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MHS MENTOR | ISSUE 9

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the Mentor

NEWS

November 18, 2011 Manhattan High volume 99 issue 9

News Briefs FFA Last month, FFA officers attended the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. Various leadership workshops and a career fair were among the activities for attendees. FFA’s fruit sales fund raiser ended recently, bringing in a total of just over $4000. The highest seller was Junior Ryan Williams with $1500. There was a leadership conference for officers on Wednesday this week.

TRIBE Tribe is having another contest against Junction City High School. Manhattan High School proceeds will go to cancer research. You may purchase a Pink shirt to be worn Friday, Dec. 16 for the “Pink Out” basketball game at Junction City High. Tribe will be taking orders for the shirts during both lunches in the Commons/Cafeteria area. Cost for shirts is $10.

Advisory Period Advisory period is Manhattan High’s new program created to promote a positive school climate, and both academic and carer awareness. Advisory period made its debut Wednesday after fourth hour. During this time students brainstormed ideas about possible activities, and discussions. They also came together to generate ideas about a name to call this activity. “I think if the students buy in and the teachers buy in, and everyone commits to it, then it will be very helpful,” Biology Teacher Benjamin George said. Another goal of the advisory period is to build relationships between students and teachers. Students who participated Wednesday Advisory Period continued on page six

page 2: Staff editorial -- Copyrights, Teachers Criticizing, Race commentary page 3: Top Chef review, Black Friday, New Releases, Piccoult book review page 4: Football recap, Dance feature page 5: Thanksgiving traditions, Midnight releases, Inheritance book review page 6: Horoscopes, Thanksgiving crossword

CONSTRUCTING PROGRESS BY Cole Anneberg News Editor

The fall phase of the Manhattan High School construction project is staying on schedule with some new spaces ready to be unveiled next semester. On Dec. 7, 8 and 9 the old library will move from its current location to its new area in B-Hall. Adolfson and Peterson, the contractor of construction,

but assistance will be available in the move, provided that an assembled moving team will be helping also. The whole library be ready for the opening later next semester. MHS’ faculty is anticipating the shift to the new library and the opening of the remaining building also.

being a friendly clean facility,” Library Media Print Specialist Joann Hettenbach said. Halls A and B will also open for classrooms in January with new features to students also. Some of those are an outdoor classroom in the south courtyard including outdoor Construction along A-Hall is near completion with the installment of lockers and ceiling panels. furniture, a new Planned usage for A-Hall is primarliy English classes, expected to be available for the school by weight room that spring semester. Photo by Cole Anneberg was available for stumanager Dean Youngers said. summer,” Youngers said. “We dent use early The amount of accan’t describe how thankful November, tivities MHS has we are from the students and and a couple held this semesfaculty for being so patient.” hundred more ter and the fact The progress with the lockers. that the building new section of the school is “The best constantly has looking more and more ready thing regardpeople inside B-Halls new library last minute touches are almost done. Book shelves along for students spring semester. ing the proghas put many the north side of the library started going up this week and the front desks are The total cost for the project ress had to be already completed. projects on hold is estimated at $42.4 million Photo by Cole Anneberg the unveiling with the current and the final completion of has been swift as possible A few of the new features of the new section of the the entire building is planned with the project since break- the library will have are new part of the school in use. for January 2013, although a ing ground back in 2010. bookcases, better book drops school from “It has been few final touches will be done The bookcases, which alongside the library, bar sen- this summer very hard findthe next school year. arrived here Monday, are sors to keep track of books, letting stuing time getting “We’ve been doing betplanned to be assembled and many new books as well. dents use a into the previter than expected with the today and retired librarians “We are looking forward newer facility, ous parts to put progress of halls A and B,” will be busy organizing books to the new space, it being giving us time the final details Youngers said. at the new library shelves -- a more usable by everybody, for the rest to from the projtask which appears daunting, being better organized, and be completed,” Construction ects we completed last

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We can’t describe how thankful we are for the students and faculty for being so patient. -- Youngers

Veterans, students remember Big Blue Marching Band and the dance team. Students at the East Campus were lucky enough With one out of five students in Manhattan having a to watch all the action as the parade passed by their buildconnection to the military, Veterans Day is a holiday that ing. “I love being a part of it doesn’t go by unnoticed. The [the parade]. It’s one of the City of Manhattan honored our vets with a variety of ac- advantages of being at East tivities, starting with the Vet- Campus,” Charlie Sprott, East erans Day Breakfast at 7 a.m., Campus administrator, said. Some West Campus stuthen moving to the State and dents were in attendance as Territorial Flag Display and well. the Pictures, Memorabilia “A lot of people in my and Poster Displays at 9 a.m. The annual Veteran’s Day family are in the military, so I care,” Shabria Page, sophoHonor Parade down Poyntz more, said. Ave. started at 9:30 a.m. There were even some atSpectators waving American tendees who had never been flags lined the sidewalks as a part of a Veteran’s Day vets and supporters made celebration before. their way through the pa“I think it’s awesome rade. Many Manhattan High because we don’t have it School students were a part [Veteran’s Day] in France. of the parade, including the Kayla Dieker staff writer

MHS marching band performs at last weeks Veteran’s Day parade on Poyntz Ave. All members of the band attended and performed their music set for the parade attendees. Photo by John Rockey

It’s cool because it’s good to remember the wars,” Jules Guilleman, French exchange student, said. After the parade was a Commemorative Program at 11 a.m. and a Veterans Day Recognition Honors Banquet at 6 p.m.

