Directions Volume 32, Issue 3
April 29, 2010
Knox High School
Videos Intended as Sobering Reminder by Becca Hardel
In recent years, Starke County Emergency Responders have teamed up with SADD sponsor Mrs. Cecilia Christensen to demonstrate a mock car crash scene. The simulation was an engaging way to help students recognize the dangers of drinking and driving. But this year police officer Dave Combs and assistant principal Mr. Bendicsen wanted to switch things up. They decided to show real life videos of actual car crashes before the upcoming four-day prom weekend. Although the videos aren't intended to scare people, Chief of Police Clint Norem said he thinks the videos will help students see the hard reality and consequences of drinking and driving. Rather than show a mock accident that students know isn’t really real, the videos are meant to demonstrate the more realistic dangers of drinking and driving. Statistically, alcohol is the number-one youth drug problem. It kills more people under age 21 than all other illegal drugs combined. Alcohol-related car crashes kill a person every 45 minutes and injure a person every two minutes. In the United States, drunk driving is the leading criminal cause of death, and alcohol is the cause of 60 percent of all teenage deaths in car accidents. Teenage males account for 80 percent of drivers involved in fatal drunk driving accidents. Seventy percent of teens killed on prom weekends were not wearing seatbelts.
A serious car crash brings home the importance of handing over the keys for those who have been drinking. Chief Norem also offered teenagers some pieces of advice for this prom weekend. “Have fun and be smart,” he advised. “Teenagers think that cops are grumpy and hard core. We just want teenagers to be safe and have fun. I don't advocate teenage drinking of alcohol, but if they are to drink, don't drive or play in the street.”
Student Falls for More than a Prince in Cinderella by Brittany Rowe
It is spring again, and for students participating in school musicals, springtime means practicing lines and learning new dance moves. This year is no exception, although the Knox High School Cinderella cast has certainly needed to do some fancy footwork to adjust to a minor catastrophe in early April. During a Saturday rehearsal, the stage crew was practicing lighting effects for the pumpkin-into-carriage transformation scene, and nearly all the lights were off. With all eyes skyward and focused on the lighting, a few actors took a step forward for a closer look. But junior Mandy Frazier, who plays the role of Grace the evil stepsister, ended up getting a closer look at the orchestra pit when she took one step too many and fell seven feet into
blackness and the pit. Even though the pit was lined in red lights to alert actors to its presence, with her head upturned, Frazier missed the warning lights. “The auditorium was black, the stage was black, and the pit was black, and I fell right into it,” said Frazier. Unfortunately, Mandy Fraizer in make- the fall did not up before Cinderella. leave Frazier
unscathed. She sustained three borderline fractures in her back. “I ended up landing on my feet, but then I fell backwards on my butt, which caused the impact on my back,” she explained. The injury was not only painful for Frazier, but the rest of the cast and crew felt the pain as well: Opening day was set for five days after the fall. Tension was high over the weekend and Monday and Tuesday as the cast and director Ms. Terrill Hahn awaited the prognosis on Frazier’s recovery. With good luck, she would still be able to perform her role; bad luck would mean a new actor would have to step in and take her place. see “Frazier”, p. 4
OPINION Redskin Talk by Alexis Sheets
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
“I’ll be finishing my degree for dental hygiene.”
“At IU University studying something dealing with sports.”
-Devin Ryan, senior
-Matt Whiles, junior
“In Norway. If not, I’ll be working in Sea World, California.”
“Being a professional rapper.” -Cody Eby, senior
“His body guard.”
-Lotte Bendiksen, senior
“Being superheros.”
-Jackie Ryan & Chelsea Norem, sophomores
Directions Staff
Stefanie Bradley Becca Hardel Rashya Davis Natasha Redlin Cassandra Glover Brittany Rowe Monicca Guise Samantha Snyder Layout Editor: Alexis Sheets Adviser: Mrs. Kubaszyk
-Michael Hoekman, senior
Editorial: Open Up!
