M
The
ENTOR
Manhattan High School Volume 101 Issue 7 Oct. 15, 2013
page 4
HALO conference connects students Dheepthi Perumal Entertainment Editor While students and staff members of Manhattan High School got ready for the evacuation drill on Tuesday, Hispanic students and AP Spanish students from MHS traveled to Kansas State University to attend the seventh annual Hispanic American Leadership Organization Convention. H.A.L.O. is a student organization at K-State. The members are dedicated to promoting the Hispanic culture on campus and throughout the Manhattan community, while seeking to develop leadership skills and encourage academic excellence.
“This is my first year and I enjoyed it very much,” Spanish teacher Leonides Oropesa said. “In the past they have asked me to go but this year because so many students attended another sponsor was needed.” From MHS, 60 students attended the convention, which was open to all Kansas high schools. Two Spanishspeaking teachers also attended, ESL teacher Eunice Rivera and Oropesa. The day consisted of a continental breakfast, speakers and workshops. The convention was run by the H.A.L.O club at K-State. The college students fundraised and got donations to make the convention happen.
“I connected with other students who were in my same shoes,” sophomore Gabriela Guaman said. “And the food was amazing and showed an aspect of the Hispanic culture.” “Students learned a lot from the day,” Rivera said. “This has been my sixth year attending, and every year the students learn something new about history of Hispanics in America.” The main speaker of the event was Costa Rican and was an HBO producer. The students screened his film, where he interviewed famous Americans who were of Hispanic heritage. The goal of the movie was to encourage and motivate stu-
Colleges come calling
dents to success. “After the conference I asked all the students how they thought the day went, and the students said they enjoyed the day and learnt a lot from the speakers,” Oropesa said. “My daughter told me she felt empowered,” Rivera said. Rivera and Oropesa are planning on creating an event where the panel from H.A.L.O will come to MHS. The panel will be during lunch so students can attend and have a Q-and-A with the college students. The college students will be talking the students about scholarships, future plans for college and jobs in America.
Scholars Bowl recruits team Danielle Cook Copy Editor
During Manhattan High School’s College Fair, senior Ethan Schmidt talks to a Kansas State representative about the things that go on in that University. Manhattan High has been planning this fair since spring of 2013. Every year juniors and seniors have 20-25 minutes to get a closer view into the colleges. Katie Ball, MHS career counselor, invited other area high schools to visit booths from approximately 50 institutions at yesterday’s event in the commons. “It’s a great opportunity for students college expirations,” Ball said.
SADD prepares for pledges Connor Bliss Features Editor In a recent report by Trust for America's Health, Kansas’s drug mortality rate has doubled since 1999. But next week, Students Against Destructive Decisions is taking this problem to task during Red Ribbon week. Red Ribbon week started 28 years ago when DEA Agent Enrique Camarena was killed. Camarena revealed information about the
location of marijuana fields, which were destroyed. Drug lords ordered the kidnapping of Camarena and his body was later found dead, sparking outrage in people across the nation This year SADD is adding more to their usual list of Red Ribbon week activities. They will continue to keep the seat belt check. The pledge to stay drug free is coming back, too, but it’s taking a little trip down the evolution chart. Instead of
just signing your name and moving on, there will be a little twist. Anyone can make the pledge, but if you wear red you can participate in a “What Would you do for a Klondike Bar” challenge for, of course, a Klondike Bar. The challenges will be revealed as the date nears. “I hope it does [have an affect on people], but yeah to an extent I really do think it affects some people,” SADD President Alyssa Frey said.
As Scholars Bowl’s new season approaches, head coach Ted Dawdy is beginning to organize this year’s team, hoping to set the group up for continued success. “Last year, we did really well. We took second at our league tournament and we qualified for State for the first time since, I believe, 2005,” Dawdy said. “This season, I’d really like to, at least, match how well we did last year. The main things are that I’d like to see us do well at League tournament and qualify for State again. Last year, at State, there were eight teams and we took fifth.” Coming into his 18th year as Scholars Bowl head coach at Manhattan High, Dawdy also hopes to see increasing interest from students, as far as giving Scholars Bowl a try. “I have about 23 kids on right now, but we’re pretty flexible; I always have a few kids who decide maybe Scholars Bowl isn’t for them, and that’s ok, but I also have kids who decide they’d like to do it after it’s started, and that’s all right, too,” Dawdy said. According to Dawdy, Scholars Bowl practices are held weekly -- on either Mondays or Tuesdays -- and the team’s first competition will be a tournament in Emporia on Monday, Oct. 28.
“What are they made of? Because it’s definitely not just sugar and spice,” sophomore Austin Grand Pre said about the Powder Puff boys. On Oct. 8 the senior Powder Puff cheerleaders cheered at the Powder Puff football game. While the senior boys were busy showing off their talent, the ladies on
the field took over as football players. Ponytails high, eye black on thick, the anticipation glittered on the grass. From the first quarter the blue team dominated the white, but despite being behind, the white team kept up a winning attitude. At half-time the score was 22-0, and during half-time the boys did a cheer routine. In spite of the cold, the boys quickly pumped up the crowd.
