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ISSUE 12, MARCH 8, 2004

days to spring break

Inside

• •

“The Passion” review Students and stress Spring Break ‘04

READY TO GO: Chamber singers perform at the March 2 concert. They sang some of the same music they will sing in Germany.

SING

Three years after starting plans for their Germany trip, Choraliers are ready to

for the world

C

by Courtney Condron hoir teacher Tracy Resseguie has been talking to the seniors about spending their spring break singing in Germany since they were freshmen.

“The beach will be there when you are 20, but this is an opportunity you may never have again,” Ressuguie told his seniors about missing their usual senior spring break trip.

Most seniors in the Choraliers agreed when they were freshmen that they would rather go on this trip.

“It’s really hard hearing my friends talk about Mexico, but when I think about what an incredible opportunity this is to go to Europe, I don’t think I could imagine a better place to be,” senior Alli Chalfant said. “It also helps that I have several close senior friends that are going.”

Shawnee Mission East has been invited as the only high school in the world, among numerous professional and collegiate choirs, to sing in Germany at Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday celebration, which will be televised across Germany. In addition to singing at the Hause of Bach, they will be singing in London, Cambridge, Cologne and any restaurant or street corner they can.

“This is the most powerful and incredible experience any choral conductor could have,” Ressuguie said. “It’s like winning the Super Bowl.

To a football coach, that’s the highest achievement, and this experience is just as powerful to me.”

continued on page 3

2 news

THE HARBINGER

Executive decision Michael Woodsmall

The ballots were closed and the last votes sat atop the stack. The Student Council executive board of the 20042005 school year was waiting to be determined. With StuCo sponsor Brenda Fishman already working on class officer elections, senior Morgan Lafferty, sophomore Courtney Held, junior Hannah Zwiebelman, and other student council members began counting the votes as junior Ross Boomer, the candidate for treasurer, paced around the room waiting to hear the results.

Pencils crissed and crossed as votes were tallied and the slips of paper flew this way and that. After a count that appeared to be going in any direction, StuCo sponsor Hannah FitzSimmons sat down and began to calculate the final numbers.

Before she had finished the phone was ringing. Junior Brady Myers, a candidate for President, was calling from a friend’s cell phone at a debate tournament to hear the results, but he would have to call back later.

The future exec board members were determined after a few more calculations and the debate of who would call who began. “I’m not calling the losers,” a counter announced.

The calls were made, some pleasant and others not. Myers called back and was informed by the message machine that he had become the all-StuCo president.

Myers was excited that he was elected and the other candidates for exec board said that the election was important to him.

“He was nervous running against Rachel (Beck) because he knew her and knew it would be tough,” vice presidentelect Cynthia Goldman said.

Myers is confident that he will lead the student body well in the upcoming year. He is aiming to follow current executive president Rob Ryan’s footsteps, saying that “Rob is a definite influence and I hope that I will be as good as he is.”

Ryan has no doubt that he will be. Earlier in the week Ryan commented that the slate was well-rounded and that he had no worries for the executive board.

“This year’s candidates love to do what they are doing and display dedication,” Ryan said.

Myers’s goal is planning on evolving council meetings into an open assembly. He is going to encourage students, involved and uninvolved in student council, to bring ideas to

The 2004-2005 StuCo Exec Board members look forward to a year full of leadership

the table, ideas he hopes will influence President Vice President school events.

Brady Myers Cynthia Goldman Among Myers’ other concerns are the lunch period set up. As a freshman “It’s re“I’m all about he enjoyed the less crowded periods ally weird. As animal rights: because there were four lunch periods. a freshman, I animal sufBut the dropping of a lunch period and really looked frage, animal the crowded consequences decreased social security, up to the Exec his appetite. He plans to appeal to the StuCo and now animal conadministration and get it revised. cealed weapon I’m on Exec!

Goldman was enthralled with being law. Oh yeah.” It’s so surreal to me. I can’t elected, and was nervous prior to believe it!” receiving the call. She was nervously driving to a friend’s house, checking her cell phone every five seconds.

“I was driving recklessly because I was so nervous. I had to stop and pull over to check my messages,” Goldman Treasurer said.

She received a message from friend Ross Boomer Secretary and treasurer-elect Boomer. “It began with ‘unfortunately,’ but was followed Maddie Simpson “I’m pleased by ‘you’ll be spending fifth hour with me “I’m rewith the next year,’ so I didn’t understand what ally excited results of the was going on. I thought I lost. Then I to work with elections but realized what he was saying.” the other I wish more exec board Goldman believes that her people would members. relationship with Myers and Boomer have voted.”

We’ve worked and her student council alliance with together in secretary-elect Maddie Simpson will the past and contribute to a great year in 2004 and had a lot of 2005. photos by Tierney Weed fun.”

For Simpson, becoming secretary and Kevin Grunwald was a nice step up after serving three Boomer was excited to have an assured victory but would loyal years as a class officer or representative. She ran have preferred competition to know if he was “truly elected.” unopposed but Myers and Goldman agreed that no one was But in the end he said that the election and victory were “very willing to compete for secretary. “I didn’t want to run against exciting and gratifying.” her, because I believe she has the best work ethic on StuCo The upcoming year has already begun with an executive and she deserves it more than anyone else,” Goldman said board ready to begin. FitzSimmons and Fishman defined a Simpson agrees with Goldman that next year’s executive good board as dependable, enthusiastic, and exciting. They board will work well together. She believes that their diversity agree that the board fits the description. will influence ideas in a positive fashion, allowing for them to appeal to the student body as a whole.

2004

Exec Board

Lauren Brenner remembered with spirit award Cay Fogel The trophy cases in the halls of East are capsules of team pride, a place near the gyms and seal of Shawnee Mission East where athletes can remain in glory. Along side championships and MVP awards, there is one plaque that mixes sadness with its pride: the annual Lauren Brenner Award.

In June of 2001, Lauren Brenner was a seventh grader at Mission Valley middle school who came to a Shawnee Mission East Lancer girls’ basketball camp in hopes of following in the footsteps of her big sister, Katie, who lettered in basketball during her time at East. The girls were doing a ball handling game when Lauren suddenly collapsed to the ground. The coaches immediately initiated CPR and called an ambulance, but Lauren never regained consciousness.

Doctors could only distinguish that she had experienced a kind of aneurysm, impossible to predict in a perfectly normal, otherwise perfectly healthy young girl who had participated in athletics throughout her middle school career.

Girls’ varsity basketball coach, Lane Green, and a close friend of Lauren’s parents, Mark and

Marilee Brenner, came to them the night she died and proposed an idea.

“He had the idea of instituting a basketball award in her memory,” Marilee Brenner said.

“We agreed immediately. We were honored.”

It was up to Lauren’s parents and Green to come up with something fitting for Lauren, her personality and her memory. Lauren’s parents quickly decided that this was not going to be like an MVP award.

“Lauren was always a recreational athlete.

She was never a really impressive player, but she always tried, and she always had a lot of enthusiasm.” Mrs. Brenner said. This led them to make the Lauren Brenner Award an accolade to the spirit of the players. It embodied everything that Lauren was, on the court and in her life; it was about enthusiasm, determination, acceptance of others, and spirit.

The award is given to four people every year: one freshman, one sophomore, one junior and one senior. Most of all, the award it not decided by coaches or school boards; its voted on by the players themselves. The Brenners give out the awards to the girls at the basketball banquet near the end of the season, March 25.

The unique award has evolved into a symbol that is taken very seriously by the players who receive it. “It’s one of the most prestigious awards we give out.” Says Green. “Lauren had a huge influence on the way we think and coach at the school.”

In the tragedy of Lauren’s death, the only thing that the doctors think might have been able to help was if a defibulator had been available to Lauren immediately, without having to wait for the ambulance to appear.

So with the help of donations from other sources such as Price Chopper, the Brenners were able to institute the Lauren Elizabeth Brenner Awareness Association. This association tries to make school communities more aware of unpredictable cardiac-related emergencies. Thanks to them, today SM East has two defibulators in the gyms for emergencies, and every school in the Shawnee Mission district (all 28 of them) has at least one.

Previous Winners 2002-2003 Senior: Kate Wallace Junior: Erin Walker Sophomore: Kelsey Brooks Freshman: Linda Howard

3 news

THE HARBINGER

Ch

ir

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i

SINGING SENSATIONS: Resseguie conducts the Choraliers in practice for their concert.

Continued from page 1: The students have been working each day in 5th hour to prepare for the nine-day trip.

“The practices have been rigorous with Ressuguie in your face,” junior William O’Rourke said.

One challenge the choraliers have had is singing one of Bach’s pieces in German, which according to Ressuguie has added a different dimension to learning the piece.

“Right now all of the songs we are singing seem to be in a different language, but we have been working hard to get them right,” junior Sarah Weltner said.

Along with the hours of rehearsals, hours of planning

each day of the trip have been necessary.

“I’ve learned that as long as you keep pushing and pushing the students and believe in them, then they can achieve anything you want them to,” choir student teacher Holly Persson said.

Students have also held several fundraisers throughout the year, such as selling t-shirts, holiday CDs, cheesecakes, and a yard sale to aid in paying the expense of the trip, which costs $2500 per student. While in Europe, students will also have the opportunity to visit a German concentration camp, visit the St. George Cathedral, the town where Bach was born, go on a tour of Westminster Abbey and sight-

seeing in several other places.

According to Ressuguie, the students’ anticipation of the trip and seeing these places is growing each day as the trip approaches.

“I’m just excited to have this experience, because this is something that most choirs don’t get a chance to do,” Weltner said.

Ressuguie feels that this has been a very challenging experience for him as a conductor, especially with the difficult literature, and he is ready for the work to pay off.

“It’s just incredible to be part of a nationally and internationally recognized choral program,” Ressuguie said.

Choir Trip Itinerary •March 12 Departure •March 13 Tower of London •March 14 Cambridge •March 15 Westminister •March16 Brussels •March 17 Cologne, Germany •March 18 Wurzburg •March 19 Lepzig & Nuremburg •March 20 Dresden •March 21 Eisenach & Wiesbaclen •March 22 Return home

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news 4

THE HARBINGER

news BRIEFS

FOTA Scholarship Applications The Friends of the Arts scholarships are offered to students who participate in fine arts programs at SM East.

Applications are due April 6 by 4:00 p.m. and are available in the office.

The amount of the award depends on the number of applicants. Last year 31 students were awarded a total of $4500.

If you have any questions call Janelle Johnson at 6480215.

Class Officer Elections Dont’ forget to vote for class officers on Thurs. April, 11 on the North Ramp throughout the day.

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Senior

Junior

Sophomore

Patrick Ardinger Rachel Beck William O’Rourke Nick Sherf

Jonathan Lerner Brian Rubaie Cate Stark

Betsy morris Matt Summers

Michael Alley Will Fritz Allison Isenberg Will Poulson

Caitlin Brown Courtney Held Nathan Stepp

Annie Krieg Missy Lem

Kristen Mapes

Dan Ketter

Why: “For Sohomores Only” is a program at Kansas State University to help high school students get an early start on their college search.

When: April 2-3 Where: K-State University in Manhattan, KS What:

Friday: small group activities, a scavenger hunt, a skit by Student Alumni Board members and a dance/social Saturday: a “Virtual College” experience for students, a one-hour simulation of a year as a college student and a seminar that parents can attend.

How: The registration deadline is March 26 and the cost is $18 for both days and $15 for Saturday only.

