the

reporter

Paola High School • 401 N. Angela • Paola, KS 66071

Scholar’s bowl

3 (academics)

February 2013

Local Artists

5 (entertainment)

Tattoos

6-7 (features)

Differing

Swimming at state

11 (sports)

Cutting class class Skipping school has consequences

jackson setter reporter Senior Lindsey Biggs said she never second guesses the legitimacy of her religion, but does often wonder what other religions believe. Biggs considers herself a Jehovah’s Witness. “We follow the Bible as best as we can,” Biggs said. “One of our role models is Jesus Christ. It’s hard to be like Him, though, because we are not perfect.” A simple question that decides the life of millions, why do things happen? What makes these things happen? Many people have different explanations. Some believe in a monotheistic light, which is the belief in one God, while others don’t believe in a higher power. “I try not to judge other religions,” Peter Timpe, senior said. “I really don’t know what the person’s point of view is.” Timpe is a Catholic. According to Timpe, the basis of the Catholic religion is the blessed trinity. Like Timpe, Sakeena Agha, sophomore, believes in a monothestic religion. “There’s one God,” Agha said “Prophet Muhammad was the messenger of God.” Agha is a Muslim. According to Agha Islam is a monotheistic religion in which you can’t eat or drink certain things. “You can’t eat pork or drink alcohol,” Agha said. “You can eat anything else, but it has to be slaughtered by Christians, Jews or Muslims.” Being Islamic also requires praying five times a day. “You pray once in the morning, twice in the afternoon and twice in the

brooke prothe reporter night,” Agha said. Like Muslims, Catholics also have certain rules to follow. “In the Catholic religion, we have holy days and obligations,” Timpe said. “We just do what they ask us to do. We always do what the Catholic Church asks of us, like the basic guidelines of being Catholic.” Like Catholics, Latter-Day Saints follow certain rules. “We do the sacrament every week,” said freshman Sean Thompson. “The General Conference happens twice a year that is transmitted via satellite or radio to every other place in the world.” Timpe’s religion helps him through everyday struggles in life. “It definitely helped me to be more optimistic,” Timpe said. “It makes life easier and answers all of my basic questions.” Thompson’s religion puts boundaries on his social life. “I can’t date until I’m 16 and I have to be morally clean and I cannot swear,” Thompson said. Unlike Catholicism, Islam and Latter-Day Saints, Jehovah’s Witnesses only observe and celebrate one holiday. “The only thing we celebrate is the memorial of Christ’s death,” Biggs said. “It is the most important day in the year and it changes every year because Jesus used the lunar calendar.” Biggs said that people of her religion tend to do a lot of research. “We cross-reference scriptures and other sources to find the answers that we are looking for,” Biggs said. Some people don’t believe in any religion and are considered Atheists. Junior Rochelle Alexander said she believes there is no higher power.

“I don’t think there is a God, but sometimes I wonder what makes things happen,” she said. Alexander said she didn’t start off not believing in anything. “I went to a Christian-based daycare for ten years,” she said. Alexander recently started to question her religion. “In middle school I started to think about it,” Alexander said. “I just don’t believe the stories in the bible are possible.” Rochelle said her decision to be an Atheist was not influenced by her parents. “They believe in God, but they respect that I don’t,” said Alexander. As a part of the curriculum, Social Studies teacher Lesley Wilson teaches about multiple religions in her World History class. “If you keep it out of the textbook, keep it neutral, and don’t insert you own beliefs, I think it’s good for kids to be exposed to different ideas,” Wilson said. “The world is full of ideas and you have to choose your own path. Wilson said it is good to talk about differences. “The world is just so diverse,” said Wilson. Although the world is diverse, Wilson says the high school is the opposite. “Because we don’t have a large diversity, I have heard some derogatory comments towards our Muslim students,” Wilson said. “I felt they were very inappropriate.” Wilson said tolerance is the key. “ To l e r a n c e c o m e s f r o m understanding.”

Senior Nils Beverlin said on average he skips school two days a week. Beverlin said he stays home and sleeps because he doesn’t feel like getting out of bed in the morning. Counselor Justin Elliott said students who have a higher attendance rate are usually the ones who have a reason to be here, for example sports, play rehearsals, club meetings and other after school activities. Sometimes they try to avoid certain situations such as bullying, a major test, or simply the stress of another school day. Paola High school has an attendance of 93.9 percent. 1.3 percent lower than the state average attendance rate. Osawatomie High School has an attendance rate of 95.1 percent. Louisburg High School has an attendance rate of 94.8 percent. Elliott said he believes the student’s parents know they skip and the students have convinced them that they wouldn’t miss anything important that day, whether or not it’s true. A simple way to change this: don’t give the students an opportunity to stay home unless they really need it. Make it an expectation for them to be at school unless they really feel unhealthy and sick enough to stay home. “Don’t make it more fun to be home than at school,” Elliott said. Beverlin said skipping school negatively affected his grade and catching up on school work was extremely hard to do. Beverlin said students should be motivated enough to come to school even when they don’t want to. According to Elliott, regular attendance makes it easier for a student to stay caught up. Being in school also makes sure that a student is being exposed to everything they need to be for the tests, ultimately making it easier for a student to get good grades. Employers want people who they know they can count on to be there,” said Elliott “Skipping school could become a bad habit that will spill over into their careers.” Elliott said Louisburg High School has a system where each class, freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors compete against each other to have the highest grade attendance. The winners receive a treat of one day off of school to go to Worlds of Fun.

2 (quick news) Your love life in #s

Compiled by Libby Rayne

68% 52% 84% 80% 14% 59% 20%

Results polled from 300 students

quick picks

The Reporter • February 2013

are not in a relationship don’t want to be in a relationship believe you can be ‘in love‘ in high school are happy single have never been in a relationship have been in 1-6 relationships have been in above 7 relationships or had “too many to count“

Photo PhotobybyHali HaliWimbush Wimbush

Football players recreate their Powder Puff dance from football season at the Homecoming pep rally Feb. 1. The boys danced to a mixture of poular tunes they practiced during seminar such as“If You Wanna Be My Lover”by the Spice Girls.

