March, 2007 - Findlay High School

Junior
Mike
Spitnale
Findlay High School’s Award Winning Newspaper Volume 84 Issue 5
Blue & Gold
Weekend Weather: Friday, Mostly Cloudy, High 45, Low 37 Saturday, Showers, High 47, Low 33 Sunday, Scattered Showers, High 52, Low 39
Bridging gaps
Musicians begin competition
By JADE MUMMERT
Choir and band are competing at the district level
this weekend in Lima at the Ohio Music Education
Association district event March 9
through 11.
All three choirs will perform
prepared selections as well as reading
sheet music.
“Our prepared pieces are solid,”
Senior Abbey Peter said. “Since
we are a large group, the only real
trouble for us is controlling our
sound and not being too loud.”
Band also plans on a strong
performance and doing their best.
“The goal is for our performers to
Junior Laura Ornella
come out feeling like they have
given it their all,” Director Tim
Mattis said. “We have to be prepared for everything.”
Groups that score a Superior (I) rating will
continue on to state in April.
New law
limits teen
drivers
By CARRIE HEIDLEBAUGH
BPA attends state conference
By BAILEY SHOEMAKER RICHARDS
Business Professionals of America (BPA)
students will attend seminars and compete at the state
conference in Columbus this weekend.
Participants will be competing in a variety of tests
and events.
“I’ll be competing in Access Database Creation,”
Junior Phillip Runion said. “We worked with it the
whole first quarter.”
BPA students going to state hope to advance to
nationals in New York City from May 9-13. The top
five competitors from each state go to nationals.
“They always do pretty well at state. We usually
send one or two to the national conference,” Adviser
Mike Magnes said.
BPA students will be tested on their knowledge of
business and marketing skills.
Mock trial heads to Columbus
By ALISHA RILEY
Mock Trial travels to the Franklin County
Government Center in Columbus, OH today to
compete at the state competition.
The team has been preparing this week to
compete against 32 other schools.
“This is the first year you had to go to
regionals, so the competition has gotten
harder,” Adviser K.C Collette said.
Mock Trial team members look
positively on the competition.
“We are a well-rounded group of
students and Mr. Collette has trained us
well,” senior Steven Kostyo said.
“We really don’t have any
expectations, but winning is always the
goal. Hopefully we can bring home a
state championship,”
State winners move on to nationals in
Senior Stephen Kostyo
Dallas, TX on May 10-12.
State next for two DECA students
By BAILEY SHOEMAKER RICHARDS
DECA Seniors Kacye Hanes and
Justin Lobdell will be competing
at the state DECA conference this
weekend in Columbus.
Lobdell will be participating
in automotive services, Hanes in
food marketing.
“I’m excited,” Hanes said.
“I’ve been doing a lot of work
outside of class to study for my
presentations and the test.”
The competition will involve
two presentations about her
knowledge of the subject matter
Senior Kayce Haynes
and a general test.
“DECA is an organization of marketing
students,” Adviser Lisa Willson said. “It’s very
exciting to have students going to state. Many
students attend every year, and they always do well .”
If the seniors place, they will go to Orlando in
April for nationals.
BG weekend
Gerard Butler stars in 300, an epic account of the
Battle of Thermopylae between the Spartans amd the
Persian army. This movie charges into theatres today.
Ready to go
Juniors
Jonette
McQueen,
Kiersten Smith
and Sarah
Little listen as
the speakers
explain the
days events.
Challenge
Day helped
students learn
to appreciate
diversity.
photo by
Ariel Waldman
Challenge Day
changes lives
By CARRIE HEIDLEBAUGH
With word of the first ever Challenge Day
rapidly spreading, the school is buzzing with
positive feedback and talk about plans for next
year’s four-day program.
A total of 113 freshmen, sophomores and
juniors participated in this year’s activities
celebrating and appreciating diversity, and the
goal is to allow more students to participate in
the program next year.
“The goal for next year is to have Challenge
Day last for four days, November 27-30,” Legg
said. “We’re going to try to filter it into health
classes so everyone will get a chance.
“We’re also hoping that students that have
already participated will be able to come back
and be leaders and help facilitate Challenge
Day with the adults.”
According to Legg, students who
participated in the day took on the challenge
to help make the high school a better place.
“Challenge Day was an extraordinary
experience,” Sophomore Principal Kelly
Legg said. “It was very obvious that Findlay
students have huge hearts.
It’s apparent that students that got the
chance to participate in Challenge Day will
work together to make Findlay High School
the school of their dreams.”
Legg said there were a number of things
that made Challenge Day a success.
“Having a very diverse group of people
helped with making it so successful,” Legg
said. “It was such an amazing experience
Please turn to page five
photo by Ariel Waldman
Speak up
Leader Jennifer Wilson explains to the group what Challenge Day
is all about. The day organized by principal Kelly Legg, which
included 113 students, was a big hit with all involved.
As one of his last pieces of
legislation, former governor
Bob Taft signed Substitute
House Bill 343, a law
prohibiting drivers under 18 to
have more than one passenger
in their car at all times.
The new law, in effect in
April, also requires passengers
in the backseat between the
ages of four and 15 to be
buckled or in an appropriate
passenger safety seat.
“If a driver under 18-yearsold is caught driving with more
than one passenger in their car,
there are a number of penalties
they can face,” Police Officer
Michael Martien said. “They
can range from a citation to
getting their license suspended.
“Once they get a citation,
there is a court date and
depending on the situation the
judge can decide to suspend
the student’s license for three
months, six months or until
they turn 18.”
Parents also can request
that their child’s license be
taken away.
“If a teen is caught driving
with more than one passenger
and gets cited for it a judge
will suspend their license,
but a parent can also request
that their child’s license be
suspended if they aren’t
obeying the law,” Martien said,
The only exclusions to the
new law are family members
and emergency situations.
“For students that need to
car pool to school or work, the
new law may pose a problem,”
Martien said. “The restrictions
can make student carpooling
difficult, however it will be
primarily up to parents to make
sure teens follow the new law.”
Students think the law has
more negatives than positives.
“The idea behind the law is
good but the law itself seems a
little naive,” Junior Tom Miller
said. “It’s doubtful that teens
will obey the law, because
driving down the road a cop
would have a hard time telling
whether someone was 18.
“Most teen drivers will get
away with having more than
one passenger in their car so
there won’t be as many people
following it.”
Although the law may be an
inconvenience, there were good
intentions when it was passed.
“The teen driving law
is meant primarily for new
drivers,” Martien said. “In
passing it, we’re hoping that
some distractions are taken
away from teens while they’re
driving so they can focus.”
Spring musical begins to take shape
By JADE MUMMERT
Final rehearsals for Children of Eden, the
spring musical, are in full swing. The 50 plus
students involved are memorizing lines, learning
dances and being fitted for costumes.
With much to accomplish before the curtain
goes up on March 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Central
Auditorium, students are on a tight schedule.
”I work on memorizing my lines at home,
along with going over songs,” Senior Renee
Bader said. “Time can’t be wasted with us
fumbling for words.”
When the full cast is together, they are able to
tell several Biblical tales like Noah and the Ark.
“I am excited about getting to know my
character, Eve,” Senior Elizabeth Betts said.
“Becoming your character is what makes the
show believable.”
The one element that brings the characters
and the show to life is the music.
Web watch
Hats off
Drumline gets high marks
Hendricks aces national test
www.sorrygottago.com
Indoor Drumline received two
third place finishes at Winterguard
International (WGI) and at a MidEast Performance Association
(MEPA) competitions last weekend,
also earning a first in Performance
Analysis due to their difficult music.
“We all were so pleased with our
scores,” Junior Kyle Hermiller said.
“We acutally went out and focused
on having fun, not numbers.”
Senior Coty Hendricks
scored a perfect score
of 100 on the Level
3 National German
Exam and is now
ranked number one
in the state. “The
exam was really
Hendricks
easy for me. I was
an exchange student in Germany
last year for seven months,”
Hendricks said. “It all just clicked.”
