[Product]red - Minooka Community High School District #111

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January 23, 2007
Chicago Bears
The Big Question...
Do animal’s have
any rights?
Page 3
go far in post-season
Page 12
red
[Product]
Page 4
9tips to keep safe
Do
cliques lead to
stereotypes?
Page 6
Page 7
New to Daily Life...
Top 10
Minimum Wage
Top 8
Is Minooka getting a
Songs
of 2006
Page 9
Reality TV
Shows of
2007
Page 10
Increases
Page 4
Taco Bell?
Page 13
ORDER YOUR
YEARBOOK
see Page 13
#BXBDHKD XXXXXXXXXXXXXCWR-RT LOTXXC-D47
#2589 9452 0197825
2767IL21 A Jan07
Minooka Community High School Vol. 9, Edition 6
301 South Wabena
Minooka, IL 60447
Peace Pipe Chatter
January 23, 2007
Editor’s Note
Dear Readers:
For five years the Peace Pipe
Chatter staff has developed a
theme issue, for their first paper of
the New Year. This year the 2007
staff decided we were going to
stretch our design skills and turn
our newspaper into a format that
resembles media outlets where
MCHS students get their news
such as magazines, television,
the internet and even the school
bulletion board. Where MCHS gets
its news is the title for our theme
issue this year.
Chandell Pet and Toni Bryant
PPC Editors-in-Chief
Cover Photo:
Best friends since junior high, seniors Lexi Baldacci, Ellen Spires, and Kristin Please, hang-out and look for music
to listen to on their red iPod. They’re on their way out to lunch, wishing that there was a Taco Bell in Minooka so
that they wouldn’t have to drive all the way to Shorewood.
Photo taken by: PPC Editor-in-Chief Chandell Pet
Peace Pipe Chatter
Minooka Community High School
301 S. Wabena Avenue
Minooka, IL 60447
(815) 467-2140 Voicemail: ext. 264
ppc@mchs.net
Editors-in-Chief:
Chandell Pet, Toni Bryant
Managing Editor:
Jessica Pieszchala
Front Page Editors:
Sarah Silverman, Chandell Pet
Features Editors:
Samantha Kelley, Lauren Keers
2
Arts & Entertainment Editors:
Eric Reynolds, Steven Kelly,
Jessica Pieszchala
Advertising Manager:
Nick Condotti
Photo Editors:
Angela Mateo, Lauren Keers,
Toni Bryant
Sports Editors:
Carissa Weyer,
Jeff Beguin
News Editors:
Brandon Johnson,
Brittany Pendry
Social Chair:
Taylor Bowen
Technical Director:
Brandon Johnson, Steven Kelley
Advisors:
Mr. Matt Thomas, Ms. Laura Erion
Copy Editors:
Sarah Silverman, Allison Papp,
Taylor Bowen, Eric Reynolds
Staff Writers:
Karla Byrnes,
Megan McEvilly,
Ryan Kelley,
Amanda Alexander,
Samantha Menne,
Mark Photakis,
Kristi Lawrence
Journalism 1:
Iman Bradley, Shelby Carroll, Haley
Hetfleisch, Sarah Hiscock, Christa
Jenkins, Jacqueline Kaluzny, Victor
Lamas, Caleb Logan, Crystal Miller,
Ryan Miller, Zachary Nabor, Michael
Noe Jr., Margaret Raynor, Katelyn
Smith, Thomas Stokke, Amber Thompson, Genna Unley, Dennis Valera Jr.,
Ericka Zacek
Submission Policy:
The Peace Pipe Chatter strongly encourages suggestions and/or
responses to material printed on its pages. Letters to the Editor
should be submitted to Mr. Thomas’s mailbox or to a Peace Pipe
Chatter editor.
While submission does not guarantee publication, PPC staff
members will do their best to respond to all admissions. Submissions will not be returned. All submissions are subject to editing
and will not be printed if they are considered to be inappropriate. They must be signed but may be printed anonymously upon
request.
PPC BLOG
No More Early Dismissals...
By now most of MCHS
students know about the
recent cancellation of all the
year’s early dismissals. One
early dismissal that everyone
was looking forward to was the
day before Thanksgiving. Not
getting out early may seem
confusing to those that do not
know of the actual reason.
The reason is that it would be
illegal for students and faculty
members to get out any earlier
then we currently are.
According to the Illinois
State Board of Education, the
required amount of hours in a
school day is six hours. The
MCHS school day is about 6hours long and we attend the
same number of days as last
year. If the day is that long,
how come we are deprived
of early dismissals? The splitschedule was meant to make
accommodations, not cause
unhappiness.
If this is the case why
are we allowed to have an
early release for all three
days of MCHS final exams?
The answer to the question
Posted on: 1-23-07
Posted by: Brandon Johnson, News Editor
is because the schedule for
the finals does not overlap,
according to MCHS assistant
principal Dennis Carrabine.
Students from other schools
that are not on a split-schedule
consider MCHS students to be
lucky, but are we?
So the freshmen and
sophomores get to start
school at 9:45 a.m., but
upperclassmen have to start
even earlier. Although they do
not start at the same time, it is
still a long day for both halves,
regardless. It may be nice to
start later, but there are no
more early dismissals.
Maybe in the soon future
MCHS administration after
this article, will consider reinstating the early dismissals
that were taken away to begin
with. Everything should return
to normal when the new
campus is built in 2010. Until
then, students will just have to
become used to the changes
that come along with our new
schedule.
According to Carrabine,
there were only two scheduled
Back to Top
Send story to a friend
Animal rights, do you agree?...
According
to
the
Compassionate
Action
Institute, every day more than
38,000 animals are used to
test cosmetic products. These
products include make-up,
perfumes,
cologne,
dish
detergent, floor wax, bleach,
cleansers, air fresheners,
furniture polish, ink, correction
fluid, and glue.
Product testing has not
always existed. Up until 1938,
our nation did not have laws
on product safety testing at
all. After at least 108 deaths
and one case of blindness in
the 1930s, Congress passed
The Federal Food, Drug and
www.PPC.com/blog
Cosmetic Act. This act required
all drugs to be tested in some
way before they were marketed
to the public. This did not mean,
necessarily, that they had to be
tested on animals.
The Draize test is the most
common test used today on
animals. For this test, scientists
put products directly into the
animals’ eyes and then they
record the effects. Another
type of test is the Lethal Dose
test. This test measures how
much of a product it takes to
kill a section of animals that
they force to eat it.
Sophomore Danielle Kenney
said, “Animal testing is cruel.
Send story to a friend
Design inspired by Blabbermouth.net
view/Post Comments [1]
Posted on: 1-23-07
Posted by: Sarah Silverman, Copy Editor
How would you feel if you were
being forced to try something
when you had no idea what
it could do to you? I can say
for sure that I would definitely
not be happy! Animal testing is
despicable.”
“Animals have just as much
of a right to live as humans do.
If too many animals are killed
off with product testing, there
will not be enough animals for
our biological cycle on Earth
to continue,” said sophomore
Samantha Claysen.
