MHS Mentor Issue

M

April 30, 2013

the

MENTOR

Volume 100 issue 24

Manhattan High School, Manhattan, Kan.

What’s inside this edition: ge a P &5 4

The many religions of students at MHS

ge Pa & 7 6

Look cute and save a buck with step-bystep do-it-yourself instructions

ge 1 Pa & 1 10 ge 3 Pa & 1 12

PROM: then and now, plus a look at the big night Indian athletes have suffered several season-shortening injuries

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the MENTOR

April 30, 2013

Table of Contents Letter from the editor.........................................................................................3

Religion at Manhattan High...........................................................................4-5 Do-it-yourself fashion......................................................................................6-7 Culinary and meteorological coverage......................................................8-9 Prom..............................................................................................................10-11 Athletics: KU relays, NFL draft and more..................................................12-13 Entertainment: Steve Earl and  what MHS is listening to this week.............14 Where we go from here..................................................................................15 Waller class cartoons.......................................................................................16 Natajja Rivera

staff writer

Circulation Staff Jerry Sextro

business manager

Kasey Morris Mallory Morris Kendall Oatney Emma Rowley Austin Tatum Seth Wagner

Kristyn Baker Leonard Castilow David Clinkinbeard Patrick Falcone Corey Garrison Sam LaFleur

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April 30, 2013

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Letter From the Editor G

reetings, Mentor readers! The Mentor returns today after a one-week hiatus to prepare for this dazzling new magazine format, complete with prom coverage and TWO Eli Redeker pieces (calm down). Laying out the same-old template week after week grew, quite frankly, loathesome to us, so to renew our (and your) excitement and engagement, we now debut our masterpiece.

In the magazine, you’ll find a piece on thrift shopping, cartoons and even some readings by our staff astrologist Dheepthi Perumal.

Naturally, though, the dominant story is prom, that pagan ritual we all attend every year.

Enjoy the color photography -- first time this year -- and a good yarn by English teacher Jane Kenyon about her senior prom.

Prom isn’t the only thing on our minds. For 25 percent of students here, the only exciting thing about high school right now is leaving it. I’m one of them. There are all kinds of interesting places your friends are going once summer ends: Oregon, Minnesota, New York, Scotland. The list goes on. Whether you’re staying here in Kansas or traveling overseas, it’s fascinating to see where everyone is ending up. We have a snapshot on page 15.

Given our new freedom of content choice, we also elected to highlight some creativity under the MHS roof. Move your eyes slightly to the right...that’s it...and you’ll find a cartoon by Halsey Camera. Also, on the back are cartoons by students of English teacher Jared Waller, a project The Mentor has run the past several years.

Ever wonder what Da’Merius has in his backpack? What Steve Earle’s new album sounds like? Probably not. Luckily, we thought of both on your behalf. The Mentor Magazine is the publication for you. Happy reading.

Ben Shields Editor-in-Chief

Halsey Camera, cartoonist

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the MENTOR

April 30, 2013

Touching on Religion D

ifferent religions throughout the world revolve around very different ideas. Spanning from the beliefs of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and atheism, many religions have a place at Manhattan High School.

Some religions may be well-known and some might be completely un-

commonly agreed set of teachings, yet it is one of the oldest living religions in the world.

It is difficult to define the religion partly because of the myriad of practices and beliefs associated and found within it.

Because Hinduism has a lengthy history, there are many important philosophies and holy books within this all-encompassing religion. From this, many believe Hinduism, like Buddhism, is a way of life, rather than simply a religion.

S o p h o m o r e Dheepthi Perumal

“In Sri Lanka there is a Buddhist temple and there was a tooth of the Great Lord there. When I saw it, I felt closer to Buddhism and enlightenment.”

-Ranaweera

awaken, was born 2,500 years ago when Siddhartha Gautama was enlightened. Buddhism is more of a philosophy of life that can be simplified to these concepts: lead a moral life, be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions and develop wisdom and understanding.

Meditation is how junior Lakith Ranaweera, stays connected with Buddhism.

“Believe it or not it really helps me with stress,” Ranaweera said. “I do it for at least an hour a day and pray to the Buddhist statue, technically Buddha himself.”

Buddha did not claim to be a God but rather someone

stays connected to Buddhism within the Manhattan community by attending cultural events on the weekends.

“We meet up with other families in the community and we dress up in our clothes.

It’s pretty interesting,” Perumal said.

Hinduism is rooted in India and most Hindus follow a body of sacred scripture known as the Veda. Many believe in a common system of values known as Dharma. In addition, most Hindus draw on the common belief of a Supreme God, whose qualities and forms are repre-

induism has no H single founder, no single scripture, no

Sarah Shi News Editor Seth Runyan and Derrek Williams Staff Writers

uddhism, derived B from the word ‘budhi’, meaning to

heard of to the rest of the student population. Each offers its followers a way to connect with others with the same beliefs and also teaches others so that they might believe the same as well.

who taught a path to enlightenment from his own experience.

Buddhists often pay respects to the images of the Buddha, but not to ask for favors nor participate in worship.

Rather, they remind themselves to strive for inner peace and love.

“We accept every single religion,” Ranaweera, who was born into Buddhism, said. “We are always peaceful. We emphasize peace.”

As it attempts to answer problems in modern materialistic societies, Buddhism is becoming popular in western countries by encouraging the belief that wealth and luxury do not guarantee happiness.

“The trip was

unbelievable. there were so many emotions and feelings that are indescribable.”

