The Tiger Print — February 2005

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the blue valley high

BV Made: Editor tries wrestling for a day

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P R I N T

Issue 6 Vol. 34 Feb. 11, 2005

6001 W. 159th Stilwell, Kan. 66085 (913) 239-4800

‘05 Sweetheart Dance to have retro theme, more unified spirit days Jessica Katzenstein Staff Writer

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pandex and beads, anyone? After an assembly, a retro-themed spirit week and a hall-decorating competition, Blue Valley will embrace the ’80s at the Sweetheart Dance tomorrow from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

“Student Council chose the theme because they think the ’80s are weird,” art department chair Mark Mosier said.

Senior Stuco members Ali Pollock and Hillary Freeman disagreed.

“Everyone wanted the theme,” Pollock said. “Lots of seniors liked the idea.

It’s fun and different.”

The Sweetheart assembly took place last Friday and introduced Sweetheart royalty, recognized state debaters, music state qualifiers, swimming state qualifiers and scholastic awards and featured previews for spirit week costumes.

Spirit Week kicked off with superhero day on Monday, followed by ’80s movie day on Tuesday, ’80s music day on Wednesday, retro sports day on Thursday and the ever-popular black and gold day on Friday.

“There can’t be another school in the country with more kids wearing school colors on black and gold day,” associate principal Mark Dalton said.

Homecoming may have its parade, but Sweetheart has a hall-decorating contest, with each class vying for first place. The contest began Thursday at 3 p.m., and the winning class will be announced Friday.

“There’s not much decoration change from the ’80s to now,” Dalton said. “The kids will have a tough job, but they’ll be up to it.”

Indeed, defining the era of “Schoolhouse Rock” can be difficult for those who didn’t live it. The ’80s featured feathered or crimped hair, big hoop earrings, breakdancing and Thriller jackets. So if students start break dancing at Sweetheart, do not be alarmed; they are

only demonstrating their love of the ’80s.

“Historically, this has been a great dance,” Mosier said. “There’s usually not too much inappropriate stuff. It’s just a nice evening.”

In theory, girls ask the guys to Sweetheart-an appreciated role reversal for the guys, who let the females do the asking and pay for the evening. The cost to be admitted to Sweetheart is $8 per student and $15 per couple.

So for those looking for a pleasant evening filled with Spandex and the strains of Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel,” Sweetheart is the place to be.

DANCE PARTY

We love the ‘80s...

Dance offers fancy dining options to those looking for entertainment

Dresses provide blast to past Emily Kuykendall Staff Writer

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he ’80s were a time of crimped hair, puffy sleeves, and pumps.

Nowadays, the look that most students go for on the night of a formal dance is a little more tame. The Sweetheart Dance, held tomorrow, will be like opening the doors to a different era when you step inside.

You might not find the usual elegant hairstyles, long flowing gowns or strappy heels. The theme of this year ’s Sweetheart Dance is “The ’80s.”

A lot of people are going all out for this dance and had fun shopping for their perfect ’80s look.

“It was fun going to a lot of vintage stores and trying on all the dresses. The styles back then were something I probably wouldn’t wear now, but it was still cool to find something fun for the dance,” junior Jenna Southerland said.

At this Sweetheart , you might be able to go a little wilder with your outfit. Just take a look at some of the old ’80s movies. It seemed like everyone’s style was more crazy and fun. The colors could be as safe as a pastel pink or as outrageous as neon.

Lace could be layered on top of any dress or worn as a glove without fin-

Brad Chinery

Connor Humphrey

Salar Pankonin

gers. Pearl necklaces overlapped each other and most girls wore pumps. Hair was crimped or pulled off to the side with an oversized bow for a fun look. With a variety of styles, dresses could be strapless, off the shoulder or have puffy sleeves with volume, but it seemed that just about every dress had layers of netting underneath for an enhanced skirt.

Guys sported extremely skinny ties and some managed to pull off ruffled shirts.

Fashion isn’t the only difference between eras. Music played today at dances is usually rap, but in the ’80s, it was upbeat pop that kept people’s feet dancing all night. “’80s music is the best music ever, so it’s going to be more fun to dance to,” junior Chrissy Ewell said. “Except for things like ‘Cotton-Eyed Joe,’the music they usually play at dances is all right, but this is going to be so much more fun this time.”

Whether you go all out or not, Sweetheart is sure to be a great time.

Kyle Rogers

David Tafreshi

Nick Speed

S

weetheart is tomorrow.

Do you have a place to eat? Well, for your sake, let’s hope so. It would be really difficult to try and show up somewhere and actually get a seat. Many students made their plans weeks, maybe even months ago. Many different restaurants make good business during the formaldance season.

“One of my favorite things to do ever,” junior Jacob Tupper said “is to pay a lot of money for dinner before a dance.”

Hereford House, Ya Ya’s, the Bristol, Yahooz, all of these places are prime spots for an expensive dinner. For a pre-formal-dance-supper, guys can be expected to drop $50-100.

These dead presidents buy salads, steaks or fish and a dessert. The meal also usually comes with some sort of bread and your choice of potato.

“We are going

junior Tiffany Mitchell pictured above in her Sweetheart dress

Veronica Foltz

Cecily Halloran

to the Hereford House.” senior Geno Waters said. “I figured a nice steakhouse would be a good place to take my lil’ baby.”

This Sweetheart Dance is supposed to be a WPA dance. Women Pay All, though some girls don’t live up to their responsibilities. These sorts of dances have been happening for years now. The tradition of women paying has been filtered out through the years.

“I am definitely not paying for anything,” senior Stephanie Grossman said. “My boyfriend wouldn’t let me pay.”

The other popular trend is to host a dinner at one’s house. This usually involves steaks and lots of preparation time. The advantage to this idea is that the girls get out of paying and the parents do all of the work.

“We are going to some girls house for dinner,” senior Bobby Bennett said. “They said it would be more fun that way, but I think they are cheap.”

Whether the guy is paying or the girl isn’t, or you go to a restaurant or to someone’s house, the fact is everyone going to the dance needs a place to eat. It’s the number one thing to do.

Kaley Miller

Jessica Teel

Stephanie Woehrle

Congratulations to BV’s National Merit Finalists

Front page edited by Kyle Rogers

Katie Beye

Senior countdown: days

Andrew Baldwin

Kristen Trum

2 NEWS Feb. 11, 2005

Page Edited by Maneeza Iqbal

A thing to remember

Speaking Briefly

BV makes history winning first in 4 -speaker, 2 -speaker debate Jessica Katzenstein Staff Writer

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ebate history was made at the state tournament Jan. 22 at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka. No Kansas debate squad in 5A or 6A has ever won both the four-speaker and twospeaker events at state — until now.

“The kids were amazed,” debate coach Chris Riffer said. “They worked many hours for this.”

Blue Valley’s debate squad prepared three weeks for the tournament. They researched to stay current, practiced and drilled themselves for hours.

“The goal of winning state is always set,” Riffer said.

“It’s a lofty goal and tough to achieve.”

The winning teams proved themselves capable. Sam Barton, Katie Beye, Brett Farmer and Mandie Payton won the four-speaker event with a 13-1 winning record, triumphing narrowly over Miege’s 12-2.

Kristen Trum and Greg Allen showed they were up to the goal as well, winning the two-speaker with an 8-1 record.

“It felt good to win, but it’s also hard to feel like you’ve really accomplished anything,” Allen said. “Everything has already been done. This squad has already won seven state championships.”

Emily Beye and Eric Min also went to state, placing fourth in two-speaker. Derreck Mayer, Sarah Geoffrion, Andrea Hiesberger and Christine Hansen held a 3-3 record after the tournament.

“We were happy for the squad but

Debate coach Chris Riffer shows the class one of the many trophies that the team has received. The debate team prepares for each debate by doing an extensive amount of research and practice.

Photo by Autumn Fuller

unsatisfied with our record,” Hiesberger said.

Kate Reno was the team captain. Brett Bolton and Dan McGillivray accompanied the squad as alternates and unofficial cheerleaders.

Between rounds this year, the squad relaxed and talked about the competition.

“We basically complained about everything between rounds,” Min said.

They also ate, talked to students from other schools, made new friends and prepared for their next debates.

“We played with the turtle in the science department,” Payton said.

After the tournament, the squad went to dinner at Golden Corral, where they held an eating contest.

“Brett Farmer won after a mysterious bathroom visit,” Allen said.

The squad owed part of their success this year to being older and more experienced than they were last year.

“They worked harder this year,” Riffer said.

“There was a lot of talent both years, but this year all the breaks went our way.”

The debate squad placed third last year in both two-speaker and four-speaker.

“We weren’t sure we were going to win,” Katie Beye said. “We were stressed before the competition.”

State Debaters, Katie Beye and Brett Farmer present the State Debate trophy to “It’s hard to win both Principal Scott Bacon at the Sweetheart assembly. The debate team has won many events,” Emily Beye said. other state titles, but it is usually in either two speaker or four speaker. However, last “It was awesome when year the debate team took third place. Photo by Katie Swatek they won.”

