ROAR
The Wildcat
www.thewildcatroar.com
25
SPIRIT
WEEK
14
Volume XI | Issue 5 | Spirit Week 2014 | Westminster Christian Academy
Whats Inside
TABLE OF CONTENTS Friday Night Basketball....................3 Community Night...........................3 25th Anniversary of SW....................3 Seniors..............................................4 Games.............................................5
9
Blue Man Stomp.............................6-7
6
Dress Up Days...................................8-9 ADMIRALTY r CLASS ACTION r COMMERCIAL LAW r EMPLOYMENT LAW
Boys Poms....................................10-11
r ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION r HEALTH LAW r INSURANCE LAW r
Lip Sync.......................................12-13
PERSONAL INJURY r PRODUCT LIABILITY r PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY
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Art Board..........................................14 Film Project......................................14 Athlete of the Week.........................14
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History
of Spirit Week
Friday Night Basketball by austin benefield
A full capacity crowd of over 1,000 fans packed the Arena Friday night to see the Varsity Men’s basketball team take on John Burroughs. The gym buzzed with excitement to see the most popular home basketball game of the year and the conclusion to Spirit Week. The Varsity Dance Team debuted their highly anticipated Hip-Hop routine at half-time, the pep-band played all night, the Cheerleaders kept the energy up and performed at half-time, and the Blue Crew was in full force providing a rowdy atmosphere. In the opening seconds of the game Shane Benes, senior, gave the Wildcats the lead with a quick dunk, followed up by an alley-oop layup. The Cats were dominating early on as Benes and Collin Einertson, senior, led the attack to jump out to an early first quarter lead. The offense did not show any signs of slowing as Brett Bond, senior, and Matt Weber, junior, added to the rout of the Bombers. Going into the half, Westminster held onto a comfortable double digit lead. Patterns repeated for the Cats with another strong quarter, but the night’s biggest event came with 6:11 left in the fourth quarter. Ronald Smith of John Burroughs jumped for a follow up dunk but ended up experiencing an injury that left the entire Arena in shock. Silence fell over the crowd as he was attended to by paramedics. Smith was released from the hospital the next day and is expected to make a full recovery. The referees reported to a somber crowd that the rest of the game would not be completed and Todd Zell, Athletic Director, postponed the Spirit Week related events. The game ended with a final score of 64-41 and a Wildcat victory.
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First by elisabeth harding Impressions
With hundreds of outside non-student viewers, no other Spirit Week function is anticipated as much as Community Night. On Thursday, every section of the theater was claimed by each grade’s Boys Poms, Lip Sync, and Blue Man Stomp. Some Blue Man Stomp and Boys Poms groups view this as a more relaxed production. However, many of the Lip Sync participatants take Community Night as just a practice for the final, scored performance viewed by the whole student body on Friday. For the seventh grade Lip Sync, it is their first time to make a first impression. Yet, for the senior Lip Sync, it is their very last time to make an impression. The nostalgia of ending high school often adds pressure to be flawless and excel above all others as the eldest and most experienced class. “We see it as both a practice and a legitimate performance because we know that the judges are in the stands watching. We need to continually be cautious,” said Abby Nixon, senior. Whether Community Night is seen as just a practice or as a legitimate performance, it is an opportunity for students to show off their hard work.
25 Years of Spirit by eichel davis
Did you know that Spirit Week started in 1989? Did you know that ITSOG points used to contribute to the winner of Spirit Week? Over the last 25 years Spirit Week has grown and changed, but the core intentions set by the founders have remained the same. In 1989, Florence Lewis, former teacher and founder of Spirit Week, saw a hole in WCA’s schedule. “It was considered the longest drag of the school year. It was after Christmas break, and Spring Break was far off,” said Dr. Scott Holley, academic dean. When Spirit Week first started, it was called Wildcat Pride Week. Lip Sync has always been the big event held last. Boys Poms, however, was not always the big deal it is now. Originally, it was a silly performance that was meant to bring laughs. Then came Justin Derusso. Derusso came up as freshmen and changed Poms forever. He made it a large spectacle, and his class won the contest 4 years in a row. Derusso also spawned many of rules we have today, such as no large objects, and no smoke machines. But it wasn’t until 3 years later that the great Hallway Decorations were introduced. In 1992, the senior class got into the Spirit Week mood by decorating their hallway. Mrs. Lewis then introduced it as a school wide contest. After five years, Spirit Week had grown into the biggest event WCA hosted, and the Spirit Month we know today, was actually a Spirit Two Months. “Everyone would start working over Christmas Break,” said Tim Hall, dean of students. Over time, it became apparent that a new big event needed to be introduced, and the Spirit Committee dreamt up Blue Man Stomp. Blue Man is only in its 9th year, but many current students see it as staple. Now, in 2014, 25 years later, we have many of the same events. We still have Lip Sync, Blue Man, and Boys Poms. We do not have Hallways and Floats, but we do have Film Projects and Art Boards. And it is certain that Spirit Week will change and morph as the years go on. But at its heart, it will still be a week of fun and community.
