Vol 17 issue #5

central

STAMPEDE

Volume 17 Issue 5

‘The Lorax’ is cute and charming, but falls flat, pg. 12

March 9, 2012

Bring on the blankets

New heating and cooling system saves money, but staff and students feel the chill, pg. 2

Grading Policy Update, pg. 2 · The deal with detentions, pg. 6 · Hungry for Hunger Games, pg. 12 · Wrestling for states, pg. 15

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news

March 9, 2012

Temperature troubles Brief in

New heating and cooling system causes changing classroom climates

BY RACHEL BATES

Staff Writer

In order save money after the construction of the new school, a heating and cooling system was installed that cut expenses. This system includes high-tech monitors and motion detectors, but it also has created inconsistencies in temperature throughout the building.

Because the system is new, there have been huge temperature variations in classrooms throughout the school. The system is not broken, according to Craig Ross, the energy and facilities manager for the school; rather, it is just new and still has bugs that need to be worked out.

“There have been a variety of malfunctions around the new school,” Ross said. “But with the warranty, we have been able to fix most of them.”

The systems in the new building have a two-year warranty, and in those two years any malfunctions and problems in the school will be found are guaranteed to be fixed.

A main focus on the heating and cooling system of the school is to save money. As the building is bigger, it costs more money to heat and cool. If the old system, which ran on steam heat, was used in the new school, costs would be far too high to handle.

“We save every penny to spend on education,” Principal Eric Alburtus said. “The new heating and cooling system saves us money to use on all the resources we need.”

The new school’s system is running more efficiently than that of the old school, and the energy bills are very low in comparison to last year. According to Ross, compared to other

ture Tempera s ie testimon

10teachers Very cold

All gamers welcome

Students interested in playing all of today’s best video games are welcome to join the Gamers’ Club, which meets on Fridays after school in the Community Room. The club is being advised by hall monitor Adam Laroy and was founded by Seniors Tucker Webb and Jeremy Witt. It is open to students of all skill levels and all ages. If interested, bring your favorite game and your console (if you have one.) For further questions, contact Tucker Webb at joeoftraveling@yahoo.com.

Community collaboration

Rachel Bates/STAMPEDE Freeze Frame: The new heating and cooling system is located on the “fourth floor” of the building and is more budget-friendly than the previous steam heat system.

buildings built by the same company, the system has been working very well.

“Temperatures at the school are monitored externally, so that it can be made sure they are all between the temperatures of 68 to 72 degrees,” Ross said.

Contrary to the claimed efficiency of the system, teachers and students are uncomfortable due to the daily and even hourly changing temperatures. Health teacher Katie Eichstaedt thinks this winter the new school is colder than the old building last year.

“There are certain hours where it’s comfortable, but others when I can’t stay in the room and have to go walk around,” Eichstaedt said. “Because I don’t have classes every

hour of the day, it’s cold in my classroom a lot.”

In a Central Stampede survey of teachers, 50 percent said that their classrooms were cold most of the day. Twenty percent said their classrooms were very cold, and about 30 percent said their classrooms were comfortable.

The fewer people in a classroom, the colder it gets because of the sensors. So if teachers spend time in their classrooms alone, it could get colder in the room than if there were students in the class.

“It’s either too hot or too cold, there’s no happy medium,” sophomore Melanie Ulsh said.

The Central Stampede surveyed teachers on the climates of their classrooms. Out of 49 responses, here are the results...

24

teachers

Cold

13

teachers

2teachers

Comfortable

Hot

This spring, the City of Portage, the Portage District Library and Portage Public Schools are joining forces to promote their services to residents and businesses. The joint campaign will consolidate communications for all three entities, primarily in social media and electronic communications. Since it is based on existing resources, it financially feasible. One of the changes to come will be the library and school information appearing in the City’s “Portager” publication that is usually delivered every other month to residents. The library and schools, both of which no longer publish print editions of their community news, would share additional cost with the city. The three entities have helped each other out before by featuring one another’s links and sharing information.

Grading update Upon recent discussion of grading changes, the SET committee met once more last month. Representatives from each department came back from their own meetings to discuss how all the teachers felt about the proposed changes and to discuss uniformity in grading within the departments.Both the World Language and Science departments had a general consensus on how they want to grade. Policy in other departments, like English and Social Studies, was not so uniform. At the time, no decision has been made as teachers in all departments are questioning why and how to do this.

To further discuss the possibilities, a subcommittee within SET was set up. This subcommittee was expected to report back to the whole at the SET meeting this month.

news

March 9, 2012

Changing the course of learning

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Modifications being made to Portage science curriculum

BY LAUREN AMMAR

Staff Writer

Different views throughout the past few years have caused changes to be made to Portage Public Schools’ science curriculum.

The new changes will mostly affect this year’s eighth-graders, freshmen and sophomores, although there are also more options being offered for upperclassmen.

Among the other changes, two new courses, Honors Chemistry 2 and Honors Physics 2, are being offered.

In other school districts, students are required to take Earth Science in middle school, Biology in ninth-grade and their choice of Chemistry or Physics in 10th-grade.

However, in 2003, Portage decided to change its requirements for students. In order to fill graduation requirements, students would have to take one semester of Physics and one semester of Chemistry as freshmen, a year of Biology as sophomores and a semester of Earth Science and either Chemistry or Physics 2 their junior year.

Although many were satisfied with the changes in 2003, parents and students still pushed for more changes to be made. The problem was that students who wanted to pursue the IB Diploma were finding that they didn’t have room in their schedules to take all the required science classes. They wanted a way to be able to earn all their credits without having to double-up for a year on sciencerelated courses.

That’s why the new proposals that are set to go into effect this fall were made.

“Now students are going to have more options their eighth-grade year so that they can plan ahead for high school and college,” science teacher Jon Taylor said. “One thing they can do is take Earth Science in eighthgrade so that they don’t have to take it their junior year and can instead take a science

Rachel Bates/STAMPEDE

Changes

in Curriculum: A chemistry class does a lab on the separation of chemical compounds. Next year, new classes like Honors Chemistry 2 will be offered for students. In addition, students will have the option to take advanced science electives like a third year of Biology.

elective of their choice.”

Among the science elective classes are a third course of Chemistry, Physics, or Biology, as well as Astronomy, Ecology and the Environment, Forensic Science 1 and 2, Veterinary Science, Wildlife & Natural Resources, and more.

Students who are interested in science are content to enjoy the benefits of the changes and additions in courses.

“I’m really interested in science, and I’m currently in Honors Physics,” freshman Connor Richmond said. “I plan on continuing to take advanced science classes, and I’m glad they’re being offered.”

300 words on Shalibria Thorpe

BY SCOTT SOLOMON

Staff Writer

Everybody deserves a second chance, and senior Shalibria Thorpe knows this is true after she was adopted last year for a second time at age 17.

Many people know Thorpe because of her high-energy personality. In mock elections, she was even voted class clown.

“I’m the life of the party,” she said.

Teachers are also supporting the fact that now students have more options and are able to take more challenging courses if they wish to do so.

“I think it will be beneficial to students who are serious about science-related careers, and these classes will allow them to push themselves,” science teacher Kelli Palsrok said.

“It will allow them to pick and choose what classes to take based on what they’re best at, so they can excel in them.”

Although some have suggested dropping Earth Science as a required class altogether, Portage Curriculum Director Lynne Cowart wrote in a memo to the Board of Education,

What people don’t know about her is the struggles she has been through. Her first adopted family didn’t support her the way she needed. She needed a family that would promote success in her life. The environment she was in was not positive.

Times were looking very bleak for her, she said.

Then, when she was a junior, she was adopted by another family. Most kids might find this big transition tough, but for her it was truly helpful.

“I wouldn’t be graduating if not for them,” she said. “They have really supported me with everything.”