MHS also has some veterans included in the staff. Ron Johnson, faculty member, served from July 1969 to October 1991 in a variety of capacities. Johnson said he wishes he would have been able to see the parade. Former MHS students now

involved in the military appreciate the support of current students as well as their participation in the Veteran’s Day Parade. “I think the involvement is great,” Chris Day, former MHS student and cadet at Kansas State University, said.


Opinion

Hits and Misses

from my Argentinian exchange student that it is incorrect to just say America --- America applies to not only the United States, but also the rest of North America and South America) has come a long way with racism. But what you have to accept is that race is always going to matter, even if it is just the small differences in each race. And you’ve just got to accept these differences and realize that they will always be there. This summer I read the This got me thinking, “is it possible to ever live in a com- book “Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell (one of the best pletely diverse country with books I ever read; check it no regards to race?” Even when you take a test out). I spent 277 pages reading about what happens in such as the ACT you are asked for your race, although the first two seconds when your brain registers someit is not required. thing. It basically tells you Everyone can agree that the United States (I learned everything you need to know

Accept the differences Race always a factor in modern society Kaitlin Wichmann staff writer “There’s no such thing as ‘Post Racial’ America,” reads an article in the New York Times.

about your gut instinct. The examples related to anywhere from viewing an artifact and immediately knowing it is fake, to seeing the word female and immediately associating it to the word ‘kitchen.’ The book talked a lot about word associations that went along with race. You can actually take a test through the Harvard website (https://implicit.harvard. edu/implicit/) and it gauges your response to words and pictures in the first few seconds of viewing them. You must complete the test as fast as possible to get the most accurate results. At the end it shows you your scores along with the national averages. On average, 80 percent of people showed a preference for whites. It’s not that these people have any real

preference with race, it’s just that they have grown up in a society that when you have a split second to decide, you’re more likely to match the word “happy” with a white person. I believe that people don’t try to be racist --- it is just something that has been and always will be there, even if not consciously. I just ask everyone to stop worrying about being “post-racial.” Racial differences make the United States the diverse place that it is. There will always be differences and different opinions that are faced towards different races. You need to accept the differences and not deny their existence.

Music lovers unattached to current artists

Teachers urged to help, not criticize

way for the record companies to rake in more money. It’s sad, however, to see how disconnected people are from the artists these days. With downloading you just click a song and it’s on your iPod. When you had to actually go out and buy a CD you knew everything about that artist. What they looked like, every song that would be on it, and their previous works. Now we don’t even know who sings what. It could also be a possibility that music has become mediocre because it is in such high demand and so easy to get that artists put no time into their work, they just pump it out as soon as possible to please the crowd. But, no one is pleased by a sub par CD that’s full of songs with no meaning. Thirty or 40 years ago everyone listened to the same type

is supposed to help? Staring and saying “figure it out for yourself” just makes the student despise the class and ultimately fail the test that they’ll surely have over the topic they don’t understand. opinions editor Sure, they have notes. Does Find x > 3 such that ln(x) that mean they understand < x^(0.1). Can you solve it? them? Not all the time. It’s proven to be one of the I use my resources and try world’s hardest math equamy best to solve a problem or tions. read the book for an answer, If I raised my hand and so why would I ask if I didn’t asked about it in some of need help? The last thing I my classes, a majority of my want is for the teacher to teachers would stare at me make me feel like an idiot. and say “Figure it out yourWe always hear about self.” how we’re supposed to treat Granted, not all my teach- teachers with respect, but ers are math teachers. But I doesn’t that go both ways? have sat in multiple classes in If students don’t talk back which I ask how to do some- to the teacher, obviously the thing they’ve shown on the teacher has no right to do it board and their response is to us. “Why don’t you know how All I’m asking is for teachto do it?” ers to do what they are there What happened to freshfor -- to help us. The extra man year when we’d say we time at the end of the hour didn’t understand and the to work on assignments teacher would say “What doesn’t mean they can sit at are you having trouble with? their desk in the back, ignore Let’s walk through it again our pleas and then yell at us and we’ll figure it out.”? when the class average is 60 Teachers are here to percent. Maybe we’ll actually help. When students say learn something if our questhat they don’t understand, tions get answered. isn’t that when the teacher

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of music because they really only had one source, the radio. Now everyone listens to a hodge podge of things, like rap, pop, and heavy metal. When someone gets so involved with their genre that they start to ignore everyone else’s musical taste and are not in touch with any other music, that is considered great. We’re not saying that mp3s are the downfall of society at all. They are definitely convenient when you don’t want to listen to the radio, but there is just something so gratifying about buying an actual CD and having it in your possession. Being able to play it on repeat, read the artist’s notes, or see the lyrics to every song is much more gratifying than just downloading.

It’s sad, however, to see how disconnected people are from the artists these days.

Carly Tracz

Question of the Week: What’s your most embarrassing Thanksgiving moment? “We were playing football at my grandma’s farm and I tripped and fell in cow poop.” Alex Ireton, freshman “I was eating mashed potatoes. All of a sudden, I sneezed and they came out of my nose.” Eugene Watson, junior

Miss: Maybe you would have been aware of the advisory period if you read the paper.