Mark Modrcin

Annie Frizzell

Claire Ryan

Sean Kennedy Katie Wright

“Because we’ll have both AP and IB kids, you can teach more kids at once, and I don’t have a class of six or eight (students).”

The curriculum of the class will be more focused than the curriculum of a class such as Biology. Biology is a required course and is expansive and unfocused. Environmental Systems will be more specific.

Who: More information is available at

h t t p : / / w w w. k - s t a t e . c o m / P r o g r a m s / ProspectiveStudent/ForSophomoresOnly.asp or you can contact Andrea Bryant by calling toll free at 1-800-600-2586 or by calling 785-532-6260 or send an email to abryant@k-state.com

Choir Concert

New science class to be added in 2004-2005 school year

A new science course has been added onto the roster of classes for the 20042005 school year. The Environmental Systems class is available to both AP and IB students, unlike past science classes which restricted IB students to their particular curriculum.

“It’s not so much a new class as a replacement,” James Lockard, Environmental Science teacher, said.

Calling All Sophomores

Now that this course has been added to SM East’s list of science classes, Lockard has another wish for the science program.

“Hopefully, somewhere down the line we’re going to get this approved for College Now,” Lockard said. “These students would find it a big help.”

When: March 11 at 7 p.m.

What: The choraliers will be performing “Lux Aeterna” by Morten Lauridsen. The concert will be accompanied by a full orchestra.

Where: Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, 13th and Broadway Everyone is welcome.

Surprise your friends and family for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, ect.

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5 editorial

THE HARBINGER

Editorial cartoon

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Annie Harrigan

Alex Abnos Dianne Smith Libby Nelson Annie Harrigan Lindsey Melvin

ELECT NA DER

Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editors Art and Design Editor Head Copy Editor

Stephen McKim Copy Editors Corban Goble Carson Black

BUSH

Subliminable messages? I don’t see any subliminable messages.

Tierney Weed Stephen McKim Holly Garringer Courtney Condron Annie Furhman Barrett Emke Gordon Culver Amanda Allison

Photo Editor Editorial Section Editor Opinion Section Editor News Section Editor Features Section Editor A&E Section Editor Sports Section Editor Special Section Editor

Joanna Cross Ads/Business Manager Bryan Dykman Asst. Ads/Business Manager Pat Menihan Subscription Manager Stacey Golub Peter Goehausen Curtis Shank Evan Favreau Ian McFarland Cynthia Goldman Mallory Toombs Tierney Weed Ellie Weed

News Page Editor Sports Page Editors A&E Page Editors Features Page Editors Photo Essay Editor Op/Ed Page Editor

Sarah McElhaney Staff Artists Cynthia Goldman

Staff editorial

Left in the dark

When it comes to new policies, administrators should explain why, not just what

I

t’s happened again. A sudden, unexplained change by the administration has upset the schedule at East and caused students to pass rumors and blame around, when a quick and easy explanation would have solved the problem.

The new lunch schedule has been in place for two weeks. Surely that’s enough time for any student to become accustomed to it. After all, two weeks into the school year we were used to a schedule of three lunches. But it still provokes a murmur of discontent around the school as students stay in lunch for five extra minutes, continue leaving class at 12:20 p.m. and complain in the hallways about the administrators whom, they think, no doubt caused it all.

It’s hard to tell which is worse about this situation: that it’s happened several times already in just this school year, or that a few minutes of explanation along with the announcement could have reduced or completely eliminated the student unrest.

The district made the change in schedule—not the East administration.

And it was made to make up the amount

Editorial Board Vote Votes For:

8

Votes Against:

0

There are eleven members on • the Editorial Board. For this issue, zero members abstained and three members were not present. of hours that seniors need to graduate.

Didn’t know that right away? Neither did most of the student body. Just like many students didn’t know that the switch to three lunches this year was made to eliminate the trash problem on the ramps.

In both of these instances, students complained and circulated rumors about whose fault the change was or why it was made. Students relied on teachers for information about the reasons for the change, sometimes receiving incomplete information that

in its turn created more rumors. Part of the reason these changes were so aggravating was the failure to explain why they were made. And on the administration’s part, omitting that explanation just invited trouble.

Making an announcement from the beginning would shifted the blame and discontent away from the East administration – which would have been good for everyone.

Change is frustrating. But leaving off an explanation, and refusing to treat us like the adults the school insists we are, made everything worse. Knowing why things happen make them at least partially easier to adjust to, and it would have stopped students from blaming the administration for everything.

It might not have made the adjustment problem-free. And it wouldn’t have stopped complaints that surely there’s a better way to make up that lost time. But explaining the changes in an up-front way from the start would have at least put off much of the unhappiness and rumors, giving students no option but to quit grumbling and get used to it – or to come up with another constructive plan.

Jessie Fetterling Staff Photographers Nicole Oswald Joanna Cross Kevin Grunwald Pat Menihan Jessie Fetterling Staff Writers Ross Boomer Andy Logan Pat Ryan Patrick Haverty Michael Woodsmall Dow Tate Adviser

A Publication of Shawnee Mission East 7500 Mission Road, Prairie Vilage, KS 66208

Editorial Briefs Voter turnout The turnout for STUCO Execs made for an exciting and close election.

We could teach adult voters a lesson.

The Oscars A good night for foreign films as well as a fulfillment of the Harbinger’s prediction.

Spring Break The seniors’ countdown to freedom is finally in the single digits.

Assembly Behavior The boys’ actions gave SM East a bad image, no matter how silly the “raft” was.

ROMP Whether eliminating it will solve the problems or not, it’s too bad we’ve lost a fun event.

Lunch Schedule There have always been too many people and too little time, but recent changes have made the situation go from bad to awful.

opinion

6

THE HARBINGER

Hard to defend Bush to the editor

Letters

Senior Kyle Sciolaro can’t back the president

“Well, Saddam threatened us with weapons of mass While I respect your boldness in writing in defense of destruction.” No, no he did not.

President Bush’s foreign policy initiatives, I find many of “I think a worse situation would be if the U.S. didn’t your claims ignorant and often offensive. For the sake of go into Iraq.” I think a worse situation would be if Bush brevity, I’ve chosen some that are particularly uninformed. continued to ignore the 43 million without healthcare in our “We are known for interfering for the best.” I’m not country. sure what your basis for this is, but I suggest you look into “President Bush had to make action in favor past occurrences in Grenada, Vietnam, Panama, Guatemala, Chile, and Cuba, and ask how they succeeded of the majority…”

Those actions have, in being in anyone’s best interest. ...patriotism is excersicing “The U.S. is notorious for having a great in fact, stripped freedom of speech and minorities of their deal to do with other countries.” This is far questioning your from the truth. In fact, the U.S. is among civil liberties. This type of majority rule the stingiest when it comes to foreign aid, country’s descisions... ranking at the bottom with about .1% of has also yielded less than favorable results in the GDP. Additionally, when foreign aide is past years. This is not to mention the fact that only 19% of granted, it is generally highly selective, with Americans support the current unilateralist invasion. much going to Israel.

“How can we disrupt peace if there is no peace?” If “Just because we haven’t found [WMD] doesn’t mean the Iraqi problem was violence, then using violence as a they’re not there.” Recent federal officials’ admissions solution seems counterintuitive. are predicting otherwise, and until convincing evidence is “…It’s becoming more difficult for Bush without his presented, it may be safe to say that Bush (and other right country behind him on this.” Public support, or lack wing pundits) have lied to the people. thereof, only marginally affects Bush’s stance on issues “People get mugged everyday by strangers in public (Gay marriages, No Child Left Behind, Nuclear Testing). with a gun in their pocket.” This is accurate, and probably In addition to that, the sheep are in line, and his strong a result of Bush’s lax gun policy and NRA backing.

Don’t forget to SHARE! Speaking for those of us who do SHARE projects and other community service for the sake of the service itself, I agree with the article that appeared in the last issue of the Harbinger.

I run the Merriam Tutoring Program SHARE project and also volunteer as a small group leader at my church. Volunteer work should be about improving the lives of those in your community. We live in one of the most privileged areas of the country, and yet are less than ten miles away from Kansas City, a metropolitan in which many people are homeless and in need of help. Those of us who have been blessed with money and homes have a responsibility to assist those less fortunate than ourselves.

conservative support has hardly waned.

“I bet they’ll thank us later.” This claim makes me sorry to be a SME student.

“Who draws the line in saying what’s ethical?”

Preferably not the first governor to proceed with an execution of a mentally retarded man. (Go Texas!) “…the president has been elected through popular vote.” I thought even Bush supporters had acknowledged that he DID NOT win the popular vote.

“If the U.S. hadn’t stepped in [there] would have been virtually no Middle Easterners left.” Please reconsider this.

“We need to be patriotic in this time of need.” Real patriotism is exercising freedom of speech and questioning your country’s decisions while better forming a participatory democracy- not affirming a one-party state.

Sincerely, Kyle Sciolaro

Junior Robert Hipps agrees with article in issue 11

To be perfectly honest, how many East of students like us. kids would continue to perform community Without the SHARE projects that we service if not for the added benefit of awards support and other organizations like them, such as NHS and Presidential Service? I thousands of people would go without food, fear that the shelter, or clothing. Most answer is not of the people that we Everytime you go out to many. I fear support have done that we forget nothing to deserve or perform volunteer work, about what provoke the situation you touch the life of life is like that they are currently in. someone... outside the Many of them could be sheltered constructive members of confines society if they were only of Johnson County. While doing commugiven a chance. nity service around Kansas City, I have met The fate of these people could be our many different people who have had their own if not for a the grace of God or luck or lives greatly affected by the volunteer efforts fate or whatever you choose to believe it

Agree? Disagree?

The Harbinger welcomes reader letters Send them to Alex Abnos, Editor-in-Chief, in Room 521 or e-mail them to us at smeharbie@hotmail.com Letters must be signed and may be edited for length and clarity.

Please provide any contact information with your letter.

Publishing of letters is up for the editor’s discretion.

is. We must help these people who have fallen, as who knows when we may need the same?

Every time you go out to perform volunteer work, you touch the life of someone, and that is a greater reward in and of itself than anything that can be obtained through NHS or the Presidential Service Award.

Robert Hipps Junior

Praise for “Hawa’s Journey” Journalism teacher credits courageous student “Hawa’s Journey.” What a poignant, yet inspiring piece reporter Ross Boomer authored in the Jan. 26, Harbinger.

As a journalism teacher with more than 20 years of experience at the secondary and collegian levels, I have seen fewstories that can rival Boomer’s use of understated, yet powerful style.

Indeed he let the story tell itself -- and what a story.

Boomer’s work not only demonstrates courage and a keen eye for human interest, but also reflects an

optimum level of trust from his sources. Indeed, the true test of strong work is in the aftermath; is this subject someone the reader would wish to meet? Hawa Whalen qualifies. What a gift to a student body she is.

Congratulations to the writers and to the editorial staff of Harbinger for delivering her story so professionally.

--Dean Hume Journalism teacher, Lakota East High School

7 opinion

THE HARBINGER

Are you ‘on the raft’?

Attempted lectures from Rosalind Wiseman proved to be unsatisfactory In my own words

She started out asking us: Are you By the middle of the assembly I had figured it out: I was one of the kids drowning. Drowning in my own misery. Not only did the assembly not apply to me, it just made me mad.

