Making an impact. A simulated drunk driving accident was staged April 26 with the help of local professional law enforcement VMÄJLYZ ,4: WLYZVUULS ÄYL ÄNO[LYZ HUK M\ULYHS KPYLJ[VYZ =VS\U[LLY HJJPKLU[ ¸]PJ[PT¹ 4HYPZZH 4LSHUK PZ JHYYPLK VU H Z[YL[JOLY V]LY [V H ^HP[PUN OLSPJVW[LY HZ Q\UPVYZ HUK ZLUPVYZ ^H[JO 6WLYH[PVU 7YVT VYNHUPaLK I` 4Y 2HYS )\YTLZ[LY HUK OPZ OLHS[O JSHZZLZ L]LY` V[OLY `LHY [V THRL Z[\KLU[Z H^HYL VM [OL KHUNLYZ VM KYPURPUN HUK KYP]PUN 6WLYH[PVU 7YVT IYPUNZ HIV\[ LTV[PVUHS YLZWVUZLZ MYVT JSHZZTH[LZ ^OV ^P[ULZZ [OL ZPT\SH[LK JHY HJJPKLU[ ZJLUL 7OV[V I` 2HP[S`U 6»3LHY` InNOVAtion HOLLE MICHOSKI :;(-- >90;,9 —OPERATION PROM More Pictures Continued on Pages 10-11 Operation Prom Photo Essay —Pages 10, 11 Kreiter named Athletic Director —Page 7 MAY 16, 2012 Vol. 25, No. 4 Box 110 425 East 11th Street DeWitt, IA 52742 ZZZFHQWUDOFOLQWRQNLDXV CENTRAL CoMMUNITY HIGH SCHooL SERVING 550 STUDENTS oF DEWITT, GRAND MoUND, LoW MooR, AND WELToN, IoWA º6WLYH[PVU 7YVT» ZPT\SH[PVU ZOV^Z KHUNLYZ VM KY\UR KYP]PUN Innovation was the theme for the yearbook this year. Staff chose innovation because Central has been full of changes. From laptops to a new school, students have had to adapt themselves to a new learning environment that they were not familiar with. Twitter is incorporated throughout the yearbook because of its popularity and how fast it has been adapted. A DVD is also in the process. It includes the spring sports that staff can’t put in the yearbook because of deadlines including graduation, golf, soccer, track, and prom. The Publications staff has worked extremely hard on getting the yearbook ÀQLVKHG RQ WLPH $V DOZD\V WKURXJK KDUG work and dedication, staff accomplished it. Many late nights were spent at the school during deadline week. Getting pictures, quotes, and the WHPSODWHV ÀQLVKHG WR SHUIHFWLRQ ZDV WLPH consuming. Without all the help from the students, teachers, and administrators staff would have never accomplished it. Last year, just being part of the staff, I didn’t understand all the time and commitment that goes into being WKH \HDUERRN HGLWRU %XW JHWWLQJ D ÀUVW hand look at it, I have had to change my priorities. Work, homework, and making sure all the deadlines were met was stressful but well worth it in the end. Seeing students open their yearbooks gave us satisfaction we had been waiting for the entire year. Being able to create something that students can look back on 20, even 40 years from now is worth all the stress and madness in the end. Without giving 110 percent every class we would have never accomplished a successful yearbook. The entire staff is happy with the turnout of the book and we hope students enjoy it as much as we do. Enjoying her yearbook. )Y`JL .HZZTHUU JOLJRZ V\[ OLY `LHYIVVR;OPZ `LHY»Z [OLTL ^HZ 0U56=([PVU ILJH\ZL VM HSS [OL JOHUNLZ *LU[YHS /PNO :JOVVS OHZ L_WLYPLUJLK PU I\PSKPUNZ HUK NVPUN VULVUVUL ^P[O JVTW\[LYZ 7OV[V I` 4VSS` 2LLNHU
Transcript
Making an impact. A simulated drunk driving accident was staged April 26 with the help of local professional law enforcement VMÄJLYZ��,4:�WLYZVUULS��ÄYL�ÄNO[LYZ�HUK�M\ULYHS�KPYLJ[VYZ��=VS\U[LLY�HJJPKLU[�¸]PJ[PT¹�4HYPZZH�4LSHUK�PZ�JHYYPLK�VU�H�Z[YL[JOLY�V]LY�[V�H�^HP[PUN�OLSPJVW[LY�HZ�Q\UPVYZ�HUK�ZLUPVYZ�^H[JO�6WLYH[PVU�7YVT��VYNHUPaLK�I`�4Y��2HYS�)\YTLZ[LY�HUK�OPZ�OLHS[O�JSHZZLZ�L]LY`�V[OLY�̀ LHY�[V�THRL�Z[\KLU[Z�H^HYL�VM�[OL�KHUNLYZ�VM�KYPURPUN�HUK�KYP]PUN��6WLYH[PVU�7YVT�IYPUNZ�HIV\[�LTV[PVUHS�YLZWVUZLZ�MYVT�JSHZZTH[LZ�^OV�^P[ULZZ�[OL�ZPT\SH[LK�JHY�HJJPKLU[�ZJLUL���7OV[V�I`�2HP[S`U�6»3LHY �̀
InNOVAtionHOLLE MICHOSKI
:;(--�>90;,9
—OPERATION PROM More Pictures
Continued on Pages 10-11
Operation Prom Photo Essay
—Pages 10, 11
Kreiter named Athletic Director
—Page 7
MAY 16, 2012Vol. 25, No. 4
Box 110 425 East 11th StreetDeWitt, IA 52742
���������������ZZZ�FHQWUDO�FOLQWRQ�N���LD�XVCENTRAL CoMMUNITY HIGH SCHooLSERVING 550 STUDENTS oF DEWITT, GRAND MoUND, LoW MooR, AND WELToN, IoWA
Innovation was the theme for the yearbook this year. Staff chose innovation because Central has been full of changes. From laptops to a new school, students have had to adapt themselves to a new learning environment that they were not familiar with.
Twitter is incorporated throughout the yearbook because of its popularity and how fast it has been adapted. A DVD is also in the process. It includes the spring sports that staff can’t put in the yearbook because of deadlines including graduation, golf, soccer, track, and prom.
The Publications staff has worked extremely hard on getting the yearbook ÀQLVKHG�RQ�WLPH��$V�DOZD\V��WKURXJK�KDUG�work and dedication, staff accomplished it. Many late nights were spent at the school during deadline week.
Getting pictures, quotes, and the WHPSODWHV� ÀQLVKHG� WR� SHUIHFWLRQ�ZDV� WLPH�consuming. Without all the help from the students, teachers, and administrators staff would have never accomplished it.
Last year, just being part of the staff, I didn’t understand all the time and commitment that goes into being WKH� \HDUERRN� HGLWRU�� %XW� JHWWLQJ� D� ÀUVW�hand look at it, I have had to change my priorities.
Work, homework, and making sure all the deadlines were met was stressful but well worth it in the end. Seeing students open their yearbooks gave us satisfaction we had been waiting for the entire year. Being able to create something that students can look back on 20, even 40 years from now is worth all the stress and madness in the end.
Without giving 110 percent every class we would have never accomplished a successful yearbook. The entire staff is happy with the turnout of the book and we hope students enjoy it as much as we do.
Enjoying her yearbook. )Y`JL�.HZZTHUU�JOLJRZ�V\[�OLY�̀ LHYIVVR��;OPZ�̀ LHY»Z�[OLTL�^HZ�0U56=([PVU�ILJH\ZL�VM�HSS�[OL�JOHUNLZ�*LU[YHS�/PNO�:JOVVS�OHZ�L_WLYPLUJLK�PU�I\PSKPUNZ�HUK�NVPUN�VUL�VU�VUL�^P[O�JVTW\[LYZ���7OV[V�I`�4VSS`�2LLNHU�
CHANGES IN STAFF2A treasured trio to retire Saber art
students shine in competition
HALEY RUSKSTAFF WRITER
HALEY RUSKSTAFF WRITER
KAITLYN O’LEARYSTAFF WRITER
HALEY RUSKSTAFF WRITER
Every year the Sabers are applauded on their excellent athletic programs, their rising Iowa Assessment scores, and the wonderfully put together music program. Almost everyone knows about these ac-complishments.
Central always has a lot going on, in-cluding Mrs. Sue Sawvel and Mrs. Cassie Dunlavey’s art programs.
The art program enrolls in several art shows each year with student pieces en-tered in contest and holds numerous gal-lery shows at the school itself. Sawvel and Dunlavey are the driving force behind the successful art department.
This year, two of the biggest competitive art shows that the Sabers were involved in were the WaMac Art Show in early April and The Annual High School Fine Arts Show held at Clinton Community College.
The WaMac Art Show is a very compet-itive show, with 14 categories rewarding only three ribbons in each category.
Ten students attended WaMac, includ-ing Kalee Pray, Brigitta Meyer, Heidi Stofer, Sierra Moore, Shawni Heath, Beka Lang, Emily Hawkins, Bailey Peyton, Brandon Washburn and Erin Weirup.
Out of these students, two received awards: Sarah Schoel won third place in PL[HG�PHGLD��DQG�.D\OD�'DQLHOV�ZRQ�ÀUVW�in Utilitarian Ceramics.
At the Annual High School Fine Arts Fair, 14 students attended the art show and Central was awarded a total of nine awards. Kaylee Pray received honorable mention for painting, Erin Weirup won third place for drawing.
Brigitta Meyer received three awards including second place in multimedia, VHFRQG�SODFH�LQ�GUDZLQJ��DQG�ÀUVW�SODFH�LQ�charcoal (pastel).
Heidi Stofer won third place in pastel, Sierra Moore was awarded honorable men-tion in photography.
Beka Lang received honorable mention in 2D mixed media, and Abbi Brokaw re-ceived honorable mention in drawing.
“I had always planned on retiring at this point in my life if it was feasible,” Mrs. Kay Goddard said. Being a teacher is a tough job, and Goddard has certainly done her time in her 11 years here. Goddard teaches multiple business classes, includ-LQJ�FROOHJH�FUHGLW�FODVVHV��GRHV�WKH�RIÀFLDO�book for both volleyball and basketball games, helped started the new FBLA club this year, and has helped put together prom for numerous years.
