Red & BlueReviewSanta Fe Trail High School

Homecoming2012

Student section during the Perry-Lecompton game. Photo by Maria Penrod.

Ensembles by EmilyRevamp your style for fall without paying full price on page 5

Super Santa FeCheck out the terrific things that typical students are doing on page 7

Charged AthleticsCharger sports report on page 2

Teching OutThe good, the bad, and the ugly over all things technology on page 9

Get your kicks on page 6

Volume #45 Issue #1October 2012

Carbondale, Kan. sftredandbluereview.wordpress.com

Girls’ Golf

Girls’ golf started the season with a tournament at Jeff West. Chelsea Moore, 12, placed ninth as an individual. The next tournament was at West Franklin. The Chargers placed second out of five schools. Next the team headed to Silver Lake and took third. The girls are practicing hard for their upcoming tournaments.

>>Charger Sports

BY APRYL CORLEY

Cowgirl Up Allison Swisher, 10, said she

has been going to the rodeo

since before she could walk,

but she didn’t start actually

participating until the age of

eight.

Her grandma got Swisher’s

heart captured by the rodeo.

She decided to just go for it

when her grandmother asked

her if she wanted to join in.

The first time she competed she

said she was pretty nervous,

but after she started her nerves

faded.

Swisher enjoys the excellent

environment that surrounds

the rodeo. Her favorite event

that she participates in is

barrel racing because of the

adrenaline rush that she

gets when trying to beat the

opponents time.

“Just go for it, don’t be nervous

about losing. There’s always next

time,” Swisher said.

Student Sports Beyond School

BY DOYLE HESS

Trailblazer Garrett Abel, 12, has been

dirt biking for four years.

Abel enjoys the speed and

how high you jump on the

dirt bike. He enjoys going to

Oakland trails in Topeka, and

Budman track to fool around

on or to race.

“Don’t wreck, other than

that there aren’t any rules,”

Abel said.

The TV inspired Abel to

start dirt biking. The first

time he competed he said he

felt overjoyed, excited, and

nervous.

“After parents bought my

first bike and a lot of begging

on my part, they finally gave

the okay for me to start

competing,” Abel said.

PHOTO SUBMITTED PHOTO SUBMITTED

PHOTO BY MARIA PENROD

Cross Country

The Charger cross country team is a group of close-knit runners with goals. Nate Pawley, 10, explained what he likes best about cross country. “Not the running, I like the social side. If you’re not running you can just hang out,” Pawley said. “I like the competition of the meets,” Kiersten Metzen, 12, said. “Everyone is trying their hardest, putting out effort at every practice and meet. Our goal is to make it to state.”

Football

The team started off fresh, with a game against the Royal Valley Panthers. Varsity’s seniors stepping up to fill shoes this year are Garrett Abel, T.J. Kemble, Tim Wilson, Mason Tilman, Josh Zeller, Tyler Shaffer, Nate Warren, and Lane Clark. Improvements are seen in all of the players. “I think the coaches are working us pretty hard,” Jerad Uhl, 11, said. “It’s a lot of work and I think we’ve definitely gotten better.” “The whole team is really doing well this year,” Austin A. Smith, 11, said. “Everyone’s doing their fair share, even the freshman are stepping up.”

Volleyball

Charger Volleyball is back in action for the 2012 season. “Our goal as a team is to win every set, every match, every time. We have a vision of how good we can be and we need to perform to that level,” Joy Schmidt said. “It is no surprise that the people who get the most attention are the hitters. We are led by junior hitters Shelby Dahl and Jaeden Romine, but junior Amber Moore, and seniors Sara Schmidt and Carissa Wells also are crucial to our game,” Schmidt said. “We have an excellent setter senior Morgan Jolly, who runs the offense with confidence.” Schmidt said the backbone of the team are the passers, Jessica Abendroth, 11, and Sydney Morrison, 12. “If they don’t go, then our offense doesn’tgo.” PAGE 3BY KELSEY GARRISON

PHOTO BY MARIA PENROD

PHOTO BY KRISTY DEKAT

PHOTO BY JESSICA MCCOY

BY MARIA PENROD BY DOYLE HESS

Ringing in high school On September 13, sophomore students received their information packets on class rings. At the end of the month they chose what they want, and await for the delivery date in December. Kayla Gorden, 10, looks forward to receiving her ring, because she feels like she’ll feel older. “Class rings represent me maturing,” Gorden said. Dusty Masters-Ralston thinks it would be cool to have a class ring.

