MHS Mentor Volume 100 Issue 3

M theMENTOR

Sept. 11, 2012

Manhattan High School, Manhattan, Kan.

News Volume 100 Issue 3

Engineering Club creates place at Manhattan High Seth Runyan staff writer Good news has finally come to those who are interested in or are planning to pursue an engineering career. Manhattan High School Physics teacher Charles Mamolo is attempting to start up an Engineering Club.

“I’m extremely excited about this club because it gives students who enjoy robotics or rocketry a chance to delve into these activities,” Mamalo said.

The Engineering Club has already had a few meetings, but with low attendance. The club plans to meet every Monday throughout the year.

It will focus on giving students all the tips and tricks about getting into, staying in, and succeeding in college and their future careers.

“I want to start this club because engineering is such a crucial occupation in the workforce,” Mamalo said. “It’s estimated that for every engineer hired, two more jobs open up for employers. This comes to show

you how much it affects the economy.”

The club will have talks with guest speakers over topics such as types of engineering or how to cope with the difficult (yet rewarding and high-paying) jobs.

They will even start taking part in competitions outside of the school, but before that happens the club must reach at least 20 members so Mamalo can work to make it an official club.

The group will not be just informational, either.

It is completely handson with over 10 scheduled projects including a competition conducted last night. Members constructed newspaper domes that were tested with weight. The best dome won a prize.

Mamalo says he’s looking for as many female members as possible.

“I’d like to have a distribution of 50-50 with the genders, but the engineering career is rising in female population,” he said. “I encourage the women of the school to join this club to further their knowledge in

Charles Mamolo, physics teacher, observes students as they plan how to build a dome out of newspaper at the first meeting of the newly-formed Engineering Club on Monday after school. The interest group is recruiting members and developing plans for activities for the year.

Seth Runyan, photograpapher

the engineering career path.”

The club is already sponsored by KSU’s Society of Women Engineers, whose representative is Jordan Kalal. Kalal is an Computer Engineering undergraduate student and she’s an SWE Engineering Council Outreach Representative and

the ECP Rep. The SWE also places emphasis on female representation.

Not every single detail about this club is officially set, like the club’s name, which is open to any suggestions from students. They have also not decided every activity that will be offered or whether the club will

take trips to further explore the engineering career. None of this can truly be official until the participation is high and the school approves of it.

“I highly encourage all students interested to not only join but recruit. I cannot express enough how important it is to have at least 20

students so we can be approved and let them get the full experience,” Mamalo said. “This club is a terrific opportunity for anyone that is looking to see what it takes to be an engineer and ultimately have fun.”

For further information, contact Charles Mamalo in D-203.

iQ Academy offers alternatives Students differ on quality of learning experience school run through Manhattan High. iQ courses can be taken at home School administrators during seventh hour; all and counselers have no- students have to do is ticed a shortage of sev- hop on a computer.

Some choose iQ beenth hour seats, leaving students with limited op- cause of scheduling contions and classes at maxi- flicts. Most of the seniors mum capacity. So where who are iQ students are all the students go- are currently taking advanced placement coursing?

According to senior ac- es they cannot work into Carter Nelson, freshman, gets information about Students Against Destructive Decisions from officers Janel ademic counselor Dustin their schedules.

Collado and Alyssa Frey. Club representatives were at East Campus on Wednesday to promote membership.

“I like [iQ Academy].

Liz Logback, photograpapher Duntz, the students who do not have an actual The classes are pretty classroom seventh hour relaxed. You just have have been attending to have a lot of self-disciiQ Academy, an online pline because the courses Julianne Harkness staff writer

StuCo prepares for new year Maddie Ross Trending Co-Editor Manhattan High School’s Student Council had their second meeting today during first hour.

Right now they are working on the senior video, prepping for the school swap and the concession stands, headed by the junior class.

The school swap consists of MHS StuCo members going to another high school and shadowing a member of their student council. The other students will do the same here. The dates and high school they will be swapping with are still

unknown.

Class T-shirts are also underway. The senior and sophomore shirts are finished and available for sale in the commons during both lunches.

“The goal is to get all shirts sold and distributed so that we have them for homecoming,” senior member Sophie Wang said.

The council is excited and optimistic about the year ahead.

“I am most excited to see things being done.

We have such a strong group of people willing and ready to participate,” Wang said.

are online where there are a lot of distractions,” senior Sophie Wang said.

On the other side of things, senior Ada Davis-Nouri said, “When I took Pre-Calc on iQ, because when I finished the course, no grades went through at the end of the year, making me retake four chapters that didn’t pass through.”

Enrolling in iQ requires talking to a counselor and requesting a part-time enrollment form.

Ke y Cl u b i m p a c t s co mmunity head- on Dheepthi Purmual Multimedia Editor Key Club is a high school organization sponsored by Kiwanis International. Key Club members perform acts of service in their communities and in the school.

