Choir members rehearse music in different languages to experience foreign cultures. READ MORE ON PAGE 3.
PHOTO BY GREG WOODS
the mentor Woodshop students complete projects Volume 103 // Issue 12 // Jan. 26, 2016
RIGHT: Woodshop teacher Monty Enright supervises Manuel Diaz while he works on his most recent project. TOP LEFT: Sophomores T.J. Ladner and Jeremy Weir finish up their project for woodshop. Enright had his students build chairs to encourage teamwork. MIDDLE LEFT: Woodshop teacher Enright and Weir help sophomore John Domingo cut the board to a smaller size. BOTTOM LEFT: Senior Jim Haug helps Weir and Ladner secure the wood together for his newest wood working project of building shelves.
PHOTOS BY MAKENNA EILERT
The USD 383 Board of Education recently announced that Marvin Wade has been selected as the district’s new Superintendent... Wade will replace superintendent Robert Shannon. Wade currently serves as the Superintendent of Schools in the Marshalltown Community School District in Marshalltown, Iowa. He has held this position since 2008. Wade received his PhD at Kansas State University and is looking forward to returning to Manhattan.
“My wife has family here,” Wade said. We have lived in Salina and Clay Center in the past, but we both went to Kansas State. We both have fond memories of that. Just the fact that there are so many good things in Manhattan already, there is a good reputation of Manhattan and Ogden schools. “We are pleased to welcome Dr. Wade as our superinten-
dent,” Board of Education President Marcia Rozell said. “He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge and will lead our district into the future. We look forward to working with Dr. Wade to continue the educational excellence of the ManhattanOgden Public School District.”
SEE WADE PAGE 5
AFS hosts Chinese Students JORDAN LUTZ
Staff Writer
On Monday, AFS introduced six students and two teachers from China to Manhattan High. The group will be here for two full weeks to experience what school in the United States is like. “This school is big,” exchange student Yuqi Wang, Kiki, said. “and the classes is more free than my school.” The students are each paired with two MHS students who
will be their mentors throughout the school day. “They are going to basically shadow one of the MHS students around,” junior Angelica Lang said. “They’ll go with them to all their classes and just see what American school systems are like.” While here, the exchange students can participate in a number of school events as well as going to activities outside of school. “When we did this last time we had multiple activities
GLOBAL NEWS MADELINE MARSHALL Print Editor-in-Chief
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.
Zika virus ‘likely to spread across Americas”
The Zika virus is likely to spread across nearly all of the Americas, the World Health Organization has warned. The infection, which causes symptoms including mild fever, conjunctivitis and headache, has already been found in 21 countries in the Caribbean, North and South America. It has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains and some countries have advised women not to get pregnant. No treatment or vaccine is currently available. The virus was first detected in 1947 in monkeys in Af-
lined up with that,” AFS sponsor Tony Wichmann said. “We pretty much left it up to the host families. The only thing we have formally organized was a basketball game over at Kansas State University. So, we do have tickets for them to be able to go that basketball game. There is Mr. MHS that night. Coming up in the future is Sub Deb so they’re trying to get in those activities.” The students and teachers will observe their last day here on Feb 5.
rica. There have since been small, short-lived outbreaks in people on the continent, parts of Asia and in the Pacific Islands. But it has spread on a massive scale in the Americas, where transmission was first detected in Brazil in May 2015. Large numbers of the mosquitoes that carry the virus and a lack of any natural immunity is thought to be helping the infection to spread rapidly.
Florida State to Pay Jameis Winston’s Accuser $950,000 in Settlement A woman who accused Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston of raping her in late 2012 has settled her lawsuit with Florida State, where both were students at the time of the inci-
JV Scholars Bowl takes first at Jeff West ANDREA LU
Graphics Editor The Manhattan High Junior Varsity Scholars Bowl team competed at Jefferson West on Jan. 14. The meet consisted of five rounds in the pool followed by semifinals and then finals. “I think we did really good, like, at first I thought it would be a little weird but we had a pretty well-rounded team so it ended up being good,” sophomore Luann Jung said. With a well-rounded team, MHS was able to perform well and fill in any weak spots, where other members weren’t so proficient. “Instead of, like, any miscellaneous or foreign language [questions], they had sports which honestly, Stephanie [Fu] and I are not [good in],” Jung said. “So the fact that they had replaced a lot of the questions with sports questions made it a lot harder but we had a freshman who was really good at that.” During the pool rounds, MHS won all the rounds except for one due to an incorrect math question. “The answer was wrong and we got it right and we should’ve dent, for $950,000. The settlement, reached Monday, also commits Florida State to five years of sexual assault awareness programs and greater transparency, according to a statement released by the woman’s lawyer. “I’ll always be disappointed that I had to leave the school I dreamed of attending since I was little,” the woman, Erica Kinsman, said in the statement. “I am happy that FSU has committed to continue making changes in order to ensure a safer environment for all students.”
Manhunt for California escapees continues The manhunt for three Southern California inmates who fled an Orange County prison by rappelling from a jail’s roof entered a
gotten the point,” sophomore Fu said, “but they threw out the question and they gave another question and then the other team got that one right. So, then we lost that round but in the end it worked out because we won.” After beating Cair Paravel in the semifinals, the team barely took first place, with a final score of 55 to 50 against Jefferson West.
“There was a three way tie for first in our pool...”
--Stephanie Fu
“There was a three way tie for first in our pool and based on points earned during pool play we took first place,” Scholars Bowl Assistant Coach Tim Ekart said. As for the Manhattan High Varsity Scholars Bowl team, they failed to gather enough members to compete in Washington County Jan. 7 and their meet last week at Hayden was canceled. JV competed yesterday at Junction City and will have a home meet this Thursday.
fourth day Monday as authorities pleaded for public help in the search. Sheriff’s Lt. David Sawyer said the men should be considered extremely dangerous — and may well be hiding near the Orange County Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana. All are accused of violent crimes, and at least one of them is connected to Vietnamese gangs in the area, Sawyer said. “We feel that they may be embedded somewhere in the community, and that is why we are reaching out to the community,” Sawyer said. Sawyer said someone in the area must know where they are or where they are headed and that the identity of anyone who provided information could be protected. Rewards for information leading to their capture total about $50,000.
