VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7
DECEMBER 9, 2011
THE SPARTAN VOICE
WICHITA COLLEGIATE SCHOOL
HOLIDAY EDITION
DIGITAL EDITION:WWW.THESPARTANVOICE.BLOGSPOT.COM
Spartan Holiday Spirit! On display in the foyer. STUCO sponsored a Salvation Army Angel Tree and helped boost the WCS food drive. FYI: Peanut Butter donations wanted by MONDAY!
“What no boy’s dance?” India Cohlmia
Harrison Morris “A Puppy, named Hunter.”
Trace Clark “A kitten.”
Sydney Lower “The super sweet calculator Mrs. Chrisler always talks about!”
We Have a Swimming Team? By: Jake Barrett Despite popular belief, we actually do have a swim team, and we have already gotten off to a good start. There have been a month’s worth of practices and two meets so far, and outlook for the state meet is already good. Practices in the morning are going well, and they aren’t as bad as many people originally thought. Almost everyone on the team agrees that they would rather have only morning practices. Our beginners are perfecting their strokes while the experienced swimmers continue to get stronger. At the first meet in Emporia, WCS finished fabulously. Rhys Powell and Sam Horner both won both of their individual events, as well as contributing to one first place relay and one second place relay, both qualifying for the state meet. In addition, the second place relay broke a WCS school record. Also in the relays were Trent Pirner and myself. Trent placed 3rd in the 100 breaststroke and 4th in the 100 butterfly, and I placed 3rd in the 100 backstroke and 4th in the 200 Individual Medley (IM). Even our beginners and underclassmen Mikey Hoekel, Andrew Steele, Arri Evans,
SWIM TEAM
Rhys Powell tries to recognize his teamates in clothes, Christian Kraft, Jake Barrett, Arri Evans, Andrew Steele & Mikey Hoekel.
and Christian Kraft finished well be great to see some friendly th with a 7 place finish in the relay. faces in the stands. Wish us Tuesday, our team luck as we continue our went to Emporia, where we season that competed well again, but it will hopefully end with was a meet with much tougher a successful run at the state competition. Our A relays meet! (Rhys, Sam, Trent, and me) The meet was much finished second, and Rhys, tougher, but we didn’t have Sam, Trent, and myself all much practice at all between last placed (1st through 6th) in one meet and this one. The next meet or both of their individual can only be better. events. People should try to come to a meet or two to support our team, and it would
NAUGHTY OR NICE?
“Marcel the Shell.....with shoes on.” Muscle milk hot chocolates
“To be 6ft tall.” Trevor Flamini
The Feist Fireplace Andrew Feist
Christmas season, especially "Winter
MOVIES New Year’s Eve 12/9 Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy 12/9 Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows 12/16 Mission Impossible: That guy 12/16 The Adventures of TinTin Steven Speilberg 12/16 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Daniel Craig 12/21 Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked 12/16 We Bought a Zoo Matt Damon 12/23 War Horse Steven Speilberg
12/25
Break," is a perfect time for three things: family time, holiday spirit, and curling up on the couch with a warm blanket to watch a movie. That that you're older, if you give it an is the reason why Christmas movies honest try-and forgive it for being are so successful and popular. There black and white-you may just enjoy it. Note: it is not as light hearted as is no better activity in the anticipating days of Christmas than Elf. A Christmas Story is a classic film to sit around the television with family and friends-perhaps even a fire in the hearth- and watch a holiday special-maybe have some peppermint hot chocolate as well. For this purpose, I offer you a short list of Christmas movie suggestions, that my family and I have watched over the years-with hot chocolate and a fire. 1. Home Alone 3. It's a Wonderful Life
with the famous boy who wants a Red Ryder BB Gun, but everyone tells him "You'll shoot your eye out!" Spoiler Alert: he may or may not get it and may or
may not shoot his eye out. The Grinch we all know the story of, we all know the classic Dr. Seuss story it's based on and have probably seen this Mike Myers version and
the classic animated version a numerous amount of times, but its 5. The Grinch good each time. Watch it just two 4. A Christmas Story Each of these have a different appeal or three times more. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town is a television and suit a different mood. Home special by ABC, technically not a Alone would be my first choice for an indiscriminate movie chooser, or movie, but made the list because it is, in my opinion, anyone who feels alone or even just devious. Elf, I'm certain most of my very under-rated. If you really like this, there are many other similar readers have seen many times, but for those who haven't, it is very silly
specials: The Year Without Santa Claus, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Rudolf's Shiny New Year, and Rudolf and Frosty's Christmas In
humor, with a heart-warming plot, good for a light hearted evening of laughter. It's a Wonderful Life has likely been crammed down your throat growing up, and you may now July. Have a Merry Christmas and resent the movie, but trust me, now Happy Holiday Season.
India...