If you’re tired of getting stuck on
the phone with an endless talker
or telemarketer and don’t know
how how to cut the conversation
off, sorrygottago.com is for you.
Audio clips of things
like a baby crying, a
car crash or a smoke
alarm going off
eliminates the need
for you to make up
an excuse.
editorial 2
feature 3, 4, 5, 6
“The music for the show is beautiful,” Betts
said. “Steven Schwartz composed it and he also
wrote the music for Wicked, I was already a fan.”
Although many will perform on stage,
students will be busy off-stage to make sure
everything runs smoothly.
“Our set is stationary and people aren’t
needed to move a whole lot,” Set Coordinator
and Art Teacher Nancy Frankenfield said.
“However, that means the show relies more on
lighting, which students will be in charge of. It’s
a big job, but everything looks great.”
From the sets and costumes to the lights and
chorus, all students involved in Children of Eden
carry their own weight and bring originality to
the show, something that will set it apart from
other shows.
“It’s just so fun, the characters are great, the
music is great,” Betts said. “When it all comes
together, we will have a show worth seeing.”
Look up
photo by Ariel Waldman
Sophomores Becca Smoody and Boe Wank
practice a scene for the musical, Children of Eden.
The show runs March 23-25 at Central Auditorium.
Genius bar
5
things that will help you look smart today
glamorus camping, is becoming very popular, and costs up
1. “Glamping”,
to $4,000 a person at certain resorts all over the country. Hot tub included.
have been over 151 reported tornadoes in 2007, with
2. There
33 occuring in the month of March so far.
3. The phrase “March Madness” was coined by Henry V. Porter in 1939
to describe an Illinois high school basketball tourney.
4. Jeff Foxworthy’s Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?
had over 26.5
million viewers, making it the most-watched series debut in Fox history.
5. The odds of finding a four-leaf clover are one in 10,000.
sports 7
useless information 8
Foxworthy
www.google.com/images (fair use)
Friday, March 9, 2007
Blue & Gold
Friday, March 9, 2007
editorial
“The most beneficial part of Challenge Day for me was
getting to see people for who they are, getting past the
appearance on the outside,”
freshman Marc Wadsworth
2
driving
how we see it
Staff policy
New Ohio driving
law is long overdue
Blue & Gold is a
monthly student
publication for the
students of Findlay
High School. Blue &
Gold is a public forum
which is funded by
advertising.
A new statewide policy now prohibits teens under the age
of 18 to drive a car with more than one passenger that is not
a relative.
Initially, it’s not surprising that the new driving policy for
teens is causing a lot of fuss, it seems like just another ploy in
which adults limit a power or privilege for minors.
However, the idea behind the law makes it completely
justifiable and perhaps even necessary.
Any law put into effect in order to save or protect lives
cannot be argued.
Teens are the most likely group of people to be involved
in a collision or accident, largely due to distractions inside
the car and/or excess speed.
One of the only ways adults can effectively control the
number of distractions is making it a legal issue.
By decreasing the amount of people allowed in the car,
the law simultaneously lowers the amount of distractions to
the driver.
Putting an end to cars full of teens is a good idea that
should have been thought of a long time ago.
It’s an issue that hits home for this high school because of
last year’s multiple collisions, injuries and three deaths.
Perhaps the only downfall to this new bill is it would
seemingly be hard to enforce.
Many local police officials believe that the new law will
be hard to enforce because of the fact that before a young
person is pulled over, officials cannot be sure whether
passengers are not related to the driver or if the driver is
under the age of 18.
Still, the new bill is one passed purely with the intent of
keeping young people safe, and perhaps even saving lives.
Teens need to keep an open mind concerning the new law.
Although it may seem like something is being taken away,
it’s just added protection for Ohio’s young people.
Letters to the editor
As an open forum for
students, letters to the
editor are welcomed
by the staff, but we
request that they be
300 words or less due
to lack of space. All
letters must be signed.
Blue & Gold staff
reserves the right to
edit letters without
changing the meaning.
Letters may be dropped
off in room 273.
Staff editorials
All editorials without
a byline reflect at least
two/thirds opinion of
the Blue & Gold staff
but are not necessarily the opinion of the
administration.
Contact us
Blue & Gold
1200 Broad Avenue
Findlay, OH 45840
(419) 427-5474
About us
how I see it
Students should not be burdened by irrelevant classes
By ASHLEY LAZAR
One of the
luxuries of attending
a big high school
is having a large
selection of courses
to choose from when
building your schedule.
Students can pick
from not only a large
variety of electives, but
from several levels of
core classes, that range
basic to
Lessons from
college level
with
Advance
Placement (AP).
Lazar
lettersto
theeditor
Freshman upset with
scheduling process
Dear Editor,
One thing that really bothers me is the
pressure of scheduling classes. Lately, it’s
been a vice that crushes me over and over
all for something that doesn’t ever matter.
Maybe that’s a little harsh, but I am
moving after this school year and being
forced to schedule for a school that I’m
never coming back to is, well…idiotic.
I was told, “Oh, just fill out one paper,
take it to your new school, and that’s all
you’ll need to do.” That was a lie. Now I
have fill out a number of different papers
and get them signed by everyone (okay,
just my teachers and my mom), all just for
But sometimes this choice may be more
of a curse than a blessing, as many students
feel pressure from their parents, friends or
teachers to take classes that are above their
ability. Often times these classes are not
even necessary for graduation requirements
or their future career choice.
While higher level classes may look
good on college resumes, they can be
excessively stressful.
Some may take honors and AP courses
for the bonuses which get tagged on to their
GPAs when they receive anything higher
than a B in the class. But consider the idea
that you would most likely get a better
grade overall in an easier class.
Bonuses are also given for the amount
of credits earned that pass the minimum
spending one school year here.
The amount of time I would have to put
into scheduling is absolutely unncesessary.
Moving van--$70. Airplane ticket to
Minnesota--$120. Scheduling classes for a
school I’m not coming back to again—waste
of my time. Freshman Jason Brooks
Seniors should have been
included in Challenge Day
Dear Editor,
I would like to address the fact
that seniors weren’t allowed to attend
Challenge Day. Now, I understand that the
administration feels the need to improve the
appreciation for diversity in the high school,
amount for graduation (21). Unfortunately
it isn’t added to students’ GPAs until they
graduate, at a time when it is irrelevant
towards college applications.
Another topic of debate is the honors
diploma, which is given to students who
keep a 3.5 cumulative GPA, meet the
required amount of credits in each subject
and score at least a 27 on the ACT.
But what many don’t even realize is that
students who qualify for honors diplomas
don’t receive them until after graduation is
over and they have already been accepted to
college, making the honors diploma next to
useless for academic purposes.
What students may want to consider is
that the variety of electives offered at the
high school may be more beneficial in the
and that goal is completely respectable.
But, isn’t the main goal of high school to
help prepare students for the real world?
I believe that the administration should
have thought this issue through more
carefully beforehand.
Seniors are the only ones who aren’t
going to have another chance in the next
years to participate in an activity such as
this one was.
To me, it seems like the administration
was saying that it’s okay for this year’s
seniors, about to go out into the world,
keep our prejudices, assumptions and
disrespectful ideas.
It’s not okay and it’s a shame that the
administration decided to shut out some of
the most influential people in the school.
Senior Morgan Brown
long run than any honors or AP class, as
they relate more specifically to the students’
field of interest.
Electives can also be beneficial in
extending a students’ knowledge and
interests beyond that of the four core classes
(English, math, science and social studies).
Haveing a wide variety of expeprience with
different subjects is valuable in the long run.
Of course there are plenty of students
who take delight in pushing themselves
to work hard, and if that is a “personal”
choice then by all means they should be
commended for their academic efforts.
Everyone else however should take
advantage of all the school has to offer
instead of wasting their time with classes
they don’t need.
