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Manhattan High School Volume 101 Issue 5 Sept. 24, 2013
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Survey shows mixed feelings towards Tribe Time Rachel Beach Staff Writer Every Wednesday for 20 minutes for the whole school year; is Tribe Time a good way to spend that time? A recent survey was given to Charles Mamolo’s physics classes regarding the students opinions about Tribe Time. The results of the survey
are in and they are surprisingly controversial. There were 85 students surveyed. The feedback showed that almost exactly half of the students like Tribe Time, find Tribe Time productive, and wish to continue Tribe Time throughout the school year. Whereas the other half do not like Tribe Time, find the time unproductive, and wish for Tribe Time to be discontinued.
Several students left notes on the surveys that specified the difference in their answers depending on activity period days compared to regular, in-class Tribe Time days. The Wednesdays spent in class tended to have more negative responses whereas the Wednesdays dedicated to going to clubs was better liked and found more productive. The results were 50/50 on
all of the survey questions except for the for one which had a clear answer. 39% of the students surveyed said that the allotted time given for Tribe Time is too long and should be shortened. 32% that filled out the survey said they want more time allotted for Tribe Time and the last 35% want the same amount of time. Overall Tribe Time has resulted in mixed feelings among students.
By the Numbers:
Do you like Tribe Time? Yes- 48% No- 51% Do you find Tribe Time productive? Yes- 47% No- 53% Should Tribe Time be continued? Yes- 53% No- 47%
Students lead campaign against texting, driving
Students and organizers Heidi Rippert and Kari Quiton stand outside Rezac Auditorium during lunch Thursday collected pledges from students, saying they wouldn’t text and drive. FCCLA, SADD, and the family and consumer science classes helped organize the event that included the pledge, and a movie showing the dangers that accompany texting and driving. Danielle Cook, Photographer Liz Logback Editor-in-Chief
Students squirmed in their seats as they watched the horrors of texting and driving accidents unfold before their eyes. The silence in the auditorium was thick, and only cut when victims shared their stories. The tissues came out when a brother began to explain his sister’s coma and the effect it had on him. A few students even got up and left when a woman mourned the loss of her dog, her best friend.
The video presented by Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and Family and Consumer Science classes on Thursday showed all the gruesome results of texting while driving, causing many students to pledge against it. The three groups partnered up to host Manhattan High’s first annual hands-free driving pledge. During both lunches Thursday, a large banner was laid out for students to sign and vow that they would not text and drive. At the same time, a movie played in Rezac auditorium that reiterated the dangers of distracted driving. “The purpose of the pledge and what FCCLA is doing is to make people aware of the dangers of texting and driving. And hopefully deter as much texting and driving as we can,” Resource Officer Jamie Douglas said. The preparation for the event took about three weeks. FCCLA advisor and Family and Consumer Science instructor Heidi Rippert says she couldn’t be more proud of her students.
“They [students] have done all of the contact with Mrs. [Linda} Uthoff to set up all the stuff in Rezac. They’ve made the contact to The Mentor as well as to Michelle Jones. It looks like I did it all because it’s from my email, but the students wrote all of those emails,” Rippert said. “They had to propose their plan to Mr. [Greg] Hoyt, to actually get permission to do everything they wanted to do.” Family and Consumer Science student junior Austin Gwinner worked on designing the posters and setting up the video in Rezac. “We want to stop an accident before it happens. We don’t want to have to do this because an accident happens, we want to think ahead,” he said. SADD member senior Janelle Collado feels similarly. “You can get in a lot of trouble just by texting a few letters,” she said. “This is a national initiative that’s going on right now. I’ve seen some celebrities tweet about it like Ashley Tisdale. Every time somebody pledges on the computer, AT&T donates a
dollar to FCCLA.” AT&T, Riley County Police Department and Able Printing all provided promotional material for the event. “From the planning process, to proposing to administration, to collaborating and working out all the details, printing and hanging posters, and getting the information out there to all the students, we want to be proactive in some of the standards that we’re trying to learn in our Real Life Class,” Rippert said. “I hope my students have gained cooperation skills, learning that they have to put things first and that they have to go through a planning process,” she said. For sophomore Andrew Wilson, taking the pledge made a difference. “One minute you’re up texting someone and then the next moment you’re in the back of somebody else,” Wilson said. “It’s important to get the word out, because people go out to lunch and stuff and you don’t want car wrecks.”