The disrict bond issue for $279.98 million was passed when all the mail-in ballots were tabulated Feb. 1. The bond was passed with a 62.5 percent to 32.5 percent margin. The money will be used to build five new schools in the next five years. The first project will be to build Elementary School 21.

This bond vote had the highest yes vote tally for the district, even though it was the second largest bond in the history of the district.

Tiger Print editor Kyle Rogers recently won the Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship. Rogers will attend an all-expenses paid conference in Washington D.C. from March 20-24. Rogers was one of 102 top high school journalism students in the country to be chosen for this award.

He also received a $1,000 scholarship.

On March 23 Rogers will attend an awards ceremony with media leaders, diplomats and other distinguished guests.

The Foreign Language Department had its annual culture day on Feb. 4. Every hour students from the different languages got together to eat and celebrate the different cultures. Students volunteered to bring food that was native to the culture of their specific language. During fifth and sixth hour, Laura Cantu and Louis Bar, six-time U.S. and French championship dancers, came to perform different dances from around the world. The dancers performed dances like the salsa and the tango.

Preparations for After-Prom are under way and the PTO needs help. The PTO is asking for more parents-volunteers for the night. The group needs parents to help for setup, games, entertainment, decoration, food and registration.

The PTO also needs more donations. Parents and businesses can help by donating cash or prizes. The help the PTO receives will go toward providing a safe and enjoyable evening for students. If you can help, please contact Jean Prouty (voice mail 888-1300) or Teri Chinery (voice mail 404-1400).

The flu has hit Blue Valley. On Monday about 16.4 percent of the student body called in sick or left school early. The school had to call the Johnson County Health Department because more than 15 percent of the school was gone.

On Monday two other area schools also called the health department because of sickness. According to nurse Barbara Cecil, closing school automatically because of illness is an “urban legend.” Closing a school because of sickness is at the school’s discretion.

The drill team traveled to St. Louis for a competition on Feb. 5. On the way there, the tarp that the team performed on fell off the bus.

Allegedly, the bus driver forgot to lock the door all the way. In the end, the team got the tarp back and had to use the sponges from their performance to clean it.

At the competition, the A-guard did not make it to finals, but Open-guard made it to finals.

However, at finals the team earned a 53 out of 100.

W ild E xP ressions

For All Your Sweetheart Needs $1.25 Off Corsages Jan Maleta~15111 Metcalf Overland Park, KS 66223 $.50 Off Boutonnieres Phone: 913-897-4230 www.wildexp.com Fresh & Dried Varieties

NEWS 3 Feb. 11, 2005

Page Edited by Maneeza Iqbal

Because ‘Anything Goes’

Above: Reno Sweeny, Kaitlyn Davidson, poses for pictures in the musical as she boards the ship. Reno Sweeny is a big star who performs on the ship. Throughout the musical people on the boat are starstruck by her presence. Right: Sir Evelyn (Steven Karlin), Mrs. Harcourt (Mandie Payton) are shocked as Moonface (Matt Crooks) makes crude comments. Moonface is a robber trying to blend in with the crowd as the police look for him.

Photos by Adam Lary.

BV students’ dedication brings musical to stage ut

de the C a M o h W

Adam Lary Opinion Editor

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he echoes of tap shoes and the sound of singing voices rose to a crescendo as the cast of the spring musical, Anything Goes, ran through a rehearsal of Act One last Tuesday.

“The musical itself is very crazy in general,” said junior Tosin Morohunfola, who plays the purser. “Working with such a big group of people is fun, and it’s exercise.”

“We try to choose a musical we think is best for the student body,” director Dan Schmidt said.

“We very seldom do serious, dramatic musicals.”

The musical, a comedy premiering Feb. 17-19, has already taken hundreds of hours of practice,

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and hundreds more will be spent in the upcoming weeks before opening night. As a musical, emphasis is put on the singing and dancing.

Schmidt has hired a professional choreographer, Anne McCrosky, to coordinate all the elements of the dance routine. About every other day, the cast must practice its singing and dancing skills.

“They dance their tails off in this show,” Schmidt said. “We’re ahead with a lot of things, but there’s still some singing that needs to be worked on.”

Casting for the play began in late November and rehearsals began in December. Tickets went on sale during lunch starting yesterday and will cost $5.

“Casting was done very well,” senior Matt Crooks said. “Really everyone works hard doing what the directors say.”

The cast rehearses everyday after school until about 6 p.m. in order to get ready for opening night. With all

the time needed for practice, balancing school and the musical can be difficult.

“You have to be very disciplined,” senior Kaitlyn Davidson said. “You can’t really mess around.”

Middle and elementary school students also play a role.

“There are supposed to be families, so we had to go younger,” Crooks said. “[The kids] are very professional and always have great attitudes,” Schmidt said.

With only a week until opening night, the cast and crew are doing their best to get ready.

“The show is so big and grand that making it pull together is just tough,” Schmidt said. “But the audience will love it.”

Set construction began during winter break. The theater department hired Van Ibsen, a theatre teacher at St. Mary’s, to construct the major stage units. Schmidt’s stagecraft class is in charge of the rest.

Choir to go to Disney World to perform live Brady Skjervem Staff Writer

S The chambers choir practices new music, “Five English Folk Songs.”Photo by Maneeza Iqbal

ome school activities include playing teams a few hours away, others take the day off to have a tournament, and some even take a few days off from school to go to a conference, but how many classes have actually go to Disney World?

Chambers is the only one at Blue Valley. Starting the day before spring break, the chambers students will be leaving on a plane trip to perform in front of the many visitors at Walt Disney World Sponsor Marsha Moeller sent a video tape of the chambers choir performing to a Walt Disney youth organization. Chambers was chosen to come and perform live. The class will arrive in Orlando and begin preparing for the concert they will be giving. The troop will be singing and dancing in the Magic

Kingdom’s Tomorrow land, a small part of Orlando, Florida’s Walt Disney World, and represent Blue Valley High School.

This will be the second time BVHS has been to Walt Disney World for they went in 1995. Performing on the New Galaxy Stage, the group will be singing their fall repertoire including songs like “Hot, Hot, Hot,” and “Cheek to Cheek”. The group will sing and dance for many of the visitors in Disney World and will perform for almost an hour. They will be gone for five days during the exciting event and plan on enjoying the trip to its fullest. “ We can’t wait to go,” senior Kaitlyn Davidson said. “We have been preparing since the fall and it will be great to finally perform.”

Stepping out of Kansas and experiencing a little more of America, the Chambers members will have the incredible opportunity to perform in one of America’s favorite vacation spots.

4 OPINIONS Feb. 11, 2005

Page Edited by Adam Lary

Characters teach tolerance

Staff Editorial

Senioritis

Maneeza Iqbal Editor-in-Chief

W

alking down the hall, I hear a lot of things. However, sometimes I hear talk that defames a certain group of people and their sexual identity.

However, certain recent events will not help the situation or increase acceptance.

According to a CNN report, influential Christian groups are protesta We goin’ istic ing Are Family Foundation music video.

The video, which will be distributed to 61,000 schools in March, stars Sponge Bob Square Pants, Barney and other popular cartoon characters that promote tolerance. According to the group, the movie is promoting homosexuality because at the end of the movie the cartoon characters take an oath to respect others’ differences including a person’s sexual identity.

I’m not promoting homosexuality nor am I defending it; all I’m saying is that people need to be tolerant.

The music video is a step toward helping kids tolerate other people’s differences.

The movie doesn’t show gay or lesbian behavior. The music video is just that, a music video. The characters dance around and at the end promise to be tolerant of other students’ differences.

Parents might be concerned about why the movie uses popular cartoon characters. Simple. Kids relate to these characters better. These characters are targeted toward the a younger age group. Who better to promote friendship to kids than Barney?

If the group wanted to make a movie targeted toward teenagers, they would use popular actors, musicians and athletes.

Fine, people can have their own opinions about homosexuality, but the video is only asking kids to respect other people’s differences. The movie isn’t telling kids to go out and be homosexual. But instead, it’s asking kids not to repeat another Columbine or Matthew Shepard incident.

The movie just says to respect your peers, not necessarily to be best friends with them.

If people promise to respect a person’s sexual identity and not pick on or beat up on them, does that mean they are promoting homosexuality?

No. It just makes people decent.

iqbal

A

s another semester comes and goes, a new attitude sneaks its way into the Class of 2005.

With the end in sight, priorities shift from studying for next week’s test to finding a good hotel to stay at during spring break. Seniors are no longer worrying about how much homework they have; instead, they are focusing on what the theme will be at Friday night’s basketball game. Sure, there are the overachievers that haven’t lost a bit of drive since the first grade, but the majority of the senior class has already thrown in the towel.

The reason for this apathetic behavior, as the seniors say, is because they can no longer see the point in trying.

Because they have already earned the required credits for graduation and have already been accepted into the college or university of their choice, they are certain that putting effort into schoolwork is a waste of time.

In response to this behavior, principal Scott Bacon held a senior class meeting where he stressed the importance of academics and preached his idea of “run to finish.” He explained how the students need to maintain discipline and work hard for the rest of the year. His emphasis on the fact that the Class of

As the classic disease sets in, the Class of 2005 must ‘run to finish’

2005 has the ability to be one of the most academically accomplished classes in Blue Valley history was his attempt at using pride as a sense of motivation.

