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October 8, 2009 OTHS Prowler
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VOLUME 39, ISSUE 2OCT.8.2009 O’FALLON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, ILL.
OPINIONS P.2 NEWS P.3 IN FOCUS P.6 & P.7 SPORTS P.8 FEATURES P.10 PHOTO PAGE P.12
the P r o w l e r
Homecoming 2009
‘‘I teared up a bit... I couldn’t help but be excited when I heard [emcee] Nicole Lambert announce me as the 2009 Homecoming King.’’
-King Jose Mendez
‘‘My first date with Jose was at
Homecoming freshman year. We’ve been together since then, and I was thrilled we could win
together.’’
-Queen Sara Harrier
PHOTOS BY ADAM HARREL
‘‘After the game, the whole team jumped around
17 times because that was our
winning score.’’-Senior Erin
Lewis
“Champions work as hard as possible
every day, no matter what. When you learn to practice consistently as hard
as possible, then there are no nerves
or questions on game day. You just
go out and take care of business.”
-Assistant Coach Joe Metzka
2 OPINIONS OCTOBER 8, 2009
to the editor. All letters must be signed. All signatures will be verified through a phone call or personal interview.
Letters may be submitted to Room 608, mailed to OTHS Publications, 600 S. Smiley St., O’Fallon, IL 62269, or emailed to [email protected]. Letters should be fewer than 400 words in length. If excessive editing is needed, the letter will be returned to the author for approval. The Prowler reserves the right to edit any letter for grammatical errors, libelous content, or space limitations.
The Prowler is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association and the Illinois High School Press Association. Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service. The Prowler is printed by the Edwardsville Intelligencer of Edwardsville, Ill.
Jennifer BaileyEditor-in-Chief
Elaine Andell Reporter
Sare ReinertReporter
Bryce RadickReporter
Jake HamiltonReporter/Web Editor
John DavisReporter
Giselle BrooksReporter
Sarah SheesleyReporter
Alexis HardyReporter
Adam HarrelReporter/Photographer
Rachel Freese Reporter
Ms. Mary DempseyAdviser
The O’Fallon Township High School newspaper, The Prowler, is part of the educational curriculum of O’Fallon District 203.
Although the paper is a class activity, OTHS students may submit materials, such as stories, photography, graphics, or art, for publication consideration. Students should bring any submissions to Room 608 Smiley Campus Submissions may be edited for content, length and grammar.
If written, staff editorials will not be signed and will reflect the opinion of the majority of the staff members. Commentaries and columns, on the other hand, will be signed and reflect the individual writer’s views. Any person with an interest in the OTHS community is encouraged to submit letters
THE PROWLER STAFF & POLICIES
Contributors: Anthony Bailey, Adam Johnson, Mr. Ken Cissell, Katy Maness, Mrs. Jodie Seipp, Mrs. Sandra Carter, and Mr. John Dempsey
ADAM JOHNSON
Driver’s safety class for teens unfairTeens get stuck with repetitive class while adults escape with only a ticket
BY GISELLE [email protected]
Answer our poll question: “What is your favorite type of food?”Take the poll at at www.othsprowler.com
PLUS News, features, opinions, sports, photos, and Panther Beat!
Everyone with a driver’s license knows when the flashing lights come on in the rearview mirror, it is time to pull over.
Whether it was a traffic violation that caused the police to pull you over or a minor fender bender, if you are under the age
of 19 in Illinois, you are required to attend driver’s safety class for four hours at the local community college.
I was recently involved in a minor car accident that was my fault.
When I went to court for the first time, they informed me I needed to take the driver’s safety class and receive a certificate before I could get the ticket cleared off my record and get my license back.
On Wednesday Sept. 9, I arrived at SWIC to attend the class. When I got in the class room and looked around, I saw all kinds of faces, some I even knew.
The class is taught by either a lawyer or an officer for the county. The first thing we did was “get to know each other.”
In other words, we all had to say in front of the class why we were there and how the police pulled us over.
At the end of that activity, we tallied up how many of us were there for the same reasons and found out what police station usually has the most busts in my class.
I must say, I was not surprised to see that the O’Fallon Police Department had a lot of tickets.
After the first hour, I started to realize that
this class was a lot like another class I took not too long ago: Driver’s Education.
The whole quarter most of us spend in Driver’s Ed sophomore year is stuffed into this four-hour class. I watched all the same videos, saw all the same photos, and heard all the same stories.
I feel the singling out of teenagers needs to stop. Either the class needs to be mandatory for everyone or no one. Society as a whole needs to know that when it messes up there are consequences, whether you are 15 or 50.
I have actually talked to numerous adults who have said that they would rather sit in the Driver’s Safety class than pay for the ticket and be on court supervision for the next six months.
I understand car accidents are a leading killer of teens; however, being subjected to this class gives off the feeling that we are the only dangers out on the road, when we are not.
I do not believe there is such a thing as a “clean” driving record. I believe that some people are just lucky enough to have never been caught.
It is unfair that people who have not gotten caught are rewarded by not having to go take the driving test when it is time for their license to be renewed, even though laws change almost every year.
The class really was not as torturous as I thought it was going to be. From the people in there to the level of inappropriateness that was reached, I might even say it was mildly entertaining.
At the end of the class, I received a certificate to present to the court to prove that I went and sat in their biased class.
Driver’s Safety class should be for all people of all ages because nobody follows the rules of the road all the time.
I look back fondly on the Spirit Week of freshman year – not because we won the spirit stick (we did not).
I look fondly on the Spirit Week of freshman year because it was still free and fun. The student body was united through the collective violation of school rules for one week of the year.
It was glorious. We were not breaking major rules – a costume here, a wig there – nothing that genuinely endangered the lives of students. But no more.
Now, the dress code is being strictly enforced, and the enforcement is not sparking unity — it is sparking discontent. It is not that students should not be allowed to wear inappropriate clothing, because they should not. Nor should we be allowed to wear masks because that does, in fact, pose a genuine safety risk.
But face paint? Pajamas? Wigs? I understand that these could be distracting on an ordinary day but this is Spirit Week, it is different.
How can it hurt? It can not. Face paint should be fine, as we have ID’s around our necks. Pajamas are not allowed in school because they have been deemed inappropriate,
but Spirit Week is crazy anyway. The only dangerous thing about pajamas is, perhaps, the risk of static shock.
And hats? Wigs? Hats may be banned on the premise of security, but as long as the identity of the wearer is checked at the entrance, the only entrance to the school, is it not perfectly safe?
And wigs? Considering that it is not against school regulations to cut or dye hair, I don’t see why it is against school regulations to wear wigs.
If the argument is obstructions of identity, as with hats, then I point again to my previous argument.
The whole spirit of the Spirit Week comes from dressing up and participating in school events.
The over regulation of Spirit Week has, instead of ensuring the safety and happiness of the students, bred discontent among the students.
Nothing bad ever happened in previous spirit weeks, so why now? Why Spirit Week? And on behalf of the student body – why not?
-Cassandra Whalen, senior
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Too many rules take away dress-up fun of Spirit Week
3NEWSOCTOBER 8, 2009
On Tuesday, Sept. 29, the Senate financial committee rejected the proposed health care bill to open a government-run insurance option.
According to cnn.com, Republicans voted it down on the grounds that the bill would probably lead to a full government takeover.
Democrats who voted it down believed it would accumulate enough support in the Senate, or that the plan was far too expensive, costing $900 billion over the next 10 years.
The Democrats who supported the plan believe it opens a legitimate public option that provides necessary competition and regulation in order to provide affordable coverage.
The plan can be revised and proposed again.Contrary to some skeptics’ theories, the plan
did not involve a full government takeover. It also would not end employer-based insurance, leaving health care up to the individual.
President Obama said he hoped the plan would “provide more security and stability to those who have health insurance... provide insurance for those who don’t... [and] slow the growth of health care costs.”
Instead of requiring health care to come from the government, government healthcare companies would have simply been an option under the plan for individuals to use. Private companies will remain open and usable to all.
“I have no interest in putting insurance companies out of business… I just want to hold them accountable,” President Obama said.
However, his plan aimed to mandate health insurance for all Americans in order to lessen the costs that uninsured hospital visits have on those who do pay for insurance.
