THE SPARTAN VOICE VOLUME 5, ISSUE 9 COLLEGIATE WICHITA
SCHOOL
Vol.5 issue 13 April 9th, 2012
DIGITAL EDITION:WWW.THESPARTANVOICE.BLOGSPOT.COM
ISAS.... By Edgar Corrigan Whether or not you were trampled by a legion of raving students or you competitively danced (shirtless) in front of large group of people, I think it’s fair to say that ISAS 2012 was a success. This year’s ISAS fine arts festival was held at the Greenhill School in Addison, Texas. As soon as we stepped foot on the campus the grandiose nature of it was apparent. Apart from being pleasantly spacious, the campus was covered with “wild” peacocks. Yea, you heard me right…Peacocks. These majestic creatures were a student favorite and nearly everywhere you looked a student could be seen sporting a feather as an accessory. The festivities began Thursday afternoon and immediately Collegiate students were immersed in the action. Collegiate students from every spectrum of the arts were busy presenting and showcasing their numerous talents. From video to instrumental music, Collegiate students “rocked out” this year at ISAS. The culture of the entire festival was something very unique and special. No matter what school you hailed from, the students that attended ISAS seemed overwhelmingly eager to meet new people. During every meal there was a good chance somebody new would choose to sit next to you, without hesitation. Every ultimate Frisbee game was integrated with new people, and culture of the event seemed to be dependent on this principle. The sense of community was demonstrated in no better place than the community art project. The ISAS community art project, an ISAS tradition,
this year took the form of an old white bus that was open for creativity. Almost every student contributed to the artistic feel of the bus. Students throughout the three-day festival painted just about every paintable corner of the bus, and some Collegiate students even decided to place their twitter names on the bus (most were eventually painted over though). Overall, Collegiate’s student body was clearly an essential part of the ISAS festival, and it excelled in every aspect of the festival. It was definitely a great experience, and I hope more people decide to go next year.
JANUAR
The Hunger Games: Reviewed by Spartans. By Kara Maloney & James Engel Micah Watson “I wish I hadn’t read the book so close to the movie because I noticed every detail. The actors who played Effie and Cinna were spot on with their characters. They did a good job of the actual Hunger Games and conveying Katniss’ emotions on the screen. I wanted to burst out crying when Rue died. I can’t wait till the next movie comes out. This movie definitely met my expectations.” Paige Hidlay “It was better than Twilight.” Caroline Lewelling “Overall, the Hunger Games was really good, but I was sad that Katniss’ beauty team wasn’t shown very much. It followed the book well. I didn’t think President Snow was creepy enough though.” Claire Harpool “It was amazing. The book was better though.” Trent Pirner “Peeta is such a woman.” Sarah Heady “They did a really good job, and I even saw it twice. However, it was not perfectly accurate. They missed some details.” Alisa Weatherman “The scenery of the arena made me feel as though I was in the games.” Sam Beren “It was good.”
The Daily Grind By Elly Vosburgh. Spring Break is behind us and though we were eased back into the routine
Interview with
Angelo Encapera By Perri Fisher. Q. Where are you attending college? A. Missouri S&T.
with a three day week last week and a four day week this week, after this there is no break before the end of the Q. Best Collegiate memory? A. Joey’s strip tease on homecoming court. school year. It seems like the only thing to look forward to until finals are Q. What will you miss most about Collegiate? over is prom. However, there is plenty A. Our small community. to keep us busy until the end of Q. Favorite sport? the year. The multitude of spring A. Baseball. sports keep students out of classes. Be Q. Favorite book? expected to have afternoon classes A. I don’t read with less than half of students in attendance. Prom is fast approaching Q. Favorite movie this year? A. Hunger Games… I haven’t even seen it and the juniors will be busy getting ready and you may, like me, still be Q. Prince Charming or Ken? looking for the perfect dress, or even a A. Prince Charming date. AP testing is coming up, and its now or never to finish up preparations for a high score. Teachers are already hinting at finals and in some classes we are already making study guides. Seniors all suffer from the notorious “Senior-itis”, when it’s hard to even come up with a reason to come to school after the “Good Life” paper is finished. With preparations for
Q. Biggest pet peeve? A. Ken Q. If you could have any super power, what would it be and why? A. Fly… Gas costs a lot right now. Q. If you could be any celebrity who would it be and why? A. Tiger Woods before the scandal. He was married to a Swedish super model.
