PATRIOTTHE

Sports vs. Skills/ 06

Ten Years Later/ 08

New in Town/ 15

Shawnee Mission South September/ 2011 Volume/ 46 Issue/ 01

Current happenings in and out of school

News /03

Funny or Not? /05

16/ Fall Sports

15/ New and in Charge

Remembering 9/11 /08

Teen Jobs /11

Sport vs. Skill /06

Staff voices thoughts on recent prank taken too far

What is considered a sport?

Students find jobs in today’s economy

A look back on the day that we will always remember

Introducing South’s new coaches

A compilation of the in-season sports

12/ Reviews

14/ Starting Over

Staff reviews current music and movies

12 21

Editor-in-ChiefDesignA&E

Alma VelazquezManaging Editor

SportsCasey Lee

NewsOlivia Feathers

OpinionsAdam Mateos

FeaturesHannah Strader

PhotosGrace Pritchett

WebHunter Young

Ads

CartoonistClaire Thomas

Writers

Shelby Johnson

Photographers

Web StaffAlan Cordry

Rachel RosenstockGriffin Zeller

Derek Fuhrmann

CONTRIBUTORS:

CONTENTSSEP

10

05

15

Aaron Whatley

Trevor Gariety

Trivette Knowles

AdviserJulie Fales

On the Cover:PATRIOTTHE

Sports vs. Skills/ 06

Ten Years Later/ 08

New in Town/ 15

Shawnee Mission South September/ 2011 Volume/ 46 Issue/ 01

Junior Gabe Guild hustles during the Green and Gold Scrimmage Aug. 25.

Hayleigh Chudik

Consequences of last year’s behavior

Congratulations to the 2011 Homecoming Nominees!

PHOTO BY /TREVOR GARIETY

02 /SEPTEMBER 2011/ TOC

LetterFROMTHE

EditorAs our staff situates itself for a fresh new year, it

has come to our attention that certain things ought to be explained. To reestablish the purpose of the paper, as well as introduce it to our new readers, this letter contains a brief description of our sections and their goals.

Each of the five sections (News, Opinions, Features, A&E, Sports) are meant to address different aspects of the school. In News you will find briefs about upcoming and past events. Opinions serves to capture the staff’s take on current issues around the school and community. The pieces in

this section are made in the most general sense, and are not to be seen as accusations or pointed fingers. Opinions is also the home of the Lead Editorial, an expression of a desire for change in some area, put together as a compilation of the editorial board’s feelings toward it. The Features section spotlights certain individuals, themes, and events. These are completely objective and are based on our research or interviews we receive. The A&E section is meant to be a cultural enrichment, including reviews of the latest music and movies and information on the artistic community both at school and around the

area. Sports contains updates as well as profiles and highlights of the current season and the teams at our school.

This year we are also working hard to expand The Patriot to the web. We want our site to be a place where students can access information and extra photos as well as comment on the goings-on here at South. Keep in mind that responses to any material seen in our issues are appreciated and taken into consideration as long as they are appropriate.

It gives us great pleasure to kick off the 2011-2012 school year with our September issue. Enjoy!

Dear Shawnee Mission South,

Alma VelazquezEditor-in-Chief

To meet Alma and the rest of the staff, visit smspatriot.org ONLINE

It will be a night to remember Sept. 24, the evening of the homecoming dance. Student Council dance committee chairs

are planning decorations for the cafeteria and coming up with ways to publicize the event.

“This year we’re going to talk about it in the announcements,” dance committee co-chair Mary Distefano said, “and we might put up posters.”

Tickets will be on sale the week of the dance for $10 per person or $20 per couple in the cafeteria.

“This year I just want everybody to have fun at the dance, and [.....] I don’t want

anyone to complain about it afterwards,” dance committee co-chair Sarah Spradling said.

Among suggestions, junior Skylar Lantz would like the lights dimmer and sophomore Gage Calvin wants KSMS to play more slow music. The dance committee is working on improving decorations, getting the student body excited about the dance, and trying to get as many students as possible to attend to the homecoming football game on Sept. 23 against Olathe North.

“We want everyone to come to as many games as they can this year,” Spradling

said. Distefano and Spradling both stressed

getting more people involved with and excited for the festivities.

“I’m just really excited and I think it’s going be a lot of fun this year,” Distefano said.

One opportunity to get in the South spirit is Spirit Week which is sponsored by Pep Club. It is taking place the week before the homecoming dance.

“This year should be a lot more fun,” Spradling said, “and hopefully everything will go as I planned.”

South prepares for homecoming festivitiesBY /RACHEL ROSENSTOCK

WRITTENin the STARS

Green and gold day

Homecoming football game- 7:00 pm

Homecoming dance- 8:00-11:00 pm

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

19

20

21

22

23

24

Extreme neon day

Back to Summer day

College day

NEWS /SEPTEMBER 2011/ 03

Over the summer, recent South alum Kat Gilbreath visited her former English teacher,

Lindsey McFall, to express her condolences for the death of McFall’s son, Max. Max McFall passed away this summer due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Gilbreath came bearing a handmade pink and blue bracelet; these colors represent SIDS awareness. Immediately, the wheels began turning to raise awareness throughout South in a similar way.

In the near future, students involved in National Honor Society and Student Council will be selling these bracelets to raise money for the Bo and Max Foundation for Hope, an organization that the McFall family started this summer with another family who also lost their son to SIDS. The bracelets are only the beginning of many fundraisers to come. The Bo

and Max Foundation for Hope plans to raise money for scholarships in both Max and Bo’s names. The Max McFall scholarship will be designated exclusively for a South student. However, the focus currently is to raise awareness for the cause.

