Vol 102 Issue 23 The Mentor

The mentor Vol. 102 Issue 23 | Manhattan High School | April 28, 2015

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Freshmen host dance Megan Klug Staff Writer Saturday night was an eventful evening for the students of MHS. Along with Prom, the ninth graders held a dance from 9 to 11 p.m. It was held in the East campus gymnasium and hundreds of students attended. The dance theme was “A Night in New York City” and was a semi-formal.

Prior to this year, the freshmen have commonly not had any dances. Aside from MORP, which ended years ago, the freshmen have been limited to the homecoming fun nights.

The night consisted of music, dancing, snacks and a raffle drawing.

The idea of a dance arose when a group of students petitioned so the freshmen would be given an opportunity to have a dance of their own.

“We wanted to have something that the freshmen could do since we can’t go to Prom,” freshman Kaitlyn French said.

“It was something fun and dif-

ferent.”

Those who attended the dance enjoyed it. However, there was some controversy with having the dance the same night as Prom.

“I think it was kind of unfair to the upperclassmen that we have our dance the same night as Prom,” freshman Eilish MacCharles said. “It’s supposed to be their special night and we distract from that.”

Since it was the first high school dance for most of the students, there were plenty of new things to experience.

“I thought it was a good experience,” freshman Mackenzie Pease said. “It was nice to just be able to hang out with all of my friends, to dance and have fun.”

Overall, the dance was a success. French, who helped arrange the dance, was pleasantly surprised with the turnout.

“I think it went better than anyone expected it to go,” she said “Everyone had a good time.”

‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ MHS spring play wows audience

Key Club holds elections Alan Brown Features Editor With May right around the corner, Key Club is putting a finishing touch on their eventful year of service.

“In first semester, we started off really strong. We took part in unique service projects. During second semester we continued with the typical projects,” club president Baili Rowe said. “I enjoyed it.”

The club will be continuing their usual projects, such as recycling, but also have other special activities planned, too.

In May, they plan to hold a club fundraiser at Freddy’s Frozen Custard to raise funds for next year’s club. Fifteen percent of all proceeds from the sales will be given to Key Club.

Perhaps the most significant event that took place this month was the officer elections. On April 8, club members gathered to hear speeches from several students interested in leadership positions. The candidates delivered casual, down-to-earth messages in hopes of swaying their peers.

“Most of the people there didn’t prepare a lot. It was low key,” junior Andrea Lu, who ran for vice president, said. “It was a little nerve wracking, but

nothing too bad.”

After the votes were tallied, if a nominee did not win the position of choice, they had the option of running for others positions. In the end, juniors Rachel Chang (president), Andrea Lu (vice President). Josh Schwartz (secretary), and Chloe Dorst (communications) were selected. According to Rowe, the new leadership is expected to be strong next year.

“Rachel and Andrea had been in officer’s positions before, and have been very active in the past,” Rowe said. “We haven’t discussed plans for the next year yet, but we will plan to have an officer’s meeting before the school year ends.”

As the year nears its end, the newly elected officers are enthusiastic about further benefiting the club. Lu, for instance, cites her fervor for the club as the reason for taking the next step up the leadership ladder.

“I really like being involved in Key Club. I definitely enjoy it. It’s a great way to get volunteer service hours,” Lu said. “’I’m really passionate about doing community service and I thought that it was really important [to run for an officer’s position].”

Senior Willie Michaels and sophomore Hannah Phillips share a stage kiss as Demetrius and Helena during a dress rehearsal of Manhattan High’s production of William Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream.” See page five for the full story.

PHOTO BY DANIELLE COOK

FCCLA attends State conference in Wichita Angie Moss Business Manager Manhattan High’s Family Career and Community Leaders of America traveled to Wichita for three days for the 69th annual State conference this month.

For most of the MHS attendees, going to the State conference was a new experience.

“I wanted to see what FCCLA State would be like and I like being involved in FCCLA because I like the environment and the attitude of the people around me,” sophomore Brooke Lawrence said.

There were several events at the conference including banquets for retiring and incoming officers, Students Taking Action with Recognition Event competitions, track sessions and a gala. Although no one from Manhattan competed in

any STAR Events, the students enjoyed helping things go smoothly as well as attending the other events throughout the conference.

“For the track session I did the Destructive Driving and I made a good choice because it was great to hear about Jacob Smith’s accident that left him with brain, back and ankle injuries from a bad decision the driver made,” freshman Ericka Miranda said.

FCCLA members from all over Kansas came together Monday night during the opening session and then attended the gala at the end of the night. The gala was DJ’d by a former FCCLA member who started his business through a STAR event in the Entrepreneurship category as a high school student. Another event that was taking place at the gala was a hypnotist. FCCLA

members volunteered to be hypnotised in front of a crowd of people.

“It was very interesting to see how people reacted to the hypnotist. I didn’t want to participate in it because I don’t believe in it,” freshman Selena Dewitt said.

Advisers also attended meetings during the conference to learn how to run the various STAR events as a room consultant as well as a recognition meeting with the Peer Education team.

“My favorite part is always working with STAR events and being able to see what the kids throughout the state are able to accomplish,” adviser Heide Rippert said. “As an adviser I also enjoyed meeting with other family and consumer science teachers and FCCLA advisers and being able to share other ideas and build the

friendships we have.”

For senior Kristen Fraley, this was her final conference as a high school student. Fraley has been a member for four years and has been impacted

by FCCLA in many ways. FCCLA has inspired her to major in leadership studies in college.

“With Peer education, which is my state position, we had a banquet that celebrated our year so it was good to celebrate all of the accomplishments we’ve had in the past year and enjoy being together,” Fraley said. “I think it was good experience to have closure because since it is my last conference ever it was nice to have that closure of seeing everybody one last time and getting to experience it for a fourth year.”

Frey receives presidential community service award, gives speech Danielle Cook Entertainment Editor

Senior Frey speaks in front of K-State Leadership professors.

COURTESY PHOTO

Global News Madeline Marshall News Editor Global news is a vital part of news today and can directly affect MHS students.

In order to inform our readers, The Mentor has compiled small summaries describing some of the largest happenings in the world today. We encourage the reader to read about these topics, and others, in greater depth.

Nepal struck by huge quake This past Saturday a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal. The death toll from Nepal’s earthquake has jumped to 3,218. Additionally, 6,538 people have been injured in the earthquake -- the worst in the country in 81 years -- and many more are now homeless.