By being in the club, students can learn leadership skills and make an impact in their community. This year’s officers include president Sophie

Wang, vice president Lisa Zhu, secretary Siera Haug, communications director Stian Clem and historian Baili Rowe.

This year’s co-sponsors for Key Club are math teacher Laura Sapp for West Campus and Language Arts teacher Ann Lee for East Campus.

“My main goal as being the sponsor for Key Club is to give the students experience with leadership roles and to

encourage the students to voluntarily help out at home and in the community,” Sapp said.

Key Club had their first meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 5. About 40 students came and participated. In their meeting, they volunteered for their first event, Peanut Day, at Hy-Vee on Saturday, Sept. 8. Peanut Day is an event by Kiwanis International and Key Club volunteered to get

donations for both Key Club and Kiwanis International.

“It was a great turn out. We gave out many peanuts and in return we got a lot of donations,” Wang said.

Key Club has meetings every third Wednesday of the month. Anyone can join by asking any of the officers. Their next meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 19.

2

Sept. 11, 2012

the MENTOR

Opinions

T he liberal bubble: it’s real Question of the Week Ben Shields

editor-in-chief

I pay close attention to politics in a way most men reserve for sports, so obviously I watched both party conventions.

Liberal pundits always (justifiably) point out the bubble in which the rightwing resides, and the Republican National Convention only magnified this ongoing discussion after bizarre speeches by Ann Romney and Rick Santorum. What commentators on both sides of the political spectrum never point out, though, is the equally dumb, if less destructive, liberal bubble.

I’m talking about the bubble that includes Daily Show viewers who point out a particularly funny Jon Stewart line, only to let everyone know they’re smart enough to

get the joke. Not to mention people who get ALL their news from Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.

I’m talking about the thousands of Democrats who saw Chris Christie’s speech and who, after his Bruce Springsteen reference, decided he was their favorite Republican and just had to be a moderate.

The most hilarious, nauseating encounter I’ve ever had with the Bubble was the one and only time I attended a service at a Unitarian Church, the headquarters of liberal fantasyland. As I walked through the parking lot of hybrid cars and Occupy Wall Street bumper stickers, I expected a progressive, thoughtful hour of social and political relevance. Instead, it was a bunch of white people bragging about their diverse (and totally unseen) group of friends. I’m not kidding: Unitarians have a portion of their service where members can stand up and share a way

they’ve “made a positive impact,” an undisguised lefty pat on the back.

“My wife comes from a very conseeeeeervative, Chriiiiiiistian background,” one guy said, getting a few NPR-ish chuckles in return. “And when we got married, I made sure to get a black, gay minister to conduct the service!” The crowd applauded enthusiastically. “I showed ‘em!”

Then there’s the claim that all the racists in America belong to the Republican party. The likes of non-reporters like Bill Maher and Ed Schultz love this easy talking point, but it has no basis in fact. Maher himself has made many racist jokes about President Obama; instead of intelligently expressing disappointment with the president, he has uttered such disgusting lines like “I thought we voted for a BLACK man.”

Yes, conservative lawmakers are a lot worse at masking their racism

than liberal ones (Obama uses a teleprompter, he must not be very smart!), but the data is there to prove there are equal numbers of racists on both sides. A study in 2008 by SDA Berkeley revealed 7.6 percent of strong Democrats would not vote for a black presidential candidate, while only 5.6 percent of strong Republicans gave the same answer.

None of this is to say I am exempt from the liberal bubble. I’ve never even seen an episode of “Two and Half Men,” the highest-rated comedy on television. It’s false equivalency to compare this to, say, Mitt Romney’s suggestion of “shopping around” as a way of dealing with the college tuition crisis. But when you hear one of your liberal friends act like they are in the party of reality, don’t be afraid to question them. The left know how to hate as well as anyone.

What is one club you would like to see at MHS? “Boxing club.”

- Jason Kildow, sophomore

“Rock wall climbing club.”

- Nathan Mirts, junior

“Motorcycle club.”

- John Gray, sophomore

“Reading club.”

- Logan Sutton, senior

“Anglophile club.”

- Mady Anderson, sophomore

“A military support group for everyone in Ft. Riley.”

- Macy Lanceta, junior

“Math club.”

- Laura Sapp, teacher “Ocean club. No, wait.

Dolphin club.”

- Claire Huber, freshman “Astronomy club.”

- Sophie Wang, senior

“Karaoke club.”

- Garret Francis, sophomore

“Future Teachers.”

- Austin Canady, senior

“A superhero club.”

- Darby Price, junior

“Harry Potter club.”

- Madi Fellers, junior

“Ultimate frisbee club.”

- Mai Mizuno, sophomore

“Space club.”

- Debbie Simonds, junior

Improving school climate one step at a time Gigi Cohen Guest Writer The building, nor its structure, nor its designor lack thereof- determines the atmosphere inside the structure. Atmosphere comes from the behavior of those residing within that space.