They have greatly prepared her for her future life after high school. Because of their positive influence, she knows she will be successful in whatever she goes into. Whenever she has

“Earth Science is an important scientific discipline in its own right and inserting Earth Science objectives into other courses, as has been suggested, would only weaken those courses as well as depriving students a thorough understanding of Earth Science.”

According to Cowart, while the changes do not address all the parental concerns with the science curriculum, the current proposals do provide some reassurance.

Although there are still more issues to be resolved, the new modifications that have been made seem to have had mostly positive responses from those who are concerned with the matter.

problems at all, her new parents are there for her every step of the way, she said.

Not only have her adoptive parents been very emotionally supportive, but they have also provided her with a car.

After high school, Thorpe hopes to attend photography school. Once she is done with photography school, she hopes to earn a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.

Although the second adoption was a huge change for this 17-year-old, she said it is a very positive change in her life.

Many students may not be able to handle this drastic change, but Thorpe did. Because of this change, her life has improved in every aspect such as their support with education and their support financially, she said.

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news

March 9, 2012

New school, new lunches

BY ELAINE CHIU Staff Writer

Over the past year, school lunch recipes have been tweaked, items have been swapped, and some have completely disappeared off the daily menu, with even more changes ahead.

French fries used to be served every day, but this year, items made with regular potatoes are being limited as sweet potato puffs take over in place of tater tots.

The changes made some students wonder why certain items are being taken away while other items are still always available.

“Crust & Stuff” is the most popular place to buy lunch in the cafeteria selling more lunches than any other line, according to cafeteria records. Senior Kristen Keeler said she thinks it probably serves the unhealthiest food and that “rip and dips” might be the worst.

“You cut into them and grease

pours out,” Keeler said. “You can’t tell me that’s healthy.”

Even though some of the food seems greasy and unhealthy, it’s not unwanted. Freshman Christina Pattengaie said the school should keep serving food like pizza, fries and cookies. She said that the students should be the ones to choose whether or not to eat them.

“In the real world,” Pattengaie said. “People are going to have to make their own decisions.”

Susan Livingston, food director for Portage Public Schools, said that regular fries had to go because they were part of a meal, while everything

else is “a la carte,” separate from the lunches.

Livingston also said that although “Crust & Stuff” is believed to be the worst choice in the cafeteria, that it is actually “very healthy.”

One slice of cheese pizza has 440 calories, and “meat lovers” stromboli is 660. Neither option is necessarily bad. Nearly all of the items served, including rip and dips and hot pockets are made with whole grain and won’t be leaving the menu, though there are some others that will change, starting next year.

Livingston says the USDA will require students to choose a fruit or vegetable with their meal, and cookies will be whole grain and could be smaller.

“We are doing it because it’s the right thing to do,” said Linvingston, who admits a lot more time is being put into preparing the school’s food to make healthier lunches for students.

All photos by Elaine Chiu/STAMPEDE

Crust & Stuff: Sophomore Kari Gluys decides to eat from the “Crust & Stuff,” a popular new addition to the cafeteria this year.

Join us Friday, April 13th for an AQDay and see what Aquinas is all about.

For more details or to register, visit www.aquinas.edu/ undergraduate/visit or call (800) 678-9593. If our dates don’t work, we’re happy to schedule individual visits between 9 and 4 Monday – Friday, and on most Saturdays during the academic year.

1607 Robinson Road, SE | Grand Rapids, MI 49506-1799 616 632-2900 or 800 678-9593 | www.aquinas.edu

view

March 9, 2012

Kendamas are toys; leave them at home High school is a wonderful time in which young students slowly find themselves blossoming into adults. We feel that Kendamas are an

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our view impediment to this process.

You see, kendamas are toys.

Seeing as how most of us are almost adults, we should refrain from bringing them to school.

It is comparable to bringing in a “Stretch Armstrong” and

fiveon five 1 2 3 4 5

Alex Jarvis, 9th

Is there anything Not in my point of view. wrong with the current science curriculum?

Should the cafeteria food be considered nutritious?

Not at all, but very costly.

What’s the most annoying thing on Facebook or Twitter?

Chirping about drama.

What’s the most vulgur song you’ve heard this decade?

“We be Steady Mobbin’” by Lil’ Wayne.

What is your highest bowling score?

Under 100.

expecting people to take you seriously. It’s just not realistic.

We understand that you get bored not paying attention in class, but there are better ways to fidget! How about the classic taping of your pencil on

Emma Schaw, 10th

the desk? Or can we just go back to texting in class? Trust us, anything you could possibly do is far less annoying than the clickity-clack of your silly ball landing in your silly cups. And the inevitable, “Did you guys

Jake Haskin, 11th

see that? Big cup, bump, to little cup, back to big, then a spike.

It was so cool.” I can count the amount of people who care on one hand.

It’s good to have a hobby.

It’s even better when you have a hobby that you can enjoy without annoying everyone around you. We suggest you go find one of those.

Mr. Tabor

Brenna Reder, 12th

Not that I can see.

No, but I’m open to change.

No, I take Michigan Geology, and I love it.

Chuck Schira doesn’t teach science.

No, it’s not. It’s pointless that they get rid of salt when there are way worse things.

Tweets like “Everyone is so stupid on Facebook.”

Do they get that it’s moving to Twitter?

“The Ding Dong Song”

by Gunther & the Sunshine Girls.

I don’t know. I have gone out to lunch every day.

I eat off campus, and I’ve never eaten the food here.

Truth is...

Personal matters, like boyfriend/girlfriend problems.

“Tron Cat” by Tyler, the Creator.

Most vulgar songs have vulgar names that are not school appropriate!

I don’t keep track when I bowl; I just bowl for fun.

I would prefer to eat a 1,500-calorie Qdoba burrito every day.

Self-Pics. 2,714 friends and none of them will take the picture for you?

“Sparks Fly” by Taylor Swift.

Probably like 40.

301.

I once knocked down seven pins.

Good oil that day.

Stampede Staff Amy Ruimveld Kyna Garrett Editors-in-Chief Ali Fulling..................................News Editor Tucker Webb.............................View Editor Taylor Fleck..............................Focus Editor James Ketelaar.........................Vibe Editor Jessica Heimonen...................Sports Editor

Assistant Editors/Staff Writers: Lauren Ammar, Hira Asghar, Rachel Bates, Elaine Chiu, Megan Conway, Katie Drews, Will Jacobson, Ryan Krietz, Jimmy O’Grady, Scott Solomon, Grant Walters, Mallory Duncan Photographer: Nicole Leffingwell Business Manager: Tyler Harper 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.

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.

Office: (269) 323-5218 Fax: (269) 323-5290 Room: 2116

The Central Stampede 8135 South Westnedge Ave. Portage, MI 49002

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view

Revenge ­— or justice?

March 9, 2012

Going through the system will solve your disputes

You can’t rely on others to fix your problems

news editor

vibe editor

Ali Fulling

At times, when someone wrongs you an overwhelming urge to wrong them back hits.

Well I urge you to ignore that urge.

You know that old saying “two wrongs don’t make a right”? Well it’s true. Getting someone back can cause a continuous war of who can hurt who the most. The repercussions of getting even seriously outweigh whatever feeling of justice you get from it.

Instead of taking the road of vigilantism, take the high road and report any situation to an authority figure who can help.

This is neither tattling nor immature.

Reporting a situation that’s too much for you to handle is responsible. Even telling friends, older siblings or classmates is better than getting back at your perpetrator. With more eyes watching out for you and sticking up for you, it’s harder for the person or people to continue doing wrong.

Another benefit of reporting wrong doings is that authority figures can dole out better punishment. If someone slashes your tires, egging their house isn’t the right approach. It won’t cause them to stop the harassment or regret it, if anything it will only cause them to retaliate. Having to talk to the police though, that’s a pretty solid stopper.