These numbers are still rising as the country is still searching for bodies and experiencing aftershocks. International aid agencies and governments mobilized on Sunday to respond to the quake and have

For most, senior year (and for some, even earlier years of high school) likely entails hours of scholarship hunting, filling out of scholarship applications and waiting to hear back from scholarships committees in anticipation, the possibility of rejection looming always nearby.

For senior Alyssa Frey, receiving a letter explaining that she was not chosen as a recipient of the Prudential Spirit of Community Award wasn’t a downfall. Instead word of her outstanding community service record was passed on to a national level.

As a result, instead of being chosen as a recipient of the scholarship she applied for, Frey received the President’s Volunteer Service Award,

faced challenges in getting assistance to the country and distributing it amongst the extensive destruction.

Baltimore reacts to Gray’s death In reaction to the killing of black 25-year-old Freddie Gray during an encounter with the police, the city of Baltimore has been taken over by wakes, protests and riots.

About 2,000 people marched on Saturday afternoon through downtown Baltimore and the police arrested 34 people who

which included special acknowledgement of her outstanding work by President Barack Obama himself, in the form of a congratulatory letter.

Frey, who plans to major in Theatre while minoring in Leadership Studies at Kansas State University, beginning in the fall, believes that establishing relationships with her future professors is will help her be more successful in a college setting.

“In the end, it was better that I got the award I did get because I may not have gotten that $1,000 scholarship, but when I received the award, I had to give a little speech in front of the Leadership Studies professors at K-State, and since I’m minoring in that next year, I feel like I’ll end up having a better chance of having good relationships and potentially getting better scholarships

next year through them,” Frey said. “Before I’m even a freshman at K-State, they’ll know who I am, and they know I work hard.”

With the help of her mother, Frey began searching for applicable scholarship opportunities and writing essays for scholarship applications her junior year and has applied for an estimate of just over 60 scholarships and grants since.

She explained that while seeking out and applying for scholarships may be time-consuming, simply applying for some, even if they seem unattainable, is worth it.

“It’s free money. If you can go to school and not be in debt when you’re out of it and not have that weight on your shoulders, then applying can really only help you,” Frey said. “If you don’t have to worry so much about paying for

school, you can focus on actually learning. You have nothing to lose in applying, and you might get ones you didn’t think you would.”

Frey has received three scholarships and two grants thus far, and plans to take advantage of any applicable scholarship opportunities and to continue her community service work with an extra boost in confidence that her work truly does make a difference.

“Getting recognized for all the work I’ve done -- it’s a really good feeling. President Obama recognizes that the work I do is good, and that encourages me to continue doing it,” Frey said. “I mean, I don’t need a letter from the president to keep doing volunteer service because I love it anyway, but this is definitely a step in a good direction.”

ignored orders to disperse.

In a statement, police said a “small contingent of [the] protesters caused violent disruptions downtown and in West Baltimore last night and early this morning,” but otherwise the demonstrations had been “mostly peaceful.” Mourners gathered in a wake to remember Gray, who died April 19.

He led officers on a foot chase and reportedly sustained a fatal spinal cord injury at the time of his arrest or while he was being transported without a seatbelt in a police van.

Anthony Batts, the city’s police commissioner, acknowledged

on Friday that Gray did not receive timely medical attention for his spinal injury.

tinct questions: first, whether the Constitution allows states to deny gay couples the right to marry; and second, whether the Constitution requires states to recognize valid same-sex marriages performed in other states.

The plaintiffs are committed same-sex couples who either wish to marry in their states and have been prevented from doing so or who have gotten married in other states and wish to have their marriages recognized in the states they live in.

Supreme Court to address gay marriage This coming week, the Supreme Court will hear arguments on issue of same-sex marriage. Currently 36 states and Washington D.C. allow same-sex couples to marry.

Cases from four states -- Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee -- have been consolidated into one marathon argument session on two dis-

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Opinions

The Mentor • April 28, 2015

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Medicating has become too casual; use with caution THIS EDITORIAL IS A COMPILATION FROM A DISCUSSION HELD BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD. TO LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION THAT LED TO THIS PIECE, VISIT WWW.MHSMENTOR.COM We live in a world and time when we’re fortunate enough to have medications to take that will, hopefully, alleviate any discomfort/issue we have with our body at a given time.

However, after a 21-yearold college student from the UK died as a result of diet pills bought online, The Mentor editorial board sat down to take a closer look at how casual and attainable pills and medications have become.

The diet pills consumed

by Eloise Aimee Parry contained a toxic chemical called dinitrophenol or DNT and even taking two pills at a time would contain a deadly dosage -- Parry took eight. Medications have warning and dosage labels for a reason, and while she was taking diet pills that go for any and all over the counter medications. Even acetaminophen is harmful when taken in too large of doses. We feel that as a whole our society needs to be more conscious of the chemicals they’re putting in their body and what the real effects could be.

Another thing to be cautious about is medication not yet approved by the FDA. There are standards and regulations for a reason and just because a pill is available to

Letter to the editor; custodians appreciate assitance

you online doesn’t mean it’s something that’s safe to take.

There are also times when it may not be necessary for you to take medication, even if you feel discomfort. Fevers, for example, aren’t dangerous until they reach a certain point.

Next time you’re about to take Tylenol for a headache or fever maybe try to hold off and see if it resolves itself, or take something a little easier on your liver -- like Ibuprofen. There are alternative and options and we should all be aware and informed on such things.

Do your research. Make yourself educated on the things you’re consuming.

Think about the consequences.

Follow doctor’s instructions.

Don’t make yourself a victim.

Question of the Week:

Dear Mentor, Thanks for the mention in your paper. We hope students actually read this. We appreciate any and all help that we can get. Especially during basketball season. we are all having to rush around areas just to spend hours -- and I mean hours -- cleaning up after others.

We are always in need of help. Be it a five-minute clean up to a pick up as you see it. Everyone that drops trash please pick it up, inside and outside too.

Thanks, All of your Janitorial Staff Custodians

Cartoon by Halsey Camera

Outsiders can affect personal body image

What’s the worst experience you’ve had in high school so far?

