MHS Mentor Issue 7

M theMENTOR

Oct. 16, 2012

Mercury spill causes lockdown

Manhattan High School, Manhattan, Kan.

Safety Week prepares students

Nick Bandy Sports Editor While Manhattan High School West Campus was practicing its emergency evacuation plan, the East Campus was having a real hazard.

Freshmen Adam Alsoltani dropped a thermometer filled with mercury on the third floor of the building in biology class, causing the Manhattan Fire Department to arrive and the school to be placed in a lockdown.

The thermometer was dropped during second hour, and all students and staff in that room were scanned for mercury by the Fire Department’s HazMat team.

“Every kid in the class was checked. Some kids even had their shoes taken away,” freshman Dalton Juenemann said.

They were scanned during third hour, and then the school was placed in a lockdown at the start of fourth hour until halfway through fifth hour.

The entire third floor was also blockaded until the end of second lunch by the Police See Mercury spill on page 5

News Volume 100 issue 7

College fair pays a visit to Manhattan High Julianne Harkness Staff Writer

Para Cindy Krause holds up the “okay” sign during Wednesday’s evacuation drill. Students traveled to the City Hall’s auditorium where they waited until all students were accounted for.

Jordan Morris, Photographer John Rockey Staff Writer Emergency preparedness boils down to individual readiness and mob mentality.

Manhattan High’s safety week reminded the student body of how to respond to various emergencies.

The week was kicked off with a school-wide assembly from the Riley County Police Department on how to act during a lock-down. The

school was shut down as students learned the safest places to go when the school is faced with an intruder.

Tuesday was a tornado drill with students heading to the closest safe area. Wednesday was the school-wide evacuation where the faculty and student-body left school for either the city auditorium or the East Campus. Thursday’s advanced fire drill allowed firefighters to train themselves to get in and get people out of

harm’s way. Friday was a lockout where the external doors of the school were locked and no one was allowed in.

“Everything that we were hoping for had happened, even where we found deficiencies,” assistant principal and organizer of Safety Week Michael Dorst said.

This Safety Week sought to bring problems in the system to light and prepare students for potential dangers.

“The goal is to work on

different drills and to improve upon them,” Dorst said. “We hoped to identify the things we needed to work on.”

There are a lot of hopes for future Safety Weeks. Improvements on how the students are evacuated and where they meet will be worked on.

“This is not a time to sit back and relax. It’s a time to modify and improve for future drills, especially in case of a real emergency,” Dorst said.

Manhattan High School will be hosting a college fair on Thursday, Oct. 18. High schools from around the Manhattan area, like Riley County High School and Flint Hills Christian School, will be coming to MHS to see the 44 colleges and 7 military related booths that will be set up in the commons between 11:20 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Between 1 and 1:30 p.m., 100 or more students from RCHS, Flint Hills, Blue Valley and the G.E.D center are scheduled to arrive. MHS students will be in their 6th hour and will not be allowed to leave to attend the fair.

MHS students are suggested to spend at least 20 minutes of their lunch to go and talk to the colleges/military that will be at the fair. This includes Kansas State University, K-State Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC, the University of Kansas and the Marine Corp.

See College Fair on page 5

BOE decides on school start times Naomi McClendon Entertainment Editor Discussion over school start times ended last Wednesday when the USD 383 Board of Education made a decision to keep school start times as they are. The decision was a result of a 6-1 vote.

Since their February retreat, the school board has been considering switching the start times of the elementary and secondary schools.

Last month, the BOE held a hearing at which students, teachers, and parents presented cases in favor or against the proposed change. After weeks of comments from community members, the BOE decided to discuss the issue and make a final decision at the Oct. 10 meeting.

Before the board members discussed the issue on Wednesday, they opened the floor to community members for a final time. Manhattan High School administrators Mike Marsh and David Holloway spoke about the “unintended consequences” that would be a result of a change

in start times.

Marsh, the activities director at the high school, expressed his concerns for cocurricular and extracurricular activities. According to Marsh, the high school is required by the Centennial League to start after-school sporting events by 4:30 p.m.

“I’d have to get special requests from the league to start later,” Marsh explained. “And this would cause other teams to get home later.”

Marsh also expressed concerns about the logistics for activities such as Debate, Forensics and Scholars Bowl, which all require an after-school setup.

Assistant principal David Holloway spoke from a parent’s perspective. “As a principal, I’d get here at the same time anyway,” Holloway said.

“But as a parent, this really concerns me.”

Holloway explained that his children, like many others, get home late with the current schedule, so an even later schedule would be difficult.

Each member of the board presented a case to explain his

Clu b Notes Black Student Union Last Tuesday, the Black Student Union went to the University of Kansas to involve themselves in the annual BSU conference, where students from across Kansas participate in a series of workshops that give helpful tips to students about cultural and college situations.

The main event of the evening was a speech given by the director of multicultural affairs at KU who encouraged students do their best in the community. After hearing the keynote speaker, the group split into their separate grade levels. The freshmen and sophomores participated in a workshop regarding what to focus on to prepare for college, while the juniors and seniors workshop covered what core classes to take in college as well as reinforced the importance of taking the ACT and SAT. Once the individual class workshops were over, students were able to go and listen to other

group sessions around the area.

One of these group sessions was “Race Divided,” where they discussed the issue of how different races divide themselves amongst others, and the importance of sticking together. The course empowered its participants to finish high school and strive to go to college.

“It just really changed my views on being black,” junior Gaby Edwards said.

- Tristan Knott Immunization Records Manhattan High School nurse Robin Smith recently started the project of tracking all 1,600 students’ immunization records and making sure that they are “compliant with the laws of Kansas state” as well as starting preparations for vision screening.

All students who are not all upto-date on immunizations are at a higher risk of getting sent home when an outbreak occurs. Any student who is not up-to-date on

or her voting decision. Walt Pesaresi, the single member who voted in favor of changing times, spoke first. Pesaresi presented evidence pertaining to elementary school success. According to Pesaresi, 90 percent of students at three of USD 383’s elementary schools arrive to school early, and our district doesn’t have adequate before-school care. Pesaresi suggested having a few earlystart elementary schools in order to solve this problem. His biggest concern was creating the best learning environment for students.

“It’s how little everyone is concerned with learning,” Pesaresi said. “That’s what bothers me. If you’re really concerned about loss of learning, eliminate early release.”

BOE member Beth Tatarko disagreed with Pesaresi.

“To say that we’re not doing anything in the mornings for elementaries is simply inaccurate,” Tatarko argued. Tatarko went on to explain that our current schedule accommodates sleep schedules better that the proposed schedule would. shots can be sent home for up to 21 days or until their shot records are up-to-date and complete.

“We will be sending out reminders to those who are not caught up with shots. The reminders will be sent out on Monday, Oct. 22, with report cards,” Smith said.

Other than immunizations, the nursing department is working on vision screening. Vision screening will be Thursday, Oct. 25, for all sophomores and new students.

