Plugged In Issue Six • the official school newspaper of Speedway Senior High School • March 1,1 2011 A pro prospect in our midst? Lost Frogs: Junior hockey star just one of the guys Four Found

Greatness comes in many shapes and sizes. At Speedway and other east High, it comes in the form of 5’6”, 135-pound junior, Mason coast cities than By Sandy Bauers The Philadelphia Inquirer Jobst. He is one of the top junior hockey prospects in his age in Indianapolis. (MCT) group. Jobst has talked to In August, conservationists and The 17-year old center has lived and breathed hockey recruiters at many biologists launched a five-month nearly his entire life. It all started on his third birthday, when colleges around the search to try to find 100 “lost” species young Mason received a pair of brand new ice skates. Soon country; Colorado, of amphibians. Some 126 researchers after, he was wearing them around constantly. At age four, Minnesota, Yale, combed five continents in search of Jobst enrolled in his first youth hockey league, where he Maine, and Boston frogs, salamanders and others that had played the game for the first time at Pepsi Coliseum. College. not been seen in a decade or longer Nowadays, Mason is still playing hockey at Pepsi Mason spends a and were feared extinct. Coliseum. Recently, he had the chance to play on United lot of time working The good/bad news: They found States Hockey out. He has U18, four. They also made 11 re-discoveries League’s (USHL) Indiana Jr. Ice, of species they weren’t actually Casey Miller Team USA against his Plugged In practices multiple looking for, including a frog in India Sports Columnist hometown’s Indiana times a week. FIRE AND ICE that scientists had not seen in more Ice. He was called Additionally, Mason Junior Mason Jobst balances his school life than a century. up to play for Team does a lot of off-ice with his dreams of playing college hockey. The Search for Lost Frogs was Photo courtesy of the Champion staff. USA while another workouts, especially undertaken by Conservation member of the Michigan-based team was out with an injury. stick drills. International and the IUCN Jobst made his time in the spotlight count. In one of the With all of this practice, Mason hopes that he can be Amphibian Specialist Group, games against the Ice at St. Vincent’s Sports Rink, Mason successful in the National Hockey League. One thing is with support from Global Wildlife played a part in both of USA’s scoring plays, registering a certain, though. Pro scouts have been, and will be watching Conservation. goal and an assist. Though he didn’t continue to play for Team Mason very carefully over the next few years. They will be According to a press release about USA because the roster was full, Jobst created lots of positive pivotal to his career and dreams of playing in the pros for his their work, “The goal was to establish exposure. When asked about the game, Mason was virtually favorite team, the Chicago Blackhawks. It just goes to show whether populations have survived speechless. It had to be an indescribable experience. that no matter where you are, you could be in the presence of increasing pressures such as habitat The attention Mason is getting on a national scale is greatness. loss, climate change, and disease, and especially impressive in the low-key Indianapolis market. to help scientists better understand Junior hockey is much more prominent in Chicago, Detroit, what is behind the amphibian crisis. Amphibians are the most threatened group of vertebrates, with over 30 Calling all music lovers! percent threatened with extinction due to habitat loss and a fungus that causes chytridomycosis - an infectious A behind-the-scenes look at Luna Music disease - among others.” Wayne Hill, the manager of There are two Luna music stores: The “lost” species that were found: the Luna Music store in downtown one on College in Broad Ripple and Holly Scott MEXICO: Cave Splayfoot Indianapolis, knows his music. From the the other downtown on budding Plugged In Salamander (Chiropterotriton very second that I walked into the store Massachusetts Avenue. Luna was Entertainment mosaueri) - last seen in 1941 Staff and introduced myself, I could tell that originally located on West 86th Street IVORY COAST: Mount Nimba Reed he was practically bursting at the seams until Half-Price Books took over the Frog (Hyperolius nimbae) - last seen with knowledge of the latest news in area. Deciding that “world domination” in 1967 the music world. Lucky for me, he was could wait, the owner, Todd Robinson, that Luna open a store downtown, and DEM. REPUBLIC OF CONGO: excited to share some of it. opened a Luna Store on 52nd Street. Ever ten years ago, that’s