“I think our main goal is to bring students together as well as staff and faculty in an event that’s going to hopefully help everyone, not only in South, but also in the surrounding community,” senior and student body president Erica Lang said.

Lang is currently working to help with the bracelet fundraiser and hopes to assist with similar activities in the future.

Not only will these bracelets raise awareness in the community and go toward a scholarship for a South student, but a portion of the proceeds will be donated to SIDS research. The McFall family also hopes to start

a support network for other couples who have lost their infants to SIDS.

“It means a lot [to me] because when something this horrible happens, the only thing you have to get you through it and give you hope are the people you surround yourself with,” McFall said. “For whoever is wearing them, it would say to me ‘I remember Max’ and it’s kind of like an acknowledgement of his life and the impact it had on my life.”

Both McFall and NHS sponsor Molly Fast, are anticipating a great amount of student involvement, in both the selling and purchasing of the bracelets.

“I think that there are many students who will want to help and be involved,” Fast said. “Not only because they love Mrs. McFall, but I think they saw the grief that she went through and I think it touched a lot of people.”

There is a new cell phone policy at Shawnee Mission South, and everyone seems to be happy about it.

“I really like the new policy because you can check up on texts without getting in trouble,” sophomore Ben Bernard said.

According to the new rules, students are allowed to use cell phones during passing periods, lunch, and before and after school. However, though the new rules are considerably more lenient, the consequences have also increased in proportion.

“There are no more freebies,” Principal Joe Gilhaus said.

The new penalties for being caught using a cell phone in class include requiring parents to pick up

cell phones for the first offense, and ISS or some form of detention for repeat offenders.

This is a distinct change from last year’s policy, which stated that any administrator or teacher who saw phones in the hallway or classroom during school hours had the authority to take them away.

Last year, attempts to improve attendance almost resulted in a new cell phone policy as a reward. This however, was not the reason for the change. The decision was made because of the disruptions cell phones were causing during class.

Latin teacher James Leek, who used to supervise ISS, said most of the people were in there for using their phones in school. Now students can use their phones in the hallways or at lunch without getting in trouble.

“Once you get a text message you just want to check it right away, and I have enough self control that I can wait and check it in the halls,” junior Raj Selveraj said.

Progress appears to have been made considering the number of confiscated cell phones. At this point last year, 44 cellphones had been taken away. This year there have only been six.

Bernard doesn’t think the new rules can last. “We have a lot more freedom, and I definitely

think we will take advantage of it,” he said.Gilhaus on the other hand thinks that policy

can last for a long time and is much more confident about the policy’s permanence.

“Our plan is for the long term,” he said. “I hope that the students will be mature enough for it.”

Standing up against SIDSStudents work to raise awarness for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

BY /GRIFFIN ZELLER

BY /HANNAH STRADER

SIDS IS the leaDIng cauSe of Death

for InfantS 1-12 monthS of age

about 2,300 InfantS DIe of SIDS each year In the unIteD StateS

80% of SIDS vIctImS DIe before reachIng 5 monthS of age

90% of SIDS vIctImS DIe before reachIng 6 monthS of age

98% of SIDS vIctImS DIe before reachIng 12 monthS of age

Stats obtained from:CJ Foundation for SIDSSIDS Families

Statistics

1NEW MESSAGESouth responds to changed cell phone policy

04 /SEPTEMBER 2011/ NEWS

PHOTOS BY /HAYLEIGH CHUDICK

+

Most people enjoy a good prank, which is often defined as a trick of an amusing or playful nature. The problem is, these jokes can go easily awry and take the shape of something completely different, whether intentional or not. Where is the line between the two? At what point does a practical joke go from a prank to vandalism?

A major gray area exists, containing things like senior pranks. These are traditions, but does that make them ok? When does a senior prank go from a “prank” to a destruction of school property? Year after year the seniors of Shawnee Mission South come together to pull a goof on the students and faculty. Luckily, in recent memory no joke has left an unpleasant mark

on the school. Most senior pranks are harmless and can be laughed off, but of course one never knows how an action will make a specific person feel. This makes almost every prank a shot in the dark, and there is a huge risk that someone will take offense to it.

As an example, this past month a few students wrote on almost every car in the parking lot. It would not have been as big of a problem if the culprits would have gone around writing pleasant messages or smiley faces or something of that nature. That would have been considered a harmless prank. Surely though, in the mass of people this affected some thought it was amusing, but that doesn’t mean that the assailants carried out this deed with good intentions.

Instead, the perpetrators drew male genitalia and wrote offensive phrases on windshields and windows. Picking up a younger sibling, family member, or even just driving home with body parts and four letter words on their cars was unpleasant to say the least. Not to

mention that most had to pay to get cleaner to remove the obscenities. Obviously many students were angered. This drew a lot of unwanted attention to students and it reflected poorly on the SRO’s and administration.

Understandably, there were consequences for the offenders, but was it enough? A couple of victims that got a particularly more atrocious job than the rest are even pressing charges, does this mean that it was, in fact, vandalism? Or is it just a more severe prank?

Therefore the line between prank and vandalism is fine, but clear. Pranks can be laughed off and don’t attack peoples emotions. Vandalism is a destruction of property meant to get a rise out of the victim and can lead to legal action. If these actions reflect poorly on us as a school and as a student body, there is no need for them to continue.

“ONE NEVER KNOWS HOW AN ACTON WILL MAKE A SPECIFIC PERSON FEEL

Prank vs. VandalismEditorial Board

OPINIONS /SEPTEMBER 2011/ 05

What is considered a sport?Anything that fuels the fire of competition is a sport.

In this case, a competition consists of two or more teams/individuals demonstrating their athletic ability against each other. It does not necessarily have to be two teams battling for 80 minutes.