Do not listen to companies
if they tell you that the law
requires them to test the
products on animals. That
Back to Top
early releases this year, and
yet they were still cancelled.
Carrabine also diagnosed the
cancellation for the two early
releases as having to do with
our split-schedule. The decision
was made internally. MCHS
teachers and administration
got together and suggested
the cancellations to principal
Mr. Bob Williams, who in turn
suggested it to superintendent
Dr. David Middleton.
is not true. Although some
companies continue testing
on animals, the law does not
require that they do.
There are ways to test
products without using animals.
Companies that do not use
animals for their testing, use
human volunteers.
on
human
“Testing
volunteers makes more sense
because some of the animals
that the products are tested on
do not function the same as
humans. There is no guarantee
that the products will have the
same affect on the humans that
buy them, as they did on the
animals that they were tested
on,” said Erin Bermingham,
sophomore.
“In my opinion, there should
be a law passed that makes
it illegal to test products on
animals.
Product
testing
is killing off animals. Our
world already has enough
endangered and even extinct
species,” said Amy Strohman,
sophomore.
Help control animal testing.
Check the labels of your
products before you use them
to see if they were tested on
animals. If you believe in animal
rights, stand up for it and only
use products that were not
involved in animal testing.
view/Post Comments [1]
3
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Photo by Toni Bryant
Dan Hoffman works at Subway in Channahon
and just recently started making minimum
wage after two years.
UPDATED: 9:27 a.m. EST, January 22, 2007
Minimum wage set to be raised
Yes, it’s true, minimum wage is being raised. More and more
states are raising their minimum wages nearly over a dollar, which
hasn’t changed in about 8 years.
“I think it’s a good idea because I think we deserve more money
for our work ethics,” explained Brandon Bateman, junior.
According to an April 2006 report from the Pew Research Center,
83% of the public favors the minimum wage being raised a full
$1.00.
“I think it’s a great idea to raise minimum wage because often
time workers aren’t paid enough for what they do,” said Sara Kruse,
senior.
Full Story on page 13
How people are reacting to the new minimum wage
LOCAL NEWS
Road construcion to better Minooka
VIEW PICTURES
For the past couple of months there have been detour signs, concrete
pipes on the side of the road, and potholes. All of this is happening right
outside the high school on Wabena Avenue.
Jim Grabowski, Administrator for the Village of Minooka, said that
they are doing construction to “replace utilities, sanitary sewers, storm
sewers, and eventually widen the street to three lanes from McEvilly to
Wapella.”
These new improvements will not only keep the water in Minooka
cleaner, but also the road widening will help traffic and prevent cars
from running off the road to avoid each other. However, Minooka cannot
expect the project finished until late summer.
“It really all depends on the weather, but regardless of when we decided to do the construction, it still would’ve run into the school year. We
do want to get it does as soon as possible, and we hope to defer the road
paving until school is out so it doesn’t effect school traffic anymore then
it already does,” said Grabowski.
4
Story Written By: Brittany Pendry
Contact Her HERE
New businesses coming to Minooka
Full Story on page 13
Jan. 23, 2007
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LATEST NEWS
TOP STORIES
MOST POPULAR
The Hanging of Saddam Hussein Video
How not to blow a job interview
First Islamic in Congress--future conflict arising?
Tyson--poor decisions may lead to jail time
18-year-old boy shot and killed a fellow student in
Washington
Bush announces to send more troops to Iraq Video
iPhone trademark causes Apple to be sued
Wishful thinking is the latest dieting trend
Britain shuts down idea to back up Bush and send in more
troops
WORLD NEWS
Saddam Hussein no longer an issue
VIDEO
On December 30, 2006, Saddam Hussein was hanged. An official
government video of the execution was released but has no sound and
ends when the noose was put around Hussein’s neck.
Less than 24 hours later a cell-phone video was released but goes
much further. The cell-phone video shows Hussein getting taunted right
before being hanged.
People start to show their anger and hate towards Hussein on his last
day. Only one person in the crowd tried to silence the taunts.
Many people don’t feel so much sympathy for the former dictator.
“I think he deserved what he got. He was much more horrible to the
people he just felt like killing,” said Chris Pansa, junior.
George Bush is flustered by the video, and said that he wished the execution had “gone in a more dignified way.”
But to end the subject, Bush said,” One thing is for certain. A horrific
chapter in Iraqi history has been closed.”
Story Written By: Taylor Bowen
Princess Di’s death not a conspiracy
Contact Her HERE
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One of the world’s biggest health problems is AIDS. Over 22 million
people have died from the Aids virus. According to Until There’s A Cure
website, there are an estimated 1 million people that are currently living
with AIDS in the United States, with approximately 40,000 new infections occurring each year.
So what can we do to keep these numbers down and bring awareness
to the public on how serious this disease is? There is a fairly new foundation called Product Red, which sells red cell phones, shirts, watches,
shoes, and ipods that raise money for AIDS. Contributions from the sale
of Product Red will go directly to the global fund to help eliminate Aids
in Africa.
The money will provide more than 40,000 people with AIDS treatment each year. For gift ideas and to help out a great cause, make sure to
Story By: Nick Condotti
check out the Product Red website.
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PPCFEATURES
interactions
Kids & Their
Cliques
In the morning, at lunch, even when you go out to the mall,
we all see social cliques, groups of people that seem to dress
and act the same. The first thing that often pops into a person’s head when they see a group of people is a stereotype.
If you see a group of kids wearing baggy black pants, and
heavy black eyeliner, a person will probably think, “there go
the creepy ‘goth’ kids.”
But are these stereotypes true?
By Sam Menne
I stayed for lunch one day
to observe social cliques. I sat
with a few tables that seemed
to be full of the most typical
high school stereotypes. I sat
with the “scene” kids, some
“preps,” a table of “nerds,” and
the “ghetto” kids. To each table
I explained I was writing an
article about cliques, and stereotypes, and to just ignore my
presence.
An anonymous junior said,
“They [emo/scene kids] scare
me. They look depressed because they wear all black, and
they only talk about music.”
I asked one of these “scene/
emo” kids what she thought
about the stereotype I had
been given about them.
Sophomore Emily Placher
said, “I don’t think scene kids
only talk about music, some
of them try too hard though. I
don’t consider myself a scene
kid, I consider myself just Emily.”
At the table of “scene,” or
“emo” kids, they were laughing
and joking around. Not very
sad and depressed like emo
kids are usually painted to be.
However, a few of them stayed
quiet with a forlorn look on their
face. A lot of people find the
“scene” crowd to be annoying,
and when they began to fling
food at each other, I could see
why.
I asked junior Nikki Collofello
what she thinks the stereotype
of a “prep” is. “I think of Abercrombie and Fitch, girls with
long hair and fake orange tans,
and guys that play sports,”
Collofello said.
6
I followed this stereotype
to junior Mitch Mueller, who
wore his American Eagle shirt
proudly, and asked him what he
thought of this stereotype.
“I dunno, I don’t think I act
stuck up that often. I don’t judge
people based on their clothes
and the way they dress only. I
don’t think I am a prep,” said
Mueller.
I sat at a table full of bleached
hair, and Hollister, Abercrombie,
and American Eagle apparel.
