The Tiger Print –– December 2011

THE

TIGER PRINT BLUE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Vol. 42 Issue 5 December 2011 Stilwell, KS

CLIMATE CONTROL Temperature in classrooms varies, teachers find solutions page 3 FIGHT FOR FREEDOM After protesting socialist regime, teacher moves to America page 14 SURVEY SAYS Students select top events, trends and people of 2011 page 18 Photo illustration by Aubrey Illig.

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inthenews

December 2011

Students asked to keep food, drinks out of computer labs

Football team falls short at State game jordanhuesers co-editor

Teachers are becoming increasingly concerned with the amount of trash left in the school’s computer labs. BV’s Technology Integration Specialist Mallory Joseph suggests students adhere to no-food-and-drink rule. Photo illustration by Bailey Outlaw.

annawonderlich ads manager Teachers and faculty recently received an email from BV’s Technology Integration Specialist Mallory Joseph about keeping our computer labs clean. The email asked teachers to remind students about respecting the technology in the labs and to pick up after themselves.

She said eating and drinking in the labs have become recurring problems for her, the custodians and other students using the labs.

“Students are eating in the labs, but there’s supposed to be no food or drinks at all, except for water bottles,” she said. “The reason why, is because there’s obviously a lot of computers and technology in there, and it makes them dirty. Liquids in a computer lab are very dangerous because then things could break.”

Having food in the labs leaves a negative effect on the technology and the lab itself.

“There’s been food wrappers left in the lab from students eating in there,” she said. “The keyboards are getting sticky from people eating and then touching the computers, and things are getting damaged, obviously.”

Although the labs aren’t a teacher’s specific classroom, Joseph said students are held accountable for behaving and treating the equipment appropriately when their class visits the lab.

“When you go home you don’t expect your parents

to pick up after yourself, so this should be the same way,” she said. “There’s one lab that’s had to have several mice replaced. I don’t know why they’re getting broken, but, for whatever reason, we’re not treating the technology with respect.”

Joseph said the lab rules might just seem like common sense, but they’re important to follow to keep the rooms in top condition.

She said she has seen a slight improvement in keeping the labs cleaner since she sent an email to the staff, but it still needs to be worked on. She said students helping other students to remember the computer lab rules can really help.

“I think that there just needs to be a constant reminder,” she said. “Students holding other students accountable helps a lot. When you have a friend that says, ‘Hey, you know you shouldn’t be eating in here.

Let’s wait until we leave this classroom to eat,’ you might listen better than when a teacher is telling you.

Because [the computer labs] are a different environment than when you’re in the classroom all day, it’s easy to forget because there are different rules.”

Joseph said it shouldn’t be the custodians’ responsibility to pick up what students could have easily thrown away.

“No janitors have made any comments, but I know janitors do a lot here, and they’re underappreciated for sure,” she said. “When they go into a lab and they have to pick up after the students, I know that they probably feel that it’s not their job. Students should just clean up after themselves.”

The football team fought against the Hutchinson Salt Hawks on Nov. 26, but fell short in the end, with a score of 21-33.

The Tigers remained scoreless in the first quarter, while the Salt Hawks scored 20 points.

However, in the second quarter, senior Justin Fulks ran 75 yards for a touchdown, putting the Tigers on the board. At the end of the first half, the Tigers trailed 27-7.

Near the end of the third quarter, Fulks again scored a touchdown, advancing the Tigers to a score of 27-14.

BV headed into the fourth quarter knowing they would need two touchdowns to make a comeback.

With 3:41 left, Fulks ran the ball in for another touchdown, leaving the Tigers down by only six points.

At the very end of the game the Salt Hawks scored a touchdown, and the Tigers fell short of the victory.

“We were just really sad we couldn’t come up with the win because we worked so hard all season, and we just came up one game short,” quarterback senior Kyle Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman said the team had great chemistry and was able to come together and build relationships over the course of the season.

“It was tough after the game,” he said.

“Everyone was upset that we couldn’t finish the season with the goal we set at the beginning. It hurt, but there’s nothing we can do about it. I think everyone realized we had a great season.”

On bvtigernews.com now Photos from the State football game Tips on staying active during winter Reviews of new Coldplay album, Mylo Xyloto Finals survival guide for last minute studying

December 2011

inthenews

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Temperature Tricks

;LHJOLYZ HUK KPZ[YPJ[ VMÄJPHSZ KPZHNYLL VU HWWYVWYPH[L ZJOVVS [LTWLYH[\YL During the transition from fall to winter, the temperature not only varies outside, but in the building as well.

The temperature during the day outside can be a chilly 40 degrees and then fall to a frigid 10 degrees at night. Changes like that will affect the temperature inside the school as well.

With the weather changes during the winter months, office secretary Heidi Wood said she expects a multitude of calls to the office from teachers reporting cold temperatures in their room.

“This time of year is hard,“ Wood said.

“We don’t know if it will be hot or cold in the school.”

Dave Hill, Executive Director of Facilities and Operations, said the Blue Valley District strives to keep the temperature between 73 and 75 degrees during the warmer months and between 68 and 71 degrees during the colder months.

“There might be some differences, but we strive for that 3 degree difference,” Hill said. “We try to save energy and thus

money. We’ve been able to save money, but I don’t think we have created discomfort.”

Hill said for every degree the District decides to lower the temperature in the winter, they save an average of $114,000 per year.

BV has more than fifty heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems on its roofs.

With that many systems, Hill said it is difficult for maintenance crews to keep up.

“Since its opening, Blue Valley has almost quadrupled in size,” Hill said. “With each new addition came new equipment, making BV very unique.”

Newer buildings like BV Southwest and BV West have a central plant where heating and cooling are distributed throughout the school.

‘‘

Wood said in the average school year she files 800 to 1,000 maintenance complaints.

“I pretty much know if there’s a problem,” she said.

“There are certain rooms that always have a problem, and it isn’t imaginary — the unit that services that room could be really old.”

If a teacher feels his or her room is excessively cold or warm, they get a thermometer from the office, report the temperature in their classroom to the office, and if the room is over or under the temperature set by district, a report is filed. If the temperature is severe enough, a call will also be put in to district.

“I could complain to the office, and they’d be very receptive, and they’d call district,” Spanish teacher Anita Lemons said. “[The district would] come and check

I enjoy teaching when I’m not freezing to death. —Anita Lemons

‘‘

kellycordingley news editor

sometimes days or weeks later and say it’s perfectly fine. Then I’d say ‘according to them,’ but according to me, it’s not fine and according to some of my students.”

To cope with drastic temperatures, Hill said students and faculty need to do their part by dressing appropriately.

“If students need to bring a sweatshirt and wear some jeans, that’s just what they need to do,” Hill said.

Lemons, however, decided to take matters into her own hands regarding the cold temperatures in her classroom.

“In order to solve the problem without really going through a lot of channels, I decided to get a little block of ice that gets put in the bottom of a lunch bag,” Lemons said. “First hour is fine, but by third hour, after two hours of cold air coming in here, I put the little block of ice and tape it on my thermometer, and we then get a very nice temperature.”

Lemons said due to her innovation, she enjoys normal temperatures in her room and has used it to teach her students problem-solving skills.

“I enjoy teaching when I’m not freezing to death,” Lemons said. “And my hands work better when they’re not cold.”

Cartoon by Evelyn Davis.

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inthenews

December 2011

KCTV5 chooses BV as Cool School of the week maddiejewett staffwriter Pancakes: $3.

Poster board and markers: $7.

Coffee: $4.

The chance to show off BV’s spirit to the entire community?

Priceless.

Assistant Principal Mollie McNally said she received an email from District Office saying that BV had been chosen to be featured on KCTV5’s Cool Schools.

She sent an email to all the different clubs and activities, asking if they wanted to be featured.

Six sponsors emailed her back, and she randomly chose the five groups that would be filmed, along with Student Council.

In order to prepare for Cool Schools, StuCo made posters, advertised, organized the raffle and made sure everything was ready to go.

McNally said getting ready for the event was time consuming, but worth it in the end.

