captain of the Vikings, and
they rely on him greatly with
an inconsistent quarterback
position that has switched
from Tarvaris Jackson to the
veteran Gus Frerotte. Their
defensive line holds the team
together with Pat and Kevin
Williams in the middle and
Jared Allen on the outside.
The
Bears
have
surprised all with quarterback
Kyle Orton at the helm and
rookie running back Matt
Forte carrying the load.
The NFC West has
been clinched by the Arizona
Cardinals. The Cardinals,
led by former Super bowl
MVP Kurt Warner, have
shocked most fans with their
performance thus far. They
also have a great receiving core
that includes Larry Fitzgerald,
Anquan Boldin, and upand-comer Steve Breaston.
The NFC South has
what might be the most
complete division based on
their records. All competing
for 1st place is the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers,
and the Atlanta Falcons.
The Buccaneers have
had steady play from their
quarterbacks. Starting the
season was the 11 year veteran
Brian Griese. They are ending
their season leaning on their
other quarterback, 10 year
veteran Jeff Garcia. They are
helped with a solid defense
and a huge step up from
wide receiver Antonio Bryant.
The
Panthers
are
undefeated at home and are
led by team captains Julius
Peppers and Steve Smith.
The biggest surprise to the
Panthers this season was
the play they have received
from their 3rd year running
back DeAngelo Williams.
The Falcons have
surprised the football world
with their 8-5 record. They
are led by rookie quarterback
Matt Ryan and new acquisition
running back Michael Turner.
Turner
was
LaDainian
Tomlinson’s backup prior to
this season. Also a breakout
the Falcons have discovered
has been the 4th year wide
receiver
Roddy
White.
That leaves just the
Wild Card. The Wild Card is
2 teams that do not win their
division but have the other best
record in the conference. The
possibilities for this year’s Wild
Card are either the Buccaneers,
Panthers, Cowboys, Eagles,
Redskins, Falcons, or Saints. All
teams have a very good shot at
competing for the 2 open spots.
The Saints, behind
leading passer Drew Brees,
cannot lose another game if
they still want to contend.
Tony Romo is back from injury,
which helps the Cowboy’s
chances. Clinton Portis is
holding the Redskins chances
together and Donavan McNabb
and Brian Westbrook are trying
to lead the soaring Eagles.
In
the
American
Football Conference (AFC)
there are also 4 different
division, broken down the
same way. It contains the
East, North, South, and West.
In the AFC East, it is a
fight between the Jets, Patriots,
and Dolphins. They all have
an 8-5 record. The new look
Jets have surprised most with
their solid play. The new, oldtimer Brett Favre has had a
season that some would say
is MVP caliber. Along the
way he has had help from
Thomas Jones, Laveranues
Coles,
Jerricho
Cotchery,
rookie tight end Dustin Keller,
and an old teammate with
the Packers Bubba Franks.
The Patriots have had
their number of injuries this
season, but they have pulled
through and are contenders.
Matt Cassel, behind a veteran
offensive line, is starting to
show potential. It helps he has
a dynamic wide receiver core
containing Randy Moss, Wes
Welker, and Jabar Gaffney.
The Dolphins have
done better than many have
thought. In a somewhat
variation of the college wildcat
formation, they have had some
success. Ronnie Brown, Ricky
Williams, Chad Pennington,
and Ted Ginn Jr. have been the
main players involved with
this offense. Every team needs
a team leader, and Joey Porter
has come into Miami and
become that guy. The Buffalo
Senior Jordan Bowerman cheers for the Chicago Bears football team while Senior Trina Bauer frowns
about the Indianapolic Colts football team.
Bills have a slim shot at the
conference still, but need all
the teams in their division to
lose their remaining games.
The
AFC
North
contenders
include
the
Pittsburgh Steelers and the
Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers,
a hard-nosed running ball
club, has had some injuries in
the backfield this year, forcing
Ben Roethlisberger to throw
the ball more. Mewelde Moore
did a nice job stepping in for
Willie Parker when he was
hurt. The defense has again
carried the Steelers to many
victories. The Ravens have a
defense that most teams fear.
There are many veterans on
the defensive side of the ball
that includes Ray Lewis, Bart
Scott, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed,
Kelly Gregg, and Samari Rolle.
In the AFC South,
the Tennessee Titans have
already clinched the division.
