Titan Lee’s Summit West High School 2600 SW Ward Road Lee’s Summit, MO 64082
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Friday, October 14, 2011 Volume VIII, Edition 3
Scroll
lswestonline.com
Pg.8
Titan Sports Review
Pg. 15
PDA at West
Pg. 4
8 Year Old Skater
Pg. 7
On the Cover Suicide Blogging
“I follow two people I know and then the rest are random people,” said Senior Addie Alexander
Titan Scroll Staff
PG. 15
Editor in Chief
pg. 8-9
Sydnee Owens
Assistant Editors
Haley Roach and Katey Stoetzel
Graphics Design Editor Jesse Eiskina
News Halloween: Ages 2-? Put away your PDA
Assistant Graphics Kylie Lanning
Photography Editor
pg. 3 pg. 4-5
Ariel Thompson
Assistant Photography Editors Judd Kirn and Joey Franke
Copy Editor Taylor Jensen
Opinion
Staff Editorial Katey’s Conundrums
Advertising Manager
pg. 6
Gabrielle Hayden
PG. 3 PG. 3
Business Manager Nicole Conniff
Distribution Manager Aaron Brower
Writers
Feature
The next Tony Hawk
Nikki Andriano Meg BrittonMehlisch Annie Greenwell Claudia Guthrie Andy Evans Tiffany Jenkins Riley Manning Carlie Nash Meg Peterson Anna Poudel
pg. 7
Photographers Maddy Arsenault Nathan Foster Kathryn Hilger Justin Hunley Morgan Johnson Ryan Miller Alex Palmer Steve Rhodes Bailey Romi Michelle Stout
Page Designers
A&E
Tweets vs. Statuses Kilts and Reality TV The remake of “Footloose”
pg. 10 pg. 11 pg. 12
PG. 15
PG. 7
Merrilee Boughan Nate Mitchell Tristan Owen Derec Owens Brooks Rast
Staff Artist
Meagan Shanahan
Adviser
Carol Ullery
Buisness Adviser Karrie Smythia
Sports
pg. 14 Andy’s Assertions pg. 15 Titan Sports Review Teammates brings on a pg. 16 whole new meaning
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The Titan Scroll is a student publication of Lee’s Summit West High School. It welcomes all letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit for libel and for space. No unsigned letters will be printed. Letters may be dropped off in Room 2048 or mailed to 2600 SW Ward Road, Lee’s Summit, MO 64082. Volume 8 of the Scroll is published 12 times during the 2011-2012 school year. The opinions contained do not in any way represent the Lee’s Summit West faculty, administration or the R-7 school district administration or school board.
October 14, 2011
When should the costumes retire? Claudia Guthrie
or treat. “High school is the time where you’re still treated like a kid but you’re maturing more. I think you can still go.” Senior Chris Carter agreed that it’s okay for teenagers to trick or treat, but once an adult, it’s not okay. “No one’s too old to trick or treat, it’s just that society will look down on you if you’re over forty,” said Carter. But Freshman Jessica Gough disagreed with the old people comment. “Old people could go trick or treating, that’s cool,” said Gough. “I like that everyone gets dressed up,” said Sophomore Brooke Bogaars. “You just walk around and have fun.” Although many West students still continue to trick or treat, there are some who refrain from candy-hunting Halloween night. Senior Joel Chapman no longer trick or treats. “I don’t trick or treat because I’m an old man,” said Chapman. “I think freshmen and sophomores can still trick or treat. Juniors and seniors should probably just go to haunted houses or something.” Freshman Sawyer Harmon, however, said he’s already over trick or treating. “I used to trick or treat, but not anymore. I stand there and give little kids candy because it’s more fun.” Senior David Hough said he thinks that no Counselor Greg Swaggart one is too old to go trick or treating. Photo said he thinks high schoolers by Bailey Romi are too old to trick or treat.
