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Manhattan High School Volume 101 Issue 6 Oct. 8, 2013
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Student represents FCCLA in national campaign for technical education Rachel Beach Staff Writer Kansas senate members were in Washington DC this past week and Siera Haug, a junior here at Manhattan High got the opportunity to talk with them. Haug is member of MHS FCCLA. As the Kansas State Vice President of Public Re-
lations, Haug represented Kansas FCCLA and traveled to Washington DC last Saturday, Sept. 28. The senate members that represent each state are responsible for deciding how much funding to leave aside specifically for the career and technical education clubs like FCCLA. Haug spoke to the Kansas representatives to advocate
for more funding. She was not alone in her goal to gain more funds. There were representatives that came from nationwide all trying to advocate for more funding. A total of 140 FCCLA state officers and members in Washington DC to advocate for funds. Due to the recent shutdown of the government, Haug, accom-
panied by the other members of her team from other Kansas schools, was able to speak directly to the legislature and senate. “They were a little shook up with the whole government being shutdown aspect, but they were willing to listen to us,” Haug said. Well known Kansas Representatives like Lynn
Jenkins, Pat Roberts, Mike Pompeo, and Tim Huelskamp were all present at meetings the group attended. Haug was able to speak to them directly and elaborate on the importance of clubs like FCCLA. Haug and her team (the other 10 Kansas representatives) also attended meetings about advocating and the importance of it.
Overall, the group had a productive trip and enjoyed themselves. Haug and her team had a great learning experience about advocating. The group returned to Kansas Wednesday, Oct. 2nd. “It was a lot of fun and I got to meet lots of new people,” Haug said.
MHS bursting with color
The student section was full Friday night for the homecoming football game against Topeka West. The game proceeded Fun Night, which ended the homecoming celebrations for the week. Sydney Harrison, Photographer
Government shutdown affects all Madeline Marshall Staff Writer
As the looming shutdown grew closer, local government employees, including those involved in the military, prepared for the worst -no work and no pay. While laws were passed requiring those in the military to be paid, many other jobs have been stopped,
and other federally funded workers have been required to stay home. The shutdown was caused by Congress and the president not agreeing on a funding bill in time. However, the cause isn’t our worry right now, we are waiting for solution. For many people, pay is being delayed and in one student’s case it’s keeping a family apart.
“My dad is a military vet, and he has post traumatic stress disorder, and he gets about $3,500 every first of the month [In government compensation],” David Hazelwood, junior, said. “He was actually at a national park in California, camping with my mom and on the first he only got $500 and it’s going to be delayed, 10 days at best.” He said his parents had to cut
German club host Oktoberfest Danielle Cook Copy Editor In honor of GermanAmerican Friendship Week, Manhattan High’s German Club created their own Oktoberfest for the whole school to enjoy, serving up German specialties during both lunches on Thursday. Selling meals consisting of bratwurst, potato salad and rolls for $3 and slices of homemade German cakes for $1 apiece, the members of German Club conducted their annual Oktoberfest fundraiser with a few goals in mind. “The whole club helped, and we’re hoping to use the
money for Schulerkongress, which is a competition, so we’re hoping that this will pay for all the students to go and compete,” German Club president, junior Reshan Fadul, said. “We’re also trying to raise money to go and buy T-shirts for German Club.” Manhattan High’s German teacher and German Club sponsor Elke Lorenz, who helped conduct and support her students in their fundraising, believes student involvement in German Club helps to make it a successful group and hopes that the success of the students will take the club and the whole German program to a new level
this year. “I think it is very good for the German program to have a German Club. I hope the profits from this sale will help get all the kids to Schulerkongress. I’m also trying to get them all to the National German Exam,” Lorenz said. “The National German Exam is a test that my students can take eventually. I think it’s a good opportunity.” German Club hopes to participate in these larger scale activities with the use of the profits from fundraisers like the Oktoberfest bratwurst sale; however, it also participates in school
See Oktoberfest page 7
Science Olympiad selects team Tracy Le Graphic Designer The past two years, 13 out of the 15 students on Manhattan High's Science Olympiad team have medaled at the State competition. "That's just outrageously good," said co-coach and sponsor, Patrick Lamb. "The really best of the best are competing, and to get 13 out of 15 [students medal], you can't ask much more from your team."
This year's team has just recently been chosen after students had the opportunity to take four different science related tests. The 15 members and seniors Sarah Shi, Katherine Culbertson, Albert Cochrane, Ian Miller, Christine Shiau, and Sri Sanker; juniors Danny Aramouni, Krista Dix, Luke Wuri; sophomores Joshua Schwartz, Spencer Parish, Jacob Steward, Rebekah Hennesy, Rachel Chang, and Morgan Martin, along with the nine alternates, Owen Li,
Zach Culbertson, April Asher, Brandon Oehm, Andrea Lu, Alexis Caponera, Austin Franeo, Madeline Marshall and Miranda Hairgrove. The students will meet every Saturday to study and practice the subjects they have been assigned as well as participate in competitions. They had their first practice Saturday, where they were assigned specific topics and got to know their teammates See Science Olympiad page 7
short the trip because of the closure of national parks, and his family is forced to borrow money for expenses. His dad would have been back a week ago if it weren’t for the shutdown. “We’ve had to delay paying bills until he gets the rest of the money. I don’t know what would have happened if they had completely stopped paying the military,” he
said. The entire American population, military-related or not, is at risk. The last large government shutdown, in 1996, had long-reaching economic troubles, and if the shutdown isn’t resolved soon, a serious economic crash could occur, furthering problems from the last See Government Shutdown page 7
Students weigh in on MHS mystery accounts Alan Brown Multimedia Editor During the last month, mysterious Manhattan High Twitter accounts have captivated the minds of the students, and particularly the sophomore class. Some call them stupid. Some think they're funny. No matter the opinion, everyone is baffled by the same question: who are the creators of these mystery accounts? “We may find out some day, but it is doubtful to me,” sophomore Greg Woods, who has tracked the mystery accounts for some time, said. This local Twitter craze is believed to have begun with an account by the name of “MHS Illuminati,” which currently hovers at 60+ followers. The number seems minuscule for Twitter standards, but by word of mouth it has become something much bigger. The "Illuminati" have
posted several tweets with sketchy evidence of conspiracy throughout the school. Their ideas have led to numerous spin off accounts, such as the dormant "MHS KGB" or "MHS Monster." Some can even be considered even more offensive, such as "MHS Hitler," which has posted photos of Hitler photoshopped into a Native American headdress. Students have conflicting emotions as to whether these accounts should continue to be allowed or not. “I think that the anonymous accounts are a creative idea,” sophomore John Benfer said. “It keeps the students of MHS entertained.” Sophomore Louis Melgarejo disagrees. “This vigilante needs to be brought to justice by the cyber police,” he said. Several attempts have been made to try to identify the account creators. Accusations have been thrown left and right, but for the
most this “blame game” has led to nothing. Woods, who has been accused several times, admits that the chaos is getting on his nerves. “It’s stupid,” said Woods. “I don’t know why people think it is me.” While it is possible that the unofficial connection that certain accounts share with “MHS” could be considered detrimental to the image of the school, it’s unclear what could be done about them. The creators are still a mystery and are likely to remain so. Twitter is outside of school bounds. If something is to be done about these accounts, it would have to be done by the students themselves. “The Illuminati accounts are clearly offensive, but they can do what they want since they are the Illuminati,” sophomore Jake Bussmann said. “If they can shut off the lights at the Super Bowl, they can run a Twitter account.”