Led by the duo of Chris
Johnson and LenDale White,
the running game cannot
be stopped. Fourteen-year
veteran Kerry Collins has
commanded the team in a
way every coach dreams of.
“The biggest surprise
team would definitely have
to be the Tennessee Titans.
Although,
their
schedule
wasn’t the toughest this
year, they managed to win
the AFC South, darn it. Go
Colts,” said senior Dane Gerig.
The
Colts
cannot
win the division, but with
their record they have a great
chance at the Wild Card.
“The surprise to me this
season is the colts. They were
awful in the start of the season,”
said sophomore Ryan Bollier.
In the AFC West, the
Denver Broncos with a win
clinch the division. Solid play
from Jay Cutler and Brandon
Marshall has helped along
the way. The Chargers, to
have any hope at all, need
the Broncos to lose their
remaining games and they
need to win the rest of theirs.
Every
year
there
seems to be teams that come
and shock the football world.
“My biggest surprise team
this year is the Detroit Lions.
I didn’t know a team could be
that horrible,” said Mr. Boyce.
With
the
regular
season coming to an end,
and teams battling out,
only time will tell what the
playoff picture will look like.
Page 7 • Friday, December 19, 2008
Editor: Katie Wertman
EACS uses abstinence only
approach for sex education
By Lindsey Mohlman
Editor-in-chief
Abstinence
only
teaching has been the backbone
of the sexual education
program for East Allen
County Schools for decades.
This way of teaching
falls into compliance with the
Federal Title Five Policy which
endows financial support for
this category of Promoting
Informed Parental Choice and
Innovative Programs to school
systems; without this program,
the school system would
lose this essential funding,
said Principal Dr. Daniel and
Assistant Principal Mr. Smith.
Reasoning
behind
choosing abstinence as the
primary focus for sexual
instruction extends beyond
the concept of receiving
federal grants, however, as it
is a much more complex issue.
When schooling is expanded
beyond basic fundamental
expectations, the risk exists
of facing conflict between
differing moral standards.
As
the
First
Amendment in the Bill of
Rights states, Congress shall
make no law respecting an
establishment of religion,
and the topic of abstinence
and other sexual ideas is a
touchy subject that can easily
cross boundaries of this law
if it is not handled correctly.
Aspects of sexual
involvement such as teaching
the options of contraception
and abortion, for example, are
strongly opposed by many
religious groups. If these
aspects were taught, they
would put certain religious
beliefs in higher regard than
others, which clearly violates
this First Amendment right.
“Schools
tend
to
take an abstinence only
teaching approach because
there is a very blurry line
between the social approach
of sexual education and the
religious or philosophical
side of it,” said Smith. “Public
schools are in no position
to offer religious or moral
advice on issues like these.”
The sexual education
program at Leo is most in
depth at the freshmen level. A
variety of topics are discussed
such as the anatomy and
physiology of male and female
reproductive systems, sexually
transmitted diseases, and an
understanding of the duration
of a woman’s pregnancy. All
of which have the underlying
theme of showing that the
only truly effective way to
avoid these consequences is to
abstain from all sexual activity.
“Contraception
can
only be discussed if we are
explaining its failure rates or
what happens when these
options don’t work,” said health
teacher Mrs. Jennifer Klug.
Principal’s Corner
Modified press release
The Indiana Department of Education
has awarded Leo Jr./Sr. High School as an Indiana
Blue Ribbon School for demonstrating academic
superiority. As indicated in the selection criteria,
schools whose students, regardless of background,
achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state
tests plays a role in the selection process For Blue
Ribbon Schools.
Leo Jr./Sr. has consistently excelled
academically. “EACS is extremely proud of the
academic performance of Leo Jr./Sr. High,” said
Dr. Kay Novotny, EACS Superintendent.
Leo Junior Senior High School (LHS) was
one of only 20 high schools named a National
2008 Model School by Dr. Willard Daggett’s
•
News
SEX MYTHS AND TRUTHS:
The truth behind sex rumors. Information courtesy of Mrs. Klug
and www.adviceforallages.com.
Freshmen also take
yearly trips to McMillan Health
Center where they learn more
extensively about the sexual
issues taught here at school.
The freshmen trip to McMillan
is usually an instruction about
pregnancy and the different
types of birth, but just recently
it has been changed to a
presentation on breast and
testicular self examinations.
Another change that has
been made is the addition of
the Hope Center coming to
school to talk to students more
about the emotional aspect
and consequences of sex.