This part of the plan singled out young uninsured people.
According to Channel One, about 10 million young adults (ages 19-29) are uninsured. Health insurance relies on the money of the young and healthy to offset the cost of caring for the elderly.
Additionally, the President stated that making a competitive insurance market will be beneficial.
“As one big group, these customers will have greater leverage to bargain with insurance companies for better prices and quality coverage,” he said.
As a population analysis by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, published in an Associated Press article, stated, approximately 30 million U.S. citizens are uninsured. Two-thirds of these people are “poor or near poor.”
To deal with this, the government will offer tax credits to those who cannot afford low-cost coverage and those who own and operate small businesses.
Also, the plan encouraged big companies to continue offering insurance for their employees, and President Obama encouraged in the bill for small business owners to find an insurance company to use.
Although the President said during his speech on Wednesday, Sept. 9, “Nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have,” a loophole in the plan arose from this. As the largest health care plan providers, employers could still change their insurance policies.
Some companies would drop health care coverage policies to save money, but the plan would have mandated some sort of employee health insurance from larger companies.
The president also said in his speech that the plan will make it illegal for insurance companies to cancel a patient’s coverage in his or her time of need. Also, there will be no arbitrary cap on health insurance a person can receive in a lifetime.
Another change the plan hoped to make to the insurance companies would have been the requirement of covering preventative care.
This means health care companies would have needed to cover regular checkups and the tests that accompany them in order to catch diseases before they become serious. While this
policy can save lives, it can also be costly due to the amount of negative tests that happen.
The proposed federal insurance company would not have allowed insurance for illegal immigrants or abortions. However, private companies can still offer insurance to illegal immigrants, but the immigrants will not receive tax credits to help with the costs.
President Obama hoped to pay for the 10-year, $900 billion plan by “finding savings within the existing health care system.”
Many critics of this plan believe that it is too expensive and will only add to the national debt.
There were still some unclear points in the plan that, according to White House spokesman Dan Pfeiffer in a Washington Post article, “will
be worked out in the legislative process.” These gray areas include malpractice law, a
commission on eradicating Medicare fraud, new taxes, and a federal insurance pool for high risk patients, including the elderly and terminally ill.
Since the plan was turned down, basically all parts of it are open for change.
According to cnn.com, White House Spokesman Reid Cherlin said that President Obama “has said he is open to other constructive ideas of increasing choice and competition.”
Cherlin also said, “[Obama] will work with Congress to ensure that under heath insurance reform, Americans who cannot find affordable coverage will always have an option.”
Top Ten News Stories: two murders, three natural disasters
1. On the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 5, a beating took place on a Belleville West bus. A camera caught the attack on film, and the video was released to the public. The bus driver is heard telling the students to sit down, but not saying much else. The driver is no longer allowed to drive for that school district. The 14 and 15-year-old students responsible for the attack were expelled and may go to juvenile prison if convicted. A total of seven students were suspended due to the event. -bnd.com
2. A Johns Hopkins University student accidentally killed a burglar sneaking out of his apartment with a samurai sword on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Kenny Eaton, a 21-year-old from New Jersey, is not being charged with any crime. The
49-year-old robber, Donald Rice, had recently been released from jail. Rice, who died at the scene, had a nearly severed left hand and may have been responsible for the theft of two
laptops and a Playstation that were missing since the day before. -yahoo.com
3. Raymond Clark III was arrested for the murder of Yale student Annie Le. She disappeared on Sept. 8, and her body was found stuffed in a compartment behind a wall in the basement of the medical research building that Clark and Le worked in. The charges were made after the police found hair,
fingernail, and saliva samples at the crime scene. New Haven
Police Chief James Lewis called the crime “workplace violence.” -yahoo.com
4. After interrupting Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for best female music video at the VMA’s on Sunday, Sept. 13, Kanye West
issued a formal apology to the country star. -yahoo.com
5. Monday, Sept. 14 marked the 40th birthday of Fairview Heights. Pharmacist Everett Moody became its first mayor in 1969. -bnd.com
6. Patrick Swayze died of pancreatic cancer on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The TV and movie personality starred in films such as “Ghost,” “Dirty Dancing,” and “Road House.”
7. The International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, released a report saying that Iran now has the capability to create a nuclear bomb, and they are working on the creation of a missile system.
Iran is under pressure for its actions, and they tested short range missiles on Sept. 27. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says it will be hard for Iran to convince the world their nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. -yahoo.com
8. In northwest Georgia, excessive rain caused flooding. Officials said that 10 have died and there is about $250 million in damage. -businessinsurance.com
9. In the Philippines, storms have killed about 140 people. These happened on Sept. 27, and the death toll is expected to rise as more bodies are discovered and more tropical storms hit the island nation. -yahoo.com
10. On the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 29, an underwater earthquake caused a tsunami that hit the South Pacific island nation of Samoa. Around 120 have died. The 15-20 foot waves
leveled villages in areas up to a mile inland. Aid, including food, medicine, and a temporary morgue, rushed in the next day. -yahoo.com
BY RACHEL [email protected]
President Barack Obama addresses a joint session of Congress on health care reform on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in Washington, DC.
JASON REED/Reuters/MCT
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BY RACHEL [email protected]
4 NEWS OCTOBER 8, 2009
Instead of wasting time, gas, and money driving back and forth between campuses or rigid tutoring centers, an Academic Assistance Center has been added to the freshmen campus.
“It helps with the transition from middle school to high school. It is also helpful for students who have just moved to the O’Fallon area and may not be used to our school district,” Mrs. Christina Buehler said.
The AAC is in room 1508, and is open during all advisories and after school until 3:30. The room is complete with extra textbooks and computers for student use. Students can either be recommended by a teacher or just walk in if they feel they need the extra help.
“When a student is recommended, Mrs. Karen Turner and I meet with the student to figure out what we can do to achieve the goal set by the teachers,” Mrs. Buehler said. “Some might come once or twice, [while] some might
need to come a couple of times a week. This is set up with each student to fit their individual needs.”
Mrs. Buehler and Mrs. Turner are available to provide help in any subject. Students can come in and be quizzed on vocabulary, have their homework or papers checked, prepare for a test, or catch up in Keyboarding.
“We are here to assist them with whatever they might need to make their first year of high school a successful one,” Mrs. Buehler said.
Despite the slow start, more students are finding out about the center, and deciding to come in and use the helpful resources.
“My grades have definitely improved,” freshman Todd Porter said. “It [the center] has been really helpful for me and other students.”
Mrs. Buehler said that even with the increase of students, “there is always room for more.”
“I feel as long as students come in, receive the help that is needed, and walk out with a sense of accomplishment and understanding of the subject they seek help in, then we are a success,” Mrs. Buehler said.
With spare room from the Milburn move, OTHS is now hosting a program for autistic students for the Belleville Area Special Service Cooperative. BASSC had asked OTHS to host the program since 2007, but OTHS didn’t have the space in the crammed Smiley campus.
Autism is a neurological disorder that affects communication and social skills.
Ms. Sally Phelphs, who says she always been fascinated by autism, has taught with BASSC for nine years and is in charge of the program at OTHS. In addition, each of the students is assigned a BASSC-hired instructor who helps them throughout the school day and models what each student should be doing.
At the beginning of the year, the eight students enrolled in the program prepared for a unique school day customized for their own needs.
The students go through their day, hour by hour, but instead of first, second, and third hours, theirs are labeled by color for better sensory identification. After each hour, the students sing a song with their individual instructors to know that they are transitioning to the next class.
While such happenings may seem different, the structure of the day makes perfect sense when dealing with autistic individuals.
Because autistic students find transitioning
to be very challenging, a great deal of time is spent teaching the students how to stop one activity and begin another without trouble. For these students, every day is the same in an effort to make smooth transitions.
Another factor that affects these students is sensory details. For instance, if a student has been upset by something irregular, they need another sensory action to calm down.
“Autistic students can be very smart, but cannot always express themselves,” Assistant Principal Mrs. Martha Blackburn said.
The students participate in activities that also stimulate their senses, such as magazine time. This also teaches the students valuable life skills. Not only do they get to read magazines, they learn how to behave in settings such as doctors’ offices.