Q. Favorite Christmas movie? A. A Christmas Story. Q. Favorite Christmas song or album? A. “Under the Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber
WHATS IN A NAME...?
Q. What do you do on Christmas day? A. My whole family comes over and we India Flora Gabrielle open presents together. It’s a Lebanese feast.
Cocoa Cohlmia
Q. Does your family use a real or fake Christmas tree? A. Switches on and off. Q. What presents are you asking for this year? A. A hunky man to come and make all my Christmas wishes true (; somebody like the Situation. Q. If you could have any gift in the world, what would it be? A. To be on JERSEY SHORE. Q. Do you do anything special during the season? A. I write Christmas raps and then perform than for my family and friends- “Yo Yo Yo, it’s Christmas time snitchessssss” Q. Naughty of nice? A. ohhh naughty! Q. Cider of hot cocoa? A. Cider… cause I’m spice! Q. Grinch or Santa? A. Grinch.. I was always a sucker for Dr. Seuss. Q. If you could have anyone come celebrate Christmas with you and your family, who would it be and why? A. I would say Justin Bieber because he’s Jesus reincarnated. Q. Favorite Christmas food? A. PEEPS for anytime of year.
HOME....Bell Schwartz In 1954 Perry Como sang out, “Oh there’s no place like home for the holidays,” but is there? Everyone has their own personal set of traditions that they like to follow. Some people look forward to waking up Christmas morning in their house, other people treasure being at family member’s homes, and more recently some people would rather just vacation. For the people who cherish being at home during the holidays, traveling or vacationing is just inconceivable for them. According to Cora Burgoyne she would rather be home during the holidays because, it doesn’t feel like Christmas if she isn’t at home. On the contrary Brianna Lowden said she would rather vacation then endure holiday traditions with the family because, Wichita sucks and she would rather be somewhere warm than freezing in Wichita. Personally when my family went to Lawrence for Thanksgiving, I hated it. I found myself just totally miserable because, I wanted to be in my own home to celebrate and the idea of not being at my house when I wake up Christmas morning is mind-boggling. However, no matter how your family celebrates for the Holidays, I hope that everyone has an amazing holiday break and that wherever you spend it, you enjoy it!
Diana: “I wake up and open presents… That’s all.”
CHRISTMAS WISHES?
Jake Provenzano: “Sleeping in
SPARTANS ♥ SANTA
my sister Claire’s room.” Kara Maloney: “Watching the Grinch and Elf while baking Christmas cookies with my sister.” Mr. Wren: “My sisters and their families and my brother and me, go to church with our parents on Christmas Eve. Then we go to my mother’s house and celebrate. After that we go home and sleep, then we wake up early and go back my mother’s and open presents. It is now a tradition for my mom to make blueberry muffins, and we drink coffee and mimosas.”
Tyler Dobbs “Books.” Mr. Myers “A Missouri Valley Championship for the Shockers.”
PAPER TWEET:
Coach
Fiegel: “Favorite memory was when my grandparents still lived on their farm, there was an aluminum Christmas tree with a color wheel. The tree would light up in different
Essence: “Snow ball fights and drinking hot chocolate on Christmas morning.”
colors, and since it was the only tree it made the whole room light up.”
Mrs. King: “My whole family gets together and we make sugar cookies. This year will be Mason’s first year.”
“I want a new Puppy.” Lauren Copher
Mr Bixler: “Luminaries at Grace Presbyterian church on Christmas Eve walking around and awaiting Santa’s arrival.”
Books for the person who has everything.....
Food Drive dance, Thanksgiving Concert, Joey’s Humanities notes on his computer, Pep Rally, Chess matches and Basketball study hall.
The Gifts of Christmas
Quisque Lacinia: Phasellus tincidunt ipsum id quam. Quisque lacinia.
By Diana Kim Christmas 2011 is soon on the way, which not only means receiving presents, but giving presents. Having trouble looking for something in your price range? There are many gadgets and fun stuff I found on the internet that I thought might give you an idea of what to get. I was literally just looking through some websites that caught my eye. Seriously, though.
Top 10 Fascinating Gifts: 1. iPhone 4S - Of course, iPhones always make it to the top ten list. Starting at $199 2. Flying Alarm Clock - Having trouble waking up? Let this alarm wake you up while you struggle to catch it while it flies around your room. - $11.99 3. Skyrim - $72.99 (starting) 4. Jukebox iHome - This iHome not only plays your music, it gives your boring room a little 50’s vintage spice. - $159.99 5. Uggs - Sweater weather gets even better with this cozy, threestyles-in-one silhouette. Cable-knit Merino wool cuff can extend above the knee, detach, or fold down over the traditional Twinface sheepskin boot.$250.00 6. Beats by Dr. Dre - Dr. Dre Solo on-ear headphones have a smaller, lighter design than the bigger ones, but offer great sound quality. Ideal for digital music, these headphones provide deep bass, a bold midrange, and clear, undistorted treble so you can hear every detail. - $179.00 - $199.00 7. LED Jellyfish Mood Lamp - Just something to make your room a little prettier and to give it a relaxed feeling. - $29.99 8. Onesie Pajamas - $19.99 Hot gifts for 2011!
