salutatorian - Leo Jr/Sr High School

the
Lion’s Tale
Thursday, June 4, 2009 Leo Junior/Senior High School
Volume LII
Issue VIII
Morrical
and
McManus
named
val
and
sal
Chloe Morrical and Beth McManus are honored as the top two students of the class of 2009
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
By Kassi Galbreath
Special Editor
Q: What are your future plans? Where are you going to college?
A: I plan on attending Purdue University and majoring in biology.
Following my graduation from Purdue, I hope to further my education by
attending medical school.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: I see myself finishing up medical school or starting my career. I hope to
be married and maybe thinking about starting a family. It all depends where
my life takes me though.
Q: What is your favorite high school memory?
A: I could never choose one memory from high school. Certain things come
to mind, but picking one would be impossible.
Q: What was/is your favorite class? Why?
A: My favorite class was AP government. It was challenging and the
coursework was interesting to me. Mr. Gabet also kept it fun with news
clips, debates (specifically with Taylor Pepple), and projects.
Q: Who was/is your favorite teacher? Why?
A: My favorite teacher was Mr. Crosby. He truly cares about the students
and wants them to learn. I have also never been more pushed by a teacher.
My classes with Mr. Crosby were my hardest, but I learned the most, too.
Q: What is the biggest obstacle you have overcome to achieve your goals?
A: I feel as if there have been countless small steps that I have taken to
achieve my goals. There wasn’t one specific obstacle that was any harder
than all the others. It’s really just about staying focused and remembering
what’s important.
Q: What advice do you have for future seniors and prospective
valedictorians and salutatorians?
A: I would tell younger students to stay focused but to have fun too.
Q: What are your future plans? Where are you going to college?
A: I’m going to Indiana University where I’ll be studying political science. I’m
also interested in studying economics and math.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: I hope to have completed grad school and working somewhere in the
political field. I don’t have any definite plans. I’m hoping that taking courses in
college will help me figure out what I want to do.
Q: What is your favorite high school memory?
A: Having a dance party the night before prom in the Cedarville Elementary
School parking lot.
Q: What was/is your favorite class? Why?
A: My favorite class was Mr. Valley’s Theatre arts class because it was so
different than every other class. Even though I’m not very outgoing, this was a
fun way to get used to public speaking.
Q: Who was/is your favorite teacher? Why?
A: I’ve had so many awesome teachers who have helped me so much
throughout high school. Herr Lutz (Mr. Lutz), Ms. Longtine, and Mr. Crosby
are some of my favorites.
Q: What is the biggest obstacle you have overcome to achieve your goals?
A: Senioritis. Actually, I have always been a procrastinator, which has a habit
of making me extremely stressed before deadlines.
Q: What advice do you have for future seniors and prospective valedictorians
and salutatorians?
A: Have fun, but don’t stress the small things.
Dr. Mark Daniel selected as Principal of the Year
By Bailey Rosenbaum
Staff Writer
On May 11, principal
of Leo High School Dr. Mark
Daniel was awarded High School
Principal of the Year for the Third
district of Indiana.
Daniel has been principal
of Leo High School for eleven
years, and prior to that, he was
assistant principal for three years.
Daniel’s first position at Leo was
athletic director and assistant
principal of seniors. The following
year, Daniel switched positions
with now history teacher, Jim
Koester, who was assistant
principal of grades nine through
twelve at that time.
To be chosen to become
Principal of the Year, the principal
had to be nominated by their peers.
According to Daniel, he doesn’t
know who wrote the letter to the
Indiana Association of School
Principals, IASP to nominate him,
but he knows that it is a huge
honor to be recognized.
“Dr. Daniel is very
deserving of this award. He
runs an exceptional building,
is a great leader and has made
great contributions to Leo and its
community. We are very proud of
him!” said guidance counselor,
Mrs. Smetlzley.
After being nominated,
Daniel received a letter in the
mail on May 11 from the IASP
congratulating him on being
chosen. Along with the letter sent
to him, he was also sent questions
that he needs to answer and
sent in by June 26 in order to be
looked at to become the Principal
of the Year for the state. Daniel
and the other district winners
will be recognized at the 2009
Fall Professional Conference in
Indianapolis, Indiana.
At the conference, all
Indiana Principal of the Year
district winners will come
together for a banquet to honor
them and also name the winner
of the Principal of the Year for the
state of Indiana.
To become Principal
of the Year for the state, Daniel
will have to have 4 letters of
recommendation from people
in different positions. There will
need to be one from a student, a
teacher, a parent or community
member, and the superintendent.
“Being the High School
Principal of the Year for District
3 is an honor. And honor because
I was nominated by my peers.
However, the successes of
Leo Jr. Sr. High School are an
accumulation of faculty, staff,
students, parents, and community.
From that perspective, Leo Jr. Sr.
High School is truly deserving
and duly noted.
Page 2 • Thursday, June 4, 2009 •
News
Editor: Grace Crain
Senior class makes secondary decisions for the future
Emily Mock: Undecided
Steven Shambaugh: IPFW
Lindsey Mohlman: Indiana
University
Brent Sharpe: Workforce/IPFW
Evan Delagrange: International
Business College
Rebecca Hill: University of Indianapolis
Kristin Anderson: Ivy Tech
Heidi Delagrange: Anderson
University
Kyle Holley: Purdue University
Autumn Arnett: Undecided
Micah Delagrange: IPFW
Mitchell Horn: Bethel College
Kalah Baer: Indiana Tech
Bennett Dillon: IPFW
Nathan Huber: IPFW
Chloe Morrical: Purdue University
Taylor Humphries: Undecided
Megan Mozena: Undecided
Kyle Slentz: Purdue University
Amanda Isenhour: Ball State
University
Amanda Necessary: IPFW
Laura Smarker: Undecided
Joseph Noe: Undecided
Kayla Stephens: Undecided
Jesse Jacquay: IPFW
Kyliah Noe: Undecided
Joshua Steury: Undecided
Mary Jennings: Ivy Tech/Workforce
Chelsie Nordness:
Business College
Emily Stoner: Undecided
Autumn Johnson: IPFW
Eric Novitski: Marines
Aaron Jones: Undecided
Jesse Opliger: Undecided
Jordan Jones: Ball State University
Kalin Oren: Bethel College
Kaitlyn Alter: IPFW
Austin Amstutz: IPFW
Dylan Barlow: Naropa Univer- Patrick Donley: IPFW
sity
Lauren Drefke: IPFW
Zachary Baron: University of
Johnathon Duff: IPFW
Saint Francis
Stefano Basilici: IPFW
Trina Bauer: Ancilla College
Cameron Enright: Trine or Anderson University
Gregg Bauserman: Undecided
Katelyn Figgins: Purdue University
James Beining: Ivy Tech
Cameron Friend: Undecided
Molly Bergman: IPFW, Army Andrea Gage: Ball State University
National Guard
Abigail Blue: Indiana Univer- Kassandra Galbreath: IPFW,
then Indiana University
sity
Kaitlyn Boerger: University of Abigail Gamble: IPFW/Workforce
Saint Francis
Josh Boese: Undecided
Nathanial Bollman: IPFW
Angela Bontrager: IPFW
John Garlock: Ball State University
Samantha Gary: IPFW
Alyssa Gerardot: Undecided
Jordan Bowerman: Bethel ColDane Gerig: IPFW
lege
Victor Boyer: Workforce
Sean Bricker: IPFW
Sarah Brockman: IPFW
Drew Giant: IPFW
Danielle Gladieux: Ball State
University
Elise Gongwer: Undecided
Chelsea Brune: Indiana UniSeth Gullett: Undecided
versity
Clayton Hamilton: IPFW
Austin Bussen: Navy
Kelsey Butler: Ivy Tech
Andy
Tech
Caldwell:
IPFW/Ivy
William Hamilton: Air Force
Reserves
Haylie Hampton: Ivy Tech/
IPFW
Kiersten Campbell: Ball State
Andrew Heischman: Purdue
University
University
Shantel Capps: IPFW
Ashleigh Helbert: University
of Evansville
Alicia Christman: IPFW
Alexis Claflin: IPFW
Dean Compton: Bethel College
Allyssa Cook: IPFW
Courtney Helbert: Anderson
University
Lindsey Henry: Ivy Tech
Kaleb Hetrick: IPFW
Andrew Cooper: Indiana University
Megan Hevel: Indiana Wesleyan University
Kristin Craft: Evangel University
Cherie Hiatt: University of
Saint Francis
Nathanael Dammeyer: Moody
Bible Institute
Alexis Hiler: Undecided
Ryan Datta: Workforce
Nicole Hill: Undecided
Andrew Juergens: Undecided
Taylor Kelley: IPFW
Megan Kiley: University of Indianapolis
Kourtni Kitchen: University of
Saint Francis
Hannah Koch: Indiana Wesleyan University
Keegan Koeppe: Undecided
Paulina Moreau: Workforce
Indiana
Landon Oyer: Bethel College
Spencer Pannabecker: Bethel
College
Margaret Paxton: Undecided
Holly Peck: Undecided
Taylor Pepple: Indiana Wesleyan University
Jesse Rediger: Undecided
Abby Reece: Forerunner School
of Ministry
Rachel Shoaff: IPFW
Lauren Silver: Rudae’s School
of Cosmetology
Johnna Stout: Undecided
Stephanie Strang: Indiana University
Katherine Straub: International
Business College
Patrick Straub: IPFW
Hillary Targgart: Undecided
Lauren Thoman: Purdue University
Matthew Thomas: University
of Saint Francis
Courtney Thornhill: Undecided
Natalija Trokic: Workforce
Shane Refeld: Workforce
Allison Troutner: Ball State
University
Douglas Rekeweg: IPFW
Alyssa Turney: Undecided
Angela Larkin: IPFW
Gabriel Richardson: Indiana
University
Bryan Utesch: Undecided
Lisa Legg: Undecided
Justin Richardson: Undecided
Keri Lencke: Bethel College
Kayla Robertson: Workforce
Baily Lengacher: Undecided
Jessica Roe: Workforce
Emily Lichtenberger: IPFW
Trisha Roof: Undecided
Louis Matrisciano: IPFW
Elisa Salazar: Purdue University
Zachary Kryder: Undecided
Samantha Lairson: IPFW
Kevin Larcom: Undecided
Nicholas McAbee:
University
Indiana
Brooke McDevitt: Indiana University
Elizabeth McManus: Indiana
University
Lauren McNiece: Undecided
Brandon Merz: Undecided
Austin Miller (A.J.): International Business College
Karissa Miller: Indiana University
Bailey Mitchell: Undecided
Camerson Salk: Workforce/ Indiana University
Andre Sauder: IPFW/Purdue
Kea Sawaska: IPFW
Zackory Schaefer: IPFW
Grace Schlatter: Bethel College
James Wadsworth: IPFW
Andrew Wager: Undecided
Dillon Warner: Ivy Tech
Richard White: IPFW
Joshua Wickey: U.S. Army
Brittany Williamson: Olivet
Nazarene University
Jacob Willinger: Huntington
College
Morgan Wise: IPFW
Shelby Witten: Undecided
Nicholas Woods: Undecided
Austin Schmidt: Undecided
Michael Wright: Indiana Wesleyan University
Tayler Schmidt: IPFW
Matthew Wurm: Ivy Tech
Brooke Schmucker: Undecided
Matthew Schroeder: IPFW
David Schwieterman: Purdue
University
Congratulations! Class of 2009
Page 3
• Thursday June 4,2009 • News
Editor: Andrew Rodgers
Several Leo Seniors receive
full tuition scholarships
By Lauren Thoman
Co-Editor-In-Chief
Next year many seniors
will embark on one of their first
journeys away from Leo High
School and go to college.