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The editorial covers a topic that is discussed by the entire staff and is written by one Miss: Why don’t we have writer. It forms our overall college fairs? Disney Channel opinion on the subject. shows do! If you’ve ever downloaded a song illegally, then you’re probably a normal teenager. However, have you ever thought of the repercussions that come with stealing music? We’ve all taken the chance and thought, “Eh, it doesn’t really matter. No one has ever gotten in serious trouble for downloading a Miss: Egypt couldn’t poscouple songs right?” Wrong. People everywhere get sibly get any bumpier. thrown into jail or fined for tons of money for downloading songs. Pandora and YouTube let you listen to music for free because they are endorsed. However, there are other websites that you can use that don’t cost as much per song or just give you a flat rate price like Spotify or legalsounds. They aren’t breaking Hit: Aggieville’s newest any laws and save you some restaurant, Taco Lucha, has cash. opened behind So Long We understand that you don’t want to spend the monSaloon. ey on a song, especially after iTunes raised the price to $1.29 for a hit song. It’s just a

Hit: Only two days of school next week before you can drown yourself in turkey and gravy.

See that barcode? Scan it with your smartphone and it will take you We here at the Mentor know we’re not perfect, so we’re directly to our website! opening ourselves up to corrections. E-mail us at mhsmentor@gmail.com or stop by E108 with name, spelling and factual errors. Please understand, we follow AP style guidelines, which means we have to say things like “cactuses” and always Story ideas? Comments? Tips? Updates? Send us a tweet @mhsmentor. #cu@theinter“more than 900,” instead of “over...”

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November 18, 2011 Manhattan High

Corrections welcome

“My turkey farted.” Sydney Snyder, sophomore “When I asked my wife’s dad if I could marry his daughter. That was bad.” Pat Lamb, teacher

“I think I was in third grade and I wrote and made my sister act in a Thanksgiving play. I made her dress up as a turkey and she was screaming at me.” Ivy Calvert, senior

“I dropped my plate of food “I was juggling a soccer ball while I was walking.” inside and fell back on he Caroline Ballard, freshman table outside and knocked off all the food.” Eli Herrera, sophomore “My grandpa was like ‘I need a ride somewhere’ and it was a liquor store. He wanted me “When I was at my grandto drop him off somewhere ma’s, I was sitting with my “I passed out on the gravy.” but I was afraid I’d get pulled cousins at a table and the Alex Tolar, junior table flipped on me.” over with a bunch of alcohol Kelly Forrest, freshman in the car.” “I got my arm stuck under a Avery Fowles, senior running treadmill.” “I farted during the prayer.” Jimmy Risberg, senior Jake Olsen, freshman “When my aunt got out her overalls from college “One time, I was smelling and started singing sorority “My family likes to dress up the pumpkin bread and my songs.” like pilgrims when we eat.” brother pushed my face in it.” Alex Stenberg, freshman Jonah Webber, sophomore Valerie Mays, sophomore

“Thanksgiving is my birthday.” Ricky Reese, senior “A man’s teeth falling on his foot.” Melissa Birdwell, junior “I had on no-bite nail polish when I peeled the potatoes and it made them taste gross.” Kendra Chandler, sophomore “Probably the time I collapsed on the ground when I was trying to pull off the wishbone.” Pierson McAtee, freshman


Entertainment November 18, 2011 Manhattan High

Photo by Allison Kinsley

‘Top Chef’ is bigger in Texas

with a chosen ingredient in under 20 minutes. The Judges Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio, Hugh Acheson, and Emeril Lagasse rate the dish with three news editor options: giving them a chef The new season of “Top jacket, making them pack up Chef: Texas” has been cooktheir knives and go home, or ing off new competition. The placing them on the “bubble” season, premiering Nov. 2, making the chef cook anstarted another first in “Top other dish for another opChef” history, the premiere portunity to wow the judges. challenge. The addition of new host The episode “Last Chance judges Acheson and Lagasse Kitchen” elimination chalis a fresh attempt and brings lenge made 30 chefs fight variety to the table. As a for one of the 16 positions in “rising star” of 2010, Acheson the competition before they has a personality that makes began to formally compete you agree with his remarks across the Lone Star State -but you just can’t get past the in Austin, Dallas and San An- ridiculous criteria he bases tonio. You might be wonder- chefs on. Lagasse, well known ing, “Why is Top Chef season for his cajun food in Louisi9 in Texas?” Based on the anna and the most quoted show’s next step in a relative- phrase “BAM” is the sort of ly “foody” simplified location, judge that you can connect Texas won the shows heart with, besides the incredible through its historic attracPadma Lakshmi. tions: San Antonio, Dallas One of the contestants, and Austin. Sarah Grueneberg, used pig The challenge varied from skin to make a “pig skin ravigroups of three butchering oli,” advancing her to a posimeat and making a dish in tion in the show. The unusual 60 minutes, to chefs cooking use of pig skin, which I’ve

Cole Anneberg

Author emphasizes gray areas of life Sarah Shi staff writer Children are children, and as much chaos as they cause, they still have legal rights. But where do they stop? Are kids capable of governing their own bodies? I’m not asking if they can control their wild hormones, I’m asking if children are old enough to control whether they decide to be organ donors or not. Jodi Picoult’s 2004 “My Sister’s Keeper” hits this point as it tells how a family’s view on this situation tears them apart, and ultimately leaves one of them behind. Drama begins when 13year-old Anna Fitzgerald steps into a lawyer’s office and announces her wish to be medically emancipated from her parents, Sara and Brian Fitzgerald. Anna is a biologically designed donor for her older sister, Kate, who has been suffering greatly from leukemia since the age of two. ‘’I wasn’t the result of a cheap bottle of wine or a full moon or the heat of the moment. I was born because a scientist managed to hook up my mother’s eggs and my father’s sperm to create a specific combination of precious genetic material,” Anna describes herself. As the years pass, Anna has gone through painful surgeries and countless bone marrow extractions. Now, Kate needs a new liver, and the attention is on Anna, again. But this time, she can’t take it anymore and seeks help from a lawyer.