To add to the students’ ability to stay calm, instructors go through a process to show the students how to stay mellow and
behaved. Three or four times a day, the instructors
assist the students with a period of lotion massage, fingertip pulling, joint compression, stretching, and brushing that is called sensory time.
Mrs. Blackburn says that having the program at OTHS gives the students a more social setting and, with time, allows everyone to accept these students.
“Everyone needs to learn to accept them so our community can be integrated,” Mrs. Blackburn said.
New program offered for students with autismBY BRYCE [email protected]
Mrs. Christina Buehler helps freshman Ranesha Freeland with school work on Sept. 22. The AAC is open to all freshmen during advisories and after school until 3:30.
MR. KEN CISSELL
Academic Assistance Center begins at Milburn
“Everyone needs to learn to accept
them so our community can be
integrated.”-Mrs. Blackburn
BY JENNIFER [email protected]
Rain or shine, blazing heat or blistering cold, people still see them at every home and away football game.
They are painted up in blue and gold, running around and hyping the crowd up. They are the OTHS Blue Boys.
For years now it has been an OTHS tradition to have the Blue Boys at all football games.
Blue Boys are four senior boys who get themselves all painted up and each put one letter from OTHS painted across their chest.
They gear up in all blue and gold, including sweatbands, short shorts, and high socks.
What exactly do Blue Boys do? They mainly run around at the games and try to get everyone involved.
They stay down on the field by the players and cheerleaders leading the student sections with chants and cheers.
One may see them running down the sidelines with a large “O” flag, doing the “panther rumble,” or even attempting cartwheels or somersaults.
“We really just do anything that makes us look like fools and enjoy doing it” said Eric Levin.
This year the four main senior Blue Boys are Cal Stierwalt, Drake Krueger, Eric Levin, and Rich Laney.
All of them have different reasons why they like being Blue Boys.
“I enjoy running around with my shirt off in small shorts,” said Cal Stierwalt.
“I like being in the section with the football team. You feel like you’re a part of the team and help them achieve their success,” said Eric Levin.
There is no doubt that the boys will keep cheering on the Panthers. The boys in blue would like to encourage everyone to cheer more often and get more into the games.
During the remainder of the season the boys are planning on learning backflips and helping the team reach the post-season.
“Our season will go as long as the football team keeps winning. So we plan on being out there for a while,” said Cal Stierwalt.
Senior Blue Boys Drake Krueger, Cal Stierwalt, Eric Levin, and Rich Laney take a break from energetic cheering at the Homecoming game on Friday Oct. 2 against the Belleville East Lancers.
JAKE HAMILTON
Bleacher Bumpin’ Blue BoysBY SARE [email protected]
5NEWSOCTOBER 8, 2009
Whether it is the football team or marching band giving it their all on the field, or the Robotics team traveling to Atlanta to beat other robots, OTHS teams are always competing.
On Oct. 5, the Scholar Bowl team competed against Herrin High School, at the Scholastic Hi-Q Tournament, which was held at SIUC.
The event was taped, and will be televised on the SIUC public access channel.
“I feel that we have a solid team,” sponsor and science teacher Mr. Matthew Denny said. “We have several returning members, and about six or seven freshmen who have signed up.”
Having a good number of new and young players will allow the newbies to learn from the more experienced members.
Though the season does not officially start until December, the team meets every Tuesday at 3 p.m. in room 906 for practice. During an average season, the team can participate in almost 30 matches, and, in some seasons, as many as 50 matches.
Their practices are mostly mock matches, intended to help them work on the game mechanics, such as using the buzzer and working together to decide on an answer.
Occasionally, Mr. Denny will have them research a topic and then write questions on the topic to help them learn new facts. There are six main topics the students research: science, social studies, math, English, the arts, and miscellaneous facts.
For the past few years, Carbondale has been their biggest competition.
“Carbondale won the state title last year, so it was difficult to keep pace with them,” Mr. Denny said. “We hope to ‘up our game’ and reach their level this season.”
The team itself is confident about this year.
“I have a good feeling about the Hi-Q event,” senior Danielle Carter said before the Oct. 5 event. “We have some strong players, and I think we’ll have a good varsity team this year.”
On Sept. 21, the Math Team traveled to SWIC for the first event of their season.
“I’m happy with our results, especially in the Freshman and Sophomore divisions since all of our competitors at those levels placed,” sponsor and math teacher Mrs. Teri Range said.
At the event, the participants each take a test individually, and also within a group that consists of four people, one from each grade level. The person or group is then ranked by their score from the test.
The individual rankings for the Sept. 21 event are as follows.
For freshmen, Sam Cowin placed third, Alexandria Pokorny placed sixth, and Cristian Turain placed seventh. For sophomores, Jarrett Munton placed first, Samantha Heinrich placed fourth, and Pari Shah placed sixth. Matt Waddel placed seventh for juniors, while Cody Davis placed seventh for seniors.
In the group event, Isaac Eickmeier, Ben Hanley, Jarrett Munton, and Alexandria Pokorny placed second.
In the past, Edwardsville has provided the toughest competition for O’Fallon. Last year, the OTHS math team placed first at regionals, and beat Edwardsville for the first time in eight years.
Despite the loss of some strong seniors, both sponsors and members are optimistic for this year.
“I’m excited to see how they do this year,” Mrs. Range said.
Junior Matthew Waddel and senior Cody Davis both agree the team is a strong one, and are hopeful about qualifying for state.
Just like athletes, academic clubs compete, succeedBY JENNIFER [email protected]
Math Team
Scholar Bowl
During last school year and within the first few months of this year, several groups have formed and are looking for more members. Check out these clubs:
BOOK CLUBIn the new Book Club, there will be a book
choice announced each month and if you are interested all you have to do is get the book, read it, and come to the meeting at the end of the month to discuss it.
The book this month is “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen. They will meet on Oct. 29 to discuss this book.
Each month they look for recommendations for the next month’s book. If you would like to join Book Club, see Mrs. Morrison or Ms. Tedesco.
SLAM Also known as Student Library Awareness
Mission, SLAM meets in the IMC once a month to represent the student population and help the future direction of the IMC program, work with the O’Fallon Public Library for the two exam study nights, prepare for Teen Read Week, and perform a service project.
If you are interested in joining, you must apply; current members remain on the board from year to year until they graduate or something comes up. There are 10-12 positions, but five are filled by returning members. If you want to apply see Ms. Lara at the Smiley IMC or Ms. Von der Linden at the Milburn IMC.
SPORTS MEDICINE CLUBIf you are interested in a career in sports
medicine, then this club is for you. They meet twice a month at various locations to discuss various topics relating to the field from 6 p.m. until 7 or 8 p.m., and then they decide when the next meeting will be.
They also get a chance to get hands-on experience learning the skills of an athletic trainer. They plan on touring different facilities
and going to the SLU Anatomy lab for a cadaver dissection.
The big event of the year is their annual “Get Fit, Stay Fit 5K Run” in March. If you would like to join, listen to the daily bulletin for the next meeting or see Mr. Casey in the Smiley dome.
SPORT PSYCHOLOGY CLUB This club’s purpose is to increase individual
and team performance in all areas. Their main goal is to help athletes understand how to improve their performance and to maximize their potential in both their sports and the classroom.
The different topics that are discussed are goal setting, motivation, peak performance, imagery, communication, leadership, dealing with adversity, and anxiety.
They will attend high school, junior high, and college sporting events, peer mediate with fellow athletes, mentor younger student athletes, and give back to the community by helping with local recreational level teams. Mr. Turkington is the sponsor of Sport Psychology club, listen to the daily bulletin for meeting days and times.
BETA CLUB The main idea of BETA club is to promote
ideals of character, service and leadership among secondary school students, to reward achievement, encourage and assist students in continuing education after high school.
BETA participates in activities and services such as working in soup kitchens, highway cleanups, homecoming, secret Santa, clothing drives, and other community service projects.
In order to be a member of BETA club an application must be filled out.
In addition, only students from grades 10-12 are eligible, a minimum GPA of 2.8 is required, as well as not having any school offenses that will contradict the purpose of the club. Students must also be able to serve 20 school service hours and 20 community service hours.
Members need to pay a $15 fee, due before Nov. 1. They will meet on the first and last Thursday of the month. If interested, see Mrs. Wasserzieher in room 903 or see Ms. Lich in room 806.