See more Homecoming coverage inside!
Opinion The Mentor www.mhsmentor.com
Question of the Week: Sports don’t take away from education What is the one thing you’re looking mately the state and federal departments, it pertinent that we understand that you cannot directly compare the money spent on sports to Our trophy cases must be the the amount doled out to full of the wrong trophies - too academics. Athletics require many athletic plaques and money to maintain a certain too little academic awards. level of excellence. So do But what’s the fault in that? academics. However, their According to “The Atlanneeds are very different and tic” magazine’s opinion arhence, their spending budget ticle “The Case Against Highwill be too. While academics School Sports,” the U.S. is are focused hiring qualified spending tax dollars on high teachers and interactive school athletes too often, classroom-teacher lessons, too eagerly, too wastefully. sports need transportation Miranda Ripley, the author, costs, equipment, and field further concludmaintenance. ed -- illogically We understand we might add The lessons learned, the memo- that there are those -- that a direct do see the correlation exries made, the team work ethic built who benefits of sports ists between -- these benefits are seen as having outweighing the greater athletic The lessons expenses and no price at all, but rather qualities costs. learned, the memothe U.S.’s lagand characteristics needed for teens ries made, the team ging internawork ethic built tional education while growing up. -- these benefits rank. are seen as having Although no price at all, but Ripley argues rather qualities that the nation and characteristics has an error in its priority with athletics tak- pay for its sports teams costs needed for teens while growing a dominant presence in (uniforms, gear, etc.), so ing up. Besides, we should be high schools over academics, although the money may be past the stereotype by now; she has failed to consider an coming out of our pockets, it not all athletes who score important aspect: sports are is given voluntarily, and not low on tests. High school sports are ingrained in the American by taxes. Furthermore, it should only a branch of something culture. In addition, suburbs and small towns such as Man- be acknowledged that while bigger. Contrary to what hattan think of high school sports accumulate greater some may believe, athletics and recreation sports as fam- expenses annually, it’s par- are an integral part of what ily events. Sports are at once tially due to the large amount defines the American cula childhood experience and of participants that make up ture. Other countries value academic competition and the teams. a social gathering. Although some may argue while we do as well, we also Yes, we may be trailing behind Asian countries such that high school education place an emphasis on sports as China and South Korea departments should receive competition. Sports are a big in education rankings, but is equal or more funding from deal here. that just because the U.S. fo- the school district and ulti-
The editorial is a compilation from a discussion held by the Editorial board.
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cuses too heavily on sports? That’s a logical fallacy. For instance, just because your dog barks and then it rains outside does not mean that your dog’s bark caused the rain. Just because sports might require greater expenses than academic departments, it does not directly imply that athletics are the cause of lower test scores. While Ripley noted that it is the U.S. tax dollars that are spent on high-school athletes, that is not always the case. Our high school is adamant about fundraising to
forward to in fall? “The changing of the color of the leaves. They make the trees look more beautiful.” Joseph Sell, sophomore “Pumpkin carving. I can’t wait to pick out a prime pumpkin.” Katrina Yau, junior “The colors on the tresses and the leafs falling for senior pictures this year.” Erica Sawyer, senior “Cooler weather, lots of football, wearing sweaters and boots, and Halloween!” Madi Fellers, senior
Next week’s Question of the Week: Who do you think will win the World Series? Submit answers to mhsmentor.com
Gun control: sadly unattainable Madeline Marshall
Roughly a million firearm deaths occurred in the U.S. between 1979 and 2010. That number is 12 times greater than the number of U.S. soldiers that were killed in the Vietnam, Korean, Afghanistan and Iraq wars combined. More than 26,000 have been killed by guns since the Newtown shooting last December. Contrary to what many have been led to be-
lieve, shootings take place at an alarming rate, and of the actual number of firearm deaths, only 8,885 have been reported in the news. The occurrence has become so mundane to us that it doesn’t even make the front page. With these tragic stories occurring more and more often, it would seem reasonable to expect that stricter gun control would become evident in American lives. However, that is not the case. After the most heartwrenching, disgustingly immoral and tear-inducing shooting to take place on American soil, the Newtown shooting, people became numb to the violence around them. Instead of everyone letting their disagreements
The Mentor EDITORS: Liz Logback, Editor-in-Chief/Trending
Maddie Ross, News Editor Sarah Shi, Opinions/Content Editor Dheepthi Perumal, Entertainment Editor Nick Bandy, Sports Editor Michael Melgares, Assistant 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/PHOTOGRAPHERS: Matt Bandy Kristen Batson Rachel Beach Gage Benne Sydney Harrison Chris Klug Retta Lazaris Madeline Marshall Madison Newman Adelle Sloan
CIRCULATION: Kristyn Baker David Clinkinbeard Karl Drown Patrick Falcone Vincent Goss Karl Harmon Jordan Hatley Colten Kirk
Josh Kohls Kasey Morris Mallory Morris Megan Ritthisorn Jeremy Romig Zane Smith Austin Tatum
OTHER:
Jerry Sextro, Business Manager Kristy Nyp, Adviser Eric and Lisa Ross, Caterers Pam Stokes, Photographer
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 contribu-
take a back seat in order to realize what needs to be done to reduce further shootings, the blue and the red turned their backs on each other. And sadly, it seems legitimate gun control will never be a feasible reality. The two main political parties in America have ideals so different, a compromise with any true effect is nearly impossible. Democrats try to push that they aren’t looking to take guns away from every last civilian, just regulate their availability and use. This attempt at gun control is countered by Republicans, who believe that the Second Amendment is on their side, but forget the portion of the amendment that states “regulated,” which at the very
least suggests proper discipline and training, and at most refers to government regulation. The fact that machine guns and high power rifles didn’t exist when the constitution was written seems to have slipped people’s mind as well. With Republicans hard set on never agreeing with their opposing party, it doesn’t matter how hard Democrats work to compromise, it will never happen. In short, our country, as a whole, isn’t recognizing the severity or frequency of shootings. Of the shootings that are reported, only a handful are seen as a “big deal.” For example, we still remember Newtown, but how many are aware of stories like that of 4-year-old
Aydan Perea, who was shot and killed in Kansas City last year. It has come to the point where unless the most horrific situation imaginable has happened, it is never acknowledged at all. If the killing of 20 elementary-aged children, who were innocent, curious and still had an entire life ahead of them, isn’t enough to bring us together to control gun violence, or at least bring about an actual discussion about it, then what is? How many more innocent lives will have to be taken before it truly sinks in? It seems clear to me that there is no number, and because of this, gun control will remain out of reach.