According to the stereotype, I
was at the “prep” table. When
I sat down everyone immediately gave me a cold stare, and
became silent. I explained why
I was there, and they let me sit
at their table, but seemed leery
of me. They did not talk much
at first, but warmed up to me
eventually. A few of the girls
were talking about homework
they failed to do for their next
class, and others talked about
boys. The “preps” were a little
nicer than their first impression,
but still fell right into their stereotype that others had often
voiced.
After that I scouted out the
“nerds.” When I sat down at
a table that seemed to have
more books than a library, the
kids looked at me quizzically.
I introduced myself, and told
them my purpose. A few went
back to their homework, but the
others talked with me about the
article. I asked one of the kids
that was doing his homework if
it was due next hour, he told me
that it wasn’t due for another
day or so. The “nerds” fell right
into the studious category, just
like everyone thinks. However,
they could hold a good conversation, so that breaks them out
of the socially incapable stereotype.
When I previously asked an
anonymous student what he/
she thought of nerds, he/she
said, “Usually they wear glasses, and their hair is kinda gross.
They are obnoxious, and only
talk about video games and the
Internet.”
Victor Alberico, senior, said
in defense of the nerds, “I feel
proud: I am a nerd, a geek, a
Trekkie. I don’t give a care
about what everyone thinks.”
Alberico then added “p43r m3,”
which he informed me is leet for
“fear me.”
When I asked an anonymous sophomore what he/she
thought a stereotypical ghetto
person would act like, he/she
said, “It depends on where you
are because the kids in Minooka aren’t really ghetto. I think
they wear baggy clothes, walk
with a limp, and listen to hardcore R&B and rap.”
Vanessia Darby, junior, said,
“Most people have been living
in Minooka all their lives aren’t
really aware of cultural differences, and all they know are
stereotypes. All I can say is that
if you broaden your horizon of
people you know, the stereotypes will start to disappear.”
Last, I sat down at a lunch
table of “ghetto” kids that was
full of South Pole shirts. I told
them why I was there, and sat
back to watch them. They were
very loud, talked very fast, and
fit the “ghetto” stereotype perfectly. However, they were a lot
nicer than most people think of
“ghetto” kids are. They smiled
at me, and included me in what
conversations they had before
the bell rang.
Overall, I found that a lot of
social cliques do perpetuate
their stereotypes. But once you
begin to talk to them, and get
to know the students in the social cliques, you begin to see
we are all just people. We are
all essentially the same, even
behind the Sean Paul t-shirts,
“scary” clothing, tons of books,
and fake tans.
What High School Stereotype
Do YOU Fit In?
WARNING: This quiz is for entertainment purposes only.
Do NOT take it seriously.
START:
You love fake tans,
or would not be opposed to getting
one
Yes
You like shopping at Hollister, and going to football
games
No
You love the color
black, and like your
jeans too tight
Yes
No
You think Jeffree Star
is attractive, or you love
Bright Eyes with a burning passion
Yes
Yes
Y o u love
pre- No
bought holes in
your jeans and wear
flip flops year round
Yes
You Are a Prep.
You love shopping
at stores like HolAmerican
lister,
Eagle, and Abercrombie, and love
getting fake tans
Your favorite radio
station
is
B96 or
KISS FM
No
Yo u
wear South
Pole,
and
large chain
necklaces
You are E m o /
Scene. You like
wearing pants too
tight for your own
good, and wear
entirely too much
eyeliner.
You like books
and Star Wars
Yes
Y o u are a Nerd.
you love Star Trek,
sci-fi in general,
and and you have
no fashion sense
to speak of. your
brilliant mind hinders your social
life.
You are Ghetto. You Love R&B and Rap
music. You enjoy wearing South Pole, baggy
clothes, Baby Phat, Ugs and large chains
Design Inspired by Cosmopolitan Magazine
YOU
YOU
YOU
I wouldn’t take the chance. Just do as
they say,” said Beeler.
5 Be Observant
9toT i p s
Keep
Safe
“Everyone should take five minutes
to read this. It may save your life or
a loved one’s life.”
By Taylor Bowen
“Everyone should take five minutes
to read this. It may save your life or a
loved one’s life.”
This is the first statement made on an
email going around the country. There
has been an increase in daytime abductions recently, and in that light emails
have been floating around with crucial
tips to follow if you find yourself in a dangerous situation.
The most popular email contains nine
tips, directed mostly to women, to follow.
From explaining how to fight back fast,
to distracting the abductor and running
in the opposite direction, these tips may
save lives.
The Peace Pipe Chatter interviewed
Sgt. Sean Beeler of the Minooka police
to see exactly how credible this email
was.
1 Use the Elbow!
Tip One (from Tae Kwon Do): The elbow is the strongest point on your body.
If you are close enough to use it, do!
Test this. Sgt. Beeler has said that
this tip is, in fact, true. Put your elbow
on a table close to you and push down.
You can push pretty hard, can’t you?
2 Toss the Purse
Tip Two (learned from a tourist guide
in New Orleans): If a robber asks for
your wallet and/or purse, do not hand it
to them. Toss it away from you... chances are that he is more interested in your
wallet/purse than you, ad he will go for
the wallet or purse. Run like mad in the
other direction.
“Do whatever they say; keep them
happy,” stated Sgt. Beeler.
Tip Five: A few notes about getting
into your car in a parking lot, or parking
garage:
A.) Be aware: look around you, look
into your car, at the passenger side floor,
and in the back seat
B.) If you are parked next to a big
van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their
victims by pulling them into their vans
while the women are attempting to get
into their cars.
C.) Look at the car parked on the
driver’s side of your vehicle, and the
passenger side. If a male is sitting alone
in the seat nearest your car, you may
want to walk back into the mall, or work,
and get a guard/policeman to walk you
back out. It is always better to be safe
than sorry. (And better paranoid than
dead.)
“Also, if something looks suspicious,
stand far away and look under your car,”
stated Beeler.
Kick out the
3 Tail
Elevator
Lights
6
Stairs
Tip Three: If you are ever thrown into
vs.
the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail
lights and start waving like crazy. The
driver won’t see you, but everybody else
will. This has saved lives.
“This is true. It will be called in as
a suspicious vehicle and they will be
pulled over. Also scream as loud as possible, especially as stops,” said Beeler.
Tip Six: Always take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect
crime spot. (This is especially true at
night!)
“Sometimes stairwells are very dark
and doors can be locked. You don’t want
to be trapped in,” contemplated Beeler.
Tip Four: Women have a tendency
to get into their cars after shopping,
eating, working, etc. and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list,
etc. Don’t do this) The predator will be
watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head and
tell you where to go. As soon as you get
into your car, lock the doors and leave.
“Do those things at home, not in your
car,” said Beeler.
*If someone is in the car with a gun to
your head, do not drive off. Instead gun
the engine and speed into anything,
wrecking the car. Your air bag will save
you. If the person is in the back seat
they will get the worse of it. As soon as
the car crashes, bail out and run. It is
better than having them find your body
in a remote location.