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Opinions
The Mentor // JAN. 26, 2016 // MHSMentor.com Page 2
Flint crisis indictive of large scale inequities Actually, it is rape 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. After almost two years of poisoned water, the Flint Water crisis has finally become a national issue. And rightly so. By now, most have a basic knowledge of the situation at hand. Nearly two years ago, in an attempt to save money, Flint, Mich., began drawing its water from the Flint River instead of relying on water from Detroit. The action was meant to be temporary and Flint residents immediately began complaining about the smell, color and taste of the water as well as the appearance of rashes and hair loss. In the upcoming months Governor Rick Snyder continued to actively ignore the problem, despite the increase of lead levels in the blood of Flint residents among other issues. Now, Presidnet Barak Obama has signed an emergency declaration and ordered federal aid for Flint, authorizing the Federal
Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate relief efforts. The question, thus, has become how this could happen? How could a governor knowingly ignore such an issue for so long? The answer seems to be based heavily in the socio-economic status of Flint’s population. Flint is a predominately African American community, with 40 percent falling below the poverty line. It seems fair to ascertain that if such a water issue had appeared in a white, suburban community the problem would have been addressed and solved immediately. The Flint Water crisis depicts a huge disparity in American existence. We have one American population living luxuriously and another struggling to obtain the necessities of life. Our country likes to define itself as a provider to the rest of the world, yet here we are unable to provide basic needs to a large portion of our own population. There is an obvious divide – both racially and economically – in America that people
Question of the
week:
“my thoughts are that it should be free and corsages should not have to be bought” -- Hannah Park, junior (@whaykquene)
are continuing to ignore (just as Snyder did with Flint). In the last three weeks, it has been reported that state officials had for months wrongly brushed aside complaints about the contamination. And after months, Snyder finally recognized that there was a problem and apologized. Yet even this “apology” was empty, as he argued against the supposed politicization of the issue, brushing aside the comments presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders made in regards to the issue. “There are no excuses,” Sanders said. “The governor long ago knew about the lead in Flint’s water. He did nothing. As a result, hundreds of children were poisoned. Thousands may have been exposed to potential brain damage from lead. Governor Snyder should resign.” The Mentor editorial board agrees that Snyder ought to resign. And, likewise, we believe Clinton’s statement on the crisis should be considered seriously. “I think every single American should be
Thoughts on SubDeb? “too much drama in such a little amount of time” -- Riley Taylor, sophomore (@_rileytaylor5)
“how do you actually pronounce it because I have been relentlessly teased for putting emphasis on the Deb part” -- Emma Landsdowne, sophomore (@epicemma55)
outraged,” Clinton said. “We’ve had a city in the United States of America where the population which is poor in many ways and majority African American has been drinking and bathing in lead-contaminated water. And the governor of that state acted as though he didn’t really care. He had a request for help and he had basically stonewalled. I’ll tell you what, if the kids in a rich suburb of Detroit had been drinking contaminated water and being bathed in it, there would’ve been action.” In dismissing these comments as simply another skeazy attempt by politicians to obtain votes, Snyder once again derails and diminishes the real problem at hand. Clinton and Sanders’ comments are both poignant and should be considered likewise. Flint is just one case of many of poor, minority communities living in seemingly medieval conditions. This crisis, and the broader of the socioeconomic rift in America it illustrates, should be brought center stage, not swept under the rug.
“we should sacrifice someone again” -- Grace Woods, freshman (@gracelows)
Next edition’s question:
If the MHS mascot were to change what would you want to be?
ANGIE MOSS
Trending Editor Trending tags are a popular thing on most social media websites, especially Twitter. Whether it’s #ChristmasClapBack, #ThanksgivingWithBlackFamilies or the most recent one #ItAintRape (yes, you read that right), they get enough attention to receive both positive and negative reactions from the world. In case you forgot, any form of unwanted sexual behavior is illegal. Sure, you may not have raped or assaulted anyone, but if you’re making jokes about it you are just as disgusting and the perpetrator and you are contributing to the deterioration of an innocent victim’s peace of mind. If that doesn’t make you reconsider what you think is humorous, I don’t know what will. Some of the most popular responses to #ItAintRape include “because she’s a hoe” and “more than one guy was involved so it’s just gangbang.” This is ATROCIOUS. Rape is a problem and everyone claims to know that, yet we’re still making jokes about it on social media and on television. It’s not a joke. It’s a tragedy and it ruins the victim’s entire
“It’s not a joke. It’s a tragedy and it ruins the victim’s entire world.”
Natural beauty products better for you, animals
Differing viewpoints deserve respect
CORA ASTIN
Photo Editor
In your everyday life, you come across different viewpoints. These viewpoints or opinions are expressed by everyone, everywhere and by everything. And sometimes, people’s views and opinions are forcefully shoved down your throat. I get that, as people,
we have the right to have our own opinions, and as Americans we have the right to express them. But where’s that line where expressing your opinions is crossed? Is there a point where you should step back from expressing your viewpoints to others? Often times, I don’t give my true, unfiltered opinions on things because I know that it’s better to let things lie as they are, and not disrupt the peace, per se. When I do express my true opinions, I get often am rebuked for having my own viewpoints that don’t match up with oth-
ers. Do you see the problem here? In our society, there is a tendency to shove our views on people, whether they agree with you or not. If someone does not agree with your way of thinking, you often assume that they are wrong, even when the opposite is true. Aren’t we expected to accept everyone for who they are instead of rebuking them? Everyone is unique in their own way, whether that stems from viewpoints or personalities. And as people we need to grasp the idea that not
everyone is the same as you, and will never be the same as you. Sadly this isn’t the case. Most of the times, if who you are doesn’t align with someone else, you get berated, this is the same for viewpoint. So why doesn’t our society allow people to express their own opinions without fear of being ostracized? Instead of ostracizing others we should learn to accept. Accept others’ and their opinions, because they aren’t going away anytime soon.
Letter to the Editor: MHS mascot respectful, not offensive; let’s keep it To the Editor: There has been a lot of talk about changing the Manhattan High School mascot and logo because they are “offensive” and “derogatory.” The MHS Mentor even had an editorial advocating this move. Its arguments are that the mascot and logo are inherently offensive to Native Americans and that the change is needed to preserve the concept of basic human rights and dignity. Mentor editors may not be aware that the Powhattan Kickapoo Nation High School only about an hour from here uses a warrior logo. Obviously
STAFF MEMBERS: Madeline Marshall -Print Editor-In-Chief/ Opinions Greg Woods -- Online Editor -In-Chief Tracy Le -- News Editor Savannah Cherms -- Entertainment Editor Erick Echegaray -- Sport Editor
those students do not see their mascot or logo as inherently offensive. If they did, they wouldn’t be using it. While it is possible that the MHS logo, even if not
the only ones who can deem what is offensive towards them.” To them that means that any discussion as to whether the mascot is really offensive is invalid unless the argu-
“One big crucial fact that the editorial board forgot is that our school-issued planners contain the fact that the Manhattan High logos were designed by Native Americans! offensive by nature, could be used in an offensive way, the Mentor editorial presents no evidence that is being done. Another argument the Mentor editorial board makes is that “Native Americans after all are
ment is made by Native Americans. Question: How many people on the editorial board are Native american? If there are none, why should the Mentor’s opinion on the subject not be self-disqualifying?
