MAC Puts CB on the Map - Lewis Central High School

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Issue 5
Lewis Central High School
March 2003
MAC Puts CB on the Map Local Fields
May Get a
Face-Lift
Shayla Sass
Reporter
Photo by: Brooke Bergantzel
The new convention center is an exciting addition for the city of Council Bluffs. Not only is it bringing headlining bands to the area, it is
also providing entertainment for people of all ages.
Lindy Dinklage
Editor-in-Chief
Those who spend all of their
time complaining about the lack of
things to do in Council Bluffs may
be finding that things aren’t quite as
bad as they used to be. The
construction of the Mid America
Center has added a whole new range
of entertainment options, as the home
of the River City Lancers Hockey
team, the site of numerous concerts,
and the home of a recently completed
convention center.
Located at the crossroads of
Interstates 29 and 80, the MAC is
bringing a whole array of weekend
options for those bored of the typical
amusements. Since opening, the
MAC has hosted a wide range of
events, from a circus to motor cross
racing.
“I went to the monster truck
event and it was pimp,” said
freshmen Tim Clouser. “The motors
were rumbling; it was cool.”
The construction of the 74
million dollar Mid America Center
was funded by the casino driven
Iowa West Foundation and a Vision
Iowa grant. Harrah’s Casino, the
Southwest Iowa foundation, and the
City of Council Bluffs also made
contributions to the construction of
the facility, which began in June of
2001. By October of 2002 the
Center was ready for its first event,
a River City Lancers game. With
the Lancers hockey team making the
MAC its new home, students are
finding they don’t have to travel as
far to catch some exciting hockey
action.
“I’ve loved hockey since I was
little,” said sophomore Liz
Chapman, a Lancers season ticket
holder. “Aksarben had a better fan
atmosphere, but the Mid America
Center is more fan oriented.”
With numerous bathrooms,
concession stands, and reserved
boxed-seating, the MAC was
definitely designed with patrons in
mind. But the MAC isn’t the only
addition to Council Bluffs. The area
around the MAC is now being
developed as the site of a shopping
center, Country Inn and Suites, and
Star Cinema, a 16-screen theater
complex.
“I think putting a movie theater in
will take away a lot of the gas people
are spending money on to drive to
Omaha or Bellevue,” said senior Bryan
Jazwiac. “It will bring money into
Council Bluffs.”
Many students are finding the Mid
America Center a welcome benefit for
Council Bluffs.
“I think it will bring a lot of tourists
to the area,” said freshmen Chelsea
McFarland. “We used to get people just
for the casinos, but now we have more
than gambling. There are a lot of things
for everyone. There are trucks for the
guys, hockey games for anybody, and
things like craft fairs for women.”
The arena portion of the new
facility is currently outfitted for the
frequent hockey games. But when a
concert rolls around staffers simply
cover up the ice, transforming the
hockey rink into a first class
auditorium.
“The Mid America Center is
awesome because first the Lancers
came, and now Council Bluffs is
getting all kinds of bands that have
never come to the area before,” said
senior Danielle Ranney.
The recently completed
convention center has already been the
site of an outdoor sports show and a
home show. In addition to these types
of events, the convention center is also
available to rent for parties.
The big draw for most students,
however, is the ever increasing number
of concerts being held at the MAC.
The MAC is bringing in an entire list
of headline bands that haven’t
appeared in the metro area. Students
who used to have to travel to Kansas
City or Chicago to see their favorite
band are now able to drive five
minutes.
“I went to see Alan Jackson and
Kenny Chesney,” said junior Emily
Mabbitt, “I’ve been to Lincoln to see
Nelly, and having concerts here is
way more convenient.”
So whether it’s hockey or
Pearl Jam, Council Bluffs isn’t
quite as boring as it used to be.
The Iowa West Foundation is a
non-profit organization that was
developed to distribute the additional
revenue that has been generated by
Council Bluffs’ casinos. The money
that is donated by the Iowa West
Foundation is intended to help
communities grow economically.
The foundation recently offered
to donate money to install astro-turf
on each of the Council Bluffs
Schools’ football fields. The
foundation wants to give the schools
a nicer look on the playing field.
Adding the new astro-turf
could potentially bring sporting
events from different high schools
in the area and possibly even small
colleges. The coaches and the Iowa
West Foundation believe that this
addition to all of the schools will help
bring in more people and money to
the community.
“This would be great because
more and more people would come
to Council Bluffs to watch these
events and then they would want to
get gas, and eat, thus giving the
Council Bluffs economy more
money and helping it out,” said head
football coach Duane Orr.
According to Orr, this would be
a chance for Lewis Central to have a
“state of the art facility” and would
make the value of our school even
greater. Orr believes it would
definitely be a great addition to the
entire community, not just the
football programs. LC’s football
players have “I think it would be a
nice touch to the field if we get it,
but our grass is just fine,” said
sophomore Brad Stageman.
Many of the football players
like the idea of seeing the bright
green astro-turf, but would not want
to play on it.
“I like playing on grass better
because astro-turf hurts, but if it
would benefit Lewis Central, I
would suck it up,” said junior
Michael Graham.
Other players are more
adamant in their distaste for the
addition of astro-turf.
“I would hate it because it
hurts and it gets a lot hotter than
grass,” said sophomore Brad South.
Even though some football
players aren’t enthusiastic about
the change, others enjoy the
thought of a new astro-turf playing
field.
“Having astro-turf would be
cool because you wouldn’t have to
take care of it as much, and when you
fall there is more cushion to your
fall,” said junior Casey Newsom.
Although
the
initial
installation of the astro-turf would
be funded by the Iowa West
Foundation, the turf would have to
be replaced by the school district
ever 10-12 years at a cost of around
$12-14,000. If the Iowa West
Foundation donates the money,
construction would start as soon as
early summer to make sure the field
would be ready by next year ’s
football season.
“This donation would be a
tremendous asset to Lewis Central,”
stated Orr.“We would benefit
greatly.”
Upcoming Events at the Mid America Center
April:
3rd - Counting Crows (Doors open: 7:30 PM)
19th- Cher, “The Farewell Tour” (Doors open: 7:30 PM)
20th- Cher (Doors Open: 7:00)
28th- Linkin Park with Mudvayne, Xzibit, and Blindside (Doors open: 7:30 PM)
June:
13th- Pearl Jam (Doors Open: 7:30 PM)
Photo By Rachel Driver
Lewis Central’s football field’s natural grass may be replaced with
astro-turf.
Backpacks and Back Pain...One in the Same?
Melissa McKern
Reporter
Many Lewis Central
students are walking through the
halls with a weight on their
shoulders-their backpacks.
Lugging
around
books,
notebooks,and whatever else is
causing some students serious
pain.
“I used to get pain in my
lower back, or just back,
really” said junior Brandon
Baker, “and sometimes in my
neck.”
Out of 21 students’ bags
that were weighed, 10 of them
were over 20 pounds, the
heaviest topping out at 27.5
pounds.
This backpack
belonged to freshman Jenna
Scheffel.
Scheffel’s bag
contained: 4 books, 7 notebooks,
5 folders, pens, a calculator,
pencils, notecards, lotion, an
assignment book and other
miscellaneous items.
“I think it’s a lot,” said
Scheffel, “but it really doesn’t
surprise me because I don’t go
to my locker.”
So maybe people have more
Photo By Brooke Bergantzel
important things to worry about,
Freshman Chris Loftus watches to see how much his backpack weighs.
right? Its not like carrying a
heavy backpack filled with
books can cause someone to
have serious illnesses, like
scoliosis, at least not yet. But
carrying a heavy backpack can
be a source of ‘chronic, lowlevel trauma.’
“I have to carry 2 to 3
heavy books everyday and it
causes me lower back pain,”
said sophomore Katherine
Tweedt.
Unfortunately
many
complaints of back, shoulder
and neck pain have arrived from
students who are carrying
everything in their bags. The
real question, however, is not
what they hurt, but why they
hurt in the first place. What
is the reason that students are
carrying so much on their
backs when the school offers
storage space for them?
“Why go out of my way to
use my locker when I can just
carry everything in my bag?”
said junior Chris Salvo, whose
bag weighed in at 24 pounds.
“It’s just a lot less of a hassle for
me.”
The students who are
carrying around books, binders,
and folders without a stop at
their lockers seem to have ideas
about a solution.
“It would help if [the
administration] would locate our
classes closer together,”
suggested sophomore Matt
Dillon. “That way students didn’t
have to go from one end of the
building to the other.”
But even if the classes were
closer together, the students still
may not use that extra time to
stop at a locker.
“I think they’d have too far
to walk,” said Dillon. “Even with
the extra time they’d still carry
their stuff with them.”