Our home, our school, our jobs can become what we want them to be, what we envision for others and ourselves. It is true that one is not always in the power seat and therefore has limited influence and control

over outcome, but what I have found in my long life is that if I make sure I am always putting out positive, loving energy, then the outcome and atmosphere for all is much improved. So I am challenging the students at MHS to join with me in creating a school where all are included and valued. What I am asking is that each day as you enter the building, look around, greet, smile and move on. If you don’t like the way someone in your world is behaving, whether it is a teacher, student

“Zoo club.”

- Miranda Hemmert, or administrator, just talk So please join me this junior about it in a calm man- week, next week, and the ner. Ask politely for what week after in this human “Zoology club.” you want and figure out experiment where we ex- - AJ Pablo, freshman how to cope with what tend ourselves with comyou get. If you think the passion and kindness to “Fashion club.” answer you got was un- make MHS a home for - Ilana Budenosky, fair, take it a step higher all. Remember you are senior and try to resolve it with powerful in the lives of a caring adult in charge. yourself and others, not “Breakfast club.”

As we all know, life is not just a number at a school. - Shaylyn Hubble, sophofair and the playing field You have the potential more is not level, but we can to make a difference, so each do our best to be a please, live up to that po- “Gym club.” positive influence in our tential.

- Alex Paulson, junior community. This info is not rocket science; it is Gigi Cohen is the social the Golden Rule, “Do worker at Manhattan High unto others as you would School. have them do unto you”.

New perspective derived from Mexico trip Liz Logback

features editor

I was an avid hater of school for years. The time it took up, the homework, the sassy teachers and just the all around culture turned me off. I hated it. I begged for my parents to let me drop out or home school and was even grounded a couple of times for giving up on my grades and skipping class. It took a week in Anapra, Mexico, completely out of my sheltered, rich American lifestyle, for my repulsive views of school to be turned upside down.

Driving down dirt roads filled with human waste and stray dogs really put some perspective in my life. Anapra, just across the border from bustling El Paso, is a

complete culture shock.

The town was built on a trash dump, and it’s not hard to tell. Houses are made of cardboard, mattress springs, packaging grates, tires and whatever else can be found.

Many of the children can be seen playing soccer in the streets, not the least bit concerned about the large puddles of sewage blocking their goals made of loose trash.

During my trip, I volunteered at a local school and it challenged me in more ways than one. Besides the physical challenge of my poor Spanish and the children’s inability to speak a lick of English, I found that it was very eye-opening. The children would show up to the school each morning before it even opened, so excited for the day to begin. During their summer breaks, some of the children would sit outside of the school hoping they could get in or start

school early.

The kids attending the school were lucky to have the opportunity to learn.

Their parents leave at 5 a.m. to go to work and often don’t get back until almost ten p.m.. Laws in Mexico don’t require children to go to school, so many work instead.

The children are forced to raise themselves without parents, creating a large teen pregnancy rate.

Finishing the 6th grade is very rare and pulls the children into the never ending cycle of poverty.

Attending school is beating the odds, and gives the kids hope to break out of the poverty their families have been in for so many years.

Coming home, I cried and cried for several days after. I felt so selfish to have running water and an iPod. I didn’t feel like I deserved all the food in my pantry, and I certainly knew I didn’t deserve the wonderful school I

attended. Although still not my favorite place, I don’t take MHS for granted anymore. Tweeting about how much I hate a teacher or waking up early does me no good and is just adding to the depressed mood of everyone else. Homework isn’t the end of the world, and a bossy teacher who makes you work is doing you a favor. Our education is not valued nearly as much as it should be in America. Every long, seven hour day at school is preparing us for a future in a country that will allow us to succeed and a blessing. A grateful and positive attitude changed my school career around, and although I’ll never be an all-A student, I certainly am an all appreciative student.

“Club appreciation club.”

- Nathan McClendon, freshman

“Photography club.”

- Lucas Richards, senior “A Dr. Who club with marshmallows!”

- Hannah Silva, sophomore “Ping-pong club.”

-Ibrahim Altamimi, junior “Book club.”

- Thora Omarsdottir, senior

Want to contribute a guest column to The Mentor?

Contact Editor-in-Chief Ben Shields at mhsmentoropinions@gmail.com. Students and faculty are welcome.

the Mentor staff editor in chief/opinions -Ben Shields news editor -Sarah Shi entertainment editor -Naomi McClendon sports editor -Nick Bandy features editor -Liz Logback trending co-editors Connor Bliss Maddie Ross photo editor -Kaitlin Wichmann copy editor -Kayla Dieker multimedia editor - Dheepthi Perumal business manager - Jerry Sextro adviser -Kristy Nyp

staff writer/photographers - Tre Fuentes Julianne Harkness Tristan Knott John Rockey Seth Runyan Derrek Williams Tristan Knott Jordan Morris Derrek Williams cartoonist - Naomi McClendon contributing writers - Jack Hubler-Dayton circulation - Stephan Shimkus Kristyn Baker Pixie Khan Austin Tatum Andrew Klimek

The Mentor is published each Tuesday that school is in session at Manhattan High School, 2100 Poyntz Ave. Manhattan, Kan. Telephone (785) 587-2114. More than 1,500 Mentors are printed each week and distributed free of charge to all faculty members and students. MHS journalists are members of the Scholastic Press Association. The Mentor is an open forum that accepts contributions from the public. E-mail us at mhsmentor@gmail.com.