Because the abstinence
only policy has been intact
for decades, it fairly raises the
question of whether this is the
most effective way of teaching
in a society that has greatly
changed in the past twenty years.
“I think it’s unrealistic
to think that 100 percent of
kids will abstain from sex,”
said Klug. “I do think a
certain population of students
would benefit from more
instruction on contraception.”
According
to
Superintendent
Dr.
Kay
Novotny, EACS uses the
abstinence
only
policy,
like
all
other
policies,
based
on
the
decisions
made by the school board.
EACS school board
president Reverend Terry was
not available for comment.
International Center for Leadership in Education
for 2008. Dr. Mark Daniel presented at the Model
Schools Conference in June 2008 highlighting the
school’s Career Majors Academy and Collaborative
Governance Model. The school’s learning culture
and core belief is that the work done is “not just
college prep; it’s real world prep.” The continued
success and consistent improvements in student
achievement at LHS demonstrate that the belief and
practice as career majors school is truly working.
The faculty and staff monitor student growth
continually and are finding positive trends that
include:
• An increasing number of Academic Honors
Diplomas granted annually
• Higher percentages of students performing
well on ISTEP and GQE state assessments
with combined language arts and math scores
between 86-87% since 2005 and consistent
MYTHS
You can’t get pregnant in a hot
tub.
You can’t get pregnant the first
time you have sex.
Drinking Mountain Dew will
decrease sperm count.
TRUTH
You can get pregnant anywhere.
You can get pregnant as long as
you’ve started menstruating.
Mountain Dew has no effect on
sperm count.
•
•
•
•
improvement over the last seven years
Attendance rates over 96% annually
Students excelling on Advanced Placement endof-course assessments in greater numbers
Increased numbers of students earning dual credit
during their high school careers enabling them to
graduate with college credit
Increased numbers of students experiencing
internships
Through the development of meaningful and effective
relationships between area businesses and community
members, and a commitment to academic rigor and
relevance, LHS has created an exemplary learning culture
for all its students.
“The entire district supports and congratulates
the students, families, administration, faculty and staff at
Leo Jr./Sr. High School and wish them continued success
and growth,” said Dr. Novotny.
Page 8 • Friday, December 19, 2008 • A&E
Editor: Evan Delagrange
The Day the Earth Stood Still
features effects, acting
By Evan Delagrange
A&E editor
December 12 is The
Day the Earth Stood Still. Not
literally, of course, but the
movie with the same name, a
remake of the 1951 classic film,
debuted last Friday.
The movie begins
in the 1920s with a man in
the mountains discovering a
strange glowing sphere in the
middle of a fierce blizzard.
When he touches it, a blinding
white light flashes from the
sphere and he is knocked
unconscious, awakening with
a strange mark on the back of
his hand. This seems irrelevant
to the immediate storyline, but
its significance is learned later
in the movie.
The story then jumps
to modern day where the
audience meets Dr. Helen
Benson (played by Jennifer
Connelly), a biologist at
Harvard who is called on by
the government to a top secret
assignment. She, along with
other scientists and engineers,
learn that there is an object in
space that is careening toward
Earth extremely quickly and
is going to hit Manhattan in
less than two hours. The object
does not slam into the earth,
but rather slows down and
lands in Central Park where
the audience sees for the first
time that it is the same sort of
sphere seen at the beginning of
the film but vastly larger.
As the scientists and
many soldiers and police
approach the sphere, something
begins to change and a man-
like figure emerges from the
sphere. As it approaches the
doctor, it is shot and wounded
by a nervous soldier. When
this happens, a massive robot
comes out of the sphere and
shuts down everything in
the park from vehicles to
radios to lights. It then emits
a squealing sound that brings
everyone around to their knees
and is reaching for the alien
when the alien speaks to the
robot (he speaks the words
“Klaatu barada nikto,” which
is a famous phrase from the
original movie) and the robot is
deactivated and stands guard
at the sphere.
The alien is then taken
into medical care where it
begins to change and take on
a human form. The scientists
watch in awe as it changes
from a strange alien to a man
in a matter of hours. When the
‘transformation’ is complete,
they speak with the alien and
learn that his name is Klaatu
(played by Keanu Reeves) and
that he has come with a very
important message for the
entire human race. When he is
denied his request of speaking
before the UN, he escapes the
facility with help from Dr.