Tons of children spread through the neighborhoods each Halloween night seeking candy goodness. But, sometimes the children are not really children, at all. “You can never be too old,” said Junior Kiera Wollerman. “I go every year and I’m 16.” Senior David Hough agreed that kids in high school should still be able to trick
October 14, 2011
“From a personal perspective and from a dad perspective I think once kids reach that 13, 14, 15 age that’s kind of the end of it,” said Swaggart. “Trick or treating is really designed to be for younger kids.” One of the problems faced by older kids who continue the trick or treat ritual is being denied candy because of their age. Hough is one who’s been denied Halloween sweets. “I’ve almost been punched, too.” “I’ve never been denied candy, but I have been ripped off,” said Junior Sydnie Nourie. “They’d only give me one piece.” “I don’t think there should be an age limit, but I think that the person should decide whether or not they’re too old,” said Chapman. Some argue that teenagers continue to trick or treat as a way to keep a hold of their childhood, saying that dressing up and going door-to-door keeps them from moving on into adulthood. Swaggart disagreed with that theory. “I don’t think they have issues [letting go of their childhood]. I think it’s a whole lot of fun, and who doesn’t like candy? I think there comes a point in time where everybody realizes maybe that’s not the most important thing and it’s time to kind of move on. Issues, no. You see adults all the time going to Halloween parties and dressing up and having fun. The whole trick or treating is a fun, spontaneous thing and I think that’s a pretty natural transition for students through the years to move away from it.” Along with children dressed as pirates and princesses, girls in revealing costumes are also abundant on Halloween. Some think questionably dressed girls should choose to wear costumes more appropri-
ate for their age. Freshman Nicole Dillon said some girls begin dressing too revealing at ages as young as seven. “I think it’s inappropriate and they need better parents,” said Dillon. “Some of them are a little too revealing, which doesn’t make a lot of sense because it’s freezing cold outside. The whole time you have to cover up anyway. So it’s like, why are you going to show your stomach and all your legs?” said Wollerman. There are also those who couldn’t care less about the way girls dress on Halloween. “It’s their decision to wear it or not,” said Hough. “I don’t mind it.” Bogaars acknowledged that girls do dress inappropriately on Halloween but it’s not really considered a big deal. “It’s the one night of the year where it’s okay,” said Bogaars. Harmon said she thinks that people should be able to dress the way they want for Halloween. “I guess if that’s the way they want to be they can be that way,” said Harmon. “I don’t think the way you dress for Halloween should be an issue.”
• News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 3
Display of intimacy flushes Claudia Guthrie Throughout the halls of West, students who are in love and want to make sure the whole world knows it is seen through public display of affection. Some would say it’s impossible to get from one class to another without spotting a couple holding hands, hugging, and kissing in the middle of the crowd. “It makes me feel icky because it’s gross,” said Freshman Christine Betts. “I have nothing against the people that do it, I just think it’s inappropriate.” The Student Handbook states, “Displays of affection are not appropriate at school. This includes during the school day as well as after school activities.” However, with the amount of PDA that is seen daily, the attempts exerted by teachers t o reinforce the rules are questioned. “If we see it, we say something,” said history teacher Cindy Denker. “I’d hate to think of teachers looking the other way. I don’t think you’re going to get that here.” Some reported a different story. “I don’t
see teachers breaking any of that up, or they’re somewhere where the teachers can’t see them,” said Senior Kursten Davenport. “If you’re a teacher that’s totally concerned with kids liking you, you’re probably not going to say anything. Maybe they have some thoughts, but they keep it to themselves. Some teachers don’t like the confrontation. Me, I don’t care. I don’t have that type of personality. Whether I know you or not, I’m going to let you know it’s inappropriate,” said math teacher. Melvetta Manning. Aside from during school, PDA is seen frequently during after school activities. “That rule probably doesn’t even exist to most teachers during after school activities,” said Manning. “If I’m at a football game and I see, like, five pairs of childrenespecially eighth grade and ninth grade-who sit over there behind the bleachers and all they’re doing is sitting and kissing the whole time, I don’t even
stop them. I just walk on. I’m like, ‘Seriously?’” Some said that they think teachers are a little more lenient when it’s not happening after school hours. “You can just tell that teachers don’t feel like they have much power or control over it during after school activities,” said Betts. Juniors Tyler Cox and Brooke Taylor consider themselves a couple who express their affection publicly. “We’re not like those people you see who are making out in the hallway all the time,” said Cox. “Holding hands, hugging, giving each other a small kiss before class, I don’t really see a problem with that. I don’t think that it’s much annoyance.” “I kind of think it makes peo- Freshmen Alyssa Travalent and Brandon ple jealous,” said Taylor. Kirby share a hug after school. Junior Zach Porter said he about each other deeply, you can say is publicly affectionate with his you’re in love and I understand that,” said girlfriend sometimes. “Me and my girlfriend don’t do it as Manning, “but it’s going to be 55 minutes much as we used to. Now the most we do until you see this person again. 55 minis a peck on the lips before we leave,” said utes. I know we can have some kind of natural disaster in 55 minutes, but I’m a Porter. Both Porter and Cox said they have God-fearing woman and I believe we are been separated from their girlfriends by going to be okay in that 55 minutes and I’m going to see you again in 55 minutes. teachers. Manning said that PDA is one of We do not have to kiss like we’re about to go off to war. No one here is fighting for the biggest problems at West. “Look boys and girls, I know you care our country, we just need to chill.”