Vision screening will be done in C Hall throughout the day. Vision screening will consist of normal eye exam and color blindness testing. At the same time, Christei Kinsley will be taking care of hearing testing for all sophomores and new students in A Hall.

- Julianne Harkness FCCLA Looming storm clouds, high winds and humidity didn’t stop FCCLA from holding their Fall Festival Saturday evening at the Haug Family Farms Pumpkin Patch. The farm was accentuated by a bail of hay shaped and colored like a pumpkin to announce that you had indeed arrived at the farm. Participants were treated to

Walt Pesaresi, the only board member to vote for the new start times explains his reasonings to the other members and the community.

Jordan Morris, Photographer Pete Paukstelis, another board member, agreed that elementary schools were providing adequate care in the morning.

“Northview runs a tremendous before-school program,” Paukstelis pointed out. “What really concerns me, though, is that we are addicted to convenience.” Paukstelis explained that convenience should not be a factor in the decision, and that what truly improves education is more parent in-

volvement.

President Dave Coulburn explained that the school board was ready to make a decision. “We’ve received tons of research and tons of emails and it all leans heavily in favor of the current schedule,” Coulburn said. “I’d like to see us make a decision tonight. There’s no reason to keep dragging this out.”

Before the vote, superintendent of schools Bob Shannon spoke about the current

state of schools. “The district can always be improved, but the fact is, we have excellent achievement right now,” he said.

In a quick, almost unanimous vote, the board decided to keep the schedules as they are. A decision over open/ closed lunch for the high school will be made at tomorrow’s regular BOE meeting.

a pumpkin patch, a maze made of hay bales, a hay rack ride and to top it a bonfire with s’mores. The best part of the night was the that the Festival was free.

However, many people missed out on the night.

“There weren’t as many people there as I expected, but I think that was due to lack of planning,” junior Jordan Morris said. “We didn’t know that we were having the Festival until five days before the event. If we would have known sooner, I think we could have done a lot of advertising to elementary schools, but simply knowing five days in advance left us short of planning the event.”

The event seemed new to many students. However, it has been held in years past.

“In years past, before I was even a member of FCCLA, I know members put on Fall Festival and it got a lot of positive outcome,” Morris said. “They had other clubs join in which is something I would have liked to do, but with the lack of notice, it didn’t work out the way we intended.”

The members of FCCLA were there and helped with the games,

escorting through the maze and help getting on the hay rack ride.

Sierra Haug, sophomore at MHS, is an active member of FCCLA and offered to share her farm and pumpkin patch for the night.

“It was my brother’s idea a few years ago to create the pumpkin patch and make it open to the public,” Haug said. “I mainly just hope people had fun with their friends and family.”

- Kayla Dieker

long time.

“This was my 11th year going and each time it amazes me that some of the people have been there that long, especially in their line of work,” AFS sponsor Tony Wichmann said. “It’s neat to see how passionate they are about what they do.”

For about four hours, the AFS members divided into groups and were allowed to explore the festival grounds freely. For some, the food selection was a highlight. “I had a stuffed pretzel,” Levin said.

“It’s like a big pretzel that has cream cheese inside of it. It’s a really good combination.”

“I wanted to try something new this time so I got a Greek pita bread that had this special sauce. It was pretty good,” Wichmann said.

For returning students, it gave them a chance to show the new foreign exchange students around the festival grounds. “I went last year so a friend and I showed our foreign exchange friend Stephanie Wimmer these skirts that we bought last year and so she got one, too,” junior Tori Matta said.

- Sarah Shi

American Field Service American Field Service members and foreign exchange students got a chance to get to know each other better in an atypical setting last Monday when they attended the Kansas City Renaissance Festival for the 11th time.

The students got to learn more about the Renaissance Era as well as enhance their relationships.

“It was a lot of fun. There were camels and people that you could watch perform,” junior Amy Levin said. “I got to know the foreign exchange students better and we all bonded.”

The RenFest trip has been a tradition for the AFS group for a

2

Oct. 16, 2012

the MENTOR

Opinions

Safety Week the real deal Question of the Week Liz Logback

features editor While sitting in the auditorium last Monday listening to the police officers describe what to do if ever being chased by a shooter in the school halls, I couldn’t help but wonder, “What would ever drive a person to bring a gun to school”? As I lodged deeper into that thought, I became extremely frustrated. I knew exactly what would drive a

person to do such a thing.

Me. No, I have never directly told someone to shoot up the school or sold a gun to a student, but my actions could certainly drive someone to such a horrid act. That kid who everyone ignores is feeling no better about himself when I also walk by not making eye contact or stopping for a conversation. The girl at lunch who has no one to sit with doesn’t feel any less awkward when I pass by with my lunch and entourage to go sit in our normal spot. The annoying kid who never has anything nice to say about me or my lifestyle is never going to change his ways when I con-

stantly rag on him and complain about how awful he is.

In high school we’ve adopted this whole way of only hanging out with our little group of friends and talking about the others who aren’t like you, but it is actually very dangerous.

You never know what comment will send someone over the edge or what kid you don’t look in the eye was waiting for someone to talk to before deciding to kill his classmates and taking his own life.

I’m not trying to guilt you into befriending other people; it needs to become an attitude that we adopt. Don’t show people love out of fear, show them that kindness because you actually care; you actually

are concerned with their well being and daily life.

The whole point behind Safety Week was to keep us safe in the case of an emergency. We should have a whole other week devoted to preventing people from even feeling like they need to bring violence into the school in the first place. And yes, that is completely possible. All it takes is one person swallowing their pride and reaching out to students who are feeling excluded. I know the world will never be rainbows and happy sparkles, but it sure can be a closer than it is currently in our school.

Administration should allow costumes Julianne Harkness

staff writer

It’s October, meaning the leaves are changing colors and people are decorating for what I think is the best holiday (other than Christmas) that is celebrated, Halloween.

It’s the only time of year where it is socially acceptable for people to scare others and for kids to go door to door begging for candy. The candy and scaring people is amazing, don’t get me wrong, but the absolute best part of Halloween by far is getting to dress up as whoever or

whatever you want for just one day.

When Halloween falls on a weekday, like it does this year, I think we as students should have the right to wear costumes to school. Costumes allow you to be creative and expressive. There is no reason for us to not be able to wear them here at school, as long as they follow dress code they should be allowed.

The reason our school doesn’t allow them, according to assistant principal Mike Dorst, is that costumes are “too distracting for school and can cause disruptions in class.”

What about all the other dress code violations that happen on a recurring basis?

Halloween costumes are not more distracting than spaghetti straps, short shorts that show bu-thigh (that part of your rear end that mixes

with your thigh), and those hideous Uggs that administrators seem to let slide.

Some organizations and clubs in the community have ancient traditions of wearing outrageous and disturbing outfits for a certain period of time that can cause major distractions and disruptions.

I admit that administrators sends some students home to change, but then they come back the next day in the same thing and stay the entire day.

If they can get away with things like clown wigs and wacky pants, why can’t we wear a Batman cape to school for one day? There is no reason for it.