Elizabeth Underwood -Features Editor Angie Moss -- Trending Editor Cora Astin -- Photo Editor Andrea Lu -- Graphics Designer/Copy Editor Alan Brown -- Copy Editor David Fliter -- Alternate Features Editor Staff Writers -- Anna
Alanazi, David Fliter, Ale Flores, Anna Hupp, Megan Klug, Gavin Larios, Jordan Lutz, Tara Magaña, Maya Minocha Staff Photographers -Hasan Al-Basri, McKenna Eilert, Lauren Race, Dylan Thomas Kristy Nyp -- Adviser
One big crucial fact that the editorial board forgot is that our school-issued planners contain the fact that the Manhattan High logos were designed by Native Americans! I would also note that the mascot issue was debated in 2001 and settled. Since that time I am aware of no change that would warrant reopening the discussion. My personal view is that the school takes steps to ensure that the logo and mascot are used in a fashion designed to honor, rather than offend, Native American students.
-- Senior Frank Felber
world. If the victim has to follow certain requirements to be able to say they were raped, when exactly does rape occur? Does it happen when she’s crying too hard to be able to say no? Is it rape when he’s waking up from nightmares every single night because he knows that no one will believe him when he says he was raped? Or does someone’s entire life and mental stability have to be obliterated before it can be considered as rape? Rape is more than a physical violation. It’s pleasure for a disgusting excuse of a human being at the expense of another person’s perception of humanity. It’s nightmares, second guesses and looking over your shoulder when walking alone. It’s constant fear of being near the same gender as their attacker and second guessing outfits that could be promiscuous. Our brains are already sensitive to trauma and can be greatly impacted by even the slightest disturbance, let alone being forced into sexual activity, which is supposed to be intimate and romantic. Our brains take this violent act that’s been done to us and twists it around until it eventually becomes our fault. When will we stop the rape jokes and the humiliation of its victims? When will it be accepted as an actual crime by more than just women and victims?
MAYA MINOCHA
Staff Writer
When purchasing beauty products, usually the last thing on your mind is “where did this product come from?” or “what is in this product?” Cosmetic and skincare brands market their products to draw the consumer away from thinking about what is in them. What the product doesn’t advertise is that the product is being tested on an animal. Every year, millions of animals are burned, crippled, poisoned and abused while having beauty products tested on them. The United States in one of the only advanced countries that does not have strict laws on animal testing. It is very easy for companies to get around the few laws that the United States does have. Most cosmetic testings are usually done on mice, rats, rabbits and guinea pigs, the tests are usually performed on the eyes or shaved skin. After they are tested, they are never given any treatment or pain relievers. Companies test these products on animals because they are scared that the harmful chemicals in the product, could be damaging if tested on a human. This made me think, why are these brands even putting harmful chemicals and ingredients into their products? Not only are
the products harmful to the animals, but the same ingredients are being put into the products that you use everyday on your skin. Popular drugstore brands like Maybelline, Covergirl and Revlon all test their products on animals. Along with the drugstore brands, a few high end makeup brands test on animals as well, such as M.A.C, Bobbi Brown and Esté Lauder. These are all products that people use on their skin. Our skin absorbs everything we put onto it, and most brands contain harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances and damaging toxins. Our skin absorbs all of those things and can cause clogged pores, skin irritation, premature aging and much more. That’s why it is a conscious decision to use healthier beauty products with natural ingredients that are biocompatible that cooperate with your skin to make your skin healthier and stronger. There are lots of brands that carry organic and cruelty free products, drugstore brands such as Pixi and Physicians Formula, as well as high end brands like Tarte and 100 Percent Pure. There are natural products available to all types of skin and price range, so the next time you are shopping for new skincare and makeup, you should consider switching to products that contain natural ingredients. By switching your beauty products with organic products, it will benefit not only your skin, but the animals lives as well.
Circulation -- Kim Schnee’s fifth hour class: Kristyn Baker, Caleb Barnes, Dalton Blake, Wesley Cattanach, Charlie Dickey, Karl Drown, Rachel Efken, Logan Jones, Lynne Jones, Colten Kirk, Josh Kohls, Douglas McCaskill, Faith A. Parker, Alesha Pearl, Megan Ritthisorn, Bradley Rollins, Mythias Satterfield, Amissa Self, Tedi Stein, Hannah Sullivan and 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.
The Mentor // jan. 26, 2016 // MHSMENTOR.COM Page 3 Entertainment
Homecoming week excites student body
Senior Madison Mittie accepts her position as winter homecoming queen at halftime during the homecoming basketball game. Mittie was crowned alongside senior Nathan McClendon, who was not present that night. PHOTO BY LEXI BIEKER
ALE FLORES
Staff Writer
“Hit Songs” was the theme for this year’s winter homecoming. Clubs got together to participate in a few different events as, a door decorating competition with the same theme. Student Council also sponsored club dodgeball were all clubs were welcome to participate. “I liked all the events
that happened during this week. They were very cool to watch,” junior Cody Bell said. “I noticed all week people become a lot happier and a little more restless but in a positive way.” During the week there were also dress-up days including bum day, western/flannel day, crazy hair day, beach/Hawaiian day and school colors. “I liked [the dress up] days. We need more dif-
ferent dress-up days though it was the same as always only without tween day,” junior Moriah Presley said. “I was happy I thought nobody was going to do it but they did.” One of the most looking forward to events was the pep-rally with the shopping cart parade were and also the dance team, cheerleaders, and Powderpuff gave delightful performances.