“Displays of affection are not appropriate at school. This includes during the school day as well as at after-school activities.” - Lee’s Summit West Student Handbook Photos by Maddy Arsenault
4 • News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports •
October 14, 2011
cheeks and turns heads Students said that it makes them feel uncomfortable when they see people kissing in the hallway. “I prefer not to see it. It’s something I feel should be more of personal time off on your own, not in the middle of everyone. I mean, I’m glad that they’re really happy with each other, but they shouldn’t do it,” said Davenport. “I think it’s gross and disturbing to watch. Especially when they stop right in front of you in the hall, it’s really annoying,” said Freshman Emma King. Because the student handbook does not specify
where exactly the boundary lines are for PDA, the line between appropriate and inappropriate may be fuzzy. “To some extent it’s fine, but I prefer not seeing people kissing and stuff in the hallway” said Davenport. “Hugs and holding hands are fine, just
keep everything else to yourself, please.” Cox said seeing other couples kissing in the hallways often annoys him. “Like I said, we’re not the couple who makes out in the hallways constantly, but seeing
Sophomores Avery Forton and Keeli White leave school hand in hand. (Photo left)
“...We do not have to kiss like we’re about to go off to war...” - Melvetta Manning Math teacher October 14, 2011
people who do it does annoy me. In my opinion, there’s a certain extent where PDA is too much.” “I just think it’s icky and grody. I don’t like it, it makes me uncomfortable, and it’s inappropriate,” said Betts. PDA to a certain extent is considered accpetable, but how far is too far? “Obviously if something is making someone uncomfortable, I’ll say ‘don’t do that,’” said Denker. “Holding hands is one thing, sticking your tongues down each other’s throat is another.”
Sophomore Tony Van Pelt is embraced with a hug from a fellow student in the courtyard.
• News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports • 5
Staff Editorial:
Halt your Hormones
How far is too far? How does simply holding hands in between classes and a peck on the cheek evolve into a full-fledged make out session? PDA seems to be quite common among young people, yet we admit that we think it’s kind of awkward. In some instances, it’s raunchy. Whatever happened to this little thing called modesty? Now it’s like people don’t care where they are or who’s watching when they’re around the love of their life. Have a little respect for those around you and more importantly, for yourself. Is there really a need to be all over each other? Even with the
hormones raging, there has to be some level of self-control, people. And it’s not just at school, anywhere in public seems to be an issue. That stuff is meant to be done in private, not in the public eye. It’s like the elephant in the room, it makes everyone feel uncomfortable. It’s understandable that teenagers are going to be in love and want to express their feelings but there’s a time and a place for that, and it’s not in the hallways, at the dance, at the football game, at the movies, at the mall, etc. Granted, when attending an event like a school dance it is a little more acceptable to be a little
touchy because you’re basically on a date. But again it’s one thing to be a little handsy, it’s another to be groping each other on the dance floor. Administrators see that; doesn’t that make people slightly uncomfortable? The good news is there’s a super simple solution. Just do it in private! No one really cares where you make out with your girlfriend or boyfriend as long as they don’t have to see it. The point is it’s out of hand. We’re happy that you’ve found that special someone, but seriously, tone it down. Let’s clean it up people; it’s called class.
Katey’s Conundrums:
The Legend of Pennhurst Asylum
Katey Stoetzel
Let’s drop the usual sarcasm; it’s Halloween and the ghosts are here. Everyone likes a good ghost story, and the best one, in my opinion, comes from Pennsylvania. Located in Spring City, Pennsylvania, the Pennhurst State School and Asylum was an institution for the mentally and physically disabled.