“I will miss working with the students and staff,” Goddard says. “I tend to look forward to new chapters in my life, rather than backwards.”
With all the change that comes with re-tirement, there will be a lot to miss. “Cen-tral is blessed with great students and an excellent staff. I will miss the interaction with other professionals. I will miss the excitement in a student’s face when they grasp a new concept or ideas with a sense of accomplishment,” Goddard said, “I will miss hearing the students in the hallway yell, ‘Hi Mrs. G.’ I will miss watching kids grow and develop into young adults.”
Even with a million things to miss when she retires, Goddard has a lot to look for-ward to: “A new chapter and adventure in my life. Spending more time with my grandchildren. Taking up some new hob-bies I’ve never had the time to try before. More time to work on my garden and land-scaping. Seeing some of the U.S. in our camper. Most of all not planning my day around a schedule and an alarm clock,” Goddard said.
Luckily though, the school system won’t be losing Goddard entirely. “I plan WR�FRQWLQXH�GRLQJ�WKH�RIÀFLDO�ERRN�IRU�ERWK�volleyball and basketball games. I also plan to substitute teach,” Goddard said.
In the end, Goddard only has things to be grateful for during her career as a teach-er. “Thank you to everyone who has con-tributed to 11 great years. Mr. Pickup, who has been very supportive and wonderful to work for. To the assistant principals, sec-retaries and janitors who have done much to make my life easier,” Goddard said. “To the teachers and staff – a great bunch to work with. And most important a big thank you to the students. It’s been a real joy to be your teacher; you’re the reason I loved coming to work each day.”
Twenty-one years in one place is a long time to make a spot for yourself, and Mrs. Ryan has done just that. Ask anyone who KDV�HYHU�ZDONHG�LQWR�WKH�KLJK�VFKRRO�RIÀFH�and they will always mention something about Mary and Linda. The two secretar-LHV�VHHP�WR�EH�WKH�KHDUW�RI�WKH�RIÀFH��WKH\�are the two who keep the school running. Unfortunately, though, this year will be Ryan’s last.
“I’m just looking forward to doing more things with my mom,” Ryan said. Retiring after 21 years is a life-changing decision, but there comes a time for change and Ryan believes that this is her time. While WKH�RIÀFH�DQG�HYHU\RQH�DW�WKH�KLJK�VFKRRO�will miss her, Ryan has a lot on her to-do list when it comes to retiring. “I’m going to spend more time with immediate family, grandchildren hopefully. I want to travel with my mother and husband. I want to visit my sisters and take my mom. I have a lot of work to do on my house and need to downsize my belongings,” Ryan said.
Ryan has seen a lot of changes during her time involved with Central schools, especially when it comes to all the new technology that the school has taken full DGYDQWDJH�RI��́ :KHQ�,�ÀUVW�VWDUWHG�ZH�ZHUH�punching tickets still and secretaries did all the lunch money,” Ryan said. The change doesn’t stop with technology, though; re-cent construction has had an effect on the secretaries, too. “I’m very glad that I got to work in the new wing. I’m very proud for the kids with the new place, it’s a beautiful place to work,” Ryan said. And even if you asked her today, Ryan would still tell you how much she loves her job. “I love the va-riety of my job, no two days were ever the same. You never watched the clock, seems like you get here and suddenly it’s over,” Ryan said.
Even with the excitement of future plans to look forward too, retiring still causes some bittersweet feelings. “I’m going to miss the kids, I will miss the kids a lot, they keep you young,” Ryan said. For many it’s strange to think of Ryan not being in the RIÀFH��EXW�5\DQ�LV�ORRNLQJ�IRUZDUG�WR�WKH�change that retirement brings.
“Mary and I have had a lot of fun over the years, but I’m at a point in life where there are a lot of other things I would like to do,” Ryan said.
Moving on to a new chapter in her life, Mrs. Kathleen Schatz will retire in the spring. “I loved my time here,” Schatz said, “and 20 years has gone by so quickly.”
When attending the University of Iowa, Schatz wasn’t sure what she wanted to ma-jor in or what she could foresee herself do-ing in the future.
“When I was in college I did some volunteer work at a school for the handi-capped, and that was when I decided to be a teacher,” Schatz said.
After graduating from the University of Iowa, Schatz taught for nine years at Clinton, then took a few years off to stay at home raising her family. Then Schatz found a job here teaching special educa-tion, where she has been for 20 years.
“My favorite moment about teaching is when I’m working with a student and their light bulb goes off and they get what I am teaching them,” Schatz said.
“I’m going to miss everyone that I work with,” Schatz said. “I work with wonderful people, and I will miss my stu-dents,” Schatz added. “My students keep me young. I’m able to stay up to date on things.”
Schatz and her husband, who used to live in Alabama and really enjoyed it, are moving to Alabama. There are a couple of reasons for this big move, which are that the cost of living is less, and the weather is warmer.
“I’ve lived in eastern Iowa all my life,” Schatz said, “and I’m tired of the cold weather,” said Schatz.
Leaving an impression. Mrs. Kay God-dard helps Nicole Mooc learn business skills that will be useful in her future. Photo by Haley Rusk.
Leaving the familar. Mrs. Linda Ryan prepares to step down from playing a THQVY� YVSL� PU� [OL�VMÄJL�� H� QVI� ZOL�OHZ�held for 21 years. Photo by Haley Rusk.
Ready for new scenery. Mrs. Kathleen Schatz approaches the end of her last `LHY� H[� *LU[YHS�� YLHK`� [V�TV]L� [V�(SH-bama. Photo by Leighana Franks.
Dr. Valarie Betz was selected to receive the Iowa Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year award for 2012. Ac-cording to the letter she received, the award provides recognition for “professional ex-cellence and achievement in family and consumer sciences and for outstanding ser-vice to IAFCS.”
“I was nominated by my colleagues in the American Association of Family and &RQVXPHU� 6FLHQFHV� ,RZD� $IÀOLDWH�µ� 'U��Betz said, “for excellence in dedication and commitment to the profession of FCS.” As a part of the honor, Dr. Betz is expected to apply for the national Teacher of the Year and attend an AAFCS conference in June 2012.
“The purpose of applying for the TOY is that I will compete against the other 49 VWDWH�ÀQDOLVWV�QH[W�VXPPHU�IRU�WKH�DZDUG�RI�AAFCS National Teacher of the Year,” Dr. Betz said. “I also will be required to put to-gether an extensive portfolio with evidence of an excellent program.”
The AAFCS conference she will attend in 2013. The schedule won’t be released until spring of 2013, but it always includes four days of opportunity for professional development and networking with col-leagues from around the U.S.
Throughout the year Dr. Betz partici-
pated along with fellow students in helping with many community groups as well as QRQ�SURÀW�RUJDQL]DWLRQV��
Every day for Dr. Betz includes achieve-ment and this year she partnered up for several events in the community.
Several of the events were catering an appetizer event at the Opera House, pre-paring and serving meals for Noon Lions, being runner-up in the Iowa Egg Council Cook off, and establishing a fundraiser partnership with Whisk Away to create a cake for the MDA auction.
There was one event, however, which was one of her biggest accomplishments.
“I think the FCCLA Exceeding Lim-its Fashion Show/Curriculum Showcase was awesome because many of my class-es, along with fellow teacher Mrs. Beth Scheckel, helped make this event happen,” Dr. Betz said.
“We also had seven agencies, who were the recipients of the $700 in donations, home sales groups who set up booths for shopping, the community members who bought the tickets and attended, and stu-dents who all worked together to make it happen in our brand new facility.”
The hard work and dedication Dr. Betz has put into her program here has paid off. “I am proud to represent the AAFCS Iowa $IÀOLDWH� DV� WKH� WHDFKHU� RI� WKH� \HDU�µ� 'U��Betz said. “It is nice to be honored by my professional colleagues.
Upon receiving the award, Dr. Betz and her family celebrated. She attended the
IAFCS annual meeting April 13-15 with Mrs. Scheckel and colleagues by attend-ing a luncheon and the Iowa State Fashion Show.
“My parents drove from Strawberry Point to join us at the awards ceremony,” Dr. Betz said. “At home we had cake, and we always celebrate great things with cake.”
Dr. Betz is very grateful for all the op-portunities that have been offered to her in strengthening her program, but also want-ed to give a special thanks to many who helped with her achievements.
“It takes a team of people to help put to-gether a quality program in education and I have very supportive administrators like
AUBURN TEMPLETONSTAFF WRITER
Staff and students remember Mrs. Deb Fairbanks’ hearty greetings of “Good Morning” and “Have a good day” as she stood in the cafeteria every morning and walked in the hallways.
“Every morning the day of a basket-ball game, our basketball team would be leaving the cafeteria,” Sara McAleer said. “She would always say good luck to us with smile on her face.”
On the evening of Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, Mrs. Fairbanks, who had been a paraprofessional at Central for more than 15 years, died of pancreatic cancer at Gen-esis Medical Center-West.
Mrs. Fairbanks, who worked mainly with Mrs. Barbara Peavey’s program, was always full of character, coming down the hall with her lanyard full of buttons and pins representing all her various interests, her jingling Fanny pack, a colorful scarf wrapped around her neck, and carrying her water bottle.
When any of her coworkers think of Mrs. Fairbanks, they remember her love working with students. She always took pride in her students. “It didn’t matter if the kid remembered his or her pencil, did VRPHWKLQJ� QHZ� IRU� WKH� ÀUVW� WLPH�� RU� EH-haved in class,” Dr. Valarie Betz, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, said. “She was always willing to help and be a part of
their achievement.” When a student would be struggling, she was able to get a light bulb turned on and let them know they had the skills to succeed. She wouldn’t just let them fail.
“Mrs. Fairbanks was so devoted to her students she helped in class,” Mrs. Chris-tine Gilroy, language arts teacher, said. “I know at least two students in previous LA 10 classes would not have passed without her help.”
For her students to be able to succeed, Mrs. Fairbanks planned many activities. Mrs. Fairbanks, along with Mrs. Peavey, would cook brats in the Barnes parking lot to raise money. She would do anything for her students to help further their education.
Mrs. Fairbanks’ coworkers and students have many fond memories of her, both shared and personal.
“Mrs. Fairbanks took foods classes 32 times because of all the sections of foods she had to be there for with her kids,” Mrs. Betz said. “Every day she came into class, even if she heard the lecture before, and was always interested and provided com-ments.” Mrs. Betz laughed remembering how Mrs. Fairbanks said she could even teach the lesson based on how many times she had been learning the material.