At first, I decided I’d just sit back and see what the woman had to say.

However, halfway into it, I realized she was talking to us about things we learned in middle school. As a senior, I felt that none of her speech applied to me. Our school’s too big for the “popular group” cliché.

I got the woman’s point. Don’t call each other names, gossip, blah blah blah. The thing is that people who are critical will always be critical.

Kids just have to learn how to deal with that. If she would have talked about being more secure and not worrying about some girl saying your pants look cheap or some guy calling you a “loser,” then I would have understood the reason for the assembly.

Instead she presented this ridiculous raft analogy that just really didn’t make sense.

I don’t feel like anyone is “swimming” to a “raft” to get into a certain group of friends away from their parents, “the cruise ship.” In the middle of it, my friend even leaned to me and asked, “Why would you leave a cruise ship? I mean there would be much better food on it, and who wants to swim out to a raft in the middle of the ocean?”

The truth is all she did was talk about how mean teenagers are, but wasn’t she a teenager too? I’m sure she did something wrong at one point in her life. I just hate the assemblies where someone lectures us and just tells us about how bad we are. Maybe this woman had experiences in high school that she’s ashamed of, but then why didn’t she tell us about them and use actual examples. I think I would have learned a lot more if she would have talked about her own experiences instead of making characters up like the tacky “beer cup girl.”

Not only were her points vague, she kept pausing, showing that she was unorganized. Towards the end, she even flipped through all of her slides, showing how half of them weren’t even being shown. She even stated things as a question: “Freshman sadly enough are sometimes called fresh meat, right?” as if she didn’t even really know what she was talking about. Finally at the end of all of it, she said that you should apply your morals to your relationships. That was a good point, but said way too far into the assembly.

The scary thing is that the PTA actually funded the assembly.

This means that not only do our teachers think that this is something we need to be lectured about, but our parents do to.

They thought it was a good assembly because the program was made to “give you an opportunity to learn something to make you be a better person,” vice principal Susie Ostmeyer said.

Instead I learned about how senior girls “mock” freshman girls as the senior boys go after them as if they were “fresh meat.”

As a senior, especially, I didn’t enjoy “learning” about how I’m a huge hypocrite and extremely jealous because I am older.

I was disappointed in this assembly. It was nothing like the ones we’ve had in the past. For example, the inspirational speaker that came to talk to us about drunk driving was influential because he had his own experience that he could talk to us about that was real. We’ve been told time and time again by our teachers that we need to back up what we say with something true. This lady, however, used examples that no one could relate to.

This assembly did not “hit home” like it was supposed to. The assembly might have been better if the woman directed it more towards high school students instead of using the middle school scenarios that she did. But we’re not in middle school anymore.

Middle school’s over, and thank God that assembly is, too.

Jessie Fetterlingon the raft, or off?

Author Rosalind Wiseman made a speech that left some room for interpretation

All aboard?

For the boys...

Anyone who gives a “motivational speech” in front of today’s high school students is susceptible to possible humilitation.

She believes that “raftriders” are who are good looking, athletic, and rich.

For the girls...

I think I would have learned a lot more if she had talked about her own experiences instead of making up characters like the tacky “beer cup girl.”

Not only were her points vague, but she kept pausing showing that she was unorganized.

In my own words

When I heard that the assembly was going to be about bullies, I sensed a shipwreck in the making. Here was a speaker who was willing to go in front of approximately 1200 testosteronepumping males and present her pointed ideology of adolescent life. When Rosalind Wiseman poorly pitched us her “raft philosophy,” it was met with a raucous barrage of laughter and skepticism that now has the administration steaming.

Though many teachers and even students are angry at how we treated Wiseman, they must realize that anyone who gives a “motivational speech” in front of today’s high school students is susceptible to possible humiliation. That is, of course, unless they give a dynamite performance.

Believe me, there have been some incredible speakers here before. For instance, the drunk driver who spoke to us last year about how he killed a car full of people had quite a captivating story to tell. On top of that, his speaking skills were razor sharp and grinded to perfection. At the climactic moment of his speech when he revealed that his brother was also killed in the accident, the auditorium was a sea of silence. Every eye was glued to the stage.

Wiseman’s speech, on the other hand, left much to be desired. Her speech was plagued by glaring generalizations, such as Wiseman’s belief that any upper-class boy who brings an underclass female to a party is going be heavily scrutinized by his friends. My experience at East has taught me the exact opposite: male upperclassmen love having younger girls around.

“When you bring female underclassmen to parties, you break class barriers by reaching out to younger people, who in turn learn to respect you,” sophomore John Duvall said.

Another point that hurt Wiseman’s speech was that she believes that “raft-riders” are people who are good looking, athletic, and rich. While that accusation might apply to a middle school, the description only covers a small portion of the student body at East. The wonderful thing about this school is that there isn’t just one single raft that rules over everyone.

There are dozens of rafts occupied by people with all different kinds of backgrounds. Furthermore, the whole “popularity” thing becomes less and less of an issue as high school students mature. By the time senior year hits, the majority of students are able to find a comfortable group of friends with similar interests. As for the accusation that our resistance to her speech was a result of us being “uncomfortable,” that is simply untrue. Once again, a good speaker can take virtually any topic, even risqué subjects, and completely knock the socks off everyone in the audience. Wiseman’s accusation of us being uncomfortable did nothing except briefly place the blame of her failures as a speaker on our shoulders.

Public speakers like Wiseman are going to have to work extra hard if they want to break through to today’s high school audience. More than any other generation, ours has been influenced by a largely sarcastic media. We live in an age where Comedy Central is king and satire is playing an increasingly larger role in society. Our senses of satire have been honed to an incredibly acute level, and though it was disrespectful of us to continually clap while she was trying to talk, we were simply being honest by showing her that she was doing a poor job. I don’t know a lot about the personal lives of NFL Football players who she has spoken to “on many occasions,” but I am certain that if she approached those men in the same manner as she did us, they would have likewise torn her apart.

I will give her some credit by saying that her vulnerability in the auditorium that day was not just because of her poor execution. One also has to analyse the position of the students. They were getting a chance to blow off some steam from their daily mundane school routines, and were seduced by the exciting new prospect of being completely segregated from the opposite gender for the short period of time.

Consider what would have happened that day if we had instead been respectful of her. We would have left the auditorium silently snickering about what she had to say, rendering her efforts earlier that day completely worthless.

So sure we could’ve listened to her righteous ramblings and let her smugly preach her beliefs. She would’ve walked away with thousands of dollars and a false feeling of success. But at least, though the money was still given to her, she will hopefully think twice before speaking to public high school boys about rafts.

Patrick Ryan

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The Legend of...

POND BOY

Teacher Tom Heintz tells the origin of the famous boy in the pond Tom Heintz as told to Stephen McKim There was a particular senior, Matt, in the Class of ‘93 who was in Environmental Ed 2. He was helping to maintain the ponds in early winter, about the time when basketball season started. Matt and his other lab members had broken the ice in the stock tank. Despite the rumor that he just “fell in,” he was actually leaning over to pick up a chunk of ice to throw at one of his lab members. As he was bending over, he turned his head to the side, lost his balance, and fell in.

I was in the hall at the time and I became aware of a presence behind me, along with a squish, squish, squish sound moving toward my direction. I turn around and see Matt walking toward me. He says to me, “I don’t want to hear it.”

He was a nice guy, but a little caustic. For instance, there was a kid in one of my classes that was known for being drowsy, and slept a lot in class. One of Matt’s ploys was to announce during the lesson, “I’d like to hear what he has to say about that,” waking up the kid, and putting him on the spot.

So after Matt had fallen into the stock tank, there was some speculation as what to call him. One must understand that this was a guy who had a dry wit and many people had faced the brunt of it over the years. Now there was suddenly an opportunity for all those who had fallen victim to his wit to get back at him. Well, the next day, posted on the north ramp by the stock tanks was this bright day-glow orange

poster that said, “No standing on ice, Pond Boy.” Matt also happened to be the starting senior post on the basketball team. Two weeks after he fell into the pond, there was the first pep assembly for winter sports.

Instead of being announced by his real name, he was called to the center as “Pond Boy.” At the first home game, someone put up a huge banner decorated with pictures of cattails and frogs with, “Go get ‘em, Pond Boy!” written in bold.

But the stigma “Pond Boy” Warning! Pond Boy: Teacher Tom Heintz shows off his didn’t stay back at high school. photo by Kevin Grunwald Almost two years after he graduated, Matt Pond Boy sign. was an undergraduate student at KU. On Interestingly enough, the girl who had said this happened one particular day he was riding on an elevator with one to be my student teacher in 2003 and had been in Matt’s other person, a female college student. Like most people graduating class. She had asked me if I had known him, who travel in an elevator with one other person, Matt and I ended up telling her the story of Pond Boy. was experiencing all of the typical discomforts and body I recently talked to Matt, and he says that the “Pond Boy” language associated with being in an elevator with someone title still follows him around. He wishes it would all go away, he didn’t know. but he is past the point of pain. It’s an interesting fact of high Just as he began to step off at his floor, the female college school that some events can stick with people. In his case it student says, “Excuse me, but aren’t you pond boy?” was ironic because so many people had fallen victim to his Now, in 2004, Matt was subbing for a teacher at SM West jokes and escapades, but he literally ended up falling into when he heard this voice behind him as he was walking his own sort of joke. down the hallway. The voice says, “Aren’t you pond boy?”

Have A Good Day

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Britain and Back E

9 features

Senior crosses the pond and explores new culture Saturday school

leven-year-old Andrew Esselman was furious. Not only was his dad making the family leave town, he was making them leave the country. Hallmark Cards wanted him to relocate from his cozy Prairie Village home to one of Hallmark’s overseas divisions in Britain. Esselman would have to leave behind his friends and learn to adapt to a whole new set of customs. They left for the U.K. in 1997.

Esselman attended a boarding school in Shiplak, a small town outside of Oxford,while his family lived in one of Charles Dickens’ old homes in Leeds. The absence of his family didn’t bother him because he stayed in a dormitory-like building with dozens of other kids his own age. Esselman had good relationships with most of the kids he met, but had a tougher time conversing with adults, many of whom disliked him solely because of his American heritage.

“The typical middle-aged Englishmen tended not to like Americans,” Esselman said. “When they heard people with American accents, they would be like, ‘Go home!’”

The school kept him occupied from 7:40 a.m. to 7 p.m., which is typical for most schools in the U.K. Students usually have classes until the noon lunch break where they could relax and have a fag (cigarette). After photo by Jessie Fetterling lunch, everyone is required to participate in a sport.

Coming Over: Senior Andrew Esselman “Most of us chose Rugby for our physical activity and adjusts to American culture after living in those who didn’t want to play, girls especially, signed up for badminton or swimming,” Esselman said.

Britain for seven years The P.E. session would last until 5:30, at which point classes would resume until 7:00. All children have to wear

Pat Ryan

Recycle your Harbinger

is from 9-10:30 pm as opposed to in the morning

uniforms and refer to their te a ch e r s There is no drinking age. fo r m a l ly as “sir” or Beer can be bought at age “miss.” That 16, and hard alchohol at 18. was his life for seven Many collge students years. graduate in just 3 years.

Outside of school, Esselman There are more tried his best to fit in. One of his favorite things pubs in Britain about living in Britain was than shops. the lax drinking law. On the weekends, many kids prefer to hang out in bars or at “free parties,” which are essentially giant field parties. According to Esselman, the British people consume more alcohol and cigarettes than any other country in the world.