Researchers continue to look
into the long-term effects of
backpacks on students’ health, but
they do know that they can be
harmful.
“The truth is that we don’t
have
a clue if backpacks
cause (permanent) damage,” says
David Skaggs, M.D., an assistant
professor of orthopedic surgery at
the University of Southern
California School of Medicine in
Los Angeles. And the scientific
studies that would establish a
cause-and-effect relationship
simply haven’t been done.
The solution really lies in
the proper use of backpacks. If
students follow a few rules they
could reduce the reoccurring
back pain.
-Make sure your backpack
weighs no more than 5-10% of
your weight. If your backpack
is heavier it will cause you to
begin to lean forward in an
attempt to compensate for the
bag’s weight.
-The position of the
backpack is also important. If it
hangs too low it increases the
weight on the shoulders.
-You need to consider the
placement of objects in your
bag. Try to arrange objects so
that the pointy or bulky things
aren’t against your back, which
can cause blisters.
-Bigger is not necessarily
better. If you have a lot of stuff,
use your locker.
-It’s also very important that
you use both straps. Carrying
your bag on one side can cause
the shift of weight to be on one
side.
-Try to find a bag that has
adjustable straps, so that your
bag can be adjusted to fit you
properly.
While it may be nearly
impossible to prevent students
from lugging around hefty
backpacks all day, by following
a few simple tips students may
be able to lift some of the weight
off of their shoulders.
March 2003
Page 2
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Put the Focus on
People,Not Race
Shannon Kelley
Reporter
Lately I’ve been hearing a lot
about diversity and discrimination in
local newspaper articles and student
conversations, which is great. The
problem is that, as far as I can tell,
most people don’t have the right
focus.
There are many people out there
who are focusing on movements like
affirmative action, reparations, and
percentage-based diversity as the
solutions to racial inequality. This is
not the right focus.
There are colleges in the U.S.
where, because of affirmative action
programs, minority students have a
better chance for admission just by
being a minority than if they’d written
excellent admission essays. This
doesn’t promote racial equality or
diversity for two reasons.
One, any student who doesn’t
get that minority benefit is left
wondering if the minority students
are really academically qualified or
if they got in because of their race.
No positive cultural exchanges can
occur if students are jealous or
suspicious of each other.
The second reason is that this
approach singles out specific races for
special treatment, which is the very
definition of racial discrimination, no
matter who it benefits.
This is also the problem with
percentage-based diversity, which is
the idea that everything from prison
populations to hospital staffs should
have about the same racial makeup
as the nation does. The biggest flaw
in this plan is that it singles out certain
races as more important to diversity
than others, not because of who they
are as individuals but just because of
their skin color. Not only is that racial
discrimination, it could create
feelings of resentment in whites and
minorities who’re considered less
important.
Some people say that
discriminating for minorities is a way
to make up for past discrimination
against them. The same argument can
be used for the black reparations
movement.
The problem with this logic is that
the U.S. slave trade ended 138 years
ago, so nobody today has suffered
under U.S. slavery. The government
owes recent generations nothing. Now,
Jim Crow laws have discriminated
against recent generations, since they
didn’t end until the 1960s.
But many races have suffered
pain and economic hardship through
either discriminatory laws or the lack
of laws to protect them. Indians,
Hispanics, and the Irish are all among
the races that have suffered.
If we, as a nation, want to give
blacks reparations, there’s nothing
wrong with that. I’ll be waiting by my
mailbox, because if we give
reparations to blacks we should give
them to any other race that’s suffered.
These are just three different
examples of movements that people
think will promote racial diversity and
equality. The problem with all of them
is the same. They single out certain
races to be treated differently, which
is racial discrimination.
I’m not denying that minority
races are still being discriminated
against. But in order for our nation to
ever have true racial equality, we have
to stop singling out any race, no
matter what the reason. It’s insulting
to think that minorities need special
benefits to overcome past
discrimination. All races are strong
enough to succeed. Every race can
produce doctors and teachers- or
criminals. In a real diverse
environment, people realize this and
focus on individual qualities instead
of skin color.
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The Formal Dance Dilemma:
The Wire Rates the Best and Worst of Fine Dining
Melissa McKern
Reporter
You have the perfect attire, the
perfect date, now all you need is the
perfect place to eat. Everyone needs
a little help with that decision that will
make or break your “oh so perfect
night.” A review of a few good and
not so good restaurants to choose or
avoid may
be to someone’s
advantage. You decide. The ratings
for this review are five stars being the
best and one star being the worst.
Kobe’s Steakhouse ~ Now here’s
a restaurant that not only offers
excellent food, but also fun. You get
your food prepared right in front of
you. Sitting 12 to a table, a Japanese
Chef prepares traditional Japanese
cuisine right before your eyes. You
don’t have to worry about maintaining
dinner conversation because you’ll be
so engrossed with the preparation of
your food that there will never be a
from steak to Chinese. The menu will
appeal to even the pickiest of the
bunch. They have exceptionally
reasonable prices for the amount and
quality of the food you receive. You
can choose a meal from $8.99 to
$25.99 depending on the item you
pick. You can go and have a delicious
Grisanti’s ~ If you’re looking meal for two and only spend about
for excellent Italian food and $36.00.
Rating: 4 Stars
attentive service, Grisanti’s could be
just what you’re looking for. The
Buca Di Beppo’s ~ Buca Di
atmosphere is formal without being
uptight and the waitstaff is Beppo’s is a neighborhood restaurant
exceptionally accommodating. The where you can feast on family platters
food is traditionally Italian with that of Southern Italian specialties such as,
spaghetti marinara, chicken cacciatore,
‘special occasion’ feel.
and neapolitan pizzas. They have fairly
Rating: 4 Stars
good prices and the food is worth the
Nick & Tony’s ~ This restaurant amount you pay. The atmosphere also
is very classy and new, so many may recalls the Italian-American supper
not know about this restaurant. It clubs of the 1940s and ‘50s. When
has delicious food and I recommend venturing into this restaurant you will
it to many people. They have a be experiencing loads of fun. This is an
variety of meals. You can choose excellent restaurant, but has a lower
from a selection of all kinds of food rating because many may not think of it
lull. Although the food is good it’s a
little on the expensive side, but well
worth your money. Kobe’s offers
many different Japanese meals.
They specialize in steak, lobster,
chicken, shrimp and other seafoods.
Rating: 5 Stars
Staying Silent
For What You Believe
Molly Lich
Design
SILENCE. Could you be
silent for an entire day? Over 1,776
groups and organizations have
pledged to be as silent as possible
on Wednesday, April 9 2003.
GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight
Education Network) and USSA
(United
States
Students
Association), have come together
on this day to make it possible for
thousands of students to share an
opportunity to stand up for the
silencing of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and transgender people.
The Day Of Silence
began in 1996 when over 150
students participated at the
University of Virginia. Maria
Pulzetti, inspired by loads of
positive feedback from the
community and press, decided to
take TDOS nationally. Last year the
April 10 th Day of Silence was
organized in more than 1,900
schools.
The
movement
coordinators estimate that over
100,000 students stood up for what
they believe in and were silent the
whole day. Representative Eliot
Engel introduced the Day of Silence
to congress, which received the
support of 29 co-signers. Also,
Governor Gray Davis of California
issued an official proclamation
as a ‘special occasion’ type of place or
somewhere where you would go for a
school dance.
Rating: 3 Stars
The Waterfront ~ While the
atmosphere is pleasant, the food and
prices are not. This rating is a little
lower because it is more of an adult type
of restaurant. They have things that
young people would like, but they are
way too expensive for this special night
that you want to be fun, not pocket
spilling. You may want to reconsider
when choosing this one.
Rating: 2 Stars
Applebees~ This is a fantastic
restaraunt for casual dining.
Applebees has a variety of meals to
choose from. They have meals from
hamburgers to fajitas. However, even
though they have wonderful food
choices this may not be a good choice
for a “prom perfect night.”
Rating:1Star
Photo by: Brooke Bergantzel
Many students choose to dine at The Waterfront for their pre-dance dinner.
making April 10, 2002 the National
Day of Silence. TDOS was covered
in over 50 media stories across the
country, including USA Today,
MSNBC, CNN, Voice of America and
a live broadcast on NPR.
Of all the ways groups could
rally, Day of Silence groups pick to
do so silently. Why? Day Of Silence
supporters believe that for too long
the silencing of LGBT (lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender people and
their allies) has been the norm. The
use of silence as a form of peaceful
protest is actually very intense. The
Day of Silence is a way of turning silence
on its head. It’s said to be used to reclaim
silence as a tool, giving discrimination the
cold shoulder.