NASCAR, for example is getting a bad rep. While people complain that it takes no skill, the immense courage to risk lives at that level must count for something. NASCAR also takes a physical toll on the body. Inside the race cars, drivers face carbon monoxide poisoning, 120 degree temperatures, weight loss, and the ever-present risk of ending their lives during a wreck. Driving takes insane hand-eye coordination and remarkable depth perception. Therefore, because of these requirements, combined with the hype of NASCAR competition, it adequately fits the category of sport.

Another sport often criticized is golf. Golfing is not merely about skill; it is a sport that takes strength, precision, and intelligence. Golfers are tip top athletes. Though slow-paced, it is just as exciting to watch as soccer or baseball. In fact, nothing is more exciting than two golfers fighting it out in the on the final 18th hole for a major championship. Professional golfers are always in great shape. Tiger Woods may no longer be on top of the world because of his scandal, but when he was, he was considered one of the world’s greatest athletes. Golf does not require skill alone; it takes athletic ability because it demands strength and precision, two qualities that define an athlete. A Pro Tour players’ swing is faster and uses more force than a baseball player’s. Golf is a lot more than hitting a ball with a stick.

Another activity that many don’t consider a sport is cheerleading. Everyone has seen “Bring it On,” and knows what a great movie it is. It shows exactly why cheerleading is a sport. The movie shows cheerleaders who are determined to win. They are entertaining, also a key aspect of sports, as well as tremendous athletes. Cheerleaders must be as strong as boxer Ray Lewis and as flexible as gymnast Shawn Johnson. The physicality it takes to do tumbles, throwing people in the air, and pyramids is unreal. People say that cheerleaders don’t compete, but at every basketball or football game cheerleaders compete to see who can pump up the crowd more effectively. And, in a basketball game when some cheerleader on the opposing team does a back handspring, we bring out a triple back handspring and the crowd goes wild.

They all require a certain element of skill that only professionals at that sport can achieve. Golf is the hardest sport to master. It takes time and patience. Cheerleaders are extremely flexible, like gymnasts. Race car drivers have to make snap decisions, and if they make the wrong decision they could die. The only things that should matter in qualifying sports are the amount of effort, dedication, and desire to succeed.

PRO

Debatethe

BY /GRIFFIN ZELLER

06

3.1%

average number of miles a soccer player runs in a full game

of highschool players actually play in college

06 /SEPTEMBER 2011/ OPINIONS

There’s a fine line between a sport and a skill. Webster’s dictionary defines a sport as “an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature.” This is 100 percent accurate. While the definition has the word “skill” in it, it also contains the word “physical.”

Sports require athletic ability, strength, endurance, strategy, competition and defense. A sport should not be judged. It’s not based on a score or anyone’s judgement, it’s based on who won the game. In football, soccer and baseball the score of the game determines the winner. Ballet and Ice Skating at the pro level also requires incredible physique, but because they are judged and not ‘played’ they shouldn’t be considered sports.

Hockey players play for 60 minutes, rugby players 80, and soccer players a full 90. It involves unimaginable resistance and tenacity. Someone has to be athletic and in prime shape to play at that level. Athletes train for hours and dedicate their lives completely to a certain sport. These sports take more than just skill and strategy to physically perform for an hour or more at a time.

Cheerleading, golf and NASCAR require little athleticism. They require athleticism to a certain degree, but it’s small in comparison to most sports and doesn’t meet the competitive standards of other sports. Golf is more about strategy than athletic ability. Figuring out how the wind will affect the ball, the trajectory of the ball, and the strength of the swing takes a lot of skill and practice, but no athleticism whatsoever. Sports are fast, upbeat, and intense. There’s nothing intense about holding up pompoms, hitting a ball with a stick, or making left turns.

These activities shouldn’t go by unnoticed. They’re incredible skills that deserve to be acknowledged. They should have their own category and make their own Olympics. They should be recognized, just not as a sport.

If they’re not athletic sports they’re either competitions, events, or games. They should be recognized as skills or activities. ESPN recognizes poker, fishing, and skateboarding as sports. Fishing takes skill, but it also depends on pure luck. The Olympics give out gold medals for archery, badminton, and table tennis. Once again, none of these should be classified as a sport. What they do to receive a gold medal is minuscule compared to what other athletes have to endure.

In the last couple minutes of a game your body has been merely worn out. A player uses his or her last ounce of determination and strength to push their body to a point of pure exhaustion. Some even play through injuries, risking it all to just to win. That’s a true athlete.

Are all skills sports?

CON

BY /CASEY LEE

01%

35 sports

less than one percent of college athletes actually make it to the olympics

the Olympics include 35 sports and 400 different events

OPINIONS /SEPTEMBER 2011/ 07

Shock. Disorientation. Anguish. Heartache. These words are only a few to describe the flood of emotions that America felt 10 years

ago September 11. The sun was shining on the clear autumn day in New York City, until suddenly a cloud appeared that would prove to change the nation forever.

This billowing cloud of smoke arose at 8:46 a.m. when a commercial passenger jet airliner was hijacked by terrorists and crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. The terror continued as yet another passenger jet hit the twin towers; a third ran into the Pentagon; and a fourth was crashed into a field in Shanksville, Penn. after passengers overtook the hijackers to prevent an attack on the White House.

The country was devastated. Nearly 3,000 were killed, and none were rescued from the site of Ground Zero. Underground fires at Ground Zero burned for 69 days, but the fire in the heart of the United States has been burning for the past decade. Even though the current high school generation was young at the time of attacks, there is no doubt the generation was affected.