Entertainment

the MENTOR

Sept. 11, 2012

3

E.R .

Manhattan High’s

NEWEST

BAND

electronic

radiation THE MEMBERS

THE START

THE SOUND

Lukas Huguniin- vox/bass

Tristan Knott- drums

Ian Miller- organ

Kyle Curtis- guitar

“ask not what the band should do for you, ask what you should do for the band.”

- hugunin

Last year, Manhattan High’s punk-rock foursome, Loss of Red, showed promise -- they were recording music, practicing and even playing shows.But due to numerous problems, the band fell apart, leaving just one hopeful musician -- Lukas Hugunin. Hoping to continue a band, Hugunin set out to find new members and it seems they fell right into his path. Tristan Knott moved to MHS at the end of the last school year and shared English class with Hugunin. The two immediately got along, and after becoming friends, Hugunin found out that Knott played drums and was interested in playing in a band. When Hugunin’s long-time friend, Ian Miller, found out about his pal’s new non-punk project, he was excited to join. Out of the ashes of the burnt-out Loss of Red, came a brand new band with a brand new sound -- E.R.

E.R. is a four-instrument machine -- bass (Hugunin), organ (Miller), guitar (Curtis) and drums (Knott). This unique combination of instruments provides for a uniquely cool sound. E.R.’s music has some punk-rock aspects, including punchy basslines and aggressive drumbeats, but their songs are very melodic. And if that’s not interesting enough, their organ sound is not classic -- it’s usually plugged into a pedal, creating a synth effect. Hugunin describes their sound as “aggressive, lo-fi indie pop,” and compares it to Arcade Fire and The Hives. E.R.’s songs range from melancholia and loneliness to upbeat, optimistic tunes.

“Balancing seriousness, and goofing around, that is our key to having fun.”

- hugunin

THE FUTURE

E.R. has already written their first album, but are not looking to play any shows until they are at least halfway finished recording.

The band already has a few demos out, which can be found on their Facebook page.

THE NAME The band prefers to be called E.R., but their full name, Electronic Radiation, has multiple meanings. The “E” comes from the fact that the band plays electronic music (hence the “Electronic”), and as for the R, the band needed a word that fit and thought “Radiation” sounded cool. The band chose the name because it’s versatile and can be easily related to concept albums.

Hugunin says the band will definitely be auditioning for MHS’s Battle of the Bands Two of the band members, Hugunin and Knott, are involved with a side-project called “Everything’s Redone,” which is a surf-punk duo.

The band’s guitarist is a stand-in; they’re looking for a permanent member.

Creative clubs offered for MHS students Blue Light Journal

Julith Perry staff wirter

The literary magazine, Blue Light Journal, is up and running for the new school year. The literary magazine collects works of art and literature, and those participating in the production of the magazine also layout design.

The literary magazine takes submissions from

anyone, including from those who wish to remain anonymous. However, there is a time designated to when the literary magazine takes submissions from students, so students should pay close attention to when that time is so they can get their work of art published. There is one publication date for the literary magazine that

Art Club

is towards the end of the year. A publication party is also held to celebrate the release of the magazine. The club is open to anyone that wishes to join, but meeting times have not been determined yet.

See Rachel Fontenot, the club sponsor, in D-008 if interested in joining.

Julith Perry staff writer

supplies that are provided for students to use.

Art club is a place where Students often feel members can create art stressed out from all the without stressing about pressure school brings, grades, guidelines or and some look to art as school; it’s all about just a form of stress reliever. creating art. “It’s like an The Art Club offers its art class but without havmembers the opportuni- ing to worry about being ty to come together and graded on your work,” create art in a stress free club sponsor Rachel Fonenvironment, with some tenot said.

‘How to Succeed in Business’ cast list decided This is the official cast list for the MHS fall musical, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” It was released on Facebook in the MHS Thespians group on Saturday evening. The following is a list of speaking parts only. All students who auditioned have some sort of part. Rehearsals begin tonight at 6 p.m. in Rezac auditorium.

Anyone who tried out

must attend. This list can also be seen outside the Black Box Theatre.

Lead roles are bolded.