Built in 1903 and opened in 1908, the school covered 120 acres and could hold over 10,000 patients, making it one of the largest institutions in Pennsylvania. Like any other mental institution, the goal was to care and give treatment and education to the patients. In order to give the top notch care and treatment, they needed to hire a top notch staff. In theory, they did. Soon a board of trustees, a medical staff, dental staff, and people who specialized in psychology, social services, and accounting made a living at Pennhurst. On call at all times were a full nursing staff and two surgeons. Clergy members roamed the halls and farmers spent their day out in the fields, growing the food for the patients. From here, the story only gets better. To me, this set up is prefect for a classic ghost story. I mean, there’s a mental institution and the aura of perfection circling the building. And when things are too good to be to true, you know that’s when it’s time to run. Keep reading. The problem here was that no one knew exactly why it shut down. Accusations of dehumanization put the school in a negative public image. Former patients of the school would come out and file lawsuits toward the school, saying that the place was not sanitary and inhumane. Investigations were made and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania concluded that the patients in Pennhurst were not getting better; in fact, they were getting worse. Soon after the investigation in 1986, it was closed. Later on, evidence of a deranged doctor from Europe who led radical experiments on humans in Pennhurst were leaked, but unfortunately, the evidence was not
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sufficient. There were still holes to fill. Finally, the legend was circulated. After realizing that he needed live human patients to experiment on and getting inmates from a local prison as his test subjects, Dr. Chakajian tested on them for two decades. But word got out about his experiments so he went in search of a new institution, thus finding Pennhurst. Dr. Chakajian was killed in a fire, along with some other patients, on the second floor of the Administration building. This created a diversion for inmates to make their escape and a lot of the staff was killed. The staff that survived locked the remaining patients in cells deep underground and left them to die. If you think you can handle it, Pennhurst Asylum is now opened as one of the scariest and real haunted houses in the country. Information gathered from pennhurstasylum.com
October 14, 2011
Eight-year-old rolls with the pros
Haley Roach While many eight-year-olds are focused on mastering multiplication, Greenwood Elementary third grader, Evan Doherty is focused on landing his 900 on his skateboard. So far in Evan’s career his proudest accomplishment is landing his 720, a trick that Evan’s mother Patricia Doherty said Evan is the youngest ever to do on a vert. “Getting speed and flowing in the air” is Evan’s favorite part of skating, he said. Evan started skating four years ago, and has stayed committed to the sport. He used to pass a skate park on his way home from school and wanted to try it out for himself. Evan learned from watching videos and other skaters and then practicing the moves himself. “He will just practice a trick and he’ll fall 20 times and he’ll still get back up,” said Patricia. “If he has it in his mind that he wants to land that trick he’ll just keep trying it” Five months ago, Evan and his family
moved to a new house in Greenwood that Malto. had a big enough yard where they could Evan has formed a friendship put their own skateboarding park. with Malto, and on occasion they skate “This took a lot of our savings and together. pretty much most of our Because of money to build it,” said Evan’s success in Patricia, “but he has a skating he has dream and we really had the chance to want to have him fulfill get to know, hang his dream.” out, and talk with Before Evan could just many professional walk out his back door skaters. to skate he practiced at In his four years skateparks in the area. of skating, Evan Evan spends a has become the few hours everyday recipient of various practicing his awards. He’s skated skateboarding. in 14 states and in One day he hopes to 47 competitions be participating in big and events. competitions like the X “He loves to games. said Eight-year-old Evan Do- compete,” The person that herty practices his dream Patricia. “We sort Evan looks up to the of becoming a pro skate- of let him pick most is professional boarder in his backyard and choose what skateboarder from skate park. Photo by Na- he wants to do Kansas City, Sean than Foster. and then if we can
afford it we try to make it happen.” Evan’s most recent award was 1st Place Vert, Gold Medal All Ages Sponsored Division at the 2011 National State Games held in California this August. Even with all his success at such a young age, Evan has not let his talent go to his head. “His teacher actually talked to me and she said, ‘You would never know that he does what he does because he never really talks about it, he is very humble,’” said Patricia. Whether Evan is away for a competition, or just in his backyard, Evan has the support of his sister Emma Doherty. “It’s really awesome to see him skate,” said Emma. Patricia said, “She bakes cookies, that’s her thing. We’ll have a bike skate session and people will come out and she’s like ‘I need to bake cookies!’” Along with Emma, Evan’s parents are very supportive and proud. Patricia said, “I am all the time amazed at what he can do.”
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October 14, 2011
Suicidal thoughts hidden behind online blog posts r l b s b s l m o e g r spot Tu p d r o w “You should not be venting anonymously. You should be allowed to vent, but that’s what friends are for.”