Benson and goes on the run
with her and her stepson Jacob
(played by Jaden Smith, Will
Smith’s son).
Reports come in that
spheres are landing all over
the world and nobody knows
what their intentions are. This
is where the true conflict of
the movie comes in and the
audience finally discovers
PHOTO BY MEDIAATMIDNIGHT
Klaatu’s true purpose for
coming to Earth.
One of the most
notable features of this film
is the special effects. From
the sphere spaceships to the
giant robot to the destruction
of buildings, the effects are
excellent. Senior Sean Bricker
was especially impressed with
the special effects and with
Reeves’ acting.
“I liked the special effects,” said
Bricker, “and Keanu Reeves
did a great job.”
Dean Compton, also
a senior, saw the movie and
enjoyed it as well. “The special
effects were by far the best
aspect of the movie,” said
Compton.
Despite
comments
like these, many critics were
not especially impressed with
the movie, with Roger Ebert
giving it only two stars out
of four. He does admit in his
review, however, that the film is
“….good-looking…[and] wellmade by Scott Derrickson….”
Whether the audience
agrees with Ebert’s ‘two out of
four’ review or his comment on
how well-made the film was is
up to them. Movie-goers who
are up for some action and
end-of-the-world
suspense
are sure to enjoy this visually
groundbreaking movie.
Vaughn and Witherspoon endure Students enter photogcrazy family in Four Christmases raphy contest hosted
by Drexel University
PHOTO BY CINE FANATICO
By Katie Wertman
Staff writer
Box office hit Four
Christmases made its debut in
theaters around the country on
November 26. Vince Vaughn
and
Reese
Witherspoon
perform side by side to make
this 2008 Christmas film wellliked among its audiences.
Four
Christmases
displays an unmarried couple,
Brad played by Vince Vaughn
and Kate played by Reese
Witherspoon, who travel
together to a tropical location
year after year to get out of
spending Christmas with their
crazy families.
The movie starts out as
the couple plans their annual
trip but things get messy when
no flights are going out due to
a fogbank. A local newscast
is reporting the chaos on local
television when Brad and
Kate get caught on camera
revealing their secret vacations
to the entire city, including
their families. They now feel
obligated to attend their family
get-togethers.
“Four Christmases was
hilarious,” said sophomore
Delanie White. “My favorite
part was when Brad is talking
to the guy that he used to be
friends with and is now dating
his mom. That was so funny.”
There are four gettogethers for the couple to
attend in one day which is
where the name of the film
comes from. Brad and Kate
brace themselves for the worst
that could possibly happen.
Their gatherings were just as
bad as they expected, filled
with embarrassing stories and
bad school pictures. During
their adventures, the couple
deals with crazy relatives
who seem to get a kick out of
embarrassing the couple. While
Brad finds himself counting
down the minutes until the
nightmare is over, Kate starts
becoming fond of the love and
craziness of a family.
“This movie was a
lot better than I expected,”
said sophomore Justin Pinero.
“I guessed it wouldn’t be as
funny as the commercials
tried to make it look but I was
really surprised by how much I
enjoyed it.”
Both Brad and Kate go
into their holiday with dread
and come out of it with a new
perspective of their future
together. The couple spends
the holiday bonding on a
different level and discovering
a new kind of love that they
will carry with them into their
future together.
“I
thought
Four
Christmases was a good movie,”
said eighth grader Christian
Nitz. “It was really funny, and
I think the actors played their
parts really well. I thought it
was more of an adult-oriented
film; the humor was more
directed towards adults, but it
was still really funny. I enjoyed
it.”
By Katie Figgins
Staff writer
This year, several
photography students are
competing in the Drexel
University
High
School
Photography Contest for
2008. These students are
seniors Dylan Barlow, Taylor
Humphries,
and
Bryan
Utesch.
According to the
Drexel University website,
this contest is sponsored
by
HighSchoolPortfolios.
com and is open to all high
school students living in the
United States. Each student
may send up to three entries
or three matted photographs
to be judged. They may send
in any type of photographic
process that they choose,
whether it be black and white,
color, a silver print, a digital
print, or a historical process.
All of the entries had to be
postmarked by December 6,
and the artists whose entries
are chosen for the competition
will be notified by no later
than January 10 of the new
year.
Barlow, Humphries,
and Utesch first heard about
the contest from art teacher
Mike Bearman. Bearman
received a flyer in the mail
from
Drexel
University
advertising the competition.