When Mrs. Peavey was on a trip, there is one memory she always thinks of. “When I was going on a trip, she was always my alarm clock,” Mrs. Peavey said. “ She would always call to wake me up early so I ZRXOGQ·W�PLVV�D�SODQH�ÁLJKW�µ��6KDURQ�%XW-tars, Judy Weiss, and Leann Walker, who
also worked with Mrs. Fairbanks, share the same memory when things would get hec-tic with students, with a smile Mrs. Fair-banks would say, “We could always Duct tape them.”
Students also appreciated Mrs. Fair-banks.
“One time, I thought I had a huge paper due for a class and Mrs. Fairbanks helped PH�ÀQLVK�LW�µ�1DWH�*ROGHQVRSK��RQH�RI�KHU�VWXGHQWV�� VDLG�� � ´2QFH� LW� ZDV� ÀQLVKHG�� ,�realized it wasn’t even due and Mrs. Fair-banks said wow!” He just laughed. “We would share many stories between each other,” Leo Camacho said. “She was al-ways warm, friendly, and caring.”
When Mrs. Fairbanks wasn’t in school, working with students, she liked to spend her time playing bingo at West Wing with WKH�VWXGHQWV��DQG�JRLQJ�RQ�PDQ\�ÀHOG�WULSV���During the summer months, she loved working at Rock Creek Marina Camp-ground lending a hand at the concession stands. She also enjoyed spending time and traveling with her husband and chil-dren, spending quality time with the whole family, and absolutely loved her dogs.
In honor of Mrs. Fairbanks hard work and bringing success to her students, the Special Education Department is going to have a tree planted hopefully in the front of the school in her memory.
“You never really know how much you rely on someone until they are no longer with you,” Mrs. Peavey said. “And how much someone really did on the sidelines to help students succeed.”
Mrs. Fairbanks‘second mom’to many teens
Death of aide a big loss to those she worked with
Mr. Pickup and Mr. Peterson and the Cen-tral board members, fantastic colleagues and support staff in my building,” Dr. Betz said.
“I would also like to thank a super group of community members who part-ner with us to offer culinary events outside of the building and serve on our FCS ad-visory committee, parents who encourage their students and support the CTE pro-grams, and really caring education mentors through the years.”
Last, she said she was welcomed with open arms by the Central staff when she arrived 24 years ago and they taught her everything about taking pride in the profes-sion and treating students with respect.
Forever missed. Mrs. Deb Fairbanks wears her favorite color of pink in one of her school photos. Coworkers and students say her smile will be always be missed and remembered.
Always helping. Mrs. Valarie Betz helps one of her students understand the meaning of food preparation and nutrition in one of her classes. Photo by Deanna Hansen.
The Purple OnionVol. 25 No. 4May 16, 2012
ON CAMPUS4
DEANNA HANSENEDITOR IN CHIEF
MOLLY KEEGANSTAFF WRITER
;(.�Z[\KLU[Z�THRL�P[�[V�^VYSK�ÄUHSZ
Students and staff are all about going beyond the call. We strive for greatness in the arts, in sports and in academics. Stu-dents are encouraged to use their talents to take them places and that is exactly the opportunity that Mr. Eddie Mercado offers grades seventh through twelfth. Mr. Mer-cado works with gifted students and helps them prepare for competitions and op-portunities outside of there regular school hours. These students and Mr. Mercado have been very busy this year but they have a lot of success to show for it.
One of the biggest achievements this year is the students involved in the Od-yssey of the Mind program. Odyssey of the Mind is a program that has been DURXQG� IRU� RYHU� WZHQW\�ÀYH� \HDUV� DQG� LV�open to students from kindergarten to col-lege. This program has students using their knowledge and creativity to solve real world problems. At the competitions they are given open-ended problems of all types. Categories are mechanical/vehicle in which students work with vehicles of various sizes and power sources to over-come obstacles, classics where students
work with art, architecture, and literature, performance where students are given a theme to work with, structure where stu-dents build structures using only balsa wood and glue, and technical performance where students create things using technol-ogy. They are given one of the categories, then the students are asked to think outside WKH�ER[�WR�ÀQG�FUHDWLYH�VROXWLRQV�� �(www.odysseyofthemind.com)
Central had two teams of freshmen compete in this. These students were Danielle Marvin, Karlee Eberhart, Allison Hughes, Eden Tarchinski, Justine Kage-mann, and Garrett Jacobs. They were the ÀUVW� KLJK� VFKRRO� VWXGHQWV� WR� EH� LQYROYHG�at our school; all other participants had been middle school students. “In seventh grade my teammates had mentioned start-ing an Odyssey of the mind team and I joined then. The next stage of competition is World’s in Ames right at the beginning of summer and I’m super excited! At these competitions we do a long -term problem and another part of the day is ‘spontane-ous’ where they throw a random problem at you and you have to solve it in a certain amount of time. My favorite part is being with my friends and becoming much clos-er and forming more as a team.” Allison Hughes said.
Both of the teams from Central received ÀUVW�SODFH�DW� WKH�VWDWH� OHYHO�DW�,RZD�6WDWH���
Because of their superb placing they quali-ÀHG� WR� UHSUHVHQW� WKH� VWDWH� RI� ,RZD� DW� WKH�World Finals. The World Finals are taking place at Iowa State. There will be over 400 teams from more than 20 countries. One of the two teams will be competing since only one team is able to attend. The competition will be held on May 23. “We also watch a bunch of other teams perform and we get to meet people from all over the world. My favorite part so far has been being able to be with friends while accomplishing some-thing big. I’m pretty sure meeting all these
new people will be pretty cool though.” Karlee Eberhart said.
This is not the only group that has been successful this year. Other groups include the teams involved in the Junior Achieve-PHQW�7LWLDQ�3URJUDP�ZKR�SODFHG�ÀUVW�DQG�second at the regional level and one team went on to win cash awards for college. Another group is the Academic Team who competed in quiz bowls throughout the year and was televised on Channel 22. Other groups include the Virtual Real-LW\� (GXFDWLRQ� 3DWKÀQGHUV� DQG� WKH� *OREDO�
As the year slows down, so do many of Central’s clubs. You begin to wrap up WKH� ÀQDO� IXQGUDLVHUV�� DQG� VWDUW� FRXQWLQJ�your pennies to see how much you raised. National Honors Society, FFA, Student Council and FCCLA all played their part in many activities, fundraisers and help-ing others. They didn’t raise money just for themselves, but for other large events as well.
NHS helped put on the traditional blood drives CHS provides three times a year. Throughout these blood drives, NHS do-nated 4,675 units of blood. The blood drive is what NHS is usually known for, but they also took part in several different activities.
NHS set up both the Honor’s Reception and the ‘Monster Mash’ dance. The Hon-or’s Reception awarded people who had a 3.0 and above grade point average. The Monster Mash was a Halloween dance put on at the beginning of the year.
NHS members also do outside com-munity service work in order to earn more ‘points’ in the system to earn their pins or, for seniors, were their stole at graduation.
))$� RIÀFHUV� ZHUH� &DOHE� %HHU�� +HLGL�Andresen, Emily Kremer, Samantha Cal-lender, Eric Wierup and Erin Weirup. FFA usually does the traditional fundraisers of selling fruit, and helping set up for the air-show.
However , they also did the set up and take down for the Grand Prix. FFA mem-bers also walked away with many great achievements.
Heidi Andresen was chosen for Vice
3UHVLGHQW�RI�WKH�6WDWH�2IÀFHUV�RXW�RI�PDQ\�young FFA members competing for the position she went for. Caleb Beer and Mi-chael Schaeffer were able to walk away with the honor of receiving golds in their competition for welding.
Student Council was extremely busy doing both fundraisers for themselves, and others . They focused more on helping out the community, school district and others versus themselves.
7KH� RIÀFHUV� � ZHUH� /RJDQ� %UXQGDJH��Maggie Dolan, Kieran Connolly, Emily Benson, and Ali Necker. They put on the Dance Marathon that helped raise money for the University of Iowa’s Children’s hospital.
They also helped put together all of Homecoming week, and used the money earned during that week to buy the ITED’s gifts students received at the routine cer-emony. s students, especially the junior class, had outstanding scores.
FCCLA also were very involved in the school as well. This fairly new group is now growing rapidly, and is gaining more members each and every year.’s biggest event, both the FCS department and FC-CLA put on ‘Exceeding Limits’ fashion show. They provided entertainment, a fashion show and great food. FCCLA was DEOH� WR� GRQDWH�PRQH\� WR�PDQ\�1RQSURÀW�Organizations.
They also make Valentine’s cookies for students to buy for others, provide parents with free babysitting at PTO meetings, and took part in the Homecoming parade.
Other groups many students, especially incoming freshmen should consider join-ing is Authors Anonymous, Leo Club, FBLA, Next year, CHS is always going to be having a cheerleading team once again.
CHS clubs continue to provide
MOLLY KEEGANSTAFF WRITER
If there was a word for this year, it would be new. We have new buildings, new facilities, and new clubs. New clubs that were created this year include FBLA, /(2��DQG�WKH�ÀVKLQJ�WHDP���
FBLA stands for the Future Business Leaders of America, it was a program that was created in 1940. Its goal is to help student’s transition into the business world through their education. “Future Business Leaders of America was brought to DeWitt EHFDXVH�,�DP�JRLQJ�LQWR�WKH�EXVLQHVV�ÀHOG�after graduation,” Connor Murphy said, “and have heard great things about local FBLA chapters, so Mrs. Murphy and I worked to bring one to DeWitt.” Erin Dor-pinghaus, Nicole Mooc, Meghan McCli-mon, Caulin Klass and Connor Murphy all SODFHG�ZLWKLQ�WKH�WRS�ÀYH�DW�WKH�&RDOYLOOH�State Conference. They competed in the categories of accounting, sports manage-ment and global business. Because of their VXSHUE�SODFLQJ·V��WKH\�TXDOLÀHG�IRU�WKH�QD-tional competition in Texas. “Since it is 'H:LWW·V� ÀUVW� \HDU� �� ,� KRSH� WKDW� WKH� RIÀ-cers we choose for next year have the same amount of drive to keep the club going as it took to begin the club.” Murphy continues.