As long as the costume that students wear doesn’t consist of a hat, mask, mock weaponry and isn’t too ‘scandalous’ then there should be no problem with wearing them. On another

note, if 90 percent of students at the school are wearing costumes then it would just look normal and not cause a distraction. Plus it would give students that one chance a year to just be outrageous and different and not look like a fool.

Halloween is the outlier kids’ day to shine and show the true them. Yet they are not allowed to do so until after 3 p.m. We, as the students of MHS, should be allowed that one day a year to be wacky, crazy and fun teenagers and express ourselves how we want during school.

As long as we stand by the dress code and don’t push the limits of appropriate clothing, I think there is no reason administration shouldn’t let this one day slide.

Letters to the editor Everything can be art Video games, apparently, are not art. Despite having everything in common with every other form of entertainment and artistic media (narrative, direction, technical design), video games somehow cannot be art. Why? The easiest answer to this is that with video games, we have control over the pacing. With film, we are forced to watch two hours of some crap about William Hearst before we find out what the

hell Rosebud was. As we sit through yet another telling of Shakespeare’s murder epic Romeo and Juliet, the actors could simply walk out just as Act 2 was supposed to start, and we could do nothing about it. We are at the mercy of the author and actors of what we are indulging, they set the pace, and we are bound to match it. But with a video game, it ends when I say it ends.

This issue of player-

Video games a new art form Last week, an article entitled “Are Video Games Art?” stated that video games are for entertainment and not for the catalyst of thought that is art. It was stated that immaturity is a main detractor, but I take issue to this.

Saying that immaturity in one material causes the entire medium to be immature is wrong. A majority of movies, books and music are made to make money, not with artistic ideals. A good way to get lots of money is through gimmicks, pop culture references and casting big named actors, appealing to the most amount of people. This allows for good, short-term monetary

success, but not long-term remembrance. It’s when material decides to be more than a money-making venture that entertainment media can justifiably be called art.

As one of the newest forms of media, it is expected that video games would not have as many examples of art, but they are there. Yes, all video games are more or less a string of objectives that lead to an ultimate goal. However, it is not the premise but the execution that matters. Some video games take great efforts to tell a meaningful story that is fully integrated with the gameplay, like Heavy Rain (PS3) and Half-Life 2

T hank you students Dear Students, Thank you!! Last Friday I had my morning coffee at Radina’s West and left my wallet on a chair – PANIC!! When I returned it had been turned in by a WONDERFUL group of high school students – That’s You! I am so thankful you were there! You’re the BEST! I would also like to say “Hi” to all my former students from Amanda Arnold – Although I’m retired now, I think of you often and always smile. :>) I hope you all have a great year!

Sincerely, Mrs. Nash

controlled pacing is important, but still dances around aspects in the games that are artistic themselves. To say that video games are not art ignores the efforts put in by artists to the game. It ignores the composer who designed the score, the small orchestra who recorded the soundtrack, the writer who collaborated on where the narrative should take the characters, the artist who painstakingly pored over every pixel in the sprites and design. All of these impact the artistic design and impact

of the game, and should not, nay, never be glossed over.

Nothing ever intends to be art. The greatest works in history, no matter how much personal sacrifice on the creator’s part, were not created to be trumpeted throughout the land on their greatness; they were born of a personal desire by the author to create something. Maybe that means video games are art.

Maybe that means everything is art.

(PC, 360, PS3, MAC). Other games create a world to explore that perhaps have a weak story, but also have a history that is fascinating and where learning how this world came about is where you appreciate the effort put in, such as the Mass Effect trilogy (360 and PS3) and the Elder Scrolls games (PC, 360, PS3). Some games just attempt to be whimsical, memorable and funny while still being a solid game like Portal (PC, 360, PS3) and Earthbound (SNES).

Are any of those games considered art? I would like to think so. These games have left an impact on my humor, my imagination and my empathy. They have

benefited me despite being a series of button presses and timing-out actions. Thankfully, multiple institutions are starting to see how video games can be art. This year, the Smithsonian American Art Museum released an exhibit “The Art of Video Games” and many court decisions have placed video games in the protection of freedom of artistic expression. In time, I feel that the general public will agree that video games can be art, but for right now video games are as artsy as you want them to be.

- Zane Hayden, senior

- Nicholas Donohoue, senior

T he Mentor welcomes letters to the editor from students, faculty members or staff members from Manhattan High School. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words in length and must include your signature.

Letters may be edited for length, grammar and AP Style and must meet standards of appropriateness generally accepted by the MHS audience.

To submit your letter please email it to mhsmentoropinions@gmail.com or deliver a hard copy to C-107 or Kristy Nyp’s mailbox in the main office at MHS-West.

What is on your pop culture calendar this fall?

“K-Pop.” - Adam Cruz, freshman

“Restaurant Impossible.”

- Marcus Edmonds, freshman

“The movie ‘Sinister’” - Mackenzie Mitchell, senior

“I can’t wait for VH1 to play ‘Mean Girls.’”

- David Woods, junior

“Going to a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert.”

- Reshan Fadul, sophomore

“‘Heart of Dixie’ season premeire.”

- Gabby Lopez, junior

“‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’” - Michelle Ribble, junior

“‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.’”

- Justin Coleman, sophomore

“Paul Ryan’s hot bod.”

- Trevor Bashaw, sophomore

“Green Day’s new album.”

- Brandon Coil, freshman

“‘Paranormal Activity 4.’”

- Kori Bridegam, senior

“Justin Bieber concert.”

- Jacob Harden, junior

“‘Argo.’”

- Natalie Dick, junior

“Halloween movies.”

-Baili Rowe, sophomore

“‘American Horror Story.’”

- Cristina Oropesa, freshman

“The new One Direction album.”

- Andrea Lu, freshman

“Justin Bieber concert.”

- Tyler Brennan, sophomore “NOW 44” - Adelle Sloan, junior “The Last Breaking Dawn.”

- Wendy Howard, teacher “Lecrae concert.”

- Mary Gevock, senior “‘Walking Dead.’”

- Jon Chen, freshman “‘Halo 4. Or any more Linkin Park albums.’”

- Jay Garber, sophomore “‘Black Ops 2’ and ‘Far Cry 3.’”

- Nathan Waldron, junior “Ben Rector’s new album.”

- Emma Bartel, senior

“ABC’s ‘25 Days of Christmas.’”

- April Ascher, sophomore “‘Adventure Time.’ It’s on all year but I look forward to it every day.”

- David Hazelwood, sophomore “Dubstep.”

- Jacob Richards, freshman “I can’t wait for ABC family to play ‘The Notebook.’”

- Peter Maier, junior “Blood on the Dancefloor’s new album.”

- Leeza Mack, freshman “‘Red’ by Taylor Swift.”

- Rachael Chang, freshman

“Goign to see Waka Flaka and the crew live.”