He sees getting a class ring as a right of passage. “I’m looking forward to my ring, because they’re pretty,” Taylor Vandevord, 10, said. Vandevord said class rings represent high school . Raquel Morris, 12, didn’t get her class ring her sophomore because she didn’t know whether she was going to make it to graduation. She will be getting her class ring from Wal-Mart this year. Morris said class rings represent what high school you came from, and the

interests you had while getting your diploma. After she gets her class ring she said she will feel pretty awesome, because she likes jewelry. “I will wear my ring until it doesn’t fit anymore then I’ll get it stretched so it will fit again,” Morris said. Tyler Thornton, 12, said he was really excited for his class ring his sophomore year, so much that he was asking everyone about their rings. He feels that class rings definitely represent a part of you, because everyone puts their interests on them. Thornton said he will wear his ring until it doesn’t fit.

Vintage Vitality

Dallan Cowley, 10, steps outside of his box each day when he gets dressed in the morning. Choosing things such as cuffed pants in muted colors, cardigans, button down shirts, and shorter boots. Dallan usually shops secondhand and when he ventures into retail stores, goes straight for the sales racks. He believes buying everything brand new is a waste of money because the trends are just going to change in a few months anyway. So why buy that brand new shirt from the mall when you found something just like it at a thrift store for $3?

Simple Chic Evie Seastrom, 12, said that she doesn’t necessarily follow trends but whenever she sees something in the store that she likes, she will buy it whether she thinks that it follows current trends or not. Simplicity is what Evie looks for; you can often see her in skinny jeans, or a simple dress and a pair of flats. Evie always manages to look casual in what she wears yet maintain a polished look. Evie very much likes to stick to herself when she is dressing. “I dress mostly to make myself happy. If I like it, that’s what matters most. And if you like it, that’s good too!” When deciding between retail or vintage/secondhand clothing stores, Evie usually goes for the retail stores like many others. She goes on to say that she wants to start shopping at secondhand clothing stores more often.

BY APRYL CORLEY

IMAGES BY APRYL CORLEY

Ensembles by Emily Summer weather is starting its transition into fall, which means no more jean shorts, flip flops, and bandeau tops. For this season, turn to things such as denim button ups, lace up wedge shoes, high-to-low dresses and skirts, and textured tights. In the beginning of fall, no one wants to give up their summer wardrobe just yet, and may end up wearing their summer pieces long after the appropriate time. To avoid looking out of place, try wearing a sundress with a leather bomber jacket, and pairing it with combat style boots. This makes you capable of holding onto your favorite clothes from summer without looking ri-diculous or freezing. Although the trends for this sea-son are very nice, don’t forget that trends do fade away quicker than you think. To avoid spending too much money, look for the clothes and accessories you want at vintage and second-hand stores. Chances are, these trends have already circulat-ed through in recent years and have ended up at stores such as Arizona Trading Company, Wild Man Vin-tage, and even Goodwill . Don’t be afraid to shop at thrift stores; you end up finding unique pieces that you won’t see anyone else wearing. Shopping at the mall

for all of your clothes makes you spend more money than necessary and you could also end up wear-ing the exact same thing as some-one else. People are usually weary of secondhand clothing because they believe it’s dirty and that they wouldn’t be able to find anything. When approaching secondhand clothing stores, go in with an open mind. Yes, the clothes are used. No, they are not dirty. The stores wash their new incoming clothing. Also, look at everything, don’t rule any section of the store out because you never know what you can find. Some people think they are too lazy to dress up and look nice. For these people, oversized sweaters, high waisted shorts, or a denim button down tops are all examples of things you can throw on in the morning and still look put together. If you don’t want to follow any trends, don’t. Dress how you feel and dress to make yourself happy. Feel-ing confident in what you’re wear-ing makes you feel better about yourself. Remember that trends do come and go, and you will always see retired trends jump in and out of style. Don’t forget that there is a whole other side to the world of fash-ion when it comes to male fashion trends. Many guys are scared of dressing out of what’s popularly ac-cepted in their school or community. Dressing how you truly want to dress shows self-respect, confidence, and most importantly, individuality.