by Sam Snyder Have you ever found yourself arriving late to school for one reason or another and realized the student parking lot doors are already locked – even before the 8:05 bell? I have found myself in this situation a few times, and it can be quite frustrating, especially when the final bell has not yet rung. Some may ask, “Well, what’s the problem? Students can always get in the main doors.” But I wonder why students should have to walk around? I agree that tardiness should not be tolerated. Sometimes, however, being late is unavoidable. For example, a student may arrive after the start of school for excusable reasons such as an early doctor or dentist appointment. Vocational and ICE students are also affected by this inconvenience. When the student does get to school, he or she is forced to walk around to the main door. For safety’s sake, I wonder if a student should be expected to make this trek in the middle of winter with five inches of snow and a layer of ice on the ground. A solution to this concern is to place a second buzzer and camera at door number five in the student parking lot for students arriving late. This would eliminate unauthorized visitors entering but would still solve the problem. I recently spoke with Dr. Ratliff about this possibility and she said that solution might be attainable. She explained that when the first buzzer was put in, it was probably not cost efficient to run the wires through the brick walls for the buzzer and camera system. However, no one has ever asked for a buzzer at these doors either, so the option has not been fully investigated. Ratliff noted that now that the idea has been brought to the administration’s attention, she could price the system and installation and examine the possibilities. She also stated that with the renovations being considered for the near future, such as installing a camera near the band parking lot and plumbing work, running wires to the student parking lot for this buzzer system at the same time might be feasible. In my view, the school should provide some means of entering the building via the parking lot doors for students arriving late. For their own safety, students should not have to walk to the front door to get into the school.
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Sports Farus Spikes Goals to High Point by Monicca Guise
Caity Farus, #8 and a 6’3” junior middle blocker on the Knox High School volleyball team and in the Dunes Volleyball Club, has verbally committed to play volleyball at High Point University in 2011. “I’m the luckiest girl in the whole world because High Point is a wonderful opportunity for me academically and athletically. It is a great fit for me!” Farus said. Farus is a three-time varsity letter winner for coach Jake Skelly, earning AllNorthern State Conference honors twice. According to Farus, she has earned the Big Blocker (most blocks) and Hammer (most kills) awards all three years of her high school career as well as the Top Ace and Most Valuable Player awards in the 2009 season. Farus was named to the Post-Tribune All-Area First Team in 2009 and was Honorable Mention in 2008. She was also named to the prepVolleyball.com Freshman 59 list as one of the top 59 freshman players in the United States and was included in the Sophomore 79 list as Highest Honorable Mention, which placed her as one of the top 150 sophomore players in the U.S. Farus has consistently ranked among leaders in kills, blocks, and hitting percentages for the state. According to mom Julie Farus who covered the story in the Leader, Caity has been named team captain twice, has been selected to the Knox Pre-season All-Tournament Team, has earned Co-Most Valuable Player of the LaPorte Showdown, and has been named Most Outstanding Player in her division at both Purdue Elite Camp and Purdue Team Camp. Farus said, “I’m very honored to be a big part of winning our first sectional in twenty years and hope to be a part of a state championship team next year before I leave for High Point. That’s on my to-do list.” As a member of the Dunes Volleyball
Club, Farus has played on the 16, 17 and 18 Black teams. She said the 16 and 17 Black teams won the Silver Open Division at the Junior Volleyball Association Nationals. Coached by Rick Ashmore, the team will compete at the AAU Nationals in Orlando, Fla., in June. Asked about her commitments to Dunes, Farus replied, “Dunes is an all-year-round commitment to playing volleyball and giving a hundred percent of everything you have. It has not only made me a much better volleyball player, it has taught me how to be responsible and be a big team player and leader.” High Point, a Division I program, is a member of the Big South Conference, which includes Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, Gardner-Webb, Liberty University, Presbyterian, Radford, UNCAsheville, Virginia Military Institute, and Winthrop. High Point was recently chosen as the number one college in North Carolina, number five college in the South (out of 105), and number one Upand-Coming School in the South by U.S. News & World Report in the 2010 issue of “America’s Best Colleges”. Forbes.
com listed HPU in the top six percent of “America’s Best Colleges.” Farus said of her volleyball career, “One of the reasons I choose High Point was so that I could make High Point known for it’s volleyball excellence. I want my team to be the reason all the top recruits want to come here [High Point]!”
VanVolkenburg to Catch Flight to Spain by Stefanie Bradley
Sophomore Tyler VanVolkenburg has been offered a once in a lifetime chance to travel to Spain to play baseball with kids from all over the United States. Last summer VanVolkenburg attended a baseball camp in California, where he learned multiple baseball techniques. A coach at the camp offered him an amazing opportunity to improve his baseball abilities. VanVolkenburg was handpicked due to his skill and understanding of baseball; his catching and batting abilities blew the coaches away. Asked about his upcoming travels, VanVolkenburg said, “I'm pretty nervous.
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I've never traveled out of country before. But I'm also very excited.” VanVolkenburg will be in Spain playing baseball for eight days. He said he hopes to learn some new skills to bring back and show his teammates on the team next year. VanVolkenburg plays catcher on the varsity team of the Knox High School team.