How to prepare for SubDeb SAVANNAH CHERMS
Entertainment Editor
Whether you’re ready to accept it or not, SubDeb is right around the corner. For some, the list of things to do is just too daunting to handle. But if you play your cards right and keep an open mind, you’ll be on your way to dancing the night away with your friends. The first step is really optional, but don’t let that stop you from taking it. Choose and ask a date. It doesn’t have be your special someone; it’s just as cool to go with your friends. Get together with some of your friends and their dates, buy your
tickets and just enjoy the night. Once you’ve got the squad ready, it’s time for the next step. Picking a dress can be the longest and most stressful parts of dances. Unfortunately Manhattan does have a limited amount of shops to choose from to find the perfect dress. But don’t let that discourage you from making the journey to local boutiques like Kieu’s, Dillard’s or even Francesca’s. If you still can’t find anything, you can always take the chance and order online. You’ll have plenty more options, different styles to look at and you may even find some sales. Once you’ve decided on your dress, be sure to coordinate the colors with your date. The matching colors will ensure people know you two are a pair. Lastly is to pick a dinner restaurant. This
‘The Revenant’ brings new definition of vengeance
DAVID FLITER Staff Writer “The Revenant” destroyed the stereotypical Hollywood revenge film. Brutally realistic, harrowing and emotionally driven, it blew my expectations out of the water in every possible way. The story starts off with a group of fur trappers led by Captain Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson) and frontiersman Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) gathering all of what they have hunted when they are attacked by a large group of Arikara Native Americans to which the hunters refer to as the “Ree.” Only 11 men out of 45 survive the attack as they escape by boat. John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy), a hunter fueled by greed, begins to resent Glass and his mixed race Pawnee son Hawk. After Glass is attacked and severely wounded by a grizzly bear, Fitzgerald and a young hunter named Bridger are ordered to watch over Glass with his son until he inevitably dies. Fitzgerald ends up
killing Hawk and lying to Bridger in order to leave Glass for dead. Glass sees Fitzgerald kill his son and as he recovers over the course of the movie, becomes deadset on getting vengeance for his son. “The Revenant” brings brutal reality to the story of a father’s revenge. At no point in the movie does Glass ever kill hundreds of nameless grunts without getting as much as a scratch. Glass has to survive the harsh climate in order to find Fitzgerald. At times, he must eat the still-beating heart of a buffalo or the marrow from its bones. There are many moments where you feel like Glass should just give up and forgive and forget, but he only pursues onward. When he does find Fitzgerald, retribution is swift. The only downsides of the movie are that there are many excessively slow moments, and there are certain flashbacks to Glass’ past that are not really explained or end up as a plothole. It is easily redeemed by the brutal violence that results, and the incredible feats that Hugh Glass goes through. ‘The Revenant” is already my favorite movie of 2016 and I hope that Leonardo DiCaprio actually wins the Oscar that has eluded him for so long.
will be the place where you, your date and your squad can have your preparty. Plus, with the actual dance going on until midnight, you’re going to want to fill up with some good food before you head out. Some popular places around town are Umi, the Taphouse and Olive Garden. If you’re not about that so-called “fine dining,” there’s no shame in hitting up Taco Bell for your dinner. Once you’ve got your friends, your dress and your food, you’re ready to party. Let the stress of the day fade away and just have fun. In the end, what you wear or how much you spend doesn’t really matter. What counts is that you enjoy the time with your friends. And if you all look good while doing it, that’s just a bonus.
“All the events were fun,” junior Arlene Valdez said. “I was looking forward to see the shopping cart parade.” One of the last events of the week were the girls and boys basketball games, which were both triumphs for Manhattan. During halftime, the king and queen of winter homecoming were crowned. There was also the tug of war where sophomore girls topped
juniors and junior boys beat the seniors. “There’s been a lot of school spirit. I was most looking forward to the game and the pep-rally. I really liked the game,” junior Peri Carney said. “Tug of war was fair. I liked it. I mean was not surprised the senior boys didn’t win since they we’re all came out slippers.” To finalize winter homecoming, there was
a fun night following the basketball games until 11 p.m. The night included dancing, eating pizza and having quality time with their friends. “Students should participate to show everyone that they have school spirit,” junior Rosita Cowans said. “They should be encouraged to participate because it’s fun, and you got to experience everything.”
Rent-the-Runway offers high-brow dresses for cheap
ALE FLORES Staff Writer SubDeb is right around the corner. Girls are stressing out about what outfit to wear and whether to buy a new dress, or to wear something they own. Rent the Runway is an app that helps girls in this kind of situation. This application allows girls to rent dresses for any occasion. It offers anything from short cocktail dresses to glamorous gowns. It also grants girls to access over 300 designers and thousands of pieces.
Girls can select a delivery date as far as four or eight days before your event, though it is recommended to set a delivery date one or two days before you need your clothes. After you’re done with the clothes, you just have to drop them off at UPS store or drop box on return date. The renting seems to be affordable. The app offers hundreds of dresses from high end designers like Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and hundreds of other. Along with dresses, the app also offers shoes, jewlery and handbags from the same designers. With “Rent the Runway,” you can borrow $300 dresses for around $30. This money saving option has attracted many MHS students, but would be just as cost effective for any-
one. The app is a quick and easy way to update your wardrobe, without spending a small fortune on a dress you wil probably only wear once. “Rent the Runway” has more positive reviews from happy customers, mostly about the terrific customer service that this company offers, but it also has a fair amount of negative feedback which were mostly about not getting the items at the time needed. If you’re willing to take a risk “Rent the Runway,” is an app that can help you save a lot of money, and can make your event even more special without the worry of wondering if you are wearing the right outfit.
Thespians prepare for ‘Noises Off’ performance ALE FLORES Staff Writer Written by the English playwright Michael Frayn in 1977, “Noises Off” is a three-act play that portrays a play within a play. ”Noises off” is Manhattan High School’s winter play. The play tells the story of movie director, Lloyd Dallas, and his actors and staff who are working in a new play titled “Nothing On.” Set
in a 16th century posset mill, modernized by its current owners, “Nothing On” is the kind of play in which girls run around in their underwear and boys drop their trousers. “I love the show,” senior Savannah Smith said. “It’s a play within a play, but the play between the play is going super bad. The show ‘Noises Off’ is about that bad play and interactions between
Arrow Coffee exceptional
ANNA HUPP Staff Writer Arrow Coffee is airy and clean, and feels like it is more than the two stories it is above dingy Manhattan traffic. The coffee does not poke holes in that sense. It is rich and true, allegedly because of its measured, purist brewing techniques. Arrow’s Vanilla Latte swells in the back of the throat with a woody, full taste. It is complex: earthy, chocolatey and bitter tones also intermingle. The coffee’s flavors taste genuine. One
disclaimer is the latte’s strong, distinct aftertaste, which could be too much for some. Arrow’s Cafe Au Lait, on the other hand, is the opposite of complex. It is a single origin coffee (made of one bean from one place) with no added flavors. The Cafe Au Lait also differs from the Vanilla Latte because it slips down the throat instead of swelling. It tastes pure, clean, and, if taste had a color, dark brown. Arrow Coffee is extremely expensive for a high school student (the total cost of the coffees above was over seven dollars), but at least in Manhattan’s relatively limited selection, Arrow’s pure, rich brews stand out.
those characters in front and behind the scenes.” The roles for this comedy play have already been assigned after auditions that took place after winter break. Starring junior Elizabeth Riforgiate as Poppy, junior Adelaide Bliss as Brooke, junior Isaac Sorrel as Gary, senior Toula Sweeney as Belinda, and Smith as Dotty. “It’s going well,” Swee-
ney said. ”We are still in the early stages of blocking and memorizing. It’s a physically demanding show, there’s a lot of running around and throwing things and a bit of falling down stairs too. Right now our main concern is building the monster of a set that needs to be done soon.” The show will open Feb. 28 at Rezac Auditorium.