He then proceeded to
speak to the three potential
contestants about sending in
some of their photos.
“[I entered] to let new
eyes view my artwork and to
see if I can make a little cash,”
said Humphries.
All three of the
contestants are hoping that
their unique artwork will
catch the eyes of the judges
and hopefully win them the
first place prize of $500.
“[I hope that] my
use of unique photographs
[will set me apart], and even
if they don’t set me apart, it
was a fun experience,” said
Barlow.
Each of the artists
has their own opinion on
what makes photography
special to them. Barlow loves
every part of photography
while Humphries enjoys
the adventure in finding
the perfect picture. Utesch,
however, has a different
view. “I like the concept of
trapping light in a box,” said
Utesch.
No matter the reason
for their love of photography,
these artists feel that the
Drexel
University
High
School Photography Contest
2008 is a great way for them
to gain experience in the
world of photography that
will aid them in their pursuit
of a career in this field.
The students who
receive first place in the
contest will win $500 in cash.
Second place receives $250,
and third place will receive
$100 cash. There are also
three honorable mention
awards. These awards are all
$50 gift certificates, one from
HighSchoolPortfolios.com,
one from CalumetPhoto.com,
and another from Photo Eye
Book Store in Santa Fe, New
Mexico. All of the selected
photos will be on display
at the Antoinette Westphal
College of Media Arts and
Design’s
photography
program gallery from January
31 through February 28.
There will also be a reception
on January 31 to celebrate the
opening of the exhibit.
Editor: Brooke Markham
•
Page 9 • Friday, December 19, 2008 Feature
Students may decide to postpone
college to join workforce instead
By Abby Reece
Editor
It has become more
than the norm for most students
to go to college right after
graduation from high school;
now it’s more an expectation.
Some decide from early on that
college is not for them, right
after graduation at the least.
Some
students
have been ready for college
from their first day of high
school. Some students have
known where they want to
go for college and what they
want to major in from the
time they were crawling.
Other students for
whatever reason have no
interest in attending college.
There have been some
successful people who have
not attended college or who
did not finish college. Take for
example, Bill Gates. He did start
school at Harvard University
but did not finish with a
degree in any major; instead,
he started Microsoft and
became one of the richest men
in the world. Without a degree
this man made a multibillion
dollar industry according to
http://www.woopidoo.com/
biography/bill-gates.htm.
Another
successful
man who didn’t get a degree
was Walt Disney. After a
brief stint in the military,
Disney built a commercial art
business that eventually went
bankrupt. Years later, without
giving up, Disney found
his break and also created a
multibillion dollar business
according
to
http://www.
justdisney.com/walt_disney/
biography/long_bio.html.
Students
have
different reasons for not going
to school. Whether it is for
financial reasons, just taking
some time off, joining the
military, or going straight into
the workforce, success is still a
possibility. Some students who
forego college probably have
a plan to become successful
in whatever they may do.
“I plan to go with Rotary
Youth Exchange overseas for a
year,” said Cherie Hiatt. “I’m
not sure where I am going
yet, but we are in the process
of doing paperwork. I plan to
then go off to college the year
after I get back from my trip.”
Then there are those
who take some time to go on
their own adventures before
college. Starting college with
a cavalier attitude could
leave the student tired and
frustrated before their first
year is up. “I think a student
should be 100 percent ready
for a college before committing
to it,” said guidance counselor
Mrs. Smeltzley. “It is a very
expensive venture if you really
are not completely committed.
There are benefits to waiting
to
earn
some
money.”
On the other hand, if
the student gets into a routine
of working and finds that
they make enough money
to do well, they may lose
motivation to enroll in college.
By doing this, the student is
only looking at their short
term future instead of the long
term future where a college
degree will come in handy.
“At both national
and state levels, our research
shows that a high-school
diploma alone is not sufficient
for students to access the
jobs that will provide a real
future and to thrive in our
economy,” said Christopher
B. Swanson on the Institution
of Higher Education’s website.
If the student does
decide to take some time off,
the key is to make a goal such
as college beforehand so that
they have a direction for what
comes next. During this time
it is good to figure out things
one would want to do, figure
out how to get there, and what
to do once the student is there.
If it is even a temptation to
forget the whole college goal,
it is advised that they not
take the time off, according to
http://www.ccl-cca.ca/CCL/
Reports/LessonsInLearning/
LinL20080626gappers.htm.
