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2 HI.LIFE 2011

Expires April 15, 2011

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TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CONTENTS:

If you’ve ever wondered where filmmakers get their ideas, look no further. Many of the movies today got their start on bookshelves. Sometimes there are even movies you didn’t know started as books.

One of the most underestimated and aggressive games ever, Water Polo. The Water Polo team will have to work hard and show no mercy when it comes down to game time.

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17

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Page 7| Day of Silence

Page 27| Water PoloPage 17| Adaptations

Page 10| Dance Studio

HI.LIFE : THE STUDENT MAGAZINE OF LEE’S SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL APRIL : VOL. 92 : NO. 7 : JLABMAG.COM

CENTER SPREAD

13ON THE COVER

Page 13 | Disaster in Japan

Being a male dancer can be tough, but Evan Lovelace keeps his head up. He knows exactly what to do to achieve his dreams. He is ready for wherever his dancing will take him next.

Have any questions, concerns, or criticisms?Drop them off at the Jlab (room A227) or give them to any staff member.

As Japan continues to struggle with the damage caused by the earthquake, tsunami, and the radiation leaking from Fukushima, one starts to wonder if the crisis will reach a breaking point...and if the United States is overdue for its own disaster of epic proportions.

ON THE WEBJLabMag.com is officially back up and running. Stories and photos are being

updated weekly.

Students are committed to be silent for 25 hours for the Invisible Children’s 25 campaign, which hopes to make all the unheard voices in Africa heard through silence.

designed by Max Belanger and Julia

Duckworth

4 HI.LIFE 2011

Groom’s Appliance, Heating, and Cooling

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WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS: Jacob DePeralta, Eric Fabi, Jordan Julian, Nick Rellihan, Mary Roccaro, Najee Sears, Haley Gillilan, Kim Tabe, Jacob Valentine, Tyler Wilmore, Aaron Wood, Derek Brooks, Ashley Burrison, MaRyah Cooper,Victoria Fangrow, Ashley Hagan, Michelle Hurley, Shelby McNealy, Hayley Mershon, Jennifer Rhoades, Stephanie Rowden, Laura Schierhoff, Paige Seymour, Audrey Stetzler, Miranda Vaughn, Jesse Butler, Zac Harris, Tori Carlile, Elaine Fouchia, Jonah Graves, Tre Harvey, Wendy Hayworth, Benjamin Nazworthy, Morgan Pena, Marissa Raukar, Tyler Robertson, Timmy Snook, Ronnie Thomas,Zac Harris & John Wood

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF : Abigail Jones, Julia Duckworth & Max BelangerPHOTO EDITORS : Bradley Roberts, Laina Gunsallus & Brittany Webster

NEWS EDITORS : Luke Jarnevic, Nick Cappo & Nathan BakerFEATURES EDITOR : Mikayla Frommer

ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS: Lindsay Nelson FASHION EDITOR : Jordan Shawhan

OPINION EDITOR : Kevin AdamsSPORTS EDITORS : Nate Day, Nathan Williams, & Erin Rottinghaus

ONLINE EDITOR : Patricia Sjuts ADVERTISING MANAGERS : Summer Richards & Sierra Lewis

PAGE DESIGNER : Rebecca Wadle COPY EDITOR : Sia Nero

ADVISOR : Marc Russell

PEOPLE

LETTER FROM THE EDITORSLETTER

who make it happen

.

. The other day we, along with six other seniors, completed the IB Visual Arts exam (the N.E.W.T.s of the art department), which

consists of speaking for 30 to 45 minutes about artwork we had created. In the morning, as we arrived early to meet the examiner, all eight of us were freaking the heck out. But when that door opened, and we had our planned facial expressions ready, we immediately realized that there was nothing to worry about. We were ready. So the day went by, and it went well. No big deal (NBD for those social networkers out there). That afternoon, though, we had another bout of stress as we had to take the show down before another event would take place in the Lecture Hall. But this isn’t the point. The point that we’re trying to make is that after the day was over and done, and we were feeling so liberated, we took some time to be goofy. You must be wondering, ‘What on earth did they do that was so goofy?’ Well, we’ll tell ya. We just ran around the Lecture Hall, that’s all. Once we got the room cleared, we started running. We giggled, screamed a little bit, and ran in circles until we were satisfied. It was the perfect release of anxiety, the perfect ending to a stressful day. You may now be asking, ‘What’s the point of that?! They are just a couple of freaks!’ Well, you’d be right about that. But we absolutely encourage everybody to take a few minutes out of the day to be goofy. Everybody has a little bit of weird inside of them, it’s just that (especially during high school) we get preoccupied with trying to make everyone else accept us. But if everybody accepted their own goofiness, think of how much more enjoyable high school would be. As Natasha Bedingfield once sang, “release your inhibitions!” If we’ve been able to convince you, we’d like to give some advice for how you can be goofy today. For instance, if you are passing by a gymnasium while no classes are taking place, it can be fun to activate the overhead lights by running around. Maybe speaking in a goofy accent (to a friend, they tend to be more appreciative) will do it for you. Or perhaps, even smiling and saying ‘Hello!’ to a stranger (this isn’t so much goofy as it is polite, but some people mistake the two). Be creative, just don’t do anything reckless or dangerous or against school rules. Go forth and be goofy!

Being Goofy

MAX & LAINA

NEWS.

6 HI.LIFE 2011

The Girls Soccer team kicks cancer to the curb with their fourth an-nual Melanie Grace Kickin’ Cancer benefit game. Each year the Melanie Grace benefit game is held at LSHS for a new and different candidate. Money is raised for the candidates organization by collecting donations from local businesses, selling t-shirts, and a silent auction. All proceeds go to the candidates battle against cancer. The Melanie Grace game was Thursday at 5pm for JV, and 6:30pm for Varsity it was $3, at the gate. Many students may wonder how the new candidates are chosen for the game. “We look for local kids fighting cancer and we attempt to help

them in their fight,” Head coach David Wiebenga said. Kids are chosen by their connection to the sport, their age, and within our local area. “We usually identify 1-2 candidates per year” Wiebenga said. This year, Ray Saari was the chosen candidate for the Melanie Grace benefit game. Ray plays for the Billy Goats, a locally sponsored soccer club, and he attends Oak Park High School as a sophomore. On average, the girls team raises an average $2000 for the candidates in the past. This year Wiebenga expects just as good as a turnout as it is a great event.

Kickin’ Cancer THE GIRLS SOCCER TEAM HELPS RAISE MONEY FOR AREA STUDENT

Most students are unaware of just what these recent budget cuts have in store for their future years of high school. To say the least, big changes are coming our way. Programs have been cut, money is tight, and LSHS is in for trying to make the best out of this situation. With this recent cut two main groups are already preparing what they are going to have to do in order to continue their success, sports and music. “There will be a 20 percent reduction in spending of our overall sports budget next year. Each of our three high schools is given a certain budget that is appropriated by the school district. Along with our budget being reduced, there will also be some coaching posi-tions/responsibilities that will be eliminated under the Cost Contain-ment/Position Elimination process. Each athletic coaching staff with more than two coaches will have one position eliminated. Also, there will be no paid conditioning positions in the fall, winter or spring seasons,” athletic director Dan Schnell said. An entire sports team had to be cut due this new budget. There will no longer be a gymnastics team at any of the three high schools. “It came down to the number of participants per school with the cost of running the program that decided which program would be cut,” Schnell said. The music program is also going to be facing many changes to their programs as well. “The biggest thing happening in the music program is taking place in the Elementary Band and Strings programs. There are going to be less teachers and less opportunities for kids to be able to play musical instruments at the lower levels. At the high school level, kids will be faced with having to pay a fee in order to be involved in high school music programs. This will cause problems with enroll-ment and with costs already on their instruments, gowns, and tuxes, the music program is doing all they can in order to make the cost of these items not as much as they have been in the past. By reduc-ing the amount students will have to pay for these items, the music department is then faced with less money for buying things such as new music and equipment,” music director Chris Munce said.

