PATRIOTTHE

Fights and Fallouts/ 05

The Right to Speak/ 07

‘Tis the Season/ 08

Shawnee Mission South December/ 2011 Volume/ 46 Issue/ 04

December15: Hour 1 Final & Hours 2-7 (7:40am-2:40pm)

16: Hour 2 & Hour 3 (7:40am-11:30am)

19: Hour 4 & Hour 5 (7:40am-11:30am)

20: Hour 6 & Hour 7 (7:40am-11:30am)

21-Jan 2: WINTER BREAK

Jan 16: Martin Luther King Day [NO SCHOOL]

Jan 19: Late Start, 9:40AM

Jan 25: Come Look at South Night, 7PM

CONTENTSWEB

Current happenings in and out of school

No Shave November

Q&A

The Anatomy of a Snowman

Fantasy Football

Newfound concern for students crossing the boundaries in school

Should teachers have to give respect to get respect?

Staff writers discuss a student’s right to freedom of speech in school

Want to wish a friend a Happy Birthday? Ask someone to a dance? Or sell an old drum set?

ADVERTISE in The Patriot!Contact Shelby Johnson

ore-mail southjournalism@gmail.com

for sizes and rates!

Current happenings in and out of school

News /04

Anger Management /05

Debate /07

R-E-S-P-E-C-T /06

Newfound concern for students crossing the boundaries in school

Should teachers have to give respect to get respect?

Staff writers discuss a student’s right to freedom of speech in school

10 /ReviewsThe Patriot staff reviews recent movies and music, as well as holiday classics

12

Editor-in-ChiefDesignA&E

Alma VelazquezManaging Editor

SportsCasey Lee

NewsOlivia Feathers

OpinionsAdam Mateos

FeaturesHannah Strader

PhotosGrace Pritchett

WebHunter Young

Ads

CartoonistClaire Thomas

WritersShelby Johnson

Photographers

Web StaffAlan Cordry

Rachel RosenstockGriffin Zeller

Derek Fuhrmann

CONTRIBUTORS:

CONTENTSDEC

04

08

14

Aaron Whatley

Trevor Gariety

Trivette Knowles

AdviserJulie Fales

On the Cover:PATRIOTTHE

Fights and Fallouts/ 05

The Right to Speak/ 07

‘Tis the Season/ 08

Shawnee Mission South December/ 2011 Volume/ 46 Issue/ 04

Hayleigh Chudik

12 /Taste the SeasonStaff writer reviews local holiday beverages

13 /Ladies of the CourtGirls basketball adjusts to a change

16 /SpotlightWhen can freedom of speech turn into an issue of respect? /07

TOC /DECEMBER 2011/ 03

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY /GRACE PRITCHETT

Traditions of the Time /08 Students discuss the meaning of

the holiday season

14 /Winter SportsA look into how sports are doing this season

A display of excitement at the annual Raider talent show

04 /DECEMBER 2011/ NEWS

Students host annual holiday party for underprivileged pre-schoolers

10,115.21Canned food dr ive goal surpassed by $2115.21

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Imagine waking up on Christmas morning with no presents under the tree. If it wasn’t for STUCO’s annual Head Start party, this

would be a reality for 208 underprivileged preschoolers from the Kansas City area.

On Dec. 8 the holiday project took place in the auxiliary gym. Here, students came together to distribute gifts and spend time with the children.

STUCO doesn’t receive any kind of profit from Head Start. It is only about the kids, and making sure they have fun this holiday season.

“We just want to support the kids, and make sure that they have a good Christmas.

That’s really what the whole event is about,” sophomore Emily Searl said.

Each child received a gift that STUCO purchased at Wal-Mart. This year some presents included a hat and gloves for each kid, dolls, action figures and books donated by math teacher Jane Distler.

“We spent almost $200, but it is for the kids. And we make the presents fair so if one kid gets a book and another kid gets something cool, we make it even,” Searl said.

Along with receiving presents, there were arts and crafts for the kids to enjoy. Other activities included decorating a Christmas tree and playing basketball.

“Last year the kids just ran in and it was all hectic, but this year we [had] everything planned out,” senior Emmy Allen, the organizer of the event, said.

The students who worked on the committee achieved personal satisfaction when they helped the young children.

“It really gets me in the spirit of Christmas and just helping all the kids makes me feel like I’m doing something good for the holidays,” Allen said. “I think it makes everyone put things into perspective and makes them realize that wherever you are, there’s someone who has it worse than you do. It makes you not take things for granted.”

BY /GRIFFIN ZELLER

Social studies teachers Scott Hirons and Tony Budetti play

Wii tennis during lunch

English teacher Drew Baranowski shaved his beard

to a design voted on by students

Administrators participate in the flash mob at the winter

sports assembly

Teachers and coaches battle it out in a pie eating contest

in the cafeteria

PHOTOS BY /TREVOR GARIETY

Senior Peter Litzler shoots hoops with a pre-schooler at Head Start.

PHOTO BY /GRACE PRITCHETT

hope for the holidays

NEWS /DECEMBER 2011/ 05

Aggressive ctions

Progression, after-effects of student violenceBY /RACHEL ROSENSTOCK

Facebook, Twitter, the Internet, text messages, gossip and rumors are the main ingredients of a good recipe for angry students. The source of

a student’s anger could just be a miscommunication when all is said and done, but some act on their assumptions with violence directed towards fellow students and occasionally even teachers.

Principal Joe Gilhaus admits that fights do occur a few times throughout the year, but are not among the biggest problems at South.

“Our major issues [are] tardies; we deal with some disrespect, [and] we deal with when kids start failing,” Gilhaus said.

But when violent confrontations do occur, the administrators and teachers are prepared to handle it.