ARTIST OF THE WEEK How often do you dance? -“I have classes four days per week. I’m enrolled in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical and I’m also on Senior Company, which is our competition team. ” When did you decide to start dancing and why? -“I first started dancing when I was four years old. It first sparked an COURTESY PHOTO interest in me when I saw this professional ballerina dancing, and I wanted to be just like her when I grew up. I’ve been dancing ever since.” What do you like most about dancing? -“When I’m dancing, it’s one of the seldom times I feel like I can express myself. When you can connect with the music and let go of everything else on your mind, it’s the best feeling. ”
EMILY AUGUSTINE
Sports The Mentor // JAN 26, 2016 // MHSMENTOR.COM Page 4
Swim team takes third behind Washburn, Seaman JORDAN LUTZ
Staff Writer
Last Wednesday, the swimming and diving team competed against Seaman, Washburn and Wamego in a tough competition. “Seaman has a really hard team,” senior Ben Schaub said. “Washburn is always a powerhouse but I thought we had a pretty good match up. We could’ve done a little bit better with our relays, but we all swam pretty hard so I’m happy with what we did.” Schaub participated in the 50 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay and 100 backstroke in which he took 13th place. However, the boys team fell short in terms of points and placed third, behind Washburn and Seaman. “Everyone did their best,” senior August Balman said. “We were real close to second. I think we did really well.” The next time the teams compete will be in two weeks. Many swimmers are using this period to focus on getting better. “I just want to get better with my technique,” Schaub said. “I’m looking forward to getting better and looking forward to doing better at the next meet.” Their next meet is at home on Feb. 4 and 5. Diving will compete on Friday and swim on Saturday. Freshman Andrew Suh competes at the Jan. 20 home meet. PHOTO BY JORDAN LUTZ
Girls grapple with offensive struggles in road loss to Emporia GREG WOODS
Online Editor-in-Chief A week removed from a 77-34 demolition of Highland Park, the Manhattan High girls basketball team experienced quite the reversal of fortunes Friday night. The team’s defense performed much the same — it was the offense that sputtered. And that proved to be the difference Friday, as the Lady Indians were held under 40 points for the first time all season in a 46-34 road loss to Emporia. The obstacles on the offensive end manifested themselves in various forms, including times when Manhattan found itself standing around, as junior Gigi McAtee, who finished with eight points, explained. “We just kind of stopped moving,” she said. “We get stuck, and we’re not shooting well.”
Head coach Scott Mall simplified the issues: missed shots. “We rely on shooting the basketball a lot, because that’s the way we are,” Mall said. “We just need to put it in the hole a little more.” A bright spot on offense for Manhattan, though, was senior Madison Mittie, who totaled 13 points. After her team entered halftime trailing 14-12, Mittie canned two triples in the opening minutes of the third, and MHS lept ahead, 18-14. With two free throws that stretched the lead to 2014, the Lady Indians had seized the momentum. But that’s when Emporia was roused. From there, the Lady Spartans went on an 8-2 tear and again leapfrogged Manhattan, but this time, it was for good. Baskets from Taylor Birch and Kelsey Gordon sent Emporia into the fourth frame with a 26-24 lead, a lead from which it
did not look back. Manhattan made an array of attempts at comebacks in the fourth, but it was forced to foul the Lady Spartans to stop the clock to keep any hopes of a comeback alive. Such hopes gradually vanished as MHS watched Emporia sink 13-of-16 fourth-quarter free throws, however. “Obviously you never want to be in that situation,” McAtee said. “They’re good free throw shooters, and that hurt.” The possibility of a rally seemed perhaps most likely after McAtee converted on an and-one opportunity, three points that pulled Manhattan to within five with 48 seconds left. But Emporia responded by hitting 5-of-6 free throws to close out the win. As the physical, defensive affair wore on, foul trouble became an increasingly prevalent issue for Manhattan. Senior Tarrah Bammes was whistled for her third late
Bowling places last at home meet GAVIN LARIOS
Staff Writer
The Manhattan High bowling team dealt with a meet cancellation last week from the harsh weather conditions and this week they had to deal with a loss. “It was rough. There were a lot of newcomers, but it was not as bad as I expected it to be,” sopho-
more Riley Taylor said. The home meet at Little Apple Lanes consisted of Shawnee Heights, Emporia, Junction City and Manhattan and it did not go so swell for the Manhattan boys and girls. The boys placed third out of fourth and the girls placed fourth out of fourth. Individually, however, some members fared bet-
ter. Junior Dustin Wichman scored a 773 and placed first for the boys individually. Senior Andrea Miller placed fifth for the girls individually. The bowlers are looking ahead to their next meet Thursday at Junction City. “I’m mildly prepared for the next meet,” Taylor said.
Wrestling claims BVNW tourney GREG WOODS
Online Editor-in-Chief The Manhattan High wrestling team took first at the Blue Valley Northwest Husky Invitational last weekend, with three first-place finishers.
Manhattan firstplace finishers 285 weight class: Eldon Davis-Picou, junior 145 weight class: Mason Wallace, junior 138 weight class: Jalin Harper, sophomore
Final team scores
1. Manhattan (261.5) 2. BV Northwest (197.5) 3. Andover (183.0) 4. Blue Valley (155.5) 5. Olathe N.W. (153.0) 6. Turner (151.0) 7. Hutchinson (146.0) 8. Marion (129.5)
in the third frame, alongside Mittie, who picked up her fourth in the opening minutes of the fourth period. As a result, several freshmen saw a spike in minutes, and Mall was pleased with their performances. “I thought our girls came off the bench and played well. Haleigh Harper did good things; Chelsea Henry; Aubrey Downie all came in and did a good job,” Mall said. “Kia Wilson came in and made some nice moves to the basket.” But the players Mall listed off were plagued with mirror images of what the starters experienced. “We just didn’t get the ball in the basket enough,” he said. When Mittie was in the game, though, she noticed that Emporia flip-flopped between different looks on defense, a strategy that caught her team offbalance on offense.
“They were kind of switching zone and man,” she said. “That was switching up what we were running, if we were going to run a play, or if we were just going to run motion. So I think that just kind of switched us up.” Manhattan’s loss comes to the lone unbeaten team in the Centennial League, as Emporia improved to a spotless 6-0 in league play with the victory. Aside from Friday night’s over MHS, the wins have all been over squads in the bottom half of the league standings — the exact reason Mall stressed how eager the Lady Spartans were. “Coach Mall, before the game, was telling us they’re excited to play us and show how good they really are, because they’ve not played very good league teams,” McAtee said. “It’s just frustrating.” The first half was a tale of defense, as the teams
entered the second period knotted at five points apiece. Emporia, aided by Emma Harmon’s four first-half points, took a 14-12 lead into the intermission. Though Harmon would score just a single point more in the second half, the Lady Spartans used Tamia Victor’s 10-point performance to put the contest away. The loss dips Manhattan’s record to 8-2 ahead of the McPherson Invitational that begins Thursday and concludes next Saturday. McAtee spelled out several areas in which she would like to see refinement from her team. “We definitely need to work on zone offense; getting it inside and back out,” she said. “And some more conditioning. We need to be able to run up and down the court and get those buckets.”