Not only will the music department be stuck with have to pay fees but any MSHSAA sponsored activity will have to pay to participate. Each student will be charged $50 for activities such as band, debate, and music with a cap of $100 to a family with multiple students. In addition each student will be charged $50 dollars to participate in sports. The maximum charge for families with kids in activities is $200. A question on a lot of people’s mind is if these cuts are here to stay and what other things might be taken away. “I expect some more ‘belt tightening’ over the next year or two. From there, I would not even venture to guess. I expect additional cuts next year. I do not know what those might be or how much,” Schnell said. These cuts are something that is hard for many but something our school district is going to have to learn to adjust to. “I feel frustration for our students and athletes. It is important for as many students to be involved in activities here at LSHS as we can get. That will also come with a price, meaning funding to run programs. We all need to work together (students, parents, faculty, and administration) to make what could be a negative into a positive. We can do that by all work together towards common goals,” Munce said. Students may begin to realize that the upcoming school years are going to be different but with the help of fundraising and positive attitudes the affect of this budget cut may not be so bad after all.

Budget CutsRECENT BUDGET CUTS WILL TRULY FACTOR INTO NEXT YEARS SPORTS

Cutting Back. There has been some ‘belt tightening’ at LSHS because of the recent budget cuts. “Each athletic coaching staff with more than two coaches will have one position eliminated,” athletic director Dan Schnell said. The budget cuts are effecting the elementary schools also.

Kickin’ Cancer. This years Melanie Grace soccer game is benefitting Ray Saari, a soccer player at Oak Park High School who is battling cancer. “We look for local kids fighting cancer and we attempt to help them in their fight,” Head coach David Wiebenga said. Help kick cancer by attending the game.

by. Miranda Vaugnphoto by. Ben Nazworthy

by. Paige Seymour photo by. Ben Nazworthy

NEWS.

JLABMAG.COM 7

STUDENTS WORK HARD TO STAY SILENT FOR 25

HOURS For most teenagers, being silent for 30 minutes is a hard thing to do, but on April 25, over 17,000 people across the country are committed to be silent for 25 hours for the Invisible Children’s 25 campaign. “I was really affected by the video they showed when they visited LSHS. I felt that not only should I do it because it’s for a good cause, but because it will be fun,” senior Marissa Arcuri said. The Invisible Children organization has hosted a couple of other events, including The Rescue and Displace Me, but their latest campaign deals with the thousands of people in central Africa who were silenced by Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). They named it ‘The 25 Campaign’ to distinguish the 25th year - and, hopefully, the last year - of the war against the LRA and the Ugandan government that leaves nearly two million innocent civilians caught in the middle of a war zone. One of Kony’s main weapons, though, is child soldiers. In the beginning of the war, over 90 percent of his army was made up of abducted children.

“These children are in a very serious and deadly situation and people should at least know about these events,” Arcuri said. Right now, they have over $200,000 raised, but all of the proceeds will go to funding the Invisible Children’s Protection Plan, which will provide a radio network for faster communication between villages and will help set up rehabilitation centers for the children and civilians affected by the war. “We need to do all we can to help these children because even though they’re on the other side of the world, we’re all human,” senior Jorglynne Shepard said Although thousands of people are willing to help, some have concerns over being voiceless for 25 hours. “I am a very loud person and trying to keep quiet for a whole day is going to be seriously tough,” Shepard said. The Invisible Children’s website has a link to sign up for the campaign and buy an action kit. The cost for the kit is, not surprisingly, $25 and comes with a 25 campaign t-shirt, a set of cards telling people why they are raising money, another set of cards telling people why they are being silent, and a lanyard to hold all the cards in. Across the nation, thousands are willingly to stay silent for the unheard voices and the students of LSHS can help make them be heard.

With the weather warming up, people are emerging from their hibernation to enjoy the sun and pollen drifting through the wind, allergies are appearing for a lot of students. Some people however stay closed up inside due to annoying allergies. While being around certain things that will make allergies more intense, a few simple tricks will make the consequences of them become less noticeable. “I would say taking a shower, changing clothes, or taking medication could help cover up some bothersome reactions,” said health teacher, Stone. Unknown allergies can pop up at any time to those unaware of what makes them, so here are some explanations that could help those who do not know what causes their allergies. “Pollen, congestion, and asthma all play big parts in getting serious allergic reaction,” said Stone, “So pay attention to hives, itchiness, medication, and the shots you get.” Several common allergies are easily treated with medicine. Many that have troublesome allergies without medication can go to the doctor to get a prescription that really helps. “Respiratory problems usually lead to getting allergies and the body can see the pollen or whatever the allergy is as a

toxin to get rid of, but allergy immunizations can make your body more familiar with this intruder and so will Alegra,” said Stone.” Although numerous places will seem more susceptible to those with allergies, the nose can deceive. Whether noticeable or not, all destinations have the same outlook to those with allergies . “It doesn’t matter where you go to escape your allergies, with the wind moving all the pollen and weeds you are allergic to, you could get allergies anywhere,” said Stone. When allergies take a toll, there are multiple things that can make this less tiring of a task to handle. “If you’re allergic to multiple things, finding ways to become less congested or stuffy, can really help with physical appearances, like red eyes or a runny nose,” said Stone. Experiencing the difficulty of handling allergies, those surrounded by trouble are unwilling to give in to their allergies. So, many can find themselves enjoying this spring by jest these few helpful points of knowledge.

Annoying Allergies. To help make allergies less annoying. “I would say taking a shower, changing clothes, or taking medication could help cover up some bothersome reactions,” said Stone.

Silence is Key. The Invisible Children organization is hosting the event for people everywhere to be silent for 25 hours to raise awareness for the longest running war in Africa.

Allergy Attack

AS SPRING STARTS TO BLOSSOM, SO DO ALLERGIES

written by Audrey Stetzlerphoto by Ben Nazworthy written by Erin Rottinghaus photo by Ben Nazworthy

Day of Silence

FEATURES.

8 HI.LIFE 2011

Q: What do you want the student body to know about you? I want the student body to know I really do enjoy my job, and I do love teenagers and it’s fun to be here, its fun to be a part of Lee’s Summit high school.Q: What were you like in high school? I was a music kid through & through. I did band, orchestra, and choir. I was a loud kid, pretty out there. I was the second most spirited class of 97 right here.Q: What do you do outside of your teaching life? My husband and I are photographers, so we spend a lot of weekends shooting weddings. I go to church, and hang with my family. Q: What are some of your hobbies? Photography, but it’s becoming a job. I like music stuff, I sing at church every once in a while. I like to sew.Q: Why did you want to become a math teacher? I fell into it. I was subbing into the district because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I was a youth pastor and I left that. I started subbing and fell in love with teaching, and I liked math so I went back to school and got certified.Q: What made you want to start a photography business? It’s something that my husband and I have creative control over. A lot of in teaching photography what we do is follow the curriculum It’s dictated by people outside of ourselves, so to have something for myself that is a total creative outlet where I can do whatever I want because people either like our work or don’t. If they don’t like it, they don’t have to hire us. If they like us that means I can do whatever, so I like that aspect about itQ: How did you meet your husband? He was a groomsman at a wedding that I was shooting.Q. What is it like being the club 121 Sponsor? It’s really fun, they’re a real great group of students. My leadership kids this year are rock stars. They run the show and don’t really need me and that’s great.Q: What’s the craziest thing that happened to you while you were teaching? I had a student pull a pair of underwear out of a bag and they saw me look at them and they slowly put it back in the bag.Q: What kind of music do you listen to?

I listen to pretty much everything besides hard metal and screaming music. My favorites like acoustic music.Q: What college did you go to? I went to South West Missouri State University which is now Missouri State University.Q: What’s your favorite thing to do in Kansas City? I love the city, I love going to really good places to eat and most of those are crossroads Westport areas, so I love that area, just the culture in it.Q: Where is some place you have always wanted to go? Anywhere in the world, Ireland. Everyone thinks I’m Irish and I’m not. I have zero Irish in me and I just think it would be beautiful to see where everyone thinks I’m from.Q: Who is someone you have always looked up to? The woman in my family, like my mom and my grandma. They paved a pretty good road for me, I know I can always count on them. Once a teen herself, Jessi Lueck encourages students to apply themselves the best they can. Her friendly personality and goofiness lets her students see a teacher who cares.

