Issue 16

harbinger SHAWNEE MISSION EAST

ISSUE 16, MAY 10, 2004

What’s Inside

• •

Sports teams and their prospects at state Ice cream reviews Senior special section

The end is near.

Not just for the seniors, but for everyone.

Now finals are only a few days away.

Now, after 161 days, After musicals and games, festivals and concerts,

We’re only a few steps from

the finish line

the end-of-year issue | with senior special section

news 2

THE HARBINGER

Girls’ basketball coaches step down for more family time Andy Logan This new year brings on a unique challenge in replacing a huge void in the girls basketball program. Coach Lane Green, an eleven-year coaching veteran at East, is retiring. The news comes as a shock to players, teachers and other students.

Along with Green, assistant varsity and junior varsity coach Nikki Bauer is also leaving.

The two first told the team in mid-April, and for many of the girls it has caused a real sense of surprise, yet a hope for resolve.

“While this was shocking for us we knew that this was inevitable and that in the end the coaches could be replaced. But really, when Coach Green told us we knew it couldn’t quite be the same,” junior Allison Owens said.

Both Coach Green and Coach Bauer are leaving for similar reasons; both have started families, and have begun to realize that juggling so many aspects of their lives at one time, and still spending much of their

time on the court was a very daunting task.

“I had to try and carry two tough responsibilities at school at the same time and it was spreading me way too thin. While at home I still had a family and two kids to worry about,” Green said.

Green has been working as Athletic Director for all of the sports programs at East while still working in all of the coaching.

While at home, he had two toddlers running amuck. His son Joseph will be turning three this May, and his daughter Susie is now eighteen months.

“His reasons for leaving are completely understandable. It’s for his own family reasons, but I still wish that he could’ve stayed,” sophomore Megan Thorpe said.

While the underclassmen girls have not had the amount of experiences with Coach Green as the senior players have, they accredit their positive times at the JV and varsity because of Coach Bauer. With her role as the JV coach it allowed her to interact much more with the younger girls.

Surprise your friends and family for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, ect.

Her absence from the position would leave many of the younger girls without the stable base for the team.

“During practices Coach Bauer was really someone we respected. She was a tough coach that really knew how to motivate us,” Owens said.

Bauer and Green’s styles were quite different as coaches. Bauer played the much more tougher and competitive coaching role while Green lead with his friendships and positive attitudes with the girls.

Bauer and Green’s decision come at a crucial time in the transition period from this season to the next. A new coach will need to be appointed soon, so there can be enough time to transition into the summer.

The girls are staying confident that there will be a good coach and staff implemented soon because Green is the one heading the search for the new coaches.

“By being able to look over the whole process of finding a new coach I will be able to find what fits best for the team. Through

h a v i n g Winning so much percentages experience with the girls, I Coach Green will know what .600 (11 years) will fit well,” Coach Bauer Green said. .922 (3 years) This will be Green’s first experience in working solely as athletic director here at East. This will allow Green to start developing the quality of the coach staffs here, which is one of his main goals in the next few years.

While Bauer and Green’s absence will be deeply felt, the girls are very optimistic that everything will work out in the end. Even if the decision is a shock the entire program agrees that their choices are completely justified.

“While I have chosen to leave because of what’s running around my house, Coach Bauer is leaving because of what she’s carrying around with her,” Green said.

3 opinion

THE HARBINGER

Car Cosmetics ‘Pimp my Ride’ is a hit on MTV

“Pimp My Ride” is a new television show whose n a m e basically explains itself.

The host on the show is none other than the rapper Xzibit. The show consists of Xzibit taking the owners of “busted, poor excuses for transportation” and making their cars “pimpalicious”. These owners can be any age from 18- 30.

The show isn’t some scam where the set is cheap and the people are cheesy; the magical mechanics from West Coast Customs take thousands of dollars worth of car parts, special car additions, including and TV, Play stations, and DVD players, to make each car personalized and unbelievable.

Every car gets a new paint job; at least a TV installed, all broken parts repaired, and specialized parts positioned to “modernize” the car. In one show, Xzibit himself made one girl a personalized custom alarm for her car, with the rappers voice saying menacingly “back off, Im warning you”. The brainstormers for the car changes

In my own words

Stacey Golub

make each car fit their owner’s personalities. They find out a little about the owner first, to make sure the car is efficient for their daily activities and needs, and make them look awesome at the same time.

For instance one victim of Pimp My Ride was a college girl. She still wanted to look fashionable while being a girl on the go. They installed a hand-made chandelier in the ceiling and a make-up mirror in the trunk. They also put a steamer in her trunk to get wrinkles out of her clothes.

Each car on the show gets new light up radios and racecar steering wheel. The seats are wrenched out and custom new ones are put in. Not to mention each car gets the best in new wheels and 18” rims. You can watch as the old Beater gets turned into a full-fledged “pimp chariot” in only a day, with before and after pictures. One of the best parts of the show is the expression on the person’s face when they see their new car. They immediately run to their chariot screaming their excitement.

It’s wacky and weird extras like these that make you wonder. It seems inevitable that every viewer at one point has it run through their minds “that would suck if their car were

stolen”. And your response would be “Yeah. Good call.”

Yet no matter how stupid and expensive the additions are, its pretty cool to have a karaoke machine in your trunk. Even if you’re never going to use it.

Another con is there are only a few episodes. However considering how exuberating of a show this is you won’t mind watching the re-runs.

But I get sort of envious when the people get their junkyard automobile fully loaded and basically replaced. When they rip the sheet off the car, my stomach flips and I gasp. Its amazing to see the before and after camera views, it kind of makes me want to go on MTV.com and apply to be on the show. Then again, how about I get a broken down Ferrari for cheap first. Maybe then I can get it restored for free.

Things to Know

About the Show The show is on at a new date and time: Sundays at 9:30/8:30 PM CST on MTV.

Go to: www.mtv.com/onair/pimp_ my_ride/ride_pimper.jhmtl and click on “Pimp Your Own Ride” to make your very own personalized car.

One year down Sweat, and lots of it. That’s what I remember about the first few weeks of school at East.

Yes, it was hot outside, but I was sweating from nervousness. From utter fear and anxiety. Big, bad upperclassmen and the thought of embarrassing myself consumed me. Luckily, I have found some good deodorant and a little more confidence.

My freshman year has been an interesting one. I think that these past nine months have allowed me to see more of the world outside my home and helped me to see what kind of person I really am. It didn’t come without struggle though, that’s for sure.

I have always been a shy person, quiet by nature, and unwilling to be the center of attention. Walking down the halls at school the first three quarters of the school year

In my own words

Amanda Allison

was like walking down a hall of doom. I felt that people were constantly judging me as I sauntered fearfully to my classrooms, my arms crossed in front of me for fear of being too exposed.

By the end of the first quarter, I was having up to five hours of homework per night, a little more than the half hour I was used to at my middle school. It was difficult to find time to breathe, yet alone do my geometry.

I began to drift away from old friends and soon I found myself searching for someone I could at least count on to talk to me on a regular basis. It seemed like everyone else had found their niche in school. Where was mine?

Although I was in band and active in SHARE, I still didn’t feel like I belonged to any particular group. Without any distractions, like a social life, I was often found myself overwhelmed because I didn’t have that sort of break that friends provided. I couldn’t really call anyone to get out of my house because there was no one to call.

I got into a routine of homework and sleep. In between

Making it through freshman year the two was fear and self-consciousness. Basically, I felt like a lost person wandering around the school, trying to find a place to belong.

Then, something odd happened. Towards the beginning of fourth quarter, the final stretch, I began to talk more. I wasn’t so scared and yes, I actually wanted attention from people. Somehow, I gained back some of the social skills that I had lost those first three quarters, and yes, I dare say confidence. Talking was something I did voluntarily; no emergency was required to get me to open my mouth.

I realized that if I talked, people would respond; that they might see me as a possible friend.

So that’s what I did. I talked, I invited, I joked. I smiled real genuine smiles. Somehow, I have suddenly come into my own this last quarter. I’m still not the person that others flock to and I have my quiet moments, but overall, I’m a happier, more outgoing person who is not so scared of life. Although it may be a little late, I know that I have next year, and two more years after that, to show people who I truly am.

opinion

4

THE HARBINGER

Learning from the best Older siblings make all the difference

Ellie Weed

In my own words

Not many people have the luxury of rolling into the SENIOR parking lot at 7:25 every morning as a freshman. One of the best parts is when one of my sister’s best friends sees me in the hall and yells “HEY ELLIE!” feel comfortable with

It makes me being a freshman.

On the first day of school, I had no idea where anything was. Going from about 500 people in my school to around 2200 was quite the jump. I felt like I didn’t even have to walk, the crowd would just carry me along with them. But the thing was, I didn’t know where the crowd was going to take me. Then my sister escorted me to homeroom, where I was in the comfort of all the other freshmen that were equally as scared and unaware as I was.

I think that everyone with an older sibling can agree that when you’re little, you will do anything to be like your big brother or sister. She wore her hair straight- I did too. She danced at Liz Kelley Dance Studio- I did too. She read “DaVinci Code”- I did too. That’s why I feel so lucky to have such a good role model ahead of me: she always did the kind of things that I would love to copy off of.