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Trevor Hudgins doesn’t like to lose. So when the Manhattan High boys basketball team dropped a 57-53 decision to Wichita East at the Tournament of Champions Friday in Dodge City, he responded emphatically in the third-place game the next day. The junior totaled 16 points and six assists in the Indians’ 70-53 win over Maize on Saturday, securing the team a thirdplace finish and an exit from the tournament with an 11-1 record on the season. “They pressed early in the fourth, and so I knew their bigs were slower than us, so [I] just blew past them,” Hudgins said. “Tried to feed people, try to get some easy looks.” Over the course of the three-day tournament, Hudgins finished with 36 points and 13 assists, bringing his per-game averages to 10 and 5.2, respectively. The Indians hit the road Saturday to take on Emporia.
TREVOR HUDGINS
Boys take home third at Tournament of Champions in Dodge City GREG WOODS
Online Editor-in-Chief After completing nearly the first two months of a season with an unblemished record, at 10-0, the Manhattan High boys basketball team’s unbeaten streak came to an end on Saturday. The loss came at the hands of Wichita East at the Tournament of Champions in Dodge City, a 5753 defeat. The good news for the Indians, however, was that they won the games sandwiching Saturday’s loss — a 55-35 blowout of Hutchinson Thursday in the opening round of the tournament, and a 70-53 rout over Maize Saturday afternoon. The 2-1 record
was good for a third-place finish and bronze medals for each of the players. The demolition of Hutchinson began nearly as soon as the game began. Manhattan bolted out to a 13-5 lead after the first frame, and though the Salthawks rallied in the second quarter and slowed the machine that is the Indians’ combination of zone defense and quick offense, Manhattan entered halftime with a 25-14 advantage. Hutchinson clawed to as close as five in the third quarter, but the Indians’ 36-26 lead after three led to a fourth-quarter walkover. Manhattan outscored the Salthawks 19-9 in the fourth on its way to the 55-35 win.
Manhattan’s matchup with Wichita East didn’t seem likely on Thursday — after trailing Hays by 11 in the final 90 seconds, the Aces ended the contest on a 13-0 run and escaped with a win. But perhaps it was a matchup to be, an anticipated one at that: East’s roster includes K-Stateturned-Clemson commit Xavier Kelly, as well as his brother Elijah Kelly. But it was a game the Indians could not hold on to, falling in overtime after they had a chance to end it in regulation. Senior Gabe Awbrey missed two free throws that would have put his team up two with less than three seconds remaining. In overtime, fellow se-
nior Grant Munsen also missed two free throws, two that would have tied the game. But the escape-artist Aces squeaked by with another win, ending Manhattan’s historic unbeaten start to the season. “I just missed them. I think that’s the first time all year that I’ve missed two free throws in a row,” Awbrey said. “I should have knocked them down.” If MHS harbored any frustrations over Friday’s loss on Saturday, they unleashed them on Maize, the second-ranked team in 5A, in the thirdplace game. And Trevor Hudgins had a lot to do with it. The junior was the In-
dians’ lone selection to the All-Tournament team on top of being named Most Inspirational Player, and understandably so: he tallied 16 points en route to his team’s 70-53 win. “They pressed early in the fourth, and so I knew their bigs were slower than us, so [I] just blew past them,” Hudgins said. “Tried to feed people, try to get some easy looks.” Manhattan suffocated the Eagles all game long with its flagship 2-3 zone and rolled offensively. The Indians led 21-11 after one and 34-19 at halftime, but Maize was not content to roll over and die. Instead, the Eagles opened the third quarter on a tear and pulled to within four late in the
frame, at 42-38. Entering the fourth period, Manhattan’s advantage was whittled to 46-40. But the same player that engineered his team’s hot start made certain it would not lose its momentum. Or the game. Hudgins returned to form in the fourth, ensuring his team’s third-place finish. “I thought we did really good, but we could fix some things,” Hudgins said. “I’ll give credit to Wichita East on beating us.” The Indians, now with a number greater than zero in the loss column, hit the road again on Saturday to take on Emporia.
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Features
Choirs receive taste of foreign cultures TARA MAGAÑA
Blue M Assistant Verbal Editor From French and German to Latin, Filipino and Hebrew, choir director Chad Pape always keeps to the standard of incorporating music from around the world into the music selections he gives his various choirs. This is especially true for Chamber Choir, which is currently only rehearsing music in different languages. “It just adds another layer of complications,” Pape said. “So, in addition to getting notes and rhythms correct, now we also have to learn how to pronounce a foreign language convincingly, and we all have to agree rhythmically on exactly how we’re going to pronounce it and when we’re going to pronounce it, and that kind of thing.” To help his students get a feel for their new pieces this quarter, Pape had them look at poems that go with certain pieces. “It really helps that [Pape] went over the language and then put it to music,” junior Chamber member Emily Augustine said. “You kind of got to know the language and then you got to know the music part of it. Once we got the music, then we were able to more focus on the melody, the
rhythm, rather than trying to learn all of that at one time.” To help with pronunciation, many students take note of phonetics. “I write down what it sounds like to me,” sophomore Chamber member Faolan Benco said. “That way, when I’m looking at it, I can just read what I write down.” But even with the phonetics noted, switching between languages isn’t easy for all. “It’s difficult to just be constantly going through it, switching between foreign languages,” Augustine said. “[In] German, you pronounce things different than French. You have to totally change your mindset on how you’re supposed to sing.” As well as learning pronunciations, the choirs will also work on conveying the emotion intended by the composer. “We haven’t delved into much translation yet because we’re just desperately trying to get the syllables in the correct places, but we will go through and do kind of a line-by-line translation and then talk about what the poetry is getting at in translation,” Pape said. For some students, learning music in languages from around the world has increased their cultural awareness. “It makes me more ap-
Sophomore Gavin Bishop and junior Grant Williams sing foreign songs in chamber choir sixth hour.
preciative of other cultures and stuff,” Augustine said. “When we do foreign language stuff, personally for me, I like to kind of learn about what language I’m singing; I like to learn about the place that uses that.
So, it diversifies me as a person, or it just lets me experience other things that I wouldn’t normally just go out and be like ‘I want to look up French poetry.’ I don’t typically do that.” Benco agrees.
PHOTO BY GREG WOODS
“It gets you more culturally aware,” Benco said. “You learn more about what other cultures sing about [and] their style of music.” As with all new languages it takes time to become proficient.