“I don’t know about this one. It might
work, but if you don’t have an air bag
and you are not under his control, always run! The predator will only hit you
(a running target) 4 in 100 times; And
even then, it most likely will not be a vital
organ. Run, preferably in a zigzag pattern.
“Very true. Run in a zigzag pattern,”
said Beeler.
When
4 Leave
You Enter Your 7 RUN!!!
Car
Tip Seven: If the predator has a gun
Be
8 Don’t
Symparthetic
Tip Eight: As women, we are always
trying to be sympathetic: stop. It may get
you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well-educated man, who always played on the
sympathies of unsuspecting women. He
walked with a cane, or a limp, and often
asked “for help” into his vehicle or with
his vehicle, which is when he abducted
his next victim.
“Don’t trust anybody, any strangers,”
warned Beeler.
Design Inspired By Cosmopolitan Magazine
it to the
9 Leave
Police
Tip Nine: Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a
crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was
weird. The police told her “Whatever you
do, do not open the door.” The lady then
said that it sounded like the baby had
crawled near a window, and she was
worried that it would crawl to the street
and get run over. The policeman said,
“We already have a unit on the way,
whatever you do, do not open the door.”
He told her that they think a serial killer
has a baby’s cry recorded and uses it to
coax women out of their homes thinking
that someone dropped off a baby. He
said they have not verified it, but have
had several calls by women saying
that they hear baby’s cries outside their
doors when they’re home alone at night.
Please pass this on and do not open the
door for a crying baby.
“I haven’t heard about the Crying
Baby Theory, but if you ever hear a
suspicious noise, always have the police inspect it, don’t do it yourself,” said
Beeler.
These nine tips, at some points, may
be extremely corny, but they have actually saved lives. Tell friends, family
members, pass on the message. This
world is a crazy one; stay safe.
BE AWARE!
•“One in four women
will face rape or attempted rape in their
lifetime,” Michigan State
University Self Defense
•“Teens and young
adults experience the
highest rates of violent
crime,”
crimeinfo.tv
•“74 percent of males
and 48 percent of females stated the individual who robbed
them was a stranger,”
crimeinfo.tv
•“23 percent of victims
of violent crime reported being involved
in some form of leisure activity away from
home,”
criminaldefenselawyer.com
7
YOU
YOU
YOU
BY MEGAN McEVILLY
WHY DON’T YOU...
TRICK OF THE MONTH
10 Steps To Keeping Your New
Years Resolution
1.) Think of something you need
improvement on or need to work
on
2.) Surround yourself with people that motivate you. Family
and friends can be a big help on
getting you to reach your goal.
Sophomores
Maggie
Null and Lyndsay Kooi
celebrates New Years
with streamers and party
poppers. Photo taken by
PPC Feature and Photo
editor Lauren Keers.
2007: A Year Of New Resolutions
Suggestions for your resolutions this new year.
8
“My New Year’s resolution is to spend less time
on the computer because truly my butt never
leaves the chair from the moment I get home
from school until I go to bed.
-Amanda Shanesy, Sophomore
“Last year my resolution was to stop
snakcing so much! It didn’t work though
because I was always hungry. My resolution this year is to start running three
times a week.”
-Megan Bersano, Sophomore
“My New Year’s resolution is to be a better person all around, help out more with my family and
friends, and become more self disipline and responsible.”
-Carabeth Cavins, Freshman
“I want to try and study more for final exams this semester because last time I
didn’t really study and I did pretty bad”
-Tori Tobin, Sophomore
“My New Year’s resolution is to be mature about
mistakes I’ve made, apologize to anybody I did
wrong the previous year so I can start fresh and
just be as good of a person as humanly possible,
and maybe meet some cool people in process.”
-Jacob Schmidt, Junior
“For my New Year’s resolution I really
want to try to eat healthier. Last year I
tired to be a nicer person, but it didn’t
really work out because I have a short
temper. I hope I can follow through this
year.
-Trishy Chudy, Sophomore
Design Inspired By Cosmopolitan Magazine
3.) Everyday, re-write your goal
on a piece of paper. That way
you’re reminded of your goal
daily, and it will be easier to remember.
4.) Do not change your goal. Once
you pick one resolution, stick
with it. Focusing on one goal can
make you more determind.
5.) Don’t make your resolution
too hard. The harder it is the
more likely you will be to give up
in it.
6.) Keep in mind you are making a resolution for you. Don’t let
other people’s opinions change
your mind.
7.) Also remember there is 365
days in a year. You have all that
time so don’t get discouraged,
for example if your goal is to lose
10 pounds, don’t get upset if you
don’t lose any in the first month.
8.) Don’t give up!
9.) Plan ahead. Don’t make your
resolution New Year’s Eve; plan
it out well before before then.
10.) Track your improvement.
Mark down each small step you
make it on the way of reaching
Best Of
By Sam Kelley /
Features Editor
2006: the year of out-of-control
stars. Paris, Nicole, Lindsay, and
Britney were all up to drama again
this year, except all of them weren’t
making music that made the scene in
2006. Many did, however. 50 MCHS
students were given a survey of five
genres to find out which song takes the
title of the best in each genre.
Rap was all over the place the past
year. Almost every time the radio
was on, a rap song was heard. In this
category, Chamillionaire’s “Ridin’”
and Ludacris’ “Money Maker” tied
for the title. Runner-ups include T.I.,
Bubba Sparxxx, Lil’ Jon, and Dem
Franchise Boyz.
With no surprise, the pop category
was a close race, mainly between
Justin Timberlake with “SexyBack”
and Fergie with “Fergalicious”.
Surprisingly, Fergie came out on top.
Runner-ups include Cassie, Cascada,
Rhianna, Chris Brown, Shakira, Ne-
Yo, and Cherish.
Relationship
revenge
took
precedence in the country category.
Carrie Underwood took the title after
her hit “Before He Cheats”. Trace
Adkins’ “Honky Tonk Badunkadunk”
made the battle interesting with losing
by only two votes. Steve Holy, Big &
Rich, Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney,
and Toby Keith all had a shot at being
named the best.
Pop/rock has been emerging greatly
in the last few years, and 2006 was
no exception. Panic! at the Disco
won the votes with “I Write Sins Not
Tragedies”. Others in this category
include Gnarls Barkley, Daniel Powter,
The Fray, The Racounteurs, Snow
Patrol, KT Turnstall, and OK GO!
Punk/rock showed that it can keep
up with the popularity of pop/rock
this year with the near tie for the title.
Hinder’s “Lips of an Angel” and Taking
Back Sunday’s “MakeDamnSure” were
tied until the last vote, which went in
Hinder’s favor. Other runner-ups in
this category include The Killers, AFI,
My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy,
Blue October, and The Red Hot Chili
Peppers.
2006 had a lot of hits in every genre.
However, the song from the survey
that accumulated the most votes was
“Fergalicious”, totaling 18.
“Fergalicioius’ is the best song of
2006. It has a great beat, and always
makes me want to dance,” said Stefanie
Stout, freshman.
“The beat’s really catchy, but the
lyrics are kind of cocky. But, I don’t
care; I still like the song a lot,” said
Erin Murry, freshman.
