Front April 2006.indd

VOLUME 84, ISSUE 6
WWW.REITZJOURNALISM.COM
APRIL 13, 2006
MIRROR
T H E F. J . R E I T Z H I G H S C H O O L
News.............................................2
Feature...........................................4
Arts and Entertainment..................5
Sports.........................................6
O p i n i o n a n d C o m m e n t a r y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Girls Unified basketball
team remains undefeated
Scott Glesige
Staff Writer
The unified basketball
team’s 6-0 winning streak
became transformed into a
7-0 streak on the 11th and
12th of March. The team
has played in seven separate
championship games,
bringing home the victory
every time.
Mrs. Schlosser, the coach
of unified basketball, had her
own opinions on the subject.
“It’s neat to see the kids
so excited.” she said, “But
at the same time, it’s a lot of
pressure.”
The games are played
with three special ed kids,
teaming up with two other
regular ones. The special ed
Team wins seventh straight
state title
members are known as the
“athletes”, while the other
two are referred to as the
“partners”. The whole team,
however, is divided in half,
fifty percent being special ed,
and fifty percent are regular.
The majority of the games
have been played at different
schools, Hamilton and Central
being a few. The game that
took place at Central ended
with a final score of 30 - 14.
The result of the game at
Hamilton was an astounding
44 – 18.
Schlosser also gave her
thoughts when asked what it
felt like after winning their
seventh state championship.
“It’s amazing,” was her
only response.
Katie Marcum, a senior
here at Reitz High School,
decided to center her senior
project on the Unified
Basketball team.
“Sometimes it makes me
nervous to do good,” Marcum
explained, “But I like to help
the kids on the team.”
“The kids are fun, but not
very different,” she continued,
“It’s nice to see how happy
it’s making them.”
According to Schlosser,
next year doesn’t promise
to be too different for the
Unified Basketball team.
“A lot of the kids will be
the same,” she stated, “We’ll
still go to the same type of
games and play the same
way.”
However, she does have
future plans on the team as
far as her coaching goes.
“I hope to be the coach
forever,” said Schlosser,
So, all in all, the Unified
Basketball team is a great team
who works hard at what they
do and try to make everything
fun for themselves. Many
people believe it would be
much more different than a
See Unified
Page 6
Photo by: John Wells
“Go for the gold.” Unified basketball teammate Kayla
Ritter shoots for a goal during the Hamilton game. The
girls played their hearts out every game and it showed.
Reitz prepares
for online grades
Lauren Hart
Staff Writer
Photo by: Tatam Morgan
“1-2-3-and turn.” Seniors Jacob Kratochvil, Courtney Laine, Lee Fehrenbacher, Julie Burkett, Lloyd Pressley, and
Christy Ripplemeier go through the steps of the Senior Waltz during the prom. Seniors had a chance to learn the
steps in two different groups once a week. The theme for this years prom was “Our Starlit Paradise”, and well over
six hundred Reitz students and their dates attended this years prom, making it a huge success among the students.
NEWS
Where’d all the good
snacks go
2
FEATURE
Those are some pretty
good lookin’ apples
4
FEATURE
4
Student teachers get hand
on experience
A&E
5
Extreme Makeover: Zoo
Edition
350 DREIER BLVD EVANSVILLE, INDIANA 47712
Still trying to hide report
cards from your parents? Well,
now would be a good time to
find a new alternative. Once
again the world of technology
has been advancing in schools.
Recently, many schools have
been involved in a program
testing out an online grade
system. However, your grades
will not be the only thing
that your parents can view.
They will be able to get a
heads up on your attendance,
standardized test scores,
quizzes, tests, projects, and
all of the typical classroom
assignments.
For students at Harrison
High School, they have had a
first hand experience with this
grading system. They have
been trying out the program
since the fall of 2005.
SPORTS
6
Track season takes a leap
toward victory
“So far the program is
going really well and has been
a very positive experience,”
stated Mr. Dimmett, Assistant
Principal at Harrison High
School.
Parents love it because it is
a very helpful way to monitor
and encourage their children
to work harder. Because of
such a positive reaction they
wish that this program had
been available sooner.
The reasoning for the
program is to get parents
involved and more up to date
on how exactly their children
are doing at school. Many
parents do not have time to
call school and take time
out of their work schedule
to have a conference with a
teacher. Therefore, this will
give parents the convenience
See Grades
Page 2
COMMENTARY
8
P/CP: Grading system, is
it right
APRIL 13, 2006
|
F. J. REITZ HIGH SCHOOL MIRROR
NEWS
PAGE 2
St ate bill looks to junk
the junk food in schools
Lauren VanHook
Staff Writer
Recently, the Indiana
House Education Committee
passed a bill that will
hopefully solve the childhood
obesity problem in Indiana.
The Senate Bill 111, if made
into a law, will require all
school vending machines
to carry healthier snacks
and beverages. The bill has
already been approved by the
Committee by a 12-0 vote.
To become a law, the bill
needs to be approved by the
full House. The bill will most
likely pass, considering the
major problem Indiana has
with childhood is obesity.
Starting in July 2006,
healthy snacks and beverages
must make up at least 35
percent of the vending
machine choices. By
September of 2007, healthy
foods must make up half of
the choices. There are certain
requirements that qualify a
snack as healthy. For example,
no snack can exceed 210
calories and no beverage can
exceed 20 ounces. Also both
food and beverages can not
have over 30 percent of their
calories from fat and only 10
percent of the total calories
can come from trans fat and
saturated fat.