PAGE 5

BY EMILY STEPHENS

IMAGES BY EMILY STEPHENS

Ringing in high school “After I got my ring I was like this is the best feeling in the world,” Thornton said. Science teacher Jesica Rhoades feels that class ring are an important high school experience. Rhoades doesn’t remember why she wanted one in high school . Her class ring is purple amethyst, because that is her birthstone. On one side of her ring was her school mascot, the bobcat. “On one side of my ring I have the yin yang. I put it on there cause I’m a dork,” said Rhoades.

Jesica Rhodes’ class ring from her days at Basehor-Linwood High School . Photo by Jesica Rhodes.

When I see the boys in town, it’s similar to watching a pack of sheep walk by. Everything is in this strict box of what is accepted and what is not. If you want to break out of this, start small . Many seem to make the excuse that they don’t have as many options as women do. I have to object and say that whoever says that is tragi-cally misinformed. Men have just as many options as women if not more. Trends for male fashion do not fade as quickly as female trends do and there are always the classic staple pieces that you can default back to you if you are out of options. Flannel shirts, cardigans, and fitted pants are always in style and always look good. Wearing things such as cardi-gans, denim button downs, and fit-ted pants is an easy transition that brings you out of the herd of sheep. Leather, oversized shirts and sweaters, and boat shoes are all examples of male trends for the fall . To find these pieces, look to Urban Outfitters, Pac Sun, Forever21 Men, and any secondhand store you can find. Shopping for men is often much cheaper than shopping for women. Men have just as many options as women do when it comes to cloth-ing, if not more. Especially if you’re looking in a secondhand store, you’ll usually end up finding many of these trends with ease. Your comfort zone is something you should often step out of, espe-cially in the aspect of clothing. Go out, search; find a style you like or mix and match to make your style even more you orientated.

Tyler Thornton, 12, shows off his class ring.

Get Your Kicks on Route 56BY KELSEY GARRISON AND

MARIA PENROD

Homecoming week was

eventful for students.

Many activities and traditions

were enjoyed. Some of the

Homecoming events included:

KAY volleyball tournament,

spirit week, parade, pep rally,

crowning ceremony, football

game, and the week concluded

with the Homecoming dance.

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Kic

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Football The Chargers line up against the Sabetha Bluejays at the Homecoming game. The Chargers lost 7-21. Photo by Maria Penrod

KAY Volleyball Bailee Bombardier, 12, looks on as Andrea Hinck, 10, of the Hardcore Setters, hits the ball at the annual KAY volleyball tournament, a homecoming week tradition. The Volley Llamas won the tournament this year. Photo by Michelle Abendroth

Master Mayes

Arlene Mayes organizing floats and people for the homecoming parade in Overbrook. Photo by Kristy Dekat

When it

comes

to homecoming,

Arlene Mayes, the

student council

sponsor, runs the

show.

“I have no sleep

for weeks,” Mayes

said. “But it is

important for the

kids and they enjoy

it!”

Winners “It was cool being crowned by my cousin Alex. It is an honor to represent my school,” Homecoming king Tyler Shaffer said. “I’m glad I won,” Homecoming queen Rachael Forrestt said, “But I wish we all could’ve won, because we’re all nice girls.”

Chargers on Parade Homecoming candidates break it down at the pep rally. Dance team and band prance in the parade. Football players wave to the crowd. Teachers support the Chargers on their float. Photos by Kristy Dekat

PAGE 7

“It was very exciting and fun,” James Sage said of his nomination. Rachael Forrestt said that the dance

was her favorite part.

James Sage and Rachael Forrett

Homecoming Royalty

Winners “It was cool being crowned by my cousin Alex. It is an honor to represent my school,” Homecoming king Tyler Shaffer said. “I’m glad I won,” Homecoming queen Rachael Forrestt said, “But I wish we all could’ve won, because we’re all nice girls.”

“I’m keeping the Shaffer-Dahl streak going, four years in a row,” Tyler Shaffer said.

“My favorite part was the skit,” Natasha Ward said. “Because we rocked it!”

Tyler Shaffer and Natasha Ward

“It was an honor and I had fun doing it,” Garrett Abel said.