Oriole mascot before panther FCCLA helps with night at the museum In 1889 there was no mascot for the high school. “In my opinion the panther mascot came from the Indians” says sophomore Daniel Dees “The Indians feared and respected the Panther and when the white settlers came in the Indians told the white men about it. So when the white settlers made the school they decided to use the Panther as their mascot.” The earliest record on the mascot dates back to 1922. In 1922 the school’s mascot was the Paola Orioles, an orange and black bird. “The Oriole wasn’t fierce enough,” says Larry McGee, a retired principal from Paola High School who has served the district for 31 years.

Many believed without a fierce mascot there would not be a fierce and dominant force in the athletics department. “The mascot was the drive, determination, and heart of the team,” says Oscar Durland, Paola graduate of 1941. “Without a mascot or even a strong mascot the team’s overall effort would be less than if we had a mascot.” In 1930 the football and basketball teams were changed to the Paola Panthers instead of the Paola Orioles. Since 1930 the name Paola Panthers has not been changed.

- Chase Mercer

Jensen’s finger on the mend “It was a freak accident,” welding instructor Brett Brownback said. “He was doing everything right, and took all the right precautions. He stretched his hand out, it caught his glove, and it sucked his hand down into it.” While making a swing set on Dec. 13, senior Mike Jensen cut his finger with an angle grinder. According to Family Handy Man Website, an angle grinder is a tool used in welding to remove excess material and cut metal into pieces. “He took her down to the bone,” Brownback said. “I knew he wasn’t going to lose it, but it was probably the worst accident

I’ve come to.” After cutting his finger Jensen told Brownback he had cut it. “I knew Jensen had to go to the hospital,” Brownback said. After cutting his finger, Jensen said he had no idea how bad the cut actually was. “I thought I was going to lose my finger until I made it to the second hospital,” Jensen said. According to Brownback, despite twelve stiches and almost losing a finger, Jensen enrolled at Tulsa Welding School that night.

- Natalie Eppler

FCCLA sponsor Janet Ward said club members are excited to work with Night at the Museum, a project for kids to learn about topics that teachers did at Children’s Museums in Chicago. “I am most excited for Night at the Museum because I get to hang with little kids,” Sophomore Madison O’Brien said. Sophomore Sydney Prothe felt the same. “I helped out last year,” Prothe said “I think it’s really cool they do it for the kids,” . Prothe likes Night at the Museum but it is not what she is most excited for. She can’t wait for Star Events, which is when students judge other FCCLA clubs on

different projects they do. “They are a good way to see what is going on in other FCCLA clubs,” Prothe said. Ward said Star Events is one of many competitions FCCLA competes in. “The students don’t realize that if they get involved with the competitions, there will be more opportunities for them,” Ward said. The club participates in different service projects over the year including Trick-or-Treat so Kids can Eat, Camp-out for Cash, and helping teachers’ kids build graham cracker houses. -Tristian Barnes

Student charged with threat Senior Brandon Youk said the school took way to many precautions when it evacuated the high school for a bomb threat on Jan. 16. “It was blown way out of proportion,” Youk said. “It wasn’t that serious.” According to a news release from the Miami County Attorney’s Office an 18 year-old senior* is being charged in Miami County District Court with one count of aggravated criminal threat for allegedly making the bomb threat at the high school. The charge is a level 5 felony, and bond was set at $25,000. Freshman Morgan Laudan said she thought the school handled things the right way. “They needed to evacuate us and search the entire school building,” Laudan said. “Our parents would have gone wild if we weren’t.” Bressler said the evacuation in place was already under review before the day began. “All the schools in the county had been reviewing the plan since September, and finding what we could do better, or where the plan fell short,” Bressler said. What started as a student lashing out has turned into major legal problems for a Paola High School student after writing a bomb threat on a bathroom wall Wednesday morning. Principal Phil Bressler, who kept the student’s

name confidential, said he wished the student had talked to the office about any issues he or she had. “Making a threat is typically a cry for help and students need to ask instead of facing the legal trouble,” Bressler said. “We care for the individual.” The high school office received the report of a threat at 9 a.m., said Phil Bressler. Senior Zach Trigg was the one to discover the threat. “I found it in the first stall in the bathroom in the senior hallway,” Trigg said. “It said that there was a bomb in the school and it was going to go off at lunch.” The administrators were in the board meeting at the district office when the bookkeeper informed Bressler and vice principal Jeff T. Hines of the incident. As a precaution, juniors and seniors evacuated to the middle school, while freshman and sophomores went to Sunflower. Bressler said during the evacuations the teachers and students did what they were asked. “Not having reviewed the policies in some time, the students and staff were tremendous in remaining calm,” Bressler said.

-Caleb Hecker

*As an editorial decision the Reporter staff chose not to publish the student’s name

(academics)

The Reporter • February 2013

3

Students pit smarts against each other

Students talk about their experiences on Scholar’s bowl natalie eppler reporter Ten players 10 seconds seven question categories only one correct answer. In a round of Scholar Bowl players, players are pitted against five others, and have 10 seconds to answer, Junior Amelia Sample said. In a competition, the seven question categories are math, literature, history, science, sports, year in review, and foreign language, sponsor Rebecca Johnson said. Sophomore Christian Eickoff said, the first team to get the question right gets ten points. If a team interrupts the question and gets it wrong, they lose five points. The team with the most points at the end of the round wins. “The whole thing is pretty fun,” Eickoff said. “If you have a lot of random knowledge it’s a place

where you can just use that.” Scholars Bowl is more than just a place to learn and use knowledge. “It’s a chance to meet a lot of different people,” sponsor Darrah Batcheler said. “It also brings out a different competitive side in kids.” To prepare for competitions, students practice four times a week and team members go over trivia and have mock competitions, Johnson said. “To keep it fun, we play Cash Cab and Jeopardy,” Batcheler said. “We try to find different ways to ask questions.” Johnson said, 15 students form the teams. Sophomores and freshmen make up the JV team and juniors and seniors make up varsity. On average, Scholars Bowl team members spend two to three hours per week studying at practices or on their own. “Why wouldn’t they want to be in it?” Amelia Sample asked. “Scholars Bowl’s awesome.”