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Wildcat Roar Staff|2013-2014 Editors in Chief: Morgan Koetting and Jill Coyne Print Editor: Eichel Davis Design Editor: Scott Rupprechet Entertainment Editor: Catherine Bakewell Sports Editor: Reed Montgomery Feature Editor: Mary Wynn Opinions Editor: Chrissy Talent News Editor: Megan Galvin
Business Manager: Christian Linhoff Online Editors: Maggi Eachus and Audrey O’Neill Broadcasting Manager: John Pottebaum Staff Writers: Austin Benefield Becca Eis Elisabeth Harding
Mary Heyl Cate Hoogstraten Juhyae Kim Ashley Klein Andrew Montgomery Bria Paxton Lauren Ramos Jake Schroeder Katherine Yenzer
FIRST PLACE SENIORS First Place
caption
The Wildcats’ last ‘Roar’ by becca eis
The doors were opened and students poured into the Arena, their faces full of wonder and excitement, no longer wearing their tired Monday masks. Many wore comfy pajamas, celebrating Pajama Day, Cuddle Up Day, and Sleep Appreciation Day, adding to the temptation to sleep in class. Others dressed like animals to celebrate days such as Penguin Appreciation Day, Panda Day, and Dance Like a Chicken Day. They rushed to get the best seat to cheer on their classmates. All underclassmen were seated, anxiously awaiting. Then finally, the seniors arrived in all their proud splendor, strutting across the gym floor with Katy Perry’s “Roar” blaring loudly in the background. They marched proudly to their spots. Spirit Week 2014 had begun! 4 |THEWILDCATROAR.COM| SPIRIT WEEK25
GAMES
Games
Battle of the Classes by jake schroeder
With more than a thousand pounds of people pulling one way and another thousand pounds pulling the other, it’s a stretch to say any other Spirit Week game demands more from its participants than Tug-of-War. On the guys’ side, the seniors pulled off a win in a tight contest. Senior Grant Kitchens was allowed to pull, providing his team with needed mental support. On the girls’ side, the juniors pulled off a stunning victory against the favored senior girls. The sophomore class placed third in both the girls and guys pull. Many students think it’s simply pulling a rope. However, Tug-of-War not only demands much physical strength, but mental strength as well. “When the whole grade was crowded around us, there was pressure. I felt like it was all on me, even though it was a team effort,” said Wyatt Malcolm, sophomore and tug of war participant. However, straight up brawn does not bring victory in Tug-of-War for a grade. It also requires good tactics. Most grades have the front seven pulling, with the last man facing back and trying to walk. Yet, many teams use the original version, with all eight people pulling.
Blue Man Stomp
2014
FIRST PLACE SOPHOMORES
Kitchens pulling in Tug of War against the junior boys.
#LETGRANTPULL by juhyae kim
Classes always encourage their strongest students to compete in Tug-of-War during Spirit Week, and this year’s senior class was particularly selective in choosing who would participate. Little did they realize what a controversy this would create. Grant Kitchens, senior, signed up to participate in Tug of War, but he didn’t make the cut. In response, Kitchens and his supporters marched around the school with signs demanding to “Let Grant Pull” and trended #LetGrantPull on Twitter. After days of campaigning, Kitchens finally snagged a spot on the rope. Thanks to him, the seniors boys triumphantly defeated the junior boys in the end.
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SECOND PLACE|SENIORS
THIRD PLACE |8TH GRADE
FOURTH PLACE |7TH GRADE
A Toss-Up
FIFTH PLACE |JUNIORS
by lauren ramos Once again the class of 2016 dominated the Blue Man Stomp competition. The seniors put up a tough fight with their throwback performance, which highlighted their Blue Man Stomp routines from their past. However, the creativity and musicality of the sophomores made them stand apart.They travelled through time from cowboys to present day by a gold time machine to tell the story. The work payed off for the sophomores to rise above the seniors. The freshman failed to have a Blue Man Stomp performance to compete against the others giving other classes an advantage.