From the war in Afghanistan to the conspiracy theories that are still argued over today, it is clear that the events that took place in 2001 still play a major role in American life. Annually, countless commemoration ceremonies are held in loving memory of those who were lost. The country’s hearts will always go out to the victims of the attacks and the brave personnel, such as policemen and firemen, who worked tirelessly to save them. Ten years have passed, but the tragedy of 9/11 will never be forgotten by the

citizens of the United States. “It’s part of the fabric of our country now,” history

teacher, Joseph Laurenzo said. “We are reminded that we need to be united as one people.”

At the time, Laurenzo was working at Shawnee Mission Northwest. When he first learned what happened, he believed it was an accident. However, once the second plane struck, Laurenzo understood that it was no accident. The sadness and shock caused by the first crash turned to anger.

“Initially, we didn’t know it was terrorism,” Laurenzo said. “It just seemed like a sad natural event.”

Ninth grade English teacher Tim Williams agrees with Laurenzo. Williams had been supervising the hallway outside his classroom when another teacher informed him of what had taken place on the East Coast. To him, the method of attack was the greatest cause of his emotion.

“It was a hijacking, kidnapping, murder-type situation,” Williams said.

The teachers remember the reaction of many of their students as being similar to their own: shock, solemnity, anger and silence.

“Anytime something earth-shattering happens, it quiets you,” Latin and world literature teacher James Leek said.

Principal Joe Gilhaus, who was then in his first few weeks as principal of Shawnee Mission South, noticed a clear change in atmosphere in the school that day.

“There was a calmness, a quietness, an eerie noise level in the hallway,” he said.

Gilhaus made an announcement over the intercom

to the whole school once he felt that enough legitimate information had been gathered. He also permitted the teachers to show news coverage of the events in their classrooms.

“I knew that a normal day was not going to take place,” Gilhaus said.

Both Laurenzo and Williams, as well as several other teachers in the school, allowed their students to watch news coverage of the events during class. Dr. Leek, however, felt the need to keep the school day as calm as possible by keeping a routine in place for the younger children. At Oxford Park Academy, where he was headmaster, younger students were present.

“You don’t want them thinking that they’re in danger,” Leek said, “or that they’re next.”

Laurenzo also believes that young people, such as the students at Shawnee Mission South, were just as affected by the terrorism as adults were.

“It is overwhelming,” he said, “no matter how old you are, to watch something tragic unfold.”

Sophomore Chase Allison believes that while he didn’t completely understand the true devastation of the events, he began to come to terms with what had happened in the years to follow.

“When you’re young,” Allison said, “you don’t think these things are real. You think they’re something from a movie.”

Senior Abigail Slovick shares Allison’s point of view.

“It’s hard for kids to grasp what happened,” Slovick said.

As the years continue to pass, teenagers remember less and less of what 9/11 really was. The terror of

the situation has even lessened in the minds of adults. However, each year as the month of September passes, America is reminded of the strange sense of unity that was brought upon the country by the attacks.

“When your household is attacked,” Leek said, “no matter how well you get along with your brother, you will be on the same team. For a while at least.”

Leek was most definitely not the only individual to feel that the terrorism of September 11 had a strange way of uniting the country. Laurenzo said that after the attacks, there was a kind of expectation that citizens would watch out for each other.

“We felt connected,” he said, “although sad and confused.”

While America may have felt connected, the United States also felt the need to protect the country from its enemies in the world. In Laurenzo’s

words, America became much more “vigilant.” From changes in airport security, to the war in Iraq, there is no doubt that 9/11 caused a significant change in America’s lifestyle.

“[It made me ask myself] how do we get along from a world-centric point-of-view?” Allison said.

Laurenzo feels that America was so shaken because we hadn’t experienced that kind of terrorism since the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

“It was a lost innocence in a sense,” he said.

Because the country was so surprised by the events, many began to look for someone to blame. It is true that Al Queda, based in the Middle East, was the leader of the attacks, but Leek believes that America shouldn’t associate the terrorism with that entire region.

“It’s easy to blame a religion or a

country,” Leek said. “But the best thing to do is just to live sane lives.”

While children will now grow up without having experienced the terrorist attacks first-hand, and as adults begin to lose sight of the true emotions that were associated with that frightful September day, 9/11 will never be forgotten.

“Our human nature is that we forget the bad things,” Williams said. For the moment however, the tragedies of 9/11 are still fresh in America’s national identity.

In fact, this year on September 11, two fountains were placed at Ground Zero to remember all the lives that were lost.

“The memorial is a way of closure for the families who lost someone,” Kroh said. “This is going to be their grave site. This is going to be where they rest forever.”

08 /SEPTEMBER 2011/ FEATURES

THE DAY THAT CHANGED AMERICAHow an event that happened ten years ago is still affecting us todayBY /OLIVIA FEATHERS

PHOTO BY /TREVOR GARIETY

PHOTOS COURTESY OF01. Eric Shoemaker on Flickr02. Wally Gobetz on Flickr03. Andrew Enright on Flickr

[

]the situation has even lessened in the minds of adults. However, each year as the month of September passes, America is reminded of the strange sense of unity that was brought upon the country by the attacks.

“When your household is attacked,” Leek said, “no matter how well you get along with your brother, you will be on the same team. For a while at least.”

Leek was most definitely not the only individual to feel that the terrorism of September 11 had a strange way of uniting the country. Laurenzo said that after the attacks, there was a kind of expectation that citizens would watch out for each other.

“We felt connected,” he said, “although sad and confused.”

While America may have felt connected, the United States also felt the need to protect the country from its enemies in the world. In Laurenzo’s

words, America became much more “vigilant.” From changes in airport security, to the war in Iraq, there is no doubt that 9/11 caused a significant change in America’s lifestyle.

“[It made me ask myself] how do we get along from a world-centric point-of-view?” Allison said.

Laurenzo feels that America was so shaken because we hadn’t experienced that kind of terrorism since the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

“It was a lost innocence in a sense,” he said.