Early in 2003 LCHS became
one of the Iowa schools recognized
for publicizing and honoring The
Day Of Silence. If you believe that
the silencing of lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender people is
something that should be fought
against, April 9 th is just around the
corner. On this day to stand up for
what you believe in, all you need to
do is not speak. It sounds like every
teacher’s dream and kids nightmare,
but in reality it’s a way to fight for
a cause, peacefully.
To l e a r n m o r e a b o u t T h e
Day Of Silence log on to
w w w. t h e d a y o f s i l e n c e . o r g .
Editor-In- Chief……………………………Lindy Dinklage
Assistant Editor…………………………..Pam Shorey
Design Editor……………………………….Krista Hansen
Assistant Design Editors………..Candace Adrian, Molly
Lich, and Sam Tsuji
Reporters……………………………………….Katherine Goethe,
Shelby Johnson, Shannon Kelley, Melissa
McKern, Ashley Richter, Shayla Sass, Melinda
Smits, and Jill Whitney.
Photography Editor…………………..Meg Black
Photographers…………………………….Brooke Bergantzel and
Tyler Driver.
Ads……………………………………………………Megan McKern
Cartoonist………………………………………Ryan Showers
You’ve Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party
Lindy Dinklage
Editor-in-Chief
What do Russia, the Ukraine,
Samoa, Eqypt, and the United States
have in common? They’re the only
nations in the world with legal
drinking ages of 21. All other
nations maintain drinking ages
somewhere below that, with the
majority resting between 16 and 18.
With teen drinking on the rise and
an ever-increasing number of youth
engaging in dangerous binge
drinking, the idea of lowering the
drinking age isn’t garnering huge
support.
But despite what
legislators and other authority
figures would like to think, a
restrictive legal age limit on the
age that alcohol can be bought and
sold is not only ineffective, it actually
spurns youth to drink illegally.
There isn’t a person in this school
who couldn’t go out on a Friday night
and procure alcohol. Whether it’s a
party, a parent, or a convenience store
clerk who doesn’t card, the
opportunities for underage youth to
obtain alcohol are limitless. The
difference between those who do
drink and those who don’t isn’t a
law, it’s a choice. You either choose
to drink, or you choose not to. The
law may influence a young person’s
decision, but it doesn’t dictate it.
Initially states had the ability
to determine their own legal
drinking limits. The National
Highway Safety Act of 1984
threatened to significantly limit
funding to any state that didn’t
raise the drinking age to 21. By
1987 every state had changed its
drinking age to comply with the
Act and ensure funding. The
purpose of the legislation was to
reduce the number of accidents
caused by youths drinking and
driving. On the surface it seems
to have done its job; drinking and
driving fatalities have declined
since 1987. But there are other
factors that influenced this
decline. Education and awareness
have increased, and could have
prompted the same declines that
a restrictive law created.
Today binge drinking among
underage youth has skyrocketed.
Teens congregate at keggers,
garages, and basements. Beer is
the drink of choice - not for taste,
but for cheapness and availability.
Teens are not casually sipping
their favorite beverage at a pub,
enjoying the taste or relishing in
the atmosphere. They’re binging,
chugging, and getting trashed, often
as quickly as possible, lest they not get
their money’s worth before the party
breaks up or the cops come.
Drinking is made more tempting
by its illegal nature. If something is so
terrible that we’re not allowed to do it
until we’re 21, then it is that much more
enticing for those who are restricted.
The teen years are about bucking
authority and forging a path of
independence. What better way to do
that than to do something that’s illegal?
Underage drinking is one of the
boundaries teens can push without too
much risk. Despite the law we see
underage drinking depicted on TV and
frequently supported by adults. With
so many opportunities to drink, it’s the
perfect way to experience a little teenage
rebellion. Teenage drinking seems to be
almost a right of passage, regardless of
legality.
But regardless of whether it is right
to drink or not, the simple fact is that
a drinking limit of 21 is arbitrary and
ineffective. Underage young people
can get alcohol, and they do. By
lowering the age at which young
people could both buy and consume
alcohol the United States would be
falling in line with the policies of the
rest of the world and helping to
alleviate the problem of dangerous
binge drinking. If teens could go to a
bar and order a beer, they wouldn’t
be compelled to chug an entire case
every weekend. Drinking would lose
its stigma, and lose its hold on
underage youth. Restrictions don’t
prevent interest, they create it, and
that is certainly the case with alcohol.
Another problem with the high
drinking age is the fact that people
under age 21 are left out of many
social scenes as a result. Clubs, dance
halls, and bars are all popular
weekend amusements. But with a
drinking age of 21, youth are left with
fewer options. The higher drinking
age actually prompts youth to drink
dangerously - in secluded locations
and secret haunts. A lower drinking
age would allow young people to
socialize in healthier, public situations
where their drinking could be
monitored and controlled.
At 18 we can buy a gun, get
married, vote, live on our own, and
fight for our country, but we can’t
go to a bar and order an alcoholic
beverage.
It’s time for the
government to take a closer look into
its drinking laws and examine its
lack of merits. A drinking age of 21
is ineffective, and all too frequently
ignored. Lowering the drinking age
to 18 isn’t only the right thing to do,
it’s the smart thing to do. If
adulthood truly does start at 18, then
it’s high time that young people were
allotted the full benefits of that
status, including the right to drink.
Photo By: Meg Black
Page 3
March 2003
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Mouseball Bandit Strikes LC
Katherine Goethe
Reporter
Lewis Central’s suffering
technology is receiving yet another
low blow as mice and mouse balls
continue to disappear. This open act
of student vandalism has many
people upset because of the
inconvenience and educational
hindrances it is causing.
Principal Dr. Doug Radtke
states, “These acts of vandalism are
not hurting the administration, they
are hurting the students.”
A total of 21 mouse balls and
ten mice have been stolen and more
are expected to disappear until the
bandit is apprehended. These
robberies are rendering computers
useless, and the irony is that the
vandalized computers are for student
use not for the use of teachers or the
administration.
Freshman Sara Gustin is
disgusted with the students who are
responsible. “He/she is only hurting
the students because if there are no
mouse balls and no mice we can’t
use the computers.”
Computer technician Dennis
South estimates that each mouse is
worth $6-$10 and each mouse ball
is worth $1.75. These amounts seem
small but with a technology budget
of exactly $0 there isn’t money to
waste on these irritating thefts.
South says, “ It takes time to
order new parts for the computers,
even new mouse balls.”
At least 21 computers were
disabled until the new mouse balls
were purchased, delivered, and
installed. If the vandalism continues,
ordering and delivering new parts
could take anywhere from two days
to four weeks.
South has implanted seals on
the mice to make it more difficult
to take the mouse balls. He hopes
that this will cut down the number
of mouse balls taken.
English instructor Carol
Gottsch has even begun to lock her
pod up because of the neverending disappearances of mouse
balls.
“Anyone in the pod after
school is required to have a pass.
The doors are locked at 3:00 PM,”
Gottsch says.
Gottsch has taken matters
into her own hands by
superglueing all of the mice in her
pod. She has also purchased
eleven mouse balls out of her own
money to get the other pods up and
running. The total was over
twenty-five dollars after shipping
and handling.
Artwork by Ryan Showers
Ask Gina,
Do You Have...
Our resident relationship advisor is back again.
a Creepy Clan or Lovable Lineage?
Jill Whitney
Reporter
Some might say that the
picture perfect family would be the
Brady Bunch. Everyone in this
family gets along flawlessly; they
have just the right amount of people
and even a maid to help them take
care of their children. What more
could a family ask for?
This classic show airs on Nick
at Nite with several other television
series that get families to bond with
one another and get along. The
Brandy Bunch may be a perfect little
family but what about behind the
scenes? They may not be quite as
normal as they appear to be.
Then there is the Osbournes:
complete and total opposite of the
classic Brady Bunch family. A
family that constantly has something
going on, someone to yell at and
even people to fight with. But how
clean we act like the Osbournes. Also
my brother kind of acts like Jack; he
has a potty mouth. But when we go
out we act like the Brady Bunch,”
said freshman Elise Dirks.
“My family definitely doesn’t
act like the Brady Bunch. We don’t
cuss but we are really weird. We
always have Jake Cooney over to
make my dad gasp at the rude
comments. I would say the
Osbournes,” said senior Matt Fiscus.
“The Osbournes definitely! My
family is really loud and obnoxious
just like they are. Our family fights
a lot and when people come over to
my house at first they don’t know
how to react but they eventually get
used to it. My family could definitely
have our own family sitcom,” said
sophomore Jessica Hansen.
If you’re wondering which
family most resembles your own,
Photos By Meg Black
then take our quiz located on the
LC Families are as different as the people that make them up.
STUDENT LIFE page to find out!
Left: Beth, Kim, and Aaron Jones. Right: Kyle, Ruth, and Sarah Kreger.
do you know that this isn’t the best
family you could have?