Photo by Natalie Eppler

Seniors Erik Bensen, Lea Forler and Juniors Kenji Brock and Amelia Sample prepare to answer questions at the Paola Varsity Scholars Bowl tournament held on Jan. 24. Paola won the round.

Redirecting reading Students and teachers discuss personal views on novel response camille mars reporter English teachers agree that many students do not take novel response projects seriously. Stuart Ross said that serious students do, but others find a way around hard work. In order to receive your ideal grade, the first step is following the rubric. Then, in completing the project, it helps to know what English teachers look for. Michelle Abshire knows what she wants to see when grading the projects.

Photo by Camille Mars

A collection of books from the school library.

“I think relating the novel to a student’s own life and experience (is important),” said Abshire. “I think that’s why we all read in the first place.” Ross said critical thinking and critical writing are most important. “High school kids need (these skills) regardless of further education,” said Ross. Other students have pointers that could make completing a novel response easier. Junior Bradford DeYoung recommends finding a book you will enjoy. “Don’t read for the sake of reading,” said DeYoung. Kelly Fields agrees that book choice is important. “I would say that selecting a book that you will enjoy reading and then reading it

is what makes a successful novel response project,” said Fields. Fields recommends books by authors such as Walter Dean Myers and Suzanne Collins. Sophomore Hayden Schillinger recommends author R.A. Salvatore to other students, particularly his novel Homeland. R.A. Salvatore is a fantasy writer who has penned more than 40 books, according to the Amazon website. Colton Wagner, freshman, considers himself an avid reader. He enjoys reading because “it’s kind of like a movie.” After his sister introduced him to his love of reading, his appreciation for books has focused on fantasy novels. He just finished Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. Junior Chase Stump credits his love of

books to himself. “I just picked up a book in the library and thought, why not?” said Stump. Stump said he usually does well on novel response projects, though it depends on the teacher. He enjoys non-fiction books, and his favorite is Who Got Einstein’s Office by Ed Regis. Senior Bailey Hart, also an ardent reader, enjoys both fantasy and historical fiction. It’s just fun,” said Hart. Snow in August by Peter Hamill has been Hart’s favorite book that she has read for a novel response. Hart has one solid piece of advice for novel responses. “Prepare. Be ready for it.”

4 (news)

The Reporter • February 2013

Number of social site users around the world. Information from Statistic Brain website.

Social networking overload Some students online too much katie biggs reporter Sophomore Alicia Schoenberger said students tune into Facebook and Twitter way too much. “I think people can cut down on using [social networking].” Schoenberger said. Students are spending countless hours online scrolling through pictures and reading pointless updates and tweets. All of a sudden, half of their day is gone. This is how billions of people spend their weekends according to the StatisticBrain website. Social networking is becoming more and more common in people’s everyday

Answering the call libby rayne opinion editor “I was called to be a missionary when I was 6 years old,” Senior Amanda Hedges said. “I didn’t know where or anything, I just knew I would be a missionary someday.” Hedges plans to travel to Indonesia in June to perform missionary work. Her work will include volunteering at an orphanage in Jakarta, then eventually starting one of her own and residing there permanently. Through Compassion International, Hedges began sponsoring a girl from Indonesia named Adisty at age 8. “Ever since I started sponsoring her, I just knew Indonesia was the country,” Hedges said. “The first time I heard the word Indonesia it gave me goose bumps.” Adisty and Hedges have exchanged letters once a month for 10 years. Hedges

plans on meeting Adisty during her time in Indonesia and maybe work with her. When Hedges was 14, she traveled to Honduras on a mission trip. “I just fell in love with the kids there,” Hedges said. “I went there the year after that and they remembered my name. It just broke my heart.” She said being in another country felt natural. “When I stepped off the plane at Honduras I should have felt alienated, not speaking the language and everything,” Hedges said. “But as soon as I went into another country it was just like ‘this is where I belong.’” It was during that she decided on her specific mission calling. “That was when I was like, ‘I am going to start an orphanage,’” Hedges said. Hedges has received support from

lives. It is also getting into the school system with the new social learning network, My Big Campus. My Big Campus is a learning website where students can see their assignments and ask their teachers questions in the chat section. Several teachers are on board for this shift toward using the internet more in school by posting assignments, discussion questions and notes on My Big Campus. In recent years, the use of social networking sites has almost tripled. Based on an online survey from the StatisticBrain website, there are over 1.2 billion Facebook users around the world. Kelly Fields, English teacher, and freshman Caylin Garrison said social networking is not being used too much, but doesn’t need to be used any more than it already is.

Social networking has been causing changes in the way students communicate with people. It has changed things sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad, according to the SocialMediaToday website. “ [Social networking] is making people more awkward in face-to-face conversations but it’s making people more open on the internet,” Schoenberger said. She said social networking sites help us keep in touch with family and friends. Although Fields agrees there are benefits to social networking, she also said the way people are communicating is changing. “It’s becoming easier to be detached from people through what you are saying,” Fields said.

Hedges passes up scholarships, college; plans to be missionary in Indonesia across the country. She contacted a childhood friend from Colorado who goes to school with a foreign exchange student from Indonesia. Her family is interested in mission work. “I’ve contacted the orphanage there and I plan to leave in June to go. She lives in the exact same city where I plan to start an orphanage,” Hedges said. “She’s willing to help me and give me a tour, and she’s going back exactly when I was planning to go visit.” Hedges, will have to give up another dream. “Running track in college is literally my life dream,” Hedges said. “I got offered an $18,000 scholarship from Ottawa University in track.” Hedges said she loves track. “That was the hardest thing to let go of,” said Hedges. “That’s what I’ve always

wanted to do.” Hedges planned on taking the scholarship until she worked a booth at a Christian concert. “I just kind of looked at the table and saw all of the kids’ faces. It brought me back to what my calling is,” Hedges said. “I just started to cry. God stirred my heart so much that night.” While she was waiting for a sign to go, she began to educate herself on the country. “I got the Rosetta Stone for it when I was 8,” said Hedges. “I’ve started to learn it ever since then, just waiting for the go ahead.” When Hedges heard the calling from God, she said he had told her to prepare herself in three ways. “He told me to prepare myself emotionally, continue learning the language and raising money, and he said to read a book my aunt got me,” Hedges said.