Take me for example, when I was

younger, a boy in my gym class would hit me all the time while we were running laps. I kept quiet and told him to stop, but of course the torment continued. It wasn’t until bruises started showing up on my arms that I told my parents. My father called the boy’s parents and told them what was going on and after his father brought him to my house and we all had a talk, the bullying ended.

Sure, my dad is six feet four inches and completely intimidating, but the general point is that I could have hit him right back and I didn’t. I understood that whatever I did to punish him wouldn’t change anything, but what his parents could do to him would.

The “don’t get mad, get even” idea is wrong. Get mad, and then get someone on your side who can actually change it. In school, we’re all equals and have no real power over one another, so give the problem to someone who does. You’ll be safer and less stressed out, that I promise.

James Ketelaar

We all have issues with other people.

It’s unavoidable. Sooner or later, someone in the halls is going to say something that offends you. Or you’ll run into intentionally malicious people who might do things like steal your belongings, or make fun of your hair or call you a “FattyFat Fatty.” And we’ve been trained since kindergarten to, when these issues arise, seek out a figure of authority to handle the issue for you.

Like most things we learned in kindergarten, this is a load of straight-up hokum.

I’m not saying that you should start throwing punches every time someone bumps shoulders with you in the hallway.

Being a vigilante doesn’t mean you go around punching people in the face. It just means you handle the situation yourself. Let’s be serious, if you go to a teacher or administrator and say, “I’m pretty sure this guy took my iPod,” they’ll tell you that without proof, there’s nothing they can do. But if you’re confident and you just confront the guy yourself, (“Hey, I know you took my iPod. I’m not gonna make a big

?

deal about it, I just want it back,”) things could solidly work out for the better.

Going to the “authorities” just seems so roundabout. It’s like if a friend says something that ticks you off, and you just text your other friends about it and never mention it to them. So many personal problems would get solved so quickly if we just learned to sit down and have face to face conversations with people on our own. We don’t, or rather, we shouldn’t, need an outside source to help us talk through that time that Felicity called you a dirty name behind your back, or when Daryll swatted you in the head when he walked past you in the hall. That should be a very simple conversation. “Hey, Felicity, that really hurt my feelings and I don’t want to hate you, so can we just be cool?” or “Hey Daryll, can you not be such a butt all the time?” And then the problems are resolved.

I guess what I’m saying is, given the current state of teen culture, where everything is Facebook and smart phones, and no one talks in person anymore, maybe we do need “The Man” to work out our problems for us.

I’m just hoping for a world where we’re all smart and mature enough to not need them anymore.

Detention: a home away from home

BY JAMES KETELAAR

Vibe Editor

Detentions. For ages, they’ve been the go-to punishment for teachers to give to their rambunctious, disruptive students. The logic behind them makes sense: kids who disrupt class probably hate school, so making them stay in school longer should be a great deterrent. But I’m here to take that logic, and stick it face-first through a wood chipper. I’ve found a flaw in the system: I like detentions.

First let me narrow this down a bit.

I’ve tried all three flavors of detention this school has to offer; morning, lunch, and after school, I’ve done them all. Lunch detentions

are a horrid experience, because if the loud, obnoxious people in the cafeteria weren’t bad enough, the worst offenders are usually concentrated in the lunch detention room. It was a just and right decision to abolish them.

2:50s and I just don’t work together, because I usually have a fairly busy after school schedule and they just tend to get in the way.

But morning detentions are like a little slice of paradise. They are my home away from home.

Now, I’m not saying I’m asking the front office for morning detentions or anything.

I am a man who loves his sleep, and waking up early every day to be at school for an extra half hour doesn’t sound like a pleasure cruise.

But every once in a while, when I pick up a

morning detention, it’s a relief. I love having a half hour where I can do absolutely nothing.

I have a lot of nothing-time at home, but my life at home is filled with distractions; family, pets, phone, TV. I rarely get a chance to sit in silence and do nothing for a half hour. And that’s what a good morning detention brings me: A chance to just sit down and mellow out.

And yes, the troublemakers I mentioned from lunch detentions are usually there too, but at that time in the day, they’re usually too tired to make any effort towards being annoying.

It’s become such a non-issue for me that last semester I had a grand total of 18 tardies.

And I didn’t even use up all my freebies, because I had started enjoying the detentions

so much. And this semester I’ve already had four or five, and I haven’t used a single freebie.

I’m saving them for... Actually, I don’t really know if I’m saving them for anything. I just haven’t used them.

What I’m saying is, the administrators need to crack down on me or something. In fact, let me speak to them right now: What you’re doing isn’t working. I’m gonna keep being tardy as much as I possibly can because you people are giving me a paradise and I love it. BRING. IT. ON.* *Go ahead and ignore that last paragraph, administrators. It’s a lie. I just like the dramatics.

March 9, 2012

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Things that no one

Please stop ruining Facebook and Twitter editor in-chief Amy Sleepswithtigers Ruimveld Stop it. Just stop it. Yes, you. Your behavior on the Internet is annoying and needs to stop. I know that you may think I have no right to tell you what to do on the Internet, but I must disagree. I’ve discussed this with many of my peers and the response is unanimous: when you do these things, we make fun of you and laugh at your expense. So, I’ve decided to face the issue head-on and let you know that your atrocious actions are annoying everyone.

I understand that you think you’re very cool and clever, but please stop adding words to your name on Facebook. You are not a professional athlete and have no need to give yourself a nickname that implies that you are cooler than you actually are. Just in case you doubt me, here are some prime

examples of how stupid making up a middle name on Facebook looks: “Tuffacttofollow,” “Nowornevasquad,” “Quake Alwayz,” “Staywithstacks” and my personal favorite, “Fuzzyboots.”

This next annoyance is all the “LMS” and “Truth is...” statuses that frequent my Newsfeed. The “truths” that are being told are quite often pointless and awkward small talk, and don’t actually accomplish any truth-telling. “Truth is…” statuses are not synonymous with “let’s share memories.”

Please save your statuses for something relevant and interesting, not something that will clog up my Newsfeed.

The last offense that is unacceptable on Facebook is the pictures that frequent my Newsfeed. Stop taking mirror pictures, please put your clothes on, and for the love of God, please stop making that duck face. I understand that you think you are the most attractive girl on the Internet, but really, stop taking kissy/duck face-half naked pictures that you take in your bathroom mirror. In fact, if you Google “duck face,” the first website to pop up is www.antiduckface.com. If you

frequently make this face, please reevaluate what you’re putting on Facebook before I unfriend you. Or submit your picture to that website.

As Twitter’s popularity grows, so does the idiocy. That sounds really harsh, but in all reality, it’s completely true. Many people aren’t entirely sure exactly what Twitter is supposed to be and then decide to make it into whatever fits their mood. However, I must draw the line at sub-tweeting and Alexis Ca llaway Twitter drama. Let’s address these issues /Special to STAMPED one at a time, shall we? limits E Sub-tweeting: please stop with the each argument to underhanded messages. I am a firm believer 140 characters. Not only are they ridiculously in the fact that if you cannot talk to someone irritating, they also clog up your timeline. about your issues directly, then there’s no Please stop trying to fight in 140 characters or point in publishing some vague statement less. online. If you’re going to leave an ambiguous While I know that I can simply unfriend announcement of how you feel on Twitter, someone or unfollow them to avoid all of these why don’t you just write it in a journal, since annoyances, I simply don’t have the time to very few people will actually understand the take on that daunting task. So, I beg of you, for true meaning of your stupid sub-tweet? the sake of the intelligence and integrity of the Also, people are so quick to become Internet, if you do any of these things, please enraged about what someone tweeted (usually cease and desist. a sub-tweet) and begin an obnoxious fight that

those who must know before they depart this mortal coil, here is how the next 40 years would have gone down.

FOR EVERYONE! 2024: Hogwarts discovered to be an elaborate hoax. Joy disappears from the world for a time.