-Biller

ith nearly 16 milW lion followers, Judaism is the sixth most

popular religion the United States. Manhattan High junior Jacob Biller looks at his Jewish faith as a way to connect with this population around the world.

“It gives me a religious identity and I relate to others in the world,” he said.

Judaism is one of the oldest religions in the world. They have faced hardships and persecutions while still being very influential.

These hardships are what Biller focuses most on during the holiday Hanukkah.

Today’s Judaism includes both a nation, Israel, and the religion itself. Many of the popular religious tales such

as Moses and the Ten Commandments actually come from the Jewish religion as well as being included in the Christian Bible.

The Biller family visits the temple for High Holy Day services every couple of weeks.

Going to the temple helps Biller manage his religious life with the modern world. He and his family have visited Israel once and plan to go again this summer. These trips help them connect with other Jewish people and learn more about their religion.

“The trip was unbelievable,” Biller said.

“There were so many emotions and feelings that are indescribable.”

sented by the many deities which spread from him.

Hinduism also believes that we participate in a cycle of birth, death and rebirth, which is governed by Karma. As the soul passes through a cycle of successive lives, the incarnation is always dependent on how the previous life was lived.

“I

danced Indian classical dance for 15 years. I still occasionally do it. It helps me stay connected with it [Hinduism] because you express God through dance.”

-Perumal

the MENTOR o, they don’t beN lieve in polygamy.

Although it was once

part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Mormon Church, polygamous relationships were only practiced from the 1830s to 1890.

But that doesn’t stop those who bluntly ask junior Marlee Evans how many mothers she has.

“We don’t do that [polygamy] anymore,” she said. “It’s illegal; we obey the laws of the land.”

However, Mormon beliefs range farther than their once-polygamous past. They believe that Jesus Christ is the only way they can return to live with God and that Jesus was crucified for the sins of the world, allowing each person repentance and forgiveness.

The Book of Mormon, a Holy Scripture that they have thought to be the word of God, contains God’s guidance as revealed to prophets as well as religious histories of different civilizations.

However, while the Bible is written by and about the people in Israel and surrounding areas from creation of the world to the death of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon contains history and God’s relationship with the American people from 600 BC to 400 AD. Mormons believe this record was kept hidden until Joseph Smith recovered these ancient records in 1827 and translated the writings into the Book of Mormon. unior Katherine CulJmore bertson is one of than two billion

ine Culbertson said.

The Roman Catholic Church is the largest followers of Christian- Christian denominaity, the most popular tion with over 1.2 billion religion in the world. members, over half of Christians believe all Christians worldthat God sent his son wide, making it the Jesus Christ to earth to largest denomination save people from sin. for any religion worldThis was wide. Protesa c c o m - “ I love my church – it’s tant denomip l i s h e d a key part of who I am, nations make when he up roughly gave his and it will continue to 39 percent life on be throughout my whole of Christians the cross, globally. With known as life.”

Anglicans, -Culbertson these Crucifixtwo ion, and subgroups rose from the dead on comprise Western the third day, known Christianity. as Resurrection.

“I make it my goal Catholics, her de- to live by the Greatnomination, hold that est Commandment – there is only one true ‘love your God with all God, encapsuled in your heart, soul, and the Trinity: the Father, mind, and love your Son and Holy Spirit. neighbor as yourself’ Their holy book is the (Matthew 22:35-40),” Bible, which consists of Cultertson said. “I feel the Old and New Tes- that a lot of Christians taments. get stuck on the other Many Christian de- minute details and nominations have forget the big picture sprouted from this reli- of God’s message – gion. which is to love every“I’m Roman Cath- one.” olic,” junior Kather-

o h a n a M Chakrabarti is an atheist. Her religious

beliefs are based off of science instead of the idea of a greater being than herself.

Chakrabarti’s mother came from a family with a strong Hindu background and she followed those beliefs when she was younger.

Her father was a strong science believer and he rejected the ideas of gods in his life but had been supportive of the religion of the rest of his family, and in fact helped Mohana in her Hindu beliefs.

“I remember when I was younger and my parents would travel to places like India, they would come back with books of some of the stories and religious Hindu items,” Chakrabarti said.

The Hindu religion does not have a single book of stories like the Bible or a single god like many other religions, which was part of the push for her to believe in just science. One of the biggest things that

aking up every W morning, senior Roshni Singh says Wa-

heguru, meaning “Wonderful Lord.” She does this because of her faith and her religion, which is Sikhism.

This religion has over 20 million followers worldwide and is ranked as the fifth largest religion.

“Sikhism is a new religion since it was founded only about 400-500 years ago,” Singh said.

Sikhism goals are to remain faithful to God and display an extreme amount of devotion always. One of the ways Singh does this is by always wearing her Kara, which resembles her attachment to God. Different

April 30, 2013 helped Chakrabarti turn to science was that in religions there was no way to prove that the stories were true or that the gods were there, leaving the follower to take it on faith to believe them.

Chakrabarti felt more comfortable with atheism because in science things are proven to be true so it was comforting that it could be believed.

“It just felt better that I could read things and know that they were true because it was proven, than having to wonder what was wrong,” Chakrabarti said.

Chakrabarti’s family has been very supportive of her choice to believe in science and for the most part

than most religions, Sikhism has no name for their god.

“The nice thing is that there’s not really a caste system, so it doesn’t really represent what you have to do in life,” Singh said.

With there only being around 30-50 Sikhs in Manhattan, a place of worship is hard to come by. “Since there wasn’t very many of us, we went to the gurudwara in a friend’s basement. But that whole thing just kind of stopped,” Singh said.