exactly what they Omaniundu Reed Frog (Hyperolius since opening day, people recommended did. They were told that Mass. Avenue sankuruensis) - last seen in 1979 was going to really take off, so that ECUADOR: Rio Pescado stubfoot would be an ideal place to open a store. toad (Atelopus balios) Ecuador - last The Mass. Avenue area of our city seen in April 1995. is truly an up-and-coming area. There The Philadelphia Zoo’s Carlos are plenty of unique boutiques and Martinez has been leading an effort stores; plus, there are many fun cafes to rescue frogs. He has brought and restaurants, including a brand new some species back to the zoo for frozen yogurt place. However, it is never safekeeping and breeding. You a complete trip to Mass. Ave. without can read his “frog blog” here: visiting Luna. www.philadelphiazoo.org/phila/ Luna specializes in cd and Conservation---Travel/In-The-Field- record sales, but they also sell shirts, Blogs/Frog-Blog.htm trinkets, and occasionally hold in-store ___ performances by both local and popular ONLINE bands. The Search for Lost Frogs: So why do people still buy cds and www.conservation.org/campaigns/ records, as opposed to purchasing music lost_frogs/Pages/search_for_lost_ online? “People still like the physical amphibians.aspx product. They still like to come in and ___ browse to find new music,” Wayne said. Visit Sandy Bauers’ blog at http:// go.philly.com/greenspace. See LUNA on page 6 ___ MASS AVE MUSIC Luna stores bring Indy music fans a little bit of everything. Photo courtesy of Ariel Faulkinbury. 2 Opinion It’s not Black and White How Speedway is more diverse than ever Our school is like a salad with vegeta- years, whereas only 3% of all Speedway race relations are improving due to the bles and flavors from all over the globe. residents were African-American. In increased number of minorities and vari- A good percentage of our school most towns, the different races get along ous cultures in our town. population is non-white and a small but better when they interact more with each African-Americans and Caucasians Christopher significant percentage is international other. Race relations in Speedway (at are befriending each other and play- Hooten Plugged In according to data on the school district’s least inside the school walls) are fairly ing on each other’s teams. Most of my Columnist statistics page. I contribute the increase good and people of all nationalities feel friends like Joey Sherfick, Zach Ewing, in minorities to changing demographics comfortable showing their heritage as Malik Aboubacar, and Chris Tinajero are of the city. More minorities are living is proven by the existence of a thriving from a variety of cultural backgrounds in Speedway because there are more International Club in our school. and all live in Speedway. minorities on this side of town. The question of whether or not If kids from Ecuador, Africa, and In particular, the African- Speedway is becoming less or more other places can live together and be To a young person like myself, American population has increased racist depends largely on who you ask. friends, then the town has become better race is not nearly as demanding of my dramatically in the last twenty -five In general, people of color believe that in many respects. attention as it would have been if I had been born forty, thirty, maybe even twenty years ago. Of course, race is a Pure simplistic awesomeness defining part of who I am, but more and more the new generations are noticing the race of their neighbors, coworkers, Super Meat Boy is fun, simple, addictive and classmates less and less. In fact, most teenagers claim they be anything it’s not, the graphics are What would any great arcade game be don’t consider race at all when making Alex simple, but not in a bad way, the art if it weren’t for epic boss battles, not to an impression of new people. A large Lopez style is incredible. SMB was made with mention custom user made levels that majority (65%) in a recent Quinnipiac Plugged In a 90s inspired 8-bit look, but this one come free with the game and add more Columnist University poll, responded that the char- simple detail makes the actual game fun and difficulty to the game? acter of a person is what matters most, look and play so much smoother while Sometimes, the staggering not the amount of melanin in their skin. tipping a nod to classic games. difficulty is going to keep you in the Is this a true reflection of how we as The flourish of meat chunks and game for hours at a time. Most likely, it young adults view each other? Are race overall mess left behind when you hit a will give you the most game play time relations in our country, state, and town saw blade is the