“[Teachers] are trained to get the administration, trained to get the police. But some will put that aside and some will try and stop it themselves. When there’s endangerment of students, hurting each other or someone else, that person will be restrained 100

percent legally,” Gilhaus said.The consequences of being involved in a student

fight can continue for days, weeks or months. The student will immediately be suspended for a number of days depending on the severity of the disruption and also talk to counseling about what caused the fight.

“We actually are kind of the back side of things,” Counselor Nichole Dosland said. “When a fight happens it goes up to administration, and then we hear about them and talk with the kids after, or try to at least. [We] put things in place for the future [...] and they can come down here before they feel the fight is escalating.”

Dosland also remarks that students can get involved in fights for many different reasons. Some have anger issues, some hear a rumor or gossip, and others are pushed into it by peer pressure.

“90 percent of all fights are from gossip and friends, because everybody else wants to see a fight,

and they push and push until the two are squared up nose to nose with people all around,” Gilhaus said. “Now they’re not going to back down.”

While teaching in other school districts, art teacher Fritz Buster experienced two first-hand accounts of severe student violence.

“I had a young man who cut my chest open with an X-acto knife and then we had a situation at prom where a kid was drunk and he started hitting his girlfriend and I stepped in,” Buster said.

Outbreaks like these are extremely rare at South, and nothing that severe has happened in recent history. Dr. Gilhaus feels that the South environment is one of mutual respect between the teachers and kids and confrontations between them are few.

“I think everyone needs to take care of their business,” Gilhaus said. “I think teachers need to be appropriate. I think they need to be there for their kids, teach the curriculum, reach out their hand, help them in whatever way they can.”

Spark

AdministrationPunishmentCounseling

Lead-Up FightA rude comment, deliberately hurtful action or misunderstood message

plants the idea of starting a fight in a student’s mind.

Students talk to a counselor about what caused their actions and how they can handle heated feelings in

the future.

The severity of the punishment depends on the amount of disruption

caused by the confrontation.

The students are sent to administration. Each side of the story is heard and administrators

help resolve the situation.

Two or more students are finally put face to face and start verbally or physically assaulting each other.

Friends goad and push the person further into the decision to have a

confrontation.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY /GRACE PRITCHETT

The days of “yes ma’am” and “yes sir” seem now utterly ridiculous to many of today’s teens. The growing impact youth has had on society has lent itself to a generational increase of freedom. It seems, however, that some teenagers take advantage of this freedom by applying it in a school setting where they are by nature subservient. Authority and respect—two words that should always apply to teachers—have been gradually losing their correlation with adults in schools.

Students mouthing off to faculty or arguing past a reasonable point have become such a standard part of the school day that teachers can never seem to eliminate

it completely. Just a few decades ago, these actions would not have been tolerated, even if the student claimed the teacher was being equally disrespectful. The argument of “every action deserves an equal and opposite reaction” should not be outweighed by the hierarchy that naturally exists between teachers and students.

This leads to the question, is it OK for students to assert themselves while deteriorating teachers’ much-deserved authority, simply because they feel they are victims of unfair treatment? Injustices occur daily, even for adults themselves, and retribution cannot always be sought. In other words, do teachers need to give respect to attain respect? Fact of the matter is, teachers have authority over students. It is our belief that they deserve our respect, no matter what.

Students should recognize that we are not doing a

teacher a service by listening to them, but that the teacher is doing a service to the student body by dedicating his or her life to teaching us. All of the education and training that teachers go through in order to understand how to effectively prepare kids for the long lives they have ahead of them should be more appreciated by the school community.

If students start ignoring authority figures this early in life, imagine how it will affect them in the future. College professors and future employers certainly will not be tolerant of such disrespect, and unlike high school teachers, they have more effective tools to terminate behavior that they view as out of line. Teachers work to prepare students for the future, so why shouldn’t students get a head start in training themselves to respect authority? It will only benefit them later in life.

A Matter of RespectEditorial Board

06/ DECEMBER 2011 /OPINIONS

“FACT OF THE MATTER IS, TEACHERS HAVE AUTHORITY OVER STUDENTS.

CARTOON BY /CLAIRE THOMAS

DEBATETHE

proBY /TRIVETTE KNOWLES

conBY /ALMA VELAZQUEZ

Do First Amendment Rights Carry Into School Settings?

OPINIONS/ NOVEMBER 2011/ 07

Why can’t students get the same rights in school as they would anywhere else? Students have been taught to sit down and accept what teachers say or do. But what happens when students feel threatened, insulted, humiliated, or simply put, angry, at what the teacher said? Students have been instructed to wait until after class and go to counselors and/or administrators, while teachers have the power to announce to the whole class that you have a detention or make public attempts to discipline you. Each student has to give respect to elders, but adults should have to give mutual respect to the student body.

Students’ First Amendment rights and all other rights have been suppressed for a long time. The Constitution has clearly stated that all people are created equals; it didn’t say rights apply to everyone except children grades 1-12 between the hours of 7 and 4. Nor did it stress that teenagers should wait until the end of class instead of standing up for themselves. First Amendment rights should not only be applied to adults, but to everyone, even in school or at school sponsored events.

In the case of Emma Sullivan and Governor

Brownback, Brownback’s advisers requested the apology of Sullivan for her “infamous tweet.” Well, if an adult had tweeted her statement would this story be nearly as big? Definitely not, for two reasons: if it was an adult the advisers would’ve seen it as another citizen who simply didn’t like Governor Brownback. Secondly, the school and press would not be involved. But because Sullivan was a student, she was expected to hold her tongue even though it was on her own Twitter with which the school has absolutely no association.

Not all teachers are honest, good people. Some teachers will lie to get themselves out of trouble just the same as teenagers would. Look at the scandals in Penn State and Syracuse. With each case of the sexual assault, the alleged sex offender denied all accusations made from the victims. At first everyone at each university was behind the coaches 100 percent, backing up each staff member and going on record swearing on everything that they were innocent. After investigations were done, both colleges apologized for their employees’ behavior. Even though there has not been a trial, many odds are stacked against both offenders.

