the Mentor
NEWS
April 13, 2012 Manhattan High volume 99 issue 21
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ACT
Tomorrow an ACT test will be offered to students from Manhattan High and surrounding schools. MHS offers several opportunities for students to prepare for the test, the most popular being a preparatory class taught by Mrs. Duvane. Each student who takes the class receives a book of 3 retired practice tests and a handful of tips for taking the test. “I took Mrs. Duvane’s ACT class and have also been doing practice problems from the book every night. I think the practice tests are the most helpful,” junior Ilana Budenosky said. A combination of 38 sophomores and juniors took the prep class to prepare for tomorrow’s test. The class costs students $75.
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PROM ROYALTY
Prom Royalty was announced Monday, with a total of 12 juniors for Prince and Princess and 12 seniors for King and Queen. Candidates were selected from a list of several students from each class that met the criteria. In order to be on the nominee list, a student must have at least a 3.5 GPA. Each class could only vote for students from the same class. “I’m excited to be considered,” junior Tyler Hoyt, who is a candidate for Princess, said.
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NHS NEW MEMBERS The Manhattan High National Honor Society recently wrapped up the application process for new membership. Open to students in at least 10th grade with a grade point average at or above 3.5, the process consisted of a written application of the applicant’s leadership ability, commitment to community and school service, strong character and solid scholarship record. “I wanted to help volunteer,” sophomore Adarsh Singh, one of the students selected for admission to NHS, said. “And it looks good on a college application.” Of the numerous eligible applicants, 62 candidates were chosen for membership. Letters notifying those students of the decision were mailed earlier this week. The induction ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. on April 25 at MHSW.
Page 2: Racism, Pet cost, Exotic Pets Page 3: Mad Men, Spring play, “The Lucky One,” One Direction, Choir Regionals Page 4: Softball, Girls Swimming, Football captains, Tennis, Baseball Page 5: Food showdown, Deployment, Support group Page 6: Crossword, NHS garage sale
GROWING PAINS AN INCREASING BIRTH RATE MAY NECESSITATE LONG-RANGE EXPANSION Cole Anneberg news editor Manhattan High School could be at capacity in the near future due to an increase in the birth rate in Riley County. Recent reports from USD 383 show that the kindergarten classes for the last few years have been gradually increasing from year to year. “We’ve seen a general birth rate increase in Riley County,” associate superintendent Bob Seymour said. “If you anticipate that those youngsters will stay here, then you could assume that there will be some addi-
JUST A LOOK
tional students enrolled.” Along with an increased birth rate in the county, an increase of population at Fort Riley is also causing larger classes. In fact, about 25 percent of USD 383 students are connected to the military, according to USD 383. “So much of it depends on what happens at Fort Riley. Pretty recently more folks have been coming in, and any change may affect the enrollment,” Seymour said. The report from last fall shows that 540 students are currently enrolled in the kindergarten class -- up by about 100 students since 2006.
“Our kindergarten class has been large for the last two years, and we’ve seen that those large numbers have been retained into first and second grade,” Seymour said. The current design of Manhattan High School can comfortably fit about 1,540 students of grades 10-12 -- or an average of 510 students per class. However, if those high enrollment numbers of the lower grades continue to move up to the secondary level, then an additional high school may be needed. “As the younger students flow through the system we may need some additional space. It’s
In 2009 the Kansas Birth rate was 14.7 births per 1,000 population. The 2010 birth rate for Riley County was 15.7.
really long term to think about the district has hired more adding another high school. Our teachers, and as the increase community will need to conmoves to the secondary levels, tinue to grow more teachers will in order to see needed for the It’s really long term be that happen,” middle schools Seymour said. to think about adding and high school. “After we see a another high school. “We’ve been fair percentage hiring more Our community will faculty, mostly in of high class counts at the need to continue to our lower grades,” high school Seymour said. “If we will have to grow in order to see in fact all of the discuss buildstudents at the that happen. ing a new one lower levels stay in then.” the district then To accomwe are going to modate the increase in enrollhave to add more teachers at ment at the elementary levels, the secondary levels.”
