Vol 11 issue #1

Central

Stampede Friday, September 30, 2005

Portage Central High School 8135 S. Westnedge Ave. Portage, MI 49002

Vol. 11 Issue 1

50 cents

Marathon

Men

SEAN CLEARY & KEVIN KEY/STAMPEDE

A LEG UP ON

THE

COMPETITION: From left, Jason Badders, Craig Ross and Eric Alburtus take a water break after prepping for the 2005 Chicago Marathon.

Alburtus, Badders take on the Windy City

BY LINDSAY MIARS

Assistant Editor

Seen as the “pinnacle of achievement for elite athletes and everyday runners alike,” the 26.2-mile LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is a looming prospect for most.

Principal Eric Alburtus, however, is less than intimidated.

“Running isn’t rocket science,” he said. “They point you in a direction and you run until it’s time to stop.”

Whatever the outlook, the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 9 is an opportunity for positive outcomes and achievements in more areas than one.

Alburtus, Jason Badders and former assistant principal Craig Ross (currently principal at Community High School) all committed to the marathon for different reasons, unaware that they were embarking on the same mission.

Eventually, the three teamed up for a truly

admirable cause.

“When Dwight [Hodgin] died three years ago, it was the toughest time I ever went through here,” Alburtus said. “Then we were presented with the chance to turn something nightmarish into something positive.”

Each year, Portage Central gives out two $500 scholarships in memory of former teacher Hodgin, who passed away in 2002. By raising and investing $10,000, interest alone will pay for and maintain the scholarships: this is where the Chicago Marathon comes in.

Alburtus sees it as the “last push” to raise the remaining $2,500.

“It would be really nice to break the $10,000 threshold and feel like we’ve actually

done something,” Alburtus said.

Now the only thing standing between them and their goal is 26 miles of Chicago pavement. Unfortunately, the desire to run a marathon is one thing; the process of ge�ing there is another.

Badders, who spent five months hiking the Appalachian Trail a�er his time in the Marine Corps but “never really enjoyed running,” sees the opportunity as a personal mission.

“I was out of shape and had to set a goal to keep myself motivated,” Badders said.

“Last April, I could barely run three miles, now I’m running 20 miles a day.”

Alburtus, who actually completed

the Chicago Marathon 10 years ago, thought it was time to “try another.” He notes that the physical wear and tear and time constraints o�en make it difficult to integrate daily runs into his routine.

“My alarm goes off, I get up, put on my shoes and go run before I even think about what I’m doing,” Alburtus said. “The less I think, the be�er.”

Despite the fair share of physical hardships, for Badders, Oct. 9 cannot arrive fast enough.

“Now that I’m motivated and feel ready, I’m tired of training,” Badders said. “I wish I could do it this week.”

Alburtus, too, admits he is anxious for the marathon date to arrive, and doesn’t appear daunted by the physical exertion ahead.

“I try to keep realistic, but I also try to keep the part of me that burns with competition in check,” he said.

“That’s what really keeps me going.”

New drug policy in effect for 2005-06 Copy Editor

It seems that the first subject of gossip in the hallways o�en pertains to illegal activities. Whether it’s who’s tried it, who’s bought it or who’s sold it, substance abuse always seems to catch the public eye. This time, it’s a tougher policy and the threat of drug dogs that’s on the tongues of Portage Central students.

“You don’t really get two chances now; the disciplinary has really gone up,” Officer Ray Sco� said. “Drugs are such a big part of our young society, and whether or not they’re looking for it, a lot of it leads to bad behavior. We want students to beat the problem that they have.”

According to page 19 of Portage Central’s student planners, any student’s first offense of illegal substance activities will have

I nsider

a referral to the police and an out-of-school suspension along with a mandatory drug test. If the student has “wri�en verification of a drug screen and a treatment plan in an approved program” along with several other details, the student may have his or her suspension cut down to five days.

The question of drug dogs is one most students have strong opinions about.

Elsye Zupko, returning to PC for her senior year a�er having a�ended Grayling High School, knows exactly what it’s like to have dogs roaming the halls.

“It was kind of awkward,” Zupko said, of her experiences at Grayling. “I knew drugs were a problem but I didn’t think it was so bad we needed dogs. I think it was waste of money; it’s not going to keep kids from doing drugs, it’ll just make them more careful.”

Zupko feels that the new drug policy will “work if kids are caught” and that it

The

Herdin theHallways

“I am not trying to live up to my brother’s past success here at PC. I am setting my own goals just as he did.”

---Sophomore Jarred Sherrod on his brother’s lagacy at PC, details on p. 11

will work be�er than drug dogs will. But for many students like senior Brock Korbinski, the change in the Code of Student Conduct means nothing more than a kid at the back of the class being absent for a few days. The new the policies may have changed, but he didn’t know just how so.

“I think it’s good that [drug users] have to take a [drug] test, but they put a lot of pressure on students to tell on their friends,” Korbinski said.

With September coming to a close, school administrators should be finding out just how successful this new policy is.

Officer Sco� has high hopes for the new treatment policy.

“We’re at an age in our society now where we’re at this point,” Sco� said.

“It’s an epidemic across the country that’s out of control. But [the new drug policy] is a step in the right direction.”

Distance

26.2miles course length of the Chicago Marathon

1.2million number of spectators expected on Oct. 9

10,000 dollars money needed to endow the Dwight Hodgin Scholarshp Source:

www.chicagomarathon.com

2nd Annual

Dodgeball

Tournament

2

KYLE SHERMAN/STAMPEDE

“Duck, Dodge, Make a Difference”

page

page 2 Signing in • page 9 iTunes costs rising • page 12 Tailgating 101

6 page

BY KAY TARLETON

Going the

Which PC club are you most interested in joining this year?

105 students surveyed 35%

36% 22%

25%

SEAN CLEARY/STAMPEDE

PC’s Amateur aviators share sky-high ambitions

15%

16%

16%

10%

5% Rotary/NHS

Psychology Club

Environmental Teens for Life Black History Club Club

2

News

Stampede

page two

hallways and city streets

Sept. 30, 2005

‘Signing in’ to a new school Hearing impaired programs transferred to Portage Central The

Basics

News Editor

As the new school year begins, students may have noticed in their classes a new mode of speaking: sign language.

This school year marks a new era as the center base for all Kalamazoo County high school hearing impaired programs has moved to Portage Central.

“I’m really pleased that the program has moved here,” hearing-impaired instructor Mary Knecht said. “It’s certainly in the best interest of the kids to be with the peer group they’ve grown up with.”

There are now nine deaf students a�ending our school.

Knecht said that the center base was formerly located at Loy Norrix and had been since its inception in the 1970s.

She states that one of the reasons for switching the program to PC is so that incoming deaf freshmen who have a�ended Woodland Elementary and West Middle School will remain in the same district rather than moving to Loy Norrix.

Knecht is the teacher consultant for all the high schools in Kalamazoo County regarding deaf students. Her mornings consist of commuting from school to school to oversee the students’ progress.

“The new kids I’ve met here make me feel comfortable,” freshman Chris Mohney said. Mohney is one of four deaf freshmen new to the school.

“There’s nothing different about us, except we can’t hear,” freshman Sheila Maynard said. “We just have to help them (hearing students) learn how to communicate with us.”

Now that the center base is located in our building, Knecht says that there will always be deaf students coming here.

Knecht also believes that one of the reasons that the deaf students can feel

Everyday sign language for students

Restroom

Cross your index and middle fingers and motion to the right.

C lass

SEAN CLEARY/STAMPEDE

TALKING HANDS: Freshmen hearing-impaired students, (from left) are Sarah Andrews, Joe Lane, Chris Mohney, and Sheila Maynard take 7th hour as a seminar with high school hearing impaired teacher Mary Knecht (second from left). more comfortable a�ending school here is that there is so much more deaf awareness now. Many students have a newfound understanding of deaf culture and sign language.

“The teachers are so much be�er equipped,” Knecht said. “The student body and staff have warmly welcomed them.”

Obviously, there will be obstacles that stand in the way of ge�ing to know deaf students. But they’re determined to help make it possible.

“Sometimes it’s a problem when kids talk to me and they don’t know sign

‘Miracle baby’ surpassed the odds

BY KAY TARLETON

Staff Writer

On Sept. 19, Jarrod Swenson passed away surrounded by the family he loved so much. Born Aug. 10, 1989, with half a heart and one kidney, Jarrod died at 12:31 a.m. from heart failure. But those who knew the 16-yearold said his heart was bigger than anyone else they knew.

“When Jarrod was laying there one night, I told him that when he got to heaven and he saw me in the backyard, I wanted him to start twinkling his star so I could see where he was,” said David Swensen, Jarred’s Jarrod Swenson father. “A�er the funeral home came and got him, I went out in the backyard. Justin and Josh came out as well. It was a full moon and the sky was full of stars, but only one was twinkling. And I was just kidding when I’d said that, but he really did it.”

Before his death, Jarrod made a list of accomplishments.

Among them were celebrating his 16th birthday and having his cat give birth to ki�ens – which happened on Aug. 5.