With no gurudwara, Singh makes sure she says Waheguru at least three times a day. “Being Sikh to me is peaceful, our religion is very peaceful,” Singh said.

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has not tried to convert her back to Hinduism.

She has conversations with her grandmother about the Hindu religion but her extended relatives does not discuss religion and so they do not pressure her about her choice.

Chakrabarti’s family is not the only people who are accepting of her choice.

“People here [at MHS] are really supportive of a lot of people’s religion and they don’t say anything to me about it,” she said.

Chakrabarti also has a group of atheist friends who talk about their beliefs and support each other.

“It’s not like I went out looking for other atheists but it’s just nice to have other people to talk with about it,” she said.

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the MENTOR

April 30, 2013

Naomi McClendon entertainment editor

Maddy Sparks staff writer

Julith Perry staff writer

Thrift shops are more than racks of worn out, stained, raggedy, previously-owned clothes -- they’re the perfect place to find gently-used clothes that are fashionable but inexpensive.

Granted, not everything you find in a thrift shop will be fashionable and

Spring Sweetheart

great, but there are hidden treasures in almost all of them. The key to thrift shopping is not to be discouraged by the fact that the clothes have been previously owned or that may have imperfections. Plus, thrift shops are good for the environment (reduce, reuse, recycle!) and good for your wallet.

Tribal Trendy

TOP: $2, Goodwill

TOP: $3, DIY, The Salvation Army

SHORTS: $5, DIY, The Salvation Army

SHORTS: $3, DIY, Grand Ol’ Trunk

TOTAL: $7

TOTAL: $6

Do It Yourself:

DIY: Beaded tanktop (Tribal Trendy) Materials: Shirt, Scissors, Beads

1

2

Cut off the sleeves, collar, and bottom of a T-shirt to create a tanktop shape.

3

Cut slits on the bottom of the shirt.

They should be about a half-inch wide and as long as desired.

Materials: Jean shorts, bleach, vinegar, tub, scissors, pins/rack

1 Hang a pair of shorts in a tub of bleach. Make sure you fill the bleach about an inch lower than where you want the bleach line, as it will bleed.

3

4

Pull on each strand to elongate and thin them. Twist the end of each strand and string beads onto them. Tie each strand with a knot.

DIY: bleach-dip shorts (Tribal Trendy)

Wash the shirt to reinforce the knots and to create a frayed look. Rock your new tank!

Rinse the shorts first with water, and then soak them in vinegar for five minutes. Vinegar stops the bleaching process. Hang them out to dry.

2 Let the shorts soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour, checking every 10 minutes.

Don’t leave them soaking too long or they’ll start to get holes.

4 Cut the shorts to whatever length and style you desire. Put on the shorts and prepare to be complimented.

the MENTOR

Do-it-yourself projects have taken over the boards of most Pinterest users, which is no surprise as DIY is the hot new trend of transforming your old worn out clothes into fashionable new clothes. With DIY almost anything can be turned into something new -- a jacket into a vest, pants turned

Girly Grunge

April 30, 2013

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into shorts, old T-shirt turned into a tanktop. With do-it-yourself projects, you can rock mom-jeans as hot new high-waist shorts and boring old shirts as trendy new tops.

When your clothes get worn out or you want something new, don’t throw them out or go to the mall. Turn your old clothes into something fun and new!

Cozy Chic

DRESS: $7, Rockstar and Rogers

SWEATER: $4, Goodwill

VEST: $8, DIY, Rockstar and Rogers

SHORTS: $6, Grand Ol’ Trunk

TOTAL: $15

TOTAL: $10

Taylor Good, model

get the Look , skip the price DIY: Studded Vest (Girly Grunge)

Materials: jean jacket, scissors, studs ($5, Pacsun)

1

2

Get a jean jacket.

Cut the sleeves off. Use scissors to fray the end open sleeves.

3

4

Apply studs all over the vest, wherever you want.

You can even make cool designs, like crosses.

y r u b a c k p a c k? i n o s ’ t a h W 8

the MENTOR

April 30, 2013

Senior Da’Merius Ford loads his backpack with stolen books and old performance brochures. After finding a couple of books he enjoyed, he couldn’t return them to his teacher and now carries them with him everywhere he goes. Ford also holds on to old programs and tickets from various plays and musicals “just because I like them,” he said.

Sheet music from choir and a sack lunch also accompany this aspiring actor.

Sophomore Jillian Kiracofe has collected numerous bottles of lotion throughout the year -- in fact, one for each day of the week! A “she-kit” carries everything she needs from nail clippers to a needle and thread in case she needs to stitch up ripped clothing in between classes. More recently she has added a string bag from her choir Disney trip to her collection, and occasionally she carries around snacks for her mid-day munchies.

Horoscopes Dheepthi Perumal Multimedia Editor

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) Check the weather every morning. Kansas is bipolar.

Number: 150 Gemini (May 21 - June 20) Something good is going to happen to you this month.

What?

Who knows, and I couldn’t care less.

Number: 8 Cancer (June 21 - July 23) Chill out. Life is going great for you.... Just kidding I don’t know you

so I can’t say anything.

But seriously though chill out.

Number: 3 Leo (July 24 - Aug. 22) Eww, red is not a good color on you.

Number: 32 Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) You generally have a problem with your eyes.

They tend to stare and judge too much.