“I don’t really like it, so to speak,
the beat just gets stuck in my head,”
said Dominic Moretti, sophomore.
However you feel about it,
“Fergalicious” has been voted the best
song of 2006 by MCHS students.
2006
All-American Rejects loved Chicago...
by Ryan Kelley / Staff Writer
Panic! at the Disco
Carrie Underwood
music
Page 9
...And Chicago loved them
December 19, 2006: The day the All-American Rejects
played at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. People
waited in the lines to get in to the concert for 3 or
more hours. The doors opened at 6 p.m. and the show
started at 7 p.m. When they
finally
let
people
in, it was a herd of
people running to get
to the front row so
they could stand and wait
for all the bands to finish so
they could see the All-American
Rejects. The Format, Boys Like Girls,
and Motion City Soundtrack were the
bands that played before them.
Every one was waiting anxiously to
see Tyson Ritter and the rest of the band.
The Aragon Ballroom was sold out, and you
couldn’t even move because there were so many
people there. People were jumping up and down
just waiting to see their favorite band perform.
It was about 9:30 P.M. when all of the opening
bands we’re done playing, and the All-American
Rejects came out and began at 10:00 P.M. They
were pumping the crowd up and all the girls were going
crazy over Ritter.
The All-American Rejects were getting into it a lot and
having fun with everyone else in the crowd. The songs
they played were “Paper Heart,” “Your Star,” “Swing
Swing,” “Time Stands Still,” “One More Sad Song,”
“Why Worry,” “Drive Away,” “Last Song,” “Dirty
Little Secret,” “Stab My Back,” “Move Along,” “Night
Drive,” “It Ends Tonight,” “Dance Inside,” and “Top
of the World.” They picked a lot of good songs to play
because everyone in the crowd knew them and were
singing along to them all night.
While they were playing, they had some technical
difficulties, and Ritter and guitarist Nick Wheeler went to
a separate stage and played an acoustic show for everyone.
Songs they played were “Too Far Gone,” “Happy Endings,”
and “Can’t Take It.” After everything was fixed, they went
back on the other to stage to continue the show for all of
their fans. When the show was over, everyone cheered
for the All-American Rejects for a really long time.
As the band left the stage, the whole crowd was
chanting “one more song,” repeatedly, hoping that
they would come out and play another song. Every
started to leave, assuming that they weren’t coming
back, but then they came back out, and started
playing their hit song “Move Along”. This made
everyone really excited and people ran for their
lives back to the concert floor to see the AllAmerican Rejects play their final song, and
were really happy that they loved Chicago
enough to come back and play another song
for them.
TELEVISION
Page 10
The Reality Report
by Eric Reynolds, PPC A&E Editor
After an almost inevitable demise
for network reality television, it looks
as if things are once again changing.
First, NBC reveals its plan to save
money by producing much cheaper
“reality” television. Then, ABC learns
that its smash hit Lost is gradually
losing viewers. Quite possibly the best
news to date, the icing on the cake, is
that Fox’s only adolescent outlet The
O.C. only has one more month left to
live. Reality television fans throughout,
2007 looks to be promising!
Celebrity Big
Brother 5, BBC Channel 4.
In seasons past, this show has attracted
34 demographic. With eight more
beautiful but intellectually weak girls,
and eight more super smart but socially
awkward guys, this season proves to
teach everyone a little something about
the pitfalls of being judgmental.
The Apprentice
6, NBC. This season, “the Donald,”
the candidates, and my personal hero,
Ivanka Trump, have moved to L.A.
to decide which contestant deserves a
spot in his organization. However, the
premiere started off with a shocker,
as the losing team now has to live
outside until they win a task, while the
winning team moves into a luxurious
mansion right behind Mr. Trump’s.
Die-hard Trump fans were even treated
to a segment including Trump’s wife,
Melania, and his infant son, Baron.
The Surreal Life:
Fame Games, VH1.
such celebrities as Jackie Stallone,
Caprice, Brigitte Nielson, Dennis
Rodman, Traci Bingham, and “You
Spin Me Right Round (Like a Record)”
singer Pete Burns. The often ridiculous,
spontaneity of the show is what keeps
those who covet the BBC Channel 4
begging for more. This time, we are
treated to Jermaine Jackson, brother
of Michael, Ex-Miss Great Britain
Danielle Lloyd, and The A*Team’s
Dirk Benedict, among others. Watching
the celebrities 24/7 can be quite tedious,
but the access is offered to those who
cannot live without it. By the end of
the series in February, the viewers will
choose one of the celebs to walk away
more (or less?) famous than they were
before.
Beauty
and the
Geek 3,
The CW. Ashton
Kutcher’s twisted
spin on a tale as old
as time returned
with the premiere
alone getting off to a strong start. In
fact, it drew some of the show’s best
ratings ever and ranked as Wednesday
night’s top show among the age 18-
Following in the footsteps of Survivor
and Big Brother, the Surreal Life is
bringing back its most outrageous
celebrities for more tongue-incheek competition. With one of the
competitions being who has the most
Google search results for their name,
some of the celebrities may wish they
just stayed home.
I Love New York
,
VH1. It’s the follow-up to the follow-up
show, and everyone has been waiting
for it. With an eclectic mix of eccentric
men vying for her, Tiffany Patterson,
“New York” from Flavor of Love,
returns as the over-the-top diva that
everybody loves to hate, or in this case,
love! Expect many visits from New
York’s mother, Sister Patterson, and
watch for frequent fights, problems,
and monumental burns made by none
other than the one and only New York.
American
Idol 6, Fox. I hate
Fox. I love American
Idol. Reality television’s
King Kong is back,
and producers recently
announced the upcoming
season will feature a big
event midway through.
As if viewers needed another reason
to watch. Rumors have stated that the
contestants may have to write all of
their own material, but rumors also
stated that Kevin Federline, Gary
Coleman, Tara Reid, and Whitney
Houston would be apart of Celebrity
Big Brother 5. Sadly, but surely, not
true.
February:
Survivor 14: Fiji,
CBS. CBS is saving this one for a little
later on in the season, but apparently
for good reason. There is much interest
building up to the series as host Jeff
Probst says contestants will be forced
to “battle” each
other
more
fiercely
than
ever before, a
comment that’s
pretty easy for
him to make
given
he’s
not the one doing the competing. I’m
anxious!
February: The
Amazing Race 11:
All Stars, CBS. Rob and
Amber are back! Rob and Amber are
back! Some of the most memorable
teams will be returning for a second
chance to race around the world and
quite possibly win a grand prize of $1
million. An aspect interesting to this
show and this show only is that it is
bringing back couples that may not
have the same status as the once did.
Some who were once dating may no
longer be seeing each other, and some
who were married could very well be
divorced! Recipe for disaster success!
For the record, a few more shows
such as Dancing with the Stars 4,
America’s Next Top Model 8, and The
Bachelor 10 will return in March, but
it’s too early to even think about those
shows now! With at least eight shows
to keep up with, let’s hope that some
end before the others begin. I think it
is safe to say that reality television has
now proven itself worthy, and it is here
to stay. A toast to the destruction of the
Gilmore Girls, Smallville, and Lost!
