Start of School Varies with Age, School

Lawrence Virtual Secondary Program
School Newpaper
Issue #1 Volume #1
September 2006
Start of School Varies with Age, School
by Christy Rude, Winfield, Kansas
On the morning of Wednesday, August 23rd
students all over Winfield, Kansas are heading out
the door for their first day of school. But how do
these students get to school? Based on a small
survey of 13 students, 7% rode the bus to school,
21% walked to school, 14% rode their bikes to
school, 21% got a ride from their parents to school,
and 29% drove their selves to school. As you can
school is still taking place.
Many students of Winfield, Kansas envy the
seventh and eighth graders; they yet have another
week of freedom before they have to return to
the classroom. The new middle school(which is
located right next to Winfield High School) is not
quite finished being built, in result the 7th and 8th
graders of Winfield, Kansas don’t have to go to
school for another week and have to have seven
minutes added to their school day for the rest of the
year. “I like it, except that it’s really boring,” says
Kelsey Buffum of Winfield, Kansas. No one likes
being bored, and although the rest of the district is
envious of the 7th & 8th graders, it looks like they
would rather be in school with the rest of Winfield.
Bells ring and students scurry to their
continued on page 5
Mariah Potts (junior) and Kylie Groom
(freshman) excitedly open their lockers
on the first day of school.
see students, teachers, and parents depend on
all of these people just to get everyone to school.
Many students are excited and can not
wait to get to school and begin the new year.
“The best part about going back to school is
being with friends and teachers, because some
of them are like my second parents,” says Laura
Allen of Caldwell, Kansas. But not all students are
as excited as Laura, many people dread going
back to school. “The worst part about going
back to school is realizing that I have to once
again commit to 9 months of hell with people I
don’t especially like,” says Taylor Stevenson of Jacob Rude (8th grader) is fast asleep, while the rest of
Winfield, Kansas. Even though everyone may the district is in school.
not want to go into the school year quite yet,
Editorial
Take a Stand on Global Warming
By Bianca Brown, Lawrence, Kansas
You’ve seen the movies. Some species on another planet using all the resources and not
considering what will happen when they do. Let me paint the picture for you; everywhere you look,
people are running scared. The people of their planet are dying and when all hope seems to have
disappeared, in walks the most handsome man of the entire planet and single handedly saves this
once hopeless planet from its destruction.
While the last part is a bit unrealistic, this without a doubt could and will be us in a not so far
future if we don’t do something now. Scientists say that in 25 years 300,000 people PER YEAR will
die because of global warming. The Arctic Ocean could be ice free by the year 2050. Along with the
ice a million different species could be gone.
The average American creates 15,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year from what they do,
while heating their house, driving a car, or through any sort of energy you may use. The changes
that are already happening--droughts, stronger hurricanes (or any sort of weather system acting
abnormally), animals
actually moving towards
the poles-- proves that this
really is a problem. Even
though it may seem out
of reach, there’s so much
one can do to decrease
their 15,000 lbs of carbon
dioxide, in turn slowing the
action that global warming
is taking.
Be more energy
efficient. Recycle. Don’t
use your gas hogging car
as much. Turn off energy
burning items when they
aren’t in use. Go online;
I would suggest going
to www.climatecrisis.
net to learn about what
precisely the problem
is and what you CAN
do to help. Please don’t
be discouraged. We’re
talking about the place that
EVERYONE calls home.
Help yourself, help save
our planet.
If you don’t already
do some of the things I
mentioned above, please
start. In searching online,
you will find many groups
that deal with this problem
or other work that has to
do with making our Earth
a better place to live and
be seen for what it is-beautiful.
Profile:
John
Lennon:
Working
Class Hero
By Olive Coleman, Lawrence, Kansas
with his second son, Sean, as well as rekindling the
With the dolts, dullards, & half-wits that are lost relationship between John and his first son,
accepted as notable celebrities today, it’s hard Julian. Also, Lennon found that he enjoyed being
for the youth of America to imagine a well-known a household husband. Though Lennon remained
figure as political. However, in the case of John active with his political beliefs, he kept his musical
Lennon, politics dictated the later half of his life. involvement to a minimum. However, John Lennon
Beginning in 1968 after the spark of his love affair was a hard man to keep down, as he rebounded into
with conceptual artist Yoko Ono, John Lennon the music industry in 1980 with the album Double
dedicated himself to such things as protesting Fantasy, which depicted the marriage between
the Vietnam War & advocating revolution. Using John and Yoko. While working on the album Milk
such political tactics as “bedand Honey, John and Yoko
ins” & silent protests, John
stayed in their New York
Lennon was able to captivate
apartment.
global
media
attention.