LEO club stands for Leadership Ex-perience Opportunity. This club is part of the national organization of the Lions Club. The goal is to provide youth with the opportunity to volunteer and be leaders in their community by getting involved in charity events. In our community Michael Thomas, a long time and active member of the DeWitt Noon Lions was the man
behind getting this started. He started pushing for the club when LEO clubs be-gan forming in nearby counties. He then contacted the right people to get it done. “Mike Thomas got a hold of me during the summer,” Nicole Mooc said. “I met with board members from the Lions and set out a table at registration with Connor Murphy to recruit members.” The LEO club has been very active this year and has orga-nized many events like Teens for Jeans and the toilet paper drive along with soup din-ners. “I hope that members will stay active in the future,” Mooc said. “The original of-ÀFHUV�KDV�OHIW�WKH�JURXS�ZLWK�D�ORW�RI�WKLQJV�already set up, all they need to do is reelect RIÀFHUV�DQG�NHHS�XS�ZLWK�WKH�SURMHFWV�DQG�community service.”
It is always a good idea to have a way WR� UHOD[�DQG� WKDW� LV�H[DFWO\�ZKDW� WKH�ÀVK-ing club provides. Riley McDowell was the drive behind getting this club started. “About a year ago I found out that there are multiple schools in Illinois that have ÀVKLQJ� WHDPV�� DQG� ,� WKRXJKW� WR� P\VHOI��that would be awesome,” McDowell said. “So this year I decided to see if anyone else would be interested.” He did get a lot of re-VSRQVH�DQG�WKH�ÀVKLQJ�WHDP�EHFDPH�D�YHU\�VXFFHVVIXO� ÀUVW� \HDU� FOXE� DW� RXU� VFKRRO���The club now has over 40 members and WKH\�DUH�DFWLYHO\�ÀVKLQJ�DQG�WHDFKLQJ�RWK-HUV� DERXW� ÀVKLQJ�� 0HPEHUV� KDG� D� VPDOO�fundraiser of selling shirts this year. “In the IXWXUH�,�KRSH�WR�KROG�D�\RXWK�ÀVKLQJ�GD\�µ�McDowell said, “but overall the goal of the FOXE�LV�WR�PHHW�QHZ�SHRSOH�WR�ÀVK�ZLWK�DQG�QHYHU�KDYH�WR�ÀVK�DORQH�µ��
With good leaders and growing clubs, we can be sure that out students are well represented in our community now and in the years to come.
New clubs, new success
Ready to go.�5L^�ÄZOPUN�JS\I�TLTILYZ�1VL�*HYILY��9PSL`�4J+V^LSS��)PSS`�+VSHU��*OYPZ�3\IILU��;VTT`�7L[LYZLU��HUK�;`SLY�4PSSLY�WVZL�HM[LY�VUL�VM�[OLPY�SVUN�KH`Z�VM�ÄZOPUN�[VNL[OLY��7OV[V�JVU[YPI\[LK��
;OL�7\YWSL�6UPVU=VS�����5V���4H`���������
ON CAMPUS 5
LEIGHANA FRANKSSTAFF WRITER
HOLLE MICHOSKISTAFF WRITER
Darcie Farrell1. I am going to college at Iowa State University and am planning to become either a Chemical Engineer or a Chemistry teacher.
2. I have always been interested in science but I really like the topics we covered in Chemistry and Physics.
3. I am going to get a job in a Chemical ÀHOG��KRSHIXOO\�ZRUNLQJ�RQ�VRPHWKLQJ�WKDW�is important or relevant to me.
4. I have been involved in and lettered in 9DUVLW\�*ROI��%DQG��&KRLU��6SHHFK�DQG�'UDPD��,�KDYH�NHSW�JRRG�JUDGHV�IRU�P\�high school career.
5. I will miss the security that comes with OLYLQJ�ZLWK�P\�SDUHQWV��2QFH�,�OHDYH�IRU�college I will have to take on a lot more responsibility
$SULO���VWXGHQWV�RI�DOO�JUDGHV�IURP�WKH�KLJK�VFKRRO�OLQHG�XS�WR�DFFHSW�D�FHUWLÀFDWH��OHWWHU�� RU� EDU� IRU� WKHLU� DFDGHPLF� DFKLHYH-ments. NHS members lined up students around 6:40 p.m. At exactly 7 p.m. stu-dents proceeded into the auditorium and sat by grade in the seats.
$IWHU�WKH�VWXGHQWV�ZHUH�VHDWHG��'DQ�3H-WHUVRQ�� VXSHULQWHQGHQW�� JDYH� D� VSHHFK� RQ�WKH�LPSRUWDQFH�RI�DFDGHPLFV��+H�VDLG�DW�WKH�EHJLQQLQJ�RI�WKH�HYHQW��´,W�LV�H[WUHPHO\�LP-portant to have this celebration and recog-QLWLRQ�IRU�WKH�VWXGHQWV�WKDW�DUH�GRLQJ�JUHDW�things in their coursework at Central High 6FKRRO�µ�3HWHUVRQ�VDLG��
´2WKHU� H[WUD�FXUULFXODU� DQG� FR�FXUULF-ular activities and participants get a great GHDO�RI�UHFRJQLWLRQ�IRU�WKHLU�HIIRUWV��DQG�ZH�need to be sure to recognize the most im-SRUWDQW�UHDVRQ�ZH·UH�LQ�VFKRRO��RXU�HGXFD-WLRQ�µ�
´,� FKRVH� WR� VD\� WKHVH� WKLQJV� EHFDXVH� ,�want our students and parents to know and UHPHPEHU�WKH�LPSRUWDQFH�RI�WDNLQJ�HGXFD-WLRQ� VHULRXVO\�µ� 3HWHUVRQ� VDLG�� ´7KH� VWX-dents that were recognized have done just WKDW�µ� �7KH�UHFHSWLRQ�ZDV�KHOG�LQ�WKH�QHZ�auditorium and students were lined up in the atrium.
´I thought it was easier this year to line SHRSOH�XS��PRVWO\�EHFDXVH�WKHUH�ZDV�PRUH�VSDFH�µ�/RJDQ�%UXQGDJH�VDLG��´,Q� WKH�ROG�KLJK� VFKRRO� OREE\�� SDUHQWV� DQG� VWXGHQWV�would be mixed together and it was hard WR� WHOO� ZKHUH� OLQHV� VWDUWHG� DQG� VWRSSHG�µ�So with the new space things went more smoothly right?
� ´,W� MXVW�ZDV� WLPH� FRQVXPLQJ�� EHFDXVH�you’re always going to have the people who are non stop talking and immature NLGV�GRLQJ�LPPDWXUH�WKLQJV�µ�1LFROH�0RRF�said. 2I�FRXUVH�DQ�HYHQW�OLNH�WKLV�MXVW�FDQ·W�EH�GRQH��7KHUH�LV�D�ORW�RI�EHKLQG�WKH�VFHQHV�ZRUN��´,�DP�YHU\� LQWR� WKH�GRLQJ�VWXII�EH-KLQG�WKH�VFHQHV�µ�0RRF�VD\V��´,�ZDV�YHU\�QHUYRXV�DERXW�WKH�IRRG��LV�WKHUH�JRLQJ�WR�EH�HQRXJK"�$QG�VR�RQ�µ�
It seems as though students spend the QLQH�PRQWKV�WKH\�DUH�LQ�VFKRRO�ORRNLQJ�IRU-ZDUG�WR�WKH�WKUHH�PRQWKV�WKH\�KDYH�RI�VXP-PHU���6XPPHU�LV�D�WLPH�WR�UHOD[��ORXQJH�E\�WKH�SRRO��JR�RQ�YDFDWLRQV��DQG�HQMR\�VSHQG-LQJ�WLPH�ZLWK�\RXU�IULHQGV�ZLWKRXW�KRPH-ZRUN�� �)RU�VRPH��VXPPHU� LQYROYHV�ZRUN��ZRUN��DQG�PRUH�ZRUN���
´,·OO� EH� ZRUNLQJ� DW� WKH� EDQN�µ� 1LFROH�0RRF� VDLG�� ´,·P� QRW� D� ELJ� VSHQGHU� EXW� ,�like having the extra money in case I need LW��$OVR�� JDV� SULFHV� DUH� ULGLFXORXV�µ� � 6WX-
dents like having a job to bring in the extra money to spend on electronics and clothes. Others are going to spend their summer traveling across the country.
ORFDWLRQ�µ�&RQQROO\�VDLG���´6LQFH�,�WDNH�VR�many classes during the school year I don’t KDYH�WKH�WLPH�QHHGHG�IRU�D�SDUW�WLPH�MRE���,�PDNH�DOO�P\�PRQH\�LQ�WKH�VXPPHU�µ�
Working during the school year can be GLIÀFXOW���:LWK�RQO\�D�IHZ�KRXUV�GXULQJ�WKH�week the summer hour changes can seem GUDVWLF�� � ´'XULQJ� WKH� VFKRRO� \HDU� ,� RQO\�ZRUNHG�WZR�KRXUV�DIWHU�VFKRRO�EXW�GXULQJ�the summer I’ll be able to work almost all GD\�RU�VWULFWO\�WKH�PRUQLQJV�RU�DIWHUQRRQV�µ�0RRF�VDLG��
$DURQ�7DUFKLQVNL�SODQV�RQ�WDNLQJ�D�WULS�to Kentucky to build houses. When he’s QRW� LQ� .HQWXFN\� KH� SODQV� RQ� VOHHSLQJ��WDNLQJ� YDFDWLRQV�� DQG� KDQJLQJ� RXW� ZLWK�IULHQGV���5HOD[LQJ�VHHPV�WR�EH�WKH�PDLQ�DW-
Honors reception recognizes students
Come on up. Aaron Tarchinski announces names up front while Mr.Peterson, Cam-eron Donovan, Kaitlyn Ketelsen, and Erin Dorpinghaus congratulate and hand the awards out to receiving students as they make their way across the stage.
Kyle Schrader1. I plan on attending Drake and major in business management.
2. I’ve always been interested in how businesses run and operate and there are PDQ\�GLIIHUHQW�RSSRUWXQLWLHV�LQ�WKH�EXVL-ness world.