(entertainment)

The Reporter • February 2013

Art in a nutshell Students talk about why art is important to them

tristan barnes reporter Freshman Molly Malone said she finds inspiration for her art in family members. “My grandpa inspires me most,” Malone said. “I love art and my grandpa is an artist.” Many students are affected by art in different ways. Sophomore Lizzy Schroeder said she gets her inspiration to draw from her faith. “God gives you gifts and you shouldn’t ignore them; you should try to put them to use,” Schroeder said. Art teacher Susan Blankenship said she gets her inspiration from her library of art history books and her dreams. “Literally, I dream up all of the assignments,” Blankenship said. “A lot of times they do come to me in the middle of the night.” Schroeder said Blankenship does a good job with the assignments. “I definitely think that the assignments challenge you and help

you to learn new skills, which are very critical for art,” Schroeder said. “Mrs. B does a good job with them.” Junior Austin Smith said he has a similar opinion on art assignments. “The assignments are pretty interesting,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot of things that I wouldn’t anywhere else. She gives us wacky things that are fun.” Smith said he uses art as an escape. “My moods show through in what I draw,” Smith said. Malone said art is a good form of expression. “Art is a good way to show my personality,” Malone said. Schroeder said if someone is bored, they can draw to pass the time. “It’s a really good stress reliever and you get a good feeling once a piece is complete,” Schroeder said.

Artist profile

Stephen Rau, junior How long does one drawing usually take to complete? “It depends on what it is but I can usually finish it in a week if I try. If it’s just a quick drawing I can do it in about 10 minutes. Depending on intricacy the drawing takes anywhere from ten minutes to a week or two.” Photo by Tristan Barnes

What does art mean to you? “Art is a hobby and something I’ve always been good at. It’s kind of just how I express myself.”

What inspires you the most? “The feeling of accomplishment is what inspires me to continue to make more.”

Do you plan on continuing with art after high school? “I’m not sure but it is definitely in my top choices. It is a possibility.” Art by Stephen Rau

Above: Stephen Rau, junior, draws on a car in the library last week. Middle A picture of a sniper drawn by Rau. Bottom left is Rau’s picture of a showdown. Front cover: Picture of Spiderman drawn by Rau.

Lessons from The Hobbit lane harris reporter Caylin Smith, senior, saw the movie because she said she appreciates the work of JRR Tolkien and Peter Jackson, the movie’s director. Smith said her favorite character is Gandalf. “After all of the dwarves come and invade Bilbo’s home Gandalf comes and is all mysterious and tells Bilbo to embrace adventure,” Smith said. She said the movie teaches to step outside your comfort zone. “Risk is a good thing,” Smith said. Chase Jorgensen, junior, saw the movie three times in theater. “I convinced a lot of people to see it with me,” Jorgensen said. He said he learned about giving to the less fortunate.“When Bilbo

5

starts talking about how he wants to help the dwarves you get the feeling you want to help others too,” he said. Jorgensen said the movie made him want to go on an adventure. “I wish there were still dragons living,” he said. “That’s what I’d do if I had an adventure—go kill a dragon.” When she was in grade school, Leslie Coats, theater director, read The Hobbit. She said it took an hour-and-a-half to read. “I was reading all kinds of things,” she said. “I read all the time.” Coats said the book was more of a children’s book, not one that teaches lessons. “It was just fun,” she said. “Kind of like The Wizard of Oz in that regard.

Art by Stephen Rau

Art by Stephen Rau

hall talk Libby McCormack, junior Like Valentine’s Day? No Fave memory: “When I found out that it was because St. Valentine got his head decapitated.” Jennifer Wisniewski, junior Like Valentine’s Day? indifferent Fave memory: “Mom got me pepper spray last year.” Christian Kneibler, junior Like Valentine’s Day? Yes Fave memory: “When I spent my first with my current girlfriend.”

Karl Schmidt, teacher Like Valentine’s Day: No Why not ? “Stupid! Invented by flower salesman.” Audrey Robinson, freshman Like Valentine’s Day? Yes Fave memory: “My family went out to the movies then the T-Rex Cafe.”

Compiled by Natalie Eppler

K iN

Staff and students share stories and opinions on tattoos

Can you guess who these tattoos belong to?

1)

2)

Sadie Bivins, Senior

A.

3)

Stuart Ross, English teacher

B.

4)

Matti Rush, Junior

C.

5)

Marcus Rademacher, Junior

D.

Rochelle Alexander, Junior

Dylan Queen, Senior

F.

E.

“I’m not afraid to admit it, I am a tattoo person,” Math teacher Lisa Collier said. “I like tattoos.” Collier has two tattoos, both of which have something to do with her family. “I have a tattoo on my foot with the flower that represents each month my kids were born in and I have a tattoo on my back with all of our initials in cursive,” Collier said. Going in to get her first tattoo, Collier said she was very nervous. “I didn’t know what to expect,” Collier said. “Some people said it hurts really badly, some people said it just feels like getting your ears pierced or something like that. It does not compare to getting your ears pierced. It’s very painful.” Other than the pain, Collier had no worries about getting her tattoos. “My husband drew both of [my tattoos], so I went in knowing exactly what I was getting,” Collier said. “I wasn’t going to rely on one of the people at the tattoo places to come up with something for me.”

Collier views getting tattoos as a decision that should be completely up to the person getting them. “It’s totally up to the individual,” Collier said. “If I want to have one or two or five, that’s totally up to me. But then again, with the way the stigma is with that kind of thing today, you just have to think about the placement and how it could affect your job opportunities in the future and whether it’s really a good idea or not.” Collier said she likes tattoos due to their artistic nature. “They are a form of art,” Collier said. “I don’t like to see peoples’ heads and stuff completely covered with them, but if they’re tasteful and they’re done well, I think they are very pretty.” Though she appreciates the art of tattoos, Collier said it’s very important to put in a lot of forethought before you get a tattoo, “Don’t do it on a whim,” Collier said. “Make sure you’ve thought a lot about it and just make sure it’s good. It’s going to be there forever.”