2025: Sparkly Vampires do exist, joy comes back to this world in the form of Sparkly Vampire Hunting.

2026: First android created. To humanity’s surprise, it doesn’t want to kill us all, but simply watch the Fourth of July “Twilight Zone” marathon.

2027: After Russia sees how awesome Canamerica in Space is, they begin building a moon base of their own on the other side of the moon.

2028: Laser guns that make noises like the ones in Star Wars created; military finally allows their budget to be cut.

2029: Androids and robots gain equal rights under the Constitution rather quickly after they threaten to cut off access to certain explicit content on the Internet.

2030: Last polar bear dies. Sad. Day. 2031: Russian moon base, “Russia in Space,” completed. Ushers in new era of space-peace.

2032: Robo-Ronald Reagan and Ayn Randroid selected by the Electoral College to become supreme rulers of Canamerica.

2033: California sinks into the ocean.

Hipsters build an undersea dome around San Diego and continue living there because “Land is too mainstream.”

2013: We survived? How unlikely. Well, the

In the Year 2020...

Do you guys remember back in 2000 when we were all supposed to die? Something about computers becoming self-aware and deciding that we, as an inferior race, should be deleted? The facts were hazy at best.

And here we are. We survived! We lived on for another 12 years and made the most of it. Those 12 years were a gift, and now, our imminent demise is fast approaching (less than a year away, according to the Mayan calendar.) The Earth and all of its inhabitants shall meet a ghastly end. “But what if we were to live through this apocalypse as we did in Y2K?” you ask. Malarky, I say, but for

apocalypse is coming soon, just you wait.

2014: Still alive. Then I guess... maybe there is no coming apocalypse? Well, we are going to have to find something better to do with our time... BRING ON THE MOON BASE. 2015: Hover-boards invented, world becomes a better place to live.

2016: Hover-board related deaths cause a massive drop in population worldwide.

2017: United States annexes Canada, poutine introduced into the states, average life expectancy plummets.

2018: Canamerica builds a fence around Mexico so large, many forget it’s even there.

2019: Skyrim II is released for the Xbox 1080, Males aged 12-25 disappear suddenly from the planet.

2020: Moon base completed, aptly named “Canamerica in Space.”

2021: Creed becomes the first band to ever play a show on the moon, simultaneously becoming the worst band to ever play on the moon.

2022: “Avatar 5” released in 4-D. No blue people, just two hours of James Cameron talking about how great he is.

2023: HOGWARTS DISCOVERED! MAGIC

2034: Space-arguments between Can-

America in Space and Russia in Space break out over moon boundaries. Space Cold War starts on the moon.

2035: Space Politics fall apart as Canamerica’s Space President, David Bowie, decides that the moon is not groovy enough for him and takes his groovy self to another galaxy.

2036: Space Cold War gets hot! War starts between Russia in Space and Canamerica in Space. War cleverly nicknamed “Star Wars”

by Fox News.

2037: Earth bombarded by stray Space-lasers.

Glow sticks and Pink Floyd albums flying off the shelves.

2038: Space War ends after Russia in Space and Canamerica in Space agree that they had nothing to fight about, but they both just wanted to shoot some lasers.

2039: Life discovered on Mars! Martians turn out to be a highly-intelligent race of peaceful underground peoples that look much like Earth puppies.

2040: Mars destroyed by lasers. It gets boring on the moon.

Tucker Webb is View Editor for the Central Stampede. Hail his grooviness, David Bowie.

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Gardening Club blooms

BY SCOTT SOLOMON

Staff Writer The front of the school building, while already attractive, will soon benefit from the efforts of the Gardening Club.

The club is the brainchild of English teacher Janet LaVasseur, who didn’t like the view from her classroom window that included litter in the parking lot and grass area. She was certain she wasn’t the only one who felt that way, and called for the first meeting of the Gardening Club in January.

LaVasseur said she hopes students would be less likely to litter if there was something out there besides just plain grass and pavement.

LaVasseur also said she believes that by creating gardens outside of the school, students in the Gardening Club will feel more connected to the environment, and eventually, so will students throughout the building.

“If students become friends with Walter [LaVasseur’s friend the crow],” she said, “then students won’t throw trash on the ground that will harm Walter.”

So far most of the students involved

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March 9, 2012

a lot of money in Gardening Club meetings have to create a been LaVasseur’s freshman students garden. and IB Diploma Candidates. About The 25 students are already attending food that will meetings, and once she starts be produced advertising she hopes to have more. will go a few Because students have a different places, very busy schedule with sports, all depending on homework and other clubs and how much food activities, the Gardening Club isn’t the Gardening going to require the attendance of Club harvests.

Scott So students at every meeting. The First LaVasseur lomon /STAMPE DE students that attend must only try Spring is in wants the the air: Junior Ma and show up when they can and bers plan Gardening Club tthew Pavl t seeds fo ovic and h r their ne try and help and have fun while at members to grow is fellow G w garden ardening in the fro Gardening Club.

Club mem food that they want nt of the sc possible hool.

“I’m going to try to make it to as many to eat. to join, but she also [meetings] as I can,” junior Conor Gorczyca “I want the wants all students to have fun gardening. said. “I’ve only been to one so far, but I want Gardening Club members While a location for the garden has not to go to as many as I can.” to taste food off the vine,” LaVasseur said. “It been chose, there are several possible options.

Gorczyca missed other meetings because tastes much better than food off trucks with The garden won’t just be contained to a single he was busy but he hopes to attend to earn all sorts of pesticides on them.” place every year, but LaVasseur said she hours for an IB Diploma.

LaVasseur hopes to donate the hopes the garden will expand and get bigger A concern of LaVasseur, however, is remaining food to charity, likely the Portage every year. that the club may grow too quickly and not Community Outreach Center so the food To fund the club, LaVasseur has applied everybody will feel like they have a part stays local. for various grants, but she said it doesn’t cost in helping. She wants as many students as

Why Sparknotes don’t ensure ‘No Fear’

BY MEGAN CONWAY

Staff Writer When our parents were young, there was no easy way to simplify their school assignments. When teachers assigned novels to be read, the only real option was to read the book yourself. With the invention of the Internet also came the ability to read entire book summaries without ever picking up the book.

Students now have access to websites dedicated solely to making book summaries easy to read and readily available, most popularly in the form of “Sparknotes.”

Students can save the time of having to actually read the book by simply reading the quick summaries of the chapters and the detailed character descriptions. While reading “Sparknotes” may save time, English teachers feel as though kids are cheating themselves.

“Most of the books they read have some kind of redeeming quality,” English teacher Theresa Mills said. By not reading the book, kids are missing the point of novel.

While “Sparknotes” may help enhance

the understanding of a novel, it is extremely clear when kids fail to read an assigned book, choosing the “Sparknotes” version instead.

“Sparknotes” is like looking at a map without words on it,” intern Dan Soard said, who commented that “Sparknotes” just doesn’t compare to actually reading the book.

“Kids will come to class with an overall idea, but not an understanding of what is going on in the book,” he said.

Students who use “Sparknotes” are not just those who don’t like to read. Some use “Sparknotes” because they need help

understanding what’s going on after reading and before they take the quiz in class.

“It’s really helpful if you are confused on what’s going on in the story,” senior Annesa Fahs said.

Fahs is conscientious of the fact that just reading the “Sparknotes” won’t get anyone an A on the test.

“If you use “Sparknotes” you can only get about a B or a C on the test,” Fahs said. “Even if you do pay attention in class discussions.”

“Sparknotes” has changed the way students are experiencing today’s novels. For

some it’s a helpful tool in gaining a better understanding of a book after reading and helping prepare for a quiz. For the students who fail to read books assigned, it’s an informative website where they can get the main points of a story, and hopefully skate by on the reading quizzes.

Sophomore Rachel Cubbage uses the website almost every time she is assigned a novel for school.

