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Friday, Sept. 19, 2008 Pg. 8 - News After years of preparation, Staley’s first official school event finally arrived. “This day will go down in history,” said Principal Clark Mershon on Friday, Aug. 15. Early that morning, freshmen scurried around and found that the upperclassmen were going to serve them breakfast. Freshmen had mixed feelings about this breakfast. One freshman seemed nervous. “I hope they didn’t put anything in the food,” said freshmen Allison Chase. Not all were nervous. “They should have to serve us every day,” said freshman Sean Cash. It was the least of one freshman’s worries. “As long as they didn’t spit in it, it’s all good,” said freshman Tommy Elsrode. A few were grateful. “[It’s] nice of them to get up early and serve us when they don’t have to,” said freshman Kierston Dewhurst. The class of 2012 will be the first to go all four years at Staley. Freshman Jason Ketz said, “I feel honored to be the first class to go all four years and start traditions and embrace the atmosphere.” His brother, who graduated from Oak Park last May, is “jealous,” said Ketz. He went on to say that he feels it’s good for him not to follow in his brother’s path. Freshman Olivia Cruz, whose sister attended Oak Park, disagreed. “I wish I was going to her school because I used to go there,” Cruz said. After an assembly, students went to each class. Teachers recognized each student personally in an attempt to get to know everyone. Phillip Lite, who teaches physical education and coaches football and track, said, “It’s outstanding that freshmen get to know the schedule and staff.” He called it a “precursor for the first day.” The bell rang and it was already 2:20. The first day of school ended. Hallways quickly crowded with a rush of students hurrying to meet their rides. Library Media Center Specialist Sara Brown said, “It’s great for them to get a level of comfort so we can hit the ground Monday.” Upperclassmen Welcome Freshmen on First Day Written by Hilary Griffith Photo by Kristen Melies Staley Misconceptions Revealed Written by Ashley Bethel Researched by Taylor Johnson Photo Illustration by Sarah Seidel Rumors have been flying from school to school around the district about Staley High School and its students. While some of them are false, some of them are true. “I think that people think we are very blessed and fortunate to have a great facility. I think that people think that we have a great staff, as well as great students,” said Principal Clark Mershon. Unfortunately, this was not the case with all the students at the other schools, and the rumors being spread are anything but true. One of the biggest misunderstandings about the students at Staley is their wealth. “They think we are stuck ups and snobby,” said freshman Paige Shoemaker. In reality, the students that make up Staley come from all types of housing within all sorts of price ranges. Some students may live in a Staley Farms neighborhood, but the majority of students live in one of the several bordering subdivisions. Along with the misunderstanding of our students’ wealth, there are also the rumors about the perks at the school. “People think that the District Academic Complex (DAC) is part of Staley, when really it’s for the whole district,” said library media specialist, Sara Brown. One myth was that Staley has its very own coffee shop. “Everyone thinks we have a Starbucks,” said freshman Summer Vainio. The Starbucks myth was just one of the many untrue assumptions of Staley. “We don’t have laptops,” said Junior Daniella Bordallo. Staley students still have to write with pen and paper like every other school in the district. However, there is one rumor that both Staley and Oak Park seem to share. “I heard we were going to have a pool,” said sophomore Samantha Burwell. Oak Park upperclassmen used to spread the rumor that there was a pool on the third floor of their school, and as it turns out, there is no pool at Oak Park, nor is there one at Staley. We write with pencil and write on paper, we are not all rich or have a fancy house and we only wish we had a Starbucks. Good news travels fast, so it was no surprise about the rumors flying around about Staley, even if some of them are just misconceptions. By now, Staley’s modern look and ideals have settled on students, but several of its perks remain secret. Just outside the large clumps of core classrooms are student study centers. These centers are places where students can request to go if they want to work away from the large classroom. Similar rooms are built near foreign language classrooms. These culture centers are where classes might cook native foods or learn a native dance. There are many great things in the library for students to use as well. Not into reading much? Try Playaways—books on their own private MP3 players. Just finished a video project or CD? Students can preview them before turning in the project. Speaking of videos, Staley has one of the best broadcasting rooms in the area. The Video Production class is currently researching ways to get a radio station for the school. The top-of-the- line theater has fly space, or where the theater is allowed to put on plays like Peter Pan or Wicked, and the actors can literally fly across the stage. If those weren’t enough, there’s a well- equipped weight room where any student can come out during school hours. Currently these times are not set, but will soon be announced. Or, if you don’t want to work out alone, Coach Melissa Krog Savaiinaea is opening girls basketball conditioning time to any girl who just wants to come and work out without trying out for the team. Conditioning is Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays right after school until about 4:30 p.m. Then, of course, there are always the Family and Consumer Science classes. Foods has not only multiple cooking modules, but one giant professional kitchen. The Clothing, Fashion and Interior Design classes are stocked with rows of new sewing machines. Separate from the Child Development classes the school practices one of its core values, service, by offering a local daycare. For $200 a month, parents can drop off their 4- or 5-year- old child for one of the two sessions each work day. The morning session runs from 9:15 a.m. to noon, and the afternoon session runs from 12:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. Currently there are 32 children enrolled in the program. And this isn’t all the school has to offer hidden in its many winding hallways and classrooms. But, the good thing about hidden secrets is that as time goes on they keep revealing themselves. FYI: Little Facts Students Might Not Know Written by Erica Grado A student’s high school experience isn’t defined by the classes they take or their GPA; high school is also about the activities and clubs that thrive in it. Staley will be no different. School administrators have high hopes that the buses will be empty every day after school. Their plan is to get every student involved in the school. “We know when kids are involved in activities beyond the normal school day, they are more successful,” Mark Mundell, assistant principle and activities director said. The classes have started, the teams have begun to form, but the clubs are still in the planning stage. Activities are just now starting to be thought out and registered. It’s not a lack of communication to the student body. It’s that the staff is focused on opening a new school. “I think right now staff are stretched and will happen as they find time in their schedule,” said Mundell. If a student wishes to know more about any particular activities, Mundell said they should “be alert for opportunities.” And he’s right. A few clubs are already beginning to appear. Spanish Club is one of the few examples. “It’s about friends, food and fun,” said Anna Maki-Birchler, sponsor of the Spanish Club. Another club that’s working its way into the spotlight in Science Olympiad. “There’s building bridges and rockets, but also study events,” said Science Olympiad coach Greg Spiegel. ACE Mentors, Young Life and Robotics are also trying to build a new group of club members. If these aren’t options that students seem interested in yet, don’t worry; more clubs are on their way. Juniors Ashley Robertson and Ashley Taylor rose early with other upperclassmen to serve breakfast on the freshmen first day. Wait Almost Over Written by Erica Grado