“My Sister’s Keeper” brings light to morals that can’t be justified by right or wrong; especially when they deal with family issues. Because of this, the Fitzgeralds divide into two groups, Brian with Anna (who secretly disapproves of the pain that Anna has gone through for Kate), and Sara with Kate. As this dispute is brought into court, it is not just about if Anna will be emancipated from her parents, but how this broken family will repair itself once the verdict is revealed. It is only after reading the heart-wrenching story of Anna and her family that you understand the phrase, “There is no black or white, only gray.” There are no easy or right answers in this situation. One person cannot be judged for what they think is moral or ethical, especially in the situation Picoult has created. Decisions that sound right to mothers may not seem appropriate or “best” to doctors or siblings. Picoult has shown this dilemma very well in “My Sister’s Keeper” while handling it with sensitivity and grace. Her compassion is written clearly in the book and gives the reader the ability to relate to the situation. The character development is detailed so that it’s almost reading into that character’s mind and deep emotional feelings, which gives the story more edge. But be warned: if you’re not into emotional roller-coasters, maybe you should save some tears and walk away. But you might regret it if you do.

never seen before, generates a desire to run to the store and pick up my own slice of pig. I really feel inspired

It appeared that the chefs pressure to cook their best was “turned on high” in “Top Chef Texas” in the first

ever, Lee struggled on with his head in the culinary zone, placing him in a position with the show as well. I personally

‘TopChef’ stars Gail Simmons, Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio will be hosting this season in Texas. The crew will travel to San Antonio, Dallas and Austin. Courtesy photo

by the contestants watching them duel off for the chance on Top Chef and the prize of $100,000 as well as a display at the Food and Wine festival in Aspen and many other prizes.

episode. The pressure boiled over when chef Edward Lee sliced his fingers and made a huge opening in his hand, making the kitchen look less like a clean and friendly place to more of a war zone. How-

enjoyed watching the struggle with Nyesha Arrington as she prepared ravioli also but paid homage to her roots bringing in Mexican flavors to the dish. The judges all loved her dish so much that

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Photo by Allison Kinsley

they advanced her as one of the 16 contestants. “Top Chef: Texas” will also feature entertainment including Charlize Theron, Pee Wee Herman, Cat Cora, John Besh, Tim Love and Patti LaBelle. Watching 16 talented chefs from all different backgrounds fight for the name of “Top Chef” always draws me in and leaves me hungry for more. The scramble of chefs appeals to all crowds and various interests making you crave another bite of the show. “Top Chef: Texas” airs 9 p.m. every Wednesday on Bravo TV.

New albums offer variety for listeners Ben Shields staff writer Pistol Annies -- Hell on Heels I never could stand Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, or any of the other soul cans that dominated pop country for years for the

simple reason that they had no substance. If “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” isn’t the nadir of country music, I

don’t know what is. Mainstream country has taken a fantastic turn in the last few years, however, and it is much more accessible to people who actually like to feel something when they listen to music. Miranda Lambert has been making superb records since her 2007 breakthrough, “Crazy ExGirlfriend.” “Hell on Heels,” the debut album by Lambert’s new band, Pistol Annies, is an infinitely listenable collection of 10 great tunes about pill-popping moms and gold-diggers. When I listen to Lambert or the Annies, I feel the way I do when I listen to a great rock album. That’s what is changing in country. Lambert’s fond remembrance of adolescence, “Famous In a Small Town,” reminds me of Big Star’s “Thirteen.” I try to refrain from talking about how “authentic” an

artist does or does not seem, but Lambert and her bandmates, Angaleena Presley and Ashley Monroe, are the real deal, emulating Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Loretta Lynn while still sounding contemporary.

The end result is an occasionally brilliant record that comes together like a Paramore album for people who read “The New Yorker.” Grade: B Justice -- Audio, Video, Disco I tried. I played it three times, trying to get on board with this new Justice record. But it’s impossible to deny that Audio, Video Disco is a pointless set of prog-y, undanceable electro-farts. A few tracks are listenable, and one excellent, but anything not sucky was released as a single anyway. There may not even Grade: A be a point in writing this Florence + the Machine -review, it will be forgotten so Ceremonials quickly. Nice knowing you! Powerful vocals and strong Grade: Cmelodies eclipsed by overpro- Lou Reed and Metallica -duction and needlessly grand Lulu arrangements. Florence This is what happens when Welch doesn’t have the skill artists are given “the freedom of Karen O, who knows how they deserve.” to rock without overstating. Grade: F

Black Friday tradition for shoppers, retailers Shawn Sheu entertainment editor After the turkey, football and stomach aches of Thanksgiving day are over, there comes an event equally important in some minds -Black Friday. Thousands of shoppers all over the country flock to retailers to take advantage of the deals and sales merchandisers offer on Black Friday. “I go every year,” Senior Warren Scipio said. “Black Friday is a lot of fun, and there’s so many good deals.” Scipio said his favorite places to go are Wal-Mart and Best Buy. The day after Thanksgiving has been viewed as the beginning of the holiday shopping

season since the 1900s. The title “Black Friday” comes from the infamous stock market crash of 1864. The frenzied shoppers and stores earned the post-Thanksgiving shopping day the name “Black Friday.” “The atmosphere is very hectic,” Target employee Tyler Whit said. Whit has worked at Target for 5 years. “People are just all over the place and it gets really aggressive. Fortunately, I haven’t seen any fights.” This year, Target will open its doors to shoppers at midnight the day after Thanksgiving. According to Whit, people start lining up before the sun sets. Employees are hard at work even before the shoppers line up.