Even while I was in middle school, I saw the freedom that came with high

school. My parents started to ease up on her, and became more comfortable with the whole high school scene. There was responsibility that came with it, of course, but I got to see first hand what it would be like to have so much space. She got a car and was driving me to my soccer practices and dance classes. I felt so cool to be in a car with another teenager, blaring the radio.

She was there to set an example that helped me realize that it didn’t matter what kind of person I was, I would always be accepted. She always told me, “there’s really no such thing as popularity once you get to high school.” I didn’t believe her-it seemed that middle school had been based solely around your social status. There’s no way it could change that drastically in less than a year.

But, just as always, she was right.

When I got to high school, I realized that there was a group for every type of person.

There were different activities throughout the school that accentuated the diversity of the school. Because of my sister’s advice, I was spending time with people that I never would have met if I hadn’t gone out on a limb and introduced myself.

My older sister taught me that you shouldn’t do anything just to impress other people. She never directly told me that, but all the demonstration reinforced it. She spent time with so many different groups of people. There was the Harbinger staff, and the swim team, followed by the

friends that she typically hung out with on the weekend.

She seems to be there for me to confide in. There are things that I can tell her that I couldn’t tell anyone else in the world. After spending a whole school year shrugging off the do’s and don’t’s of high school, I’m tempted to slap myself in the face knowing how much I took all of it for

granted.

So even now, after all the how-does -my-outfit-look?’s, the door slamming, and the fighting over the hair dryer, there are still the good memories that I’m trying my best to savor.

Trying to squeeze out as much as a can while she’s still here.

Hair-pulling stress

Photos taken by Kevin Gunwald

AP tests and the hours of work they entail They told us we were sworn to secrecy. We couldn’t tell anyone the details. So for that reason, I will have to omit some specifics, but I can assure you that the rest of my survival story is 100% real. I just took my first AP exam.

I had heard about these exams, but I certainly underestimated them. I thought that these were simply tests that you could earn college credit by paying $80 and, of course, getting a 4 or a 5 on the test. No big deal. I decided to sign up for my Spanish AP test because after all, if I do well enough in Senora Henry’s Spanish 5 class, I’m bound to do chevere on the test, no? I remained relaxed and confident until I bought a frighteningly thick AP Spanish book.

That’s when I discovered that this was a full-blown test covering Spanish listening, reading, writing and speaking skills. It took four hours to complete! Where was I to begin studying?

After desperately reviewing a few verb conjugations, soon enough, it was test day. I arrived at the desolate Mission Church parking lot a little breathless (I had a bit of a confusion figuring out if this really was the place I needed to be). I followed voices up an empty staircase and found my room.

There were four other kids taking the test with me and a few others taking some computer talk ABC

In my own words

Cynthia Goldman

something test. Locos.

At 8 o’clock sharp, we signed some sheets promising not to cheat nor disclose anything about the exams and began. We started with listening skills. The tape recorder spoke to us in Spanish.

Thinking that the tape would repeat itself twice, my mind began to wander: Who makes a living making Spanish AP test scripts? How much do they get paid?

Who is this Paco guy? Was his name really Paco? My dog’s name is Paco. We could’ve named him Taco…

“Ahora responde a las preguntas siguientes.”

My mind bubble popped. WAIT! THEY DON’T SAY IT TWICE?!! I looked around the room at the confused faces and sighed. Well, at least if I go down, I won’t go down alone.

We finished the first section with great difficulty and began the reading comprehension questions. I opened the packet to a SAT look-alike passage but in Spanish. Only a National Merit Spanish maestro finalist could ace these! Dios mio!

And for another three and a half hours, I battled the evil AP monstro (that’s monster in Spanish).

I exited the glass doors, and I felt like a medieval knight in shining armor! I was the knighted Cyn of East! I had slain el monstro! It may have thought it had me between its claws ready to devour my entrails but oh no! To quote Kill Bill: I roared. And I rampaged. And I got bloody satisfaction. I had killed a hell of a lot of tests to get to this point, but I had only one more. The last one. And I had won.

At least I hope so.

Photo taken by Nicole Oswald

5 editorial

Drinking causes lasting problems

Simply stopping ‘cold turkey’ not so easy

Teens hear prior to that age, your brain is most the same story likely damaged. Besides the obvious over and over side effects of disorientation, memory again. Don’t loss, and the inability to think clearly, drink--it’s bad drinking on a regular basis can also for you. It can get tiring, and in the long lead to strokes, stomach bleeding, run it doesn’t really help teach students obesity, and a risk of fertility and breast Votes For Votes Against to say no. Kids are still drinking at cancer in women. One night of fun is earlier and earlier ages, and some not worth all of those risks. teens are even becoming alcoholics. Yes, there are reports Women aren’t the only ones severely affected by drinking. of 10-year-olds in alcohol recovery programs. The general Men between the ages of 20-24 are most likely to participate consensus among high school students, namely seniors, is in binge drinking, which is drinking more than six drinks per that they will stop drinking once they graduate from high night on a regular basis. school. From there, the partying stops and their “grown up What you should get out of this is that yes, teenagers can life” begins. It’s not that easy; you just can’t stop cold turkey. become alcoholics. Alcoholism isn’t something you can cure According to health reports, alcohol is the number one over night, so in effect, it becomes a life long battle that will social drug in America. Over half of kids over the age of 14 hurt family and friends. Just remember that next time you take drink at least twice a week. a drink, you are hurting yourself, and possibly those around If you’re drinking that much now in high school, imagine you. what you’ll be doing once your alcohol tolerance increases and you are actually at the legal age to buy drinks.

This editorial was written by one of the 10 editorial Despite the constant repetition from elders about the board members and reflects the opinions of the Editorial Board. The votes represent those members who voted for effects of alcohol, teens continue to drink, and in the long or against the editorial that was run. One member was run, become addicted. Your brain doesn’t stop growing until not present. around the age of 20, so if you have spent time drinking

Staff editorial

Editorial Board Vote

9 0

EDITORIAL CARTOON

Annie Harrigan

��������� Alex Abnos Dianne Smith Libby Nelson Annie Harrigan Lindsey Melvin

Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editors Art and Design Editor Head Copy Editor

Stephen McKim Copy Editors Corban Goble Carson Black Tierney Weed Stephen McKim Holly Garringer Courtney Condron Annie Fuhrman Barrett Emke Gordon Culver Amanda Allison

Photo Editor Editorial Section Editor Opinion Section Editor News Section Editor Features Section Editor A&E Section Editor Sports Section Editor Special Section Editor

Joanna Cross Ads/Business Manager Bryan Dykman Asst. Ads/Business Manager Pat Menihan Subscription Manager Stacey Golub Peter Goehausen Curtis Shank Evan Favreau Ian McFarland Cynthia Goldman Mallory Toombs Tierney Weed Ellie Weed

News Page Editor Sports Page Editors A&E Page Editors Features Page Editors Photo Essay Editor Op/Ed Page Editor

Sarah McElhaney Staff Artists Cynthia Goldman Jessie Fetterling Staff Photographers Nicole Oswald Joanna Cross Kevin Grunwald Pat Menihan Jessie Fetterling Staff Writers Ross Boomer Andy Logan Pat Ryan Patrick Haverty Michael Woodsmall Dow Tate Adviser

A Publication of Shawnee Mission East 7500 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208 Phone: (913).993.6688

Editorial Briefs ‘Simpsons’ not cancelled After the voice actors for popular TV series ‘The Simpsons’ went on strike for more pay (they wanted twice their measly $2 million for 22 days of work a year), Fox talked of canceling the classic cartoon. But they caved in and the show will continue.

Prisoner Treatment Both American and British soldiers’ actions in dealing with Iraqi’s prisoners is inhuman and embarrassing. The U.S. went into Iraq as the defender of freedom and human rights. Reports of prisoner abuse undermines our cause and is not acceptable. art by Sara McElhaney

features 6

THE HARBINGER

The last dance After four years of drill team, one girl decides to end the dancing for college

she was two, has been on the varsity drill team for the past three years and was even offered a partial scholarship at William Jewell College, but turned it down to focus instead on her medical career.

“It was a huge commitment and it’s just not what I wanted to do,” Sutherland said. “I love dancing, so I might do it later on, but for now [after graduation], I’m done.”

Sutherland’s interest in dancing came from her sister, whom she saw dancing and wanted to imitate. Upon entering high school, Sutherland joined the drill team in order to pursue her passion, and along the way found lasting friendships and a group to call her own. One of the main things she’ll miss is the group and the feeling of belonging to a team.

“It’s nice knowing that they’re always there for me.

I will always have them as my friends. My best friend is on the team, so that makes it even more fun,” Sutherland said.

Not only does drill team provide bonds between friends, it keeps the girls in shape.

“Dancing every day, with practices at 6 a.m. some mornings, you work muscles you never knew you had.” Being a gymnast on the varsity squad also helps Sutherland to stay flexible and often quite sore.

photo by Tierney Weed

Amanda Allison The music starts and a strong beat is pumped out of the stereo as the Lancer Dancers move into position.