“It’s always kind of slow going at the beginning because there’s a little bit of culture shock in realizing you have to learn foreign pronunciation,” Pape said. “They’re doing well, just have to be patient.”
Gonzales says goodbye after 10 years Savannah Cherms Entertainment Editor
Junior Emily Augustine poses in front of an “American’s Got Talent” sign after her auditon. PHOTO COURTESY OF HEATHER AUGUSTINE
Augustine auditions for ‘America’s Got Talent’ MEGAN KLUG
Blue M Sports Editor Dreams and aspirations can sometimes be out of reach and cause people to stop chasing them, but junior Emily Augustine did just the opposite. On Sunday Augustine traveled to the Kansas City Convention Center to audition for a beloved television talent show, “America’s Got Talent.” The dream Augustine has is to become a famous singer, striving to make it on to the show is her first step. “I wanted to be a famous singer for as long as I can remember because music is a really good way to connect with people,” Augustine said. However, the want to be famous was overruled by the satisfaction of experience. Full of surprises, Augustine was baffled when the auditions were held much differently than how they appeared on television. It shone a whole new light on show business. “I was expecting the judges to be there,” Augustine said. “You just went into a room with the producer of the show and then there were two guys at a table in there and then another guy running a camera.” Along with the process of doing the audition, registering was also con-
trolled. Instead of filming the actual registration of the contestants, the producers took an alternate approach to capture excitement. “They had us walk through and pretend that we had just gotten there, no idea what was going on, just really excited and everything,” Augustine said. Throughout the course of the day there were estimated to be over a thousand participants auditioning. Augustine felt confident in her audition and is content with whatever outcome she will figure out in further months. That’s when she will find out whether she will move on to the next round, auditioning for the judges. The experience was viewed as more important. “I feel good about how I did but it also depends what they’re looking for,” Augustine said. “Like, if they’re not looking for my style of voice it doesn’t mean I’m bad or anything it just means that’s not what they were looking for.” For others in search of what to do about their dreams, Augustine has simple advice. “If you have a dream chase it,” Augustine said. “If you really want something you have to work for it, you can’t just expect it to happen.”
All good things must end. The time has finally come; after years and years of rumors, whispers in the hallways and panicked students, East Campus security officer Carlos Gonzales has finally decided to retire. After his 10 years of service, Gonzales’s health has finally been brought to his attention, and he will be undergoing knee surgery. After the surgery, Gonzales will sign his retirement papers later in March. He has served in the military, been a police officer and head of the fire department. He says that working at Manhattan High has been the most rewarding job he’s had. “All these stairs, after being a cop and being in the fire department for 20 years, it took a toll on my knees. Lucy [Gonzales, East Campus sec-
FROM WADE PAGE 1 Wade holds USD 383 in high regard and hopes to enact his own expertise to further the academic reputation of the district. “There are a lot of high quality staff, highly skilled staff, that are trained and committed to helping kids,” Wade said. “There are strong programs and lots of parent involvement. There’s just
retary and Carlos’ wife] wants me to stay with her. I said I would try, and Dave [Holloway, East Campus principal] asked me to stay till June. I told him that I would try, but I couldn’t.” T h e reaction f r o m faculty has been a consistent mixture of happiness and sadness about Carlos leaving. “The faculty at east campus don’t want me to go,” Carlos said. “They know that the kids will listen to me. They always say ‘Carlos can you come get this kid, I told them to go to office and they won’t go,’ and all I have to do is walk in. I think that’s what they’re going to miss. I can go in and clear a room.”
Carlos has been a staple at MHS East Campus for 10 years now, and the power that he holds there is recognizable. Still, the relationship between the officer and the students is a playful one built entirely on trust and respect. “I get d o w n to the kids level. You can’t be talking down to them. You have to talk to them and mean what you say,” Carlos said. “It’s a confidence between me and the students. Every year I tell them, you guys will tell me what’s going on in your school. We have a respect where you know I’m trying to help them.” After years at MHS, and after 10 different classes of ninth graders, Carlos can still remember some
of his favorite memories with the students. “I had one student who came here about four years ago. A student came to me and told me there was a kid crying on the corner,” Carlos said. “So, I went down and talked to him. He was from Mexico and, he wanted to go home. I’m from Mexico. I didn’t want to come here either. I realized he had a great opportunity here; I had it too. I told him he had a good opportunity; I told him ‘your parents sent you here to help you get a good education.’ I finally got him to stop crying, and I said to him, ‘Stay for one month, and if you still don’t like it, I will help you get home.’ I asked him if he does any sports, and he said ‘well I run a little.’ Look at him now; he’s signed at his college; he’s got two rings. I make a difference in these kid’s lives, and it’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever had.”
a tradition in Manhattan of parent involvement in the school district that helps the school. There is also Fort Riley and KState here for partnerships which makes it a good opportunity. Given the opportunity to come here is too much of an opportunity to pass up. I am excited about it; I am even more excited now after meeting staff and seeing students. It really
is a place to be proud of.” Wade believes his past experience along with his other capabilities make him a fantastic match for USD 383. “My strengths are the ability to work with different people and different things,” Wade said. “I have experience working in the community and with different partnerships. I have experience as a principal and an as-
sistant superintendent, director of education and superintendent in different districts. I have been there for growth and community development. I know enough to work with people who know more than me. It is a broader array of experiences that I think meshes well with the highly skilled people at USD 383.”
“We have a respect where you know I’m trying to help [the kids].” -- Carlos Gonzales
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Trending
Enrollment time
is almost here Tips for staying out of your counselor’s office next year Underclassmen, we’re talking to you right now. That time of the year is creeping up on us, and we’re almost ready to choose our classes for next year. While you may think you know what classes you want to be in, chances are you’ll change your mind. Here are some tips to keep yourself out of the counselor’s office next year. >> What are you interested in doing with your life? Take classes that will help you with your career aspirations. Hopefully, you’ll like those classes so you won’t need to switch out. >> Don’t just take classes that your friends are in. High school is temporary and most of the time, so are your friends. Don’t choose classes based on what your friends are choosing. >> Branch out. Try a pathway that you haven’t taken any classes in yet. Have you spent all of high school tak-
ing business classes? Take ceramics or painting, and give your brain some free time to think abstractly. >> Don’t fill your schedule with six advanced placement classes. You’ll hate yourself. >> At the same time, don’t fill your schedule with easy classes. Challenge is good. You still need to grow academically. Don’t waste four years of your life. >> Math is not always stupid, and you will, in fact, face times in your life that
you will need to know how to find the angle of a hypothetical triangle. >> Start thinking about co llege, and look at what classes you need to be considered for admission at your dream university. A lot of them are expecting two years of a foreign language nowadays. >> Look at what else we have on this handy page for you so you’ll know other information, such as how to be a Kansas Scholar, and what to look forward to when you’re a junior or senior.