BETA Club, Book Club among new club optionsBY SARAH [email protected]
The Scholar Bowl team traveled to Carbondale on Monday, Oct. 5 to compete in the Hi-Q event. Row 1: Olivia Hyatt, Sam Scinta, Danielle Carter, Jalika Wright. Row 2: Coach Matt Denny, Justin Worthing, Nic Lancaster, Jared Fiske, Coach Eric Tepe.
MRS. SANDRA CARTER
Seniors Danielle Woolridge, Maddie Borchers, Kayleigh Leavell-Webb, and Emily Kelly enjoy the London Tea Room field trip in downtown Saint Louis.
MRS. JODIE SEIPP
The Sports Medicine Club sells Gatorade at the Homecoming Bash on Monday, Sept. 28 at the Smiley Campus.
ANTHONY BAILEY
Students go out for tea on English Lit field tripBY JENNIFER [email protected]
On Monday, Sept. 28, 18 students from Mrs. Jodie Seipp’s Honors English Literature class traveled to St. Louis to visit The London Tea Room.
Though usually closed on Mondays, the owner, who is a British woman, allowed the class to attend a private “Cupping Class,” where the class learned about the history of tea in England and tried five different types of tea and some British cookies called McVities Biscuits.
“Understanding the British culture is key to appreciating and grasping the literature we read in Honors English Literature,” Mrs. Seipp said.
“Tea is a key component of the British culture, and understanding the social and gender roles surrounding it allows students to better recognize relationships between characters in the literature we read,” she said.
At the end of the visit, all students received a gift card for a free cup of tea, which will be nice for the students who plan to go back with their families.
“I highly recommend this field trip for future classes because not only is it practically free to sample these quality teas, but it is also a very fun and unforgettable way to learn about the history of tea and it’s specialized role in English literature and society,” senior Jessica Su said.
So here’s a scenario for you: it’s Friday night. You want to go out with friends for ice cream, but you don’t know where to go. What’s a person to do? Well, compare the choices!
There are three prominent ice creameries in the area: I Scream U Scream, Gators, and Coldstone. Price, quality, and, of course, location will be the deciding factors for most people.
I Scream U Scream Probably the most well-known ice creamery
in the O’Fallon area is I Scream U Scream. They have been a local favorite and have a wide selection of sundaes, cones, and just plain old ice cream.
“My favorite thing at I Scream U Scream is the chocolate-covered strawberry concrete,” junior Johanna Hopkins said.
For one medium sundae, the cost came to $3.75. Comparatively speaking to Coldstone, that’s a deal within itself. Even if price isn’t as big of a deal, the location of I Scream U Scream is convenient.
The creamery is located right in the middle of O’Fallon on W. Main St. down the street from Papa Vitos. The environment is outdoors and friendly. The experience of a Friday night ice cream run seems complete.
ColdstoneColdstone is a unique ice cream shop that has
some qualities that most don’t. The interesting thing about their ice cream is that it’s prepared on a chilled marble slab.
“[I like Coldstone] because they sing and it brightens your day when you walk in,” junior David Cole said.
The environment is very fun, and the staff even sings on command or if someone has a birthday. The closest Coldstone creamery is on Greenmount Crossing by Dierbergs and Target.
There is a downfall to Coldstone, and that’s the price. A small specialty ice cream costs $4.30 and for most, a small isn’t enough. At these prices, that’s about all most can afford.
“It might cost more, but you get to make any ice cream you want! Plus, they make the ice cream fresh every day,” science teacher Mr. Matthew Denny said.
Even with the atmosphere and quality, the price is too much. The different combinations of ice cream and toppings, such as the peanut butter perfection, keep bringing people back.
GatorsGators ice cream is another great option for
the penny-pincher. The ice cream is top quality and the price is just right. The regular concrete is $3.97. The seating is outdoors, so Gators is a seasonal shop, but it is open for most of the year.
The workers are nice and orders come out fast. It’s also located just a mile away from the school near Marie Schaefer School. Gators has something Coldstone and I Scream U Scream don’t, and that’s old-fashioned custard. If you want custard, Gators is the place to be.
Given that not everyone can have every type of ice cream, take caution and ask someone who works at one of these places what they recommend. You’ll be sure to find a new favorite. Most local ice creameries have a wide selection for low prices. There is no winner or loser. You decide for yourself.
6 IN FOCUS
BY JAKE [email protected]
Battle of the ice creameries
food. comida. nourriture. essen. pagkain.
“My favorite is Tony’s Place in Mascoutah. It’s a home-owned restaurant and they have old fashioned, home
cooked meals.”
Question of the month:What’s your
favorite restaurant?
“54th Street is pretty good. They have awesome chicken
tacos and gringo dip.”-Kristin Rolla, senior
“My favorite is Little Caesars, because their
pizza crust is amazing.” -Rachel Sipes, junior
-Brady Page, sophomore
“My favorite is Taco Bell, because the food is just so
delicious.”-Nick Malone, freshman
INTERVIEWED BY JAKE HAMILTON
Nearby festivals offer opportunities for locals to sample many dishes
Food festivals bring variety of tastes to St. Louis area
Celebrating over 25 years of tradition, Collinsville’s Italian Fest took place Sept. 18 and 19.
Primarily celebrated for its food, the festival provided a variety of different Italian choices, sold out of decorated stands sponsored by various local organizations.
Ranging from desserts as unauthentic as cheesecake and kettle corn to traditional dishes like bruschetta and lasagna, the eclectic collection of eats was served from well arranged booths.
While there, I sampled the stuffed shells and Spumoni, a type of Italian ice cream with fruit, chocolate, and pistachio flavors. I was pleasantly surprised.
At either end of the street festival, a large stage acted as a barrier and an entertainment center.
Adding to the street festival atmosphere, Italian flags donned every the streetlight pole.
The festival was very kid friendly, featuring pony rides, climbing walls, and inflatable bouncy things.
On the other side of the spectrum, the festival featured wine tasting, grape stomping, a wine making competition, a parade, and some athletic competitions.
Festival Italiano
Pork with a Passion
Taste of St. Louis
The Pork with a Passion mascot strolled down main street greeting people of all ages. Junior Sarah Black, who worked the information booth at the festival, said, “[The festival] was very quaint, and I had fun and smelled like pork for hours after.”
RACHEL FREESE
Local ice cream shops duke it out for the title of ‘favorite’ among OTHS students
PHOTOS BY JAKE HAMILTON
Pink tents and paper pig ears flooded main street O’Fallon last Saturday Oct. 3 for the second annual Pork with a Passion festival.
The festival featured a pork steak cook-off with cash prizes. Also, there was live music, and food, beverage, and craft vendors.
The O’Fallon boosters sold bratwurst and other pork-filled foods while Tropical Sno, the O’Fallon Band, and the O’Fallon Softball team all had booths.
Profits from vendors went to the American Cancer Society, specifically to breast cancer research.
According to one of the event coordinators, Nila Grogan, the event is designed to “keep the older part of downtown active.”
Junior Stephanie Mabry, who performed at the event with her “little league of
entertainers,” Illinois Kids, said, “It was fun! It had a lot of entertainment and a lot of good food.”
After Mayfest was canceled last year, this event could bring some life back into the downtown area.
Last weekend, Taste of St. Louis occupied two blocks of the city and provided some amazing eats.
St. Louis Bread Co. handed out free samples and held a bread-making tutorial.
The cooking school L’Ecole Culinaire tried out eclectic foods like goat cheese and duck quesadillas on unsuspecting customers.
A newcomer on the scene, Lumiere Place, marketed all their new restaurants by placing signs for each one over elaborately decorated red tents.
Oberweis supplied delicious varieties of cold desserts ranging from cookies and cream shakes to mango pomegranate sorbet.
As a non-food-related tent, Ford set up a huge display where one could play Rock Band on-stage or receive free small gifts through winning word games.
Noodles & Co. made its delicious mac and cheese and other tasty pastas.
Classic favorites such as Hard Rock Cafe and The Melting Pot sold their traditional dishes of Twisted Mac and Cheese and fondue dessert samplers respectively.
Additionally, Hank’s Cheesecakes sold differing recipes like key lime cheesecake and chocolate-dipped turtle cheesecake.