Senior Elizabeth Sutherland takes her place among her peers and begins the intricate lifts and jumps. This being one of the first run-throughs, there are some mistakes, but the varsity dancers continue on. When the music stops, the instruction begins. Varsity drill team captain Holly Thomas corrects their mistakes and cheers the girls on.

“The criticism can be frustrating, but in the long rung it will look better once it’s corrected,” Sutherland said.

Sutherland is busy rehearsing for the annual Kansas Spectacular, which is major drill team competition for teams around the area. In order to prepare, the teams has been having early morning rehearsals all week, meeting at seven in the morning.

Along with team practices, Sutherland and her friend Laura Stiles have been coming up to school in evening to practice their self-choreographed duet to be performed at the Kansas Spectacular.

“It’s going to be sad. I’ve gone to this competition for the past four years. It will definitely be fun though,” Sutherland said.

When it comes to dancing, Sutherland has years of experience. She has danced since

DANCE DRILL: Sutherland learns a new dance for the Spring Show on Wednesday.

After graduation, Sutherland plans to attend KU and earn a degree either a pediatrician or physical therapist.

Although dance has been important to her these last four years, she thinks that that it is time to move on.

“Dancing is just what I do. We’ll see, I might dance later on for fun, but for now, I think I’m done,” “Dancing Through the Decades” featuring the Varsity Sutherland said. “The lessons I’ve learned from being and JV Drill Team dancing and choreographing dances to music on Drill Team will stay with me. I’ve learned how to stay focused, how to be dedicated and how to be part from swing, 70s, 60s and 80s. of a wonderful team.”

Wednesday, May 12 at 7pm Buy tickets from any drill team girl or at the door for $5

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Why is the lion dancing?

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harbinger THE SENIOR SHAWNEE MISSION EAST

ISSUE 2004

where they’re going how they’re planning what they’re thinking

Senior Profiles College Plans Teacher Letters Senior Columns

SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION!

THE HARBINGER

SENIOR ISSUE #2

Garrett Gates

College

Bowdoin College

Interest

Marine Biology

Why?

Play Tennis

W

hat is the best way for students to choose the schools that arebest for them? Well, senior Garrett Gates didn’t actually take part in the selection of either of the two schools he was torn between. He had three of his closest friends do all of the choosing for him.

Seniors Lizzie Southerland and Laura Stiles were told to pick a number, either one or two.

Southerland picked a one and Stiles a two, so, the count was tied. Gates

called on his friend Brian Ebbits, an SME graduate, to make the decisive vote. He picked one. That settled it, Gates was heading to Bowdoin College in Maine.

He told his friends that they had been choosing between Bowdoin College, number one, and University of California-Santa Cruz, the number two selection. Gates knew that he would’ve never been able to make the decisive vote between the two.

“I knew I could’ve never made the final choice. Both were perfect for me, and I knew I could be happy at either of the two. So, if my friends chose it, it would just be final,” Gates said.

Gates saw Bowdoin as a match for him because of its prestigious academics. The school, located in Brunswick, Maine, is a renowned liberal arts college, along with having a great Division-III tennis program.

It is a nice part of the country, not to mention it is where Gates has vacationed every summer, to his uncle’s summerhouse.

Bowdoin has had a top 10 team in the past and Gates hopes to be the one to keep that tradition going.

At UC-Santa Cruz, a former Division I champion, the emphasis would’ve been taken off of academics and placed upon tennis.

While Gates doesn’t plan on taking his tennis past college, he is very excited about the marine biology and all around strong academics at Bowdoin.

Drew Severns

College- Taylor University Location- Upland, Indiana Why? Play Baseball

W

hile going to a Division III school to play baseball in farm town USA doesn’t sound appealing to most athletes, the case however is different for senior Drew Severns.

“I just couldn’t give baseball up yet,” Severns said.

Drew will enroll at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana next fall. He will also play for Taylor’s baseball team.

After Taylor had a disappointing season this year, Severns hopes to add to the team’s pitching.

“I am hoping that I can add to the

depth of the pitching staff,” Drew said.

Severns’ goal is to fill the closer role.

“I have always tried to mold my game after closer Billy Koch,” Severns said. Drew’s role model has been his older brother.

Lately his brother has been helping him train for baseball.

“I have been doing everything I can and my brother has been a great help,” Severns said, “ also, the school will have training for us in the fall and winter.”

While baseball will be a big part of his school year next year, academics comes first for him, “ East has done an excellent job teaching me to balance school and sports.” Severns played baseball all four years at East and was the gorilla mascot for the basketball team. Also, Drew has taken a partaken in every intramural whiffle ball and basketball.

“Though I wasn’t involved in every activity,” Severns said, “I still really liked East.”

“Ever since I was a little kid I have dreamed of playing college baseball,” Severns said, “and now I have that chance.” In the end Drew said that this opportunity is just to good to pass up. “Playing baseball can teach me life skills I can’t get from the classroom, Severns added.

TU

Clif Ashley \

A

summer ago, senior Clif Ashley discovered a passion for the outdoors and working with kids.

It was there at Camp Nebagamom in Wisconsin that Ashley discovered that there was a way to find our more about himself and others.

“There is not a single person up there that tries to be someone other than they are,” Ashley said.

“Everyone is their genuine self.”

Ashley is faced with the challenge of making a decision between two options: going to Cornell College in Iowa, or attending a special semester course offered

by the National Outdoor Leadership School or NOLS. While working on staff at Camp Nebagamom, Ashley met some people who had been in NOLS. NOLS offers college credits in the areas of social studies and biology. The semester course includes a 90-day wilderness expedition to a number of different locations in the world. The credits in social studies and biology branch directly off of the experiences that the participants have during their treks.

It is the wilderness trek and the ability to see more of the world that interests Ashley the most.

“It is wilderness tripping so a lot of it is time by yourself and not seeing people,” Ashley said. “[It] will allow my mind to mature and give me time to think.”

Currently Ashley is still deciding upon whether or not he will attend NOLS or go to Cornell College. It is his desire to experience more of the world that makes NOLS so attractive to Ashley.

“I could easily see myself going into Pre-Law. I think I could do that and be happy,” Ashley said. “[But] I want to see what other people are doing. I want to see what they have made of themselves and that paths that they have taken.”

Ashley’s parents have been supportive of his desires to attend NOLS. His mother in particular

thinks it would be beneficial, and his father is not opposed of Ashley taking a year off after graduating.

Ashley himself feels that taking the NOLS path might be better as well.

“I haven’t allowed myself to excel academically, and to put myself right back into a situation of academics wouldn’t have the highest percentage of success,” Ashley said.

Now that the end of the year is approaching, Ashley feels that it will be harder than he expected to leave his friends behind, but will be better when he gets back to Camp Nebagamom.

“I am driving to camp this summer, it’s a ten hour drive, and I see myself being real upset for the first half of it, and then ecstatic to get back up to camp,” Ashley said.

Despite some disappointment about leaving high school behind, Ashley is focused toward the future and glad that he has some options for the future.

Being able to find the path that is right for him and experiencing more of the world around him, Ashley says, is why he has so many open decisions to make.

“I want to have those options,” Ashley said.

SENIOR ISSUE 3

THE HARBINGER

Amy Levine

Patrick Drinkwine

F

B

College: University of Illinois

Where:

Champagne, IL

Trying out for:

etween his parents, a financial adviser and doctor, senior Patrick Drinkwine somehow inherited an interest in electrical engineering. He plans to attend Illinois University, about a two or three hour drive south of Chicago, and study electrical engineering for “as long as it takes”.

Circuits and wires are a far cry from Pat’s most-recognized highschool interest, the trumpet. Pat spent all four years studying music and practicing trumpet, until he had been in Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, The Blue Notes and The Blue Knights.

But his music aspirations for college end at a tryout for I.U. Concert Band. Pat’s interest in music might become a hobby to his passion. Wires.

“I used to like to play with computers a lot and take stuff apart,” Pat said.

Now he knows that electrical engineering is “something I can get into.”

College: Kansas City Art Institute

Where: Kansas City, MO

For:

UI Concert Band

Photography

reshman year was Amy Levine’s introduction to photo and the beginning of her love of photography. She has continued to study photo throughout her high school career, and four years later she is in Photo 6 and planning to attend a nationallyknown art institute after she graduates this month.

“I’m going to the Kansas City Art Institute. I would like to concentrate on photography there. It’s nationally renowned and close to home,” Levine said.

With years of experience in photography, she plans to utilize her skill in after she graduates from the Kansas City Art Institute.

“I want to do something with photography. I love it.

I’m interested in fashion photography and would like to do something with that. It would be an interesting career,” Levine said.

Over the years she has grown close to her art teachers who helped her.

“Looking back on Shawnee Mission East, I’ll miss the art teachers. They have helped me every year increasing my love for photo. It has been fun,” said Levine.

Katie Falk Lindsey Melvin

Program: Vineyard Leadership Institute

Where:

Overland Park, KS

While most seniors will be leaving next year to live the college life, Katie Falk decided that following her heart meant not going to college, but rather attending a handson ministry program affiliated with her church, called VLI (Vineyard Leadership Institute).

“It’s like seminary, but it’s more practical. I’ll be in my church working with the youth group kids and developing the youth group band,” Falk said. “I’ll be doing a lot of music stuff along with book studies of the Bible.”