Number: 69 Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) This is not your month. Go find a map of the school and plot where all the PDA sessions occur. If not

Senior Alejandro Ochoa’s backpack was invaded by his younger nieces and nephews. A Polly Pocket dress, lip gloss and candy were found in the depths of his pockets, along with his older sister’s library card. Ochoa carries around his tie from Sub Deb because “that was a fun night.” He used to carry all of his tools from welding, but the chisel left a hole in the bottom of his bag so he has resorted to only carrying his safety glasses.

A few other miscellaneous items including a broken watch, Columbian money and coupons are smushed among his school books and binders.

Junior Aidan Gaines refuses to clean out his bag. His 5-year-old bag is filled with papers collected from the seventh grade. It gets heavy, but Gaines doesn’t have the time to clean it out. “Maybe I’ll clean it out when I go to college,” he said. A padlock from freshman P.E. and couple of library books also weigh down Gaines’ bag.

you will accidently walk through one, and by the time you get out you will have an STD. Number: 61 Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) Go find something new.

For all I care it can be a toothbrush.

Number: 13 Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) Go do something crazy....

Like read a book for once, so you could figure the difference out between two, too and to. Thank you.

Number: 22

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) Be happy.

Number: 10 Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) Become a lifeguard this summer. You get to spend all your summer in a pool of pee. Yipee!

Number: 20 Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) Go have a piece of cake. Who cares about that diet? Cake always beats abs.

Number: 3

Aries (March 21 - April 19) Swerve.

Number: 56 1. average number of lashes on a human eye 2. average number of spiders a human eats in a lifespan 3. number of eyelids a camel has 4. number of muscles a cat has in its ear 5. most children ever born to one mother 6. number of moons Jupiter has 7. average amount of times a person laughs a day 8. number of Hitlers in the world

Math teacher Ray Kujawa protested his backpack at first. Head of the math department Ted Dawdy purchased backpacks for all of the teachers in his department, but Kujawa politely rejected the gift because he preferred his one shoulder bag. But hauling his computer and all of its accessories every day soon grew annoying and weighed down his arm. Eventually, Kujawa gave in and accepted Dawdy’s two-shouldered gift.

9. days in the lifespan of a taste bud 10. number of minutes a giraffe sleeps a day 11. average times a person hits the snooze button in the morning 12. record number of years a man had the hiccups

the MENTOR

April 30, 2013

For those with a PickY Palate Best Summer Treats!

Orange Leaf - 23 Sonic - 19 Dairy Queen - 14 Tads - 13 Purple Swirl - 11

Summer COLD HOT Chipotle - 40 Subway - 20 Jimmy Johns - 9 Taco Bell - 7 Little Caesars - 4

Graphic by Dheepthi Perumal

MHS is blushing Sophomore Courtney Grice “Today, April 23, was officer elections, and I am a representative. But I didn’t know that I had to prepare a speech, and of course, I was the first rep to go, and so I pretty much had to wing my speech.

I didn’t know anything, and I thought I didn’t even have to give a speech. Then, all of the sudden I was, like, the last one on stage with no speech, and it was pretty embarrassing for myself because I wasn’t prepared, so I really just had to wing it, and everyone knew it because I told them.

Weather Forecast Eli Redeker Meteorologist Today: The snow has stopped. We are finally free.

Wednesday: Credence Clearwater Revival singer John Fogerty sees rain, questions if others ever saw the rain.

BEST Lunch Spots!

The Mentor conducted an anonymous survey of 80 random students and collected the following results.

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Thursday: A reminder -- the weather was always worse in your grandparents’ time.

Friday: Cloudy with a chance of meatballs.

Saturday: Little darling it’s been a long cold lovely winter.

Sunday: Here comes the sun do-do-do-do.

Monday: A high pressure system causes a massive outbreak of ear popping.

Embarrassing stories told

by Manhattan High students

Sophomore Brian Coughlin and junior Ethan Schmidt “Well, Ethan and me were in the mall, and we stumbled upon some Spanx in JC Penney and we cross-dressed, and these two blazing hot girls walked by. Yeah, it was pretty awkward.”

Junior Savannah Cabanting “I was two, and I was at my friend’s birthday and she had gotten a bird for her birthday and I kind of pulled it out of its cage and ripped it open and kind of tore its organs out.

And then she walked in and screamed, and I was never allowed back at the house.”

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April 30, 2013

the MENTOR

PROM 2013 Kayla Dieker, copy editor The Manhattan Town Center Mall saw hundreds of Manhattan High School students for the 2013 Prom. The theme, “Dancin’ in the Dark,” meant lots of dancing music and flashing lights. After spending all day getting ready, attendees were announced at Promenade as they entered the dance in front of a crowd. The rest of the night was spent dancing and having fun.

“I discovered what love at first sight is all about once I found the chocolate fountain,” senior Mohana Chakrabarti said.

The night was one to remember for many.

“It was fun. I liked it the whole time I was there,” senior Diana Palomino said.

“I think it got better towards the end but I definitely had a lot of fun,” senior Maddie Volk said.

Then and Now...

1969

For English teacher Jane Kenyon, prom marked the end of the school year. Only a couple of days before graduation, prom was one of the last times she could see her senior class of 800 students.

“Our prom was at the very end,” she said.

“We didn’t go back to school after prom.”

The dance included a formal dinner and live entertainment from “The Great Danes.”

“Our music at that point was not really great dance music,” Kenyon said. “We more listened to the music than danced.”

One of the biggest differences between prom then and now is the amount of money spent.