Hats, wraps, jewelry, and home remodeling plans were also on sale.
Overall, the variety of food and activities open made this year another success.
BY RACHEL [email protected]
As a member of the cross country team, my Friday nights are often spent at pasta parties, where all of the members of the boys’ and girls’ teams come together to eat a lot of food and get pumped for a race on the following Saturday.
But while the other members on the team are stuffing their faces with bread, pasta, and desserts, I often find myself standing awkwardly in the corner with a plate of fruit. This is one of the many moments in life where the fact that I’m a vegan makes life difficult.
I first made the plunge into vegetarianism when I was 13. People often ask me why I chose to do it, and my answer always evokes the same reaction. I tell them that I love animals and appreciate all forms of life, and they tell me that God gives us animals for us to eat. It is usually around this time when I shrug my shoulders and walk away.
But if the fact that I don’t eat meat doesn’t make me weird enough, the fact that I eventually became a vegan probably gives me the award for freakism.
While vegetarians argue amongst themselves on whether or not fish counts as meat or if gelatin is synonymous with Satan, the definition of veganism is pretty simple. A vegan doesn’t eat any animal products: no milk or other dairy products, no eggs, and of course, no meat. Yes, that means I haven’t had real ice cream in two
and a half years. One reaction I get after explaining this to
people, after they call me weird, is: “why?” They give me a list of reasons why my lifestyle is irrational. Most people come up with the argument that milking cows doesn’t hurt them, and that it actually hurts them if they’re not milked.
I used to respond to this by explaining all of the horrible things about the dairy industry, but I stopped this approach of rebuttal after I noticed that people didn’t really care that much. Now, I just tell them that I do it because I want to. This doesn’t make me less weird, but people are more likely to accept it.
The second reaction I get is: “I could never do that. What do you eat?” While veganism sounds hard in theory, once one gets used to it, it’s really not a big deal. Even if you don’t want to go for the traditional raw-food-all-the-time approach, there are a million alternatives to a meaty diet.
Popular brands such as Boca and Morningstar make tons of meatless meat, which, contrary to popular belief, is way less gross than it sounds. Then, there is the miracle of tofu. One little block of tasteless vegetable protein can be transformed into any kind of fake meat with the right seasonings.
Then there’s the common belief that vegans are Nazis when it comes to critiquing the habits of meat eaters. In actuality, most of us are actually pretty chill about it. I, for one, don’t care if someone eats a cheeseburger in front of me.
While being a vegan produces a lot of awkward moments like those at pasta parties, I wouldn’t change what I do for anything. If it’s true that we are what we eat, I’m okay with being different.
OCTOBER 8, 2009 7For some OTHS students, lunch isn’t the
only time of day they get to snack. One exciting elective choice, foods class, provides challenges and an extra meal.
Four classes that revolve around cooking are offered: Foods and Nutrition 1, Foods and Nutrition II, Culinary Arts I, and Culinary Arts II. These classes are meant to introduce students to the importance and necessity of cooking.
In the words of Foods and Nutrition teacher Mrs. Joan Guciardo, “You have to eat and you can’t live off frozen food and McDonalds. Every student should take some kind of cooking class in order to be comfortable in the kitchen. It also helps people to work together in groups.”
In both Foods and Nutrition classes, students are taught what is good to eat, how to prepare food, and to be comfortable in a kitchen setting.
They also learn the value of nutrition in foods, why different groups of food are beneficial to the human body, and safety and sanitation in the kitchen.
During the semester, Mrs. Guciardo teaches
food preps for fruits and vegetables, breads, pastas, casseroles, and baking.
In December, the students get to prepare the Holiday Tea for the teachers. They do all the cooking, baking, and prep work for the tea.
“I really enjoy all of it; it’s all interesting,” Mrs. Guciardo said about her class. “I’m one of those people that is genuinely happy with what I do.”
Culinary Arts I is about restaurant and food service related careers, while Culinary II is more about foods of the world. In the spring, both classes participate in a cake decoration ‘Iron Chef ’ styled competition.
The students who take this class enjoy it for various reasons. Some love it for all the good, free food they get to eat, while others are preparing for their future.
“Cooking is my life; I love it,” senior Josh Neal said. “I plan on going to college for restaurant management and eventually go to culinary school. One day I would like to run an Italian restaurant.”
Whether it is learning to cook and make nutritional choices, or just eating all the different kinds of food, these classes are both entertaining and educational.
“You have to eat and you can’t live off frozen
food and McDonalds.”
-Mrs. Guciardo
BY ELAINE [email protected]
BAM! Cooking at OTHS: Students spice it up daily
When people think of their favorite foods, not many think of one particular kind of food anymore. There are just too many options.
Some people choose to be vegetarian, some vegan, and others, like myself, choose to be meat eaters.
I never really made a choice to be a meat eater. That is just how I was brought up. My family loves all kinds of food. For the past 17 years, I have been a meat eater, and honestly, I could not imagine not eating meat.
My mother always says, “If it doesn’t have meat, it’s not a meal.”
I do not necessarily believe that, but I just couldn’t imagine living my life without eating meat.
I think people who are vegetarians and vegans have way more will power than I do.
Being a vegan or vegetarian takes a lot of discipline and, unfortunately, I do not have that kind of discipline.
I cannot sit here and lie and say that I feel bad when I eat meat. I honestly do not even see it as eating an animal.
That may sound wrong but when I’m hungry, I’m hungry.
I do not want to be looked at as cruel for saying that, and yes, I do feel bad that an animal has to lose its life to supply my need of hunger; however, I guess you could just call me selfish.
I think this is a battle that no one will ever win. Different people like different things; therefore, I do not think that any meat eater will ever understand any vegetarian or vegan and vice versa.
While doing research to find out what population of the world is meat eating, I found that there are a lot of vegetarian and vegan web sites, yet no meat eating web sites. I could not find any web site that was not biased.
Almost all of the web sites had articles on how meat eaters were at a higher risk for cancer.
The sites basically made meat eaters look like horrible people who do not have feelings.
I do not agree with the way some vegetarians and vegans choose to pick on and criticize meat eaters for leading the lifestyle that we lead.
I think vegetarians and vegans are great and I would never think of criticizing them for making their own choices. I like being a meat eater. I couldn’t imagine not eating meat.
At the same time, I have friends who are vegetarians and I applaud them. Meat eaters are no better then vegetarians or vegans and vice versa.
Meat makes my meal complete
Vegan way of life is right choice for me
food. comida. nourriture. essen. pagkain.
BY GISELLE [email protected]
Seniors Josh Neal, Laura Hudkins, and Matt Mueller handle raw crab for a dish in Culinary Arts II. The two main reasons Josh Neal took the course were the free food and practice for his future career.
JENN BAILEY
My mother always says, “If it doesn’t
have meat, it’s not a meal.”
voedsel. makanan. jedzenie. alimento. cibo.
• Eat at least 3 ounces of whole grain
bread, cereal, crackers, rice, or pasta
every day.
• Eat more dark green vegetables, orange
vegetables, dry beans and peas.
• Include fresh, frozen, canned, or dried
fruits in your diet.
• Go easy on fruit juices.
• Make most of your fat sources from
fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.
• Go low-fat or fat-free when choosing
milk.
• Choose low-fat or lean meats and
poultry.
Quick facts: New food pyramid issued by the government
www.mypyramid.gov
BY JENNIFER [email protected]
8 SPORTS OCTOBER 8, 2009
After finding team unity, the cross country teams have been making huge mile markers.
“We’ve had some issues early on, but we learned from them and we are on our way to top ten at state if we stay focused,” junior Jordan Holmes said.
On Sept. 9, the boys’ team placed third at the Tiger Fall Classic at SIUE. In addition, the team ran in the Woodruff Invitational at Peoria and placed 11th out of 38 teams. At this meet, junior Michael Scolarici finished second individually.
On Sept. 19, the team participated in the Peoria Notre Dame Invitational, where they performed well, placing 14th out of 57.
“Soon we’ll be on the right path to success,” junior Jake Slaughter said.