Because the country was so surprised by the events, many began to look for someone to blame. It is true that Al Queda, based in the Middle East, was the leader of the attacks, but Leek believes that America shouldn’t associate the terrorism with that entire region.

“It’s easy to blame a religion or a

country,” Leek said. “But the best thing to do is just to live sane lives.”

While children will now grow up without having experienced the terrorist attacks first-hand, and as adults begin to lose sight of the true emotions that were associated with that frightful September day, 9/11 will never be forgotten.

“Our human nature is that we forget the bad things,” Williams said. For the moment however, the tragedies of 9/11 are still fresh in America’s national identity.

In fact, this year on September 11, two fountains were placed at Ground Zero to remember all the lives that were lost.

“The memorial is a way of closure for the families who lost someone,” Kroh said. “This is going to be their grave site. This is going to be where they rest forever.”

FEATURES /SEPTEMBER 2011/ 09

01

03

02

PHOTOS COURTESY OF01. Eric Shoemaker on Flickr02. Wally Gobetz on Flickr03. Andrew Enright on Flickr

[ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

2,819total number of people who perished during the attacks

1,717number of familes with no remains to bury

3,051estimate of children who lost a parent in attacks

99days fires burned after September 11th

26days later, bombing began in Afghanistan

343firefighters and paramedics who perished in attacks

statistics according to nymag.com

12 seconds how long it took to devastate a nation

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September20: One Act Festival, Little Theatre 7PM

Oct 14: Debate Invitational End of 1st quarter [NO SCHOOL]

Oct 4: SM Marching Festival 7PM

Oct 3: [NO SCHOOL]

26: Improv Night, 7PM

24: Homecoming 8PM

23: Octoberfest, Gym Lobby 5PM Conferences [NO SCHOOL]

Oct 6: Late Start 9:40AM

Oct 13: Fall Choir Concert, Aud. 7PM

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Junior Kelsey Hook, however, says she experiences stress almost daily.

Hook is an ice skating instructor at the Independence Events Center. Hook teaches a “Basic Skills” class two to three days a week for children ages 2 years to 11 years old after her own skating practice.

Hook said that sometimes it gets difficult to teach her pupils due to their lack of focus and their

mistakes. “I know they’re little, but

they all fall and they don’t always listen,” she said.

She has also had a run in or two with some very unique students.

“This one kid would bite me. He was about four years old, and he tried to bite me

the whole time I was teaching.” Hook was stunned at this odd action. “I told his mom what he was doing, and she made him apologize. It was so weird ...”

In a much different environment, junior Emily Jackson and sophomore Dimitri Horton, both work at From the Summer’s Garden, an art studio in a residence. It is open only during the summer and early fall. Here, both of them are free to express their creativity and love for art.

“I had always really liked art and painting, but this job makes me love it even more,” Jackson said.

Jackson likes that her job is fun and that there is always something creative for her to do.

“The environment is pretty stress-free and the hours are flexible. I like that,” she said.

Jackson admits that having a job does force her to get her priorities together some of the time.

“You go to work for a few hours, and then get home and sometimes it’s hard to get started on your homework and things. But at the same time it is teaching me responsibility,” she said.

Horton also loves the freedom and the creative environment.

“My favorite process would have to be paper-mache and hypertufa,” he said.

Hypertufa is a mixture of cement and other

earth-friendly materials such as paper and sand.Another great aspect of the job that both

Jackson and Horton agree on is that there is very little interference with their work schedules and their school schedules, if any at all.

“I get a ride from one of my co-workers and its in a pretty convenient location in relation to school,” Horton said.

Horton experienced little success at finding a job before he was employed at From A Summer’s Garden. While Jackson has worked at From the Summer’s Garden for over a year, Horton has only worked there for a couple of weeks.

“I had so many applications floating around this summer,” Horton said.

Horton had filled out what seemed like a stack of applications for positions at restaurants, retail stores, and countless other places. Following up on most of the applications was discouraging.

“Some places would call me back, and say that they ‘weren’t really looking at the moment but that they would get back to me’ or after interviewing me, would tell me that they don’t even hire teenagers. And some wouldn’t even call me back.”

Although she likes the idea of teens taking on jobs around their already busy schedules, North thought that having a job as a teenager is only necessary to a certain extent.

“I think that having a job is nice, but it is more important to focus on school. Your education is going to get you farther in life than trying to tackle a part-time job,” she said.

On the other hand, Jackson thinks that having a job as a teenager is a valuable learning experience.

“It teaches you responsibility. Most kids are so used to their parents buying everything for them these days, while I choose to work my tail off for the things that I want,” she said.

Passionate about her job, Stollsteimer said, “Pick [a job] that you like. The money only makes it that much better.”

As for Horton, he said “[Having a job] has taught me responsibility and organization. It has been a great learning experience.”

What it takes to find employment in today’s economyBY /SHELBY JOHNSON

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY /HAYLEIGH CHUDIK

JOBS WANTED

“I CHOOSE TO WORK MY TAIL OFF FOR THE THINGS THAT I WANT. junior Emily Jackson

The way the economy has been going the last couple of years, teenagers aren’t often finding work as easily as they have in the past. Obtaining employment at McDonald’s, Dairy

Queen, and similar establishments is becoming increasingly harder to come by. According to a survey taken by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in July 2011, employment among youth (ages 16-24) is lower than it has ever been since 1948, with an all-time low youth employment rate of 48.8 percent.

Some have taken on more unique forms of employment, whether out of convenience or to follow a passion.

In junior Rachel North’s case, her summer job was a matter of convenience. North spent her summer working at her boyfriend’s grandfather’s law firm, filing paper to be destroyed.