“I know people spent a whole lot less money on it. A lot of girls made their dresses,” Kenyon said. “That was very common.”

1986

How prom has changed over the years 2000

With a senior class of only 25, assistant principal Dave Holloway’s prom was not a large event. Held at the Lincoln Grade School in Lincoln Kan., the dance included a meal, an 80s cover band and lots of dancing.

“We had a meal, so the juniors and seniors were invited to the meal.”

For Holloway, the best part of prom wasn’t the dance.

“We were out playing dunk ball with the band before prom,” he said. “At the grade school there was good dunk goals with lower rims.”

There was little importance connected to the dance for Holloway.

“The prom wasn’t a big deal to me,” he said.

Despite being 13 years ago, prom for World History and AP U.S. Government teacher Kane Davis wasn’t much different from prom now. The dance took place in Manhattan Town Center with a DJ for entertainment and silver and blue decorations.

“We had the vote for what song we were going to do and my write-in vote was ‘Sexual Healing’ by Marvin Gaye,” Davis said.

Davis wore an interesting ensemble.

“My tux was disgusting green and I had really long beautiful hair at that time that I tried to dye white-blonde but it ended up white-red,” Davis said.

After the dance Davis and his friends went camping at Tuttle Creek.

the MENTOR

April 30, 2013

Baker beats the odds Left: Prom Queen Kristyn Baker dances with her king, senior Joe Coonrod. They were voted King and Queen by the senior class.

Above: Princess Alaina Schroeder, Coonrod and other Queen candidates Tyler Hoyt and Anne Roberson cheer for Baker after she is announced Queen.

Maddie Ross, Photographer Maddie Ross Trending Co-Editor Music blared and a multiude of neon colors lit up the Manhattan Town Center Mall.

Students fist pumped and slow danced, relishing Manhattan High School’s 2013 Prom.

As the end of the dance neared, Student Council took to the stage as hundreds stood in anticipation of the announcement of the Prom King and Queen. This year’s court of royalty was dif-

ferent from past years’ because of the one who would eventually be named Queen -Kristyn Baker.

Like many seniors Baker enjoys school, participating in sports, throwing snowballs and hanging out with friends. She anticipates the same events like pep rallies and Interpersonal Skills’ bake sales and, like a select group of six other ladies, was nominated for prom queen.

Unlike the other candidates, Baker has

Prom Royalty

Down syndrome. When the announcment of her candidacy was made over the school intercom a couple of weeks ago, many were happy and hopeful for what this could potentially lead to.

“I started crying.

I started texting her mom immediately, and started texting my friends, too, because all my friends know Kristyn. At first it was like ‘ahh I am so excited.’ Then I just had this image of her on the stage and not even being prom queen but just being able to stand up there with

those five other ladies and just to see her up there so happy,” para Jamie Schnee said.

“The second image of was them calling her name and placing the crown on her head.”

“I was pleasently suprised,” Baker’s mom Shelly Gurik said. “My heart was just warm because of all the students who know Kristyn and care about her, and it’s her senior year so it was such a sweet moment. She is so excited and happy about it -- I think mostly because of the dress. I couldn’t believe it.”

Not only are close

family and friends rallying around the potential queen, but the nomination has sparked excitement among many in the student body as well.

“We had a few mentors that when the ballots got handed out ran down the halls yelling ‘vote for Kristyn’ in the classrooms,” Schnee said.

“There are people I have noticed more after it was announced, that will come up to her in the hallway and say ‘Hi Kristyn’,” Schnee said. “She has so many friends. I think a lot of people are reallly excited. She likes being reconized.”

Being reconized for something positive has been a way of encouragement for Baker throughout her life. By focusing on the positive, her disability is merely just a fact, not an identity.

“For Kristyn it has always been this way for her entire life that people have never

Queen: Kristyn Baker, Samantha Hillstock, Tyler Hoyt, Anne Roberson, Elayna Spilker, Meagan Williams King: Joe Coonrod, Patrick Day, Da’Merius Ford, Davis Matthews, Andrew Schulz, Evan Williams Princess: Zoey Botkin, Bree Green, Hannah Livsey, Caroline Sager, Alaina Schroeder Prince: Winston Dimel, Ethan Fabrizius, Chris Klug, Lakith Ranaweera, Troy Ward

11

focused on the things she can’t do. I think she has always been supported in the things that she can do. She grows from focusing on her abilities rather than dwelling in her disabilities,” Gurik said.

“I just want people to know that she is going through the same emotions, she is going through the same stuff as everybody else is as a senior,” Schnee said.

“It is easy to assume things but the first time I met her, I was just like oh my gosh she is so smart. She may not be able to communicate perfectly, but she is a very smart girl.”

Regardless of the outcome, those closest to Baker believed the experience alone will be memorable for both Baker and her peers.

“If she doesn’t win she will be happy to be up there with her friends and see all the people out in the crowd,” Schnee said Wednesday.

“I think it will be a life changing moment for her. It would really mean so much to her.

She is going to feel like a princess no matter what, especially because of the dress,” Gurik said Thursday. “I think that will be her moment in the spotlight. It’s going to be one of those moments I don’t think she will ever forget.”

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the MENTOR

April 30, 2013

Chiefs’offseason a success Tre Fuentes Staff Writer The majority of the football offseason is over, and with the conclusion of the draft, it is time to give the Kansas City Chiefs their annual offseason grades for the year.

New management:

After last year’s embarrassing 2-14 record, owner Clark Hunt vowed to turn around

A+ the tables by completely rearranging the face of the franchise.