The girls’ cross country team ran in the Sept. 5 Granite City Invitational, where they placed second out of 20 teams. On Sept. 9, the team participated in the Tiger Fall Classic and placed sixth out of 18 teams. Junior Elena Yoch placed 15th and was the top runner from OTHS in the meet. In the Sept. 12 Peoria Woodruff Invite, the team placed 14th of 40 teams.
“There is a lot of new talent, and returning upperclassmen are really taking the lead in showing how we get things done,” sophomore Elise Nickish said.
With the teams running strong, hopes and expectations are high.
“Cross Country is a team sport and without seven guys or girls who want to win, you can’t accomplish your overall team goals,” junior Connor Ryan said.
The football team is starting to look up from previous years.
On Sept. 11, they took on Granite City and won with a final score of 40-14. The following week, the team dispatched Collinsville with a score of 40-7. On Sept. 25, they traveled to East St. Louis for another Southwestern Conference game. Unfortunately, the team fell to the Flyers with a score of 44-0.
For the Homecoming game on Oct. 2, the boys went up against Belleville East and took them down with a score of 17-7. The Panthers improved to 4-2 on the season and 3-1 in Southwestern Conference play.
Senior running back Erin Lewis played in his first game of the season against Collinsville after being out for most of the year due to a broken jaw. Senior Ryan Hesse also returned from a leg injury to play against East St. Louis.
“We are a very good team and we are learning to play well under pressure,” senior Rashad Watkins said. “Hopefully [we’ll] do damage in the playoffs.”
Come out tomorrow night to support the Panthers in their last home game of the year against Belleville West.
Panthers look to keep momentumATHLETEPROFILES
BY SARAH [email protected]
Senior B.J. Hendrix sprints into the end zone for the game-winning score on Friday Oct. 2. The Panthers’ defense didn’t allow an offensive score en route to their 17-7 Homecoming win over Belleville East.
ANTHONY BAILEY
Football defeats previously unbeaten Belleville East 17-7
O’Fallon linksters improving quickly
The girls’ golf team is on track to have one of its best years in the history of the program.
The Lady Panthers finished third in both the regular season and the conference tournament. Junior Katie Milleville led the girls with a round of 87, good enough for fourth individually.
The biggest team ever to wear the O’Fallon blue and gold has progressed significantly since the start of the season. The varsity team finished with a match record of 13-3, while the JV team finished the year with seven victories. In the program’s first full-schedule JV season, the girls defeated everyone in the Southwestern Conference at least once.
“Several girls have shown tremendous improvement throughout the course of the season. I am really looking for a solid finish to this season, and have great expectations of the girls for next year,” Coach Chris Eddy said.
The girls competed Oct. 7 at Hickory Ridge in Carbondale in the regional tournament.
The boys’ golf team overcame a shaky start to the season to finish fifth in the conference.
The Panthers finished the season with a match record of 9-6. Senior Tyler Klingelhoefer and juniors Sam Summerlin and Stuart Mauch were the most consistent golfers.
One of the highlights of the year was placing third in the Carbondale Tournament on Sept. 19. Summerlin and sophomore Jon Hackmann both shot a 69 to lead the Panthers. Klingelhoefer and sophomore Kenny Conrad finished with rounds of 70. Mauch and senior Michael Bellina shot 71.
“We’ve had a decent season and had a lot of fun. It’s sad that the season is almost over, but we hope to finish strong and make sectionals,” Klingelhoefer said.
On Tuesday Oct. 6, the boys competed in its regional tournament at Clinton Hills Golf Course.
BY JOHN DAVIS [email protected]
Senior Brittany Bateman chips onto the green on Sept. 15 at Tamarack Golf Course. Bateman led the Panthers to match victories over Belleville West and Granite City.
ADAM HARREL
O’Fallon harriers still running strongBY BRYCE [email protected]
The girls’ tennis team has had its fair share of ups and downs this season. However, the future is looking bright for the young team.
The team goals for the year are “getting experience and representing our team in the state competition by advancing at least one or two players,” Coach Kathleen Lieberman said.
The squad started off the year by dropping its first four matches.
In their first match of the season, the Lady Panthers lost to Centralia 2-7.
The girls continued to slide, going winless in the O’Fallon Quad Tournament. They fell to
Mount Vernon (0-4), Althoff (0-4) and Triad (1-3).
After that tough week, the girls rebounded with an 8-1 trouncing of conference-rival Collinsville. Sophomore Maggie Fleming led the Lady Panthers to the easy victory.
Even though this year is considered a rebuilding year, the girls are still contending.
“Younger players are stepping up and playing well. We are starting to gain valuable varsity experience on a team that has been inexperienced at this level of play,” Coach Lieberman said.
The girls will compete in the conference tournament this weekend and the sectional tournament on Oct. 16 and Oct. 17.
Seniors Melissa Hauser and Elaine Quitos celebrate during a doubles match on Sept. 29. The Panthers compete in the sectional tournament on Oct. 16 and Oct. 17.
MS. MARY DEMPSEY
Netters still finding identity
Brandon Daniels is a defender for the soccer team. He started playing when he was in kindergarten and it has stuck with him.
He plays mid-field and defense and believes that the team is extremely solid this year.
“We’re definitely going to state this year,” the 17-year-old senior said.
Although he loves the game of soccer and is looking at some D3 schools, he thinks “professional soccer would be unrealistic with my medical major I plan on pursuing.”
He has a bittersweet mood about this being his last year playing with the team but he is also greatly optimistic about his future.
Brandon Daniels
Victoria Goodwin
Matt Waddel
Victoria Goodwin is a 17-year-old senior on the varsity swim team. She first started swimming when she was only 5 years old.
Her mom put her on a swim team as something extra for her to do and she has been doing it ever since.
As far as college goes she said that she might do a recreational team; however, college swimming is not part of her plans for the future.
When asked what she would miss most about the swim team here, she said, “The team was kind of smaller this year, so all of us got a lot closer.”
Swimming will always be something that she does, even if it is in her spare time.
Matt Waddel is a runner for the boys’ cross country team.
He started running when he was in eight hgrade. He got into it because when he was in seventh grade, he started attending some of high school meets to cheer on his sister.
Shortly after, he decided to start running.He’ll miss the people on the team most when
he graduates. “All of the guys on the team are like brothers
with all the memories we have together.”Waddel hopes on making a college team, but
if he does not, he will still run on his own time since it is something he loves to do.
BY JOHN [email protected]
INTERVIEWS BY GISELLE BROOKS AND SARAH SHEESLEY
The girls’ volleyball team has gotten off to a quick start to the season.
The team began the season by winning the Southern Illinois Preview Tournament over Labor Day weekend. Senior Emma Goldschmidt was nominated to the all-tournament team after leading the Panthers to a 4-1 record and the tournament title.
In their first Southwestern Conference match of the year, the girls beat Belleville East 25-17, and 25-22 on Sept. 15.
Goldschmidt led the team with seven kills,
and freshman Katie Roustio added six more.In their other tournament this year, the
team took first place in the annual Granite City Tournament.
The Lady Panthers have now won the tournament for three straight years.
“Meredith Mueller and Tori Lee had great setting, and Natalie Ott and Brenn Hagarty were tough on defense. It was a great team effort and a long day of volleyball, but it paid off,” Coach Legendre said.
With two tournament titles under their belts, the girls will look to finish the season strong and make a deep run into the post-season.
9SPORTSOCTOBER 8, 2009
The long, intense workouts and practices the boys’ soccer team has endured over the past few months have paid off so far this season. They are currently 13-2.
The boys defeated the Collinsville Kahoks 3-1 on Sept. 8.
Senior defender Jacob Slaby scored the first goal, tying the game up.
Second half came and senior midfielder Corey Hendershot scored two goals, putting the Panthers ahead and eventually led to a winning game.
“I was really excited about scoring, and helping the team get another win. We’re having a great season, and the fans are fantastic,” Hendershot said regarding the Collinsville game and the 2009 season.
The weekend after the Collinsville victory, the boys headed to Chicago for the Pepsi Challenge. While in the Windy City, they beat Timothy Christian High School 1-0 and Kennedy High School, also 1-0.
“The secret to our victories is hard work, a good fortune cookie and orange chicken,” senior defender Tyler Wobbe said.
“[We] got the monkey off the back when
we lost to Althoff [1-0 on Sept. 5] but we still shouldn’t have lost,” Coach Turkington said.