“Education
opens
doors for future opportunities,”
said
Mrs.
Smeltzley.
“I
would hope some sort of
post-secondary education –
whenever it begins – is a part of
each and every students’ plan.”
Not having a degree
has a direct affect on wages
earned by the employee.
According
to
salary.com
when comparing a restaurant
manager’s
wage,
which
averages at $54,000 a year,
and a nursing director whose
wage is averaged at $122,000
a year, it can be concluded
that a degree had an extreme
effect on the employees’ wages.
Of course, this is
just one example of wage
differences, but in looking at
many occupations a major
wage discrepancies were found.
There are exceptions, such as
Walt Disney and Bill Gates,
but on average students with
degrees earn more over time.
Character sketch by Leo Student
Students may now submit writing to be printed in newspaper
For the rest of this
year, the Leo newspaper staff will be
accepting writing
from students to be
printed inside the
newspaper. Here is
a brief preview and
example of something that may be
submitted.
By Elizabeth Huber
Sophomore
Have you ever known
a girl that was tiny, so tiny that
she was less than four and a
half feet tall, but possessed
feet that could rival the size
of a grown man’s? Genna
Carnival was, in absolutely no
way, shape, or form, normal.
However, it was not just her
strangely proportioned body
that made her so different.
I have never met a
girl who actually believed in
unicorns and magical worlds
full of warlocks and trolls. Yes
ma’am. She literally believed
that they existed. Genna didn’t
live in the real world. It was as
if she had conjured up her own
universe that she preferred.
For as long as I had known
Genna, she’d been that way,
even when we were young.
I met Genna Carnival
when we were in the fifth
grade. The picture of her
walking into the classroom
for the first time decked out
in medieval garb will remain
etched in my memory for an
eternity. Some of the children
in my class laughed, while
others just sat and stared. She
wore a floor length, forest
green princess gown and on
her head of deep red hair sat
a tiara. Had we been older,
I’m sure someone would have
said, “What in the world?”
To this day, some six
years since she came, she has
no friends. Not one. That’s not
to say however that people
haven’t tried to be her friend.
Not everyone at school is
that mean. It’s just difficult
when all a person can talk
about is the last dragon they
captured or the most recent
fairy party they’ve been to.
The number one thing
that you never, ever want to do
is tell Genna that her world isn’t
real. I can recall a time when
Natalia Scrap attempted this.
Let’s just say Genna completely
freaked, throwing herself into
a full blown tantrum which in
fact did involve throwing a fair
number of things not meant to
be thrown. Ask Natalia. She’s
still got the scars. Since then, no
one speaks to Genna if they can
avoid it; and Genna seems to be
fine with that. That, my friend,
leads me to question why she
approached me, of all people
that Thursday morning with
a dangerous look in her eye.
Page 10 • Friday, December 19, 2008 • Opinion
Editor: Lauren Drefke
High school athletes stray away from the “I” in team
Unity among teammates proves to be an important part of sports
By Allison Troutner
Co-Editor-In-Chief
Team unity is an
integral aspect in the success
of Leo High School sports.
Usually,
Leo’s
students
and
parents
positively
support the players in their
drive for victory. “The best teams
make individual sacrifices for
the greater good,” said boys’
basketball head coach Mr.
Cogdell. “They put team goals
ahead of individual goals.”
This
criterion
of
being a team is one of the
most important. There is
hardly ever a time when an
entire team agrees, but when
a decision is made, the best
team players follow along.
Not one fan can
remember a game where
a basketball player took to
the court by himself just to
prove a point to the rest of
the team that he is best. This
has never happened because
they understand the idea
of individual sacrifices. The
point is to win the game, not
to be the ‘star of the show’
and score the most points.
When a player begins
to find their own ideas and
selfishness in front of the team’s
Cheerleading squad gathers together at Christmas party.
goal, there is a major problem.
“A team is when you
put the welfare of the team and
the welfare of others above your
own,” said Athletic Director
Mr. Rohrbacher. If a member of
a squad, team, or even club acts
upon their own whim, its affects
everyone. Emotional and even
physical pain can be afflicted
upon the team if not every
single person cooperates. It can
also bring tension and anger
into the group of determined
athletes and the bond between
young people can suffer.
It is not fair for the whole
team to suffer just because
of the selfish act of another.