Q. What are you looking forward to in the future? graduation parties underway, it’s hard A. Making money!!!! to focus on anything but the upcoming Q. What do you want to do as a career? summer vacation. But unfortunately, A. Chemical engineer we still have nearly two months left of school, and despite teachers’ constant Q. Hottest celebrity? A. Kate Uptown reminders to “finish strong”, it’s easier said than done. Q. Dream home location? A. House on a TPC golf course.
ISAS 2012
judges. The wonderfully performed and well executed songs were especially difficult pieces, but were pulled off well by our choir. Band on the other hand, played four pieces picked out by Mr. Fischer, and in the end was also well played. Everyone
By Diana Kim and Eric Kelly
During ISAS this year, many wonderful performances were performed by band, choir, drama, photography/art, video, and solo acts. The performances enjoyed the performances. were well done and well constructed by our fellow classmates this trip to Greenhill High School. In the coffee house, we were privileged to hear Taj free-style, Micah play the guitar (amazingly), and Vafa play the piano. Also singing by Maddie Janzen, Kaylea Knappenberger,
Other performances include improv (drama department) photography, art, and solo acts. Everything was amazing in
Meagan Richardson, Sarah Dorsett, India Cohlmia, Lindsey Wells, Matt Bloom, Mike Choi, and more. Other acts consisted of violin playing by Christy Peterson and Grace Bradfield and Sarah Heady on the piano (Set Fire to the Rain).
Of course, another highlight of ISAS this year was the dance on Friday night. The DJ was a former co-
our opinion.
They performed admirably and worked very hard, so when you see them in the hallway, congratulate them on how they played. The dynamics, madrigals, and band performances were great this year with little critique from the
worker of Skrillex, which is what made him pretty good. The dance overall was very claustrophobic to most, but fun in the end for everyone. ISAS 2012 turned out to be everything we expected and more.
Collegiate Finally has a Track Meet Essence: “Since the sixth grade.” By Christy Peterson & Reema Krichati SV: How was your first track meet at Collegiate? Essence: “It was great because all of our ‘Home People’ were there, and it gave us encouragement.” SV: How long has it been since Collegiate has had a meet? Essence: “Thirteen years!” SV: How did you personally do at the meet? Essence: “I won first place in the 400 meter dash; I was the first leg in the 4x400 meter relay, and we placed first; also, I was the first leg on the 4x800 meter relay, and placed second.” SV: How long have you been running track?
SV: How would you describe your experiences with your fellow track teammates? Essence: “It’s cool because they are all upperclassmen and a lot of them make me work harder because they have been doing track for a long time. Also, there is something to look up to.” SV: Do you want to continue running in college? Essence: “Yes, probably so.” SV: Do you run in your spare time? Essence: “Yes.” SV: Who won at the track meet? Essence: “Girls won first and boys won second.”