There is one other thing that should be used as a motivator for the Class of 2005: the future. Now, it is reasonable to consider graduation as a major finish line, and seniors should indeed “run to finish.” But life doesn’t “finish” after graduation. No, life goes on. Life goes on to a college, a career, a family, all of which are not simply handed out like detention slips. They are all achieved through hard work, dedication and motivation.

The easy thing would be to give up, and those who are looking for a high school diploma can go ahead and give up. But those who are looking for more than a high school diploma need to keep going, for success doesn’t grow on trees.

With graduation only months away, the Class of 2005 needs to look back at what they have accomplished so far.

They need to realize their potential and remember it’s not how you start; it’s how you finish. When they walk across the stage in May, they will be the farthest thing away from finished. They’ll be just beginning. For there is so much more life to be lived, and it’s how hard one works that determines how that life is lived.

The capitalist’s holiday Valentine’s Day lost meaning, replaced by marketing tools Matt Galloway Staff Writer

H

appy Monday. Or, for the more romantically blind out there, happy Valentine’s Day, a day to spend money on loved ones through corny cards and stuffed animals that will be stored away in a few days. Valentine’s Day is a holiday where the primary motive is money. It may feel good to have a loved one express his/her love for you, why is there a special day for this? Shouldn’t it happen every day?

The fact is, instead of pleasantly surprising someone you care about, Valentine’s Day causes people to expect gifts, be taken out to expensive restaurants and given what they want for an entire day. The result if any of this doesn’t happen?

Greed and want take over the normal feelings of love and kindness.

While people are always told to remember the true meaning of Christmas, there is no meaning to Valentine’s Day. Even the story of St. Valentine is filled with myth. Some say he wrote the first Valentine letter, others claim he died for his

love of Christianity. But with all the commercialism now associated with Valentine’s Day, it wouldn’t shock anyone if he went onto create Hallmark.

Speaking of Hallmark, there is no creativity used when buying cards with catchy sayings on them. Shelling out cash to give someone a writer’s love note shouldn’t impress anyone, and it usually doesn’t. But that is the problem; we’ve come to expect the stuffed bears, boxes of chocolates and emotional cards. True love shouldn’t need materialistic things to flourish. Then again, most relationships that revolve around Valentine’s Day don’t last anyway. Every wallet has its bottom.

Don’t get the wrong idea from this. Valentine’s Day, in theory, is a great concept. Everyone loves a little attention sometimes. However, when that attention turns into an expectation-fueled holiday that runs on capitalism and lowering self-esteem, Valentine’s Day becomes a stressful, and often hurtful, holiday to the majority of people who have to endure it each year.

OPINIONS 5 Feb. 11, 2005

Page Edited by Adam Lary

Sound Off:

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sophomore Anthony Bertolone

“

I think it still holds love because it’s a holi day for both love and romance

Of course there are compa nies that are going to try to make money off of Valentine’s Day but it still holds meaning

”

Valentine’s Day; commercialism or kisses?

Valentine’s Day still holds mean ing because you wake up in the morning and have that bubbly feeling in side I just want to give every one a hug

“ ”

If you have some one to spend it with it’s mean ingful but for those who don’t have anyone it seems like compa nies are just trying to make money junior Casie Temple

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freshman Nicole DeFranco

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senior Ryan Wallace photo poll by Shay Alford

NEW things that are getting

OLD New Guinea New Theatre Restaurant New England New World Order

TIGER PRINT STAFF

How long is something new?

Emily Kuykendall Staff Writer

I

t’s a fact that all things age over time, but if you think about it, do they really? Nothing is supposed to stay new forever. If that was not true, then we’d all have found the ultimate fountain of youth. That is not the case though.

All things eventually get older and thus grow out of the “new” stage, but the question is, just how long can something be new?

Most of us have come to know and love MTV’s favorite newlyweds, Nick and Jessica. The show is entertaining and Jessica’s dimwitted comments and questions keep audiences laughing. But come on here, the show is in its third season and the couple has been married for about two and a half years already. Maybe MTV

should think about changing the name of the show to just weds.

Then we have our beloved country.

Many of the states were named hundreds of years ago, but do you think whoever named the states New Jersey, New Hampshire, or New York thought they might start to get a little old over the centuries?

Now that we’ve gone over T.V. and have even had a brief history lesson, let’s take a look at sports. We’ve watched the New England Patriots win game after game, Super Bowl after Super Bowl. Whether you like them or not, they’re a great football team. The point is, it’s not really new anymore and it’s getting pretty predictable. Even this past Sunday, the game was less that exciting. Though many Eagles fans hoped for the their team, it was no shock when their rivals claimed yet another Super Bowl title. Let’s face it, this whole New En-

Opinions Editor: Adam Lary

Artist: Garrett Griffin

Editors in Chief: Maneeza Iqbal, Kyle Rogers

Entertainment Editor: Kim Hieber

In-Depth Editor: Andrew Robinson

Features Editor: Michaela Cross

Staff Writers: Nick Speed, Matt Galloway, Emily Kuykendall, Jessica Katzenstein, Brady Skjervem

2004-2005

www.bv229.k12.us/bvhs/tigerprint.pdf (913)239-4946

Sports Editors: Michael Johnson, Adil Shabbir

Photo Editor: Brandon Lutz

Photographers: Shay Alford, Kendra Kruse, Autumn Fuller, Emily Kuykendall

gland Patriots thing getting old.

How about hitting something closer to home? Many radio stations are not only all claiming to be number one, but are also holding on to the word “new” in their titles. It gets old hearing it over and over when the stations have been on the air for a few years now. How about our New Century Airport Center in Olathe? The helicopter hangar is so old that it even has its own Legendary Ghost Tale and was featured in 2003 on an A&E special, “Haunted America.” To the army reservists working there, that news is nothing new and neither is the airport. The century it was built in has come and gone, leaving it new no longer.

When so many things are still claiming to be new, when they are in fact not new at all, it seems a little deceiving. The moral of this story?

Don’t lie about age.

Adviser: Susan Agee

The Tiger Print is published nine times a year for the students, faculty and the surrounding community of Blue Valley High School. It is an open forum for student expression. Therefore, the opinions expressed wihin this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration or Blue Valley School District #229.

6 FEATURES Feb. 11, 2005

Page Edited by Andrew Robinson

February Black History is delivered

Writer imagines day without inventions Michaela Cross

...More Inventions from African-Americans

Features Editor

W

aking up around 6:30 a.m., I lay sweating on my bed because it is so hot outside. I brush my teeth, wash my face and run my fingers through my extra curly, frizzy hair. I try and smash down the frizz, but it is helpless, so I pull it back into a clip. For breakfast I grab a bowl of cereal and take the milk out of the icebox.

I’m going to be late for school if I don’t leave soon, so I grab my chalkboard and chalk and grab my single key and go get in my car. My new tennis shoes, however, get very muddy as I walk in the grass because it rained heavily the night before.

I drive down the gravel road and watch out for other cars. At the fourway stop of Metcalf and 159 St., I hope that I won’t get into an accident, because there is no cop standing in the middle to regulate traffic. I safely make it through and park my car in the grass parking lot designated for seniors.

Then, as the day begins, we all get our lessons from old, leather-bound textbooks and do our homework on our chalkboards. It was a tough day, but I got through.

This is how life would be if African-Americans never would have been able to invent a lot of the items we use today.

My average morning involves me waking up to a very cold house because the air conditioner is usually running, and then once I get up I use my hair brush and straightner to make my hair look nice for the day. And, when it comes to breakfast, if I were to have cereal the milk comes from the refrigerator, not an icebox.

When it comes to getting into my car, I grab by key ring, with my key hidden somewhere in between my many fun key chains, and I walk down the pavement that is my driveway and then I drive to school on the asphalt road. And, of course, once I get to school, I park in the senior parking lot that is not a grass lot, and then I walk up to the school with my backpack slung over my shoulder; inside my backpack are binders full of papers, and I my little bag with pens and pencils.

The day is a little different. Before I had this assignment, I honestly never took time to think how many things in our lives were made so easy by African-American inventors.

And, it’s not just limited to a day at school. When it comes to food, there would be no peanut butter, as that was invented

by George Washington Carver in 1896. I wouldn’t be able to cook things easily on a stove, as it would not exist.

Other everyday items, like cell phones, would be nonexistent. Doors wouldn’t stop, curtains wouldn’t hang, and kids wouldn’t ride on tricycles.

Our lives has been made so easy by these inventions that we need to stop and think sometimes about how these amazing people gave us an easier life. Black History month is a very opportune time for these reflections. So, next time you go to comb or straighten your hair, open up your refrigerator or pull out a piece of paper and pen for class, think about who made this easy for you.