Enviro science has ‘hoot’ with owl pellets
Environmental Science students in Leslie Campbell’s classroom slice and dice owl pellets on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Left, junior Jason Kildow and senior James Kordyak admire the bones pertruding from their pellets. Right, senior Kyler Reith cuts into the pellet to uncover all the tiny bones of mice and small birds within. Owl pellets are formed when owls throw up their undigested food. Retta Lazaris, Photographer
Opinion The Mentor www.mhsmentor.com
Question of the Week: Miss America is definitely American Is it worth it to buy the new iPhone 5S or light was one that expressed racism, should be frowned upon. What should be recognized is that the crowning of an Indian-American betoWe fought to get gender kens that our nation is willing and racial equality, and just to acknowledge its growing recently, gay rights were lemultiracial and multicultural galized (in certain states) and makeup. stamped with the official seal Furthermore, Davuluri, of approval. But it seems like who was born in Syracuse, those racial equality papers New York, is indeed an went through the shredder American citizen, after last week’s according to her leMiss America papers (if those pageant. There is no excuse for people to gal do matter to us in Since Miss New York Nina continue to claim that just because situations such this one.) There is no Davuluri was she does not look like what Miss excuse for people crowned the new Miss AmerAmericas were expected to look 20 continue to claim that just because ica Sept. 15, Dayears ago, we are allowing so-called she does not look vuluri has been lashed out upon foreigners to represent the United like what Miss Americas were exfor her IndianStates of America. pected to look 20 American heriyears ago, we are tage; the comallowing so-called ments ranged from anti-Arab sentiment ward Davuluri -- social media foreigners to represent the to anti-Indian racism. Ironi- is highly efficient in making United States of America. Think back to our Americally, Davuluri’s platform any passing buzz appear far issue, Celebrating Diversity more dramatic than it often can values. They are what through Cultural Compe- is -- but the fact that the is- define us, not our looks. tency, wants to prevent the sue they chose to bring to
The editorial is a compilation from a discussion held by the Editorial board.
mindset that has caused people to question to whether she is indeed American enough to be Miss America. It’s surprising how a segment of this country turned its back on a classic American value -- equality -- that is woven into the very fabric of this nation. It is evident that not all Miss America pageant viewers voiced criticism to-
5C? Why? “No, because iPhones are lame. Even the new Nokia is more worth it.” - junior Israel Wheatley
“
“5c because the colors are color big upgrade.” - senior Erica Sawyer
“The newest iPhone 5c is crucial to listen to all your favorite Lana del Ray songs, while drinking your Starbucks’ Pumpkin SpiOS7 latte, and take as many soft grunge Instagrams as possible.” - junior Trevor Bashaw
Next edition: What is the one thing you’re looking forward to in fall? Submit answers to mhsmentor.com
It’s time to embrace Monday tests Alan Brown
Monday tests. A synonym for terror. Exaggerations aside, Monday tests have practically gone extinct due to the negative reactions from students. The groans and disgruntled expressions have discouraged teachers from scheduling them, resulting
in a weekend that lives up to its name -- a “weak” workload indeed. But with homework and tests heavier during the end of the week than ever, it’s about time we brought Monday tests back. Students will probably argue that they hate the pressure that is involved with having a test hanging over them the entire weekend. To some, the ideal Saturdays and Sundays would be a time when learning would take a backseat to nonstop entertainment. Anything less would be crime to humanity. However, this approach disregards the value of free time during the week.
Athletes, for example, are burdened with having to balance studying with sporting events during the week. The pressure of having to perform at a quality level in both categories at a given time is frustrating to deal with, and it’s unnecessary. A majority of sporting events (besides a few Saturday runs) are exempt from weekend sporting practices and events. Using the weekend as an occasional study time and the hours after school as a time devoted to sports would not only provide a pleasant balance in the athlete’s schedule, but it would likely result in greater productivity in both as well.
It’s also very annoying that tests constantly get shoved to Friday, usually resulting in a dreaded multiple test day (not to mention a nightmarish Thursday night). Why can’t we be more balanced? Encouraging teachers to give tests during other days of the week would lessen the chances of these daunting multi-test days. Teacher schedules could be more flexible as well, no longer burdened with the requirement of scheduling tests at the end of the week. It’s beneficial for both sides involved. It’s also not uncommon to feel “burned out” at the end of the week. Entering
test day Monday with a fresh mind is a much better alternative. Cramming for tests at late night hours of the week is also not nearly as effective compared to if one had gotten a long night’s sleep. By studying on the weekend for a early week test, students can balance their time and get plenty of sleep. An occasional Monday test can be beneficial in several ways. In the name of balanced free time, it just doesn’t make any sense to fight them.