T-ROB
By Bell Schwartz
This year Anthony Davis won the Naismith Award. Anthony averaged 15.2 shots, 11.2 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks, and there is no doubt him and his family, although they wished they that he is a good ball player. However, there could do more. It seems this little girl, who’s smile was one player this year who deserved is said to be capable of lighting up 15 city blocks, recognition much more, Thomas Robinson. had hundreds of people wanting to adopt her or Thomas Robinson averaged 17.9 shots and 11.8 even be her guardian, Bill Self and Danny rebounds this season, but that is not the only Manning included. However, Jayla was never reason he deserved the recognition. formally adopted by anyone, because Robinson During a three week period at the begging of plans to request full custody of her the minute he January in 2011, Robinson lost three relatives: leaves KU. The fund however, is helping her his grandmother, his grandfather, and then his tremendously; the citizens of Lawrence are not own mother. The day after his mother’s only paying for Jayla to go to private school, but passing, Robinson returned to the court to play also private piano lessons, which she loves. This in the Texas game. Robinson, while still family’s loss, which is undoubtedly grief-stricken, mourning his relative’s death, adopted his late seems to have brought out the best in Lawrence. mother’s motto, “Don’t Blink.” To Robinson, Even though Robinson did not win the Naismith this new mantra meant to not leave award, it is obvious he has won the biggest prize of anything to chance, to work as hard as he can all, the gift of perseverance, which will allow him for what he desires, and to not rely on anyone to succeed in everything he does. In comparison, to help him; this motto has allowed him to Anthony Davis needs to win the gift of a perceiver despite his sufferings. This new life tweezerman. mantra has allowed Robinson to only focus on two things since his mother’s passing, his baby "In my eyes, (Robinson is the) college Player of the sister Jayla and basketball. Year," Sullinger said. "I know some think Jayla had been seven at the time of their different. But with his season, the way he took his mother’s death, and Robinson immediately team to the top, you just got to give it to him,” said took on the role of man of the house, even Jared Sullinger of Ohio State. though he had been preforming this role informally almost his whole life. His only concern now is Jayla, providing for Jayla, making sure Jayla is cared for, and he plans to use basketball as an expedient for making this reality. However, Robinson is not alone in his quest to care for Jayla; after his mother’s death the Citizens of Lawrence set up a fund to help
Bikini Body Blues By Wynn Hukle With spring here and summer just around the corner, the next thing that every girl will be thinking about is getting the perfect tan and lounging happily by the pool. Along with getting the bronzed goddess look most girls desire, is the
Ever heard of the Cookie Diet? I once even tried something as absurd as the “Nazi” diet in middle school; you can imagine how well that worked. Yes, it is true that some women are constantly trying to fight their body to be something it is not supposed to be, but I think the goal of women should be to work with their bodies to try and make it healthier and stronger through good lifestyle choices.
dreaded concept of “bikini body season.” It is a natural progression as a teenager to figure There are few creatures more self-aware on God’s out what nourishment works for their body, but Earth than teenage girls. My friends and I through first they have to figure out what exactly does these past couple of years have tried quite a few not work… and there is only one way to do that. different eating and workout regimens to try and I personally have tried out what a vegan diet achieve this illusory and indeterminate physical feels like, a vegetarian diet, high protein diets ideal. The goals of some of the girls range etc. (I would like to take a moment to thank my anywhere from having a “six pack abs” to having family members for their patience through my “a Victoria’s secret body” and some even being as dietary experimentation). specific as saying they do not want the tops of their inner thighs to touch while they walk. This is normally only permissible for girls with a very slender frame and has a lot to do with genetics as well.
Anyway, what it all comes down to is through this process one can either struggle with certain
every kickboxing session, yoga class, sports practice or cardio session.
5’11 amazon across the pool, I’m going to remember every mile that I’ve run, rep that I’ve
I do not think there is a big problem with girls altering their eating habits or going on “diets” as
completed, and bootcamp that I’ve finished. My body was with me every step of the way and never quit on me, and for that, I am very thankful.
extremes with their diet or take what they learned from it and supplement it into a moderate, reasonable lifestyle. It is very difficult Many of my friends are strong, sporty athletes who to not compare and negatively critique one’s are very conscience about what they feed their own physique. bodies. Although many of them would love to be “model thin,” they appreciate just exactly what However, this bikini season instead of bringing their strong healthy bodies can do for them during myself down that I don’t have legs as long as the
long as they are getting enough quality calories to support their everyday needs. Now, don’t get me wrong, for every good eating regimen out there, there are about a hundred lousy “crash” diets that do not work to supplement it.