“I don’t need to read the whole book when I can read a summary of each chapter,” Cubbage said.

Teachers do have a system to filter out those students who actually read the book.

“Quote quizzes” which include quotations that ask students to identify which character is speaking, are relatively impossible to pass by just reading the “Sparknotes.”

Junior Ethan Jacobs started out just reading the “Sparknotes” on novels assigned for school but now uses them as a supplement in addition to reading the novel.

“Teachers use quote quizzes so I can’t get by on the quizzes and end up having to read,” Jacobs said.

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March 9, 2012

Her heart beats for music

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Sophomore releases debut album ‘Kalipoe’

BY KATELYN MYERS

Staff Writer

When sophomore Celeste Dely lost one of her drumsticks while performing at last summer’s Ribfest, the sophomore didn’t miss a beat. The same kind of passion she used to play the rest of her show one-handed is an example of the commitment she showed in releasing her first CD, “Kalipoe.”

Dely grew up around music and the beat from the drums influenced her. Her grandpa was a radio broadcaster for WMUK. When Dely was a little girl her older sister, Alaina, used to make Dely dress up like Brittany Spears and sing. Dely isn’t the only one in the family who loves to perform. Her brother Joe Dely is a Portage Central alumni, and he was heavily involved in the musicals and drama.

Delys debute CD called Kalipoe. It contains six songs all composed by her, with a little help from some friends. Dely mainly sings her alternative rock and jazz beats.

At the beginning of her singing career Dely didn’t expect to be an amazing singer. She just

found it deep inside her heart.

Just like a lot of singers she has her idols, including The Beatles and Patti Smith, who was the Queen of Punk Rock in the 70’s.

Before Dely performs she usually looks over the music once or twice. “The less prepared I am the better,” Dely said, “I do it from my heart.”

Dely prefers to sing jazz and alternative rock. Jazz because it gives her more of a calm feeling letting her mind drift off into the song.

When she is on stage singing alternative rock Dely finds it a lot of fun to be on stage and be able to just lose control.

Dely is not just a singer she also plays the drums and guitar and wants to continue that on through college. She wants to start out at Western and then move to New York University for more of a challenge.

Dely didn’t think she would have so much talent to not only sing but to write her music too. “Ever since I started singing I’ve always had a passion for it,” Dely said.

Photos Courtesy of Mary Gleason

Junior jumps from classroom to film studio

BY HIRA ASGHAR

biggest inspirations were “Band of Brothers” and “Saving Private Ryan.” I would like to make a more realistic movie about everyday soldiers rather then Special Forces. We ended up using the script as a model or guide line rather than exact. I was skeptical of the improvisation at first, but after editing it turned out great.

Staff Writer

The Annual Teen Filmmaker Festival, sponsored mostly by the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, allows aspiring directors and filmmakers to submit a creative short film to compete against other teens. Mitch Jump, a junior and CEO of Punch Line Studios, directed his own short film, called “Operation Hornet’s Nest,” and entered it in the contest.

What follows is the Stampede’s one-on-one with Portage Central’s most cutting edge film student.

Stampede: What is Punch Line Studios?

Jump: It’s a production company of friends that makes videos and films for YouTube.

We have been making videos since Feb. 9, 2011. We have about 44 videos, ranging from prank calls, sketch comedy, short films and just breaking stuff. I got grounded last year and wanted to start a business or company.

I got my friends together on Facebook, and we decided to make videos. We have so many hilarious memories and stories from

Stampede: How long did it take to make the film?

Here’s The Punch Line!: Punch Line Studios is the brain child of junior Mitch Jump. things that have gone wrong. We would like to become YouTube partners, so everyone should subscribe!

Stampede: What is the storyline of the film you submitted?

Jump: A CIA team is killed while undercover, and a task force is sent in to grab Mikhail Dresnov to get information. The mission goes wrong. We left on a cliffhanger so we can make a second film. I love war movies and have always wanted to make one. My

Jump: It was a five-day process with more than 10 people. We put a lot of man hours in and some questionable locations. We actually shot some scenes at an abandoned golf course off Highway 131. I had to drive with three rowdy teenagers through the horrible blizzard over winter break.

In three scenes, Tyler Schillaci from Portage Northern had to lay in the cold, wet ground for extended periods of time. It was also extremely

hard to get multiple people available. We had to buy ski masks so we could recycle bodies rather than get more and more people.

Stampede: What are your hopes for the future with regards to filmmaking?

Jump: I plan on going into film for college. I would love to direct, produce or be a screenwriter in the future. My favorite directors are Quentin Tarantino, Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg and Kevin Smith. My top five favorite movies are “Forrest Gump,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Tropic Thunder,” “The Wackness” and “500 Days of Summer.”

Stampede: Did you make it into the Festival?

Jump: We ended up not being in the festival. It’s disappointing that we didn’t make it in but we believe the video will be a hit on YouTube and it has some extra scenes in it.

To see the video entered into the Film Festival and a subscription link to Punch Line Studios, follow @CentralStampede on Twitter for the link.

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March 9, 2012

Kendama: behind the craze The growing trend irritates teachers, entertains students

BY TAYLOR FLECK

Focus Editor

When students began bringing Kendamas to school in the weeks before Christmas, nobody would have guessed the wooden toys would develop into the next big high school craze.

With most people explaining Kendamas as a re-invented game of “ball in cup,” the reasoning for its sudden explosion of popularity is unknown. However, junior Matt Dolfi was one of the first people to be seen using the wooden toy.

“I got the idea from a friend in Traverse City,” Dolfi said.

Kendamas had already been very popular around the schools there, and after being introduced to them, Dolfi knew he had to have one.

Not realizing how widespread the Kendama epidemic would become, Dolfi agrees that it is pretty amazing how fast

something can catch on.

“I think it’s crazy how many people have them now,” Dolfi said. “It’s also crazy how good some people have gotten at it.”

Even with all the students being so crazed about the Kendamas, teachers and hall monitors have a different view on the game.

“I think they’re fun things, but in school they get annoying,” hall monitor Adam LaRoy said. “Plus, I’m really bad at them myself.”

Along with LaRoy, various teachers and staff members agree that school is not the place for Kendamas. Some have declared the toys aren’t allowed in their classrooms.

However, despite the nuisance the Kendamas have proven to be for fellow students and staff, players claim that there are actually some benefits to spending hours attempting to get “birdies” and “180’s.”

“They actually help with your hand-eye coordination,” freshman Evan Kish said.

Being a member of the hockey team, Kish

along with various others believes the game helps their stick handling skills and keeps their coordination on point.

No matter what a person’s reason for getting into the Kendama commotion, it is clear that they have taken over as the latest trend. Nonetheless, the on-and-off trends of high school don’t stay for long. In fact, many people have already moved on from the phase of non-stop Kendama.

“I don’t even really play anymore,” Dolfi said. “It’s kind of getting old, and everyone else is way better.”

Krazy

for Kendamas: Many students can be found playing with their Kendamas before, during and even after school. However, some teachers are frustrated with the distracting toy, and have banished them from their classrooms.

Nicole Leffingwell/STAMPEDE

Hello Mustangs!

The PC TV talent show will be held on Friday, March 23, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium! Admission tickets are $5 and for the first time, raffle tickets, concessions and T-shirts will also be sold.

In addition, on Tuesday, March 20, Stuco is holding their annual Red Cross blood drive. Please come out and donate as all blood types are needed and the goal is to have 100 donators. Just remember one donation can save three lives. Thank you for your continuous support.

-Your Student Council

vibe

March 9, 2012

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Bad band or baddest band?

BY JAMES KETELAAR

Vibe Editor

In the days since hipsters began ruling the world, it has become quite trendy to hate on popular things. In most cases, hipsters harp on stuff for the same reason bullies harp on little kids: to make themselves feel better. “Oh, you like [[Band A]]?