Jarrod was deemed a caring and wonderful person by all who knew him. They said there was much to learn from this teenage “miracle baby.” Jarrod was given this title a�er surviving two openheart surgeries as an infant and a third five years later.

Sophomore Michael Sco�, a friend of Jarrod’s, said he used to play video games with Jarred and that “Jarrod told me not to tell anyone when I beat him because it’d ruin his reputation.”

Jarrod le� behind parents David and Denise Swenson along with siblings: Joshua, 20, Ashley, 18, and twin brother, Justin, a junior.

Memorial services were held for Jarrod at 1 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the Lake Center Bible Church on Osterhout Road. Contributions at the memorial were directed to, and can still be made to the Ronald McDonald House and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Brief

NEW TEACHERS

In

Portage Central welcomes abundance of new teachers to its classrooms and hallways

This school year, teachers and students welcome 16 new teachers into the fold. Carolyn Oudman is teaching English this year and is a graduate from Calvin College. Mike Meyer is teaching business and graduated from WMU. Jacob Johnson will be a hall supervisor and a men’s basketball coach this year a�er graduating from College of Wooster.

Todd Tarnutzer has a full plate with English, history, and physics this year, he has degrees from both MSU and Grand Valley State University. Andrew Basse is a graduate of WMU and will be teaching dra�ing. Ahren Kaylor is teaching a first hour

language; it’s kind of hard,” freshman Joe Lane said. “But I can teach them sign language.”

“We can teach them about deaf culture and what it means to be deaf,” Mohney added.

One of the ways the deaf kids are encouraged to speak is by way of “Total Communication,” which is when they speak and sign at the same time. Not only will this allow deaf students to become comfortable with words, but it will also help other students understand them.

Knecht hopes that if enough interest

is generated, they may be able to start a sign language club or offer a class on the subject.

Loy Norrix is one step ahead, offering sign language as a foreign language.

“Really, the best way to learn signs is to ask the kids,” Knecht said.

There are students who are already curious about sign language. Some classes have gone so far as to create sign names with deaf students. Sign names are signs that the deaf culture creates to help identify people.

Deaf Awareness week began on Tuesday and ends tomorrow.

Cup both hands facing away from your chest. Then circle around until your fingers touch.

Water

Hold up three fingers and motion toward your mouth.

Dodgeballs fly for Red Cross

BY DANA CRONYN Editor-in-Chief History teacher and Adviser Kent Baker, along with the newly-elected National Honor Society officers, hopes to start off the 2005-06 volunteer season with a “bang” and a “thud.” Literally.

On Oct. 15, Baker and the NHS are hosting their second-annual Dodgeball Tournament in the school’s gymnasium. The event will feature a double-elimination style tournament, and the first balls are tentatively scheduled to fly at 11 a.m. A�er the “intense” day-long tournament, the team le� standing receives the honor of an engraved trophy, while all participants get the satisfaction of helping a good cause.

“I’m so excited,” Katie Munn, event chair and club officer, said. “It’s just a really great thing to get behind.”

Last year’s tournament, which Baker described as more “low profile,” still managed to earn $1,500 for the International Red Cross. This year, NHS is hoping to more than double that amount, with proceeds benefiting the Red Cross’ disaster relief fund and the Portage Veterans.

While the basic format of the tournament remains the same, this year’s competition is an expanded version, offering several additional divisions. Among these new sections is an elite group, for the dodgeball pros and die-hards, a teacher

NOLAN FLYNN/STAMPEDE

group, a middle school group and a club grouping.

Baker hopes the tournament expansion will spur greater interest in the community at-large.

“We’re opening up to more of the community,” he said. “We really want a big turnout.”

Regardless of your expertise in

earth science class. Holly Pa�erson is a new athletic trainer a�er graduating from Kalamazoo Christian and Hope College. Pat Schneider is the new specialeducation teacher. Bre� Foerster has joined us as a physical education/social studies teacher and varsity football coach. Amy Foerster is teaching math here a�er most recently teaching at Delta College. Gwen Barrow is here first hour to teach team sports. Ma� Tabor is teaching math and he’ll be the freshman boy’s basketball coach. Tama Salisbury commutes between Central and Northern teaching social studies. Doug Mandrick is teaching chemistry this year. Last but not least, Sarah Heil is an addition to the foreign language program as a French teacher. Congratulations to all new staff members and have a good year.

-Malkam Wyman

VOLUNTEER HOURS

BY MALKAM WYMAN

the world of dodgeball athletics, Baker and the officers encourage school-wide participation. From the simple act of spectating to the purchasing of a “cool dodgeball t-shirt,” every mustang is needed to “duck, dodge and make a difference.”

“There’s something for everybody,” Baker said. “We’re out there to have fun.”

Rumors regarding required volunteerism put to rest by school administrators Last year, the Class of 2006 learned that they may have to complete 40 hours of volunteer service to qualify for the Michigan Merit Award.

Conflicting media reports statewide added to the hysteria. But Kim Lummis, assistant principal, assures us that this rumor is absolutely false. There are no required volunteer hours for graduation, unless students are involved in Natonal Honor Society, Rotary Club or pursuing the IB diploma. So feel free to breathe a sigh of relief, but don’t hesitate to get involved!

-Malkam Wyman

News

3

Stampede

page three

hallways and city streets

Sept. 30, 2005

Kudos!

A Life Turned

INSIDE OUT

Newsweek publishes column from ‘03 alumni

’02 alumni escapes New Orleans — just in time CITY

OF NEW ORLEANS: At left, ‘02’ alumni Emily Bus works with one of her fifth-grade students. Below, Bus poses with some of her colleagues from West Smith Jr. Elementary in New Orleans.

BY LAUREN STINE

Focus Editor

Emily Bus, a 2002 Portage Central graduate and newly-certified special education teacher, led a fairly normal life in New Orleans until Sept. 1.

Like all new teachers, most of her time was dedicated to her fi�h-grade students at West Smith Jr. Elementary.

Now, Bus finds herself back in Portage, having escaped a hurricane that levelled buildings and flooded cities throughout the Gulf Coast.

Hurricane Katrina knocked out everything in the region varying from oil rigs and buildings, to bridges, power lines and sewer systems.

Bus moved to New Orleans a year ago to receive her special education certification a�er graduating from Michigan State. She was teaching in New Orleans at West Smith Jr. Elementary in St. Bernard Parish when Hurricane Katrina hit. Thankfully, she received an urgent phone call from her parents, urging her to make her way back home.

“When I saw that Hurricane Katrina was a Category 5 hurricane and

heading for the Gulf Coast, I tried calling my sister to make sure that she knew the situation, and of course to get out as fast as possible,” senior Steve Bus said of his sister, Emily. “I was very concerned for her knowing that a severe hurricane would put the city underwater, with New Orleans being below sea level.”

Despite her family’s concern, Bus had experienced Hurricane Ivan last year, and found it to be more stressful and nerveracking than was necessary, so she wasn’t really too worried about Katrina.

“I figured my parents were just overreacting,” Bus said. “People in New Orleans weren’t worried, and I was too busy with work to be keeping track. But, in order to make them happy, I le�.”

Bus and a friend made the threehour drive to Jackson, Miss., on Saturday and stayed in a hotel. They both treated this trip as a mini-vacation by going to the mall and seeing a movie.

By Sunday, however, there were no hotels le� in Mississippi and they knew it was ge�ing serious.

Bus then made another trip — this time to Memphis — and eventually traveled back home to stay with her family.

Now at home with her family in Portage, Bus is trying to get her life back on track. Rather than worrying about her apartment and her material possessions, Bus said she is more concerned with the safety of her students back in New Orleans.

“I’m most worried about the kids at my school,” Bus said. “They come from a very poor area with no transportation, and I’ve been unable to talk with any of them.

To be honest, this is the most nerve-racking experience I’ve ever been through. Places I used to see every day are now underwater, and it’s just really surreal. I just can’t think about them.”

Although the kids in her school are her main worry, she finds it is too painful to think about the kids back home, or even watch the news. She rarely sits down to watch and see what’s happening in New Orleans. Instead of directly viewing it, she mostly gets the news through her parents.

Working on pu�ing her life back in order, Bus is now teaching Special Education at Portage North Middle School for the rest of the year. She knows there is nothing le� for her in New Orleans. Other than to retrive her belongings, she said she will probably never return.

KATRINA

by the numbers

1 million People displaced by hurricane

1,000 + Number of confirmed deaths

6 to 12

Months before residents are expected back

1 baby

named a�er “Katrina”

Color-coordinated offices greet students OFFICE

SHUFFLE

3

Number of offices Assistant Principal Lummis has occupied over the past three years

0

Number of offices in the back hallway

BY LINDSAY MIARS

Staff Writer

If you’re in search of a parking pass or an early dismissal form, you may just follow your instinct and find your feet carrying you to the back office. Unfortunately, here you’ll be met with no admit slips, no parking pass and none of the familiar faces you’re used to.