“There’s lots of things to do to prepare,” Whit said. “We push a lot of products to storage and line the aisles with special displays and new merchandise that will go quickly. It’s definitely the biggest sales day of the year.” Research from the marketresearch firm ShopperTrak shows that Americans spent $10.96 billion last year on Black Friday. Since 2002, Black Friday has been the biggest shopping day of the season except in 2004. “It’s really crowded. There’s always so many people,” Scipio said. “But what would Thanksgiving be without Black Friday to follow it?”

Black Friday specials Target -- opens at midnight Nikon L105 Digital Camera, $99.99 Amazon Kindle Keyboard 3G, $85 Milton Bradley or Hasbro Games, various, $3.99 Best Buy -- opens 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Samsung laptop, $299 42-inch Sharp LCD highdefinition television, $199 Bed, Bath and Beyond -opens at 6 a.m. 20% off coupon for the first 200 people until 10 a.m.


Sports

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November 18, 2011 Manhattan High

Dance team looks to perform during basketball Megan Weathers staff writer An all-year elective that counts for half of a P.E. credit and half of a fine arts credit seems unheard of, but that’s exactly what the dance team is. The dance team, a Kansas State High School Activities Association activity, practices during first hour everyday. Leslie Stenberg has taught at Manhattan High School for four years and has been coaching the MHS dance team for the past three years. This year, Stenberg sought the assistance of Kansas State University Student Darchelle Martin to help coach the team of 18. They began the year with 20 dancers, compared to last year’s team, which began with 17 dancers and ended with 14. Martin, a former dancer, choreographs most of the team’s routines and is “very good at field routines,” said Stenberg. After Martin choreographs the routines, Stenberg coaches the team and makes sure they are performance-ready. In fact, the performances seem to be the most exciting part of being on the dance team. Brianna Walker said her favorite parts of being on the dance team are “the parades, new dances and games.” In the coming basketball season, Stenberg hopes to enlist the help of four more choreographers. With basketball season will come more modern choreography, music and styles.

For additional stories, visit us online at mhsmentor.com.

photo by Connor Bliss

photo by Lindsey Goff

Football devastated at Derby in second-round playoffs

storybook season for the down.” Tribe, who went undefeated The Tribe would go to for the third year in a row. half time with a 21-18 lead, However, this year it seemed but it did not hold in the Friday night was an imlike points would be at a portant night for the Indians second half as Derby put premium. up points, seemingly at will. as they traveled to Derby in Last year the Indians won hopes to reach the third and Tribe’s defense proved to be final round of playoffs. In the inconsistent and the offense two games by a touchdown or less. This season they won was unable to reach the end previous two seasons Tribe five game by a touchdown or zone. has failed to reach the last less. The offense had trouble “They had a good round, and Friday they met at times getting into any sort defense,” Head Coach Joe with the same fate, putting of rhythm, which was the an end to another undefeated Schartz said. “It’s the best defense we faced all year and case against Derby. season. The Indians, who were coming off a 55-point game against Dodge City, could not get anything going offensively. They took a 14-point lead early, one touchdown off an interception return and another off a pass from Senior Dakota Harwood. “[Derby’s] defense had a great game Seniors Ben Stegeman (64) and Brooks Debord (1) go in for tackles in the game against Derby last plan to stop our Friday night. The Indians fell to Derby in the second round of playoffs. Photo by Seth Runyan running game,” Harwood said. Another struggle was “We had to change our game they made it hard to move the defense. Throughout the football on the ground.” plan, and we have to give The game capped another the season the defense had them credit. They shut us Taylor Weisman staff writer

trouble staying consistent and didn’t have the same dominant performances as the season before. The Tribe’s biggest concern were injuries to some of its top athletes. One was Senior Captain Joe Ballard, who missed the entire season with a torn ACL. The absence of Ballard allowed other teams to capitalize with their running attacks. More often than not, the Tribe would give up big runs allowing the other team to set up scoring chances, making it harder to keep up offensively. Despite injuries and offensive droughts, special teams often sparked offensive runs for the Indians this season. Senior Defensive Backs Logan Mahan and Deante Burton were key returners for the Indians, and other teams would try

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to avoid kicking to either of them. Schartz is 27-0 in the regular season and 30-3 overall as the head coach for the Indians. Having yet to lose a regular season home game, Schartz has to regroup the new team for next season in hopes to defend the winning streak and its reign over the Centennial League. “He is a fiery guy,” Harwood said. “He is going to lead this team to a State championship one day. He is the best coach I’ve ever had.” The Indians have won the Silver Trophy and Centennial League three consecutive years and will look to defend both next season.