For starters, both the coach and general manager were fired.

In their place is former Philadelphia Eagle’s head coach Andy Reid, who will coach the Chiefs this year.

John Dorsey, who previously was a scouting agent for the Packers, is the General Manager. The two have also been close friends, and now they are reunited in red and gold, looking to resurrect a Chiefs franchise that has seen better days.

Re-Signing of Dwayne Bowe:

This was a problem the Chiefs have been dealing with since last offseason.

Dwayne Bowe is an elite Pro-Bowl reciever and easily one of the best players on the Chiefs

A-

team. He wanted to be paid like one of the top five wide recievers in the NFL, and the Chiefs wouldn’t bite.

However, the new regime led by Reid and Dorsey wasted no time resiging him to an elite contract, worth over $50 million. I like it. The previous regime that allowed the Chiefs to lose so many games last season was content with stalling it out, saying they would eventually pay Bowe after the end of the season, but never did.

Reid and Dorsey came out aggressive and with a plan. By signing Bowe, they showed that. I like the move.

Alex Smith trade:

I like Alex Smith. I really do. But there is a reason the 49ers chose to trade him. They thought Collin Kaepernick was better. Which he is. That is why they almost won the S u p e r B o w l .

T h e r e are two p r o b lems I have with the Alex Smith trade. First is that they gave up too much in return. Giving up the first pick in the second round for a guy who, three years ago, was considered a major disappointment isn’t exactly ‘ideal.’

Second, this reminds me of another quarterback the Chiefs gave up a second round pick for by the name of Matt Cassel.

Any football fan knows how that ended up.

Still, I like the aggressiveness. That isn’t a trait the Chiefs are typically associated with, but most successfull franchises have that

B

quality. Plus, the Chiefs really did need a quarterback.

Controversey of Two Tackles:

If there is anything the blockbuster film “The Blindside” has taught me, it is that quality offensive linemen can make a huge difference in the success of a football team. The Chiefs, dispite having an awful record last year, had two decent tackles in Eric Winston and Bradon Albert.

This off-season, the Chiefs decided to release Winston. Why, I don’t know. And they are trying to Trade Albert. I understand the fact that both of them are demanding more money than they’re worth, but keeping at least one of them should have been worth considering.

However, they did fix that through the draft -- more about that in a moment. Not ecstatic with the tackles situation, but it could have been worse.

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First Round of NFL Draft: This year’s draft proved to be historic.

I know they say that every year, but this is the first time in history three offensive tackles go in the first four picks. Typically it is an all quarterback show.

In fact, this is only the third time in the last 15 years someone other than a quarterback went first overall. This year, it was Left Tackle Eric Fisher from Central Michigan. But that was just a beginning. The Raiders ruined their

draft in typical fashion, giving the Dolphins their third overall pick for nothing more than an early second round selection.

Speaking of the Dolphins, where did all of this come from? They went from being one of the premier ‘shy’ teams in the NFL like the Chiefs to wanting everything that looks them in the eye. Maybe there is such a thing as too agressive.

And the Bills? Geno Smith was supposed to be the first quarterback taken, not E.J. Manuel. Smith didn’t even make it into the first round, which makes me feel for the guy who, at one

B+ point, was considered a favorite to go to the Chiefs at number one.

I also feel for Manti Te’o, who missed the first round as well.

One thing I did take away though was that if the Chiefs are ready to start winning, they now have all the pieces. They got quarterback Alex Smith, the wide reciever in Dwayne Bowe, running back Jamaal Charles, and now a face to their offensive line with Eric Fisher. Reid and Dorsey have been impressive.

Verdict: Hats off to owner Clark Hunt to hire Andy Reid and John Dorsey, they have proven to be aggressive and smart at the same time. This year it is clear things are going to be different. I say they make the playoffs.

Trainer supports athletes John Rockey Staff Writer Athletes may face injury on or off the practice field. At Manhattan High, they can see the school’s new athletic trainer, Heather Patterson, for advice and ice.

Patterson is a graduate of Washburn University with a Bachelor’s in Athletic Training. Sports have always played a big role in her life. She participated in basketball and cross country in high school at Garden City and then two years for each while at Washburn University.

Sports injuries also impacted Patterson.

“I had injuires in high school, so I spent a lot of time with my athletic trainer in high school and thought that I would enjoy that line of work,” Patterson said.

Following her graduation from Washburn, Patterson worked out

of the Garden City clinic with five smaller high schools in western Kansas before she applied at MHS. With the school year almost over and spring sports in full swing, Patterson has been able to treat students’ injuries and advise them if they should see a physician.

“Her ability and work ethic has been embraced by the athletic office, including the coaching staff and the athletes,” athletic director Mike Marsh said.

“She’s been a wonderful addition and I consider her a part of the coaching staff.”

Patterson and Marsh will both work on what games she will attend during the week depending on the likelyhood of injury. Meanwhile, Patterson will rotate between several different programs and tend to whoever should need her help.

Box scores Boys’ Baseball

Varsity Scores

16 April-Junction City

Boys’ Golf

Wins 12-0, 12-1

22 April- Topeka West

Boys’ Tennis

Cancelled

19 April- Salina South 20 April- Junction City

Varsity Track

2nd overall

19-20 April-Emporia

Girls’ Soccer

Boys-1st, Girls-3rd

16 April-Blue Valley West 19 April-Wichita East

Girls’ Softball

Lost 1-2 Won 1-0

16 April-Junction City

Girls’ Swimming and Diving April-Emporia, Hays, Hutchinson, TMP 24 April-Trinity Academy, Salina Central, Salina South, Junction City, Garden City

Draw 1-1

15

1st place overall 1st overall

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Nick Bandy Sports Editor

April 30, 2013

13

Injured athletes help teams from sidelines

It was a spring break just like any other when junior Jonah Webber flew down the slopes of Breckenridge Colorado on his snowboard.