SAM BIVINS: SOPHOMORE

Bivins’ tattoo on his forearm that he got in Dec. 2012.

TANNER MORRIS: SENIOR

The idea for sophomore Sam Bivins’ tattoo stemmed from the Tupac song “Only God Can Judge Me”. “I like the song a lot and I just think it’s a really cool saying,” Bivins said. Bivins’ tattoo is on his forearm and, like the song, it reads “Only God Can Judge Me”. Bivins said he likes the meaning behind it and finds that meaning to be present in our lives. “I think everybody gets judged, but I don’t think anyone should because I believe that only God should be able to judge people for their mistakes,” Bivins said. “Nobody’s perfect.” Bivins said he planned to get his tattoo for a year beforehand and he loves everything about the way it turned out. Due to the meaning behind his tattoo, Bivins said he doesn’t

Senior Tanner Morris’ tattoo of her diabetic ribbon on her wrist serves as more than just a tattoo. “It’s kind of like a medical I.D. band,” Morris said. “So if I were to pass out and go into an ambulance or something, they would know by this I.D. on my wrist that I was diabetic, and instead of giving me a glucose strip like they would give a normal person, they would give me a saline strip so I wouldn’t get high blood sugars and get really sick.” Morris said getting the tattoo wasn’t a medical obligation, but she chose to get it for convenience sake and because she liked the idea of having a tattoo. “It was just an option,” Morris said. “You can wear bracelets and stuff too, but my doctor mentioned getting a tattoo

Julie Scott, Junior

G.

Answers: 1. E; 2. F; 3.G; 4. B; 5. C; 6. D; 7. A

aly johnson feature editor

LISA COLLIER: MATH TEACHER

7)

6)

Kansas Tattoo Laws

• Tattoo artists must display a copy of their license in a public area in the workplace • Tattoo shop owners must publicly display the most recent inspection certificate • Tattoo artists must renew their license every three years through the Board of Cosmetology • Tattoo parlors must be kept clean and in good repair at all times • Tattoo parlors are subject to announced and unannounced inspections by the Board of Cosmetology at irregular intervals • Anyone 18 and older can get a tattoo at a licensed establishment without parental consent • Minors wishing to get a tattoo must provide written, notarized consent from a parent or guardian and a parent or guardian must be present during the tattooing procedure • Any tattoo artist who illegally tattoos a minor could lose their license Information compiled from the Kansas Board of Cosmetology website

Collier’s tattoo of a daisy and a daffodil on her foot. Each flower represents the month her kids were born in.

see himself regretting it when he’s older. “It’s not just some pointless thing I put on there,” Bivins said. “It has a strong meaning.” Bivins said he likes tattoos due to the fact that they can signify things with deeper meanings. However, Bivins said a lot of people today are opposed to tattoos, and because of that, people with tattoos are often stereotyped. “People will either think we’re not good kids or they’ll think our parents are not good parents,” Bivins said. Despite what people may think about his tattoo, though, Bivins doesn’t let it bother him. “Yes, I have a tattoo,” Bivins said. “What about it?”

KALI FUNK: JUNIOR

Junior Kali Funk describes getting tattoos as addicting. “It’s like, you’re getting it—and it hurts, but then it heals and you look at it and it’s just beautiful,” Funk said. Funk has four tattoos, one on her wrist that says “remember”, one on her neck that says “love” in the shape of a heart, a flower on her hand, and another flower on her chest. The first tattoo Funk got was the “remember” tattoo, which she got in Sept. 2012. “I just felt the need to get it,” Funk said. “It’s not only about remembering things from my past and learning from them— it’s also about looking at it every day and remembering that I can overcome obstacles and remembering that I’m beautiful and that I have people there for me.” From that point on, Funk said the rest of her tattoos came rather quickly. “The ‘love’ on my neck I got for my family, and then my flowers I really just got because they’re pretty,” Funk said.

Morris’ tattoo of her diabetic ribbon on her wrist. She got it in Feb. of 2012.

of the student body has tattoo(s)

57%

of students want to get a tattoo someday

36%

of students have parents who are opposed to tattoos Results from a Reporter survey of 300 students

Funk said she wants to get many more tattoos, as well as add to some of her current ones. “I’m adding to the flower on my chest so there’s just going to be a huge bouquet, I’m adding my mom’s initials to my ‘love’ tattoo, and I’m getting a rosary around my ankle to commemorate my grandparents,” Funk said. Funk said she planned out her first tattoo for a while, but the others were more spur of the moment, which she advises people against doing. “Know for sure what you want and don’t do any impulse buys,” Funk said. Despite the impulsiveness of some of her tattoos, Funk said she doesn’t think she will regret getting them. “I’d like to keep the same mentality that they’re just kind of beautiful works of art,” Funk said. “I don’t think I’ll regret them.”

ZACH WALKER: SOPHOMORE because a lot of other juvenile diabetics were getting these tattoos, so she told me to get it because it was easier since my bracelets always broke and stuff.” At first, Morris said she and her family thought the tattoo was terrible, but over time they have grown to like it. As far as everyone else goes, Morris said she gets mixed responses. “Some people tell me they like it, some people are just like ‘What in the world is that?’” Morris said. “So I get good and bad reviews from it.” Despite some negative responses to her tattoo, Morris is confident with her decision to get it. Though, at this point in time she doesn’t plan on getting any more tattoos.

5%

Sophomore Zach Walker said his Catholic faith is the primary reason he opposes tattoos. “It’s a pretty simple fact,” Walker said. “It says in the Bible that your body is God’s temple and you’re not supposed to do anything to harm it.” Aside from it being against his faith, Walker said he would never get a tattoo due to a fear of what it would look like in the future. “When you’re 80 years old and your skin is all saggy, the tattoo will get all stretched out and it won’t look good,” Walker said. Though Walker personally objects to tattoos, he said he doesn’t judge people who have them.

Funk’s tattos of “love” on her neck, “remember” on her wrist, and flowers on her chest and hand.