“I didn’t think the skit would be that fun,” Kayla Courtwright said. “But it ended up being awesome.”

Garrett Abel and Kayla Courtwright

Spirit Week Dani Jo Kuney, 12, and Mckenna Reed, 12, celebrate favorite team day. Alisha Gibbs, 10, rocks out on rockstar day. Garrett Stout, 11, hurts on fake an injury day. Girls of every class show their class colors on color day. Shannon Funk, 12, reaches new hieghts on crazy hair day. Shelly Robinson struts in her Wildcat pride on favorite team day. Photos by Holly Ullery and Maria Penrod

“It is exciting and fun,” Lauren Erickson said. Sean Call’s favorite part was getting new shoes.

“It was cool to be a candidate,” Call said.

Sean Call and Lauren Erickson

Photos by Maria Penrod

Otis Flynn Reed was born

June 14th, 2011 to Ryan

and Kathy Reed. From day

one, Reed has been open and honest

about his son with his students.

About nine weeks after Otis

was born, they started noticing

the spasms. A trip to the doctor

provided a diagnosis of reflux and

they prescribed Otis a medication

for that. After a few weeks, with no

results from the medication, they

quickly took Otis back, knowing

something else was wrong. He

was immediately admitted into

Children’s Mercy Hospital .

Otis was eventually diagnosed

with a disorder known as infantile

spasms, which is a form of seizures.

On average, Otis will have 150-300

seizures in a day, coming in regular

clusters. When Otis jerks his head

down and his body pulls inward,

that is seen as one seizure. Otis is

often recovering from the stress of

seizures, which hinders his ability

to take in information.

Their recent visit to the

Children’s Hospital in Cleveland,

Ohio is described by Reed as a

very stressful week. Living in a

hospital room, just big enough to

feel comfortable, with a camera

monitoring them 24/7.

“Even when the lights were off,

they had an infrared light so we

were seen no matter what.” Reed

laughs.

Given the task of watching Otis

and pressing a button for each

seizure he had, a loud alarm would

sound in the nurse’s station each

time. With clusters of upwards

of 100 seizures at once, they soon

changed it to pressing once for each

cluster.

Mr. Reed

playing with Otis in his hospital

room at the Cleveland Clinic. Photo submitted.

During their visit,

Ryan and Kathy

spent much of their

time meeting with

doctors and watching

Otis get EEG’s. The

results revealed many

malformations on the

left hemisphere of Otis’

brain. The doctors

recommended two

options to them for

surgery.

One option,

known as a corpus

callosotomy, is a

procedure in which

the two hemispheres

of the brain are first

partially severed at

the corpus callosum,

if no results are

seen, they may completely sever

them completely. The seemingly

more extreme route is completely

removing the left hemisphere and

letting the right brain run on it’s

own.

“There’s a 50/50 chance of

progress,” Reed said. “We think

that’s a pretty good chance,

seeing as with no surgery it will

undoubtedly stay the same.”

In spite of the spasms, Ryan and

Kathy Reed do not tend to shy away

from social settings with Otis.

“You know, it’s not going to be

any fun for him to have a seizure

anywhere. For the most part, we

don’t stay away from social aspects

of life with Otis.”

Being on a steroid for some time

made it so Otis could not be in large

groups of people, as it would lower

his immune system’s ability to fight

disease.

One of the few things

that is highly regulated

in Otis’ life is his diet,

specifically the ketogenic

diet. The diet is intended to deprive

the brain of sugar, causing the body

to make ketones, which is said to

make the brain run smoother.

“Everything has to be measured,

he has to have a certain amount of

calories each day,” Reed explains.

The food they make for Otis has

to be mixed with some form of oil . A

recent meal Otis enjoyed was a plate

of macadamia nut pancakes, with

flavoring put into the oil to make it

into syrup.

Reed is tentatively planning on

another visit to the hospital with his

son.

Although he is stressed by his

son’s seizures, Reed would do

anything just to see Otis smile. He

loves his son and wants Otis to have

the best life possible.

BY EMILY STEPHENS

Amazing Otis

WORDS AND IMAGE BY

MICHAEL TIDBALL

There are many different

career paths one can follow.