“My boyfriend already worked there. He went out of town for a long enough period of time that his grandpa asked me to keep the work going,” North said. “It was pretty boring but it was a job.”

North sat at a computer from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., two to three days a week, tediously filing information.

“Each box weighed about 35 pounds,” North said. “I had bruises on my hips for weeks, carrying all those boxes up the stairs.”

Although it may not be the most exciting job, North enjoyed getting a paycheck at the end of each week. Senior Anne Stollsteimer, on the other hand, already felt passionate about what a job requires.

“I do it because I love it. I get the gratification from changing the world and people’s lives. I really appreciate it,” said Stollsteimer, who works as a ranch hand at The Flying W Ranch in Cedar Point.

The Flying W is a tourist ranch on an authentic 1890’s homestead that offers a Cowboy Culture experience. Guests can participate in doing the the daily chores such as feeding the horses and cattle, as well as other experiences. Stollsteimer feeds and cares for the animals as well as moves cattle.

“I have to wake up at 4:30 a.m. everyday. It’s a time-related process; the cattle will get irritated after a while once it gets hot. Moving [the cattle] can be a life or death situation. A stampede could happen unexpectedly; anything could happen,” Stollsteimer said.

Surprisingly, this is the only stress she experiences on the job.

FEATURES /SEPTEMBER 2011/ 11

MO

VIES

Warrior

Warrior is one of the best movies of 2011 so far. If not from great character development or the unbelievable story plot, you can definitely see it in the acting. Two brothers face each other in the championship of the world’s biggest Mixed Martial Arts competition. The movie follows the life of ex-Marine Tommy Conlon (Tom Hardy) and public high school teacher Brenden Conlon (Joel Edgerton), each one having a different set of problems that the $5 million reward could solve.The physics teacher is about to lose his home, and the veteran solider has a promise to his fallen comrade’s widow.

The flashes of each fighter’s determination is stunning. With every great thing in life there is always at least one great flaw and this movie is no exception. The climax is very underdog-friendly, cliche in fact. While the viewer is still deciding who is worthy of his support, the director decides for everybody that even though the best might not always win it always counts on heart. Each transition in the movie is brilliantly choreographed. It all ran smoothly into each scene, there was never a moment where it would be OK to take a bathroom break.

It is never truly understood why the movie has such little explanation on anything that happened before the tournament training, but all in all the pieces start to click in together. With every punch, kick, or chokehold the viewer grimaces at the realism of each fight. This movie has everything that is needed for a great film, and then some. A ticket bought for this movie is well worth it; I suggest it for any occasion.

Contagion

With so much hype about the bird flu and H1N1 in the last few years, it was only a matter of time before a director decided to take a similar disease to the big screen. Contagion is based around the idea of an unstoppable disease with no cure and no way to prevent the spread. The illness begins with one woman named Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow), who in turn infects many other people simply by contact. Within a matter of weeks, the sickness becomes a modern-day plague, wiping out millions across the United States.

This plot takes us deep within how such a disease would affect the United States, even shutting down major cities and creating riots in the streets. The movie also takes on many different points of view, such as the Emhoff family after the death of Beth, as well as journalists, citizens, and employees for The Center of Disease Control and Prevention. Within the film, the viewer learns about how the disease is spread, the effects of the disease, and possible ideas for a cure.

While the film is extremely realistic and executes the plot very well, it isn’t exactly action packed. The viewer must be patient and may find themselves wondering why they spent 12 bucks to watch a bunch of people running around and dying for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Regardless, the movie does provide a situation we may find ourselves facing in the future as well as the framework for how not to handle a situation such as this.

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12 /SEPTEMBER 2011/ A&E

THE LATEST IN MUSIC AND MOVIESREVIEWS:

BY /TRIVETTE KNOWLES

BY /HANNAH STRADER

MU

SIC

Contagion

w2011 FEATURED FILMS:

The Glenwood Arts Theatre is hosting the eleventh annual Kansas International Film Festival (KIFF) from Sept. 30 through Oct.r 6. Festival passes are now on sale for $60, or individual tickets for anywhere from $6.50 to $8.50 depending on the time of day. Since 2001, this non-profit organization has worked to entertain cinephiles’ insatiable thirst for independent

documentary, narrative, and animated feature films from all over the world. Last year, much-anticipated movies such as “127 Hours,” “Black Swan,” and “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest” were all featured in the festival, and this year’s films appear just as promising.

Each year KIFF culminates with the presentation of three awards: best

documentary and best narrative, both determined by votes from the audience, and the recently added Juried Prize, which is given on behalf of local critics and filmmakers.

Because the festival offers such variety not only concerning the country of production but also the genre and subject matter it has been a favorite pastime in the metro area for over a decade now.

A&E /SEPTEMBER 2011/ 13

Tha Carter IV is Lil’ Wayne’s highly anticipated ninth studio album, and although his flow is still incredible, it just doesn’t live up to the hype.

Weezy released the disappointing Rebirth in 2010, before his prison sentence of 8 months for being convicted of criminal possession of a weapon. After Weezy’s release from prison in November, many thought he would have a numerous amount of one-liners and rhymes. Unfortunately the release of the album dashed expectations.The first single released on the previous album 6 Foot 7 Foot is what Wayne is all about: fast beats and fast rhymes. Unfortunately, the rest of the songs on the album are sub par, they are sloppy and casual. But, the highlights exceed the downfalls, from “John,” to “Blunt Blowin,” to Andre 3000 in “Interlude.” The best song on the album is “She Will,” featuring fellow Cash Money artist Drake.

Tha Carter IV has more songs about death than about guns or money. This is not usually Wayne’s style but, it works in some songs like “She Will.”