“It was very fun, but it was a lot to organize,” she said. “I didn’t want StuCo to have

too much on their plate, so I did everything I could to step in and help out with it.”

Throughout the morning, Fifth Wall, Drumline, Orchestra, Chambers, StuCo and the cheerleaders were filmed live.

Journalism and debate pre-recorded segments earlier during the week.

In between these live segments, shots of the students screaming and doing cheers in the bleachers were also filmed.

McNally said she was happy with the turnout.

“I really wasn’t sure what to expect,” she said. “But we have to remember, it’s about quality, not quantity. Two big sections of the bleachers were full, and it worked well.”

Junior Natalie Biel attended because of Chambers, but said she would have gone regardless.

“It was just a very cool thing that they were doing,” she said. “I think anything like that, where students can all get together, can create a sense of unity. It helps us take pride in our school.”

McNally said she thinks Cool School allows students to know they are appreciated.

“It served as a validation for kids in activities,” she said. “It made them think

‘What we do is great, and we’re getting recognized for it.’”

Sophomore Kelly Nicholson said Cool School will be beneficial for all students.

“I think it will show everyone how much spirit we have here,” she said. “It will show just how much dedication people have to this school.”

McNally said the event was a success.

“Anytime we can get positive coverage

for our school, it’s a success,” she said. “It was great that we could recognize the kids who don’t typically get the spotlight.”

Biel said, in her mind, BV is definitely a “Cool School.”

“Everybody supports each other,” she said. “There are a wide range of activities that we do here, and everyone is very committed to what they do.”

Check out bvtigernews.com for photos.

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December 2011

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Latin teacher retires after struggling with son’s death, administration searches for replacement saranaatz co-editor On Oct. 10, 2010, Jacob Henry and his fiancée, Stephanie, died in a car wreck.

Jacob’s mother, Latin teacher Connie Henry, struggled with the loss. Jacob and Stephanie had been together since the seventh grade.

Henry said she remembers how Stephanie used to call the family’s home phone. She remembers how small Stephanie’s voice sounded and how she would always ask to speak with Jacob.

It felt to Henry as if she had lost not only a son, but a daughter as well.

“There’s no name for the grief we are feeling,” she said.

“When you lose your spouse you’re a widow or widower.

When you lose your parents you’re an orphan. But there’s no name for what my family is going through.”

A year after the accident, Jacob’s parents discovered via Facebook that the driver responsible for the car wreck was drunk at the time of the collision and had drug abuse problems. Henry said the police had not informed the family.

“It’s hard enough to deal with senselessness of two young people killed in such a horrid manner,” Henry said. “[My husband and I] struggled to put the pieces together in our world.”

Henry left school in early November after the anniversary of her son’s death and his birthday. She planned to return to BV. During that time, however, Henry’s other son, Collin, collided with a deer in a nonfatal car wreck.

“It scared us to pieces,” she said. “I don’t ever want to lose another child, and I don’t ever want to not be there for my children.”

Henry made the decision to retire, effective Dec. 1, 2011.

“It’s going to give her time to be with her family and some time to heal emotionally,” Principal Scott Bacon said.

“I think for anybody who goes through that experience, it’s difficult. People grieve differently. It’s just a very sad and very difficult journey, and unless one has experienced it, I’m not sure they could even describe it.”

Henry said she considered her students when making her decision not to return to school.

“Teaching requires so much from teachers every day,” she said. “I have wonderful students, but I felt like I couldn’t give them one hundred percent.”

Henry has taught Latin 4 students seniors Mark Nichols and Spencer Ho since they began studying the language their freshman year.

Nichols said though the accident was hard on Henry, she maintained an upbeat attitude in the classroom. “[Her retirement] kind of took me by surprise,” he said. “I’ve known her all four years now. She’s been really supportive of both Spencer and me. It’s been nice having a steady teacher, but I understand her circumstances and why she left.”

Administrators, who originally planned on Henry’s return, first hired temporary substitutes to fill the position.

Kelley Tuel and Janet Fisher worked with the Latin teacher from BV North to develop lessons for the Latin students.

Ho and Nichols were occasionally pulled from their seventh hour classes to help teach Latin 2 students concepts too complicated for substitutes not certified in the language.

Henry The Latin 4 students continued to work on their own material in Henry’s absence as well.

“Spencer and I basically came up with our own lesson plan because we plan to take the AP test,” Nichols said. “We don’t really need a whole lot of direction.”

Steve Kornfeld began temporarily teaching all Latin classes on Dec. 5. He taught Latin previously in the Kansas City area. With his help, Latin students will be given the chance to review information and possibly redo assignments on which they did poorly.

“One of the things we’re asking [Kornfeld] to do is get with the students and try to review some of the content that’s been delivered in the past couple of weeks and really

nail it down,” Bacon said. “There may be some extenuating circumstances for students we’ll have to take into account, and we’ll try to give the student every benefit of the doubt in those situations. We want the grade to reflect their learning as best we can.”

Rachel Cunning, a student teacher, will begin teaching all Latin classes next semester.

When looking for a new Latin teacher, the administration searched for someone who could mirror the passion Henry had for both the language and her students.

“Ms. Henry loved being with her students and developed positive relationships with her students,” Bacon said. “She was very conscientious about her students learning the language to the best of their ability. She would bend over backwards and do whatever it took to help those students succeed.”

Henry said she hopes her students will remember what she calls her trademark phrase: “Think Latin thoughts,” and remember everything she taught them.

“I explained a concept, and after I was done [Blake Staley] said ‘Ms. Henry, that’s so cool!’” she said. “Those are the types of moments teachers treasure. Making that connection with students is what I’ll miss the most.”

her support system I’m going to miss her smile. But I think the most I’m going to miss her friendship. I already miss her. — Robin Lerner, math teacher

I will miss her sense of humor. She always was laughing. We always laughed when she was around. —Anita Lemons, Spanish teacher

She always made me laugh. She was just a cheerful person. It was hard to be in a bad mood around her. — Jill Gouger, Spanish teacher

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inthenews

November 2011

Student Council uses Homecoming SURðW IRU VFKRRO LPSURYHPHQWV haileymcentee staff writer Student Council is preparing to make some new investments in our school.

After homecoming, StuCo subtracted the amount of money spent on the dance from the total money made from ticket sales.

The profit was around $5,400.

Instead of keeping the money in the StuCo account, they decided to put it toward investments.

“We wanted to have some sort of legacy left by StuCo,” student body president senior Evelyn Davis said. “We want to invest the extra Homecoming money back to the student body. The class president for each grade went out and saw what their peers wanted us to invest in.”

A portion of the funds will be used to buy a new mascot suit. StuCo voted on which mascot to purchase on Nov. 30. The suit costs $1,130.

“I think it’s going to be a really good one,” freshman Arjun Prakash said. “And it’s the cheapest out of the three options we had.”

StuCo sponsor Mark Mosier said they want the money to fund something other than sports.

“It’s not like we are against sports or anything,” Mosier said. “We just wanted the money to go toward something all the students could relate to, not just the

athletes.”

StuCo members sat down with administrators to discuss and receive more input.

Prakash proposed the installment of a pen and pencil machine. It would be placed outside the library.

“I was in StuCo at BVMS in 7th grade and we thought it would be really cool to get a pen and pencil machine, but that plan never went through,” Prakash said. “When I would go to other schools for basketball games I would see they had pen and pencil machines, and I though it was a great idea. So we decided we should get one now at our school.”

Prakash said a pen and pencil machine will help students be prepared.

“I think that, hopefully, it will help with the responsibility of bringing supplies to class everyday,” he said.

“There won’t be an excuse to not have a pencil.”

StuCo plans on repainting and cleaning up the metal tiger in front of the school.

The mural towards the front of the building will also be repainted.

Currently, StuCo is researching prices for their plans. They hope to have some things ordered before the end of this semester. Some of the purchases are expected to arrive by the beginning of second semester.

“We believe that we are trying to cover many different areas, such as adding to school spirit, having something fun, and making the school look nicer,” Davis said. “It will be something to be proud of.”