Students not trusted
Dear Editor,
One of the main reasons why students
are in schools is to prepare them for the
“real world”.
In any company setting trust in the
people you are working with is vital. This is
one of the biggest problems here at the high
school, as the staff does not place trust in
the actions of the students.
For example, when principals monitor
the hallways on Thursday mornings. Principals need to understand that students need
some time in the morning to go to their
lockers and prepare for the day.
It would benefit faculty and students
alike to have some trust in each other.
Freshman Jessica Braddock
Is the new driving law, limiting the number of teenagers in a car, fair?
Out
spoken
“Yes, driving is a
challenging new skill so
the fewer distractions,
the more the driver can
concentrate on driving,”
“Yes, drivers under the
age of 18 tend to be much
more wreckless so it’s better
to keep more peoples lives
out of danger,”
freshman
Brooke Morgan
“Yes, the driver is
responsible for
others in the car,”
senior
Doug Grack
teacher
Pat Sudlow
“No, people
should pick who they
drive with, that’s what a
license is for,”
junior
Same Pagal
“Yes, because more
people in the car create
more distractions so the
law could reduce a lot more
car crashes,”
freshman
Ethan Campbell
Blue & Gold is a
member of the
Columbia Scholastic
Press Association, the
National Scholastic
Press Association,
Quill & Scroll, the
Great Lakes
Interscholastic Press
Association, and the
Northeast Ohio
Scholastic Press
Association.
The staff
Jade Mummert
News editor
Ashley Lazar
Feature editor
Ashley Sottoway
Sports editor
Katie Kehres
Photo editor
Becca Clark
Opinion editor
Greg Corder
Advertising editor
Kristen Climes
Maggie Morehart
Ariel Waldman
Photographers
Emma Brown
Carrie
Heidlebaugh
Bailey Richards
Alisha Riley
Reporters
Will Olthouse
Emmy Strzempka
Artists
Jim McGonnell
Adviser
feature
Blue & Gold
Friday, March 9, 2007
“Buy a dress that is short and not too heavy,
so that you can easily move around and dance in it,”
senior Jaime Malloy
3
dressed to the nines
junior Dena Pregibon
senior Sara Anast
senior Kirby Loss
junior Elizabeth Busch
junior Sarah Hill
Perfect dress key to looking great at prom
By CARRIE HEIDLEBAUGH
Most little girls enjoy dressing up.
They spend their time trying on flowing
gowns and pretending to be princesses, like
Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.
Once they out grow that phase, there is
only one other time besides their wedding
day that a girl can dress like a princess.
That day is prom.
Most have their own ideas of what prom
will be like. The perfect night consists of a
hot date, tons of pictures, a fancy dinner
and dancing the night away. But for the
girls, having the right dress is what makes
it perfect.
With prom just three months away, girls
are frantically looking for the perfect dress
to make their night unforgettable. But the
question in most of their heads is which
dress is best for me?
The perfect prom dress doesn’t have
to be the most expensive, just the most
flattering and the one that makes you feel
most confident.
Remember that whichever dress you
choose you will be wearing for several
hours and you will need to be able to move
around in it.
Short and long dresses are “in” this
season and there is an emphasis on
elaborate back designs. Criss-crossing
straps, tying backs, ruching and jewel
accented back drapes are all popular styles
that will have heads turning your direction.
Popular colors for this year feature
citrus shades, including lime greens, lemon
yellows and bright oranges.
When looking for a dress, try to find
styles that accentuate what you like and
hide what you don’t.
It’s a great idea for girls to buy dresses
that show what they like about themselves,”
Junior Elizabeth Busch said. “Everyone has
a different view about themselves and their
body so it’s important to make sure you’re
not self conscious in the dress you pick.
“Worrying about your dress and how you
look can ruin the whole night.”
For girls with fuller figures, A-Line or
Empire Waist dresses are most flattering.
These styles are fuller at the bottom,
camouflaging bigger hips and thighs. Also,
dresses with simpler patterns don’t draw as
much attention to bigger areas.
Dresses with lots of bows or ruffles put
the emphasis on areas of your body that
you want to be inconspicuous, so stay away
from styles that are too busy.
Girls with petite figures may want to
gear their search for dresses towards ball
gown styles. This type of dress elongates
a short waist to make height appear
lengthened.
Petite figures go hand in hand with
small bust lines, which also look great in
ball gown style dresses with intricate details
on the body of the dress.
For an hourglass figure, a fishtail or
mermaid style dress is most flattering. It
accentuates curves in all the right places
giving you a figure that everyone loves.
These styles also look great on slim,
petite girls.
“If you can’t judge what shape your
figure is, go by height,” Sorella Bridal
Studio Co-owner Tammy Korecky said. “If
you’re shorter stay away from full dresses
or ones with an A-line cut because they can
make you appear even shorter.
“If you’re taller, you can wear basically
whatever you want that is flattering for
your body.”
If cost is a problem, there is always
an alternative to buying a new dress.
Borrowing a dress from a friend or relative
that may have only been worn once is a
great way to save money and still look like
a million bucks.
“Not buying a brand new dress helps
out a lot with prom costs in the end,” Busch
said. “So if you find a dress that you like
and that looks good on you, go for it even if
it has been worn.”
Knowing what styles work best for you
takes a little stress off shopping for the
perfect prom dress. Just keep in mind, prom
night should be all about “you,” so choose
the dress that you feel most comfortable in.
Guys don’t think you’re off the hookyou’re next. In our next issue we’ll talk
about tuxes and what’s hot for you. But
first, your dates have to get their dresses
so be patient. It’s your night to look like a
million bucks too.
Details
Earrings
Eye-catching
earrings draw
attention to a
great hairstyle
Necklace
Accentuate
your neckline
with an
elegant
necklace
Shoes
Decorative heels
give you
head-totoe glamour
Purse
A matching bag will
hold your phone
and lip gloss while
completing your outift.
Blue & Gold
“My favorite thing about post-secondary is being able to get both
high school and college credit for my classes. Having class every
other day is really nice too,”
4
junior Megan Richter
4
feature
Friday, March 9, 2007
early start
Local police
mourn death
of detective
By MAGGIE MOOREHART
University Student
photo by Katie Kehres
High school senior Caroline Solis takes Microeconomics and Black & White Photography at the University of Findlay. Solis is just one of the many high school
students who participate in the post-secondary option program.
SPEED READ
Post Secondary
Options
$.09
Average price per
minute for a
college education
$0
Price per minute
for college classes
taken through the
PSO program
11 and 12
Grades eligible to
participate in the
PSO program
1991
Year the
University of
Findlay started
participating in
PSO program
8
Number of PSO
classes students
can take at one
time at Owens
Community
College
Post-secondary classes provide options
By BECCA CLARK
For many, the transition from high
school senior to college freshman is one
full of anxiety and uncertainty. Between
college classes, professors and dorm life,
it’s easy to understand how students can
get caught in the shuffle.
For some, however, the battle is
already half-won. Students who have
taken advantage of the post-secondary
options (PSO) program while in high
school begin college with realistic
expectations of college, as well as
completed college credit that is paid for
by the school district.
“Students participating in the postsecondary options classes are gaining
dual credit,” junior guidance counselor
Greg Distel said. “Which means the
classes count for both high school and
college credit.
“These students are gaining college
credit for free, as well as free books.”
High school students are given the
opportunity to take classes at many
surrounding colleges and universities,
including Owens Community College
and the University of Findlay
Post-secondary options have been
offered for more than 10 years, still
a majority of students do not take
advantage of the program.
“By taking post-secondary options
courses, students can fulfill college
requirements that will put them ahead
in the future,” Distel said. “They can get
classes done now so they have it out of
the way.”
Not only do these students gain
academic benefits, they are exposed to
college life and the overall experience of
higher-level courses.
