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EditorialPage 8The Owl

Warren CentralSeptember 25, 2009

Readers of the Owl will notice some rather major changes in this month’s issue. First and foremost, the Owl staff has decided to make the shift from the large broadsheet style, which the Owl has been for most of recent memory, to the smaller, more magazine-like tabloid style. While the word “tabloid” has an immediate tendency to invoke feelings of cheap, sensationalized, almost artificial journalism, we, as a staff, promise that the Owl will never feature such fanciful stories about “Wolfman” or obsess about Brangelina and the like as other tabloid style publications such as the National Enquirer and The Onion. Under this new design, the Owl as a paper will be able to become more graphically oriented, contain less empty space, and be more manageable for students. Due to the now limited amount of usable space per page the long, walls-of-text stories are things of the past. The Owl will now have more streamlined copy with pictures to complete the stories. Finally, the new Owl will be vastly more manageable to readers in many ways. First, the size is itself is so much easier to bite into, reading more as a magazine than a regular newspaper, which the Owl staff hopes will jump-start interest in the student body to pick up and read an Owl. The new Owl will also shift to what the Owl has been all along-- a more feature-oriented monthly publication. While the Owl strives to please the clientele, some will inevitably ask, “Why fix something that isn’t broken?” The answer, simply, is that several senior members of the Owl staff attended a seminar at IUPUI last fall. The keynote speakers were George McLaren, a former Indianapolis Star writer, and John Strauss, the adviser of the Ball State Daily News. The conference coincided almost in perfect alignment with the period when professional newspapers were closing their

doors in droves, almost 100 in a matter of months. Still, McLaren and Strauss both used this uncertainty of the profession to preach almost identical sermons: we, as high school journalists live in the middle of an extreme change of climate in the world of journalism. Media outlets such as TV, the Internet and even things such as Facebook and twitter have created the need for newspapers, and even journalists themselves, to change their approach to giving news. While they would openly admit to a definite sense of struggle in the field of professional journalism, they also wanted to let us know that this was a just as equally exciting time in the world of journalism as a whole, that this would give writers, both aspiring and accomplished, an excellent reason to diversify and expand their approach to news presentation, by changing style, voice, and design, as well as becoming multifaceted, designing pages and taking photos to accompany their stories as well. The Owl staff took their sentiments at face value and decided that the leap to tabloid style printing would be a good way to act on McLaren and Strauss’ words and diversify our publication. So, do not look at the Owl’s new appearance as a sign of cutbacks in various areas of the school’s funds, or even as a unplanned downsizing move. We will still be the same Owl as before, but now more in step with what the Owl truly is, a newsmagazine that will now be presented to the reader in a more manageable and feature-filled package. The Owl would also like to announce that in addition to the changes to our printed publication, we are also expanding to the Internet! The site is expected to launch this October, and will be updated regularly, so be on the lookout for updates.

Thumbs DOWn TO not being allowed to stand on the bleacher seats at football games. We’ve done it forever, why ban it now?

Thumbs DOWn TO the ”Hall Gestapo.” It’s a little sad to feel like one is always in need of “proper papers” just to get to class before school. A few bad apples ruin it for everyone, apparently.

Thumbs DOWn TO the president’s speech. It is entirely contradictory that teachers have to stop teaching to listen to a speech about education.

Thumbs DOWn TO incorrect soda stocking. You ask for Pepsi and get Diet Mountain Dew. Yuck. Who even thought Diet Mountain Dew was a good idea in the first place?

Thumbs up TO even the possibility of Megan Fox being “Catwoman” in the next Batman movie. Meow indeed.

Thumbs up TO Ben Davis. Now we are officially better in three ways-- graduation rates, football, and common sense. Should’ve left our bell alone...

Thumbs up TO the president’s speech. Such speeches promoting students furthering themselves needs to become a trend amongst politicians, and fast.

Thumbs up TO the new Owl format. Readers no longer have to stretch before trying to read an issue.

We Think...