StuCo wishlist New furniture for senior hall More pictures around the school Pen and pencil machine for the library “Mr. and Mrs. Tiger Pageant” for seniors New mascot suit Stone mural

by the numbers $1,000 to American Red Cross

for Joplin Relief Efforts (spring 2011)

$350 to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (fall 2011)

4,170 pounds of food donated to Harvesters

December 2011

outloud

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-VV[IHSS MHU ILOH]PVY MHSSZ ZOVY[ VM ÄYZ[ JSHZZ

kellycordingley news editor “Let’s lynch them.”

No, that was not a cruel joke made by a famous comedian.

It was not a comment made by a politician who thought he or she was off-air, nor was it a quote from Mark Twain’s controversial book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

It was something I was shocked to hear from a BV student during the football game against Bishop Miege.

I have generally been proud to be a student here. I’ve felt my peers are, for the most part, respectful and courteous. At the very least, they know to keep their mouths shut when what they’re thinking shouldn’t be said aloud.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for the four boys standing directly behind me in the stands at the game.

It all started with them calling the African-American players on the Miege team the “N”-word. I bit my tongue, not wanting to start something in the middle of the game.

They had quite the limited vocabulary, seeing as every other word out of their mouths was the “F”-word.

Then, they said “let’s lynch them,” which sent me over the edge. I whipped around and gave them a piece of my mind.

It is not that I’m an especially wonderful person or hold myself to a higher standard, but I certainly hold myself to a

new year new

ways

Resolutions leave a positive effect

higher standard than those boys did.

I made sure to mention how terrible those words were and how terrible the boys were for using those words and thinking that way. But they, clearly being immature, began to mock me.

During the second half of the game, the comments got even worse and further confrontation was inevitable.

The boys told me the comments didn’t matter because “they’re just blacks.”

They told me, “Black people are like a needle in a haystack. One out of a few hundred are OK.” So, of course, I let them have it. I was so enraged I don’t remember everything that was said.

I know I told them they were racist jerks.

They continued to make fun of me as well, saying rude things and calling me names to others.

Then, I had to listen to them discuss spitting on me or putting their used tobacco chew on my head. One of the boys started spitting behind me to intimidate me.

Their lack of maturity and their racism infuriated me.

It boggled my mind that another human being could have so much hate for someone, just because of the color of their skin.

I know this kind of behavior took place years ago, but I’d hoped our student body was mature enough to be above that.

I don’t mean to insinuate that our school is full of bigots

abbybamburg staff writer New Years.

A different year, a new start and an excuse to party.

We all know the basics of New Years.

We know the ball drops on Channel 12.

We know for the first month we’re going to forget to change the date on every one of our papers.

And we know with every new year, we’re supposed to set new goals for ourselves.

Adults tell us it’s important because it pushes us to be the best we can be. This is something that I not only agree with but apply to my own life.

Now, I know not all the goals I make will be achieved, but I feel that it is very important to set them.

Cartoon by Evelyn Davis.

like the boys I encountered during the game — it doesn’t.

It is, however, very disturbing that people like those four boys still exist.

Had someone who didn’t know what our student body was like heard those comments, they’d assume we condone that sort of behavior.

And we certainly do not. I was raised to believe every race is equal, no matter what. I wish our entire school believed that, too.

New Year’s is not just an excuse to celebrate, but an opportunity to challenge yourself throughout the next year as well.

As students, we sometimes are forced to write goals about school or about sports and extracurricular activities. Why can’t we just write them about life?

It’s just as important to set goals to improve your relationships with people as it is to improve your grade point average.

From my experience, it is best to write your goals down. I can’t tell you how many times I have set them and forgotten them the next day. Writing them down is a way to keep track of which ones you have completed and which ones you haven’t — basically like a checklist.

Goals can also give you clarity on what you ultimately want to happen in the next year. It helps you focus on what’s important.

It can be anything from getting straight As to improving your relationship with your parents to working at an animal shelter or even getting your driver’s license. These all play a part in your future.

Ever since kindergarten up until high school, my goals have always been kind of silly — they were more like wishes and prayers than goals.

As I get older, I’ve realized the importance of setting goals on New Years. It’s a chance for a new start and a reason to better yourself.

So this New Years, think about setting goals to challenge yourself. I guarantee it will help you in the long run.

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outloud

December 2011

Stop the political

stereotypes

Cartoon by Katie Wells.

saranaatz co-editor Every week, my shift overlaps with the shift of my middle-aged coworker. I hang around for a few extra minutes every time to chat with her about her life and her kids.

She works two jobs. She works ridiculous hours.

She never does anything halfway.

A couple weeks ago, I asked her how she does it.

Her reply was exhausted but full of conviction: She is a single mother of three kids and would do anything to put them all through college, no matter how hard it may be. She loves them more than anything in the world.

I don’t know a single person who would call her lazy.

Just because she isn’t the wealthiest person doesn’t mean she isn’t doing her best every day to give her family the best life possible.

Then there was my grandmother.

She was born in the projects of Chicago with her brother and sister. Their father left them when she was just a little girl.

Her mother was left to care for them alone in a

time when women didn’t have all the opportunities they do now.

My grandmother went to Catholic school. She studied. She made a life for herself.

Years later, she raised my dad and uncle with a very clear idea of what it takes to be successful. She taught them to work for what they had and to never take anything for granted. She gave to charities and always helped out when she could.

She was hardly selfish.

Yet with all the buzz about the 2012 election, we hear phrases such as “Poor people are lazy,” and “Rich people are greedy,” on a regular basis.

Both are ridiculous assumptions about vague and undefinable groups of people.

Not to mention that, more often than not, the poor people who aren’t lazy end up becoming the rich people who aren’t greedy.

Oh, the irony.

And there are plenty of people from each group who defy the stereotype of “lazy” or “greedy.”

We need to look past these group stereotypes and see through to the real issues that matter to us most in the upcoming election.

It’s just like that politician you can’t stand.

George W. Bush wasn’t too great with articulating his ideas — that doesn’t mean you should think all Republicans are dumb.

Obama wants universal healthcare — that doesn’t mean you should think all Democrats are socialists.

It’s time we stop with the stereotypes and the polarized partisan politics and start forming our own opinions based on the issues and the individuals.

Letter to the editor College readiness activities should be taken seriously Thank you for the article “Checking Out” in the November 11 edition of The Tiger Print about the large number of students who checked out instead of attending the college readiness activities on Oct. 12.

I truly appreciate Hailey McEntee’s efforts to interview several individuals with varying viewpoints.

One student interviewed for the article said she did not attend because she already knew the requirements to get into her college of choice.

College readiness is so much more than making that choice and knowing the requirements. It is engaging with appropriate course work at the high school level to be ready for college-level work as well as being aware of what it takes to be a successful student once you reach the college campus.

The college student and professor panels went into great detail about those two topics. It is making sure that you’ve picked the right college for you as well as viable back-up colleges based on your strengths, abilities and the attributes of the colleges. It is investigating careers thoroughly and understanding which ones might be a good fit for you, followed by a careful analysis of which colleges have those majors, what the job outlook is for those majors, etc.

Even if you don’t know exactly which career or major you might want to pursue, it is helpful to investigate families of careers as a general goal or guideline. It is maximizing your activity and leadership involvement at the high school to help you with college admissions and scholarship opportunities and documenting that information on a log or résumé.

All of these topics and more were covered on the afternoon of Oct. 12.

Principal Scott Bacon was correct in pointing out that students consistently say on their senior exit surveys that they wish they had more help and information about career and college planning.

As a counselor, I am thrilled that our entire staff joined hands in providing this valuable day for our students on a topic that typically generates thousands of questions for us in our offices.

When our faculty plans future college readiness events and activities, I hope that our students and parents will trust that we know what will be helpful for them.

I want to thank our faculty for their hard work and leadership in this valuable endeavor. A special thank you goes to Jessica Janish, Julie Carlberg and Manal Siam, who coordinated the grade level activities.

Finally, I want to thank the many students who did stay for the day’s events.

Congratulations to the Tiger Print staff for the fine work you do on every issue!