“PSO students gain exposure to the
college level as well as college life but in
I
‘
enjoy the looser
structure of discussionbased classtime because
it is more relaxed and
students get the chance
to bring up what they
want to talk about,”
Solis said.
a safer environment,” Distel said. “They
gain college experience in small doses
which makes the adaptation from high
school to college that much easier.”
Although college courses would
presumably be more difficult than high
school classes, that is not always the case.
“Some of the classes are harder, such
as Macroeconomics, just because it’s a lot
more in depth than what is taught here
at the high school,” Senior Caroline Solis
said. “My photography class has been
the hardest for me, because my work is
a great deal more criticized and graded
significantly harder.”
One of the major differences that Solis
notices between her high school and
college courses is the overall structure of
how classes are taught.
“College classes are self-taught,”
Solis said. “Students are expected to read
chapters outside of class and in class time
is spent more on discussions and the
professor’s interpretations.
“I enjoy the looser structure of
discussion-based classtime because it is
a lot more relaxed and students get the
chance to bring up what they want to talk
about.”
With all the benefits the program
offers, there can also be harsher
repercussions for failing a PSO class. Not
only does the class then have to be paid
for personally, but the student earns the
failing grade on both his/her high school
and college transcripts which is not a
good thing.
For this very reason, Heather
Riffle, director of graduate and special
programs at the University of Findlay,
often sees PSO students excelling in
courses, sometimes more than actual
college students.
“It’s not unusual for an instructor
to comment on how much better PSO
students do in classes,” Riffle said. “They
are out to achieve more, and face greater
consequences for failing, while college
freshman often don’t have as much to
gain or lose.”
While nearly any classes can be
taken through the PSO program, English
requirements in high school can not be
fulfilled through classes at a local college
or university.
“Some of the most popular classes
that we see a lot of high school students
take are definitely the higher level math
classes as well as psychology and general
education courses,” Riffle said.
As far as the benefits go, it’s hard
to understand why more high school
students do not take advantage of the
PSO program.
“Colleges do look at these credits
that students are earning while they’re
still completing high school,” Riffle said.
“They definitely like to see ambition and
the credits can be transferred from school
to school, and in most cases will apply
towards a student’s major.
“The PSO program boosts high school
student’s morale. It gives them a ‘hey, I
can do this’ attitude which will only help
them in the future.”
When Toledo undercover detective
Keith Dressel was shot and killed in the
line of duty, it was a shot heard around
the country.
His death came as a shock to his
family and friends as well as an entire
police force. But the Toledo Police
Department isn’t the only one affected by
the unexpected loss.
“Every place is affected. There’s a
brotherhood among police officers,” Ron
Monday, security guard and retired police
lieutenant said. “Whenever one of them
gets killed, you think of how that could
affect yourself, how it affects your family
and how it affects your fellow officers.
“Being that it’s a brotherhood, you still
consider them a friend even though you
didn’t know them.”
A group of Findlay officers attended
the funeral to support the Dressel family
and the Toledo Police Department.
“The funeral was very moving,”
Detective Sergeant Tom Blunk said. “The
relationship that police officers have
is very dfficult to explain. I never met
Detective Dressel, but yet we do the same
job. There are certain aspects of what we
do that a lot of people don’t understand,
but other police officers understand.
“Officers all over the country
build this bond, this family-like tie, so
whenever an officer gets killed, in some
respects, it’s like you’re losing a member
of your extended family.”
Police officers representing 37 states
were present at the funeral.
“Most of the police officers came
on their own time,” Blunk said. “I was
scheduled to work that day and was
allowed to attend the funeral, but a lot of
the officers were off duty.
“This was their own time and the
only thing they asked was that they go in
uniform to pay respect and show support
to the family.”
Even for those that didn’t know
the Dressel family, the experience was
very emotional.
“You start hearing about his life, his
career, things he’s done and things he’s
accomplished,” Blunk said. “You know he
was an officer, you’ve been there, you’ve
done similar things.
“We know that when we go out
there every day, there’s always a chance
something could happen, so the funeral
was difficult.”
Fallen Hero
www.google.com/images
Officers from the Toldeo Police Department line the streets during Keith Dressel’s
funeral. The funeral was held in Temperance, MI.
feature
Blue & Gold
challenge day
Challenge Day
changes lives
Friday, March 9, 2007
“Pay It Forward is an outstanding community read
because it encourages us all to do random acts of
kindness without receiving anything in return,”
teacher Becky Pfaltzgraf
5
Diary tell
By BECC
A CLARK
7:34 a.m
.
s of edito
r’s eye op
ening exp
eriences
I rolled m
y eyes wh
a group o
en I walke
f people d
d through
where everyone realized they have more in common
ancing in
the gym d
woman in
th
oors. There
e
m
a
iddle of a
re
than they thought.
d shirt kep
was
huge circle
t encourag
So while w
of chairs.
in
“It really gave students a sense of unity and they
a
g
it
them over
ing in line
A
“are you k
the microp
for my na
idd
metag, an
all stepped up to the plate to make it work.”
hone.
classes mig ing me” attitude, I
d of cours
w
e fueling m
h
a
t actually
s thinking
Even though this was Findlay’s first time
y
be better th
that a day
an whatev
o
7:40 a.m
having Challenge Day, there seem to be no
er was com f normal
.
ing.
changes that need to be made for next year.
I continue
d to weigh
group wh
m
“We don’t have anything we need to improve
y
o
p
tions in m
o was obv
y head an
iously fee
point, the
on Challenge Day itself, but as a school we can
d cau
ling the sa
re are peo
m
e skepticism ght up with a
p
le
sp
re
work on keeping the message going,” Legg said.
One group
ad throug
that I was.
hout the g
is dancing
At this
way too co
y
, most oth
“One way to do that is to set up the C.A.R.E.
ol. Then w
ers are circ m.
e
led up, arm
to leave n
were all ca
Club that we are looking into.
ow.
lled to fin
d a chair in s folded and
I’m so gla
“C.A.R.E. (Culture, Appreciation, Respect
the circle,
d that I did
too late
n’t leave.
and Education) is a club that anyone will be able
8:30 a.m
.
to join, even if they didn’t attend Challenge
The awkw
ard feeling
Day. The idea of the club is to celebrate and
games. By
lingered u
that time,
ntil after th
appreciate diversity all throughout the year,
most peop
hugged at
e first few
le knew ea
least half
activities/
not just when we have Challenge Day.”
ch other ’s
th
e
people in
Evryone fi
names and
th
e
n
g
The experience was beneficial for students
a
y
ll
m.
y let down
had
were all th
their guard
rown toge
and helped them realize they aren’t alone.
and let go
ther in a co
People be
Michael-C
of the fact
mpletely u
gan to ope
“From participating in Challenge Day I
that we
hallenge D
ncomforta
n up, talk
encourage
in
b
le situatio
g to strang
ay-2007
d while bla
learned that everyone else is just like I am in
n.
ers was fu
“
nk faces tu
b
ig
ger” or “sm
n and hug
rned into
9:30 a.m
a
ll
certain ways,” Junior Tony James said. “I’m
e
g
r”
ing was
smiles.
, everyday.
baggage,
.
and every
Everyone
not the only one with problems in my family
Games ran
one hurts
carries aro
It
to
g
sometime
o
e
und their
k
d
b
fr
e
o
tw
m
fi
e
in
en six and
rst time, m
s.
own
cr
and at school and it was cool seeing that
e
d
ib
o
ly
th
er people,
goofy to in
aybe ever,
seven hou
a
te
rs
st
co
m
n
u
to
m
a
se
d
there are a lot of other kids that have the
jority of w
ents and a
pletely “re
make con
ly serious.