That’s because the back office now serves a different purpose, the front office has a new name and what used to be the police liaison room is now the back office.

Confused?

Assistant Principal Kim Lummis assures us there is nothing to worry about.

“Before, it was easy: front office in the front, back office in the back,” Lummis said. “Well, now they’re both in the front.

But it’s still easy: the blue office is blue and the gold office is gold. We painted the walls so students could get a visual.”

Lummis, who now occupies her third new office in three years, says the switch was based mainly on a desire to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of handling student issues.

“If you think about it, it’s a long way from the back hall to the front and it was difficult to keep communication lines open,” Lummis said, adding that “proximity is the key.”

While the benefits are easy to see, the switch has presented potential security issues for teachers and students in the administrator-deserted back hallway.

“So far it’s been great,” said teacher Marc Uhlmann, whose classroom resides in the back hallway. “But over time, the lack of

administrators could make kids feel like they can get away with more.”

Lummis, however, said she doesn’t perceive a security problem.

“The staff is conscious of ge�ing out in the hallways; they’re constantly aware,” she said. “The main concern is always safety.”

By imposing additional security measures, such as locking the back door during classes and isolating the front doors as the school’s only entrance, Lummis and others have been able to maintain security.

Overall, the switch has been mostly successful, except, of course, for a few stragglers.

“I did see one lone student standing in the back office, waiting for someone to help him,” Lummis said with a laugh. “I was able to redirect him.”

Congrats to Andrew Braaksma, a 2003 alumni, whose column about working was published in the August edition of Newsweek magazine.

The column recounted Braaksma’s summer job as a factory worker and how grateful he was to get back to school at the University of Michigan. Andrew’s sister, Caroline, is currently a senior.

Guidance office announces Merit Scholars for senior class This year marks the largest number of semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Competition since 1982.

Eight current seniors qualified as Merit Scholars, making them the most since 1982, when Central boasted six semi-finalists.

Congratulations to the following semifinalists on their accomplishments: Thomas Durst, Kristen Eichorn, Andrew Franks, Charles Goodman, Laura Haskins, Rupal Patel, Ma� Vellom and Hyden Zhang.

Graduates make great strides in promoting disease eradication Three alumni have recently become the founders of a non-profit organization called the STRIDE Charitable Fund.

William Walter and Malini Daniel a�end Harvard College and Sunil Daniel a�ends Case Western Reserve University.

The three of them have founded the STRIDE Charitable Fund, with its purpose being sending technology for use in medical research and disease eradication in developing countries. An example of one of their projects is sending PCR machines for epidemiology research to AIDS laboratories in India. This will allow the government to be�er understand the epidemiological trends of AIDS transmission.

For more information, go to www. stridecharitablefund.org.

Students, staff join forces to aid Hurricane Katrina victims Student Council members collected more than $2,500 on Constitution Day, Sept. 16, in support of victims of Hurricane Katrina. The money will go directly to some of the more than 1 million people affected by the hurricane’s destruction. Students also sported red,white and blue and a pizza party went to Eric Lancaster’s third-hour IB Psychology class for highest participation rate.

-Stampede staff

STUDENT COUNCIL Portage Central

A thank you goes out to all students who participated in Homecoming last week.

Your enthusiasm made it an

unforgettable Homecoming!

Your 2005-06 Portage Central Student Council.

Working for you!

Room 403

(Stay tuned for details on Breadlift in November.)

4

Stampede “Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.”

First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution

page four

View opinions and editorials

Sept. 30, 2005

Our View Council starts year off on the right hoof It’s almost as timeless as Homecoming itself: Student Council representatives enter third hour and announce this year’s theme…followed by a groan of disappointment from students in their selection.

But not this year. The Homecoming theme this year was decided upon for the students, by the students. What many council members are saying is merely, “using fresh ideas” has go�en students across Portage Central talking about what’s to come in the ‘05-’06 school year.

The Central Stampede would like to commend the Student Council on its new initiative to involve more of the student body by se�ing forth different and innovative plans for Portage Central.

In past years, a common complaint from students has been that Homecoming, pep assemblies, and other council-

KYLE SHERMAN/STAMPEDE

Gas prices take a hike Gas is a necessity—and prices Living the three dollar life may should be lowered at all costs teach us all a worthy lesson

sponsored activities catered only to a select group of high-schoolers and subsequently le� others feeling excluded. Other less shrewd complaints said that some council ideas were simply, “stupid.” Now, by giving students the chance to vote for what they’d take an active interest in, students will hopefully be less critical of the final decision.

The original and imaginative ideas presented for Homecoming this year caused many an amused laugh amongst third-hour classes. Here’s to a successful year and more of those laughs to come.

Stampede Staff Dana Cronyn, Editor-in-Chief Meredith Gage .......................................... Design Editor Malkam Wyman ..........................................News Editor Samah Choudhury .......................................View Editor Lauren Stine ................................................ Focus Editor Allie Morris.....................................................Vibe Editor Andrew Rosenberger ............................... Sports Editor Michelle Beranek ....................................... Photo Editor Nauman Mangla ....................................Graphics Editor Nolan Flynn ..................................................... Art Editor Lindsay Miars.................................................Writer/Asst. Editor Amanda VanderMeulen.................................Writer/Asst. Editor Kate Pennington.............................................Writer/Asst. Editor Kay Tarleton ................................................. Writer/Copy Editor Jake Scott..................................................................Writer/Artist Ryan Ray .............................................................................Writer Kallie Ashcraft .........................................................Photographer Romy Bond ..............................................................Photographer Sean Cleary .............................................................Photographer Chris Oppel ..............................................................Photographer Laura Smith ............................................................Photographer Kyle Sherman ........................................................................Artist Kevin Key...............................................................Graphics Artist Alicia Sperling ................................................. Business Manager

copy editor

view editor SAMAH CHOUDHURY

KAY TARLETON Gas prices today? Let’s just say they aren’t as popular as the Beatles. Not even close! In fact, I say broccoli and taking out the trash rank higher about now. And why is that you might ask? Does $3.19 a gallon put words in your mouth?!

Since Hurricane Katrina hit, the price of gas has risen dramatically, leaving motorists wide-eyed at the pumps and in a tight situation when it comes to where the money’s go�a go.

Teenagers who are just receiving that sweet freedom of a car may as well forget it. With most students earning not much more than minimum wage, it takes about seven hours of work to fill an empty SUV’s tank. That’s money they could be spending at the movies – which is where I work and receive a whoppin’ $5.15 an hour – good thing I don’t drive.

Since gas is hogging the country’s credit cards, businesses receive less of their normal income. Who wants to go buy a new stereo when they can barely afford to drive to the store to buy it in the first place?

And what hurts business hurts people too; we work, we have pay checks. But businesses can’t afford to pay their employees if they aren’t making any profit.

Job layoffs: it affects political elections because people want to make sure it’s taken care of. And let’s just say the people aren’t so sure how this one will be taken care of just yet. Will there be new drilling; the Great Lakes, the coasts of Florida and Louisiana, the Alaska National Parks? For the sake of transportation, the environment could truly suffer.

The hybrid cars may be the cars of the future but are no where near affordable for the everyday citizen. Just like the price of its energy source, cars with high gas mileage are rising; more buyers would like that saved gas money in their pockets.

As I said before, I don’t drive. So on the first day of school, I got on the bus only to find kids si�ing four to a seat. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to even squeeze half of yourself onto a fourth of a seat? Seventy-three kids on a bus—I counted. Thank you $3.19.

My parents say there was a day when gas prices were worse.

Well, yesterday came suddenly, as the Beatles so sweetly put it.

It’s been forecasting snow for quite awhile now—but as we all know, the weatherman is never right.

Now the unthinkable has happened; and quite frankly, America’s in an uproar.

Unleaded gas over three dollars?!

This just in: the land of eternal fire has officially seen its first snowflake.

Since Katrina and Rita both unleashed their wrath upon the Gulf coast, our gas prices have soared well past that tenuous $3 line into what many of us identify as uncharted territory. Parents have bequeathed ‘the talk,’ the one that goes along the lines of, “Maybe you could carpool with someone? Or even… take the bus?” Yes… I know. The possible horrors are seemingly endless.

But it’s time we Americans stop crying out with our “feel sorry for us” a�itude and look around. Europe’s already been there. With prices averaging $4.95, Europeans have been looking elsewhere to get where they need to be—which has included bicycles, scooters, and even (gasp!) the long-lost art of walking.

Now let’s take a good look at ourselves. We have no choice but to make the best of what’s been handed to us. And in this case, we can make choices that actually benefit us. Seeking other means of transportation, such as walking or picking that rusty old bike out from the back of the garage, will save a load of money and will help not only our health, but the environment as well.

On a more national scale, spiked prices like these should force us to re-evaluate where we’re at technologically. Fuel-efficient cars have never led us wrong. Ge�ing more miles out of your gallon would have us be�er prepared for this crazy-fluctuating oil market of ours. Less toxic fumes in our air, more calories burning, or being able to small talk with a few friends on the ten minute drive to school? Kind of gives meaning to that age old cliché of every cloud having its silver lining.