Louis Alexander — The first to receive a US Patent Charles M. Banks — The jack Otis Boykin — Control unit for artificial heart simulator Shelby J. Davidson — Postal and other office equipment Jack Johnson — The Wrench W.A. Lavalette — Two printing presses John Standard — Refrigeration

FEATURES 7 Feb. 11, 2005

Page Edited by Andrew Robinson

apple

the

of the eye

Computer world is changing even more; its trends aren’t falling far from the tree Andrew Robinson In-Depth Editor

B

lue Valley students are adopting a culture of sorts. The apple culture is taking Blue Val ley by storm, through laptops, ipods, and computers, Tigers are learning that an apple a day, indeed makes it a better day.

In 1976 Apple Computers launched its first computer on the market, the Apple I. A contribution from Steven Wozniak to the personal computer field, it was sold in a printed circuit board after Steve Jobs, the current CEO of Apple insisted that the Apple I could be sold.

Twenty years later in 1996 Apple released the Power Macintosh, with its 120 Ghz processor and 64 MB or Ram; it was just a drop in the bucket compared to today’s Apples.

Now almost 30 years after that first Apple was released, Apple is making its mark on the computer industry, the digital video industry and the music industry just to name a few.

Currently though, the fastest computer Apple offers is the iMac G5, with the computer and monitor combined as one to form a sleek style with just one plug into the wall. The iMac G5 offers a 1.8 Ghz processor and 2 GB of ram. Below the iMac G5, Apple also offers the iMac G4 and an eMac. The eMac is more an economy level Apple and at $799 offers good performace for the price. Just last month though, Steve Jobs introduced the Mac Mini. Weighing in at 2.9 pounds and two inches tall, the Mac Mini offers consumers a way to enjoy Mac OS X and iLife, Apple’s package which offers digital lifestyle applications according to Apple.com. The catch though with the Mac Mini is that there is no keyboard, no mouse and no monitor. The Mac Mini offers consumers an opprutunity to keep their current monitor, mouse and keyboard while enjoying the performance of the Apple according to Apple.com.

Now look around, someone near you is enjoying 20 GB of music on Apple’s iPod. With a 1,000 song capacity, Apple CEO Steve Jobs believes that listening to music will never be the same. Using the FireWire port and optional iTunes software an iPod user can download all 1,000 songs in just a 10-minute time span. Blue Valley students are finding the quality in the iPod as well. This past month at the MacWorld

conference Jobs introduced the iPod shuffle, at just $99 the Shuffle can offer either 120 or 240 songs, depending on the size you purchase. Also offered are the iPod mini, the iPod photo and the iPod U2 special edition.

During seminar students tune into student-produced Tiger TV. Tiger TV is created on revolutionary Apple Software, Final Cut Pro HD. According to Apple.com., the software is emmya w a r d winning and was used to produce the video seen at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Tiger TV students enjoy the Senior Tommy Coey uses a Mac in photography class. Photogras o f t w a re phy class is just one in a handful of classes that uses Macintoshs as well. If on a daily basis. Photo by Autumn Fuller. you are not quite up for professional level editing, iLife which comes standard on current Macs, offers iMovie, a lower level editing program targeted at amateur video makers.

It is not just Tiger TV students using the Macs; many of art teacher Mark Mosier’s classes work on a Mac when it comes to digital imaging. Mark Klopfenstien’s AP U.S. History classes also use Macs for their discourse lessons.

All this and more can be yours at any of the 98 Apple stores. The nearest one is on the Country Club Plaza and opened this past September. Each store offers numerous products as well as a genius bar in which you can get support for your Apple.

According to the company’s fiscal first quarter earnings ending Dec. 25, 2004, Apple’s net profit reached $295 Million and 4,580,000 iPod units were sold during the quarter. With these statistics it looks as if Apple is doing well, and is making its mark on the teenage generation with the iPod and more.

8 ENTERTAINMENT Page Edited by Kim Hieber

Feb. 11, 2005

Victors is just a run-of-the-mill grill The New bar and grill now open for business on 149th and Metcalf

Critic’s Corner

Nick Speed Brady Skjervem

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

T

here is a new Bar-nGrill in town to com pliment the two others in our neighborhood.

Victor’s Bar-n-Grill is located in the strip center that replaced Joe’s Barn. Being the third of it’s kind to open in the area, the restaurant owners should feel like they have something to prove. They should offer something different. Something exciting, to take business away from the other Bar-n-Grills in town.

They need something to fill the place up. They fell short.

The prices aren’t absurd, but they are not a deal either.

They are about the same pricing-wise to Freddy T’s and Tanner’s. Tanner’s is a bit more expensive and Freddy T’s is a little less costly.

The food is decent, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, etc. They don’t do anything particularly special, but it is all decent. They offer a lot of good appetizers but

Music Reviews

A Victor’s Bar and Grill recently opened in the new strip mall built in the lot previously occupied by Joe’s Barn. Photo by Kendra Kruse.

they don’t offer as many deserts.

Of course, deserts aren’t really expected at a pub-like eatery.

The waitresses are friendly but the food doesn’t come out as fast as it can. The managers are doing a decent job of showing interest. They come over during the meal and ask about the experience. That’s always nice but can be annoying at times.

The one thing that sets Victor’s apart from the others is the location. They are located right in

the middle of the two already-established Bar-n-Grills. Victor’s is at 149th and Metcalf. Tanner’s is located at 143rd and Metcalf. Last, Freddy T’s is in the strip of shops in the Northwest corner of the intersection of 151st and 69 highway.

Overall, Victor’s is a good place to try to say the least. The prices are comparable, the food is average, and the service isn’t bad.

Victor’s is right in the middle of the road. Victor’s gets a five out of ten.

Right in the middle.

And How Does it Compare?

W

ith Victor’s Bar and Grill opening up, they will become the third of their kind in a three-mile radius, Freddy T’s Bar and Grill, just west of Alternate 69 and Tanner’s Bar and Grill on 135th and Metcalf.

Freddy T’s is the oldest and most established B and G in the area. They have served our community for over 10 years. The food doesn’t come

out very fast but the waitresses are pretty friendly.

Tanner’s opened up in 2003. The food is pretty expensive and the service isn’t that great.

Victors recently opened. With its location at approximately 149th and Metcalf, it seems like a pretty good spot for business.

Taking a Walk Around Kansas City Some new additions make KCK a brand new city Michael Johnson Sports Editor

K

ansas City, Kan. became a new city around the beginning of the millennium. What was a blighted, uneventful area five years ago is much more lively and entertaining due to the construction of four massive attractions.

“I think it’s good that KCK is finally starting to develop itself and bring in some tourism,” senior Brett Farmer said.

The Kansas Speedway is perhaps the biggest tourism attraction in Kansas. It was built

by NASCAR during the Spring of 2001. The size of the track allows plenty of room for tourists (80,187 seats around a 1.5 mile track). It is expected to grow, however, with the increasing popularity of racing, into a 150,000 passenger arena.

It has access to 65 rows of seating, with a unique ground level concourse that allows spectators

to walk down 30 rows or up 35 rows.

A speedway could not be complete without a nearby hotel to accompany the frequent flocks of tourists.

The Great Wolf Lodge, a wilderness-themed hotel within walking distance of the racetrack, is the perfect resort for NASCAR fans.

Only seven of these unique resorts exist in the world, all of which have indoor waterparks. Bear Track Landing has eight waterslides, five pools and the Spirit Island Snack Shop, all conveniently located. The waterslides include Alberta Falls (two tube slides covering 626 feet twisting inside and outside the waterpark), Totem Towers (two three-story body slides), Howling Wolf (a three-person toboggan ride) and Whooping Hollow (three tame slides). This hotel attracts students just as much as tourists.

“The Great Wolf Lodge is pretty cool,” freshman Troy Emary said.

“I also like Cabellas.”

Cabellas is another attraction in that area. It’s the biggest sporting goods store in the state, but it could be easily mistaken for a wild animal museum. It has displays of stuffed animals ranging from a safari to the mountains, and a walk-through aquarium. Cabellas also has a food court on the top floor.

Nebraska Furniture Mart is the final big addition to KCK. In 2003 it made history as the biggest store of the small chain, covering an area of 712,000 square feet.

Merchandise ranges from furniture to electronics and everything in between.

girl, a clown and some cabaret tunes, what a collaboration? Who would have thought tone deaf signing would become popular and fun to listen to? It seems Dresden Dolls proves it can be done; bad experimental music can be popular. There is a line between experimental and just plain not enjoyable music. The problem is the singer has crossed the line into not enjoyable. The tone of the lead singer’s voice is reminiscent of nails on a chalkboard; in fact, the song “Girl Anachronism” actually makes one feel embarrassed for the band. Granted, the critics say the Dresden Dolls put on a great performance live, but the album is sloppy and put together carelessly.

It would seem sloppy music is in style now and crisp, in tune is out.

The band is original and has a very imaginative style, but it is still “coin-operated” junk.

E

isley started small, but got its big break opening for Coldplay a few years back.

The girl-led band has come a long way since its beginning. The Texas-bred band has branched off from Texan country and ventured into the alternative rock genre.