On
December
8,
Experiencing his own political
1980, John and Yoko
hardships with both the United
were returning to said
States and United Kingdom
apartment when John
governments, Lennon was
was stopped just outside
able to be fully compassionate
of the apartment door by
to the hardships that others
a man that had asked for
were experiencing, as well as
his autograph roughly
providing him with plausible
five hours before. “Mr.
reason to protest the laws
Lennon,” the man began
of both governments. One
just before kneeling and
political stunt involved Lennon
shooting John Lennon four
sending back his Member of
times with a .38 Revolver.
the Order of the British Empire
John managed to make
(MBE) to protest Britain’s
it inside and up six steps
involvement with the Nigeriabefore exclaiming “I’m
Biafra
situation.
Another
shot!” & collapsing. John
involved John and Yoko placing
was rushed to Roosevelt
a white sheet over themselves
Hospital, where he was
with a sign that read “Silent
presumed dead on arrival.
Protest by JohnandYoko.” The
The murderer, Mark David
sign spelled their name as one
Chapman, was found guilty
because John argued that they
and sentenced to twenty
John Lennon and Yoko Ono
were one person as opposed
years to life in prison. To this
to two separate beings.
day, Mark David Chapman remains remorseless
Perhaps Lennon’s most recognized about murdering a prominent figure in the peace
stunt involved him & Yoko Ono holding a bed- movement. It is terribly ironic that a man who
in Montreal’s Queen Elizabeth Hotel. This stunt devoted his life to such ideal goals as peace and
included John and Yoko lying in bed, protesting for non-violence was shot with hollow bullets by a
peace, complete with banners hung behind them deranged, born-again Christian. With this said,
that read “Hair Peace” & “Bed Peace.” During this all that John asks is for everyone to give peace a
stunt, the famous anthem for the peace movement chance.
titled “Give Peace a Chance,” was recorded by All that this writer asks is that John’s name not
Lennon & a room full of friends & fans. This stunt be forgotten, but also not remembered for the wrong
drew the attention of press from all around North reasons. Also, that his message of peace & equality
is respected and practiced, as opposed to being
America & Europe.
In 1975, John Lennon began a five-year clichéd and plastered on t-shirts by people who fail
hiatus, during which he formed a close relationship to understand anything that Mr. Lennon stood for.
SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS
Sharapova, Federer Take Home Slam Titles
Sharapova, Federer Take Home Slam Titles
By Chloe Jones Baldwin, Kansas
On Saturday, September 9th, 2006, the 19 year old, Maria Sharapova, took home her second
Grand Slam title after beating Belgium’s Justine Henin-Harenne 6-4, 6-4. The hungry Russian looked
comfortable, playing aggressive, attacking tennis, as she dominated the 2006 French Open women’s
champion in straight sets.
After all the years of working hard and training to become a champion, Maria’s dream had
come true. The 6’2” Russian that towered over the 5’5” Belgium, hit five aces to Henin’s two and
twenty winners, to the Belgium’s fifteen. After winning Wimbledon in 2004, Maria was hungry to
get another slam. Justine on the other hand has gotten to the finals of every grand slam this year,
winning the French.
During the epic battle, Sharapova
was eager for the win, fist-pumping
every good point. Justine calmly
walked around the court, occasionally
looking up at her coach and husband.
You could tell that Maria was hungrier
than Justine. She was mentally
and physically psyched while her
opponent looked mentally and
physically tired. Although the Belgium
had an off day, Sharapova took her
chances and the result showed what
happens when you make one great
shot after another.