So let’s stop wallowing in our self pity. So gas prices are obscenely outrageous. Things happen. Besides… the icicles in the underworld are melting. It’s lookin’ up, folks.

Kay Tarleton is Copy Editor for the Central Stampede.

Samah Choudhury is View Editor for the Central Stampede.

Students

Speak Out Should the United States reduce its dependence on foreign oil?

Cheryl Braford .................................................................. Adviser The Central Stampede publishes approximately one publication a month, primarily by the Journalism II class at Portage Central High School, 8135 S. Westnedge, Portage, MI 49002. It also uses work from Journalism I students.

Office: (269) 323-5218 Fax: (269) 323-5290 Room 306 The Central Stampede is a member of the Great Lakes Interscholastic Press Association (GLIPA) and the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA). The purpose of the Central Stampede is to act as an open forum for students of Portage Central. The staff will achieve a balance between

informing and entertaining our readers.

Editorials Staff editorials are unsigned and represent consensus of the staff. The opinion of the staff is represented in the “Our View” column. The opinions of the editors, staff writers and guest writers will have bylines and will carry their own views.

Letters As an open forum, the Stampede welcomes all members of the Portage community. However, the staff reserves the right to edit letters based on length and content.

“Yes. because there are other means of transportation. In Portage, for instance, you could walk. I walk.”

“Yes. We need to learn to support ourselves and not rely on other countries so much.”

AMBER O’MEARA

Sophomore

Freshman

CHRIS BOTSIS

“Yes. we should try to “No. Bush should not find more sources of en- tap into our reserves. ergy. We are wasting all We need foreign oil; in of it and it is not going fact, we should steal it to be around forever. ” so we can have all of it.”

CHENIAH THUNDEREAGLE Junior

BROCK KORBINSKI Senior

View

5

Stampede

page five

opinions and editorials

Sept. 30, 2005

“My first day of high school was definitely a drastic change from what I was used to.”

Final Frontier One new student braves the wild hallways of high school Picture this: people are running down crowded hallways, kids are tripping, others students are struggling to carry books and people LENA TACHEW are screaming to their friends from all sides of the hall.

That was middle school, a jungle of chaos. My first day of high school was definitely a drastic change from what I was used to.

The bell rang and everyone was moving uneasily in their seats, giving their friends nervous smiles to help themselves relax.

Ms. Moss began speaking in Spanish, all of us giving her reassuring nods until she realized there might be some French students in the room. Handing out the schedules, I looked mine up and down.

Thankfully nothing was wrong. I didn’t want to have to endure the confusion of the counseling office that I saw packed this morning.

Departing from the enrollment room with a few papers in hand, I headed to my classes.

Third hour was troubling, tucked in a corned in a squareshaped hallway. Rushing down the halls, I caught glimpses of kids kicking and banging furiously at their lockers. Would I have that problem? The thought barely crossed my mind as I thought about finding Honors Chemistry. I still managed to get to class on time, even early, probably because of the sleek fast walk I had developed in between classes.

A�er that panicking moment, I walked with an air of finesse the rest of the day. I began to observe my surroundings, which weren’t what I had expected. There were no towering six foot tall seniors knocking freshmen to the floor like bowling pins. No bullies stuffing geeks into the trash cans. No overly-dressed girls staring at you like something was wrong. It was definitely not like the movies.

Sure, I was a li�le nervous about high school. I caught the common fear; would I get lost on the first day of school? However, I was never afraid of not fi�ing in, not liking high school or not knowing anybody. Hearing stories of prom, homecoming, football games and other fun events, I wanted to go to high school. The idea of being treated more like an adult, with more freedoms and responsibilities, sounded exciting.

Middle school with its childish behaviors and chaotic environment was becoming too old. I couldn’t seem to understand how it was cool to smash people into lockers anymore.

In the end, I managed to get lost once and trip down the stairs. Was it a good day? Yes, I could say I survived my first day of high school.

guest writer E

S

Elena Stachew is a Journalism I student at Portage Central.

KYLE SHERMAN/STAMPEDE

Calling Pfired up over layoffs all young How the international pharmaceutical writers Dear Readers, Young, restless, and inspired… but just can’t seem to fit Journalism I into your schedule? Well, the Stampede has got a box in the corner calling your name: Le�ers to the Editor.

It says we’re an “open forum” in the bo�om le�-hand corner of page four. However, besides that one li�le blurb, you really don’t know much else about the role you, the reader, play in our newspaper.

So let’s clear a few things up.

Yes, we are an open forum.

This means anyone can write to us. So whether you’re a teacher, a student, a family member, or even someone who just happens to glance at our paper, let us know what you think. Outside input is not only considered for publication, but greatly appreciated as well.

Le�ers should be kept to a maximum of 200 words, and our staff reserves the right to edit your le�er based on the length and the content.

You can drop them off in Mrs. Braford’s room (306) any time during the school day, email them to cbraford@portageps.org, or send them via mail at Portage Central High School, 8135 S. Westnedge, Portage, MI 49002.

Read something you don’t like? Tell us about it. Just want to vent? This is the place. In the end, the newspaper’s mission is to speak with the student’s voice. But we’re only going to be as much of an “open forum” as you let us be.

- Samah Choudhury View Editor

giant turned my life upside down design editor

MEREDITH GAGE

I’ve lived in Portage ever since Upjohn Pharmaceuticals hired my dad in 1991. Since then, he’s worked for a lot of different companies—Pharmacia&Upjohn, Pharmacia, Pfizer—but somehow his office has always remained on Portage Road. Until now, that is—now, instead of the usual fiveminute commute, it will be a trek across the entire country.

Pfizer announced the newest wave of layoffs this summer, leaving some 200 people in the Kalamazoo area alone to look for new jobs. Sections of the Portage Road plant, like Research and Development, will effectively be shut down, just as many of the labs and office buildings in downtown Kalamazoo were last year.

It’s hard to imagine Portage without a pharmaceutical plant. But while Pfizer is still the largest employer in the area, its influence as far as city taxes has greatly diminished-the result is ge�ing rid of buildings, land and jobs. As layoffs and shutdowns continue, it is inevitable that someday soon there will be no Pfizer in Portage.

It’s not that Pfizer is in financial trouble. As the largest pharmaceutical company in the world, Pfizer earns about 52 billion dollars per year in revenue from drugs like Zolo�, Zyrtec, Viagra and Celebrex,

as well as over-the-counter products like Benadryl and Listerine. It’s just that people like my dad—the scientists who dream up, design and develop these drugs—simply aren’t needed any more in the United States.

These jobs have been filled by a new crop of foreign scientists, mostly from India and China, who are willing to work for thousands of dollars less than their American counterparts.

It would be easy to demonize these foreign scientists. I could say that they’re inferior, that they’re stealing my dad’s job. This, however, would simply be untrue.

Many of them studied alongside my dad at American universities like Harvard or MIT before returning to their home countries, so they’re certainly qualified. And just like everyone else, they’re merely trying to build a good life for themselves and their families.

What I don’t understand is this: the United States is home to some of the most rigorous and esteemed universities in the world; the National Center for Education Statistics projects that about 1.2 million Americans will graduate from college this year.

Yet at the same time about 1 million high-skills jobs have been lost in the United

States every year since 2001, according to a CNN report. Where are all of these intelligent people working? At the Gap? It’s important for businesses to be competitive. It’s this competition that allows us to find be�er, faster, and cheaper ways of solving our problems. The advent of the internet and stronger global communications has ensured that the US needs to be competitive too, or else it will fall behind countries like India and China both intellectually and economically.

The US needs to retain some of its brightest minds by creating incentives for large companies, particularly those in the pharmaceutical and tech industries, to keep its jobs here in the US. The city of Portage is not an isolated example.

I don’t know where my family and I will be living next year. But I do know that if the United States doesn’t do something to retain its skilled labor force, then my family won’t be the only ones displaced by corporate downsizing.

About 1 million highskill jobs have been lost in the United States since 2001...

Where are all of these intelligent people working? At the Gap?

Meredith Gage is Design Editor for the Central Stampede.

Getthe Stats

200 People

looking for new jobs.

52BILLION dollars Pfizer earns each year in revenue.

1.2MILLION

Americans will graduate from college this year.

1MILLION High-skill jobs have been lost in the United States since 2001.

6

Focus

Stampede

page six

features and lifestyles

Sept. 30, 2005

Students Takeoff Flight Students take

SEAN CLEARY/STAMPEDE

TOP GUN: Junior Daisy Howlind leans against the nose of a Martin B-57E Intruder at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo.

BY MEREDITH GAGE

Design Editor

Most kids dream of driving a car on their 16th birthday. RJ Marsh flew a plane.

“I flew solo in a plane before I drove solo in a car,” Marsh said with a laugh. “The desire to fly was just something I was born with. I’m the happiest when I’m flying, and it’s something I need to do.”

Marsh, a junior, isn’t alone. Junior Daisy Howlind and senior Blake Glass are also pursuing careers in flight.