As with many things
college requires money and
a lot of it, so many seniors
try and apply for any type of
scholarship that they meet
the requirements for in hopes
to make the absurd amount
of money for a semester of
college decrease. Many seniors
at Leo have received some type
of scholarship or donation to
help him or her pay for next
year, while a select few have
actually received full-ride or
full-tuition scholarships to the
college of his or her choice.
Among these lucky
seniors there is the question
of how did they get so much
money and what were the
necessities or requirements
that they met throughout
their high school career. The
three confirmed students in
the graduating class of 2009
who have received full-tuition
or a full-ride to the college of
their choice are Chelsea Brune,
Jordan Bowerman, and Beth
McManus.
Brune received a full
tuition scholarship to Indiana
University-Bloomington
by
having above a 3.8 GPA and
over a 1300 on the SAT and a 30
on the ACT. Brune received the
Indiana University Excellence
Scholarship as well as the
Hutton Honors Scholarship,
which is Indiana University’s
Honors College. Because of
her success throughout high
school, the scholarships she has
obtained will cover all of her
tuition next year as well as a little
extra.
Before she accepted her
scholarships Brune was looking
at going to American University
in Washington, D.C. or Arizona
State. Brune said she was seriously
considering Arizona State but
realized she liked IU’s campus and
decided that for the time being,
Phoenix was too far away from
home. Next year, she plans on
double-majoring in journalism
and political science.
Beth McManus, Leo
High School’s salutatorian, will
also be planning on attending
Indiana University next year.
McManus received her full
tuition scholarship by filling
out a general scholarship
application to IU as well as
filling out a section that asked
if she was interested in doing
research next year. McManus
said that she has to write several
essays for the whole application
including a research essay, but
the only extra thing she had to
do specifically for the research
scholarship
was
answer
three short questions. These
three questions she filled out
earned her the Cox Research
Scholarship which covers all of
her tuition, room, and board.
The scholarship also includes
a monthly stipend for doing
eight hours of research a week.
Although McManus
said she had to turn down
all scholarships that were
specifically for room, board,
and tuition, she was able
to take the E.H. Kilbourne
Scholarship and the Hoosier
Scholar Award that will help
pay for her books and a new
computer. McManus said that
the reason she chose to go to
IU and not Notre Dame, where
she was also looking at, was
that the research she would be
doing was a big incentive since
she really wanted to get into
undergraduate research. Since
the program is set up for that
purpose she was more than
willing to accept. She also said
that IU has a great political
science program and the
money she received helped.
The final person for
the graduating class that has
received some type of full
tuition or full ride is Jordan
Bowerman.
Bowerman
received a full ride scholarship
to play basketball for Bethel
next year. The scholarship
entails and covers everything
except his book fees. Over the
course of this years basketball
season Bowerman was being
recruited and finally on June
1, he decided that for the
next four years he would be
attending
Bethel
College.
Although studies is one of his
main focuses Bowerman will
be playing basketball from
November to March with
added conditioning in the off
season. Besides basketball,
Bethel will contribute to
Bowerman’s studies in the field
of Sports Management.
Although
many
Leo seniors have been very
successful throughout their
high school careers, these three
students have surpassed the
expectations of their peers. Not
only will these scholarships
help Brune, McManus and
Bowerman in their college years,
but also the money saved will
help them once they graduate.
Once again congratulations to
Chelsea Brune, Beth McManus
and Jordan Bowerman for their
outstanding success in high
school and good luck next year
and years to come.
Scholarships They received:
Jordan Bowerman: Full Ride (Except books)
basketball scholarships.
Chelsea Brune: Indiana University Excellence
scholarship, Hutton Honors college scholarship.
Beth McManus: Cox Resaerch scholarship, E.H.
Kilbourne Scholarship, Hoosier Scholar award.
Page 6 • Thursday, June 4, 2009
•
A&E
Editor: Abby Reece
Parental participation
makes choir a success
Parents volunteer their time
to fundraise for the group
Aaron Crow
News Editor
Throughout
the
year, parents participate in
fundraising events for Leo’s
choirs and bands and even
plan the events themselves.
Around Christmastime,
the Leo High School bands and
choirs pull together a repertoire
of festive songs to thrill the
audience in what is known as
Yuletide. During the live show,
community members can
sit and enjoy a multi-course
dinner prepared by parents in
the school kitchen.
Songs are performed by
the band and choirs before and
after the dinner as well.
As president of the
performing arts board Karen
Westernhausen said, the event
is “just a nice Christmassy,
warm event.”
Westerhausen has a few
duties that she performs for
the event as well. There are a
few committees assigned with
tasks associated with the event
such as decorating, cooking,
creating the program, seating
and setting up the stage. It is
her job to organize and oversee
these committees, making sure
that they accomplish the tasks
delegated to them.
Westerausen plans the
awards event as well. Band
and choir members are given
notoriety for their different
accomplishments and overall
participation in the groups.
According to Westerhausen,
the choirs and bands are given
an opportunity to relax. In
addition, the awards are a
chance to honor the fine arts
students in front of parents
and peers.
All of these awards are
directly run by Westerhausen.
“I just got tired of delegating
and just did it,” said
Westerhausen.
Parents put on various
different fundraisers to organize
these events. Anne Barker, the
high school choir representative
to the fundraising committee,
spearheads the fundraisers for
choir. These include the Kroger
Card sales and concession
stand revenue.
Kroger cards are loadable
gift cards sold to any interested
Award recipients at the end of the year banquet.
customer to use at any Kroger
or Scott’s store. Customers
do not lose any purchasing
power in the process, for their
dollar still purchases a dollar’s
worth.
“The beauty is you’re
still getting all the groceries,”
said Barker.
The purchases with this
card are registered in Kroger’s
database, and when the totals
reach $5,000, Kroger gives $250
of it back to the choir.
According to Barker,
half of the returning funds
are now placed in student’s
personal funds for choir trips
and other individual costs. The
purpose of this new addition
to the card program is to
motivate students’ sales and
consequentially increase the
amount of funds available for
the choir.
Once in the students’
accounts, available funds can
be spent on anything from
a new suit for choir or band
concerts to trips.
These cards garnered
over $1000 in the past year and
Barker has high hopes for the
program’s future.
Softball and baseball
concessions are organized by
Valerie Holley. Parents who
run the concessions stand for
the game earn $10 towards
their account.
Band students can
earn money for individual
and group expenses through
fundraisers as well. Two of
the major fundraisers are
the Mike’s Car Wash coupon
sale and chicken sales. These
fundraisers are led by Amy
Maupin, Leo High School’s
band representative.
Summer brings movie sequels Regional golf courses
provide
summer
fun
and remakes to the big screen Overview of courses give reader options
Katie Wertman
Feature Editor
This summer, many
anticipated movies are to hit
theaters everywhere. Some
of these movies include
Harry Potter and the Half Blood
Prince, Transformers: Revenge
of the Fallen, Up, Ice Age: Dawn
of the Dinosaurs, Star Trek, and
Night at the Museum: Battle of
the Smithsonian.
Most students make
it to the movies at least once
during the summer. For
others, the movie theater is a
regular hang-out spot during
the three summer months.