A big problem with this
new law is finding healthy
foods that kids will want to
eat. Many kids don’t like the
taste of healthy foods, so it
is a constant problem to find
something that everyone will
eat. A list was handed out to
the lawmakers containing
many foods that can be put in
the vending machines. This
20-page list includes such
choices like baked chips,
yogurt, water, diet drinks, and
sports drinks, like Powerade.
The bill will also require
that elementary schools
provide physical activity for
all children, which includes
gym and recess. Even if the
law is passed and followed,
there is no guarantee that
it will help stop childhood
obesity. Children need a good
mix of diet and exercise to
lose weight. Kids will have
to improve their diet both at
school and at home.
Photo by: Tatam Morgan
“Trying something new.” Judy Vindhurst refills the
snack machine before lunch begins. Some fruit snacks
and baked chips provide a tasty way to eat healthier.
Grades
From Page 1
to check grades whenever,
wherever they want.
Not every student has
access to the internet, so the
Public Library and Media
Center are places to go if
they would like to view any
information they may need.
If students do not take the
liberty of checking their
grades at those facilities,
parents always have the
option of checking them at
work.
C u r r e n t l y, a l l E V S C
schools are in the midst of
designing and updating their
school web pages. The web
pages are intended to benefit
everyone in the school.
Many students and teachers
at Harrison have been very
helpful by giving their
opinions and suggestions on
how to make the grade system
operate more efficiently.
Wo r k o n t h e R e i t z
webpages is underway now
and should be done before the
end of the school year.
Despite the frightening
aspects of the grade system,
many students have replied
with a positive outlook on the
system.
Students claim the
program gives an easy
access to grades and records
needed for various college
and scholarship applications.
Also, they can view their
absent assignments, complete
them, and turn them in when
they return to school.
Not only will this program
enhance and enrich what the
teachers do in school; it will
also help at home.
“I believe this program is
a win-win situation. It will
allow parents to be a part of
the team by becoming more
involved in helping further
their students education,”
explained Mrs. Harrington.
Harrington goes on to say
that this is just a tool in the
learning partnership.
“Yes, the parents know
and the students know what
is going on,” Harrington said,
“But we as a school still have
to keep touch with parents so
they know what is going on.”
This program may or may
not go into effect any time
soon. It is still a prototype and
has some “bugs” that need to
be worked out.
So students beware, the
mystery of your school lives
will soon be revealed. Now
you will never know when
your parents could drop a
bomb on your social life,
especially if you are slacking
or having a hard time dealing
with senioritis.
Close Up visits capital
Issac Bradley
Editor-in-Chief
At noon on Sunday, March
5, fourteen Reitz Students
and two teachers were over
three hundred feet in the air
on their way to our nations
capitol.
Since 1971, students and
teachers from all over the
country have been traveling
thousands of miles to learn
more about our government
and how it works.
Close-up is a Congressendorsed learning program
that is meant for students who
want to get a closer look at
our government’s history; all
they have to do is pay for the
plane fair and hotel board.
The students were in
Washington D.C. for a total
Reitz students get the
Washington D.C. experience
of six days and returned on
Saturday the 11th. Their trip
started with a two hour drive
to Louisville airport, then a
flight to Baltimore, where
they meet up with the other
students touring our national
capitol.
“The students will be
learning how the government
functions,” said Mr. Jeremy
Villines, one of the teachers
going on the trip. “They
will be faced with the same
problems that the politicians
deal with.”
The students saw all the
major monuments, including
the Smithsonian Museum of
Natural History, the Arlington
Cemetery, and the Holocaust
Museum.
The trip is not all sightseeing; it is a chance for the
students to see history as it
is made.
Mitchel Farmer, a senior
that went on the trip, said,
“I thought it was a great
opportunity and experience to
see the U.S. political system
‘close-up.’”
The students spent part of
a day on Capitol Hill to see
personally how the bill sitting
on Capitol Hill became a
law.
“While we were in
Wa s h i n g t o n w e v i s i t e d
monuments such as the
Wa s h i n g t o n M o n u m e n t ,
the Lincoln Memorial, and
Capitol hill. While we were
in the Capitol Hill we were
lucky enough to witness the
House of Representatives
the congress, and the Senate
doing their job.”
For all the history lovers
that went on the trip it was
also a great time to “feel the
history.”
“ We w a l k e d i n t h e
footsteps of some of the
most famous Presidents
and Senators in our nations
history,” said Villines.
For all those who think
government class is boring
this was a chance for them to
see the exciting side of what
goes on in Washington.
350 Dreier Blvd. Evansville, Indiana 47712
www.ReitzJournalism.com
(812) 435-8200
The Mirror is written, edited, and produced by F. J.
Reitz High School Publications, located in Evansville,
Indiana. The Mirror is printed by the Princeton Clarion,
Princeton, Indiana.
The Mirror is a member of IHSPA, JEA, NSPA, and
Quill & Scroll. Our purpose is to inform students about
school events and trends that affect them by keeping
them updated.