All three amateur aviators claim the desire to fly was something they were born with. This natural instinct was further fueled by the students’ parents. One of Howlind’s earliest memories is her father flying with her to the Catalina islands.

Marsh’s first plane ride took place when he was two weeks old due to his mother’s job as a flight a�endant.

“All my life I’ve known I wanted to be a pilot,” Glass said. “Being in the air gives you a sense of freedom. There are no roads to stay on.”

The mere desire to fly is a start, but it takes lots of training to actually get into the air. To begin the process of learning and certification, Glass has had lots of practice on flight simulators. He has also a�ended summer aviation camp held at WMU, where one learns the fundamentals of flight.

“At the end of the camp, you fly with an instructor, and I loved every minute of it,” Glass said. “My instructor recognized my skills and I was able to do more advanced

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

Department of Transportation - UNITED STATES

Department of Transportation - UNITED STATES

Department of Transportation - UNITED STATES

Name:Daisy Howlind

Name:RJ Marsh

Name: Blake Glass

Age: 16 Goal: Air Force pilot Flight Hours: 2 Pretzels or Peanuts: Pretzels

Age: 16 Goal: Commercial pilot Flight Hours: 33 Pretzels or Peanuts: Peanuts

Age: 17 Goal: Air Force pilot Flight Hours: 1 Pretzels or Peanuts: Pretzels

landings.” Glass adds that flying takes a lot of concentration—“You have to use both your hands and your feet to monitor controls,” he said.

Howlind knows the importance of monitoring controls firsthand: “It’s so easy to drop from 25,000 feet to 23,000 feet in just a few seconds. It’s like a roller coaster.”

Howlind has completed a 12-week groundtraining course, which teaches basic mapreading skills, as well as parts of the plane.

“The learning part was kind of boring,” she said. “But the hands-on stuff is really, really fun.” Howlind has completed two flights with an instructor helping on the takeoffs and landings. “It doesn’t scare me at all,” she said.

Marsh, the most experienced pilot of the three, with 33 hours of flight time, shares Howlind’s fearless a�itude toward flying.

“I actually enjoy turbulence,” Marsh said. “I enjoy ge�ing knocked around a li�le bit. It’s such a rush, knowing you’re in total control.” Marsh has done much of his training at the Peachtree Flight Academy in his native state of Georgia.

The thrill doesn’t come cheap. Howlind estimates she’s spent about $250 so far, while Marsh estimates his expenditures at about $5,000. The money goes toward lessons on the ground, flight time, and various medical and legal certifications.

But there’s more than one way to get your license.

“I hope to go to the Air Force Academy,” Glass said. The academy will pay for flight training, and provides opportunities like a stunt flight team, but is extremely selective.

In fact, only about 10 percent of the applicants are accepted.

“I’m doing everything I can to prepare myself for the Academy, and that includes lots of practice on simulators,” Glass said.

While both Howlind and Glass anticipate joining the Air Force, Marsh has his eyes set on being a commercial airline pilot—preferably for Delta, where both of his parents and his stepfather work.

“The perks are just unbelievable. I’ve been able to travel all over the place, which is something I love to do,” Marsh said.

Dwight’s

Run

October 9, 2005 Chicago Marathon (26+ miles)

As a tribute to our friend and colleague, Dwight Hodgin, please help us raise the final amount needed to endow our scholarship fund. Dwight was a long time PCHS health teacher and PALS advisor. In his memory we have begun to award annually two $500 scholarships. So far we have raised almost $7600 and given out six scholarships. Our goal is to raise $3000 to endow the fund and ensure scholarship monies in the years to come. Help us achieve our goal by sponsoring a runner (Craig Ross, Eric Alburtus or Jason Badders) who is running in Dwight’s honor.

Help Us reach $10,000 for fully endowed scholarships Your Name

Address

Your pledge of $______ / a mile.

Phone

E-mail

Total Pledge ______

Please send in your pledge donation by Wednesday, October 19. Make checks payable to Portage Central High School.

Thank you for your support of Dwight’s work and your support of all of our kids.

Do

you

have what it takes?

70

required number of hours in flight

10

required number of solo flight hours

17

age to obtain adult pilot’s license Source: www.ninety-nines.org

Focus

7

Stampede

page seven

features and lifestyles

Sept. 30, 2005

LET’S GO

NOLAN FLYNN/STAMPEDE

CLUBBING!

Americans have grown accustomed to choice. Thousands of combinations at the drive-through and hundreds of kinds of toothpaste have led us to expect many options — even when it comes to extra-curricular activities. Whether your passion is aviation or drama, PC has an after school-activity for you.

BY AMANDA VANDER MEULEN Staff Writer

interests.

For those eager to help their community and pick up a few volunteer hours along the way, there are several unique clubs ready to help.

Interact, or Rotary Club, is associated with the Portage Rotary Club at large and was previously available to only juniors and seniors a�ending PC. But now, it has opened up to accommodate students who would like more volunteer opportunities, according to Adviser Eric Rayle. To become a member, you must complete at least 14 hours of community service through Rotary. It is a business-based volunteer organization that provides student volunteers to regional causes and charities.

Contact Rayle in Room 413 for more information.

Be There raises money to donate to underprivileged youth in Jamaica and El Salvador. Senior Laura Haskins adds that the organization also performs community service around the city to be�er our community. The club sells T-shirts and bracelets to raise money as well. The initial donation of $12 to join goes directly to impoverished youth, Haskins said. Contact Mr. Hoopingarner (Room 2004) to join.

Volunteens is a community-based organization that works through local high schools to form networks of teenage volunteers.

It gives students opportunities to intern and volunteer at local nonprofit organizations. Volunteens is based mainly in the summer months, but some volunteer opportunities are available during the school year as well. Contact Pat DeHann at the Voluntary Action Center for more information (382- 8350).

Environmental Club strives to be�er our community’s environment, starting here at PC. The group holds periodic meetings, adopts animals, cleans the gardens, and does community environmental work. There is a minimum participation requirement to receive membership credit. Contact Bonnie Moss (Room 2023) for more information.

If your schedule is dedicated to strong interests and hobbies, PC also offers unique clubs designed to fit your time and

The Aviation Club is a new club this fall focusing on careers and related fields to aviation. The group meets “on Fridays and we watch movies and review statistics regarding aviation,” said senior and co-president Sachin Golhar.

The group is hoping to receive a $5000 Sony grant to build an airplane.

The fall play and spring musical have both been critically acclaimed. Last summer, the spring musical traveled to Scotland to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Auditions are required for each play and are held a�er school as announced.

Senior Amanda Montgomery said two advantages to participation are “you get really close to the cast and as a bonus: it looks amazing on college applications,” adding “performing is my life.” Contact Kathy Mulay in Room 409 for more information.

Forensics, not to be confused with the Forensic Science, is a series of public speaking and acting competitions. There are seven public address events as well as seven dramatic events to enter based on each participant’s strengths. Head Coach Theresa Mills is excited “to work with an enthusiastic group of young people and ready to enjoy the successes” of the season. Contact Mills (Room 2018) with questions regarding participation.

Montage is Central’s annual literary and arts magazine.

Participation ranges from production, literary, art, layout and business sub-staffs. The club itself is in charge of the publication while the accepted literary and art submissions come from students.

The majority of Montage’s work occurs prior to publication in the second semester. Contact Helen Wynkoop (Room 408) or for more information regarding both joining staff and submi�ing your work.

But “be prepared to work” Wynkoop said. She is expecting new and exciting changes to the publication.

Teens for Life annually travels to the March for Life in Washington D.C., Adviser Martha Keeler said. Teens for Life is a “right to life” group that advocates other resolutions besides abortion. Keeler said, “We will see what the membership wants to do this year.” Meetings should follow sometime at the end of

September.

See Keeler (Room 2003) for more details.

If you’re interested in expanding what you learn while in your favorite classes, their are language and class-specific clubs available.

An interest in German culture or enrollment in the class is required to join the German Club.

Trips to local German restaurants are organized each year as well as trips to Europe biannually.

Contact Mark Sutherland (Room 403) with any questions regarding membership.

Science Olympiad is open to students interested in science. Advisor and Coach Dale Freeland said Science Olympiad is best suited for those “interested in science and academic competition.” There are 23 events and each student chooses three or four depending on his or her specific interests. The team participates annually in the state Science Olympiad competition.

See Freeland in Room 314 for more details regarding competition.

Psychology Club, led by Chuck Schira, explores topics related to the study of psychology, the science of mind and behavior. The club is designed to discuss and discover more of this unique science and a�empts to go beyond the classroom. See Schira for more information (Room 412).

No ma�er the interests or commitment level, PC’s clubs and organizations are as unique as its students.

Students dedicate summer to service

BY KATE PENNINGTON

Staff Writer

Most people associate summer with time to relax and ease off the stress from the previous year. But, for some, summer means hard work, sacrifice and devotion. Dedicating a week of vacation to areas in need around the world, more and more students are experiencing the rewards of the selfless act of a summer mission trip.