Yeah, they’ve been pretty lame the past five years. I only listen to [[Band B]] now.” But, in rare cases, unification arises when hipsters and even the general populous join hands in hatred of something popular that also happens to be egregiously awful. The perfect example: Nickelback.

In case you live alone in a cabin in the woods, or haven’t turned on a radio in almost 20 years, Nickelback is a band formed in Canada in 1995 (Nickelback AND Justin Bieber? At least they make up for it with Arcade Fire. I guess.) I guarantee you’ve heard them almost once, from their song “Hero,” which was a huge success “Spider-Man 2,” or their song “Photograph,” which was a huge success after people with bad taste started listening to it. Ask a group of 100 people what they think of Nickelback, and 90 of them will dismiss them as awful, and the other 10 will proclaim them as the greatest rock band on the face of the Earth.

Everybody on the internet (aka: everybody) seems to hate them. There even used to be a website called www. isnickelbacktheworstbandintheworld.com which just displayed a giant “YES.” 24/7. And yet they still sell out giant theaters and arenas. They played the halftime show for the Detroit Lions this year to a cheering crowd, even though there were over 50,000 people signing an online petition against them. They may just be the most controversial working band in the business. So what position am I going to take?

Is Nickelback the greatest band in the world or the absolute worst? Surprise, surprise: They’re neither.

This is not to say I like Nickelback, not by a long shot. I find their songs tedious and annoying, and if one happens to worm its way in my earholes, I tend to head in the opposite direction. But while they may very well be the worst band on the radio station you’re unlucky enough to be tuned into, or the worst band on your 11-year-old brother’s iPod, they are far from the worst band in the world.

People who think Nickelback is the worst band in the world have obviously not branched out their musical tastes any farther than Nickelback fans themselves. If you want a band that competes for worst in the world, look no further than Insane Clown Posse. I hesitate to call them a “band,” since they are only two people, and they perform rap “music,” but I’m willing to loosen my definition here for this article. ICP became a big hit on the internet in the last couple years, but for their nonsensical lyrics (“[bleep]in’ magnets, how do they work?”) rather than their musical prowess.

If you want to listen to music that will make your ears bleed, blast a little bit of “Halls of Illusion” in your ears.

Be warned: That may or may not actually be one of their songs. I honestly have no idea. Or, y’know, try to sit through a Justin Bieber album without puking up rainbows. Better yet, try listening to a Sex Pistols song that isn’t “Anarchy in the UK.” I promise, they’ll all drive you closer to insanity than any Nickelback you’ll pick up.

I know that Nickelback is hopelessly mediocre; I know all their songs are identical (it’s true, check YouTube), and I know they are far more popular than their talent lends them to be. But we have to stop reaching for the top shelf for everything. Not everything good is amazing, not everything bad is awful. Sometimes, things just kinda suck.

And now I’m gonna go register the domain name www. nickelbacksucksbuttheresworsestuffaround.com. Coming next November!

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Too much sugar in that sugar bowl Vulgar music is nothing new

BY JAMES O’GRADY

Staff Writer

Music today is so filthy and raunchy it probably makes your grandparents cringe. It’s a good thing the “Greatest Generation’s” music had much more wholesome messages. No, you’d never hear good old fashioned music from the ’20s and ’30s advocating grotesque violence, promiscuity or substance abuse.

What’s that? This thinly-veiled build up has you under the impression that music from the ’20s Nicole Leffingwell/STAMPEDE and ’30s is much more risqué than you’ve been lead to believe? Well, astute reader, you’d be more than correct.

Poet laureate and professional stupid girl Ke$ha (that dollar sign was painful to type) shows off her dedication to maintaining her professional model on performing with such profound quips as, “When I leave brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack.” She never gives up on the character she constructed or her values of treating addiction like a good time. After all, selfish party girl is the new black.

The tribute to a favorite substance is nothing new, though; just ask Cab Calloway the lyricist and singer of the 1933 song, “Reefer Man.” Quoting the lyrics would be fruitless since the whole song is a lengthy “how to” on knowing whether or not you’re all right in the head. This follows suit with Calloway’s most famous song, “Minnie the Moocher,” released two years earlier and heavily laden with drug references.

“Give me gunpowder; give me dynamite; yes I’d wreck the city; wanna blow it up tonight.” Whoa! Whoever wrote that song must have been raised around a lot of violent media and gangsta rap. Nope, the writer responsible for this gem is Josie Miles, and she wrote these lyrics nearly 90 years ago. I’m amazed my grandparents didn’t respond to this music the way that my peers respond to hip hop and heavy metal.

Bessie Smith is considered one of the greatest blues singers of the 1920s and 1930s, an immense influence on subsequent jazz vocalists. What they don’t tell you about is how raunchy and easily understood her metaphors are.

I consider myself a man of little to no shame but even I feel uneasy printing the lyrics here for the public to see. Let’s just say that her song “Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl” was a lot more fun for me when it was more about grapefruit and less about Smith’s troubles with men.

So don’t be fooled when your parents or your grandparents tell you your music is awful because its lyrics are suggestive. The next time you hear “In my day …” wait for the next part of the quote for it is crucial. “… we had real taboo, obscene, and lewd stuff!”

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Why we’re hyped for

vibe

March 9, 2012

‘THE HUNGER GAMES’

A COMPILED STAFF REVIEW

As March 23 nears, it’s obvious that fans of the enticingly addicting trilogy “The Hunger Games” are growing increasingly excited for the movie’s big debut. While the transition from book to big screen is difficult and usually approached with trepidation from the fans, based on the trailer, the movie will be just as phenomenal and exciting as the novel.

If you haven’t read “The Hunger Games,” stop whatever you’re doing and go buy the book. Actually, go buy the whole trilogy while you’re at it. Suzanne Collins always keeps you guessing and intrigued with her breathtaking plot and complex and compelling characters.

We expect the first “Hunger Games” film to uphold the book with an all-star cast that almost seems too good to be true. It’s difficult to see how the movie won’t do the book justice. There’s little room for failure with

award winning actors like Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson and heartthrob Liam Hemsworth.

With an amazing cast and incredible story, all the movie needs is a talented director with vision. Director Gary Ross is the director of “The Hunger Games,” and we feel he’s up to the challenge. Ross directed movies like “Seabiscuit,” “Big” and “Pleasantville,” and has won many awards for his work, so we know that the movie is in good hands.

While the book has set high expectations for the movie, there’s nothing to fear because Collins adapted the novel for film herself.

It’s the ultimate combination of a postapocalyptic world, inspiration and action.

This movie looks like it will be an electrifying thriller that will succeed on the big screen.

If you’ve yet to read the series, we urge you to read them as quickly as possible, and we hope to see you at the midnight showing.

REVIEWED BY JAMES O’GRADY, TUCKER WEBB AND JAMES KETELAAR

I’m going to beat Fox News to the punch: “The Lorax” is a bunch of dirty, hippie, commie, pinko propaganda. But being self-proclaimed dirty hippie commie pinkos, that is A-okay.

“The Lorax” took what was a 50-page Dr. Seuss book and fleshed it out into a 100-minute movie. Many filmmakers have tried to bring Dr. Seuss to a feature length film (not the ‘60s cartoons), but they range from pretty good (“Horton Hears a Who!”) to pants-soilingly awful (“The Cat in the Hat,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”). Thankfully, but not grandly, “The Lorax” falls into the former.

“The Lorax” is not the best kids movie or even the best environmental kids movie we’ve ever seen. That prize goes to “WALL-E.” If you haven’t seen “WALL-E,” see that before you see this. But otherwise, go ahead and see “The Lorax.” It’s a good bit of fun.

The parts of the movie surrounding Zac Efron’s character are a little lacking. The musical numbers contained therein are dull and uninspired, and the love storyline between Zac Efron and Taylor Swift is as boring as you would expect it to be, despite Efron providing an endearing performance. The only saving grace is Rob Riggle’s performance as Mr. O’Hare, the film’s primary antagonist.