Don’t hide behind crowds; speak Connor Bliss
As half time drew near at the Emporia football game, Greg Hoyt took to the field to recognize the people who donated to the turf installation. Boos erupted from the crowd and the occasional
“F*ck you.” Hoyt, being the professional that he is, pushed through and ignored the heckling that he was receiving from his own students, some that he’s been the principal for at two different schools. Booing is considered disrespectful if it’s against another team, but it’s even more disrespectful if it’s aimed at your own principal. While students may be frustrated that their freedoms are slowly starting to disappear, taking their aggression out at a football game while donors to the school are be-
The Mentor
ing recognized for their generosity is not the place. Besides the students hurting their own reputations, they also harmed the school’s reputation as onlookers from Emporia and parents watched and heard. Word travels of schools and how their students act, quicker than ever in the age of social media. So people need to realize that they are always being watched and need to act like they are, too. They also disrespected the people who donated their time and money to the school as they booed over the names being
read by Hoyt. Sophomores were also included in the chanting against Hoyt and was where the expletives originated from in the crowd. Sophomores hadn’t experienced what it was like before Hoyt, so they have nothing to compare it too. All they know is that they can’t go out and that everybody else is complaining. The sophomores also need to learn to channel their anger, not yelling at the top of their lungs but at more productive things. If people feel the need to speak out against Hoyt,
lynch justice is not the way to go through with it. There are numerous ways to protest that are a lot more civil and respectful. For example, do what I’m doing -- writing a letter to the editor -- or approach him face to face and ask him about the decisions he’s made. It’s one thing to hide behind a crowd and chant where you’ll get no attention and just be ignored, but if you really want to be heard and make a difference then don’t hide behind a crowd and actually speak, not yell.
Ivan the Ignorant
EDITORS:
Liz Logback, Editor-in-Chief/Trending Maddie Ross, News Editor Sarah Shi, Opinions/Content Editor Dheepthi Perumal, Entertainment Editor Nick Bandy, Sports Editor Connor Bliss, Features Editor Kennedy Felice; Danielle Cook, Copy Editors Alan Brown, Multimedia Editor Tracy Le, Graphic Designer Allison Olsen, Photo Editor
STAFF WRITERS: Matt Bandy Gage Benne Madeline Marshall Michael Melgares Kristen Batson Rachel Beach Retta Lazaris Adelle Sloan Chris Klug
OTHER:
Jerry Sextro, Business Manager Kristy Nyp, Adviser Eric and Lisa Ross, Caterers The Mentor is published each Tuesday that school is in session at Manhattan High School, 2100 Poyntz Ave. Manhattan, Kan. Telephone (785) 587-2114. More than 1,500 Mentors are printed each week and distributed free of charge to all faculty members and students. MHS journalists are members of the Scholastic Press Association. The Mentor is an open forum that accepts contributions from the public. E-mail us at mhsmentor@gmail.com.
Cartoonist Halsey Camera
PEDs put asterisk next to great feats Michael Melgares
The use of performance enhancing drugs is illegal in Major League Baseball. Despite this, the last two decades for the MLB have come to be known as the “Steroid Era” in the big leagues. Players have tried to beat the system and give themselves an edge on the competition through with PEDs. The thought of cheating and disgracing one of the greatest sports known to man puts a knot in my stomach, and is frankly just unfair to those who play the game the right way. Aside from this, it also puts an asterisk next to every great feat accomplished recently in the MLB, even if the player accomplishing that feat is clean. Barry Bonds, a player we all love to hate, made his way past legend Hank Aaron to the top of the all-time home run list in 2007. He also passed several steroid tests, yet because he broke the record recently (and because of comparison of pictures of Bonds in his rookie and final year in the league), his name is shrouded in suspicion in the minds of baseball fanatics. He’s got his guilty predecessors to thank for that. There are many examples of players who tried to test the league’s resilience to performance enhancers, one of them being the infamous Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod, along with 11 other players around the league, was recently busted for using PEDs and given suspensions. However, no matter how long they try to string the dispute out, whether it be in court or negotiations with the league, they all end the same way-conviction. Those who respect the game of baseball by playing clean are even more admirable as PEDs thrive around the league; however, those are the ones who have to suffer because of their fellow players’ decisions. Even those who work their way up to the top to play in the big leagues without PEDs have to endure questioning and suspicion from onlookers if you are one of the best. There is no room for PEDs in America’s pastime and those who violate this policy should be suspended and/or excused from baseball.
Entertainment The Mentor
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Homecoming bursting into MHS
Adelle Sloan staff writer
Fall homecoming is around the corner. It’s kicking off next Monday, Sept. 30, and ending with the Fun Night sponsored by Tribe next Friday, Oct. 4. “Homecoming has been a part of this school e v e r since I graduMonday ated,” Tr i b e Yellow spons o r Randy Nivert said. “I’ve already decided the spirit days.” Next week’s theme is “Bursting With Color.” On Monday, students will wear yellow, Tuesday, purple, Wednesday, green, Thursday orange, and Friday, class colors. Freshmen will wear red, white and blue. Sophomores will wear red, juniors white, and seniors navy. Faculty will wear MHS attire.