For two years, Falk will take classes at Vineyard Christian Fellowship church, located at 97th and Antioch.

Her pastor will be her mentor. She will take as many classes as in a normal college, but she will cover different material—more spiritual than academic. And most of her leadership projects and service requirements will be focused around music.

“Music, to me, is my ministry. When I say I’m going into ministry, it’s not as a typical pastor. I see myself as a contemporary worship leader. The songs that I’ve written have been my ministry,” Falk said.

Falk will be hired part-time at her church as a worship leader. She is also the girl singer and acoustic guitar player in a band led by her friend Steve Jones, worship leader at Vineyard North church (near Smithville, MO). The area band is based on worship, but it is rock; it sounds like something on the radio. The band has already made one rock CD and one acoustic CD that Falk helped sing on. Right now they are busy writing music and funding themselves for a new CD that they hope Vineyard Music will take somewhere.

In order to attend VLI at her own church here and be close

to the band at Vineyard North, Falk will live with her aunt in Parkville. This will allow Falk to leave her house and feel more on her own.

Before Spring Break, Falk seriously considered going to Greenville College in Illinois. They have a good music program there, and Falk stressed out about the whole decision between it and VLI. But the third time she visited the campus, she just got a feeling and knew that it wasn’t where she was meant to be. When she got back to KC, she knew that this is where her heart is, and that if she was anywhere else she wouldn’t be happy.

“Sometimes people tell me I’m doing the wrong thing because I’m doing what is different, but I know I’m doing the right thing because I’m doing what I love,” Falk said.

Falk has counted the costs of not attending college and not getting a college degree. Before, it worried her. But not anymore.

“The whole world tells you that if you don’t go to college you won’t get anywhere in life. But if I go to college I’d be doing something that I’m not called to do,” Falk said.

Her family, too, was worried a little at first. But after they visited Greenville that last time, they were totally in agreement with Falk. They give her their full encouragement with her decision, and Falk feels blessed that her family supports her.

“When I was younger, I thought I would go to college right away. I had no idea this is where the paths would lead,” Falk said. “But, my dreams have always been to go into music and to write my own songs and to perform with people I love. So yes, I am following my dreams.”

SENIOR ISSUE 4 DePaul University Chicago

Arkansas

Brandon Waldrop

Hendrix College Conway Jack Morse

Michael Duvall

University of Miami Miami Amy Hamilton Nolan Lem

Full Sail Art Institute Orlando Beau Blochlinger Dylan Jones Ashton Tubbs

Barry University Miami Shores Rachel Young

Braeden Carr

Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego Bryan Miller

California

California Technical Institute Pasadena Andrew Lee

Chapman University Orange Ben Bliss

University of Colorado Boulder Garrett Ebelke Rajit Hazarika Megan Shay

Colorado State University Fort Collins

Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Meyers Jimmy Slack

Spelman College Atlanta Dawn Spencer

Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah

Georgia

University of California Santa Barbara

Allison Muller Jessie Ostermann Cory Imig Mike Patterson

Grinnell College Grinnell Todd Doleshal

Cornell College Mount Vernon Charlie Thurston Ellen Kirk

Drake University Des Moines Ian Stewart Taz Carper

University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls

Fort Lewis College Durango

Graceland University Lamoni

Dave Crook

Michele Bender

Regis University Denver David Vranicar

Matt Allain

Iowa

Colorado

Sara Craven Laura Fry Jennifer Hayes Carson Hinderks Morgan Lafferty

University of Iowa Iowa City Raegan Brown

University of Illinois Urbana/ Champaign Peter Allen Patrick Drinkwine

Lake Forest College Chicago Cristen Hayes

Wheaton College Chicago

Illinois

Collins College of Design and Technology Tempe

Yale University New Haven

Eric Ratzel Ellen Vessels

Austin Winter

Columbia College Chicago Max Wagner

Valparaiso University Valparaiso Tim Oestmann Katie Patrick

Indiana Wesleyan University Marion Todd Lynch

Taylor University Upland Drew Severns

Indiana

Vincent Medellin

Knox College Galesburg

Indiana University Bloomington Christie Fuchs Bridget Hollenbeck

University of Kansas Lawrence Amy Abrams B.J. Adams Esther Adany Alex Akers Emily Akers Andrew Antonucci Tom Arnspiger Rachel Ashworth Laura Arther Susan Alig Adam Baird Justin Banes Nick Barnes Brian Benge Ben Blake Elizabeth Brickson Steph Brown Joe Brandmeyer Rhett Buckley Kellie Cardell Allie Chalfant Emily Chao Annie Clancey Maggie Cobb

Kansas

Arizona

Art Institute of Phoenix Phoenix

Connecticut

Kelsey Jones Casey Shteamer Megan Gilson

Nicole Shelton

Florida

Arizona State University Tempe

Where in are the se Kelly Cochran Danielle Coffyn Paul Coleman Carter Collins Whitney Condie Josh Crain Kim Davis Rachel DeShazo Tehau DeBarthe Amanda Dyer Lindsey Eagle Barrett Emke Andrew Esselman Brent Everest Abigail Faulman Jessie Fetterling Erin Gallagher Holly Garringer Jeslyn Gilcrest Corban Goble John Gordon Kirsten Gradinger Taylor Gravley Whitney Gudgel Rebecka Gundelfinger Tim Grimes Trevor Hansen Annie Harrigan Tom Harris Derek Harrison Brett Harrop Joe Haugh Stephanie Heady Kathleen Helmly Brandon Hidaka Max Hodges Jennifer Holwick Carter House Hank Jackson Robbie Jones Ashley Jones Leah Jordan Jill Judd Jeff Judd Whitney Kane Anna Katzif Jack Keller Kelly Kerr Anastasia Kolobrodova Brian Kueffer Andy Limpic Blake Lockard Li Long Catherine Lunt Emily Lykens Bridey Maidhof Stephen Mance Scott Matteson Maggie McGuire Katie Meeder Pat Menihan Bret Miller Patty Morrisey Ted Mutert Jeff Nelson Tyler Noah Fielding Norton Corey O’Neal Aubrey Peeke Melanie Pendleton Sara Peppes Phillip Plante Emily Plotkin Kyle Rensenhouse Adam Ricketts Mark Robinson Anna Rotenberg Rob Ryan Pat Ryan Jeff Spradley Bailey Scanlan James Schrunk Rachel Schmeltz Kyle Sciolaro T.J. Scott

Adam Schaumburg Annie Simmermon T.J. Simmons Bryan Smith Brooke Smith Dianne Smith Maggie Smyth William Sokolaski Elizabeth Southerland Jack Spangler Emily Spikes Claire Stiefel Laura Stiles Ellen Stolle Pat Sullivan Anna Tabakh Sharon Tarbutton Jennifer Taylor Haley Tanquary Paul Thompson Jessica Thompson-Lee Bridget Thorpe Liz Tschudy Dylan Tucker Sarah Tucker Laura Unklesbay Nick Vedros Joe Vickers Natalie Vizcarra Dane Wallace Tommy Ward Max Wasserstrom Barbara Watkins Sam Weinstein Laura Wilkerson Sam Winslow Lake Wooten Claire Wyatt Patrick Young Taras Zelenchuk David Zyck

Kansas State University Manhattan Katy Auld Nathan Baker Michael Bell Emmy Blair Haley Box Greg Brown Kristen Buck Sean Conner Cassidy Creek Chanelle Dieckmann Megan Duggan Heather Farris Megan Firner Melissa Footlick Ashley Foster Jessie Gans Anne Harvey Maillia Howell Danielle Hudgens Kelly Joyce Laura Mahurin Hayley Martin Tyler Martin Dustin Maurer Brent Maxwell Lauren Maynard Ryan Montana Colin Newbold Nicole Oswald Caitlin Peterson Alex Richardson Ryan Ringer Emma Schaefer Christina Smith Stephanie Spencer Mary Sprouse Anne Steadman Kendra Stevenson Tessa Vansickle Meryl Wallace

Kathryn Warren George Watson

Bethel College North Newton Aaron Gaeddert

Baker University Baldwin City Chris Lynch Jordan Martin

Pittsburg State University Pittsburg Samantha Arnold Blair Leach Katy Thompson Rita Neff Jamie Leifer Lauren Hess Adam Heitland Briana Hotchkiss

Emporia State University Emporia Jessie Wiard Kristen Davidson

Washburn University Topeka Josh Pierson

Fort Scott Community College Fort Scott Ashley Arnold

Highland Community College Kansas Abram Clay Ryan Knuth

Johnson County Community College Overland Park Maddie Atchison Brent Baggett Louis Baptist Carlotta Bazart Emily Bennett Kip Bilski Victoria Borchers Andrew Cox Charles Clamon Natalie Del Rosario Craig DeMoss Son Dinh Derek Dougan Andrew Drape Athena Erickson William Fitzpatrick Eric Geller Brad Havens Matt Hoover Trey Hornbeck Kyle Hohendorf Ashley Karson Irina Kuntorovskaya Graham Lakey Ashley McCord Carol McIntyre Christina Palm Heather Parker

the world eniors going to college?