Sydnee Owens Katey Stoetzel Haley Roach
“My time has come, and so I’m gone. To a better place, far beyond. I love you all as you can see. But it’s better now, because I’m free.” Perhaps a post like this should be enough to shock anyone, but it may be overlooked as “catchy song lyrics” or having a bad day. In this case, it was the final post from 16-year-old Cassidy Joy Andel in Cooperstown, North Dakota just before hanging herself last year. The post was blasted across local news, but the attention was too late. “So many times we post what’s right on our mind at that time. ‘This is the worst day of my life,’ or you know whatever it may be, and when somebody reads that, you could read more into it than is really there. Or it really could be something and people will be like, ‘Oh, they’re just having a bad day.’ That’s a really tough situation,” said Counselor Jennifer Ailshire. If posting a farewell on Facebook can go unnoticed, posting personal thoughts on a private blog could be considered an even higher risk. Unlike Facebook or Twitter, Tumblr, a popular blog site, is more private because people don’t necessarily use it to keep up with their friends. Some don’t even follow their friends, they follow and are followed by online strangers. “I follow two people I know and then the rest are random people,” said Senior Addie Alexander who made her Tumblr last December. Science teacher Frank Vovk does not use Tumblr, but he does have a blog he uses for teaching techniques using technology. He said blogs are more efficient when they are providing useful information, but he said that they can be a healthy way for teens to express their feelings as long as they have a sounding board. “A sounding board is a person that says, ‘You crazy, come on!’” said Vovk. “You shouldn’t be alone too long with your thoughts. You can write stuff that’s crazier and crazier, and if no one tells you to cut it out then you’re going to start thinking that’s normal. People are meant to be with other people. The worst form of torture we have in the U.S. is isolation, and that’s what you’re doing when you’re on those sites.” English teacher Elizabeth Cramer-Cumins said she views it differently, saying writing is the perfect way to organize one’s thoughts. “I think it’s the best way in the world to really think about how you feel about something. When you’re writing, no one is telling you you’re wrong, no one is telling you you shouldn’t feel that way,” she said. Ailshire agreed that writing is a great tool in expressing emotion. However, when those thoughts are publicized for strangers to see it could result in a positive or a negative way. “I think if the person writing it is okay with other people knowing that information, then sure. If it’s out there for others to read sometimes that helps. Somebody else out there might go, ‘I’ve been through that too, I’m not the only one who’s felt that way.’ The risk with that is the idea of someone consistently posting depressing or even suicidal thoughts and them going unnoticed. “There’s a really good chance it can go downhill fast if they’re blogging about suicide. If it’s anonymous or nobody sees it then the first time they do it’s going to be quite shocking to them, but the fiftieth time they’re writing about
suicide they’re like, ‘oh my suicide chat,’ and that’s not normal,” said Vovk. He added, “The biggest problem I think with kids nowadays is the feeling of worthlessness. They don’t feel like they’re valued or worth anything and when they write about suicide 50 times online and no one has said anything, that pretty much goes along with their feelings that, ‘I am worthless.’” However, for someone who wanted to express deep, dark feelings and not have to worry about their friends or family checking up on them, a private blog would be the perfect opportunity. “That scares me. I mean anytime a student is writing about suicide it’s a red flag to me. It would be a terrible thing to be reading it and know you couldn’t do anything about it. They don’t really know the person writing it. It would be very frustrating to know someone was in that kind of trouble and not be able to help them,” said Cramer-Cumins. Vovk said he is convinced there are people out there that would not care if they came across a disturbing post by a stranger. “To them, it’s not even a real person. If people are following them and they don’t know who they are, that’s not a real person. It’s like television, they’re desensitized to it, they don’t care what happens to that person,” he said. Senior Jacob Bogart also uses Tumblr. However, he explained he does not use it as a blog, just an opportunity to reblog stuff like a funny picture or interesting artwork. “But some of the people I follow—that’s their outlet. If they had a bad day or someone pissed them off, that’s the place they can go vent,” said Bogart. Alexander agreed that Tumblr is a lot of times used for venting purposes. “A lot of the people just complain about their lives.” Bogart and Alexander said they usually don’t get too concerned when they see a dramatic post pop up on their dashboard (Tumblr’s version of a newsfeed). “It’s not that I don’t take it seriously, but I know it’s just their way of letting it out. A couple times I’ve done the same thing. Something is going on and I just want to vent so I go on Tumblr,” said Bogart. However, in Andel’s case, it was not just venting, it was a cry for help. Vovk, Ailshire and Cramer-Cumins all agreed that action should always be taken when something like that occurs. “It’s not a joke. Standing by is just as guilty as pulling the trigger. And that’s the law, too. You can’t stand by and watch somebody drown. And I think if you stand by online and you watch somebody talk about suicide, even in a joking manner, and you don’t say anything, that’s like watching somebody drown,” said Vovk. Ailshire said there have been students who have reported concerning posts Anonymous on Facebook that were concerning and staff immediately acted upon blogging online it.
can lead to isolation, affecting not only the blogger, but family and friends as well. Photo by Ariel Thompson
8 • News • Opinion • Feature • Arts&Entertainment • Sports •
Titan Scroll
- Frank Vovk
who a r e close to t h e m about their issues as well. But that confidant may not be available to everyone. “If you’re going to vent then you need to vent to a friend. If you’re going to vent anonymously, that’s when you start going crazy. If I talked to my friend and I said, ‘I hate this freakin’ job, I just can’t do this anymore.’ And he says, ‘You know what, wake up, we all have hard jobs that’s why they pay you,’ that’s one thing. But if I stand behind the post office and yell that, that’s not healthy,” said Vovk. “You should not be venting anonymously. You should be allowed to vent but that’s what friends are for.” Another scary thing that could happen when having an anonymous blog is bad influences online. “If a person keeps talking about suicide anonymously, there are people out there who think, ‘oh we can get him to do this,’ then when he does do it they’re going to say, ‘Oh that was epic!’” said Vovk. Vovk provided a shocking example. “In New York, we saw someone standing on a building and there were people yelling jump. If it’s anonymous and they don’t know the person then they’ll do that.” Like everything else, bogging has a positive and a negative side. It’s a place for teenagers to vent about what they want. But that still doesn’t mean the reality isn’t there.