It is simple to see how a teacher could lie just as these coaches did. Situations like these are the reason why First Amendment rights should be brought into school not only for students but everyone. Students should be able to stand up for themselves at any time.

As a part of the First Amendment to the Constitution, freedom of speech is an undeniable right for all. However, in certain settings, it is important to take hierarchies into consideration. School is definitely one of those settings. In order to learn, not only academically but in terms of maturity as well, it is important for students to yield a certain amount of pride and sense of entitlement to their older, wiser teachers.

Because of the new freedom given to the younger generation, this necessity is often forgotten. Not even a couple of decades ago, children and adolescents were held at a much higher standard regarding the respect and treatment of elders. A new approach in teaching that aims to get closer to students through being “friends” has proven beneficial in many ways, yet has at the same time minimized the way students view their teachers by confusing previously set boundaries.

It’s easy to exemplify the need for this sort of exception when considering situations like the military or even sports. In order to behave in a more disciplined manner and keep things running smoothly, underlings

are expected to bite their tongues in the presence of a superior, elder, or more experienced individual, even in the face of minor injustices.

The recent frenzy over a ridiculous situation involving a tweet about Kansas Governor Sam Brownback is an example of advantage taken of First Amendment rights. Shawnee Mission East senior Emma Sullivan had every right to say what she did without facing any sort of consequences, but was it really necessary? The post, more than anything an immature taunt, was not in response to a specific political grievance and did not seek any sort of change. Since the tweet was made at the time she was on a school trip, it’s easy to see why the school was embarrassed, though the gross overreaction that followed was by no means warranted.

As mentioned, freedom of speech is a right that should never be taken away under any circumstances, even for students. In fact, it is this very right that allows school publications to write about controversial, taboo topics freely and openly. However, this shouldn’t mean that students can complain for any petty wrong they feel has been done to them. It is in the students’

best interests to forego some of this freedom to their more experienced leaders. When this right is used for pointless slander and simply to disrespect is when it becomes a detriment to society.

08 /DECEMBER 2011/ FEATURES

SEASON

For many, the frigid nights and blustery weather of a Kansas winter are greatly alleviated by

the warm, imperturbable cheer of the holiday spirit. Lights, decorations and classic songs characterize the two-month period in which Americans are given time to spend with family and celebrate their respective holidays. Though it undoubtedly wields a palpable change on everyday life, the holiday season is much more complicated than often acknowledged. To begin with, it doesn’t necessarily carry the same meaning or weight for everyone. Religion, family, the undeniable commercial factor and even age have varying impacts on individuals.

WHAT IT MEANSDespite modern traditions and practices, all holidays

celebrated around this time have ancient religious roots. The Christmas tree itself wasn’t even customary until the 20th Century. Indeed, it can prove baffling to trace some of these customs to the original intent of the holiday.

When it comes to Christianity, the birth of Jesus Christ is arguably the single most important time for Christians.

“It’s a time of giving thanks to God for the blessings he’s given us,” junior Wheeler Crimm said.

This has grown to include a much more familial attitude towards the holiday. It’s commonly associated with spending time with relatives and showing appreciation to family members, though not the original intent.

Its Jewish counterpart, Hanukkah, celebrates a less significant event in regards to the religion itself.

“Our holiday [Hanukkah] is not actually a huge holiday. It just got blown up because of Christmas,” senior Shira Bernard said. “It’s not such a big holiday but it’s been really commercialized.”

This holiday, which celebrates a miracle, is actually rather contrasting with the central tribute that Christmas provides followers with, though not often realized.

This miracle occurred when the Jewish army of Maccabees fought against a king invading for territory. When their temple was pillaged and they were trapped, they only found enough oil to last them one day but in fact, it lasted eight. Just like Christmas, however, Hanukkah has grown to encompass more than just the holiday itself.

“It means time with my family,” Bernard said. These values make it easy for non-religious

individuals to get swept up into the spirit as well, though with alternate meanings behind it.

“I don’t find it meaningless because I understand what it means for other people. I just don’t think about it very much,” junior Joyce Jiang said.

Jiang, who does not believe in organized religion, feels that despite this, holidays celebrated around this time are still valuable.

Junior Mason Owen, also an atheist, is able to relate to Christmas due to the environment he grew up in.

“We call it Christmas, not in the sense of ‘I’m worshipping Jesus’ birth’ but my parents and I always get together. We buy gifts for each other with the tree and everything,” he said.

For him, the season is less about a tribute to a god or religion and more about the spirit of family.

“We like it. It makes us feel good and it’s something that we enjoy,” he said.

TRADITIONSFor many individuals, the spirit of the holiday season

depends on certain rites and rituals that they repeat year after year. These traditions provide opportunities for families to bond and get together.

Crimm is aware of the positive effect these traditions have on her family.

“There’s less arguing, it’s just about time with your family,” she said.

Some of Crimm’s favorite traditions include going to Christmas in the Park with her family.

“We always do that, just ride in the car with hot chocolate and cookies,” she said.

This light display, held at the Longview Lake campground off of I-470 contains over 300,000 bulbs and 175 animated figures. This year the display can be seen on any night until Christmas from 5:30 to 10 weeknights, 11 on weekends.

Crimm also enjoys many of the traditional Christmas

rituals such as putting up the Christmas tree, listening to Christmas music and the re-usage of tree ornaments with sentimental value.

“I have a Precious Moments one that I’ve had since I was a baby,” she said. “Inside is a little bedroom and you stick a light from the tree in it and it lights up. We also have stuff that me and my little sister have made throughout the years.”

Hanukkah is also accompanied by several characteristic traditions.