T
h
e
se
hich I hav
nections w
dults alike
feelings I
al” with th
For the
put on ev
e never ta
don’t feel
ith 136
were expe
emselves
same stuff going on in their lives.”
eryday be
lked to or
with peop
It took on
and others
cted to be
fo
e
even seen
re
le
school da
and disca
I’
going to sc
v
e
People told
Challenge Day also helped students
k
n
o
u
.
wn for ye
y for me to
p sincerely
rd the ma
hool or w
their own
ars.
sk they
meet a nu
caring for
ork.
and proble
st
gain respect for others.
o
ri
e
m
th
s
b
a
e
n
er of stran
m-solving
Our proble
m, and w
ishing we
weren’t all d sincerely listened
m is not d
more com
“Because of this experience, I have a
ll for them gers and end
problem,
to others’.
owed, just
iversity. E
forting tha
th
.
v
A
a
si
e
n
t’
dvice
lent listen
ryone is d
s just the w
anything.
One of the
lot more respect for people,” Sophomore
The proble
ing, which
ifferent, th
ay it is. N
hardest pa
m
at’s not a
ca
o
is
n
o
th
n
be
acceptance
e will eve
rts of bein
rough ma
Jasmine Smith said. “People that I would
r “fix” or
There is n
.
ny things
g our age
change th
o
a
is
t
lo
o
th
n
n
e feeling th
e and keep
e person in
have probably looked at in the hall and
at.
feel unacc
1 p.m.
at we go
so many st
the whole
epted, ina
ru
sc
h
g
just thought ‘eww’ about I can now look
d
gles to ou
o
e
o
q
l
u
w
a
te
W
h
o
e are all to
or uncom
should ev
rselves.
It took on
fortable a
o much th
er have to
e activity,
at and realize that they probably have
words, in
bout the p
e same to
the Power
realize tha
te
ll
erson they
ig
b
e
e
t
li
S
n
no one go
tt
tride, for a
ce
le
o
things in their life that are tough and
th
f
o
e
are.
u
a
r peers.
ctions, bo
es through
I wish tha
ll students
There was
dies, colors
t more pe
anything
and adult
a
need respect as much as anyone else.”
li
n
o
C
,
e
a
p
h
s
d
lo
le
a
to
ra
ne.
llenge Da
would ha
issues, such
wn in the
y because
ve had the
middle of
as “have y
Students say the experience will help
what hap
opportun
the floor, a
ou ever be
were read
pened in th
ity to expe
2
n
d
en teased
p
from a pa
si
.m
tu
.
a
them spread the word and make the
ti
e gym is u
o
rience
ns and
because o
per.
If a person
n
e
f
x
y
plainable.
o
u
T
r
o
a
w
p
e
a
v
p
school a better place for everyone.
rd
e
e
r
a
s
ra
e
th
xperience
nce,”
e end, all
were to cr
d or dealt
with the m
participan
oss
“If everyone that participated in
with the si
icrophone
ts were giv
crossed ov the line. There was
tu
and make
a
en the cha
w
ti
o
a
n
e
n
s
o
r
o
t
re
th
n
o
a
n
e
th
d
e
Challenge Day this year shares what
line.
a
,
e
nce to stan
ti
th
n
ir
m
apology to
e
m
y
e
in
w
d
h
en only on
.
It didn’t ta
d up
someone
Feelings o
e person
ke long to
we learned with just a couple of our
or just say
f relief, joy,
realize we
As individ
what
e
v
h
e
a
ry
w
p
piness and
ere all mo
face in the
uals, most
friends, hopefully we’ll be able to get
own lives,
re alike th
of us spen
gym.
contentm
a
th
T
e
n
d
h
n
a
w
e
so
t
t
could be d
we don’t ta
stories sha
e thought.
much tim
the word around school,” Smith said.
carry with
rawn from
red that d
e worryin
ke the tim
almost un
them.
ay had ma
g about ou
e to find o
“If everyone does that, hopefully
fa
th
o
m
d
u
r
e
t
a
what othe
ble what h
One of the
co
n
n
o
e
w
ct
n
ions so stro
reactions.
r people
ad occurr
most enlig
students will all have a little more
ng that it
aware of th
ed. People
htening p
was
We all ma
e fact that
were stun
arts of Ch
respect for each other.”
de challen
allenge D
n
everyone
e
d by their
a
w
g
d
y
e
h
e
w
s
a
a
ls
t
fo
a
w
s
w
r
b
e
ourselves
ith proble
ecoming
had
Legg is hopeful that the high
ms, wheth
in how w
and our co experienced that da
e were go
er they’re
school will become a better
y and sha
mmunity.
ing to tak
re it with
e
I
hope we a
the rest of
environment for students, teachers and visitors.
ll continu
the schoo
e
to
l
m
eet, and ri
“If students continue to step up to the plate like they have
se above,
o
u
r
challenge
been, I’m hoping that anyone who steps foot on campus will
s.
feel welcome,” Legg said. “The experiences students get from
participating in the day, will help eliminate bullying and lack of
respect. It will make the high school a better place for everyone.”
continued from page one
SPEED READ
Read Week
Activities
March 10, 10 a.m.
Discussion with
Pay It Forward author
Catherine Ryan Hyde
at Coffee Amici
March 10, 2 p.m.
Feature event and
book signing at
Heminger Auditorium
March 14, 6:30 p.m.
Book Discussion at
Coffee Amici
March 17,12:45 p.m.
Free showing of
Pay it Forward in the
Community Room
of the library
Advisory Council sponsors Community Read Month activities
Pay It Forward author
visits freshman classes
By JADE MUMMERT
Hoping to encourage community
members to learn to read, the Hancock Read
Fund is sponsoring numerous activities to
celebrate Community Read Month.
This year’s featured novel, Pay It Forward
by Catherine Ryan Hyde was chosen by a
committee of community members from
the library, the Community Read Advisory
Council and representatives from Findlay
City Schools.
“All of us get together and talk about
books for months in advance, we compile
a list, then swap novels till we narrow it
down,” advisory council president Marty
Rothey said. “We try to chose a novel whose
author is still living, and who might consent
to coming to visit.
“It also helps if the book has been made
into a movie so it can be compared and
George House
Legacy of life
Roxie
contrasted, along with the fact that the
content is family friendly and urges people
to thing of others before themselves.”
Pay It Forward has inspired teachers and
students to do just that. English teacher
Becky Pfaltzgraf has been teaching Pay it
Forward for three years to her freshman
class, and thinks that the novel teaches a
lesson that should be taken to heart.
“It is an outstanding novel that is
focused on doing something nice for
someone else while getting nothing in
return,” Pfaltzgraf said. “The author will
be speaking to all freshman classes today,
March 9, in hopes of discussing some of the
topics in depth, and being able to apply the
book in society today.”
In fact, several students already applied
the book’s message to their daily lives.
“Pay It Forward really made me stop and
think about what I do for myself versus
what I do for others,” Sophomore Alisha
Brown said. “It always makes me smile
when someone does something nice for me,
I want to return the favor.”
With classes participating in a variety of
projects related to the novel, students are
grasping the meaning, trying to spread its
message and doing small favors for others.
“Our class gave candy and small gifts to
all the bus drivers and parents that dropped
their kids off at school one morning, just to
thank them for what they do,” Freshman
Joe Waaland said. “We wanted to do little
acts of compassion like the characters in the
book did, and to be able to experience what
they felt.”
However, Community Read Month is
not just for students.
“Over 8,555 residents of Hancock
County are classified as functionally
illiterate, meaning that simple tasks like
reading a map and balancing a checkbook
are next to impossible,” Rothey said.
“Because of this, they can’t be successful or
get a good job.”
The Hancock Read Fund helps this
issue and provides grants through the
community to organizations with literacybased projects.
“We buy hundreds of copies of the
community read book, and distribute them
to people, hoping to get them excited about
reading, “ Rothey said.” “The fund helps
with this, and organizing the events that go
along with it.”
Activities will be taking place
throughout the month to give community
members a chance to explore and discuss
the novel, from Hyde speaking at Coffee
Amici, to a free showing of the movie, Pay
It Forward starring Actor Kevin Spacey.