Summer 2009 brings
many new movies, along with
many anticipated sequels
such as Harry Potter and the
Half Blood Prince, Transformers:
Revenge of the Fallen, and
Night at the Museum: Battle of
the Smithsonian.
New movies are also
hitting theaters around the
nation. Some of these movies
include Star Trek, which is a
remake of the 1979 original.
Disney Pixar’s Up is also a
new movie expecting big
audiences this summer. This
movie will be available in 3D
to increase viewing pleasure
and also in 2D for moviegoers not interested in the
3D experience. Ice Age: Dawn
of the Dinosaurs is another
movie of the summer 2009
season that will be available
for viewing in 3D.
“I’m really surprised
with all the good movies
coming out this summer,”
said sophomore Mackenzie
Merkler. “I want to see so many
but I’m going to have to choose
between some; otherwise, I will
be broke.”
Harry Potter and the
Half Blood Prince is one of
the most highly anticipated
movies of the entire summer
season. This is the sixth movie
of the Harry Potter series.
Viewers join Potter in his sixth
year at Hogwarts and jump in
to find out many more dark
secrets about the enemy Lord
Voldemort’s past.
Disney Pixar’s, Up,
is the story of an old man’s
lifelong dream to see South
America according to www.
imdb.com. So Carl Fredricksen,
the main character of the movie,
ties millions of balloons to his
house in an adventure to get
there. He soon finds out that he
is accompanied by a little boy
and his pet dog.
“Up looks awesome,”
said freshman Nik Hackbarth.
“The best part is that it’s in 3D;
that’s what I’m most excited
about.”
Transformers: Revenge
of the Fallen, is the sequel to the
2007 box office hit. According
to
www.imdb.com,
main
character, Sam Witwicky, who
now knows the origin of the
transformers, joins with the
team of robot-machines to
protect mankind.
“I can’t wait to see the
new Transformers movie,” said
sophomore Emily Johnson.
“The first one was awesome
and I’m sure the second one
will be just as good.”
In the movie, Ice Age:
Dawn of the Dinosaurs, the
lifelong gang of animals come
back for new adventures and
holds many new surprises.
Scrat, the acorn obsessed
squirrel meets another squirrel
and soon become the “new
item” of the time. With this
new family started, a couple
of the other animals start to
long for a family according to
www.imdb.com
“Ice Age is going to
be fabulous,” said freshman
Braden Tripolet. “I mean how
many times can the planet
freeze and still make a good
movie? I hope at least three
more times because I love the
all the Ice Age movies.”
Night at the Museum:
Battle of the Smithsonian shows
main character Larry, on his
next big mission as a security
guard at the Smithsonian
Museum. This movie is the
sequel to the 2006 hit movie,
Night at the Museum. In this
highly anticipated movie, new
museum exhibits come to life
to create new adventures and
new struggles for Larry the
security guard.
The summer 2009
season offers many highly
anticipated movies for movie
lovers of all genres.
Matt Craft
Staff Writer
A nice summer day
is an excellent opportunity to
play a game of golf, and many
courses around the area cater
to these whims.
“Golf is a fun sport,
but also can be one of the
harder sports out there,” said
freshman Greg Welker.
Fort Wayne has several
golf courses in the area. Even
though there are a lot of other
great courses in the area here
are some of the most recognized
golf clubs in the area.
The first local course
is Cherry Hill. Cherry Hill was
built in 1996. The designers of
the course are Max Robertson
and Mark Slater. The owner
is Roger Delagrange. In 2007
Cherry Hill was voted the
number one public golf course
in the area. According to Golf
Digest Magazine, it is also a
four-star course. The cost of
playing on this four-star course
is $39 on weekdays for 18 holes
with carts and $47 on weekends
for 18 holes with carts.
Another golf club in
the area is Cedar Creek. Cedar
Creek is a fun, challenging
course with very fast and
slope greens, said senior Ben
Dillon. The cost to play at
this course is $40 for 18 holes
on the weekends with cart,
Wednesday, Thursday, and
Friday is $35 for 18 holes with
cart, and Monday and Tuesday
is $32 for 18 holes with cart.
Riverbend is a fun,
easygoing course that will
keep “green” in the pocket.
A great course to play with
friends on, Riverbend provides
an excellent experience for a
low cost. The course is not very
difficult but it is very well kept
up. The rates to play at this golf
club are $27 for unlimited golf
on the weekend with cart and
$35 unlimited golf for week
days with cart.
Foster Park is a great
course for those living closer
to the city. According to Kathy
Pargmann, Marketing Manager
for Fort Wayne Parks and
Recreation, the rates at Foster
Park are $18 on week days for
18 holes with cart and $21 for
18 holes on the weekends with
cart.
The last course in
the area is Colonial Oaks. A
challenging course, this green
will not take a chunk out of
your wallet. The rates to play
this course are $30 on weekdays
for 18 holes with cart and $34
on weekends for 18 holes with
cart.
With
all
this
information on golf courses,
there is no way that summer
day can be an unproductive
one.
Editor: Katie Wertman
Pepsi releases
‘throwback’
Limited time only pop
A&E • Thursday, June 4, 2009 • Page 5
made with real sugar
By Chessie Worman
Staff Writer
The new and improved
mountain dew, Mountain Dew
Throwback, has just come out
with a new version and has
a limited edition for about 8
weeks from April 20 through
June 13.
This new beverage
contains natural sugars from
a combination of cane/beet
sugar instead of high fructose
corn syrup that is in other
soda drinks. Cane sugar is
a source of sugar from the
plant sugarcane that is grown
above the ground. Beet sugar
is pulled from beets under
the ground. Substituting high
fructose corn syrup for natural
sugars is the healthy way to go
www.naturalnews.com
Other beverages have
switched to natural sugars as
well. Pepsi Throwback is also
available in limited edition.
Jones Soda and Boylan
are other drinks that were
previously advertised using
cane sugar according to www.
bevreview.com
In the ‘60s and ‘70s,
sugar was the sweetener
that was used in soft drinks.
In honor of these products
from the past, the new re
design cover and logo for the
new throwback drinks have
changed into an old fashion
design.
Comparing
the
original Mountain Dew with
the new Throwback, the
Throwback tastes even better.
Barely tasting the difference
of the sugar, the consumer is
switching to a much healthier
choice of soda without
extra contaminants that are
unneeded.
Around the same time,
Coca-Cola usually comes out
with a limited-edition Kosher
Pepsi and Mountain Dew Throwback
for Passover Coke. According
to seriousesats.com, during
Passover for Jewish people,
certain sodas get stripped
from their high-fructose corn
syrup and are replaced with
natural sugar. These beverages
are called Kosher products.
Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi are
made with real sugar around
this time of year. The Jewish
population is forbidden to
PHOTO BY CHESSIE WORMAN
have corn syrup throughout
Passover, so the Coca-Cola and
Pepsi Company decided to
come out with a drink around
this time that doesn’t contain
corn syrup. Thankfully if the
consumer isn’t Jewish they can
still enjoy the natural taste of
this pop. To check if the soda
has natural sugar, look for
yellow caps on Coke bottles
or white caps on Pepsi bottles.
When drinking regular
Mountain Dew, there is a
‘burning’ sensation in the back
of the throat. When drinking
’Throwback’, the drinker can
taste the flavor more and a lot
less carbonation. The downside
about this drink is that it is only
going to be out for another
week or so. So make sure to try
this breakthrough in the world
of soda before its too late.
By Grace Crain
The name Matthew is
one of the boy’s names that was
one of the most common in the
90s and still is today.
“I think my name
is the best,” said senior
Matthew Thomas. “I think it
has a good ring to it. I would
never change my name unless
it was something cool like
Brownrabbit Extrememan.”
Matthew continues to
be in the top ten in Canada,
Northern Ireland, and United
States.
On the other hand the
number one rated name of the
90s for boys is Michael, which
is not near the top ten in any
country today, according to
babynamewizard.com.
Though
several
students carry the names
that are most common, some
others carry a title that is a
little bit unique. Seniors Micah
Delagrange and Kea Sawaska
both have names that are not
familiar. Though the name
Micah has become a little more
popular today, in the 90s it was
ranked 121 and the name Kea
has never made it on the charts,
according to babynamewizard.
com.
“I love my name,” said
Sawaska. “I like the fact that no
one else has the same name as
me.”
If students would
like to see the ranking of their
names visit babynamewizards.
com to see a graph that shows
when and where the name was
ranked, all the way back to the
1880’s.
Popular names of
the 90’s found in
students at Leo
News Editor
As the seniors graduate
from Leo High School, one
thing that will stay with them
throughout the rest of their
lives, foremost, is their first
names.
According
to
babynamewizard.com,
the
most popular names of the
1990s are Jessica, Ashley, and
Emily for girls, and Michael,
Christopher, and Matthew for
boys.
Senior Jessica Roe said,
“I think it is really neat that my
name is on this list, but it is just
a name.”
The name Jessica was
number one in the 1990s and
it has stayed in the top ten of
three other countries today,
including England, Northern
Ireland,
and
Australia,
according to babynamewizard.
com.
“The name Jessica has
been in my family for several
years,” said Roe.
Another name ranked
on top for girls is Emily, which
is the English cognate of the
Latin naming Amelia.
Senior Emily Stoner
said, “It is not a big deal; my
mom just liked the name.”