JESSI LUECK: THE INTERVIEWTIGER PROFILE

Luecky Teachings- There is more than meets the eye to Leuck, a math teacher at LSHS. She is a photographer, she used to be in a band, and she likes to sew. “I actually sang in a band in college , my senior year, and did it for a year, we have a CD and everything,” Lueck said.

by Tyler Wilmore photos by Zac Harris

After the bell rings, still full of energy, math teacher Jessi Lueck sits down and answers questions about her life outside of school

JLABMAG.COM 9

FEATURES.WHEN THINKING ABOUT GOING ON A VACATION, THERE ARE SEVERAL PLACES THAT ONE SHOULD NEVER PASS UP WHEN GETTING OUT OF TOWN

by Ashley Burrison photos from Associated Press

“The Na Pali Coast was breath-taking and unspoiled. It was very quiet and serene. It was so spiritual, I could die there. There is a trail around different parts of the island. You cannot walk down to the actual coast, but the view there is incredible” -Karen Davis-Brown

“Paradise Island is so beautiful. It is sunny all year round and it is one of the cleanest islands in the Bahamas. The water is completely blue and you can see baby fish swimming around. The sand here is probably some of the whitest sand you will ever see. -Destiny Lakin

“The diversity of the Galapagos Island as so unique. There were barren landscapes, and colors i saw that i did not know existed. There was an abundance of wildlife and the animals there are not afraid of humans. It feels like another world over there. -Matt Buxton

by Hayley Gillilan photos by Zac Harris

“The terrain in Lake Powell is beautiful, the air is clean and refreshing. It is very remote there. The colors of the Grand Canyon and the blue of the water against the blue of the sky is simply amazing. The water is cool and refreshing, and the sky in the canyon at night is so incredible.” -Pauline Hoye

THEBEST

Evan Lovelace is no stereotype, and he is determined to prove it. As a male dancer, it is not hard to figure out where his tormentors get their ammo from. “It’s hard being a male dancer because of teasing and assumptions of what kind of person I am,” Lovelace admitted. However, that is what got him where he is today; he exercised extreme perseverance. “It actually gives me a boost. While the people who teased me will be working in a cubicle one day, I’ll be married with a wife and kids supporting them while doing what I love,” Lovelace said. Although many people have preconceived notions about male dancers, Lovelace is convinced that the joke is on them. “Dance was originally meant for men’s strength training. Its muscle training builds muscle for many sports. Most professional football teams are required to take ballet, and it’s proven that they have better endurance and can jump higher than teams that don’t require it,” Lovelace said. Lovelace has studied everything in the book and then some. Everything from Ballet to Hip Hop, from Swing to Ballroom, and Modern to Contemporary. Nevertheless, Lovelace has his favorites. “My favorite is probably jazz because my jazz teacher was a beast and made everything very athletic, so I never had to dance like a girl,” Lovelace said. Even though Lovelace is young, he could fill a ‘Mary Poppins bag’ with his experience. He teaches, auditions around the country, and choreographs shows for Christian Youth Theater. Regardless, he is looking toward the future with huge dreams. “ I want to perform and choreograph in New York, California, and movies, then when I start getting old and my body gets beaten down I want to start my own performing arts training school,” Lovelace said. Along the way, Lovelace gains more and more experience, on and off the stage. “My best experience as a choreographer would have to be working at CYT choreographing Seven Brides for Seven Bothers. Working with the students was awesome. There was a number where brothers are fighting seven other guys for seven girls, so it’s all fight choreography and tricks and flips,” Lovelace said. People can say what they want about male dancers, but it is most likely that Lovelace has better abs than them.

Dance Dance

FEATURES.

10 HI.LIFE 2011

EVERYONE LIKES A GOOD RESTAURANT THAT HAS A GOOD ENVIRONMENT AND TASTY FOOD. KANSAS CITY IS FILLED WITH MANY DIFFERENT PLACES TO EAT THAT ARE DIFFERENT THAN THE EVERYDAY RESTAURANT HERE IN TOWN

by Marissa Rakuar

If its one thing Kansas City is known for it is barbecue, Kansas City does it better then anyone else. When it came down to the environment and the food Filorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue took the prize. Located in the Crossroads Art District in Kansas City give this restaurant great location surrounded with art gallery’s and boutiques shops. Jack’s will not only wow you with the mouth watering menu and award winning barbecue but the converted freight house has 25 foot ceilings, fireplace lounge and full-service out door patio dinning makes this barbecue place stand out from the rest. An old school dinner in Kansas City is still popin. Town topic is well, the talk of the town. Town topic has two locations in Kansas City one on Broadway and the other on Baltimore Ave. Showing its character built over the years. The cooks are friendly as well as the waitresses overall friendly atmosphere. The food isn’t bad either looking for a burger when out on a Friday night with some friends; this is the place to go.

As for the vegetarians out there Succotash located near crossroads and crown center has a well balanced menu for everyone to enjoy. Being near the crossroads gives this place a trendy surrounding with lots of this to do around before and after eating. The best part is that most meals are under 10 dollars and the atmosphere is alive and hip. Spin pizza right here in town next the Target right off chipman. Spin pizza is not your everyday pizza joint. Standing by the Hand-Tossed, Stone-Fired Pizza, Salads. sandwiches, and gelato Neapolitan tradition makes this pizza place different the most. Five Guys burger located on 291 behind Ihop. A cheap burger with crazy flavor, When walking into Five Guys the menu line up is to build you own burger. Starting from the cheese to every toping imaginable. Able to load up a burger to the max making it perfect. Making it an awesome different burger joint to eat. The American Restaurant located Kansas City near crown center. Originally a restaurant to show all American food. The American is up high allowing a great view of Kansas City. A menu to match the great the view. A place for a night on the town to dress a little fancy, enjoying the night. GoJo’s Japanese Steakhouse is located in new Westport. A fast pass environment basically dinner and a show. Having you dinner cooked in front of

you by a professional chef is pretty cool thing to watch. about 15-20 dollars gets you a full 4 course meal with left overs to spare. The Cheesecake Factory right off the plaza is a perfect date place. With its fancy atmosphere, famous for the cheese cake but there menu does not fail in comparison. A little on the pricy side of things but well worth it, right on the plaza giving it an awesome place hang out after. Kansas City has lots to offer with things to do and it does not stop with so many places to grab a bit, if you are looking for a nice night on the town or just a quick sit with some friends try these places out.

BEST PLACES IN KC

JLABMAG.COM 11

FEATURES.

Summer is coming up. Students will experience free time for the first time in a long time. Some students may want to take the time to learn a new instrument. “Playing an instrument is an outlet for creativity,” Shannon Lawrence, owner and instructor of Heartland Music, said. One can reap many benefits from playing any musical instrument. Music teaches discipline, self

motivation, math, and, in some cases, fine motor skills. “There’s something about being on stage and entertaining people, you know nothing in the world can

take that from you. It’s just cool,” musician Doug Ramsey said.

The ultimate goal is obvious, but before the crowd cheers the stage, students might want to purchase an instrument. “It’s more important to

find an instrument and get introduced to the world of

music. Don’t be afraid of making

the wrong decision. Go for the experience and expression,” Lawrence said. Lawrence recommends that when it comes buying an instrument, it is not a great idea to buy from China. Their standards are much lower than other places in the world. For the grand piano she recommends a Steinway, for a violin she recommends a European model, and for flutes she recommends Gemeinhardt. Guitars are a little more difficult. Handmade is ideal when purchasing a classical acoustic. When it comes to mass produced guitars, she proposes a Gibson or Martin. Ramsey recommends Starcasters and Finder guitars along with Yamaha keyboards. “There is more to know than you know there is. A teacher can teach you how to hold and instrument right and the proper techniques,” Lawrence said. Lessons can help teach aspiring musicians how to become actual musicians. Most people who are self taught usually end up taking them eventually. They come highly recommended. “Musicians are different, but not in a bad way. Every musician I know has looked at things differently than normal people,” Ramsey said. Music is a way of life, a commitment. Having the right instrument can make all the difference.

by Wendy Hayworth photos by Stephanie Rowden

Making Music.There are many different

instruments in the world, so there are quite a few options when trying to decide what to learn next. “Playing an instrument is an outlet for creativity, Shannon Lawrence said.