A word about Autism Adelle Sloan Guest Columnist Everyone knows about autism. It’s a mental disorder. Of course, one in five students in every high school in the U.S. happens to have autism. I’m a senior in high school, and I have autism. When I was almost nine years old, I was diagnosed with autism. There are different forms of autism. One form is Asperger’s. People with Asperger’s are high functioning, compared to some other forms of autism. Luckily, I don’t happen to have Asperger’s. Every April is Autism Awareness Month. Blue is the color of autism awareness. Come April, everyone in the United States can put blue lights on their houses and/or wear blue. Autism Awareness Month makes me feel happy because I’m lucky to get the support I deserve. Manhattan High School has a way of spreading the word about autism. A fundraiser is one way of raising money for their autism department. This is done by the Interpersonal Skills class. In IPS, I work on team-building activities. Autism affects everyone. My autism affects my schoolwork, but I have an A average in classes. In my classes, I try to study hard and get good grades so I can graduate on time this year. My family is affected by it because I don’t behave as well at home. For example, I get into fights with my brother over my stuff. My friends are different because I brighten their day. They are supportive of my autism because I love having them to talk to in classes and at lunch. Temple Grandin is a famous professor and advocate about autism because she is a person with autism. As she would say, “We are different, but not less.” That’s my opinion on autism.
Features The Mentor www.mhsmentor.com
Foreign exchange student transitions into America Maddie Ross News Editor “Down Russia, left Turkey.” This is how foreign exchange student senior Tahir Godimov describes the location of his home country of Azerbaijan. Godimov is from the capital city of Baku which has a population over 60 times that of Manhattan. For Godimov, the exchange is a stepping stone for his future plans. “I am planning on coming back here for college so this will help me be more prepared and adapted. It is kind of cool to be in the United States,” Godimov said. Although an important component, college preparation was not the only reason Godimov decided to spend a
year in the U.S. “I wanted to come to the United States to make English become more of my first language, and I like the way U.S. people live,” he said. Godimov is in the United States on scholarship. “There is this program called future leadership exchange program which is mostly almost everywhere and you have three exams taken over a period of six or seven months. They offer scholarships to prospective exchange students,” Godimov said. “In my city there are 10 students who did exchange.” Godimov speaks both Azeri (the official language of Azerbijan) and Russian at home, and English at school. “I go to an International
School, so we have a lot of the same subjects as you do here,” he said. Godimov doesn’t describe his classes as more difficult, but different. “I wouldn’t say classes are any harder or easier, but in a way they are easier because you can pick your area of math, or pick your area of biology. In my school you are expected to learn all of it, you don’t have a choice,” Godimov said. “I am learning things I have never learned.” Another difference is the structure of the school day. “We have about 20 subjects spread throughout the week, instead of the same classes every day,” Godimov said. Godimov is involved in the school AFS club and the
Students of the Month
Optimist: Lane Sorrel
Optimist: Sammi Grieger
The Mentor: How does it feel to be honored with student of the month? Lane Sorrel: “It’s a nice honor but I just think it’s an honor because it’s teacher-nominated.” The Mentor: What makes you student of the month? Lane Sorrel: “I got straight A’s, so I’m a good student and I also participate in a lot of extra curricular activities such as StuCo and NHS and the Musical
The Mentor: How does it feel to be honored with student of the month? Sammi Grieger: “Yes, well it’s nice. The luncheon thing was fun that we went to. It was just us two with the Optimist Club members, so that was kind of fun to meet those people. I wish they wouldn’t announce it so much on the intercom everyday, I think people got the point. We get it, it’s Oct. 4, they don’t need to keep saying it.” The Mentor: What makes you student of the month? Sammi Grieger: “I don’t know, I’m not really sure how it happened. I know people nominate you so it’s nice. I live my life and pay attention and listen in class.”
Anime Club has record numbers Jared Gebhardt Staff Writer Anime Club makes a comeback this year with one of the largest club sizes current members have seen. The first club meeting of the year was host to 48 attendees, many of which have been returning to the weekly club meets. “This is the biggest that I’ve ever known,” senior Meredith Gast said. Gast is the current vice president of the club. The jump in size wasn’t the only change to the club. “This year we actually went down to the other campus for the sign ups,” senior Amber Eisele said. With the addition of a new grade range, Anime Club has opened itself up to a larger selection of members, and more people have been able to check the club out. “Freshmen, there are very few,” Eisele said, ”but I think
there is a lot more starting to come now that they are realizing what it is.” Anime Club is keeping an open mind with the agenda this year as well, having activities like watching an anime to potentially holding art sessions. “I know we have several people who would like to learn how to draw,” Gast said. “It’d be fun to have a day of just drawing stuff. I think at one point we talked about caricatures, but who knows.” For those whose interests lie more with the written side of Japan, “we have a Manga box,” Gast said. Students can check in and check out other members’ Manga, much like a library would operate. Manga is a Japanese form of comic books that are typically longer than their American counterpart. Story writers aren’t left out of the mix either, as club members have discussed getting together to
make original characters. Currently, the club is working on setting up bake sales and other fundraisers to raise money to make a trip out to Naka kon, a springtime anime event in Kansas City. “We have got a halloween party coming up,” Eisele said, “and we’re hoping to get a tea party set up; we didn’t get to do it last year.” Club meetings currently take place twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. It’s expected of members to at least make it to two meetings a month, exceptions are made with officer notification, but the twice-weekly meetings help members who have busier schedules due to work or sports. “It also cuts the numbers in half,” Eisele said. Club meetings will continue to happen twice each week unless otherwise mentioned.
musical. “I am in the set crew, the sound crew and the stage crew for the musical,” he said. Godimov is looking to join more activities as the year progresses. “I hope to join the basketball team. I am working hard on it, going to the conditioning and open gyms after school and I go to the Rec Center every weekend and play with the college kids,” Godimov said. Godimov has enjoyed the new freedoms he has gained from living in the U.S. “I like that people my age are free to do whatever. Parents are less strict, and less questioning,” Godimov said. As a whole he has enjoyed his time here thus far and
Tahir Godimov chats with Ana Dominguez at an AFS meeting Photo by Maddie Ross, Photographers feels confident about his decision to attend college in the United States next fall.
“I am excited about coming back for college in the fall,” Godimov said.
‘Gravity’ masterpiece Connor Bliss Features Editor
“Gravity” is a movie worth cliché. It’s out of this world, it’s breathtaking, it will take you off your feet and then slam you back down. It is a movie, but to add more clichés it’s an experience worth driving to the biggest screen you can find. It is what the cinema was made for: a visual experience. “Gravity” is a tale of survival and hope in the infinite darkness of space. The concept of infinity is something I fear and this movie plays with it relentlessly, especially at the beginning, with long panoramas where you can’t see the horizon because it isn’t there or shots that take minutes to cut away from. This is a movie with style and it takes every chance it has to show it off. Besides the long one-camera scenes it also uses a first-person camera on a couple of occasions. This emphasizes the tense scenes that made me cringe in every action set piece.