In the third and fourth quarter things began to heat up and the game got more serious. As a lot of incomplete passes and fumbles were made throughout the game on both teams. The white team picked up its score and eventually exited the field with a final score of 24-16. The game was mainly revolving around having a good time, competitive fun while still being serious.
page 5
Blood Drive sets goals Sarah Shi Opinion Editor One hundred pints of blood can save 300 lives. Student Council is aiming to reach 100 pints by the end of the blood drive on Thursday, which would be an increase from their usual 80 pints. “One in five people will need blood at some point in their life,” Student Body Secretary senior Hannah Nelson said. The blood drive, which is coordinated with the Red Cross, will be held all day in the South Gym, the same location as previous years. However, the organizers of the blood drive changed the incentive to donate blood this year by incorporating competition between the classes to donate the highest amount. “People seem to like competitions,” Nelson said. At first, StuCo planned to coordinate a competition with Junction City, but because there were issues with the date, the idea fell through. However, StuCo decided that the seniors and juniors would compete against each other while the sophomores would be split between the two grades: sophomores with last names A through M would be on
the seniors’ side while those with last names N through Z would work with the juniors to donate blood. One idea for a prize to the winning grades is allowing the students to get into a football game free with their student ID, but the idea must be approved through Athletics Director Mike Marsh first. In addition, seniors who attempt to donate blood or do donate blood will be entered in for the chance to randomly win a scholarship. Each year Red Cross sends over a representative to talk to the StuCo members about how to organize a blood drive and gives them the information packet, the sign up sheets and the specific details to let the blood drive run smoothly. Sign up for the blood drive will be every day through Wednesday during both lunches. Walk-ins are welcome, but highly discouraged. Students 16 and above are allowed to donate blood and need parental consent if they are under 18. “Remember to eat a good breakfast and drink lots of water,” Nelson said to those who plan on donating. “Also, ladies make sure your iron is up. Oreos are great sources.”
Design students consider options Retta Lazaris Staff Writer
Students in classes that specialize in media and business came together last week on Wednesday and Thursday to listen to Erin Butler from the Art Institute in Kansas City (located in Lenexa) talk about future careers in media, fashion, design and culinary arts. Sophomore Rheannan Weixelman is planning on going into fashion. She found this presentation helpful for her preparation and plans to visit the Art Institute in her upperclassman years. “I want to be the one who gets to design the clothes,” Weixelman said. “The speaker was really, really good. I like all the visual aids she had with her presentation.” Even students who do not plan to go into any of the
Art Institutes fields of study found the presentation to be informative. “It was good. I’ve seen it, like, three times. It’s informative and well-put-together, and she presents it very well. It does add interest to that field,” senior Conner Brown said. He plans on pursuing a career in computer technology. Butler used a bunch of clips from video production and animation shorts created by students who actually attend the institution. “The visual aids were probably the best part. It shows you how much you can actually do if you go to college and get an education,” Brown said. Butler took some time at the end of her presentation to share some wisdom she See Design students consider options on page 5
Math Circle broadens knowledge Danielle Cook Copy Editor Manhattan High’s newest interest group, Math Circle, is associated with Kansas State University’s own math program. The group of students are sponsored by MHS math teacher Laura Sapp. She holds a particular interest in mathematics and wishes to further students’ knowledge and experience in the subject. The purpose of Math Circle is to broaden MHS’ student body’s interest in and appreciation for math. “[Math Circle] is a collaboration between Manhattan
Girls suit up for return of Powder Puff Madison Newman Staff Writer
page 5
“The game was fun to watch. It got intense,” senior Trey Gilmer, a member of the boys Powder Puff team, said. “I like the attention. It’s fun and I like the people I get to cheer with.” Freshman - senior girls line up to snap the ball during the Powder Puff football game last Tuesday Oct. 8. Madison Newman, photographer
High School and the K-State math department. We have guest-speakers come in and talk to us about different parts of mathematics -- interesting problems, maybe career opportunities,” Sapp said. “The students also do math competitions. There are a lot of math competitions that take place in the United States, so we’re picking some of those to participate in, as well as participating in the K-State math club.” Like most other clubs at MHS, Math Circle was started because some students and teachers felt the need to explore a certain subject, hopefully sparking interest
in lots of other students, as well. “Since I’ve been here, I’ve kind of seen a need for kids that maybe want to go beyond what they do in the classroom, to be a little bit more challenged,” Sapp said. “Another big push why I got it started is the K-State math department actually contacted me and essentially asked me to do it, as well.” As an interest group, Math Circle’s goal is to eventually become an official school club, but until then, Sapp says they will occupy See Math Circle on page 5