simple joy that makes you could wish for in an arcade game. really improving that much? The short I purchased Super Meat Boy SMB such a unique game. The sound Sometimes, it will be the secrets and answer is yes and no. without knowing anything about it at all. of meat slopping around as you fling Easter eggs of SMB that will make you The stereotypes and perspectives of I was skeptical because of the game’s yourself across huge gaps, climb walls strive for absolute perfection. It might a race, whether it be Asian, Caucasian, name alone, but because a friend of face first, sprint to avoid your inevitable just be the total amount of unlockable Native American, African American mine convinced me that it was worth messy death, and even the little trails content the game comes pre-packed or Latino are largely influenced by the playing, I have found that Super Meat of meat colored juices Meat Boy leaves with, characters from other games with mass media and communities that one Boy may be the most fun, addictive, and behind, are all amazing unique and their own special abilities, and different lives in. Generally speaking the more di- ironically simple game I’ve ever played. humorous touches. worlds that are unlocked after you beat verse a community establishment is, the I have to say, Super Meat Boy isn’t Game play gets a 10/10. The story the game. more likely that race relations will be Halo, or Call of Duty, and it may appeal alone may be what you’ll love about It could even just be your nostalgic less hostile albeit not entirely positive. to only a small crowd, but for what it’s SMB even if you’re watching someone childhood urge to reunite two lovers Our school is like a small commu- worth, it’s a near perfect game. play. The controls are tight, responsive, who’ve tragically been separated by nity filled with a very diverse group of Right off the bat without knowing and simple to learn, all while difficult the forces of evil. Whatever the reason, people from all over the world. We have anything about the game the soundtrack to master. The game starts off easy but the pure simplistic awesomeness of students and teachers who are either receives a 10/10. The main menu not even one step out of the woods and Super Meat Boy is guaranteed to from or have roots in different countries features the game’s “theme song” if you you’re thrown into a difficulty that is keep you attempting levels hundreds (Mr. Seiferman is Canadian-American, will, followed by an epic, ominous voice impossible for me to describe in the and thousands of times until you’ve Mrs. Franklin is Indian-American, and restating the title of the game. You’re little space given to write this article. shattered your controller into millions of two new students just transferred from sure to know you’re in for something SMB has over 325 simple, clever, tiny pieces. the Southeast Asian country of Burma). spectacular. Throughout the game there and incredibly well designed levels. are many different but original songs that fit the game’s style perfectly. There’s just something special Plugged In about a simple, catchy, ambient tune The officialschool newspaper of Speedway Senior High while jumping over saw blades made School is published monthly. It is produced by students enrolled in the journalism classes at Speedway Senior High solely for the purpose of destroying you. School. It is intended to be a public forum. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Drop your responses It adds a quirky, kiddy arcade feeling by Room 240 during the morning or via email in care of [email protected]. mixed with the adrenaline pumping Some materials are provided courtesy of ASNE/MCT Campus. The printing of Plugged In is performed by JS metal riffs that blast through your Printing. speakers as you try to avoid missiles, Adviser: Derek K. Doehrmann fireballs, or the lava pit below you. Features Team: Haily Merritt, Kacey Ross, Katie Hunt, Hanna Vongraseuth, Grace Bell, Katie McDonnel, Briana Plain and simple, just like the Strong Opinion Team: Chris Hooten, Alex Lopez, music from classic games like Super Summer Morrison Entertainment Editor: Holly Scott Mario Bros., SMB delivers its own Sports Team: Bailey Larrison, Casey Miller Photo/Graphics Staff: sound that fits the game perfectly and is Ariel Faulkinbury, Summer Morrison guaranteed to stick in your head when Thanks to: ASNE/MCT, the Children’s Museum of you’re not playing. Indianapolis, and Speedway’s Technology Department for professional courtesies. The visuals of this game also bring in a 10/10. SMB never tries to Features 3 Eating healthy today is huge challenge Sports nutrition requires constant effort and attention