Today the name Emily
has jumped two spots to take
the number one name in the
United States and in the top
ten of several other countries
including Canada, Australia,
England, Wales, New Zealand,
and Scotland, according to
babynamewizard.com.
Top three names of the 90’s
Girls:
Jessica
Ashley
Emily
Boys:
Michael
Christopher
Matthew
Page 6 • Thursday, June 4, 2009
•
Editor: Kassi Galbreath
Special
* Seniors say their good-byes in nostalgic
notes to the staff of The Lions Tale *
Kristen Craft
Wow, it’s crazy to
think how fast these past
four years have gone. I
can’t believe I am writing
a goodbye letter. Being
a part of the journalism
program has taught me
a lot. I want to thank Ms.
Ashton and the rest of
the newspaper staff for
everything. Newspaper
and yearbook have been a
blast and I have so many
fun memories. I have
learned so much through
high school that I feel will
help me during my college
years. High school was a
wonderful time of my life,
with many unforgettable
memories. I’m definitely
going to miss it, Thank you
to everyone.
Stephanie Strang
I have taken a newspaper class every year of
my high school career. I started out learning as much as
I could from my older staff members by watching how
they handled various situations to what font they made a
headline. I then gathered as much information I could and
started to pass it down to younger staff members as I got
older.
Newspaper
has given me the
chance to express
what I believe in,
the
courage
to
stand up for myself,
and
adequate
communication
skills. I was given
the opportunity to
attend
Columbia
U n i v e r s i t y ’s
J o u r n a l i s m
Conferences in New
York City two years
in a row; I wouldn’t
replace
those
memories
with
absolutely anything
because they were
both unforgettable experiences.
I would like to thank the senior staff members of
2007 because that was hands down my favorite year of
newspaper, absolutely hilarious every single day.
Farewell newspaper class of room 331-332 and
good luck to the staff years to come. Remember to always
force justify.
Lauren Drefke
Newspaper,
newspaper,
newspaper….wow
what else can I
say? I can’t believe
that I am writing a
senior goodbye. The
years have passed
by so fast but the
memories are still
fresh.
I remember
the first time I
started in this class. I
was a freshman and
put right up there
to be a page editor.
Beth McManus and
I were placed to a
page week in and
week out, expected
to have a clue as to
what we were supposed to do? Uh…..no! I have to give some
credit to my favorite page with the honeycombs!
Now the infamous trip to New York city was an
experience to remember. No sleep, long walks to nowhere,
boring conferences but a whole lot of fun in the hotel rooms.
New York for the second year was fun in a different
way, different girls and new experiences. Each trip had its
ups and downs but brought our staff closer.
You would think I would mention something
about the actual class….deadline days caused my hair to
prematurely grey, but in the end when the issue was printed it
showed all of our hard work.
In the end my mailbox was a disaster and my binder
wasn’t as organized as Ms. Ashton thought, but I really loved
newspaper and any student wanting to join the staff, should.
It involves some stress but it was a great four years of my
high school career. Thank you to everyone that had made my
newspaper experiences great!
Kassi Galbreath
First and foremost, I would like to thank every person
I have worked with throughout my high school journalism
career, especially the current Lion’s Tale staff. Many of you have
given me opportunities to grow and flourish as a writer and
editor and have helped my creativity bloom into something
truly magical; for that, I am forever grateful to you.
To
my
editors-in-chief
this
year—you
have
each
impacted
me
greatly.
Allison,
you have always
been
such
a
positive influence
in
my
life,
especially as a
best friend. Thank
you for being you,
Al.
Lindsey,
I’ve
always
been
able
to
count on you
for lighthearted
experiences
in
newspaper, even
on
deadline
days. You are my
sunshine, Linds!
T
o
Lauren—thank you for being so encouraging and uplifting this
year. You are a great leader and friend.
Chloe, I admire your motivation and all the hard work
you’ve done this year. I know in my heart that you have a very
bright future ahead of you.
To our journalism adviser, Ms. Ashton—thank you for
pushing me to be the best journalist I can be; I will always be
grateful for your encouragement and advice.
Finally, to my younger Lion’s Tale buddies—I will never
forget all the memories we shared in Ms. Ashton’s classroom,
being silly and becoming a family. Each of you has helped make
my experience on The Lion’s Tale an unforgettable one! Remember
me when things get tense, especially on deadline days… may
all of my silly dances, strange noises, and obnoxious comments
be with you throughout the rest of your Lion’s Tale adventure
and make you smile. I love you all!
Beth McManus
I still can’t
believe that this
is the last issue of
newspaper that I
will be involved
in at Leo. At
times, being in
newspaper class
has been some of
the best times of
high school. At
other times, it
has been some of
the most stressful
times. I have
loved laughing
(and sometimes
crying from
frustration) with
all the other
editors and staff
writers. From
that very first
issue when I
had no idea how to write an article to now, everyone has
helped me to grow so much as a writer and as a person
(Unfortunately, I’m still not very creative at making
newspaper pages). Thank you to everyone who has worked
on the paper in the past four years!
Abby Reece
Oh
newspaper,
where did the time go? I have spent about
every trimester of my high school career in
this beautiful classroom. I have laughed. I
have cried, mostly on deadline days. One
could say that my time was successful. And
amidst the laughs I learned a thing or two
about being a spectacular writer. Newspaper
gave me the
chance to
experience new
things, such as
New York City
and attending
the Regis and
Kelly show. All
in all, it was a
good time!
Page 7
Editor: Kassi Galbreath
•
•
Thursday, June 4,0 2009 Special
Editors-in-chief bid farewell to
their years on The Lion’s Tale staff
Lauren Thoman
I can’t believe I am sitting here writing my
goodbye letter. It seems like just last year I was
sitting in my first newspaper class and Andrew
Pequignot volunteered me to be an editor. From
that moment on I have loved almost every minute
of this class. Even though most of my teachers and
Mrs. Keane for that matter hate me for skipping all
those classes on deadline days, I wouldn’t trade
them for anything.
When I was picked as an editor-in-chief and
I looked at the three other girls I was going to be
with, I couldn’t wait. We [EIC] have been through
everything from plagiarism tragedies to getting
our pages published in magazines, and I want to
thank you for letting me be a part of that.
Also, Ms. Ashton, this year has been
hectic and crazy and even though we have had
our differences on page layout ideas I would like
to thank you for giving me this opportunity to
help the other editors and
thank you for the past four
greatest years of my life.
Goodbye Newspaper!
Sincerely,
The Girls
Chloe Morrical
Troutner
Though some
may loathe
chaos, bustling
commotion, and
stress, these
things I have
battled as well as
thrived on as CoEditor-in-Chief of
our newspaper.
Without Lindsey,
Chloe, and Lauren,
the war against
the hardships
of newspaper
would have been
miserably lost. But
me, along with my
three co-eds and
all of the incredible
senior editors, conquered and tamed The Lion’s Tale and
made it an absolutely remarkable, enjoyable publication.
Together we’ve shared boundless fun and learned quite a
few important lessons.
1. Yelling in the hallway is a good way to solve
problems.
2. DO NOT miss school on deadline day.
3. Don’t wear white to pass out papers.
4. Coffee= Lindsey is in a good mood/ would kill me.
5. If I get mad, there is most definitely a problem.
But seriously, I will miss every single moment in
newspaper. I will miss the leadership and writing and
sharing my opinions even if only twelve members of our
student body read it; I can live with that. But I know our
underclassmen will carry on our legacy of awesomeness
next year. Goodbye Journalism! You will be missed.
Lindsey Mohlman
Newspaper has been a constant part
of my life for the past four years, and it’s
unbelievable that my time with The Lion’s Tale
is coming to a close.
The Lion’s Tale has provided me
with a number of experiences, lessons, and
relationships that I otherwise wouldn’t have
come across. Both trips to New York City alone
offered me a lifetime of memories and laughs;
I will never forget the moments spent with my
fellow editors in the Big Apple.
The Lion’s Tale staff is what really makes
the paper unique and remarkable, though.
Together, we have made it through the bad
times and the good times, the deadline days
and the doubletrucks.
I would like to say goodbye to the staff
and the readers, thanking everyone for the
times which I will never forget.
Allison
I’m horrible with goodbyes,
so I don’t really know where to
begin. I don’t want to believe my
time with The Lion’s Tale is over.
Though there have been times
where I’ve wanted to smash every
person/computer in the room, the
stress of deadline day crisis’s make
us all appreciate the good times
even more.
My co-editors-in-chief are
my journalistic rocks. I’ve learned
so much from Lauren, Allison, and
Chloe in class and on a personal
level, and I’m so proud of all the
work we have done together. I love
you girls so much.
To my wonderful staff, I’m
sure I’ve yelled at each of you at
some point, but if you participate
on the paper, you mean a lot to me.
I know I may be “the mean one” of
the EIC’s, but I love you all, even
when I hate you.
Through newspaper I’ve
learned how to be a leader and
use patience, how severe my
dependency on caffeine is, and
that Ms. Ashton can be kept away
from my mailbox with just the
right amount of cotton. Farewell
newspaper class! Remember how
to do your by-lines!
Page 8•
Thursday, June 4, 2009 • Sports
Editor: Madison Carroll
Leo teams advance to regionals
Betty Graber
Staff Writer
Leo High Schools very
own track, tennis, softball, and
baseball teams have made it
out of sectionals and qualified
for regionals.