A path that isn’t always

considered is the military. There are

a select few that have or will choose

that path, and one is senior Tyler

Thornton. He would like to join the

Navy for the aviation program.

“I’m going to make a career out

of it. I’m going to be an officer,”

Thornton said. Senior Ryan David

has already joined the Marines and

is currently in what is called the

delayed enlistment program. That

means that they are waiting for one

reason or another to enlist him. In

most cases, age, education (to finish

high school) or medical clearance

are reasons to be in the delayed

enlistment program. David’s plan is

to use the military to help pay for

college. Both Thornton and David

want to gain discipline from their

experiences.

Military members run the risk

of being deployed whether it be for

a natural disaster or for a tragic

event, such as 9/11. Once there is a

call, America is always first in line

to help. She has always answered

the call with a steady stream of

volunteers. Thanks to young men

and women that tradition will live

on.

The Proud

Pilot Vice

Moore in Spain

BY MICHAEL TIDBALL

PHOTO SUBMITTED

BY APRYL CORLEY

PHOTO SUBMITTED

seven to start her day, lunch was at

three in the afternoon, supper was

at nine at night. Moore went out at

midnight to the clubs. She said that

she enjoys Spain and the United

States equally in different ways.

The most exhilarating thing

Moore experienced while there was

learning to roll her R’s and when she

started to dream in Spanish. Moore

said that to this day she still dreams

in Spanish.

Moore plans to return in a couple

of years as soon as she gets enough

money.

PAGE 9

C helsea Moore, 12, left for

Spain in August of 2011

and returned in July

of 2012. She open her arms and

surrounded herself in their culture.

“I first felt overwhelmed, and I

was trying to understand my host

family,” said Moore.

She stayed with Jawier,

Mercedes, and Esther. She was

glad that they could speak English

enough that she wasn’t stressed

about being able to understand

them.

Moore said the diet is very

different there. In Spain, they eat

lots of fish and use a lot of olive oil .

She said the schedules are also

different. There Moore got up at

Nate Vice, 12, is a fully

licensed pilot after 3

years of training.

Nate Vice was first introduced

to aviation when he was 14. He

was one of the select few that were

able to participate in the Wright

flight program. Wright flight was

a program for students that have

exceptionally good grades; they

were then rewarded with one

flight in an airplane. In this case it

was a flight that would change his

life forever. After this flight, Vice

decided that he wanted to be a pilot.

“I have been a pilot for just about

two months,” Vice said. “It’s not

paticularly hard, just very time

consuming.”

His advice for someone wanting

to become a pilot is to check out the

organization called Post 8.

“It’s like the Boy Scouts but for

airplanes.” Vice said.

Vice would like to be a military

pilot in the Air Force.

Piercing Conflict

There is a lot of controversy in high school about piercings. “I can personally care less,” Jennifer Towle said. “However if it’s a rule well then by golly

you better follow it. I don’t think piercings are a big distraction unless it is a big honking thing, but the tiny one aren’t. I barely notice them. We set this rule so that kids will appear employable, but I have noticed that more professionals have piercings.” There are just a small variety of piercings in the school . The most common are noses and navel rings. When parents forbid their children to get a piercing, their child may get secret, unprofessional piercing. “I was 16 when I got my navel done, it was un-professional,” Chris Hawkins, 12, said. “It didn’t hurt because it was so numb from all the ice on it. I pretty much just wanted the piercing so I can be cute. But I think the school rule is stupid. We should be able to wear them. SFT is not changing with the times and students it still is stuck back in 1990’s.” “I was 16 when I got my navel done, because it was cute,” Brandi Gottschamer, 12 said. “All my friends said it felt like a little pinch but it freaking hurt to me. I think students should be able to express themselves the way they want to. I just hate how our school is so strict but schools like Shawnee and Washburn Rural are bigger and less strict.”