Page Inspired by the most
beautiful magazine ever:
TV GUIDE
Black
Christmas
By Steven Kelly
Staff Writer
Like the unpleasant after taste of Italian’s finest
pasta and garlic bread, Black Christmas leaves
viewers with a taste of un-satisfaction.
Remaking the original 1974 Black Christmas,
director Glen Morgan seems to lack short in
creating a film to live up to it’s expectations. It’s
more or less a cheesy thrill ride with the cliché
plot; bunch of girls screaming, harassing phone
calls, and people running around like chickens
with their heads chopped off.
With cheap thrills, generic acting, and some
pretty corny scenes, this movies isn’t scary
enough to get a baby worked up over it. Black
Christmas is rated R.
MOVIES
QuickReviews
Page 11
The Pursuit ofByHappyness
Lauren Keers
Features Editor
With a title like The Pursuit of Happyness, you expect the
characters to get to the promised land. Of course, like almost
all movies, it did end with a “the glass is half full” kind of outlook,
but it took many obstacles to be conquered before Will Smith’s
character could get there.
The PG-13 rated movie, “Happyness” (the title misspelling is
intentional, and also is explained) casts Smith as Chris Gardner,
an optimist sharing a cheap San Francisco apartment with his 5year-old son (played by Smith’s real-life son, Jaden Christopher
Syre Smith) and his unsupportive wife (played by Thandie
Newton), who had a hands-on-her-hips, I-do-everything-aroundhere attitude.
Gardner is an intelligent, slightly employed salesman. Struggling
to make ends meet, Gardner finds himself and his son abandoned
by his wife, as well as evicted from their San Francisco apartment
with nowhere to go. When Gardner lands an internship at a
prestigious stock brokerage firm, he and his son endure many
hardships, including living in shelters, in pursuit of his dream of a
better life for the two of them.
All in all, if you are looking for a tearjerker, happy-ending kind
of movie, The Pursuit of Happyness should be on top of your list
of movies to see.
The Good Shepherd
By Angela Mateo
Photo Editor
With a cast starring Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, and Alec
Baldwin, The Good Shepherd was set up to be a success. The
movie is based on events leading to the beginning of the Central Intelligence Agency, better known as the CIA. It explores
the inner workings of the CIA and type of people who are recruited to work there. In order to prepare the viewer for watching the movie, he or she should be ready to sit down for two
hours and forty minutes. Also, the viewer must know that the
movie has an “R” rating. This is due to some violence, sexuality, and language. The entire movie takes on a serious tone.
In fact, the tone is so serious that Matt Damon hardly cracks a
smile. Flashbacks occur constantly in the movie are constant,
but smooth transitions are made from one scene to the next.
Several actions must be interpreted due to non-verbal communication. Overall, the movie flowed extremely well, the actors
were convincing, and the plot kept the viewer watching.
Rocky Balboa
By Carissa Weyer
Sports Editor
In the sixth movie of the series, Rocky Balboa is a
former heavyweight champion known around the world,
and is still as famous like he was before he stepped into
retirement. Known for going the distance, Rocky played
by Sylvester Stallone, is back yet again, to face the
heavyweight champion Mason ‘The Line’ Dixon played
by Antonio Tarver.
After repairing the relationship between his son and
him, and slowly moving on from the death of his wife, he
decides he wants to go back in the ring for one last fight.
Rocky Balboa was a great movie, probably the best of
all the Rocky movies. I recommend seeing it; this was
the perfect ending to a great series of movies.
12
Interactive
Peace Pipe Chatter
Brain
Crossword Puzzle:
Sports
Jan. 23, 2007
Busters
* Forward I am
heavy, but backward
I am not. What am
I?
* What is the number
that is ten more than
1/10 of 1/4 of 1/5 of
1,000?
* When
Jim was
taking a stroll one
day, he met his father-in-law’s only
daughter’s motherin-law. What did he
call her?
All answers to appear in the next issue of the PPC.
Funny Facts
*A snail can sleep
for three years.
*You can burn more
calories sleeping than
you can watching
television.
*Donkeys kill more
people annually than
plane crashes.
Designed by Nick Condotti
Down
Across
1. Chicago Bulls stadium
2. Ice skates
4. the Afro
5. manager of White Sox
7. Bears stadium
9. Chicago Bulls coach
12. 05-06 NBA champs
14. Head coach of
Blackhawks
15. Michael Jordan
3. the goat
6. the best basketball team
8. White Sox stadium
10. head coach of Bears
11. Chicago NFL team
13. Cubs stadium
16. Number 3 on the
Denver Nuggets
17. Won the World Series
in 2005
18. Manager of Cubs
19. married to Vanessa
Bryant
All facts received by stunning-stuff.com
A
N
S
W
E
R
S
Crossword Puzzle
From Dec. 12 Issue
Brain
Busters
* Horace claimed that “2 x 10 = 2
x 11” is a true statement. What was
his
explanation?
* He used “too” not “two”
* The distance up a hill and down
the other side is the same. A car averages 30 mph going up and 60 mph
going down the other side. What is
the average speed of the car overall?
* 40 mph
* Write twelve thousand twelve
hundred and twelve.
* 13,212
Princess Diana’s Death not a Conspiracy
The tragic crash in France in
1997 of Princess Diana and Dodi
Al Fayed has been raising eyebrows about possible murder until
recent times. Lord Stevens, convinced that murder was the case,
led a three-year investigation,
gathering the witnesses together
to try to prove the reckless driver
Henri Paul guilty of the suspected
murder conspiracy. At the time of
the accident, Paul was speeding
and was over the alcohol limit.
Although thorough, the investigation proved useless, and cost
an estimated 3.7 million euros.
Mohamed, Al Fayed’s Father, said
to BBC News, “I feel sorry for the
taxpayers and the money that has
been wasted on such garbage.”
Not only is the town of
Minooka’s population booming,
but also new businesses as well
are popping up everywhere.
In the spring of 2007, Minooka
will have an Aureilo’s Pizza,
Dunkin’ Donuts, KFC, Culver’s,
Giordano’s pizza, and Baskin
Robins. There are many rumors
about a Taco Bell, a White Castle,
was the First Lady elected into
the United States Senate when she
became elected in 2000. She was
also the first woman elected in the
state of New York. So who would
make a better president?
“It would be awesome to have
a female president, it would prove
to the world that the United States
isn’t a sexest nation, it would
also be soemthing differnt” stated
Sophomore Alex Gajcak.
Whatever 2008 brings, we are
sure to continue to have a steady
and strong nation.
According to many people, a
family of three wouldn’t be able
to live off minimum wage. A
full time minimum wage worker
makes only $10,712 per year.
“It’s an awesome idea to raise
the wages because I want more
money to pay for necessities,”
said Jen Phillips, senior.
Rumor has it that raising
minimum wage would make a lot
of people happier for the moment,
but eventually it will catch up to
society.
“I like the idea of raising the
minimum wage it’s a great idea,
but in a few years prices will most
likely raise to compensate for the
higher wages,” said Beki Doran,
Story by: Sam Kelley, Features Editor
Will the Next President be Female or African American?