Editor-in-Chief,
Feature Editor,
Web Administrator
Nathan Simon
News Editor
Anthony Wilson
Arts &
Entertainment
Editor
Isaac Bradley
Sports Editor
Shannon Mitchell
Opinion &
Commentary
Editor
Naem Madi
Graphics Editor
Mary Schembre
Photo Editor
Tatam Morgan
Business Manager
Hannah Sigler
Inforgraphics Editor
Carrie Baugh
Staff Writers
Natalie Baehl
Casey Burns
Kelsey Donley
Blake Ellis
Scott Glesige
Lauren Hart
Jake Martinez
Clay Prindle
Joe Risley
Brandon Samsil
Emily Shelton
Ryan Tungate
Lauren Vanhook
Jim Weil
Nick Wentzel
Jamie Williams
Adviser
John Wells
F. J. REITZ HIGH SCHOOL MIRROR
ADS
| APRIL 13, 2006
PAGE 3
APRIL 13, 2006
|
F. J. REITZ HIGH SCHOOL MIRROR
FEATURE
PAGE 4
Healthy eating in the Reitz cafe
Natalie Baehl
Staff Writer
Whether it is A, B, or C;
when the lunch bell rings, the
same general thoughts cross
everyone’s mind; a couple
of minutes to finish a last
minute assignment, talking
to friends, and occasionally,
the thought of an appetizing
lunch. No one seems to think
about “why the cafeteria
serves what they do” or “why
Little Debbie is no longer
allowed.”
If it seems like you ate
more junk food in elementary
and middle school than you
do in high school, it’s because
you did.
“Every five years the
FDA(Food and Drug
Administration) changes the
dietary guidelines according
to new research and what
is considered healthy,” said
Linda Eidson, the EVSC
dietitian.
They try to keep the
guidelines up-to-date on
healthy lunch possibilities
for each age group. The
guidelines are based on a
weekly average of a variety
of nutrients such as; calories,
saturated fat, protein, calcium,
iron, vitamin A, and vitamin
C.
The EVSC is part of a US
Department of Agriculture
School lunch program. For
every student that eats a school
lunch, the EVSC receives
money as a reimbursement.
This reimbursement is
helpful to keep the cost of
school lunch down, making it
affordable for students.
To entice more students
into buying school lunch
Eidson tries to keep a wide
variety of food on the menu.
Part of Eidson’s job is to
make a monthly menu for
each school in the EVSC
appropiate for each different
age group. Eidson uses a
computer program to make
sure the menu meets the FDA
guidelines.
Every meal for the week
has to be entered into the
program. The program
averages the nutritional
value for the week. To be
approved, the average has to
meet the FDA’s guidelines
for the age group in question.
It is a requirement to offer
high school students a lunch
with a weekly average of 846
calories, 28(g) total fat, 9(g)
saturated fat, 16.7(g) protein,
400(mg) calcium, 3.4(mg)
iron, 300(RE) vitamin A, and
19.2(mg) vitamin C.
If the program approves
the lunch plan Eidson can
make it a part of the menu.
The program also helps
Eidson find healthy versions
of popular foods to bring into
the cafeteria.
“Right now we are trying
to find a healthier version
of pizza that the students
will like. The one we are
trying right now is made of
low sodium cheese, and it’s
Aspiring teachers
of tomorrow learn
t heir skills today
Jake Martinez
Staff Writer
The F.J. Reitz experience
is not just for Reitz students.
It is also for a handful of
college students aspiring to
be the teachers of tomorrow.
There are a few aspects
of being a student teacher
that one might consider. On
the one hand, there is the
teaching. You will be able
to teach to a class for your
own experience and utilize
it for a way of developing
your own method. After all,
you wouldn’t do something
for school if it wasn’t for the
good of your education.
However, if you are a
student attending a college,
how do you know which
high school to teach at? Ms.
Woods, a student teacher
in the science department,
came here all the way
from Indiana University in
Bloomington, Indiana. She
chose the science department
because some of her interest
lay in the human anatomy.
She said her reason for
choosing Reitz is because
she has ties with Mrs. Settle.
Her experience at Reitz, she
says, has been great and the
interactions are going well.
Some chose a school
because of location. Mr.
Winn had to choose three and
chose Reitz first because of
its location on the West side.
Reitz was also one of the
only schools he knew of in
Evansville. “Coach Winn,”
as some of the students in
his PE class call him, is a
student at USI (University
of Southern Indiana) and is
learning to be an athletics
teacher. When asked about
how his time at Reitz has
been so far he said, “For the
most part its been great.”
He said he’s enjoyed the
students and the staff here
on the hill.
Other teachers have
no real reasoning behind
coming to Reitz. Mr. Squires
chose Reitz and really
couldn’t elaborate on why.
He is a student at USI and is
learning to become a history
teacher.
“History, Econ, and all of
that stuff just comes naturally
to me. It’s something I could
always just do.” Mr. Squires
also claimed that his time
with the students has been
enjoyable and the teachers
here are great.
But the main reason
for all of this is the love of
teaching. Being able to guide
our country into the future
by giving the kids a chance
to learn is the opportunity of
a lifetime.
working pretty well,” said
Eidson.
Another FDA requirement
is that each school cafeteria
must have 1 to 2 people
working in the kitchen that
are certified by the Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control
Point program(HACCP).
The certified ladies working
in the cafeteria have the
responsibility of making sure
everything is fixed according
to regulations. The food
has to be kept at a certain
temperature, the work area
has to meet specific health
codes, and many more
regulations have to be met.
The cafeteria is inspected
twice a year, and it’s the job
of every member on the
cafeteria staff to have the
cafeteria ready for inspection
at any time.
The cafeteria staff, which
consist of 16 ladies, does
more than follow the menu
that Eidson sends them.