The film shines, however, in the parts that stick to the book. Danny DeVito is perfect as the titular Lorax, and Ed Helms’ Once-Ler is brilliant and relatable, providing the only toe-tappable song in the whole movie.

The jokes are a little on the light side, and most of the comedy is the slapstick from the animals in the Lorax segments, but the one or two parts meant to tug at your heartstrings do it well. Toward the end, the preachy environmental message does rather bash you over the head.

It’s sort of like, “HELP THE ENVIRONMENT. IT’S GOOD. DO YOU GET THAT YET?!” But it’s inoffensive and still charming to see a movie promote such a message.

“The Lorax,” in two words, isn’t great. But, in a few more words, it is cute and worth a watch if you’re willing to lend a good ear to the little guy who speaks for the trees.

vibe

March 9, 2012

The best of apps, the worst of apps It is noticeably clear that we are surrounded by technology that can do it all— even entertain us. Let’s face it, pointless video game apps are addicting. There are some, though, within the past year that I believe are overrated and then some fun, fast-paced games that I highly recommend you to spend mindless hours on in order to beat your latest high score.

Tiny Tower This offers a virtual world of owning a skyscraper with all its components: department stores, rental stores and even apartments. Now at first it seems exciting to run your own “Tiny Tower”, but it loses its charm after so many plays. To put it simply, it’s boring.

Most users enjoy it because you manage the characters’ lives by restocking stores and giving each little character, known as a “Bitizen” his or her own job. But after that, there’s not much you can do but wait for the stores to restock. (Perhaps this requires patience, in which I have none.) The only

Angry Birds This is the one app that I wish would go away. It makes me angry.

Why are there Angry Birds shirts and even a board game?

Don’t get me wrong. It was fun at first. Users loved it and many still pull and release their “Angry Birds” daily, but it has gone on too long.

It was the most played app in 2011 and its popularity arises from its multiple outlets.

It offers a dead-end of opportunities, however.

Angry Birds continued to release spinoffs for a while, but now that they’ve got us hypnotized, the

Horoscopes

As predicted by staff psychic James Ketelaar

AQUARIUS (21 January –19 February): The space colony will finally be completed on your birthday in 2022. You will have the privilege of being the first citizen. I realize that this applies to roughly 40 birthdays.

Figure out which one I mean.

PISCES (20 February – 20 March): Next week, there is a quantum probability that you will have iced tea with Ice-T. If you don’t know physics, though, know that it isn’t very likely.

At all.

ARIES (21 March – 19 April): The flames of love grow cool in your heart. Swallow hot coals to heat them back up.

TAURUS (20 April – 20 May): Stop eating eggs. If you don’t, trolls will crawl into your mouth and stop you manually.

GEMINI (21 May – 20 June): Something has seemed out of place in your dreams lately, has it not? There’s a very scary reason for that. But I’ll never tell! Muhuahahaha!

creators are just rolling in cash from this most downloaded game.

interesting part to this is the “Bitbook”, which is the Bitizen Facebook that the characters update from time to time.

CANCER (June 21 – July 21): Suspect the unsuspectable, and you will find your culprit.

Or something.

LEO (22 July – 22 August): Oic da shi’kh jaj. OIC DA SHIKH JAJ SOOOOOOOO MUCH! VIRGO (23 August – 22 September): Bunnies make for a fashionable hat when dead, but much better if still alive.

LIBRA (23 September – 22 October): I had writers block for this one. Sucks to be you.

SCORPIO (23 October – 21 November): If you happen to like Keanu Reeves, you’ll be very excited next Christmas when you see a large, man-shaped package on your doorstep.

SAGITTARIUS (22 November to 21 December): The Labradoodle cometh for thee.

CAPRICORN (22 December – 20 January): The Elephant of Adequacy grants you with straight Bs this next marking period.

Congratulations, kind of.

Fruit Ninja Who doesn’t like a good fruit slicin’? The object is to slice as many fruit as possible, keeping them from falling too soon and avoiding tricky bombs that will immediately end the game. And who knew chopping produce was so revitalizing?

Fruit Ninja isn’t only exclusive to your handheld; in fact, it’s been turned into an arcade game—one that can be found at Airway Lanes and Craigs Cruisers.

Dragon, Fly! You may have heard of Tiny Wings, but Dragon, Fly! is a step up. In this game, players fly a baby dragon from

realm to realm, flying on hills, collecting little shells and speed vials and achieving “Fire Mode” just to outrun the Dragon Mum. She picks up speed with each realm so the game’s difficulty rapidly increases and requires patience. Each player must press the screen when flying downwards and release when the baby dragon takes off upwards.

Temple Run This is undoubtedly the most popular app out there for Apple products, such as the iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. Recently, the makers of Temple Run have announced that they are working to bring the game to Android phones, too.

It has been around for a while, but its appeal is not only because it is free, but mostly due to its flawless graphics and dynamic challenges, as the player can tilt their screen from side to side to collect coins while escaping evil demon monkeys and dodging trees and gaping holes. It also allows a player to unlock characters with coins and “purchase” new skills which can improve gameplay. Now, I suggest you stop what you’re doing, get the game and try for 1,000,000 on Temple Run.

from

RUNWAY

HALLWAY

to

BY KYNA GARRETT Editor-in-Chief

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Mustangs strut their stuff

Spanish Teacher Edition Even teachers know the latest trends straight off the runway, bringing their fashion trends to the hallway with these unique but classy, professional styles.

Text By Kyna Garrett Photos By Nicole Leffingwell

Spanish teacher Deb Ross wears a floral-pattered blouse on black to highlight the vibrant colors of this fun trend.

Spanish teacher Lindsay Steenbergen keeps it cozy and simple with a detailed Paisley scarf on a black silhouette.

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sports

March 9, 2012

Time for change Schira and McNeal resign as coaches

BY JESSICA HEIMONEN Sports Editor With the growing demands of being a teacher, psychology teacher Chuck Schira found it increasingly difficult to also commit to after-school activities such as coaching.

Schira, who resigned this year as the men’s varsity golf coach, is also the International Baccalaureate coordinator for Portage Central.

He believes coaching became more strenuous for him in the spring of 2007.

In 2007, the Michigan High School Athletic Association was forced to realign the sports schedule for both boys and girls due to a class-action lawsuit filed in 1998. This lawsuit claimed the Michigan sports schedule discriminated against girls.

The realignment moved men’s golf to the spring instead of the fall, which collided with AP and IB testing.

Schira had coached men’s golf for about 10 years but made the decision to depart from coaching this year in order to focus more on AP and IB testing.

“Any time a coach leaves, you’re disappointed because they are part of the program, and they have built the program,” Athletic Director Jim Murray said. “Mr. Schira has done a wonderful job. He just got way too busy with coaching in the spring and doing the IB testing in the spring. He managed to do it the last couple years, but it has been a real struggle.”

Schira will be missed greatly by players and the administration.

Junior Jake Flight, a member of the men’s golf team, will miss Schira’s “easy-goingness,” in addition to Schira’s willingness to allow players to train at their own athletic pace.

“Mr. Schira just has an incredible positive outlook on things,” Murray said, “and a great perspective on the balance between academics and golf, and what is best for the students. He will be missed.”

For Schira, what he will miss the most about coaching is spending time with the team.

“I’ll miss the interactions with the boys; it was always fun to be with them when they did well,” Schira said.

Schira is not the only Portage Central teacher to step aside from coaching this year.

Former men’s varsity basketball coach Corey McNeal also resigned mid-season, but for personal reasons.

McNeal was in his sixth year as head coach of the Mustangs when he resigned. He acquired an overall 17-94 record, including a 1-6 record this season.

Junior varsity coach Darryl Blasingame immediately took over for McNeal on an interim basis.