Unlike being seen on Nick at
Nite the Osbournes is only shown on
MTV. This show is true-life sitcom
of one family. There is no behind the
scenes, the real truth comes out.
Some students confess which
one best describes their family…
Textbooks:
Always Students’
Responsibility
Shannon Kelley
Reporter
When textbooks aren’t used on
a day-to-day basis, students and
teachers face the question of what
to do with them the rest of the time.
While students may complain
about carrying unneeded books,
some teachers feel that students
should bring their books to class no
matter what.
“The Golden Rule is bring your
book every day- whether we use it
or not,” explained Business
Education instructor Dan Steger.
“There always are a few who forget
them or lose them. But the rule is
‘bring them every day’.”
The problem is that students
who don’t bring their books to class
every day might not have them when
they need them.
“Usually, if I have a book I’m
not using I leave it at home on the
floor,” stated freshmen Larissa
Churchill. “Or, like for drama books,
he has these cubbies you put them
in until you use them.”
Teachers like drama instructor
Tom McLaughlin and Spanish
instructor Kathy Thomsen have
solved the problem of missing books
by letting students leave their books
in class.
“They just can’t get to their
lockers,” said Thomsen. For
example, “One student goes to
Tucker Center and he leaves it here
to save time. The problem is,
sometimes people pick them up and
you still have to pay the $40 at the
end of the term.”
Biology instructors have
sidestepped the textbook issue by not
handing out textbooks. Instead, they
hand out information packets to
students.
“Our textbook is huge. Each
term we only use three or four
chapters, so to take a 50 chapter
textbook and have students carry
them around, we just get more
damage to the books,” explains
science instructor Kris Kilibarda.
“[But] the main reason is that we’ve
purchased textbooks on CD-Rom
and they let you print off all the
pages.”
So, with alternatives to making
students carry heavy textbooks, why
hand them out at all?
“They want to make a class
seem important,” said freshmen
Susan Lewis. “Because if they make
a textbook for it, it must be
important.”
Teachers like English instructor
Marilyn Wandersee disagree with
this reasoning.
“It’s your responsibility to take
care of them, not mine. If you store
your books in here, how do you find
which one’s yours again? It’s more
trouble than it’s worth,” explains
Wandersee. “And frankly, if we’re
not using the books, I don’t see the
problem in you storing them in your
lockers. Just grow up and quit
whining.”
For students who hate heavy
books and teachers who hand them
out, textbooks are a source of debate.
But, unless high-tech alternatives
become more common, textbooks
will stay a key part of school.
“My family is more like the
Osbournes. My house is nuts! My
parents don’t understand me and I
don’t want to understand them so
there is always some kind of
confusion,” said senior John Harvey.
“I’d have to say that my family
is a little bit of both. My mom is a
cleaning nazi and whenever we don’t
Dear Gina:
My boyfriend and I have been
going out for about eight months. On
Valentines Day his ex-girlfriend
called him out of the blue; he ended
up taking MY flowers to her! How
can I get him back?
Dear Gina:
I have no problems getting
girls; it just comes easy to me. My
problem is that I don’t know what to
say or do with the girls that I’m over.
How do I get it through to them that
I don’t want to be with them
anymore?
Angry and Jealous
Playing the field
Dear Angry and Jealous:
Revenge is sweet. Your story
totally proves why some girls chose
the “player” side of dating.
Although we’re always faced with
the common double standard
between guys and girls, two can play
that game. If your boyfriend is
coming back to you now, after he
realized his ex was just lonely on
Valentines Day and wanted
something from someone, now is
your time to shine. Reel him in any
way you can, however you know how
to, just to shut him down
HARDCORE. But always remember,
what goes around comes around ten
times worse.
Dear Playing the Field:
Sounds like someone’s a bit
cocky. It’s cool that you want to
“play the field” and date around,
because that’s what high school is
all about, finding your “type.” It’s
not cool when you don’t let girls
know that’s what your doing. Girls
talk, so eventually every girl will find
out, and THAT will be your problemgetting the girls. Looks only get you
so far in life, and it seems that if you
continue putting on a show and
being fake with girls, your day to be
treated how you’re treating these
girls is right around the corner.
Overcoming Those Winter Blues
Melissa McKern
Reporter
What events of the day decide
what mood someone’s going to be
in? Not everyone is always 100%
happy or 100% sad. Mood changes
are always happening with the
specific events that take place around
them.
Many things make people
moody. For example, someone can
go from having a wonderful day to
feeling like the whole world is
resting on his or her shoulders. One
thing happens, leading to the next
and the next and then when it seems
like everything possible has gone
wrong, another incident is attacking
head on.
Someone may not even know
or realize they are being moody. A
friend will say something wrong and
the next thing they know the person
has a ‘Beware’ sign right on his or
her face.
One big thing that puts people
in a good mood is the sunlight.
When a person does not receive
enough sunlight they become moody
and maybe even depressed. This is
a disorder known as Seasonal
Affective Disorder (SAD).
Most people no idea what SAD
is. SAD is a type of winter
depression that affects an estimated
half a million people every winter
between September and April. It
occurs most during the months of
December, January, and February.
SAD is caused by a
biochemical imbalance in the
hypothalamus (the section of the
brain between the thalamus and the
midbrain that functions as the main
control center for the autonomic
nervous system) due to the
shortening of daylight hours and lack
of sunlight in winter. For many
people SAD is a serious illness that
prevents them from functioning
normally. For others it is mild,
causing discomfort but not severe
suffering. This is known as
subsyndromal SAD or ‘winter
blues.’
The symptoms of SAD usually
occur regularly each winter. A
diagnosis can be made after three
continuous winters of symptoms.
Symptoms include a desire to
oversleep, a feeling of fatigue,
craving for carbohydrates, feeling of
misery and many more. Most also
show signs of a weakened immune
systems and more vulnerability to
getting other illnesses. Symptoms
disappear with the coming of spring,
either gradually or suddenly with a
short period of hyperactivity or
hypomania. SAD may happen at any
age. The main age, however, is
between 18 and 30 years.
SAD occurs throughout the
northern and southern hemispheres.
It is extremely rare in those living
within 30 degrees of the Equator.
There are many treatments for
SAD. There is light therapy, which
has been proved effective in up to
85 percent of cases diagnosed. Light
therapy is the exposure to very bright
light. Patients should be exposed for
up to four hours a day. The intensity
of the light is ten times that of
ordinary domestic lighting. There
are also antidepressant drugs, which
combine well with light therapy.
Any psychotherapy, counseling, or
complementary therapy, which helps
the sufferer to relax and cope with
their illness, is extremely helpful.
Photos By Brooke Bergantzel
Lewis Central students feel the affects of the somber winter season.
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As the situation
stands now, the mouse ball
bandit is still at large. With
the outdated computer
system, minor details, such
as the missing mouse balls,
can make a big difference
in the number of running
computers and the time
that students can spend
using these computers. So
what can students do to
prevent further vandalism
to their computers?
“Keep a look out and
report any unusual
activities to a teacher you
trust,” Radtke suggests.
The Lewis Central
administration
is
anticipating a welldeserved apprehension of
the irritating mouse ball
bandit.
try to believe.
MUST PRESENT STUDENT ID
(712) 322-1088
(712) 366-1888
(712) 325-6107
Shop
Home
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Page 4
March 2003
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The Man from Sudan
Candice Adrian
Design
Jacob Khol is a 16-year-old
boy with a lot on his mind. While
some would consider a move from
state to state a big deal, he moved
from Sudan, Africa to Florida when
he was 12 years old.
Khol’s sister was a teacher in
Africa and received the paperwork
from the United Nations to come to
America; she was allowed to bring
one family member with her. Khol’s
family had a meeting and decided he
was the best candidate. Khol and his
family are refugees of the civil war
that is happening in Southern Sudan.
“I needed to come up here for
safety reasons, and I needed a better
education,” said Khol.
While he was in Florida, he
attended school and then moved to
Nebraska with his sister. Going to
Nebraska wasn’t exactly easy, as he
attended three different schools in
Omaha: Lewis and Clark, Nathan
Hale, and Burke. At Lewis and Clark
he was noticed as an outstanding
student because he was speaking
English so well.
“I think the thing that helped me
speak English so well was the T.V.
The first night I got here I was up all
night watching it,” said Khol. “At
first I was watching Barney because
he taught the kids really well how to
pronounce things and then he got the moisture of the rainforest with
lame so I started watching things like tall trees, to Florida with palm trees
and tall buildings and now Iowa
Smallville.”
snow
Back home Khol’s native with
language is Nuer. He comes from a and rows of corn.
big family and
is the second
youngest.