Kansas City Art Institute Kansas City Ryan Baker Amy Levine

Smith College Northampton Nancy Dexter Julie Wu

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge

Independance Community College Independance Brad Conrad

Stephens College Columbia

Arup Sarma

Jill Polsinelli

Boston University Boston

University of Missouri Rolla

Berklee College of Music Boston Matt Rader

Michigan

University of Michigan Ann Arbor Corey Jones Matt Stoebner

Michigan State University Lincoln Ben Huntley

David Szczucinski

Northwest Missouri State University Maryville Kyle Aaron Lauren Hodgson

William Jewell College Liberty

Missouri

Rachel Dougherty

Lindsey Melvin Courtney Noll Clay Nygaard Ryan Hintz

Carson Black Diamond Hawkins Britton Johnson Katie Roberson Drew Stehl Cody Willman

Missouri Southern State University Joplin Julie Bakker

St. Louis University St. Louis Paige Borelli

Southwest Missouri State University Springfield Ian Hutchison Sarah Talley

Massage Therapy Training Institute Kansas City Anastasha Puckett

Doane College Crete Eli Page-Goertz

University of Nebraska Lincoln Michael Reichman Kate Furhman

Heather Bartlett

Vineyard Leadership Institute Westervill Katie Falk

Miami University Oxford Cooper Gilbert Emily Perry Meg Stewart Holly Thomas

Vanderbilt Nashville Carrie Yeast Dan Tilden

Rhodes College Memphis Rachel Simmons

Washington, DC Washington

S. Carolina

Northern State University Aberdeen

Leigh Sirridge

Georgetown University Washington, DC Perry Collins

George Washington University Washington, DC Danny Brozman

Wyoming

Guillermo Rodriguez

University of Missouri Columbia

Brooke Jandl Bryan Sayler

The Evergreen State College Olympia

University of Wyoming Laramie Peter Irey

Westminster University London, England Alex Abnos

University of Oklahoma Norman Mimi Blick

Pacific University Forest Grove Molly Melling

Swarthmore College Philadelphia Micaya Clymer

Texas Christian University Fort Worth Hayley Holt Katie Marland Hannah Munsch Taryn Myers Will Pendleton David Reeder Tierney Weed

Rice University Houston David Sanders

Burlington College Burlington Elise Goldman

University of Vermont Burlington

Overseas

Garrett Gates

Park University Parkville

Robert Cosgrove Jaclyn Larson Michele Mooney Alexander Reusch

Duke University Durham

Katie Boody

Uganda, Africa Laura Shannon

Bonn, Germany Chris Westphal Peter Sharp Laura Bauer Brittany Hood Claire Wyatt Bailey Lawrence Carter Holt Thomas Ramirez John Buck Amanda Armstrong Amanda Easton Chris Tucker Ashley Coleman Stewart Melton Jamie Johnson Nolan Lem Leigh Nelson Paul Grindinger

Undecided

Bowdoin College Brunswick

Eric Jonas

University of Missouri Kansas City

Western Washington University Bellingham

Grace Slosburg

Middlebury College Middlebury Maggie Higgins Eliza Hornig

Work

Maine

Joanna Cross

DeVry University Kansas City

Marcus Austenfeld George Nicely Bret Calkins

Rachel Smidt

S. Dakota

Loyola University New Orleans

Furman University Greenville

Charles Robinson

Washington University St. Louis

Whitney Sandison

Tennesee

Andy Mutert Drew Johnson

Irene Kagramanova

Clemson University Clemson

Texas

Gretchen Williams Caroline Winters

Lincoln University of Missouri Jefferson City

Fashion Institute of Technology New York

N. Carolina

University of Mississippi Oxford

Jamie Matthews

Ohio

Katie Beth Hundley Andrea Giorgi

Abby Maurin Rachael Nemeth Margaret Rainka Emily Uhlmann

Vermont

Truman State University Kirksville

New York

St. Olaf College Northfield

Oklahoma

Minnesota

Katie Vaughters

Oregon

Louisiana

Tulane University New Orleans

Marit Anderson

College of Charleston Charleston

Pennsylvania

Matt Watters Jenny Wise

Westminster College Fulton

Nebraska

Wichita State University Wichita

Macalaster University St. Paul

Mississippi

Doug Peel Jenny Reed John Ryan Lisa Schocke Dustin Shepherd Justin Simonich Nick Tremonti Aldo Velasquez Chad Vick Kyle Wells Anne Wheeler Jessica White Holly Wyrick Danielle Zahnd Nicole Zlateff

5 SENIOR ISSUE

Nick Burman Melissa Hause

SENIOR ISSUE 6

Vincent Medellin tion, but also take core classes such as math and English as well.

Unlike other four-year colleges, the A.I. of Phoenix is a year-long school.The school year starts in July, so Medellin will have to leave home on July 4, far earlier than his friends.

At the institute, Medellin hopes to build a foundation for what will lead to a career in cinematic animation.

“Character design interests me the most,” Medellin said. “But I want to learn it all. After college, I will probably ART INSTITUTE get a job at some small College: OF PHOENIX animation place that Art Institute of Phoenix produces commercials.

I want to work my way up to directWhere: ing animated movies.”

Phoenix, AZ The distance between Kansas Studying: City and Phoenix will factor into any feelings of homesickness.

Animation “I’m going to miss home because incent Medellin’s pro- everything’s here,” Medellin said. “I ficiency in the fields of think (homesickness) will be one of art and design have sent my biggest obstacles, and I’m a little him on the path to the Art Institute worried about doing things by myof Phoenix. At the art school, he self. In a sense, I’m worried, but I’m will not only study the basics of life ready for it.” drawing and aspects of 2-D anima-

V

Joseph Freebairn with her and her husband,” Freebairn said. “I just thought that moving here would be good for me, to experience something different.”

Freebairn found a lot to miss about Hawaii.

“It was such a shock to me (that) you can drive all around and not hit water,” Freebairn said, fact that he’s lived on an island all of his life.

For college, he’ll be returning to Hawaii to attend Brigham Young University of Hawaii, at which his dad works. The college is operated under the Mormon religion, but the College: classes aren’t necessarily Brigham Young UniverBRIGHAM YOUNG religious. There are elecsity of Hawaii UNIV. OF HAWAII tive courses for things like Hopes to major bible study, but the majorin: carpentry ity of the classes are just like from any other college.

Freebairn hopes to specialize in his fall, most kids will be leaving their homes in order carpentry, a skill he acquired himself to receive a college educa- by fixing the roof and doing minor tion. But for Joseph Freebairn, going to repairs on his house in Hawaii.

Having made friends at both his college will be a homecoming.

Freebairn moved to Kansas for a church and school, Freebairn is a little year in order to graduate from a school reluctant to leave. But mostly, he’s that he considered reputable, as well happy to be returning home.

“I miss the beach and my friends as to get some experiences from life and the beach, “ Freebairn said. “I’ve outside of Hawaii.

“My sister lives here and I’m staying been hurting to surf.”

T

THE HARBINGER

Eliza Hornig

College:

Middlebury

Where:

Middlebury, VT

Credentials:

National Merit Scholar, Choraliers, French Honors Society Member

E

liza Hornig needed to find a college that would support her interests in French, creative writing, drawing, painting, voice, acting, literature and history.

It just happened that the school of her dreams was the one her brother,

Christopher, already attended.

“I decided that the fact that Christopher was at the school was not a bad thing,” Hornig said. “If anything, it would be an advantage.”

Although the town of Middlebury is small, Hornig found a lot to love while there on a visit there last month. “(Middlebury) is a nice, small college town, with a lot of nice restaurants,” Hornig said. “The campus is very open, very clean. The scenery is beautiful. The school is in a valley, so it’s surrounded by mountains that you forget about until you look up, and you’re awestruck.”

Eventually, Hornig hopes to become a professional writer, but wishes to dabble in her other hobbies while at Middlebury.

As for the issue of being so far away from home, Hornig will just have to remind herself of home with her possessions.

“I’ll be taking a lot of my stuff with me,” Hornig said. “I’ll probably have to take a couple of stuffed animals that I’ve had since I was really young.

I’ll miss home, but right now I’m really excited about the college experience.”

Arielle Zarr

taken Art Foundations, she said her school choices were limited. She sent a portfolio, slides and essays about her artwork to the Art Institute of Boston, which accepted her, gave her a scholarship and, she said, reacted well to her photos.

“Some of my work is on the softer side, but they looked at my stuff and were really positive,” she said.

The institute requires some core academic classes, but focuses mostly on art. Instead of an ordinary history class, she’s going to take photo history; her other classes will be in photography and design.

In particular, Zarr ART INSTITUTE will study fashion College: OF BOSTON photography. “I love Art Institute of Boston taking pictures of people,” Where: she said. “Anyone can look unique Boston, MA and beautiful if you take the picture hen Arielle Zarr was the right way.”. sending out her college She also hopes to take a design applications, she didn’t class or two, because she’s “always just fill in forms. She sent out a wanted to design lingerie.”

But portfolio. mostly she plans to immerse herself Zarr, who will attend the Art in photography in preparation for her Institute of Boston at Lesley career.