The reason the theatre was filled with the sharp sucking in of breath is because Sandra Bullock’s character Ryan Stone is actually worth caring for, or at least Bullock’s acting convinces you to. It’s good that Bullock is excellent in this movie because in terms of characters in “Gravity” it’s quality over quantity with only two characters with faces and lines. George Clooney’s comedic relief is a nice backto-earth moment but can be skippable as your ears tune out a nostalgic story while your eyes focus on the northern lights on earth's horizon. That is one problem I have at times. The writing was a bit touch-and-go as the tried meld emotion with comedy in parts. Luckily this movie plays with silence with very little music in the vacuum of space and more in the interior scenes. The silence lets your mind travel as you watch and wonder the fate of Stones’s journey. Few movies make good use of 3D, which might be the biggest gimmick in the history of gimmicks -- for
crying out loud, “The Great Gatsby” was in 3D. “Avatar” was the first to make the list but now “Gravity” is another movie ready for the induction. While the 3D is used for the close encounters of flying
Photo Courtesy of imdb.com space debris, it also draws out emotion. For example, you can see a tear floating and slowly moving towards you from off in the distance as it slowly comes into focus, gaining dimension. 3D should not be a way to make action look bigger but should be another brush in a director’s art set, and that’s exactly what Alfonso Cuaron does with it. “Gravity” is a spectacle in every way, especially visually, and pushes technology beyond what we have ever seen on the silver screen. If you care about culture at all, now is the time to take a roadtrip to the nearest IMAX and take in a movie that is truly breathtaking.
Pumpkin Patch entertains all ages Madison Newman Columnist “What do you think of in the fall?” I asked a little boy who was getting ready to select his pumpkin at Britt’s Farm. He put his hand on his hip and thought for a moment. “Halloween and carving pumpkins. I really like to jump in the leaves, I like the way they crunch.” Finally, it feels like October; the leaves are changing and falling off, kids are ready for Halloween. And what is Halloween without carving a pumpkin, or at least choosing your very own? Every day from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (Sundays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.) the Britt family wakes up, inhales that sweet, crisp fall air and gets their farm ready for others to come share fall with their family. Kids jump from their cars, racing to the entrance of the produce sections where the Britt’s sell homemade canned goods, their farm-raised honey, and the vegetables they personally grow. I was a bit concerned that it wouldn’t be as much fun considering all that crazy Kansas weather we got this week, but it definitely did not keep the Britt family out of business this weekend. The farm was muddy, but
the boys splashed around in it, they played with the pigs, goats, chickens and baby calves that were there and ready to snuggle. There are not only games for the children to play, but also adults were also enjoying their time reconnecting with their inner child. A lot of the “toys” were made with the help of Manhattan Area Technical College, where Richard “Rick” Britt got his welding license. The activities available for visitors are two mazes; one easy, one hard. There is a huge 20 ft. teeter-totter that seats up to 30 kids, a 10 x 6 ft. slide placed on a dirt hill that rose up to 20.2 ft. There are silly frames for photo opps, a petting zoo where if you’re feeling it, you can try to catch the pigs -- but good luck with that. There is also a bounce house, a hysterical three person 6 ft. tricycle that requires thought, teamwork and a sense of humor to maneuver. There were also hayrides a potato gun with a hay bale target. Every year the owners incorporate one new thing to their farm. Rick and his wife Angela are the proud parents of three children, with another expected in November. Angela was beaming the entire day, her own children,
Madison (age 4), Garret (age 3) and Briana (age 1) showing off their awesome sociable personalities by interacting with other kids clearly loving the experience at their personal playground. Angela and Rick bought the farm from Rick’s parents in ‘06, who had the farm since 1948, so Rick has been doing this his entire life. I spent most of my time interacting with the other families and playing with my own while chatting with Angela about her farm. When asked what her favorite thing was about doing this, she was a bit stumped at how to answer with other than the obvious fact that she loved the whole experience. “It’s all so fun, and I love interacting with everybody,” she said. “I get to tell a story to the kids about how a pumpkin grows while showing them how it starts as a little flower and the whole cycle. We get to show our pepper fields and corn mazes. The whole experience and atmosphere is wonderful. The crisp fall air wakes you up and makes you happy. There’s no rush, it’s turning over a new leaf.” This farm takes a lot of work, and a lot of love that the Britt family is willing to share with everyone.
FFA works toward national conference Retta Lazaris Staff Writer Pumpkin pies, caramel apples and corn mazes are some of the fall experiences that kids, teenagers and parents alike can enjoy. These experiences are made possible by the farmers who nurture and harvest these plants. Some farmers are
even former FFA members, just like the students in Manhattan High FFA. FFA is working hard to fundraise for the National Convention on Oct. 29 in Louisville, Ky. “FFA is kind of an agricultural club. It started out mainly for people who were going to be farmers, but turned into a club that really
anybody who was interested in agriculture could join,” sophomore Dawson Beffa said. Manhattan High members will be active this entire month with their fundraisers. On Oct. 15, Cox Brothers BBQ is hosting a fundraiser for the club from 5-8 p.m. “Since I’ve been in MHS, this is the first year we’ve
done it,” Beffa said. More traditional, they will be having a food sale from Oct. 7 to 23. “Basically, we sell different meats, kind of dessert stuff and fruits. We get them from different places around the United States. Like we get some from Texas, like our pears, and probably some of our meats, I’m go-
ing to guess, from up north,” Beffa said. The food sales are a huge deal for the seniors especially, because it is an opportunity to earn scholarship money. “Last year we had someone who sold $1,200 worth of stuff, just by himself. Ryan Williams. He was the FFA president last year,” Beffa
said. “For the seniors, whoever sells the most, gets a $1000 scholarship.” This scholarship is awarded at the State Conference every year during the summer, but members will know who has received this honor soon after their sales come in.