“It affects the entire
team just by that one person
acting as an individual;
[it] has a lasting effect,”
said
senior
basketball
player Jordan Bowerman.
A good team player
is aware of the welfare of the
team as a whole unit and is
willing to make sacrifices
for the good of the team.
PHOTO BY ALLISON TROUTNER
“Our motto this year is
a quote from Michael Jordan,”
said Cogdell. “’I have no
individual goals.’ His point
was that the team comes first.
Basketball is a team sport,
not and individual sport.”
Team members, in an
abstract way, can go beyond
the court. Parent support is
vital in the success of each
sport in LHS. At home, advice
and support from parents
can make or break a game or
can help a son or daughter
understand how to be the best.
“Parent support is
great. The majority of parents
do an excellent job,” said
Cogdell. “As long as things
are kept in perspective,
there
isn’t
a
problem.”
Without parents, the
Leo students may not have
been molded into the great
team players they are today;
however, while parents can be
considered a member of the
team, there are fine lines. Players
don’t tell their coach how to
coach, and neither should
parents. As the sportsmanship
sign that hangs in Leo’s
hallway reminds students and
adults, “let the coaches coach.”
“Parents cross the
line when they move into the
coaching realm,” said Coach
Cogdell. “Again, the majority
of parents do an outstanding
job;
however,
we
will
occasionally have someone
who wants to question offenses,
defenses or playing time.”
Parents are part of
the team. Parent support, as
well as team member support
is what success is based on.
From cheerleading to
basketball, each sport requires
the cooperation of every
single member of the team or
squad, but also cooperation
from the parents.
Students learn limits of trust
among friends and peers
Accountablility between friends tested throughout high school
Alyssa Turney
Staff Writer
Learning about whom
to trust and learning who
your true friends are is a huge
lesson that most people have to
deal with during high school.
When a personal secret
arises, there are usually a few
people whom you know you
can go to, whether it is a group
of close friends, a boyfriend
or girlfriend, or a parent.
“Knowing who to
trust is really important to
me,” said senior Megan Kiley.
“I don’t run around telling
everyone secrets. I have one
person that I can go to and talk
about those kind of things.”
This previous week,
I had a run in with a girl
who, in my opinion, was way
too trusting. After literally
knowing this girl for not even
3 minutes, I was informed
of many things going on in
her life. With having just
learned her name, I now also
know about her boyfriend,
her family life, and yes, even
her very personal life. I was
shocked that this girl was
telling me all of this personal
information without knowing
how trustworthy I actually
was. For all she knew, I could be
running off telling everyone this
personal information about her.
I was so shocked that
this girl was revealing this
private information because
throughout high school, I have
been the type of person to keep
my mouth shut about personal
things. New relationships,
an argument with a friend,
or general annoyances with
people, I just usually never
told people about it, not even
the people I considered to be
my good friends. The more
people involved in my personal
life, the more drama-filled it
became and that was something
I just didn’t want to deal with.
Although I would
get some negative comments
from my close friends about
my guarded personality, it was
worth it to me. Being guarded
saved me from openly being
hurt and having people know
about it. If I had been dating
a guy for a few months and
suddenly broke it off, I would
not have to explain to anyone
what had happened, why it
had happened, or anything
else. My ways seemed to
work for me, and saved
me from explanations to a
lot of people whom I had
let in on my personal life.
While writing this
article, the movie Mean Girls
keeps coming into my head.
The girls from the movie do
surreptitious three-way calls
so they can find out what
the other “friend” is actually
thinking. This is also another
situation that shocks me. I
know that it is just a fictional
movie and that the people in
the movie didn’t actually get
hurt by the information, but
“I am still learning who is
trustworthy and who isn’t.
It takes a lot of time to figure
it out, but it’s something
that needs to be done.”
-senior Elise Gongwer
this kind of thing does happen
in real life, and it happens
when
a
person doesn’t
know whom they can trust.
“I trusted my friends
with secrets, and it was a huge
mistake,” said senior Emily
Lichtenberger. “Basically I
told my ‘friend’ everything
and she used it against me.”
Seniors trusting eachother while building a pyramid.