“We play dreidel, and a traditional food that we eat on Hanukkah are potato pancakes, called latkes. They’re basically fried potato pancakes,” she said. “Another traditional food is jelly-filled doughnuts.”

A dreidel, a small, top-like object, is used to play a game in which players aim to acquire the most playing pieces (chocolate, coins, etc.), determined by the outcome of the spinning dreidel.

Bernard can also connect to some of the Christmas traditions.

“We always decorate our house. How you guys do Christmas trees and Christmas lights, we just hang up our Hanukkah decorations,” she said. “To be quite honest, I love looking at Christmas lights.”

For Owen, traditional Christmas practices are still observed in his household, despite the lack of religious significance.

“We have Christmas dinners, we give Christmas presents. We don’t do anything real special or have any unique way of celebrating Christmas,” he said. “It’s just your standard getting together with family and giving gifts.”

Jiang, however, who does not celebrate a holiday at all, has very different traditions that still incorporate a family aspect.

“We eat Chinese food, not turkey,” she said.

“Sometimes we invite people over but it’s not very Thanksgiving-ish or Christmas-y.”

OVER THE YEARSMost will agree that a large portion of the holiday

spirit comes from the magic and wonder that one experiences as a child. With time, however, these impressions tend to mature to understand a deeper meaning and/or religious appreciation.

Crimm and Bernard definitely see this shift in mindset, especially considering the weight presents carry on both Hanukkah and Christmas.

“It used to be all about the presents, which, presents are still cool but it’s kind of become more about family and celebrating the birth of Christ too,” Crimm said. “It has more of a deeper meaning than just presents on Christmas Day. It’s joyful and meaningful but at the same time it’s more solemn and deep than before.”

Bernard agrees that presents have grown less and less significant to her over the years.

“I used to always count down the days until Hanukkah, I’d say mainly for the presents part, but since I’ve gotten older I’ve been able to appreciate the holiday more and not necessarily the presents that go along with it,” she said. “I can just appreciate it; all my family’s together.”

Owen, however, sees very little change in his views of Christmas.

“My perception of Christmas just as a holiday isn’t any different [from when I was younger],” he said. “Maybe I just know a little more after having more experience living in the world and talking to other people, but for me it’s not any different.”

GIVING & RECEIVING

Prettily packaged, shiny with wrapping paper, and carrying the unmistakable element of suspense, presents are a defining factor when dealing with the holiday season.

Owen believes the majority of the drive involved in the holidays lies in the commercial factor.

“It’s just a big excuse to spend lots of money to buy people nice things, to an extent. Getting stuff is number one,” he said.

He does, however, still see how giving and getting presents is meaningful for many.

“Gift-giving in general I think is fine, specifically within the context of Christmas,” he said. “But there’s a big stress on people to buy all kinds of things for all kinds of people. I feel like right now [Christmas] is almost co-opted by the opportunity to make money. But at the same time people can still find meaning in buying and giving gifts.”

Jiang agrees, and recognizes the value in not only receiving, giving gifts as well.

“I think [giving presents] really commercialized Christmas, but it started as a good idea: just to show each other how much you appreciate the family,” she said.

Crimm recognizes this value, but condemns the practice for deceiving people.

“It takes away from the real meaning of Christmas and shifts the focus to material things rather than reflecting and being thankful, and family,” she said. “It can be fun, but there can be too much of a good thing.

Bernard also sees this downside. “Sometimes it can make us into selfish, ungrateful

people, but at the same time I think it’s nice to give gifts to others. I think it’s just part of the holiday spirit. It’s just when you expect too much is when you get into problems,” she said.

THE

PHOTOS BY /TREVOR GARIETY

HOLIDAY

Christmas trees, nativity scenes and Plaza lights are part of the holiday season in Kansas City.

FEATURES /DECEMBER 2011/ 09

SEASONWHAT IT MEANS

Despite modern traditions and practices, all holidays celebrated around this time have ancient religious roots. The Christmas tree itself wasn’t even customary until the 20th Century. Indeed, it can prove baffling to trace some of these customs to the original intent of the holiday.

When it comes to Christianity, the birth of Jesus Christ is arguably the single most important time for Christians.

“It’s a time of giving thanks to God for the blessings he’s given us,” junior Wheeler Crimm said.

This has grown to include a much more familial attitude towards the holiday. It’s commonly associated with spending time with relatives and showing appreciation to family members, though not the original intent.

Its Jewish counterpart, Hanukkah, celebrates a less significant event in regards to the religion itself.

“Our holiday [Hanukkah] is not actually a huge holiday. It just got blown up because of Christmas,” senior Shira Bernard said. “It’s not such a big holiday but it’s been really commercialized.”

This holiday, which celebrates a miracle, is actually rather contrasting with the central tribute that Christmas provides followers with, though not often realized.

This miracle occurred when the Jewish army of Maccabees fought against a king invading for territory. When their temple was pillaged and they were trapped, they only found enough oil to last them one day but in fact, it lasted eight. Just like Christmas, however, Hanukkah has grown to encompass more than just the holiday itself.

“It means time with my family,” Bernard said. These values make it easy for non-religious

individuals to get swept up into the spirit as well, though with alternate meanings behind it.

“I don’t find it meaningless because I understand what it means for other people. I just don’t think about it very much,” junior Joyce Jiang said.

Jiang, who does not believe in organized religion, feels that despite this, holidays celebrated around this time are still valuable.

Junior Mason Owen, also an atheist, is able to relate to Christmas due to the environment he grew up in.

“We call it Christmas, not in the sense of ‘I’m worshipping Jesus’ birth’ but my parents and I always get together. We buy gifts for each other with the tree and everything,” he said.

For him, the season is less about a tribute to a god or religion and more about the spirit of family.

“We like it. It makes us feel good and it’s something that we enjoy,” he said.