Rockin' InstrumentsMANY STUDENTS DREAM OF BECOMING A FAMOUS ROCK STAR, BUT BEFORE THOSE DREAMS CAN BE REACHED, AN INSTRUMENT IS NEEDED.

A Step Away from Being ObsessedTHERE ARE MANY STUDENTS AROUND LSHS THAT HAVE SOME TYPE OF OBSESSION, OR ARE ONE STEP AWAY FROM HAVING ONE. DIFFERENT STUDENTS TOLD HI-LIFE ABOUT THEIR ‘OBSESSIONS by Kimberly Tabe photos by Stephany Rowden

“ I am obsessed with getting tattoos. I currently have two,

but I want so many more. I love getting them because the pain is

so fun.” - senior Jasmyn Ward

“I am obsessed with Spiderman. I have shirts and a matching

backpack that is of Spiderman, and so many more items. He is my favorite cartoon character.”

-senior MayraRamirez

“ I am obsessed with getting good grades. I have to get at

least a B, and nothing lower than that.” - junior Jessica Lomaglio

“ I am obsessed with Lady Gaga. I love her music and the way

that she dresses. I listen to her almost every day.”

- junior Charlie Cox

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12 HI.LIFE 2011

[DISASTER INJAPAN]

Like a metaphorical line of dominoes, Japan has been collapsing under the endless disasters and

crises that have plagued its Eastern coast for the past couple weeks.

The calamity first started on Mar. 11, when a devastating earthquake rocked northern Japan. The

earthquake measured at 8.9 on the Richter scale, the likes of which have not been seen since the 8.8 earthquake that hit Chile on Feb. 27, 2010. However, it was not the earthquake itself that caused the most damage, but the monstrous tsunami that it spawned. Less than a couple hours after the earthquake hit, the tsunami swept over the east coast in northern Japan, reaching as

by Nathan Baker, Nick Cappo & Derek Brooks pictures provided by AP Images

JLABMAG.COM 13

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far inland as the city of Morioka, which is more than 30 kilometers from the east coast of Japan. So far, the death toll in Japan has reached almost 12,000 civilians, with tens of thousands more injured or missing; but the climax of this catastrophe might not have been reached yet. Japan now faces a potential nuclear meltdown of unimaginable proportions. The crises at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant began after the earthquake-tsunami hit the Japanese coast. The Fukushima nuclear plant consists of six

reactors, three which were online and another three which were offline when the earthquake hit. The three reactors that were still active (Reactor Nos. 1, 2, and 3) were immediately shut off, and the generators at the buildings began pumping cool water into the reactor cores in order to prevent them from overheating. Once the tsunami struck the Fukushima plant, the generators were flooded with the tsunami water and became useless. Once water was no longer being pumped into the reactor cores, the cores began to

heat up from the nuclear reactions still occurring within them. This increase in temperature also led to a significant increase in the amount of radiation being released from the core. Inside the reactor cores, the fuel rods being used for power were at risk of melting inside the containment vessel, and radiation levels just outside of the power plant buildings rose to eight times beyond what is considered normal levels. However, all of these problems became relatively minor just hours after they arose. continued on page 15

The unit for the amount of absorbed radiation is a sievert (SV). One sievert absorbed all at once will induce sickness, and absorption of too many can be fatal. The following graphic shows the amount of radiation a person can absorb during everyday activities.

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14 HI.LIFE 2011

[A Radiated World]放射世界

[Earthquakes]In recent days the major earthquake that hit the islands of Japan causing untold damage, but the biggest concern now is the damage inflicted on the nuclear reactors and making sure they do not have a critical meltdown. That concern is not something that people in the Midwest normally think of happening, but is a possibility that is all too real. The maps to the right show the number of nuclear power plants (stars) and the area that would be affected if a earthquake hit the New Madrid Fault line, running from Memphis to St. Louis.

1000 micro sieverts = 1 mila sievert1000 mila sieverts = 1 siervertsSleeping next to someone: .05 micro

One arm x-ray: 1 microDental or hand x-ray: 5 microFlight from LA to NY: 40 micro

Living in a stone, concrete, or brick building for one year: 70 micro

Dose from spending an hour on the grounds at the Chernobyl plant in 2010: 6 mila

Fatal dose, even with treatment: 8 sieverts

地震Ten minutes next to the Chernobyl reactor core after explosion and meltdown: 40 sieverts

Dose causing symptoms of radiation poisoning if received in a short time: 400 mila

JLABMAG.COM 15

CENTER SPREAD.

story continued from page 13A t 6:22 PM on Mar. 12, there was a hydrogen explosion at Reactor No. 3, which also caused a breach in the containment vessel of Reactor No. 1. This explosion forced officials in Japan to order a mandatory evacuation of all people living within 20 km of the plant, due to the possibility of dangerous radiation exposure. Surprisingly, this explosion did not rupture the containment vessel of the No. 3 reactor; but two days later, a second hydrogen explosion damaged the No. 3 reactor’s cooling system. Fire trucks were brought in to pump sea water into the reactor core in an effort to cool the fuel rods with the limited resources available, but the sea water also posed a risk of corroding the metal chamber that encases the fuel rods. Over the past couple of weeks, the Fukushima Plant crisis continued to escalate. High levels of radioactive iodine were detected in the groundwater beneath the plant, and water contaminated with the iodine was leaking into the sea. Traces of plutonium, which are extremely dangerous if inhaled or ingested, have been found in the soil surrounding the plant; the plutonium may also indicate that there is a breach in one of the reactor cores. Two workers who were working in the waters beneath the No. 2 reactor for an hour did not realize that the water was 10,000 times more radioactive than normal and received ‘beta burns,’ which are similar to a very bad sunburn. Unfortunately, problems like these continued to multiply because of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Plant executives’ inability to be proactive

in dealing with the crisis. In fact, the most terrifying truth about the whole situation is that experts were not sure if the fuel rods are hot enough to melt through their containment vessels and spill out into the building itself. If that were to occur, there would be a release of radiation that could kill people within a certain radius of the meltdown in a matter of hours. Since there was a possibility that more than one reactor could have a meltdown, this crisis could potentially have surpassed the catastrophe that happened at the Chernobyl plant in Russia. The problems in Japan have already hit the automotive industry in the United States, since Japan is one of the leading exporters of the chemicals used to create red and black automobile paint. The U.S. has also been involved in sending humanitarian as well as financial aid to Japan in order to take some of the burden off of the Japanese government. It is likely that this sort of aid will be continued for a period of months, as the earthquake and tsunami damages have cost Japan over 122 billion in U.S. dollars, which could make this disaster one of the most costly disasters of all time. As Japan continues to try to find its feet after the series of disasters that literally and financially rocked the nation, it will be difficult to claim that the catastrophe has ended completely. For the next few months, the world will watch with wariness as the workers at Fukushima try to prevent the worst from happening: A modern Chernobyl in the middle of Japan.

津波[Tsunamis]The Japanese are familiar with tsunamis; in fact, they are the ones who created the name. Unfortunately, the Japanese have become all too familiar with these giant waves and have suffered from the most recent one that happened March 11 in a direct result of a 9.0 earthquake. The graphic to the right shows the height of that tsunami as it swept across the Pacific, causing thousands of casualties and billions of dollars in damages.

16 HI.LIFE 2011

ENTERTAINMENT.What Generation Should You Belong To?

WOULD YOU RATHER?

Watch Scooby-Doo

As the human race continues to grow, so do the different generations. To some people it does not matter if they were born in the early generations, such as “The Lost Generation,” or the present generation, “Generation Z” they still continue to favor trends from the past. So, what generation should you belong to?

Listen to Rock

Listen toRap

Watch Leave it to Beaver

You’re Generation X

Play on the computer

Baby Boomer and

Generation Y

Collect Bennie Babys

Listen to the Rolling Stones

You’re Generation X

and Y

You’re Generation Y

Wear super tall high

heels

You’re All Three

ELVIS OR EMINEM? RAT PACK OR RIHANNA?

Baby Boomers Generation YGeneration X1946 to 1964. The girls in this generation

stuck to wearing floral fabrics and the boys stuck to the simple grey flannel suit. Rock music gained popularity during this

generation. People enjoyed listening to singers like Little Richard and Elvis Presley. Some popular activities were roller-skating or catching the latest flick at the drive-in.