Murray supports McNeal’s decision to resign because McNeal believes it was the best option for him, even though it is tough because it happened halfway through the season.

“Corey is an incredibly positive person, and it was a challenge to do that midway through the season,” Murray said. “But, it

Nicole Leffingwell/STAMPEDE

Time Out: Coach Darryl Blasingame, who took over for former Coach Corey McNeal, consults with senior Derek Schneider during the game against Harper Creek. turned out OK, and we are moving forward.”

Yet, everyone can agree McNeal’s positive attitude and charisma will be missed the most on the court.

“When he walks in a room he tends to kind of just light up the room, he has that kind of personality,” Murray said. “I’ll miss seeing him in the gym, and his positive approach at what he does.”

For McNeal it was difficult for him to decide what he would miss the most about coaching, but there were two parts to coaching he knew would be the hardest to give up.

“The relationships with the kids,” McNeal said. “You develop different relationships with

Springtime is in the air

Men’s baseball team prepares for its new season

BY RYAN KRIETZ

Staff Writer

There are a plenty of good things that come with spring, such as fresh air, warmer temperatures, and of course, baseball.

Last year’s baseball team posted a 35-3 record, and they advanced to the semi-finals of the state tournament. From that team, there are currently three players playing Division One baseball.

These players include, Ryan Krill playing for Michigan State University, Kyle Jusick playing for the University of Michigan and Jordan Tillman playing for Western Michigan University.

Logan Templeton and Derek Schneider are two seniors that are expected to make quite a big impact.

“We have a lot of confidence going into this year, with last year almost making it to states,” Templeton said. “The

seniors are our key to success. We don’t really know about the underclassmen but we expect to see some things out of sophomore Ryan Mergener.”

There are multiple aspects to be excited for this year.

All the players seem to be really anxious to get back on the diamond.

“Our goal is to win a lot of games like last year and win states,” Schneider said. “We lost some offense so we’ve got to build on that. We have good pitching and good defense behind it. The juniors and sophomores need to step up.”

The team is currently conditioning every week on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays for two hours. They are just working on the fundamentals: throwing, catching and hitting.

The expectations are high on this team to do big things, such as winning the conference championship and making a run for a state title. Their first game is Thursday, April 12, at Niles.

kids who are athletes when you are coaching, then you do when they are a normal student.

After watching a lot of these kids grow for the last six years from kindergarteners to seniors that is probably the part I will miss the most.”

Aside from the relationships with his players, the other part of what McNeal will miss most about coaching defines charismatic personality.

“A close second is going to battle with them night in and night out during basketball games.”

Like Schira, Flight, who also plays men’s basketball, will miss McNeal’s “easy-goingness on the basketball court, and his smile.”

Nicole Leffingwell/STAMPEDE

Practice Makes Perfect: Junior Gavin Porter practices his baseball swing during conditioning.

The team hopes to improve its fundamentals in the offseason.

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sports

March 9, 2012

State champ!

Senior Angelo Latora wins state title and three wrestlers make top 10

BY WILL JACOBSON

Staff Writer

It had been 20 years since a Portage Central wrestler won a state championship before Angelo Latora did it last weekend in convincing fashion.

In the 140-pound weight class, Latora defeated Jenison’s Trent Samuals for the third time in as many weeks. This victory was the 200th of his career and was the perfect ending to his near-perfect run as a Mustang wrestler.

Angelo Latora’s state championship run included wins against Waterford-Kettering’s Dave Doleharty with a pin, Roseville’s Kirk Wawrzyniak 7-0 in the second round, and Oxford’s Rocco Borg 5-1 in the semifinal.

Latora has made it to the state tournament in his previous three years at Portage Central, finishing 7th as a freshman, 4th as a sophomore,

and 3rd as a junior.

As a junior, Latora finished 3rd because of a questionable call that disqualified him in the semi-final.

“Last year was a disappointment to me, because I know I should have won the whole thing (the championship)” Latora said. “...Oh well, I guess it just makes this year’s win that much sweeter.”

Although Latora stole the show, he was not the only one from Portage Central in hopes of being a state champion wrestler.

Senior Austin Gulick made it through regionals in the 130-pound weight class and earned himself a spot in the state tournament.

In the first round, he was defeated by Detroit Catholic Central’s Ken Blade, an eventual state finalist. Junior Kevin Haughn wrestled his way to all-state honors and 7th place in the 135-pound weight class, after battling back

Workin’ the mat: Angelo Latora puts his opponent into collar tie, attempting to win the match. from a first-round loss.

Junior Travis Vanderveen made it to the quarterfinal by defeating Romeo’s Alex Christofis 17-3 and Westland John Glenn’s Anthony Long 9-6, where he was then pinned

by Detroit Catholic Central’s Alec Mooradin.

Vanderveen’s effort earned him all-state honors and 6th overall in the 152-pound weight class.

Dominic Latora’s (Angelo’s brother)

championship run may be the most remarkable at the whole tournament. As a sophomore, Latora defeated Dearborn’s Arfan Khathem 7-0 in the first round, Davidson’s Pat Rooker 5-4 in the second round, and Bloomfield Brother Rice’s Thomas Giradot 4-3 in the semifinals, before losing a heartbreaker to Westland John Glenn’s Jake Weissend 1-0.

Dominic Latora ended up 2nd in the state, also receiving all-state credentials.

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sports

March 9, 2012

Rolling down to Vanderbilt Tori Ferris bowls her way to a scholarship

BY KATIE DREWS

Staff Writer

For senior Tori Ferris, bowling is not just recreational. She is more than thankful her mother signed her up for the sport when she was 7 years old because Ferris was able to discover her natural talent for bowling.

Today, bowling allows her to spend time with family and concentrate on her future simultaneously.

Her father admits that it’s a challenge to coach his daughter along with the other bowlers.

“My dad definitely pushes me hardest,” Ferris said. “He helps me to push myself.”

“The reality is, is that it’s harder than coaching other kids, but at the same time, it’s a great honor,” Coach Ferris said. “It’s a rarity to have a child that listens so well to a parent, which is a big

part of her success.”

During her first high school season, Ferris scored within the top 30 at the Division 1 individual state championship. Then, in her sophomore year, Ferris received 10th place, but she strived to improve.

In her junior year, Ferris again advanced to the state championship, but wasn’t positive she would be able to go on because of a back injury.

But, Ferris stayed focused on her goal and after all her hard work, she succeeded with a first place title, beating out her major competitor Lauren Kingsley.

“I wanted to make sure I beat her and won championships,” Ferris said.

This high school season started in December, so Ferris has been training for three months. Along with attending coaching seminars, she works out two to three times in a normal week, and more frequently when a competition is near.

Ferris’ highest-scoring game so far is an impressive 289 points from this season.

Ferris and the women’s team both advanced to state competition this year, but fell short last weekend in Battle Creek.

With Ferris’ full ride scholarship to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., she looks forward to the start of her college career on Aug. 22.

Sophomores Kelly Mott and Brittany Leach both believe that Ferris has earned the scholarship. “[Tori] is a very good bowler. She completely deserves the full ride,” Mott said.

Other than bowling, Ferris is anxious to experience the warm weather in Tennessee, to meet new people, and mostly, just for the experience in general.

Nicole Leffingwell/STAMPEDE

Community unites

Bowling Her Way Down South: Senior Tori Ferris perfects her strike-out technique.

Kyna Garrett/STAMPEDE

Second annual Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser game helps fight breast cancer

When: Friday, Jan. 20.

Where: PC gym.

What: The Varsity Women’s teams raised money for the Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser,

Photo Courtesy of Matt Tabor

and ended up raising $2,500 to go to American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge. This was the second annual “Pink Out” basketball game to help raise awareness and research funds for breast

cancer. Hope Lodge is a place where cancer patients and their caregivers are able to stay for free when the most effective treatments are in another city.

Text by Amy Ruimveld