21 Jump Street By Jake Barrett Many of you may have seen the old television show called 21 Jump Street, but this is the movie/sequel of it. About all teenagers love comedy, explosions, clichés, and R rated movies, so this is the perfect movie for
adults, movies, schools, drugs, et cetera do. The characters are hilarious throughout the whole movie, and there is even a cameo from the TV series of the duo that was part of 21 Jump Street back in the day.
anyone. It starts out in high school in 2005 with a nerd and a jock as the main characters who are bitter enemies. After a brief intro they go through the police academy and become best friends, and partners. Then they get sucked into a secret undercover police op where they go back into high school to bust drug rings. Tons of stuff apparently changed in seven years at high school Personally, this was one of my favorite comedy because the nerd got in with the cool crowd of movies that I’ve ever seen, mostly because they environmentalist, drama, and attractive people just trash all of the modern clichés that we put up while the stud mixed with the nerds and with every day. geeks. All in all, the movie satirizes hundreds of Adults can relate to how things have changed typical high school clichés in hilarious while students can relate directly with the ways. Of course, there are also car chases, and even a limo chase, that have tons of comic relief from our two protagonists, as well as a few actionmovie clichés that they point out. This whole movie makes fun of stupid things that teens,
absurdity of everyday life. If you’re 17, you should definitely go see this movie, and if you’re younger, get your parents to see it too. (Don’t worry: there is only one scene that is potentially awkward if you see it with your parents that lasts about half of a second; otherwise it is a pretty clean movie except for the foul language, which adds to the hilarity.)
THE SPARTAN VOICE ACCEPTS THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES: The Spartan Voice is a newspaper operated by students at Wichita Collegiate School. Content in the Voice will consist of articles, editorials, letters, and any other material pertaining to the Wichita Collegiate community. The Spartan Voice was founded in the principle that all students should have an equal opportunity to share their opinion in an open, unbiased forum of discussion. Students, faculty, administrators, and parents make up the four fundamental parts of the Wichita Collegiate community. Although controversial subjects maybe featured in The Voice, no part of the community will be discriminated against. The views expressed in printed material do not necessarily represent the views of The Spartan Voice or Wichita Collegiate School. SPARTAN VOICE STAFF Serjay Sambros, EDITOR Wynn Hukle, Edgar Corrigan, Andrew Feist, Joey, O’Hara, James Engel, Perri Fisher, Bell Schwartz, Elly Vosburgh, Riley Kemmer, Jake Barrett, Diana Kim, Eric Kelly, Parth Khare, Kara Maloney, Brie Coyle, Christy Peterson, Reema Krichati, Mike Park.
Apple = $$$ By Mike Park
1) I don’t’ know man, I’m just a huge fan of Apple and simply like the company and that’s all 2) Well, it got faster and thinner.
A lot of critics say that it’s just a huge waste of money since there are barely a difference compare to the previous ones. Every time they come out with products they usually start off Apple is an American multinational corporation that by designs and sells consumer saying that the device got faster in general electronics, computer, software, and personal computers. Apple Inc. changed the world of electronics and computers to the whole new level: simple, affordable, and looks nice at the same time. It all started from Macintosh and led to the devices that now everyone almost have: iPhone, iPad, and Mac OS X operation systems. Apple Inc. comes out with new products every year. For example, this year, iPad 3 and
and got thinner. With that being said, then iPad 3 and iPhone 5 will be as fast as the speed of light and paper thin. I mean, seriously? What I am saying is that we can’t just believe everything that the selling company is telling us, I don’t just particularly mean Apple but in general. Most
consumers buy the Apple’s product without iPhone 5 are coming out and everyone is very excited any special reasons. They simply like the design about this news. and most importantly like its simplicity that But why do we buy these new products almost every holds single year? Are there any the perplexed function at the same time. particularly special reasons to it? When we ask almost 90% of the customers who buy Apple’s products every single and we ask them why they are buying it almost every year.
So this leads to an ultimate question, “Should we buy the Apple’s products every time they come out with new ones?” The answer is
Then most of the consumers will reply with something like this:
really up to you. It is your choice to buy it and it’s your responsibility to stay firm with your decision.
Tennis Season: An Interview with Coach Jillian By Parth Khare So Coach, what are your predictions for this season? “I think there is a lot of talent and it will be an exciting season.” How well do you think the guys will do? “They will do great with Seniors Clay Holden and Hunter Morrison leading the team.” What is the team’s weakness? “Freshman.” -_What is the team’s strength? “Ester Cho and I.” Do you think, in comparison, the boys will do better than the girls did?