The indie rock band has released a few EP since its debut, including Laughing City and Marvelous Things. The EP’s had a great mix of vocals and guitars, and its first full length album has not strayed far. The band uses many of the same songs from its EP’s, but it is finally good to see them all together on one CD. The band may sound a little like generic alternative rock to some, but the girl’s voice fits great with the melodies. From chill to rock music, Eisley is well rounded and a full sound worth listening to.

SPORTS 9 Feb. 11, 2005

Page Edited by Michael Johnson

New sport rolls into schools District spares bowling until later date

In a poll of students support a bowling team while oppose it

Michael Johnson Sports Editor

T

he Kansas State High School Athletics Asso ciation officially endorsed bowling as a varsity sport on Sept. 15 of this year.

The new sport has gained popularity at a surprisingly rapid speed in districts such as Olathe, Lawrence and Wichita, but the Blue Valley school district has yet to commit to support it.

“There’s a lot of issues to be considered,” athletic director Bob Whitehead said, “such as facilities, number of teams, places to bowl, transportation, time out of school, etc.”

These factors are being discussed among the Student Activity Committee. They will present the idea to the Board of Education, which will either approve or reject the proposal.

If it were to be approved, a team could be together by next winter at the earliest. However, a Blue Valley team doesn’t look probable.

“It’s not very common to start a new sport,” executive to the superintendent Mike Slagle said. “It would be difficult under the current budget climate.”

To run the program, it would cost an estimated $35,000 per year. At this rate, adding a sport is not high on the to-do-list, especially when some of the funds might come from other sports, which means less money for the existing sports.

But no matter how many factors go into the decision, nothing can be started without student interest.

“If students really want this,

they should express some interest,” Whitehead said. “I personally support it, but it’s more of the Board’s decision.”

One student is pretty adamant about a bowling team.

“I support it,” senior Ryan Wallace said. “I want to see my boy Dom Leto win the state bowling title.”

Other students aren’t quite as enthusiastic about the idea.

“I’m not sure that the student turnout would be that great,” senior Larissa Sadler said. “I personally wouldn’t support it because it’s a pretty boring sport.”

Despite the opinion of the student majority, it would not

A day in the life of a Editor-in-Chief Kyle Rogers spends a day with the team

T

hree weeks ago, I attended my first-ever wres tling match. Immediately, I caught the fever. I had coexisted in this school with countless wrestlers and even played other sports with some but hadn’t witnessed what their sport truly is. I decided, for my sake and for the public’s, to join wrestling for a day to learn how and why this sport is so exciting.

My first task was to find the right equipment. Having never set foot in the wrestling room other than during track or gym class, I definitely had no wrestling shoes. Michael Johnson, a former wrestler, helped me with this dilemma, and my idea came closer to reality.

Practice I stepped in the humid room, intent on learning and hurting. I was working with the freshmen, but their two months of experience was two months more than I had. I was content to watch the whole practice, taking mental notes, but coach Jason Peres had

team.”

Bowling scholarships are available from Kansas University and Wichita State.

KU hands out 84 scholarships a year, and they are looking for more sponsors since last year’s men’s club won the national championship.

Wrestler

other ideas.

Five minutes later I was reaching out and slapping at the leg of my opponent. He knocked my hand away, and we started to settle in. I felt more bold, so I juked a little then “took my shot.” I had hold of his leg and picked him up, slamming him on his back.

Once there, I was lost. A veteran wrestler would have an easy win, but I don’t know any finishing moves.

We slid around on the mat for a moment before he broke free and we returned to our feet.

Now was his turn, he reached in to grab my leg but missed and I put him in a front headlock. This is one of the drills I had seen the team working on earlier in practice, so I had a slight idea of what to do. I start to spin around, using my head, but again my inexperience rendered me ineffective.

We got back up, and time ended. My wrestling debut was much more successful than I expected.

Conditioning I’m an athletic guy but not the strongest in the world

It’s as easy as 1,2,3

Starting position: Both opponents shake hands with their feet behind the line

b e hard to find the required number of bowlers to start the team.

“It only takes six bowlers of each gender,” Slagle said.

“Twelve more bowlers would then be needed to have a JV

- or any of my classes. The day’s conditioning consisted of two fun runs (8 minute jogs), 12 minutes of laps down the senior hall and back and 15 minutes of carries.

Carries are by far the most exhausting and comprehensive conditioning event I have ever completed.

For 15 minutes, Hunter Madl and I carried each other around the senior lockers and back in various positions. Piggy back rides, fireman carries, double legged-over-the-shoulder carries and hands-aroundwaist carries work a person’s back and cardiovascular system like no other exercises can.

By the end, I had a new appreciation for the work these wrestlers do. Wrestling is a sport often misunderstood, but artistic when done correctly. Watching the coaches interact with the team members - demonstrating and challenging them - was entertaining.

BV has a winning wrestling tradition that comes from hard work and dedication, and I appreciate the team’s allowing me to participate for a day.

Many people don’t appreciate wrestling because they don’t understand it. Rogers shows three basic positions he learned.

Referee’s position: 2nd and 3rd periods start like this.

They must maneuver from this position

Pin: Both shoulders must be against the mat for a pin to be called

10 SPORTS Feb. 11, 2004

Page Edited by Michael Johnson

Signing Out

What’s the ‘dill?

Six football players commit to local colleges Kyle Rogers Editor-in-Chief

Athletes need opportunity Current process is unfair

H

igh school is a time when students figure out who they are and what they want to do for the rest of their lives. The academically-driven students focus on getting a good education and maturing into successful adults; at the same time, the athletically gifted participate in high school sports, giving them memories they’ll never forget; however, these athletes’ dreams may not be realized.

Although today’s high schools provide numerous opportunities for those who want to excel with the books, the opportunities to excel with the balls are limited. Every student is free to use the library when needed and stay after class to get extra help, but is every athlete given the same kind of chances to improve?

In the classroom, every student is tested on the knowledge he has obtained, and those who do well are praised with a good grade. Those who don’t do so well are given further explanation until the material is learned.

On the basketball court, athletes are tested on their skill and level of talent. Again those who do well are rewarded with a jersey, but it’s a different story for those who don’t do so well. They are not given the further explanation, but instead they are given a “thanks for trying out” and a “better luck next year.”

It’s sad to hear players speak of how they tried really hard, but in the end just couldn’t cut it. Every year hearts are crushed and dreams are shattered. Athletes that thought they had some skill were trampled by rejection.

As student-athletes make the transition into the realm of high school sports, they are entering a new level of competition that will determine the extent of their athletic careers. The intensity skyrockets, and if you don’t keep up, you will get left behind.

The system is unfair to athletes and it’s the school’s mission to provide equal opportunities to every dedicated individual that tries out.

F

the signing ceremony, “and I wish I had been here longer.”

For the second year in a row, multiple BV players signed with Butler CC as Speed and Bobby Bennett committed to attend the school. Bennett’s father credited the coaching staff for helping their sons reach this level.

“Coach Rampy, when you say you were a small part [of our son’s success], I think you were much more than a small part,” Robert Bennett said. “You were a large part.”

our summers, falls, winters and springs of hard work. Summers in the weight room; falls on the playing field; winters and springs back in the weight room.

“It was a great experience to be a part of the great program we have here,” center Nick Speed said. “Being the program that we are, we breed next level players.”

This trend is no accident. After sending players to Butler County Community College, Emporia State and Washburn last year, BV again has a large crop of football players signing to play in college.

Players attribute much of this to the work required of them under coach Steve Rampy.

“Because of coach Rampy’s weight room atmosphere,” Speed said, “we have Seniors Luke Stalcup, Pete Brown, Nick Speed, Bobby Bennett, Geno Waters lot of kids play in col- and Casey Donahoo sign for football scholarships on Feb. 2 lege.”

Signing ceremonies Feb. 2 were headlined Luke Stalcup who signed with Baker Uniby three players signing with NCAA Division versity was the only player who had the II teams, the class of 2005 has surpassed the teams’ coach present during the ceremony. most recent classes out of BV. Geno Waters and NAIA rules allow coaches to be present at Casey Donahoo signed with Pittsburg State signings while NCAA and junior college rules and Pete Brown signed with Central Missouri do not.

State. Brown transferred with his dad/coach “What I liked about Luke best was once he to Blue Valley from Basehor-Linwood this made that commitment [to our school] we felt year. solid [about his attending],” coach Mike “It’s been a wonderful season,” Pete said at Grossner said, “and he’s coming through.”

playerprofile Clark Stinson

STATE DATES Wrestling:

Junior

Feb. 25

Basketball: March 12

Sport: Swimming What’s your favorite part of the sport? Being competitive, hard work and losing time What’s your least favorite part of the sport? Long distance swimming with nothing to do Reflection of season: I dropped a lot of time and had a pretty successful season

Swimming: Feb. 15

Kaley Miller

Senior

Sport: Basketball What’s your favorite part of the sport? Just having fun with the players on the team What’s your least favorite part of the sport? Losing games Reflection of season: Our team didn’t reach all of our goals but we tried our hardest.