He is going to lead this team to a State Championship one day. He is the best coach I’ve ever had. -- Harwood

Washington and Bates Studio dancers share passion nior Emmianne Jagosz said. “Dance is extremely fun and it makes me happy. It has taught me to handle things with grace.” For Washington dancer Senior Caroline Fry, dance gives her something to work forward to and it is not something she will be quick to dispose of. “I never want to stop dancing, ever,” Fry said with a laugh. “It’s my outlet. Whenever I feel something and need to get something out, I dance. It’s my passion.” Washington dancer Sophomore Liz Logback knows

what she means. “It’s like dancing your stress away. When our classmate Brett This year, around 6,000 Bolton died, I had to dancers will be tap dancdance because I needed ing through the streets of to release some emoNew York City in the Macy's tions I had,” Logback Thanksgiving Day Parade. said. Although we may not have Dance isn’t just thousands of people tapabout memorizing the ping their hearts away for all step-by-step choreograof the nation to see, there phy that is taught, but is definitely a large sum of taking that choreogradancers who have ‘happy phy and provoking the feet’ in Manhattan. thoughts and expres“Majoring in dance is Washington Dance Studio girls practice last Wednesday night. sions that technique definitely one of my goals, Photo by Courtney Grice alone can not provide. then I eventually want teach has also become something To some, dancing may not “I love when people it,” Washington dancer Juolder dancers are learning to be classified as a sport, but tell a story do at their studio, whether the closeness that a sport through their it’s assisting the teacher dur- team provides is also present movements, ing class or helping younger within a group of dancers when they dancers learn the choreogra- who perform together. try to show phy. “The people I dance with something “I assist the second, third, is one of the best things that isn’t just fifth and sixth grade ballet about dance. The bond correct dance and jazz classes at Washingyou have with the people technique,” ton Dance Studio,” Fry said. you spend so many hours Fry said. “On top of that, I dance 13 dancing with is really nice,” Discipline, hours a week. It’s my life.” Jagosz said. strength and “I wanted to help younger “I’ve been dancing for 11 catching on children learn how to dance. years -- ever since Kindergarfast are some If a teacher is gone, I'll lead ten, when my best friend was traits that are the class and help them with taking dance classes and got put into danctheir technique. Assisting me into it,” Logback said. “It ers, whether makes me happy, especially so much fun. I don’t think they’re profeswhen the kids get something I’ll ever quit dancing.” sional dancers Seniors Taylor Gros and Kelcie Dies practice at their studio. Gros and Dies dance for Bates Dance right," Bates dancer Sophoor just beginStudio. more Madison Long said. Photo by Megan Weathers ners. Teaching Sarah Shi staff writer


Photo by John Rockey

Features November 18, 2011 Manhattan High

Indians break holiday traditions Lindsey Goff editor in chief When one thinks about Thanksgiving, one typically imagines a turkey roasting in the oven, family laughing, and of course football on TV, but in reality that’s not how most people spend their holiday. A lot of times things go wrong like on the movie “Christmas Vacation.” The turkey doesn’t come out right or some family members have a feud. Whatever the case may be, everyone’s holiday is a little unique. Instead of eating the traditional turkey and mashed potatoes, Senior Caroline Fry’s family cracks open crab legs.

“We’ve been having seafood for Thanksgiving for about five years. It just kind of started, I’m not really sure why,” Fry said, “Crab legs are just a good time.” Junior Sophia Harms is a vegetarian, so when the holiday rolls around she divides the food prep tasks with her family. “I make anything but the turkey. Last year my dad left the turkey out to marinade and my dog got to it and ate it so my whole family had to have a vegetarian Thanksgiving,” Harms said, “Every year my sister and I have to recite this poem that we learned in first grade, too, about dried corn. I really don’t know why but it’s pretty funny.”

Some students couldn’t imagine a Thanksgiving without turkey, but Harms is proud of her commitment and doesn’t see a turkey-less dinner as a big deal at all. Other students like Senior Jason Lierz focus in on the turkey during Thanksgiving. “Ever since I got my hunting license when I was 14 we’ve gone out and hunted for turkeys. The biggest turkey that we shoot is saved for Christmas,” Lierz said. Even though Lierz has a good time hunting with his dad and uncle, he would prefer a different meal during Christmas. “I like turkey during Thanksgiving but I’m more of a ham guy for Christmas,”

Lierz said. Not all Thanksgiving traditions focus on eating. Senior Jumanna Khamis’ family gets up and moves after the big meal instead of going into a food coma. “Every year my family has a post-Thanksgiving workout. It’s so much fun. We do push-ups, sit-ups and all kinds of stuff. My older brother usually wins but I always beat my younger brother Rami,” Khamis said. When it comes to holiday traditions having everyone come over for the special day can set you up for some disasters. “One year my aunt came over and when the turkey was ready she pulled it out

of the oven and set it on our wooden floor. It left a huge burn mark and we had to get the kitchen floor completely redone. It was fun, though, because we had to go out every night,” Senior Onyeka Ehie said. No matter what happens at Thanksgiving, almost everyone can agree that having an entire holiday devoted to stuffing our faces with food and remembering what we’re thankful for with our family members is a day well spent. “I love Thanksgiving because after I eat with my family, I watch football then fall asleep. It’s the best,” Senior Dakota Harwood said.