Sincerely, Sandy Fryer, Counselor

December 2011

staffeditorial

outloud

the tiger print publication co-editors-in-chief Jordan Huesers Sara Naatz website editor Maegan Kabel photo editor Courtney Woodworth news editor Kelly Cordingley features editor Annie Matheis entertainment editor Odi Opole opinion editor Emily Brown sports editor Jordan McEntee

Cartoon by Evelyn Davis.

Employers, college admissions screen students’ Twitter accounts staff editorial

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agreed

0

disagreed

“Just made mean comments at gov. brownback and told him he sucked, in person, #heblowsalot.”

This tweet, posted by a Shawnee Mission East student, rocketed into national news when Sam Brownback’s office found the post and brought it to the attention of school officials.

Within a few days, the student was being interviewed by CNN. This incident proves everything and anything you post online is being read by someone.

Every time you post a tweet, you send it out to a global audience that can access it at any time, whether by searching certain hashtags or people.

Every insult or rude comment is out in the open for people to see.

According to cnn.com, every public tweet posted since Twitter started in 2006 will be archived digitally by the Library of Congress for the historical value.

Every tweet can be accessed by future employers or colleges.

According to oregonbusinessreport.com, a CareerBuilder survey reported that 45 percent of employers use Twitter to screen possible job applicants.

More than 2,600 hiring managers participated in the survey.

Thirty-five percent of the employers ended up not hiring a possible candidate because of things posted on the person’s Twitter account.

This includes inappropriate photos, discriminatory comments, content indicating alcohol or drug use, rude comments about their previous employers and evidence of poor communication skills.

According to dailynorthwestern. com, more than 40 percent of law school admissions officers reported they used social networking sites to screen students.

One tweet could prevent you from being accepted to the college of your choice.

The Press Complaint Commission has ruled that unless you make your tweets private, every single tweet is under public domain and can be published.

That means newspapers or any media company can use your tweets without your permission.

The Los Angeles Times has reported incidents of “Twitter holes” that allowed Googlebot users to view protected tweets.

To put it simply, everything you tweet can be accessed by anyone.

Remember that before you want to insult your boss, coworker or fellow student.

Or even the governor of Kansas.

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ads manager Anna Wonderlich circulation manager Taylor Yeazel staff writers Abby Bamburg Jansen Hess Maddie Jewett Meghan Kennedy Hailey McEntee Caroline Meinzenbach photographers Dakota Behrman Maria Fournier Aubrey Illig Bailey Outlaw Olivia Roudebush cartoonist Evelyn Davis adviser Jill Chittum

The Tiger Print is published nine times a year for students, faculty, and the surrounding community of Blue Valley High School. It is an open forum for student expression. Therefore, the opinions expressed within this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of the administrations of Blue Valley Unified School District #229. Letters to the editor and reader responses are encouraged for publication. The Tiger Print reserves the right to edit all submissions for both language and content and encourages letters to be no more than 350 words. Letters should be submitted to room 450, emailed to thetigerprint@yahoo.com or mailed to: The Tiger Print c/o Blue Valley High School 6001 W. 159th St. Stilwell, KS 66085 phone: 913-239-4800 Pacemaker finalist, 2009 and 2010.

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December 2011

Freshman Zach Johnson works a math problem during an AVID tutorial. AVID tutors are responsible for overseeing tutorials and helping students learn. “Tutors give good advice and hints if no one knows what to do,” Johnson said. Photo by Evelyn Davis.

AVID tutor senior Miranda Loats guides a tutorial for her freshman AVID group. The students were discussing material from their biology class. "Tutorials are important because students get answers from other students rather than just being told answers," Loats said.

"They have to self-initiate and figure out how to go about it themselves." Photo by Evelyn Davis.

Not the typical tutors AVID veterans

guide small-group discussions to help students find answers, encourage self-motivation

S

anniematheis features editor

tudents sit in a semi-circle for the discussion.

Freshman Matt Antonic poses a question to the group.

They work together to figure out the problem.

AVID tutor senior Miranda Loats works with the group to help them come up with the answer.

“I’m not the actual one who is giving them the answers,” Loats said. “They are finding out the answers for themselves. I am helping them so they can figure it out and be self-motivated. Our job is to help the discussion move and make sure that they get all their questions answered. We want them to leave the tutorial with a better understanding of the material than when they got there.”

After the group finds the solution, the next student asks a question.

Loats said the members of the group can bring in any type of question they have over a subject.

“Things just kind of domino,” she said. “Most of the time things are really broad, and then we just end up covering other topics that people have questions about anyway. It creates this discussion.”

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.

Antonic said the tutorials have helped him in his classes.

“They’ve helped me on my tests tremendously,” he said. “I know the information better, and it helps [form] better study habits.”

The class participates in tutorials two days each week.

“You’re not intimidated by the size of your class or the students in your class,” AVID site-team leader and teacher Dianne O’Bryan said.

“They just help you work problems and help each other.”

AVID tutors applied through the Blue Valley School District. They went through formal interviews and are employees of the district, making $10 per class period.

“The AVID program does like to see [AVID] students act as tutors because they have lived through it,” O’Bryan said. “They do know what it’s supposed to look like and how it’s supposed to be run.”

To be a student in AVID, eighth grade counselors recommend students to the AVID teachers. The students then attend a meeting about AVID and have an interview to see if the class is the right fit for them.

“Our goal is to encourage students to take rigorous courses and, in the process, to support them to be great students in those classes,” O’Bryan said. “The kids that are in AVID are kids who are ready to be taking honors and AP classes, but they don’t always think they are.”

AVID teachers O’Bryan, Jessica Edwards and Jill Chittum conference with each student about enrollment for the next school year to ensure students are making the right course selections.

“We want to make sure they create the right balance of hard courses but also that they can be successful in those courses,” O’Bryan said.

The students also partake in college preparatory work. This includes working on public-speaking skills, reading and writing skills and test preparation.

Team-building activities also build trust between the students, which can help later when working in tutorial groups.

“It becomes more of a team, as opposed to just a class,” O’Bryan said. “I get to stay with them for all four years. Since I’m not athletically inclined, I don’t coach any activities so I don’t have that experience with students. It’s awesome just to see them grow up so much because when you have them as freshmen, they’re just these little versions of themselves. And then to see them as seniors, how much they’ve changed over the four years, is very fun to watch.”

December 2011

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12 December 2011

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I  work  with  juniors  and  seniors  who  are  still  feeling  hurt  by  things  that  happened  way  back  in  junior  high,â&#x20AC;?  she  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  unsettling.  ,W ORZHUV VHOI HVWHHP DQG FRQÂżGHQFH DQG LW makes  you  question  where  you  belong.  They  are  very  powerful  effects.â&#x20AC;?  Suzy  said  she  will  never  forget  how  she  was  hurt.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m  going  to  think  the  same  thing  about  that  person  forever,â&#x20AC;?  she  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve  had  such  an  impact  on  me,  so  Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll  probably  not  like  that  person  for  the  rest  of  my  life.â&#x20AC;?  Suzy  said  the  biggest  lesson  she  took  DZD\ IURP WKH VLWXDWLRQ ZDV DERXW ÂżQGLQJ people  she  can  truly  rely  on.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;I  learned  to  not  trust  as  much,â&#x20AC;?  she  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;I  learned  who  to  trust.  I  learned  you  have  to  meet  good  people  you  can  trust,  who  love  you  and  accept  you  for  who  you  are.â&#x20AC;?

Suzyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  mom  said  she  gained  more  knowl-­ edge  about  protecting  her  family  online.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;I  learned  that  you  have  to  guard  yourself,â&#x20AC;?  she  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;And  you  have  to  tell  your  kids  not  to  put  so  much  out  there  for  people  to  hurt  you.  You  have  to  watch  who  youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re  friends  with.â&#x20AC;?  Cyberbullying  doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  just  impact  the  victim,  Suzyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  mom  said  it  affects  the  whole  family. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It  was  hard  on  all  of  us,â&#x20AC;?  she  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;It  has  a  domino  effect  on  everyone  in  that  per-­ sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  life  by  watching  her  go  through  it.  We  do  things  differently,  and  we  know  who  her  friends  are.  We  are  more  aware.â&#x20AC;?  6X]\ÂśV PRP VDLG WKH EXOOLHV QHHG WR ÂżQG D healthier  way  to  let  out  their  anger.  ³7KH EXOOLHV QHHG WR ÂżQG VRPHRQH WR WDON WR ´ VKH VDLG Âł7KH\ DUH LQĂ&#x20AC;LFWLQJ SDLQ RQ others  because  of  their  own  problems.  Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  never  OK.  Just  because  itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  online,  that  doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  mean  it  wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  hurt.  They  just  need  to  stop  and  imagine  how  it  feels  and  the  hurt  thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  caused.â&#x20AC;?

Seitter  said  she  encourages  teenagers  to  take  a  step  back  and  make  sure  their  com-­ ments  are  building  their  fellow  classmates  up,  not  tearing  them  down.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;I  would  like  students  to  stop  and  think  for  ¿YH VHFRQGV EHIRUH WKH\ VHQG D WH[W SRVW a  message  on  Facebook,  tweet  something  or  whatever  they  do,â&#x20AC;?  she  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;They  need  to  ask  themselves,  â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Is  what  Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m  about  to  say  going  to  be  helpful  or  hurtful?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;  And,  hopefully,  if  itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  going  to  be  hurtful,  theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll  choose  not  to  say  it.â&#x20AC;?

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Words  hurt  worse  â&#x20AC;&#x201D;  theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re  sharper,â&#x20AC;?  she  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;A  lot  of  people,  teens  especially,  feel  in-­ secure  and  have  low  self-­esteem.  And  there  are  lots  of  opportunities  to  be  jealous,  like  in  sports  or  activities.  That  opens  up  pain  within  them,  and  when  theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re  angry,  going  online  is  the  easiest  way  to  hit  them.â&#x20AC;?  6FKRRO 5HVRXUFH 2IÂżFHU  Ken  Braden  said  bullying  has  changed  with  the  evolution  of  social  media  sites  like  Facebook  and  Twitter.    â&#x20AC;&#x153;There  used  to  be  the  class  bully  who  was  bigger,  stronger  and  more  popular  than  everybody  else,â&#x20AC;?  he  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now  on  the  web,  it  could  be  anyone.  Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  the  face  unseen.  Any-­ one  can  isolate  someone  from  a  group  just  because  they  can.â&#x20AC;?  &DPSXV 3ROLFH 2IÂżFHU Dennis  Randall  said  comments  on  the  Internet  can  be  read  in  many  different  ways  and  can  be  easily  misconstrued.   â&#x20AC;&#x153;Teenagers  are  very  volatile,â&#x20AC;?  he  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;They  have  different  opinions  and  different  ideas  of  what  is  considered  cyberbullying.  Somebody  might  say,  â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oh,  I  was  just  joking  around,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;  but  itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  all  in  how  the  actions  are  per-­ ceived  by  the  victim.  They  are  the  ones  who  determine  if  itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  bullying.â&#x20AC;?   Suzy  said  comments  online  are  not  easily  hidden  from  the  person  theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re  being  tar-­ geted  toward. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Things  you  say  about  others,  even  if  you  GRQÂśW WKLQN WKH\ÂśOO VHH LW DOZD\V ÂżQG D ZD\ WR get  back  to  that  person,â&#x20AC;?  she  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;It  doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  matter  what  context  you  might  have  used  it  in,  it  can  still  manage  to  hurt  them.â&#x20AC;?   School  psychologist  Julie  Seitter  said  she  believes  teens  have  more  audacity  when  they  can  hide  behind  a  computer  screen.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;People  do  it  for  power  or  for  control,â&#x20AC;?  she  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes  when  people  are  with  their  friends,  they  get  that  mob  mentality.  Their  friends  might  be  like,  â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Do  it!  Do  it!â&#x20AC;&#x2122;  so  they  have  more  bravery  to  say  something.â&#x20AC;?

Despite  the  dangers  of  cyberbullying,  Ran-­ dall  said  monitoring  social  networking  sites  is  outside  the  school  districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  realm  of  authority. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If  itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  committed  on  a  school  computer,  we  can  look  at  it,â&#x20AC;?  he  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;But  if  itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  outside  of  school,  it  has  to  be  reported  to  county  of-­ ÂżFLDOV ´ Cyberbullying  cases  are  serious  issues  that  come  up  around  the  nation.  One  of  the  most  famous  recent  cases  is  that  of  Phoebe  Prince,  a  15-­year-­old  from  Massachusetts  who  committed  suicide  in Â

December 2011 11

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December 2011

Living behind the Iron Curtain

Teacher protested Bulgarian socialist regime until poverty forced her to move to America emilybrown opinion editor A speaker stood on a balcony, expressing his frustration and anger with the current socialist government.

Below, thousands of dissatisfied Bulgarians stood listening. Teacher Anna Toneva stood next to her husband and two-year-old son. Her son held a candle in his small hands. As it burned, the wax slowly dripped.

Anna spent the first 30 years of her life in Bulgaria.

She grew up in Hisar, a small city known for its ancient Roman ruins and famous mineral waters. It was situated right outside the capital of Bulgaria but still had the feeling of a small town.

Anna said her home dynamic was like the ideal image of an Italian family.

“My family was really close,” she said. “It was fun. We were poor but happy.”

Twenty-five days before entering high school, Anna traveled to a farm to help harvest a crop with other students. There, Anna met her future husband. In high school, she remained with the same class through all four years. She said Bulgarians stuck together, and when they struggled, it showed on their faces.

The country is near Italy and France, so fashion was important to the young Bulgarians.

“I spent three-fourths of my first teacher salary on a pair of shoes,” she said. “You just have to look good in Bulgaria. You may be hungry, but you always had to look good.”

After graduating from high school, she had one dream — to be an astronaut. She studied physics and math vigorously in hope of entering an elite college.

“They sent me a letter, saying that I was a great person and how much they loved my bio,” she said. “But because I was a woman, they wouldn’t let me into the school.”

In 1985, Anna realized how suffocating the socialist regime was.

“I didn’t feel like I was in jail,” she said. “There just wasn’t as much freedom. It was difficult to leave the country. It was like living behind a big wall.”

From there, Anna became involved in an underground movement to change the socialist government.

They started their own political party — though, legally, only one party could be allowed. They called it the Democratic Party.

Through peaceful protests, Anna helped fight for more freedom and the end of the 45-year reign of Todor Zhivkov placed in Bulgaria by the USSR. Anna’s daughter, Galina Toneva, said Anna’s passion for change is one of the many reasons she admires her mother so much.

“I love that she gets fired up about what she believes and is willing to take action,” Galina said. “It says a lot about the kind of person she is and the way she sees the world.”

Change didn’t come fast enough for Anna and her husband, a computer scientist. The couple was struggling to support their two children, even with their higher education.

Anna Toneva and her family pose for a photo in Bulgaria. Toneva moved to the U.S. in 1992. Photo courtesy of Anna Toneva.

“We were really, really poor,” Anna said. “Almost our entire salaries went to pay the rent. Everyone had to be equal in Bulgaria. No one was special, no matter your education or job.”

Because of the poverty, Galina said she had a different kind of childhood.

Toneva “I had very few toys as a kid,” she said. “So for the most part, I entertained myself by playing games like tag and hopscotch and making mud pies outside with the other kids in the neighborhood. There were no little league teams or play dates.”

In 1992, Anna and her husband decided to move to America. They lied to the Bulgarian government to leave the country, claiming to already have jobs waiting for them.

“Half of my heart is still in Bulgaria,” Anna said.

“Friends, oh, I still miss my friends. In Bulgaria, you don’t need a therapist. Your friends are your therapists. You can tell them anything you need to.”

Anna’s husband left for America first to search for a job. He already knew English. Anna only knew ten words.

“I was scared,” she said. “I had no idea what America was like. I had no picture of America. I really had no idea.”

She followed her husband soon after, flying to New York. Then, she took a 27-hour bus ride to Kansas.