MHS bursts with colors during Homecoming Entertainment The Mentor www.mhsmentor.com
Dheepthi Perumal Entertainment Editor Yellow has nothing to do with school colors at Manhattan High, but that was what many students wore on Sept. 30. It wasn’t a coincidence; it was homecoming week at MHS. “Bursting with Color” was this year’s theme, chosen by the Tribe officers. Fall homecoming had spirit days, a door decorating contest, a pep rally that included the dance team, cheerleaders, and powder puff senior boys who performed a routine taught by senior cheerleaders. Spirit days included wearing yellow, purple, green, orange and school colors. “It was my favorite week ever,” math teacher Leslie Stenberg said. “In the six years I have worked at Manhattan High School, this has been the most-participated theme.” “We choose colors as a theme because it was easy to do and students didn’t have to be creative,” Tribe VicePresident Emma Samenus said. The fall pep rally that was part of the homecoming week included many performances. For the first time in a long time, the freshmen were brought up from Manhattan High East campus on
buses to come see the pep rally at the West Campus. “I was happy that the freshmen got to come up to watch the performances,” Stenberg said. When Tribe officers acknowledged the freshmen’s arrival to the pep rally, many students booed in the crowds, but others also happily acknowledge them with cheers and applause. “We have been trying for years for [freshmen] to come up to watch,” Tribe sponsor Randy Nivert said. “We are one school. We shouldn’t exclude them. The pep rally will just be more crowded but it will be louder and more exciting.” Although the day of the football game severe thunderstorms were predicted, the skies cleared out for a good game. Manhattan High played against Topeka West winning the game 76-0. Possibly one of the most anticipated event of homecoming week is the Queen and King crowning. During halftime all the junior honoraries and senior candidates lined up on the field to here the winners. Sammi Grieger and Ethan Schmidt were voted as the queen and king this year. “It was a really nice night, and the weather clearing up was good for everyone,” Grieger said. “I wasn’t even
expecting to win, I was so surprised.” The other candidates included seniors Lane Sorell, Emma Samenus, Winston Dimel, Aubrey Jung, Bret Fehr, Jessie Kujawa, Peter Maier, Hannah Livsey, Zane Reeves, Lola Oppy, Gavin Sedlacek, Alaina Schroeder, Henry Bieber and Jamie Steele. Junior honoraries included Trevor Bashaw, Rachel Beach, Ben Clark, Molly Bollman, Xavier Hayden, Nysha Green, Chris Martin, Matty Mahan, Kendrick Rivera, Tara Schroller, Luke Stegeman, and Savannah Thaemert. In the past, MHS has hosted a homecoming dance; however, in more recent years, the dance has transformed into a fun night. This year students could be found playing on a Velcro wall, enjoying some free food, winning prizes or just chatting with friends. ‘It was a super fun, and a stressful week to plan everything,” Samenus said. “But I think the outcome was great.” “I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Nivert said. The final Homecoming event takes place tonight when MHS girls play in a powder puff football game with two teams, blue and white. The game is open to the public.
Girls gear up to play football Kristen Batson Staff Writer For the first time since 2007, Manhattan High School will be holding a Powder Puff football game at 7 p.m. tonight, giving girls from every grade at West and East campus the opportunity to play. There are two teams, white and blue, each with one head coach and two assistant coaches. Student teacher Andrew Farmer is coaching the white team with A.J. Vincent and Bailey Meyers (also student teachers) as his assistants. Farmer played football in high school as well as one year in college. When signups occurred both teams
had 36 girls. However at the first practice only eight girls showed up for white team, and at the second practice there were 10. “I’m just hoping we’ll have at least 11 so I can play them on both sides,” Farmer said. “I’m kind of disappointed we only have 10 players right now. I was hoping for at least 20.” “I think [practices] have been going really well. The coaches have been giving us good instructions how to play,” senior Hannah Livsey, white team member, said. Livsey also said her goals for the game are “to just have fun.” “I mean winning would be nice too but I’m not su-
per worried about it,” Livsey said. ISS instructor Mike Miller is the head coach of the blue team with math teacher Tahnee Matuszewicz and health aid Angie Marden as his assistant coaches. At blue team’s first practice only 12 team members came, but then numbers rose to about 18 at the second. “Practice has been going great for the girls who’ve been showing up. They’re really attentive and they’re learning as much as they can,” Miller said. His goal for his team is “for the girls just to have fun. It’s a good experience and I’m hoping we’ll have a tradition start up again,” he said.
Dheepthi: What was your reaction to when you
heard your name? Sammi: “I didn’t hear my name when they called me because I was talking with my escort [Lane Sorell].”
Dheepthi: Who do you think was going to win if it
people who voted for you? Sammi: “Thank you, you didn’t have to vote for me. I truly didn’t deserve it.”
Gage Benne Staff Writer One and a half hours of play at Club Dodgeball Night came down to two teams: Spanish Club and SkillsUSA. When the dust had settled, Spanish Club came out the winner for the second year in a row. BPA was a close contender to enter the championship, but narrowly fell to SkillsUSA in a one-on-one sudden death face off where junior Tyler Daveline was barely nicked to move SkillsUSA to the championship. It’s not often that so many diverse school groups are under one roof. However, more than 10 Manhattan High School clubs gathered together to play dodgeball
on Thursday, Oct. 3. Student Council organized the school’s annual Club Dodgeball Night and also participated. Along with StuCo, clubs such as Business Professionals of America, Earth Club, Thespians, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and last year’s winner, Spanish Club, participated. The number of clubs was strong compared to last year’s Club Dodgeball Night in May. Black Student Union was the only club to show up to compete at the last Dodgeball Night. “May was not very well organized. This year was a lot better,” StuCo Vice President Lane Sorell said. Seniors Hannah Nelson and Lane Sorell ran the event, regulating scoring, timing and individual games.
Pretty in pink
“You’re always going to have teams cheat and such,” Sorell said. “Other than that it went very well. We were hoping to have four referees but due to the lack of delegation we had to run around right before the event to find referees. Even I had to ref a game.” Team members brought cans of food to donate to local charity in order to enter the competition. The teams went through a double-elimination bracket. Each club played until the team got out, and repeated that again in a second round of games. “It was hard to hear announcements on which teams were playing next,” sophomore Dalton Juenemann said, “but it ran smoothly otherwise.”
Senior members of Spanish Club Austin Clark and Eric Gray throw balls during Club Dodgeball. Spanish Club is two-time champion of the event. Photo by Michael Melgares
Powder Puff 2013
Junior Kali Killingsworth flips into her bases’ arms during the Homecoming pep rally. The cheerleaders led the pep rally and performed with the band and dance team. Photo by Liz Logback
Cheer spirits little girls Retta Lazaris Staff Writer Jump up! Dance around! Chant a cheer! This excitement isn’t what many high school students are doing on a Saturday morning, but on Sept. 28, kids -- ages ranging from Kindergarten through 6th grade -- woke up bright and early to learn how to cheer and dance from the Manhattan High cheerleaders. The kids also performed in front of the entire student section after the first quarter of Friday’s Homecoming game. “We split them up into three different age groups,
and we teach them a cheer and a dance,” senior Hannah Ewy said. “Then we all get together as a big group, and do a big group cheer.” The clinic began at 9 a.m. and lasted until noon. Immediately afterward, the children performed what they had learned in front of their families. The senior cheerleaders choreograph the dances and make up the cheers that are taught to the kids, but all MHS cheerleaders helped out with the event. Ewy had positive feelings about her experience. “I thought it was a lot of fun. I liked making up the cheers, and just teaching
them and seeing how excited they [the kids] get,” she said. “And it’s awesome, because you can tell who are the ones that love it, and like that opportunity to be able to cheer. They like to show off in front of their parents, and it’s really cute.” There was a fee for each kid who went to this event, so the cheerleaders were able to fundraise through the clinic. The event was also an opportunity for the cheerleaders to promote cheerleading. “It’s something that kids like to do, and they don’t really get a chance to do at that age,” Ewy said.
King and Queen of MHS
Nathan Mirts and Tommy Settembrino, seniors, shake their pom pons during the Powder Puff cheerleaders routine at the pep rally. The senior cheerleaders helped the senior boys who participated by choreographing the routine and teaching the cheers, stunts and dance moves to all the boys on the squad. Photos by Liz Logback and Connor Bliss
Door Decorating Contest Winners Infographic by Tracy Le
Dheepthi Perumal Entertainment Editor
Manhattan High School had their homecoming week last week with many activities including the crowning of the King and Queen at the football game. The winners that were crowned were seniors Sammi Grieger and Ethan Schmidt. Grieger is involved in Marching Band, Jazz Band, school musical, Interpersonal Skills and was the October student of the month. Schmidt is involved in Marching Band, Thespians, school musical, and Interpersonal Skills.