Eating healthy is a challenge we as teenagers all face, especially when we are your workouts. “I usually have a protein shake in the in training. Athletes have a tendency to think that just because we’re working out morning; I eat a lot of fruit too,” Anglea stated. on a regular basis means we can eat junk food, because we’re working off the extra It’s recommended that an athlete in training Katie calories we take in. Well that is true to a certain extent, “calories burned must be should have 1.3 grams protein per kg of body weight McDonnel more than calories consumed,” says tennis coach Matt Riley. per day for optimal amounts of protein. When I asked Riley how much he noticed the correlation between a student’s As a pre-game meal, you shouldn’t eat junk Plugged In Columnist efficiency in their sport and their diet regiment he responded by saying, “I see an food. It’s recommended that you eat three to four athlete’s diet correlates more closely with desire and work ethic-eating right before a hours before you perform, because it gives the body match like McDonald’s (sic) are usually the ones that don’t give it their all.” enough time to fully digest and break down all of the starches into protein and fats When the thought of eating healthy comes to mind, it’s a massive turn off for that give you energy fast. athletes, or Americans, of all ages. There are easy changes to make in your eating “I don’t drink pop - there are too many sugars, it’s bad for you,” says Anglea. regimen, nothing radical, just simple modifications. When you eat concentrated sweets, they can draw fluid into the gastrointestinal tract For an athlete, water is a great priority, you have to restore whatever fluids you and contribute to dehydration, cramping, nausea and diarrhea. lose through sweating. As an athlete, if you drink chilled water in small amounts After your done playing or working out you lose your appetite, but there are throughout your game, it will help you stay hydrated and aware. Chilled water is a couple things to do to reduce that effect of exercise. Carbohydrates you can drink easier for the body to absorb and helps the body regulate temperature. “In season I that contain protein. There are several liquid smoothies and beverages on the mar- drink ½ gallon of water a day,” stated shooting guard Austin Anglea. ket that provide high protein and carbohydrates for replenishment. One classic is Three meals a day increases the temptation of overeating, but if you take away chocolate milk. If that is difficult, fruit, popsicles, oranges, bananas, bagels, melon, those three meals and add in smaller meals more frequently, you’re actually eating or apple slices all would be better than not consuming any food because you need to less. When you do eat, carbohydrates are of large importance because when you’re replenish your carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. working out, they provide 40 to 50 percent of the initial energy needed to exert “Very few athletes take the time to understand how the body works and how energy and build muscles. food is metabolized and how their performance is affected,” says volleyball coach Once your body burns all the calories, but you’re not done working out, Scott Stevens. As an athlete, the affects of eating the right foods and making healthi- protein is what carries your body throughout the rest of the session. Exercise may er choices can change your entire performance and help you go that extra mile. cause the body’s need for protein to go up depending on the time and frequency of Taking on Tyson Catch premiere episode this weekend on Animal Planet By Robert Lloyd Los Angeles Times Much-abused city dwellers of noble proportions and heart, pigeons represent both (MCT) the possibility of flight and the attachment to place, freedom and devotion. “They LOS ANGELES - Oh, the paths a life may take. Mike Tyson, the former give you their all,” says Torre. “They get home to you; it’s the greatest thing in the heavyweight champion, is now the star of “Taking on Tyson,” a new Animal Planet world, I think.” series premiering Sunday that plays off his lifelong love of pigeons. He has raised ___ them since he was a kid; now, for the purposes of this series at least, he wants to ‘TAKING ON TYSON’ race them. (The first punch he ever threw, he says, was at someone who stole and Where: Animal Planet killed one of his birds.) It’s a great subject with a great setting - the rooftops of When: 10 p.m. Sunday Rating: TV-PG-L (may be unsuitable for young children, with an advisory for urban New Jersey and New York - but it is repeatedly dragged to earth by the hectic coarse language) conventions of reality television. The whipsaw edits - most of the shots last only a second