University in the fall, first considered “I honestly can’t imagine doing applying there after Portfolio Day anything else,” Zarr said. “Nothing at the Kansas City Art Institute. makes me happier than when I’m She knew she wanted to study doing my photos.” photography, and since she had not

W

7 SENIOR ISSUE

THE HARBINGER

A ofword advice

A few words to remember from three wise teachers

From the desk of

From the desk of

Angelo Cocolis

Tom Heintz

Dear Seniors ’04, Okay, so I’ve been asked to give sage advice to departing seniors. Words to inspire, to give your future lives meaning and direction. Maybe a bit presumptuous, but I’m honored to be asked. Unlike those times when many of you have bravely tolerated the overly windy ramblings of an aging biology teacher, I promise to keep this short, so here goes…

By this point in your life, you’ve likely been “Oprah-ed” and “Dr. Phil-ed” (not to mention “teacher-ed” and “parent-ed”) to death with commentary about what makes life worth living. Undoubtedly all good advice, too. Certainly well intentioned. So many instructions from so many directions.

Everyone else’s view, each from a different perspective. So much truth, so much confusion. On the other hand, over the years, I’ve become a believer in the rule of K.I.S.S.(Keep It Simple, Stupid) – ever since my graduate adviser made me aware that my thesis needed a good dose of it. It just might all boil down to something basic, like: To thine own self be true. (William Shakespeare) Or, from a more contemporary source: Be good and you will be lonesome.

Be lonesome and you will be free.

Live a lie and you’ll live to regret it.

That’s what livin’ means to me. (James William Buffett) It also occurs to me that people of my parents’ generation often would talk about the ability to face the person staring back from the bathroom mirror in the morning. Yet another version of the sentiment above, I suppose. I don’t think they meant cursory checks for surface imperfections, or the “do” being just right, either. It seems like what was being discussed was the fortitude to tolerate a good look in the eye – with yourself. If the person staring back at you is someone who can hold on to personal values (in the face of socialpressure to do otherwise), maintain a love of family and loyalty to friends,then the hard part is done. The rest is gravy. If not, then perhaps you have some more learning to do. Thankfully, you have four or five (or however many your parents will tolerate) years of college in which to shape this character. You’ll figure it out.

So, see, all it takes is a brief commentary from a couple of literary giants, and a little homespun Midwestern philosophy, and you’ve had it all laid out for you. If that fails, you can always read Dave Barry. Enjoy. I know you will.

KIDS what hall in the

SENIOR EDITION

Dear Class of 2004: A big congratulations to you all!! I am honored to be your principal and wish you all the love, happiness and success that life has to offer. I know you will do well in whatever endeavor you pursue.

Words of advice I can give you: “Hard work is the yeast that raises the dough” “One measure of success is doing what you like to do and making a living at it” “To handle yourself use your head; to handle others use your heart” “We never know the love of our parents for us until we become parents” “Happiness is not our destination, but our mode of transportation” God bless you and take care.

--Dr. Angelo Cocolis

From the desk of Susie Schweiker

Dear seniors, Writing a letter of advice is challenging – a rather long period of time has passed since my own graduation. However, this is what the 18-year-old me needed to hear: • Never stop learning.

• Make time for great art, for great literature, and for great music.

• Eat good food, get enough sleep, and stay active (note: laughter is good exercise).

• Find the profession that is your passion. Wake up excited to do something love.

• Admit it. You don’t really need a lot of stuff.

• Be willing to adapt. The world will

change profoundly during your lifetime.

• Invest in those you love. Nothing else will ever matter as much as they do.

• Seek solitude when the world is too much with you.

• See the miraculous within the ordinary.

• Go outside and play.

• Choose your words carefully. A single sentence can make all the difference.

• Daydream. And then dare to make the dream come true. Above all, live so that because of you the world is a better place.

--Ms. Susie Schweiker

souvenir would you take with you from high school?

All the friendships I’ve made over the years.

I would take a lifetime supply of Otis Spunkmeyer cookies!

Hayley Holt

Rachel Ashworth

A piece of the SME seal so that Lancer pride can be with me.

Drew Johnson

Lancers SENIOR ISSUE 8

THE HARBINGER

they will always be

Wise Advice In my own words

That’s it seniors, it’s over. The past four years have, in my opinion, absolutely flown by. It seems like just yesterday I was an obnoxious know-it-all freshman coming to East for the first time.

Now I am an obnoxious know-it-all senior, entering my last week in high school, looking toward the future and frantically searching for my missing textbooks (if anyone has seen my English book, please let me know). Looking back on my high school experience, I mostly feel gratification. But I also feel there were some things I could have done differently.

And since this is the last time I can get on my soapbox and preach to my fellow Lancers, I feel it is my duty to give my underclassman friends some advice.

Don’t procrastinate. You know those times when your teacher assigns a project, and inevitably says, “Don’t wait until the last minute to work on this.” Take that advice to heart, because nothing just flat out sucks as much as staying up all night the night before a major project is due.

Believe me, I know.

Juniors, sophomores, and I guess freshman, do not park in the senior lot, ever. Everyone seems to think they are above this rule, but doing this is just an

invitation to have your car tagged.

Anytime you feel like “just staying home,” get up and go to school anyway.

First of all makeup work piles up faster than anything. And secondly, getting an attendance waiver is a major hassle.

Try out for as many activities as possible. I can’t tell you how many times I have sat in the audience during the musical and wished that I had tried out, even though I can’t sing. Or act. Or dance.

Ok, so maybe the musical wasn’t for me, but I do recommend trying to get involved with as much as you can.

Freshmen and sophomores, don’t settle for mediocre grades. When college is four years away, it seems easy to just work for a C or a D in a class. But believe me, as a junior and a senior, when you start to fill out college applications, these grades will come back to haunt you.

And as far as grades go, talk to you teachers after school if you need help.

It may seem daunting, but teachers are always willing to help you if your grades are lacking.

Of course there is so much more I can tell you, but I have a major case of senioritis working against me, not to mention a looming deadline. All I can say is that you should enjoy this time.

Seniors, good luck with whatever lies before you. And to all you remaining Lancers, “Thanks for making Shawnee Mission East a part of your day!”

The Experience

Tierney Weed

In my own words

Holly Garringer

Seniors graduate from East and Harbinger staff

As much as people told me how fast the days would go by in high school, I never listened to them. Now I wish that I had.

Stepping into East freshman year, I was confronted with an immense amount of people to meet, new friends to make, but mostly I was taking one of the defining steps of my life. I was walking into high school and I had four whole years to enjoy myself.

It wasnʼt until I got involved in the Harbinger that I really branched out.

To this day I have not written an article or a column for the paper. Honestly, photography is more my niche. I have always been that red-haired girl walking around at basketball games, drill team performances, behind the scenes at the musical, or even just following someone around with my camera. I help the writers tell their stories. Others provide the voice while I provide the illustration.

In having to constantly take pictures I have gotten out of my bubble. Before, I had been afraid to get out of the comfort zone that I lived in and as a shy freshman, I held on to the friends that I had from middle school. However, through my photography, I reached out of the ordinary and met so many of the truly fascinating people that make up the cast of our

student body. I have been introduced to things that I never thought I would experience. I have traveled to Raytown to witness my first BMX bike race while taking pictures of a sophomore girl biker. I have followed a black Explorer into the countryside to photograph a group of junior girls who teach younger children how to ride and care for horses.

I even rode on a school bus on a frigid Saturday morning, wrapped in layers of clothing and with camera in hand, to go orienteering with a group of ROTC members in an extremely rural town in Missouri.

Just as these people and activities have been taken as snapshots through the lens of my camera, so they will remain in my mind: snapshots, or memories, of my high school days. I am overwhelmed with the collective picture book that has become my life.

So, while it is true that four years ago I had the entirety of high school to enjoy myself, it is also true that I underestimated how quickly it would pass. Looking back, my time here has been a blur and I have no clue where all the time went, but the memories stand out like snapshots in my mind.

My only piece of advice: donʼt be afraid to get out there and get to know people, experience new things. Whether you are loved or hated, scared or overly excited, it wonʼt matter. Itʼs the experience that counts.

Everyone’s the Lancer of the Day

Alex Abnos

In my own words

I’ll get this straight out of the way here: I, to put it nicely, am not the biggest fan of high school. The bells that seem to always be at just the wrong pitch, the hallways that are always just too crowded, the homework that always seems just too pointless to care about. It never clicked.

But despite that, every day, fourth hour, I stop. And I wait. …And I wait.

-BIIIIIIIING“Good morning, please pay attention for your morning announcements…”

C’mon…C’mon….get to it….

“The Lancer of the day is…”

Not me. It’s never me. Never. And the thing is, I usually don’t obsess over things like this. I don’t panic at my homework load. I don’t freak out at the amount of things that I left undiscovered during my time here, and I just plain don’t care about my GPA anymore.

But for some reason, even amongst the multiple

things I would be more than happy to leave behind, I can’t shake the fact that this is it. As crowded as the halls may seem, the fact of the matter is that we shared everything we did with the people in those halls. Each graduating class shares losses, victories, and historical events with each other. As freshmen, we celebrated the foundation of a new millennium. As juniors, we shared the anguish the day after KU’s loss to Syracuse in the NCAA basketball championship. As sophomores, we watched and listened in shock to the events on Sept.