Player profile by Emily Kuyendall and Autumn Fuller

SPORTS 11 Feb. 11, 2005

Page Edited by Adil Shabbir

Sports in Short Boys’ BBall

Girls’ BBall

After a fourth place finish in the Valley Center January Jam, the Tigers had a successful week. Trailing by 18 with less than four minutes to go against Shawnee Mission North on Jan. 27, the Tigers made a 29-10 run to win the game by one point. On the following Friday night the Tiger’s hosted the Jaguars of BV West.

The Tigers pulled it together down the stretch making critical defensive stands and Jay Vaglio sunk four free throws to put the lid on the 47-45 victory. Junior Ryan Robertson dropped a game high 20 points on the Jags. In the following week the Tigers won two out of their next three beating rival Saint Thomas, 4835 Aquinas. Tonight the Tigers look to extend their conference record to 4-3; they play at Blue Valley Northwest.

The Lady Tiger Basketball team was scheduled to host the Huskies of Blue Valley Northwest on Tuesday, Feb. 8, but the game was cancelled due to inclement weather and rescheduled for last night.

Last Thursday, Feb. 3, they traveled to Saint Thomas Aquinas to battle the top-ranked Saints. The Tigers battled but lost 63-26.

“They are a pretty good team,” senior Kaley Miller said. “ They are going to go deep in the playoffs.”

On Feb.1, the girls hit the road to another impressive EKL team. The Blue Valley North Mustangs handled the Tigers 57-54. The Tigers, are currently third in the EKL standings behind North and Aquinas.

Swimming

Wrestling

The boys’ swimming team has been swimming well despite the loss of All-American junior Parker Sargent. Sargent dislocated his shoulder at a recent practice.

The team competed in the Blue Valley Invitational on Jan. 20. Out of the five teams swimming, the Tigers took third.

The guys have also raced in several duals. They beat EKL rivals Bishop Miege and Blue Valley West but came up short against St. Thomas Aquinas and Lawrence Free State.

Head coach Martijn Keltner remains optimistic as his team continues to prepare for next week’s state meet.

The Tiger wrestling team will attempt to defend their EKL title tomorrow at Bishop Miege High School. Next Saturday the varsity squad will travel to Paola High School and compete in the regional tournament. Wrestlers who place in the top six will qualify for state and travel to Wichita, Kan., for the State Tournament on Feb. 25-26.

On Feb. 1, Blue Valley North stepped into the Tiger Pit to wrestle in the Tigers’ fifth dual of the season.

The team improved its record to 5-0 by defeating the Mustangs 42-27.

On Jan. 26, the team headed down the road to take on Blue Valley West. The Tigers won 13 of the 14 matches and destroyed the Jaguars 64-4.

Junior Stephen Blumhardt goes up for two at the Blue Valley West game on Jan. 28. The Tigers defeated the Jaguars 47-45. Photo by Brandon Lutz

THIRSTY?

Stop by Sonic FOR

A Route 44

Only 99 cents am to am Sonic Drive-In 8501 W. 151st Stanley, KS 66223

LIFE IN PICTURES 12 Feb. 11, 2005

Seniors Jamie Florence, Rachel Fustini and Megan DeMasters

WE LOVE THE ‘80S

Page by Brandon Lutz

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t’s that time again. That time where you get the jitters around that very special person. That time where you got the butterflies in your stomach. The time to ask someone to the dance, as well as time to make reservations for dinner. So many things to think about. Ladies, where did you get your dress? Fellas, what color is your corsage for your date? Don’t worry Tigers! The theme of the dance is “We Love The ‘80s” to ease the pain.

Many students throughout the halls of BV loved the idea. Although, one problem perplexed many female students: “Where am I gonna’ find an ‘80s dress?” Many of the lady–folk found it vital to go all out with the theme, including dresses, shoes and hair. But don’t forget about the men of the school. Where are the guys going to find that oh–so–hot blue tuxedo straight out of your parents’ wedding?

There is a solution. There is a place in downtown Kansas City called Boomerang. It is located right on the corner of 39th Street and Terrace Street.

Inside this shop of wonders is a bountiful assortment of clothing ranging anywhere from the ‘50s to the ‘90s. You, of course, will want to lean more towards ‘80s attire for this particular event. Ladies, for a little green, you could find that ever so special dress you’ve always wanted. And guys, fork over some dough, and you can find that great tux to look suave in.

So for all you last–minute shoppers, just take a quick spin downtown and find the outfit of your “most righteous” dreams.

9 0 ‘ 18S MONDAY

SUPERHERO “Angry!” Was all senior Grant Baker had to say when he portrayed The Hulk at the Sweetheart assembly last Friday. Baker enhanced the experience by pointing at the faculty and ripping off his shirt. When he ripped off his pants, the crowd burst out with glee that filled the packed gym.

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

EIGHTIES MOVIES Junior Ian Smith gets ready to take a trip down the runway as he plays Goose from the famous ‘80s movie, Top Gun. Many students dressed up for movie day; all around the school you could see characters from movies such as Flashdance, Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink, just to name a few.

EIGHTIES MUSIC Watch the footwork! Junior Tosin Morohunfola chose to depict famous pop idol Michael Jackson. “My only mistake was wearing black socks. I should have worn white ones.” Morohunfola said. Jackson is known for wearing white socks so his footwork was easier for people to see at concerts.

EIGHTIES SPORTS Senior Brady Skjervem chose to play an 1980’s tennis player for his day, ‘80s sports. What made his display interesting were the sound effects Skjervem made when he came out onto the court making a squealing noise rather than a grunt you would think a tennis player might make.

FRIDAY

BLACK AND GOLD Sophomore Cameron Kaman shows off his Tiger pride by sporting his black and gold attire while tailgating at a basketball game.

Before every major game, it was common to see a gathering of students in the west lot. Whatever sport, traditionally, Friday is always a black and gold day.

BV students explore effects of

DrugsandAlcohol INSIDE: Living with an alcoholic Should there be more drug alcohol prevention?

Why teens drink

TIGER TI

the blue valley high

[PORTRAITS] Feb. 11 2005

P O R T R A I T S F E B.

It starts at home BV student shares experience living with alcoholic

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maneeza iqbal

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A L C O H O L I S M 2

veryone remembers freshman year,” Patsy said. “I don’t remember anything from freshman year.”

She lived with her alcoholic step dad that year. Her mom and step dad knew each other for three months before they got married. Her sister, her mom and Patsy moved in with his daughter and him after the wedding.

Nobody knew about his problem. Couple of weeks into the marriage the family found out.

“He drank Boulevard wheat beer,” Patsy said. “Fourteen to 15 bottles every night.”

Her room was next to her mom and step-dad’s room. The first night he was drunk, Patsy could hear the yelling through the wall.

“I heard my mom yelling ‘If you push me again, I’m not going to put up with it,’” Patsy said. “Since then, I kept my cell phone next to me at night to call for help.”

The physical abuse was mostly concentrated on Patsy’s mom; however, Patsy’s sister and she received emotional abuse, but he never touched his own daughter. Patsy said that if she were five minutes late, she would be grounded. Patsy, also, couldn’t go out with her friends, or have friends over. “[Mom] changed when she was with him,” Patsy said. “She sat on the sidelines and let him do whatever he wanted.”

One time, Patsy, her family, her stepsister and stepdad went on a family vacation. Her mom

and step dad fought the whole time. Her step dad didn’t join the family to do anything unless his daughter wanted to do it.

“If it didn’t benefit him or [his daughter], we could have nothing to do with it,” she said.

At school, Patsy was detached. She didn’t care much about schoolwork, her step-dad tried to make her do her homework, but she didn’t do it as a sign of rebellion. Patsy didn’t get close to her friends and isolated herself in her room. Some of the teachers knew about what was happening at home, and Patsy talked to her counselor quite a bit.

“I kept to myself, I was embarrassed,” she said.

After a year and a half, her mom decided to move out. Her mom, sister and Patsy packed up their things and moved. Their mom didn’t move them far, so that they could stay at the same school. Her close friends, who knew about her stepdad, helped her pack.

“It would have been harder, but mom was really strong,” she said.

Afterward, life got better. Patsy was able to do things with her friends and go out. She said that her mom made sure that she could do all the normal teenage things. If her mom couldn’t take her, her mom made sure that she had a ride. Patsy’s mom wanted to make up for the past year and a half.

“I view that as a bad piece of my past,” Patsy said. “There are still painful memories, but they’re just still memories.”

Patsy is a fictional name in order to protect the privacy of this local student. Patsy’s stepdad left the area after her family moved out. He lives in a Missouri suburb with his daughter and is currently receiving counseling.

The Facts:

Alcoholism and its effects Alcoholism is a disease that cannot be treated without professional help Denial plays a big part in a person’s refusal to get help One in four U S children under the age of is exposed to some type of alcohol abuse Children from alcoholic families report a higher level of depression and anxiety Family members tend to adapt to the behavior of the alcoholic by develop ing habits that lead to the least amount of stress information gathered from kidshealth.org.

photo illustration by kyle rogers

T I G E R

‘Alcohol is the number one drug in date rape’ michaela cross

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ccording to the U.S. Department of Justice, by the time it takes someone to finish reading this story, a woman will have been raped. Every two minutes a rape happens. That is 120 rapes per hour and 2,220 rapes a day.