This extensive volunteer work requires a deep commitment to the area one is assisting. For freshman Annie Johnston, this took place in Savannah, Ga. Waking up each morning at 6:45, she began a long day of manual labor.

Through her church and Group Work Camps, Johnston helped fix the outside of houses for families in financial need. She describes the area as very run-down with large families living in close quarters.

Never having gone on a trip like this, Johnston was unsure at first. Despite sleeping on school floors and living in a rugged environment, Johnston had a wonderful experience.

“It was good to see the people’s reactions a�er you fixed their homes,” Johnston said.

She describes one woman in Georgia who had been very skeptical of the work campers’ help at first.

Yet, by the end, the woman was crying and thanking them for their assistance.

But, help doesn’t stop in Georgia. In Steertown, Jamaica, senior Mike Vogel partook on a mission trip of his own, building a community shelter to feed and protect local Jamaicans.

His third time participating with IsleGO Missions, Vogel knew what to expect. His days consisted of digging trenches, painting and carrying cement blocks. But to Vogel, the experience was

much more.

“My career goal is to become a missionary,” Vogel said. “I’ve seen myself grow up.”

Over the past few years, Vogel’s extensive work in this area has GIVING AND validated what RECEIVING: he wants to do Students with the rest share mission of his life. He trip photos. saw that the people in this impoverished area of Jamaica live on just $2 to $3 a day; their houses are the sizes of our bedrooms and many children don’t even eat lunch.

“Even though they have no money, they are so kind,” Vogel said. “They have really learned to love life.”

Vogel and other members from his church cherished the times when they

could interact with others on the island. On most days at 3:00, they held a Bible camp for kids where they performed skits and played games. Vogel describes this as a very fun and religious experience and said, “[he] would spend the whole summer there if [he] could.”

The lessons one takes away from these mission trips are very valuable. For sophomore Amanda Norris, one week of installing insulation and replacing floors in Virginia taught her to “be grateful.”

“The people in these areas have so li�le, but they appreciate what they have,” Norris said.

Surprisingly enough, Norris did not want to leave a�er the trip was finished; she thoroughly enjoyed all the ways she helped and created connections with the people in Virginia.

For anyone thinking of going on a mission trip, Johnston, Vogel and Norris unanimously encourage it.

“I definitely recommend it,” Norris said, adding, “Be open to new experiences.

Be open to new people and be ready for hard work.”

Ainday the life of...

Mike Vogel 7:00 a.m.

Wake up

9:00 a.m.

Begin work

1:00 p.m.

Lunch

3:00 p.m.

Kid’s Bible camp

6:30 p.m.

Free time

9:00 p.m.

Group prayer circle then bed

Romence Village 621 Romence . Portage MI 49024 Phone: 269-372-8937 . Fax:269-323-0534 Hours: M-F 9-9; Sat. 9-6; Sun. 11-4

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8

Vibe

Stampede

page eight

entertainment and events

Sept. 30, 2005

LOOK!: A pictur-

S

esque statue (left) while Tom Chodl and Lauren Meyer check out their surroundings (below).

cotland

Drama program creates a ‘Secret Garden’ overseas

BY ALLIE MORRIS

Vibe Editor

A new country, an old musical and many new adventures came into play on the recent trip to Scotland taken by the cast and crew of “The Secret Garden.”

“It was amazing,” senior Shannon Hill said. “I thought it was so much fun.”

That seems to be the general consensus from all 18 students included in the re-vamped cast of the spring musical “The Secret Garden.” This summer, the group had the privilege of participating at the world’s largest performing arts festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

It wasn’t only the actors who enjoyed the experience; chaperones, techies and director alike all cherished the trip.

This was Mulay’s second time at the world renowned theatre festival, first with 2002’s “Honk.” And though she cannot compare the two trips, she says they were equally as wonderful.

“I enjoyed this trip just as much as ‘Honk,’ but in different ways,” Mulay said. “It was a different experience.”

“The Fringe,” as the festival is called, presented upwards of 26,000 performances in the 2005 season alone. “The Secret Garden” was invited as part of the American High School Theatre Festival which selects exceptional theatre departments from across the nation to participate.

Although the cast was already familiar with the musical, they still had to get comfortable with a re-cast and re-cut version.

To most drama departments, that may seem like a difficult undertaking, but Mulay and company were able to pull it off.y well.

“The new cast worked so well together on stage,” alumni and “Secret Garden” cast-member Catherine Allen said. “The people who were given new roles really proved themselves capable.”

“The show, overall, was a clearer story in the shortened version,” Mulay said.

“The Secret Garden” debuted Aug. 9 and ran through Aug. 13, and every performance was met with remarkable responses.

“Performing was a lot of work, but it turned out to be worth it once we started to hear people liked our show” said senior Lauren Meyer, who played Rose.

“The festival staff and even directors from other shows were amazed,” Mulay said.

The cast heard no bad reviews, and even Europeans couldn’t tell the English accents of the play apart. Media reviews from Nick Sco� of The Edinburgh Guide raved the preformance was “magical” and “sensitively and lovingly cra�ed” adding that viewers were “simply carried along effortlessly by the sheer momentum and pace of the performance.”

“The audiences really appreciated it,” junior Brianna Schmall said, adding “it’s nice to hear the compliments; it really made all of our work worthwhile.”

Performing wasn’t the only thing these dedicated high schoolers were doing.

“They were required to see four shows in the American High School Theatre program, and other than that the time was there own. They did a lot of shopping.” Mulay said.

“Being overseas was kind of intimidating at first, but because we were in groups the whole time it made it easier. Being with my friends helped out a lot,” Meyer said.

“A moving production, sensitively and lovingly crafted.”

- Nick Scott

Edinburghguide.com writer

OPEN WIDE: Andrew Rosenberger befriends the locals.

HELLO?: Drama

students (right) including Allie Reid (center) squeeze themselves into a telephone booth.

A SECRET GARDEN: (From left) Catherine Allen, Ryan Ray, Tom Chodl, Alex Clothier, Allie Reid, Alexa Plew, Andrew Franks, Anthony Ambroselli, Lauren Meyer and Alex Hopkins pose on a bluff in Scotland.

Abstinence Ad

Vibe

9

Stampede

page nine

entertainment and events

Little Women: A family affair

BY DANA CRONYN

“A melody so�ly soaring through my atmosphere...”

What be�er way to describe the mood produced by the new album, “Plans,” from the indie-rock band Death Cab for Cutie, than with one of their very own lyrics?

Death Cab for Cutie’s jump from the small Sea�le-based record label Barsuk to the major record company Atlantic le� many long-time fans worried about what effect this would have on their music.

Fortunately, they seem to have made this label change seamlessly, without compromising their original sound.

“Plans” is Death Cab’s fi�h album, following such albums as, “Something about Airplanes,” and their biggest hit yet, “Transatlantism.” This album, not unlike their others, features lead-singer Gibbard’s beautifully constructed and emotional lyrics, alongside his boyish-sounding vocals. “Plans” is a collection of sad and hopeful stories, tackling issues varying from love and death in “What Sarah Said” to end-of-summer blues in “Summer Skin.”

Different from previous albums, this one is slightly more experimental and features more synths and keyboard parts than guitar; this change was possibly brought on by the incredible success of Gibbard’s side project, the Postal Service.

If you like Death Cab for Cutie’s previous albums, you’ll like “Plans.” This album continues to set them apart from every other mediocre indie band and deters very li�le from the quality of their previous CDs. “Plans” will inevitably strike a chord with you emotionally, and if this proves undesirable, you may have be�er luck with the Postal Service.

-Lauren Stine

Who’s Who? Jo:

Meg:

Beth: Amy:

Book: “Rule of Four”

NAUMAN MANGLA/STAMPEDE

Apple to take a bite out of your wallet

Top

BY SAMAH CHOUDHURY View Editor The inflation fairy is making her rounds again but this time, no one will be spared.

Not even you, Steve Jobs, Mr. high and mighty chairman of Apple, Inc. Your iTunes are defenseless against the volatile market known be�er as corporate greed.

And so it seems. Apple has been scheduled to make new deals with top executives in the music industry, and many are calling for a hike in the standard 99-cent price tag that comes with each song.

Due to its immense popularity amongst young and old alike, the big bosses at the top are more than ready to cash in on this digital music craze. A recent New York Times article reported that two of four major record labels desired for Apple to be more “flexible” with their pricing, as opposed to the uniform price for all types of music. By charging more for new releases, popular releases and other promotional campaigns, the industry plans to increase its revenue.

But would people still be willing to pay more than the customary price?

According to senior Kaitlyn Johnson, the answer is a resounding yes.

“I love iTunes,” she said. “As long as they didn’t jack them up too high, I’d still pay for them. It’s worth it to get an entire album for only ten bucks instead of going to the store

songs on iTunes

1

5

“Photograph” Nickelback

2

“Gold Digger” Kanye West

3 NAUMAN MANGLA/STAMPEDE

and paying fi�een. Plus it saves gas money, which is like another million dollars.”

Freshman CC Larson agrees.