Khol’s father is
deceased as
well as his twin
brother. His
mom and other
brother are still
at the refugee
c a m p .
Someday Khol
would like to
bring his mom
to America.
“What I
miss the most
about home is
my mom, the
land, and my
friends,” said
Khol. “I hate
the snow here.
The last time I
got to talk to
my mom was in
January. She
called me on
the phone.”
T h e
Jacob Khol finds his niche at LC
climate and
environment change was a little
While Kohl was moving around
dramatic for Khol, who went from freshman Dan Ballard’s mom was
working with the Sudanese people
through her church at Victory
Fellowship. Currently, Kohl lives
with Ballard and his mom. He moved
in with them this summer and started
Photo by Meg Black
his school year attending Heartland
Christian in Council Bluffs. Soon he
decided he wanted a better
education and thought he would
try Lewis Central.
“We thought that Jacob had
so much potential and he is fun
to be around. That is why we
decided to have him come live
with us,” said Ballard. “He is
like a brother; we like teaching
him new things and helping
him out.”
At Lewis Central, Khol is
involved with basketball and is
also going out for track. He
would also like to find time to
get a job.
Khol also has some big
plans for when he is done with
high school. Khol is looking at
colleges in this area such as
UNL, Creighton, or Kansas
State.
“I want to go to
college and then go back and
do something big for my
country,” says Khol. “I will
probably start with trying to
help them with the starvation
and economic issues.”
Whatever college he goes
to he plans to major in politics
and economics to help him
achieve his goals for his
country.
“Jake wants to be
president so that is what we
[Dan and his mom] want to help
him do,” said Ballard.
Warner Finds Homeschooling Cleaning Duo
the Best of Both Worlds
Happy to Make
In making the decision to go
ahead and stay in her class, Warner
knew that she would eventually
want to do something to challenge
herself academically. She just had
to wait for the right time to do it.
at Lewis Central except that they’re
more challenging.”
Warner
does
love
homeschooling, and she recognizes
Most students accept going to
many advantages to being able to
school as a fact of life. Regardless
learn at her own pace.
of where students would rather be,
“You really
go at your own
speed.
I’m
really good at
English,
for
instance, so I’ll
probably
be
done with the
entire year ’s
curriculum
soon. I have a
little
more
trouble with
S p a n i s h ,
though, so I
could
be
working on that
into the summer.
You also have
more time to do
the
things
y o u ’ r e
interested in that
take
place
outside
of
Photo
by
Meg
Black
Warner enjoys being a homeschooler and a band and choir member.
school, and you
“We’ve always considered don’t have to put up with the
they spend every day, Monday
through Friday, in the wonderful homeschooling, but with my dad stupidity of the public school
place called high school. But being a single parent we decided it system.”
Warner still attends choir and
sophomore Christine Warner has just wouldn’t work.”
But after entering high school, band at Lewis Central, so she’s still
found another way to get the same
education, but in a way that works Warner and her dad decided it was able to participate in the activities
time to begin homeschooling.
she loves and socialize with her
best for her.
“I just started homeschooling friends.
“I was challenged by the
“She’s one of my best
Montessori
preschool
and this year. I could have done it last
kindergarten I went to,” said year, but it took a lot of time to get friends,” said sophomore Sara
Kreger,” so I thought I would miss
Warner, “because they’re very the curriculum organized.”
While most students might her totally. But when we compared
individualized. And when I first
started school I was given the picture Warner sitting at home and our schedules, we realized that we
opportunity to skip a grade because watching TV all day, in reality, she still have the same classes that we
I was so much ahead, but my dad works just as hard as any other would if she was in school all day.
It just seems like she goes to
and I talked about it and decided student.
“I’m taking Algebra 3-4, another class, and then I see her
that I’d just end up catching up and
being ahead again. So we decided chemistry, history, Spanish – pretty again. And I know that she loves
much the same things I’d be doing homeschooling.”
against doing it at that time.”
Jill Whitney
Reporter
School Sparkle
Jill Whitney
Reporter
with students. Occasionally
they will receive a couple
thank yous from students that
are passing by after school.
“Teachers here really
make us feel welcome. That
When students see the
cleaning ladies in the hallways or
bathrooms before and after
school,
does
anyone take the
time to think
about what a
huge part of the
comfortable
l e a r n i n g
atmosphere they
contribute to?
Think
of
how difficult it
would be to
concentrate in a
filthy classroom.
No
students
Photo by Brooke Bergantzel
could work or Cleaning team takes pride in their work
helps when we are doing our
pay attention because they
job,”
said
would be distracted by the mess
in their work area. Not many
Schroeder.
people would be able to stand
Even without much
interaction from the students
it, but thanks to the dedicated
some teachers go out of their
cleaning staff at LC, working in
way to let them know how
the filth is something students
g
r
e
a
t
l
y
don’t have to worry about.
On March 18 th , Shirley
appreciated they are.
Anderson and Judy Schroeder
“Janitorial work is an
honest job. Its just as good as
celebrated one year of working
any other job and it makes you
at Lewis Central High School.
feel like you have done a good
Before coming to LC they had
thing,” said Anderson.
worked as cleaning ladies at
Bluffs Run Casino for the past
Without Anderson and
seven years.
Schroeder we would end up
having a very different
“Working here at Lewis
atmosphere here at school, one
Central is less stressful than
that would be less enjoyable
previous jobs. It’s also a very
for everyone.
nice school,” said Anderson.
Because Anderson and
“They enjoy what they are
Schroeder only work when
doing and they take pride in it.
We are very lucky to have
students are out of school they
them,” said Mrs. Gottsch.
rarely have much interaction
The Man
Behind
the
Camera
Shelby Johnson
Reporter
You see him in the stands
and bleachers videotaping some
of our athletes, but does anyone
really know Ray McManus or
what he does for our athletics
programs and many other
programs at our school?
Most students don’t even
know he’s been around
volunteering his time for longer
than they have been alive. “Ray
started videotaping the year I
became head football coach,”
said activities director Steve
Padilla.
That means that McManus
has been videotaping the varsity,
freshman, and JV football teams
for about 27 years now. “His
service is invaluable. I don’t
know what we would do without
him,” said Padilla.
Although he hasn’t taped
basketball for quite as long as
football, he has still been a staple
in the stands for 16 years.
“A lot of people don’t
understand that Ray volunteers
his personal time to do this for
the teams,” said head girls’
basketball coach Chris Hanafan.
Ray mainly tapes the girls’
basketball teams, but when he
has the opportunity to tape for
the boys, he does that as well.
“I do it to help out the
players and the coaches,” said
Ray. “I just enjoy doing it for
them.”
Along with taping for these
sports, he also takes the
opportunity to help the coaches
by scouting out other teams for
them when they are not able to
attend an event. “He makes
things a lot easier on the
coaches,” said Hanafan.
Not only does he volunteer
his time in sports, he also is a
member of the Booster Club and
was a board member for 17
years.
“Ray is a true and loyal
supporter to LC,” said Padilla.
Without the undying
services of Lewis Central
supporters like Ray McManus,
there would be a noticeable void
in LC’s sports programs.
“He volunteers a lot for the
school,” said Hanafan. “There
just aren’t many guys like Ray.”
Ray McManus videotapes one of
the games.
Photo by Meg Black.
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200 Kingsridge Dr.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Dave Drennen
1023 N 16 St.
Council Bluffs, Ia
(712) 323-7845
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Page 5
March 2003
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The Superior Abilities of Lewis Central Students
Meg Black and Tyler Driver
Photography Editor- Photographer
3.
2.
1.
1. Sophomore Ricky Paulson does the
splits.
2. Sophomore Nathan Showers works on
his latest masterpiece.
3. Showers’ New York street drawing.
4. Sophomore Luke Thompson’s eyes are
two colors and they wiggle.
5. Senior Amanda Summy shows off her
“witch fingers.”
6. Sophomore Katherine Tweedt can put her
feet behind her head.
7. This double-jointed individual chooses to
remain anonymous.
8. Sophomore Becky Heideman bends her
knee backwards.
9. Sophomore Stud Trent Coyle can bench
240 lbs.
10. Mrs. Reida models her “evil eye.”
11. Junior Missy Fischer turns her feet
backwards.
12. Sophomore Sara Gunlach demonstrates
her ballerina toes.
13. Junior Dan Barnett is proud of his hairy
chest.
14. Sophomore Tom Webering forms his
“Super W” with the veins of his neck.
15. Junior Gabino Gutierrez wiggles his
ears.
16. Sophomore Eric Evans can sing about all
countries of the world and speaks fluent
pig Latin.
17. Sophomore Doug O’Reily pops out the
veins in his forearm.
18. Sophomore Heather Sadler turns herself
into a human pretzel.
4.
5.
7.
6.
8.
9.