Besides spirit days, clubs try, football, soccer, tennis, the pep rally. will be decorating golf, the musical, cheerleadThis is Tribe’s fifth year doors. Friday ing, dance, and marching sponsoring Fun Night. is the annual band, or are class offi“In the four years we’ve pep rally cers, Student Council done this, more students have shown up, and I’m hopwith the officers, or game to ing for better results this Wednesday Tribe offifollow, the cers were year,” Nivert said. In Green Homecomin the years past, the formal ing King and p r e homecoming dance has transformed into a Queen cerliminary Thursday emony, and round of carnival. Students are Orange Fun Night. Fricandidacy looking forward to free day’s theme for the home- for homefood, great music, best coming football game is a coming king friends, plenty of games, moon bounce and a hamsurprise. and queen. Sign-up for powder puff Final candidates ster walk. football is still going on. were announced Friday (see No date has been set for “Senior women should still graphic). The king and queen Club Dodgeball. Student sign up the next three days,” will be crowned at halftime Council came up with it last year when Nivert said. The powder puff of the football game against football game is set for Tues- Topeka West. Final voting Club Volday, Oct. 8. takes place next week. leyball The pep rally has been w a s Friday a Tribe-sponsored tradition for years. Students Class Colors scrapped are traditionally excused due to Tuesday from seventh hour to head technical Purple to the North Gym. The powdifficulties derpuff cheerleading team and inclement weather is comprised of 15 senior boys Se- and traditionally performed from the previn i o r s followed by the cheerleaders ous few years. Winter homea n d juniors who and dance team. The candi- coming is the first week back are involved in cross coun- dates are announced during from winter break.
King and Queen Candidates Lane Sorell Winston Dimel Bret Fehr Sammi Grieger Peter Maier Aubrey Jung Zane Reeves Jessie Kujawa Ethan Schmidt Hannah Livsey Gavin Sedlacek Lola Oppy Henry Bieber Emma Samenus Alaina Schroeder Jamie Steele
Aggiefest invades Manhattan Dancing starts in musical
The band Shel from Fort Collins is one of 60 acts performing at Aggiefest.
Courtesy Photo
Connor Bliss Features Editor September: a month of football, TV premieres, and capping off the month is Aggiefest. Headliners this year include, “Labrette Suede and The Motel 6,” Andy Frasco, “The Aaron Woods Band,” “SHEL,” Tyler Gregory, “Antennas Up” and local Kansas State University professor
Wayne Goins in the band, “The Jazz Masters.” The lineup also includes recent Manhattan High graduates Chris Davis and the band “Nearly Flightless.” “Atennas Up” is a band hailing from Kansas City, Mo., which recently performed at South by Southwest in Austin this year. Their sound can be described as techno pop-rock comparable to “OK GO.” They recently released
their sophomore album titled “Awkward Phase” after a track on the album. Their songs have been featured on TV in “Gossip Girl” and “The Glades.” “Shel,” from Fort Collins, features four sisters performing a self-described folkpop sound. With only one album under its belt, the band is still young but you can hear the relationship they have developed as they sound mature beyond their age. “The Aaron Woods Band” is a relatively young band that formed in 2010 but so far has already released an album titled “Signal From the South” and a single, “Hangin’ By The River.” Their sound is a country rock that would sound familiar to Rascal Flatts fans. The band has been making strides early in its career as it is currently signed under EJP Entertainment. Aggiefest costs $20 for two days of shows on Sept. 27 and 28 and features more than 60 bands.
K
Royal Remarks Miss
ansas
Theresa Vail Liz: “What was it like when you stepped on the Miss America stage?”
Ms. Kansas:"You're surrounded by 40,000 people, and since I had gained so much national attention, everyone knew who I was and they were all screaming my name and I was feeding off of their energy, so I worked the runway and they were all like ‘Kansas!’ ‘Tattoos!' It was the best experience I've ever had.”
Liz: “Why did you decide to enter a pageant?” Ms. Kansas: "Two reasons. One to prove a point. To show that women in the military can be feminine. That they aren't quote ‘butch.’ And second, I knew I had a message to give younger girls that I thought would inspire them and help them go through what ever they were going through. So I thought how can I promote my message? I thought about Big Brothers Big Sisters, I thought of Girl Scouts, then I thought, why not use my competitiveness and go for a pageant because if I won it would give me a statewide voice to spread my message around to girls.”
The first week of rehearsals for Manhattan High’s fall musical “South Pacific” kicked off with students learning music and practicing song after song. The second week of rehearsal, however, brought more active activities, such as acting exercises, bonding the cast members, and dance numbers. The cast approached the brand new choreography with high energy and determination to learn. Danielle Cook, Photographer
Liz: “What are you most passionate about?”
Ms. Kansas: “I am most passionate about helping people. My dad taught me this phenomenal motto and that’s: Others before self. He started teaching me that when I was just a little girl, and it has stuck with me. I just love helping people, that’s when I feel successful.”