Finch: Da’Merius Ford Gatch: Alex Tolar Jenkins: Lane Sorrell Tackaberry: Willie Michaels Peterson: Pat Day Biggley: Tyler Cochran Rosemary: Mariah

Messmer Bratt: Sam Rozell Smitty: Ilana Budenosky Bud: Nicholas Donahue Miss Jones: Summer Senn Twimble: Claib Harris Hedy: Claire Freeby Scrubwomen: Amanda Pettay, Sarah Miss Krumholtz/Dance Captain: Sarah Mortenson

Toynbee: Alex Richt Ovington: Ethan Schmidt Policeman: TBA Womper: Zane Reeves Wicket Girls: Flora Riley, Ada Davis-Nouri, Carly Tracz, Claire Naranjo Voice: TBA Fingleson: Joy Spicklemier Moskewitz: Faith Jamala Conaway: Kendra Truitt Haynes: Brady Kiracoff Enlow: Dan Schneiders Office boys: Trevor

Hayden, August Ballmann Mr. Jones: Wes Tesene TV Announcer: Levi Jones

The club president, Rebecca Kensa, has hopes to get to work with elementary school kids after school, and to get to do a Panera Bread fundraiser, but nothing has been set in stone yet. The club is open to anyone interested in art to join. Meetings will take place in D-008.

Thespian Club Reminder: There will be an all-club Party Thursday, Sept. 13 right after school in Rezac Auditorium. dues must be paid to attend and may be paid at the party.

If you are a freshman thespian and are interested in becoming a freshman representative, pick up a form available on the bulletin board near the little theatre at east campus. All forms must be returned by thursday.

4

Sept. 11, 2012

the MENTOR

XC dominates Emporia Kayla Dieker copy editor The Manhattan High Cross Country team travelled to the Emporia Invitation this Saturday, Sept. 8. The Varsity girls placed second behind St. Thomas Aquinas, but junior Alaina Schroeder won overall with a time of 14:51.01. The Varsity boys placed second after Maize, but took the top two spots overall. Junior Chris Melgares finished first with 16:37.28 and senior James Leblow got second with 16:48.42.

The J.V. girls team placed third, and senior Amanda Frakes had the top time out of Manhat-

The varsity medalists celebrate after their races. Junior Chris Melgares (second from left) and Junior Alaina Schreoder (third from right) also won their races.

Matt Bandy, photographer

The J.V. boys placed tenth and freshman Sam Morgan had the top Manhattan time, 19:27.77, placing 44th overall. “In training I’ve been challenging myself,” he said. “[I have to] run hard, fierce and powerful.”

Freshman Pete Gruenbacher, a J.V. runner, was pleased with the results.

“I think we all had a good surge and placed well at the the end,” he said. He also felt confident about how he placed individually. “I think I did pret-

ty well. The course was pretty nice and it had no hills which was fun... This time I had a stronger finish charge that I started a lot earlier.”

Manhattan’s C-Team placed 11th and junior Lane Richards ran 16:08.18, placing first for Manhattan and 18th overall.

The next Cross Country meet takes place Saturday, Sept. 15 at MSSU Stampede in Joplin, Mo.

Football streak ended After defeating Mill Valley a week ago, expectations were high as the Indians proved that they were ready to start the season on a positive note.

However, things did not go quite as expected for the Tribe, who met their match against a very good Emporia team as they were defeated 21-0 in Emporia’s favor Friday night.

Emporia handed Manhattan High their first regular season loss since Oc-

tober 2008. This was also the first time since 2005 the Indians have been shut out as they failed to put up any points on the board with only 91 yards of total offense.

Junior Winston Dimel said “We need to play harder, prepare ourselves better, and work harder in practice.”

Defensively, the Indians had their woes.

Emporia had nearly 400 yards of total offense.

They led at the half 14-0.

Then, less than three minutes into the second half, the Spartans connected on a 47-yard touchdown

pass to put the game out of reach for the Indians.

Despite the troubles of their defense, however, it was the offense that gave Emporia room to operate with. Quarterback Jacob Holloway went 2-for-3 for only 40 yards in the first half, and things never picked up after that.

Jacob Holloway said, “Things just weren’t going our way, we could not get anything going on offense all night.” Making things worse were the turnovers MHS committed.

“We lost the turnover battle, and that’s the

The Manhattan Boys soccer team finished their 15th Titan Tournament in Wichita with a winning record of two wins and one loss. Last week the team took the twoand-a-half hour bus ride to Wichita three times to play against Garden City, Trinity and Liberal.

In the game against Garden City on Sept. 13, Manhattan scored twice throughout the game and kept Garden City from scoring until the last few minutes when Garden City scored three quick goals to win 3-2. That loss kept MHS out of the finals.

The team returned to Wichita on Sept. 5 to play against Wichita

Trinity. MHS scored seven times and kept Trinity from scoring the entire game to get a shutout, 7-0, breaking even with one win and one loss.

On Saturday they played their last game against Liberal. The game started off slowly but then picked up with two goals scored by junior Jonathan Turnley in the first half. Both teams had several kicks that were stopped by the goalies. The score at half-time was Manhattan two, Liberal nothing. After halftime the teams started in slowly again with no one getting close to the goals for quite a while.Liberal brought back the intensity and MHS coach Frank Alonso told his boys the next team to score could easily win. Liberal had

number one stat in football. If you lose the turnover battle, you’re more than likely going to lose the game,” head coach Joe Schartz said after the game.