“The person who put me on the bus made sure to tell the driver that I couldn’t speak English to make sure that I survived,” she said. “But the person I sat next to kept trying to talk to me. By the time I’d arrived in Kansas, I had learned 20 new words.”

Anna took English as a Second Language classes and proved the validity of her college degree.

By her fifth year in Kansas, she was already dreaming in English.

Her son and daughter speak, write and read Bulgarian.

“I didn’t really have a choice in continuing to speak my native language,” Galina said. “But I’m glad they made sure that I kept the language because otherwise I would have a hard time communicating with the family I still have left in Bulgaria.”

Anna said she wishes she had put her children into more activities once she arrived in America.

“I have regrets for not being on top of things,” she said. “I don’t think my children had the best childhood they could have had. I was still learning when I arrived, so I didn’t get them involved in Girl Scouts or sports. I was just a bit behind.”

She recently started a school to teach the children and spouses of Bulgarian adults how to speak Bulgarian. Anna has visited Bulgaria several times since leaving and contacts her Bulgarian friends weekly via Skype.

“Bulgaria has changed but not changing the way it should be,” she said. “A small amount of people are very rich. A large percent of the population is still very poor.”

She said she feels at home in the States and does not wish to move back to Bulgaria.

“My children are here,” she said. “And I feel like if I were to go back, I would only go if I could help the country and Bulgarian people — show them the bigger perspective of things.”

December 2011

payin’thebills

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16

December 2011

upclose

‘Tis the

season

Students celebrate a multitude of winter holidays Story by Maddie Jewett.

Hanukkah Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish celebration. The holiday remembers the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C. The term Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew. It is celebrated by lighting the Menorah, eating traditional foods, playing games and opening gifts.

Diwali Diwali, celebrated in October or November each year, is a festival in which people of Indian discent put up lights inside and outside of their homes in order to symbolize the inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness. The holiday is also celebrated to worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. There are five days of Diwali. Diwali is celebrated by cleaning, putting up lights, giving gifts, cooking and eating with the family.

Senior Lauren O’Toole “Our grandparents always come in and celebrate it with us. It’s a good family tradition and a good way to hold on to my mom’s family’s roots and all that jazz.”

O’Toole

Information from history.com

Kwanzaa Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, created Kwanzaa in 1966. Kwanzaa is a holiday to build and reinforce the African American community. It’s not based around religion; it’s based on ethnicity. There are seven nights of Kwanzaa, and on each night the family gets together, and a child lights one of the candles. Kwanzaa is celebrated with African songs and dances, drums, storytelling, poetry reading and large meals.

Sophomore Shivani Patel “Diwali is the Festival of Lights. We take a ton of candles or light bulbs and basically just light up the whole house. You want to keep the light inside of you burning.”

Patel

Information from nationalgeographic.com

Christmas Christians celebrate Christmas as an anniversary of the birth of Jesus. Popular traditions include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church and waiting for Santa Claus to come. December 25, Christmas Day, has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.

Junior Oksana Litardo “My favorite part is the atmosphere of joy and togetherness with all of my friends and family. I love the sense of family that comes with it.”

Information from history.com

Information from history.com

Litardo

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18

centerstage

December 2011

TOP FIVE

Survey according to 127 students

Year in review: 2011

Information gathered by Anna Wonderlich.

Trends 1. Twitter 2. Little satchels 3. Planking, owling, cone-ing 4. Beats by Dr. Dre 5. Hair feathers

Newsmakers 1. Kim Kardashian 2. Casey Anthony 3. Steve Jobs 4. Osama Bin Laden 5. Muammar Gaddafi

Headline news

Photo submitted by Anna Wonderlich.

Top moments at BV 1. BV raises $33,000 for Relay For Life, Adam Wade dyes hair 2. Tornado Warning 3. “Cowboys vs. Indians” basketball game 4. Pipe construction by mobiles 5. New adminstrators: Mollie McNally, Mark Dalton

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Joplin tornado The Royal Wedding Occupy Wall Street Cantaloupe scare Arizona shooting

Sports 1. Penn State scandal 2. St. Louis Cardinals win World Series 3. USA Women’s Soccer plays in World Cup 4. NBA, NFL lockouts 5. Sporting KC goes to playoffs

December 2011

centerstage

holidayrecipes

19

Story by Taylor Yeazel.

>>>ROLO PRETZEL TURTLES

1 package small pretzels (waffleshaped pretzels or small knot work best) One 13-ounce package of Rolo candies 1 package pecan halves (optional) 1 package of holiday-colored M&Ms (optional) Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Place pretzels individually to form one layer on baking sheet. Place one Rolo candy on top of each pretzel. Place baking sheet in the oven for 3-5 minutes. The Rolo candies should be soft and shiny, but not melted.

Remove from oven. If desired, place pecan half or M&M on top of each Rolo candy while hot to press chocolate into pretzel and flatten out. Place baking sheet into refrigerator to cool for 20 minutes. Serve.

Recipe from Taylor Yeazel.

>>>HOLIDAY PUNCH 2 packages strawberry Kool-Aid (no sugar added packet) 2 cups sugar 2 quarts water 1 large can (46 fluid ounces) pineapple juice 1 quart ginger ale

>>>PUMPKIN BREAD

Sift together flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Combine and mix vegetable oil, eggs, water, pumpkins, sugar, and nuts. Then stir in dry ingredients. Mix well and pour into bread pans. Makes two large loaves or three small ones. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Loaves stay moist for several days if wrapped in foil or plastic bag while slightly warm.

Recipe from Sherry Spotts.

>>>SUGAR COOKIES 1 cup softened butter 1 ½ cups sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 cups sifted flour ½ teaspoon soda ¼ teaspoon salt Cream butter. Add sugar gradually and beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Sift together flour, soda and salt; add gradually to creamed mixture. Chill dough thoroughly 3 to 4 hours. Roll on well-floured surface to ⅛ inch.

Cut into holiday shapes. Bake in 375 degree oven 6 to 8 minutes or till light brown. Cool slightly on baking sheet, finish cooling on rack.

When completely cool, frost with following recipe:

Put Kool-Aid mix, sugar, water, and pineapple juice in large mixing bowl.

Mix ingredients until Kool-Aid and sugar are completely dissolved. Freeze mix until slushy. Remove from freezer, add ginger ale, and serve.

Recipe from Taylor Yeazel.

3 ½ cups flour 2 teaspoon soda 1 ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 cup vegetable oil 4 eggs ⅔ cup of water 2 cups canned pumpkin 3 cups sugar 1 cup (finely chopped) black walnuts

photos by Maria Fournier and Maegan Kabel

Find it online Go to bvtigernews.com for more holiday treats Recipes from seniors Tess Constant and Bekah Nyman, and more from Taylor Yeazel.

>>>BUTTER FROSTING ⅔ cup butter cold and firm 4 cups powdered sugar ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla 2-3 tablespoon milk Food coloring Beat butter until creamy. Add sugar gradually. Add salt. Beat after each addition. Add vanilla and milk gradually. Beat well. Color with food coloring as desired. Frost cookies then trim as desired with colored sugar, chocolate chips, raisins, coconut and candy decorations.

Recipe from Deb Harris.

20

centerstage

December 2011

TUNES

all the right

Reviews by Annie Matheis.

The shiny sticker stuck to the plastic wrap of my new Black Keys CD, El Camino, advises me to “Play Loud.”

Never has more appropriate advice been given on a CD cover.

El Camino is the Black Key’s seventh studio album. And this rock-duo keeps doing what it’s always done: ‘70s-inspired rock.

You could say the Black Keys had a lot to live up to after its last album, Brothers. The album won three Grammys, including best alternative music album.

But this new CD keeps up with the Black Keys’ standards. The soulful, fuzzed-out lyrics along with the garagerock music maintain the band’s unique sound, while some of the extra sound effects add an individual aspect to this album.

The first single, “Lonely Boy,” perfectly depicts what the Black Keys are all about: guitar riffs galore and amusing lyrics.