“Parking,” junior Krista Burton, @itskristaanne

“Pajama day -- Winter homecoming 2015,” junior Maya Minocha, @maya_papaya12

“The disappearance of ketchup and other necessary dipping sauces,” senior Madi Monaco, @ThatOne_Gingggg

“Waiting for summer break,” freshman Savannah Cherms, @schxrms

“Freshman year when Señora Blanco pulled me into the hall & told me I make her feel uncomfortable when I look at her,” junior Corbin Sedlacek, @csedlacek_97

I was in seventh grade when I noticed a different bus pulling in front of my house one breezy, late March morning.

As I sat in seat 12 next to my best friend, I started to talk with her about the movie we’d watched the night before.

I didn’t notice when he got on -- barely heard the excited, ornery voices coming from the seat four rows behind me.

I didn’t know about the filthy, fecal streaked boxers laying at the back of the isle.

I didn’t know that his friends picked them up and started throwing them around the bus like it was a game. I blocked it all out, hoping for him to just leave me alone, just this one day.

I didn’t know he was sitting in the seat behind me.

And then it happened.

I felt a tap on my left shoulder and turned. A small “wha”

mortified by what stared back at me. My mind’s eye showed me as more of a gremlin than an actual person.

I struggled to realize that there is so much more to life than how I looked or what others thought of me.

People need to be more aware of the things they say to others.

Remember that old saying, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all?”

Take that to heart.

You don’t necessarily know that other person’s situation, or if they can control it, so why judge them? People need to realise the effect their words have on people. They need to show a little bit of control, a little bit of heart for the rest of humanity. Instead they choose to tear us down. It’s ridiculous.

The other saying that comes to mind: “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never harm me” is trash.

Words can harm you. not physically, but mentally and emotionally.

Stop attacking people for how they look. People deserve better than that.

Immigration reform necessary

“Walking through our hallways,” senior Levi Jones, @The_Levi_Jones

What song best describes your current love life? Tweet your answer @mhsmentoronline or answer at our website, mhsmentor.com for a chance to be featured in the next edition.

One of the few issues that has always come up during any political debate in this country is immigration. As an immigrant myself, I’ve always been integrated in these discussions by other people and sometimes even by my own will because of the first hand experience I’ve had with this issue.

I was just an eight-year-old kid when my dad earned a scholarship to study at Kansas State University. This decision to leave everything behind was based on the better education and future I would have if I lived in the United States instead of my home country of Peru. While my situation is not the same as other immigrants, the reason behind leaving is -- a better future and a better

Older siblings make impact, appreciate each other Recently, a 13-year-old boy in Maryland had to not only be a big brother in a scary situation, but act as an adult in a life or death situation.

According to abc News -- Marcus,13, discovered the smoke then quickly directed his younger sister to safety, while three adults had managed to escape. The kids were trapped on the second floor of the home, as the first floor was erupting underneath his feet, while doing so he managed to call 911 and for 11 minutes, the young man directed the firefighters exactly how to get to his family quickly and safely.

Upon arrival, the firefighters broke into the wrong window; while periodically calling out

barely escaped my mouth before he shoved them in my face.

“Ha! Eat poop, Chameleon!”

His friends looked on with glee as I gagged, tears streaming down my face.

Why does this happen to me?

What did I ever do to them, except look different?

My hand reached up to cover my right eye. My lazy eye.

This was one of many daily occurrences I struggled with for the next three years.

The boys on my bus attacked me, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

Chameleon. Fat. Frizzy.

Ugly.

Their words burned into me like a branding iron to a cow.

Today, as a senior, I still struggle with the body image they painted for me.

The sad thing is, you hear things enough times, you start to believe it.

I struggled with my personal body image for years. I hated looking in the mirror, was

to his family to check on them, he redirected the firefighters accordingly. Upon the discovery of Marcus, they placed an oxygen mask on him, which he immediately took off to place on his little sister.

The family made it out alive and well and were treated for smoke inhalation shortly after being rescued.

At 13 years old, I would cry during thunderstorms and yell down the hall for my mom. I could barely order my own meal at Pizza Hut because I felt uncomfortable talking to others, my 13-year-old mind, under fear and pressure; I would break down and cry pretty much no matter the situation. I understand that maybe not everyone was the same at 13, but one might easily assume the mental maturity this young teen must have to not only handle this situation but also to assist those who were saving him while keeping a level head. Personally, I am

extremely proud. Many people talk about being the youngest, or the middle child. But what do you do when your parents aren’t home? You sit there all alone, suddenly you hear a noise, so you go over a mental list of all the different scenarios of what it could be. Mine usually involved a burglar/killer combination.

Parents make you babysit younger siblings all the time; I am constantly watching my own, and most of the time the thought “she would have been fine without me here,” crosses my mind. But the idea of having to think, “I wish she were still here,” at the hospital because she got hurt or died makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. When I look up and don’t see her at the park my stomach turns and it feels like ice shot through my veins -- but then I see that she was just going down the tube slide and I mutter a quick thanks to God.

Imagining the idea of being alone, or leaving a family member alone no matter my age feels just wrong. Our world crawls with harm, granted, yes; there is only a one-in-ten chance for the majority of the terrible things that could occur to actually happen; but what if your family is that one? Older siblings; never be too careful, hug your little idiot brother or sassy sister because one day you will not be there. Younger siblings; respect your bossy sister or your mean brother, because a lot of weight is on their shoulders. One day they will be gone and you’ll remember the time they had to patch up your skinned knee or went to help you pick out your first prom dress. And for the only children out there; love your friends and family, because in the end that is all that we are; friends and family.

Look out for each other, love each other and respect each other.

education. Last week 800 people lost their lives trying to escape from Libyan coast to Italy when the ship carrying them capsized.

Hundreds (mostly North Africans), try to escape every day from the Libyan coast and many of them die on the way there. They run from war and persecution and risk their lives by escaping a country (Libya) that has become lawless.

There were only 27 survivors from the shipwreck last week. You have to wonder how in the world this tragedy occurred.

Where in the world was the Italian Coast Guard? It’s not just the 800 people that died this past week, in the year 2014 there were as many as 3,400 migrants and refugees who died at sea. Many peopled have blamed Europe for this, one of them, wx-French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner said it best when he spoke to French newspaper, Le Parisien.

“In this affair, Europe is

guilty of failing to assist a person in danger. That is to our shame,” Kouchner said.

While Europe may be having immigrant problems as it is, the fact they have taken a blind-eye to this is inhuman.

Something needs to be done so a tragedy like this never repeats itself.

While there are disastrous things we can’t control taking human lives such as the horrible Earthquake that struck Nepal last Saturday, these are tragedies that can be controlled and can be avoided.