Some of the following students were
submitted by members of the faculty.
12.
13.
10.
11.
16.
17.
15.
14.
18.
Page 6
March 2003
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The Way
Music
Should Be:
Norah Jones
There’s Britney Spears
with her trite songs and lip-syncing.
There’s Christina Aguilera with her
promiscuous attitude and revealing
clothing. And then there’s Norah
Jones who actually lives up to the
title of “female musician.”
For those of you who are
like me, we breathe a sigh of relief
when we hear a female singer who
writes most of her songs, plays her
own music, and has remarkable
talent. Jones fits into all of those
categories.
On Sunday, February 23
it was proved that the rest of the
world loves Jones as well. Jones
received eight Grammy awards that
night, including album of the year
and best new artist. She won awards
in every category she was
nominated for,this
tying her with
Lauryn Hill and
Alicia Keys for
most wins by a
female artist in one
night.
At only
Pam Shorey
Assistant Editor 22 years of age,
Jones exploded onto the music scene
with her first single, “Don’t Know
Why.” The sultry mood of the song
offers a unique quality that most
other songs played on the radio lack.
Listeners
zealously
wanting more of the rich, soothing
tone of Jones’ voice, are snatching
her hit CD, Come Away With Me,up
at every record store. The album
reveals Jones’ distinguished skills as
a songwriter and an arranger. Jones
composed the title song “Come
Away W ith Me,” “Nightingale,” and
also co-wrote “The Long Day Is
Over.”
It is seen frequently these
days- an artist that has one good song
on the radio but once the whole CD
is listened to, that one good song is
lost among many other songs labeled
as horrifying. Once again, Jones
steers away from the norm giving each
listener an earful of what she has to
offer.All of the songs on her album
embody her numerous musical talents.
Jones steps over the lines of musical
boundaries and showcases many
different genres, ranging from jazz to
soul.
While Jones is performing,
one can’t help but notice the
resemblance between her and music
sensation Tori Amos. Both sing and
accompany themselves on the piano
while offering heartfelt lyrics to a
captivated audience. While Amos
may bring more of an upbeat
alternative feel, there is still no
question that Jones’ low, jazzy
style catches just as much
attention.
These days the only
thing the public seems to hear
about female singers is what
outrage ous outfit they were
wearing on the Grammys or what
“hottie” they’re currently dating.
But with Jones we seem to hear
about one thing. The one thing that
should matter the most. The
music.
So while Britney and
Christina are busy wearing hot
pants and shirts that are awfully
close to resembling lingerie,
Norah is exemplifying everything
that a female singer ought to be.
Sew
300 Episodes and Still Entertaining!
The Simpson’s Legacy Continues...
Pam Shorey
Assistant Editor
Prank calls to Moes.
Itchy and Scratchy episodes.
The loud belch from Barney in
just about every episode.
Seeing how many times
Flanders can say diddly in a
sentence. And of course,
“D’oh!”
These are just some
of the reasons why viewers
tune into The Simpsons every
Sunday for new episodes and
every weekday for re-runs.
In its fourteenth
season, The Simpsons is the
longest running animated series
in television history. It has won
18 Emmy’s and is also
Sunday’s
highest-rated
entertainment series.
W ith T h e S i m p s o n s ’
300 th episode on February 16,
it has become the longest running
primetime series on television. FOX
aired three back-to-back episodes to
celebrate this outst a n d i n g
accomplishment.
“It has to be one of the
most successful television shows
of all time considering that they
just had their 300 th episode and
they’ve been renewed for
another two years and they’ll
probably have at least 50 more
episodes, so something that
started off as just a filler type
program ended up being one of
the most successful TV programs
of all time,” said instructor Joe
Ankenbauer.
Throughout the years
they’ve done numerous things that
most shows have not. They’ve
Filmmaking At It’s Best:
Bang Bang You’re Dead
Sam Tsuji
Design
The title that seems
vulgar couldn’t be more
perfect. Directed by Guy
Ferland (Telling Lies In
America) and based on the
play Bang Bang You’re Dead
written
by
William
Mastrosimone the film
couldn’t live up to it’s title
more.
Set in a typical American
High School, Bang Bang
You’re Dead tells the tale of
Trevor Adams played by Ben
Foster (Get Over It, The
Laramie Project). Trevor was
once a model student. But
something pushed finally
pushed him too far.
Trevor’s story is one
that
isn’t
commonly
portrayed, so, kudos to
Ferland and Mastrosimone
for surpassing the norm. The
film is rife with great oneliners by Trevor and his
fellow students.
Foster’s portrayal
of the bitter and cynical
Trevor is undeniably realistic
and honest. The natural
emotion adds to the already
perfectly developed plot line.
Foster plays his role flawlessly, and
almost too accurately.
The characters share a
practical dialogue that brings the
audience into the film without
patronizing them with idealistic and
unreal characters and situations.
The writing is immaculate, and the
layers of the plot are introduced
appropriately without stifling the
tempo of the film
Images of brutal beatings,
callous taunting and the all to
authentic high school atmosphere
are presented in a fluid series of
scene sequences that increase the
apprehension of the storyline. The
cinematics are amazingly raw and
fast paced, creating the tension that
the movie needs.
The overall effect is
lasting and heart wrenching. After
watching this film the audience
feels the pain of all the students and
understand the reality of violence
and mistreatment within the
educational environment. The film
is a great tool for teachers and
parents to use as conversation
starters, and even better for
personal viewing. With an amazing
cast and tremendous substance and
depth, you’ll be hard pressed to find
any other film that will generate as
much controversy and emotion as
does Bang Bang You’re Dead.
featured many guest stars such as,
Aerosmith, Tom Petty, Ringo
Starr, Mick Jagger, Conan
O’Brien, Kathleen Turner, and
The Smashing Pumpkins, many
of which appeared on the show
when Homer attended Rock ‘N
Roll camp.
Another unique aspect
about The Simpsons is how the
show reflects each part of
society through its characters.
Lisa as the hippie/new age,
Homer as the typical male,
Marge as the housewife
extraordinaire, Bart as the
typical teenage male, and
Maggie as the sweet, innocent
child. Each one of the other
characters holds a special place
on the show also.
“Professor Frink is
probably my favorite character,
”
said Ankenbauer.“Idon’t know why,
I just like the way he talks.”
Right now The Simpsons
are scheduled to go for two more
seasons, making it a whopping
sixteen. Some are excited and look
forward to the new shows abouttheir
favorite cartoon family, but some
say that they had better end the
series before it starts going
downhill.
“I think they’re running out of
ideas,” said junior Melynda
Scheffel “I think they should quit
while they’re ahead.”
But there is still no
question that the past fourteen
seasons have been remarkable.
Capturing viewers’ attention
everywhere, The Simpsons have
managed to remain as funny and
witty as ever throughout every
episode.
“
Most Memorable Quotes
“Excuse me I know you’ve been
through a lot today, but if you
could just stand in front of this
burning house and say, “Channel 6
is HOT HOT HOT,” that’d be
great.” - Kent Brockman
“Haven’t you learned anything
from that guy who gives those
sermons at church? Captain
Whats-his-name?”- Homer
“Oh Boy! Sleep! That’s where I’m
a Viking.”- Ralph Wiggum
“Aren’t we forgetting the true
meaning of this day? The birth
of Santa.”- Bart
”
Surfing the Net?
Homestar Runner is a hit!
Sam Tsuji
Design
The popular jock, his
‘bleeding heart’ girlfriend, the
guy who hates the popular jock
and secretly likes his girlfriend,
and of course lots of random
characters to even it out. No,
this is not the cast of a brandnew teenage sitcom, it’s
the cast of a very
interesting interactive
website.
connected through an intricate
collection of short flash animations,
Music Videos, and games found on
the web page.
In contrast to the
frequently admired Joe Cartoon or
Stick Death animations which
portray a sort of gruesome hilarity
based around putting frogs in
blenders and finding numerous
there. The site now accumulates
over 20,000 hits per day.
“It was the kind of thing
that Ren and Stimpy had,” says
Matt Chapman to Flak
Magazine, “They kind of walked
that really creepy line, which was
great, but it was on Nickelodeon,
so it wasn’t dirty. It makes it a
nice challenge to try and
be funny without resorting
to being dirty. And then
any time we approach that
line, it makes it extra funny
Homestarrunner.com
if the characters are a little
was created by Mike
obscene or profane.”
and Matt Chapman as
Keeping it clean
an extention of the 1996
and funny is a rarity in the
children’s book “The
comic world lately. Vulgar
Homestar Runner”. The
humor has sunk its teeth
website founded in
into the mainstream and is
January of 2000 centers
growing even more
around it’s namesake The original childeren’s book cover created by Mike popular. However, every
and Craig.