Faces in the Crowd

I don’t support my family having to pay more, and

cutting back for supporting people who don’t have

jobs [and] wanting health insurance.”

- Alex Martens, sophomore

As the politicians in Washington continue to duke it out over what the best policy concerning health care would be for the American people, pulling out all the stops to further each party’s agenda, the Owl wants to know how Warren Central students feel about the situation.

The new format may inspire readership

I don’t know, I just don’t know. I don’t care. It doesn’t bother me.

-Marc Whitley, freshman

I think that it’s a shame that people who don’t

have health care can’t get help when they go to the

hospital. I believe everyone should get help when they

go to the hospital.

- Destiny Greer, freshman

It has a history of being a problematic industry, and

could use some reform, but a public plan might not be

best.

-Andrew McLaren, senior

My parents take care of my health care plan.

-Jon Bruer, sophomore

Health care is very important and needs to be reformed. People are

having to choose between their next meal and their

medication.

-Anthony Davis, junior

Thumbs

Kevin’s MusingsBy Kevin Farley

EditorialThe Owl Warren Central

September 25, 2009

Editorial policy The Warren “Owl” is a newsmagazine published ten times a year by the Publications staff of Warren Central High School at 9500 E. Sixteenth St., Indpls., In 46229. The Warren “Owl” is printed by The Daily Reporter of Greenfield, IN. Advertising rates are available upon request by calling (317) 532-6252. The Warren “Owl” is distributed to more than 3,000 students, faculty and residents in the community. As a student written and edited high school newsmagazine, the Warren “Owl” will strive to perform three functions:(1) To inform its readers thoroughly and accurately of all events and issues relative to students, staff and community.(2) To provide a forum for student opinions through its editorials and letters to the Editor.(3) To entertain readers with focus and feature items. Student staff members will decide the content of each issue and will write and edit all printed material. Editorials

will reflect the views of the student staff as a whole, not necessarily the opinions of administration or faculty members. The Warren “Owl” encourages readers to share comments, suggestions, or complaints by submitting letters to the editor. In order to be considered for publication, letters to the editor must include author’s signature. Names can be withheld from publication only at the request of the author and approval of the editorial board. The editors reserve the right to edit letters for clarification, or for space limitation. Libelous or profane letters will not be published. The Publications staff urges all Warren Central students and staff to use the “Letters to the Editor” as a public forum in the spirit of free speech and press. The Warren “Owl” is a member of the NSPA, CSPA, Quill & Scroll, and the Indiana High School Press Association.

OWl sTaFFEditor-in-Chief

Haley Dickey

Associate Editor/Opinion

EditorErik Jones

Features EditorEmily Abrams

News EditorRachel Baxter

Sports EditorJackson Coram

AdvertismentOlivia Kimsey

News StaffCandiace TursiNicole Wilson

Elizabeth Dixon

Entertainment Editor

Shelby Rutledge

Feature StaffImani Scott-

SmittickAyla Hardy

Entertainment Staff

Natalie VerhinesJennifer Marvel

Violet Murff

Sports StaffAlyssa JenningsLevi Fistrovich

Jodi Willis

Photography Editor

Tess Howard

PhotographersDaryl

HollonquestCasey Carney

Derrick CombsRiley Haab

Shanel JonesChris HendersonAshley Eastridge

AdviserMark Haab

PrincipalRich Shepler

mr. Jones’ neighborhood In their review of the Owl last year, the people at the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) informed me that my sports columns were “too universal” and that I should instead focus on individuals at the high school level. Well, I’ve never been one to disobey authority, so I will attempt to please the will of the high school journalism gods in my humble co lumn. This column is going to be about one high school person, well, I believe one person: the guy that broke into my car and robbed me on August 14. I hope you’re happy, because I know I am. Sure, it was pretty sly to walk into a church parking lot, of all places, and check all the doors of the cars parked there. It was also pretty darn clever to crawl in the back passenger door of my car, hop in the front seat and head out the front passenger door with my iPod and its charger in hand. Twenty seconds, and you made almost $300. Good work there, my friend; you really got me. It’s almost sad that you missed the 10 bucks in change I had hidden in my cup holders where you snatched the iPod from. It’s a little disappointing that you didn’t grab the $80 in borrowed CD’s that I had left so amazingly camouflaged strewn about my back seat. I was really let down that you didn’t think to reach over and pop the trunk-- a treasure chest, believe you me-- and take a five-finger discount on my $25 RISK game. Or the over $100 in tennis uniforms that I’ve acquired the last few years, and needed to take to practice for team pictures. Or the $165 tennis