He hopes to avoid future defeats by adjusting the offensive front, not overreacting to losses and simply continuing to work hard.
On Sept. 22, the team beat Belleville East 2-0, and on Sept. 29, the Panthers played Belleville West to secure the Southwestern Conference
championship.Junior David Cole placed
a corner kick in the second half, while senior Sean Blumberg finished it off with a header to make the final score 1-0.
Following the Belleville West game, the conference champions participated in the Gateway City Soccer Classic.
The first game in the tourney was played on home turf against Cherry Creek from Colorado, and O’Fallon won 2-0.
On Friday, Oct. 2, the boys lost 2-0 against St. Thomas Aquinas. The following day, Saturday, Oct. 3, they played Rockhurst Jesuit Academy.
Going into the last five seconds, the boys were losing 1-0 when sophomore Tyler Collico scored, tying it up. With the help of penalty kicks, the team brought home another victory.
Tonight is senior night and the final home regular season game for the boys as they face off against Waterloo Gibault.
BY JOHN [email protected]
Talented players contribute to successful season
Wins over Belleville East, West secure soccer conference title
On Sept. 8, senior Conor Knox warms up for a game against the Collinsville Kahoks. The Panthers won the game 3-1 and eventually became the Southwestern conference champions.
MR. JOHN DEMPSEY
Boys stay strong with 13-2 record; continue undefeated streak in conference playBY ALEXIS [email protected]
“The secret to our victories is
hard work, a good fortune
cookie, and orange chicken.”
-Tyler Wobbe, senior
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Former soccer player turns in cleats for medicine
Coles “Eddie” L’Hommedieu is one of the best athletes in school history. The three-year varsity goalie started every game from 1988 to the end of his senior year in 1990.
After his senior year, he was elected an All-American, the only one in the soccer program’s history.
“I had a chance to meet Pele, the great Brazilian player, at the All-American Banquet. I still have the picture in my office,” L’Hommedieu said of his favorite memory.
His biggest regrets were never beating Granite City and missing out on the state tournament. However, he enjoyed knocking
Collinsville out of the playoffs in his sophomore and junior years.
After high school, L’Hommedieu attended Saint Louis University, where he played soccer for four years. The first day of his sophomore year, he suffered a season-ending knee injury. After the injury he focused more on academics than his soccer career.
L’Hommedieu continued his pursuit of a degree in medicine after his college career came to a close.
He is now an orthopedic surgeon in St. Louis. He is happily married to his high school sweetheart and has three children. He still checks up on the soccer team every week.
“Hopefully, I am remembered as a player and person who gave his best and made those around him better,” he said.
BY JOHN [email protected]
Volleyball team wins first two tournaments
10 FEATURES OCTOBER 8, 2009
Did they save the best for last? The last of the Final Destination series made its way to theaters, and, to change it up a bit, they turned it into a 3-D movie.
Was it worth the extra $2.50 to see in 3-D? I say no.
I really was not able to tell which parts were jumping out from the screen. Sometimes the body parts would shoot out of the screen, but other than that, I could not tell what was popping out and what was not.
The effects were poorly made and I could not tell a difference between the regular Final Destination and the 3-D version; except the price.
Even though the 3-D version could have been better, the story line made sense and stayed on track.
Four friends are attending a race when, out of nowhere, one of the characters sees
that everyone is going to die. He warns the people around him and is able to save a few lives.
For the next few days, everyone who survived started to die off in these strange
scenarios, which no one could explain. They have to figure out who is going to die next and how they can prevent it.
Although it was the same plot and story as the other three, the writers changed how the kids died.
Though, the action was pretty awesome, they could have added something different so it was not like the ones they have previously made.
Altogether, if you saw the first three movies in the series, then you have seen this one.
Within an hour and 33 minutes of film, you are watching the same thing as the
others. Honestly, if you have to choose between
movies, go with the other choice.
“I Can Do Bad All By Myself ” is the latest installment of Tyler Perry’s many comedy/drama movies.
The movie follows a woman named April, who has not lived the best life and is very closed off to everyone because of her past experiences.
When April’s mother goes missing, she is forced to look after her niece and two nephews.
When they find that she is actually dead, April is forced to make a decision on whether or not to keep the children or put them in foster care.
Tyler Perry even found a way to bring back the character Madea, which always brings laughs.
The movie was very inspirational. Unlike some of his movies, this one did not have any
down points or focus too much on one thing.
I think the movie was meant to be not only funny but inspirational, and he definitely landed that.
It really shows that no matter what hardships you are going through, you can always overcome them.
Right when you are feeling really down, the movie will come out of left field and make you laugh, which is what is great about this movie.
If you ask me, I would definitely give this movie a four out of five. It was worth the
money I spent to go see it. It’s the perfect mixture between comedy and drama.
Final ride of ‘Final Destination’? An exciting and interesting street of
entertainment, the Loop in Delmar makes a great place for all types of people to go for restaurants, retail, art, entertainment and music.
The Delmar Loop is six blocks long and was named by the American Planning Association as “One of the 10 Greatest Streets in America.”
The district was named “The Loop” a century ago because the old streetcars would “loop around” from downtown to return to the city.
The Loop is home to many businesses, such as nationally renowned restaurants, art galleries, and the restored Tivoli Movie Theatre.
Traveling to the Loop is convenient because of the MetroLink system. Along with the Loop
MetroLink, plans are currently being made to return the old vintage trolley system to the area.
In the Loop, there is something for everyone. There are specialty shops, eclectic restaurants, galleries, live entertainment, and over 140 boutiques.
There are annual events that occur in the district, including The Loop Holiday Walk, The Loop Ice Carnival, and Love in The Loop.
The area overall is considered very artistic, from the architecture and views of the businesses, to the many tattoo parlors and hair studios.
A brilliant success, the Loop is a unique area for every age and personality. Whether people want to head down to the street for food, friends, or fun, they’re all there to check out the scoop about the Loop.
Sarah Sheesley
BY SARE [email protected]
Scoop on the Loop
Sarah Sheesley
BY SARAH [email protected]
BY GISELLE [email protected]
An insight to the historical Delmar Loop located in downtown St. Louis
MOVIE REVIEWS
Tyler Perry does it again in ‘I Can Do Bad All By Myself’
“Let’s make this night last forever”
Blink 182 reunites, comes to St. Louis for unforgettable punk rock performance
Memorabilia from the St. Louis show included tour t-shirts, CDs, and ticket stubs.
JAKE HAMILTON
On Sept. 29, thousands of fans gathered at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater to listen to the punk rock music styles of the band Blink 182.
The show was a huge success, despite the rescheduling that was due to the death of DJ AM, who was a close friend of the band.
The show was originally scheduled for Sept. 3, but then was moved to Sept. 29.
The change of date, however, did not affect the number of fans coming out to enjoy the show. The whole venue was jam-packed with people.
Blink kicked off the concert with high energy that pumped the crowd up for their first song, “Dumpweed.”
Not surprisingly, guitarist Tom Delonge and bassist Mark Hoppus used time between songs to make fun of each other, joke around with the audience, and even poke fun at celebrities as well as states.
The band showed a lot of love toward the
city of St. Louis, with Tom Delonge shouting, “St. Louis chicks are hot!”
They apologized for the schedule change and expressed how they regret letting their band break up for four years, and they are more excited than ever about being back in action with their music.
Fans erupted as Blink played all their “classics” including, “Always,” “First Date,” “Carousel,” and “What’s My Age Again.”
After about an hour and a half of awesome music and high intensity, the show was about ready to end.
The crowed erupted and begged for an encore. After a second curtain drop, extremely talented drummer Travis Barker appeared on stage for his famous solo.
His piece lasted about ten minutes and rocked the whole venue. All in all, Blink’s performance was completely raw.
Although the band was broken up, it is obvious to anyone that they never lost their ability to work the stage.
Everyone should watch out because, according to Tom, Blink will be back to St. Louis many more times to rock the Midwest.
BY SARE [email protected]
After a second curtain drop,
extremely talented drummer Travis Barker appeared on stage for his
famous solo.
“You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give,” said Winston Churchill.
As a follower of these wise words, Mr. Rich Bickel, the Smiley campus’ new principal, gives every school day his full attention, putting in countless hours before and after the normal school hours from 8-3.