New Eragon Midnight releases: novel a Yay or nay? must-read

Taylor Weisman staff writer

One of the most creative book series in recent years, the Inheritance Cycle is concluding its epic tale in “Inheritance,” the fourth and final book. The first book, “Eragon,” introduced a land where dragons and dragon riders once ruled until an evil king named Gallbatorix overthrew them and took the land for himself. Three dragon eggs remained and that is where the story begins. The author, Christopher Paolini, was home-schooled and grew up on a farm near the Beartooth Mountain ranges. He started writing the book when he was 15 years old and made it into a worldwide hit. The fourth book will conclude the story of Eragon and Saphira in their quest to destroy the evil king and liberate the kingdom. This book has generated excitement among its fans throughout the school. “Oh my gosh,” Sophomore Kailee Altman said. “I’m su-

per excited to read it.” Of course this is a book that has been long awaited, taking a little bit longer to be released, but fans hope it will be well worth the wait. The book will feature the third dragon from the last dragon egg out of the original three that remained. There are many reasons why students at Manhattan High are excited to read it. “I was like ‘oh my gosh,’ I can’t wait to read it,” Senior Megan McHaney said. “But I am going to get it for my Kindle because I don’t want to stand in line at Hastings.” Hastings held a midnight premiere for it on the night it came out and had special orders for the book so fans could reserve their copy. Like Harry Potter, the release of the last book generated a lot of excitement. The ending is something that has been long awaited to see how Eragon and Saphira defeat Galbatorix and his dragon. It is a book about love, adventure, magic, loss, and friendship and should be a hit for a long time.

ment of the product? For Sophomore Kodi Minocha, the midnight release New releases are always ex- for Modern Warfare 3 was an citing, especially if the game, exciting anticipation. “I pre-ordered the game book or movie is advertised well. Many people anticipate from Gamehounds and picked it up at midnight. If big names like Harry Potter, it wasn’t on a school night, “Call Of Duty” and “The I would have camped out,” Minocha said. Book releases are also advertised for popular novels. Series like Harry Potter have release parties, where fans dress up Hunger Games” and stores jump all over the opportunity like their favorite characters and hang out at a store until to make as much money as they can. So begins the ever- midnight when the book so-popular midnight release. comes out, then they sit around and read together. Some customers love the “I would go to a Harry idea of waiting in line for Potter release, and if the three-plus hours no matter ‘Hunger Games’ had a the weather just so they can fourth book, I’d go to that, be the first people to see a too,” Minocha said. movie, play a video game As far as movies go, midor get through a novel in a series. But does paying a few night releases are usually the extra dollars to stay out all night really add to the exciteCat Bridegam features editor

SENIORS! If you want to be in the yearbook, make sure you get your senior pictures in to E-108 no later than Dec. 21 otherwise we will use your Lifetouch photo! Thi s i s YOUR y e arbook, t ake it pers on ally!

tickets and waited in line for three hours,” Junior Kayla Faust said. How popular the item is usually determines the way it’s sold. For example, a littleknown author’s first book isn’t going to be advertised as much as a new James Patterson thriller. Barbie’s “Island Adventure” for X-BOX most likely won’t be as popular as COD MW3. And yes, “Twilight” will make more money

@codyameyer: “Aladdin actually takes place in the far off future where they have genetically engineered parrots. Philosophical discussions with DHayes.” @Vannah_Hamma23: “I hate that shivering, sweaty feeling you get after basketballl” @DWhip48: “If a single teacher cant teach all the subjects, then how can they expect a single student to learn all the subjects? #ponderingtweet” @chony10: “Kentucky allllll the way! Davis...unibrows are hot ;)” @Bengriese: “Im a genius, i turned on my seat warmers to keep my breakfast warm. #Truestory” @errydayisfryday “I don’t know when the bells ring, its cold, I’m hungry, and it smells like straight farts in ap stats @barbieparty1 #roughlife” @BRATtanyB “It smells like diapers in here.” @JohnPerbeck “Advisory putting a bind on my whole schedule” @lierzbeerz72 “Rub my head for good luck #magicalbuzz”

than Adam Sandler’s “Jack and Jill.” It comes down to how big a fan of the product someone is. If they love Harry Potter, of course they will go see it at midnight, but if the movie just seems interesting, they’ll wait until the ticket sales calm down so they can sit in a less crowded theater. Just be prepared to brave the lines if you’re a huge fan. Photos courtesy of Google Images

most popular of any popculture release. Twilight’s “Breaking Dawn” was released at midnight last night, and every theater played the movie, making 12 theaters available for the fans of Edward, Jacob and Bella. “I saw Harry Potter and ‘The Hangover 2’ at midnight. I pre-ordered the

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Photo by Miranda Hairgrove

@MSueHeartsU: “The awkward moment in McDonalds when an emo kid orders a happy meal o_O” @michaelhornsby: “my beard looks great. in the right light. under a magnifying glass.” @Trent_Hustle: “I think manhattan has a homeless guy problem .. Somebody should help them out” @hananaah “twitter drama. #popcorn”

@kdbill3 For additional “I hate not wearing leggings.... #kadyproblems” coverage on midnight @sarah_mccann5 “My mom likes the od gmore releases, than me. #shucks” check out If you want to see your mhsmentor.com!