The Indians will try to improve next week as they face Seaman High.

“Everyone from now on is going to be tough” Holloway says. “Our coaches will have a gameplan for us, and its our job to execute.”

Varsity volleyball began its season with several close matches at the Seamen Invitational last Thursday. They defeated Silver Lake, but barely lost to Shawnee Heights and Seamen. Both of their losses were by less than five points.

“We were happy, but we could have done better,” senior Colby Brooks said.

On Saturday the team traveled to the Shawnee Mission South tournament. The tournament began with pool play and then the best teams in their pools advanced to a single elimination tournament. Each team plays around five or six games.

“We’re going to be very tired,” Brooks said.

This year the volleyball team has changed its approach and has been working on several new things to improve, such as teamwork.

“We’ve focused more on the team aspect this year,” junior Aubrey

Jung said.

The team hopes to improve their play and finish with many more wins throughout the season, especially after winning the state meet two years ago.

“We want to win as a team and fight through every point,” Brooks said.

Varsity’s goal is to win sub-state and advance to state.

J.V. also had games last Thursday, but at a JV meet against Junction City and Seamen. They won against their rival Junction City but lost to Seamen. “We need to act more as a team,” sophomore Alyson Holloway said.

J.V.’s struggle with teamwork may be because their best players are constantly being sent to Varsity when a Varsity player is injured or playing poorly.

“Everyone moves around a lot,” Holloway said.

J.V.’s next meet is this Thursday at Wamego.

Tennis defeats Shawnee heights Tristan Knott staff writer

This past week, the J.V. and Varsity Girls Tennis teams competed in a number of events. Last Tuesday, Varsity travelled to Topeka to play against Shawnee Heights, Topeka West and Topeka High where they tied for first with Topeka West after winning eight games.

The meet consisted of three rounds of singles and doubles. In the first round, Manhattan played Topeka West, winning three of the four matches. Senior Kristen Tramultiple tries but could ley and senior Cathy Lei not get a goal. With less played the singles matchthan four minutes left in es against Topeka West, the game senior Jacob MHS goalie Kai Reever dewhere Traley won the Stutheit scored a goal fends the goal. match with a final score and celebrated. With Derek Williams, photographer of 8-5. Lei won her match only three minutes left in the game, MHS expected for Liberal, who was down three to nothing, to slow down, but the Indians were surprised when they just got even more placing her in second.

Sarah Shi intense. Liberal tried sev“It’s my first year in news editor eral times but couldn’t golf so I shocked myget a score in those last Last Tuesday, the J.V. self,” Harper said. “I minutes, leaving the final Girls Golf team took joined golf because of at 3-0. home first and second the possible scholarMHS finished the Tiplace at Salina where ships you could get and tan Tournament with a the temperatures outside it’s a lifelong sport.” winning record of two For Collado, this seawere soaring above 100 wins and one loss. Aldegrees. Junior Cassidy son marks her second though team members Harper tallied up 23 year on J.V. “I was very were disappointed about points, earning her first surprised and very nernot getting into the finals, place, while junior Janelle vous during the game, it was what Alonso had Collado barely trailed so I think I could have hoped for and he said he behind with 24 points, done a little better,” she was still pleased.

Soccer competes at Titan tournament Derrek Williams staff writer

Volleyball comes up short Nick Bandy sports editor

tan runners, 16:57.53, placing ninth overall.

Frakes is happy with how the team did. “[There is] a lot more people and dedication,” she said.

Sophomore Krista Dix agrees. “It was our first away meet so we were ready to win,” Senior Cale Benne (right) and sophmore she said. “We’re Isacc Blancenau race in the varsity boys race. The varsity boys finished in second doing well; we have a lot of place.

Matt Bandy, photographer strong runners.”

Tre Fuentes staff writer

Sports

as well with a score of 8-3. In the doubles, senior Annie Roberson teamed with senior Kaitlin Wichmann won their match, 8-6.

In the second round, Manhattan played Topeka Heights where they won both singles matches. Traley and Lei played singles again. Lei won her match with a score of 8-0.

In the third round, Manhattan played Shawnee Heights, winning three of the four games.

In the singles, Manhattan bested Shawnee Heights with a score of 8-0. In the doubles, Manhattan won both matches with scores of 8-0 and 8-4.

Tennis plays in heat said. “I find golf very relaxing and driving golf carts doesn’t hurt too.”

For Collado, this season’s goal is to break 50 -- scoring under 50 points in a nine-hole course.

“We need to step it up and medal again,” Harper said of the Sept.

10 game at Salina. “We also need to keep dry out there. It gets so hot.”

the MENTOR

Features

Sept. 11, 2012

5

Choirs travel to Hutchinson Varsity and Po ps show off their talent at State Fair Sarah Shi News Editor It’s 8:15 a.m. Friday, and the Manhattan Pops and Varsity choirs are making their way to Hutchinson for the Kansas State Fair. It’s a twoand-half-hour bus ride for the choir groups to arrive at the fairgrounds.