1965 to 1976. The popular style was bright colored clothes. Women wore mini dresses with an out of this world pattern. Men wore bright suits with frills, wide ties, and leather boots.

Women wore their hair in loose curls and men swayed towards hairstyles seen on TheBeatles and Jimi Hendrix. Ladies went

goo-goo over them and men looked up to them.

1977 to 2000. Girls wore bright colors and leg warmers, and boys were digging

the tennis shoes. Pink Floyd and Michael Jackson were two of the most popular singers in this time period. Electronics

took off in this generation as did the term “couch potato”. People enjoyed watching

television and playing video games.

You’re a Baby Boomer

A NEW DEFINITION FOR THE TERM ‘BRAINFOOD’LIMITLESS What if you could take a small pill and awaken the full potential of your brain power, making you the smartest human in the world? Well, Bradley Cooper (The Hangover) can in his new movie Limitless. Bradley plays the roll of Eddie Morra, a man pursuing to be an author. Life takes a sudden turn,

a sci-fi twist, when he discovers NZT. NZT is a pill that gives the ability to use 100 percent brain power. The pill wears off in a day or so, so throughout the movie Eddie searches for more to stock his supply. Soon Eddie takes Wall Street by storm; turning a small stake into millions. His accomplishments catch

the eye of mega-tycoon Carl Van Loon, Robert De Niro (Meet the Parents), who invites Eddie to help him broker the largest merger in corporate history. Carl also brings Eddie to the attention of people willing to do anything to get their hands on his stash of NZT. With his life in jeopardy and the drug’s brutal side effects grinding him down, Eddie dodges mysterious

stalkers, brutal mobsters and an intense police investigation as he attempts to hang on to his diminishing supply long enough to outsmart his enemies. Unparalleled smarts are not all they are cracked up to be. Overall a pretty good movie: 4 out 5 stars.

by Najee Sears

by Shelby McNealy

Go to the drive-in

Wear a floral shirt

Wear bell bottom

jeans

Wear leg warmers

Wear an over sized

t-shirt

Have a short

hair cut

JLABMAG.COM 17

ENTERTAINMENT.Novel IdeaSOMETIMES DIRECTORS CHEATMore and more lately, directors have been flipping through the pages of best-sellers to come up with ideas for

their next blockbuster hit.

Upcoming: One of the most recent examples of the book to movie idea is Hunger Games. The best-selling novel is set to become a movie soon, starring Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone) as Katniss, the brave and resourceful protagonist hoping to win the game of her life. Hopefully the Hollywood big shots will stay true to the book and crank out an amazing movie. Water For Elephants (Sarah Gruen): Jacob Jankowski, a young man studying to become a veterinarian during the Depression, finds out that his parents have been killed in a terrible car crash. In a daze, he boards a train that takes him on the most exciting journey of his life. He gets a job at a circus, befriends an elephant, and meets very interesting people. The movie is set to come out April 22, starring Robert Pattinson (Twilight), Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde), and Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds).

Movies I Bet You Didn’t Know Were Books: When you leave the movie theater after seeing a great movie, you may be left wanting more. Most of the time, you can get exactly that. A lot of good movies are simply successful book adaptations.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (Rachel Cohn and David Levithan): This movie, which stars Michael Cera (Juno) and Kat Dennings (The House Bunny), is a quirky romance that develops between two people with a mutual love of music. What I like most about this movie is how closely it follows the book. It keeps book fans happy and gets the movie fans curious about the (super awesome) book it’s based on.Chocolat (Joanne Harris): This book and its movie counterpart have several differences, but the main plot is the same. Johnny Depp (Pirates of The Caribbean) and Juliette Binoche (Dan in Real Life) star in this tale of a chocolatier and her daughter who come to the 1950’s French countryside. The only problem is, it’s during Lent. The townspeople are enchanted and tempted by the delicious confections that the shop has to offer. The mayor, however, is another story.Forrest Gump (Eric Roth): This Oscar-winning movie actually started as a book. Not many people know about the book, but those that do are big fans of the movie as well. In both the film and the novel, the character lives an extraordinary life almost completely by accident.

Good books, bad movies: Step one: Read a book. Step two: Wish for a movie version. Step three: Go see the movie adaptation. Step four: Disappointment.Series of Unfortunate Events (Lemony Snicket): This series of books is dedicated to detailing the sad lives of three very clever orphans. The writing in every single book is fantastic. When the movie came out, everyone was excited to see just how great it would be. Unfortunately, it did not live up to expectations. By trying to cram the first three books into a two hour movie, they missed the mark big time. Twilight (Stephanie Meyer): Good book. Bad cinematography. Bad lead actors. Bad director. Bad fake American accent. ‘Nuff said.

Books that should be movies: When you read an exceptional book, sometimes you wish Hollywood would step in and make the mental images in your head a reality. Scrambled Eggs at Midnight (Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler): Cal and Eliot are two people struggling to find a place to fit in. When they meet each other, they are able to form a summer romance that looks like it actually might last. The book is so sweet and it’s a great summer read. With the right casting and the right director, it would make a great summer movie.

Yes, sometimes directors cheat, but we let it slide. Who knows, maybe the next book you read will become an Oscar nominated legend.

by Mary Jo Roccaro

FASHION.

18 HI.LIFE 2011

Hi.Life How to: Dress to be the Life of the Party

For the day look, layered Red Chapter crew neck t-shirt ($39) with a fresh blazer to lighten up the look($14) adds a sophisticated touch. All over a pair of dark denim jeans($22).

Night is an easy transition for Pete White. White and black is an easy color combination to rock. Keeping the denim the same is easy when it has a dark wash. Red Chapter crew neck tee ($39) underneath a black INC button up ($16) is a good look for the night.

Red Chapter a line that Ditto carries, is the new must-have clothing line. A cool tee paired with sleek jeans makes for a sharp look. Denim is an essential to any guys wardrobe. Dark denim is a must. At Ditto there are many name brands and styles of gently worn clothes

1 2

HOW TO TRANSITION FROM DAY TO NIGHT USING ITEMS FOUND AT DITTO, A POPULAR CLOTHING EXCHANGE

FASHION.

JLABMAG.COM 19

For the day look Angie Regan is stylish and comfortable. A cute belted dress($17) worn with a khaki blazer($13) makes for a chic outfit. Adorned with a golden locket($12). This is a good day time look for spring.

Ditto carries essentials for girls of all ages. From dresses to jewelry, their merchandise is one of a kind. Their jewelry is personally bought by the owner of the store which makes each piece even more special.

Even though this is a floral patterned dress it can be fitted for night. Paired with a black blazer ($14) and hard metal jewelry ($26) the dress takes a cool twist.

Hi.Life How to: Dress to be the Life of the Party

1 2

ONE DRESS, TWO WAYS

While the policies that help to protect the safety of students may not always aiding learning in an obvious way, they are doing so in a less noticeable way. Take the cell phone policy for example. Now, there are always students who wonder how this policy does anything but allow the administration to exercise its power over the student body, but it does more than that. In many situations, this policy is for the purpose of avoiding the disturbance of those in a classroom. Even if accidental, the ringing of a cell phone will cause disruption to any learning environment. Another policy that many students have come to see as oppressive is the policy towards electronic devices. Even three years ago, the new commodity of a small, portable device that could play music was incredibly popular among teens. Even so, they were banned in schools for the betterment of learning. However, in the previous year, the administrative team at Lee’s Summit High School had a change of heart and decided to test the idea of using iPods. This policy may have seemed like it would be a wonderful idea going into the year, but this was not the case because students decided not to adhere to the stipulations that were set down for this policy to be

successful. It was never the issue of iPods being used when they were not supposed to be out, but rather the concept of where. Although this very gracious policy was set in place for the benefit of students, one of the very simple standards was ignored. Students chose to use keep their headphones in once entering the hallways and have now caused the use of iPods to be revoked completely. Students may wonder why this change has occurred or say that the use of iPods in the hallways is not a problem, but indeed it is. Say an intruder enters the building. It becomes an issue to an administrator or teacher attempting to warn a student that is oblivious to anything being said to them due to the music blaring in their ears. That is one of the reasons that the use of iPods has become banned that could easily have been prevented by students. Another policy that often annoys many students at Lee’s Summit High School is the dress code policy. Now many parts of this policy are very appropriate. The section towards the length of shorts is perfectly acceptable because it is definitely unnecessary to be showing that much skin, not to mention it can be a little risque. On another note, one division of the dress code that deals with hats could be altered just a bit. Hats in general are not always a problem are not always a problem unless they are causing disruption. The real issue comes when anyone decides to sport any variety of a hood. Of course the reasoning behind this action may not be immediately clear, but

that does not mean that it is illogical because it is indeed quite logical. When monitoring passing periods, administrators do more than enforce the rules upon those students whom decide to infringe upon them, but they are also making sure that students are safe. While this may seem unrelated to the dress code, it is not. If an administrator happens to see somebody from behind wearing a hood in the hall, how are they to know if this person is a students, staffer, or possibly an intruder. So really, some parts of the dress code are safety issues.