The ladies work to educate
students about eating
healthy. Everyone has seen
the signs promoting more
fruits and vegetables hanging
throughout the cafeteria.
Right now they are stressing
that lunch is not meant to be
the only meal students have
the whole day.
“Small portions are all
that’s necessary to refuel
the body every couple of
hours. People don’t need one
heaping plateful one time a
day. They should start off
with a healthy breakfast,
then have a small lunch,
and finally dinner. It’s even
OK to have a small snack in
between meals, as long as
it’s healthy and small,” said
Connie Egriece, the cafeteria
manager.
Since closed campus
policy was instated, the
cafeteria has brought in the
ala carte option.
“The Evansville School
Nutrition Association(ESNA)
goes to Indianapolis once
a year to sample food
from vendors to find foods
teenagers would like,”
Egriece said.
While the ala carte isn’t
required to meet the FDA
guidelines they must be
analyzed and approved for
nutritional value.
“We can’t serve food in the
cafeteria that the government
deems under nutritional value.
That’s why we have the cokes
and snack machine outside in
the hall,” said Egriece.
Once approved,the
cafeteria can serve the foods
they desire to sell.
The FDA, EVSC, and the
cafeteria staff know that lunch
is important. The food served
and the size of the serving
is the most important part
their job, but they also work
to make it look appetizing.
Adding color to a tray makes
it look a little better to eat
than a plate full of tan food.
They try to fix food that will
be beneficial to a teenager’s
health, and that will appeal to
the teenager.
Healthy food isn’t always
good, but it needs to be a
part of life to keep everyone
healthy and enjoying life.
Photo by: Evan Carrier
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” One of the many cafeteria workers
sorts through the apples that are available every day during lunch. Students are
encouraged to eat healthy while enjoying their food.
Photo by: Evan Carrier
Photo by: Kathleen Kissel
“Learning while you work.” Matt Woolsey, a University of Southern Indiana college
student, enthralls the class with a history lecture. Woolsey has been teaching
some of Jon Carl’s classes in order to get a genuine teaching experience.
“It’s such an honor.” Junior Amanda Angel receives congratulations and an
award from counselors Angela South and Donna Schmitt at Honor’s Night April
6. The night aims to recognize the accomplishments of students, honor their
achievements and reward those that have done well this year.
F. J. REITZ HIGH SCHOOL MIRROR
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
| APRIL 13, 2006
PAGE 5
Artist Rendering
Our dream house. “Our commitment to continue making this Zoo the premier
facility for family entertainment and conservation education in the Tri-State area is
as strong as ever. You are invited to share in the excitement and can do so by visiting
our website from time to time to watch our dreams become a reality!” This artist’s
rendering of what their zoo will look like can be viewed on the zoo’s website at www.
meskerparkzoo.com.
Mesker Zoo to get a makeover
Jamie Williams
Staff Writer
The start of spring brings
sunshine and energy to a
majority of high school
students who inevitably find
themselves with a beautiful
day and nothing to do.
Fortunately, some redesign
plans for the Westside are
currently answering this
request.
The Mesker Park Zoo and
Botanic Garden is currently
in the renovation process with
many new and interesting
animals and scenery.
The redesign is currently
being constructed on a
$15,000,000 budget. The
design process began during
the summer of 2005 and
construction is planned to
be completed with the grand
opening sometime in 2007.
Members of the design
team visited and contacted a
number of zoos all over North
America and even Europe to
accomplish the new design
task. Complete with a new
grand entry complex, the Zoo
will surely welcome many
citizens to the renovated
area.
The most intriguing part
of the redesign process is a
new tropical rainforest area,
named Amazonia, with roofs
45 feet high. The lush forest,
which will mimic the South
American rainforest, will
inhabit a variety of monkeys,
birds, a few tapirs, and around
the forest will roam an elusive
jaguar.
Major construction is
being done to the zoo’s animal
hospital and quarantine
facility to ensure the safety
and health of the new coming
animals.
Already likely to be seen
at the zoo is a striking new
greenhouse facility to house
and care for a majority of
the new plants which have
arrived for the renovation and
await it’s construction.
A visit to the Mesker Park
Zoo, located at 2421 Bement
Avenue, will ensure a day of
fun. The zoo is open from
9AM-5PM, with no admission
after 4PM, all year round and
L i ve f r o m Re i t z H i g h
It’s Satur day Night!!!
Shannon Mitchell
Sports Editor
April and May are
the months for theater.
Coming up are the One Acts
Saturday Night Live and The
Romancers and the theater
class shows Arsenic and Old
Lace and You Can’t Take it
With You.
Clay Prindle and Mary
Schembre are directing
Saturday Night Live. SNL
is filled with famous classic
skits throughout SNL history.
“Saturday Night Live is
going to be a very entertaining
show. We want the audience
to feel like they’re at an actual
taping of the show. We’re
going to have the whole
shebang-musical guests,
hosts, everything,” said
director Mary Schembre.
Some of the classic
skits SNL will include are
the Spartan cheerleaders,
Chippendales, Coffee Talk,
and Wayne’s World.
“I will be practicing all of
spring break with the actual
video tape of Chris Farley for
my part,” said freshman Josh
Weber.
Sophomore Laura Niehaus
describes Saturday Night
Live as a “chaotic adventure”
and it is sure to be one.
The other one act this
year is The Romancers. The
Romancers is a not so tragic
version of Shakespeare’s
Romeo and Juliet. Senior
Nathan Simon is directing
this one act by himself.