9. Teddy Bear with Chocolates - $9.99 (minimum) 10. Custom make Nike Shoes online Starting at $435!
The Willing to Compromise Movement* By Andrew Elkouri
*Titled by Mr. Ron Darmon.
In the past years there has been a clamorous emergence of outspoken political movements. The Tea Party began in 2009, and Occupy Wall Street two years later. The conflict between these two groups will never end because neither is willing to compromise. What’s discouraging is that to join either of these groups, the main requirements are unbelievable stubbornness and the ability to plug one’s ears when hearing the voice of reason. And that is the problem: the voice of reason – however loudly it may shriek – remains unheard. At this point, a troubled reader might wonder: “What entitles Andrew, a thoughtless charlatan, to decide what is reasonable and what is not?” The impression I get, from a painstaking analysis of the aforementioned movements, is that not only are their participants ardent radicals, but they’re also foolishly provocative. This results in deep-seated tenacity and a political gridlock follows naturally. If the public felt more inclined to vote for bipartisan policies, the congressmen would follow suit. The prevention of compromising stems from a firm attachment to one’s party, and consequently, an inability to recognize the other party’s ideas as effective. If we could just gather a group of open-minded protestors and call them the “Willing to Compromise” movement, they would get a surprising amount of political leverage. The question now becomes, “Why haven’t we seen such a party emerge?” What the polls tell us is that most Americans identify themselves as “Independents or Don’t Know.” The majority of people fall into the latter group, even if they label themselves as “Republican” or “Democrat.” And in all likelihood, that demographics’ tagline is something like “I have no opinion on the matter.” These are the types of people who never take sides in arguments and always aim to please. Either that or they don’t understand the argument in the first place. In any case, one thing is clear: this group of people lacks powerful conviction, and thus, lacks incentives to protest. The reason we haven’t seen what we call “Moderate Republicans” or “Moderate Democrats.” form such a party is the following. They do not exist. There is no conclusive ideology of the moderate. Therefore it is impossible for a group to call themselves “moderates” because each would have different views. For these people to even gather, it would have to be a “big tent” party, and such parties have little influence on policy. If the group formed, one could go to their rally and ask “What do you want?” and one would get hundreds of contradicting answers. Since a “willing to compromise” movement is impossible, that leaves us to choose between two evils.
Top Christmas Albums 2011 1. Michael Buble: Christmas 2. My Morning Jacket: iTunes Session 3. Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album Vol. 2 4. Justin Beiber: Under the Mistletoe (Deluxe Edition) 5. Vince Guaraldi Trio: A Charlie Brown Christmas 6. The Killers: (RED) Christmas 7. Various Artists: The Essential NOW That’s What I Call Christmas 8. Josh Groban: Noel 9. Various Artists: Number 1’s: Christmas 10. Taylor Swift: Taylor Swift Holiday Collection 11. Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas 12. Andrea Bocelli: My Christmas 13. Justin Beiber: Under the Mistletoe 14. Various Artists: The Sing-Off: Songs of the Season 15. Martina McBride: White Christmas By Kara Maloney.
WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?
Angelo “I want Trevor because he is the next best thing to a puppy.” Esther Cho “ I want a vampire boyfriend.”