While this album is a solid release from this noteworthy band, there is nothing that goes above and beyond the band’s previous music. If you enjoyed

The Black Keys

El Camino

No one can deny that Trey Songz is incredibly talented.

His voice is silky smooth, and his music is mildly catchy.

But sometimes that just isn’t enough.

Inevitable, his newest EP, features songs to tide fans over for his next studio album, Chapter 5, planned to be released in 2012.

At first, the five songs sound good.

They really do.

But they also sound like every other R&B song that’s played on the radio every day.

All the songs involve Trey Songz singing about how he wants some girl so much, with some catchy beats in the background.

Nothing special, really.

What does stand out about Inevitable is the lyrics. Let’s just say it is not music I would feel comfortable listening to around my parents.

And that really is OK for a couple songs. But when that’s the premise of the entire album, a musician might want to consider some sort of new musical inspiration.

When every single song on a five song EP sounds similar, I began to wonder if

Trey Songz

Inevitable

Album cover courtesy of iTunes

there was some type of musical block he encountered while writing his lyrics.

Luckily for this EP, Trey Songz does have amazing vocals.

Trey Songz is talented, but he is breaking no musical barriers with his EP. You can simply turn on the radio, and you will probably hear multiple songs that sound so similar that it would have been a waste of money to purchase Inevitable.

Album cover courtesy of iTunes

the older albums, you will be content with this new CD. However, if you were hoping for some new side of the Black Keys, you will be disappointed.

If you are a ‘70s rock fan, this is an album you just can’t help but play loudly.

The funky guitar riffs in songs like “Run Right Back” and the soulful, acoustic beginning of “Little Black Submarines” make this an enjoyable new release.

Like what you see? Check out more CD reviews, movie reviews and entertainment updates on

bvtigernews.com

Music applications provide new way to enjoy music

By Odi Opole and Sara Naatz.

Spotify According to its website, 10 million Europeans were using Spotify when it launched in the U.S., and it’s obvious why.

The program is basically a downloadable link that gives users access to thousands of songs and lets them mix and match their Spotify playlists with music they already own. Spotify also doesn’t buffer music — meaning that even if an internet connection times out mid-song, the program finishes playing the current song.

I don’t know how it works, but I’m so happy it does.

However, the fact that Spotify only works with Internet can also be a downside. You might get used to having all that music available, only to realize that you can’t take it with you. How sad is that?

Add that to the fact that Spotify doesn’t have every song by every artist. For instance, Coldplay’s latest album Mylo Xyloto is not available. You might just want to stick with buying music from iTunes.

Pandora Pandora utilizes technology from the Music Genome Project, which began in 2000. In the project, musician analysts evaluate each individual song and place it in a category with songs of similar sound.

In order to choose a station on Pandora, you must enter a song, artist or album. Pandora then uses the “genes” of that music for the rest of your playlist.

In other words, you can’t choose songs once you pick a station. The site picks songs to play based off of the first track or artist you pick, but beyond that it’s a toss-up as to what you’ll get.

Playlists often consist of artists of similar styles and genres, and Pandora makes suggestions using the same method.

This can be a blessing and a curse — a blessing if you’re looking for new music, or a curse if you had a specific song or album in mind.

December 2011

tigerturf

21

W

ORKING OUT IN EIGHTS CLASS

Girls enroll in stereotypical male class to stay active, maintain healthy lifestyle

H

tayloryeazel circulation manager

e lifts weights in preparation for the football season.

He works out so he can stay active.

He focuses on getting fit and toned.

He does his workouts so he doesn’t have to do them after school.

He helps to spot a peer.

It’s the stereotypical male class.

Senior Victoria Theriot is the only girl in her second hour Weights 2 class.

She said she signed up for Personal Fitness this year, but because few people signed up for it, she was placed in her alternate, Weights 2.

Theriot said on her first day this year, she was worried about being the only girl because two girls were in her class the previous year. She said she had thought about switching out, but decided against it.

She’s not the only girl taking weights, though.

Sophomore Sydnie Hanson, the only girl in her fifth hour Weights class, signed up to take the class because she said she thought it would help her with basketball.

Hanson said being the only girl in Weights 1 intimidated her when she first walked into class, but she adapted and now enjoys the class.

“After awhile, it got really good and the guys started being a lot better with me and actually helping me,” she said. “I actually like it. I actually enjoy going to it.”

Hanson said she didn’t have anyone to talk to at first.

“I didn’t really do anything, and nobody would lift with me because they didn’t want to take off their weight and put on my weight,” she said. “It was just intimidating because I thought that people would make fun of me for it.”

Hanson said the class has helped her with strength and basketball. She said it allows her to work out in school rather than outside of school.

“You just benefit from it,” she said. “It’s just a way so you can take the class, and you don’t have to [work out]

on your own time. If you’re busy or you have another thing you have to do after school, you can do it during school. It just helps a lot.”

Senior Nick Crissey said Theriot does well in the class.

“She lifts what’s right for her, and whenever she needs help, she just asks someone, and we’ll help her out,” he said.

Theriot said she doesn’t think the boys are intimidated by her because she doesn’t lift more than them. She said the guys are always kind and ready to help.

Crissey said he and the other guys in the class didn’t find it awkward to have one girl in the class. He said everyone is always willing to help her out, but lending a helping hand is not the only interaction that occurs in the class.

“Every now and then between sets, we’ll talk about whatever,” he said. “Other than that, we’re pretty focused on lifting.”

Theriot said other girls should join Weights because it keeps people healthy. However, she said some girls aren’t serious about the class. “[Girls last year] didn’t take it seriously, and that’s one reason why I’m sort of glad I’m the only girl because it’s kind of annoying when girls are walking around,” she said. “You know they’re not in there to work out. You know they’re just in there for the guys, which is kind of annoying.”

Crissey said if girls want to take the class, they should, but he understands why they wouldn’t want to take it.

“It’s not that big of a deal,” he said. “If they want to do it, it’s cool, but if not, I understand because it’s a predominantly guy class. It’s their own decision if they want to do it or not. Everyone has their own reason. If they want to do it, they should.”

Crissey said even though Theriot is the only girl, the class is no different than other classes.

“Everyone thinks it’s pretty cool,” he said. “It’s just like having another person in the class. We treat her just like everyone else. She does her thing, everyone else does theirs.”

Sophomore Sydnie Hanson lifts weights with assistance from her lifting partner. She is the only girl in her fifth hour weights class.

Photo by Aubrey Illig.

Sophomore Zach Self is spotted by sophomore Sydnie Hanson while lifting in their second hour weights class. They took turns lifting and spotting each other during the class. Photo by Aubrey Illig.

22

tigerturf

December 2011

Winter athletes to watch

Story by Jansen Hess. Athletes chosen by coaches.

Boys Varsity Basketball Girls Varsity Basketball Senior John Stoothoff is a force to be reckoned with on the court. He started every varsity game last year.

Boys varsity basketball coach Chris Hansen said Stoothoff ’s positive aura makes him a strong leader.

“He has a great attitude all the time,” Hansen said.

“You don’t ever see that guy have a bad day. I don’t mean he always plays great, but his attitude is always good. That’s not him leading by telling everyone what to do, that’s him leading by the example he gives, and I think that’s, lots of times, more powerful than words.”

Hansen said Stoothoff also has a solid work ethic to match his optimism.

“He’s a great kid, he’s a

great person, works really hard, and he’s a great example for younger guys on what it takes to be a varsity athlete,” Hansen said. “He works hard in the weight room, he works hard in the off season.”

He said Stoothoff ’s experience with the program is a vital aspect to his leadership with the

team.

“He knows what playing varsity basketball is like,” Hansen said. “That’s important now because some of these other guys who are going to play, haven’t done that yet and they’re going to need someone who’s going to lead them and show them what it takes.”

Junior Sara Hanna played in every Lady Tigers varsity basketball game last year and will do the same this season.

Girls varsity basketball coach Andrew Unrein said Hanna will make a significant difference to the success of the team.

“We have three really good players that everybody knows, our really studly players, Kenzie [Johnson], Taylor [Leathers] and Bailey [Geiman],” he said. “But, if I were to say the difference between someone making us good and making us really good, I would say Sara Hanna.”