Dress Up Days
Dressing it theHosts by megan galvin by mary heyl Monday, Warren Smith up andOnChris Knerr, upper school
Life is funny, or punny as Tuesday’s dress ups proved. Students filed into school with punny outfits, visualizing phrases and puns such as Dust Bunny, Heart on Your Sleeve, Third Wheel, Just Dill With It, Gand Green, and Candy Wrapper. The day proceeded with chuckles and knowing smiles as everyone observed each other’s fabulous outfits. The competition for dress up between the classes was high. The scores resulted in seventh grade in sixth, freshmen in fifth, eighth grade in fourth, seniors in third, sophomores in second, and juniors in first.
teachers dressed up as Bert and Ernie, painting themselves orange and yellow and wearing big red noses. Tuesday, the two made an entrance to the Chariots of Fire theme song. While filming their entrance, Smith blew out his knee and now needs surgery. “I signed up for hosting and I couldn’t wimp out. I have to follow through and fulfill what I think is my purpose for living,” said Smith. The hosts decked themselves out in glow sticks on Wednesday. For Thursday, Knerr dressed as Gru, from Despicable Me, bringing along his 4 year old son as his minion. Smith dressed as Dr. Nefario, and to execute his character perfectly, he shaved his head. “I believe you either go big or go home,” said Smith. For their grand finale, Knerr dressed as Captain Von Trapp with Mallory Scholten, upper school science teacher, as Maria Von Trapp. The two were singing “Edelweiss” when Smith, dressed as a bum from the movie Animal House, interrupted and smashed Knerr’s guitar to smithereens. “Hosting spirit week is a lot of fun, but there is also incredible danger as was shown when my colleague blew out his knee; it is not something you take lightly,” said Knerr.
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Turn Down for by bria paxton What! Holding equal parts school spirit
Dress
DAYS
UP 2014
and sentimental reminiscing made for an interesting combination. I love dressing up for the different theme days (PJ day, high school stereotype day, twin day, class color day, spirit day) and going full out. I wish every week was spirit week! But the week was also spent trying to figure out what to do for the pep rally. As a high school student At Westminster, preparing for the pep rally and for spirit week was easy. But two weeks before Spirit Week, everyone is excited. Girls are usually planning on what they are going to wear, and guys usually just wait for the fun. Regular classes began on Monday with a bit of a twist. The first day was ``obscure holiday.’’ Everyone was excited to not wear their uniforms and to see what people were wearing. Students were invited to wear any clothing that represented a holiday that no one knows about. . January 3rd is national sleep day and a lot of my friends were dressed up in pajamas and had blankets. September 20th is national punch your neighbor day. I saw a student who wore regular clothes and had boxing gloves. Friday was the final and most anticipated day of the week and it was Blue and white day (our school colors). Everyone was excited to wear their hats, tutus and face paint. But alas, spirit week was over and all of the students were forced to wash or to take off blue and white, give our voices a break from all the cheering and return to business as usual.
25
spirit week edition
As selected by the WILDCAT ROAR staff
BOYS POMS
2014
Boys Poms TWITT
2014 brought the story back to Boys Poms. With a couple of minions, a team of baseball players, and a bundle of toddlers, POMS was not only about the moves, but the story behind them.
@EliseCeleste20 Homework? Never heard of it... #SpiritWeek2014 #wcaproblems
Elise Burton
@Hannah_Marget @_NOTJoAnne_ and I Should Never be allowed out of the house together. 60 dollars at Walmart... #SpiritweekhereWeCome
SENIORS
1st
Hannah
@rachellraines At least 5 ppl have asked me what the “WCA” on my headband stands for.... Westminster Christian Academy duh. #wildcatpride #highschoolprobs
Rachel Raines
2nd
JUNIORS
@kkuuippeerr Stomach flu during my senior year spirit week? Awesome Anna Kuiper
SOHPOMORES
3rd
@Voltron_G You can say no to the few. But you cant say no to the many. #LetGrantPull Grant Kitchens
4
th
FRESHMEN
@momo_grim Last Day of my last spirit week as a student at Westminster starting NOW! #spiritweek2k14 #seniors2014 Morgan Grim
7
TH
GRADE
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5
th
The Sophomores show that they DO dance in their baseball themed POMS.