“I would like to think that we have a strong enough community and network in this school that if a student did see a posting of that nature that they would report it,” she said. However, just because someone is using a blog as an escape or a way to vent, that does not necessarily mean they are not talking to people
October 14, 2011
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October 14, 2011
Reedy joins the reality television world
Riley Manning While most high school students are watching reality television shows, Senior Daniel Reedy and his dad are starring in one. The show centers around Reedy’s father’s rental property company, which he started six years ago. “When my dad started the company, he immediately tried to get the show. He almost got a show called ‘Flip This House: Kansas City,’ but it didn’t work out. He kept trying and eventually a production company thought it was a good idea,” said Reedy. The Reedy’s sent in their filmed footage to the producers of “Gene Simmons: Family Jewels” and everything went from there. Originally, Reedy wasn’t a part of the show, but when his dad approached him and asked if he wanted to be a part of it., he said maybe, thinking he would be only a minor character. “In the first part my dad recorded, he ended in a pose in front of his office in a kilt, so I put on the kilt and did the same pose as him and my dad sent the picture to the production company. They saw it and said, ‘That’s awesome! We want the son to be in it,’ so I said ‘Alright, I’m fine with it.’”
Reedy said they want the show to be family oriented, but it’s not necessarily kid-friendly. Some parts may be deemed “inappropriate,” but it’s about family, friends, and the chemistry of long-time acquaintances. Unlike most reality shows, “it’s not a whole lot of random people that were picked because they were interesting, we’ve all known each other forever. Also, hardly anything needs to be staged. Like if people get mad, we see it. We walk around with a small camera and film everything. Nothing is set up for us. It’s really reality,” said Reedy. “We’ve had it where a lot of the properties we manage are in low-income, like down in the ghetto and we go and tell the tenants that they have to pay and they get really angry, like ‘ghetto angry’, and my dad is about 6’4” and 200 pounds and he’ll be yelling at them. It gets pretty heated,” said Reedy. “People will run out of the house when we get there and my brother is really athletic and will chase them. Or sometimes people will have broken into a property and we’ll bring guns and chase them out or we’ll wait inside with guns for someone to break in again. It gets pretty intense because there’s
Senior Daniel Reedy prepares to shoot a new TV show with his dad.
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the potential for people to get shot.” Reedy explained that there is a pretty wide spectrum for their tenants’ behavior. “One day we’ll go somewhere and there will be a little lady and she’s really sweet and then the next day some guy punches me in the face. Anything could happen and anything will happen.” Sporadically filming since December, Reedy and his dad already have enough footage filmed for a couple of episodes and because of the nature of the work, they can film an episode a day if needed. As for the father-son relationship, Reedy said, “My dad and I have a really close relationship; we have really similar personalities. This is just something different that’s neat that we do together. It has certainly done nothing to hurt the bond.” Currently, the show is in the process of being filmed and they’ve signed contracts saying it’s okay for the show to be on television. “We’re waiting for a network to pick it up, like TLC or E, but a similar show is being picked up by Spike TV. Right now, we’re seeing who wants it the most. We’ve been filming footage and sending it to the production company. We’re playing the waiting game,” said Reedy. “No matter how long the show runs for, it will end up being beneficial for us. It’s going to be awesome and you should watch it.”