TRADITIONSFor many individuals, the spirit of the holiday season

depends on certain rites and rituals that they repeat year after year. These traditions provide opportunities for families to bond and get together.

Crimm is aware of the positive effect these traditions have on her family.

“There’s less arguing, it’s just about time with your family,” she said.

Some of Crimm’s favorite traditions include going to Christmas in the Park with her family.

“We always do that, just ride in the car with hot chocolate and cookies,” she said.

This light display, held at the Longview Lake campground off of I-470 contains over 300,000 bulbs and 175 animated figures. This year the display can be seen on any night until Christmas from 5:30 to 10 weeknights, 11 on weekends.

Crimm also enjoys many of the traditional Christmas

rituals such as putting up the Christmas tree, listening to Christmas music and the re-usage of tree ornaments with sentimental value.

“I have a Precious Moments one that I’ve had since I was a baby,” she said. “Inside is a little bedroom and you stick a light from the tree in it and it lights up. We also have stuff that me and my little sister have made throughout the years.”

Hanukkah is also accompanied by several characteristic traditions.

“We play dreidel, and a traditional food that we eat on Hanukkah are potato pancakes, called latkes. They’re basically fried potato pancakes,” she said. “Another traditional food is jelly-filled doughnuts.”

A dreidel, a small, top-like object, is used to play a game in which players aim to acquire the most playing pieces (chocolate, coins, etc.), determined by the outcome of the spinning dreidel.

Bernard can also connect to some of the Christmas traditions.

“We always decorate our house. How you guys do Christmas trees and Christmas lights, we just hang up our Hanukkah decorations,” she said. “To be quite honest, I love looking at Christmas lights.”

For Owen, traditional Christmas practices are still observed in his household, despite the lack of religious significance.

“We have Christmas dinners, we give Christmas presents. We don’t do anything real special or have any unique way of celebrating Christmas,” he said. “It’s just your standard getting together with family and giving gifts.”

Jiang, however, who does not celebrate a holiday at all, has very different traditions that still incorporate a family aspect.

“We eat Chinese food, not turkey,” she said.

“Sometimes we invite people over but it’s not very Thanksgiving-ish or Christmas-y.”

OVER THE YEARSMost will agree that a large portion of the holiday

spirit comes from the magic and wonder that one experiences as a child. With time, however, these impressions tend to mature to understand a deeper meaning and/or religious appreciation.

Crimm and Bernard definitely see this shift in mindset, especially considering the weight presents carry on both Hanukkah and Christmas.

“It used to be all about the presents, which, presents are still cool but it’s kind of become more about family and celebrating the birth of Christ too,” Crimm said. “It has more of a deeper meaning than just presents on Christmas Day. It’s joyful and meaningful but at the same time it’s more solemn and deep than before.”

Bernard agrees that presents have grown less and less significant to her over the years.

“I used to always count down the days until Hanukkah, I’d say mainly for the presents part, but since I’ve gotten older I’ve been able to appreciate the holiday more and not necessarily the presents that go along with it,” she said. “I can just appreciate it; all my family’s together.”

Owen, however, sees very little change in his views of Christmas.

“My perception of Christmas just as a holiday isn’t any different [from when I was younger],” he said. “Maybe I just know a little more after having more experience living in the world and talking to other people, but for me it’s not any different.”

GIVING & RECEIVING

Prettily packaged, shiny with wrapping paper, and carrying the unmistakable element of suspense, presents are a defining factor when dealing with the holiday season.

Owen believes the majority of the drive involved in the holidays lies in the commercial factor.

“It’s just a big excuse to spend lots of money to buy people nice things, to an extent. Getting stuff is number one,” he said.

He does, however, still see how giving and getting presents is meaningful for many.

“Gift-giving in general I think is fine, specifically within the context of Christmas,” he said. “But there’s a big stress on people to buy all kinds of things for all kinds of people. I feel like right now [Christmas] is almost co-opted by the opportunity to make money. But at the same time people can still find meaning in buying and giving gifts.”

Jiang agrees, and recognizes the value in not only receiving, giving gifts as well.

“I think [giving presents] really commercialized Christmas, but it started as a good idea: just to show each other how much you appreciate the family,” she said.

Crimm recognizes this value, but condemns the practice for deceiving people.

“It takes away from the real meaning of Christmas and shifts the focus to material things rather than reflecting and being thankful, and family,” she said. “It can be fun, but there can be too much of a good thing.

Bernard also sees this downside. “Sometimes it can make us into selfish, ungrateful

people, but at the same time I think it’s nice to give gifts to others. I think it’s just part of the holiday spirit. It’s just when you expect too much is when you get into problems,” she said.

BY /ALMA VELAZAQUEZ

HOLIDAY

MO

VIES

New Year’s EveNew Year’s Eve is a movie that met all expectations. A crappy plot, poor character development and

overall just not very good. With so many stars it is very hard to give each actor or actress necessary screen time to amplify their talents. The only two actors who had the opportunity to do that were Sarah Jessica Parker and surprisingly enough, Zac Efron. It’s a big jump from Sex and the City and High School Musical, but they really pulled it off.

This movie was simply Valentine’s Day all over again, which Garry Marshall directed as well, but this time not nearly as good. The plot was as simple as a Disney Channel Movie just not as interesting. Not only did everyone get a happy ending, but it was as if Marshall read Cinderella before making this movie and decided that fairy-tales should be brought into movies that are trying to imitate real life. The movie Valentine’s Day had a more sophisticated plot and flowed very nicely. New Year’s Eve was a little harder to get fully focused on, and another problem was how many shots of green screen were featured. This movie was supposed to be realistic but the green screen really destroyed that objective.