Feature Students Honored at Academic Banquet
by Cassandra Glover
The Knox High School Annual Academic Awards Banquet was Thursday, April 22, in the Knox High School cafeteria. The banquet recognizes students with outstanding academic and character achievement. Guest speaker and 2000 Knox High School graduate Nick Bourff addressed the crowd following a catered dinner. Bourff was elected to speak not only because he is a KHS graduate, but also because he has learned some valuable lessons on what it means to persevere, and he said he wanted to encourage Knox students to do the same. “We were looking for prominent alumni, and Mr. Bourff fits that category,” assistant principal Mr. Bendicsen explained. Bourff's speech focused on perspective. “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty,” Bourff quoted Winston Churchill. He went on to
At the Academic Awards Banquet April 22, the top 10 seniors recognized the most inspirational people in their lives. share his own testimony of how he nearly Top 10 seniors returned recognition to quit law school but then quickly changed their most inspirational teachers through his mind once he looked at the looming gifts and moving speeches. Top 10 seniors challenges from a different perspective. are, from 10 to one: Samantha Snyder, “It is simply amazing how quickly Patricia Olson, Amber Janson, Stefanie your own problems, your own challenges Bartoli, Chris Newbauer, Dalton Martin, and difficulties, can suddenly seem so James Krause, Nolan Surma, Joseph insignificant when placed in their proper Rietow, and Jacob Rietow. perspective,” he pointed out. Following Bourff’s speech, students “Frazier” continued from p. 1 were recognized for their academic honors After some wrangling with schedules, when they received awards that included opening was postponed a couple of weeks, K-frames, t-shirts and bars, hooded giving everyone a chance to recover. A few sweatshirts, and blankets. days after the accident, Frazier showed up at practice in her back brace – but ready to start acting! As the saying goes, the show must go on. In the meantime, a special net has been ordered for the pit which should prevent any future injuries. Teacher and director Ms. Hahn said the net did not arrive in time for the show, but lights were place around the pit to alert actors to its presence. Ms. Hahn said the cast and crew have worked hard pulling the show together. National Honor Society sponsored its an“They all have very nice singing voices, nual blood drive Wednesday, April 28, in the they [have remembered] their lines well,” Knox High School gym. Physical education she noted. “The sets are very pretty, and I teacher Ms. Sidney Bolier and junior Brittny believe the show [was] just fine.” Humes were two of the first in line to help out the American Red Cross, which is suffering from a shortage for blood its blood bank.
NHS Sponsors Annual Blood Drive
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Feature
Senior Spotlight by Cassandra Glover
Amber Janson
Ashley Sons
Q: What’s a favorite hobby?
Q: Any secret hobbies?
A: I like to sew.
A: Nothing, but I text a lot. But everyone knows that.
Q: Any short or long-term goals? A: My short-term goal is to graduate high school, which I know I’m going to do. Long-term, I want to graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and make it into graduate school. Q: Do you have any pet peeves? A: When you’re talking to someone, and you can tell they aren’t listening. They just keep saying “yeah,” and that’s it. Q: What’s your favorite school lunch? A: Chicken nuggets! Q: What are you going to miss most about Knox? A: Definitely all my friends. Q: Who’s your most influential teacher? A: Mademoiselle, Ms. Shidaker, even though she doesn’t teach here anymore.
Q: What are your short and longterm goals? A: Short-term, graduating high school and long-term, I guess, going to college. Q: Do you have any pet peeves? A: Definitely nagging…and homework. Q: What’s your favorite school lunch? A: Pizza or pizza pocket. Anything that deals with pizza makes me happy. Q: What are you going to miss most about Knox? A: Everyone, especially my friends. Q: Who would you say is your most influential teacher? A: The art teacher, Ms. Bishop, because I get to express myself in her class.
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Guess That Teacher by Monicca Guise
Can you guess this month’s Mystery Teacher? This teacher has only been with us a short time. He/She attended Hesston Collage in Kansas, Goshen College for two years majoring in psychology, and finished up at Indiana University at South Bend majoring in counseling. His/Her first job in education was at Culver Middle School as a counselor. This teacher believes the best thing about teaching is interacting and learning from the students every day. Growing up in his/her family, religion was very important, and our mystery teacher said his/her family attended church three times each week. No surprise, then, that his/her favorite holiday is Easter. Going back, this month’s Mystery Teacher’s first car was a red Ford Aspire. Now, he/she has two children, one boy, Troy, and one girl, Adeline, and two dogs and a cat. His/Her hobby is gardening, particularly growing strawberries and rhubarb. A big pet peeve for this teacher is people who text while driving; unsafe drivers really get on the Mystery Teacher’s nerves. His/Her favorite home-cooked meal is pot roast; his/her favorite fast food place is Steak N’ Shake. Can you guess this month’s Mystery Teacher?