The next day, Roger Federer
The entrance to Arthur Ashe Stadium. Photo by Chloe Jones.
of Switzerland and Andy Roddick
from the United States were to meet
in the finals. Federer, with nine
career Grand Slam titles won his third straight US Open with a thrilling 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 victory over
American Andy Roddick. Roddick, who won the Open in 2003 was no match for Federer today.
Federer just has this heavenly level of play that he brings out in desperation.
However, the victory didn’t come easily, as 2003 US Open champion Roddick showed during
the match that he has returned as an elite player, as his much-improved, all-around game caused the
Swiss great trouble.
The first three sets were pretty
even, until Federer played a nearperfect fourth set, breaking Roddick
twice. In the fourth game, he broke
the American when he hit five blinding
forehands and then followed them
up with a leaping overhead smash.
Federer won the match when he
crushed an overhead into the open
court. He then slid on his back and
celebrated.
Our 2006 champions, Maria
Sharapova and Roger Federer played
outstanding tennis in the past few
weeks, taking out top seeds along the
way.
Inside Arthur Ashe Stadium at the 2006 US Open.. Photo by
Sharapova defeated:
Chloe Jones.
1st round- Michaella Krajicek NED 6-3,
6-0
continued on page 5
2nd round- Emilie Loit FRA 6-0, 6-1
The Last Page...........................
First day of school...
continued from page 1
classes on the first day of school. Parents happily head to work or sit at home, knowing that
they have 7 hours of a kid-free life. As students all across Winfield walk into their classrooms, as
teachers take the last few moments that they have left to review their lesson plans, and prepare for
the day.
US Open TennisChampionships...
continued from page 4
3rd round- Elena Likhovtseva RUS (32) 6-3, 6-2
4th round- Na Li CHN (24) 6-4, 6-2
Quarterfinals- Tatiana Golovin FRA (27) 7-6 (4),
7-6 (0)
Semi-finals- Amelie Mauresmo FRA (1) 6-0, 4-6,
6-0
Finals- Justine Henin-Hardenne BEL (2) 6-4, 6-4
3rd round- Vincent Spadea USA 6-3, 6-3, 6-0
4th round- Marc Gicquel FRA 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3
Quarterfinals- James Blake USA (5) 7-6 (7), 6-0,
6-7 (9), 6-4
Semi-finals -Nikolay Davydenko RUS (7) 6-1, 7-5,
6-4
Finals- Andy Roddick USA (9) 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1
Henin-Hardenne defeated:
1st round- Maria Elena Camerin ITA 6-2, 6-1
2nd round- Vania King USA 6-1, 6-2
3rd round- Ai Sugiyama JPN (28) 6-4, 1-6, 6-0
4th round- Shahar Peer ISR (21) 6-1, 6-0
Quarterfinals- Lindsay Davenport USA (10) 6-4,
6-4
Semi-finals- Jelena Jankovic SCG (19) 6-4, 4-6,
6-0
Roddick defeated:
1st round- Florent Serra FRA 6-2, 6-1, 6-3
2nd round- Kristian Pless DEN 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-3
3rd round- Fernando Verdasco ESP (22) 6-7 (5),
6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2
4th round- Benjamin Becker GER 6-3, 6-4, 6-3
Quarterfinals- Lleyton Hewitt AUS (15) 6-3, 7-5,
6-4
Semi-finals- Mikhail Youzhny RUS 6-7 (5), 6-0,
7-6 (3), 6-3
Next year our defending champions will
return battle it out again, but will they be able to
defend their titles?
Federer defeated:
1st round- Yeu-Tzuoo Wang TPE 6-4, 6-1, 6-0
2nd round- Tim Henman GBR 6-3, 6-4, 7-5
Staff
Olive Coleman
Chloe Jones
Christy Rude
Julia Shaw
Guest contributor- Bianca Brown
Sponsor- Charles Goolsby
This newspaper reflects only the view of its staff and does not speak for the LPS
School Board or LVSP administration. Students choose the subject matter and provide the copy and the graphics for their stories.
This paper is published on a monthly basis.
Letters to the editor may be sent to Mr. Goolsby, c/o [email protected].
Lawrence Virtual Secondary Program is a part of the Lawrence Public Schools,
Lawrence, Kansas.