Homestar
Runner
once and a while you find
himself. Also featured, are ways for stick people to die, a cartoon that is entertaining and
Homestar’s girlfriend Marzipan, Homstarrunner.com presents a clean at the same time.
his best friend Pom Pom, clean humor that can be compared Homestarrunner.com
is
Homestars number one fan to “Peanuts” or even considered a definitely one of them, it’s
Coach ‘Z’ and The Strong somewhat reserved version of sarcastic and seemingly pointless
Brothers: Strong Bad, Strong “South Park”.
antics are unfailingly amusing.
Mad, and Strong Sad, as well as
The site’s original fan base This site can keep you
their ‘pet’ The Cheat, and Coach consisted of mostly Christian entertained for hours!
‘Z’. This witty group is College students, and grew from www.homestarrunner.com
The Many Faces of Brad Pitt
From the “hott guy” in Thelma and Louise to People’s Sexiest Man Alive, Brad Pitt’s Career has skyrocketed since his film debut in 1988. During the past 15 years he has
performed in 33 feature films as well as numerous cameos and guest starring roles. This coming December Brad Pitt turns 40, so we present to you a few rare photos from
his younger days.
Photos from:http://www.topics4u.com/brad-pitt/young.html
Happy
Specialty Sewing & Alterations
by Deborah Whitney
Quality Sewn Fashions & Accessories for Women, Jr. Misses &
Children. Prom- Special Occasion- Weddings-Holidays- Day
& Eveningwear
712-323-5895
....Sam Tsuji
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Page 7
March 2003
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LC Corporation Titan Wrestlers Take Home the Gold
Grooves Their
Way to the Top
“I think my season overall was
was a little disappointment for others. had “no comment.”
Ashley Richter
Sophomore James Smith also good, I hope to work harder next
Senior Gabe Rostermundt was
Reporter
viewed before entering the ended the tournament capturing season and reach my goals of winning
Walking into the Vets Auditorium tournament to make it to the seventh place at 112 pounds.
state,” stated sophomore Tobyn Ward.
“I think I did bad, but good
the seats are full and the crowd is championship match. He was
With this being Coach Beaman’s
energized. The first match starts and coming off a shoulder injury when enough to place. Next year I hope to first year as head coach he
fellow students swarm
around the auditorium.
Soon everyone’s ears are
ringing from the fans’
screaming. Sounds like
a weekend at the statewrestling tournament.
The Titan wrestling
team captured fifth place
at the state tournament.
Two wrestlers came
away from Veterans
Auditorium champions
Senior Nick Hayes
won at 152 pounds for
his first-ever state
championship
by
overcoming
Brett
Behrends of WaverlyShell 3-2.
“It was great to
achieve all of my goals,”
said Hayes.
Junior Brandon
Mason, wrestling at 160
pounds, won his second
state title by prevailing
over Iowa City West’s
Omar Maktabi in a close
Photo by Celeste Anderson
match 1-0.
Nick Hayes wrestles for the gold at the State Wrestling Competition at Veterams Auditorium.
“It feels pretty good
accomplished and experienced plenty
(winning the championship), and next he dislocated it earlier this season and be state champion,” said Smith.
Four out of the eight wrestlers at his first state competition with
year I’m hoping to win it again and wasn’t back to his old self by the time
of the state tournament.
that attended state this year placed Lewis Central. He seemed very
go undefeated,” said Mason.
When asked about his while the others still had a great pleased when asked he said his season
Although the season ended on a
was “Just awesome.”
high note for two Titan wrestlers, there performance at state Rostermundt season.
it and they’re really reaping the
rewards for it,” said director Matt
Huth. “I think it’s because of their
dedication and their mindset.”
However, Corp is definitely
more than singing and dancing.
There’s the beat and rhythm behind
each song, supplied by a group of
very talented musicians. Many
onlookers tend to forget about them
since they’re located in the back, but
they deserve just as much
recognition.
“I find that playing in the band
is more fun than dancing because I
feel less dorky on stage,” said junior
Dan Black who has experienced both
sides of Corp. “I get to play the bari.
It’s all about the bari.”
To be a part of something that
has achieved so much is a high honor
for many participants. This year’s
freshmen are definitely feeling the
excitement.
“It’s really fun and cool to have
your friends support you,” said
freshman Jesse Elgan. “It’s fun
because I feel like I’m in Varsity as a
freshman.”
For freshman Chris Rogness,
it’s often hard to believe that he got
the chance to be a part of the show
choir this year.
“Corp is fun and all, but I was
really surprised that I made it as a
freshman,” said Rogness.
The seniors are beginning to
realize that they only have a couple
more performances left until they
leave it all behind.
“I wouldn’t say that I’m sad, but
I guess I will definitely miss it since
Northwestern doesn’t have a show
Ashley Richter
choir,” said senior Jaimi Joneson.
Reporter
“I’ll
definitely
miss
the
Four residents from the area were
performances, but I’m ready for
recognized for outstanding service to
something new. It’s a one of a kind
the community.
One of the
experience. It’s something you can
outstanding residents was a teacher at
only get at a place like this.”
Lewis Central High School.
The Council Bluffs Sertoma Club
honored Mr. Fiscus as an outstanding
educator at its annual awards banquet
on February 27th.
Mr. Fiscus has been teaching
vocal music for 28 years at Lewis
Central. Under his direction the Lewis
Central choir has been selected to
perform at numerous regional and
state events, some of which include
the Creighton University Honors
Convocation, the Southwest Iowa
Choral Director’s Association and as
an honor choir at Iowa State
University. The Lewis Corporation
show choir has also received more
than a few championships in several
states.
Despite these accomplishments,
the award still came as a surprise to
Sophomore Pat VanNorstrand and junior Dawn Longmeyer sing at the Fiscus.
“I was shocked. I didn’t think
Lewis Central Show Chior Invitation while the votes are being tallied
I’d done anything different to deserve
for the competing schools.
Photo by Brooke Bergantzel this. When they called I thought it was
a telemarketer or something,” said
Fiscus.
Many students at Lewis Central
feel he truly deserved this recognition.
“Mr. Fiscus is one of the most
gifted directors I have worked with.
This award was very much deserved,”
said senior Jaimi Joneson.
Pam Shorey
Assistant Editor
Nervous chatter is heard all
around the Lewis Central commons
as performers wait for their time to
shine. A small group over in the far
corner makes last minute touch-ups
and takes turns warming up their
vocal chords. Girls in sparkling
dresses and guys in stiff button-down
shirts walk by reflecting on their
performance or anticipating what’s to
come.
Walking into the auditorium
there’s an abrupt change of
atmosphere as the air becomes hot
and damp. People are crammed
everywhere, some share seats while
others crowd into the aisles, making
it almost impossible to move.
No, this is no rock concert. This
is the Show Choir Invitational hosted
by Lewis Central on March 8.
Even though they were not
being judged, the Lewis Central
Corporation still gave one hundred
percent.
“I thought it was pretty
awesome,” said senior Audra Schutte.
“It was very energetic and fun to
watch.”
The theme “Groovy” added a lot
of excitement and fun songs to the
show. They took the audience back
to the ‘70s with the hit “Knock Three
Times” and even added go-go boots
to their attire.
The show also attracted some
attention at two other invitationals.
Out of 40 show choirs present at the
Johnston High School Invitational,
LC placed second in the class 4A
division and third overall. The most
exciting invitational was at Westside
High School where the choir walked
away with the Grand Champion
trophy.
“I think it’s really exciting and
they’ve really put their hard work into
Club Sings Praises for Choir Director
4-H Promotes
Responsibility
Melinda Smits
Reporter
Many students feel bogged
down juggling after-school
activities and homework. For
some, simply being in school is a
little too much to handle. Yet there
are the few that find time to add
something extra onto the work of
school and related activities.
Freshman Claire Knigge and
senior Hali Smith, among several
other students, are doing just that.
Knigge, for seven years, and
Smith, for nine years, seem to be
doing quite well keeping up in
class and in 4-H.
4-H is a club designed to
promote life-long skills such as
communication, leadership, and
citizenship in the youth of
America. Originally started to
draw workers back to agricultural
occupations, 4-H now focuses on
the personal growth of the
individual. Members have a
variety of areas to choose from,
varying from raising and showing
animals to different projects such
as woodworking or cooking. But
does 4-H still have those
agricultural roots showing?
“I don’t like the aspect of 4H members being considered to
have to own livestock and live on
a farm,” reflected Smith.
Whether or not 4-H has the
image it would like, it does
represent one trait that it is proud
of: responsibility. Smith and
Knigge have found themselves in
positions
where
extreme
responsibilities must be taken on.