As 2007 begins, President
Bush has just two years left
in office. At the end of 2008
is when the next presidential
election begins, could former first
lady, Hilary Clinton or senator
Brak Obama become the first
female or African American
president?
Rumors are spreading around
Washington, D.C as well as the
United States that these two could
possibly be running for office.
Obama is 44 years old, from
Illinois, and was elected to the
Senate last year. Hilary Clinton
New businesses in Minooka
Story by: Nick Condotti, Advertizing manager
and even a Medieval Times
coming to the area, but nothing at
this time was confirmed.
“Taco Bell near the high school
would be amazing! Anywhere in
Minooka would be fine with me,”
said Sarah Svoboda, sophomore.
Businesses in the food industry
has to be striving with juniors and
seniors not having lunch.
Story by: Chandell Pet, Editor-in-chief
“MINIMUM WAGE” continued from page 4
senior.
As of Jan. 1st of this year
Arizona, California, Delaware,
Massachusetts, New York, North
Carolina, and Pennsylvania have
all agreed to raise their minimum
wage as high as $7.50 an hour.
It has been said that Illinois will
be the 14th state to hopefully
approve this bill and take effect
in this coming July. Recently,
the Illinois House has approved
the bill, which means its final
stop will be the governor’s desk,
Rod Blagojevich, who has said to
support it.
In the year 2010 minimum
wage will be up to $8.25 because
it will increase 25 cents a year.
P
l
e
a
s
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c
y
c
l
e
your
P
e
a
c
e
P
i
p
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C
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a
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13
MI.com
MCHS Scores
Powered by MCHS > Make MI.com your homepage
Varsity Boys Basketball
Varsity Boys
Varsity Boys
Varsty Girls
Jan.9 vs. Rich South
Minooka
44
Rich South HS 49
F
Jan. 12 vs. Oswego East
Minooka
61
Oswego East
67
F
Jan. 13 vs. Oswego
Minooka
38
Oswego
33
F
Varisty Boys Wrestling:
Team Domination
_________________________
Amanda Alexander
MI Inside Wrestling
Nick Bain, junior, puts forth all his effort into beating his
opponent during his match.
Lauren Keers/MI
“Not just one wrestler but the
whole team put together, makes
us where we are today,” stated
Coach Bernie Ruettiger.
Right now the varsity
wrestling team stands at a lead of
13-2. Everyone on the team has
done their job, especially junior
Kevin Bokoski who leads with a
record of 21-2 and right behind
him his brother, sophomore
Brian Bokoski, with a record of
20-3.
“My all time goal is to place
at state as well as the team,” said
Brain Bokoski
Over Christmas break was an
outstanding time for the MCHS
wrestling team. Bringing back
the Ruettiger Cup and taking
over the Palatine tournament.
These big wins are highlights of
this year’s team.
“It took a lot of work but it
was worth it. This was the first
Ruettiger Cup we won, it’s a
good accomplishment,” said
sophomore Joey Ruettiger.
The six returning state
qualifiers
include
Mike
Bodemueller, Nick Bain, Kevin
Bokoski, Joe O’Brien, Steve
Olin, and Marcus Rangel.
“The goal of the MCHS
wrestling team is to hopefully
continue to work hard and get the
job done,” said Coach Ruettiger.
Baseball free agents, coming or going
___________________________
Mark Photakis
MI Baseball Analyst
“Money, money, money,” the
common lyrics people restate when
gaining money. Some people who
are singing these lyrics are the
MLB free agent signees.
The free agent market in
baseball this off season has
been filled with surprises. These
surprises range from where people
have signed to the amount of the
money received.
The market has gone crazy by
spending money left and right.
Some of the players who have
signed for a lot of money are Barry
Zito, who received a seven-year
deal worth $126 million from the
San Francisco Giants, who also
spent $16 million for one year to
keep Barry Bonds around.
“Zito is worth every penny
that the Giants gave to him,” said
Robert Krumlinde, junior.
This year starting rotation
pitchers have been receiving huge
contracts, for example, Jason
Schmidt received a three-year
$47 million from the Los Angeles
Dodgers. Daiske Matsuzaka, the
Japanese phenom, received a
14 Design inspired by SportsIllustrated.com
Varsity Girls Basketball
six year $52 million offer from
the Red Sox. Randy Johnson,
an ace pitcher who received a
giant contact extension from the
Arizona Diamondbacks in a trade
with the New York Yankees,
received a two-year deal worth
$26 million. Other middle to end
starting pitchers like Gil Meche,
Jason Marquis, and Ted Lilly have
received ridiculously high offers
to play for the new teams.
“Meche is over-rated and
doesn’t deserve his five year $55million contract, for the kind of
numbers that he put up in Seattle,”
said Tony Donisch, junior.
Field players have also received
high offers to switch teams, for
example some of the bigger stars
like Alfonso Soriano signed an
eight-year $136-million contract
from the Cubs who also resigned
Aramis Ramirez for five years and
$73 million. Carlos Lee really hit
the mother load by signing a sixyear deal worth $100 million to
play for the Houston Astros. Other
notable players who are moving to
different cities with big contracts
are Gary Matthews Jr., who signed
with the Los Angeles Angles,
Juan Pierre who hooked up with
the Dodgers, and J.D. Drew, who
Mark Photakis
Baseball
Analyst
Chandell Pet
Superbowl
Analyst
Carissa
Weyer
MI Editor
Amanda
Alexander
Inside
Wrestling
Allison Papp
Faces in the
Crowd
signed with the Red Sox.
“The Cubs overpaid for most
of the free agents that they signed
like Lilly, Soriano, and resigning
Ramirez,” said Brett Frantini,
junior.
For the teams who have
overpaid to get players to fill giant
gaps in their line up seemed to be
very aggressive this off-season and
will hope that there strategies pay
off in the end. As the last several
big name free agents sign, several
trades will pop up for teams to
bolster up the lineups before
spring training to be considered as
contenders for a championship.
Scorecard
Chicago
Bears
Season Recap
Packers, W 26-0
Lions, W 34-7
Vikings, W 19-16
Seahawks, W 37-6
Bills, W 40-7
Cardinals, W 24-3
49ers, W 41-10
Dolphins, L 13-31
Giants, W 38-20
Jets, W 10-0
Patriots, L 13-17
Vikings, W 3-13
Rams, W 42-27
Buccaneers, W 34-31
Lions, W 26-21
Packers, L 7-26
Playoffs
Seahawks, W 27-24
Faces in the Crowd
Hillary Hyland
Nekoosa, Wis. > Track and Field
Hillary Hyland was the first female in the state of Wisconsin to win
four events: the 100m hurdles, high jump, long jump, and triple jump
in her senior year of high school. She still holds the state triple jump
record. She has also competed in the Junior Olympics where she
participated in the heptathlon (where one competes in seven events of
track and field).
Phil Harding
Minooka, Ill. > Baseball, Football
Phil Harding pitched for Joliet Junior College for one year until he tore
his labrum and was forced to quit. After JUCO, he went to Northern
Illinois University where he attempted to play football. However, his
shoulder couldn’t take the stress and he had to quit football, also.