“It was hard to get
everything started up, but
now everything is coming
together smoothly,” said
director Nathan Simon.
Look for both of the one
acts on April 20,21,and 22
at 7:00 p.m. in the Reitz
auditorium.
This spring for the first
time Reitz’s theater classes
will be putting on two shows.
The fifth period theater class
will be presenting Arsenic and
Old Lace. And the seventh
period theater class will be
presenting You Can’t Take it
With You. Both shows will
be in late April after the one
acts.
Arsenic and Old Lace is
a comedy about old women
who put arsenic in wine at
their tea parties.
Senior Josie Stuteville,
Aunt Martha, explained the
story like this, “…two sweet
aunts poison wine thinking
they’re doing a good deed for
loners, but they run into some
problems along the way.”
The cast also warned that
there will be a twisted ending.
Come see the twisted ending
on May 5,6, and 7 at 7:00
p.m. in the Reitz auditorium.
The last, but certainly not the
least, show You Can’t Take it
With You is a comedy about
a crazy family who is being
married into a rich snobby
family.
This cast included veterans
and some people who theater
is very new to.
“This is my first show
since fifth grade so I’m both
excited and nervous about
this experience,” said senior
Shannan Shrum.
The entire cast believes
this show will be very
entertaining.
“I think You Can’t Take it
With You is going to be very
funny with the script and
the actors there’s no way it
cannot be funny,” said junior
Sky Slack.
Senior Kiersten Deig
said, “I think it will be funny
because of the crazy family
and all the situations they get
it.”
Senior Josh Lenn said,
“It’s going to be a show for
the whole family.”
Not matter which of the
four shows every one of
them will be incredibly
entertaining.
admission prices are $7 for
adults, $6 for children ages
3-12, and free for children
under the age of 3.
All Vanderburgh county
residents receive a special
$1 off admission price in
appreciation of the resident’s
support to the zoo. The zoo
is a perfect place for family
gatherings and picnics. Come
out and visit today!
APRIL 13, 2006
|
F. J. REITZ HIGH SCHOOL MIRROR
SPORTS
PAGE 6
Team has high hopes
for great season after
conditioning all winter
Jamie Williams and
Emily Shelton
Staff Writers
Photo by: John Wells
“The thrill of victory.” Senior Elaine Baehl, a four-year member of the Reitz girls
Unified Basketball team, is congratulated as she runs back down the court. Baehl
earned her fourth medal to add to her high school state medal collection.
Unified
From Page 1
normal basketball team, but
when you stop to think about
it, not too much has changed
in this situation. Even though
there’s that possibility of the
players choosing to play
the game in their own way,
that still doesn’t mean it’s
not the same in comparison.
Mrs. Schlosser loves what
she does, as do the kids on
the team. We can more than
likely expect to see the team
play for years and years to
come. Schlosser had some
final opinions on the subject
as well.
“I love working with
these girls,” she said, “The
kids are fun to be with
and I’m proud of the way
they represent Reitz High
School.
As spring slowly arrives,
many begin to anticipate the
sports of the season. Others
have been awaiting spring
sports since the beginning of
winter.
All returning and new
participating softball players
are preparing for the season
ahead. Since December, the
girls have been conditioning
indoors and outdoors, whether
the weather has persisted or
not. A lot of their motivation
comes from the eventful
games they strive for.
Senior
Andrea
Herschelman has been
playing the sport for
approximately 13 years
now. She plays the position
of shortstop and sometimes
first base. Herschelman
continuously puts her heart
and soul into the sport.
“I love everything about
it,” said Herschelman, “I love
not knowing what’s going to
happen next. It’s playing on
the edge.”
Since December, anyone
interested in trying out for the
team has been conditioning
two days a week for several
hours after school. In addition
to strenuous workouts, the
girls may attend open gym
for a few hours one night a
week; they may also practice
Staff Writer
Shannon Mitchell
Sports Editor
Boys Track
How long have you been running?
Since the 6th grade.
Who’s your biggest encouragement?
My parents are my biggest encouragement because they always support me no matter
what.
What events do you participate in?
I run the 400,200, and the 4x4. I also run the 100-meter.
What is your goal for this season?
To break the city record, win state, and be in the top 5 in the country and get a 4x4
relay to place a state and my teams goals are to win
city and sectionals.
is also returning to the field
for her fourth year here at
Reitz. Balbach knows all
about the hard work and
intense training one must put
fourth in order to succeed.
“It’s dedication, I think.
No matter how cold it is,
we’re always working out.”
Said Balbach, “You need
to make sure you bring
sweatshirts and sweatpants if
you don’t want to freeze. You
never know where we will be
practicing.”
Fortunately, it seems that
the weather alters itself for
the softball games.
“You can always tell
when it’s a softball day,”
said Balbach. “The weather
is always perfect. It’s sunny
outside, even if it only is on
the field and there’s a light
breeze when you walk out
to take your position. If you
wake up and it’s beautiful
outside, that’s how you know
it’s a softball day.”
Like last year, the Panthers
will have some fierce
competition. They start off
the season against the always
talented, Booneville Pioneers
(April 3, Home). The next
day, on April 4th, they will
face another big opponent,
the Memorial Tigers (home).
The team is looking forward
to this season and the girls
are anxious to see all of their
hard work pay off.