Liz: “What is your platform?” Ms. Kansas: “My platform is empowering women to overcome stereotypes and break barriers, and I think all high school students, all high school girls, know what gossiping is. We all have our cliques and that’s a huge barrier. And because of that, because of the gossip, girls don’t learn how to communicate with each other, they just do it behind each other’s backs. So that’s a barrier I want to help girls break. To say ‘Hey stop doing it, it’s wrong.”
Liz: “What was your time at Manhattan High like?” Ms. Kansas: "I'm going to be honest, when I was in ninth and 10th grade at MHS, gossip was horrific. The girls were awful, that's part of the reason I moved. I did not have a great experience at MHS. I could have finished off high school here but I didn't want to because the girls were so mean.”
Liz: “Many people feel pageants objectify women. What do you think?”
Miss Kansas: "I think ‘Toddlers and Tiaras’ is completely wrong and should not exist. Children should not be in pageants. The Miss USA pageant objectifies women because it's based completely off of what you look like. The Miss America pageant, they’re strictly focused on interviews and scholarships. I won $12,000 in scholarship just by competing and I didn't even win. They want to focus on education Swimsuit, people say objectifies women, but it's like the smallest part of it, it's 15 percent, that’s it. Interview is worth the most. So I don’t think the Miss America competition objectifies women.”
Sports The Mentor www.mhsmentor.com
Volleyball dominates at first home meet, takes fourth at Hayden Kennedy Felice Copy Editor With a victory over Clay Center and Rossville last Tuesday, the Lady Indians volleyball team dominated their home triangular. “Our offense played hard. Defense for us is usually pretty solid but the girls performed all around,” head coach Lisa Kinderknecht said. The home matches created a momentum that the team continued as they traveled to the Hayden Invitational. “We’ve been hitting practice full force and I think you
can see that in the way we play,” senior Michaela Braun said. After defeating Mill Valley, Hayden and Kansas City Ward the team advanced to the semifinals as one of the top seeded teams. Defeating Hayden was a key victory as Hayden beat Manhattan all three times they met last year. “We saw a lot of tough competition but our girls are figuring out how to finish,” Kinderknecht said. After losing to Silver Lake 27-25 in the first set and 25-20 in their second set, the Lady Indians played for fourth place against Aquinas.
“It’s easy to see where we have improved as a team, but we definitely still have work to do,” senior Lauren Goralczyk said. Manhattan defeated Aquinas with two close matches and came out of the tournament with a fourth place finish. “It’s always nice to have those victories that are heavy in your favor, but when we face opponents who challenge us we get the chance to actually perform,” Kinderknecht said. After its performance this weekend the team is maintaining focus on its ultimate goal.
“We have a lot of our league competitors traveling here this week, and the girls know how important it is to win those games,” Kinderknecht said. “They want more than just that league title and they know they are going to have to work to get it.” On Tuesday, the Lady Indians will host a quad against Topeka High, Topeka West and Concordia. “Our team has a lot of potential and we’re starting to take advantage of that,” Goralczyk said. “If we keep going and improving, we will definitely be capable of bringing home a title.”
Athlete
of the week Aubrey Jung Jung, a senior, sets the ball to a team mate at the home meet last Tuesday. Her assists and serves helped MHS defeat Rossville 2-0. At the Hayden Invitational Jung had over 100 assists which landed her a spot on the all-tournament team and led MHS to a fourth place finish.
Cross Country wins again Gage Benne Staff Writer The gun cracks at Missouri Southern State University Cross Country course, one of the largest high school cross country meets in the midwest. More than 30 high schools shoot out of the starting line early Saturday morning; hence the meet is called a “stampede.” The Manhattan High School boys Varsity raced out into first, and it’s become more and more apparent that first is all they will accept. The boys earned first overall at the Southern Stampede, giving them their third consecutive first place meet this season. Placing third as an individual, senior Chris Melgares broke the school record by seven seconds. “It’s a really cool accomplishment,” Melgares said. “It’s something I probably wouldn’t have done without my teammates pushing me. They contributed to my record.” Melgares ran the 5k race with a time of 15:38 and was a key factor in their first place victory. It was a victory not close by cross country standards; MHS boys Varsity scored 39 points, and the next team nearly tripled their score
with 113 points. However, there was much more to this race than the meet itself. Select individuals who ran 240 miles over the summer were able to participate at this two-day meet. Although, the top five Varsity runners were able to compete regardless of their miles. The team took off Friday morning, with a six-hour drive ahead of them. This bus ride to Joplin would be the furthest the team would travel to any meet this season. Joplin gave the team a chance to bond as they spent the next two days together. The meals, the pre-meet as well as the hotel stay allowed the team to grow stronger and closer mentally. Girls Varsity also took control, placing third overall. A score anchored by senior Alaina Schroeder’s time of 18:26, placing her in an individual score of fourth. Two other Varsity members, freshman Cara Melgares and sophomore Megan Ochoa, trailed Schroeder, with places both in the top 15. Cross Country travels to Rimrock Farm in Lawrence this Saturday for one of their largest meets of the year. “I know we’re all feeling really confident right now. Rimrock is definitely going to be harder than Joplin, but we have a good shot to win that, too,” Melgares said.