Unrein said Hanna doesn’t get a lot of recognition, but she does all the little things well.

“Ultimately, she does

a lot of the things that you don’t really measure statistically,” he said “She’s a really good defender.”

Unrein said having someone like Hanna is vital to the success of the team.

“People look at the team and think ‘Oh, they’re not one of the best players,’ but in reality they are,” he said.

He also said it was

Wrestling

Boys Swimming

Look out for take-downs from seniors Cameron Bruce, Trever Hendrickson, Kellen Rios and Lukas Bjorgo this wrestling season. Wrestling coach Chris Paisley said each of the four seniors brings something different to the mat.

“Trever’s been with us for all four years,” Paisley said. “He’s a hard worker, great athlete, works on his technique to get better.”

Paisley said Bruce has improved a great deal since he started wrestling.

“He’s been with us for three years,” Paisley said.

“He’s done a good job, he’s worked hard, and he’s got a really good lat-drop.”

He said the wrestlers are glad that Bjorgo has transferred back from BV Southwest to wrestle his senior year.

A month before the swim season officially started, junior Vaughn Ericson had already organized a group of swimmers to start training early.

Swim coach Adam Bien said Ericson has been a fundamental instrument in helping the swim team make the transition from late coach Greg House to the current coaching situation.

He said Ericson’s leadership and attitude are rare among teenagers.

“Vaughn has a work ethic like not very many high school kids that I’ve seen,” Bien said. “Everyday he has a positive attitude and is ready to do any type of set I ask him to do, and he’ll make it. When I give them extra hard stuff, he steps up.

He doesn’t wimp out. He

“He’s got a whole different wrestling style than everybody else,” Paisley said.

Paisley said Rios is training hard to be a leader this season.

“This is his fourth year, and he’s got pretty good technique,” he said. “He’s the son of a coach, so he kind of knows how things

are supposed to happen.”

Paisley said the experience these boys have will help them throughout the season.

“They’ve been here, they know the program well, and they’re helping the young guys get better,” he said.

“Because they work so hard, everybody else sees how it’s supposed to be.”

steps up to the challenge, and he even asks for harder challenges sometimes, too.

He’ll be like, ‘Coach, can we do a couple even faster?’

That’s one of the big things that impresses me about Vaughn.”

Bien said Ericson’s positivity and determination impact the other swimmers.

“It trickles down,” he

important the team had someone who sets a good example for the other players.

“She has an incredibly solid work ethic and positive attitude,” he said. “She doesn’t care who gets accolades, or who’s the most recognized. She just wants to be competitive and successful.”

said. “Vaughn’s not even a senior, which is an interesting situation that he’s taken on this leadership position as a junior, but it trickles down to the younger guys.

He sets a good example, and the younger guys are going to see how he does it, and they’ll learn that that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

December 2011

Soccer teams play indoor to stay active during winter season haileymcentee staff writer When the weather outside is frightful, some students enjoy playing indoor soccer.

A group of sophomore girls plays on an indoor team called “The Unknowns.” Their team is made up of BV and BV North students who play on a recreational team together.

“It’s fun because it’s more casual than the actual outdoor season, so we don’t really have to worry about anything,” sophomore Taylor Justmann said. “We can just go out there and have fun playing soccer with friends.”

She said it is also a good way to get ready for the upcoming high school season.

“It prepares us for the high school soccer season by just being able to get our foot on the ball,” Justmann said.

She said she likes being able to stay in shape during the winter by playing indoor soccer.

“You aren’t forced to go to a gym and work out or anything — you can stay in shape just by having fun,” she said.

Sophomore Danielle Moss said indoor soccer provides a way to have fun and stay fit in a not-too-competitive atmosphere.

“People usually like to hibernate during the winter,

so it’s a good way to get out of my little hibernation and play some soccer,” Moss said. “I like how it’s just for fun.

We just go out and kick people’s butts.”

Sophomore Emily Marr said she likes being able to play a sport during the winter.

“When I play an indoor game, it makes me feel like I am actually getting active instead of just being lazy,” she said. “I don’t really do anything else over the winter so it’s a good way to get something in.”

Marr said she likes the different rules of indoor soccer.

“I like how there aren’t as many players on the field at a time because then I can get a lot more touches on the ball,” she said. “Also, there doesn’t seem to be as many rules so it’s fun to play with less restrictions.”

Justmann said the different rules for indoor soccer are both a positive and negative factor.

“I like the different rules because you are kind of free to do whatever,” she said. “You don’t have a lot of rules to follow. I also don’t like the different rules because you have more of a chance of getting hurt in indoor because there aren’t as many rules as far as aggression.”

Marr said she is excited and ready for their indoor season.

“I’m really looking forward to when we start indoor,” Marr said. “We are definitely going to be number one again.”

in the news

FYI Girls basketball, boys basketball and swim and dive will take team pictures today at 3 p.m.

Boys swimming will compete in a meet at Turner High School at 4 p.m. on Jan. 5.

The Kansas State University football team will play in the Cotton Bowl against the University of Arkansas on Jan. 6.

The University of Kansas basketball team will take on Kansas State University on Jan. 4.

important info Upcoming competitions: The varsity girls basketball team will play Saint Thomas Aquinas on Jan. 2 at home at 7 p.m.

The boys varsity basketball team will play Saint Thomas Aquinas on Jan. 3 at Aquinas at 7 p.m.

The varsity wrestling team will wrestle in the Johnson County Classic on Dec. 17 at 2:30 p.m.

The boys swim team will compete against Turner High School on Jan. 5 at Turner at 4 p.m.

tigerturf

23

TIGER

TURF

BV SPORTS

sports in brief BOYS BASKETBALL

Previous action: 12/8 vs. Ralston (W 50-43) 12/9 vs. Lawrence (L 51-34) 12/10 vs. Lee’s Summit (W 64-51) Upcoming action: 1/3 @ St. Thomas Aquinas 1/6 @ BV Northwest Record: 2-1

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Previous Action: 12/8 vs. Olathe East (L 31-26) 12/9 vs. Leavenworth (W 55-34) Upcoming action: 1/2 vs. St. Thomas Aquinas Record: 2-1

BOYS SWIMMING

Previous action: @ Lawrence Free State (qualified 2 out of 3 relays for State) Upcoming action: 1/19 @ SM East Invitational

WRESTLING

Previous Action: 12/10 @ Eudora Upcoming Action: 12/17 Johnson County Classic

GIRLS BOWLING

Upcoming Action: 1/19 @ Olathe East Lanes

Results current as of Dec. 12

24

incolor

December 2011

spirited

students

KCTV5 names BV Cool School, students gather for recognition

Photos by Maegan Kabel.

(Left) While KCTV5 personality Iris Hermosillo presents a Cool School teaser to viewers of KCTV5’s It’s Your Morning, seniors Hannah Sittig, Allie Goss and Anna Kerkhoff hold up signs to show Tiger pride. The newscast started at 5:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 1. KCTV5 and Wendy’s partnered to create the Cool School program, which recognizes schools based on achievements, community service and non-athletic programs.

(Above) To prepare for the influx of students, Student Body Vice President senior Elliot Voss arranges ticket buckets on the gym floor for the KCTV5 Cool School assembly. Beginning at 5:30 a.m., the assembly was a class competition based on the number of students from each class who attended. The seniors took first place. “There were more people than we expected,” Voss said. “We represented BV really well.”

(Right) Flipping pancakes, Chris Cakes employee Steve Hamilton prepares breakfast for the portion of the student body who showed up for the KCTV5 Cool School broadcast. Senior Lucas King woke up at 5 a.m. to be at the school by 5:35 a.m. “I came to be a part of our school and do something unique,” he said. “I think they chose us because we’re the best school.”

Junior Meggie Hadley signs in with Student Council sponsor Mark Mosier to get access to unlimited pancakes, courtesy of Chris Cakes. “It was a cool experience, just the fact that our school was picked for Cool School, and we were on TV,” Hadley said. “We showed good pride, for all of the people that showed up.”