- Chris Martin, sophomore

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 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

writers/photographers: Tre Fuentes Julianne Harkness Tristan Knott Julith Perry John Rockey Seth Runyan Derrek Williams Jordan Morris Matt Bandy circulation - Kristyn Baker Leonard Castilow David Clinkinbeard Patrick Falcone Caorey Garrison Sam LeFleur Kasey Morris Mallory Morris Kendall Oatney Emma Rowley Austin Tatum Seth Wagner

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

Oct. 16, 2012

3

Choirs, Orchestra take on huge week of concerts Sarah Shi News Editor Despite having to ride a bus all the way to Kansas City and then change clothes in the hallways of the Marriott Hotel, Manhattan High’s Pops and Varsity Choir students had a fun performance for The Kansas Associate for the Gifted, Talented, and Creative Convention last Monday.

“There weren’t even enough bathrooms to change in so some girls had to change in the boys bathroom and the rest of us were changing in the hallways,” senior Summer Senn said. “Monday was really fun. We bonded a lot.”

After performing for the KGTC last year, Pops and Varsity were invited to attend again, this time singing a total of 10 songs.

“It was a fun experience,”

junior Jaylen Condra said.

“However, the acoustics weren’t very good there.”

On the way back from the convention, the two choir groups either “played truth or dare, slept or listened to music,” Condra said. “We just went to Kansas City, ate lunch, sang and then came back home.”

In addition to the Kansas City performance, the music department has had other concerts this week.

Pops and Chamber Choir put on their fourth performance of the school year on Thursday, singing a combined total of six songs.

“I think we did really well,” senior Claib Harris said. “Considering we only had a total of two practices because of Safety Week, we did really well.”

“They did very well,” choir director Chad Poppe said. “I

am very pleased but there are some little details we need to fix. However, in choir, we are always trying to fix little details.”

Orchestra put on their first and only performance of the semester last night in Rezac. “I really think our performance is going to go well,” junior Grace Horton-Smith said before the performance. “The music that we have this year is a lot better and I think we’ll do better than we did last year.”

“I feel confident on my part,” junior Emily Stapely said. “However, I’m not really sure about some of the other groups because sometimes they aren’t playing the right note or they’re playing a measure behind. But overall, tonight’s performance will be better than last year’s.”

Senior Tyler Cochran accompanies the Pops Choir at their first performance of the year in Rezac.

Kaitlin Wichmann, photographer.

Manhattan High students participate in second annual Z-Day John Rockey Staff Writer Rain and a cloudy day, seemingly harmless enough.

At least until a horde of figures who only seem to moan and silently giggle show up.

They shamble up the street for a good scare out of the bar patrons of Aggieville that just happen to be there. They are the undead. Their purpose?

To end hunger.

On Saturday, numerous people showed up for the second annual Zombie Walk for Hunger in Aggieville. The event was a fundraiser put on by the Flint Hills Breadbasket in order to raise money and awareness. Not only was there the walk itself, there was an obstacle course, a zombie shootout, a zombie makeup table and live music from MHS’s bands FUMA and White, as well as another band called Decimation.

The day was kicked off by FUMA performing for those who had come for Z-Day. Meanwhile, there was a milelong obstacle course where participants ran from zombies who sought to take the flags that each survivor possessed.

“We had fun and hope we

White band members Mason Wheatley, Sam Hatcliff and Kyler Reith wake the dead with a rockin’ performance.

FUMA bassist Andre Middendorf makes the females in the audience swoon as he sheds his shirt. can encourage more people to come hear us,” junior and FUMA drummer Albert Cochraine said. “It was fun to dress up like zombies.”

After FUMA performed, White performed their set in front of the participants in the now-heavier rain. There was a silent auction that included

T hespians kick off lunchtime dance classes Ben Shields editor in chief Newest among the Thespian Club’s variety of sponsored activities is a Waltz and Swing Dance Class hosted by senior Sierra Byington. Every Friday during second lunch, Byington is running a swing and waltz dance class in Rezac Auditorium. Both styles were at one

time important social skills to learn and have since fallen out of fashion.

Byington, who took formal dance classes in waltz and swing during junior high and has since been self-taught through videos, television, etc., believes that dancing should be ushered back in as a social norm.

“It used to be important in

the past,” she said. “It should be [brought back]. Dancing also involves music, and research tells us that music leads to higher grades.”

Byington stressed that the class is open to anyone who wishes to learn free of charge (non-Thespians welcome). Students must have second lunch to attend.

Sophomore Nick Clark gets into the zombie spirit by getting his face painted while his twin, Ben, waits for more makeup.

John Rockey, photographer various gift baskets and a ing up to the zombie walk “Shaun of the Dead” gun rack through Aggieville, there was up for the taking. a makeup stand where people During all the events lead- could get done up to look ei-

ther like a zombie or a beaten survivor with gashes, scars and deathly pale faces.

Later on, the zombies and survivors got organized and headed off to Aggieville. They shambled on, moaning and clawing at the windows of various establishments while patrons and people on the streets proceeded on with their business or would just look with amazement, delight or, in the case of some, genuine horror.

The horde then returned from the walk to hear the last band of the day, Decimation, play before some would go back to Aggieville for drinks as zombies or humans.

While the gloomy weather had participants and organizers concerned about whether the event would even take place, it just ended up adding to the atmosphere of the end of the world. The event also gave the bands a chance to get their music out to their fans again, and helping the Breadbasket was inspirational to many who participated.

“I think its a really good idea and it’s for a really good cause,” MHS alum and White bassist Caleb Loop said.

T HESPIAN REMINDERS

One Act Auditions will take place today and tomorrow from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.

The cast list will be posted Thursday, Oct. 18.

Thespian State Conference payments are due Thursday, Oct. 25. It is a big hassle for the club if payments are turned in late, so students are reminded to turn them in as soon as possible.

Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat, the annual nationwide Thespian fundraiser to help feed the hungry, is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26. Speak to Thespian president Ilana Budenosky or drama department head Linda Uthoff for details on how to participate.

the FIELD DAY JITTERS

MEMBERS INFLUENCES

Laurie Shelton - drums Dave Spiker - bass/vox Lori Spiker - synth

“My influences are local bands throughout the years like Ultimate Fakebook, and nation acts like Yo La Tengo and Jesus and Mary Chain.”

-Dave Spiker

GENRE a local band shows that grown-ups can rock Last year, MHS’s coolest psychologist Laurie Shelton started a band with long-time college friend and MHS alumnus Dave Spiker and his wife, Lori Spiker. Laurie and Dave both played in different bands in college but always talked about starting a band someday. Many years later, they did. The Field Day Jitters get their name from the song by Tripping Daisy. The band has performed at a few venues around Kansas, including the Bottleneck in Lawrence, Auntie Mae’s in Aggieville and at Triangle Park. The band’s favorite place to play is at Auntie Mae’s.

“It feels kind of homey,” drummer Shelton said. “I like the atmosphere.” Although all of the band’s members have their own day jobs, they try to practice at least twice a week.