or two - are meant, clearly, to create excitement and movement, but in doing so mask actual movement What’s opening at theaters this week and fragment space. It is all busy, often arty surface, with no time allowed to By Rene Rodriguez • McClatchy Newspapers(MCT stop and look and breathe the air, an especially unproductive approach in a story BATTLE: LOS ANGELES (PG-13): Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez explicitly presented as a search for peace, for calm, for balance. You are hurried and Bridget moynahan are among the U.S. Marines squaring off against along and allowed no more than a glimpse of places and people who beg for a aliens. longer look. Tyson’s affect is oddly childlike, partly because of the way he speaks, partly MARS NEEDS MOMS (PG): Disney goes 1950s sci-fi with its latest animated because of what he says, and partly because the series paints everything between feature about a boy (voiced by Seth Green) fighting to resuce his mom. his childhood and what might be termed his post-career recovery - all that boxing stuff, the drugs, the prison time - as just a long detour on his way back to the birds RED RIDING HOOD (PG-13): Director Catherine Hardwicke and some lost, truer self. He is “looking for somewhere to belong,” we are told - we (“Twilight,” “Thirteen”) turns the old fable into a medieval horror film. are told things constantly, as if the producers do not trust you to work these out for yourself. Will it be Butler, Duke, or someone new? Although he’s the boss, he does indeed seem like just one of the boys in “Taking March Madness, NCAA basketball style begins with Sunday’s selection show, on Tyson,” as he and his team recite the “five P’s”: “Proper preparation prevents held at the NCAA headquarters downtown. New to this year’s tournament, three poor performance.” There is Mario Costa, an old friend who owns the Jersey City additional teams. The NCAA Division I men’s tournament now features 68 teams property where Tyson’s birds roost. Young brothers Junie and Ricky Roman take so there will be four play-in games next week to determine the traditional field of 64 care of the coops and also see the birds as the key to staying straight. Vinnie Torre, teams. Watch CBS sports this Sunday evening to see if: president of the Lyndhurst Homing Pigeon Club, is the wise old Obi-Wan who Purdue earns a #1, #2, #3, or #4 seed; comes to school them all. If Butler gets a good draw in the tournament; and For all its faults, there remains something deeply appealing. The story of the Whether Notre Dame is the highest seeded Indiana university in this year’s field. brute softened by a love of animals does not pale with repetition. (Marlon Brando’s Will Ball State, Indiana State, or Evansville sneak into this year’s tournament. washed-up boxer kept pigeons in “On the Waterfront,” set not far from Tyson’s You only need to watch WISH-TV Sunday night to find out. coop.) Tyson’s interest in racing pigeons may have predated the pitching of this show, but its “Rocky” scenario of amateurs taking on the establishment feels buckled on to create dramatic interest. Yet for years, Tyson kept birds merely because he loved them - and that is human interest. 4 Features A spotlight on Sparkplugs Twelve talented musicians walk the halls

classical.” bass.” What is your favorite song to play? What is your favorite song to play? What is your favorite instrument? “Paint It Black.” Haily “Pocketful of Sunshine.” “To listen to- banjo, to play- Do you have any goals with your Merritt music? “To learn Blink 182 songs.” Plugged In Do you have any goals with accordion.” Features your music? “To join the Youth What kind of musical style do Columnist Symphony.” you play? “Celtic folk, gypsy, and Victoria Tudor: Senior bluegrass.” Sam Scott: Sophomore Fabulous Four Clayton Adams: Junior Featured Musicians Brytney Brewer: Freshman

Instruments: viola, piano, saxophone How long have you been playing Instruments: accordion, banjo, an instrument? “9 years.” ukulele, guitar, Irish tin whistle, Instruments: drums, xylophone, What kinds of musical style do Instruments: cello, keyboard, and violin, dulcimer, bodhrán, and bells you like playing? “Classical and bass harmonica, and drums How long have you been playing jazz.” How long have you been playing How long have you been playing an instrument? “5 years.” What is your favorite song to an instrument? “7 years.” an instrument? “4 years.” What are your favorite bands? play? “Anything by Bach.” What kinds of musical style do Are there any other instruments “Paramore and A Day To Do you have any goals with your you like playing? “Punk, pop, and you want to learn? “Stand-up Remember.” music? “To be better with viola.”