New season on the greens
Brandon Samsil
Panther Pick: Randy Baize
in the batting cages before the
season and before a game.
Herschelman claims that
the grueling preparations are
well worth the suspenseful
games.
“We run stairs, do shuttle
runs in the gym, lift weights,
and work on our abs. All of
it is neccessary if we want to
play a good game.”
Hopefully, all of this
hard work will pay off when
sectionals come around in
late May.
Coach Snow explained
what the team’s top priority is
for this season.
“Our first goal is to win
sectionals,” said Snow,
“We’ve played in the sectional
championship two years in
a row. This year we really
want to win it.”
Coach Snow also
commented on the Panthers’
returning talent.
“ We h a v e a l o t o f
experience coming back, both
offensively and defensively.
It should be a great season.”
Along with a slew of
returning players, there are
many new faces willing and
wanting to play for the Reitz
Panthers.
“There are a lot of new
players, mostly freshman,
that have been coming out.
I really think it’s going to
be a good season,” said
Herschelman.
Stephanie Balbach, senior,
The golf team is getting
their clubs, tees, and balls
out and polished for another
exciting year on the golf
course.
There are thirteen guys
on the team. Their coach is
a teacher at Tekoppel, and
the husband of the girls golf
coach, Mr. Schlosser.
“We have a lot of returning
and new talent that are
going to be great this year,”
Schlosser said.
He was really exited about
getting back out on the course
this year.
“We have a lot of kids
going for a few spots, so the
team has to keep improving at
practices. There will always
be someone else ready to step
up and take their spot,” said
Schlosser.
This is Senior Joe Walz’s
first year on the team.
“I love hanging out with
the guys on the team. I can’t
wait to have fun and enjoy
all the experiences with the
guys,” Walz said.
The golf team has had
their tryouts along with two
or three practices. They are
pumped and ready to go this
year.
“I remember one time
when I hit a ball and it was
a very bad hit. It went to the
cart path where it bounced all
the way to the green. We were
all amazed.” Walz said.
Their first event was April
4th it was a duel match with
Reitz against Memorial.
Senior John Ethridge has
been on the golf team for the
last four years. He has had
many great experiences and
has many high expectations
for this season.
With a little, friendly,
i n t e r- t e a m c o m p e t i t i o n ,
and local competition with
surrounding schools the start
of this season is leading up to
a very exciting finish.
What are you most proud of?
I’m very proud of my finish in 3rd place at state
last year, winning city, as a freshman was
awesome and winning city every year since has
made it even better.
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
Two nights before I eat pasta and I ice my
legs.
What do you think will make this season so
successful?
All the hard work I’ve put into it.
Do you have any advice for underclassmen?
Keep working, and you can accomplish
anything. The thing is to never doubt
yourself
Interesting Facts:
I’ve worn the same shoes since 8th
grade.
I wear tights no matter how hot it is.
I’ve been to state every year since I
was a freshman.
Photo by: Tatam Morgan
Watch for expanded spring sports coverage
in the May Issue of The Mirror
F. J. REITZ HIGH SCHOOL MIRROR
SPORTS
| APRIL 13, 2006
PAGE 7
Track takes off for the season
Ryan Tungate
Staff Writer
It is time for Reitz Track
athletes to lace up their
running shoes for another
season.
The Panthers had their
first meet on March 22 at
Central High School against
the Central Bears.
They emerged victorious,
taking 1 s t place with 249
points. Runners who placed
first in their events include
Daylon Redding, Randy
Baize, Brittany Clark, and
Stephanie Owens.
Reitz also placed 1st in the
Girls’ 4X4 Run and 2nd in the
Boys’ 4X4 Run.
The Track team members,
as well as the coaches, are
anticipating the rest of the
new season.
“We’re hoping for a season
as great, or better, than last
year, brother,” said Coach
Brinkmeyer.
Practice officially began
on February 13 t h and the
members have been training
rigorously ever since.
Senior Randy Baize has
committed himself to a
demanding training routine.
“I try to run a few miles
every day of the week,” said
Baize. “If I want to improve
my track times, I will have to
run a lot.”
In addition to training, diet
plays a key role in an athlete’s
life.
“I have to eat healthy
meals,” explained Baize.
“ I also drink lots of water
instead of cokes, and I try to
stay away from chocolate.”
Runners are not the only
track athletes that require a
training schedule. Freshman
Markel Snoddy trains for
Throws.
“At practice I start
warming up with stretches for
about 15 to 20 minutes, then
I try to improve my throwing
distances for the shotput and
discs,” said Snoddy.
The Track team has many
Photo by: Katlin Elrod
“Up, up and over.” Senior Ricky Crider clears the high jump in the home meet against the North Huskies Monday. Crider took first in the event,
clearning 6’2” as well as claiming the top spot as a member of the 400 relay team with Cody Radford, Paul McIntosh and Daylon Redding. The
Panthers handily defeated the Huskies 106-26.
goals, both teamwide and
personal, for the upcoming
season.
“Our main goal is to win
State, brother,” said Coach
Jon Carl. “We have plenty
of talented athletes, so I think
our chances of winning are
great.”
Along with winning State,
Junior Darius Thomas has
another goal this season.
“My goal this year is to
beat Randy Baize,” Thomas
humorously said.
Senior Pherrhen Harrison,
who has been running on
Girl’s Track for 7 years,
feels sentimental about her
last year with Track and as a
Reitz student.