3. I hope that I will be working in the IURQW�RIÀFH�RI�VRPH�SURIHVVLRQDO�VSRUWV�team.
���,�ZLOO�PLVV�DOO�RI�P\�IULHQGV�DQG�WKH�people I’ve met in high school.
Academic Spotlight: Darcie Farrell and Kyle Schrader
traction during the summer months. ´6RPHWLPHV�,�JHW�FDXJKW�XS�LQ�VR�PXFK�
VWXII� DQG� ZLWK� VR� PXFK� JRLQJ� RQ� ,� DFWX-DOO\� ORQJ� IRU�ERUHGRP�µ�0RRF� VDLG�� � ´,·OO�even choose to just spend that day sitting at KRPH�E\�P\VHOI�WR�ZDWFK�D�PRYLH�RU�VRPH-WKLQJ���%XW�,�UHDOO\�ZDQW�WR�JR�WR�6L[�)ODJV�IRU�WKH�ÀUVW�VR�,�ZLOO�EH�JRLQJ�WKHUH�VRPH-WLPH�WKLV�VXPPHU�µ�
$ORQJ�ZLWK�YDFDWLRQV�DQG�UHOD[LQJ��WKH�school has activities going on like sports FDPSV�� �%DVNHWEDOO�� YROOH\EDOO�� DQG�ZUHV-tling all have summer camps that the play-HUV� FDQ� DWWHQG� WR� KHOS� WKHLU� HQGXUDQFH��VWUHQJWK��DQG�NQRZOHGJH�RQ�WKH�VSRUW���2G-\VVH\�RI�WKH�0LQG�PHPEHUV�DUH�FRPSHWLQJ�RYHU�WKH�VXPPHU�ZLWK�0U��0HUFDGR���
Students summer plans begin months in advance
The Purple OnionVol. 25 No. 4May 16, 2012
ON CAMPUS6
DEANNA HANSENEDITOR IN CHIEF
BRANDON SMITHGUEST COLUMNIST
KAITLYN O’LEARYSTAFF WRITER
Blake Baker attains ‘master title’ at pool
The game of billiards has been around since the 15th century, but this once ex-tremely well known game has lost popular-ity among many teens. Sophomore Blake Baker has revived this dying sport and proven himself a worthy opponent when it comes to shooting a game of pool.
“My dad taught me how to play at a very young age, I believe I was 4,” Baker said. “I love the game of pool, and my dad was my biggest mentor. I’m even better than my dad in pool.”
Blake has been playing in competition since he was around the age of eight years ROG���´7KLV�\HDU�,�ÀQDOO\�UHDFKHG�WKH�PDV-
ter status,” Blake said. He explained how there are four different rankings in pool. These include Level 2, Level 1, Master, and Pro. This status doesn’t come easy; Blake practices every day for about an hour, he even has lessons.
There is a long list of the many achieve-ments Blake has received but some of them include, in 2006 playing against the nine time trick shot master, and beating him at the age of 10. In 2009 Blake took KLV� ÀUVW� WULS� WR� WKH� MXQLRU� LQWHUQDWLRQDOV�and placed 4th�RXW�RI�����MXQLRUV���,Q������Blake improved his game at internationals and placed 3rd out of 700. In 2010 he also played at the Iowa State Pool Tournament and placed 7-8th in 9 balls out of 500 men. Also in that same year he played in a team event and won the tournament against 300 other teams. This year Blake placed 7-8th in 8-ball and was awarded his master title.
Lining it up.�)SHRL�)HRLY�MVJ\ZLZ�PU�VU�[OL�IHSS��ÄN\YPUN�V\[�[OL�WLYMLJ[�^H`�[V�KV�OPZ�UL_[�ZOV[��)SHRL�WHY[PJPWH[LZ�PU�THU`�WVVS�JVTWL[P[PVUZ��7OV[V�JVU[YPI\[LK�
Four seniors choosecareer in armed forces
6RPHWLPHV� \RX� MXVW� KDYH� WR�ZDON� LQWR�VRPHWKLQJ� XQNQRZQ�� DQG� MXVW� PDNH� WKH�best of it. That’s what three senior boys are doing not for themselves, but for everyone in the United States. Caulin Klaas, Tyler 0LOOHU�DQG�%UHQGDQ�5RJJH�KDYH�MRLQHG�WKH�armed forces to protect our country. They did it for different reasons, but in the end, it’s all for us.
&DXOLQ�MRLQHG�WKH�$UP\�KLV�MXQLRU�\HDU�RI� KLJK� VFKRRO�� DQG� ZDV� RQH� RI� WKH� ÀUVW�ones in the Senior 2012 class to sign up for the armed forces. Like many other young PHQ� MRLQLQJ� WKH� DUP\�� RQH� RI� WKH� KDUGHVW�parts for Caulin was gaining his families VXSSRUW�� ´,� ZDQWHG� WR� MRLQ� WKH� DUP\�� EH-cause many of my family members have been apart of it,” Klaas said.” However, it has been hard trying to get my family to understand my decision.” Caulin’s family is now more than supportive towards his decision. Caulin has already gone to basic training and will go to AIT this summer. “Basic training wasn’t easy,” Klaas said. “I was the youngest one there, so they were always harder on me, and returning home DIWHU�EDVLF�WUDLQLQJ�ZDV�KDUG�WR�DGMXVW�WR�µ�Caulin is currently a diesel mechanic in the Army reserves. He and his fellow col-leagues meet once a month to train. Caulin does not plan to stay in the Army forever though, after his contract is up, he plans to go to school at UTI (University of Techni-cal Institute) in Chicago. “I plan to go for auto mechanics,” Klaas said.
7\OHU�MRLQHG�WKH�1DY\�KLV�MXQLRU�\HDU�RI�high school, and has been committed to it VLQFH��+H�LV�D�1DY\�GLYHU��ZKLFK�HQWDLOV�WKH�defusing and placing of underwater bombs and welding. He later decided he wanted to EH�D�SDUW�RI�WKH�1DY\�DIWHU�KH�GLG�VRPH�UH-VHDUFK��´,�OLNHG�WKH�1DY\·V�EHQHÀWV�RYHU�DOO�of the others.” Miller said. “I will be able to see the world, travel, and experience things I have never even thought of.” Tyler then plans to eventually go to Candidate VFKRRO�DQG�EHFRPH�D�1DY\�2IÀFHU��´,�SODQ�WR�EHFRPH�DQ�2IÀFHU�XQWLO�,�PDNH�HQRXJK�money to retire,” Miller said. “If I do de-
cide to go to school, I’m young enough where I have plenty of options once I get RXW�µ�'XH�WR�7\OHU·V�SRVLWLRQ�LQ�WKH�1DY\��he will more than likely be deployed. “I’m afraid of not coming back home after be-ing deployed,” Miller said. This is a com-mon fear that not only our soldiers have, but also a fear for their family members, friends, and community.
Brendan Rogge has not enlisted yet, but plans to July 5, the day he turns 18. “I SODQ�WR�VLJQ�XS�IRU�WKH�1DY\�RQFH�,�DP����µ�Rogge said, “that way I don’t need paren-tal consent.” Brendan has wanted to sign XS�IRU� WKH�1DY\�IRU�VHYHUDO�\HDUV�QRZ��´,�OLNH�WKH�1DY\�EHFDXVH�,�HQMR\�EHLQJ�DURXQG�water,” Rogge said. “It’s not as dangerous as the army, and I can become a cop with-out having to go to school for it.” Brendan SODQV�WR�MRLQ�WKH�1DY\�DV�D�0LOLWDU\�3ROLFH�(MP) that way when he’s done with his FRQWUDFW� KH� FDQ� EHFRPH� D� SROLFH� RIÀFHU�ULJKW� DZD\�� ´,� KRSH� WR�EH� D�SROLFH�RIÀFHU�in a small town,” Rogge said. “I would en-MR\�ZRUNLQJ�LQ�'H:LWW�µ�%UHQGDQ�LVQ·W�VXUH�how long he wants to sign a contract for, but is thinking four years active duty.
:TP[O�YLTPUPZJLZ�HIV\[�SLHYUPUN�Hvaluable lesson at a previous school
(YHU\RQH� DW� 'DYHQSRUW� :HVW� +LJK�School dreaded being condemned to riding Bus 23. The beginning of each school year presented fear as everyone came to reality that they had a one-in-three chance of get-ting Crazy Ralph (not his real name).
:RUG� KDG� LW� WKDW�&UD]\�5DOSK�� SV\FKR�bus driver, had once been a Marine. As a bus driver for the Davenport school dis-trict, he was a symbol of authority. Every day he drove Bus 23 with dedication, as if it was the most important thing, as if some-thing bad would happen if he didn’t.
Middle-aged, tall and skinny, he always wore a bus driver uniform which looked as if it was ironed and cleaned every day. His shoes were always shined and his thick, black hair was closely cut in the traditional high-and-tight military style crew cut.
He was a good driver. He would skill-fully maneuver the mustard-yellow, black-VWULSHG�EXV�WKURXJK�WUDIÀF��DW�WKH�VDPH�WLPH�controlling youngsters in his charge.
His narrow, unsmiling face, along with his black crew-cut hair, continually created fear in the young students who rode the same bus as the high schoolers forced to ride. Most scary about Crazy Ralph were his dark brown, penetrating eyes, always visible in the mirror, as if he were always staring at you. Periodically, he raised his eyes to stare in his rear view mirror at us, looking carefully for any sign of misbe-havior, or violation of the rules which were posted on the back of his seat.
Crazy Ralph’s reaction to the constant, childish behavior of youngsters tried his SDWLHQFH��7KH�ÀUVW�ZDUQLQJ�FDPH�RYHU�WKH�intercom, his voice in everyone’s head, a threat to individual riders or riders in gen-eral. If that wasn’t successful, he pulled 1R�����WR�D�IXOO�VWRS��<RXQJ�ULGHUV�VWLIIHQHG�and froze as the bus abruptly came to a stop on the shoulder. Crazy Ralph would turn RQ�WKH�HPHUJHQF\�ÁDVKHUV��VHW�WKH�SDUNLQJ�brake, get up from his seat, and stop at the seat of the offender. In a low, deep voice, he delivered a stern warning through clenched teeth: “I’d better not have to stop this bus again,” he said, his lips barely moving. “Is that clear?”