But in a second everything changed. He

Jonah Webber Torn MCL Out 8-12 weeks

down, and he immediately began physical therapy to speed the healing. He also goes to the baseball games and practices to support his team and give advice to the players who now have his shortstop position.

One bright spot was the coaches’ forgiving attitude towards his injury. “I knew they were upset but they didn’t get completely down on me,” Webber said.

The baseball team was not the only MHS sport to lose an important athlete. Early on in the season the soccer team saw their starting goalie, senior Kristen Thompson, go down with an elbow injury. She dove for a ball and as she hit the ground she landed on her elbow, causing an injury that ended her season and will prevent her from playing until December.

She has spent her time going to the soccer games and practices, and supporting the new

crashed into another snowboarder and then tumbled into a hard collision with a pole.

“I knew something was wrong as soon as I wrecked. I tried to walk to convince myself nothing was wrong,” Webber said.

But something was wrong. He was taken to the ski clinic, and then he returned to Manhattan where he was diagnosed with a torn MCL. Webber was playing shortstop for the Manhattan High baseball team, but his season was ended early. He is unable to do sports for 8-12 weeks. But he refused to let himself be brought

Kayla Faust Injured foot Out 2-4 weeks

goalie sophomore Molly Fiser.

“I think she’s (Fiser) stepped up and done a really great job,” Thompson said.

Thompson is also doing physical therapy and weightlifting to speed up her recovery and lower the time until she can return to sports.

Kristen Thompson Injured elbow Out 9-10 months

“My physical therapist has helped me a lot to get my strength back,” Thompson said.

The soccer team was hit with another loss as senior Kayla Faust was also injured during a game last week. She went to save a ball from going out of bounds just like she had done hundreds of times, but this time was different as she landed awkwardly on her foot.

“My leg gave out on me,” Faust said. “I limped off the field and laid on the sidelines.”

She got on MRI for her foot and is currently on crutches, but is still helping her team.

“I just try to be there to help people out if they have questions and I try to always stay positive for the team,” Faust said.

Indians compete next to olympians at ku relays Tre Fuentes Staff Writer Most exceptional athletes have plenty of oppourtunities to showcase their talents in front of a large crowd, but few get to do so in front of an Olympic medalist. Last Friday, six top competitors from Manhattan High went to the KU Relays, a meet that featured some of the top talent of more than five different states.

“It was a very unique experience,” junior Chris Melgares said.

“I’m used to winning all of my races, and being challenged by some of the best athletes in the surrounding areas was fun and exciting.”

The meet featured events for high school, college and even professional athletes.

Among those competing were Leonel Manzano and Nick Symmonds. Manzano placed silver in the 1500 m race at the 2012 London Olympics and was the first American to medal in that event since 1968. Symmonds,

another competitor at the relay, placed 5th in the 800 m final at the London Olympics.

Melgares, who has gotten first in the 1600 m race at every event this season, placed 22nd out of 40 competitors at the KU relays. He got a personal best at the event with a time of 4:26.

“It was pretty surreal to be warming up and stretching and seeing all-stars like Leonel Manzano less than 50 feet from you,” Melgares said.

Junior Alaina

Schroeder competed in the 1600 and 3200 m.

Like Melgares, Schroeder had placed first in every event she has been in so far.

She placed second to last in the 1600m race at KU, but distance coach Susan Melgares said she could have placed better.

Schroeder has VCD, or Vocal Cord Dysfunction, a condition that causes a severe shortness in breath.

“In the last lap in of the 1600 m race, she was easily in the top three of the 40 run-

ners,” Susan Melgares said. “She has so much talent, and she was looking at placing a personal best.”

Despite the condition, Schroeder still managed to be competitve and, most importantly, enjoy the moment.

“Everything about the meet was amazing,” Schroeder said.

“I really enjoyed the competitiveness, knowing that everyone else has the same desire as you do to win, it just heightens that.”

The Indians’ other

entry in the KU Relays ended up the top Kansas team in their competition. The 4 X mile relay team consisted of James Leblow, Josue Alvarado, Chris Melgares and Michael Melgares. They placed fifth overall.

“Overall the meet was a success,” coach Melgares said. “Seeing the athletes from around the Midwest as well as the Olympic runners really motivated them and I think it will continue to do so for the rest of the season.”

the MENTOR

“ Th rift

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The following songs are the top 5 on the billboard right now, which is your favorite?

“Just Give Me a Reason” by P!nk-9 “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore-17 “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars-8 “Stay” by Rihanna-10 “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore-9 I hate all of these-27

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Students completed surveys during both lunches and some classes to find out about their tastes in music. A total of 80 students responded to this non-scientific survey.

The inner circle of results were collected from the question, “What is your favorite genre of music?”. The second question was, “The following songs are the top 5 on the Billboard right now; which is your favorite?” The results are as follows:

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April 30, 2013

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14

Graphic by Kaitlin Wichmann

Steve Earl Does It Again Eli Redeker Guest Comunist

Steve Earle has done it again. Country music's most vocal rebel has released a new album “The Low Highway,” and it is a step up from his last album (the merely adequate “I'll Never Get Out of this World Alive”).