BY BETHANY HAND

IMAGES BY BETHANY HAND

Trail TrafficBY MICHAEL TIDBALL

IMAGES BY MICHAEL TIDBALL

Our nation is run by transportation, speed, getting where you need to go. To some a car is a simple form of

transportation but to others it’s a life style. Tabitha Grihm, 10, has no preference in par-ticular. “Just a big truck or fast car,” Grihm said. To some a car is a vessel of hope. Many don’t take pride in their cars but some do. Very few high school student drive the car of their dreams. “I would drive a 1969 Dodge Charger,” Aus-tin Reeser, 12, said. “It’s the coolest car ever.” The Dodge Charger was a popular car back in the day. It is one of the big three muscle cars of the late 60’s, including the Ford Mus-tang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Dodge Charger. “I would drive a VW because it’s a happy car,” Lari Jarrett, said. VW, or Volkswagen, is a German produced and generally a luxury car. The people at this school have very different views on what is and is not a cool car.

ReviewRed & Blue

EDITORMaria Penrod

STAFFApryl CorleyKelsey GarrisonBethany HandDoyle HessEmily StephensMichael Tidball

ADVISERKristy Dekat, MJE

CONTACT Santa Fe Trail High School15701 S ClaiforniaCarbondale, KS 66414Phone: 785-665-7161Fax: 785-665-7193Email: sftredandblue@gmail .com

EDITORIAL POLICYThe Red and Blue Review is an accessible public forum for the publication readers.

Editorials represent the collective opin-ion of the publication staff. Other opinions expressed in any Santa Fe Trail student publication are not necessarily those of the Red and Blue Review staff, the student body, faculty, administration or school district. Signed columns and letters to the editor rep-resent the view and opinions of the writer only. The publications are subject to state and federal laws, and the content reflects student thinking and is not necessarily in agree-ment with administrative policies.

The Red and Blue Review newspaper will act as an open forum for public discussions and field letters for all of the journalism publications. A forum, by definition, is “a market-place of ideas”, or “a public meeting place for open discussion.” Letters will be edited for content and length as well as spell-ing, grammar and other considerations.Let-ters will also be edited if the letter is in poor taste, and letters will be edited to fit space requirements. Letters that are libelous, obscene, or are an invasion of privacy will not be printed in the paper. All letters must be signed and verified before publication. The number of letters included will depend on page space that is available. The Red and Blue Review will not directly answer letters, unless a question is posed.

The opinion pages are a forum for the ex-change of comment and criticism, and they are open to students and others interested in Santa Fe Trail High School . All letters to the editor must include the writer’s name, signature and class position or role in the community. Typed, double-spaces letters are preferred, but legible, hand-written letters are acceptable. Emailed letters to the editor WILL NOT be accepted (since no signature will be included.) Letters should be limited to approximately 300 words, or about one- and-a-half double-spaced, typewritten pages. Poetry is not accepted for publication.

PAGE 11

Teching Out It is good and evil. Day to day, hour to hour, we mosey from one screen to another. Some say it is ruining our ability to communicate face to face. Others claim that we need to grow more proficient and fluent in technology to propagate success in college and in the job world. Regardless of how you view all the gadgets and gismos necessary for first world living, they aren’t go-ing anywhere. Technology charges full megabytes ahead, whether we want it to or not.Google plus Technology reaps benefits for all who embrace it. Through technology, my Dad works from home for a company based in Baltimore. He travels athwart the planet for his job, but we communicate with him daily. Heedless of his location on the globe, I find him perched on the counter, inside of a laptop. When I need to research a topic, everything I need to know (and sometimes more than I want to know) is just as close as the nearest web-enabled device. When I must find a song to sing for my musical audition, Youtube becomes my new best friend. I also possess the ability to buy anything my heart ever desired online without taking off my pink fuzzy slippers. Technology blesses us with the capac-ity to communicate all over this blue and green rock. It places more informa-tion at our fingertips than ever before. It allows The Red and Blue Review to be printed in California. Examples of its power and awesomeness surround us. But does cyber supremacy make us bet-ter people? iPhone owned Have you ever been seated around the dinner table with your family, set to share major news, and everyone is doodling on DrawSome-thing? Have you greeted a friend, waited for their response, and then realized that ear buds were imbedded into their brain? At certain points, all five inhabit-ants of the Penrod house sit in a differ-ent room staring absent-mindedly into a different screen. Is technology really bringing us closer together, when I spend more time talking to my friends on Facebook than in the flesh? Technology does have the