Immigration is not just a U.S and Mexico issue, this is a global issue that needs to be resolved, but resolved in a way where immigrants and refugees are treated as human beings with human rights.

Hopefully this tragedy will encourage nations to stop thinking about immigrants as just foreign “aliens” and more as in fellow humans just looking for a better place.

EDITORS: Kristen Batson -- Print Editor-In-Chief/Opinions Joseph Sell -- Online Editor -In-Chief Danielle Cook -- Entertainment/Content Editor Madeline Marshall -- News Editor Alan Brown -- Features Editor Greg Woods -- Sports Editor Tracy Le -- Trending Editor Anna Hupp -- Photo Editor Senior Staff Writers/Photographers -- Madison Newman, John Rockey Staff Writers/Photographers -- Elassia Cunningham, Darian Foga-Frehn, Erick Echegaray, Ale Flores, Tara Magaña, Cora Astin OTHER: Angie Moss -- Business Manager Kristy Nyp -- Adviser Circulation -- Kristyn Baker, David Clinkinbeard, Charlie Dickey, Karl Drown, Rachel Efken, Jordan Hatley, Colten Kirk, Joshua Kohls, Kendall Oatney, Megan Ritthisorn, Zane Smith, Darnel Stewart, Austin Tatum 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 1,000 Mentors are printed each week and distributed free of charge to all faculty members and students. MHS journalists are members of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association. The Mentor is an open forum that accepts contributions from the public. E-mail us at mhsmentor@ gmail.com.

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The Mentor • April 28, 2015

Features

Spanish Club hosts salsa lessons Alan Brown Features Editor Last week, Manhattan High School’s Spanish Club got a chance to show their skills on the dance floor in a cultural way. Led by two professional dance instructors, club members learned to dance the salsa. While the experience was challenging for many with limited prior dance practice, it proved to be entertaining.

“It was a lot of fun. We goofed around with it,” club president junior Matt Turnley said. “I’m not really good at dancing myself, but it was fun to get all of the club members together and see how bad at salsa we really were.”

Salsa dancing has become somewhat of a tradition at Spanish Club. Last year, club sponsors Olivia Leon and Lindsey Clark first invited the dance instructors to MHS. According to Turnley, that event’s success was the reason why the current officers decided to host dancing lessons again.

As the year comes to a close, the club has only a few

more meetings left on the agenda. What exactly will occur at these meetings is still yet to be decided. However, the officers hope to continue the annual ice cream social that is normally held at this time of the year.

The end of the semester also signals a change of leadership for the club. This year, Matt Turnley was able to continue the family legacy at the presidential position, succeeding his older brother, Jonathan Turnley. He is pleased with the way that this year panned out. “[Being the club president] is a lot of responsibility, but it’s a lot of fun because we have a lot of members and a great organization,” Turnley said.

“There were a lot of other officers who helped me, so I’m not the only one at all.”

Spanish Club hosts annual salsa lessons in the North Gym. The salsa instructors were invited back for the second year in a row after a successful dance lesson last year.

PHOTO BY ANNA ALANAZI

3D printer gives real-life experience MHS students Kristen Batson Print Editor-in-Chief After applying for receiving a $2,500 new equipment grant, woodshop teacher Monty Enright was able to expand his teaching methods through a tool of the future: a 3-D printer.

“I taught 16 years at the tech school [MATC] and we bought a 3-D printer there about six years ago. It allowed us to teach a couple different aspects to our students,” Enright said.

He felt that the addition of

the printer added a new depth to the skill developing and learning process.

“With CAD [computer aided design] we can draw 3-D and the 3-D you draw with CAD usually looks beautiful, but sometimes the computer lies to your eyes and so when we bought the printer we figured out we could save it to file and make the part,” Enright said. “The nice part about it is if the model was drawn correctly with the correct processes the computer will build it. If they missed some steps in the building phase the 3-D

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printer would reject it.”

He’s confident the purchase and experience of working with the printer will be beneficial to students in their future careers.

“The benefit I see is for our kids interested in engineering or CAD will benefit from not only the 3-D training but they’ll also benefit from the engineering side -- just ‘do things go together and fit correctly?’” Enright said.

When students draw blueprints and designs it can look like it’ll work and if they never see a physical copy they don’t

know if it actually will. Now that they can make designs and then actually print them students are able to make actual progress and see the results of their sketching.

“Like I always tell them -you learn up when you fail. So you’ve got this part and it looks great on the screen and then you go print it and you realize its not what you wanted.

So then you start over or make adjustments and come out with something that works,” Enright said.

IPS goes on lunch dates Alejandra Flors Staff Writer

A group of students from Manhattan High went on lunch dates to Longhorn Steakhouse Thursday, but they were not just any kind of date.

The Interpersonal Skills students were assigned to invite somebody out from the class for the event.

“The purpose of the event was for IPS kids learn to be responsible with asking their date out, dressing nicely and act with good manners. It was a really good experience for everyone,” IPS student aid Brooke Lindsey said.

Students had a lot a fun and a nice afternoon with

their dates.

“We were supposed to ask them out in a cool way, order for ourselves,” sophomore Brant Wall said.

“There are more guys than girls in the classroom so some of the guys had to have two dates. Still we had a lot of fun,” Wall said.

This was a way to show IPS students that they are capable of doing anything.

“We had lots of fun,” sophomore Rachel Efken said Students got the chance of going out on a formal date, so when they want to ask somebody out they already know how to do it and there is nothing stopping them from doing it.

experience collegefor-a-day at K-State Madison Newman Senior Photographer Business, engineering and other majors at Kansas State University were the focus of the college-for-a-day field trip for Manhattan High students last week.

Kenyan exchange student Rael Omondi felt that while KSU was not quite the place for her college plans, the trip helped with figuring out her future.

“Academically it was a strong college [but] t h e y did not have a nursing p r o gram and I will be moving out of the United States s o o n ,” Omandi said.

MHS has the advantage of being a few blocks away from KSU and many students are familiar with parts of the campus. Sophomore Jalyn Kirk spoke of the business experience of the trip.

“I wanted to see what college life was like, how the major goes and how the system goes,” Kirk said. “I actu-

“

ally learned what majoring in business was like. I met a lot of people with the same background that I do and listened to their stories.”

While there, students underwent tasks involving certain subjects.