Golf meet in Lawrence rescheduled due to weather Nick Bandy Sports Editor
Senior Jack Keeley and Junior Michael Melgares sprint to the finish line. Michael Melgares finished eighth and Keeley finished tenth to help their team win the meet by over 70 points. Courtesy Photo
By the numbers
30 15:38 39
teams at the meet. This is the Indian’s second largest meet of the year, led only by the Rimrock meet.
Chris Melgares’s 5k time, setting a new school record. The previous record was set four years ago by Reid Buchannan.
points scored by the boys varsity to take first. This was the best score in that race since 2006.
Last week, the Manhattan High girls golf team had to travel home from Lawrence without ever hitting a golf ball. “When we got there it was pouring rain and thundering and lightning so they had a coaches meeting and talked it over,” junior Kelsey McCarthy said. After the coaches meeting, they waited one more hour and then decided that by the time the course dried out it would be too late to start. They rescheduled the meet for Oct. 1, meaning MHS will have three meets that week. The Indian’s next meet will be on Tuesday in Salina against several other teams from the Centennial League and other areas. “It’s pretty big. There’s a lot of west and south teams there,” head coach Chris George said. They will also head to Wamego for the Washburn Rural Invitational on Thursday.
Defense leads football to victory over Seaman Soccer shuts out Shawnee Heights, ready for Washburn Chris Klug Blue M Sports Editor
Michael Melgares Assistant to Sports Editor The Manhattan High boys soccer team kept its momentum rolling last Tuesday night, shutting out Shawnee Heights 2-0. This defensive performance has proven to be a microcosm of the team’s season thus far, as in their last two games the Indians shutout their opponents by a combined score of 10-0. Senior goalie Alex Richt has in large part led the defensive effort. “It’s whatever it takes for the team to win,” Richt said. “Obviously, a shutout is a nice bonus. Hopefully we can just keep that going but obviously the broader goal is more important.” Richt has given other teams fits so far, allowing only two shots to get past him all season. “I’m an offensive coach, but two goals in five games is pretty good,” head coach Frank Alonso said. On the offensive end, the Indians spread the wealth with two first-time goal scorers contributing to the winning cause. The first was sophomore forward Kirkland Lambert, who scored with a header off an assist from fellow sophomore Brandon Religa in the ninth minute. The team’s second goal came shortly after in the 11th minute off the foot of senior Michael Cossey. Afterward, the Indians had to stay alert for the rest of the match in case Shawnee Heights would make a surge to get back in the game. “Three goals is really the hump you want to get to,” Lambert said. “If you get
over three goals then you can relax but two goals it’s still pretty close. We didn’t want to get over confident so we were still being aggressive.” This 2-0 victory was hardfought by the whole team, especially by Richt. “Those are honestly the toughest games -- when your team is winning but you just can’t put it in the back because those are the kinds of games where one goal changes everything,” Richt said. The Indians’ success Tuesday night took place despite having lost star forward Peter Maier to a potentially season-ending ankle injury and goalie Casey Hoffman to a knee injury in the past two weeks. “Pete was an all-state player; it’s never easy to lose a player like that,” Alonso said “The good news is we have some of the younger boys like Kirkland and Austin and Michael Cossey, a senior. They stepped up and they did a nice job.” While the injury-ridden team made it past Shawnee Heights last week, taking down the defending State champion Washburn Rural, who is ranked eighth nationally among high school soccer teams, on Thursday will be a more difficult undertaking. However the Indians will go into this game with confidence as usual, as they were the only team that Washburn did not beat last season, they played them to a draw 3-3. “They don’t lose centennial league games but when they do we beat them,” Alonso said “We’ve got a huge week. I mean, centennial league is literally on the line.”