“Read it with a group or by yourself,
then attend an activity to further your
understanding, “ Rothey said. “Also we
featured a community children’s bookOrdinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily
Pierson. It deserves a look. This is a month
to celebrate the joy of reading.”
All Right to Read month activities can
be found at communityfoundation.com/
PayItForward.htm.
Blue & Gold
“AP classes are worth the extra effort because you can test
out of them so you don’t have to take the same class in college,”
66
4
Junior Paul VandeKoppel
feature
Friday, March 9, 2007
college credit
SPEED
READ
College credit makes AP courses appealing
The Scoop
By BAILEY SHOEMAKER RICHARDS
In a random survey,
50 AP students
answered the
following
questions about
their classes.
Why do you take
AP classes?
66% - I am interested
in the subject matter
20% - I can get
college credit by
taking the AP test
14% - It looks good
on a college resume
to have AP classes
Are you well
prepared for
the AP test(s)?
54% - Yes we’ve
been preparing
20% - We’re just
starting to get ready
13% - No, we barely
talk about it and the
teacher doesn’t
seem worried.
13% - I’m not taking
the AP test
Do you think AP
classes prepare
you for college
classes?
75% - Yes, because
the course work is
more difficult and
we’re expected to
work outside of class
16% - No, because it’s
still a high school class
4.5% - Yes, because
we get college credit
for them
4.5% - No, because
I’m not getting much
out of the class
Is your AP teacher
doing a good job?
66% - I am learning
a lot and still enjoying
the class and subject
matter
16% - They are
doing alright
9% - I’m learning,
but overworked
by the class
9% - My teachers
never stay on
task; I’m not
learning anything
Local administrators don’t share the
concerns of others around the country
about reasons students are taking
Advanced Placement (AP) classes; many
feel that students take them only for
college credit and not for the academic
challenge they provide.
Although the administration isn’t
worried, some teachers agree that
students may not take the courses based
on how challenging they are.
“One reason is because they’re
interested in the class, but many just
want a leg up for college,” AP European
history teacher David Barkey said. “A lot
of them take them just because they’ve
been taking these classes all along and just
keep going.”
Teachers and students agree with
the national perception, despite what
administrators think.
“I take them because they give
possible credit for college, and they boost
my GPA,” Junior Paul VandeKoppel
said. “They also look really good on
college applications.”
Another reason many students take
them is to have the option of testing out of
classes they don’t want to take.
“It’s a good way to be able to get credit
for classes that you don’t want to take in
college,” Junior Carolyn Lishawa said.
“I’ve taken a lot of AP classes that I don’t
like very much, so I don’t have to worry
about them when I get to college.”
Credit is one of the main reasons
students take AP classes and exams. If
a student scores high enough on the AP
test, which is graded on a five-point scale,
many colleges will award credit.
A three out of five on the exam is often
the lowest score for which credit will be
awarded. Last year, out of the 146 people
that took AP exams, 29 percent scored
a three, 28 percent earned a four and 19
percent a five.
“The biggest reason for the classes and
exam is the college credit; it’s the biggest
carrot we can dangle in front of students
and parents so that students will take AP
classes,” Junior Counselor Greg Distel
said. “You’re also getting prepared for
a college level course, and by taking the
AP tests you can find out how well they
prepare you.”
However enticing the college credit is,
students do still take AP classes offered
for purely academic reasons.
“It’s a much faster pace in AP classes,”
Lishawa said. “You don’t have to wait
for people to catch onto the concepts,
Stupid questions with Drew Metzger
Senior talks
about luck,
leprechauns
By EMMA BROWN
Crash Course
photo by Ariel Waldman
AP European history teacher David Barkey lectures his AP European History class about their latest chapter. If students do well in AP
classes and then scores high enough on the AP test, many colleges will award credit , and student will be exempt from lower-level classes.
and they don’t wait for you anyway, it’s
always just on to the next thing.”
AP classes often involve more work
than other levels of classes, and teachers
worry that students who take the classes
but are not driven to do well will suffer.
“My AP classes involve a lot more
work,” Barkey said. “I don’t collect it
often, but if students are seriously going
to try to keep up, it’s a lot of work. I can
usually tell by Christmas who is going to
do poorly on the AP exam.
“I encourage the students who ask me
for help. To make sure they keep up with
the focus questions, I assign and try to
come to class with one or two questions.”
Another concern of administrators
around the country is that students are
not adequately prepared for the AP
testing in the spring.
Whether you are truly Irish or you
just have a little luck on your side, some
people are a little more lucky than others.
Senior Drew Metzger explains his good
fortune just as he finds a dollar laying on
the floor.
EB: Are you lucky?
DM: Yes, I always find money and win
lots of contests.
EB: Describe your first encounter with
a leprechaun.
DM: Well he was a substitute teacher for
Mr. [Mark] Dickman.
EB: What does a leprechaun look like?
DM: Reddish brown hair, short, with
pointy ears, a high pinched voice and
covered in hair.
“Some of my AP classes have been
doing a good job of getting me ready
to take the exam,” VandeKoppel said.
“There are other classes that aren’t doing
so well.
“Some of my teachers are really easy
to get off track, so we don’t end up talking
about the subject as much as we should.
Others make sure that we’re learning
everything we need to for the exams.”
Not being adequately prepared for the
AP exams can be a big problem for those
who are hoping to do well enough to get
college credit. If a score isn’t high enough
to get college credit, a student loses the
money spent on the test, usually around
$80, although final grades aren’t hurt.
Besides class work, there are ways
of preparing for the AP exam, as long as
students know where to look.
EB: Do you believe red hair is lucky?
DM: No because people with red hair
never get the girl and of course I do!
EB: How do you usually celebrate St.
Patrick’s Day?
DM: Besides pinching everyone, I like
to drink a lot of root beer.
EB: Do you always wear green?
DM: No, I like to mix it up and wear pink,
but I may wear green underwear.
EB: Do you know how to dance an
Irish jig?
DM: No, it’s not my style, I am more of a
bunny hop kind of guy.
EB: If you were a leprechaun where
would you hide your gold?
“There are websites and study guides
that, coupled with the stuff we learn in
class gets you pretty well ready for the AP
test,” Lishawa said. “Some of my classes
are hardly preparing me at all, but most of
them are doing a good job.
“A couple of my teachers don’t
really know what they’re talking about
sometimes, they’ll talk about stuff that’s
not related to the class, so I feel like I’m
not learning.”
However, class time is one of the most
valuable ways to prepare.
“Students tell me their classes have
a more open atmosphere, there’s more
class participation instead of just being
lectured to by a teacher,” Distel said.
“There’s more opportunity for discussion.
It’s a good way to learn how well you are
prepared for real college classes.”
DM: In my lucky underwear drawer,
I don’t think anyone would look there.
EB: Have you ever followed a rainbow
to the end?
DM: No, I’m too lazy but I bet if I did
nothing would be there and I would be
really mad.
EB: Did you ever take a leprechaun’s
gold?
DM: Yes, but the leprechaun did a
crazy little dance and he gave me
bad luck.
EB: Do you think eating
Lucky Charms makes you lucky?
DM: No it’s an unhealthy cereal, so
I don’t think it would do you any good.
Drew Metzger
sports
Blue & Gold
Friday, March 9, 2007
“Any athlete who commits themselves to their chosen endeavor
is appreciated by those aware of their sacrifices and efforts.
When finances support bowling as a non-revenue sport, I
would enjoy bringing new student athletes into the fold,”
athletic director Jerry Snodgrass
in the lanes
6
Strike
Bowling becomes
new OHSAA sport
Teens enjoy local youth leagues
By ASHLEY LAZAR
Every Saturday morning Junior
Logan Opperman gets out of bed and
heads off to the bowling alley where
he will spend the next couple of hours
playing his favorite sport.
For Opperman, the best part of
bowling is being able to constantly
compete against yourself.
