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3 October 2009 Hi Times Issue 1 Vol. 101 Twin Oaks Farm BACK IN THE SQUARE BALE BUSINESS Square Bales and Round Bales Availible Steve Holifield CALL: (219)-608-0208 (219)-369-9434 6782 East 100 South Mill Creek IN 46365 There are 8.5 million people out of work, the battle for scholarships is fiercer than ever and many families have spent their available money on a new car. These econom- ic problems don’t just affect adults; they affect teens as well. “I plan on getting a job that I won’t hate,” said sophomore Stephen Galloway. Even though that is what most people want, with this economy teens are lucky to get a job. This past June, teen employment grew by only 683,000 jobs, 38.7% below the 1.1 million job positions that were filled by teens in June of last year. Compa- nies are not hiring any more workers than needed. There was a significant increase in teen unemployment in the recessions of 1991 and 2001, Sky Shortt Staff Writer “The Birds That Stay” will be the fall play at LaPorte High School this year. Auditions begin on September 16th. Show dates are No- vember 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. in the LPHS auditorium. Tickets will be priced at $3 for students and $5 for adults. Senior Stephanie Pavlak said, “If I’m not working I would love to go see the play.” The play takes place during the summer of 1969: a time when the Vietnam War is at its worst, men have just walked on the moon, and the hippies are gather at Woodstock. The story, however, is set in New York at the Chestnut Hollow Cemetery. It follows the story of five teens and how each work to defeat their personal demons with the help of the cemetery caretaker, Arlo Grubb. It’s the sum- mer in which they really learn to live. The LaPorte Little Theater’s production of “Arsenic and Old Lace” will be playing October 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, and November 1. The curtain times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. The doors open 30 minutes prior to the curtain. Admission price is $10 per person. “Arsenic and Old Lace,” direct- ed by Rick Wright, is a comedy that follows the life of Mortimer Brewster and his crazy family. Two of his very unusual aunts are murdering old men by poisoning them with homemade wine. The story then continues to introduce even more abnormal family mem- bers as Mortimer figures out a way to deal with his relatives and questionable love life. Auditions for the holiday play “Merry Christmas George Bailey” will be held at the Little Theater on October 26 and 27 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Printable audition forms are available at www.laportelittle- theater.com. The website also includes a list of upcoming events and audition times for the play scheduled for later this year. The bleachers are a sea of orange and black, the stu- dent section is rowdy and ready rumble. Spirit wear has become a tradition at LaPorte High School, stu- dent fans and adults alike come to the game bearing Slicer colors. A popular way to show team spirit is designing your own shirts. These cre- ative and spirited shirts are compiled of puffy paint and glitter. "I love making shirts for all the games! I have made a shirt for every game so far and my favorite shirt says Beowulf," said Jenna Francisconi. The spirit wear tends to improve morale at the games and gets the team as well as the fans pumped up. The football players love when the fans put in the effort to show team spirit. "I think it's great that the guys have so much school spirit. I love to just stare up into the stands and see them up there chanting, Go Slicers! It just really gets my blood pumping," said senior Trevor Sales, aka Beowulf. The senior boys have started a new tradition this year and dress up in costumes. The stands have been filled with several Joe Dirts, Cops, Jailbreakers and Leprechauns. These guys also get the fans and all spectators pumped. "We were actually just going to dress up for the first game just to get some laughs, but it turns out that everyone loved our idea so now we have to do it every game," states senior Rich Leslie. The spirit wear and costume wearing has now joined many of LaPorte High's other traditions and will certainly continue this year. The boys plan to keep up all the spirit for upcoming games. "Do not worry! We have every home game planned out. So you have to come out and check our costumes out for yourselves", states Leslie. Auditions begin in LP Kate Rosenbaum Staff Writer Erin Sass Staff Writer Niles Haunted House Scream Park is back with a bang for the 27th consecutive year. Each year there is a different theme in the house and every room is com- pletely different then the previ- ous year. This season the theme of the main haunted house is The Wiz- ard of Odd stemming from the MGM film The Wizard of Oz. After entering the house, there