“This guy was talking about how his job involved building and stuff like that, and I guess in his building if he does his calculations wrong or if something is unstable, technically he can kill people,” Kirk said. “So we did little activities buildi n g things, making sure things are stable.”

Sen i o r Hasan Saleem found K S U to be a good cultural experience, with the diversity of campus being quite vast.

“I felt that it was a good starting college,” Saleem said.

“The business activities were helpful and understandable.”

After work was done, the students got the opportunity to have fun at Call Hall for ice cream.

I actually learned what majoring in business was like, I met a lot of people with the same background that I do and listened to their stories.” -- Jalyn Kirk

Nurse statistics released Angie Moss Business Manager Making a trip to the nurse’s office is a common thing at most high schools and Manhattan High is no exception.

Whether it is for headaches or the flu, over 60 students visit the nurse’s office daily, making that 13,000 visits each year.

More than 21 medications are given out daily.

“If I feel like a kid is well enough to be at school then that’s what I try to encourage them to do,” MHS nurse Robin Smith said. “I would rather a kid rest for an hour and stay the rest of the day than to just text their parents and go home.”

Something that students may not know is that MHS communicates with the Riley County Health Department to keep track of conditions that students visit the nurse’s office for and why parents call students in sick. This helps the health department monitor the diseases in the community.

There will also be an immunization clinic available at central enrollment late in the summer.

Sports

The Mentor • April 28, 2015

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Girls soccer edges Hayden on road, postpones Friday contest at Great Bend Erick Echegaray Staff Writer Coming off a win and a draw, the Manhattan High girls soccer team headed to Hayden last Tuesday to face off

against Hayden.

The Lady Indians stood at 4-2-1 in the standings and needed a win here to increase another number in the win column and stay above .500 for the season.

The game went into overtime as MHS beat Hayden, 3-2. The game ended in the first period of overtime when Manhattan scored a goal to win it all.

Juniors Tessa Irvine and

Brooke Henry both netted goals in Manhattan’s victory.

Irvine would end up with two goals, putting her at five goals for the season. Freshman Cailey Perkins also contributed to the win, recording an

assist in this game.

The next game would be another road match this time against Great Bend High School. Due to bad weather conditions on Friday, the game was postponed and will be

played on May 11.

The Indians will play again today at Bishop Stadium at 4:00 p.m. for the JV game and 5:45 p.m for the Varsity game against Blue Valley Stillwell.

Softball run-rules Highland Park twice, fall to Seaman twice John Rockey Senior Staff Writer MHS 15, HP 0 MHS 17, HP 4 From their run-rule loss to Rossville the previous week, the Manhattan High softball team turned around in its games against Highland Park by run-ruling the games 15-0 in game one and 17-4 in game two.

Senior Sydney Bannister tossed a no-hitter in the first game, and the only runner that reached base did so via error.

Focusing on fielding and making contact at the plate, the coaching staff saw the team moving quickly in pre-game and as the opening innings passed with 10 runs being reached by the third inning of both games.

“We were much more ready to play today,” coach Monty Enright said. “And I could tell before that we were. Sydney [Bannister, senior] threw an absolutely fabulous game one and girls made plays and we were ready to go.”

The first game started with MHS scoring 14 runs by the end of the third inning and scored the final run in the following inning to end the game by run-rule.

The second game started with Lady Indians leading the first innings with eight runs scored in the first inning and nine runs scored in the fifth

inning. Sophomore Chelsea Henry had similar success pitching, allowing just a single run in three innings before a relief pitcher stepped in.

“We did have a few minor errors and I know we did hit better today with the advantage the other team gave us with errors,” Gevock said. “I still feel like we could make some more solid contact because there won’t always be an error [occurring.]”

MHS 0, SHS 5 MHS 3, SHS 9 Manhattan High’s return home to face No. 1 5-A team Seaman started with a sixthinning shootout between pitchers that saw runs only in the seventh inning. Manhattan dropped the contest, 5-0.

When a run was put on the board by Seaman, bases were soon loaded to be sent home by a grand slam in the top of the inning. Despite their resolve in putting up runs, the inning ended soon after and the first game ended.

“It definitely slowed us down and brought our mood down just because it’s hard to see that and we were doing so good up to that point,” Bannister said.

The second game was harder met as Seaman came out of the gate with runs put up in the opening innings. MHS dealt with Seaman putting up runs for five innings before a

Junior Madi Fief prepares to swing at a pitch last Tuesday at Highland Park.

PHOTO BY JOHN ROCKEY switch was made in the Lady Indians’ defense to prevent further runs in the game. That left the end of the game up to their hitting.

“We got a couple balls that were hit pretty good that we were having trouble with; so we were able to put together

some hits,” coach Monty Enright said. “We were able to get a few hits, but we weren’t quite able to get enough to fall in line to get a run.”

A sixth inning rally began with Bannister, senior Savannah Thaemert, and freshman Josie Hilgers each scoring a

run. The rally was then cut short and the second game ended with a 9-3 Seaman advantage.

The team now looks to Topeka West today and going to Junction City on Friday.

“Since the game at Rossville, the coaches have noticed

that we’ve become a different team,” freshman Kenzie Smith said. “We notice things that we didn’t notice before and we’re starting to go together as a team.”

Baseball concedes big inning to Seaman in duo of Thursday losses Greg Woods Sports Editor Coming off a sweep of Highland Park last Tuesday, the Manhattan High baseball team was unable to keep its momentum two days later. The Indians (4-4) dropped a pair of contests to Seaman Thursday evening, 7-4 and 6-4.

Senior Jesse Steinbring started the first game on the mound and pitched six innings, giving up six hits, seven runs, walking one and striking out six in the process. Junior Grant Munsen got the nod for the nightcap and went five

complete innings, allowing six hits, three earned runs, three walks and striking out three.

Manhattan struck for two runs to open the first game by way of a two-run double from junior Tanner Holen. The Indians tacked on another run in the second when senior Jake Olson grounded out and scored junior Darien Stokes.

Facing a 3-0 deficit in the bottom of the fourth, Seaman found life on offense. The Vikings plated seven runs in the fourth frame alone off six hits, bringing its entire lineup to the plate in the inning. Seaman claimed a 7-3 lead head-

ing into the fifth. Junior Josh Chapman, who went 2-2 with an RBI in the game, said falling behind in the fourth made an impact on his team’s mindset for the rest of the contest.