“The best part definitely is when
you beat your average, because that’s
an awesome feeling to know that you
are getting better,” Opperman said.
“Right now my average is 155, but I’m
still working on improving it hopefully
within the next month.”
Opperman is just one of many
students who have taken up bowling as
their sport of choice.
“One of my friends invited me to join
his league a couple years ago and I’ve
been on it ever since,” Opperman said.
“The league I’m in is comprised of 10
teams with about four people to a team.
“There are a total of 28 leagues that
we play against, and we bowl three
games against each of them. Whichever
team has the most wins gets first
place. Last year we got first and we are
currently tied for second.”
Sophomore Jordan Schuck is a
member of the Findlay Junior Bowling
League, and has been bowling for about
four years.
“I went one day to check it out and
they invited me to join so I did,” Schuck
said. “We practice Saturday mornings
and usually bowl around three games.
We have a coach that comes and helps us
out, and we help each other too.
“Bowling is fun because you don’t
have to be as good as everyone else to
have a good time. My best advice is just
to keep going with it even if people tell
you you’re uncool for bowling, because it
really is a great sport.”
Pat Nungester is the secretary/
treasurer for the Findlay Junior Bowling
League, and has been involved with
youth leagues for 49 years.
“I first got involved when my
kids bowled at the recreation center,
but when that shut down I headed
over to Sportsman Lanes,” Nungester
said. “This league is made of kids from
Findlay and North Baltimore and the
kids bowl on Saturday mornings.
“The bantams, which are ages five to
12 bowl two games each and the juniors
bowl three. You can bowl on the junior
team as long as you’re under 22 and not
making any money bowling for other
adult leagues.”
Many students who are in the junior
league have gotten involved by a friend
or family member who already bowls.
“A lot of the kids who are in the
junior league have parents that
bowl,” AMF Sportsman Lanes
Manager Julie Miller said. “We
also put ads in the paper
from time to time. The
current fee for the league is
around six dollars a week
right now.”
Whether you do it for fun
with friends or as part of a
competitive league, bowling
can be an exciting hobby and is
now even an official high school
sport (see related story this page).
“I probably end up bowling at least
twice a week whether it’s with my league
or just for fun,” Opperman said. “It’s just
something I love to do and it’s a fun way
to spend my time.”
junior Logan Opperman
By ASHLEY LAZAR
High school bowlers across the state now
have a much bigger trophy to take home.
Thanks to the Ohio High School Athletic
Association (OHSAA), which just added
bowling as a state sanctioned sport, these
athletes will be able to add a trophy to their
school’s showcase.
This winter students from over 180 Ohio
schools have been competing, and in March
the first ever bowling state tournaments will
be held in Lancaster, OH.
“I was president of the group who
approved bowling to be an OHSAA
sport,” Athletic Director Jerry
Snodgrass said. “For a sport to be
considered, it takes approximately
150 schools showing interest,
and we had about 180 willing to
actually participate.”
The high school doesn’t currently
have a bowling team, and the athletic
department is not actively promoting the
idea of
a school team either.
“Just like everything out there, if we have enough interest
we will look,” Snodgrass said. “If enough kids come to us with
interest we will look into the idea, but we will analyze it from
all aspects, including expense.”
But because of all the rules and regulations that come with
high school sports, some bowlers are content to compete in their
own league, independent from the school.
“All high school sports have strong regulations about
coaching specifics, and there’s a possibility some bowlers might
choose to stay with their own private league rather than play at
their school,” Snodgrass said.
Some students are confident that a bowling team would be
extremely successful.
“I’ve been bowling for four years and am on the Findlay
Junior Bowling League,” Sophomore Jordan Schuck said. “We
should start a bowling team because it’s fun and you don’t
have to be super athletic, just about anyone can do it.
“Even though I’m on a team, I would join the high school
one because it would give me more opportunities to bowl.”
Skaters prepare for 32nd annual Ice Classics
By ASHLEY SOTTOWAY
Layback spin
photo by Katie Kehres
Senior Alexis Sink practices her layback spin at The Cube for the
Silver Blades Figure Skating Club’s upcoming show. The theme of
this year’s show will be Cosmic Quest.
In two weeks The Cube will go under
its second major transformation.
On March 23-25, the inside will
be filled with shooting stars and skyilluminating storms, when the Silver
Blades Figure Skating Club presents its
32nd annual Ice Classics show, themed the
Cosmic Quest.
In order to produce a creative and
well-liked theme, Director Craig Perry
joins skaters, parents and sponsors in
hopes of creating a unique show.
“Cosmic Quest is about the dream of
becoming a star lighting the sky, Perry
said. “After running into many cosmic
storms, eventually they catch the tail of a
shooting star and become one.
“Our goal this year is to give the
audience a different feel. We want to
make this show better than the past years
and do our best to entertain.
In order to make this particular theme
possible, there are many factors that play
into the show.
“The background will set the scene
for the whole show,” Perry said. “We will
have projectors playing different scenes
and backgrounds for each number.
“Also, all the skaters have costumes
that coordinate with their groups.”
The show will include both local
skaters from Findlay, Liberty Benton
and Van Buren, as well as several local
elementary schools.
“We have skaters from the ages four to
18,” Perry said. “Having everyone come
together for the show is great, because it
gets a wide range of kids involved and
gives us a bigger audience.”
Although the members of Silver
Blades range widely in age, their five
seniors participating hope to end their
time with this program on a good note.
“Our seniors are all the main
characters in the program,” senior Alexis
Sink said. “This year is important to us
because it is our last time to perform
and we want to do our best. This is our
goodbye to the club.”
When it comes down to show time,
the skaters preparation is crucial in the
overall success of the program.
“Preparation is very important in the
ice classics,” junior Katie Kehres said.
“We spend over two months practicing
and putting the program together.
“Each skater has to know their part,
because if not everything else can be
effected. This is a lot of group work, so it
is crucial that each of us perfect our part.”
Whether it be a solo, group or
featured performance, music will be
accompanying the skaters when they take
the ice.
“We have a very wide range of music
this year for the show,” Perry said. “We
have some instrumental and the tempo
and feel of each song goes with the title
of the number.
“We have many different types of
music from techno, to slower, softer
music, even oldies and many others. The
songs aren’t all necessarily about space,
but it’s about the feel and vibe.”
Donovan leads team at state
By ASHLEY SOTTOWAY
Using her experience from the past
two years, junior Annie Donovan stood
on the podium once again for her fourth
place finish in the 50 yd freestyle (24.29
seconds) at the Ohio High School state
swimming championships.
Leading her to this success, Donovan
has gained experience and exposure from
her two previous trips to state.
“Participating my freshman and
sophomore year at state really gave me
a good starting base,” Donovan said. “I
knew what to expect going into this year
and I had a feel for how the meet ran
which helped me to swim well.
“I’ve had one particular rival for three
years now, Jenna Hillier from Upper
Arlington, who was the state champion
this year. I’ve never beaten her, but
hopefully between my experience and
work during the offseason I can make it
happen next year.”
With Donovan’s individual state
finish setting the tone for the remaining
events, she teamed up with junior Alli
Church, sophomore Amy Zelinsky and
freshman Jessica Braddock to earn an
eighth place finish in the 200 yd free relay
(1:39.43 minutes).
“I was very pleased with the relay’s
performance,” Donovan said. “Even
with losing a swimmer from last year,
and bringing in a freshman, we still
maintained our eighth place spot.”
Donovan also placed 16th in the 100 yd
free (54.36 seconds), and joined Church,
Zelinsky and junior Jenna Seuch to finish
19th in the 400 yd free relay in a time of
3:40.12 minutes.
“Our relay has worked hard all
season in hopes to not only qualify for
state, but to do well at the meet,” Coach
Jeff Wobser said. “Their performance
was a job well done, and I am proud of
their dedication and the time each of
the swimmers on the relay put into this
event. They will all be returning all of
these girls next year, so we can build
on this and hopefully move up on the
podium next season.