“Since everyone buys iPods, they feel they can overprice them.” Nonetheless, CC says she will continue to purchase iTunes. “It takes hours to download CDs onto iPods.

It’s just easier [to buy iTunes].”

Yet others remain skeptical.

“I think it would just further the

theitlist

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CD: Death Cab for Cutie “Plans”

Editor-in-Chief

The cast of Drama Director Kathy Mulay’s 2005 fall play is a close-knit family, both on and off the stage.

Onstage, the cast of 11 appear in the Sands Hall adaptation of the Louisa May Alco� classic which follows the four March sisters — Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy — as they come of age in New England during the Civil War era.

Offstage, this group of primarily seniors is using their years of experience as an ensemble to fuel their enthusiasm for the production.

“We already have a bond,” senior Lauren Meyer Shannon Hill, who plays the part of Beth March, said. “…We’re really excited to be working with these people. Everyone’s really talented.”

Katie Munn But assembling this close-knit family was not an easy task for the veteran director Mulay. She was presented with Shannon Hill one interesting dilemma: how to cast four directly-related sisters from a diverse and uniquely talented student body.

“The eye is the strongest sense we Megan Nemire have,” Mulay said. “You have to look and say that’s possible. [The audience] have to get beyond that.”

Also featuring: But looks aren’t everything in Allie Morris this production. Alco�’s timeless work not Ryan Ray, Amanda Montgom- only provides name recognition due to its ery, Andrew Franks, standing as a classic, but also offers a fantastic backdrop for the school’s talented body of Andrew Rosenfemale actors. berger, “I have some very strong women Jake Elzinga, Kyle actors,” Mulay said. “I wanted to give Hoe� actresses a chance to dig their teeth into something meaty,” and later adding, “It’s not an easy piece to bring to life” Another driving factor behind Mulay’s decision to direct “Li�le Women” was the version itself, which she describes as “more intelligent,” cinematic and “true to the book” than other stage adaptations. Mulay, who intends to work alongside the nationally-respected Hall, also notes that male students shouldn’t be intimidated by the play’s title, assuring them men too play a significant role in the plot.

Hill agrees, adding that the play suits all audiences as well.

“It’s funny,” she said. “All students can relate to it because it’s about growing up, it’s the same issues were dealing with now.”

To see if esteemed director Mulay has lived up to Alco�’s renowned classic you can catch “Li�le Women” Oct. 28-30 and Nov. 4-5 in the Auditorium.

Sept. 30, 2005

switch to other providers,” junior Sagar Deshpande said. “It might even spur more people to go back to downloading illegally.”

However, there’s no need to get all riled up just yet. Apple has made no guarantees that prices will be changing yet.

Apple will not, in the least, give in easily.

And who knows? The inflation fairy just may spare Mr. Jobs’ flourishingly lucrative creation yet.

“My Humps” Black Eyed Peas

“Wake Me Up When September Ends” Green Day

5

4

“Sugar, We’re Goin Down” Fallout Boy

Source: www.apple.com

When I heard that Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason’s “The Rule of Four” was acclaimed for its similarities to Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code,” I quickly purchased a copy. Expecting a fast-paced, captivating adventure, filled with riddles and mazes, I was instead greeted with a slow story centered around Princeton University, crammed with complicated puzzles that pale in comparison to Brown’s.

Focused around the mysteries of an ancient document, the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, this novel shows the script’s power over those who study it. It takes over the life of one student, Paul, consuming his entire world. All he thinks, lives, breathes and focuses on is this document. His three friends help him discover its true mysteries, while keeping a watchful eye on Paul.

The novel incorporates murder, betrayal and treachery among all those studying this ancient writing. While some of the puzzles in this story allow the reader to play along, many are only described. So, if you want a book full of riddles that are only referenced, then this is the novel for you.

“Rule of Four,” however, is not entirely dull. At one point, four of the main characters are running from campus security in the sewage pipes under their school a�er a risky paint-balling escapade.

But, a�er this, the book goes into long descriptions of the personal lives of each character. It is evident that “The Rule of Four” was wri�en by two authors; it appears that two entirely different kinds of stories are running through the novel.

While there is a conclusion to this book, Caldwell and Thomason do not give the necessary a�ention needed to a certain dynamic scene. At the end of the book, “The Rule of Four” wraps up leaving the reader wanting just a li�le more.

-Kate Pennington

It’s coming...

Central

Stampede

Next issue Oct. 28

10

Stampede

page ten

180

Sept. 30, 2005

Sports athletics and leisure

°

Can Foerster

the football team?

Latest results, player testimony indicate that, yes, he can Fun

AN INTIMIDATING FORCE:

Foerster facts

Far Left, Coach Foerster offers a word of encouragement to power training student.

Left, Foerster shows a different side, Below, Forester looks on as a student lifts in class.

14

years that Foerster has been a head coach

5

number of games Foerster has coached at Portage Central

34

years previous coach, Bob Knight, coached here

KALLIE ASHCRAFT CHRIS OPPEL

/STAMPEDE

91

number of Foerster wins in 14 years

4

daughters of Bre� Foerster and his wife, Amy

BY ANDREW ROSENBERGER Sports Editor One thing is for sure: this is definitely a new era in Mustang football.

The Mustangs kicked off the 2005 season with a new head coach, a renovated new Veer Offense and a new conditioning program that pushed the team above and beyond its own expectations.

“The players complain about how hard Foerster works us in conditioning,” quarterback Jeremy Trinkle said. “(But) we need to get used to the way he coaches.”

Fortunately, Foerster’s tough-nosed approach appears to be working. A�er quickly dropping the first three games of the season, the Mustangs have won two games straight in a convincing fashion, capped off by last Friday’s Homecoming win over Loy Norrix, 43-15. The week before, the team downed Niles 48-21, with sophomore running back Jarred Sherrod rushing for four touchdowns.

“Defeating Niles was like an answered prayer,” Sherrod said. “It was just what the team needed going into Homecoming – a win under our belts.”

More importantly, the Niles victory gave Foerster his first Portage Central win and may have provided the inspiration for

“The players complain about how hard Foerster works us in conditioning. We need to get used to the way he coaches.”

- Jeremy Trinkle Quarterback

snapping the team out of what could have been a disastrous tailspin.

During the football team’s first outing on the field against Lakeview, the defense was strong. However, Lakeview won 7-6.

Now the offense is stronger, and has the record to show for it.

“The offense is doing a great job,” Foerster said. “Ge�ing the ball into the end zone is not he problem, it is keeping the ball out of

News About Your School District Stay informed... ● Page

5 every Monday in the Portage Gazette

● The

ours.”

A�er implementing his own coaching style, Foerster discovered that players were too used to the way Knight operated.

Losing to Dowagiac 40-36 and then a week later to Harper Creek 42-29, Foerster was suffering from a 0-3 record and needed a win.

Ending the game with PC 48 and Niles 21, Foerster celebrated his first victory.

“Everyone was singing the whole way home. I couldn’t get any sleep one the bus,” lineman Jack Kilduff said. “Then we went to I-HOP until one in the morning to celebrate.”

Foerster is not just a football coach to his team, he is a teacher.

Hard work, discipline, commitment and being a team player are all in coach Foerster’s game plan for every practice.

“If you ever fall in the category of ineligible, Foerster will make you with you were never born,” Kilduff said. Foerster emphasizes education by preaching the importance of eligibility to his players.

“Being a young team, and not quite as disciplined as we should be, Foerster is not the reason for us losing the first three games,” Trinkle said. “He works on making us stronger in areas we are weak, and I strongly believe that we are going to start winning some more ball games.”

Foerster exemplifed this dicipline during the homecoming game.

The team has prepared all week for the Ma�awan game and plays them tonight at McCamley.

E-Z Way Driver Training “Developing Safe and Skilled Drivers Since 1979”

SEGMENT 1

SEGMENT 2

CERTIFIED ROAD TEST

CLASSES LOCATED AT PORTAGE CENTRAL AND PORTAGE NORTHERN

District web site: www.portageps.org Enroll online at

www.ezwaydriver.com OR CALL 372-3300

Sports

11

Stampede

page eleven

athletics and leisure

Sept. 30, 2005

SHERROD

by the numbers

96

yards earned in Jarred Sherrod’s varsity debut against B.C. Lakeview

4touchdowns

made by Sherrod during the Mustangs’ 48-14 win over Niles

DASHING

TO THE

LAURA SMITH/STAMPEDE

ENDZONE: Jarred Sherrod carries for another touchdown against Loy Norrix at McCamley Field on Sept. 23.

Following in the footsteps of a legend ‘Little Sherrod’ hitting his stride

BY ANDREW ROSENBERGER Sports Editor Two hundred and ninety yards, 14 carries and four touchdowns.

During the Sept. 16 game against Niles, sophomore Jarred Sherrod was unstoppable.

For several years, it was ’05 alumni Jordan Sherrod who racked up amazing statistics and wins for the Mustang football team. This year, li�le brother Jarred is stepping in, picking up

Minis

right where Jordan le� off.