However, there were good things in this flick. Seth Myers was funny as always. Halle Berry, Sofia Vergara and Jessica Biel looked like their gorgeous selves. Robert De Niro really killed the mood with his stunning acting of a dying patient suffering from cancer. He truly didn’t see the camera enough. Each character had a relatable personality that the audience could connect with.

This movie is acceptable for all audiences, but if you need to see a movie and there are other films available to choose from, go with the other choices. I recommend people wait for New Year’s Eve to come out on DVD. Watch this when everyone else on your contact list has plans, including your parents.

The SitterAs is the trend with Jonah Hill and his movies, he plays the lovable loser who is way over his head. In

his most recent installment, The Sitter, he plays Noah, a guy still living at home and not going to college, who is incredibly selfish and lazy. He decides to do a good deed and go babysit his mom’s friends’ kids so she can go out and have a good time for once. Things quickly start to spiral out of control once a girl he likes, Marrissa, calls and says that she wants him to come to a party with her. The only way he can go though, is if he takes the children he is babysitting.

Typically, the kids are crazy and very unrealistic personality wise and they do crazy things like blow up public restrooms for no reason. The Sitter is an odd movie, in the sense that it doesn’t really fit into a sub-genre of comedy movies. It’s not too raunchy and not too hilarious. During some areas of the movie it seems almost dull and pointless, then will pick back up with a couple of funny scenes, then will just die right back down with an act of pure nonsense.

For some reason, the funniest part to me was the soundtrack. It was basically all gangster rap from the mid-nineties which seems out of place when you’re watching a minivan travel through the streets of New York. The people who would enjoy this movie the most in my opinion are 12 and 13-year-old kids who think any movie that says bad words is funny, and middle-aged people that don’t normally go and see these kinds of movies. All in all, I think that it would be worth your while to see this film. Also, this is the last movie you will ever get to see a full-sized Hill, because of his incredible weight loss. Recently Hill seems to have lost 50 percent of his body weight, also, he lost 50 percent of his funniness. So enjoy it while it lasts.

10 /DECEMBER 2011/ A&E

THE LATEST IN MUSIC AND MOVIESREVIEWS:

BY /TRIVETTE KNOWLES

BY /ADAM MATEOS

CLASSICSHOLIDAY

A holiday classic about Ralphie, a boy who wants a BB gun for Christmas. There are many memorable scenes including a visit to Santa, shooting himself in the eye, having his mouth washed out

with soap and finally solving an agonized-over riddle. The story of Ralphie and his dysfunctional family as a movie that you can’t miss this holiday season, no matter how many times you’ve seen it.

A Christmas Story (1983)

BY /RACHEL ROSENSTOCK

MU

SIC

The Sitter

A&E /DECEMBER 2011/ 11

An intricate fusion of nu-metal and dubstep, Korn’s 10th studio album, The Path of Totality, was released Dec. 2 under the Roadrunner record label. Unfortunately, their attempt to assimilate themselves into the dubstep genre falls flat. Front-man Jonathan Davis describes this release as “groundbreaking” and the most inventive Korn album to date. This statement holds true to the self titled Korn released in 1994. But this new effort is just plain sad. It sounds more like a collaborative remix album that should have been tossed into the trashcan. Fortunately, dubstep fans will appreciate the collaborations with renowned artists Skrillex, Datsik, and Excision.

“Get Up!,” the first single released April 14, is the only track that truly sticks out. Skrillex’s presence dominates this track as the industrial screeches balance Davis’s vocals. Speaking of vocals, Davis appears to have decided to simply sing over a dubstep album just for kicks and giggles. Why slap the Korn name on an album that was hardly created by the band? Why have they decided to deviate so far from their original sound? There was an uprising of controversy when Davis stated that Korn was dubstep before there was dubstep. “We were dubstep before there was dubstep. Tempos at 140 with half-time drums, huge bassed-out riffs. We used to bring out 120 subwoofers and line them across the whole front of the stage, 60 subs per side. We were all about the bass,” he said. Some believe that the integration of dubstep into metal is a match made in heaven. Unfortunately for metal purists, the guitars and drums are at times suppressed by the dubstep elements. Davis

believes that they are changing the game yet again, and are appealing to the younger crowds who are apparently crying out for a new sound. Will we see an increase in the collaborations between artists of different genres? Only time will tell. The Path of Totality can be summed up as largely forgettable, boring and a testament to the nu-metal pioneers who are going to great lengths to escape the tedious sounds that their recent music possesses.

The two boys from Akron are back, and it feels good. After years of disappointment, the Black Keys struck gold in 2010 with the Grammy award-winning album Brothers. El Camino upholds this accomplishment, as they acquire a new fast paced, more energetic sound. The album was recorded in Nashville home of the Kings of Leon, and great country music where they hoped to get inspiration.

The music on the two albums is completely different. Brothers is slower and garage band-esque, while El Camino is faster and upbeat. Most of the songs are classic rock and roll: about sex, greed, desire and heartbreak. With the help of Danger Mouse [Gnarls Barkley], who helped write the hit “Tighten Up,” the Black Keys discovered a whole new sound altogether. The best song on the album, “Lonely Boy” is an addicting song with a sick guitar riff. While they haven’t gone away from their blues-rock roots, they just figured out a different way to express it like in “Little Black Submarines,” which starts out calm, but then the guitar solo runs over the lyrics and you’ll just be jamming out to the guitar. The second best song on the album, “Gold on the Ceiling,” which sounds a little bit like “Tighten Up” from Brothers, is a lot like other great Black Keys songs, with a great guitar and an awesome keyboard, also performed on Saturday Night Live.

El Camino shows the musical talent of each member on every song. Dan Auerbach plays guitar riffs reminiscent of “Deep Purple,” while Patrick Carney is rocking out on the bass. Put Danger Mouse in there with his organs drowning out the melodies, and you have an amazing performance by all. It is a party Rock ’n’ Roll album, one that is meant for the summer. The Black Keys really are not like any other band out there today. They seem to still have a “kick-ass” persona, even though they have not performed songs like this before. With their seventh album they do not disappoint, this is altogether one of the best rock albums of the year.