“I don’t think any differently of people with tattoos because they’re still the same person on the inside, they’ve just changed what they look like on the outside a little bit,” Walker said. Walker views most tattoos in a negative light unless, he said, there is a strong meaning behind it. “I think they are okay if they mean something to you,” Walker said. “If you’re going to change your body, you might as well look at it every day and like it and know what it stands for.” Walker advises anyone who is considering getting a tattoo to think a lot about it first. “You should think really deeply into the subject before you get one,” Walker said. “It’s going to be there forever, so you’re going to have to like it for your whole entire life.”

For more tattoo stories, go to: www.phsjournalism.com

. S . P.H

Whose Tattoos?

Photos by Aly Johnson

8 (opinion)

LKve is in the

and I’m

K

The Reporter • February 2013

air...

ut of air freshener

Teens shouldn’t believe in fairytale romances

hali wimbush design editor

After four years of high school, I’ve seen the break ups, the make ups and of course the oogly eyes-- especially this month. The thought of my peers meeting their soul mate, whom they break up with every week, makes little sense to me. Everyone has the want to belong, but pressuring ourselves into relationships is not the way to go. You’re in high school. You’re probably NOT going to marry the person you’re dating. You’re NOT going to have kids with them and you’re probably going to end up single on a couch somewhere in southern Kansas. According to the website Canyourel8, only 3 percent of high school sweethearts get married, only to end up divorced. Even less than two percent of high school sweethearts end up getting married and staying together forever. Stop taking love for granted and just be happy with the people you have around you. I have nothing against love and relationships. I think they’re beautiful things, but, it’s the fact that tossing the word love around has become just another phrase. It’s OK to tell someone you love them. However, when you’ve been dating someone for three days and you are going to marry them, you’ve taken it too far. A relationship should be based on friendship. Both participants in the relationship need to stay true to each other and know their partner to their deepest sense. Bella and Edward? Yeah, that’s not going to happen. No one is going to climb in your window at night to watch you sleep. Honestly, that’s just creepy. I met a couple the other day who had been married for 50 years and my thought was, how? Not how they stayed married that long, but how society allowed it. It doesn’t seem as if society wants couples to stay together. The morals and standards today are so low that it’s altered the traditions that we were once installed with and turned us into mindless hormonal machines. According to the HuffingtonPost actors Will Smith and wife Jada have an “open” relationship which means they’re allowed to be with other people. They are following the policy of lust. Lust is not love. The love that you’re experiencing now is most likely a façade. Don’t let it get to your head. You’re probably not going to marry you’re high school sweetie and you’re not going to wake up with someone sitting in your rocking chair watching you sleep. You might walk into a coffee house one day, start a conversation with the male or female behind you in line, flirt a bit and then the rest will be history. Love is special. Not just a word.

staff editorial w

How to beat the winter doldrums After winter break, the time until summer arrives seems endless. To help make the time pass by a little bit faster, we took it upon ourselves to compile a list of activities to keep you busy and happily awaiting summer. •

Start shopping for summer. Go to the mall and pick out some clothes you’ll save for the moment Summer arrives.

•

Keep yourself busy. Go out with friends and have a good time. Every single day you get through, is one more day closer to Summer’s sweet freedom.

•

Start coming up with fun Summer activities. Yes, it’s time to begin writing your Summer bucket list.

•

Plan road trips with your friends. Save up gas money and makes plans of where you want to go and who with.

•

Go swim suit shopping. It’s never too early!

•

Look online for summer camps you may be interested in.

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Look up concert dates and buy tickets now while they’re cheap!

•

Devise a new room scheme to do this summer. Pick out some paint and get pumping.

•

Set some goals. Whether that be working on your swim suit body, making amends, reading more, being nicer, or anything your heart desires.

•

Turn your car’s heat on full blast while cruising with the windows down. You’ll maybe get a nice warm breeze.

•

Start making summer playlists. Then when the time finally comes, you’ll be all set and ready to blast your favorite tunes.

Have an opinion? Write a letter to the editor.

(opinion)

The Reporter February 2013

Green Slinkys and Mac

lane harris reporter

Evolution and Santa are myths When I was 3, I believed Santa put my gifts under the Christmas tree. He signed his name with beautiful cursive handwriting. I noticed my mother had the same handwriting. One year, I stayed up late on Christmas Eve, and found her laying gifts under the tree. When I discovered Santa didn’t exist, it was a natural realization a growing person would make. I saw the truth with my eyes, and although my mother told me Santa was real, what I saw collided with what she told me. Now adults--educated people with good intentions-tell me this beautiful, organized world used to be nothing: that everything I know evolved from nothing. What I see collides with what they tell me. Macroevolution (let’s call it “Mac”) is the idea that, because of mutations, natural selection and billions of years, the earth and its life came from nothing. The website Biology online’s definition of Mac

is evolution happening on a large scale. “ We h a v e n e v e r witnessed nonliving material organize into a cellular structure,” said Karl Schmidt, biology teacher. Mac is like playing with a plastic Slinky so much it turns into a kaleidoscope. Mac happens when species become more complex through mutations. Mutations are when species’ DNA becomes simpler, and certain characteristics change, according to the website Answersingenesis. “Statistically mutations are never positive,” Schmidt said. When the Slinky gets chipped, mutations are like the chipped pieces-information is lost. Natural selection happens when species adapt to different environments and challenges with mutations. Those species’ traits are passed on through successive generations, according to Biology online. Natural selection is like when you like green Slinkys, so all the red Slinkys are thrown away. Mac is when those mutations add up and species change into something completely different—like the Slinky changing colors and chipping so much it evolves into a kaleidoscope. Give the Slinky an eternity, and it will never do that. Don’t get Mac confused

with microevolution (Mike). Mike is the variation of the same species through mutations, according to Biology online. Those variations have been studied and proven as a result of lost genetic information. Mutations can make new species, but both new species have lost genetic information. The Slinky chipped and turned a different color, but it’s still a Slinky, and the Slinky’s kids are chipped and discolored, too. Mac has never been directly studied and proven. It’s false based on these premises: 1. Life cannot come from non-life. 2. A species has never adapted or mutated to be more complex. Conclusion: There was never “not-life” that turned into “life” that adapted and mutated into people, dogs and frogs—and definitely not Slinkys. The only other option is that someone, existing outside of time and space, created this universe for a reason: someone who gave us eyes to see and brains to think. I’m sure many smart, rational teens and adults believe everything came from nothing just like many smart, rational teens and adults still believe in Santa after watching their mothers sneak presents under the tree.