The most disappointing song on the album is “How to Love.” Wayne tries to go to soft, and ends up being dull. The song has potential, but it he cannot pull it off.

However, even in some bad songs Wayne is still unique, demonstrated when he calls out Jay-Z, saying he will kidnap Beyonce and sell her for ransom in “It’s Good.” The mixtape which was released right before Tha Carter IV, “Sorry 4 the Wait,” is a great

addition to the album. No apologies needed Weezy. “Sorry 4 the Wait” contains several smooth, fast tracks. Both albums are fairly decent, but still do not surpass past albums. Though the album is not as ground-breaking as Tha Carter III, he still shows his unique style, and still manages to put out a good album.

Formerly known as The Game, Game’s The R.E.D. Album is one of his best, with versatile beats and great hooks. Featuring Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Drake, and other big names in the hip hop world, it’s no wonder that the album had an easy time making its way up the charts. And to top off the other hip-hop giants featured on The R.E.D. Album, the Intro and Outro are graced with the talent of Dr. Dre. The album was at #14 on its second week on the “Top Albums” charts on iTunes. Songs like “Martians vs. Goblins ft. Lil Wayne” and “Pot of Gold ft. Chris Brown” are already hits. They both feature a relaxed beat and great instrumentals and catchy choruses.

This entire album is a great example of Game’s lyrical diversity and how he can turn any song into his own soulful anthem. As each song plays, you can hear the story and experiences of his past behind them. Each track is just as unique as the other and will definitely keep you eager to hear the next song. Even though his talent is expressed to the full, Game is accompanied by other artists on over 15 of the 22 tracks, leaving his own lyrical genius slightly in the shadows. Game does make up for it with is solo songs. Don’t let the soft instrumentals and easy beats fool you. He spits some serious rhyme in every last track. The R.E.D. Album is definitely geared towards lovers of gangsta rap and anything along the lines of Lil Wayne and Rick Ross. Another downside: the album isn’t exactly what you would call lyrically appropriate... Let’s just say that you won’t be listening to this on the way to school with Mom.

Game: The R.E.D. Album

Lil Wayne: The Carter IVBY /GRIFFIN ZELLER

BY /SHELBY JOHNSON

BY /ALMA VELAZQUEZ

We Need To Talk About Kevin

Take Shelter Vincent Wants To Sea

Halfway

Kansas International Film Festival

apast tor e m e m b e r

It’s been almost 10 months since the controversial game played on Shawnee Mission South’s soccer field has taken place; the game where Coach Travis Gatewood and key players junior David Leichty, 2011 graduates Asher Herbet and Doug Brown received punishments that still impact the team a year later. The punishment, enforced by the Shawnee Mission School District, stated that Gatewood and Leichty were not allowed to participate in the first soccer game against state champions Blue Valley West.

“It was just a tough game. We played the best team we played all season,” Gatewood said. “They had played a four overtime game the night before and we just lost our composure at the end of the game.”

Many players and fans were surprised to find that teammates had acted the way they did. All sports represent the school they play for and soccer is no exception.

“I was kinda shocked because I think the way we played and the way we acted on the field shows a lot about who you are, so to see our team blow up like that was pretty shocking,” junior Adam Alfaro said. “I don’t think you should be able to have outbursts like that in the game because it’s all about good sportsmanship.”

Even without Leichty and Gatewood at the first game, the team still had a positive outlook. They took many steps to get back to their past success, including

better practices, higher standards, and improved sportsmanship.

“We’ve always had high standards in the program. We’ve produced a lot of division one and two players and we’ll just keep setting standards, whether it’s behavior in the classroom standards, fitness standards, or sportsmanship standards we’ll keep pushing those,” Gatewood said.

During the first game without Leichty and Coach Gatewood the team lost 3-0 to Blue Valley West, with two goals from South taken back by the referees. Since last year the coaches and staff have been emphasizing the importance of being respectful, sportsman-like, and representing the team and each other in a respectful matter.

“The coaches and faculty have been a lot more on top of us being respectful to teammates, coaches, other teams, [and] officials, whoever it is. They’ve made sure that we have been on top of our respect levels being high,” Leichty said.

It will be a developmental year for the Raiders with only two returning varsity players. With a 2-2 record under their belt, they’re off to an average start, but there are high expectations for the season.

“I think we’ll do good [sic]. Just work hard at practice. We got a lot of new players and a lot of them worked together last year so I think we’ll do pretty good,” sophomore Parker Ling said. “We just need to

have some leaders. We have some other seniors on the team and a couple other returning varsity players. They just need to step up and take control.”

Outside expectations for the team from fans and other schools have fallen due to the suspension and the fact that so many new players are joining the varsity team. Contrary to what others think, Leichty believes differently

“I think the team’s gonna do surprisingly better than a lot of people think. I have a feeling that they’re gonna think 13 seniors graduating is just gonna be killer, but I think that a lot of people are gonna step up in the roles and I think we’ll have a pretty good winning team. So I’m excited for the year we have ahead of us,” Leichty said.

Since their previous 14-2 record the team will be getting the best from each opponent they face. The team tries to play as if each jersey was painted with a bulls-eye, especially when facing Blue Valley West, Shawnee Mission West and, Shawnee Mission East. With all the controversy from last season, Gatewood plans on getting the team back on track for another Sunflower League Championship.

“For a lot of guys it’s their first varsity experience; it’s gonna take some time to catch up to the speed of play and the demand of the varsity game,” Gatewood said. “I think we have the caliber of people to do it, it’s just gonna be a work in progress.”