Leo High Schools
varsity boys four by onehundred meter relay qualified
at Northrop High School to
move on to regionals with a
time of 43.6. The boys that ran
this race in order starts at the
starting position; sophomore
Jacob Lindley; second leg,
sophomore
Kyle
Marzec;
third leg, sophomore Connor
Kacsor; and anchor, junior
Mitchell Diehl. These four
by one-hundred meter relay
regional qualifying boys beat
the school record which hasn’t
been broken since 1983 with a
time of 43.7.
“I
wasn’t
really
expecting to go to regionals,”
said sophomore Jacob Lindley
“because of how our teams
overall performance was at
ACAC.” At ACAC the boy’s
handoffs in their relay wasn’t
at their best according to Jacob
Lindley.
“I was expecting to
make it to regionals cuz we
fast” said sophomore Kyle
Marzec basing his though on
there record breaking time on
there best times.
“I knew we were
going to get out of sectionals
because we’re really fast and
have worked really hard,” said
Sophomore Connor Kascor.
“I really hope to make it out
of regionals we do have a
chance.”
“I feel that we have
come along way from the
beginning of the season to
now,” said junior Mitchell
Diehl. “We have worked
very hard and have made it
to regionals, and we will be
competing against a lot of
strong teams I guess we will
see what the outcome will
be.”
Leo High Schools
boys four by one-hundred
meter relay is not the only team
that has qualified to move on
to regionals. The girls tennis
players sophomore Maddison
Carroll and senior Megan
Kiley have also qualified to
compete at the regional level
the whole girls tennis team
won the first secional match
which moved them on to the
second round where only
sophomore Madison Carroll
and her partner junior Megan
Kiley won their match and are
now moving on to compete
in against the other tennis
players at regionals.
“I was really happy
to have made it to regionals,”
Said sophomore Carroll. “I
do think that we could have
made it a little further though,
but I am still happy.”
Boy’s varsity high
school baseball season has
gone very well for these Leo
players. Kyle Miller has a
tie with the school record
for most stolen bases which
would be a hard record to
PHOTO BY KILEY KOEPPE
Senior Megan Kiley and sophomore Madison Carroll work as a team during one of their matches.
beat. These boys work very
hard at practice every time
to have gotten so far and will
hopefully make it to regionals.
“I think our team
practices really hard and we
have done very well over the
season with our amount of
wins,” said sophomore Nick
Silver. “I think that we could
make it to regionals if we really
work hard and do well with
our sectional games.”
As for softball for
Leo high school regionals is
not in these girls future this
year. However they still had
an overall great season and
made it very close to getting
to regionals only losing by one
point in their second sectional
game.
“We won our first
game against Dwenger and we
did really well in that game,”
Said senior Cherie Hiatt. “We
didn’t quite make it in our
second game we lost to New
Haven by one point but I know
that we all tried our hardest
and hopefully next year with
help from the new varsity
players the girls can make it to
regionals.”
The golf team for Leo
has done well this year however
the results of their sectionals
or regionals still remains
unknown due to matches
scheduled on later dates but
they are still expected to do
very well.
Leo
high
school
sports teams have worked
very hard this year during
their seasons and have made
their school proud according
to the assembly by Dr.
Daniels and Mr. Rohrabacher
and next year with more hard
work from these athletes
hopefully the outcome will
remain good.
Girls Tennis:
-Megan Kiley and
-Lost in the
Girls Track:
second game of Madison Carroll
-Emily Johnson Sectionals
advanced to
made it to
Regionals
and
-JV remained
Regionals
and u n d e f e a t e d lost to Bishop
placed 8th in the throughout
Dwenger
one mile
season
Baseball:
-Play Norwell at
Bellmont at 11 am
on Saturday for
Regionals
Boys Track:
-Third in
Sectionals
Boys Golf:
- Won ACAC,
Keagan Koeppe
won individual
ACAC
Sports Update: Softball:
Editor: Aaron Crow
News • Thursday, June 4, 2008
• Page 9
Online program
helps students’
curriculums
By Madison Carroll
Sports Editor
Senatoir Bayh announces to the prss a pssed bill he co-authored.
PHOTO BY ANDREW RODGERS
Bayh speaks about new
bill at news conference
By Andrew Rodgers
News Editor
On May, 27 U.S
Senator for Indiana, Evan
Bayh came to Fort Wayne to
hold a press conference. This
press conference was about his
most recent accomplishment,
the passing of the Credit Card
Accountability and Disclosure
act of 2009.
Bayh,
a
former
governor of Indiana and now
US senator who has been in
office since January of 1999,
was joined by Michael LeClear,
Vice President of consumer
credit counseling service of
Northeastern Indiana.
“It was really great to
meet Senator Bayh,” said senior
Beth McManus who attended
the press conference. “I think
that the senator is working
hard to do good things for
our state and the country and
I’m proud to be an intern for
him.”
Senator Bayh’s latest
achievement is the passing of
the credit card reform bill. This
legislation passed with a vote of
90-5. This legislation prohibits
arbitary rate increases and
default on existing balances
meaning that people who
have paid on time and done
nothing wrong will see no
rate increases. It also requires
statements be mailed 21 days
before the due date and a 45
day notice before interest rates
and finances charges increase.
“Middle class Hoosiers
have been getting ripped off
by credit companies for way
too long,” said Senator Bayh.
“I’ve heard from hundreds
of Hoosiers who have been
gouged
by
credit
card
companies for too long.”
This law will also
protect high school and college
students from getting ripped
off by credit card companies.
It limits prescreened credit
offers to young consumers,
who are often preyed on by the
credit industry. It also calls for
transparency of arrangements
between credit card companies
and universities. Anyone under
21 will now need the signature
of a co-signer or proof that they
have the means to repay the
credit that is offered.
“We passed this bill
for the sake of middle class
families who are working
hard to make ends meet
during this recession. This
is a victory for middle-class
families and consumers who
deserve to be treated fairly,”
said Bayh.
Gift Cards have
come up in this legislation
too. Now a gift card is
required by law to have a
five-year life-span; it also
eliminates the practice of
declining values and hidden
fees.
“I have a card that
I have been paying on time
and even paying much
more paying on time and
even paying much more
than the minimum. I mailed
my payment thinking I had
plenty of time but somehow,
according to the credit card
company, it was one day
late. My rate went from 0%
to 29%! I was shocked,” said
an anonymous Hoosier.
Regardless
of
political affiliation, this
legislation
will
affect
everyone. This credit crisis
isn’t just a democrat or
republican issue; it’s an issue
facing all of America.
Leo High School offers
the Indiana Virtual Academy
for the summer of 2009.
The Virtual Academy
is an online summer school
program offered by the Indiana
Department of Education.
According
to
guidance
counselor Christi Smeltzley,
the purpose of the online
website is to allow students to
make up credits or get ahead
on credits. Students are able
to register online at www.
indva.org beginning April
6 and ending June 19. The
cost per course is originally
$175, but because Leo has
participated with registration
reimbursement
through
the Indiana Department of
Education, there is no cost for
Leo students.
The courses that are
offered are the following:
English 9, English 10, English
11, English 12,pPre-algebra,
algebra, geometry, Algebra II,
pre-calculus,
trigonometry,
U.S. history, government,
economics,
geography,
psychology, world history,
physical science, earth science,
biology, chemistry, physics,
and health. Semesters one and
two are available for most of
the classes listed, according to
IndVA.com.
Currently, there are 32
students enrolled and students
are still able to register. Students
can start classes on June 8 and
must be finished with their
course by August 7; students
have the usual nine weeks
to finish their course. Each
student is allowed to take three
courses but is recommended to
take one at a time, according to
Smeltzley.
In this program, there
are no live teachers to teach the
class, so the students essentially
need to teach themselves. The
website is open all day and all
night, available for students
to learn at any time that is
good for them, according to
Smeltzley.
“The
classes
are
available 24 hours a day 7 days
a week,” said Smeltzley. “The
cost is taken care of by EACS
so it is free to students. The
students don’t have to sit in
class.”
This is the second year
Leo High School has offered
this program free to students.
This program offers the chance
to retake a class, which means
that if the student receives a
better grade in the class, then
it will replace the recent, worse
grade on the transcript.
According to indva.
com, the Indiana Virtual
Academy was formerly known
as The Ripley County Learning
Network (RCLN). This was
established to achieve a “virtual
consolidation”
of
Ripley
County’s four corporations as
well as the Career Center in
the county. According to the
website, all IndVA courses are
instructed by licensed Indiana
teachers and accept every
student.
Students
are
also
able to contact their teacher
when assistance is needed.
Communication is through
an email program that is
provided as a part of the
course. Instructors also have
“virtual” office hours each
week to improve student
communications according to
the website. All of the courses
meet Indiana Standards.
If more information is
needed on the summer online
courses, contact Smeltzley or
the official Virtual Academy
website, IndVA.org.
Page 10 • Thursday June 4, 2009
•
News
Editor: Bailey Rosenbaum
Fighting problem
breaks out at Leo
Fighting has been a
problem in high schools for
quite some time. According
to safeyouth.org, “physical
fighting among adolescents
is of public health concern
both because of the potential
for
fight-related
injuries
and its association with
participation in many other
health
risk
behaviors.”
A national survey of
high school students in 2001
found that 33% of students
had been in a physical fight.
12.5% of the students had
been in a physical fight on
school property, and 4 % of
the students had been hurt
badly enough in a fight to need
medical attention, according
to
www.safeyouth.org.
Though
fighting
is present in Leo Jr. / Sr.