That is a scary statistic. And, out of all rapes that occur, only 26 percent are reported to the police (according to the U.S. Justice Department). That is also a startling amount, considering the amount of woman raped every hour.

A lot of teenage girls tend to be raped at parties, during the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.. A rising trend is under-age drinking, which leads to poor choices. This results in many date rapes, and not all include date rape drugs.

“Alcohol is the number one drug in date rape,” coordinator of education and outreach services Nicole Littler said.

Young men wait around, Littler said, waiting for an opportunity to make a move. If he sees a woman that has had a little bit too much to drink, he might try and seduce her, or if worse comes to worse, he might use a date rape drug like Rophenyl.

Many men try to take a woman to a much more private area, she added, and make her

feel at ease, and if needed, the small odorless, tasteless, and colorless pill will do the trick.

There is a high importance,Litter said, to take care of yourself and whomever you’re with at any type of social event.

“We tell teens to go with friends and leave with them. Make a pact,” Littler said, “and remind your friends of that pact.”

Since alcohol is the number one way women are used, it is important to have friends by your side to help if anything gets to heavy.

“If they (girls) happen to be alone, I think the people that I’ve encountered think it’s their fault,” Littler said. “They say things like ‘I trusted them.’”

More people are having to deal with the aftermath of a rape. A lot of women start to blame themselves and call themselves “sluts.”

But, it is never the victim’s fault, Littler said.

If someone ever wakes up and feels like they might have been raped, do not change clothes, take a shower or do anything that make take away evidence; then go to the hospital. Some hospitals will ask if the victim wants to have the police called, so it can be the person’s choice to report or not.

“Get them to the hospital right away, because if there was a drug involved, mixed with alcohol, it can be fatal,” Littler said.

No matter if the case is reported or not, there are five stages that a victim goes through. First a victim goes through denial, then anger, depression, bargaining with herself, and then finally acceptance.

photo illustration by adam lary and maneeza iqbal

Date rape preventable; know the warning signs

One night of fun can lead to a whole life of pain.

Don’t become a statistic, because right as this line is being read, someone could have just been raped.

Most common date rape drugs Rohypnol: Often known as roachies, la rocha, rope, roofies or ruffies, Rohypnol is a small white pill often slipped into drinks to make the taker unconscious. The pill is colorless and odorless when slipped into a drink, which makes it unnoticeable to anyone. It is an illegal drug in the U.S., but is legal in many other countries. When mixed with drugs or alcohol, Rophynol can impair judgment and motor skills, cause memory loss or blackouts and the effects will last eight to 24 hours after ingestion.

Even without alcohol, it can cause loss of inhibition.

T I G E R P O R T R A I T S F E B. 11

GHB: This comes in an odorless and colorless liquid, a white powder or a pill. GHB causes drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, unconsciousness, seizures, memory loss, breathing problems, nausea, slowed heart rate, coma and death. GHB was recently made legal in order to treat narcolepsy.

Ketamine: This drug is a white powder. Affects caused by Ketamine are hallucinations, distorted perceptions of sight and sound, impaired motor function, breathing problems, convulsions, nausea, numbness, aggressive or violent behavior and slurred speech. It is legal in the United States but only for the use of anesthetics of humans and animals.

Alcohol: Even though it is a common drug, alcohol can be just as harmful as any other drug. It is harder to think clearly, resist sexual or physical assault, and it can cause blackouts and memory loss.

Information provided by www.4woman.gov

S E X U A L A S S A U L T 3

T I G E R P O R T R A I T S F E B. 11

“Drugs are bad” Miles Jaben “To say no” Evan Bowser

What did you learn from D.A.R.E.?

“Say no to drugs” Theresa Kellerman “Say no to drugs, alcohol and tobacco” Rachel Webb

D.A.R.E.

Removed in favor of new programs in each school

Elementary, middle schools choose alternative programs Andrew Robinson In-Depth Editor

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P R E V E N T I O N 4

nderage drinking is as prevalent as ever.

According to the Blue Valley School District, from 20032004 an average of 49.5 percent of high school students had used alcohol at least once. That is one in every two students, almost 50 percent of students in the district having used alcohol.

Disturbing isn’t it?

With this statistic it brings up a good question: Are schools doing a good job of putting prevention programs into place to bring this disturbing statistic down? What are they doing now in place of the discontinued D.A.R.E. program?

Let’s start with the middle schools; 31.5 percent of students have used alcohol. That number sounds a little bit lower doesn’t it?

Not really, that is still one in every three students, and of the 1,088 freshmen last year that took the survey that is roughly 343 students that have used alcohol. But according to the survey 91.1 percent of freshmen in the district believe it is possible to die from alcohol poisoning. They see the possible effects, they may not just see that it can happen to them. Just at Blue Valley High School 13.2 percent have used alcohol. According to the principals at both feeder middle schools for Blue Valley, Blue Valley Middle and Prairie Star Middle prevention programs are in place.

Scott McWilliams the principal at Blue Valley Middle School says

[D.A.R.E.] taught about drugs and alcohol mostly. They showed pictures of people when they did that stuff and what happened later on. It made me not want to do that stuff.

“

junior Calder Sagen

that they enforce the Blue Valley District Virtues, respect, responsibility, honest, self-discipline, compassion, courage and perseverance. According to McWilliams they also apply these to “realworld” situations such as drinking.

At Prairie Star Middle School Principal Larry Shirk said that they use school resource officer Brett Leathers to make presentations as well as using their wellness program to put a prevention program into place. Prairie Star SRO Brett Leathers also responded by talking about how they use Fatal Vision Goggles in seventhgrade presentations. The goggles give students an idea of what it is like to function while under the influence of alcohol. They also have paraplegics visit classrooms to give students another idea of the effects of alcohol.

Prairie Star eighth-grade teacher Linda Falcone said she didn’t believe that the prevention programs were reaching all the students. Students would not get in these situations if they knew.

She also believes that students are surprised when they find out that they can get in trouble, even if alcohol is just present.

At Blue Valley High, programs are lead by the students. Goal Zero attempts to reach students about doing alcohol and drugs zero times. Communicating the effects are much more student to student. The health classes also cover the effects of alcohol.

Overall the numbers don’t lie, underage drinking at the high school level is there; hopefully prevention programs start to make the numbers lower, and lower and lower.

Students reflect on time spent in D.A.R.E. program

D.A.R.E. didn’t influence my opinion on drugs because we were in elementary school.

”

freshman Sarah Weaver

T I G E R

There might be a little

‘Dust on the bottle’ District-wide survey reports steady use Maneeza Iqbal Editor-in-Chief

T

he Blue Valley high schools take a drug and alcohol district health survey every year. The survey is used to help teach teachers about the situations that face the student body.

“We know that there were some issues,” Principal Scott Bacon said. “The reasons we have assemblies are partly based on what we find in those surveys.”

The most current assembly, which addressed the issues in the survey, was from the group R5.

Since the survey is anonymous, students are asked to answer the surveys truthfully. According to Bacon, the results from the survey are pretty accurate because the survey is anonymous.

Students don’t have to worry about the administrators and teachers knowing what they do on the weekend.

“I think that [the survey] is important,” senior Jennifer Bantham said. “But I don’t think that they should be that comprehensive and that we shouldn’t take it every year.”

P O R T R A I T S

Survey Reults Alcohol Use National percentage for grade 12 - 74.3 District- 62.3 BV High- 43.6

Marijuana Use National percentage for grade 12 - 45.7 District- 29.2 BV High- 17.3

National percentage for grade 10 - 62.7 District- 48.5 BV High- 43.6

National percentage for grade 10 - 35.1 District- 22.0 BV High- 17.3

F E B. 11

Zero Times.

Senior Girl Once.

Freshman Girl

15 times.

Senior Guy

How many times have you consumed alcohol in the last year?

30 times.

Junior Girl

Once.

Senior Guy

Zero times.

Senior Guy

A L C O H O L I S M 5

T I G E R P O R T R A I T S F E B. 11

S T U D E N T U S E R S 6

Why do students use drugs?

With common knowledge about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, students still join in Nick Speed Staff Writer

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lue Valley High School is a fun place to be. We have lots of school spirit, many school dances and leisure days such as community service, adventure woods and school picnic days. However, sometimes there are also a lot of other issues associated with students that aren’t so positive, including choices such as alcohol and drugs.

“I like drinking because it’s fun,” a BV student said. “Sometimes it leads to other drugs but not very often.”

With all students being under 21, alcohol is not a legal substance students can consume or buy. Somehow, however, alcohol is still purchased.

“My hook-up is one of my friend’s older brother,” another BV student said.

“It’s a good way to get the alcohol, but it’s a waste of his time.”

While alcohol is simple to get, other drugs, being illegal to everyone, are harder to find. Yet they’re available.

“My night usually starts around six, picking up the stuff (alcohol), then my friends and I stay up most of the night partying and getting wasted. If it gets really crazy, we might find some weed and smoke that,” another BV student said. “I usually need to sleep all of the next day to recover.”

Some students take it upon themselves to buy their own alcohol.