are seven different passageways that lead individuals to the two different trails heading north or south. The scream park has many other exhibits including a second haunted house with the theme Redneck Revenge, a haunted hay- ride, and the Field of Screams. Once inside the park visitors are released into a midway where there are fun games and souvenir stands. From there they choose which attraction they want to scream in first. With one admis- sion of $25 all the attractions can be viewed. Follow the yellow brick road The scream park is built and run by strictly volunteers. Through- out the set up and tear down there are 600 to 700 workers. Niles Scream Park tour guide Gary said, “This is a year long project done by the community. The park closes in November; the volunteers take December off and the building process starts all over again in the beginning of January. Last season in one night there were over 15,000 guests. The scream park made over Shelbi Smith Staff Writer $100,000 last season that was given to 84 different charities and organizations.” All the props are normally do- nated or found in dumpsters, yard sales or attics. The effects of each room are triggered by light, floor mat or by a worker. Each room has a worker that sets off a scare. Gary said, “My favorite park of working for the scream park is being given the opportunity to give back to the community.” Fans dress up to cheer on the Slicers Photos by Shelbi Smith Niles offers bonechilling signs, life-like characters and much more create a haunted effect of the classic movie, “The Wizard of Oz.” NFL has three teams to watch, the come backs of Brett Favre and Mi- chael Vick and the signing of Michael Oher. “The first top team to watch for this season is the New England Patriots because Tom Brady’s health is back to normal and the team stays sturdy with its key players. The second team to look out for this season is the Pittsburg Steelers. This is because they still have one of the top three defenses and no major players have been changed. Lastly, the Green Bay Packers is a good team to keep an eye on. The Packers have a respectable defense and if Aaron Rodgers stays healthy, they’ll have a solid offense,” said senior Jose Jara. Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre has recently re- joined the football game with the Minnesota Vikings. This is a $25 mil- lion contract for four years. Favre is 39 years old, and many doubt he is still in top condition to be playing in the NFL for his 19th season. “The bottom line is it’s football. Once you step into the huddle, I don’t look at the helmets. I look at the faces and the guys will know I’m in it for the right reasons because I love to play,” said Brett Favre. The Eagles have graciously agreed to sign with Michael Vick after he was sentenced to prison for 23 months, only serving 18, for illegal dog fighting. “He did his time for society, and he should come back to play if he is truly good enough and is wanted back,” said senior Danielle Ritter. Vick has signed a two year contract. Coming from Mississippi, Michael Oher was drafted for the 2009 NFL season. Oher is now playing for the Baltimore Ravens as a right tackle. He was drafted as number one on the team. Photo by Erin Sass The spirited group cheered on the Slicers as the “Blue Man Group.” but that drop was not as outstanding as the current recession. On August 24th, Cash for Clunkers ended, but its effects will be long lasting. There are now 690,000 “greener” cars on the road, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 1.9 million tons per year. This program has proven to be a major downfall to other industries. Many families, according to CBS Money Watch, have spent their available money on a new car. Even though Cash for Clunk- ers gave the car industry a boost, it has damaged other businesses. In another effort to jump- start the economy, President Obama has created an old appliance turn-in program. Consumers can receive re- bates anywhere from $50- $200 toward a new, more en- ergy efficient appliance. It is scheduled to begin later this year. “I think it will work as well as Cash for Clunkers. Appli- ances are cheaper than cars, so more will participate,” said sophomore Abbey Light. With unemployment rates for teens so low, financial problems arise, making it difficult to pay for college tu- ition. It is expected that about half of all college student will receive a small grant of mon- ey to fund their educations. “It (getting a scholarship) won’t affect me because I’m in Century 21, but if I were someone else I think it would because colleges aren’t so willing to give money,” said Light. Light speaks the truth; however, there are ways to maximize chances of get- ting aid. For some tips, visit www.usnews.com. New programs created to help boost the economy NFL starts new season STRAW HAY FREEZER BEEF WILL DELIVER Erin Sass Staff Writer