“The band is a priority for us. It’s all about what you choose to do in your free time. The band is always writing new songs. Their main writer is bassist and singer Dave Spiker, who sometimes pulls tunes he thought up 10 years ago. The band recently finished their first album and is playing at Auntie Mae’s on Halloween.

synth-pop/indie-pop

REASON

“There’s just something in some people. It’s a chord you strike, and if you don’t do it, you don’t feel full. It’s all about emotion -- it’s hard to describe why, you just love it and it feels right,”

-Laurie Shelton

4

Oct. 16, 2012

the MENTOR

Sports

Football topples top-ranked Topeka Tre Fuentes staff writer The Manhattan High Indians put on a show with a 2713 victory over number-one ranked Topeka High Trojans Friday night. The previously undefeated Trojans hosted Manhattan in a game that very few gave the Indians a chance to win. The Indians were able to capitalize on mis-

takes made by the Trojans, played conservative offense and iron-hard defense en route to a convincing victory.

The first quarter was a back and forth battle that gave each team an indication how physical the game was going to get. Less than five minutes into the game, Manhattan forced a Trojans fumble and quarterback Jacob Holloway was able to capitalize

on the fumble with a 24-yard touchdown run. Not to be outdone, the Trojans put together an efficient drive scoring on a three-yard rushing touchdown and tying the game at 7-7. After junior Darian Taylor ran from 41 yards out for an Indians touchdown and a 16-yard touch catch from Holloway to junior Winston Dimel the score was 20-13 in Manhattan’s favor.

It was a very high scoring first quarter, but the rain kicked in during the second quarter and both defenses remained stout, not giving up any points. The Indians held their ground in the second half but Manhattan was able to score the final touchdown of the game to seal the victory with only five-tenths of a second left on the clock. This win gives the Tribe their fourth

consecutive victory. Topeka hasn’t beaten Manhattan since 2000.

The defense for the Indians was the key to success as they gave the offense enough room to make plays and keep the ball away from Topeka’s dangerous offense. What make this showing even more impressive was the fact they were without arguably their best defense player in Bran-

don Valez.

“Our defenses really stepped up after the rain, especially in the second half.

They only gave up 62 yards of offense in the second half, and that really kept us in the game, because Topeka High was shutting us down as well,” head coach Joe Schartz said.

On Friday the Indians play against Washburn Rural at home.

Cross Country brings League titles back home Tennis players gain State experience Kayla Dieker copy editor

Despite getting off to a rainy start, the Manhattan High Cross Country team managed to secure first place in each varsity event of the Centennial League meet -the Girls 4000m race and the Boys 5000m race.

The races started off schedule because of the severe weather, but that didn’t throw off the Tribe. “No, [the rain didn’t impact the performance], not at all,” senior Jessica Smith said.

Because of the rain, what would have been four races -- one each for boys and girls Varsity and J.V. -- was condensed down to two, with all the girls and then all the boys running together.

In the Girls race, junior Alaina Schroeder won in a landslide, finishing more than 20 seconds ahead with her time of 15:19.45.

As a team, the girls bested second-place Washburn Rural by 10 points.

In the Varsity boys race, junior Chris Melgares and senior James Leblow secured first and second, respectively,

Sarah Shi news editor

The Varsity Girls start off strong with junior Alaina Schroeder and freshman Christina Wankum starting out first and second. The girls and the boys won their league titles for the third straight year.

Matt Bandy, photographer.

for MHS. The top five runners for Manhattan -- Melgares, Leblow and sophomores Michael Melgares, Isaiah Koppes and Isaac Blankenau -- all placed in the top 10. The team easily defeated second-place Wash-

burn Rural with an advantage of over 50 points.

These wins for the Tribe make the third consecutive year for the boys and the fourth consecutive year for the girls.

Next Saturday the Varsity

Athlete of the Week can win no matter what.

Q:

What are your expectations for rest of the season?

A:

Our team has the ability to make State as long as we stay focused and play well during the post-season.

Tre Fuentes staff writer

long time. My dad was a soccer coach and as a little kid I really enjoyed learning from him.

JonathanTurnley Q: Who inspires you to be as Arguably the best soccer player on the Boys Varsity Soccer team. He leads the team in both goals (10) and assists (8) and had a three-goal and twoassist game against Highland Park last week.

Q: How long have you been playing soccer?

Q: How is soccer going to fit into your life after school?

A: I would really like to play soccer in college.

good as you can?

A:

My dad. He taught me to be the best I can be and to work as hard as I can.

Q: How do you prepare on a weekly basis?

A:

A lot of practice. I have to be focused on the task at hand just tell myself that we

Q: Who is your favorite athlete?

A:

My favorite soccer play ever would be Pele’. My favorite players that are currently playing would be Landon Donovan for the Los Angeles Galaxy and Lionel Messi for Barcelona.

runners will travel to Junction City for the Regional meet.

Those who qualify will move on to the State meet Oct. 27, in Lawrence.

Two Manhattan High Girls Varsity Tennis players that qualified for State, freshman Cathy Lei and sophomore Kristen Fraley, traveled to Kansas City last Friday for their State competition at Shawnee Mission. However, neither placed individually nor as team.

Lei lost both of her matches against Maize and Topeka High. “I needed to be more consistent and maybe if I had more experience that would have helped too,” Lei said of her performance.

She scored a 4-6 and 2-6 against Maize on her first match and a 8-9 and 8-8 on her second match against Topeka High. Lei finalized her loss with a 2-7 rematch against Topeka High for her 8-8 tie.

“I hoped to win my first match but I didn’t so I was really hoping to win my second one,” she said. “But it’s okay, I still have three more years to play.”

Fraley won against Wichita Northwest 6-4 and 6-2 and Garden City 9-4, and lost to Shawnee Mission East 0-6 and 0-6 and Maize 5-9.

“I played a lot better than I did freshman year,” Fraley said. “I was a lot less nervous and I was able to relax and hit my shots. My goal was to medal but I didn’t know how well it would go because there was a really tough single’s bracket this year.”

Although she didn’t medal this year, Fraley is already looking ahead toward the next season. “I would like to place next year. This year I realized that I can hit with the girls that are higher up, so I’m really excited to see what I can do next year.”

“I thought they played better than they did all season,” coach Joyce Allen said. “I think they were both pleased too, I mean they were playing against the best players in the State. Kathy learned a lot by just being there. It’s huge to go to State your freshman year.”

Soccer mercy-rules Highland Park Derrek Williams staff writer On Saturday, Oct. 6, Manhattan High School Boys J.V. Soccer played against Washburn Rural and Emporia.

MHS beat Washburn Rural 2-0, with both the goals scored by freshmen Brandon Religa and Matt Turnley. MHS also beat Emporia with a score of 4-0. Freshman Austin French scored two times and sophomore Tyler Daveline and freshman Kirkland Lambert both scored once.

Then on Tuesday, Oct. 9, Varsity and J.V. played against Wichita Northwest.

The Varsity team had mixed feelings about playing against Wichita NW because last year they won the 6-A State Championship. This game was also going to decide whether MHS would have home field advantage in the first game of the

play-offs.

"We were prepared to play the best, and we needed to start fast," senior Jordan Price said.