Dheepthi:
What was running through your head when they called your name?
East Campus Office: Counseling Office
Ethan:
“Nothing was running through my head. That day was a busy day for me because we had to put our dog down which I have had since I was four, going to the zoo, and performing for the pep rally.”
Dheepthi:
Who do you think was going to win, if it wasn’t you?
Ethan:
“Every single one of the candidates were superb and deserved to win.”
Dheepthi: What is your comment about running
back to go be with the band? Sammi: “They are my family, I wasn’t going to let them down.”
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Spanish Club dodges defeat
wasn’t you? Sammi: “I didn’t really think about who was going to win; I didn’t even vote both times.”
Dheepthi: What would you like to say for all the
Entertainment The Mentor
Dheepthi:
What is your comment about running back to go be with the band?
Ethan:
“The band was one reason why I was voted to be on the list for students to vote for. So of course I ran back with my saxophone to perform with the band.”
East Campus: Mary Morgan A112
West Campus: Sonia Camerlinck, Special Ed.
West Campus Office: Senior Class Office
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Volleyball chasing League title Kennedy Felice Copy Editor The Lady Indian’s gained serious momentum in their fight for a Centennial League title with victory over every competitor at their home quad against Concordia, Topeka West and Topeka High on Tuesday, Sept. 24. “It seems like since the creation of the league, Centennial League, our team has never had a title by themselves,” head coach Lisa Kinderknecht said. “We’ve shared a title, been cochamps a couple times but this year we’re hungry for a title of our own.” With every match the team was able to finish with at least a 10-point lead over their competition. “The girls have really been focusing on finishing strong. It’s not enough to just start well, you have to complete everything you begin in a game,” Kinderknecht said. On Saturday, Sept. 28, Manhattan traveled Seaman to participate in the Seaman tournament. “We knew going in there we were going to face some tough competition, but coach said to get out of our heads and perform,” senior Lauren Goralczyk said. After losing to Hayden in pool play, 26-28, and 18-25, the Lady Indians came back strong and finished in second place overall. “Hayden has become a rival for us. We know we can beat them but we have to fight for that edge,” senior Jessie Kujawa said. “We’ve been finishing stronger and playing harder but we can
still work.” Kujawa and senior Aubrey Jung were chosen as members of the All-Tournament Team. “Other coaches nominate and vote for which players deserve a spot,” Kinderknecht said. “It’s a real honor for the girls and it makes me extremely proud as a coach to watch others recognize your athletes’ talent.” Despite sitting out several matches due to a back injury and muscle pain, Kujawa was able to log 40 kills throughout tournament play. Jung went for a total of 113 assists and 28 digs on the play. “The team is continuing to build and you can definitely see that. We’ve been working and it’s always satisfying when that shows,” Kujawa said. On the defense senior Michaela Braun brought in a total of six solo blocks and six assisted blocks, while Goralczyk had five solo blocks, four assisted blocks and also hammered out six aces and 31 kills. “The team has been playing as a single unit, which has benefited us as the season continues,” Kinderknecht. “They’re fighting hard and playing well so we just have to keep pushing forward. After nine days of rest, the Lady Indians will travel to Emporia tonight to compete in a quad against Highland Park, Washburn Rural and Emporia. “These games are important because they’re league games. We’re 3-1 in league play, and a title, in League and State, seems like a real possibility,” Kujawa said.
Domination Soccer beats wichita south 9-2, ties nationally ranked Washburn Rural Senior Kody Minocha dribbles towards a one-on-one situation with the Wichita South goalie. His 72nd minute goal helped the Indians cruise to a 9-2 victory. Michael Melgares, photographer Michael Melgares Assistant Sports Editor In a game surrounded by endless hype, the Manhattan High boys soccer team rose to the occasion against No. 6 nationally-ranked Washburn, playing them to a draw of 3-3. The game consisted of two overtimes, goals by sophomore Brandon Religa, sophomore Kirk Lambert and senior Eric Gray, and a fanatical student section. The match was mentally and physically exhausting for the team, and yet they had to turn around two days later and face Great Bend at home on Sept. 28. This game was easier on the nerves of players and fans, as the contest resulted in a 4-1 victory for the Indians. Goals in this match were scored by sophomore Austin French in the 29th
minute, senior Jonathan Turnley off a penalty kick at the end of the first half, Kirk Lambert in the 61st minute, and senior Adam Gray, who rounded out the game’s goal scorers with a shot in the 76th minute. This win propelled the Indians to a No. 9 ranking in the state, improving their overall record to 6-1-1. Next up on the team’s schedule was another home game, Wichita South on Oct. 1. The Indians came out gunning in this match-up, with two goals from Eric Gray, and also goals from senior Eli Herrera, Kirk Lambert, and Jonathan Turnley, all before the 30-minute mark. However, the excitement for the night was not over. Kirk Lambert would go on to card goals in the 35th minute and 49th minute, making him the second MHS player (after Peter Maier)
this season to record a hat trick. The game’s final score was 9-2 leaving MHS victorious. Next the MHS boys traveled to Emporia last Thursday to take on the Trojans. This game was highlighted by the return of star player senior Peter Maier, who has been out for three weeks due to an ankle injury. Maier was silent for the first part of the game, until waking up in the 53rd minute with a goal off an assist from Eric Gray. The match would end in a 3-0 victory for MHS. The Indian’s 8-1-1 overall record marks the best start ever recorded in school history for boys soccer. The Indians will look to improve that record tonight in Topeka against Hayden High School.
Cross Country Football puts up 76 points on Topeka West boys win Rimrock Gage Benne Staff Writer It wasn’t much of a surprise that the Manhattan High boys Cross Country team is now 5-0, just like the Chiefs. The team has not stuttered since day one of their 2013 season, one of the best seasons to date. A clean sweep early in the season set the team apart from the competition from the get-go. After that, not only do have the boys placed first at every meet, but they generally win by triple digits and keep times all under 17 minutes. But their race last Saturday -- the Rimrock Classic -- was an entirely different ball-game. “Rimrock Classic, the season meet, some say it’s actually more difficult than the State meet [also at Rimrock],” junior Isaiah Koppes said. “We played a higher level of competition at Classic than at State.” Koppes placed fifth on the team and 38th overall with a time just under 17 minutes. “We were definitely planning on getting first,” he said. “The team wasn’t entirely sure, but we were definitely gunning for first place.” The team had six of its seven racers finish in under 17 minutes. Placing first on the team, senior Chris Melgares finished ninth overall, four seconds above a speedy 16 minutes, a testimony to
the amount of competition compared to the team’s other meets throughout their season. Despite the tough conditions and having junior Michael Melgares sitting out a week battling a foot injury, the team still walked away with a first place trophy for Rimrock Classic. “It makes me super psyched to win Rimrock Classic,” Koppes said. “It shows we have an even better chance of winning State.” Also a major accomplishment at the meet was the girls team placing 10th at Rimrock. Senior Alaina Schroeder led the charge for the team in third place with a time of 15:17. Looking forward to the team’s State meet, the boy’s team placed first on Saturday in Junction City despite a week of difficult training beforehand. This was a much easier win than the much larger Rimrock Classic. The girls Varsity team placed second, with the J.V. teams also remaining dominant across the boards. The team competes in Salina this Saturday, and heads to their post-season meets, League, Regionals, then State. “Our biggest competition is ourselves,” Koppes said, in regards to the upcoming State meet. “As long as everybody on our team has the best race they are capable of, there is really no reason we shouldn’t win State.”