One thing that could be done that would greatly benefit the faculty and student body would be to have a conference with representatives from all departments and representatives from each grade along with administration. During this conference, students and faculty could both share their thoughts on policies currently in place as well as ways to improve them for the benefit of all. So perhaps in the next school year, some changes will be seen in the policies at Lee’s Summit High School.

OPINIONS.

20 HI.LIFE 2011

Editor,

by sophomore Jamie Weeda

Dear

Many policies in our school may feel unjust to students, but this is not always the case. In many of the so called unfair situations are actually instances in which the administrative team is simply attempting to provide a safe and secure learning environment for the students of our school.

A conference with students and teachers could be held to help alter policies currently in place for the benefit of students

POLICIES AT LSHS ARE NOT ALWAYS CORRECT AND CAN ALWAYS BE CHANGED FOR THEIR BETTERMENT

Making Things Happenby Opinions Editor Kevin Adams

“ “

/ One of the biggest problems that I have faced as a student at Lee’s Summit High School is the door that leads to the STAD office. I normally do not have a problem with doors. They help get me from A to B. But this door is professional at causing awkward and humiliating situations for all students. While it may not be as big of a deal in a normal-sized hallway, this piece of wood coated in evil blocks half of the hallway when it is being put to use. This causes kids to either maneuver their way around it and run into oncoming traffic or accept their fate by facing the door head on, literally. Both of these outcomes are awkward and painful in their own way. I understand that people must go in and out of the office when necessary, and they certainly have the free will to do so. However, it doesn’t benefit anyone to have the door unnecessarily open right out into the hallway, sometimes without warning. I believe there is a simple solution for this simple problem. All that is needed to be done by the school is to have the door reversed

or switched to make it open inside the office rather than vice versa. I assume this would not be too much effort for the school, and it would save many generations to come from humiliation and broken noses.

JLABMAG.COM 21

OPINIONS.Staff EditorialALTHOUGH THE BATHROOMS ARE GENERALLY CLEAN, STUDENTS HAVE BEGUN TO TRASH THEM

For two weeks we, as a staff, have been looking for a challenge to take on at LSHS. The idea of trying to come up with solutions for our bathrooms was proposed and the staff agreed this was an issue. However, the boys restrooms are a disaster and their is no one to blame except ourselves. LSHS janitors have taken all precautions in order to achieve a healthy and safe restrooms at school. Unfortunately with the maturity level here it is hard to maintain it. Students may complain how there are always a lack of supplies, such as, paper towels in the bathroom. Janitors do their best to replace the rolls of paper and even a few extra rolls for students when the dispensers are out. Even though the janitors are kind enough to leave out this extra roll of paper students tend to waste it in many ways. Some times, much to their disliking, the janitors will come and find the roll thrown across the floor unraveled everywhere. Other and other times they have found it stuffed in the sinks and urinals. After school we have gone to find out in the restrooms some kids also rip out all of the soap dispensers so there is no soap left. Jon Rodgers, our LSHS building manager, had many things too say about our bathroom situation. We asked

if he recently has seen a change in the condition of our bathrooms but he says it has always really been an issue. Rodgers says that they do their best in checking the bathrooms, two times throughout the day by the janitors and security tries to check as well. On the paper towel issue, the school has went to bigger rolls to help students not run out of supplies but it just isn’t working. Jon Rodgers had a final thing to say about the bathrooms, it all comes down to respect. If students respect the work we put into the bathrooms they will see return in their experience in them. So students of LSHS, if you are disrespecting our bathrooms you are not only hurting yourself but your

families as well. If you are wasting toilet paper, rolls and soap, which are paid for with tax payer’s money. Understand that you are paying for them if you work, and if your parents work they are paying for it as well. This whole issue does not come down to money either, you are hurting the school body as a whole when we are not happy with the conditions of our bathrooms. We as a staff are asking to raise your maturity level and not destroy the guys restrooms.

by Jacob Valentineillustration by Madeline Moore-Porter

Man on the Street“Honestly, they are pretty disgusting most of the time. Especially the floors,” freshman Jessie Stevenson said.

“I would have to say that the bathrooms are pretty decent. I mean they are tolerable,” sophomore Alexis Sessler said.

“I think custodians have done a great job. It’s mainly students being disrespectful,” junior James Eastland said.

“They are fairly decent. So I suppose that it is pretty good in a general sense,” senior Pete White said.

What do you think about the condition of the restrooms?

by John Wood

OPINIONS.

22 HI.LIFE 2011

Can Money Buy Happiness?

Charlie SheenCraze

Everyone wants to be happy. Though every person defines it differently, during all their life most of the people will try to achieve this state of mind. It’s impossible to gain complete happiness, because it depends on many things. If happiness is at the top of a pyramid and things like autonomy, well-being, security, trust, respect, and convenience are blocks you use to build the pyramid, it becomes clear that to build the top of the pyramid are materialistic and non-materialistic. Materialistic happiness doesn’t last very long. After some time, it makes a person shallow and unhappy. As humans, we adapt to new things in our lives. That’s why it’s better to buy experiences rather than things. You can reflect on them and revisit them again and again. How you define true happiness for yourself will depend if money can buy you happiness. Most people call non-materialistic happiness to be the true one and state that money can’t buy it. Well, not quite. Money can’t buy you love and respect from others. However, money can buy you happiness. Although, having more money does not necessarily make you happier. Statistics show that 75 percent of multi-million lottery winners go broke within a few years. Money can bring troubles if it isn’t managed. The familiar mantra ‘consume now, pay later’ is a bad idea and will bring more stress and debt. If it is too expensive, save for it, don’t charge it to a card. To eliminate stress caused by unexpected purchases, think about them first. For example, you may have considered the benefits of car ownership, but most people have a tendency to ignore the problems like washing, breaks, or payments. Happiness is in small details of life. If you buy a car that is old and in need of repair, it might not bring you much happiness unless you enjoy spending your free time doing repairs. The best way to predict how much we will enjoy an experience is to see how much someone else enjoyed it. It all depends what the word ‘happiness’ means for you. As long as you are satisfied with your life and enjoy it, you are happy. Some people find their happiness in strong relationships or helping others. No matter what you consider happiness, it’s impossible to achieve it completely. In a modern world, a lot of things revolve around money. It can buy you happiness, but more money does not necessarily make you happier. It depends on how you use it. But is there happiness without money? Modern society requires having some money to be able to buy things necessary for living. You decide how much is enough for you. For some, it is meeting their basic needs. So the statement ‘the more we have, the more we want’ is correct.

THE MEDIA’S ATTENTION IS STILL ON MR. SHEEN

Roman Kohutg Jonah Gravesg

The Hi.Life is an open forum to provide up to date and pertinent information compiled by high school journalists. We will be a bold and trusted publication that raises the bar of high school journalism. The Hi.Life newsmagazine is a student led publication. Our obligation to readers is to provide credible, reliable, and unbiased information to the student body. None of the opinions in our publication reflect the views of the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District. We strive to create a professional newsmagazine that provides accurate insights and entertainment.