“I want to be here before the kids are, and I want to be here in the evening as long as necessary to make sure that all these things are attended to,” Mr. Bickel said.
When the announcement of Mr. Bickel’s promotion was made, the teaching staff was very satisfied.
“When I heard about Mr. Bickel’s new position, I was excited,” said Ms. Ashlee Heady. “Mr. Bickel has always been extremely kind and helpful with everything here at school.”
Mr. Bickel has taught social studies, served as a department head, a union president, and an assistant principal.
Also, the addition of the new Milburn
campus has brought up countless new issues, making every work day a unique experience.
“It’s very exciting because your work day is fresh all the time,” Principal Bickel said. “[Some of] these things come up, they’re not routine.”
Almost all current Smiley campus students attended school when Mr. Steve Dirnbeck was principal. Mr. Bickel gained a lot of experience working as an assistant principal under Mr. Dirnbeck.
“Mr. Dirnbeck was a great role model as principal in that he really loved the kids and his staff,” he said.
Many changes to the school experience have occurred this year, including Principal Bickel’s promotion.
“I have the most immense respect for our teachers, and we have the best students anywhere around,” Mr. Bickel said.
“I believe that Mr. Bickel brings a lot of experience, energy, and enthusiasm to his new role as a head principal,” said Ms. Kelly Paproth.
“I think Mr. Bickel truly has the teachers’ and students’ interests in mind and that plays a major role in the vision of our school’s success,” Ms. Heady said.
11FEATURESOCTOBER 8, 2009Mr. Bickel takes over as new Smiley head principalBickel brings “experience, energy, enthusiasm” to his new leadership role
For the second year, the O’Fallon Community Park gave way to the Strange Folk Festival on Sept. 26 and 27.
The free admission festival kicked off with local bands and over 125 vendors who aimed to show their creativity through original works of art, including accessories, paper crafts, clothing, ceramics, houseware, loads of jewelry, and wordworking pieces.
Vendors sold their pieces for a variety of prices and came from both local communities
(including a few from here in O’Fallon) and big city designers such as Rawtoastdesign, who came from New York.
The festival also sported many kid-friendly activities, including a giant igloo, an alpaca petting area, and free hands-on craft-making activities.
New this year, the O’Fallon Public Library hosted local and regional authors for selling their books, making for a festival that covers almost every kind of art.
Other events included wine tasting, knitting, and a variety of food vendors that added to the event’s care-free atmosphere.
Mr. Rich Bickel sits in his office on a busy Thursday. He inherited the office from Mr. Dirnbeck after his retirement, but has since settled in and made it his new “home.”
BRYCE RADICK
BY ADAM HARREL AND BRYCE [email protected]
Ecology Club members junior Chelsea Hendrix and senior Sarah Rautio work the Upcycle Exchange program at the Strange Folk art festival on Sept. 27. The program aimed to get people to clean out their clutter and donate it in exchange for a coupon book that could be used at some of the vendors’ booths.
ADAM HARREL
BY BRYCE [email protected]
www.BonniesFormalFashions.com
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15% OFF STOREWIDE UNTIL
DECEMBER 31
Mr. Dirnbeck spotted in public without his trademark IDAnnual arts, crafts festival held in O’Fallon
After his retirement last year, students have been wondering two things. When I saw Mr. Steve Dirnbeck at my place of employment, Casa Gallardo, I felt a journalistic obligation to ask him these questions.
Firstly, I needed to know how Mr. Dirnbeck felt about his retirement. Free from the halls of the Smiley campus, Mr. Dirnbeck said that he’s enjoying his time off and his wife, Mrs. Dirnbeck, seemed equally as pleased.
Secondly, the question that every student has
been wondering: “Does Mr. Dirnbeck still wear his ID absolutely everywhere possible?”
Much to my surprise, he was not wearing his ID above or under his blue track jacket, but Mr. Dirnbeck’s betrayal is forgivable. He and Mrs. Dirnbeck assured me that he had his extra ID in his car.
Unfortunately, the school had to take away the old, faded ID that he wore on a daily basis because it allowed him access into the building at any hour.
Instead, he now uses his back-up ID, which does not have a microchip, as a visitor’s pass.
BY BRYCE [email protected]
Strange Folk takes over park
12 PHOTOS OCTOBER 8, 2009
Every year when Homecoming rolls around, there is much more to be done than setting up hair appointments and ordering corsages. For the members of Student Council, getting ready for the big dance is full of planning, decorating, and last-minute preparing.
One of the most important parts of Homecoming is the coronation ceremony. Work on this started in early September. As soon as nominations were received, some members of the Student Council spent hours counting up the votes to announce the winners for each class.
After the court members were announced, the coronation committee on Student Council was in charge of making sure everything was perfect for the class representatives. They decided on which crowns to order for the King and Queen for the coronation at the dance, and picked up plastic crowns and sashes for all of the court members to wear at the pep rally, parade, and football game.
“I helped pick out gifts for the court members, the freshmen pages, and the returning king [Ben Trotter] and queen [Ali Berens’],” senior Lauren Wilson said, who worked on the gift committee with senior Cal Stierwalt.
Other pre-Homecoming responsibilities included locker decorating, poster making, and
ticket designing.“Selling tickets was really hectic,” junior
Alaina Bauer said. “Everyone was really excited to get their tickets, so it was hard to keep up.”
With all of the pre-dance preparations complete, the biggest task for the Student Council was transforming the Panther Dome into a decadent decade-themed dance floor. After the pep rally on Friday, Oct. 2, STUCO started a two-hour process of setting up lights, building the cherished stage for coronation, and making sure the concession stand was stocked full of snacks and punch.
“I was in charge of overseeing all of the decorations,” senior Emma Goldschmidt said. “We divided up each section of the dome into a different decade. The concession stand was 50s, the upstairs dome was 60s, and the dance floor was a 70s disco.”
But when it came time for the dance to start, STUCO’s work wasn’t over. Every member of the council not elected to Homecoming Court had to work a shift either taking tickets at the door or pouring punch and serving snacks at the concession stand.
After a night full of Homecoming memories was complete, the Student Council met up in the Dome at 12 p.m. the next day to clean up.
“Homecoming went really well,” sophomore Morgan Cooper said. “We worked hard, and everything looked great.”
BY ELAINE [email protected]
Jeepers, Batman!After a heated week of dress up days and Penny Wars, seniors Emma Chapman, Rachel Chapman, Amber Shepherd, Janelle Pfeifer, Albert Randle, Eddie Schmidt, Joseph Young, and Heidi Jorgensen celebrate their successful win of the Spirit Stick.
Behind the Scenes: STUCO goes all out with preparations for retro Homecoming week, dance
Owen Pye, the lead singer of his self-titled band, performs at the Homecoming Bash, which was complete with games, food, and free music. The Bash kicked-off Homecoming Week on Monday, Sept. 28.
ADAM HARREL
Ms. Kate Miller anticipates a student-delivered dunking. on Monday, Sept. 28. Several teachers and administrators volunteered to be dunked at the Bash.
ADAM HARREL
Senior Kha Nguyen shows his inner child with bright clothes, a baby doll, and a Dora backpack.
ADAM HARREL
Juniors Katie Pedersen and Emily Kalert dress for a Hawaiian vacation on Class Distinction Day.
ADAM HARREL
On Decode Day, sophomore Lieyna Hinton, junior Katrina Myers, and sophomore Brianna Tawn go back in time with their 80s era clothing.
ANTHONY BAILEY
Junior Bailey Meyer dresses as Batgirl, on Monday Sept. 28, which was Hero and Villain Day.
ANTHONY BAILEY
The seniors displayed their creativity with their winning banner, which helped them gain an advantage over the freshmen in the Spirit Stick contest.
JAKE HAMILTON
Juniors John McKeown, Kayla Erney, and sophomore Bryn Laverdure guard the Penny War jugs. Silver coins and paper money added to a class’ spirit points, while pennies took points away. Obliviously, this made the spirit contest even more heated between the freshmen and senior classes.
ANTHONY BAILEY
ADAM HARREL
ADAM HARRELSeniors Connor Alexander and Glenn Connor show their class pride with fuzzy blue wigs and a furry blue scarf.