Since literally bursting off the Texas backroads in 1986, Earle has had one constant in his life: his music has been critically acclaimed. His troubles are numerous

and well-documented.

Earle has beaten addict i o n .

Earle

has been married a whopping seven times. His eldest (and estranged) son, Justin

Townes Earle, has started a brilliant recording career. All through these troubles, Earle has made records.

Since 1995 (his first year of sobriety) he has had 10 albums nominated for Grammy awards, winning three.

Earle has always been a voice of the people. His songs are unlike today's country music. His first albums were modern rockabilly, with driving guitars and lyrics about leaving the small town for a chance in the big city.

Earle's music matured reaching a creative peak in the late 1980s with hits like “Copperhead Road,” which re-

mains his most famous that is the hard rock composition. We are story of a meth cooker in yet and the another tale of p e a disriod of “... man Rolling Stone gruntled greats m a l l ness for b u s i E a r l e . called ‘the poet laureate of n e s s This alm a n bum is country-rock" is back kicking w h o proof. wants “The to set L o w ass and taking names.” the loHighcal Walw a y ” Mart on starts fire. Defiof with nitely a the title track, a song strong opening. Closof morning that's pure ing the album is “21'st Woody Guthrie. Earle Century Blues” lamentcan sing this song bet- ing "hard times in the ter than anyone. Im- new millennium, when mediately following you get by on just

the bare minimum."

Despite Earle's trademark political heavyhandedness, this is an album that is less dividing than Springsteen's latest, and it features just plain better music.

This album is a return to form for Earle, whose music is generally a hard hitting, genre spanning, musical explosion. Recently, Earle has ventured into more folk-based territory, with lukewarm results. With “The Low Highway,” the man Rolling Stone called "the poet laureate of country-rock" is back kicking ass and taking names.

the MENTOR

April 30, 2013

All Around the world Students leave Kansas for college

Nastajja Rivera Staff writer The decision about where to attend college next year is an important one for this year’s graduating seniors. It marks the first time most kids are on their own, dealing with paing for good, housing, insurance, gas and more. It’s challenging even

thing different. She didn’t have a personal reason that led her to choose University of Minnesota.

“Honestly my mom told me to apply and when I got accepted I went to visit the school and just fell in love with it,” Mortenson said.

Mortenson is debating if she wants to major in studying dance with a double major.

“I’m not a 100 percent sure just yet. I’m still thinking with what I want to do,” Mortenson said.

Some students choose their major first and let that guide them to the right school. That was the case for senior Graphic by Kaitlin Wichmann Ellen Feng who will attend the University of Purdue in Indiana. for those who choose to live close Feng is planning on studying to home, but some seniors have decided to go out of state for college, Biological Engineering. She chose Purdue beause it’s one of the best leaving their families far behind.

Senior Sarah Mortenson is at- places to go to for this major. “The tending the University of Minnesota major is the best to study at Purdue because it’s the best program in in the fall of 2013.

Mortenson has lived in Manhat- the U.S,” Feng said.

Going to such a large school will tan her whole life and loves it but wants a change and to see some- be a change for Feng. “It looks re-

15

ally fancy and big,” she said.

Senior Lexi Able is going to attend Oklahoma State and plans to major in sports management. “I really liked the campus, the feel of it, and they have a really good business management program there,” Able said.

Scholarships and activities can also have an impact on where a student chooses to attend college.

Senior Kylie Smith is going to attend the University of Arkansas. Smith is going to school and playing softball for their college team. Smith plans to major in Biology. “I want to go into the medical field to do pharmacy or anything that has to do with medicine,” Smith said.

Once they get to their out-ofstate school, students have to figure out living arrangements. Many of them choose to live in a dorm so they’re part of the campus. Mortenson and Able have both decided on this arrangement.

“I’m really excited because two of my friends are going to school close by,” Mortenson said.

Feng hasn’t decided exactly where is she is going to live but is excited to go. “I’m going to apply to Purdue Future Seniors,” Feng said.

Even though Smith is going to college she is going to miss home.

“It’s not that far from here and it’s close to home,” Smith said.

Photos by Joran Morris Seniors Taylor Warner and Holly Morris cook meatballs as part of there job through the city and Special Populations. They took part in cooking lessons with several special needs kids.

“Special Populations is all about interacting with people with special needs,” Warner said. “We go bowling, do arts and crafts, and garden.”

Warner and Morris get paid for their time working with Special Populations, and learn many life lessons along the way.

“I love the people involved and there’s something different happening,” Warner said. “Not many people would choose this job but I love it.”

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the MENTOR

April 30, 2013

CARTOONING THE STORY John Riforgiate Staff Writer Novels aren’t the only way to get your fiction fix in Jared Waller’s junior English class.

Waller’s students read the Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel “Maus.”

“Maus” is a survivor’s story about his life during the holocaust. To clarify who is who, the characters are drawn using different animals depicting different races.

“I wanted to introduce students to a different type of literature,” Waller said.

“A lot of students are intimidated by novels.”

In addition to reading “Maus,” students were required to create a short cartoon of their own, utilizing illustrations, captions and organization.

This project still tests the ability to write, just in a different form. Waller said that he looks for great art, but there always needs to be a story to go along with it.

Without further ado, here are some of the many cartoons written and drawn

by Waller’s class.

Top: Light It Up Blue by Kassie Skinner Bottom left: Home Alone by Alexus Haus Bottom right: Lair of the Viper by Joe Haug