“Alcohol is life,” Esselman said. “I had friends who drank beer with breakfast every day. Unlike America, the atmosphere was more relaxed, and I didn’t feel like I needed to hide when I drank.”

After spending seven years in Britain, the Esselmans moved back to America, again for job reason. He has sufficient credits to graduate but is sticking around because he needs to take American Government. As he spends more and more time in America, his English accent will eventually wear off, but his memories of

According to Esselman:

Britain will not.

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teens on spring break what do you think?

Can you have fun without alcohol?

What is the best destination in US? Miami Daytona Beach Other New Orleans

Yes

Whether you’re l leaving the country your bed, Spring Br week that s

No No opinion

What is the best destination outside US?

What are you doing? other* friend trip

Mexico

family trip nothing

Carribbean

* “Other” denotes college visits, mission trips, the Choir trip, cruises, work, athletic training, and sports tournaments.

Europe Other

Life Lessons

Amanda Allison

Two students. Two separate spring

breaks. Two deaths. All a part of the story told each year by East teacher Ms. Hannah FitzSimmons. As a student teacher in the late 90’s, FitzSimmons developed a relationship with both Kenny Berry and Jen DeFranco while they attended middle school. Those are the memories she has, and the story she now tells.

Berry, a year older than DeFranco, graduated from middle school and began at Shawnee Mission South where he became a prominent basketball player. During spring break of 1998, he was involved in a car accident and tragically died. No alcohol or illegal substances were involved.

During spring break one year later, DeFranco, then a freshman at Blue Valley High School, was in a fatal car accident while on the way to a softball game. Again, no foul play was involved.

“There was nothing inappropriate going on in either of the deaths,” FitzSimmons said. “I look around and hear the stories about spring break and

that’s what scares me. If something so innocent killed these kids, imagine what could happen if people were misbehaving?”

For the past six years, a few days prior to spring break, They can have funFit zSimmon s but be careful and takes time out make smart of her classes decisions.

What’s to tell them the point in having her story. She a great time you reminds them don’t remember? to be safe, make --Ms. FitzSimmons good choices, and most importantly, that she cares about them.

“It made me feel good to know that Ms. FitzSimmons cared so much about me,” Junior Jenny Stromstead said. “It was really moving.”

Through her own grief, FitzSimmons has taken a tragic incident and turned it into a lesson that is not quickly forgotten by her students.

“I think it puts it into perspective,” said Senior Reed Williams. “You can’t risk your life during spring break.”

Stayi

Here are some fun Holly Garringer For those of you staying in

Kansas City, don’t get the blahs!

There are tons of cool places around town that you and your friends can visit for a good time. live music El Torreon at 3101 Gilham Plaza. On March 15, Letter Twelve will be playing, and on March 20, Kilowatt and Shots Fired will be performing. dancing Louis and Company Dance Studio lo at 10409 Marty St. in Overland Park. Begin and Expert swing dancers are more than w come. The beginning of the night is dedica teaching while the second part is open to s dance. It’s sure to be a blast.

Jayhawk Cafe located in Lawrence. T all ages sports bar features a DJ and weeke dance parties. Dance starts at 8 p.m Thurs through Saturday.

leaving the state, y, or not even leaving reak is a long awaited students crave

n ways to pass the time

ocated nner welated to swing

This end sday

history Arabia Steamboat Museum located at 400 Grand Boulevard. It features articles of frontier life and is open every day with the first tour beginning at 10 a.m. art Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art located at 4420 Warwick Boulevard. During Spring Break this museum will be offering two special exhibits. The first, “Disembodied Spirit” is an exploration involving the depiction of ghosts. The second features work by Denzil Hurley, a Seattle artist known for his work in abstract paintings. collectibles Toy and Miniature Museum of Kansas City located at 5235 Oak St. During the month of March, the museum is celebrating its new additions. The museum features miniature toys and their histories. It is closed Monday and Tuesday. movies Some good spring break movies include Club Dread, Roadtrip, Eurotrip, From Justin to Kelly, and The Real Cancun.

focus

The Longest Road Trip Ross Boomer MOMENTS IN HISTORY

can conjure the most vivid memories in us. As the year anniversary of the US attack on Iraq grows near, I’m reminded where I was when I first heard that bombs were falling in Baghdad: in an east Denver gymnasium with a bunch of screaming, homeless crack heads.

What was supposed to be a simple 10-hour return home from skiing turned in to a 60-hour trip through a frozen Hell.

The plan had been to leave Winter Park Tuesday afternoon after four days of skiing, drive all night, and return to Kansas City early Wednesday morning. However, it had already snowed four feet of snow when my Boy Scout troop’s sleeper bus left, filled with 50 scouts and adults. This was supposed to be the biggest snowstorm in Colorado history, and we were traveling right in the middle of it.

Our driver was optimistic, saying we’d be fine in the snow with chains on the tires. Besides, he said, the storm would pass by. He was wrong.

By the time we got to Denver, four hours later than expected, there were five feet of snow and I – 70 was closed.

We were stranded, but the consensus among was that the road would open sometime early in the morning, and we would be home by Wednesday evening.

60 Hours and Counting THE SCHOOL we were greeted by smiling Red Cross volunteers that asked us to fill out the questions on a standard Red Cross identification sheet. The last question asked if I had died. I guess these places let anyone in.

The high school was nice. There were showers, free fried chicken, and a huge gym at our disposal. The only other people there were those of a mentally handicapped group. One man offered to play chess with us, saying he was the lost Bobby Fisher ready for a comeback.

Sometime around 7 pm, the power had gone off, but there was still a backup generator and heat.

The worst, it seemed, had to have passed. What else could go wrong?

Tomorrow morning the roads would clear and we would be home. Wishful thinking…

Eventually cots were issued and we got things ready for bed. Not denying anyone entry, at 9:30 the Red Cross brought in about 100 homeless men and women from the cold. The leaders barricaded us with tables and assigned guard duty throughout the night. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough room for me, I was outside of the guarded fortress. Being an Eagle Scout, I was supposed to exhibit eighth part of the Scout Law: courage.

Sleep didn’t come so easy. Along with letting in the homeless, the Red

THE NEXT MORNING

ing home?

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I awoke to find a clear blue sky.

And a stranded bus. Gradually the others started to awake and find out the sad news. Hungry, thirsty, having to urinate (the bus’s toilet was already clogged), all we could do was wait.

Younger scouts were mixing with old. 11 year olds read men’s magazines with deep blushes on their faces while older ones went back to the days of Kirby’s Dream Land and Mario. We were getting desperate with our boredom.

Around noon we got word that the I-70 was closed at least until morning. We were to spend the night in a Red Cross shelter set up for stranded highway victims at a high school in Denver.

WHEN WE MADE IT TO

Travel Tips *To make the most of suitacas space, roll shirts up and lay clothing out chronoligically for easy access. *If flying, keep all valuable and breakable items in your carry on along with a change of clothes and toilettries *If leaving the country, convert a small amount of money before hand *Arrive at the airport at least three hours early art by Annie Harrigan

Cross also let in their crack pipes and marijuana joints.

The smoke of the drugs caused the smoke detectors to go off thus shorting out the backup generator.

The only light came from the flashing fire alarms. The only sounds were the high-pitched whines of the fire alarms, the screaming obscenities of the mile-high homeless (“If there are women and children in hear, we gotta [expletive] them!) and the NPR reporter on my Walkman describing the beginning of Bush’s “Freedom” first being unleashed in Iraq.

The police came. The firemen came. Our bus came. We left our own nightmare faster than Hussein evaded his. Before I walked out of the school I had to remind a confused man carrying a joint that he would not be leaving with us.

AT 10 PM, WEDNESDAY NIGHT, over 24 hours already

behind schedule, I was on a bus parked at a Flying J’s truck stop. I had surrendered. Fate had won its battle. As far as I knew, I would never get home. But then I pinched myself. Yes you would, Ross. Like so many times before, I felt the worst has to be over.

And yet again I was deceived.

The next morning I-70 opened but our bus’s clutch broke down.

Nothing is worse than not moving and seeing other cars move. By this time we had gone crazy, literally. My friend Zane resorted to pounding his head on the table, crying.

WE WERE EVENTUALLY SAVED later that afternoon by

a red, white, and blue American Casino bus driven by a short Hispanic who had never driven a bus before (luckily I didn’t know this until after I was home.)

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Annie Fuhrman

It was three o’clock in the morning and sophomore Megan Koch was not asleep. She was up working on an assignment for school.

“It’s a rare occasion,” Koch said, “I don’t usually stay up that late unless I have a huge project that I still need to finish.”

Working late on projects is one of the factors of stress in Koch’s life. An honors student for two years, a violinist, and an advanced Irish dancer, Koch is always busy with school, family and friends.

“I define stress as the feeling of pressure and anxiety that comes from having too much to do!”

Koch said laughing Sometimes the effects of stress on the mind and body are more than just loss of sleep and feeling pressure: it can lead to serious mental and physical illnesses that can alter a person’s way of life. One of the well-known stress disorders is PTS (post traumatic stress disorder). It happens when an incident causes a tremendous amount of stress on a person and the effects are lasting depression, and panic attacks.

“Sometimes stress is just undiagnosed adolescent depression,” psychotherapist and SHARE co-director Pat Kaufman said. “[In that case] antidepressants are the way to go.”

Stress is a huge factor in every

teen’s and adult’s life. It affects the way a person works, sleeps, and deals with one’s surroundings. In Koch’s case, she is no stranger to the effects of stress.

“I lose a lot of sleep during the week,” Koch said.

“When I do I get really irritable with my family. It’s like I have more emotions with less energy.”

It is easy to see why Koch gets tired during the day, going to bed at 12:30 am or one, and waking up at 5: 30 to get ready for school.

“I never have a problem getting to sleep,” Koch said. “I listen to music sometimes. I just get so little.”

With so many things on her plate, Koch needs to have a good way of coping with the different amounts of work that come her way. Talking to friends, and going out helps her stay focused, and running two miles everyday gives her the energy she needs to get things done.

“Stress gets to everyone, some more than others, but taking the time to prioritize and just work through things will help,” Koch said. “Sometimes leaving your homework will help you clear your mind and help focus better.

Science of stress statistics and advice

Piper Montgomery is used to student stress: as a social worker and psychologist for the Raytown Alternative School, she deals with it every day. We talked to her about the causes of stress, its effects, and what students can do to save themselves from it.

WHAT CAUSES STRESS? Students at East suffering from stress aren’t alone. A University of Michigan survey in 1999 reported that one-third of American teenagers feel stressed out on a daily basis and two-thirds feel stressed out once a week. And while academic or social pressures are common causes of stress among teens, it can also be caused by lack of sleep, depression or domestic violence.

According to Montgomery, stress can divided into both momentary stress, caused by specific situations and characterized by a feeling of panic or pressure, and long-term stress, which is caused by what she describes as more “pervasive problems,” such as strained relations with friends or family.“ Overall, people are not as equipped to cope with [momentary stress] as they could be” because the incidents are sudden, Montgomery said.Stress also builds. People already under stress react far more strongly to other pressures, and too much stress can cause physical illness.