“No. The girls are clearly superior to the boys, but, hopefully they can live up to our season.” Do you have any motivational quote for the team that you frequently use or plan to use? “Yes. YOLO.” What do you recommend as a healthy diet for the average tennis player? “Hunter Morris once told me, ‘Grapes, almonds.’” Does the team lack anything, materialistically speaking? “I don’t know how to answer that.” Do you think your players will have trouble maintaining good grades and be able to play tennis? “Tennis players are typically intelligent, so no.”
Spartan Golf: Somewhat of a Legacy By Riley Kemmer The Spartan Golf team is now somewhat of a legacy. After winning the state title 6 years in a row, it becomes pretty hard to improve. But this year it is definitely
Yolo
possible. The Spartans are lucky to return all of their top 6 from last season including two seniors from last year’s team: (1man) Harrison Morris (3man) Hunter Morris and (5man) Scott Sullivan.
By Andrew Feist
The Spartans not only return players from last year, but they also welcome a few new faces as well. James Engel, a transfer from Kapaun , and a senior this year looks to solidify his spot on top 6. Camron Chugg,
not mean that we should live the best life we can? How that would be done is the central idea of all the "Good Life" papers that are coming out of the Humanities class. I wish not to summarize my
an undersized freshman, is also competing for a varsity spot. Along with these two new comers there is Patrick Maloney, last year’s returning 4man who is looking to regain his spot after a hash week in qualifying.
paper or any supplemental thoughts on the subject, but rather, refute notions implying that living once justifies certain beliefs and actions. "YOLO" as a motto, commonly pushes
The Spartans have played in only one tournament this season so far but finished in first with two solid scores from Harrison Morris (74) and Riley Kemmer (75). Harrison was the individual champion as
people to take risks or act a way they would not usually. But think, why do we hesitate before we take risks? and why do we have a usual way in which we act? Because it is best for the long
well, while James Engel and Scott Sullivan placed in the top 10.
term. Whether you believe or not that we live only once, it would likely sound nice to live life to its fullest. Therefore "you only live once" does not really mean anything. Life is even,
You only live once or "YOLO": A common rational for irrational actions. However, if we only live one time, should that
despite conventional wisdom, pretty long (or at least seems such at our age). The life you live Cont. on next page
Yolo cont. now may be absolutely different than the life you live in 5 years, which can be different from that which you live in 10, 20, 30, etcetera. So in a way, on lives many different lives. These lives also effect each other chronologically
Mahatma Gandhi:
(in other words, how you live in high school Overrated and will have some effect on how you live after, in Underwhelming college, which will effect whatever is after by Andrew Elkouri that, and etcetera). Out of the swamp of civil disobedience Not only is the idea that "you only live once" abstractly inaccurate, it justifies, incorrectly, impulsive actions. For example, your friends approach you and suggest you do something mischievous like skip class or practice or go to that party. But we work so hard, either at school or sports, that skipping or risking getting caught drinking could squander all of that. "But hey, you only live once right? " If you genuinely believe doing whatever feels right or seems the most fun at the time will lead to your best possible life, the message is different; drop out of school and pursue a hedonistic path. For the rest of us, YOLO should inspire us to buckle down in whatever interests we have already, whether it be academics, sports or art, and strive to become the very best we can in our one and only life.