“I go to a place where I know a guy,” a BV student said. “He usually sells to me unless there are cops watching.”

Many students don’t approve of this illegal idea and stop to think about how this decision could affect their futures.

“I think it is pathetic that people feel like they need alcohol or drugs to have a good time,” a student said. “Alcohol and drugs are illegal, and they could mess your life up.”

Most BVHS students participate in the dances, picnics and community service days. But as district data imply, a select few participate in other extra-curricular activities.

Cocaine lines on a table. photo by Brandon Lutz.

According to the Blue Valley District Wellness survey, cocaine use is much lower than alcohol at only 1.6 percent at BV. Pictured to the left is a photo illustration of lines of cocaine. Used in this illustration is powdered sugar. Photo by Brandon Lutz

Where do we draw the line?

If marijuana is legalized, Legalization beneficial society would be harmed Kyle Rogers

Brady Skjervem Staff Writer

A

msterdam, Netherlands, every one jokes about how awesome it would be to go there and experience true freedom. Amsterdam is an extreme case of drugs in a society, where one can go to a local pub and get a few grams of weed for oneself and even the family.

People are now pushing to legalize marijuana in the states for medical purposes, but what happens when it gets put on the shelves at the local drug store or even for pleasure?

America must decide where the line must be drawn, because if not we will turn into another Amsterdam.

If someone wants to get high, he will, whether it is through sniffing paints or baking bananas. There are all sorts of ways to get the effect if one wants too, but chances are the average Joe will not spend the time needed to make a form of acid, just for the sake of getting high. It’s not legal for teenagers to drink alcohol, but one doesn’t see them making a drink out of rubbing alcohol or fermented fruits.

The reason people don’t imbibe is because they lack opportunity to get their hands on these substances. If everyone around is doing something then chances others will. But if taking drugs is still illegal and hard to come by, the rate of drug users will not grow as fast. Obviously, if someone wants something bad enough, they will get it; therefore, there will always be drug users and people who use substances to alter their mental state. But the only reason many people use mind altering substances, like alcohol, is because it is served everywhere one goes and everyone does it. If marijuana is legalized and made more available, it will become just another way to bring our society down.

Marijuana slows the brain down and is a natural depressant. People who smoke in high school don’t feel the long term effects of the drug, but once one has been smoking for many years, it sets in. Weed,

The reason people don’t imbibe is because they lack opportunity to get their hands on these substances

when smoked, is unfiltered and unsafe.

There is a bigger chance of getting lung cancer due to an unfiltered joint, than filtered cigarettes. Why would America want to legalize something that will make the population lazy and sick. It is bad enough tobacco is still allowed even though it has no health benefits, but once Marijuana is legalized, for prescription or not, what is next? The line must be drawn somewhere, and if it is not now, who

knows what might be legalized next.

Understandably many still think there is no harm in just a little, but who actually just does a little. Wine is good for the heart, but what student actually would only drink one glass of wine? If a high school student drinks, it is for one reason.

If weed is released, high school students would do the same. There are already substances like salvia available that have a natural hallucinogen effect, so why give people more of a chance to screw up their lives, when there are so many things ruining them already. There must be a line drawn. If the fence isn’t put up, nothing will stop America from heading down a path further and further until it reaches the society of Amsterdam.

Editor-in-Chief

H

ey man, wanna smoke some weed?”

Yeah dude, let’s go grab some at the Kwike-mart.”

Currently in the United States, no one will ever utter these words. Other countries have legalized the drug or never made it illegal in the first place. Legalizing the substance would be a wise choice for the U.S. According to the DEA, U.S. citizens spent $10.6 billion on marijuana last year. Made taxable and legitimate, this revenue would instantly go from the hands of criminals to the pockets of American business people and workers.

In addition to generating revenue, marijuana could also become safer than it currently is for users. Many arguments against legalizing marijuana mention its health risks and unpredictability. Example: There are many types of marijuana on the market so one never knows what one will receive. Legalizing the drug would create an environment similar to cigarettes and alcohol where marijuana would now be controlled by government regulations. The amount of tar and carcinogens that currently pass freely into users’ bodies would be diminished if the government were able to regulate the drug.

In 1999, 11.9 million Americans used marijuana in the month before a National Health Department Services survey. These citizens used the drug even though it is and was illegal at the time, so their money is currently being wasted and put into the pockets of illegitimate business owners. Create a market for marijuana and this money will stimulate the economy instead of drug dealers’ wallets.

Currently the most damaging argument against the legalization of marijuana is that the drug leads to use of other drugs. This makes sense because, right now, the drug is illegal and leads users to the black market. Take marijuana out of Joe Cocaine-dealer’s hands and put it on the shelves of a gas station and this association disappears. Marijuana is a cultural gateway drug not an actual introduction to harder drugs like cocaine and heroine.

Many advocates of legalizing the drug hope to help patients with glaucoma and types of cancer. Marijuana could be very effective in managing pain for those with the disease. Morphine, another highly addictive drug is currently used as a pain killer in every hospital in America, so why should marijuana — a lessaddictive drug with far less harmful side effects — be banned from helping patients? “

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M A R I J U A N A 7

Decisions, teens, morals Parents take on too much fault kyle rogers What did we do wrong?” my mom asked, clearly upset.

Nothing Mom. Gosh, why do they always give me this guilt trip like my decisions are their fault.

“Then why did you do this? I must have made a mistake.”

No Mom; it wasn’t you. I promise

W

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that parents feel too responsible for their teens’ misdeeds and mistakes. I’m here to tell all parents that even the most well-educated, well-brought up, well-cared-for teens will still make choices that are seen as irresponsible and careless. Responsible teens know how to balance the bad choices with the good.

“I think everyone does [‘stupid’ things],” senior Jessica Gray said. “I don’t think it’s horrible. Even if they did find out, I didn’t turn out bad. I’m not a bad kid.”

Precisely, many of us have done things our parents would never endorse, but that doesn’t mean we’re terrible people. Not to sound cliché, but kids will be kids. I know many smart, well-adjusted teens that have wild weekends. Though

wild, these weekends are often safe. Not that drinking or doing drugs is ever safe, but the kids with the best parents often hold off on drinking when they know they will be driving or leaving a party.

Here is where some of the bad-kid sentiments come in. What if a child lies to his parents saying he will be staying at a friend’s because he knows his parents wouldn’t let him stay at a party. If the parents find out, the child could be in for some serious punishment, but in the child’s eyes, he did the responsible thing by staying at the party instead of driving off after drinking.

“I would probably get a ride with a sober friend,” senior Tanner Miller said. “Or, my parents would probably be less mad if I just called them and told them.”

If a teen decides to drink, she will do so whether her parents say it is okay or not.

So she does the safest thing possible, after making the choice to drink by not putting her or others in danger.

When parents discover their child, who has atttempted to stay safe, has lied or otherwise deceived, they should punish their child accordingly. Thank them for staying off the road. Recognize when your children take the lesser of two evils, so that he or she may live to serve the consequences.

Commmentary

T I G E R P O R T R A I T S F E B. 11

Teens wrestle with temptations kim hieber

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etting caught in possession or consumption of an alcoholic beverage when one is underage is a Class C misdemeanor. In the state of Kansas, the consequences for such a charge are a minimum of a $200 fine, up to 40 hours of public service and/or a satisfactorily completed suitable educational or training program dealing with the effects of alcoholic beverages. It is sometimes hard to understand then why students continue to take such a risk. There are a variety of reasons for such a gambit.

Peer pressure is a big reason as to why some students choose to participate in drinking underage. It may seem “cliché” and “over-done,” but this reason really does exist. This is how society functions; it is easier to go with the flow and the crowd, than to stand out and do your own thing.

One motive that people don’t really consider is depression.

Teenagers get depressed just like adults; and just like adults, teenagers might feel that

“drinking away” their problems is easier than dealing with them. Some adults may not think teens’ problems are as serious as adult problems.

While in many cases, it is true; something like a break-up can seem life-shattering to a teenager and therefore might convince them to take up a habit like drinking.

person for not joining in the fun, there is still something to be said for not wanting to feel “left out.”

Then there are also those who drink only because they like the attention everyone gives them when they do it. Getting drunk gets people to look at you no matter who you are, and some people feel they need that attention.

Finally, there are those who only choose to drink for the social aspect of it. Drinking usually involves going to a party, being with lots of people and having a good time. Many might say that this is why they drink, but it’s an easy bet that they base their choice more off of the previous reasons than off of this one.

So why do teenagers risk the consequences to enjoy one night?

Simple, there are a lot of things to take into consideration and being that they are just a teenager, they don’t tend to look at the consequences as being real.

It’s hard for teens to believe that something like getting caught by the cops would happen to them, and therefore the other problems in their lives that are their motives, become the most important things.

Getting drunk gets people to look at you no matter who you are and some people feel they need that attention Relating to peer pressure, there are those who drink to further their social status. They might be drinking because people tell them that it is the cool thing to do. A person might also choose to put himself into a situation dealing with alcohol, only because he wants to go to a party where everyone else will be. For instance, all of a person’s friends might be going to a party to drink, and even if those same friends don’t make fun of the

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