“Whenever we have a bad inning, we always get a bad attitude and we start playing bad,” Chapman said. “It’s always harder trying to catch up. When you’re playing with a lead, it’s a lot easier because you’re a whole lot more relaxed. Trying to come back and catch up is really difficult.”

Neither team scored again until the top of the sixth, when Chapman singled home Stokes

to cut the Viking advantage to 7-4. However, on the ensuing at-bat, sophomore Edward Scott was forced out at third, ending the threat. Neither Manhattan nor Seaman scored again, and the Vikings took the first of the duo of games, 7-4.

The second game began on a different note than the first. This time around, it was Seaman that drew first blood, scratching across a run in the first. Manhattan responded two innings later in the top of the third, striking for three runs. With two outs, senior Garrett Francis singled home Scott, and scored along with

senior Ian Hart off a Seaman error. The Indians took a 3-1 lead after three complete.

The Vikings weren’t done, however. A leadoff walk surrendered by Munsen allowed Seaman’s Michael Owen to score off an error from Stokes.

Trailing 3-2, the Vikings added two runs each in the fifth and sixth innings, reclaiming the lead, 6-3. The Indians rallied in the top of the seventh when sophomore Brady Woborny took Seaman’s Nick Steiner deep, trimming the Viking lead to 6-4. “[I was] just trying to get the team going,” Woborny said. “[I

was] trying to do something.”

But the threat was after Olson popped out and Francis stuck out to end the game.

Manhattan returns to action today as it hosts Topeka West, a pair of contests Chapman explained his team must adjust its mindset for in order to be successful.

“We’ve got to become mentally stronger,” Chapman said.

“That’s the one thing we’re really focused on right now because, like I said, we’ve had two innings the past four games [where] everything’s broke down.”

J.V. golfers top all at Wednesday tournament at Stagg Hill Joseph Sell Online Editor-in-Chief The Junior Varsity golf team cut it close Wednesday at the JV invitational at Stagg Hill when it won the tournament by one stroke.

“A lot of the guys played

very well; a couple guys wished they could have played better but that’s always the case,” J.V. golf coach Craig Ackerman said. “But we had a solid top four there and that’s where you get your team score. Four guys who really put up some low numbers for themselves and

really gave the team a chance to win it.”

Freshmen Chase Dillon and Ben Robben lead the team off shooting 80 and 86, while sophomore Dustin Wichmann and junior Tanner Sanders shot 88 to round out the team scoring at the tournament.

“The thing that impressed me most about Ben’s score was he shot 46 on the front nine but came back with a 40 on the back nine,” Ackerman said. “So [he] improved by six strokes on the back nine, which anytime you can have that significant of an improvement over a

nine, that’s really helpful.”

The team will compete Thursday at Cypress Ridge for the Seaman Invitational. The Varsity squad competed last night at the Topeka Country club and will compete Friday at Hutchinson.

“I hope we can keep playing

Swimming takes second at home triangular, wins four events John Rockey Senior Staff Writer

Freshman Jaime Clotfleter comes up for air last Monday.

PHOTO BY JOHN ROCKEY

The Manhattan High swimming team faced one of the most difficult weeks of practice in the season with a second place Monday meet at home and their annual 100 100’s swim practice.

Manhattan hosted a home triangular meet against Emporia and Hays last Monday due to a conflict with activities.

Having faced Emporia previously in the season, the team sought to better itselves against one of its more frequently-met opponents.

“This meet, I think we were hoping for a little revenge on Emporia,” sophomore Leilani Kreck said.

MHS won four of the events at the meet including the 400 free relay. Senior Mariah Scipio won the 500 freestyle and 50 freestyle with freshman Luann Jung winning the 100 butterfly. Freshman Stephanie Fu took third overall in diving with 135.10 points scored and sophomore Elizabeth Underwood took fifth with 121.55.

Tennis brings home first place from Salina South Invitational Tracy Le Trending Editor Tennis coach Joyce Allen got a text last Saturday at 6:30 a.m. The Manhattan High School varsity boys team’s scheduled meet, the Junction City Invitational, had been cancelled.

“The kids were kind of happy with prom [being that same day]. It would have been a tough day to sit and have a delay,” Allen said. “You don’t want to sit all day and wait to play. Balls won’t bounce if

they’re wet and there was no way they were going to get in that big of a tournament in time.”

“It was unfortunate that it was cancelled because we wanted to improve our records for Regionals,” junior Bryan Armbrust said.

At the Salina South Invitational last Thursday, MHS pulled through to take first place out of eight teams. Singles players sophomore Bryce Easton and Armbrust placed first and sixth, respectively. Juniors Collin Queal and Kirk-

land Lambert played doubles and took first while senior Camden Adams and junior Carter Nelson took ninth.

“It feels good [having won as many matches as we’ve won]. It shows how deep our team is -- having everyone place decently,” Armbrust said.

“Abilene had really good singles. Bryce had a really good win against their No. 2 singles players; he won 8-4 but it was pretty close. My first lost was to the No. 1 Abilene player.

They were really good.”

Queal and Lambert beat

5-A State runner-ups to add to an overall record of 12-0.

“I’m constantly impressed.

Their level of commitment just astounds me,” Allen said. “It’s been fun and the boys have done really well. We’re trying to reach our goals and feel good about what they’re accomplished. I’m really proud of them and what they’ve done. But we have a hectic two days; we go Monday and Tuesday. It’s coming down to crunch-time. League is a week from tomorrow and Regionals is a week from Saturday so

the season’s coming to an end.

I am feeling really bittersweet, but right now I’m happy with what they’re doing.”

With multiple tournament wins, the team has big goals and big expectations.

“We’d like to win the meet tomorrow,” Allen said. “We’d like to win the meet Tuesday. We’d like to beat Olathe Northwest on Saturday or at least play them better than we did last year. We’d like to win League. We’d like to win Regionals and we’d like to do better at State. Those are our

to that level for the rest of the season we can have a good season if we can keep playing to that level,” Ackerman said.

Manhattan Invitational postponed Erick Echegaray Staff Writer The Manhattan Invitational Track meet was cancelled this past Friday. The event was postponed due to bad weather conditions that stirred up all throughout Friday even stretching out with heavy rains in the night time. It was later announced that the event would be cancelled and would not take place.

The reasoning was really the danger Friday’s storm could pose to traveling competitors traveling from all over Kansas.

The event was the only scheduled home track meet for the Indians this year. Manhattan will compete again in the Seaman relays event this next Friday, and again next Friday at the Salina Invitational. goals. Whether they will be achieved, I don’t know. It’s going to take a concentrated effort on everybody’s part...but I think they’re achievable.”