The Manhattan High varsity football team beat the Seaman Vikings 19-7 Friday night at Seaman Stadium. The win helped the Indians improve to 2-1 overall, and 2-0 in Centennial League play. The win is very important to postseason hopes, but the team is very focused on winning the next game ahead of them. “Our goal is to go 1-0 every week, and then worry about final standings at the end of the year,” senior linebacker Troy Ward said. The Indians came out of the gates hungry to put up points connecting on a 68yard touchdown pass from Kellen Myers to tight end Winston Dimel in the first quarter. After a solid punt to pin the Viking offense deep in their own territory and a fumbled snap, senior defensive end James Kordyak and the Indian defense came up with a safety, giving the Indians increasing the lead to nine. The Indians scored once more before halftime
when junior kicker Zach Trujillo connected on a 27-yard field goal. Bret Fehr scored the lone Indian touchdown in the second half, with a 23-yard pitch and catch that found the endzone in the third quarter. Offensively the Indians were led by Kellen Myers who finished the game 130 yards on 7-11 passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions, Chris Martin who had 38 yards on 10 carries, and Bret Fehr and Winston Dimel who each had touchdown receptions. The Indian defense, however, proved to be a difference maker once again, holding the Seaman offense to only seven points. The Tribe defense have only allowed 10 points in the last two games and has proved to be a big factor in winning the last two games. “We’re just playing with emotion and having fun,” senior captain Ethan Fabrizius said. The Indians defense look to continue their dominance against Highland Park this Friday night in Topeka.
Senior Henry Bieber runs the ball past Seaman defenders. The Indian’s offense showed improvement over last week as they put up 19 points. Kelsey Crawford, photographer
Tennis takes first at home meet with 10 points Matt Bandy Staff Writer
Senior Caroline Sager swings at the ball at the home meet last Tuesday. She won all three of her matches to contribute 2 points to the Indian’s team score of 10 points. Madeline Marshall, photographer
With three other varsity teams present, the Manhattan girls’ tennis team took first on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at their home meet. Manhattan scored 10 points to beat Marysville, who only scored six. “I was hopeful we’d win but I didn’t think it would be a blowout,” head coach Joyce Allen said. Seniors Bianca Pedrozo and Caroline Sager played singles and won all three of their matches, giving the team six points. Junior Kristen Fraley and sophomore Cathy Lei made the No. 1
doubles team while freshman Pajsoua Lo and sophomore Tracy Le were the No. 2 team. Pedrozo and Sager won all three matches and the Fraley and Lei team won one. The doubles teams gave MHS the other four points. J.V. competed the same day in Salina Central and placed fifth out of six teams. “There were some good teams there,” J.V. coach Bob Kelly said. He was impressed with sophomore Morgan Martin and junior Danielle Miller’s performances. The next varsity meet will be on Thursday, Sept. 26 at Lawrence while J.V. will travel to Junction City on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
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Making the best of a tough situation Allison Olsen Photo Editor Dealing with several illnesses while trying to excel in school and participate in extracurricular activities is no small feat. Senior Sharon Wilson knows exactly what it feels like. Since last year, Wilson has been in and out of the hospital for several treatments and tests. When Wilson first started to feel sick, her parents brushed it aside and she didn’t think anything of it. Since then, she has been on multiple different types of medication and goes to the hospital even more frequently than before. Her first trip to the emergency room on Aug. 17, 2012, was because the pain was too unbearable. She was in and out of the ER at least once a month until January. On one of her trips to the hospital they did some testing, which resulted
in figuring out exactly what was wrong. The doctors realized that she had Endometriosis, Interstitial Cystitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Endometriosis is a painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the uterus -- the endometrium -- grows outside the uterus, thickens and becomes trapped as it has nowhere to go. Cysts called endometriomas form, irritating the tissue and eventually develop scar tissue and adhesions. IC, also known as Painful Bladder Syndrome, occurs when the bladder wall disintegrates and develops ulcers and sores. Going along with both of those, IBS develops from when the digestive system is extremely sensitive. Wilson undergoes treatment for these diseases by taking birth control and pain medication. She has been put on a diet of meats,
some grains and vegetables to help treat her sensitive digestive system. For IC Wilson goes to the hospital once a week for an hour to do electric shock therapy on her pelvis. On top of her illnesses, Wilson also suffers from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, which constantly makes her worn out. “The hardest part is just trying to push through the pain,” said Wilson. “It’s also a lot of stress.” Over the summer, Wilson had surgery on her bladder where they inserted a scope and took pictures of her bladder. The doctors also did a biopsy, in which they removed some of her bladder tissue to examine it to find the extent of the disease. As of right now, Wilson is waiting to find out if she can have another surgery done. She will be getting tested
for Celiac disease in the near future, which is a disorder of the small intestine in which it loses the ability to properly absorb nutrients from food. The disease is usually caused by a reaction to wheat proteins. If the test comes back negative, she will have to go to a bigger hospital to find different ways of treatment for the Endometriosis, IC and IBS. Despite her illness, Wilson is still active in school and extracurricular activities. She participates in the school musical, takes vocal and piano lessons, teaches piano lessons, cares for her four siblings, is in three AP classes and is a soprano and an alto in the Pops choir. “Last year,” Wilson said, “I was sick for two days and I was supposed to perform in a Pops show for IPS, so the doctors allowed me to go perform for 30 minutes and after I left I almost passed
out from the pain.” Wilson is just about used to all of the treatments and medication that she has to go through. Even though she is almost constantly in pain, she is just trying to Sharon Wilson smiles through the pain. get the Allison Olsen, Photographer most out of her said. “I’m so thankful for my senior year. friends and my boyfriend for “My friends in Pops always make sure I’m feeling being supportive.” okay. I care about them and they care about me,” Wilson
“Then I received the contact information for my host family and saw ‘Manhattan, KS,’ and I didn’t know what the ‘KS’ meant.” Despite the misunderstanding, Plattner is excited to experience all that being a foreign exchange student is about. “I wanted to do an exchange year because I wanted to try something
new,” Plattner said. “At first I didn’t know where I wanted to go, but I needed English for school back in Switzerland, so I chose the United States.” When not busy playing percussion in both the Blue Notes jazz band and the fall musical’s pit orchestra, Plattner enjoys spending time getting to know his host family.