Past Mystery Teacher Revealed
December’s Mystery Teacher taught for 12 years and attended eight years of college, first at the University of Vincennes and then at Indiana University, South Bend, before graduating. As a young man/woman, this teacher had aspirations of joining the Army. The Mystery Teacher has a competitive spirit and enjoys a good game of Scrabble or Pictionary to show off his/her skills. December’s Mystery Teacher also watches football regularly, closely follows the Minnesota Vikings, and is a Bret Farve fan. On a quiet Friday night, visitors might find the Mystery Teacher at home with his/ her family watching Adam Sandler movies or reading to his/her child. He/She also enjoys meatloaf, farms, reads non-fiction and hates his/her spouse’s dog. Who was December’s Mystery Teacher? Math teacher Mr. Rick Matysak!
Entertainment Secondary Showcase Participant:
Francesca Saviola
Horoscopes by Rashya Davis
Aries ~ Spring has gotten off to a slow start, but things will all turn around shortly, by Becca Hardel and you’ll reap big dividends for all your Miss Bishop recognized junior Francesca Saviola's talent hard work. Taurus ~ An important loss will find you and signed her up for an art showcase in South Bend. Her backtracking in search of a missing item. drawings didn't get accepted there, but the two didn't give up. Saviola Keep your eyes open along the way; you completed an application and wrote an essay about what inspired her may find something you weren’t expecting. drawings and entered the Secondary Showcase at Valparaiso University. Saviola Gemini ~ Don’t stress too much about all had two pieces accepted for viewing in the showcase. the end of the school year hassles; life will What can you tell me about the What pieces got into the Showcase? brighten up toward the end of May. AnticiSecondary Showcase? Francesca: A drawing of my pate major success after the 18th, but don’t Francesca: It was held at Valparaiso grandfather and another drawing of my let it go to your head. University. Approximately 160 great great grandfather. Cancer ~ Expressing yourself carefully people were in the contest, but only Did you have any benefits? helps avoid misunderstandings in May. Just 60 pieces were accepted into the Francesca: Only recognition. keep an eye out for individuals whose altercontest. Two of the pieces accepted What school do you plan on native ideas challenge your values. were mine. Only original works were attending after high school? Leo ~ May is all about work. Roll up your accepted into the showcase. The Francesca: Valparaiso University for art. sleeves and dig in! Managing your anger showcase opened March 31st at 6 Do you plan to pursue a career in art? is crucial to your happiness now, and small pm. and ended April 18th. Francesca: Of course! Its the only thing disagreements can turn into heavy probHave you had any previous I'm good at. lems. Tread carefully! recognition for your art? When did you first find an interest in Virgo ~ Look to the second week in May Francesca: Other than the lunch art? when a new light is cast on an old relationladies, my family, friends, and Mrs. Francesca: I hated art in elementary ship. In other areas, it’s time to say goodBishop..no. bye, so let go with grace. school, but somehow I went a little Libra ~ Take a second look at strict crazy and learned how to express myboundaries; being reined can do you good. self through art. Mrs. Bishop helped me Long-term goals are accessible. to develop my artistic skills. I wouldn't Scorpio ~ Mixed messages and difficulhave know how to draw if it weren't for ties with details will complicate your perher. by Natasha Redlin sonal life. May brings positive employment NR: How long have you been opportunities; don’t pass up the chance to drawing? earn some spending money. TP: Ever since I was little. Sagittarius ~ Now is the time to put that NR: What is your favorite memory big idea into motion. Go ahead, ask for what of art class so far? you want; circumstances are ripe for a posiTP: When Jake and Joe (Reitow) tive response. messed up each other’s art projects. Capricorn ~ May is a month of adjustNR: What will you miss most about ments, but change is good. Take this opporart class? tunity to for your own personal growth. Tyler Potthoff TP: Ms. Bishop's funny comments. Aquarius ~ Spring storms are an omen: and his sketches NR: What is your favorite style of Don’t make the same mistakes twice. Start of Hugh Laurie, media? fresh this month with a new outlook. Think Fox’s “House”, TP: Pencil and shading. ahead to summer and make plans now. and Robert NR: Do you plan on pursuing a Pisces ~ You’re looking good this month, Downing Jr., career in art? but don’t get lazy and rest on your laurels. “Sherlock TP: Yeah, I want to go into an Now more than ever is the time to keep up Holmes”. architectural design, but I might go the pace. You’ll have to do a juggling act to into graphics. maintain your poise.