From the point the bus is parked, the choirs have just 30 minutes until they perform for the crowd.

Pops and Varsity each performed six songs.

Four of Pops’ were dance numbers.

After their first performance at 11:30, the groups divided for lunch as they scavenged the fairgrounds for food.

“I had funnel cake,” junior Julie Pfromm said.

“It was super big and I got all the powdered sugar on my red dress.

I think Ellie Mankin (junior) searched the entire lunch time for a donut hamburger. A hamburger with two Krispy Kreme donuts as buns.”

Their second show premiered at 2:30 p.m.

However, the fair is an outdoor event and due to rain, they had to stop the show around 2:50 and return home.

“Since we didn’t get to sing all of our songs, we finish our concert on the bus ride home,” Pfromm said. “It was pretty exciting. We performed at Purple Power Play but that’s just mainly for family and friends. This was our first public perfor- Members of Varsity Choir perform at the State Fair in Hutchinson. Pops Choir performed as well, but after it began to mance of the year.”

Courtesy Photo rain the two groups were forced to cancel their second show.

C o m in g to A m e ri c a !

Exc h a n g e s t u d e n t s p o tli g h t

Liz Logback Features Editor Sophomore Florian Wirsen has found himself 4674.4 miles away from home, in a seven hour difference time zone and enduring a climate about 30 degrees hotter than his hometown, Muenster, Germany.

Wirsen left behind three siblings, a position on the soccer and tennis

team and a culture he has known his whole life to experience a year in America. Receiving his host family and experiencing a new school was the most exciting part for him.

Sophomore Jillian Kiracofe and her family are hosting Wirsen for the year. “As soon as I got the email saying [Wirsen] was coming to stay with us I got really excited and started

working on preparing his room,” Kiracofe said.

Wirsen said he felt welcomed immediately into the Kiracofe family and is already participating in their activities such as attending football games and traveling to Kansas City for weekends.

Adapting to life in a new country hasn't been too challenging for Wirsen, except for the food. He left behind his

favorite dish, schnitzel, but has found that beef with gravy in America is pretty good as well.

“The only bad thing about having a foreign exchange student is our food gets eaten faster,” Kiracofe said.

“The language is different in America,” Wirsen said with a smile.

Learning English in the third grade helped create an easier transition into US culture though.

In addition, Wirsen is currently studying Spanish in the hopes he will become fluent, adding to his slew of other languages.

Meeting Wirsen, you probably wouldn’t find too many differences between him and you. He listens to Dubstep and pop and enjoys his position on the MHS soccer team. Weights is his favorite class because it doesn’t exsist in Germa-

ny, and he is becoming excited for Thanksgiving which is another thing not found in Germany.

Wirsen is enthusiastic to continue to meet new people and is considering trying out for the tennis team or track.

“I was really excited when I first got here, and I think its going to be really fun.” Wirsen said.

New faculty

Q Ben Shields Editor in Chief

Manhattan High School’s new Auto Technology teacher, Liz Crooks, taught at Wamego High School four years before moving to Manhattan. An MHS alumni, she took AutoTech from the late Steve Barnes who passed away last summer, and was inspired by his class to pursue a teaching career in the auto technology field. Her mother, Barb,

teaches Interpersonal Skills at MHS. What’s it like working in the same building as your mom?

and

[laughs] Kinda strange.

But not too bad.

Have the kids, many of them also former students of Steve Barnes, welcomed you?

For the most part, I think. It hasn’t been as bad as I thought.

Tell me how Steve Barnes inspired you.

Liz Crooks

Janet Neal is a new me that I could be more Algebra and Geometry than I even knew I could teacher at MHS. She be. taught for 18 years at a Michigan high school Is it daunting to and was forced to teach at a new relocate when the auto school and have to industry collapsed. She replace a beloved traveled around the faculty member? country helping teachers until she got a Facebook They are some big shoes message from an old to fill. This shop is his, junior high school friend and this classroom is his. who lives in Manhattan.

He’ll always be a part of They are now engaged the building. It would be to marry at Morning different if he had retired Star Bed and Breakfast and I could call him up in a few months. Neal and ask, “What do you describes herself as “dithink about this?” rectionally challenged.”

I had him in high school. He pushed me to be better.

He believed in me. He showed

What aspect of teaching Auto Technology do you find most rewarding?

I think it would be sharing my love of the industry with students and sharing with them it isn’t boring and is fun.

How’s your first year at MHS going?

Pretty crazy. I’ve had a lot of life changes. I’m going to marry a friend I’ve known since seventh grade soon. We hadn’t seen each other in 30 years before reconnecting. I taught online

classes for awhile and didn’t like it. I missed the kids.

What do you like about MHS as compared to other schools you have taught at?