Photos for pages 4-5 by Ariel Faulkinbury, The best of the rest Plugged In Staff Photographer. It takes a lot of dedication and talent an instrument? “Five years.” Sophomores to play a musical instrument. Many What kinds of musical style do Meg Ochs Aaron Wilson of us are simply too lazy to pick up a you like playing? “Alternative.” guitar and learn to strum a few chords. What is your favorite song to Some people spend hours practicing play? “Beast And The Harlot.” their instrument. Others join the school band to become more proficient or Leah Schiefer just for fun. Here’s a peek at some of Speedway’s musicians.

Freshmen Will Harris

What instruments do you play? What instruments do you play? “Drums and guitar.” “Guitar, drums, and piano.” What are your favorite bands? What instruments do you play? How long have you been playing “Red Hot Chili Peppers and “Piano.” an instrument? “Twelve years.” Avenged Sevenfold.” How long have you been playing What is your favorite band? “A What is your favorite song to an instrument? “Eight years.” Day To Remember.” play? “Beast and the Harlot.” What kinds of musical style do What is your favorite song to Do you have any goals with your What instruments do you play? you like playing? “Classical.” play? “Anything by the Jonas music? “To play for life.” “Bass and guitar.” What is your favorite band? Brothers.” How long have you been playing “Debussy.” Features 5 Enough of Lady Gaga & Justin Bieber? Presenting new bands that deserve the spotlight In this isssue there are two different Vanity Theft Mike Posner genres: rock/pop and indie pop. Rock/ Genre: rock/pop Genre: Alt/punk, pop is the top three. Indie rock is the Rating 2 power pop bottom three. “The rhythms and lyrics Rating 3 Pretty Reckless are short [staccato like] “I can see his songs fade Genre: rock/pop yet the sound flows to- away and blend quickly Rating 1 gether. into another main- “Their music is really (Hanna)” stream radio station. upbeat, makes you wanna Songs: Limb from Limb (Hanna)” just nod your head or LatestAlbum: Get What “His voice was on auto tune. jump up and down while You Came For (Anna Lottes)” singing out to the song. Songs: Please Don’t Go, (Hanna)” Cooler Than Me Latest Album: Bow Songs: Makes Me Wanna Photo courtesy The Pretty Reckless Chicka Wow Wow Die MySpace page. Latest Album: Hanna The Pretty Reckless Vongpraseth Plugged In Entertainment Columnist Photo courtesy www.mumfordandsons.com. Florence and the Machine genre: Indie pop/rock, Mumford & Sons Christina Perri Rating 1 Genre: indie/alt punk, Genre: rock/pop/folk “THEY ARE A DIFFERENT jangle pop Rating 3 ‘VIBE.’ he music videos Rating 2 “She does write her own looks like the next Lady “Their music ranges but, songs which make them Gaga. (Hanna)” they stick to mellow that more original/ “Their not your usual mainstream tunes. (Hanna)” meaningful.” (Hanna)” band. [their peppy.](Michaelle Hay)” “A twist on the usual Rock & Roll. Songs: Dog Days Are Official photo off of mikepos- (Ellen Trout)” Songs: Jar of Hearts, Over, Swiming, Kiss with ner.com. Songs: Little Lion Man, Bang Bang Bang a Fist The Cave Latest Single: Jar of Latest ALbum: Lungs Latest Album: Sigh No Hearts More Need a guitarist or four? Juniors Zack Plott Seniors Jake Wilson Ian Espique Austin Trout

What instruments do you play? “Guitar.” How long have you been playing What instruments do you play? What instruments do you play? an instrument? “Six years.” “Guitar.” What instruments do you play? “Guitar.” What kinds of musical style do How long have you been playing “Guitar, bass, and piano.” How long have you been playing you like playing? “Rock, blues, and an instrument? “Five years.” What kinds of musical style do an instrument? “Three years.” metal.” What kinds of musical style do you like playing? “Alternative.” What kinds of musical style do What is your favorite band? “Led you like playing? “Blues and rock.” What is your favorite band? you like playing? “Anything a Zeppelin.” What is your favorite band? “Asking Alexandria .” guitar can play!” Do you have any goals with your “The Black Keys.” What is your favorite song to What is your favorite band? music? “Make a lot of money so I Do you have any goals with your play? “Can’t Stop.” “Bullet For My Valentine.” can coast.” music? “Start a band in college.”