11. Somehow, with a community of over 2,000 students from all different backgrounds, through all the highs and lows, we managed to all be in it together.

And, through Lancer of the Day, we get rewarded just for being in on the action.

You can’t get that kind of recognition at many of the schools the seniors are going to. Heck, you can’t even get that kind of recognition at the 20,000-strong University of Kansas, where a majority of the seniors are going to. You definitely can’t get that kind of recognition in London, where I’ll be going. Ever hear of getting a London-er of the Day award? Didn’t think so. Even if they had something of the sort, it would require you to

stay in the city until sometime around when the world explodes to receive it For some, leaving may be a welcome escape, and that’s fine. But the key here is to appreciate what we have now, and use it to the best of our advantage, however you may define that to be.

All in all, I can’t really say that much about high school. Some of it was bad, most of it was mediocre, and there was a little bit in there that was actually halfway enjoyable (I found that part usually took place sometime around seventh hour.) I can’t claim that I’ll miss the routines, I won’t miss the classrooms, I won’t miss the classes that I wish I had taken. What I will miss is the group that we were all a part of. The group that was built over four years, from the time we first set foot into a classroom to May 18, when the last name is read at graduation and we all get up from our seats and go on to wherever it is that we are going.

I’ll miss the experiences we had together.

And I’ll miss waiting every day in fourth hour, just for confirmation that I was a part of it.

Homeward Bound THE HARBINGER

Ross Boomer

M

7 features

Exchange students reflect on their time in Kansas

ona will stay in touch with her new family and friends. She’ll think fondly of her trip to California.

She’ll miss American food like macaroni and cheese and Starburst. And she’ll always remember Calculus teacher Ray Runyan’s ties.

“He has the coolest one with seagull sounds,” she said.

“You could always count on a new tie.”

As the year ends, German exchange student Mona Besmens, as well as other foreign students, reflect on their experiences as seniors at an American high school.

For German student Christian Berger, the first day back from Winter Break was his most memorable moment.

“I noticed a big difference [from the first day in the fall],” Berger said. “I knew a lot more people. I felt more at home.”

Berger’s only regret is that he didn’t take more electives.

“We don’t have art and theater classes in Germany,” Berger said. “I don’t need to learn anything because this year doesn’t count.”

Many of the students also noticed how their views on America have changed.

“I always saw America as all parties and hot girls,” said Italian student Giorgio Pederiva. “We see it in movies. But coming to Kansas changed my mind. There are a really big variety of people.”

Besmens agrees.

“Before I came I just thought of the East Coast and California,” she said. “Living in the Midwest broadened my view. I also think social standards are different. People aren’t

as direct as they are in Germany.”

And as Berger mentioned, “I didn’t know football was so big here.”

Pederiva still remembers his first Chiefs game.

“I was exactly in the middle of a lot of [obsessed] fans,” Pedriva said. “Those guys probably drank a lot of beer before the game.”

Swedish student Phillip Linghammar thought highly of the high school football games as well.

“It was just like a high school moment from the movies,” Linghammar said. “There was a band!”

Linghammar also remembers his trips to Colorado and Texas.

“San Antonio was so beautiful,” he said. “But I saw all these signs that said ‘Don’t mess with Texas.’ So I didn’t.”

Linghammar is looking forward to his trip to Washington, D.C. and Minnesota next month.

For Ukrainian student Kateryna Mykhayleno, her participation in the school musical is her most memorable moment. Mykhayleno took dance throughout her Norway childhood and was excited to get a small dancing part in the play.

“I just loved working with the friendly theatrical staff,” Mykhayleno said.

Sweden Mykhayleno is the first exchange student to leave. having departed on May 12. She’s returned home to take national exams so she can hopefully attend the University of Kiev next fall.

“I will miss spring in Kansas City,” Mykhayleno said. “It Italy is so very colorful. I will also miss the people. There are so many people who are smiling and optimistic.”

Swedish exchange student Phillip Linghammar will also miss the people.

“When I came here I knew that I was going to see my Portugal friends and family [from home] again,” he said. “But the new friends I have here I probably won’t see again.” photos by Kevin Grunwald, Jessie Fetterling and Tierney Weed

Where they call home Christian Germany Berger

Inger

Gjoeen

Phillip Mona

Germany

Linghammar

Besemers

Giorgio

Pedriva

Kataryna Ukraine Mykhayleno

Joana

Champalimand

Savi Summer

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a&e 8

THE HARBINGER

Summer Concerts David Bowie with Stereophonics Reality Tour 5/10/04 Starlight Theatre

Dashboard & The Get Up Confessional Kids with Thrice Honda Civic Tour 5/27/04 City Market

The Moody Blues

5/27/04 Starlight Theatre

Date

Artist

Venue

5/11/04

Metallica, Godsmack

Kemper Arena

5/11/04

Cursive, Darkest Hour, Mike Park

Liberty Hall

5/12/04

The Offspring, TheSTART, Auf Der Maur

Uptown Theatre

5/14/04

Mary J. Blige, Musiq

Starlight Theatre

5/15/04

From Autumn to Ashes, Eighteen Visions

Granada Theatre

5/17/04

GWAR, Bad Acid Trip, Watch Them Die

Granada Theatre

5/17/04

Clinic, Ratatat, The Constantines

Bottleneck

5/23/04

Kottonmouth Kings, OPM, Judge D

Beaumont Club

5/26/04

Minus the Bear

Replay Lounge

5/27/04

Elf Power, Summer Hymns

TBA

6/02/04

Zao

Bottleneck

6/05/04

The Detatchment Kit

Replay Lounge

6/05/04

P.O.D., Blindside, Lacuna Coil

Uptown Theatre

6/06/04

Danger Mouse

Granada Theatre

6/12/04

Tortoise, Beans

Granada Theatre

6/14/04

Bela Fleck & the Flecktones

Liberty Hall

6/15/04

Local H

Bottleneck

6/18/04 6/20/04

Wakarusa Festival

6/28/04

Mum

Bottleneck

7/17/04

The Blood Brothers, Kill Me Tomorrow

Bottleneck

7/24/04

Kansas

Ameristar Hotel & Casino

7/24/04

The Vines, Incubus

Kemper Arena

7/26/04

Van Halen, Chris Isaak

Kemper Arena

7/30/04

Braid

Granada Theatre

8/05/04

Hanson

Davey’s Uptown

a&e 9

THE HARBINGER

‘Envy’ SECOND DEADLIEST SIN: Ben Stiller in ‘Envy’

Ian McFarland

T

he worst thing about Envy isn’t what it is; it’s what it is not. When you hear about a movie with Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Barry Levinson and Christopher Walken, it’s more then understandable to get excited.

That’s a movie from people who were in School of Rock, Meet the Parents, and Pulp Fiction making one movie.

But what gets delivered is a movie that underwhelms, even

But minor sins keep comedy from truly shining

for a movie without much promise.

In Envy, we meet Tim Dingman (Ben Stiller) and Nick Vanderpark (Jack Black). When Nick proposes to Tim that they go in together on ‘VaPooRize,’ a too-good-to-be-true invention that makes dog doo disappear, Tim rejects it because he doesn’t think that something could just go ‘poof’ and vanish. Lo and behold, Nick’s invention works like gangbusters, and before you can say ‘pooper scooper’ he’s transformed his modest abode across the street from Tim’s house into a small resort complete with a merry-go-round and a house for their horse Corky.

As far as the acting goes, Ben Stiller acts well enough as Tim, but there’s nothing new in his performance. He’s proven that he can act neurotic like no other big name in Hollywood, but I guess he thought that Nth time’s a charm, because we get another clone of Gaylord Focker from Meet the Parents in this movie. Jack Black seems half asleep

can be a good thing

throughout a lot of this movie, but even a half asleep Black is enough to make you laugh. The best actor in this movie, and arguably the best thing in the movie, is Christopher Walken as ‘The J-Man.’ Walken never fails to be a weird but entertaining actor with any part, and the J-Man, a hobo who helps Tim scheme a revenge plan against Nick, fits Walken like a glove.

But there are enough flaws that keep Envy from being a good comedy, one being the plot. After Nick gets rich, the story settles purely on Tim accidentally killing Corky. It works to some degree, but it doesn’t feel like the right thing to focus on in this movie. It feels like they ripped out the last part of a first cut and replaced it with a sideplot. Another place this movie fell short was the beginning, which failed to yield any complete laughs– I didn’t laugh until one third of the movie had elapsed.

The movie has some funny scenes involving disposing of Corky’s corpse and the out of control merry-go-round pulling Mach 1. But at their funniest, these parts of Envy are ultimately forgettable. In a couple of years, you won’t remember this movie unless your mom calls you during it to tell you that your sister’s going into labor. If you do go to this movie, it will entertain you, but you’ll find yourself envious of the people in the next theater seeing Mean Girls.