Students bring their materials to class, pay attention and are conscientious. The demographics were not very similar where I taught in Detroit. One school I taught at in Michigan was a real challenge. But that school made me a better teacher because I learned to work with different kinds of kids.

Kids and teachers have a lot of respect for people here.

Janet Neal always been my name of the game. I try to teach students my love of math. I think it comes out in my teaching.

A

What is something unique that kids can take away from your class?

Making math fun has

What is the most rewarding aspect of teaching high school math?

Seeing kids that struggle succeed. Seeing people that struggle move on because of me.

Derrek Williams and Tristan Knott, photographers

6

the MENTOR

Sept. 11, 2012

Maddie’s Hits and Misses Hit: The temperature dropped down to 75 this weekend.

Miss: The finale of Dance Moms season 2, I will miss you Abby! Photo coutesy of lifetime. com.

Hit: Michelle Obama’s Speech during the Democratic National Convention.

Photo courtesy of barackobama.com Hit: The 2012 yearbooks finally came in and can be picked up in the commons during lunch.

Hit: One Direction wins big at MTV Video Music Awards. Photo courtesy of onedirectioin.com

Miss: The Indian football team shutout for the first time in 7 years.

GSA supports member choices Marisa Hoang staff writer Gay Straight Alliance, also known as GSA, is one of the many support groups offered at Manhattan High School. In this club, students can openly talk about their sexuality without the risk of being judged. They also talk about ways to prevent bullying and how to handle those situations.

Many students say it’s a good club to talk about feelings and themselves.

Former secretary, senior Maddie Colley, said, “We’re very supportive no matter what you are.

You could be a rock.”

The majority of students who attend these meetings are straight.

They are simply there to be supportive.

Some of the many interesting activities that this club participates in are bake sales to raise money, Pride Parade, activities of K-State’s GSA club, getting involved with the community, having guest speakers and the big one, Pride Prom. Pride Prom is said to be the most favored activity of many of the club members. Pride Prom is similar to a high school prom, but anyone in the

community can attend.

There, attendants can dress how they’d like, go with who they want and be who they are without being judged. There are a wide variety of people who attend. At Pride Prom, there are many door prizes, a place to get a souvenir picture taken and the favorite drag queens.

Not everything gay related has to do with GSA. “I don’t really feel like the club was taken very seriously last year. Partly because of the outside publicity from people we weren’t supporting and, admittedly, the majority

Yearbook Announcement T he 2012 Blue M yearbook has arrived! T hose who purchased a yearbook in advance can pick their book up in the commons area during both lunches this week. Be advised that there was a page error that will be resolved soon. T he fixed page will be sent to your home address as soon as it is printed.

of the freshmen and the chaotic disorganization,” sophomore Aireauna King, former freshmen representative, said.

“There was a big issue last year with people coming to the meetings just so they could go to the cemetery to smoke,” former vice president, junior Caleb Deines, said.

Students who weren’t with the club would get caught by the administration saying they were with GSA, giving the club a bad reputation.

There were many rumors and confusion starting the school year off about whether or not

Miscellaneous

Spanish Club Julianne Harkness staff writer The Spanish Club could be considered one of the most helpful clubs at Manhattan High School. They do fund raisers and donations. They participate in all the school events that they can, they have socials for the members and the best part -- members do not have to be in a Spanish class to be in Spanish Club.

Spanish Club has two presidents. Of the two, one is required to be in a Spanish class and the other is not. This is to accept anyone and represent both sides of the club.

In previous years they have had around 300 students who participate in the club. Dues change depending on how many people join each year

but are usually around $1 to $2.

Once a month Spanish Club has an ice cream social for the members. They play Spanish games, pass out candy and try to make getting to know one another more fun and worthwhile.

Spanish Club participated in the homecoming floats when MHS had them. They also do fund raisers like bake sales and selling pastry sopapillas. Around Christmas time they try to donate items to a family in need.

Last year they started the Day of the Dead. For their Day of the Dead someone donates a card to a student. In the card there is a skeleton lollipop. This is their way of celebrating the Spanish holiday.

Heritage Panel members share cultural traditions Liz Logback Features Editor Heritage Panel is a club designed to learn and experience others’ cultures. Throughout the year, the club hosts potlucks, movie parties and other events in hopes to learn more about each other. A visit to K-State is also included in the club’s busy schedule. While there, members of the GSA would still be going on this year. It has been confirmed by Ashley Flinn, computer lab aide at East Campus, that she will in fact be sponsoring the club this school year.

Meetings were held last year on Tuesday nights

club present and discuss their home country and allow time for questions to be answered.

Jacob Theis is the club’s sponsor and meetings are held in his room. Seniors Ellen Feng, Roshni Singh, Praveen Ramaswamy and junior Sarah Shi are all co-presidents. Currently nothing is planned for the club, but listen to the announcements for upcoming events. but with conflict of students acquiring jobs, the meeting dates will be announced shortly. Fliers are said to be handed out soon on more information regarding GSA this year.

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