IS STRESS GETTING WORSE? Opinions are divided. Montgomery says that for students, stress comes in waves – some times are more or less stressful than others. But while individual stress levels may vary, stress as a whole is worsening. A Prevention magazine survey showed that stress among adults increased 20 percent from 1983, when 55 percent of adults described themselves as feeling “great stress” one day a week, to 1996, when 75 percent said they did.

HOW CAN STUDENTS REDUCE STRESS? Decreasing personal stress makes it less likely to “build” and become a chronic problem. Montgomery recommends breathing techniques and tensing and relaxing muscles to decrease the immediate physical effects (racing heart, sweating palms, upset stomach). To decrease stress on the whole, she suggests simplifying and prioritizing, trying to figure out what stressors you don’t need.

But stress can sometimes need help beyond that. Students who feel that stress controls them may need more than meditation.

“If you feel like it’s taking over your life, interfering with some part of your abilities” then it’s time to seek professional h e l p , Montgomery said.

Libby Nelson

JUGGLING life

How to deal with the daily load

photo by Kevin Grunwald

Stress takes its toll on student life

INSANITY RELEASED

Kansas

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art by Annie Harrigan

326 teams enter March with a chance to win their conference tournament and the NCAA tournament. Only 1 team comes out as the ultimate champion.

ado r o l o C

ech T s a Tex

UConn

ma o h a l Ok State

Duke

Mizzou

t.

Miss S

Texas

Stanford St. Joseph

March Madness Special

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THE HARBINGER

The real Big XII season 1. Oklahoma State 1. Oklahoma State

8. Iowa State

8. Iowa State 9. Nebraska

Oklahoma State has far to much talent to be beat by Iowa State. The cowboys beat the Cyclones in Ames and will do it again in Dallas. Oklahmoa State will cruise.

Iowa State will shoot the ball too well for Nebraska to keep up. Nebraska hasn’t played well since they beat Kansas. Iowa State will roll..

1. Oklahoma State Missouri and Oklahoma State played the best game of the Big XII season in Columbia and the Tigers still needed overtime to win. The Tigers can’t beat the Cowboys twice in one year. Cowboys win in a squeaker.

4/5. Missouri 4/5. Colorado

With NCAA bids on the line, teams heat up the level of play

4. Missouri The Tigers are just hitting their stride.

They have gotten hot right when it counts and ressurected their season. There is no reason that roll will end here. MU big.

2. Texas This is a classic battle of the Big XII’s best. The Cowboys have won the first two meetings, don’t expect that to happen again. The Longhorns are hungry and want to prove that they are just as good if not better than the Cowboys.

7. Oklahoma 7. Oklahoma 10. Kansas State

The Sooners are come into the tournament slumping but their coach Kelvin Sampson is pleased with their effort. They will take care of business and take out the Wildcats.

3. Kansas

3. Kansas Sooners lack of scoring ability will doom them here. They are one of the only teams that shoots worse than KU. The Jayhawks will roll just like in Lawrence.

2. Texas Texas in just better than Kansas whcih they showed in Austin. The Jayhawks have shown nothing to think that things have changed. The Horns will win big again in Dallas.

6. Texas Tech 6. Texas Tech 11. Texas A&M

Texas Tech is playing terrible basketball at the moment. That said, A&M alwyas plays terrible basketball. Tech will win an ugly game between two bad teams.

2. Texas

2. Texas The Longhors just bearly beat the Red Raiders in Austin. This time around the Horns wont have as much trouble. They will run up and down on Tech.

These are staff predictions.

The big five straight out of the Big XII’s best AARON MILES- KU

RICKEY PAULDING- MU

BRANDON MOUTON- UT

JOHN LUCAS JR- OSU

David Harrison- CU

33.4 minutes per game 9.2 points per game 7.4 assits per game

35.2 minutes per game 15.9 points per game 3.0 assits per game

29.4 minutes per game 13.6 points per game 1.5 assits per game

33.4 minutes per game 14.7 points per game 4.9 assits per game

31.1 minutes per game 16.9 points per game 8.8 rebounds per game

Miles is leadin ghte Big XII in assits this year. he may not be much of a scoring threat, but her certainly makes things happens when he is on the floor. He is what makes KU work, when he is not on the floor KU tends to get lost and confused.

Loves to throw the lob pass.

Paulding has turned in a sold senior season. Big thinsg were expected from him this year, but he has not quite met expectations. He is begining to heat up, along withe the rest of the Tigers, making a team anyone would be scared come tournament time.

Mouton has had a great end of the season. He has been hot as Texas has made its drive to capture second place in the Big XII regular season.

He is a great shooter that has the range to nock down the three. He turns the ball over a little to often.

Overall a great player

Lucas has been the biggest addition to the team this year. He transfered from Baylor after they had their problems. He has brought a leadership aspect that the Cowboys were lacking. He is a good passer as well as a solid scorer.

Has good assit/turnover ratio

Harrison is a big presence on the inside. He provides a scoring threat and is also a great rebounder. He gets into fould trouble frequently which limits his minutes per game. He also has some emotional issues and lets the opposing crowd get into his head: see @ Kansas

If not on team: very low seed if KU would make the tournament at all.

If not on team: like the beginning

If not on team: UT is deep, they would still have a high seed

If not on team: would earn a low seed because of a lack of direction

If not on team: reason they were in last year, same case this year.

of this season, when he was bad,

3 March Madness Special

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Perfect? Playing their lucky stars St. Joseph has perfect record, not perfect team Gordon Culver

In my own words

In my own words

St Joseph is a team for the ages. Fact or fiction? The answer would be fiction. The Hawks are a good team that has had a great season, but they are not that good.

They are still a small conference team that has run a bad conference. They are undefeated, but not every undefeated season is created equally.

When St Joseph is analyzed, their schedule draws more than a few eyebrow raises. They have one quality win over no. 4 Gonzaga, but that was on the first day of the season before the ‘Zags hit their stride. The other 26 wins only include wins over two other power conference teams, California (13-12) who will miss the NCAA tournament and Boston College (19-8) who figures to be below an 8 seed in the tournament.

The rest of the St Joseph schedule is against the likes of mighty Fordham and La Salle. Its true that there are a few decent teams in the Atlantic 10 like Dayton and George Washington but none of the teams should have posed any challenge to the Hawks at all. The Hawks are too good for the league that they are in, but no number 2 in the nation good. Their strength of schedule ranks a measly 52nd in the nation, not exactly the kind of schedule that would push the Hawks.

The Hawks will have their fair share of issues when they reach the tournament. They have probably the best backcourt in the nation with Jameer Nelson and Delonte West but that will not be enough. In the paint they will get pummeled both in scoring terms and rebounding. If the Hawks have one bad shooting night there is no way they can match up with a power conference team who they figure to match up with in the second round.

The tournament will be a totally different place for the Hawks. They will not have their way with the competition there like they did throughout the regular season. To say they will lose early would be against conventional wisdom, but I will say it anyways. The Hawks will not make it to the elite eight; they will lose in one of the first three rounds, ending their dream season. The season has been a great time for their fans and for the team but the final goal can never be achieved.

The Hawks have had a great run.

Going undefeated in any conference is a hard thing to do, but some conferences are harder. Their undefeated regular season should most definitely be marked as a great season, but no necessarily a great team. The Hawks are a good basketball team, but not that good.

Cinderellas make the tournament magical Peter Goehausen When I was growing up my life solely consisted of sports.

Basketball, baseball, football, soccer-- I partook in all of them.

One of my favorite things to do was to challenge my older brother in basketball.

For the first four years of the match-up my brother would beat me, badly. Then there was that one March afternoon no different then any other day except this day I beat my brother.

My exuberant, cocky smile could be seen from miles away, for this, this was my day. Though the next time I played my brother he beat me 10 to 2, I still had that one day of glory.

Teams known as “Cinderellas” are similar to myself. Cinderella’s teams are in mid major conferences( A-10, WAC, WCC, etc.) and advance to the NCAA tournament as a 10-16 seed and beat a higher ranked opponent. The teams fight and fight and can not succeed in beating the tougher opponent until that one March day during tournament time. That day they hit their shots and their opposition didn’t. That day they actually meant something to the college basketball world.

Cinderella teams have an optimistic attitude, and practice twice as long as some of the top notch teams. Most of the team’s are rallied behind millions of American’s hoping for the underdog to knock off the favored team. These teams show up every night to play and show America that the mid-majors are just as good as big conferences. The success

SCHEDULE

of the so-called Cinderella teams is one of the keys to what has made the NCAA men’s basketball tournament so popular. Cinderella teams give meaning to the term “March Madness.”

This season has meant an exceptional year for the mid-majors, with three dominant teams and the rest of the teams equal in skill. These three midmajors are in the Top 25, with Gonzaga getting up to number four. Also, there are nine “Cinderella” hopefuls in the top 40, including Manhattan, Missouri, and Eastern Tennessee State.

Since the NCAA expanded it’s field to 64 nineteen years ago, there has been 25 teams seeded 13th or higher who have latched to the “Cinderella” title.

This season I expect three more teams to be added to that list. First and foremost is the Manhattan Jaspers. With a 21-5 record and a 15-2 conference record this team has “Cinderella” written all over them. Led by 6-2 senior Louis Flores and his 24 points per game this team is well balanced and might be the best team out of New York (Syracuse).

One of the other teams on my list is the Eastern Tennessee State Buccaneers. Until this season this team was on the brink of extinction. The Bucs are led by the little guy in 5-7 guard Tim Smith and his seventeen ppg.

ETSU also is well balanced with their whole starting five averaging double figures in scoring.

Lastly, none other than the team I abhor more than anything, Missouri. A month ago at 9-10, the Tigers looked like a long shot to make the tournament until they caught fire. They won six straight against the likes of Oklahoma State and Colorado

Recent Cinderellas 2003- Butler Bulldogs made the sweet 16 as a 12 seed 2003- Missouri Tigers made the elite 8 as a 12 seed 2002- Kent State Golden Flashes made the elite 8 as a 10 seed 2001- Temple Owls made the elite 8 as an 11 seed 1999- Gonzaga Bulldogs made the elite 8 as a 10 seed 1997- Providence Friars made the elite 8 as a 10 seed 1997- UT Chatanooga Mocs made the sweet 16 as a 14 seed and are now considered as the scariest team in the tournament for top seeds to play. Led by three seniors, this team can go in and out as well as anyone in the country and are catching fire at the perfect time.

The Final Four may consist of all top seeds this year like usual. However, there is a numerous amount of teams that could sneak up ruining the chance for top teams. This said, the “Cinderella” role is the most important of all.

MARCH MADNESS QUICK

Play in game @ University of Dayton, Mar. 16 1st and 2nd round, multiple locations, Mar. 18-21 3rd and 4th round, multiple locations, Mar 25-28 Final Four, @ San Antonio, Apr. 3 semifinals, Apr. 5 National Championship Game

EXPLANATION The field is comprised of 65 teams and the winner is the NCAA National Champion. 31 conference champions automatically, in the power conference they have to win their conference tournament. Then there are 34 at large bids for quality teams that didn’t win their tournament.

RECENT HISTORY 2003- National Champion- Syracuse University, Runner Up- University of Kansas 2002- National Champion- University of Maryland, Runner Up- Indiana University 2001- National Champion- Duke University, Runner Up- University of Arizona

March Madness Special

4

The Harbinger

Local connection

Wayne Simien

Leavenworth, Kansas Leavenworth High School University of Kansas

BY THE NUMBERS 6’9”, 250 lbs, junior 32.8 minutes per game 17.2 points per game 9.3 rebounds per game 1.0 block per game

Former area players are making big impacts in college There are a number of players from the Kansas City area that are playing at division I colleges this year. In the past the Lancers have competed against a number of them, most specifically against the five that are listed. All of these players have played on cmpetetive teams and some have contributed more than others. We also have commentary from Coach Hair on each of the players because he coached against all of them.