and nonviolence emerged the pioneer of the Indian independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi – the title Mahatma means “Great Soul.” Long before, but more conspicuously after Gandhi’s assassination in 1948, he became almost universally revered not only as a saint, but also as the noble emancipator of India from British rule. This view is rather overstated and grounded in historically inaccurate claims – such claims include, in particular, the idea that he was transcendently noble: a quality which is, no doubt, necessary for sainthood. George Orwell, at the outset of his 1949 essay Reflections on Gandhi, made a somewhat unsettling, but altogether fascinating suggestion: “Saints should always be judged guilty until they are proved innocent.” Gandhi’s innocence in both his beliefs and his actions, if we wish to judge him objectively, is certainly subject to critical scrutiny. Gandhi said that India’s greatest enemy is modernity, and therefore, that among its main concerns should be the fight against technology and industry, and the fight for antiquity and backwardness. In 1909, he wrote, “India’s salvation consists in unlearning what she has learnt during the past fifty years. The railways, telegraphs, hospitals, lawyers, doctors, and such like have all to go.” In addition to advocating the repulsive idea of “unlearning” and calling for the transformation into a completely regressive society, Gandhi believed that austerity and asceticism were good for the soul. This philosophy established the basis for Gandhi to justify starving himself moribundly, and living not Cont. on next page
modestly and frugally – as some people would generously put it – but destitutely and beggarly. And, as Christopher Hitchens noted in his book God Is Not Great, “millions of people would have mindlessly starved to death if [Gandhi’s] advice had been followed.” Moreover, Winston Churchill, as a matter of fact, favored allowing Gandhi to die if he went on another hunger strike. As for Gandhi’s passionate endorsement of satyagraha – civil disobedience – there are several drawbacks which are certain outcomes of such preachment. Perhaps the most salient of these drawbacks is the indisputable fact that peace – a subset of satyagraha in British India – is sometimes neither possible nor desirable; conflict, in other words, is often necessary. Gandhi confronted this particular issue of nonviolence – believing that it was universally applicable – in 1938, when he was asked the following questions, which I will paraphrase: “What about the Jews? Are you willing to see them massacred? If not, how are you going to save them without war or violence?” In his essay on the subject, Orwell summarizes Gandhi’s response to these questions: “the German Jews ought to commit collective suicide, which ‘would have aroused the world and the people of Germany to Hitler's violence.’” In 1946, Gandhi elucidated this point: “the Jews should have offered themselves to the butcher's knife. They should have thrown themselves into the sea from cliffs.” Gandhi justified himself later by arguing that the Jews died anyway, so they might as well have passed on in meaningful way. This is a rather weak point, seeing as he presumably had no foreknowledge of the Final Solution, and nonetheless advocated the mass suicide of the Jews. Furthermore, Orwell more or less irrefutably argues that “[i]t is difficult to see how Gandhi’s methods could be applied in a country where opponents of the régime disappear in the middle of the night and are never heard of again.” This is not only illustrative of the shortcomings of nonviolence, but it is also evidence that Gandhi might have had a poor understanding of totalitarianism, and had a more tunnelvisioned view of government – in particular, he understood the British Empire and its relation to India; but this was, it seems, the political horizon over which he could not clearly see. This is, of course, supported by the fact that every right-minded person who understands the totalitarian state, and the threats which it pose, finds nonviolence laughable in many cases.
In 1939, Gandhi said that “a single Jew standing up and refusing to bow to Hitler’s decrees” would be enough to “melt Hitler’s heart.” There are too few words in my vernacular to describe exactly how stupid of a point that is, and it could be promptly discredited by a slow fourth grader. In the same year, Gandhi sent an ingratiating letter to Hitler that began with the words “My friend.” There must have been some sort of line of immorality for Hitler to have crossed so that the supposed saint of India would refrain from calling him a friend. But apparently, Hitler fell short of that line. Shortly thereafter, when Marshal Pétain announced the surrender of France in 1940, Gandhi encouraged Britain to follow suit, in the most contemptible and nauseating way possible: “Let [Hitler and Mussolini] take possession of your beautiful island, with your many beautiful buildings. You will give all these, but neither your souls, nor your minds. If these gentlemen choose to occupy your homes, you will vacate them. If they do not give you free passage out, you will allow yourself, man, woman, and child, to be slaughtered, but you will refuse to owe allegiance to them.” I am confident that there is no sensible way to reconcile such a grotesque statement with Gandhi’s purported sainthood. It can, however, be reasonably maintained that Gandhi was not, in point of fact, a saint. This criticism is a microcosmic representation of a broader and more significant point – namely, the importance of thinking for oneself and questioning majority and especially consensus opinion cannot be stressed enough. If, for example, I was to say that Richard Nixon was a blockheaded, mendacious psychopath, who would disagree with me? Everybody knows that. But when, in the course of human reverence and hyperbole, an individual like Gandhi is deified, it becomes blasphemous to denounce him. It seems to me beyond any reasonable doubt that, in the case of Gandhi, such blasphemy is a victimless crime.