October 14, 2011
“Footloose” breaks out new beat to old classic
Taylor Jensen There’s the original, then there’s the new. The classic 1984 movie “Footloose,” starring Kevin Bacon, is now remade, and will hit theaters today. “It’s a good one,” said Junior Mackenzie Carter, “it’s about fighting for what you believe in.” Popular singer and dancer Julianne Hough, according to imbd.com, is cast as the lead female role Ariel Moore, the preacher’s daughter with the growing reputation of the town’s rebel. Kenny Wormald is cast for the part of rock and roll city kid Ren McCormack. The lead male role proved to be a strong attention grabber for teacher Katie Caldwell. “I thought it was a great movie of the 80’s, a classic. You can’t go wrong with Kevin Bacon,” said Caldwell, but also added that replacing him can’t possibly be redone. “We need to make sure his replacement realizes he isn’t Kevin Bacon and has to become his own character.” Viewers won’t have to worry about this movie being an exact replica of the first; different stars, music, societal culture, and more make it it’s own. “They’re using the same plot but a different setting, which I think will make it a lot better because they’re not just copying the same thing. I heard that they’re changing the music to make it more modern, and the point of “Footloose” is to seem old-fashioned.” For anyone else who has or has not seen the previews, there seems to be a pretty contemporary twist incorporated. Senior Jenna Klausing, who was a part of West’s performance of “Footloose,” said
“the time period is the eighties. Everything was different then. The dancing was different, the slang and style of speech was different, the clothes were different, etc. I could easily see the director going for a more modern approach because it is so difficult to recreate that time period on screen.” “[The previews] caught my interest, I still love the storyline, and of course I want to see some of the new dance movies. Technology, music, dance movies, today things are bigger and ‘better’. The movies from the 80’s – they are classics and a lot of them need to stay that way,” said Caldwell. That’s how many feel – that classics are to remain classics, untouched and undisturbed. “Honestly, why do we keep remaking 80’s films? Yes they were great, but can’t we come up with some new ideas? And if we are going to keep doing the 80’s remakes where the heck is “E.T.?” With all the technology I think a new version would be amazing,” said Caldwell. Is Hollywood making a mistake in redoing classics? Is it lacking creativity? Caldwell said she thinks that some remakes are acceptable, while others should never be messed with. “True Grit was a great remake, maybe “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” that is one of my favorites! But they better not remake “Breakfast Club”; that one needs to go in a vault.” Klausing said it’s tough to make movie musicals, so it might be easier to just improve on an idea, rather than starting from scratch. Caldwell said she thinks Hollywood can be lazy and money
hungry. the movie is about at all.” “They already know those storylines Carter’s opinion of seeing both the will make them money... And because original and the new differ from that of people like me grew up watching these Klausing’s. “I think you should always see movies, we want to see how the ‘new the original; it’s kind of like reading the Hollywood’ makes them their own,” said book before seeing the movie.” Caldwell. Caldwell has just about the same Which brings up the last question: approach, and once again returned to the should the upcoming generations still see famous 80’s actor. “Of course younger the original Footloose, or can they skip generations should see the originals, right over it? they’re classics and they need to know “Well honestly, if one is better than the who Kevin Bacon is.” other, then it probably doesn’t matter. See whichever you want to,” said Klausing. “I want to see the movie mostly because I was in the show; it gives me a connection. I’m excited to see what changes are made, that and I love dancing, and “Footloose” has a lot of dancing.” Carter said the type of dancing won’t be the same, due to the change in society since the 80’s. “The dancing in the new one is way different, they have a lot Footloose may be a new rendition to the old movie, of dirty dancing but it has some new spins to and old musical, such which is just as new dancing styles, and contemporary problems. weird because Photo courtesy of Paramount.com that’s not what
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October 14, 2011
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Andy’s Assertions: To say the Chiefs passing game had been struggling would be, well, an understatement. Their pass offense was ranked 30th out of 32 teams in the NFL. This had the citizens of KC screaming for Matt Cassel’s head, and rightfully so. As of last Commentary by Andy Evans week, he had thrown more interceptions than touchdowns and just looked like a mess. The Chiefs lost their first two games by a combined 89-10 deficit. Then Cassel and his team, yes his team, turned over a new leaf. Cassel is completing passes, making plays, and
Cut Cassel a Break
being the leader his team has so desperately needed. For whatever reason, fans just seem to have a sort of shortterm memory loss that makes them forget about the time he led the Patriots to an 11-5 season in 2008 and this very same Chiefs team to the playoffs last season. So, I say it’s time for people to get off of Cassel’s back and jump back on the “Chiefs Bandwagon.” It makes me sad how fast people lose their so-called “loyalty” to a team, or player, as soon as times get a little tough and they lose a few games. Being a fan is supposed to be a “for better or for worse” type of relationship and real loyalty to a team should not be shaken by a rocky start to the season. All of this talk of how the Chiefs should throw the season and try to win the “Suck for Luck” campaign to be the worst team in the NFL and draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the overall first pick is ridiculous. Matt Cassel is a good quarterback, people just need
to give him a chance. Believe it or not, no one is perfect. If you expect perfection from a quarterback, you will be let down. Everyone has bad games. In the Chiefs first three games, all of which were losses, Cassel had an average passer rating of 65.5. In the Chiefs two victories, Cassel’s passer rating has improved to 124.0. That is a 58.5 point improvement. Matt Cassel was a Pro-Bowl quarterback last year, and these last two games against Minnesota and Indianapolis have proved he is still the same player. All Cassel needed was some time to get his head on straight, and get back into an offensive rhythm. For the first time this season, he looks in sync with his receivers and like he is in control of the field. If he can keep his stats looking like they did versus Indy, where he threw 4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and for 257 yards, I would not count the Chiefs out of postseason contention just yet.