Black Keys: El Camino

Korn: The Path of TotalityBY /DEREK FUHRMANN

BY /GRIFFIN ZELLER

Another funny Christmas-spirit filled movie following a human who’s been raised as an elf. Raised in the North Pole, Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) travels to New York City during Christmastime to find his real

family. Buddy helps his father find real Christmas spirit, and ends up saving Santa Claus in Central Park. Fun to watch with family and friends when looking for a laugh during the holidays.

Elf (2003)

A film that explores the train ride of a young boy on Christmas Eve, who doubts the existence of Santa. He boards the Polar Express with other children and on the way to the North Pole, discovers all

different types of Christmas spirit. Once reaching the North Pole, the boy receives a gift only those who believe can hear. An inspirational movie that can easily make anyone believe in Santa Claus.

The Polar Express (2004)

Gingerbread is a well known and loved holiday flavor. This is the drink everyone waits for all year long because unfortunately, it’s only sold around the holidays. It’s an espresso with steamed milk and gingerbread-flavored syrup, topped with sweetened whipped cream and nutmeg. The first sip was a perfect combination of hot and cold. The cool of the whipped cream mixed with the hot of the coffee left a soothing sensation. This drink is nearly perfect. However, the gingerbread taste wasn’t as pronounced as it could have been. It’s hard to put down after tak-ing the first sip, it’s the kind of drink that makes you want to drink it right away and burn your tongue, rather than waiting five minutes for it to cool down first.

Steak N’ Shake is known for their milkshakes, and their holiday drinks haven’t left many unimpressed. Even if you don’t like eggnog, this drink can appeal to you. The smooth and creamy ice cream topped with tasty whipped cream not only tastes good, but looks good as well. A nice, creamy color that

makes any mouth water upon first glance. Despite the thick consistency of most milkshakes, the Eggnog milkshake is not difficult to finish. Steak N’ Shake continues to concoct impressive dessert drinks, this one is just right for the holiday season. Steak N’ Shake, just keep doing what you do.

The taste is indescribable. That doesn’t necessarily mean a good thing. Literally, there are no words to describe it. Maybe gross. Yes, the drink is inexpensive but it wasn’t even worth the mere three dollars. Though maybe good to some, it definitely wasn’t my taste. The strength of the coffee was overwhelming, and the cinnamon taste was completely lost. It tasted like a cup of straight black coffee, and even then the quality of the coffee wasn’t very good. It would’ve been better overdone than under. Cinnamon is a favorite holiday flavor. It’s hard to make something with cinnamon taste bad, but congratulations Caribou Coffee, you’ve done it.

Pumpkins make everyone think of Halloween, but does it ever remind you of Christmas? Scooter’s Pumpkin Pie Blender is the perfect example of why it should. Pumpkin pie is famous around the holidays, and a tradition for most families. Have you ever thought of drinking a

pumpkin pie? It literally tastes like a pumpkin pie blended up and made into a cold delicious drink topped with sweet whipped cream. Not only do I love whipped cream, but scooters has real, rich and creamy cream. The taste is indescribable. And I don’t even like pumpkin pie,

but this drink has stolen my heart. There are so many flavors in your mouth it’s hard to handle. I drank it in literally five minutes which ended up giving me a brain freeze, totally worth it. It was impossible to put down and I refuse to wait a whole year to have it again.

taste the seasonGINGERBREAD LATTÉ /STARBUCKS STEAK N’ SHAKE /EGGNOG MILKSHAKE

SCOOTER’S /PUMPKIN PIE BLENDER

CARIBOU COFFEE /CINNAMON WILD

PHOTOS BY/ TREVOR GARIETY

A look at popular holiday beverages

12 /DECEMBER 2011/ A&E

BY/ CASEY LEE

where to warm up:STARBUCKSNearest one on Metcalf and 89thGingerbread Latté [tall]: $4.07

STEAK N’ SHAKENearest one at 7510 W. 63rd St.Eggnog Milkshake [regular]: $3.49

CARIBOU COFFEENearest one at 8722 Shawnee Mission ParkwayCinnamon Wild [small]: $4.23

SCOOTER’S COFFEEHOUSENearest one on College and AntiochPumpkin Pie Blender [small]: $4.89

SPORTS /DECEMBER 2011/ 13

“Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their player and motivate.” —Vince Lombardi, hall of fame coach of the Green Bay Packers.

Of all people involved with an athletic group or organization, coaches are either the most prominent or the most overlooked. Every last detail of a game plan involves the approval and decisions of the coach.

Some coaches are journeymen, spending the majority of their careers transposing their talents onto multiple teams. Few spend decades in the same place, leaving a lasting legacy, and becoming the face of the program. Jerry Sloan has coached the woeful Utah Jazz for the past 23 years, and the legend Joe Paterno coached the Penn State Nittany Lions for 41 seasons.

The Lady Raiders basketball team is in the process of adjusting to a major change on the

coaching staff. Brendan Curran is in his first year as head coach, replacing 37-year veteran Ron Millard. For most new coaches, the transition to their new position can be difficult. Luckily for Coach Curran, he has had an easier time than most.

“Being familiar with the South community has really helped me, as well as knowing some of the girls beforehand through school,” Curran said.

Senior captain Emmy Allen believes that having a new coach could be beneficial to the team.

“I really like Coach Curran, he pushes us and brings a youthful fire to the team,” Allen said.

Millard’s final credentials are staggering. In 37 years of coaching he brought 17 state tournament appearances, over 450 wins, and a state championship in 1995. Needless to say, Coach Millard has garnered an exceptional reputation.