If the behavior was beyond bad, Crazy Ralph didn’t hesitate. He grabbed the guilty party by the collar or the back of the neck and roughly escorted the offender to the re-VHUYHG� VHDW� MXVW�EHKLQG�KLP��&UD]\�5DOSK�knew how to control children: with fear.
I still remember the day I disobeyed Crazy Ralph. This kid and I got into it. He was taller and stronger, and I found myself on the losing end. That didn’t go over very well with Crazy Ralph. As soon DV�%XV�1R�� ���PRYHG�RXW� RI� VLJKW� RI� WKH�school, it bounced to the side of the road and stopped. Ralph rose from his seat and walked down the narrow aisle. He headed directly toward the kid and me. He grabbed me by the back of the neck and escorted me WR�WKH�VHDW�MXVW�EHKLQG�KLV��,�KHOG�P\�FKLQ�down on my chest. Adding to my shame was the fact that my bus stop was second to the last, so I sat in solitude for an eter-nity. During those minutes I plotted my re-YHQJH��0\�IDFH�ÁXVKHG�UHG�ZLWK�DQJHU�DQG�shame as I looked up with deep loathing at the closely shorn back of Crazy Ralph’s KHDG��,�KDWHG�KLV�JXWV��:LWK�WKDW�DQJHU�DQG�KDWUHG�P\�SODQ�VROLGLÀHG� At my stop I quickly exited the bus and began running madly. I knew that if I ran hard enough I could arrive at Ralph’s last stop before he did. I hid behind a pine tree MXVW�DV� WKH�KXJH�\HOORZ�YHKLFOH�VORZHG�WR�a stop. I peeked out and could see Crazy Ralph behind the driver’s window, looking all cool, and that look made me so angry. I MXPSHG�RXW�IURP�EHKLQG�WKH�WUHH�DQG�WKUHZ�a rock at the bus; Ralph looked over at me, a surprised expression on his face as the stone bounced harmlessly off the front tire. +LV� ÀHUFH� VWDUH� ORFNHG� RQWR�PH� DQG�ZLWK�extreme satisfaction I made an obscene gesture before running off home. The next morning I sat in the principal’s RIÀFH�DQG�DFFHSWHG�P\�SXQLVKPHQW��,�FRQ-fessed to the rock-throwing and gesture, and I was kicked off the bus for the rest of the year. The worst consequence, though, was that part of my punishment required me to write a note to Crazy Ralph, apolo-gizing for my behavior. I could not bring P\VHOI�DW�ÀUVW�WR�ZULWH�WKH�DSRORJ\��EXW�À-nally I did and I felt like a better person. Crazy Ralph, the psycho bus driver, ac-tually provided for me with one of life’s simple but never forgotten learning experi-ences: respect.
May 16, 2011
Editor in Chief: Deanna HansenAssistant Editor: Auburn Templeton
Managing Editor: Haley RuskSports Editor: Creighton Fox
In 1987 principal Eugene Kastler hired the newest addition to the science depart-ment, a young graduate of Augustana Col-lege.
Fast-forward to 25 years later, and that same man continues to live and serve in that same community mentoring students and athletes alike. After recently accepting the position as Central’s activities direc-tor, Kurt Kreiter’s legacy as a teacher and coach will end, but his willingness to help young men and women will continue.
Man of PrioritiesOver the years Kurt Kreiter is most
strongly recognized as the former head football and wrestling coach for the Sa-bers, but his main focus from the beginning has always been academics. A biology and anatomy teacher, Kreiter strived to push his athletes in the classroom. For example, in 2010 for the varsity football team, he held open study sessions at his house to accom-modate those struggling in certain classes. Not only did he serve as an enforcer, but also an inspiration to those pursuing a ca-
reer in education and coaching. Jerad Block, a 2001 graduate of Cen-
tral, played football under Kreiter and is currently a teacher at Northeast High School and assistant football and track & ÀHOG�FRDFK�IRU�WKH�6DEHUV��
“To this day Kreiter has been a great mentor of mine and a very reliable re-source,” Block said. “The fact that he’s willing to go above and beyond for his athletes is what separates him from most coaches.”
6LJQLÀFDQFH�2XWVLGH�WKH�&ODVVURRPDuring his tenure as coach, the impact
he had on young people can not only be seen in their strong character and academic achievement, but also noticeable in the success of Central’s athletic programs.
In the eleven years as head football coach, Kreiter advanced four of those teams into the post season giving many young individuals an experience they will never forget.
One of those successful programs in-cludes the 2008 season in which Kreiter led the Sabers to an unforgettable 9-0 reg-ular season giving a group of young men some of the greatest memories of their high school careers.
“One thing I will always remember is smiling and celebrating with my team-mates after the clock had run down on our last game and knowing that we had done something special,” said Adam McDon-nell, a senior on the ’08 football squad and a current member of the University of 1RUWKHUQ�,RZD·V�WUDFN�DQG�ÀHOG�WHDP��
For 20 years, Kreiter also led the Sa-ber wrestling squad to new heights. His strengths as a wrestling coach led to nu-merous individual and team achievements including a historic state dual appearance WKDW�OHG�WR�D�IRXUWK�SODFH�ÀQLVK��
“Coach Kreiter always encouraged us to be the best we could as an athlete, a student, and as a person,” said Jeremie Hahn, a wrestler on the 2007 state dual team, “Looking back it was great feeling to hold that trophy up and show all of our fans what we had accomplished.”
Kreiter’s approach to athletics at Central
has not only given high school programs a lifetime experience, but also extend past high school.. A number of Saber alumni athletes that participated under Kreiter also continued to stand out at the next level.
$�)DPLOLDU�)DFHAfter years ten as Central’s athletic di-
rector Brent Cook resigned, but replacing his position will be a familiar face.
“For the past 25 years at Central it’s been a passion of mine to watch the young people here grow and mature.” Kreiter said.
Next year as activities director, a posi-tion that oversees all athletic and extra cur-ricular activities, Kreiter looks forward to extending his knowledge past football and wrestling into the other organizations that Central High School has to offer. It will also give him the opportunity to explore his other interests.
“Unlike most coaches I’m not always engaged in the X’s and O’s, but oftentimes I enjoy program development: being able to hire a staff, organize events, and pro-mote leadership,” Kreiter said.
0DNLQJ�D�'LIÀFXOW�'HFLVLRQAlthough the move from teacher and
coach to activities director promises a va-ULHW\�RI�EHQHÀWV�LW�ZDVQ·W�DQ�HDV\�GHFLVLRQ�
“Teaching is something I’ve always loved and next year it will be hard not
having those same day-to-day interactions with students,” Kreiter said.
After 10 years it was also sad to let go of the reins as head football coach.
“I’m a very goal driven person and I UHWLUHG� DV�ZUHVWOLQJ�FRDFK� LQ� ·��� VDWLVÀHG�with what I had accomplished,” Kreiter said. “Unfortunately I didn’t feel the same way about football, making it very tough to walk away.”
)URP�D�'LIIHUHQW�3HUVSHFWLYHRetiring from the sidelines wasn’t easy
for Kreiter and having to hear this news wasn’t easy for next year’s senior football players.
“After I was given the position as A.D., it was critical that I told them as soon as possible and in person, instead having to hear it from someone else.” Kreiter said.
Drew Volrath, a soon-to-be senior and all-district lineman, wasn’t pleased to hear about Kreiter’s resignation as head football coach.
“I was unbelievably shocked and thought, What a way to start my senior sea-son,” a disappointed Volrath said.
Along with informing his team about his resignation as football coach, though, Kreiter added a positive insight.
“My message to them,” Kreiter said, “was that this decision will only affect their senior year if they let it.”
A step forward for KreiterPopular teacher, coach leaves behind sports legacy, accepts activities director position
Loud and proud. For the past 25 years, Kurt Kreiter has been a great enthusiast of school spirit. Above, in this Publications photo from 2005, he rowdies up the stu-dent body at a homecoming pep assembly. Kreiter has always been supportive of not only athletics, but also other student activities.
By the Numbers
22 All-State Football selections played under Kreiter
49 the number of wres-tlers he helped qualify for the state tournament
213 dual meets won has head wrestling coach
69 points scored in post-season victory in 2007, currently a state re-cord for most in a playoff game
A lot of changes for the Central School District. The school has experienced change and growth with construction of the new school and the transformation to one – to – one technology. One new part of the school that didn’t take much construc-
WLRQ�WKRXJK��KDV�EHHQ�WKH�QHZ�VRFFHU�ÀHOGV�and the growth of the soccer program as it continues to age and gain knowledge. The QHZ�VRFFHU�ÀHOGV�KDYH�EHHQ�RQ�WKH�VFKRRO�grounds for the past two years now, but the WKLV�\HDU·V�VHDVRQ�LV�WKH�ÀUVW�WLPH�WKH\�KDYH�been played on.
“I like having our own practice and FRPSHWLWLRQ�ÀHOG�EHFDXVH�LW�PDNHV�LW�D�ORW�easier,” Jordan Kent said. “Even though WKH�SUDFWLFH�ÀHOG�LVQ·W�D�UHDO�JRRG�RQH�LW·V�better than nothing,”
“I think it’s great,” Joe Pena said, “It makes things easier for the track and soc-cer teams to go along with their schedules.”
7KH�ÀHOGV�DUHQ·W�WKH�RQO\�WKLQJV�QHZ�WR�the soccer program; a new coach leads the girl’s soccer team this season. Ashley Dex-ter, a junior at St. Ambrose, stepped up to the plate this year to coach the girls’ team after many months of wondering if the JLUOV·�WHDP�ZRXOG�ÀQG�D�FRDFK�DW�DOO��
´:H�KDYH�UHDOO\�EHQHÀWHG�IURP�RXU�QHZ�coach by doing a lot more drills to get us in
shape,” Madison Cousins said, “and acting more like a team and less drama.”
Of course the same goes for the boys’ team, having to get to know everyone’s VW\OH�FDQ�EH�D�GLIÀFXOW�SURFHVV�DQG�SOD\HUV��miss their old teammates sometimes.
“I miss a lot of the players from last year, because I’ve played a long time with them and we can work together good,” Colby Azinger said. “But this year it’s go-ing good and we are making it work with what we have.”
Changes bring growth to soccer programs
The Purple OnionVol. 25 No. 4May 16, 2012
GRADUATION8
AUBURN TEMPLETONSTAFF WRITER
DEANNA HANSENEDITOR IN CHIEF
Where will the seniors be next year?