Another thing that I that needs to be done.”
have learned in high school
After four years of high
is that not everyone is going school and a countless number
to betray you. There are those of betrayals and secrets that
people who know when to did not remain covert for
keep a secret, even if they are very long, I have learned that
not told specifically to keep being guarded and cautious
it on the “DL.” These people, about what information I let
however, are very few. Also, it out of my mouth has helped
takes years to find out who is me a lot. I’m not saying that
going to be true to you and who people shouldn’t trust anyone
isn’t, so you need to be careful. and that they should keep
“I am still learning who everything secret and bottled
is trustworthy and who isn’t,” up. The best advice is to make
said senior Elise Gongwer. “It sure that whatever one reveals
takes a lot of time to figure to someone isn’t something
it out, but it’s something they don’t want others to know.
Page 11 • December 19, 2008 • Junior High
Editor: Madison Carroll
Junior High basketball teams
progress throughout season
Kristin Craft
“We’ve had a good season so far because
of our domination factor.”
-Eighth grader Dillon Thoman
Staff Writer
The 2008-2009 middle
school basketball season is
underway. Both the girls and boys
teams have started their games
and have been practicing for a
couple months now.
The coaching staff for
the eighth grade girls is Mike
Hey and Jay Salway. Former Leo
student, Ashlee Roth, is coaching
the seventh grade girls team for
the first year.
“Coaching
basketball
is different than coaching
volleyball,” said Roth. “It was
different to adjust to. Basketball
has set plays and also different
defenses you have to teach.
Seventh grade is also a difficult
year. It is a different game so it can
be difficult for the girls to adjust
to.”
The seventh grade girls
team is 2-5 and is continuing
to improve. According to Roth
every player on the team works
hard and hustles. They all have
great attitudes and get along
well with one another. They are
always encouraging and play well
together as a team. Roth is hoping
for the team’s record to improve
with all the hard work the girls
learn
have been putting into it.
“I have enjoyed the season
a lot,” said Annya Mohlman.
“It has been a lot of fun and our
teams get along well. I am very
excited for a great year.”
The eighth grade girls
team is off to a great start for
the season. They currently are
5-2. The girls have also won the
past 4 games in a row. Coach
Hey is very happy with the girls’
performance.
“The girls have accepted
working hard and through
their hard work our defense has
improved, and we are getting
scoring from more than two
players,” said Hey. “They all have
great attitudes, and the kids get
along well and play together as a
team.”
The players have also
agreed with their coach and
feel the team has improved a
lot. They have team chemistry
and understand each other.
Michelle Grush feels that the
team has improved greatly with
their rebounding and the girls
understand each other’s strengths
and weaknesses.
“The team has improved
a lot since last year,” said Rebecca
Oliver. “Our practices have paid
off. Both our defenses and offenses
are also running smoothly.”
laugh
Just like the seventh grade
girls team, the seventh grade boys
are also 2-5.
“We have had a little bit
of a rough patch this season,” said
Coach Ryan Gerig. “But things are
starting to improve.”
The eighth grade boys
team has a record of 5-2. Their
coaches are Tim Minnich and Evan
Riecke, both are Leo alumni. This
is Riecke’s first year of coaching.
Riecke graduated 3 years ago and
also played basketball all four
years of high school.
“I am very excited to
come out to where I used to
play basketball and have the
opportunity to coach the boys,”
said Riecke. “They are a great
group of guys. I am very thankful
that Coach Cogdell has given me
the opportunity to come back and
coach, and I am also very excited
to be learning from and coaching
with Coach Minnich.”
The boys are continuing
to improve. According to Riecke
they are a very respectful group
of kids who work together well as
a team and also complement each
other.
“The season has been
great,” said eighth grader Dillan
Thoman. “We are looking for
another ACAC championship.”
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“It’s been a lot of fun; I enjoy my team.”
-Eighth grader Sam Waters
260-481-4180
www.ipfwstudenthousing.com
“We are working better as a team, we
know each others strengths and weaknesses. Our rebounding has also improved.”
-Eight grader Michelle Grush
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Page 12 • Friday December 19, 2008 • Special
Editor: Chloe Morrical
Childhood Christmas memories captured on camera
2
1
11
3
10
4
5
Words to find:
angel
boughs
Christmas
excitement
green
joy
lights
magical
ornaments
presents
7
TCID:BW
8
9. Lindsey Mohlman 10. Maddie Carroll 11. Katie Wertman
6
Santa Claus
snow
tree
twinkle
winter
1. Mitchell Diehl 2. Allison Troutner 3. Andre Sauder 4. Adam Sauder 5. Mr. Rohrbacher 6. Baily Rosembaum 7. Andrew Rodgers 8. Kristin Craft