Coming from an amazing gene pool, Sherrod this year shows the same amount of potential and talent his older brother once brought to McCamley Field.

“My dad played, my brother played and now I play,” Sherrod said. “My brother sparked an interest in me when I was younger, and I guess I followed by example.”

Jarred Sherrod knows he is under pressure to meet high expectations, but he insists on being his own person.

“I am not trying to live up to my brother’s past success here at PC,” Sherrod said. “I am se�ing my own goals just as he did. I don’t have the brains like my brother, but I work just as hard on the field and in

school.”

Sherrod has been playing football for nine years, starting out in Rocket football, then moving to Central Middle where he broke the previous touchdown record and now plays for the varsity team.

His intensity and skills have even caught the a�ention of the team’s upperclassmen.

“Jarred has always been a good football player,” said junior quarterback Jeremy Trinkle, a product of the West Middle program. “We played against each other in Rocket and then in middle school where Central would beat us every year while Jarred was on the team.”

Varsity coaches, in the meantime, recognize the raw talent that Jarred possesses; still, they tread lightly when

comparing Sherrod to his older sibling, preferring to let his actions speak louder than their words.

“The other coaches and I don’t say much to Jarred about his older brother,” Assistant Coach Rick Smith said. “Being faster than Jordan, but smaller, Jarred is hard to compare to his brother.”

Practices under first-year Coach Bre� Foerster can be intense, players say. At the same time, Sherrod said he is learning as much as possible about being a team player and is doing whatever he can to help the team.

“My individual goals are not as important as the team’s,” he said. “It’s our goal to make it to the playoffs, and I believe everyone else feels the same.”

241 yards

earned by Sherrod at last Friday’s Homecoming game

3touchdowns made by Sherrod during the Loy Norrix game last Friday

A new set of leaders on the women’s swimming and diving team has stepped up to the block. Seniors Catie Uggeri, Kim Betz, Michelle Clancy and Sara Iseminger have lead by example, helping the team win several remarkable early season meets.

The team won both dual meets they have competed in thus far, first at Battle Creek Lakeview on Sept. 1 and later at East Kentwood .

Most remarkable, however, was the team’s recent accomplishment at the Lion’s Relay. Although the team didn’t take first in every event, they did, however, accumaulate enough points to pull through, winning the coveted Lion’s trophy.

These successes, combined with twice daily practices put the women in fighting form to compete against cross-town rivals Portage Northern on Oct. 11th.

“This year our team should have a close match with Portage Northern, to win conference,” diver Lauren Greenberger said. “I’m excited because our team members have developed .”

CROSS COUNTRY

Despite a summer of practice and a number of returning seniors, the girls’ varsity basketball team has had a rough start.

“We have started out decent, lost some and won a few big ones,” junior Meaghan Bene� said. “The team will be great this year if we stay strong and positive.”

Unfortunately, the Mustangs folded last week at the Igloo, where the Northern escaped with an overtime victory-ending with a final score of 31-30.

The girls did, however, boast some impressive statistics during the game, shooting 8 for 9 in the fourth quarter.

“You can’t define our team based on our losses,” junior Sara Skolasky said. “We continue to work hard and show improvement everyday.”

Women’s swimming makes a surprising splash to win the coveted Lion’s Relay

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Despite heart-breaking loss, basketball continues to play strong

SWIMMING & DIVING

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

ustang

Cross Country’s hard work pays off as they lead the pack in conference A�er not making state for only the second time in 11 years, the women’s cross country team is hungry for redemption. With leading seniors Katelyn Charbeneau, Laura Smith, Lisa Keyte and Laura Haskins, the team is definitely se�ing high goals.

“With the girls scoring first at the Greater Kalamazoo meet, it proves that they really did their homework in the summer,” coach Dan Wytko said, adding, “It’s paying off.”

The Mustangs stampeded to a first place finish in the conference jamboree, with Keyte leading the field through the finish line.

Freshman Katie Martin consistently ranks in the team’s top four, providing a competitive edge.

Similarly, men’s cross country, under the leadership of Sam Marvin, the only senior and captain, is looking to the future and individual state qualification.

With seven underclassmen, and rising talents like Barry Beranek and Ryan Schmidt, the men continue to lower their times and improve their conference ranking.

“These upcoming runners are a team for the future,” Wytko said. “Everyone is focused and with that,

we’ll keep working hard all year round.”

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Let us prepare you one of our authentic Philly Style Subs, grilled fresh with Steak or Chicken Breast, topped with melted Swiss-American Cheese, Provolone, or Cheese Whiz, and your choice of 15 other toppings. We also have a variety of other grilled subs, cold subs, salads, and soft-serve sundaes and cones.

12

Stampede

page twelve

Sports athletics and leisure

Sept. 30, 2005

BY JAKE SCOTT

Staff Writer

Summer has come to a close and kids have sluggishly shuffled back to school and resumed their roles as students. Text books have been opened and pencils re-sharpened. The days are ge�ing shorter and the warm summer air is beginning to cool; fall is upon us. Such a change in season marks two beginnings: the start of a new football season and the beginning of a very important annual tradition here at Portage Central...tailgating!

Each football season, like clockwork, the student body flocks to the elementary school parking lot hours before kickoff to participate in this long lasting social tradition. Students amass as one, in vibrant celebration, before doing ba�le on the gridiron each Friday.

“I typically show up around six, six-thirty,” said junior David Hollerbach. “But the more hardcore fans are there at, like, five.”

In order to kickoff the tailgating season right, a few essentials are required; tailgating tools, if you will. The first necessity at any tailgate is a working grill, preferably one proudly adorned in blue and yellow. Secondly, food and drinks are a must. Hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, pop and ice cream all make the occasional appearance at tailgates. In fact, no food is considered taboo.

Next, bring a football. With the grill fired up and drinks on ice, how be�er to pass the time than with a game of catch? Finally, the most important aspect of tailgating is, of course, representing the spirited colors of blue and yellow.

Students and fans alike proudly fly the PC flag, devotedly displaying Mustang spirit wherever possible.

When asked what typical tailgate and game a�ire includes, junior Lizzi Ulmer explains, “A lot of kids wear throwback jerseys and camo, beads and, of course, blue and yellow.” She laughs then adds, “Some guys paint their chests!”

While this year’s tailgating season is still in its infancy, you can expect the spirit of the student body to only increase. A�er all, the rivaled Portage Northern game is just around the corner. Naturally, this game provokes the most spirit and enthusiasm out of the student body. Consequently, a spike in Mustang pride leads to an escalating number of tailgating antics and past years have proved such exploits to be a sight to see.

When asked of the more hilarious and fonder tailgating shenanigans, senior Mike Osawaardee smiles and replies having seen, “a pool in the back of a pick-up truck, a few couches and last year we had Pete Rio on a li�le girl’s bike with a mega-phone taunting the Northern kids! And some juniors may or may not have hit a cop car with a water balloon launcher.”

With the majority of the football season ahead of us, there is plenty of time for students to band as one and participate in the entertaining festivity that is tailgating.

KALLIE ASHCRAFT & KEVIN KEY/STAMPEDE

Minis

Men’s soccer may have suffered a sudden loss to the rival Huskies last week during a shootout, but they’ve since dribbled back with a win and a tie, to bring their record to 9-1-2.

On Saturday, the Mustangs tied with Traverse City West, which has one of the top-ranked soccer teams in the state and delivered a 5-1 defeat to the Huskies.

Another win came from a game against Loy Norrix.

“We look like we have a chance to go far,” junior Louis Standiford said.

Center Eric Alexander, who is ranked fourth in the nation, throws some weight behind Standiford’s prediction.

Mustang Mini’s are complied by Stampede Staff

Men’s golf starts season strong, taking top spot at Giant Invitational The men’s golf team is off to a swinging start. On Sept. 12 at Kalamazoo Central’s Giant Invitational, the team finished first out of 18 competing schools. Following the victory, they took second at the Conference Jamboree Heritage Glenn Tournament and topped the competition at both Loy Norrix and Vicksburg.

Zeeland East’s Invitational on Aug. 25 was nearly a game for the record books as the team was only a point away from breaking a school record. This near miss and early wins have only motivated team spirits.

“Our tournaments are going great, we feel good about them,” coach Chuck Schira said. “The team goal is to play better at conferences.”

women’s tennis

Men’s soccer has a shot at state with star center Eric Alexander

men’s golf

men’s soccer

ustang

Women’s tennis makes the cut at Greater Kalamazoo Tournament So far, the women’s varsity tennis team has served up some important wins.

Early in the season the girls scored big wins at the Allegan Invitational, Loy Norrix, Dowagiac and Ba�le Creek Central. Their only losses to date include a close defeat to Ma�awan and a tied game against Portage Northern, whom they currently top in conference.

This past weekend the team had 4 of 8 entries advance to the finals of the Greater Kalamazoo Tournament. Among those in the finals were Morgan Pa�erson, Mari Yaginuma, Kaitlyn Johnson, Neha Gupta, Michelle Roose, Kaitlyn Lum and Dahlia Yehia.