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--Seymour
In 10-15 years an additional high school may be needed to support a growing student population.
More secondary education teachers may be needed to accommodate an increase in students.
graphics by Cole Anneberg
Spring Fling, “A great turnout” always complain that there’s nothing to do on a Friday night,” she said. Junior Covinfox Kao came Students looking for a good in first place in the film festival, time without drugs or alcohol organized by the Thespians. had another place to hang “There weren’t a lot of people out at last Friday. The eighth who attended,” senior Daniel annual Spring Fling, hosted by St. Amand said, “but it was still SADD/TLT, offered a variety a good time.” St Amand placed of activities, including a dance floor, carnival and a film festival. second with his entry. At the carnival, many people “We wanted to offer diverse flocked to and from the Spanish activities so that anyone Club’s booth. The Spanish Club could find something they’re challenged students to try three interested in,” SADD/TLT peppers, each varying degrees of sponsor Kari Quiton said. hotness. Quiton said the goal was “We had a lot of people come to host activities to promote a try it,” senior Drew Unruh drug free environment, where said. Unruh is a member of the people could have a good time Spanish Club and helped with in a safe environment. “Kids Shawn Sheu entertainment editor
the booth at the carnival. “It was pretty entertaining to see their reactions,” he said. Students who succeeded in eating all three peppers won a ticket, which they could then use to redeem a prize. Other booths included a ball toss and a cake walk. “We had a lot of community support,” Quiton said. “We had volunteers from a sorority and the KSU Family Club.” There was also support from the local group “Community Corrections,” as well as several teachers and staff members. “There was a great turn out,” Quiton said. “This is definitely something that we plan on doing for years to come.”
Senior Lindsey Goff plays Spanish Club’s ‘Pepper Challenge’ at the Spring Fling Carnival. “At first they weren’t that hot, but a few seconds later they got extremely spicy,” Goff said. “I ran to the bathroom to get water, but it didn’t work. I wanted to cry.” Goff won one ticket from completing the challenge and exchanged it for chocolate to calm down her taste buds. Photo by Cole Anneberg
Science Olympiad takes third Kaitlin Wichmann staff writer After months of practice and prep, the hard work of the Science Olympiad team paid off as they took third place overall for large schools at State. The team arrived on Friday and spent the night in Wichita before beginning the competition early Saturday morning. The team consists of 15 people and is lead by Mr. Nelson and Mr. Lamb. Each member of the team can compete in up to 4 events. Manhattan High tied for fourth place with Olathe East High School in Division C and 3rd overall for larger schools. Manhattan placed first in
several sub divisions, including Chemistry Lab, Helicopters and Optics. “Overall I thought we did good and were really prepared,” junior Nick Donohue said. “For the tough competition there was, we did amazing.” Donohue competed in three events, including Disease Detectives, Microbe Mission, and Fermi Questions. “My favorite event I competed in was Microbe Mission,” Donohue said. “It was a general view about microbiology and we took multiple tests over six different stations.” Donohue worked alongside junior Austin Canady to earn third place. “All of the people did pretty
well,” Canady said. Canady also did well in Forestry, taking second place along with Grishma Pradhan. Several alternatives were also able to attend and gain experience. Junior Anna Brokesh has had a pleasant experience being an alternate for the Science Olympiad. “I enjoy [science olympiad],” Brokesh said. “I get to watch how Science Olympiad works and how all the events go under less pressure than just doing it and I get to learn from experienced members who’ve taken the tests or built things before.” Though she didn’t compete, Brokesh still had her hands full
at State. “I helped by handing out event cards that the competitors needed,” Brokesh said. “I helped them study the night before, brought them
equipments for the events, and just did a bunch of stuff like that. Also we recorded important things about their events that the team might need to know in the future.”
Junior Parveen Ramaswamy is practicing with his robotic arm trying to place pencils inside of a plastic cup. Photo by Sarah Shi