SCOUTING REPORT Simien was a top 100 recruit when he came out of Leavenworth. He goes straight to the basket with strength which makes him a big scoring threat.

He also has soft touch to be ablt to shoot well from the midrange in. He has a good freethrow stroke. He plays good defense that is all based in his good footwork. He has a strong body to be able to dominate.

Matt Freije

Shawnee Mission, KS Shawnee Mission West Vanderbilt University

BY THE NUMBERS 6’10”, 249 lbs, senior 29.0 minutes per game 19.2 points per game 5.8 rebounds per game 0.9 assists per agme SCOUTING REPORT Freije has a lot of ability. He can play at any point on the court and be comfortable. He can bang down low with the big boys in the post since he not exaclty small himself. He also has great touch allowing him to hit the three ball. Being 6’10” allows him to be able to shoot over smaller players that have to guard him.

COACH HAIR’S TAKE “So strong, he was great around the basket.

When he got hurt against us it was a freak accident, there were 2 guys on him, (Matt) Zeller and (Adam) Jones, and his shoulder got caught between them . We came close to beating them but never did.

COACH HAIR’S TAKE “He scored 35 against us on the Metro Sports Game of the Week. Roland Coppage did the best job he could guarding him. He had 10 field goals, 1 three pointer, and was 12-13 fromt eh free throw line. He is the all time leading scorer at both Vanderbilt and Shawnee Mission West.”

TOURNAMENT PREDICTION 10-4 in the Big XII conference and 18-7 overall, definately will make the tournament, now playing for a protected seed.

TOURNAMENT PREDICTION 7-7 in the Southeastern Conference and 18-7 overall, will definately make the NCAA tournament.

Edward Spencer

Keith Wooden

Shawnee Mission, KS Shawnee Mission East High School UNC-Wilmington

Lawrence, Kansas Lawrence Free State Arizon State University

BY THE NUMBERS 27.0 minutes per game 8.8 points per game 2.5 rebounds per game 1.2 assits per game

BY THE NUMBERS 6’8”, 200 lbs, freshman 9.3 minutes per game 3.2 points per game 2.0 rebounds per game

SCOUTING REPORT Good shooter that made many a three in the SM East gym. He is good at creating and using the dribble get himself an open shot.

SCOUTING REPORT Last year lead Lawrence Free State in scoring last year. He is a solid help off the bench that has been having a hard season. He is a strong inside presence and shoots a high percentage from the floor. Known to lack intensity from time to time.

COACH HAIR’S TAKE “He is the leading scorer at UNC Wilmington, he is really good at taking it off of the dribble.

A very good shooter.”

COACH HAIR’S TAKE “Really good. (He) was very good inside and outside. He didn’t play hard all of the time though.

TOURNAMENT PREDICTION 9-9 in Colonial Athletic Association and 13-14 overall, will not make tournament.

TOURNAMENT PREDICTION 4-13 in the Pacific 10 conference and 10-16 overall, will not even make the Pac 10 conference tournament.

Tyler Hughes

Olathe, Kansas Olathe North High School Kansas State University

BY THE NUMBERS 6’11”, 200 lb, freshman 3.7 minutes per game 0.9 points per game 0.9 rebounds per game

SCOUTING REPORT Gets to play a little off the bench for the Wildcats. He a decent inside player but lacks touch around the basket.

COACH HAIR’S TAKE “His senior year J.D. (Christie) did a great job on him. He missed some dunks and easy shots. He is just a big, strong guy.

TOURNAMENT PREDICTION 4-10 in the conference and 12-13 overall, will not make tournament.

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THE HARBINGER

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Best bets so far this year for those in search of

2004’s Barrett Emke

NEW MUSIC

Track List

Track List

1. What’s In It For Me 2. The Rat 3. No Christmas While I’m Talking 4. Little House of Savages 5. My Old Man 6. 138th St. 7. The North Pole 8. Hang On, Siobhan 9. New Year’s Eve 10. Thinking of a Dream I Had 11. Bows & Arrows

1. Venus 2. Cherry Blossom Girl 3. Run 4. Universal Traveler 5. Mike Mills 6. Surfin’ on a Rocket 7. Another Day 8. Alpha Beta Gaga 9. Biological 10. Alone in Kyoto

The Walkmen - Bows & Arrows Record Collection

Air - Talkie Walkie Astralwerks

Whatever you do, don’t trust Rolling Stone’s ridiculous review of this album, in which they call the Walkmen the “most scattered group of their garage-rock class.”

Yes, the band is from New York, and yes, the music does seem to nod to bands like U2 and the Cure, but the Walkmen are clearly not just trying to cash in on the rock revival.

Bows & Arrow’s appeal lies in its grand, atmospheric treatment of rock ‘n’ roll songs like “The Rat,” which seems to swell until it’s about to burst with pounding drums, howled vocals, thick guitars, and simmering keyboards. The band’s peculiar, Vaudeville-esque sound is instantly intriguing, best demonstrated on tracks like “New Year’s Eve,” in which the piano sounds at least 80 years old.

Listen closely to the title track: sleigh bells never sounded this good.

Talkie Walkie is the unearthly creation of Frenchmen JB Dunckel and Nicolas Godin, a pop album dense with spacey electronics, breathy vocals and melodic acoustic guitars, all floating together in a dreamy mix.

“Venus” set’s the album’s pace, refusing to be rushed with its slow, pounded drums and deliberate piano. “Surfin’ on a Rocket” is the album’s impressive centerpiece, gliding along on airy guitars and bleeping keyboards with an instantly catchy melody.

Air’s music is light enough to not fill appetites are just one listen, while the songs still possess qualities of depth and careful craftsmanship.

Talkie Walkie sounds just as it should: like a calm, sunny spring day interrupted by the occassional static-filled broadcast from somewhere in the sky.

photo by Michael Lavine

COMING THIS SPRING TV ON THE RADIO

TV on the Radio - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes March 9 - Touch & Go Records TV on the Radio burst onto the scene last July with their debut EP, Young Liars, which quickly earned them critical acclaim and a rapidly growing fanbase. Kyp Malone, Tunde Adebimpe and David Andrew Sitek’s unique blend of barbershop quartet vocals, humming electronics and distorted, droning guitars plays as the soundtrack to the damp, dreary city, and the band’s cover of the Pixies’ “Mr. Grieves” is one of the most original ever put to tape.

With such a soulful, ground-breaking release already under its belt, TV on the Radio seems destined for greatness, and Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes is certainly one of the most anticipated records to be released this spring. The band will open for the Liars at the Bottleneck in Lawrence on March 22. Other bands on the bill include Young People and the Panthers.

Deerhoof - Milk Man March 9 - Kill Rock Stars Deerhoof packs as much pop into a rock song as possible, yet in a strangely unconventional way. Saomi Matsuzaki’s vocals are sugary-sweet and are perfectly backed by bursts of energy from the rhythm section.

If its predecessors are any indication, Milk Man should be one of the most interesting yet accessible releases this year.

Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Love Bad News April 6 - Sony/Epic

This April Modest Mouse will finally follow up 2000’s masterpiece, The Moon & Antarctica. The new album’s first single, “Float On,” hints at calmer waters for the music, while still retaining the signature sound fans have grown so accustomed to.

After four long years of silence, it’s time for some Good News.

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THE HARBINGER

Movie Review

Passionate.

Mel Gibson’s controversial ‘The Passion of The Christ’ is a masterful interpretation of the Gospel

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE: Jim Caviezel plays Jesus in ‘The Passion of the Christ’

Ian McFarland When I saw The Passion of The Christ, I was sitting next to your typical composed suburban fifty-something mother. Throughout the movie I could hear her wince as well as say plenty of ‘Oh, my God’s. I never saw her face after the movie ended, but I imagine that she must have looked at least 10 years older.

Mel Gibson’s media-frenzied film The Passion of The Christ is dramatic to say the least. The story you’ve heard the minister tell you for years at church is incomparable to the film. The bible never mentions that blood spurted out of Jesus’ forehead when the crown of thorns was nailed onto his head. You can’t write about the pain of having a quarter-inch nail thrust into your palms. You can’t hear the chunks of skin

being pulled off of your skin by a whip with teeth tied onto it.

As you’ve undoubtedly heard, the violence is intense and disturbing.

Althought it is rough, it didn’t bother me.

However, the violence isn’t in there for kicks: there’s an actual point to it. Gibson says that the violence is in his film to demonstrate his beliefs that Jesus’s love for everyone was so great that he was willing to go through all that pain for them.

Gibson’s directing is an achievement of tenacity. The theater I was in was slightly on the cool side, but I still sweated throughout most of the movie. The score is loud and anxious, but you don’t notice it until it stops. Just when you think you can breathe easy for a few minutes until the next act of torture, along comes a mightier whip, or a pecking crow.

Gibson should also be commended for the cinematography of the film. The opening scene in the garden of Gethsemane

is nothing but rich blues and whites, and the court of Pontius Pilate (played by Hristo Shopov) feels like it is in need of an extensive dusting with its dull but powerful golds.

No matter what anyone tells you, this movie is not anti-Semitic. Yes, Gibson portrays the people clamoring for Jesus’s death as Jews, but he also portrays the man who helped carry Jesus’ cross as a Jew, and the same for the woman who wipes his blood-soaked face and offers him water.

Gibson makes it clear that, like all people, Jews can be good or bad. In addition, the people who actually hurt him and take pleasure out of it are Romans.

As Jesus, Jim Caviezel executes Jesus’ suffering excellently, but the movie is so powerful you can never really take the time to admire him. Everyone else in this movie is great too, but none of them really have the chance to surpass Caviezel’s performance.

Gibson manages to throw in a few

Worth the Hype?

personal touches of his own. The best is the addition of Satan, who is portrayed as a deathly white, bald genderless weakling sheltered in a black cloak. He says nothing more then one simple statement (this task is too big for one man), but manages to menace the entire movie with his deadened eyes.

The only complaint I can make is a minor fight scene in which the camera is put slightly in fast motion, and then returned to a regular camera speed. It’s like an underemphasized version of bullet-time from The Matrix.

This is truly a great religious film.

Anyone who considers themselves a Christian needs to see this movie to truly understand the 12 hours that serve as a cornerstone for the Christian faith. I would go so far as to say it gives a better description than the Bible. Gibson has crafted a true masterpiece that, as an adaptation of a story that will never be forgotten, should never be lost.

The Harbinger surveys a Rabbi, a Pastor and an East Student on the anti-Semitism, the violence, and everything else you’ve heard

Sophomore Colin Barnes

Rabbi Daniel M. Horwitz

Pastor James Reynolds, TH. D

“I thought in terms of being a movie, it had excellent cinematography, I definitely thought the acting and directing was superb. As for religious connotations, I thought it was about as antiSemitic as the bible. I think that they’re just attacking The Passion because it’s easier to attack a film then the Bible.”

“What really appalled me was that people let their nine and ten year olds see it. You wouldn’t let your kids watch something like that on TV. Christians and non-Christians will see two different movies. A Christian won’t see it as anti-Semitic; a Jew will notice that Satan is only seen among Jews.”