“It gives you a lot of
responsibility, like at fairs with
animals,” states Knigge. “They
have to stay there overnight, so you
are there from about 6:30 in the
morning to 10:30 at night. You
can’t leave all day. Then you have
to go home and get projects ready
for the next day!”
But what is a little extra
responsibility as long as a person
has good behind-the-scenes
people? Both girls give much
credit to their parents for always
being there.
“I’ll be up until two in the
morning working on a cooking
project, and my mom will wake up
and say ‘Go to sleep, I’ll finish it’,”
laughs Knigge. “She plays a huge
role.”
Knigge and Smith are not just
involved with 4-H projects. Each
girl is actively involved, having
held leadership roles: Knigge as the
Historian, Secretary, VicePresident, and later President, and
Smith as a delegate for the National
4-H Congress. Once started,
jumping into leadership roles
comes naturally to the two. But
getting started seems to be the
biggest step.
“I would recommend 4-H to
anybody,” says Smith. “We do a
lot, and I’d advise anyone who
wants to get started to jump right
in.”
Fiscus has really enhanced the
choir program at Lewis Central since
he became director. Although it
wasn’t always easy, he’s had a big
influence.
“I think my being a teacher has
had a lot to do with God. He’s been
a big influence on me being a teacher.
The first years were so hard. I was
the fifth choir director in four years.
It was crazy. The kids used to wear
jeans and tennis shoes under their
robes. They just didn’t know how
to sing with credibility. Every new
teacher that came in would tell them
different things. But I saw a lot of
potential in the kids,” said Fiscus.
One of the first things one
notices is Fiscus’ humility in
receiving the honor. He’s quick to
credit help from co-director Matt
Huth and volunteer Bruce Norris for
making such a successful choir.
“I could not be effective without
co-director Matt Huth and volunteer
Bruce Norris,” said Fiscus.
While Fiscus has being
influenced over the years, students
have also been influenced by Fiscus
from his great teaching techniques.
“Fiscus has been my choir
teacher for four years, he has
influenced my decision to stay in
music throughout college,” said
senior Ignacio Cockcroft.
Fiscus doesn’t look at teaching
as only a job, he truly enjoys what
he does and looks at it like there is
always something new.
“My favorite thing about t
Bleth Inducted into
Wresling Hall of Fame
Ashley Richter
Dakota.
Many people in the wrestling
Reporter
At the beginning of the month program and throughout Lewis
Dick Bleth was entered into the High Central admire Mr. Bleth.
“Of all my former coaches
School Wrestling Hall of Fame
Coach Bleth taught
me more than just
wrestling moves, he
taught me loyalty,
dedication, work
ethic, and above all
integrity, all the
things needed to be
a productive citizen
and for that I say
thank you,” said
former
Lewis
Central
head
wrestling coach
Keith Massey.
Mr. Bleth
had a good time
seeing all of his old
Bleth proudly receives his wrestling recognition
athletes when he
Photo By Meg Black
was being entered
during the South Dakota State into the Hall of Fame.
Wrestling Tournament. Bleth has
“ It was fun to see all of the
been previously recognized as a old athletes again. They were all
National High School Coach of the older and had their own families. It
Year, 10-time Southwest Iowa High was really great to see them,” said
School Coach of the Year, and has Bleth when asked about being
won three state championships. In his entered into the Hall of Fame.
15 years as a wrestling coach, he
This is a worthy achievement,
coached in Huron and Faulkton South congratulations Mr. Bleth.
eaching is whoever I’m working with answer to that question there are many
at the moment. It’s all of my choirs, people who agree Fiscus was the right
really. There’s a new group every man to be honored with this award.
“Mr. Fiscus has built the
year. Teaching is really a changing
program from nothing to what it is
profession,” said Fiscus.
Students
feel
very
honored to
have such an
outstanding
teacher present
at
Lewis
Central.
“In my
past four years
in high school
he has given
me
many
memories, I
will
never
forget how he
made
my
experience
here
so
enjoyable. He
made choir
v e r y
successful and
he
is
a
wonderful
director,” said
senior Trisha
Gary Fiscus instructs his students while playing the
Barntsen.
Fiscus is piano and singing.
Photo by Brooke Bergantzel
still waiting to
find out one thing; who nominated today. His way of teaching really
connects with so many kids. He has
him?
“I still don’t know who taught parents who have kids in the
program now, and that is how it got
nominated me,” stated Fiscus.
Although he doesn’t know the its tradition,” said Huth.
LC Tennis:
Ready to
Dominate
Ashley Richter
Reporter
With four returning starters and
new players entering the program, the
Titan tennis season is looking to be
full strength.
“I have high expectations for
this season. We have four seniors who
were top seeds from last year. We also
have some kids that moved in that
could help us out,” said boys tennis
head coach Chris Hanafan.
Although no one made it to the
state level last year, a group of
doubles was one match away from
reaching the maximum competition.
The team is hoping to go even farther
this season.
“I hope we can make it to state
this year,” said senior Tim Reedy.
Seniors Luke Anderson, Scott
Kemp, Derek McComas, and Tim
Reedy are back for action and will
benefit the tennis program.
“We should be full of leadership
with the seniors this season,”
remarked Hanafan.
With this year’s seniors having
already been at the top level already
their junior year, they’re hoping for
an outstanding season.
“I also hope we can win the
Hawkeye 10 Conference and go
undefeated during the regular
season,” said Reedy.
It’s not only the seniors that are
ready for an excellent season it’s the
whole team.
“We should dominate just like
last year, everyone is back,” said
junior J.J. Wheeler.
Another advantage for the team
is that there isn’t just one major player
for the program, there should be
many.
“I’m hoping we will have four
to six players with the top places this
season,” stated Hanafan.
The Titans start off their season
with practice starting at the end of
March and will have a seeding
tournament for the top six spots
before their first game on April 8,
against Abraham Lincoln.
Page 8
March 2003
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The Adventures of Johnny and Gerbill
By Ryan Showers
DID YOU
KNOW. . .
1. The average person spends two weeks of
their life kissing.
2. Until the 1960’s men with long hair
were not allowed to enter Disneyland.
3. Coconuts kill more people in the world
than sharks do. Approximately 150
people are killed each year by coconuts.
4. A nihilist believes in nothing.
Do you want to learn how to draw as well as The
Wire’s very own cartoonist?
Well, now you can! Learn all the steps to draw
Gerbill
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
5. California has issued 6 drivers licenses
to people named Jesus Christ.
6. Five percent of the people who use
personal ads for dating are already
married.
7. In New York City, approximately 1600
people are bitten by other humans each
year.
8. Everyday more money is printed for
Monopoly than US treasury.
By Ryan Showers
The Luck Of The Irish Word Scramble
Have you got the luck of the Irish? Test yourself on this word scramble. Prizes will be
awarded to the first three people who turn in completed puzzles to the Journalism Room.
Directions:
Rearrange the letters to form words that have a St. Patrick’s Day zest!
Have fun and Good Luck!
1. RCMASKHO
2. GTP FL OODO
3. ENGRE
4. CANPRELUHE
5. WBRIAON
6. LOCE-AFUR VORLFE
7. HRIIS
8. PK. ASRTICT
9. RCMAH
10. TEENTEENSVH
11. HNICP
12. KULC
13. BFORNA DEBN CBC AGAEEED
14. OSHOR-EEHS
15. HIRIG ISJ
16. PABGPEI
17. LKTI
Disclaimer:
As a result of past “Wire” challenges, we will not accept completed puzzles from Jeff
McQuinn, Jake Cooney, or John Harvey (because of their numerous victories.) Thank you
for your cooperation.
9. In every episode of Seinfeld there is a
Superman somewhere.
10. Everytime you lick a stamp you’re
consuming 1/10 of a calorie!
11. Rubber Bands last longer when
refrigerated.
Compiled By Melissa McKern
ATTENTION!
Last chance to buy the
2002-2003
yearbook.
No extras will be
ordered.
See Charlotte in the
office by March 25.
Cost $40
CREEPY CLAN OR LOVABLE LINEAGE?
Take this quiz to find out
Mostly B’s
1. When you stumble home late at night your parents:
A.) Welcome you with loving arms
B.) Lecture you on how you need to make better choices
Mostly
A’s
2. When presented with a Christmas ham your family:
A.) Throws it into a neighbor’s yard
B.) Has a wonderful family meal
....Sam Tsuji
3. When fighting with your siblings your parents:
A.) Join in the obnoxious quarrel
B.) Make you solve your differences
4. When sitting at the table you are likely to see:
A.) Your mother’s overly pampered dog
B.) Your cute little sister
5. When you go out at night your parents are most likely to say:
A.) Don’t party too much and stay safe
B.) Where are you going and what time will you be
home?
You’re definitely a Brady Bunch family.
You’re becoming more like the Osbourne family
every day!