At halftime MHS led with three goals scored by senior Aaron Cole and juniors Peter Maier and Jonathan Turnley, to Wichita Northwest’s one.

In the second half, Wichita got a break with a penalty kick and then were able to score two more times and kept MHS from scoring. The final score was 3-4, Wichita NW. Manhattan J.V. beat Wichita NW 1-0, and sophomore Tyler Daveline scored the only goal of the game.

On Thursday, Oct. 11, MHS boys played Highland Park High School. MHS, with a score at halftime of 6-0, was off to a good start, and in the second half Manhattan continued to keep Highland Park from scoring and Manhattan

Senior Killian Gorman dribbles the ball at Anneburg Park against Wichita Northwest.

The Indians were defeated 3-4 despite a 2-1 early lead.

Seth Runyan, photographer

was able to score four more times to win the game 10-0, which was called early because of a mercy rule.

On Thursday both MHS Boys Soccer teams will play against Junction City High School at Anneberg Park. J.V. starts their game at 4:30 and Varsity starts at 6:15 p.m.

Golf takes 7th at State Volleyball swept despite good play A:

I have been playing for a

Kaitlyn Wichmann photo editor

Nick Bandy sports editor Last Tuesday the Manhattan High Volleyball team traveled to Lawrence where they were defeated in all three of their games. However, they had to play some of the best teams in the state, including Washburn Rural, the number one ranked team in the 6A division.

“All the games were really close and we played really well,” senior Taylor Good said.

They were defeated two

sets to one against Lawrence before losing in straight sets to Hayden and Washburn. All of their losses were by an average of less than five points.

Both sets against their rival Washburn were very close.

“We’ve been out to beat them, so it was very exciting and intense,” Good said.

Even though they were pleased with how they played, the team also found things to work on, such as starting out faster and getting better serves.

“We dig holes, and it’s such a big deficit we can’t come

back,” Good said.

Today the team will travel to Junction City to play Wamego and JC. “If we play like how we did we should win both,” Good said. “We just have to pull through.”

That will be the team’s last regular season meet before they begin the Sub-State tournament where the Indians will pursue their goal of qualifying for State. They will be placed in a group of three to four teams and only the winner will advance.

Twenty three flights of golf later, and the Manhattan High Girls golf snagged the 7th place spot at State against teams ranging from Washburn Rural to Shawnee Mission East. The team traveled to Rolling Hills Country Club yesterday, on a surprisingly warm day, to compete against 86 other players from various schools. Captain and senior Blake Fingalsen took 10th place, scoring an 84, while sophomore Kelsie McCarthy tied for 15th, with an 89.

“I feel like I shot better at

this meet compared to others,” McCarthy said. “If I could have improved anything it would have been my drives. I started hitting with my driver, but ended switching to my three-wood and felt more confident.”

The State competitors representing MHS were Fingalsen, junior Hannah Devanne, junior Cassidy Harper, junior Anna Jackson, sophomore Kylie McCarthy and Kelsie.

The team traveled up to Wichita on Sunday and spent the night before competing early the next day.

“We all feel we could have done a little better,” golf coach

Chris George said. “We were a little off. It was just one of those days.”

This was Jackson’s first time to compete at State.

“Coach told us to just play our average,” Jackson said.

“Teams sometimes go into State trying to do amazing, but then end up losing. They try to do too much.”

The season came to a close too fast for Jackson.

“I’m sad the season is over, and now I only have one more season left,” Jackson said. “I feel like there’s unfinished improvements. The season just seemed really short.”

the MENTOR

Features

Oct. 16, 2012

5

Social media has impact on clubs Liz Logback Features Editor Social media is almost intuitive among high school students; instagramming a delicious dinner, tweeting frustrations or posting a location on Facebook are nothing out of the norm for teenagers.

Due to the mass use of social media, clubs and classes at Manhattan High School are turning towards it to relay information to participants.

Senior Sophia Harms, president of the French Club, uses Facebook to interact with members and inform them of upcoming meetings. Vice president Ellen Feng was assigned

as the communications director to keep the Facebook page updated. At the beginning of the year, French Club had a T-shirt design contest where m e m b e r s w e r e e n c o u raged to upload design ideas to the page.

Harms says Facebook is the most effective way to get in-

f

formation out to students. The club also puts information in the announcements and is considering posting signs on lockers, but Harms is confident Facebook will continue to be a main source of communication.

On the opposite hand, counselor Tony Wichmann is struggling to have AFS club members interact with the AFS Facebook page. “It sounds good, inviting through Facebook, but it just doesn’t follow through,” Wichmann said.

In his experience, students don’t respond to the invitation, or don’t see it all. AFS has had the Facebook page

for three years and Wichmann is finding that it is a struggle to weed out the old members and get the current members to interact. All 21 students involved in the club have been added to the page, but in order to find the page or accept an invitation to a club meeting, students have to actively search for it, and Wichmann says students don’t want to do that. Currently he is experimenting with text messaging.

Wichmann found that the officers have responded well to information relayed through texting, so AFS is currently

collecting all of the students’ numbers to make it a club wide way of releasing AFS news. Notes sent from the office straight to club members’ classrooms is another way Wichmann feels is effective in announcing club information.

Senior Ilana Budenosky, president of Thespians, has a Facebook page set up for their club but the Thespians are also trying out Twitter this year. Besides tweeting club updates, they also inform people

about other arts events going on both in the school and in the community. Budenosky is confident that Facebook is still the main way of communication, because not everyone is connected to Twitter and members receive notifications directly to their Facebook account whenever an update has been posted.

“The problem with Twitter,” Budenosky said, “is that a tweet can get lost in the newsfeed and it’s a lot harder for people to see what’s coming up.”

Thespians also put information on the board outside of the drama room and post signs around the school.

Halloween preview FCCLA fall festival Tristan Knott Staff Writer From pumpkin patches to slides to trickor-treating, Manhattan is loaded with activities for this Halloween season. Main attractions include the A & H Pumpkin Patch, Britts Garden Acres, the Lazy T Ranch and a historical haunted trolley ride around Manhattan.

A & H Pumpkin Patch, located at 1516 Collins Lane, is filled with in-field pumpkin patches, pre-picked pumpkins, a fall festival, train rides, kiddie corn mazes, tractor hay rides, a farmers market, tons of food and an amazing slide (which is also better than last year’s). The pumpkin patch is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of October. The admission cost to attend these activities is $7 per person and

children under the age of two are free. Food is free at night with admission.

Britts Garden Acres, located at 1000 S Scenic Dr., has pumpkin patches with pumpkins for sale in the shop or out in the farm stand, fall festivals, train rides, corn mazes, a haunted corn maze, child-sized haybale maze, a corn cannon, tractor-pulled hay rides, bounce houses, haunted rides and more. Britts Garden is open every Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Lazy T Ranch, 2103 Ze-

andale Road, hosts pumpkin patches with already gathered pumpkins from the field.