Movie Review

a&e 10

THE HARBINGER

Restaurant Review

Cool custard

The best places to stop for ice cream under the summer sun

Coldstone

Jessie Fetterling

More than most ice cream stores, Coldstone offers a wide variety of unique flavors of ice cream and “mix-ins” (toppings). Among one of my favorites is the cake batter flavor, with its creamy texture and pure resemblance to its name making it one of the most popular at the shop. The workers are also very helpful in picking out what you like; they’re willing to whip up anything that can resemble deserts from raspberry cheesecake to birthday cake. They are also required to sing songs if you tip them. This wonderful blend of ice cream and service is located on the south side of Town Center Plaza. If you haven’t been there yet, you’re really missing out at one of the best ice cream stores in town. The only draw back is that it is also one of the most expensive ranging from $3-5 minimum - but it’s worth it.

TCBY

Jessie Fetterling

TCBY is a place you can always rely on when your sweet tooth needs to be satisfied because it is only a three minute drive from school. The good thing about this ice cream shop is that it’s not ice cream, it’s frozen yogurt, which means all of their flavors are at least 96% fat free. However, this means that it doesn’t have the same creamy texture that I enjoy when eating my ice cream; it’s a little too icy. They do have a wide variety of flavors though, and they change them often, making it exciting to go in there each day because you never know what options you’re going to have.

The prices are also very reasonable, and the service is great too. The workers seem to always have smiles on their faces and even know most of their customer’s names.

For a quick bite and a friendly atmosphere, TCBY is the place to go.

Culver’s

Patrick Haverty

At Culvers they can fix up a top of the line butter burger, but their custard is mediocre. The place reminds me of a 1950’s burger joint because of the drive through outside, and the architecture inside. I would compare it to a nicer Winsted’s, but still nothing fancy. Their Custard was not thick enough for my liking, and they only had the basic toppings for concretes: Oreos, chocolate sprinkles, M&M’s, etc. They also have malts and sundaes. Like Sheridan’s, you get to see the freshly made custard that you are about to enjoy, being made right in front of your eyes. But the lack of toppings makes it a less enjoyable treat. The butter burger/ custard combo is great, but custard is lacking variety so I give it 3 stars.

art by Annie Harrigan

Sheridan’s

Patrick Haverty

There is something quite enticing about the atmosphere when you go to Sheridans Frozen Custard. From the people who are sitting on the stairs with their little kids enjoying fresh custard, to the people who are on a walk with their dog and making a pit stop, this place is comfortable. If the atmosphere isn’t good enough, the custard is even better. Sheridans sets the standard for ice cream/custard. There are more toppings on the menu than mistakes on my average story, and the custard is made fresh every hour.

When I go there I personally like to get my favorite treat: Courtney’s Dirt and Worms, which consists of vanilla custard, with Oreos, worms and chocolate sprinkles on top.

If this doesn’t sound good, don’t worry there are plenty of different concretes to choose from.

Foo’s

Jessie Fetterling

Foo’s Fabulous Frozen Custard definitely lives up to its name. Because they’re famous for their concretes (custard with different toppings mixed in), they have numerous blends already made up with different toppings mixed together. They have so many ways, in fact, that it took me at least five minutes to order and even after I did, I changed my mind.

All of the concretes have fun names too like Sticky Icky or Mmmm Good (with M&M’s).

The only problem is that there’s only one flavor, but you can’t even tell after the workers blend it perfectly together, loading in lots of toppings. The workers are great too; there are about three or four there to ask you what you want right when you get in. Located in Brookside, you can visit all the cute shops after you after you get your ice cream.

THE HARBINGER

Climbing the Ladder

11 sports East graduate Grant Wahl works his way up through Sports Illustrated, realizes his dream

Sports Illustrated. There was a demand for young writers,” Wahl said. Wahl brought the Grant Wahl’s basketball career was over junior job offer from ESPN Magazine to be a staff year. The realization that he would never lace ‘em writer. Sports Illustrated countered with a up for Coach K or Dean Smith came too soon. He full-time writing job. Wahl accepted. had to realize another way to be involved in the Wahl’s first big story was one he cosports world outside of SM East. He fell back on his wrote was the May 1998 cover story called natural writing ability.

“Where’s Daddy?” detailing the paternity “You could tell Grant was destined for greatness,” situation of several prominent athletes. said senior English teacher Donna Skates, who Writing for Sports Illustrated, though, has advised Grant when he was Sports Editor for the had its ups and downs. yearbook from the years 1991-92. “He could always One of the more disappointing situations just crank it out. On top of that he had this amazing stemmed from a Jayhawk victory. style.” Often yearbook staffers would have a “I wrote this story about the Arizona void in their story, whether it would be interviews, Wildcats that didn’t run because they lost. information, or personal style. Wahl routinely I found myself angry that KU had won (by covered all the bases. beating Arizona in the West Regional), “Something was always missing although I had grown up cheering for them,” KICKING IT: Grant Wahl interviews soccer legend Pele Wahl said. somewhere,” Skates said. “With Grant, there was nothing missing.”

Through his job at Sports Illustrated, Grant Wahl took notice of his writing success; he has traveled to the World Cup, the Olympics, percentages and winning streaks. He also was offered began telling people he was going to write for Sports and to a meeting with one of his idols, soccer and a writing job at the Herald, considered a much safer Illustrated during his senior year. Wahl took a step world icon Pelé. option. in the right direction by attending Princeton after his Grant Wahl no longer writes about the upcoming Grant chose Sports Illustrated. graduation from East in 1992, majoring in politics. road for the East track team, but his tight, detail“The fact-checking job was a foot in the door,” Wahl flourished at Princeton, but still remained in developing style has led him to bigger things. Grant Wahl said. Of all the fact-checkers (SI calls them close contact with his friends from East.

Wahl didn’t have the talent to play basketball at the reporters) that Sports Illustrated employs, half of “The main thing I remember {about East} is the college level, but Wahl turned to his most natural and them remain in that position. The other half are riskpeople. I am still tight with my high school friends,” successful ability—writing. taking, nothing-to-lose aspiring writers. said Wahl, who planned on meeting one during his “I always wanted to do intelligent, good writing.

But fortune struck again for Wahl. After he was stay in New York.

And you can do that with sports,” Wahl said. first hired, ESPN magazine was starting up. Wahl After Wahl’s senior year, two of his applications had interviewed there and got a job offer—Sports were accepted: one for an internship at the Miami Illustrated’s move was next.

Herald, and one for a job at Sports Illustrated. At “ESPN the Magazine came out, and it was this photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated/Gary Sports Illustrated, the entry-level position for a younger alternative to your father’s sports magazine, Bogdon college grad is a fact-checking job, verifying slugging

Corban Goble

sports

12

THE HARBINGER

The QUEST for the TITLE As the school year winds down, sports teams prepare for state Gordon Culver

Golf W

T

he baseball team is having a strong season this year. They have a 9-6 record overall but have a 7-2 in the league. Going into the league and state tournaments the best teams from the area are Olathe North, Free State and Shawnee Mission West.

“We still have a chance to win league. Our chances to make the state tournament look good if our pitching and fielding continues to improve,” coach John Stonner said.

The pitching leaders are Brett Harrop and Carter Holt. They also need to make sure that they can continue to produce offense so that they can support their pitchers.

ith their last state title coming in 2001, won by a team lead by Simon Thompson, the golf team is more than ready to return to the winner’s circle at the state tournament on May 24, 2004. The top players on this year’s team are juniors Charles German and Sam Dodge.

These two have consistently been at the top of the team in terms of scoring. German leads the team in puts per hole, number of holes under or at par, and number of greens in regulation. The team hopes that they can mature and produce results at the state tournament.

SMOOTH: Sophomore Jack Chalfant strokes a put.

Swimming T

he girl’s swim team is going into league as the two time defending league champions. They hope that they can continue their streak but they have some stiff competition in Lawrence Free State and Olathe East.

They mathematically should finish second but have the potential to win the meet. At state they will have even more competition coming from Trinity and

photo by Kevin Grunwald and Bridgt Howland

Baseball

Blue Valley North. Blue Valley North probably has the best swim team in the state while Olathe East has the best dive team.

“Blue Valley North will be especially tough because they are a very senior driven team. Trinity has a few ringers on the team that have only been on the team for a few weeks but are very talented,” coach Rob Cole said.

If the meet comes down to a few points East hopes that their leaders, senior Christie Fuchs and junior Bailey Gage, can place well. The team also needs for the other swimmers to not only place in the top 16, but in the top 10.

FREESTYLING: Junior Perrie Malone prac-

HITTING: Senior Bryan Miller takes a cut at the ball in a game in April.

Tennis T

he tennis team has had a great season. They are coming into the end of season tournaments as one of the favorites in the state. The last time that they won state was in 2001, a feat which they hope to achieve this year. Last year’s team placed second. This year the team is led by senior Garret Gates who plays singles. They also have a strong doubles team comprised of senior Nolan Lem and sophomore Will Gates. Lem was part of the doubles team that was victorious at state last year when he was partnered with Ryan Cope. The biggest trouble that they will have is unseating last years state champion, Blue Valley West. West is led by probably the two best players in the state in senior Travis and junior Brett Helgeson. Travis is a highly nationally ranked player.

BACKHAND: Freshman Jack Stelzer

tices freestyle in a recent practice.

returns a shot in a practice.

THANK YOU TATE! The ‘Harbinger’ will never be the same, and neither will we.

Harbie seniors 03-04