Letter to the editor Stop being bullies Dear students of Paola High School, I have a few questions for you all. Why are you mean to someone when you know for certain that one of two things will happen? Either they’ll take it as a joke or they’ll laugh it off and cry about it later. Bullying isn’t a good thing, so why do it? “You’re fat.” “You’re ugly.” “You’re stupid.” “Hey look at that person, she/ he’s so….” blah blah blah. You don’t do any good by hurting people! I think we should start talking to people we don’t normally talk to, you know, become friends with those we don’t normally talk to. Becoming friends with everyone would lower the snide comments and nasty remarks as well as help people feel more wanted. You know those school shootings and bomb threats? They most likely only happen because we don’t pay attention to our surroundings, we only pay attention to ourselves instead of the amazing people around us. If we just pay attention, then we can all be friends, we can all get along we can all stand up for each other. Sure, there’s going to be people who just don’t get along, but that doesn’t mean, “I don’t like them, so I’m just going to bully them and make them

the

reporter the staff

Volume 88 Issue 4

9

Editor-in-Chief: Caleb Hecker Design Editor: Hali Wimbush Feature Editors: Katey Colwell, Aly Johnson Opinion Editor: Libby Rayne Reporters: Tristan Barnes, Katie Biggs, Natalie Eppler, Lane Harris, Camille Mars, Whitney McDaniel, Chase Mercer, Brooke Prothe, Jackson Setter Ad Manager: Marissa Bergman Adviser: BriAnne Chayer

feel worthless.” What those people should do is RESPECT the other person, give a smile here and there and move on with their days. No rude remarks, no “Get away,” or “Leave me alone, I hate you’s.” If we work together, maybe, just maybe we could become better people ourselves. Stop being a bully and stand up for everyone. Ignoring people you don’t normally talk to is bullying because you aren’t allowing yourself to get to know someone and potentially gain an amazing friend. School shootings and bomb threats occur because students feel outcasted and made fun of. They are probably amazing people, but physical appearance is all people seem to care about. So what if someone wears too much make-up? They want to feel beautiful. So what if someone always wears a sweater/ long sleeves, jeans and tennis shoes? They like being comfortable or they’re insecure about their body and scared of what people will think of them. I say it’s time to stop segregating and start working together, don’t you? Sincerely, AshLee Hidden. junior

mission statement

editorial policy

The Reporter is for the students, by the students. The goal of the Reporter is to give the students a voice, and provide an open forum of ideas while maintaining an ethical publication with unbiased coverage.

It is the policy of the Paola Reporter, to provide a forum for student expression, voices in the uninhibited, robust, free and open discussion of issues. The Reporter encourages students to write letters to the editor or submit articles for the editorial page. We reserve the right to edit content. Material that contains libelous or obscene information will not be published. Material that will cause a disruption of school activities is also prohibited. Authors must provide their full name. No articles will be published with an alias.

10 (sports)

their t Adj s n g game The Reporter • February 2013

McDow, Johnson play minutes on varisty as underclassman; Long, Farmer help them learn on the fly caleb hecker editor-in-chief

Junior Cayman Long said as the level of competition in basketballgot stronger, so did he. “Through the years as the other players got better I had to raise my work ethic,” Long said. “There is no room for laziness in high school athletics.” One of the challenges players face is having to adjust to the different level of competition varsity basketball offers in comparison to any level below. Senior KayLee Farmer said she needed to step up her game when she played on varsity as a freshman. “There was some pressure from the older girls to not mess up,” Farmer said. Freshman Mason McDow started the season on the freshman team and quickly worked his way up through junior varsity to varsity by the first game after Christmas break. McDow said he has had to adjust his own game for the different levels at which he has played. “The speed of the game picked up a lot from freshman to varsity,” McDow said. “Sometimes it becomes too fast and we begin making more mistakes.”

Photo by Journey Capettini

Freshman Taylor Williams shoots a layup inthe varsity game against Baldwin on Feb. 1. Paola won the game 56-39.

Girls’ basketball coach Stuart Ross said the pace is probably the hardest part of the game for players to adjust. “The speed on both ends picks up a lot,” Ross said. “You just can’t understand it until you are out on the court.” Sophomore Lyndsee Johnson knows about having to adjust quickly to varsity athletics since she has played on the team since her freshman year. Johnson said she found help adjusting close to home. “Having older sisters who had been through definitely gave me an edge,” Johnson said. Farmer said she sees a need to help the younger girls on the team because she knows the difficulties of going directly to varsity basketball. “I try not to put a lot of pressure on them,” Farmer said. “They are all very good players and they beat themselves up when they make mistakes. More than anyone else would.” Johnson said basketball allows for multiple challenges every day. “It is a team sport with expectations for the team, but there are also those individual expectations that only you can meet,” Johnson said. Varsity athletics is composed of the best players each team has and Long said that is what makes it more challenging than any other level. “The level of talent is the best every night and you know you have to bring your A game night in and night out,” Long said.

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11

(sports)

The Reporter • February 2013

Planning to m ake a

splash at state

Photo by Whitney Mc Daniel

Senior Patrick Kennedy swims the breaststroke at Blue Valley West on Dec. 4. Kennedy qualified for state in the breaststroke in the first meet of the season.

Kennedy advances as an individual; team advances for relay whitney mcdaniel reporter The bar has been set and records broken as the boys swim team members gear up for state this weekend in Topeka. Among them is Patrick Kennedy who has qualified in two events both at the very first meet. He individually qualified in the 100 yard breaststroke with a time of 1:08.82.