“This year I have to
make a good impression for
the underclassmen,” said
Harrison, “I’m also doing it
for myself because my Track
memories are important to
me.”
H a r r i s o n ’s a d v i c e t o
incoming Track members is
“don’t miss practice, and just
get out there and win.”
So far, Snoddy is enjoying
his Track experience at
Reitz.
“I have been doing
Track since middle school,”
commented Snoddy, “and
Track at Reitz has really
motivated me to keep my
grades up.”
With so much dedication
and teamwork, Reitz can
expect great achievements
from the Track team this
season.
However, they also require
support from classmates, so
go to Meets and cheer on
your fellow Panthers.
Old team for new season
Emily Shelton
Staff Writer
B y f a r, t h e b i g g e s t
objective of the Reitz
Baseball team this year is to
win Sectionals. On the crisp,
cool days of early March,
Sectionals seem far away, but
the team is already working
hard to reach their goal.
Since early February,
players have been
conditioning intensely.
Junior Josh Schultze
comments on the gruesome
workouts, “We have drills that
we do each day, which consist
of several agilities, such as
sprints, cones, jumping rope,
and band exercises.”
Wi t h g r u e l i n g , h o t
practices, the Panthers hope
to defeat some of the top
teams in the season. Reitz’s
biggest competition this
upcoming season will most
likely be North. The Huskies
baseball team made it all the
way to State last year.
Other big competitors
for the Panthers are the
Central Bears and the Castle
Knights.
Coach Johnston
commented on both teams’
returning talent, saying,
“North will loose some of their
better players, but they still
have some excellent pitching.
Castle will, of course, have
some strong hitting... as
always our conference will
be very competitive.”
Reitz will have some
awesome returning talent of
their own.
Returning sophomore,
short-stop, Evan Whipkey,
commented on the team’s
strength this year, saying,
“Our defense will most likely
be our biggest strength this
season.”
This season, Reitz brings
back 13 returning lettermen,
two of which, Geoff Oxley
and Jared DeLong, have
lettered all four years.
Coach Johnston is pleased
to have such talent, “To have
two of the four year letter
winners is pretty special.”
Both Oxley and DeLong
have received scholarships to
play baseball in college.
Oxley will be attending
Boston College next fall;
he is looking forward to the
upcoming season.
The returning senior has
mixed emotions about his
move up East. “It’s really far
away, but it’s going to be a
good experience... it’s tough
knowing I have five months
left in Evansville. I’ll be
leaving everything I know.”
Other returning lettermen
include seniors Adam Weber,
Scott Brown, Nick Julian,
Alex Wiley, and Trevor
West, juniors Kris Fisher,
Joshua Schultze, Eric Weiss,
and Travis McClarney, and
sophomore David Perigo.
There is no doubt that
all graduating seniors will
miss playing at Bosse Field,
one of Evansville’s historic
treasures.
Junior Josh Shcultze
commented on how much
he enjoyed playing at Bosse
Field, “....playing at Bosse
Field is pretty awesome...
we’re lucky we get to play
there.”
Coach Johnston and the
team hope to have a good
backing from the fans this
year. The extra support can
really boost a team dury a
hard game.
So come out and support
the Panthers! Their season
opener will be at home field
on March 28 against the
Heritage Hills Patriots.
On March 3rd the team
faced some new competition
for the season. A team from
Illinios, and in the second
week in April at 3 and 2.
APRIL 13, 2006
|
F. J. REITZ HIGH SCHOOL MIRROR
COMMENTARY
PAGE 8
P/CP: Weighted Grades
Point: Weigh Them
Kelsey Donley
Staff Writer
Weighted grades have
many advantages for honor
students. One advantage it
has is that they give honor
students more points for their
AP classes. The students are
given 5 points out of 4 for
each A they receive in AP
classes. Because of this, they
receive the acknowledgment
they deserve.
Weighted grades help
to ensure the top ranking
students in the class are the
advanced students. It helps
increase the students’ grade
point average. The increased
GPA helps the students stand
out for their hard work.
It allows teachers to give
a greater range of grades and
help highlight the students’
academic achievement. The
advantages of weighted
grades encourage students
to take more challenging
classes.
Weighted grades help
advanced students be more
competitive during the
college admission process.
It increases advanced
students’ chances of getting
scholarships. Students with a
4.0 GPA out of a possible 5.0
GPA stand out more than a 4.0
out of 4.0. Weighted grades
are also more important if a
college is unfamiliar with the
student’s school.
The majority of
competitive colleges and
universities indicate that
students with weighted grades
have an advantage to those
who attend schools without
weighted grades. Out of 559
college admission directors,
only 33 percent preferred
non-weighted grades. Out of
the remaining 67 percent, 64
percent preferred some form
of weighted grades. The last
3 percent had no preference.
Weighted grades help
advanced students receive
the grade point average they
have earned. It helps them
stand out from the average
students to colleges. Schools
that have weighted grades
have many more advantages
for their students than schools
with non-weighted grades.
Counter Point: Don’t Change
Shannon Mitchell
Sports Editor
With tons of honors and
advanced placement classes
offered at high schools the
debate of weighted grades
often arises.
With all the inconsistency
b e t w e e n d i ff e r e n t h i g h
schools, I just do not think it
is time to move to weighted
grades. The weighted grade
system is complicated. It is
always a debatable topic.
There is always confusion
on which classes should or
should not be weighted, or
how much each class should
be weighed for.