“You can’t really put [Coach] Millard’s legacy

into words; he was the only coach who has coached the team [for 37 years],” Curran said.

The one aspect that best defines a coach in terms of media perception is success.

“I feel that I was able to establish a tradition based on high expectation that all will work to be the best they can be for the team,” Millard said.

Even though it may be tough at first to adapt to Millard’s absence, the Lady Raiders will bring a fiery attitude to the Sunflower League this season and expect nothing less than success.

“We want to be competitive in every game that we play,” Curran said.

As of Monday, Dec.12, The Lady Raiders were 1-2 with the first victory being against Shawnee Mission West.

With Coach Curran at the helm, the girls will set forth hoping to establish a new chapter in the legacy of Lady Raider hoops.

New basketball coach after 37 years

Coach Curran coaching at the game against Shawnee Mission West. Sophomore Sierra Roberts charges past a defender. Curran sets up plays for the bench.PHOTOS BY /TREVOR GARIETY

creatingfor

roomcurranBY /DEREK FUHRMANN

The Shawnee Mission South and East rivalry has been a part of South’s history since the school opened in 1967. Whether it’s in clubs, sports or academics, the school rivalry is continually blaring.

A lot of pressure was put on the boys basketball team to beat East. Not only did they beat them, South completely dominated the other team. With an ending score of 55-31 the team went above and beyond to pull out an outstanding win.

“[It was] one of the best feelings in the world. It was so much fun. Especially to come off the loss on Tuesday and beat the crap out of them,” senior Eric Weber said.

With only one loss to Blue Valley North, the team is positive and hopeful for the rest of the season, and the win against East was a sweet victory for the team. Even though the game was hosted at East, that didn’t stop South fans from filling the stands.

“It was great. We couldn’t have done it without the fans,” sophomore Devin Newsome said. “They got us going.”

With chants like the “Swoope” cheer, “Let me see you get down,” and “If you’re winning and you know it...” the fans bring a certain pizazz that excites the players and makes each game unforgettable. Record: 2-1Most Memorable Moment: Beating Shawnee Mission East 55-31 at their placeStand-out Players: Dylan Christie and othersUpcoming games and What to Expect: Tuesday, Dec. 13 at Shawnee Mission North, Friday, Dec. 16 vs. Shawnee Mission Northwest- should be two good games—Coach Brett McFall

bowlingboys’ swimming

wrestling

Record: N/AMost Memorable Moment: I’ve had several state championship teams and lots of state champions.Stand-out Players: Tommy Leach, Ryan Sweat, Joe Slickman, Kenny Bergman and Will Cockriel. They have a good supporting cast. Jackson Conrad is the top diver and has already qualified for the state meet.Upcoming meets and What to Expect: Next week we will swim the top teams in the area at the SM East Invitational. After winter break is when the dual meet season really kicks into gear.—Coach Bruce Bove

First Match: First Match will be Jan. 11 at Mission Bowl N’ Olathe Stand-out Players: seniors- Eric Steffee and Jacqueline Young, juniors- Shelby Johnson and Jessie Steffee sophomores- Nia Madison Prediction for the Season: Boys team should be pretty solid. The girls team will be young and needs to be rebuilt. Biggest Challenge this Year: Making it to State!—Coach Kent Thompson

The Shawnee Mission South and East rivalry has been a part of South’s history since the school opened in 1967. Whether it’s in clubs, sports or academics, the school rivalry is continually blaring.

A lot of pressure was put on the boys basketball team to beat East. Not only did they beat them, South completely dominated the other team. With an ending score of 55-31 the team went above and beyond to pull out an outstanding win.

“[It was] one of the best feelings in the world. It was so much fun. Especially to come off the loss on Tuesday and beat the crap out of them,” senior Eric Weber said.

With only one loss to Blue Valley North, the team is positive and hopeful for the rest of the season, and the win against East was a sweet victory for the team. Even though the game was hosted at East, that didn’t stop South fans from filling the stands.

“It was great. We couldn’t have done it without the fans,” sophomore Devin Newsome said. “They got us going.”

With chants like the “Swoope” cheer, “Let me see you get down,” and “If you’re winning and you know it...” the fans bring a certain pizazz that excites the players and makes each game unforgettable. Record: 2-1Most Memorable Moment: Beating Shawnee Mission East 55-31 at their placeStand-out Players: Dylan Christie and othersUpcoming games and What to Expect: Tuesday, Dec. 13 at Shawnee Mission North, Friday, Dec. 16 vs. Shawnee Mission Northwest- should be two good games—Coach Brett McFall

sports game highlight/

sports briefs

PHOTOS BY /GRACE PRICHETT

14 /DECEMBER 2011/ SPORTS

BY /CASEY LEE

CURRENT AS OF /December 12

Record: 4-2Most Memorable Moment: Winning our dual versus Olathe East 33-32Stand-out Players: The entire teamUpcoming games and What to Expect: Johnson County Classic- to have several medalists from this 20 team invitational.—Coach Joel Rios

girls’ basketballRecord: 1 – 2Most Memorable Moment: Beating Shawnee Mission West 57 – 31 for our first victory!Stand-out Players: Seniors Emmy Allen and Taylor McDowellUpcoming games and What to Expect: Monday, Dec. 12 vs. Shawnee Mission East (Away) Friday, Dec. 16 vs. Shawnee Mission Northwest (Home- PINK NIGHT) —Coach Brendan Curran

boys’ basketball

To honor the memory of West student junior Ashton Brunmeier, students, including senior Abby Rooney, promoted the Twitter tag.

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Last chance to buy an ad in the

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“USUALLY IN A DRUM CIRCLE SOMEONE SCREAMS, SO I THOUGHT IT WAS COOL TO BE THE PERSON WHO DID IT—JUNIOR NATALIE LARSON