The team played all day in Topeka on Monday, taking second as a team with Easton placing first, senior Justin Gittle placing ninth, Lambert and Queal along with Adams and senior Benaiah Gorman taking first. The team will play in the Emporia Quad today before their home meet against Olathe Northwest on Saturday.

Page 5

Features The Mentor The www.mhsmentor.com Mentor • April 28, 2015

Entertainment

Drama department takes on Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Alejandra Flores Staff Writer From tense to laugh-outloud moments, this year’s spring play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” put on by Manhattan High’s performing arts department, more than satisfied its audience.

“They are are doing a really great job with costumes and Shakespeare,” sophomore Taylor McMorris, a member of the audience of the second-night performance of the play, said.

The set for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” designed to portray an ethereal fairyinhabited forest, included trees, flowers and vines, and featured, as is tradition in productions of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the moon and dreamlike lighting throughout. The costumes of the forest fairy characters matched this whimsical theme and added to the otherworldly atmosphere created by stage technicians and set designers.

“It was very funny, and I really liked the fairies’ costumes.

They were really pretty,” senior Elora Root, also part of the audience for the show, said.

Sophomore Hannah Phillips, who played Helena, one of the play’s main characters, had an accident in P.E. class

that landed her in a brace and wheelchair just days before opening night. However, the show went on as planned.

“It was difficult learning how to drive the wheelchair around the stage, but I feel pretty good about the show,” Phillips said.

Being in a wheelchair didn’t stop her from doing her best to keep to the original blocking and script of the play.

“We feel really accomplished and proud of Hannah.

She’s a trooper. She is growing up onstage so much,” senior Takeira Robinson, who played Hippolyta, said.

Shakespeare is one of the most famous playwrights in history, and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is one of his best-known plays with some of the most well-known lines he wrote, and the cast worked hard to keep the wit in the dialogue.

Manhattan High’s production was directed by Luke Stramel and produced by Linda Uthoff, drama teacher, who expressed pride in the show’s cast and crew.

“I am really proud of them.

Shakespeare is not easy to do.

I’m really proud of the director, and the costumes were beautiful. They did a really great job,” Uthoff said.

Senior Charlotte Benjamin and sophomore Isaac Sorell perform as the fairy queen Titania and Bottom in a dress rehearsal of Manhattan High’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” photo by danielle cook

Manhattan High students attend ‘Alice in Wonderland’ prom Danielle Cook Entertainment Editor Angie Moss Business Manager

Manhattan High students dance at this year’s “Alice in Wonderland”-themed prom. photo by Tara Magaña

Saturday night, many Manhattan High students attended the 2015 “Alice in Wonderland” prom.

Following the annual promenade, the doors to Manhattan Town Center opened at 9:30 p.m. to reveal a colorful “Wonderland” decorated with scattered playing cards, red and black balloons, twinkling lights and more.

With half of the night passed away, prom royalty was an-

nounced to the gathering of prom-goers.

Elected by the MHS student body, juniors Gabe Awbrey and Raegan Terrill were crowned 2015 Prom Prince and Princess, and seniors Levi Jones and Molly Fiser were crowned 2015 Prom King and Queen.

“It’s the perfect senior prom movie moment,” Jones said. “I couldn’t be happier.”

After prom, the evening continued for some, who attended After-Prom affairs.

Each year, Manhattan Area Risk Prevention Coalition sponsors an after-prom

party to provide a safe activity for students to attend after prom.

Usually Manhattan High’s drug and alcohol prevention coordinator Kari Humes sends out emails and notifies the parents of students, but this year MARPC coordinated the event without school assistance.

“I support the coalition and the afterprom event and believe it’s an excellent for the community for the community to provide safe-alternative events that are not school specific,” Humes said.

‘Tomorrow We Live’ provides refreshing variety of sounds Be rich in good works, not in dollars? Assured reunification with our creator? A story of a suicidal friend?

They’re all covered in hip-hop artist KB’s second and newest album, “Tomorrow We Live.”

Released last Tuesday, “Tomorrow We Live” is predicated around the idea that, as believers in God, our hope lies in God’s promise of a perfect heaven. The record revolves around the fact that while our earthly lives will forever be plagued by strife and conflict, Earth isn’t our final resting place.

There are a variety of tracks on the album that address lots of different issues. The first song, “Rich Forever,” is counterintui-

tive to the message the majority of today’s music conveys.

The track reminds listeners that money will fade and ultimately prove worthless, and that the last thing on God’s mind on judgement day will be the amount of money we made on Earth. Instead, KB encourages listeners to be rich in good deeds and faith -- things that matter.

One of the more unique tracks on the album that kills two birds with one stone is “Lights Go Out.” In it, KB describes both his love for his wife and Christ’s undying love for the church by highlighting the fact that KB won’t leave his wife’s side, nor will Jesus leave our side. The song also features Blanca in the choruses, creating a catchy sound.

This catchy sound is also present in track No. 3, “I Believe.”

The song is derived from the popular chant at sports games (“I believe that we will win”), but it isn’t just about KB’s fa-

vorite team getting the W. The song is a microcosm of the album itself, getting listeners excited about Jesus’ return, the real win.

In addition, the record takes on a celebratory tone, found in “Sideways,” “Always and Forever” and “Fall in Love with You.” “Sideways” takes the cake for my favorite track on the album. The song features fellow rapper Lecrae, and it commemorates how KB and Lecrae are different -- not because of how much money they’ve made, how many girlfriends they’ve had, or because they think they’re better than other rappers. They’re different because they rap about substance and about Jesus, subjects a lot of hip-hop artists don’t dare touch.

“Always and Forever” is the perfect song to be played at a wedding ceremony as it celebrates the bride and groom’s vows, and “Fall in Love with You” is an acoustic track that

MHS music ensembles, soloists attend KSHSAA state festival Elassia Cunningham Staff Writer

A total of 14 ensembles and 36 soloist from Manhattan High School traveled to the University of Kansas to participate in the Kansas State High School Activities Association state Solo and Ensemble festival on Apr. 25. Band, choir, jazz band and orchestra students boarded four buses Saturday morning and traveled to Lawrence to perform for judges. Students who competed in the regional festival, held at Manhattan on April 11, and received a I rating were eligible to compete in the state tier of the festival.