Heidi Andresen: Iowa State Univer-sity, Agricultural Education, then after completion of that, apply to vet school
PJ Arceo: Didn’t respond.Shelby Arndt: Scott Community Col-
Class Quote: “Life is a succession of moments. To live each one is to succeed.” —Corita Kent
Getting prepared for the big day. Vince Elsea and Kalyn McMahon are in the process of putting on and trying their graduation cap and gown, making sure they look sharp for graduation day. Photo by Auburn Templeton.
Forget me not.�;OL�[VW�JSHZZ�ÅV^LY�chosen by the class of 2012.
The Purple OnionVol. 25 No. 4May 16, 2012
PROM 9
AUBURN TEMPLETONSTAFF WRITER
MOLLY KEEGANSTAFF WRITER
KAITLYN O’LEARYSTAFF WRITER
As soon as students get back from Christmas break you can almost feel it in the air. It is prom season and ideas are al-ready forming in people’s heads. Girls are searching for that perfect dress and boys are searching for the perfect date. Think-ing of the perfect way to ask someone to prom can be a lot of pressure, everyone wants cute and creative, but this year’s junior and senior boys showed that they were not out of ideas yet. How Derek Fox asked Kaitlyn Ketelsen to prom was sweet in more ways than one.
“My mom actually helped me think of the idea. I wanted an idea that no one had really used before. Well, she started nam-ing off all the lame ideas that you think to be ‘too original.’ Then, she mentioned something about a fruit bouquet, and for some reason I thought about a cookie bou-quet from Cookies by Design. So I start-ed to look at different designs and found one with toads. The saying immediately popped in my head. “It would be “toadaly” sweet if you would go to prom with me!” It was perfect!” Fox said. And it was per-fect because he got just the result he was looking for.
´:KHQ� ,� ÀUVW� VDZ� LW� ,� WKRXJKW� LW� ZDV�a sick joke. I do not like toads. Then I read the note and realized what was going on. Of course I was going to say yes. It was too cute to say no,” Ketelsen replied
when asked how she reacted.The boys at Central are not shy when
it comes to showing off their talents to try and get a date to prom, either. Drew Dieck-mann and his brother-in-law came up with the idea to change the lyrics to the song “I Will Survive” and perform it with a few of his friends back him up with rock band instruments. “I was extremely nervous at ÀUVW��EXW�RQFH�,�VWDUWHG�VLQJLQJ�,�UHOD[HG�µ��But all the nervous feelings were worth it because his efforts landed him a prom date with Carly Bauman.
After asking Holle Michoski to prom, Jonah Paarmann knows what a good feel-ing it is to have the entire waiting end with a happy result. “Jonah taped pieces of pa-per all along my locker that said ‘Holle –0HHW�PH�DW�WKH�EDVHEDOO�ÀHOGV��/RYH��\RXU�secret admirer.’ So Abby Schneckloth, Jen-nifer Dunn, Emmy Drury, and I walked GRZQ�DIWHU�VFKRRO�WR�WKH�EDVHEDOO�ÀHOGV�WR�go meet Jonah,” Michoski said. “He was standing on home base holding a choco-late bunny with a baseball bat. Once I got up to him, he said, “It would be sweeter than chocolate if you went to prom with me.”And lucky for Jonah, she said yes. ´0\�ÀUVW�UHDFWLRQ�ZDV�,�ZDV�VR�KDSS\�DQG�excited,” Michoski said. “I wouldn’t want to spend my senior prom with anybody else.”
“I was so nervous it wasn’t even funny but I was so happy that she said yes,” Par-rmann said. “I have been trying to build up the courage to ask her to a homecoming GDQFH�RU�SURP�IRU�D� ORQJ� WLPH��DQG� ,�ÀJ-ured senior prom would be the best time to do it, now or never.”
It is always cute when there is a per-sonal touch added, and that is what Chris Marlowe did when he thought up his plan WR�DVN�/H[L�'HODQH\���´6LQFH�,�VKRZ�SLJV��he got a trailer with fake pigs in it and put a sign in the trailer that said, ‘This little pig-gy went to market, this little piggy stayed home. This little piggy ate roast beef, and this little piggy had none. And this little piggy is asking you to prom,’” Delaney said. ´,�ZDVQ¿W�H[SHFWLQJ�LW�DW�DOO��0\�ÀUVW�reaction was I thought my dad or someone else had brought pigs home.”
There is always something to be said for the guys who are brave enough to ask a girl to prom in a public way, and Chris Keitel did just that when he decided to ask Allyson Bennett to prom this year. Allyson had spent the night at a friend’s house and as she was turning down the street to go
home the next morning she was greeted by signs hanging on trees and messages writ-ten in sidewalk chalk. “I wasn’t expecting LW�DW�DOO���:KHQ�,�ÀUVW�VDZ�WKDW�WKHUH�ZHUH�signs on the trees I just kind of ignored them thinking that there was someone on my street advertising for a garage sale or VRPHWKLQJ�µ�$OO\VRQ� VDLG�� ´,� MXVW� ÀJXUHG�that the side walk was the neighbor kids just drawing in the street, I didn’t realize any of it until I pulled into the court.” And when she pulled into the court she saw posters on mailboxes that spelled out prom and Chris waiting for her in the driveway.
So when you are asking yourself how many different ways could there possibly be to ask someone to a prom, just remem-ber that where there’s a will, there’s a way and the boys of Central High School prove themselves every year. It’s prom season.
Cute ways to ask will you go to prom with me?
Every year for the boys’ varsity track team, Drake Relays is a big track event they qualify for. However, over the years, it happened to land the same day as Prom. The boys always get excited for the relays, but their dates to prom are affected the PRVW�� � /DVW� \HDU�� D� ORW� RI� WKH� ER\V� TXDOL-ÀHG�IRU�WKH�UHOD\V�DQG�HYHQ�PDNLQJ�LW�WR�WKH�ÀQDOV��7KH�ER\V�ZHUH�KDYLQJ�WR�PLVV�JURXS�pictures, the grand march, and were late for dinner at the Wild Rose Casino, leaving their dates dateless for part of the night.
This year, the boys unfortunately didn’t PDNH�WKH�ÀQDOV��DUULYLQJ�EDFN�LQWR�'H:LWW�on time for group pictures and the rest of prom. “We arrived around 3,” Mitch Green said. “Our dates were excited we were able to make it back in time for pic-tures and all of prom, as I was glad also.”
Even though Drake Relays is a big event, most said they were glad to make in back in time. “I’m glad we made it back because if the events would have made it WR�ÀQDOV�µ�&KULV�/XEEHQ� VDLG�� ´ZH�ZRXOG�have missed pretty much the entire dance and everything before it.”
“I’m glad we made it back although it ZRXOG�KDYH�EHHQ�QLFH�WR�PDNH�LW�WR�ÀQDOV�µ�Remington Meggers said. “However, I would have been okay with either outcome. I also felt pretty bad for being late and not being able to take group pictures and didn’t like rushing to take a shower and get my tux on for the grand march.”
Nails- $30
Jewelry- $10 - $75
Dress - $100 - $600
Shoes - $10 - $60Shoe Rental - $12 - $18
Tux Rental - $80 - $110
Make-Up- $20Guy hair cut- $10
Girl Hairdo - $35 - $50
Prom costs: girls vs. boysDrake vs. prom
How cute. Kaitlyn Ketelesen was asked by Derek Fox, using a cookie bouquet as his way of asking her to prom. Photo contributed.
After glow. Mitch Green and his date Maggie Gehlsen walk down during the grand march after returning from drake on time. Photo contributed.
The Purple OnionVol. 25 No. 4May 16, 2012
OPERATION PROM10
Boom. Crash. Bam. “When they pulled off the tarp I instantly felt numb from my head to my toes. The feeling was as real as it could get,” Maggie Dolan a “victim,” said. Sound effects, smoke, and actors drew the audience in with their sences, and showed the them what can happen when you drive drunk. Photo by Kaitlyn O’Leary.
Innocent “victim”. Marissa Meland was ejected from her car. She wasn’t drink-ing but has pay for someone else’s bad decision. Photo by Kaitlyn O’Leary.
Holding on. Colby Azinger drank on prom night and decided to get into a car with a drunk driver. In the accident he lost his arm. Photo by Kaitlyn O’Leary.
Total shock.�2YPZ[H�+\MM �̀�H�ÄYZ[�YLZWVUK-er to the accident, used CPR and was able to help Marrisa while help was on the way Photo by Kaitlyn O’Leary.
Taking charge. Mr. Karl Burmester di-rects the rescue teams. Since 1997 he has run Operation Prom which is a bi-ennial event. Photo by Kaitlyn O’Leary.
What did I do? Greyson Doolittle played the role of the drunk driver who had a head-on crash with another car whose passengers were not drinking. Greyson is ZLLU�OLYL�ILPUN�OLSK�IHJR�MYVT�[OL�ZJLUL�I`�[OL�ÄYZ[�YLZWVUKPUN�VMÄJLY��^OV�SH[LY�gives him a sobriety test, and then takes him away in his squad car. Photo by Kaitlyn O’Leary.
Passenger ejected and found dead on the scene. “I knew that it was hard for my family to see me lying on the hood and in the grass ‘dead’,” Brianna Kueter said. “I so badly wanted to open my eyes and smile at them to remind them it was just a skit HUK�0�^HZ�ÄUL�HUK�OLHS[O �̀�0�OVWL�Z[\KLU[Z�[VVR�P[�ZLYPV\ZS`�HUK�YLHSS`�SPZ[LULK�[V�the message and got something out of it,” Kueter added. Photo by Kaitlyn O’Leary.
The Purple OnionVol. 25 No. 4May 16, 2012
OPERATION PROM 11
Getting steady.�-PYLÄNO[LYZ�WSHJL�IVHYKZ�under the car to keep it steady before using the jaws of life to free the backseat passengers. Photo by Kaitlyn O’Leary.
Air lifted. Every year one participant is taken away in a helicopter, but due to PUZ\YHUJL� PZZ\LZ�� P[� Q\Z[� ÅL^� PU� [V� [OL�scene. Photo by Kaitlyn O’Leary.
The interview. Dustin Petersen is being PU[LY]PL^LK�I`�6MÄJLY�+HU�HIV\[�^OH[�happended, and how he was involved in the accident. Photo by Kaitlyn O’Leary.