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Miscellaneous

Page 6

November 18, 2011 Manhattan High

staff photo

kung fu movie. Number: 1974 Capricorn (22 December – 20 January) Has your compass of destiny long years of waiting and Break a tradition. You’ll find been demagnetized? Look be- hoping seem like they’re pay- a series of fortunate events low for this week’s reliable* ing off. ahead. astrological advice. Number: 9 Numbers: 14 Sagittarius (22 November – Aquarius (21 January – 19 21 December) Scorpio (23 October – 21 February) November) HI--YAH! Horoscope say, you Studies show that cooking Don’t stop believin’! Your will find luck during classic outside of the kitchen in-

creases chances of winning the lottery. Your lifelong desire to make iron toast in the foyer should be fulfilled. Number: 87 Pisces (20 February – 20 March) It’s almost Thanksgiving and you know what that means. Giving thanks. Take some time to cherish those around you. Number: 1941 Aries (21 March – 20 April) With all the midnight releases this season, a couple of afterschool powers naps aren’t a bad idea. Numbers: 15 Taurus (21 April – 20 May) I’m sorry. But because of that thing you did you know what Jimmy Risberg I’m talking about you don’t copy editor get a horoscope this week. Number: ---------Scholars Bowl is especially Gemini (21 May – 20 June) popular this year. With a SubDeb? SubDeb. It’s what’s very large pool of members, for lunch. quiz-offs are being employed Number: 0 to determine who earns Cancer (21 June – 21 July) spots on the teams sent to The forecast includes rain. competitions. Go dance in it. “It’s a battle of wits,” Number: 5 Senior Chris Fox said. Fox Leo (22 July – 22 August) enjoys the competition, as Bring a helmet, knee pads, well as the opportunity to elbow pads, wrist guards, spend time with friends protective boots, protective outside of school. gloves, protective scarf, proAccording to Senior tective goggles and protective Klara Zurek, the best part dentures when you go out is “feeling like a champion.” this Black Friday. She enjoys the competitive Number: 2005 environment and working Virgo (23 August – 22 Septogether with the other tember) Scholars Bowl members. “The Phantom of the Opera” ACROSS here Manhattan High School is is here, inside your mind... 3 What everyone does the day after Thanksgiv- 16 This vegetable is yellow doing well on the Scholars still...stuck in your head... 17 A delicious dessert made from pumpkins Bowl front this year, despite a ing every second of every day. 4 The season that Thanksgiving is in 18 What you watch after dinner very new group. Numbers: 802 “My seniors last year were 5 This side dish is pulled from the turkey Libra (23 September – 22 7 What some people go on during Thanksgiv- DOWN pretty good. We’re filling October) 1 You wish to have the longer half of this ing break in the gaps,” Dawdy said. It’s almost Thanksgiving and 8 This character can be seen floating over NYC 2 Put this on top of your mashed potatoes After a 3-4 finish at Hayden you know what that means. during a certain parade 3 This historical figure proposed that the turkey last week and a second Complaining about relatives. 9 Who comes over for dinner should be our national bird place finish last Thursday But suck it up. Patience has 11 If you mash this starch up and add a little but- 6 The famous event done in New York at Chapman, MHS split up its reward. ter you’re good to go 10 An elaborate basket that overflows with good- Number: 24 to compete in Abilene and 13 Main dish at Thanksgiving dinner ies Wamego yesterday. The *These horoscopes are in14 The month that Thanksgiving is in 12 You might do this after you eat turkey team’s home meet will be tended for humor only. Do 15 The name of our ancestors that sailed over hosted on Jan. 17. Scholars Bowl practices every Wednesday and practices are open to the editor in chief -public. Those who would Lindsey Goff like to participate or observe should drop in to show off entertainment editor -your brains and probably pick Shawn Sheu up a few trivia facts to boot. features editor --

Horoscopes

Thanksgiving

Scholars Bowl

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debated about whether this kind of meeting is a good thing. “I don’t know anyone in my class, so I can’t really relate to anyone,” Freshman Matt Ball said. However, Freshman Krista Dix disagreed. “I think it is a really good idea. I got to ask teachers questions that I never had the opportunity to before,” Dix said.

Lost Items: Ring -- Bench in front of Rezac Shoes -- Hallway i-Pod -- Outside of Rezac Wallet -- West Campus If you have lost anything contact Harold in the security booth and make sure to lock up your belongings.

3841 W 69th Ave, Manhattan, KS 66503

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not make life decisions based on these tips. Numbers: Scorpio: the place on the Billboard Hot 100 on its original release. Sagittarius: release of “Kung fu Fighting” by Charles Douglas. Capricorn: Books in the less fortunate series. Aquarius: percent of statistics made up on the spot. Pisces: marks the first time Thanksgiving was celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Aries: minutes. Suggested length of time for a super effective post coffee nap. Taurus: That’s right. You don’t get numbers this week either. Gemini: times that I have been asked to SubDeb. Cancer: is the dollar amount I will not give you, if you follow my suggestion. Leo: Since 2005, Black Friday has routinely been the busiest shopping day of the year Virgo: seats in Rezac auditorium Libra: marks the date of Thanksgiving celebrations in Leiden, the Netherlands.

the Mentor staff

Cat Bridegam news editor -Cole Anneberg opinions editor -Carly Tracz sports editor -Kassidy Scroggs multimedia editor -Felix Amanor-Boadu photo editor -Bailey Hamler copy editor -Jimmy Risberg circulation manager -Taylor Weisman adviser -Kristy Nyp

staff writers -Sarah Shi Kori Bridegam Ben Shields Kaitlin Wichmann

photographers -Melissa Birdwell Courtney Grice John Rockey Megan Weathers contributing writers -Kane Aguila Kayla Dieker Maddie Ross Megan Weathers circulation -Stephan Shimkus Kristyn Baker Pixie Khan Austin Tatum Andrew Klimek

The Mentor is published each Friday that school is in session at Manhattan High School, 2100 Poyntz Ave. Manhattan, Kan. Telephone (785) 587-2114. More than 1,800 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.


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