Dr. Reynolds believes that it is not totally accurate, but good enough. He believed the violence was pretty grusome but a good thing for people to see. He also enjoyed Satan in the movie– the image was artistic and creative. He doesn’t believe it was anti-Semitic, that if it had a poor image of anyone it was the Romans.

THE HARBINGER

15

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Nothing new ‘Next Door’ Teen sex comedy mildly amuses

a good teenage comedy if the jokes work. But if that’s just not enough for you then fear not, Ian McFarland because this movie is composed There are some movies about depressed teenagers in America that are crafted so of three acts that eloquently and honestly like American Beauty and Donnie Darko that you can never return feel like t h e y GUYS NEXT DOOR: Matthew (Emile Hersch) and his best friends stare in awe to your high school unchanged. And then There aren’t even any more developments with the girl belong on the other side of the spectrum, there are occasionally funny sex romps as in The Girl in completely different films. It’s like next door at this point; it’s all about recovering all of the someone cut out parts of different teenage money raised by the school to bring some unneeded Next Door.

Cambodian genius to America.

The story is about Matthew Kidman comedies and glued them together.

Despite all of this, this movie does keep a charm (Emile Hersch), a senior in high school who’s The second act focuses primarily on Matthew trying to get Danielle back. It’s throughout most of the 1 hour 50 minute running time. beginning to realize that he’s never done anything out of line, that is until the beautiful a necessary part of the movie but it’s so Emile Hersch accomplishes Matthew’s transformation much tenser and less funny that you’d from an uptight student that doesn’t really have anything Danielle (Elisha Cuthbert) moves in next think that you must have fallen asleep and to show for his life except for his grades, to the envy of door. The two quickly become a couple, until any kid he knows. And Matthew’s friends Eli and Klitz wouldn’t you know it, Matthew discovers sleepwalked into another theater.

But the third act is obviously in there manage to loosen up the film when it starts to feel too that Danielle is actually a former porn star, just for the excuse of showing topless heavy. and becomes confused as to what exactly he In the end this film had some promise. The heart porn stars. Maybe that’s what the typical should do next. Just when it seems that they audience member wants from this movie, is present and the humor works well on occasion, but can work it out, Danielle decides that there’s EARLY RETIREMENT: but when what seemed to be a promising there are roadblocks like the third act and Kelly, who’s no escaping the porn industry, and decides to Elisha Cuthbert plays teenage romantic comedy is thrown confusing in the second half of the movie. Fans of naked return to it with her producer Kelly (Timothy a former porn star in away for guys with testosterone surging porn stars will be impressed by the movie, but everyone Olyphant).

‘The Girl Next Door.’ through their veins, I get pretty irritated. else will feel disappointed by The Girl Next Door.

That could be enough of a story line to fill

Movie Review

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Take a break

Where should you go for good coffee? Our reviewers sample four area cafés.

Broadway Café There is no better location in the Kansas City area than Westport to be complemented with a café of this quality. The café, located at 4106 Broadway Street, is slightly crowded at certain times in the day, but this is not a factor since the ambience is lively, the atmosphere is unique to Westport, and the aroma of the coffee and bakery is invigorating.

You can check out the bulletin boards covered with concert notices while playing music soothes you and sets the mood for a good cup of

Hattie’s This Corinth café, located at 4195 Somerset Drive, is mediocre. The atmosphere lacks the comfort that is essential to similar cafes. The two cushioned chairs were uncomfortable, keeping my back in a rigid position. The rest of the furniture belongs on a patio, the appearance being uninviting to enjoy a cup of coffee with their steel frames.

The ambience is lacking.

The café is drafty, with either the back or front door open too often, and the decoration is half way, with a random array

Michael Woodsmall

coffee. There are flyers as well for different charitable events occurring in the Kansas City area.

There are no cushioned chairs, but the furniture is great for a break for your legs from exploring the vast, cultural Westport. The high tables and chairs are ideal for an energizing sip and a chat with a friend before continuing the day.

The selection of coffee is wide and the unique Westport touch of creativity will make you a frequent customer. The coffee beans are roasted to

perfection and the flavorful taste creates a positive response from your taste buds. To complement your coffee, there is a variety of bakery goods, from the original muffins and scones to a variety of scrumptious sweets, from a delicious carrot cake to rich chocolate cheesecake.

The café is complete with genuine core of unique employees. Sharing the same bright aspects of a Westport personality, they are great to strike a conversation with while waiting for your coffee and attract a wide variety of people from all over Kansas City. I love Westport and Broadway Café is another reason to motivate yourself to venture into Missouri.

Michael Woodsmall of books thrown on shelves to attempt a vintage appearance.

The variety of coffee brands displayed above the counter is the one interesting decoration in the café. The lack of an invigorating ambience makes it undesirable to sit and chat.

The beverages are no different than what Mr. Coffee spits out, lacking a unique touch that identifies enjoyable cafes. The coffee beans are bland and sometimes even over roasted having a bitter taste. The teas, especially the Chai tea, are the same as the

brand you can buy at Whole Foods Market. The muffins and scones are a stronger aspect, but they lack the zing that leaves your mouth desiring more. They are either too doughy or overcooked.

The employees, however, do shed a positive light on the café.

They are genuinely welcoming, although the conversation does not pass a employee-customer relationship unless you’re a frequent customer. Overall, it’s a nice café for a quick pick up when you’re on the run.

art by Sara McElhaney photos by Jessie Fetterling and Patrick Menihan

Hi-Hat

THE HARBINGER

Annie Fuhrman

Hi-Hat coffee isn’t a place to go for spacious seating, but for a great cup of coffee, a friendly face, and a fun place for friends and family it’s more than perfect. The tiny coffee shop has all these things and more. Sitting just on the corner of State Line and 50th Terr., this café lives up to the motto of the city: “the most beautiful little city in Kansas”.

The former gas station could easily be overlooked if it weren’t for the crowds of cars filling the small parking lot daily. The line often spills out onto the patio. It is easy to see why it draws such a big crowd. The “Hi and Bye” system of self-serve, in and out coffee is quick and easy, and has an array of coffee flavors. For more complex drinks the wait is slightly longer, but a nice chat with the fun people behind the counter makes the wait well worth it.

The employees are as much a part of the Hi-Hat experience as anything. A visit with owner T. Nelson or any of the wonderful long time employees is a must.

It almost feels like the Cheers bar of coffee houses, a place where everyone knows your name. There are also occasional concerts by employees Barclay and Lisa’s band whose CD is for sale inside.

A favorite drink, for the summer or the winter is always a Jet Tea. Hi-Hat was the first to serve this fruit tea smoothie in Kansas City, and it is a big success.

Flavors range from strawberry to tangernana, and any combination in between.

Another rare treat are the English toffee cookies.

They are chewy and sweet and gone faster than you can say the name.

Hi-Hat offers it all, friends, music, and truly great coffee.

Why go anywhere else?

Mildred’s

Annie Fuhrman

Most coffee shops offer the same menu: mocha, latte, cappuccino, and hot chocolate, the same old thing at every place. Mildred’s Coffee shop, located at 7921 Santa Fe Drive, offers a little change in the ordinary with its funky retro atmosphere.

Paintings cover the walls and ceiling, tiles are painted with cartoon angels, a portrait of John Lennon, and others with wild swirling colors. The furniture all resembles something that could be purchased at a garage sale.

Retro tables, chairs and couches line the walls. Nothing matches, but it all somehow fits perfectly.

Mildred’s offers more than just food and drinks.

Bookshelves around the store are filled with books, magazines, even Cliff’s Notes for the student readers.

The menu has the typical coffee house choices, with a few twists thrown in. They offer a new flavor of coffee called chocolate raspberry roast. Chocolate raspberry muffins are also a new item. They boast a lunch or dinner menu with items like taco salad, soups and sandwiches, too .

I sat down at a table with a mocha and a chocolate raspberry muffin almost the size of my head. The ridiculously large muffin was hardly able to fit in the paper bakery bag, and the server had a hard time with it. The mocha was made with a chocolate flavoring that gave the otherwise well-prepared coffee a metallic bite.

The muffin made up for the less than perfect coffee. The blend of flavors gave the traditional treat a new spin.

No two people like their coffee the same, and finding a place to get a good cup is up to the consumer. Coffee orders can be designed to fit likes and dislikes, balancing out the imperfections in the preparation. This makes the fresh, fun atmosphere a must have. Mildred’s has that part down.

THE HARBINGER

Spring Training jessie

Wiard

OFFENSE: .305 batting average, led team in stone baes COLLEGE: signed to play at Emporia State

TRACK Head track coach Bill Boley knows the team has a lot of strenghts. But when asked to pick one, he points immediately to the boy’s relays.

“We have a good core of middle distance runners in {seniors} Justin Simonich, Tim Rowe, Jeff Judd and {sophomore} John McCormick.”

He is especially impressed with McCormick.

“He ran a 4:30 mile last year as a fresh-

man, and we’re hoping he can run it somewhere in the 4:20’s this year,” Boley says.

“We haven’t had a 4:20 miler in a long time.”

Senior Carson Hendriks leads the sprinters returns after a finals appearance in the state 100-m last year.

On the girls side, Boley says the team’s performance will be based on things he cannot control.

“Our success is based on the health of Kelly Cochran, and some of our other girls,” he says. “Injuries hurt us a lot last year.”

bailey

Gage

EVENTS: 2:22, 200-IM/ 1:04, 100-fly (qualified for state in both)

17 sports

In Part 2 of our spring sports preview, we give a in depth view of softball, girls’ swimming, and track and field

SOFTBALL First year head coach Jennifer Horn knows exactly how the softball team will be different this year.

“We’re going to bunt a lot more,” Horn says.

This may sound an insignificant change, but with seven returning juniors who have played together for three years, a lot of change is not necessary. The team will be led by senior Jessie Wiard, who has signed to play at Emporia State next year. Wiard bat-

ted .305 last year and led the team in stolen bases, but Horn says it’s her versatility that make her so valuable.

“She plays outfield and second base, but she could play any position on the field for us,” Horn says.

The future beyond this year is looking bright also.

“We have a particualrly strong freshman class, that will be able to play together, just like this years junior class,” she says.

With this talent, the softball team in primed for a league title run.

john

McCormick RUNNING: ran 4:30 in 1600-m, placed fifth at regionals.

Gage will, almost certainly, qualify for GIRLS’ SWIMMINGBailey state and we think they all have a great shot Coming off two league championships, the girls’ swimming team fully expects to win it again.

“We return 18 state qualifiers this year, so I see no reason why we shouldn’t win state again,” coach Rob Cole says.

While the team is led by seniors Christie Fuchs, Maggie Higgins, Molly Melling and Hannah Munsch, Cole also likes the chances of his junior swimmers.

“Annie Booton, Mallory Toombs and

at placing in state,” he says.

Gage is coming off a season in which she qualified for two events in state, the 200-IM and the 100-fly.

Cole hopes the swimmers will once again be one of the top three teams in the state.

“Our main competition is from {Lawrence} Free State and Olathe East,” he says. “We’ll need a great performance at state to beat those schools, but you never know.”

sports 18

THE HARBINGER

After winning 9 of the last 11 games,the boys’ team prepared for substate Andy Logan

Olathe South

The Falcons are leading the Suflower at 18-1. Led by senior twins Caleb and Nick Holmes, this team beat East by three in the first meeting.