Take him to the slammer. “Sitting in the back of the cop car was an experience but not an enjoyable one,” Greyson Doolittle said. Photo by Kaitlyn O’Leary.
To the emergency room. Maggie Dolan is carried away on a stretcher. Her condi-tion was stable, but then Maggie’s heart rate plummeted.“It was uncomfortable, it was scary but exciting at the same time,” Dolan said. “‘Dying’ in the ER was scary. It all seems so real when you’re the one on the operating table. It was weird for them to pronounce me ‘dead’ when I was alive,” Dolan added. Photo by Kaitlyn O’Leary.
In loving memory. “Funeral services” were held for Brianna Kueter in the auditori-um. Brianna’s cousin Allie Anderson gave the eulogy and several of her classmates were the pallbearers. “During my funeral when I saw my family crying it was really hard because I really wanted to just go give them a hug” Kueter said. There were presentations about the effects of drunk driving. Photo by Kaitlyn O’Leary.
The First Responders. Most people do not realize that all of the rescue teams donate their time and services to the production of operation prom. They provide their time KVPUN�[OPZ�PU�OVWLZ�[OH[�[OL�ÄYL�HUK�YLZJ\L�[LHTZ�^VU»[�OH]L�[V�YLZWVUK�[V�HU�HJJPKLU[�JH\ZLK�I`�\UKLYHNL�KY\UR�KYP]PUN��7OV[V�I`�2HP[S`U�6»3LHY �̀
The Purple OnionVol. 25 No. 4May 16, 2012
OPINIONS12
HALEY RUSKSTAFF WRITER
KARLEE EBERHARTGUEST WRITER
Everyone knew with the arrival of the laptops in the school district, things were going to change. When the district changed to one on one, the district change in several ways. The administration, teachers, stu-dents, and day-to-day activity changed as soon as the last student was handed their laptop to take home with them.
The classroom environment was altered extremely when laptops were put on every single desk. With the laptops the district is now doing everything possible to convert to a paperless system. Due to the attempt to become paperless, class time changed in multiple ways. Notebooks have become scarce in the hallways and classroom now that students can simply type their notes on laptops during lectures and speeches. As-signments are rarely physically turned any-more with the growing popularity of online networks, such as Edmodo, that give teach-ers and students the ability to assign and turn in work online.
Even some tests have become another thing to do on the computer. Many tests still survive with the paper and pencil, but slowly teachers are converting to online testing. Some tests are simply typed online, while other tests and quizzes are submitted through online networks and accounts that teachers have created for heir course.
Textbooks still have a job in the school system, although there is talk that those too will become yet another online tool. While the course textbooks are still being used in class, other common classroom books
seem to be seeing an end to their days. Dic-tionaries are slowly fading out of the class-room with the easy access to online dic-WLRQDULHV�DQG�WKH�HDV\�À[HV�PDGH�DYDLODEOH�through Microsoft Word. Encyclopedias are also being used less and less because of the laptops. Encyclopedias had already lost some popularity with the growth of online information generators. But now they are near extinction with every student having all the information of the Internet at their ÀQJHUWLSV��
Email has become huge part of day-to-day life, for students and teachers alike. Email was already a big of administration to teacher communication, but it now de-mands a lot of student’s time, too. Students use email to connect teachers, students, and administration alike to talk about homework, extracurricular activities, and surveys. The easy accessibility to email and everyone having one has become one of the mainstream communication systems for everyone in the school district.
All the changes with communication and homework and notes, though, stand as just a small token to one big change that has taken place due to the laptops: daily an-nouncements. For the past 25 years Mary /DQGDX�� RQH� WKH� ZRQGHUIXO� RIÀFH� VHFUH-taries (Linda Ryan is the other), has read the daily announcements every day during second block. The daily announcements include everything from current commu-nity projects to future group meetings, and from personal awards won to team achievements. Every day at the start of sec-ond block, things would be a tad noisy as usual, but as soon as everyone heard Mary Landau’s voice on the intercom, things quieted down and everyone listened.
With the laptops following nearly every student to every single class all day, it was only reasonable to want to put the daily an-nouncements online, too. Now, every day everyone receives an email with the daily announcements. It is a decent way to get the word out, if everyone actually read the email. Plenty of people simply open and skim through it for something that in-cludes them, while others just delete it. It’s not that it is a huge deal that not everyone reads the announcements word for word, the big deal is that something that brought the school together for a few minutes is gone. Sure, the school comes together at sports games, plays and musicals, and as-semblies, but when does everyone become one during the average school day?
The daily announcements brought the school together and made sure everyone listened to and actually heard the daily announcements of important events and accomplishments. Plus, Mary Landau en-
joyed saying the daily announcements every day. She enjoyed being a part of everyone’s day and getting to spread the news. But, to save a few precious moments of class time, we got rid of the announce-ments and now just send emails.
The laptops are great tools to have in the district, and we are grateful that we got the opportunity to have them. I understand that change can be a wonderful thing and this change has been wonderful, but we miss hearing Mrs. Landau on the intercom tell-ing us what is coming up in the week and the latest theme for the home basketball game. This change wasn’t earthshaking or groundbreaking, but it was something that caused some questioning. I suppose some things can’t last forever, no matter how much they were appreciated. Either way, I would just like to thank Mary Landau for keeping me in the loop, I know she saved me a few times from being the odd man out during a black-out theme.
Laptops dramatically change the school day for students and staff
“Maybe same-sex marriage would change things because then I would feel like everybody is a bit more accepted.” These are the words of one woman sharing her views on same-sex marriage in The Northern Star. Love is everywhere you look. Except, some love just isn’t as accepted as others.
Same-sex marriage has been a controversial topic since 1970. The law that once banned this type of marriage has been repealed, yet 30 states still ban it. Why is it still banned? I believe same-sex marriage should be allowed everywhere. It doesn’t harm anyone, these un-wed couples can JHW�QR�KHDOWK�RU�ÀQDQFLDO�EHQHÀWV�EHFDXVH�their marriage is not valid, and marriage isn’t really about reproduction.
Legalizing gay marriage won’t harm anyone. It’ll only make more people happy. Same-sex marriages have lower divorce rates than heterosexual marriage. If there’s less divorce, obviously couples are having
a happy, stable marriage. If churches or religious groups don’t approve, that’s their right, but it’s not their right to stop people from getting married.
People have the right to love and marry whomever they want. The churches cannot and do not have the right to take this right away from the people. Society should not dictate what people in love can or can’t do in life if it isn’t hurting anyone or anything. Being homosexual doesn’t hurt anyone or anything, so it shouldn’t be anyone else’s business but the couple’s. If a couple is very serious and in love, they should be able to be wed no matter what the gender.
Couples that are not wed do not get DQ\� RI� WKH� VDPH� EHQHÀWV� DV� FRXSOHV� WKDW�are married. Without being wed, a couple won’t be able to have shared health or ÀQDQFLDO� EHQHÀWV�� ,I� WKH\� DUH� D� VHULRXV�FRXSOH�� WKH\� VKRXOGQ·W� EH� GHQLHG� EHQHÀWV�that they deserve and that heterosexual couples can receive without complaint.
If one partner is hurt or sick, the other partner could be and probably will be denied access to the hospital room to see his or her partner if they aren’t legally married. To me, this doesn’t seem fair because the people love each other. If you loved someone, you’d want to be with him or her if they were hurt or dying.
Couples that have to pay taxes as though they’re single even though they just can’t
be legally married are paying much more than they should be. These couples act and live as though they’re married anyway, so it’s not logical to make them pay things they wouldn’t if they were heterosexual. Same sex couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples.
Marriage isn’t just about reproduction or “becoming a man or woman.” Marriage is about being in love and being with the one you love. Marriage is centered on one thing: love. Without love, there wouldn’t be marriage.
Some people believe marriage is centered on reproduction. If it really is centered on reproduction like they say, then infertile couples shouldn’t be allowed to marry either. People don’t mind at all if a heterosexual couple doesn’t have a baby or are unable to have one; it’s never a concern. People only worry about kids when the couple is homosexual.
If raising a child is necessary for marriage, there’s always the option or DGRSWLRQ��$GRSWLRQ�LV�D�GHÀQLWH��OHJLWLPDWH�option for any couple, not just same-sex couples. Even though adoption can cost a bit and takes a lot of time, if marriage is genuinely about raising a child, this is an RSWLRQ�WKDW�FRXOG�À[�WKDW�SUREOHP��:LWKRXW�the many same-sex couples that would like to adopt, some of the kids who are up for adoption may never have a stable home.
Let love, not law, make the decisionsReligious leaders say that if gay
marriage is allowed, it will put a stamp of approval on something immoral. There is nothing immoral about two grown people being wed. Marriage shouldn’t be EDVHG�RQ�ÀQGLQJ�\RXU�PDVFXOLQLW\��ZKLFK�is considered moral for a man. Instead, it should be based on love and union. America isn’t founded on religion. We GRQ·W�KDYH�D�XQLÀHG�EHOLHI� V\VWHP��(YHU\�person is entitled to his or her own opinion. When there is no nationwide religion, religious beliefs shouldn’t become a political problem.
If supporters of same-sex marriage ÀJKW�KDUG�IRU�WKLV��WKH\·OO�EH�KDSS\�ZKHQ�LW�happens. Therefore, no harm will be done. 7KHUH�DUH�QR�EHQHÀWV�WR�EHLQJ�D�ORQJ�WHUP��VHULRXV� FRXSOH�� WKHUH� DUH� RQO\� EHQHÀWV� WR�being a married couple.
Others shouldn’t worry about who or how other people live and love. Same-sex marriage is harmless and would help couples that cannot legally get married in most of the United States of America today. There isn’t just one typical love. If two people are in love, they should be able to marry whenever and wherever they choose.
The gender shouldn’t matter to anyone but the couple. It shouldn’t matter if they’re homosexual or heterosexual. They’re still a couple and deserve the same rights.
Editor’s note: Karlee Eberhart com-posed this column as part of an Art of Persuasion unit in Honors Lan-guage Arts 9 with Ms. Liz Dague.
No watering, no feeding. Aidan Connolly, Jolene Sanger, Delaney Brainerd, Emily Burke and Abby Willis try out their new laptops in January. Photo contributed.