The Indians prepare to snap the ball for a play against Topeka West last Friday. Senior Kellen Myers played quarterback for most of the game and helped MHS win 76-0. He has still not thrown an interception all season. Sydney Harrison, photographer Chris Klug Blue M Sports Editor There are many great homecoming traditions Manhattan High has that students enjoy being apart of. With spirit week, decorating doors and pep rally fiascoes, homecoming week is always something that students look forward to. The thing that pulls Homecoming together, however, is the football game, and when your school wins it makes Homecoming that much sweeter. The Indians not only beat the Topeka West Chargers on Friday night, they dismantled them 76-0, ending the homecoming week with a bang.
The Indians wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard. Bret Fehr returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, giving the Indians a spark that would never really go out. After a strong first quarter, the Indians led 28-0. And after another strong quarter, they took a 48-0 lead into halftime. Fehr, along with Darian Taylor, Ethan Fabrizius, Chris Martin, Henry Bieber and Kellen Myers all scored touchdowns in the first half. Both the offense and defense were on top of their game Friday night. The defense has now allowed just 16 points in the previous four games (and allowed 37
points all season), shutting down all opposing offenses. The offense has put up a combined 139 points in the last two matchups, with the 76 points against Topeka West marking the second most points ever scored in a single game by an Indians team and the most points scored in a single game in over 50 years. Both the offense and defense are playing well and putting up incredible statistics to show for it. The Indians spoiled the Highland Park Scots’ homecoming on Sept. 27 by handing them a 63-6 loss. The Indians scored early in the first quarter, when quarterback Kellen Myers
found the end zone from 10 yards out. Defensive lineman James Kordyak scored the first non-offensive touchdown of the night on a forced and recovered fumble that was returned 51 yards for a touchdown. Return specialist Mike Settembrino then came up with a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown, to put the score at 22-0. The Indians took a 36-0 lead heading into halftime after a Darian Taylor pick-6 and a 31-yard touchdown pass from Myers to Bret Fehr. After dominating the field on both sides of the ball in the first half, the second half was no different. Chris Martin and Taylor each had touchdown runs in the third quarter. Settembrino scored on a 85-yard kick return in the fourth quarter following the only Scots touchdown of the night. Sophomore John Chen finished the scoring for the Indians with a touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. The Indian offense was led by Myers who had 65 yards on nine carries and 4-6 passing with 65 yards and a touchdown. Settembrino finished the game with two touchdowns on special teams, and Taylor had two touchdowns -- one on offense and one on defense. The Indians (4-1, 4-0 Centennial League) look to continue their success this Friday night at Shawnee Heights.
Golf takes second at League meet, home Nick Bandy Sports Editor When senior Anna Jackson sunk her final putt she knew all her work had paid off. She got her best score ever, 81, and took sixth place at the Hutchinson Invitational. Jackson is usually the Manhattan High golf team’s fourth-best player, on a squad that has struggled with consistency outside of their top three. Suddenly she Junior Kylie McCarthy lines up a putt at the Indian’s only home meet on Monday. She finished second. Chris Klug, photographer
was the Indian’s second best at Hutchinson last Thursday after some hard work. “She’s been working on her putting, and rather than three or four putt a hole she was able to two or one putt. That’s a huge difference over 18 holes,” head coach Chris George said. The Indian’s top finisher was junior Kylie McCarthy who took fifth after shooting an 80. The Indians placed first, beating Maize by three strokes. “I owe all of our first place to Anna,” junior Kelsey McCarthy said. Beating Maize was a sweet victory for MHS after they had tied with Maize for
fifth place out of the 24 teams at the rescheduled Lawrence Invitational last Tuesday. Despite placing so high at a big meet the Indians noticed what more they could have done -- they were only 10 strokes away from first and six away from second. “We know we could have done better. I know I can think of five strokes I could have shaved off my score, and I know other people on our team could have too,” Kelsey said. Kelsey was 10th with 83 strokes and Kylie was 11th with 84 strokes. The day before MHS went to the Centennial League meet, meaning they had an exhausting
three-meet week. “It’s been harder on them as students then as golfers. They had to miss three days of school and I had to miss three days of school. It was a challenge but those days are behind us,” George said, who is a physics teacher at MHS. The Indians came up short of their goal of winning the League meet as they took second behind a deep Washburn Rural team. “We really wanted to win but we were satisfied with second. We know we can beat Washburn but they played really well that day,” Kylie McCarthy said. See Golf page 7
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Athlete of the Week Nick Bandy Sports Editor
Darian Taylor Taylor led the Indians against Topeka West last Friday. He scored three touchdowns: one rushing, and an impressive two interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Golf from page 6
travel but it’s a tough course for everyone,” George said. They got second to Washburn Rural by 11 points, with Kylie McCarthy leading the way with a second place finish after shooting an 83. Kelsey McCarthy shot 85 to take fourth and senior Hannah Devane shot 94 to take ninth. That meet concludes the
Kylie McCarthy led the way for MHS with an 82, taking third place. Kelsey McCarthy was the Indian’s second finisher in fifth place with a score of 84. On Monday the Indians had their only varsity home meet at the Stagg Hill golf course. “It’s an advantage not to
Indian’s regular season and they are headed to Regionals next Monday. If they place in the top three they will move on to the State meet, and they are optimistic after Jackson’s sudden improvement. “We showed in Hutchinson that we have to potential to do well,” Kelsey McCarthy said.
Tennis defeats Junction City, takes fourth in Topeka Matt Bandy staff writer The girls Varsity and J.V. tennis teams have been busy in the last two weeks competing in seven tournaments. Five meets were varsity competition and two were J.V. Wednesday, Sept. 25, the J.V team competed at the Junction City invite playing two doubles and two singles matches to take third out of six teams. Thursday, the Varsity team won half their matches then split their dual with Lawrence. The Varsity team competed on Monday, Sept. 30, in a round robin against five teams and placed
third. Both seniors played singles that day, with Bianca Pedrozo going 2-2 while Caroline Sager went 3-1. Tuesday, both the J.V and Varsity teams played. the J.V. team won their dual at Junction City, winning six matches and losing four. “That’s what I would have predicted,” J.V. coach Bob Kelly said. The J.V. team took seven players to the meet playing three doubles and two singles. The Varsity team played at the Topeka invitational placing fourth out of 10 teams, an improvement from last year’s sixth place. Sager took first place going 3-0 and
Cathy Lei and Kristen Fraley doubles team took third going 2-1. The last meet in the two-week period was a Varsity team dual in City Park against Junction City. MHS beat Junction City winning six of the nine matches. “I think they all did great,” Varsity coach Joyce Allen said. The top four singles players won all of their matches. The next J.V. meet will be the league meet at Emporia today and the next Varsity meet will also be a league meet also at Emporia on Saturday.