racquets that were just sitting there, almost whispering: “please, take me.” Goodness, they even came in a stylish Wilson bag that you could have made some money off of at a garage sale. But there was the point where you really crossed the line. Something I can never forgive you, whoever “you” may be, for—that you reached right over my $650, 10k class ring, that was sitting in the very cup holder that you had to

reach in to steal my iPod, and left it sitting right there, shining in all its 2010 glory. Mind you, I was impressed that you got the iPod. All whopping 30 gigs of second-generation iPod. With a menu button that works about as frequently as a trust fund baby. So congratulations, my unknown acquaintance. You have stolen from me my portable music, some of my dignity, and my faith in the

human ability to think logically. How could you bomb at such a simple task? Don’t think for one second that I haven’t learned from this. My car is a shell of its former self. I keep only the most basic and important things in there now: gas, practice uniform, water, and my little sky blue Steak ‘n’ Shake fold-up Mustang. I make sure that all the doors in my car at all times now. Heck, I check them two or three times, occasionally even when I’m getting in to the car. I truly hope that you are happy, whoever you may be. You may have taken my iPod, but,you managed to give me so much more, both literal and metaphorical. Oh, you also let me get the iPod Touch I’ve wanted forever. Thanks!

Getting robbed can have its upside

Page 9

What ever happened to the saying “my good deed for the day?” When did we turn into a society that does not give back to people in need? Twenty-seven years ago on August 7, one of the most inspiring baseball stars did something that Red Sox fan Jonathan Keane will forever be grateful for. According to Greg Garber’s article “Rice a hero in a big way for young boy”, posted on ESPN.com, the game started out just like any other game for Boston Red Sox slugger Jim Ed Rice. The game was tied at the top of the fourth and Dave Stapleton was at bat. A foul ball went soaring through the air and in a split second was plummeting into something with a bang. Rice looked up from the dugout seeing young Keana bleeding profusely from the side of his head. “You try to raise up and see if it hits anyone,” Rice was quoted as saying in the article, “and then when it hits someone that’s when you react, especially when blood is involved.” Rice bolted like lightning to the boy’s side, swept him up and rushed him to the dugout where he met the in-house doctor. Four-year-old Keane was rushed to the local children’s hospital with bleeding from his nose, mouth and head with severe head trauma and he seemed to be unresponsive. If Rice had not responded the way he had, Keane may not be 31 years old and with zero effects from the blow. And even though Rice received

negative feedback for not considering other possible traumas from rapid movement, Rice still did what he could to insure the safety and well being of a young fan. But not all people can be as kind hearted as that baseball player that day. Whether it is for fear of getting into trouble by an administrator or being shunned by peers, most high school students couldn’t even imagine helping

someone pick up their books or holding the door open before school. Some Warren students would rather go about their day without a care in the world about anyone other than themselves. This is where our society is severely flawed. Take the 2000 movie “Pay It Forward” for instance

Trevor, played by Haley Joel Osment, is trying to make the world a better place through

a social studies assignment. Trevor’s teacher gave his social studies class an assignment asking them to think of one thing that they can do to make the world a better place and to put it into action. Trevor has a plan to do three good deeds to three different people a day, his first was a homeless man. Not everyone can save a kid from becoming paralized or help a homeless man get back on his feet, so start simple. Hold the door open for a student or let someone go in front of you in the parking lot lines. Make a difference with the little things you can do.

A good deed a day keeps the doctor away?life in hD

Haley DickeyEditor-in-Chief

Erik JonesAssociate Editor