Columns

POLICY

After leaving the sweet life of the red carpet, this man’s self destructive behavior has cost him his family life, reputation, and now his job. Better yet, America’s reaction does nothing but support this brutal life style. In a time of revolutions, global terrorist threats, and national catastrophes one might wonder why one man, Charlie Sheen continues to receive the spotlight for losing his job. On March 7, Sheen was fired from CBS for wild partying, hospitalizations, and repeated drug use. The man who has had a successful acting career for close to three decades has now successfully removed himself from his prime time hit sitcom Two and a Half Men. Most would agree that this was a fair and just move by CBS, but they would also agree that it is tragic that such a hit TV show lost such a hit character. However, on the day that this story hit the headlines, something else tragic happened that most didn’t know about. A two year old boy named Finnegan Wells lost his dad to a terrorist IED, and now his yet to be born sister will never have a dad. On March 7, close to 76,000 war veterans went to sleep under a bridge, or in an alley. On that same day, 9 percent of Americans were jobless, and innocent people in Libya were air struck. It’s intriguing that these are not the facts that are seen on the front pages. Knowing events like these happen every day really can make someone start to question the caliber of the distress that Charlie Sheen job loss. They also might feel sympathy for him, with the law suits that he is now undergoing in order to get his position back and how challenging it must be. However, hearing about the rest of the world, they might not. Ever since the start of modern day media, celebrities like this have been steeling the spotlight, because apparently the idea that every 20 seconds a third world child dies from a water-related illness isn’t good enough for the TV screen. The saddest part of this is that most Americans don’t know that over 4,000 heros sacrificed their lives in Iraq over the past few years. Although, it is true that most Americans don’t seek out information like the global water crisis, or the deaths of our own heros, and newspapers sell what people want to read. Although, even with that being said its hard to believe that people care more about Charlie Sheen’s poor decisions than they do about our global dilemmas. Its very hard to answer why the media is what it is. When our fellow Americans are being killed over seas, Japan’s eastern seaboard is under water, and 9 percent of our nation is jobless, Charlie Sheen’s behavior continues to make the headlines. It has happened since media’s creation and will continue for many years.

THIS QUESTION IS STILL LEFT UNANSWERED

JLABMAG.COM 23

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HEALTH.

24 HI.LIFE 2011

Uncovering AcneA LOOK AT THE UGLY TRUTH OF ACNE

The chances are high for anyone who is a teenager to have some kind of acne. Eight out of every ten people have this skin

condition, but they usually wish to have some type of solution to getting rid of it. Many will try anything to get rid of their acne, but an easier way to get on the right track would be to learn more about acne. “Acne is not caused by an unhealthy diet or not washing effectively, it is a problem of swelling and inflammation,” dermatologist Dr. James Allen said. Most people have misconceptions about acne. People who love to eat fatty foods do not need to change their diet since these foods do not cause acne. The same goes with people who do not wash very often, but dirt can clog up pores on their skin which could lead to acne. The idea that stress causes acne is exaggerated as well, but it is based in reality. Even though stress does not cause acne, it can trigger flare-ups. “Acne can happen for anyone at any given age. Acne commonly occurs in teens and it can affect their self-esteem. Acne in teenagers that is left unchecked might either lead to scarring or low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety,” Dr. Allen said. There are many ways to treat acne, but the type of acne a person has determines the type of treatment needed. People with mild cases of acne should try using over-the-counter products such as Proactive or Clearasil. People with worse cases might want to seek some help from a dermatologist, which is a doctor that deals with diseases that affect the hair, skin, or nails. Even though there is no cure for acne, it is very treatable. There are many things that can be done to treat acne, but the best way to fight it is to be knowledgeable about it. When one has knowledge about the causes of acne, even the worst cases can be treated and prevented.

SOMETIMES ONLY A FEW THINGS ARE ALL THAT IS NEEDED TO IMPROVE ONE’S MOOD

Mood Changers. Many people find it hard to be in a good mood. There are a few things you can do throughout the day to improve a bad mood. One thing you can do is exercise. This releases endorphins which help improve mood.

story by Jesse Butler

story by Jennifer Rhoades photo by Ben Nazworthy

1.Eat 4-5 small meals a day. -Eating little meals decreases the chance for your blood sugar to drop, which can

cause mood swings.

2. Exercise. -This can improve your mood, because endorphins are released when you take part

in physical activity.

3. Find ways to incorporate exercise into your day. -When going places close by your house ride your bike instead of driving.

4. Eat foods that are full of Omega 3 fats. -It is found in salmon, canola oil and walnuts.

5. Walk -Walking places, is also a good way to involve exercise into your daily schedule.

6. Eat foods full of the vitamin Folate. -It is found in whole grain cereals, oatmeal, sunflower seeds and oranges.

7. Eat foods full of B12. -It is in cottage cheese, low-fat milk and eggs.

7 Ways to Improve Your Mood

Healthy Skin. Many people think that it is caused by dirty or foods with lots of fat. This is not the case however. “Acne is not caused by an unhealthy diet or not washing effectively, it is a problem of swelling and inflammation,” dermatologist, Dr. James Allen said.

HEALTH.Fit and FatA LOOK AT ONE OF THE MANY MAJOR PROBLEMS FACED BY AMERICANS

Vitamin Water or Sugar Water?VITAMIN WATER NOT ALL THAT IT IS CRACKED UP TO BE

Obesity is a major problem in this country. There are more than three

times as many fast food locations compared to 10 years ago. Even though there are many more gyms and health clubs being built across the country, many people don’t use their memberships. Here is a list of the top 25 fittest and fattest cities according to Men’s Fitness:

Fittest Salt Lake City, UT

Colorado Springs, COMinneapolis, MN

Denver, COAlbuquerque, NM

Portland, ORHonolulu, HISeattle, WAOmaha, NE

Virginia Beach, VA

story by Ronnie Thomas photo by Zac Harris

FattestMiami, FL

Oklahoma City, OKSan Antonio, TX

Las Vegas, NVNew York, NYHouston, TXEl Paso, TX

Jacksonville, FLCharlotte, NC

Louisville-Jefferson, KY

It takes much more work to get the existing weight problem taken care of. Researchers say that it comes down to the people. Citizens have to want to be fit and in shape for anything to be solved. According to fitness experts, neighborhoods should be designed so

people can get around without their cars. Many believe more federal money needs to be used for parks and bike paths. Until this progress is made, people will continue their unhealthy eating habits and reckless lifestyles.

Vitamin H20. Most would assume Vitamin Water is very healthy. In reality it is not. “It is basically Kool- Aid with a few extra minerals thrown in,” Hen House registered dietitian Jennifer Egeland said.

photo by Zac Harris

story by Tyler Robertson

A s functioning human beings, we rely on vitamins to help our bodies work properly. What simpler way to get these essential ingredients than to drink a bottle of Vitamin Water? Recent studies show that this can nearly do the opposite of what is desired. “It is basically Kool- Aid with a few extra minerals thrown in,” Hen House registered dietitian Jennifer Egeland said. “I would not even consider Vitamin Water to be a health food. It is 150 calories total which is very close to drinking a soda. The amount of exercise you would have to perform to burn that amount of calories would be close to an hour, which is almost not worth drinking the product.” It is believed by many that drinking a bottle of Vitamin Water will give an individual a full serving of vitamins. The catch here is the sugar; a single bottle of Vitamin Water has 13 grams of sugar. “There are a few key vitamins in the beverage such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12. However, they do not reach there full potential when in a beverage that consists of mostly sugar. Vitamin Water is about two parts sugar. The third part that is

left over is only water and the few minerals placed in every bottle.” Egeland said. When looking for proper mineral gain, drinking a bottle of Vitamin Water just is not the way to go. “I would not recommend this product for a few reasons. Our body utilizes food and the minerals that are in food much better than other supplements such as Vitamin Water. I think what draws people to Vitamin Water is the name. They believe that this drink is water mixed with vitamins which just is not the case. Also the minerals that are in Vitamin Water are artificial.” Egeland said. “The body recognizes natural minerals much better and will serve as a much better source in the long run.” Although Vitamin Water does not fulfill its name as a mineral supplier, there are much healthier decisions that can be made to successfully gain these vitamins. “Fruits and vegetables, the obvious, are really what is needed. Anything that is bright in color is almost guaranteed to be rich in vitamins. This includes everything from tomatoes to kiwis. As a matter of fact, one kiwi offers more than 100 percent of Vitamin C. We also recommend 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice such as Welch’s and V8. Even though it is not the actual fruit or

veggie itself, it is still much healthier than Vitamin Water. A full serving of juice is about four ounces.” Egeland said. “We even encourage the drinking of low-fat chocolate milk. In a full serving of low-fat milk, the body can gain up to nine essential vitamins. It also helps the body’s muscles recover after exercise. There are many better and more healthy alternatives to Vitamin Water.” Despite popular belief, Coca-Cola’s Vitamin Water does not accomplish its main goal in aiding the body to take in vitamins. Instead, the body ends up taking in much more than the recommended amount of sugar which is not what the consumers want to hear.