Amy Saelens
Port Byron, Ill. > Softball
On her Riverdale High School softball team Amy Saelens was
awarded Best Offense, Best Defense, and MVP. In 1991, she was on
the All-Tournament Team for the Purdue University Softball Invite.
After high school, Saelens became a starting member of Bradley
University’s NCAA Divisoin 1 softball team. From 2002 through
the present, she has been apart of a nationally ranked ASA women’s
Major Fast Pitch Softball Team, the Elite Force.
Rob Wendlick
Menomonee, Wis. > Football, Track and Field
In 1989, Rob Wendlick was all-state first team in football. He went on
to play for Illinois State and was starting defensive tackle for four years.
During his career, he sacked future NFL MVP Kurt Warner, (who was
playing at Northern Iowa at the time), and defeated Youngstown State,
whose coach was Jim Tressel (Ohio State’s current head coach). Ironically, Jim Heacock was his head coach at ISU and Urban Meyer was an
assistant for two years. Heacock is now defensive coordinator for Ohio
State and Meyer is Florida’s head coach, and both schools just played for
the national championship (where Florida came out on top). For track
and field, Wendlick was the discus sectional champion, and was inducted
into the Menomonee Falls High School Hall of Fame.
Design inspired by Sports Illustrated
15
Life of Beguin
The sports moments to
remember of 2006
N
by Jeff Beguin
ow that 2006 has come and gone, it seems
like a good time to look at some of the best
moments that all sports fanatics were privileged
to experience in this last year. Looking back,
2006 seemed to have it all. There were buzzer
beater shots, underdog champions, sideline
brawls, game-winning hits, and one very special Windy City return
man.
Excitement was at a maximum. The whole world sat on the end of
their seats during the World Cup Soccer Championship, the country
of Japan rejoiced in victory in the first ever World Baseball Classic,
and Cinderella made another stunning appearance in the form of the
eleven seed George Mason University, during the unbelievable NCAA
March Madness Tournament. Yes, 2006 was definitely a year to bear
in mind, so just relax, read, reflect, and then remember all of the things
that as sports’ fans we were able to enjoy in the phenomenal year
that was, 2006.
The first moment to look back on was one that is both
impressive and an overall example of sheer talent and skill.
Way back on Jan. 22 of last year, L.A. Lakers star guard, Kobe
Bryant, scored a ridiculous 81 points in a single game against the
Toronto Raptors.
“Divide it by two and that’s still a lot for one player,” said
junior Jake Salazar.
Bryant seemed to be on a mission in 2006, and his 81 back in
early January was just one of many high points in his career.
For some sport’s fans, 2006 may have shed a new light on
their favorite team.
“The greatest sports moment of 2006 was when the Cubs
signed Alfonso Soriano. We have a possible chance to from last
to first,” said sophomore Mike Reisner.
Cubs’ fans saw 2006 as a disappointing season with an
encouraging off-season. The Cubs struggled mightily in 2006,
but things only got better as the year went on. As soon as the
season ended the Cubs organization hired Manager Lou Pinella,
resigned Aramis Ramirez, signed Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis,
traded for Neil Cotts, and made the biggest move of all teams
with the acquisition of MLB star Alfonso Soriano.
To stick within the MLB, the 2006 season was one for
surprise. The Tigers shocked everyone when they not only made
the playoffs, but then knocked off the New York Yankees in the
first round and then the Oakland Athletics in the second round.
The only thing that could stop the Tigers was the even bigger
surprise that was brewing in the National League, the St.
Louis Cardinals were no one’s pick to win the World Series,
but with the help of their unlikely heroes, Yadier Molina, Jeff
Weaver, Jeff Supan, and the likely one, Albert Pujols, the Cardinals were able to shock
everyone with a World Series win.
As far as Major League Baseball is concerned, the fans of 2006 were not very
Yes, 2006 was
definitely a year
to bear in mind,
so just relax, read,
reflect, and then
remember all of
the things that as
sports’ fans we
were able to enjoy
in the phenomenal
year that was,
2006.
16
Design inspired by Sports Illustrated
generous. The postseason had its lowest television ratings ever,
despite very interesting match ups. No, 2006 was more of a
football year, particularly the implausible individuals that left
their legacies. No player showed more all around talent and
intrigue than the incredible LT, LaDainian Tomlinson.
Tomlinson’s 2006 season was one to remember, he smashed
the rushing touchdown record, the overall touchdown record,
the overall points record, and led his San Diego Chargers to
the best record in the NFL. Tomlinson’s performance in 2006
was like a long highlight reel, and he became the most versatile
running back in the NFL by rushing, receiving, and passing for
touchdowns this season, while also leading the league in rushing
yards. LT was 2006, and as future seasons come and go he can
work on building a career.
Now, think back to the very first sports’ moment of 2006.
On Jan. 4, we saw possibly one of the best games ever played
in NCAA Football. The battle of the undefeated took place, the
Texas Longhorns vs. the USC Trojans.
It was Vince Young against the two Heisman winners, Reggie
Bush and Matt Leinart. The Longhorns defeated the Trojans
dramatically 41-38 in an incredible game where Vince Young
showed poise, aptitude, and excellence. He ran for three
touchdowns, threw for another, and showed the ice in his veins
with a third rushing touchdown to take the lead with 19 seconds
to go in the game.
Now one year later, Young has lived above all scrutiny to be
named the NFL Rookie of the Year. In no question is Young one
of the most extraordinary stories in the last year, but he is also
potentially a story for many years to come.
“When Vince Young essentially beat USC by himself, I could
see him in a Titans uniform, and I thought that game would be a
sign of things to come, which it turned out to be as he is the NFL
Rookie of the Year,” said sophomore Tom Stokke.
To continue to bask in football glory, there was another athlete
who grabbed the limelight of 2006 as he grabbed us all out of our
seats with his electrifying athletic ability and flair. The Chicago
Bear return man extraordinaire Devin Hester was more than just
a moment in 2006, he was six different ones.
We all held our breath whenever he touched the ball, and we
all screamed in unison our repeated “Go’s” as he pranced from
end zone to end zone, but as Hester demonstrated over and over
again, his excitement is yet to be finished.
“As a lifetime Bears fan, seeing the daring plays of Devin
Hester come to no surprise seeing that he comes from the U
(University of Miami),” said junior Zach Zmudka.
Though Hester didn’t rack up the Rookie of the Year with
his unbelievable performances, he did capture several records,
as well as our undivided excitement for whenever he touches
the ball.
There it is, a great year of sports in review. In closing, keep
in mind not only all of these remarkable moments, but also
some of the others that we might tend to forget. Phil Mickelson
chokes on the eighteenth hole, the White Sox win the game, but
the Cubs won the fight, Bode Miller flops in the Olympics, but
redheaded Shaun White flies high for the gold, and the autistic
manager, Jason McElwin, scores 20 points in four minutes of a
varsity basketball game in Rochester, New York.
So take your final look at your favorite sports moments of
2006, because 2007 is already amongst us and ready to deliver
a new year of excitement and exhilaration within the world of
sports.