High School, it is not a huge
problem according to Dean of
Students Chad Houser. Leo
does have a couple of fights on
school property a year, like all
schools, but the fighting rate is
not high, according to Houser.
If students are caught
fighting in school and both
parties are on the offensive, then
the local sheriff is contacted,
and the students’ consequences
are handled by the police.
According to Houser,
students come up with many
different motives for fighting.
“There’s always a
reason,” said Houser. “Some
kids fight out of anger, some
are being bullied; other
times it’s just stupid stuff.”
According
to
the
survey done by safeyouth.
org, 43% of the students who
have gotten in a fight in the
past year were male while only
24% were female students.
Girls
don’t
fight
physically as much as boys
according to Houser, but
girls are just as nasty if not
worse with their words.
“I think boys feel
the need to fight because
they’re constantly trying to be
better than each other,” said
sophomore Chandler Salway.
“They do it to feel good about
themselves. However, I do
think that some boys just do
it for fun too. It just doesn’t
sound like a good time to me.”
Students who fight
outside of school can get in
trouble for it inside of school
if it’s brought back to the
education area. The only way
fighting outside of school
is tied into school is if the
situation causes a substantial
disruption to the education
process according to Houser.
This means that if a fight
is being planned in school,
or if the fight has occurred
and is being talked about in
school, then the school has the
right to deal with it however
they see fit for the situation.
“When people fight
out of anger it often doesn’t
solve the problem,” said
Houser. “Many times, it makes
the problem worse. Kids use
fighting as an escape. They use
it as an instant relief but there
are repercussions like jail that
students don’t even consider.”
Fighting isn’t a big
problem at Leo right now
according to Houser, and
hopefully it will remain that
way. Students should think
through and consider the
consequences of fighting, then
fighting will hopefully subside.
Leo is recognized as
a top school with the
“Blue Ribbon” award
9
By Amanda Overholt
Special Editor
By Lauren Drefke
Staff Writer
Leo High School
was awarded the National
Blue Ribbon Award at the
state level and is in the
running at the national level.
The Blue Ribbon
Schools Program honors
public and private elementary,
middle and high schools
that are either academically
superior or that demonstrate
dramatic gains in student
achievement to high levels,
according to The No Child
Left Behind – Blue Ribbon
Schools Program on ED.gov.
This program starts
out at the state level with
schools across each state being
nominated, and then enter at
the national level. The U.S.
Department of Education
determines how many schools
each state may nominate. The
numbers of submissions are
based on the number of K-12
students and the number of
schools in the individual state.
The different categories that
the schools are separated into
are Dramatically Improving
and
High
Performance.
Leo falls into the
category of High Performance.
This means that the school is a
part of the top ten percent of
all schools on state assessment
scores. Other than the school’s
outstanding test scores, the
schools drive and involvement
in the community puts
Leo over the top to be that
‘high performance’ school.
“It is the belief of the
faculty and administration of
Leo Jr./Sr. High School that
all students learn by infusing
real-world,
experiential
activities with a rigorous
and relevant curriculum,”
said Dr. Mark Daniel. “The
School Mission supports this
belief, ‘Leo JSHS…where
high academic standards and
nurturing relationships lead
all students to educational
and
career
success.’”
Being
a
school
awarded this recognition
allows Leo the opportunity
to be eligible for the national
level recognition.
“The
process of applying for this
is rigorous but ultimately
fulfilling,”
said
Daniel.
Each school has
to submit an application
consisting of many different
parts, starting with some
demographic data, such
as number of schools,
ethnicity, staff members,
and class size. The next
part of the application is
a summary of why Leo
High School
qualifies
for
this
recognition.
Part
of
the
response to this was, “Leo
Jr./Sr. High School offers a
diverse curriculum to meet
the needs of all students…
LHS is a Career Majors
Academy (CMA) focusing
on Health and Related
Sciences; Engineering and
Technology;
Education,
Fine Arts and Social
Services; and Business and
Information Technology…
Work Ethics Certificates
supported by Indiana Dept.
of Workforce Development
are available for juniors and
seniors enabling them to
document their community
service and “soft skills”
deemed necessary to be
a productive successful
citizen,”
said
Daniel.
The results of which
schools have received the
National Blue Ribbon title
have yet to be announced.
At the end of the summer
into August the individual
schools will be notified
of their accomplishment.
Dr. Daniel had
received an email in
regards to the award
ceremony in November,
but had yet to receive
the
final
nomination.
There was a pep
session Monday morning
where the spring athletes
were acknowledged for
their
accomplishments
and then Dr. Daniel, at the
end, announced that Leo
Jr./Sr. High School had
officially been qualified
as a National Blue Ribbon
School. Leo is a school that
is outstanding in academic
as well as involved in the
community, this award
shows this and as a high
school
will
continue
to grow and succeed.
Editor:Allison Trosper
Opinion • Thursday, June 4,2009 • Page 11
Graduation party Essential college dorm room
stresses increase as items not to be forgotten
graduation nears Seniors focus switches from extras to necessities
By Kristin Craft
Staff Writer
During the month
of June, it is very common
to see or attend numerous
graduation parties. For most
seniors these parties are
thrown as a final goodbye for
family and friends.
June is a month
dedicated to the time of
graduation. Some of the
graduation parties start as
early as the last two weeks
of May and end usually
the last week of June.
Graduation parties are a time
for graduates to celebrate
all their accomplishments
with their family and
friends. It’s also a time for
the graduates to receive
financial
compensation
from their family in order to
help jumpstart their college
experience.
The most common
weekends for Leo seniors’
parties to be held are the
weekend of June 5 and June
12. This year Leo’s graduation
will be held Friday June 12,
which makes the day after
the most popular graduation
party date for Leo seniors.
Many seniors are
very excited for graduation,
their
graduation
party,
and attending all their
friends’ parties as well. “I
am extremely excited for
graduation season,” said
senior Kiersten Campbell.
“It’s crazy to think we are
finally graduating. I am really
excited for my party to spend
time with all my friends and
family. I am also excited to go
to all my friends’ parties as
well.”
Most students have
their own graduation party,
but others decide to share
their graduation party with
some of their friends. Seniors
Trisha Roof, Shelby Witten,
and Tayler Schmidt are all
having their party together.
Instead of holding it at one of
their houses, their party will
be held at Metea Pavillion.
Most seniors have chosen to
hold their graduation party
at their houses. The average
people who have been
invited to most of the parties
are roughly over 150.
Graduation parties
are well known for having
various food options. Some
students will have meatballs,
sandwiches, hog roast, hot
dogs, wings, and many
different desserts. Another
choice for graduates is to
have their party catered
by one of their favorite
“I am extremely excited
for graduation season.
It’s crazy to think we
are finally graduating. I
am really excited for my
party to spend time with
all my friends and family.
I am also excited to go to
all my friends’ parties as
well.”
-Kiersten Campbell
restaurants. Some places
seniors are choosing to get
their food from are Chick
Fil A, Panda Express, Casa’s,
Cebollas, and many others.
“My family and I
chose to cater because doing
it any other way will be more
work for such a hectic time,”
said senior Lauren Thoman.
“It will be a much easier
cleanup.”
Although the stress
of graduation parties is
hard on graduates and their
families, this is sure to be a
fun time of celebrating with
family and friends before
heading off to begin the next
chapter of their life.
By Allison Trounter
Co-Editor In-Cheif
The essentials items of
the college dorm room may not
be obvious, it’s important not
to forget the little things that
could make or break a college
dorm experience.
High school seniors can
get caught up in the planning
aspects of entering into college.
Dorm room planning turns
into interior decorating instead
of purchasing the essentials. It
is important for an incoming
freshman identify the items
that will enable survival in the
dorm room.
Storage
bins
and
hampers are an important
tool in the organization and
storage in the dorm room.
Bins can be adorned with
designs and come in all shapes
and sizes, but those are more
inconvenient that convenient.
Be a smart consumer and
purchase shallow, clear plastic
bins. Small bins tend to fit into
the crevices of the small room
much more easily than tubs and
having clear containers make it
quick and easy to see what is
being contained. Hampers with
handles can keep clothes in an
organized pile and fold away
easily to maintain optimum
space.
Now earplugs may
seem insignificant at first, but
these little suckers could be life
savers. Ear plugs are handy
for rooms shared with heavy
snorers or unexpected close by
construction.
“Earplugs come in
handy when trying to study
or sleep the night before a final
exam when other students are
partying on the floor above,”
suggested Megan B. Wyatt in
her article Important Things
to Bring to College. “If your
roommates come in and out
at all hours, earplugs and an
eye mask can save roommate
A college student shops for dorm supplies
relationship as well as your
sanity.”
Most students are
aware that the cleanliness of
a bedroom doesn’t change
when it comes to a dorm
room. Trash cans are a must.
Purchase a can with a lid to
avoid spills and use trash
bags for easy disposal. For the
sake of every person that will
enter the room, it is intelligent
you use all purpose cleaners
to disinfect, degrease, and
de-odor the room. Mr. Clean,
Lysol, Febreeze, and Oxi-Clean
are all useful cleaners. Hand
held vacuums are quick mess
eliminators. Spilled cereal?
Spilled popcorn? Crumbs?
“You use batteries for
calculators, T.V. remotes,
and stuff like that. Internet
cables and extension cords
are always nice and power
strips too.”
-Leo grad Rachel
Liechty
A hand held vacuum will be
used and reused for years. And
ladies, don’t forget Tide-to-go!