STATE Dodge City

The Red Demonds are Third in the state at 181. They are Led by 6-3 senior Lance Suttle, the Demonds won the WAC conference.

Dyer is a 5’11” senior guard who provided a threat off of the dribble. One of their more experienced players is Mack Brown, a 6’3” junior forward, who is the type of player who could surprise East like he did as a freshman when he scored the winning basket of the game here at East during the 2001-2002 season. Last, their dangerous shooter, Eric Nitsche, a 5’11” junior guard, who hurt East with his three point shooting in their earlier two meetings. Each of these three players is averaging near to double digits each game.

While the Lancers are focused on Dyer, Brown, and Nitsche during their practices, SMN most likely put effort into stopping junior forward JD Christie. There could be much more ball movement on a more team oriented offense, and this would force other Lancers to step up and make things happen on the court.

“If they focus on JD it can make opportunities for the rest of the team to take the pressure off of him. We have a lot of talent, which some of us haven’t realized, and everyone will have to help if we want to win this game.”

Adams said.

One factor that could play a vital role in the game is senior center Ryan Hintz. He needed to be able to complement JD with scoring and good inside play on both defense and offense. To make it complete East would also need strong guard play from players like Adams and senior guard Robbie Jones. With a complete rotation of guard, post, and wing play that works the team had many more options, something they hope to carry into future games.

“All we need is for some of these players to regain their confidence and then we can have a complete rotation that can be effective on offense,” Hair said, “We need to stress the post play from Hintz, so that there can be an opening for scoring off of the dribble.”

The Lancers realized that what was ahead was difficult, but that with a strong game plan and a sense of urgency that they could pull off a win. Pressure needed to be taken off of Christie, while still playing solid defense against a well-balanced SMN team.

Emporia

The Spartans are leading their conference at 18-1 and ranked second in Kansas. They are led by seniors Caleb Tegtmeir and Wes Book.

photo by Tierny Weed

The East boys’ basketball team was hopeful as they rolled into substate, but their path was blocked by a powerful SM North team that had already beaten them twice during the regular season. Since then, the Lancers turned around from their less than impressive start to a hopeful finish. They were hoping to carry this good mood over to the tournament,which happened after press time.

With new optimism and luck the state tournament didn’t seem like an impossible goal. With a win against SMN the team would play the winner of the Blue Valley Northwest (16-4) and Shawnee Mission Northwest (7-13) game. Then, it would be off to Emporia to play in the state tournament.

“All we need is some energy and enthusiasm. It is time for the team, especially the seniors, to find a sense of urgency. And, we are beginning to see that,” head coach Shawn Hair said.

The Lancers were able to see this energy after two disappointing losses that were discouraging but eyeopeners. They were able to use the disappointment after nine straight wins to make the practice environment much more intense.

“After the loss to Free State practice was much more intense. Everyone is realizing that the next games have to be won,” sophomore Garrett Webb said.

The game against SMN capped off a promising last half of the season. The Lancers went 9-2 in their last eleven games, and the team finishes with a 13-7 record. This new light has really helped the Lancers as they moved toward reaching their final goal of state.

“Although there was a lot of disappointment among the team because of the last two games, the mood is still up and everyone is really hopeful that we can take this into substate,” senior BJ Adams said.

The season turned around when the Lancers beat Rockhurst, and made that the first time any of the current players on the team had beaten the rivals from across State Line. This success has been carried with them throughout much of the season. The Lancers’ attack on offense is what they feel won that game for them, and the coaches hoped that the same type of offensive game plan could be implemented into the game against SMN. “In our last two games our offense has been stagnant and our defense hasn’t been very intense. We need to attack them on offense, and get the ball inside.” Hair said.

The game was going to hopefully be payback for the two losses the team took at the hands’ of the Indians earlier in the season. SMN has proved to be a tough opponent against East, but with a sense of urgency and experience against SMN the outlook was positive.

SMN has three players that the team was hoping to put an emphasis on watching and trying to contain. Terrel

The Road to

DRIVIN’ THE LANE: Sophomore J.D. Christie drives the lane against Olathe NW “The team has the ability to do a lot of good things. The seniors could finish their careers doing something great, and all we need to do is realize this,” Hair said.

The Fab

Five Points Rebounds Assists

J.D. Christie 20 ppg 6 rpg 2 apg

Ryan Hintz 10 ppg 5 rpg 1 apg

Jack Keller 4 ppg 3 rpg 1 apg

Scott McElvain 4 ppg 3 rpg 3 apg

Robbie Jones 8 ppg 2 rpg 2 apg

19

THE HARBINGER

Don’t

the ball DROP

David Vranicar

Guest Columnist

This had all the makings of a good Jerry Springer episode.

Everybody was out of their seats, people were coming down from the crowd, every other word had four letters and, of course, fists were flying.

But it wasn’t Springer who deserved the credit for inciting this brouhaha. It was Dinger. Former Lancer basketball player Paul Grindinger, now a starting forward for the Great America Basketball League’s “Milkmen,” was laying into the other team’s players and parents like Kyle talking to Cartman. We watched in awe as the verbal altercation turned into a physical one in the SM North parking lot. Coaches and parents finally played the role of Steve and broke up the show.

If this outburst had occurred at a Lancers game, not a Milkmen game, Grindinger would have been slapped with an automatic five-day out of school suspension for fighting, may have been kicked off the team and might have been charged with assault.

As it stands, he received a fat lip and a onegame suspension from GABL. I never envisioned myself singing the praises of rec basketball. Not after my sophomore season. Not after I had gotten that coveted promotion to jayvee.

Drew Johnson’s a pure shooter (hence But my alacrity for basketball began to fade week one of my junior year. “All the 5 for 5 3-point second half outburst in boys not involved in a fall sport wanting the very gym he got cut in), and thanks to to play basketball” were summoned to the his getting axed from the Lancers he was cafeteria. I was informed that pre-season welcomed to the Milkmen. 6’5’’ Tim Rowe conditioning, this, the 19th leg of pre-season is in the same boat as Stehl and Mutert: he conditioning, would be starting next week. straight quit.

Fall conditioning in August? That stretched Aside from Johnson’s getting cut, the one the season from November tryouts to player on the team that didn’t truly quit was spring conditioning to summer workouts Kip Bilski. Bilski’s resignation from high to fall torture. school basketball was signed by his doctor You gotta pay if you wanna play. Right, due to a heart condition. His is the only real but this was tragedy for East’s I never envisioned myself insane. I played basketball team. one sport and Why? Well, the singing the praises of rec still had no offsummer before his basketball. Not after my season. So I quit sophomore year, at sophomore season. Not after 5’7’’, Bilski could the team but not the game, playing dunk, throw down, I had gotten that coveted GABL basketball prove that movie promotion to jayvee. for the last two title about white years. men and jumping This last season, though, the Milkmen completely wrong. He can defend. He can were essentially a bunch of East players. rebound. He can shoot a true jump shot, Well, literally a bunch of East players. All better than anyone in GABL or at East. seven of us once donned the Columbia One fond memory of Kip has him shooting blue, black and white of the East jersey.

15 of 20 from the field – all eight to 16 foot There was Drew Stehl, varsity starter jumpers - for 30 points last year in a victory by sophomore year and varsity casualty over JD Christie’s spring GABL team that by senior year. And Andy Mutert was included Michael Duvall, Jack Keller, and with me when we got our sophomore year Robbie Jones, three of whom are varsity promotions, but he was also with the coach starters. on the bench most of his junior year. So We get almost as much of a kick out of even as much fun as it was to work as hard taping our games as we do playing them. as the varsity starters everyday, he decided But film sessions of our GABL contests to quit. are just laughing at how fun this all is, like

sports

One Senior discusses the merits of rec league basketball

our 113-19 victory last December in which a minute and a half in we were up 15-0, hadn’t allowed the ball past half-court and were laughing so hard we could barely stand. The other team called a timeout that both teams desperately needed.

You think there’s a bunch of kneeslapping, tear-jerking laughter going on during varsity film sessions? Hell, no, but why would there be? This is basketball, for God’s sake!

A slap on the wrist for several punches in the face isn’t the only perk we got by playing in GABL. It was almost like we were teenagers again. It was more about threepointers than wind-sprints; more about personal satisfaction than school pride; more about running up the score than running out the clock.

But the choice to not be on the team doesn’t equate to not being part of the team.

Rowe, in a yellow chicken costume, can be seen patrolling the East sideline at home games, accompanied by (penguin) Andy Mutert. Bilski has fought off a broken foot to attend games, as well.

Granted, I’ll never know what it’s like to have 2000 people going nuts for me (we get about 1/100 of that.) Nor will I ever get my stats proclaimed on MetroSports or in the Star. And the first place medal GABL gives out doesn’t shine like the Kansas 6A championship trophy. But I would rather be playing on my own accord than someone else’s. I’d rather be a Milkman than a Lancer.

Keep East Clean

sports

20

THE HARBINGER

STANDING PROUD: Returning letter-winner Ryan Sonderegger shows off his medal from an Invitational meet and the trophy that he took home after winning first place in the State Tournament.

Wrestling State through

Junior Ryan Sonderegger takes on battle wounds to bring home the state title.

Bryan Dykman

DURING ONE OF junior Ryan Sonderegger’s State wrestling competition matches, Saturday at the Wichita Coliseum, he received a vicious blow to the eye. The result was a bloody mess, and after finishing the match Sonderegger was in need of some medical attention. On the sideline Sonderegger received seven stitches from an on- staff doctor and was patched up and able to continue to wrestle.

He had a tension nerve in his neck before the competition, he had stitches during the competition, and at the end of the day he fought and defeated all of his injuries and his opponents and took first place in the 160 lbs. weight division. This feat has only been accomplished three times in Shawnee Mission East history.

Representing Shawnee Mission East in the 6A State Competitor for boys wrestling were a trio of first timers which included junior Marshal Martins in the 125 lbs. group, freshmen Bill Kinsett in the 135 lbs. group and freshmen Zack Lehr, in the 140 lbs. group.

“It’s full of distractions and is quite a spectacle to take

in

for a first time wrestlers,” head wrestling coach John Sonderegger said.

East also had two returning state competitors: Junior Ryan Sonderegger in the 160 lbs. group and senior Mark Robinson in the 215 lbs. group.

These athletes took 18th place overall out of 32 teams that qualified for state, a replica finish from last year. Over 600 athletes qualified from the 6A, 5A, and 4A athletic divisions, and East was honored not only by Sonderegger’s division win, but also by Robison finishing 5th in his division. Manhattan won state.

“The State tournament was packed. It was a full coliseum with nine mats and colorful banners and a screaming crowd,” John Sonderegger said. “Some teams there had a great fan base. They had anywhere from a hundred plus fans screaming, chanting, and ringing cow bells.”

When State concluded the team celebrated Ryan Sonderegger’s win and was looking forward to next year - they will have four returning State wrestlers.

The end of State does not mean the end of wrestling for the year. Ryan Sonderegger has a couple of weeks to rest before the spring wrestling league starts.

“These boys should be very proud.

They come from a community that isn’t all that interested in wrestling, and they competed against schools where the athletes had been wrestling from the age of six,” John Sonderegger said.

His Rankings in school

Records

After 3 seasons, Sonderegger ranks high in 5 of 8 team wrestling categories.

1

Most takedowns-113

5

7

Most 2 point near falls- 19

Most team points172

10Most escapes- 27