SPORTS.

26 HI.LIFE 2011

Baseball

The Tigers started their new season off with the Metro Leadoff Tournament at Legacy Park; which started on Monday, March 21. In their first game, they beat Oak Park 6-3 thanks to six hits and Oak Park’s aw-ful fielding. Jared Simmons dominated on both sides of the ball, going 2-2 with two RBI at the plate while holding the opposition to two runs in five innings. Davis McElroy also did well; driving in two. That same Monday, Lee’s Summit dominated William Chrisman in a 10-0 game that ended in the fifth thanks to the mercy rule. The Tigers were now 2-0 on the first day of the season. It was not until Wednesday that the Tigers were dealt a loss; their first coming in the initial game of a double header. Against Staley, Tigers pitching was beat up--giving up a combined eight runs on 10 hits. A Corbin Berkstresser homer in the first was not enough to pull out a win; bringing the team one loss from elimination. Later that afternoon, the Tigers played Lee’s Summit West at an extremely windy

and cold Legacy Park. Things looked good when leadoff man Corey Marcks scored in the first; but most of the game was downhill from there. When the dust settled, the score was West 9, LSHS 1. However, the team kept going, scoring four runs only minutes after they were crushed by West’s bats. They scored an-other two in the next inning. When the seventh and final inning came around, the score was 8-11. Ethan Peacock singled with one out to start the inning. Marcks singled after him. After Anthony Corona moved both runners up, Cobin Berkstresser came to the plate as the tying run with no outs left. After fouling a few off, Berktresser blasted one deep to right. With the whole team standing up in the dugout, West’s right fielder brought the ball down at the warning track. Tigers lose, 8-1 as runners looked on from second and third. So, Lee’s Summit was knocked out of the Tournament, starting the year off with a 3-2 record.

Baseball BloomingTHE NEW TIGER SEASON IS IN FULL BLOOM

Batter Up. This years baseball team is off to a great start to their season. Their first tournament was March 21. They ended up getting knocked out by Lee’s Summit West. The boys are starting their season off 3-2, for now.

NFL In FluxLOCKOUT MAY LEAD TO NO FOOTBALL SEASON IN THE FALLProfessional football, to some it’s the best sport season of the year. The Chiefs are on the rise, Jamaal Charles is in the running for the Madden 12 cover, and of course the addiction to most that is fantasy football. For so long, fans have taken football for granted. Fans probably thought about what the autumn would be like without it. Well, with a lockout looming, fans might want to start searching for an alternative this year. The main issue in the NFL lockout is an extra nine billion dollars in additional television revenue. The owners want to keep the majority of the money for themselves. The owners also want to make the already grueling regular season an extended 18 games long. Now this idea is not terrible, but with the recent rise in concussions and injuries, the NFLPA (National Football League Players Association) is strongly opposed to the changes the owners have offered. As for the NFLPA’s side of the negotiations, they would like more benefits for injured former players. Along with current

players, former players have joined in the massive filing of antitrust lawsuits against the NFL, in hopes that the sheer number of court proceedings would force the owners to end the lockout. Another key issue for football fanatics this season is that they would have to live without the the obsession that is fantasy football. Unfortunately, football season lands right as most sports end. So it looks like the already popular world of college football will get a whole lot more popular this year, it would not be a surprise if college fantasy football league memberships shoot way up if the lockout continues. Fans will be forced to accept the fact that a football free year may just be a few months in the future. Chad Ochocinco has turned to soccer, he even made the reserve team for Sporting Kansas City. So maybe fans can turn to another sport as well, perhaps cricket. Please end the lockout NFL. No one should be forced to watch cricket.

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SPORTS.Dancing With The StarsZUMBA PROVIDES A NEW DANCE WORKOUT FOR ALL AGES Many have heard of Zumba and many have not. Zumba is a latin based dance work out class for all ages. All kinds of songs are played from Hip Hop, Reggae, to Country music, just as long as their body is in motion. Instructor Lori Kleinsasser, teaches the class every Tuesday and Thursday and she loves it. “Yes, I love it! As long as we are sweaty, the more sweat the merrier. Kleinsasser has been teaching the class for four years but she has been teaching it to her fellow teachers since October. “I became an instructor because it was my goal, and I lost a lot of weight, you can burn up to 1000 calories in one session. I do the choreography and they just follow me.” With the class being more of a relaxed workout her participates lose the weight they want without even knowing. “They do not even notice how hard they have worked out until the song is over and they are pouring with sweat.” When doing her workout classes she

does not call out dance moves, she just dances. “ They que off my moves, there is always a variety of music so they never get bored. I also do not change the dance moves, I just change the playlists.” Not only does Kleinsasser like teaching the class she even gets paid for working out. “Yes, I do get paid but the participates take it for free.” They take it for free because they are teachers. They get to get the work out they want for free through the school district. They have Zumba classes world-wide. There are even Zumba classes that have the full club feeling, it has lights going as participates dance. “ It is like your not even working out, when you really are.” Mrs. Kleinsasser gets participates in all ages, and they all have different ability levels. “It does not matter if you can not dance, if you can not move your knees, or get down low. Just make the workout fit your ability level.” Many enjoy Zumba because they get the workout, without the feeling of a work out.

Water PoloANOTHER NEW SPORT COMES TO LSHS

Dance To This. With the class being more of a relaxed workout, participants lose weigh they want, without even knowing.

Treading Water. There is another new sport to Lee’s Summit, Water Polo. This new sport is not for the faint of heart. “Water polo is extremely aggressive and requires supreme endurance,” coach Jeff Grasher said.

Among the students the water polo coach Jeff Grasher will be recruiting only the best and fully motivated. Water Polo teams from other schools such as Raytown, Rockhurst, North Kansas City, and Park Hill have been playing for the past thirty years. Lee’s Summit Water Polo team will be recruited from all over the Lee’s Summit district. “I will be recruiting the best sixteen players from all three of the high schools and those players will be apart of the Lee’s Summit water polo team”, said coach Grasher. “ We will usually practice everyday after school at the Lees Summit Aquatic Center and have our games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, after school hours with some on the weekends,” said Grasher, who played for Raytown’s water polo team during high school and later played at Linenwood University and has played a total of eight years of polo. To be able to play this highly demanded sport you have to be able to keep up with the other players and have to be in good

shape to rise up in the water and get a good shot off to make some goals. “ What I usually look for in a player is commitment, willing to listen, hard worker, and they should want to better themselves, but I also prefer players that are taller”, said Grasher. In the midwest this sport is not very popular, but on the west coast and east coast its very popular with colleges like University of Southern California, University of California, University of Santa Clara, Albany University, and others. “Before we start playing our first actual games we play a team called the Kansas City Blazers who help us prepare for our season, and are actual competition will be schools such as Kansas University, Minnesota University, Raytown, and Park Hill”, said Grasher. As the year rolls on Grasher will have to be able to build his team from the bottom to the top and show that he is ready to teach the best and fully motivated, and will stop at nothing to accomplish this.

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Students from across Missouri travel to The University of Missouri to gain knowledge and win awards for their hard work throughout the year.

1.Missouri University senior Alex Roziac starts off J-Day by sharing his experience as a journalism major. 2. As students arrive on campus they are ushered into the grand Jesse Hall. 3. Instead of going to a lecture, some students opt to compete in a write off. 4.Some students choose to spend a seminar learning how to improve yearbook coverage. 5. Another seminar was called Social Media. These students were taught the importance of covering breaking news. 6. Student journalists had the chance to choose from a multitude of restaurants for lunch. Many choose to eat at Shakespeare’s Pizza, an MU favorite. 7. All three LSHS journalism programs took home awards during the ceremony which concluded J-Day.

JournalismDay

by Laina Gunsallus

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