He also broke Stetson Jackson, Osawatomie graduate’s, school record of a time of 1:09.64. “I think Patrick has a very good chance to advance to the finals. He’s worked very hard to get to this point,” said swim coach Sarah Dorsett. Kennedy has goals he would like to accomplish at state before graduating. He wants to improve the breaststroke record he set and make it past the prelims. He said that his mindset changes leading up to the big meet. “It’s nerve-wracking, but it also elevates

my performance,” Kennedy said. This will be Kennedy’s fourth year to compete in the breaststroke at state. Not only did he qualify in an individual event, but he’s also a part of the 200 yard freestyle relay. The relay is composed of four swimmers, each of them swimming 50 yards. The relay consists of senior Patrick Kennedy, junior Ben Rodriguez, junior Marcus Rademacher and Osawatomie’s Ben Dorsett who will be replaced by junior Ben Abel. He will be replaced because Osawatomie and Paola separate at the state meet. They needed a time of 2:04.62 to qualify, and they got a 1:41.37.

Free for brawl:

caleb hecker editor-in-chief Sophomore Austin Roebuck said wrestling has its share of difficulties. “Wrestling is one of the most difficult sports because of how physical and tough it is,” Roebuck said. Wrestling has had 15 state qualifiers in the last three years. Assistant wrestling coach David Kane said this shows the amount of time the wrestlers have put in to improving. “Wrestling is not a sport that you can just pick up and become good at right away,” Kane said. “Instead it takes a lot of practice, dedication and patience in order to become

good. Wrestling is one-on-one, so there are no excuses to be made. Either you are the better wrestler or your opponent is.” Senior Brandon Haggerty said nothing about wrestling is easy. “Everything is difficult, from practices and conditioning to the meets,” Haggerty said. “The fact that you have to move another person is difficult.” Freshman Blake Driskell said everyone’s will to win makes it all more challenging. “All the weight classes are competitive because no one wants to walk out there and lose,” Driskell said.

Dorsett has plans to prepare them for the state competition. “At this level, starts and turns are very critical,” Dorsett said. “They can be the difference between a win or a loss.” She also plans to work on their technique and building their endurance. Dorsett said she has had a great season working with the boys. “It’s been a fun hardworking group, and I’ve seen a rapid improvement in the rookies such that one or two of them may be going as an alternate for the state relay,” Dorsett said.

Roebuck, Driskell embrace difficulties of wrestling

Roebuck said some weight classes can be more of a challenge than the others. “I think the 160 is the most competitive,” Roebuck said. “But everyone has their own opinion.” Haggerty said despite the competitors inside all of them, they all manage to become close through the course of the season. “It is fun just hanging out with all of the guys,” Haggerty said. “We are a big family and we take care of each other, but we still like to try and beat each other when we are wrestling.” Kane said wrestling can be more difficult

than any other sport. “It is a very physically demanding sport which is not always fun,” Kane said. “You have to be in very good shape to be able to compete in a wrestling match and you are always in a physical battle with your opponent. I think the dedication that is required makes the sport very hard. You have to go to practice every day in which you are trained and conditioned to compete in a match.” Driskell said wrestling never gets old. “You learn something new every time you step on the mat,” Driskell said.

12 (features)

The Reporter • February 2013

Sentimental Style

Sample values wire necklace katey colwell feature editor Sophomore Kate Sample has worn a golden wire necklce that spells out her first name every day since her boyfriend gave it to her. this fall. To Sample, its shine symbolizes her best friend, junior Luke Larson. Sample and Larson have been dating since September 2012. While Larson was on a trip to New York over fall break, he thought he should get a souvenir for his girlfriend.

Larson said he went looking all over the city for a gift when he finally a street vendor in the Soho District of New York City selling necklaces made of bent wire. The vendor didn’t have a necklace with Sample’s name on it, but made one in 15 minutes. “It reminds me of Luke, it’s nice to keep him with me,” said Sample.

“You should always have a hairtye,” said Sample.This is her fashion advice. Sophomore Kate Sample wears her bent wire necklace.

Alternative Alex Timblin, sophomore, said she inspires her own sense of alternative style. Timblin said she doesn’t believe style is the most important thing, but if others think it is than that’s good and if you can be stylish and comfortable, that’s a plus. “I just throw stuff together,” she said. Timblin shops mostly at Target and Spencer’s. She likes what she wears because it is comfortable and different. Timblin’s sense of style has gone from country to alternative since elementary school. Her favorite accessory is a Pikachu back-pack. “I started wearing really baggy clothes, I just feel comfortable in them,” said Timblin.

Country Senior Renner Wikstrom said he believes fashion in high school is very important. “I think it’s more important to the girls than the guys because girls want to look nice,” said Wikstrom. “The guys at least want to stay in style.” Wikstrom’s style is inspired by an organization he actively participates in; Boy Scouts. “We always have to tuck in our class A’s, which is why so often I tuck in my shirt. It’s just a habit,” said Wikstrom. Class A’s are Boy Scouts dress uniforms. Wikstrom compared it to what military uniforms. Wikstrom lives in the country road where it isn’t unusual for him to wear boots and Wrangler jeans. “It’s what I’ve grown up wearing,”said Wikstrom. Wikstrom doesn’t feel like he has to dress to impress. To him, a neat layout looks better than a pair or sweatpants or cargos that aren’t on the waist. “When you dress nice, it raises the bar,” said Wikstrom.

Preppy When Connor Patton, junior, goes shopping, he said he prefers to buy clothes from Pac Sun or American Eagle Outfitters. “I put it on and see if it looks good on me,” said Patton. Patton said he dresses nice because he likes to look nice. He said he thinks his personal style is “classy.” However, Patton says his style differs from that of his twin brother Chase. “He wears nothing but athletics,” said Patton.

Comfort Sophomore Kate Sample said she dresses depending on the day. Generally, on Robotics workshop days, she dresses for comfort. If it’s a regular day though, Sample said she likes to look pretty. She said she would like to be able to dress like her boyfriend, Luke Larson. “I guess I kind of get it from Luke, he wears whatever, whenever,” said Sample. Sample doesn’t feel the need to dress to impress because she doesn’t care what about what anyone else has to say. “I didn’t ask for their opinion,” said Sample. Sample doesn’t think that style is very important. People should just wear what they feel comfortable in. She feels the most comfortable in her sweatpants and her drug-rug. Sample shops at Forever21 and said her cousins give her lots of hand-me-downs. “Just work it, that’s what my cousins always tell me,” said Sample.