They also offer a fall festival, train rides, a straw or hay bale maze, a child-sized haybale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, a bounce house, as well as tons of food. Admission cost is $5 per person and the ranch is open Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Riley County trolley ride is available from Oct. 22 to Oct. 30 on Sundays and Mondays this month. The trolley tours across Manhattan and gives a historical tour of all the old haunted houses around town. Tours start at 6:30 p.m. and go till 8:30 p.m., just in time for a second tour starting at 8:30 p.m. A percentage of the profits made from the trolley ride go to the Riley County Historical Museum.

One specific event in town, the Trick-or-Treat in Aggieville on Oct. 26, is open for little goblins and ghouls to enjoy traffic-free Moro Street and goodies galore.

Kaitlyn Wichmann Photo editor

Looming storm clouds, high winds and humidity didn’t stop FCCLA from holding their Fall Festival Saturday evening at the Haug Family Farms Pumpkin Patch. The farm was accentuated by a bail of hay shaped and colored like a pumpkin to announce that you had indeed arrived at the farm. Participants were treated to a pumpkin patch, a maze made of hay bales, a hayrack ride and to top it a bonfire with s’mores. The best part of the night was the that the Festival was free.

However, many people missed out on the night.

“There weren’t as many people there as I expected, but I think that was due to lack of planning,” junior Jordan Morris said. “We didn’t know that we were having the Festival until five days before the event. If we would have known sooner, I think we could have done a lot of advertising to elementary schools, but simply knowing five days in advance left us short of planning the event.”

The event seemed new to many students. However, it has been held in years past.

“In years past, before I was even a member of FCCLA, I know members put on Fall Festival and it got a lot of positive outcome,” Morris said. “They had other clubs join in which

is something I would have liked to do, but with the lack of notice, it didn’t work out the way we intended.”

The members of FCCLA were there and helped with the games, escorting through the maze and help getting on the hayrack ride.

Sierra Haug, sophomore at MHS, is an active member of FCCLA and offered to share her farm and pumpkin patch for the night.

“It was my brother’s idea a few years ago to create the pumpkin patch and make it open to the public,” Haug said. “I mainly just hope people had fun with their friends and family.”

Coming to America

Foreign exchange student spotlight Liz Logback Features editor Manhattan may seem like a small town to its life-long residents, but for senior Anthony Lafourt his first impression of America as an exchange student here is “Everything is bigger.”

Lafourt, who came from a life of mixing house music as a DJ, is originally from Charleroi, Belgium. He left behind two siblings, a dog named Arko and manual cars to explore what its like to live in America for a year.

The world of fast food and English-speaking people has all been very new for Lafourt.

“In Belgium, everyone is very fast. They don’t have time to stop and talk to you like they do here,” he said.

He finds that positive about America, and there are other things he likes about his temporary home here. “The American girls, well and Chipotle,” he added.

While here, Lafourt is stayCollege Fair from page 1 “We have done this for several years but for the past two years we haven’t been able to put on the college fair due to construction and lack of parking,” counselor Carolyn Devane said. “It’s good for the students to have a fair like this. It gives students a chance to get questions answered, pick up brochures and financial aid.”

The day of the college fair, Manhattan students will not

Senior Anthony Lafourt is a foreign exchange student from Belgium who is attending MHS this year.

Kaitlin Wichmann, photographer

ing with the Messmer family, whose daughter Mariah is a senior at Manhattan High School. The two participate in marching band, and Lafourt has found that jazz band is also a nice fit for him. Weights is another enjoyable class for Lafourt that reminds him of his old school.

Although that class is the same, the rest of the schooling be allowed to park in triangle lot because it is being reserved for the representatives from the colleges and military.

Mercury Spill from page 1 Department. All of the thirdfloor classes were moved to the auditorium.

“I think they over-exaggerated it,” Juenemann said.

According to a state health website, mercury from a ther-

system in America is all very new for Lafourt. In Belgium, students go to different classes every day, so although there are still seven hours, throughout the week they are mixed up in a different order each day. Lafourt’s school in Belgium also taught him English, which has helped him tremendously. He has known English for six years and is also learning Dutch and some Spanish at MHS. French fries are a very common finding in the States, but Lafourt misses his Belgian fries. Although a lot of Americans think they are the same thing as French fries, Lafourt will assure you “they are very different and much better.” In addition to missing his Belgian fries, steak is another popular food that he craves from home.

Lafourt will continue taking music classes and meeting new people. He’s also interested in finding places in and around Manhattan to use his DJ skills. mometer can evaporate over time. As a gas, it can enter the blood stream and cause damage to the brain and spinal cord. However, it is not toxic to touch and can do no damage until it evaporates over a long period of time.

“My dad used to play around with mercury in his hand,” Higgs said.

The HazMat team finished by cleaning and ventilating the room until the level of mercu-

Manhattan residents enjoyed the Fall Festival put on by FCCLA Saturday evening.

Above left: Senior Tyler Henry helps set up for one of the many games put on at the Fall Festival. Above right: Senior Holly Morris enjoys a s’more roasted at the bonfire. Bottom: Attendees of the festival gather around the bonfire, roasting s’mores and keeping warm by the flame.

Jordan Morris, photographer

ry returned to normal. There was no harm to any students, and the room is now safe and back in use.

Blood Drive Student Council Blood Drive Who: Manhattan High School students and faculty What: Red Cross blood drive When: Oct. 18, 2012 Where: MHS South Gym How: Sign up to donate in

the commons during both lunches If 200 pints of blood are collected, all those who donate are eligible to win a scholarship of $250, courtesy of the Red Cross.

Lost and Found The following items have been reported missing: A wallet containing $3 in the commons

If items are found, please return them to Harold in the security booth. The school reminds all students to remember to secure all unattended items.

6

the MENTOR

Oct. 16, 2012

Trending

Video game fall preview Summer is where the movie blockbusters reign, but in the fall video games take over.

This fall gamers have a lot to look forward to and some stuff avoid in this busy fall season of triple-A titles and a new console in the Wii U. Assassin’s Creed III “Assassin’s Creed” has been a title that I have always been interested in because of its historical fiction storyline but I never got around to playing. “Assassin's Creed” might be hard to avoid this time around due to it’s new setting in the American revolution and that the new assassin’s name is Connor. This new co-

lonial setting is something I have only read about in history books but explor ing every inch of it in a video game sounds very excitthey were ing.

It’s Photo courtesy of assassinscreed. getting rid not just the ubi.com of firefight setting that which was sounds interesting but it’s the “Halo’s” Horde mode but action going on in the setting when I heard that they were that interests me. “Assassin's a adding a new game mode Creed III” comes out on Oct called Spartan Ops, 30. my disappointment Halo 4 “Halo 4” has been this fall’s game that I have been counting down the days for. I was a little worried when Bungie dropped the title and 343 Industries took over, but it looks like “Halo” fans have nothing to worry about.I was disappointed when I heard that

disappeared. Spartan Ops is a weekly episodic adventure where they will release four new missions each week with a storyline.

This is something no other video game has done before and I hope that the

Seth’s Hits and Misses HIT: Season 3 couldn’t have come too soon! This new season of “The Walking Dead” is in a prison, proving to be the most exciting storyline yet!