“I get along well with my host family,” Plattner said. “My host family is very similar to my family back home. They give me a lot of freedom and have trust in me.” Though not playing a sport this season, Plattner has found a real interest in the American tradition of sports. “I really like the whole
spirit of sports, you are not just a fan of a team but of a school,” Plattner said. As for plans after the 10-month exchange, Plattner’s mind is pretty clear on what he wants to do. “When I go back to school in Switzerland, I will have two more years, then I will graduate,” Plattner said. “I then hope to go to a jazz university and become a
Plattner enjoying exchange experience Maddie Ross News Editor Just a little over a month ago junior Silvan Plattner arrived from Switzerland to here, the place he initially thought was New York. “My first letter I received was from the AFS headquarters which is located in New York City, and I was really excited,” Plattner said.
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professional jazz player.” After his career as a musician ends, Plattner entertains the idea of coming back to the United States. “I will think about coming back and teaching at a school. Maybe not to Manhattan exactly, but definitely the United States,” Plattner said.
Eating it up Trending The Mentor www.mhsmentor.com
Madeline Marshall Staff Writer
Freshman Annabelle McLendon and sophomore Sarah Stewart share a lunch together. Liz Logback, photographer
It’s the age-old question: to bring a lunch or buy it. And, more importantly, why? At Manhattan High School, there are a wide variety of people who get lunch in a variety of different ways, either going out to eat or taking the lunch their mom has packed for them. One thing many students seem to be able to agree on is their dislike of school food, whether they eat it or not. “I bring my lunch. Have you smelled the kitchens?” sophomore Emma Galitzer said. Senior Michae’l Harris agrees. “No, I hate this school’s lunch.” Top complaints are the quality and the greasiness of the food. Yet many people eat it because it’s convenient. When packing a lunch, students tend to pack it themselves in order to have food they actually want to eat. However, there are always exceptions,
sophomore Andrea Lu, being one of them. “My mom packs my lunch and there's not really a why... but I'm so thankful I have a mother who does these kinds of things for me every morning,” Lu said. Juniors and seniors have the added option of going out to lunch, which allows them to go home or to a restaurant. Of those who can go out to eat, fast food joints and Chipotle are definitely the most hit-up restaurants. On the topic of closed lunch for sophomores, many have gotten over the initial frustration. “I think that while I probably wouldn’t go anywhere for lunch, it would still be nice to have the option,” Galitzer said. “I also think that there would be issues with space and also providing enough food for everyone if everybody had closed lunch.” No matter where it’s obtained, lunch is an important part of student lives. “Food is like the universal language of teens,” Lu said.
Manhattan High’s
Culinary team
Tracy Le Graphics Editor
“It takes a lot of dedication because of the long practices,” Bryce Rincon said, “but all the hard work pays off at competition when we present our final dish.” For the past four years, Manhattan High has had a culinary team consisting of four students plus an alternate. The team has placed fourth every year so far in state competitions and has
also previously won the Best Beef dish award. Lorena Ingmire has been the team coach since the very beginning. Along with being the coach, Ingmire has taught Culinary Essentials, Baking and Pastry I and II and Culinary Arts at MHS for six years. “It takes a commitment of time and hard work to come create the menu, price it out and then execute it within the timeframe of one hour,” Ingmire said. About six hours of practice a week is the nor-
mal for participants once the team begins preparing for the state competition in Wichita in February. Members will have the opportunity to learn about cooking techniques and skills, and professionalism and will be able to eat every meal that is practiced. Students who apply are required to have taken both Culinary Essentials and Baking I and have a GPA of 2.5 or above. Applicants will be selected in October.
38% of interviewed students bring their own lunch
62% of interviewed students eat school lunch.
Little Caesar’s - 4%
Graphic by Liz Logback
Chipotle - 28% Burger King - 15% Wendy’s - 11%
Chinese Chef - 6% Taco Bell - 4%
Subway - 13% McDonald’s - 19%
Graphic by Tracy Le