Graduation requirements
save lives tara magaña
Assistant Blue M Editor for Verbal Content
In case you’re one of those people who zone out during class meetings and are now in desperate need of scholarship money, or if you just need a refresher, here’s some tips to get the thousands of dollars you’ll need to attend a four-year college. FAFSA -- No matter what, make sure the fill out the FAFSA if you want the federal government to give you money. But DON’T fill it out until the year you plan to attend college (meaning between January and, preferably, March of your senior year for most of us). The FAFSA will not only give you free money based on your family’s income, but it will also determine if you have to pay interest on student loans and if you are eligible for a work-study! Most need-based scholarships also require you to fill this monstrosity out. Also, make sure to go to the correct website. fafsa.edu.gov is the real one. fafsa.org is a scam. Kansas Regents -- Are you planning to attend a Kansas university? Well, you’re in luck! Our counselors have been talking about Kansas Regents’ scholarships since freshman year! And it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! Basically, do what it takes to graduate from MHS, and then add on an extra year of math and science, and two semesters of foreign language. That’s it; that’s all you have to do to qualify!
ANNA ALANAZI
drea Lu
s by An
graphic
Staff Writer -- Four Credits of Language Arts -- Three Credits of Mathematics including: •Algebra I (or the equivalent class) • Three Credits of Science including: • Biology, • one year of physical science, and • one credit of science elective -- Three Credits of Social Science including: • World History, •American History, U.S. Government and one-half credit of a social science elec tive • Two Credits of Physical Education: i cluding 9th grade P.E. and one credit of physical education/health elective • One Credit of Fine Arts • Eight Credits of Electives
Scholarships
Other Kansas Scholarships -- If you need more money than that, well, it’s a good thing that the state of Kansas offers additional scholarships. Just google Kansas Regents scholarships and one of the first links will take you to a list of all the different scholarships Kansas offers. Colleges - Look into scholarships at the schools
you apply to and make sure you qualify for them. Yeah, you may have to pay an application fee, but that money pales in comparison to the amount they can give you.
Dual Credits/AP tests -Do you want to save money as well as make it? Well, it’s a good thing MHS offers dual credits and AP courses. If you decide to take a dual credit that falls under Senate Bill 155, then the class is free! Who doesn’t love free college classes? Then there’s the other dual credits that MATC offers for $300/semester! That’s less than you’d have to pay if you took the classes on MATC’s campus! Then there’s AP courses. Only take the test if you’re confident you’ll score high enough for it to apply at schools you want to attend. If you want to go to an Ivy League school, there’s a good chance they won’t accept any scores. Don’t waste your time or your money. Google -- And lastly, Google scholarships. It’s not that hard. People give out money to people who are left handed. There’s bound to be something you’ll qualify for. Also, don’t be lazy. Write those essays. You’re more likely to get those since no one likes writing essays. Just don’t fall for a scam. Remember, stuff from overseas is usually sketch. If the spelling and grammar is wonky, it’s probably not legit. You don’t have to send money to win any sort of lottery. If you’re not sure, just Google the organization to see what other people think about the site. Are you confused on how scholarship stuff works? Talk to Ball in the counselor’s office or call up the financial aid office at the schools you plan on applying to. They are probably more than willing to help you out. I mean, it is their job.
Seniors: here is what you need to be doing for college ALAN BROWN
Copy Editor
Brainstorm: What do YOU want in a college? - This is great place to start if you are still unsure about what colleges to consider. Think about your preferences on the cost, location, size, academic rigor, the party scene, social life, athletics and the campus of a college. After brainstorming, you can discover which colleges cater most to your needs and proceed from there. Websites such as usnews.com offer databases of colleges that may also prove helpful. But be sure to keep in mind that college isn’t for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay! Trade schools and apprenticeships lead to excellent, good paying careers as well. What’s important is finding the right fit for you. (Also, DO NOT choose a college only because your friends are going there. Friends come and go, but your diploma stays with you for the rest of your life.) Circle key dates on your calendar: Depending on which colleges you have
applied to or will apply to, the day that you find out whether you were accepted or rejected to a school will vary. Some colleges operate through rolling decision, meaning that decisions will be released ASAP. Other schools, typically those that are more selective, have set dates and times when notifications are sent. Remember the key dates for your schools and proceed from there. Read up on college reviews: Whether or not you have decided on a school or not, reading up on online college reviews can be very useful (such as those on niche.com). These are great resources to help discover if a college is right for you and what to expect. Often these reviews give insight that the colleges themselves would never share while recruiting you. However, it’s important that you read these critically. Reviews can sometimes be overly biased. It’s also important to remember that just because one student may have had an amazing or awful experience at a school doesn’t mean that you will too.
Take a college visit: This is perhaps the best way to learn about a college. Considering MHS offers excused absences in order to take college visits, what are you waiting for? Visiting a college allows you to become familiar with the area, meet students and faculty, take a guided tour through many campus buildings, peek in on classes, stay overnight in a dorm and experience life as a student. If you are an athlete, this is also a great opportunity to chat with coaches and explore the facilities. Keep an eye out for college open house dates as well. Find ways to save money : This is an important step for many students hoping to limit the burden of student debt. Take advantage of scholarships! Luckily for you, we’ve generously provided a list of where to find them. Secondly, don’t slack off in your AP classes! Since colleges pay little attention to second semester grades, it’s easy to let grades slide. However, performing well in the classroom will often translate to a good AP score, which can save you hundreds of dollars in col-
lege tuition. Finally, acquire a summer job. Even though high schoolers usually get paid very little over the minimum wage, a little bit of money goes a long way if you choose to save up. Also, check with your prospective college to see if it offers work-study. These programs offer work to students on campus during the semester. Often these jobs provide generous pay and offer flexible schedules.
COLLEGE
$
FUNDS
Take Care of Enrollment Steps: Once you’ve finally committed to a college, it is time to apply the finishing touches. Inform your school of choice that you’ve committed by putting down the required deposit money. Next, register for housing and classes ASAP. Some schools determine these things on a first-come first-
served basis, so it’s important not to procrastinate. Finally, write down the dates of orientation and the first day of class. If you are attending a school out of state, it’s best to have travel arrangements for the fall planned sooner than later. Acquire good habits/ skills: Compared to high school, college is an entirely different animal. Not only will you be expected to do more assignments for your classes, but you will need to balance those with newly acquired adult responsibilities as well. In order to prep for this new lifestyle, you can do many things. First of all, train yourself to stop procrastinating. You can get away with procrastination in high school, but in college, it will be disastrous. Just ask your college friends! Start performing more chores and errands around the house. Yes, these tasks sound boring, but it’s best to learn these skills now rather than later. Lastly, soak up advice from your parents while you still can. They won’t be around to take care of things for you while you are away at college.