power to disconnect us from those physically present. It also grants us another way to be impolite and stupid. Answering a call or replying to a text while you’re chatting with real people is beyond rude, but we all do it. Some people are pulled toward their phones and other devices the way gravity holds me in bed until 11:00 am on a Saturday morning. When their phone vibrates, they leap for it like a cheetah on an antelope. Adults and teens alike can’t leave a room without their cell phone. That is ridiculous. VH1 should start a cell phone rehab show. We can’t even put our phones down long enough to drive. Our lives and the lives of our fel-low road combatants may be in mortal danger due to our phone obsession, but we keep on playing Words with Friends as we cruise 75 mph along I-70. In these situations, technology leaps away from its existence as a useful tool and be-comes disrespectful, obsessive, and even deadly.The good ol’ days Occasionally I wonder what Kansas was like for the pioneers who arrived here in the mid-1800s. They transplant-ed their families to this then-sparsely treed land. They built homes, barns, and everything they needed themselves. Now if you want to construct a decent house, it takes heavy machinery, power tools, and a trained construction crew. Sometimes I wish to experience Kan-sas as they did. No cars creating noise, pollution, or dust. No electric wires to obstruct the sunset. Making what you needed, living the simple life off the land. Then I descend to reality, and remember that those blessed pioneers bathed once a week and peed on dirt. Thankfully, I live in this era of thermo-stats, Advil, and How I Met Your Mother.

No matter how annoying tech-nology can be, it serves a purpose. It shows how far humans have come since they were peeing on dirt. But with this powerful technology comes a responsi-bility to use it appropriately. It is never a bad idea to put down your phone, sit on the patio with your dog, absorb some silence and gawk at a Kansas sunset. Unless a new episode of The Big Bang Theory is on, of course.

BY MARIA PENROD

Concert Curriculum Just because school has started up again doesn’t mean you should give up the joy of live music. With all the bands and artists coming to Kansas City and the surrounding areas, whatever genre of music you enjoy there is a concert to enjoy in the upcoming months. The Sprint Center is a more expensive venue with mainly well-known artists, such as Justin Bieber coming up October 26th, the cheapest ticket you can get is $244 and they run up to $5,000. The show is sold out but tickets are being sold at StubHub. Similar prices are shown for concerts such as One Direction, coming July 19th and Lady Gaga, coming February 4th. Sprint Center is a beautiful, large venue and if you have the means, a concert there is a great experience. For more reasonable tickets look to venues such as Uptown Theater in Kansas City where artists such as Crystal Castles, Dropkick Murphys are scheduled to play in October for tickets reasonably priced at around $27-$30. It is a smaller venue that is also host to weddings and birthday parties. Although it is a smaller venue, it is beautifully lit and gives you more of an intimate experience with whatever artist you are seeing. On the theme of extremely reasonably priced tickets, The

BY EMILY STEPHENS Beaumont Club in Kansas City is going to be host to Mayday Parade, The Maine and Minus the bear with most tickets being barely over $20. The venue is a smaller stage with a large floor that allows people to be very close to the stage and enjoy the music even more. Although The Beaumont Club is also a bar, people of all ages are allowed into the majority of events. The atmosphere is very calm and laid back to make you feel close to the artist you are seeing. Even closer to home, the Granada in Lawrence features a wide range of music such as Tech N9ne coming October 10th, Taking Back Sunday on Saturday 13th, and Sleigh Bells appearing October 23rd. The Granada is located on Mass street in downtown Lawrence. It is a smaller venue and is also a bar, similar to most of the smaller venues. All ages are allowed into most of the shows and the tickets usually vary between $15-$25, very reasonably priced for relatively well-known bands. The school year has started so keep in mind what day of the week the show will be on, and try to keep it on a weekend. If you can’t manage to find one on a weekend, be sure that you’re not busy and you’re okay with being a zombie the next day at school .

BY: D

OYL

E H

ESS

 

Because  one  student…    decided  to  sass  me…  

….  And  make  sure  you  finish  your  reading  of  “Macbeth”  tonight!  

Mrs.  Senhan?  Why  do  you  

have  ashes  on  your  desk?  

Le Classroom…

Ashes

Of A

Problem

Student

 

Ashes In

Classes As

In Santa Fe Trail history, one teacher has stood out amongst the rest….

 Let  this  be  a  lesson  for  you….  

Le Mrs. Senhan!

DA DADADA!

WOOOOW!

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