6 Entertainment

Thespians take on Fools, Break a leg! a Neil Simon production Yes, it’s that time of the year again. After the all of the town’s residents aren’t the most intelligent success of the fall musical Annie, our school’s talented people in the world. But the moronic demeanor is no actors have started rehearsals for the spring production. accident. The town has been placed under a 200 year This year, after hard consideration, assistant director old curse of stupidity. The play spirals as an epic battle Tammy Murray and director Laura Brim have decided of Leon trying to break the curse and capture Sophia’s on the Neil Simon play Fools. I absolutely love going heart simultaneously, as the curse of stupidity prevents to the school’s productions, and after researching the people of Kulyenchiov from loving. Fools, I declare this quirky romantic comedy a must- The actors are also very excited about this see. “The dry comic lines are hilarious,” Murray stated. year’s production. Freshman Quentin Ellett’s favorite “The humor part of his role is “the easy dialogue between me and may not be the other townspeople. We are not holding thoughtful apparent at or interesting discussions, because we are cursed first, but once with stupidity. This makes lines between myself Kacey Ross Plugged In the ‘a-ha’ and the other actors easy to remember and simple.” Features moment hits, Junior Clayton Adams loves “how my role allows and Reporter you can’t stop requires improvisation. Being able to get into character laughing.” and really trying to get the sense of how this character What would be. Acting unintelligent is harder than it looks is Fools, but I enjoy taking on the challenge.” Sam McGlone you ask? loves how “funny and clueless” his character is. Supposedly, when Simon and his wife, Marsha One other thing I love about our school’s Mason, were going through a rocky divorce, his wife drama team is how friendly they all are. Some of my demanded all of the proceedings of his next play that friends have been in the plays and musicals in the past, THE CURSE IS BROKEN?!?! he produced. So, knowing this, Simon purposely tried and I’m always hearing about the inside jokes and Sam McGlone, Quentin Ellett, and the rest of the cast from Fools to write a flop. And when it came out in 1981 and good times they all have together. Plus, when you’re react to the Earth shattering news. Photo by Ariel Faulkinbury only lasted for around forty performances, Simon watching them perform, it’s obvious that all of them accomplished exactly that. However, pun totally just click together. yourself, you’re more likeable! I was really nervous intended, don’t let that fool you. It brings something else to the stage that not a and forgot my lines for my audition but I laughed it Fools takes place in the Ukrainian village, lot of other schools have. So when I asked them if they off! I was talkative and honest!” Kulyenchikov, during the late 1800’s. It’s a love had any advice for other people that want to try out “For people who want to audition next year, story between Leon Tolchinsky and Sophia Zubritsky next year, nobody hesitated in providing they’re secrets I suggest researching the play or musical,” states (yes, the names are kind of wacky and a little to success. “Oh yes! Some advice... Don’t be shy or sophomore Katie McDonnel. “If you know the part you unpronounceable, but that’s what gives this play its nervous!” says freshman Molly Doehrmann. “Be want and their age and their background, you know spunk!). Leon is the village newcomer, and notices that yourself and DON’T flip out! Because when you’re continued on page seven “It’s all about having the best selection” Luna manager Wayne Hill shares some stats continued from page one exceptionally popular, especially with our generation. “Most artists want to go anywhere,” Wayne He also informed me of an unexpected Wayne explained that people like the nostalgic and told me, “The problem is that it is then up to the city statistic: Internet music downloads only make up retro qualities of records. “It’s bizarre because of all of promoters to choose which artists to book.” Based about 30 percent of