That product is always a lifesaver.
The majority of time
spent in a dorm room will be
during the winter months,
also the months when colds
and sickness begin to outbreak
among students. To avoid the
exhaustion, lack of sleep, and
headaches that accompany
illness, medicine should be
kept on hand. Tylenol, Advil
Cold and Sinus, Pepto Bismol,
Nyquil, and even a daily
vitamin are necessities.
There are many, many
little appliances and tools that
aren’t always obvious to an
incoming freshman. Duct tape;
when is duct tape not useful?
A tool kit or simply a screw
driver with interchangeable
heads can come in handy for
broken cupboards, closets…
etc. A sewing kit also can prove
PHOTO BY SLACK13
to be a need. Tears in shirts,
sheets, or jeans can be quickly
patched up in the dorm so
time isn’t wasted waiting for
a parent to do it at home.
Batteries and internet cords
are recommended by college
students as well.
“You use batteries for
calculators, T.V. remotes and
stuff like that,” said Leo grad
and college student Rachel
Liechty. “Internet cables and
extension cords are always nice
and power strips, too.”
Sticky tabs for wall
pictures
and
decorations,
printers, staplers and lamps
are all very important to the
survival of a college student.
It is also smart to bring along a
battery powered flashlight and
alarm clock in case of power
outages. Being prepared for
unexpected situations is a very
intelligent thing to remember
while doing college shopping.
As all students know,
mom isn’t around to do
laundry, but students can steal
her quarters to do it at school.
Quarters are needed to run
washing and drying machines.
Save a few bucks by using a
drying rack for clothes not a
machine. It’d be a good idea
to bring a container full of
change.
For the poor students
who get assigned to dorms
without air conditioning, bring
a fan and during the winter a
heating pad or space heater if
allowed is a smart purchase to.
Some high school
students are excited to invest
in a mini refrigerator to add to
the convenience of their room.
“I think a mini fridge
would be handy so you can
store all your mini fridge
items,” said senior Kalin Oren.
Smart shopping is the
key for college preparation.
Buy what is needed for survival
and can save money. Purchase
items that can prepare a student
for unexpected situations that
are guaranteed to occur.
Page 12 • Thursday, June 4, 2009 • Opinion
Senior gives advice
to underclassmen
By Chloe Morrical
Co-Editor-in-Chief
People change and
times change. It’s said again
and again but possibly applies
best to the transformation from
freshmen entering high school
to seniors ending the journey.
From observations and
conversations I have made at
Leo in the past few weeks, it is
clear that many seniors see the
changes that have occurred in
themselves and others in the
last four years. Several seniors
also would have gone back and
changed at least something
small about high school, and
they would like to tell younger
students this valuable advice.
“Get involved in as
many activities as you can,
especially
volunteer-based
clubs,” said senior Ashleigh
Helbert.
“Volunteering
is fun, and it really helps
with
scholarships
and
college
applications.”
This is definitely one
thing many seniors would
tell
underclassmen:
stay
involved. The memories from
the different activities, clubs,
sports, and extracurriculars
are worth more and are more
likely to be unforgettable than
the repetitive nights spent
with friends. Having a social
life is important and fun, but
keep it varied. Don’t spend
all of high school doing the
same thing with the same
people. Get out of the box.
“I probably would
have gone to more school
dances and other school
functions,” said senior Emily
Stoner. “Work hard, but also
enjoy your time in high school.
It goes by way too fast.”
Another
important
piece of advice is stay
focused. High school is just
that: school. Make the time
spent in the building worth
it; pay attention in classes,
study, and most importantly,
prepare for college. I feel
completely prepared for my
next four years, but I took hard
classes and pushed myself.
Above all, though,
become
comfortable
with
yourself
and
find
happiness.
As
maturity
grows, so does confidence.
“Don’t be afraid to
be yourself,” said senior Kyle
Slentz, “even in public.”
Looking back on my
high school experience, I am
happy to say I don’t have any
regrets and wouldn’t make any
changes. I did learn, mature,
and change more than I had
expected or even realized until
recently. As the end of my four
years at Leo Jr./ Sr. High School
nears, I have realized how
much insight I have gathered
through my experiences here.
Others feel the same,
and several seniors expressed
the growth of the class’s
maturity and comradeship.
“I think most of the
grade has grown up,” said
senior
Evan
Delagrange.
“We’ve all become less shy and
we all just have fun together.”
Time
and
time
again the importance to
have fun and enjoy oneself
comes up in conversation.
“I would tell them
[underclassmen] to do all the
things they love and never
give up on them,” said senior
Morgan Wise. “I think I have
come to the realization that
people change and I change,
but we are all going for the same
goal: to move on with life.”
Younger
students
should listen to this advice
and keep it in mind as they
experience their high school
years. High school can be
a time to remember and to
fondly look back on; students
should try their hardest to
make it the best it can be.
“I
would
tell
them
[underclassmen]
to do all the things they
love and never give up
on them I think I have
come to the realization
that people change and
I change, but we are all
going for the same goal:
to move on with life.”
-Morgan Wise
Editor: Allison Troutner
Teachers exemplify
senioritis in students
By Lindsey Mohlman
Co-Editor-in-Chief
The end of the
school year is known to be
difficult, nearly painful, for
seniors so close to the glory
of graduation. This selfdiagnosed case of senioritis
is only exemplified by some
of the attitudes and actions
of surrounding teachers.
It’s safe to say that
the majority of the senior
class, every year, mentally
“checks out” around the end
of May. It can be seen in the
blank stares of their faces in
classrooms, in the abundance
of sweat pants roaming the
halls, and in the amount of
missing assignments on their
progress reports: seniors are
filled with more apathy than
excitement at the end of the
year. The physical presence
of seniors, when satisfactory,
may appease Mrs. Keane in
the attendance office, but it
does not mean that seniors are
lively or even participating
in their final stretch of
high
school
education.
“I’ve had more issues
with seniors not parking
in their own parking spots
than attendance this year,”
said Keane, “but I did have a
senior student who called in
with their excuse for missing
school being that they were
taking a delayed senior
skip day. Apparently they
had missed the first one.”
In
a
classroom
setting, teachers find different
ways to deal with the end
of the year blues, some
more effective than others.
Pushing back deadlines
and having relaxed days in
classes may be appealing
with its instant satisfaction
but has proved to be more
detrimental to the lacking
and slacking seniors than
rewarding. Giving seniors
a break can be kind but is a
very dangerous act. When
teachers allow this slacking,
even with just one deadline
being delayed or diminished,
it sends the message to seniors
that it’s ok to slack; it’s ok not
to make school work a priority.
“It’s very frustrating
that some teachers are expecting
a lot from students with just a
week to go when the entire
year they had a very low-key
and relaxed curriculum,” said
a senior student who wishes to
remain anonymous. “They just
expect us to be fully involved in
all this work they give us with
one week to go and it’s just not
going to happen. It’s human
nature: with one week left,
it’s difficult to pay attention.”
Consistency
and
stability is exactly what seniors
need to keep themselves in
line at the end of the year.
Though it may be difficult,
forcing seniors to keep
working through the end
is the best thing teachers
can do for seniors. Teachers
choosing to enable and almost
encourage senioritis who
then, the next day, demand
regular expectations lose the
respect of seniors. Allowing
a
completely
relaxed
classroom setting and then
arbitrarily implementing an
onset of new assignments
towards the very end of the
year makes it seem as if the
teachers are suffering from
senioritis as much, if not
more than, the actual seniors.
Explicit media becomes more abundant
learn
laugh
live
Congrats,
graduates!
Register for
SOAR at IPFW.
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I N D I A N A U N I V E R S I T Y – P U R D U E U N I V E R S I T Y F O R T W AY N E
By Abby Reece
A&E Editor
In recent years, the
general media has lowered
their standard for what is
appropriate for television and
the big screen. This leaves many
concerned about the future of
the entertainment industry.
Movies have changed
throughout the years, but along
with the outstanding special
effects came sexual innuendos
and content that is overtaking
the cinemas.
The 70s brought with
it some classics. Then with the
80s came movies like Back to the
Future and Ferris Bueller’s Day
Off. These movies ushered in
great adventure while keeping
the content relatively clean.
In comparison to these
last films the sexual content in
the majority of current movies
is extreme. Star Trek, released
just a few weeks ago, is packed
with adventure and heroic
action; however, the hero in
this movie is also portrayed
promiscuously. The sexual
scenes in this film were not fit
for the many young viewers
who went to enjoy the Star Trek
legacy.
Even some children’s
movies have sexually charged
humor that is directed towards
the adults in the audience.
The problem with this
has much to do with the young
viewers who are constantly
consuming the ideas behind
recent movies. After all, the hero
in Star Trek who saved many
lives thought it acceptable to be
loose, why wouldn’t children
want to imitate this? Children
imitate what they see in their
parents, in friends, and, yes,
even the media.
Several years ago EACS
sponsored a speaker from
the military that talked about
how they train their recruits.
He mentioned a program that
involves desensitization of the
troops by using violent video
games. After time spent on this
game, troops were less hesitant
to be violent in war situations.
“If sex scenes workthe
same way,” said parent and
English teacher Mrs. Mahoney,
“we could be in a whole heap
of trouble. Sexuality is such
an incendiary force as it is; if
movies intensify it, I think we
should be concerned.”