Some schools have certain
electives that weigh more than
other schools. There is no
consistency among different
high schools as to which
classes are weighted, how
much each grade is weighed,
and how much labeling on
transcripts occurs.
Weighted grades, also
makes calculating grades
harder for the teachers and
counselors. The procedure
of weighing grades is long
and complicated. The
counselors would have to
do more labeling on college
transcripts.
I think if we had
weighted grades the fight
for valedictorian would be a
mess. If we moved to only
one valedictorian, how would
we separate all the 5.0s? It
would become even more
confusing and complicated
to pick just one valedictorian.
Other elective classes would
have to be weighed for the
competition.
Basically, if grades were
weighted everything would
be more complicated. How
would all the elective classes
be weighed, would choir or
foods class be worth more on
the scale? I think it would
be hard to determine all the
elective classes on the new
5.0 scale.
If schools switch to
weighted grades there needs
to be more consistency. But,
for now I think the unweighted
grading system is the most
equal, stable, consistent, and
easiest grading system.
Hard work should earn honors
Anthony Wilson
Staff Writer
Should there be more of
a requirement to receive a
valedictorian diploma? It
used to be that there were
just a couple valedictorians
per graduating class, but now
there are over twenty.
This year twenty-three
seniors will receive a
valedictorian diploma. This
has increased by four people
from last year and it will
continue to rise even higher
in the coming years.
The requirement for such
an honor is to maintain a 4.0
GPA throughout your high
school career. It sounds like
an easy accomplishment for
some, but for others it is near
impossible.
Students who choose to
take easier courses breeze
through their bare minimum
classes while others struggle
to keep their A’s and B’s in
advanced placement classes.
It is good that many
people receive this honor.
It looks great on resumes
but I think there should be
more requirements than just
having straight A’s to be a
valedictorian. As in most
associations and institutions,
rules change to fit the times.
One example of a new
requirement should be that
the recipient should maintain
perfect attendance throughout
their high school career or at
least their senior year. That
would make it harder to
become a valedictorian.
Sure it gives students
that normally don’t get any
recognition some time in the
sun, and it also gives them
a one up on others when
applying for jobs, but I
just think that there should
be more requirements for
valedictorians.
Schools raise children
Natalie Baehl
Staff Writer
Have you ever heard your
parents say, “when I was
your age...”? Of course, it’s
a parent’s favorite saying,
second only to, “If I find
out....”, As much as we are
told about how school was
20, 30, or even 40 years
ago, does anyone ever really
listen? When our parents, and
their parents were in school,
they went to learn the basics;
reading, writing, arithmetic,
PE and maybe speech.
Afterwards they went home
to do daily chores and spend
time with their family.
Their parents taught them
a good work ethic, money
management, manners, and
domestic housework.
At some time between our
parents time in school and
our time, there was a shift
made to the schools educating
students in math and writing
to teaching students about life
and responsibility.
It seems that around the
age children start elementary
school parents stop telling
them that throwing a
screaming fit in the middle of
the store will not get them a
chocolate bar. It’s as if they
assume it’s to late to save
their children from growing
up to be spoiled, and hope
that school will take care of
it for them.
Whether school saw a
downfall in the firm hand of
parenting, or they just wanted
to expand the subjects they
were teaching, they decided
to step up to the plate.
With the introduction of
home ec., foods, and early
development, the domestic
skills that mother’s taught
their children are now being
taught in the classroom.
As of now we do not have
a class to teach manners, but
it might be something school
could invest in.
In the last 30 years the idea
of parenting has morphed into
being a child’s friend before
being their parent. Parents
fear their children growing
to dislike them, instead of
worrying about their children
not growing into a capable
adult. They refuse to punish
their child, who knows right
from wrong.
This shift of roles in
young children’s lives is not
completely due to parents
slacking off. The time
students spend at school
increases every year. From
7:35am to 2:45pm students
go from class to class. Many
students have after school
activities until 5:00pm or
later. Even more students go
to work after school. When a
student makes it home late in
the evening, they have half an
hour or more of home work.
Between 12 to 14 hours a day
is devoted to school, school
related work and a job.
When exactly does a parent
find time to teach their kids
to cook, do housework, say
please and thank you, and
take responsiblity for their
own actions.
O b v i o u s l y, t h e l i n e
between parenting and school
has blurred with the change of
time, but has it been crossed?
Whether it’s because
parents use a more laid back
manner in child raising, or
schools made themselves to
welcome in the raising of the
students they teach things
have become to mixed.
Parenting duties have shifted
from raising happy, welladjusted, responsible adults,
to setting curfew and driving
from soccer to ballet. It
seems school has started to
do everything else.
What is your cure for Spring Fever?
“Well, it’s my senior year
and I know that every day is
one day closer to graduation,
so I want to make it worth
while.”
Senior
Amber Headley
“Knowing that I’m
graduating soon...I want
to spend every possible
moment with my friends.”
Senior
Nick Jullian
“Coming to school just to
get it over with and seeing
my boyfriend after school
everyday.”
Junior
Victoria Wronowski
“I come to school to get it
over with.”
Junior
Mark Ritter
“I come to school so I can
see my friends and get an
education.”
Sophomore
Jordan Nagy
“I come back to play sports
and to see my friends.”
Sophomore
Daniel Schweikhart
“My future plans keep me
motivataed because I want
to be successful later in life.”
Freshman
Jamie Kissel
“I come back so I can
improve in baseball by
going to practice.”
Freshman
Chris Lynch