Students took judges critiques of their performances as references for improvement.

A large amount of students from MHS received I ratings, including all of the string soloist and ensembles.

“Our judge at district had been pretty tough, since the people who were judged by her had gotten a I at regionals

had gotten I’s at state because she was so tough,” senior Roxy Gehring said.

After regionals, senior Levi Jones was able to move onto the state festival after a regional performance. Jones attributed his successful regional performance to his experience with performing at regionals and state festivals last year.

“It was a lot more relaxed this year, for me, anyway, because I had done it last year,” Jones said. “So I was more familiar with the setup and how it worked. So I didn’t have to stress about some of the things that a first year singer would have to stress about when going to regionals. That was really a plus this year when going.”

Sophomore Leah Selman was part of a viola ensemble which received a I rating at state. Selman stated that changing some techniques at state helped the ensemble do well in their performance.

“It [our performance] went pretty well, we changed some things from when we played at

regionals to when we played it now, so we did better,” Selman said.

Though the ensemble was able to perform well, Selman said that the group still had some difficulties.

“Honestly the biggest challenge was getting everyone in our ensemble together, and getting us on the same page as far as the things we need to change and how we were going to play them and where we were going,” Selman said.

For students attending Prom later that night, the state festival conflicted with schedules. Jones was able to coordinated both state festival and prom by preparing for prom in advance.

“It’s alway been like that,” Jones said. “State has always been on prom night, and so its kind of been a hastle. I‘ll have to get ready early, and by early I mean I’ll have to do things before Saturday afternoon, because I won’t be here Saturday afternoon.”

describes KB’s love for his son, both catchy and fun.

As much as I enjoyed this release, there are a couple aspects to it that I wasn’t a fan of. For example, the combination of the mainstream beat in “Drowning” and auto-tune of KB’s voice makes for a very unappealing sound, masking the positive message. The same goes for “Ima Just Do It” (featuring golfer Bubba Watson).

The robotic sound heard in the chorus doesn’t exactly jive with the feel of the rest of the album, and the broken structure of the song is confusing to listen to.

Overall, “Tomorrow We Live” is a solid sophomore album from KB. I really enjoyed the angle it takes because it’s preached in undertones in a few other rappers’ records, but KB’s emphasis was refreshing.

It’s most definitely worth your time to check out.

photo courtesy of whoiskb.com

MHS large music groups unable to attend KSHSAA state festival Elassia Cunningham Staff Writer

Because of the lack of available transportation and lack of funds to access alternative transportation, choir director Chad Pape made the decision to cancel Manhattan High School’s choir participation in the annual KSHAA Large Group Festival held on Apr. 16.

“We made request for school buses a little over a month in advance, and there were none available for that day,” Pape said. “So, that means we either pay four times the cost out of pocket to get alternate transportation, or we don’t go. The cost for the alternate transportation would have come to approximately the same cost of a full semester’s worth of new sheet music for the entire choir program.”

As a result of this years bus scheduling, Pape has already turned in busing request form for next year. However, Pape stated that the choirs participation in music activities are

not certain and not guaranteed.

“Nothing is definite for next year because of our school funding issues,” Pape said. “We don’t know if people are going to lose jobs in the music department and if they are we don’t know if we’re going to be able to give up other money to try to save those jobs. And if we give up other money to save those jobs, does that mean that we can’t afford things like transportation at large groups.

So, we’d like to go next year, but because of the Kansas budget situation, nothing, nothing is for sure next year.”

Not only are next years music activities indefinite, the idea for other future music programs are shaky as well.

Due to the low amount of funding for next school year, the idea of second jazz band is still up in the air.

“That’s a dream of mine,” Nate McClendon said. “I don’t know whether or not that could happen, especially with all the cuts that we’re under,

I don’t know. So, that’s something that I have to talk to administration about.”

At this point of the year, auditions and recruiting members into jazz band has become a crucial part in determining what next year will look like for the band. Auditions for jazz band are currently “Right now I’m try to recruit as many kids in to see what the interest is,” McClendon. “But, I don’t know that there could be a second jazz band.”

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President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 2015 as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. I urge all Americans to support survivors of sexual assault and work together to prevent these crimes in their communities.”

February 2015

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, the solution and rededicate ourselves to creating a society where violence is not tolerated, survivors are supported, and all people are able to pursue their fullest measure of happiness without fear of abuse or assault.”

Sexual assault, as defined by the United States Department of Justice, is “any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient.”

If someone has given consent to sexual activity in the past, this does not apply to current or future interactions. Consent can initially be given and later be withdrawn.

CONSENT IS SPECIFIC.

Don’t rely on body language, past sexual interactions, or any other nonverbal cues. Never assume you have consent.

A partner saying nothing is not the same as a partner saying “yes.”

When drugs and alcohol are involved, clear consent cannot be obtained.

It is the presence of a clear, affirmative, expression of interest, desire and wants.

Consent is not the absence of a no.

Non-consensual sex, or sex without agreement, is sexual assault. Some important things to know about consent (ACCORDING TO NSVRC.ORG):

granting permission for something to happen or agreeing to do something

consent-

“Nearly one in five women in America has been a victim of rape or attempted rape. Every year, too many women and too many men are sexually assaulted and abused. This is an affront to our basic decency and humanity, and it must end,” President Barack Obama said during his February presidential proclamation. “During National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, let us commit to being part of

respond effectively to sexual assault and to prevent it.

“Violence against women is not a women’s issue alone,” Biden said. “It’s a man’s issue as well… So to all of the guys out there—you have to step up.

That’s how we can change the culture on campus and around the country to one that understands no means no.”

victimsofcrime.org

• If someone tells you that they were assaulted, remember that it is not your their fault. Help them get to a safe place. Listen patiently and without judgement. Offer your support and encouragement in getting help.

• Talk to them and try to get them to talk to an adult and get medical attention. Offer to go with them.

• If they are badly injured, call 911. Encourage them to have a rape kit exam whether or not they intend to report the crime to the police (they can always make the decision about whether or not to report the crime later).

• Report the assault to an adult you trust.

If you know someone who has been the victim of sexual assault, you can help.

With the goal of raising public awareness about sexual violence and educating communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence, April was designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in the United States in 2001.

Last year, Obama and Vice President Joe Biden launched ‘It’s On Us’, a public awareness and education campaign created to empower college students to

APRIL IS NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH

Trending The Mentor • April 28, 2015 Page 6