Wadsworth High School
Newspaper II/III
March 2007
The
1870 - 2007 Wadsworth City Schools: “Celebrating 137 years of Excellence in Education”
Volume XXXII No. 6
BRUIN
Get ready for Spring Break! April 2 to April 8!
2007: Where are we now?
Thousands of U.S. troops deployed to Iraq continue to build a democracy after toppling Hussein’s reign four years ago. PHOTO COURTESY OF HTTP://ANTHONYBRADLEY.WORLDMAG.BLOG.COM
Progress, problems mark four years in Iraq BY MICHELLE MCCUNE
Four years ago, the United States and three other countries began military operations in Iraq with the objectives of ending Saddam Hussein’s rule, disarming weapons of mass destruction and freeing the Iraqi people. Nearing the anniversary of President George W. Bush’s declaration of war on March 20, amidst much controversy and with two of the three goals accomplished, the ever-changing situation often leaves many American citizens wondering what is currently happening. The drastic changes seen in the Middle East will undoubtably affect the world for years to come. Within three weeks of the initial invasion, American forces
took over Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, and toppled the reign of Hussein. One month later, on May 1, Bush announced that all major combat operations in Iraq were being ended. However, conflict continued and still continues today as insurgents use guerilla warfare techniques as a last stand against American forces. In December 2003, Hussein himself was captured by American troops, and three years later, on December 29, 2006, was executed for his “crimes against humanity.” Many feel that this victory is overshadowed by the loss of life American forces have suffered. While this war is comparatively less violent than preceding ones, the 3,160 American
casualties are felt very deeply by grieving Americans. This creates questions as to the justification of the armed forces’ presence. The Iraqi people held their first democratic election on January 30, 2005. It was on that day that 8.4 million people showed up to vote, and despite threats of violence, the day of the election came and went relatively peacefully. Pictures showing Iraqi citizens returning from the polls and proudly displaying their purple-stained finger, which was used to identify voters, circulated throughout the United States. Pictures and the media have played a large role in morale, as photos of flag-draped coffins and victorious Iraqi voters have created conflicting feelings.
2005 was largely a struggle of transferring power to the Iraqi government to speed up withdrawal of American troops, and a legislative election was held in December. A permanent Iraq government was established in 2006, and elected officials took office in May. Little changed throughout the rest of the year. After U.S. elections and a change in power in Congress, Bush announced an increase of 20,000 troops that will serve as a “New Way Forward” in which American forces will help the Iraqis put down sectarian violence and establish stability. January 2008 will undoubtedly bring shifts in policy as Bush leaves office, making the end of the war even more unclear.
Prince, was arrested Feb. 11 in connection with these threats. Two weeks ago, a 17-year old Michigan boy brought a gun to school and shot his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself. The bomb threats were hoaxes. The shooting, along with numerous others in recent years, was not. Often, it is difficult to tell whether a threat will be real or not, causing those in charge to treat every threat as real.
Once identified, the Wadsworth teen immediately admitted that he had written the message, which was intended as a joke. The administration still acted according to the school’s zero-tolerance policy by having an extended fire drill at 1:00 p.m., the time indicated on the calculator, and by calling the police. “We followed our procedures and reacted accordingly,” said Principal Brian Williams.
While some believe that taking those who make bomb threats into custody is overreacting, it is obvious that there is no choice but to act when confronted with a calculator promising “to maximize deaths.” When real school shootings and bombings have become almost a common occurrence, a joke about such a thing is less than funny, especially to a school official responsible for such a
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Senior trips entail possible danger BY ABIGAIL LEDMAN
Whether a senior trip is just a weekend getaway to Cedar Point or a full-blown excursion to the Bahamas, all pose a potentially dangerous threat. Careless moves, irresponsible decisions or even miscalculated travel plans can change an “Oh, yeah!” to an “Oh, no!” “I am going to Myrtle Beach in July with about 12 of my friends. It is going to be crazy fun,” said senior Elana Cole. While senior trips may be packed with adventure, fun and a new sense of independence, they equally possess dormant precariousness. Excitement heightens, adrenaline pumps and, often, carelessness can overtake the newlygraduated senior classmen. Take, for example, Natalee Holloway, who disappeared nearly two years ago, in May 2005. Holloway was on a postgraduation trip in Aruba with an estimated 125 classmates. On the evening of Sunday, May 29, Holloway traveled to Carlos’n Charlie’s, a local bar and grille near her hotel. She was last seen leaving the restaurant at one in the morning on Monday. She has yet to be found and is presumed to be dead. “With the sad events that occurred to Natalee Holloway, we will be forced to be cautious and smart in our decisions while on senior trip,” said senior Matt Wenger. Several vacation hot spots even plan for a flooding of senior classmen. For example, Myrtle Beach hosts Senior Week from July 7 through July 14. Hotels lower prices and increase occupancy See Dangerous Travel, page 9
False alarms, real situations difficult to distinguish; all have consequences BY LAURA MYERS
A 17-year old junior decided to write a fake bomb threat on his calculator. The message was discovered on Friday, March 9, and the teenager was sent to juvenile detention for inducing panic. One month previously, a 19year old Brunswick man was caught after calling in several bomb threats to Brunswick High School. The man, Stephan D.
Squire wins State
large number of students. “We have to take threats in a serious manner. We will never under-react to any situation,” said Williams. The Wadsworth student is wellliked by students and faculty, who say he is an intelligent teen who has never even had a detention. He has the support of many, but must still face the consequences of his action, as would anyone threatening violence at school.
Sports 2, 14
Entertainment, 16
Meet the underclassmen who have dominated winter sports
Learn about Apple’s new superphone, the iPhone.
Freshman Squire won an individual Division I State Championship on March 3. The 119pound wrestler is the first freshman in Wadsworth history to win State. For more pictures of winter State tournaments,
Picture pages, 10-11