KC
Go get them Freshman Football! ! Good Luck! Preferred Pediatrics James K. McEntire, DO, FAAP Noel M. Graham, M.D. FAAP Sherri Quick CPNP Sara Cox MPAS, PA-C
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October 14, 2011
SPORTS REVIEW
Varsity Titans beat Park Hill, 40 - 0 last week, and not to be outdone, JV played Park Hill also coming out on top 40-13. Kick-off for tonight’s much-anticipated Border War game between West and Lee’s Summit is at 7 p.m. at LSHS. T-Shirts supporting the rivalry and Titans will be on sale after school today in the commons for $10.
BORDER WAR
TITANS VS. TIGERS
7 p.m. @ LSHS Carlisa May Photo by Bailey Romi Myles Cheadle Photo by Justin Hunley
XC
Both Girls Varsity and JV won their cross country Conference at Longview Saturday, placing 1st with 19 and 27 points. Boys cross country placed 2nd after St. Joseph Central in conference. Districts are Oct. 22 at Lake Jacomo.
TEN N I S
“Our last match was against Lee’s Summit for districts, which we lost 4-5,” said Junior Brandi Vollmer Being the only West Varsity player who qualified for sectionals, when she was injured and couldn’t compete, the season ended. “I think the season went well. We had some new faces on the varsity team that got experience so it was a growing year.”
Jill Jones
Softball districts began Saturday and being single elimination, ended the Varsity softball season. “I think we played a really good game besides one bad inning, which you can’t have against a team like Blue Springs. They were a really tough match-up and actually ended up winning districts.” -Senior Hannah Johnson
Golf
The volleyball girls have won the past eight matches. On Oct. 4, they won 25-6 and 25-1 against Park Hill High School. Soon after, on Oct. 6, they won against St. Joseph Central High School 25-9 and 25-4. Their next game is the 15th against St. Thomas in the tournament.
Hannah Johnson Photo by Alex Palmer
“Our team won Conference and the whole team pulled together that day, so that’s what helped us win.” -Senior Allison Nill After Conference, only three girls qualified at districts. From Sectionals on Wednesday the 5th, none of the team qualified for State. “I’m trying to play Division I golf in college. I don’t want to give up; I just want to keep playing.” -Nill
“I qualified for State diving last Tuesday. I’m really happy and excited because I’ve been working toward it since the season began. To make State you had to get 210 and I got the score of 213.” -Austin Todd State is Nov. 12 and Todd is the first boys diver to go to state in West history. Photo by Michelle Stout
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Chemistry fuses soccer boys together Anna Poudel The Varsity Soccer team has recently been a big hubbub on both the field and Twitter, thanks in part to their close team bond. “It is a much closer group than previous years and that helps with games and things like that,” said Quentin Coates, a junior who plays goal keeper. “In past years, not necessarily last year, but there’s always been like two kids that didn’t get along and that just like ruined it for everyone,” said Senior Aaron Van Wormer, a defender. What’s different about this year’s group of varsity players is that many of them have been friends for a long time before this season. “I know a few of the kids have been friends since they were super young, but most of us have since middle school or upper elementary,” said Van Wormer. And those who were new were quickly brought into the group. Freshman Logan Visconti, a midfielder, said he felt completely a part of it after the team’s second game, despite being a freshman among lots of upperclassmen.
“It was very easily found that we were all friends, there wasn’t any outliers,” said Coates. “We just had that instant connection, we were like snap,” said Junior and defender Troy Perry. After bonding the way the soccer team does, it’s no wonder they’re so close. “We’ve been to Chipotle together; we’ve been to Custard’s together. What haven’t we done? We all just meet up and hang out,” said Perry. Sometimes the soccer players just hang out at someone’s house and find things to do. “We went over to Keegan Emmendorfer’s [Sophomore JV Midfielder] house and watched fantastic movies like Pippi Longstockings and The Amazing Panda Adventure,” said Perry. “We got into a heated argument about whether the mama panda was a robot or not and I feel like that made us closer.” “We like to watch Pippi Longstockings. We all learned the songs and got to sing together and just kind of make fun of it,” said Van Wormer. “There’s nothing we won’t do if we can get the whole group together and it’s fun.”
The team has won 14 of 19 games as of Tuesday, indicating that a close team makes for a successful one. “As a team, I’d say this is definitely our best year because in past years we had a winning record but it wasn’t as good...We always want to play good so the person next to us plays good,” said Van Wormer. Knowing each other well also gives the players better chemistry, according to Coates, which makes them work well together. “We always know where each other are on the field and we just have that special bond,” said Perry. Watching children’s movies is not the only way this team bonds, playing games brings the team closer as well. “For me, I know the North game, that was pretty much my last chance to beat them because I’m a senior and we hadn’t done that in four years, since I’ve been here, and I couldn’t play so everyone stepped up,” said Van Wormer. In that game, West won 4-3 in penalty kicks.
The varsity soccer players spend time during practice untangling themselves from the team building Human Knot exercise. Photo by Joey Franke
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October 14, 2011