Science Olympiad and coaches. For over 20 years, MHS has had a Science Olympiad team. Nelson originally started this activity up and soon science teachers Lamb and Craig Ackerman joined in. "[Science Olympiad] allows some of our students who are really interested in science to not only learn more about it… but also apply stuff that you know,” Lamb said. “And there aren't that many opportunities for that." “It’s a lot of fun,” Dix said. “I’m planning on doing it next year.” "I just like seeing people give everything their best shot,” Lamb said, “I just like seeing young people being challenged and rising up to that challenge.” And that is what the members have been doing. Rising up to the challenges to be faced ahead, "[The coaches] are great,” Armouni said. “They are great teachers and great people.” The team's first competition will be a practice one at Shawnee Mission South High School on Nov. 9. From there, they will continue to get ready for the regional competition. "I'm really excited for what is going to happen," Chang said.
Frequently wash your hands
Keep your hands away from your face Stay home if you have a fever Cough and sneeze into your elbow
Headaches caused by fatigue, hunger or stress
activities, and according to Fadul, German Club is an active way to stay involved in the school and in something enjoyable. “[German Club] is just a lot of fun. It’s fun learning about my heritage and there are a lot of other people in the club who also speak German, so we learn a lot,” Fadul said.
recession. According to government sources, in constant 2010 dollars, average expenditures per household were $46,119 in 1984, and they peaked at $52,349 in 2006. Since the recession started, average expenditures have dropped from $52,203 in 2007 to $48,109 in 2010 and they are now on the rise. During this period, spending decreased in every major category except healthcare. Similar drops were shown to occur during the last
Corrections Due to a Mentor error in volume 101, issue 5 on page 5. Ian Miller was labeled under Student of the Month as Chris Melgares.
USD Flu Shot Clinic Friday, October 18 8:30a.m. to 11:30a.m. Riley County Health Department will be giving flu, pnemonia and Tdap shots Have flu consent and HIPAA consent completed prior to clinic Normal flu shot: $27 High Dose: $46
Gastrointestinal issues
Last week the students of Manhattan High School took a Friday off and spent that extra time given to them doing things they enjoyed most. This has been the second three-day weekend that students have had since the beginning of the school year. These extended weekends give students an opportunity to spend time with the people they care about and also provide extra time to complete chores that an individual may not have enough time to accomplish on any other regular weekend. For junior Joel Marienau, that chore happened to be moving into a new home. “I’ve lived in Ogden for a while now, but my parents decided it would be better to live in Manhattan since we spend most of our time there anyways,” Marienau said. Marienau had plenty of time over the weekend to move his belongings into his new home, giving him and his friends a full day to run carelessly throughout Manhattan. While Marienau was hard at work during the weekend,
Government Shutdown
The MHS nurse’s office is always bustling at this time of the year. Flu season is right around the corner and being at school with hundreds of other students, means being around hundreds of germs. Here is some information on how to prevent getting sick during the school year.
Most Common Health Issues at MHS
Noah Schnee Staff Writer
Oktoberfest
Don’t spread it, you’ll regret it
Preventing the Spread of Germs
Day off changes students’ focus
Bring copy of insurance card (front and back) The clinic will be held in the MHs Alumni Association Conference Room. It is open to anyone!
More than two-thirds of students in the United States missed school in the past 12 months due to illness and injury.
Graphic by Allison Olsen
senior Alex Hotrum decided to devote the majority of his small break to his girlfriend, junior Hannah Barnette. “Friday we went out to get ice cream and then we drove up to Manhattan Hill,” Hotrum said. “On Sunday we just sat around and watched movies.” Hotrum also began training for a part-time cooking job at Nelson’s Landing Bar and Grill, located in Leonardville, KS, over the weekend. Junior Alexander Bascom took the spare time to work on his garden and to enjoy nature. “I really enjoy taking long walks through Keats and around Wildcat Creek when I can find the time,” Bascom said. To Bascom, the weekends offer a great deal of relaxation and extended weekends are appreciated immensely when they are presented to him. “The weekend for me is a time for rejuvenation and relaxation,” Bascom said. “It’s a time to focus on the things in life that really matter. Things like the earth, family, friends, and spirituality.”
prolonged shutdown, and steadily increasing numbers could drop down again if this shutdown continues. Even if this doesn’t happen, 800,000 government employees have been sent home without pay, and 1 million more workers are being asked to work without pay. Many occupations considered ‘nonessential’ aren’t being filled and as time goes on, the importance of these positions will grow more clear. “We know the longer this shutdown continues, the worse the effects will be,” President Obama said.
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Brazil is demanding clarification from Canada on allegations that spies are targeting their mines.
Moscow,Russia
Average schooling
United States
to begin it’s 123 day journey across the country.
The death toll of the migrant ship that sank off the coast of Italy has reached 232.
17 years
Eight were killed and another 79 injured after the driver of a monster truck in Juarez, Mexico lost control of his vechicle.
316,668,567
Riots against police in
Population:
Mombassa, Kenya are raging after a
10,251,568
gunman killed a Muslim cleric. Four have been reported dead and several others are wounded.
Average schooling
Numerous missing persons cases are being traced back to police in
13 years
Rio De Janeiro Brazil. Child labor between ages of 5-14
7% Population:
3,559,408
Argentina Presi-
Argentina
Child labor between ages of 5-14
7%
Child labor between ages of 5-14
An egg sized white diamond sold for a record $30.6 million dollars at an auction in Hong Kong, China on Monday night.
India
Population:
Panama
What
The Olympic flame made it’s way into
12%
Average schooling
10 years Population:
1,220,800,359
Somalia Child labor between ages of 5-14
49%
Scientists are working to develop drought tolerant corn in poverty stricken Engaru-
Average schooling
3 years
ka, Tanzania.
Australia
dent Cristina Fernandez will undergo surgery today to remove a blood clot.
Population:
42,610,981 Average schooling
16 years
Average schooling
Emergency crews are searching for two people after a large fire broke out in a commercial building in Syd-
ney, Austrailia.
20 years Population:
22,262,501
News and statistics courtesy of The Washington Post and The World Fact Book.
in the
world? EDITOR’S NOTE- Each country has its own story. Things happen everyday that may never be heard of in America. The purpose of this page is to expand our minds beyond the walls of the United States and into the cultures of others. And while The Mentor can’t possibly cover everything going on in the world, it is my hope that this will at least get you thinking about other people in different situations. The black speech bubbles pull out quick news segments from various countries and the bubbles pull out statistics of varying places. Enjoy their information and compare the brief differences from country to country. Much love, Liz Logback, Editor-in-Chief