Going for Gold?
by: katherine yenzer
The stands are silent with antipation. It’s Thursday, and it is time for Boys Poms. The sophomores hopes are high, and the seniors wait with worry. During Spirit Week, winning games is great, but everything comes down to the three big events: Blue Man Stomp, Boys Poms, and Lip Sync. Wednesday the sophomores left everyone in awe with their Blue Man performance. “There’s always a pressure for Boys Poms to be great because our Blue Man is always really well done,” said Sinclaire Davis, sophomore who helped choreograph the dance. The long awaited performance was playful and completely in sync. The baseball themed routine was filled with complicated dance moves and great song choices. The seniors wowed the crowd with a baby themed routine that included several lifts and flips. The juniors went with a Christmas themed performance that brought laughs and Christmas joy. The freshman found inspiration from the movie Despicable Me and dressed up as minions. Lastly, the seventh grade chose the Lion King and received cheers and smiles from the crowd. All around this year the sophomores proved they were worthy competitors in the race for the Spirit Week trophy.
Senior girls quickly pass their carpet square down the line.
Classes Battle It out on the Lava by: andrew montgomery
Twelve students from each grade come forth to partake in the classic “Floor Is Lava” game. For some, it is their first time playing this game, for others, they are experienced and ready to go. The students walk up to their positions, six on each side of the court. As the whistle blows and the classmates cheer, the boys from each grade quickly start off throwing down the first square. Each team rushes to get the squares to the front of the line. At half court, the juniors are in the lead while the other grades are neck and neck. Due to inexperience, the 7th grade is struggling to keep up. Exchanging the squares to the girls for the final stretch, the juniors take the lead, with the seniors right behind them. As each grade is fighting hard near the end of the race, the seniors advance past the others, while the 10th and 11th grade are right beside each other, and 9th-7th grade have fallen behind. The race finishes and the final results give first place to the seniors, second for sophomores, third for juniors, fourth for eighth grade, fifth for the freshman, and last for the seventh graders.
lip sync 2014
Lip Sync
Totally in Sync by: chrissy talent
This year was my first time participating in a Spirit Week event. I’ve never had the interest to participate in Blue Man, Art Board, or Lip Sync, but this year, I decided to take a little leap of faith and join Lip Sync. I’m not sure what I was expecting. I just knew that I couldn’t dance and that lip sync involved a lot of dancing. But the dance was simple, and the song, “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”, was really upbeat and fun. To my surprise, I could do the dance and actually enjoyed it. It was exhausting, too. Having school, Robotics, and Lip Sync sucked all the energy out of me. By last Friday, my entire body ached, and my legs could barely support me. But I had a lot of fun. Seeing the routine come together was awesome. I had the chance to work with and social ize with a lot of people I normally never talk to. And I can’t lie, I’m very proud of myself for not messing up the entire kick line. Of course, getting second was nice, too. But that’s not the point. The point was, I had fun, and I’m glad I did it. I most definitely looking forward to next year’s Lip Sync.
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ARTIST OF THE WEEK
Abigail Smith
FINAL RESULTS SPIRIT WEEK 2014
1st....................................SENIORS 2ND............................SOPHOMORES 3RD....................................JUNIORS 4TH................................FRESHMEN 5TH................................7TH GRADE 6TH................................8TH GRADE
With paint, paste, and pomping paper all around, it’s the night that the artists of Westminster anticipate--the night of the Art Board set-up. This final part for Art Boards, dedicated to installation and last-minute touchups, lasted from 3-8 PM on Wednesday. This year’s Art Board theme was “Board Games.” Abigail Smith, senior, has worked on Art Boards for the past three years and led the Candy Land Art Board for the Seniors. Her job entailed managing and planning the board’s construction, giving instructions to the other students working on the Board, as well as creating some essential parts. “Painting a [Candy Land] character could take from 3-4 hours. I liked listening to musicals while I worked,” said Smith.
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by: catherine bakewell
ART BOARD 2014
Art Board Film Projects ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
1
ST
It’s everyone’s favorite matchup in many peoples’ favorite game. Egan Moylan, junior, stepped onto the basketball court for the final sumo-wrestling matchup against Nick Zintel, senior. With the junior class behind him, Moylan started off strong as he instantly took control of the matchup with a dizzying hit on Zintel. From there, Moylan went on to to dominate the matchup until Tim Muehleisen, referee, declared him the winner. Moylan not only helped his class in the sumo-wrestling competition. He also was the anchor for the junior tug-of-war team that took second place. “Both sumo-wrestling and tug-of-war were great experiences that made this spirit week special for me,” said Moylan.
TH 3RD 4 Freshman
FILM PROJECTS 2014
Egan Moylan
SOPHOMORES
2ND SENIORS
middle school
1ST
2ND
3RD
4TH
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5THjuniors
Film Projects
STUDY SKILLS
M AT H
S AT / AC T P R E P
WRITING
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