Chrismahanukwanzakah Elly Vosburgh Decorations are up, presents are being bought and Christmas music heard on the radio. Everyone, including Collegiate, is preparing for the usual Christmas holiday. But wait … what about the students that don’t celebrate Christmas? Millions of Americans don’t celebrate Christmas. Islam, Buddism Judaism, among others, are religions that don’t recognize the Christmas course there is the all-inclusive expression “Happy Holidays”, but its not changing labels and expressions. The holiday season is a chance to spend family and friends, but it could also be used to find out something more a friend that isn’t celebrating this season. Take the time to learn about others or holiday celebrations that friends or family members may celebrate. But and be aware of other celebrations. So keep in mind that there are several cultures in our Collegiate community, and take the time this year to celebrate diversity. Apple iPhone 4S (No Duh!): Starting at $199 Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Not Released Yet Amazon Kindle Touch: $199 Apple Macbook Air (Fall 2011): Starting at $999 for 11 inch and $1299 Apple Macbook Pro (Fall 2011): Starting at $1199 for 13 inch, 1799 for 15 inch, and 2499 for 17 inch Nokia Lumia 800: Coming Soon Sony PlayStation Vita: $249.99 IPAD 2: Starting at $499 for 16 GB Asus Transformer Prime Tablet: Starting at $499 for 32 GB Xbox 360 Kinect Console :
By Parth Khare
Remember Osawatomie by Edgar Corrigan
Obama’s speech in Kansas this past Wednesday left the American people with two questions. The first question being how President Obama would structure his re-election campaign around his economic policy, and the second question being where the hell is Osawatomie, Kansas? According to city’s Wikipedia page, Osawatomie, is a city located in located in Miami County, which is about 61 miles southwest of Kansas City. The city of Osawatomie also has much historical significance. President, Theodore Roosevelt, delivered his famed “New Nationalism” speech in Osawatomie in 1910. The city’s historical significance played a big role inPresident Obama’s speech Wednesday. Obama, throughout his speech, paralleled the current economic state of America, with the America of 1910. Obama, like Roosevelt nearly a hundred years before, recognized the importance of the free market in America. Obama is quoted as saying, “The free market has led to prosperity and a standard of living unmatched by the rest of the world.” Obama is clearly reverent of the historical significance that the free market has had on the United States. However, as we begin to analyze the speech further, we begin to see the many basic misunderstandings that our own President has about economic progress. Starting off, Obama delivers a striking statement, “But Roosevelt also knew that the free market has never been a free license to take whatever you can from whomever you can. He understood the free market only works when there are rules of the road that ensure competition is fair and open and honest. And so he busted up monopolies.” This is an important quotation because it’s shows how little President Obama really understands about free market economics. By drawing parallels to Roosevelt, Obama virtually outlines his plan for dealing with the United States economy. The paradox lies within the syntax of the quotation. By using terminology like the “rules of the road”, Obama cryptically implies that regulation is needed for a productive free market economy. The problem is that regulation and the free market cannot co-exist. Regulation is antithetical to free market, and as soon as the economy is regulated, it ceases to be free at all. Though President Obama’s misunderstanding of economic theory is striking, his theory on individualism is “jaw dropping.” Obama then delivers the concerning quotation, Sure, they say, there will be winners and losers. But if the winners do really well, then jobs and prosperity will eventually trickle down to everybody else. And, they argue, even if prosperity doesn't trickle down, well, that's the price of liberty. cont next page THE SPARTAN VOICE ACCEPTS THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES: The Spartan Voice is a newspaper operated by students at Wichita Collegiate School. Content in the Voicce 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 comunnity. 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 Andrew Feist, Perri Fisher, James Engel, Elly Vosburgh, Bell Schwartz, Jake Barrett Diana Kim, Wynn Hukle, Parth Khare, Riley Kemmer, Kara Maloney, Christi Peterson & Eric Kelley
THE SPARTAN VOICE
Remember Osawatomie Cont.
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Now, it's a simple theory. And we have to admit; it's one that speaks to our rugged individualism and our healthy skepticism of too much government. That's in America's DNA. And that theory fits well on a bumper sticker. But here's the problem: It doesn't work. It has never worked.” As we further examine this statement, we begin to see some fatal flaws. American individualism has not only benefitted every single one of you reading this, but it has also benefitted the speaker in profound ways. In fact, this is a rather ironic statement coming from a man who has made millions by selling an autobiography, but that’s beside the point. If we look deeper into this issue, we can be enlightened. Life has winners and losers. Why shouldn’t the economy? The truth of the matter is as soon as the government regulates the economy they
become the entity choosing
others do not. We as
winners and losers in the economy. There will always be winners and losers in the economy, and regulation just creates a more artificial
Americans get in trouble when we become entrenched in this idea of inequality and entitlement. Neither of these ideas stays
and bureaucratic way of deciding them. Towards the end of his speech delivered Wednesday, Obama delivered a quotation that served to
true to the American spirit. Individualism is at the heart of all we do, and more importantly is fuel of our society. America is founded on
summarize the entirety of his speech. But there's an even more fundamental issue at stake. This kind of gaping inequality gives lie to the
the principles of individualism (i.e. the Declaration of Independence, DUH). We as a society can never lose sight of each
promise that's at the very heart of America: that this is a place where you can make it if you try. The lesson of the speech can be obtained
person’s own individuality because it is the only factor keeping us from totalitarian rule.
through these lines. We as students at Wichita Collegiate School are not entitled to anything. The reality is that sometimes even if you try, you
Remember Osawatomie.
don’t always make it, and that Inequality is a part of life. Some students are naturally gifted, while others have to scrap through their academic careers. Some students get accepted to the most prestigious universities, while Mayor of Osawatomie: Philip A. Dudley
SPARTAN BASKETBALL @Cheney Saturday Night Boys 7:45pm Girls t.b.a. check catchitkansas tonight (100 West 6th Avenue St. Cheney) Next Home Game: Tuesday!
S, DAY VOICE I L HO AN PPY SPART HA e , th love