BY /TRIVETTE KNOWLES

Last years boys’ team affects the current soccer season a year later

top left: last years boys’ soccer team lines up before a game top right: graduate Dele Popoola argues with the reff after gradu-ate Doug Brown receives a red card bottom left: this seasons boys’ soccer team lines up before their game against Blue Valley West without player junior David Leichty and head coach Travis Gatewood bottom right: fans watch in astonishment at last year’s regional game where the team lost 5-2

14 /SEPTEMBER 2011/ SPORTS

PHOTO BY /GRACE PRITCHETT

PHOTOS BY /ALI LACY

BY /TRIVETTE KNOWLES

Last years boys’ team affects the current soccer season a year laterBump, set, spike! The Lady Raider volleyball team

went 2-1 in their first quad last week and are looking like contenders. New coach Danielle Sperry hopes to improve the Raiders’ record from last year and at the same time bring their volleyball program to the public eye.

“One thing that was somewhat surprising to me was that volleyball wasn’t a dominant sport here at South with all the talent we have in the area,” Sperry said.

Coach Sperry thinks that in order for the team to compete at the highest level, players must not only develop skills, they must also possess leadership, discipline, and the ability to make sacrifices. The three seniors, Nicole Reddick, Megan Pontius, and Kelsey Ling, will have to step up and lead this primarily young

team.Volleyball can be overshadowed by football in

attendance but let it be known that the girls work just as hard on the court as the boys work on the field. The results of the past week’s games are a close 5-7 record.

“Being a young coach at the varsity level I know I can bring a lot of energy and excitement about the sport and my love for the game,” Sperry said.

After a 1-32 losing season last year, Sperry sees high hopes for her team.

“The volleyball squad this season is going to be a completely different team then they were compared to past seasons. They have shown so much improvement from the first time I saw them play over the summer,” she said.

Coach Lonergan football

Coach Sperry volleyball

There’s a new face on the Raider football team. Coach Ryan Lonergan, who spent his last eight years coaching as an assistant at Shawnee Mission West, was hired as the new varsity head coach. The Raiders scrapped a 2-7 season last year leading the public, and fans to believe that South would never pose a threat in the Sunflower League. Lonergan, however, sees the negative criticism as a chance to bring the winds of change to the program.

“I want to make football relevant to our school. We are going to establish a tough, physical mentality. We want people to be excited to attend our games,” Lonergan said.

Although the players see things one game at a time, one can assume that when South plays West, the game will be an exciting clash between two physi-cal, competitive teams. Key returning players such as junior Gabe Guild and senior Alex Forslund will pro-

vide the varsity experience necessary for a cohesive team. Lonergan’s philosophy towards coaching shows that he is all about hard work, and means business.

“What you put in is what you get out. I want my team to be passionate about what they do, whether it be on or off the field,” Lonergan said.

Coach also touched base in regards to working with a new coaching staff.

“There are former head coaches on the staff who have helped me a lot. Their ideas help me implement changes to my strategy that should bring success,” he said.

They’ve started of the season with an 0-2 record but still have high hopes for the year. With a new man in charge, the boys of fall will look to prove not only to the public, but to themselves that they are con-tenders and a threat in the Sunflower League.

The Shawnee Mission South Pacesetters bring Raider spirit to assemblies as well as sporting events. These ladies are under new leadership as former South Pacesetter, Alex Hess, takes the reigns in her first year as head coach.

“It is really fun to coach at South, especially being able to return to a program that I was once a part of,” Hess said.

There are 11 seniors on the squad, which will allow for veteran experience to drive the team. Most graduates would be reluctant to return to their high school, especially as a part of an organization, but not Coach Hess. Her ex-perience as a former Pacesetter will help integrate different ideas to up the level of play set for the team.

“The girls are really pushing themselves this year. They won’t settle for anything less than excellence,” Hess said.

The team will be in a few different competitions this year, such as events at Olathe South, Olathe East, Shawnee Mission South, and with the marching band in their own respective festival. Like most first time coaches, Hess will have her hands full of decisions that could play vital roles in the success of the team. Being a coach at a dance studio, as well as a former Pacesetter, coach Hess has had a lot of experience to prepare her for this job.

“It is easy to jump into something when you have had exposure to the environment. Being a former Pacesetter, I have an idea of how things are done and will take those facts into consideration when developing routines,” Hess said.

Coach Hess pacesetters

SPORTS /SEPTEMBER 2011/ 15

BY /DEREK FUHRMANN

F R E S H S T A R TSouth receives many new coaches looking to better the teams

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FOOTBALL /record: 0-2 photo 02: senior Alex Forslund gets tackled during the green and gold scrimmage photo 09: team huddles after scrimmage GIRLS’ TENNIS /record: 5-2 photo 04: senior Shira Bernard at a game against Blue Valley West photo 10: freshman Chloe

Mathews CROSS COUNTRY /record: boys’ 2-0 girls’ 2-1 photo 05: boys’ varsity runners against Olathe South and Mill Valley photo 07: junior Shelby Johnson, sophomore Chora Apostalakos, and senior Vicki Iba compete at a Shawnee Mission Quad GIRLS’ GOLF /record: 6th in

Sunflower League photo 14: senior Ashley Hung swinging in a Shawnee Mission South tournament BOYS’ SOCCER /record: 2-2 photo 03: team huddles before their game against Blue Valley West photo 12: senior Clay Pearce in a game against Blue Valley West photo 13: the team

lines up before their game VOLLEYBALL /record: 5-7 photo 11: the team huddles in a game against Gardner High School GYMNASTICS /record: placed 2nd overall in first meet photo 06: sophomore Monica Funk working at practice PEP ASSEMBLY /photo 01: Rocky the Raider

getting students excited for the school year photo 08: Coach Gatewood challenges students to score a goal for a Chik-Fil-A giftcard

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PHOTOS BY /GRACE PRITCHETT, TREVOR GARIETY, HAYLEIGH CHUDIK