The sexuality in most
movies has spiraled out of
control. These are the movies
that many go see in the theater,
rent, and buy to keep. Whether
it is direct or not, the sexuality
is being supported by the gross
value it brings in.
“I think something
needs to be done about the
amount of sexuality that is in
the media,” said senior Lauren
Drefke. “It is hard to avoid it
because it has taken over the
industry.”
The only way to put a
stop to the influx of sexuality is
to make it apparent that it will
not be tolerated. Many have
heard it said, “Be the change
you wish to see in the world.”
That is crucial advice even in
the entertainment industry.
Page 13 • Thursday, June, 4, 2009 • News
Students get work permits to
make money over the summer
The CDC works with students to get
the proper paperwork to have a job
By Maddie Cottrell
Staff Writer
As
summer
approaches, students will
need to visit the CDC to
pick up a work permit
application.
Applying for a work
permit is easy. After a student
has been hired, the student
must fill out an “Intention
to Employ/A1” form. These
forms are available in the
CDC. On the forms, students
must supply basic information
about themselves such as the
student’s name, where the
student lives, and how many
hours and days the student
intends to work. The form
needs to be filled out by both
the student and the student’s
employer.
“Most jobs require
a student to have a work
permit,” said Rita Osborne,
a paraprofessional for the
Career Development Center.
Osborne is in charge of giving
students the “Intention to
Employ/A1” forms.
“The forms that our
students fill out are only
good for students who intend
to work at a job in the state of
Indiana,” said Osborne.
Students who do not
attend Leo may also come to
the CDC and fill out a form.
“Some homeschooled kids
and kids that go to private
schools even come in to ask
for a work permit,” said
Osborne.
According
to
Osborne, a work permit does
not expire, but if a student
wishes to change jobs, the
student must fill out a new
form to receive a new work
permit. If a student has
reached the age of 18, the
student no longer needs a
work permit.
There are many
students at Leo who plan
on working this summer.
Freshman Mindy Bender has
already filled out and turned
in an application to Burger
King. Grant Meeks, also a
freshman, chose a job with
family employees.
“I chose my job
because I have family that
works there and I know the
owner,” said Meeks. Meeks
intends to save the money
acquired from work to buy a
car.
“I think most kids
want to work over the
summer to have money,” said
“Most jobs require a
student to have a work
permit. The forms that
our students fill out are
only good for students
who intend to work at a
job in the state of Indiana”
-Mrs. Osborne
Osborne. “Especially seniors,
seniors probably have the
most kids that work because
they are saving money for
college.”
According
to
Osborne, sophomores and
juniors are the most common
among students to apply
for work permits. “It seems
that a lot of sophomores
and juniors apply for work
permits,” said Osborne,
“probably because they are
the students that have their
own transportation.”
A work permit is
a specific certificate that a
student wishing to work
must obtain to have a job.
The permit ensures that a
teen will not work more
hours than allowed and is
only valid for one job.
Editor: Lindsey Mohlman
Leo class interacts with children at Pine Hills
By Erin Lengacher
Staff Writer
From Rosie Brown’s
second period class, 26 students
are teaching at the Pine Hills
Kiddie Garden in Leo. The
class teaches May 29 through
June 5.
Brown’s students will
be teaching kids from the ages
of three all the way up to six
years of age. The students walk
across the street to Pine Hills
during second period and
teach for an hour a day. There
are four classes being taught
and four students assigned to
just about every class.
“I’m
excited
but
nervous about teaching the
kids. I’m scared that I will mess
up or forget something,” said
sophomore, Allie Hissong.
Over the course of two
trimesters, the advanced child
development classes work
at Leo United Methodist’s
daycare program and Pine
Hills Kiddie Garden. During
the first trimester of the class,
the students go to Leo United
Methodist Preschool every
other day to work with the kids.
During the second trimester
of the class the students do
curriculum activities with the
children at the Pine Hills Kiddie
Garden Daycare. The students
must think of six different
activities to work on with the
children. They must come up
with a book to read and create
both an art project and a music
project. They also need to work
with the small and large motor
skills and come up with a game
to play. The other two activities
are miscellaneous and of the
student’s choice.
“This class is worth
taking. I have learned a lot
from Mrs. Brown. I would
recommend this class to anyone
who wants to go into a career
that has to do with children,”
said senior, Kayla Baer, who is
planning to be an elementary
school teacher.
Helping with the kids
at the daycare is part of the
Indiana state requirements.
Leo’s
advanced
child
development classes have been
involved with the daycares
for about 20 years, teaching at
the Kiddie Garden the past 5
years.
“I was looking at the
state standards and saw the
requirements. I asked if the
Kiddie Garden was willing to
let us teach there; they agreed
to help,” said Brown.
According to Hissong,
the class is a lot of fun. “It is
fun seeing all of the kids and
how they work. The kids are
awesome.”
Baer said she enjoys
working with the kids; “I love
it. It gives me a “hands on”
experience and shows me how
different the kids differ from
each other.”
Editor: Lauren Thoman
Special
•
Thursday June 4, 2009 •
Page 14
Leo welcomes Pearl Harbor veteran
Clarence E. Cook visiting Leo High School 68 years later
Pearl Harbor on Decemeber 7, 1941
By Amanda Overholt
Special Editor
On Friday, May 22,
Clarence E. Cook visited Leo Jr. /
Sr. High School. Cook participated
in WWII and brought in pictures,
letters and different artifacts from
his time there.
Cook met with students
from different history classes
and also spoke and presented to
classes. June Cook, Cook’s wife,
also came to Leo.
“Seeing all the different
things that Cook brought really
put what we’re learning right now
in world history in perspective
for me,” said sophomore Rachel
Burtnett. “He brought pictures,
letters to his wife, and different
awards he’d been given. Seeing all
of the things made learning about
WWII so much more real to me.”
June Cook was never
really bothered by her husband’s
absence. She missed him, but she
didn’t worry about him.
“I just went to work,” said
June Cook. “It didn’t bother me.
I’d travel with my mom and dad
when he was gone sometimes.
I’d hear from him and it wouldn’t
bother me. I didn’t think of
anything bad happening.”
June Cook felt like there
was no reason to worry because
there was nothing she could do
about the situation anyway.
“He took care of me much
more than I could take care of
him,” said June Cook.
“I can’t imagine being
put in June Cook’s place and
being so calm like she was,” said
sophomore Chandler Salway. “It
would be so difficult and I really
admire her courage.”
According to his memoirs,
Clarence Cook joined the Navy in
the middle of January of 1941. He
was then sent to the Great Lakes
Navy Training Station and trained
for eight weeks. Cook was then
sent to California and on to Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii.
Cook was first assigned
to a U.S. Navy supply ship called
the USS Aylwin355 from April to
December 7, 1941, according to
his memoirs.
Cook was aboard ship
when Pearl Harbor was attacked
by the Japanese. According to his
memoirs, he was assigned to a
Cook’s war medals for the United States Navy
fire and rescue party just before 8
a.m.
“Our alarms sounded
on the ship so I grabbed a fire
extinguisher and ran up to the
fantail of the ship and saw the
Arizona and other ships on fire
and smoking badly,” said Cook.
“At the same time off the fantail
I saw a Japanese torpedo plane
skimming over the top of the
water in the Harbor and the
plane was so close I could see his
mustache.”
Cook then made his way
to his gun position and started
firing at the planes according to
his memoirs.
“We went looking for
the Japanese attacking fleet for
about four days,” said Cook. “We
returned to Pearl Harbor unable
to find them.”
Pearl Harbor wasn’t the
only place that Cook was stationed.
Cook also was part of invading
Marshall,
Gilbert,
Solomon,
New California, Truck Carolina,
Mariannas, Bourgainville, Guata
Canal, Atua Islands and Kiska
islands according to his memoirs.
After his time at Pearl
Harbor, Cook was transferred
to a new assignment at Norfolk,
Virginia. He attended school for
about a month and a half and
then was sent to Boston to await
the next ship he was stationed
on, USS Meredith (726) according
to his memoirs. From Boston
he went to Plymouth, England
to await the invasion of France.
They were there for about five
days during combat. On the sixth
night they struck a magnetic mine
and were forced to abandon ship.
PHOTO BY AMANDA OVERHOLT
Because of this, about thirtyfive were killed and there were
fifty-five casualties, according to
Cook’s memoirs.
Cook was then given 30
days survivor leave. He went back
to Norfolk for more schooling and
training while waiting for a new
ship the USS Tolman according to
his memoirs.
June and her mother
and father came to Boston and
Clarence and June were married
on Thursday, November 9, 1944.
During
1944,
Cook
received a letter that his wife was
sick back in Fort Wayne and had
a 50/50 chance of surviving. The
captain gave Cook an emergency
pass to go to San Francisco to
report to a Navy ship at Treasure
Island, according to his memoirs.
He stayed with her until she went
Cook’s presentation at Leo High School:
PHOTOS BY AMANDA OVERHOLT
home, feeling well again.
Cook then went back
to the war and continued his
work until he was discharged in
September of 1945.
“After I arrived home,
about a week later I was employed
on the Nickel Plate Railroad
as a brakeman and later I was
promoted to a conductor,” said
Cook. “I retired thirty one and a
half years later in 1977.”
“Cook’s life was very
interesting to learn about,” said
sophomore
Baili
Brenneke.
“It makes world history more
interesting to me after actually
meeting someone who was there.
I forget sometimes that history
isn’t just a story, but it’s actual
people doing real things. Meeting
Clarence Cook reminded me of
that.”