“Donovan overall did an outstanding
job as well, not only in the relays, but her
individual performances too. With each
year she improves, and she contributes
many great things to the team.”
Also adding to the team’s success
was the guys’ lone qualifier, senior Chris
Price, placing 20th in the 100 yd breast
stroke with a time of 1:01.28 minutes.
State placer
Junior Annie
Donovan recieves
her fourth place
medal for the 50
yd free style at the
State Swimming
Championships in
Caton. Two relay
teams, the 200 yd
and 400 yd, also
placed in the top
twenty in the state.
Blue & Gold
Friday, March 9, 2007
useless info
“I just love pinching people who don’t wear green. So everyone
better be wearing green on St. Patrick’s day or I’ll pinch you,”
junior Joel Burget
8
fun stuff
If I were a leprechaun
Woody
Hostler
If you had a pot
of gold how
would you
spend it?
“If I had a pot of
gold I would buy a
green Ferrari F430, so I could
drive down the street so fast!”
Multiple
Personality
Day
Where would you hide your
pot of gold?
Panic Day
Junior
Matt Duncan
“On top of Mount Everist of course.
People are to cold to carry that gold
down the mountain, so it would never be
stolen.”
National Potato
Chip Day
St. Patrick’s
Day
Is Lucky Charms your favorite cereal?
“Lucky Charms is definitly my favorite
cereal. I just love the way those
marshmallows melt in your mouth.”
National Goof
Off Day
Have you ever found a four-leaf
clover? Was it good luck?
“I have yet to find my first four-lear clover.
But I’m sure it’s out there somewhere just
waiting for me to find it.”
I am in
Control Day
Make Up Your
Own Holiday
Day
How would you catch a leprechaun?
“I would bribe it with some delicious
Lucky Charms cereal. There’s no way he
could resist.”
Smith’s Must List
Holiday quiz
Sudoku
Puzzle
Are you a St. Patrick’s Day expert?
1. When is St. Patrick’s Day?
A. March 17
B. March 12
C. March 16
2. What was St. Patrick’s real name?
A. Patrick O’Riley
B. Maewyn Succat
C. Thomas Easter
3. What are the three colors on Ireland’s flag?
A. Red, white and blue
B. Red, orange and green
C. Orange, white and green
Top five times two...
The luckiest charms ever
4. What is the capitol of Ireland?
A. Dublin
B. O’ Brien
C. Clover
1. Four leaf clover
2. Green horse shoe
3. Rabbit’s foot
4. Throwing salt over your shoulder
5. Charm bracelet
St. Patrick’s Day movies
5. What are the two major religions in Ireland?
A. Catholic and Protestant
B. Methodist and Christian
C. Catholic and Hindu
1. Darby O’ Gill and the Little People
2. The Secret of Roan Irish
3. The Quiet Man
4. Finian’s Rainbow
5. This is My Father
6. What reptile did St. Patrick drive out of
Ireland?
A. A Frog
B. A Crocodile
C. A Snake
7. What happened to Ireland in 1847?
A. Ireland’s Revolution
B. Potato Famine
C. First leprechaun was captured
14. Where do leprechauns put their gold?
A. At the end of the rainbow
B. At the beginning of the rainbow
C. On top of the rainbow
8. What is the name of Ireland’s lucky stone?
A. Patrick
B. Blarney
C. Stonehedge
15. What is a shamrock?
A. Four leaf clover
B. Ireland’s national flower
C. Three leaf clover
9. Which direction do Ireland windmills turn?
A. Clockwise
B. Counter-clockwise
C. Up and down
Students
“My students are my
lucky charm because
they keep me sane.”
Add up your correct answers
and see where you stand on your
St. Patrick’s Day knowlege.
10. What does the Shamrock represent?
A. Third times a charm
B. The Holy Trinity
C. The three major battles of Ireland
11. What do leprechauns fix?
A. Shoes
B. Toys
C. Good dreams
11-15: Think green, you are Irish
at heart! You might as well be a
leprechaun, so go grab your
pot of gold and hop on the
nearest rainbow, Ireland or
bust!
6-10: You may be
developing a slight Irish
accent so keep up on our
Ireland studies and you may
just meet a leprechaun, or become one, is that
stubble on your chin?
12. What does leprechaun mean?
A. Little man
B. Little boy
C. Green man
13. What are leprechauns also known as?
A. Little people
B. Elves
C. Irish Fairies
Teacher Tyler Smith
Lucky Charm
9-B, 10-B, 11-A, 12-B, 13-C, 14-A, 15-A
Do you dream of following rainbows hoping for
that pot of gold at the end? If any of these fit, you
may be Irish at heart. Take our quiz to find out:
1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-A, 5-A, 6-C, 7-B, 8-B,
Complete the grid so every row,
column and 3x3 box contains every
digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.
0-5: You do not deserve to ever wear green!
Think about going to the library to look up some
facts on Ireland, and learn to love St. Patrick!
Luckiest Person in the
World
My Students
“All my students are
lucky to have a teacher
like me.”
Favorite Green Food
Jello
“ I like the way
it jiggles.”
Chart toppers
DVDs
TV SHOWS
1
1
Babel
Babel, starring Brad Pitt,
is the story in which
a stray bullet turns into
an international crisis.
Top 10
DOWNLOADS
1
Oscars
The Academy Awards
live telecast easily
topped the charts.
“And the winner is...”
Top 10
1
Babel
1
Oscars
2
The Departed
2
3
The Prestige
4
Luckiest Time
in Your Life
Wedding
“When I got
married.”
MOVIES
1
Fall Out Boy
The Chicago boy band
stays at the top of the
charts with, This Ain’t a
Scene, It’s an Arms Race.
Top 10
Wild Hogs
A group of biker wannabes
hit the open road looking
for adventure and end up
getting more than they
bargained for.
Top 10
This Ain’t a Scene
1
Wild Hogs
$39.7 M
It’s Not Over
2
Zodiac
$13.4 M
3
Nelly Furtado
Say It Right
3
Ghost Rider
29.5 M
4
Gwen Stefani
The Sweet Escape
4
Bridge to Terabitia
$8.9 M
Road To The Oscars
27.1 M
5
Hellogoodbye
Here In Your Arms
5
The Number 23
$6.49 M
6
American Idol-Thursday
24.5 M
6
Gym Class Heroes Cupid’s Chokehold
6
Norbit
$6.4 M
Flushed Away
7
CSI
21.8 M
7
Beyonce
Irreplaceable
7
Music and Lyrics
$4.89 M
8
The Guardian
8
CSI: Miami
19.2 M
8
Fergalicious
8
Black Snake Moan
$4.14 M
9
Open Season
9
Deal or No Deal
17.6 M
9
Fergie
KT Turnstall
Suddenly I See
9
Reno 911! : Miami
$3.94 M
10 Two and a Half Men
16.6 M
10
Breach
$3.62 M
40.2 M
1
Fall Out Boy American Idol-Wednesday
30.5 M
2
Daughtry
3
Grey’s Anatomy
27.4 M Man of the Year
4
American Idol-Tuesday
5
Flags of Our Fathers
5
6
The Marine
7
10
Marie Antoinette
As listed on imdb.com for the week of March 5, 2007
As listed on nielsenmedia.com for the week of March 5, 2007
The Frey
How to Save a Life
Top 10 downloads from the iTunes store for the week of March 5, 2007
10
As listed on imdb.com for the week of March 5, 2007
Greetings from...
$11.6 M
Favorite Movie
Dumb and Dumber
“Jim Carey is great.”
New DVD Releases
WalMart
007: Casino Royal
The Holiday
Blood Trials
The Perfect Crime
Eloise: In Hollywood
1161 Trenton
Findlay, OH 45840
Open 24 hours
Favorite Shade
of Green
“I don’t really like
green that much. it
reminds me
of vegetables.”
sophomore Julie Burget