MISS: Topeka is having a minor outbreak of tuberculosis. Great, don’t forget that meningitis is just as close!

HIT/MISS: Lindsay Lohan was kidnapped by her mother. Looks like she’s in a real parent trap.

MISS: Vice President Joe Biden shows his disrespect and immaturity during the VP Debate.

It’s just a bunch of malarkey!

Capsule Album Reviews much better dream. C

Animal Collective: “Centipede Hz” I’ve spent less time with this one than normal. But my guess is that, except for “Merriweather Post Pavilion,” it is like their other material: a lot of work with little payoff.

Making inaccessible bands like AnCo a serious musical pastime continues to baffle me. B MINUS David Byrne and St. Vincent: “Love This Giant” A dream team that made a

Photo courtesy of halo.tbox.com

Divine Fits: “A Thing Called Divine Fits” A little artsy-fartsy. But the synthesizers are truly enjoyable to listen to, and the whole thing is a surprising mix of funky and personal; “Would That Not Be Nice” is the best song mentioning Cleopatra this year. That it makes for better background music than close listening is the only thing keeping it from a B-plus. B Dirty Projectors: “Swing Lo Magellan” The melodies are perfectly crafted, and lyrics of some substance accompany. But their aesthetic, I’ve found, never communicates any discernable import. B MINUS Bob Dylan: “Tempest” He sounds very sagely on “Duquesne Whistle,” and “Soon After Midnight” is almost as good as “Mississippi.” Like Bruce Springsteen, though, any real critical evaluation of his work seems to have disappeared. I don’t remember half these songs and it was the only album in my car for a week. Rock’s greatest poet shouldn’t forget he’s also it’s greatest bullshi**er too. B PLUS

Mumford & Sons: “Babel” Want proof independent music is in the ground with no stone? Have I got one for ya. “Babel” is truly remarkable in that it is untarnished by one decent track. It gets saved from an F only because the fanbase is keeping record stores alive. Only that makes me ask: should we just let them die? D MINUS P!nk: “The Truth About Love” Think of this as the opposite of Mumford & Sons’ pointless revivalism; P!nk’s sound is so current, she makes everything on the radio sound five years old, a consistent quality in her work that makes the unevenness forgivable. Amazingly, the duet with the guy from Fun. is a highlight; Nate Ruess singing alongside P!nk made me realize their artistic expressions come from the same place: a need for the spotlight after a lifetime of never having one. This is what pop music is all about, folks. A

Wii U The Wii U has

snuck up on almost everyone this fall with a lot of the public not knowing what it actually is. The Wii U is a new system which is adding a tablet to the controller. This new system could make for some interesting gameplay but for now just seems like one big gimmick.

Nintendo has shown that it can play game with it getting exclusives in “Bayonetta 2” and “Rayman Legends.” The price tag for this new console seems a little outrageous with the the base eight gigabyte model $299 and the deluxe base edition $349. This new consoles seems like the next big gimmick Nintendo is throwing at us, and I won’t be lining up for it.

Gamers definitely have a lot of stuff to look forward to this in “Halo 4” and “Assassin’s Creed III” and also some stuff to avoid this fall in the Wii U and “Call of Duty Black Ops II.” We know the difference between quality and crap.

‘T he Walking Dead’ returns

HIT: The Vice Presidential Debate proved the RomneyRyan campaign is still more prepared than the over-confident Obama-Biden campaign.

HIT: Tomorrow, “American Horror Story: Asylum” premieres. The nightmares have already been haunting me since I saw the first trailer.

Here’s the latest batch. You know the system: A means buy it, B-plus means consider it, C means be careful, D means skip it and F means so bad it’s worth hearing to say you’ve done it. This month is a tad under whelming; only one has me going back again, and there is a serious doozy in the mix, too. I’ve scrapped the rule where I keep half at B-plus or higher. The fact is most albums are dismissible.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II If there's one thing I am not looking forward to is “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” and the brainwashed fanboys that come with it. I am getting tired of getting a new Photo courtesy of callofduty.com “Call of Duty” title every year, which a lot of time turns out to plot can deliver like “Halo’s” usual campaigns have done in be basically new maps with the past. My pre ordered copy a bad, insensitive campaign. will be waiting for me at home This new iteration is adding a full fledged zombie campaign on Nov. 6. which could be interesting depending on what kind of story they tell. If you’re looking for your yearly bro’ game then you’ve found it, but if you want a quality first person shooter get “Halo 4.” “Call of Duty Black Ops II” comes out on Nov. 13.

WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS Yes folks, the surge of Facebook statuses and tweets are true: “The Walking Dead” is back. Do not instantly assume that it is bad news, though.

The season three premiere was anything but lackluster.

Last season we left off with the farm being bombarded with walkers and Andrea abandoned.

This season starts the next year after a winter they apparently survived.

The group started the episode with raiding a house for food and eventually finding the prison. Throughout this entire episode, the group looks completely drained and driven to their physical limits as you see them fight for their lives. The one little thing that bothers me about this is the fact that it seems that Rick is the only one that has the same length of hair as last season.

What makes the episode great is how much information we get without a word of dia-

logue. Carl is a little older with a deeper voice and longer hair and also wields a gun with a silencer; Lori has a gigantic baby bump rather than a twiglike physique. Rick seems as though he is on the edge with Lori and everyone is at each other’s throats. The group has also gained a heightened amount of wisdom and understanding of how to deal with the walkers. Last season, there were many complaints from fans that there were not enough zombie kills throughout the season. Well, folks, that is no longer an issue because there were at least 60 or more zombie deaths that occurred throughout the entire episode.

keeps its gory roots with some of the most outstanding kills I have ever seen in any “Walking Dead” episode. For example, there is a scene in the prison hallways where Rick drops a walker and uses his hatchet to cut its head completely in half -- keep in mind you see everything. Another great thing new to the series is the new character, Michonne, a katana-wielding woman with two armless walkers as pets with chains around their necks. Thankfully, the sword choreography is done extremely well and is just flat out badass. One of Michonne’s scenes show her jabbing her sword through two walkers’ stomachs, pulling it back out and then immediately slicing their heads in half.

All-in-all, season three looks like it could be one of the best, most exciting seasons yet. If you have read the graphic-novels at all, you know that Woodbury and the Photo courtesy of amctv.com sick-minded Governor are in the plans for the season as The most mind-blowing fact well. With a great cast, a nevabout the premiere, T-Dog ac- er-disappointing storyline, and tually spoke! just some all-out action, “The Although the show may Walking Dead” proves that it not be an Emmy-winning best will continue to be one of the drama, “The Walking Dead” top shows on television. did win the “Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup” award for two straight years at the Emmy’s.

This year includes some outstanding makeup -- both during kills and just your typical walker. “The Walking Dead”

Tame Impala: “Lonerism” Flannelcore. C MINUS One final note: the best piece of music writing since the last time I did one of these is Carles’ “How Indie Finally Officially Died.” Read it if such things interest you.

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