Creative Corner: Tyler Potthoff
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Entertainment
Fun
by Becca Hardel
~Most cats in Nova Scotia have six toes. ~Pigs, walruses, and light haired horses are prone to sunburn. ~Armadillos sleep for an average of 18.5 hours per day. ~Bears have 42 teeth. ~Goats have rectangular pupils. ~Porcupines float in water. ~All polar bears are left-handed. ~The chow is the only breed of dog that doesn't have a pink tongue. ~Zebra's are blinded by the color orange. ~Sharks are immune to all known diseases. ~A mosquito has 47 teeth. ~Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backward. ~A housefly only lives for 14 days. ~African elephants only have four teeth to chew their food. ~Butterflies and moths are found on every landmass except for Antarctica. ~A goldfish kept in a dark room will eventually turn white. ~A jellyfish is 95% water. ~Squid and octopus have two gills, two kidneys, and three hearts. ~After cats eat, they immediately clean themselves. ~Penguins can jump 6 feet into the air. ~Emu’s and kangaroos cannot walk backwards. Sources: http://www.butlerwebs.com/animals/insects.htm http://www.factsaboutanimals.net/animal-fun-facts
Readers will Fly Through this Book by Cassandra Glover
If you love books that are a combination of action, science-fiction, and romance, consider reading James Patterson's Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment. The book is first in a series of six exceptional science fiction/ fantasy novels. The story begins with the long journey of 14-year-old protagonist Maximum Ride and her five bird-like traveling companions, including the mysterious Fang, blind Iggy, Nudge, The Gasman, and sweet Angel. All were raised in cages at a lab and were hybridized with avian, or bird, genes. The group is later freed by concerned scientist, Jeb Batchelder, who becomes their caretaker. But when Jeb suddenly goes missing and is presumed dead, Max and the team have to learn to live on their own and look out for each other, especially when attacked by Erasers (transforming wolf-like creatures) and when Angel is kidnapped. It's the flock's turn to attack as they try to rescue Angel. Through the challenges, each one discovers more about his strengths and abilities as a hybridized bird kid. The flock’s adventure include learning to fly better with their wings, fights, flying with hawks, living on and under the streets
of New York City, and interacting with humans they’re meeting for the first time. And to top it off, Max gets a strange voice in her head telling her she was made to save the world. Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment is an intriguing book that will keep readers guessing from beginning to end with plot twists and turns that are seemingly never ending. The series is realizing growing popularity and is on its way to the big screen, but not for a couple of years, due to a rewrite request of the script (Wikipedia, Maximum Ride). Get a head start on this page-turner, and don't miss out on this exciting adventure that leaves readers wanting more. Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment is in the high school library and has a 4.6 reading level; it is worth 11 Accelerated Reader points.
Your All-time MOVIES: Favorites
Ace Ventura -Katie Patrick & Courtney DePoy
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Forrest Gump and Rudy -Quinn Biddle & Mike Hardel
The Notebook -Alisha Lynch
PROM 2010 What are your plans before and after prom? Brittny Humes, junior: Going to eat at Corndance, then after I’m leaving with some friends at three in the morning to go to King’s Island in Ohio.
Taylor Quella, sophomore: Going to eat dinner at Corndance, and I’m not sure yet on after prom.
Any thoughts on the new location of this year’s prom? Janel Zilinksi, sophomore: I don’t mind having it at the middle school. It seems to be big enough to have prom. Shayna Connor, junior: I don’t think that the middle school is a very fun or interesting place. We use to be able to have our prom in Culver or Plymouth or even on a boat, but now we have to stay in Knox. Iris McCay, senior: It’s not cool. We should be able to have prom out of town. It makes it more meaningful, and back in the day they had prom in different areas.
Devin Ryan, senior: Eating at Corndance, and then after prom I am going to Six Flags.
Ashley Tinman, senior: I think we should be able to leave Knox for prom. There is no place here pretty enough for prom.
Jimmy Krause, senior: Going to eat with my best buds before prom, and after I’m having people over for breakfast. Then we’re going to King’s Island.
Time After Time Prom 2010 Chris Newbauer, senior: I don’t know about before, but afterwards I’m going to IHOP.
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Red Carpet: May 1, Knox Middle School cafeteria, 7 p.m. Prom Queen candidates: Janyl Zachary, Nicole Scherer, Amanda Frazier, Kierstynn Combs, and Kelsy Kajer Prom King candidates: Patrick Ambrose, Quinn Biddle, Josh Risner, Joey Dunklau, and Devin Biddle. page design by Natasha Redlin