music sales. This is surprising, the new technology, but they’re having fun with it, and primarily on radio play and album sales, promoters considering today’s surging technology. that’s all that’s important,” he said. have to decide which bands they believe will be the You would think that technology would pose Luna tries to cater a little bit to everything, so most lucrative. Often, they decide that they will book more of a major threat to Luna. Instead, the stores it’s all about having the best selection. Surprisingly, bands at smaller, cheaper venues, which usually turn have been hit the hardest by the current state of our however, Wayne shared that while some things may out to be bars. “Then they wonder why nobody shows economy, and it’s the same for most other Mass. be popular downtown, other, sometimes completely up!” said Wayne. As he put it, this leads them to Avenue business owners. different, music may be popular in Broad Ripple. For “chicken out” in the future. Another shocker is that vinyl records seem to be example, at the moment, Indie labels and college radio If you are constantly seeking new music or are popular downtown while a sort if you just want to broaden your musical horizons, I of down-tempo reggae with a dance suggest that you take a trip to Luna and have a chat element, called “dubstep,” is all the with Wayne. I’m sure that he would be thrilled to help rage at the store on College. However, out a fellow music fanatic, just as he did for me. Plus, bands like Mumford and Sons, Bright you can stop and get some Starbucks or frozen yogurt Eyes, Tennis, and the Twilight Singers afterwards! seem to be popular at both locations. Having previously discussed our common current obsession with Brit Rock, Wayne knew exactly what to suggest when I asked him what Holly Scott was good. He also had an opinion Plugged In on concerts in Indy. “It’s so hard Entertainment for kids, like you guys, because if a Staff band is at the Vogue, you can’t go. If you’re under 21, it can be extremely frustrating,” sympathized Wayne, “If I were you, I’d just want to pack up and SHOCKING SELECTION Luna stores are covered from ceiling to floor move to a different city!” with music goods. Photo courtesy of Ariel Faulkinbury. Features 7 When snow strikes back Three tragic tales resulting from winter storms The temperature would have been no big deal, accept she is heating up and didn’t return the shovel afterward (plus she let Katie the snow and ice are her dog defecate in his yard). Hunt Plugged In melting. A few weeks David Welles’ daughter was evidently Columnist ago, there was a large upset that her father couldn’t finish the igloo, snow storm where and that is when he decided to strike back at hundreds of schools his unruly neighbor. David didn’t have his and businesses across shovel, but he did have a new snow blower, in the Midwest closed for snow and ice. But the weather fact he went out and reburied her car with it. didn’t put much of a damper on everyone’s fun. Plenty It took the lady four hours to dig the car of people went out and played in the snow; build- back out. Here’s the catch, she did it with ing sculptures, skating, sledding, with the occasional a broom! David’s shovel was still missing, snowball fight. The snow was a real winter wonderland and now its location is completely unknown. and many were enjoying it. David was upset, but now that retribution One man’s fun was cut short due to a neighborly has been made he is happy to go on with his dispute. David Welles from Chicago left his snow normal life. The original video is available on SNOW BLOWER ABUSE shovel on his front porch one day, after helping his YouTube. David Welles is caught on a security camera burying his neighbor’s car after his daughter build an igloo. The next morning the shovel In Kansas, three teens went around robbing neighbor stole his snow shovel. had disappeared. Luckily, Welles had security cameras motorists who got stuck in the snow during Photo courtesy of www.cbs.com. that overlooked his yard, and he couldn’t believe what the January snow storm. During one particular robberies, he just drove the car. The eighteen year old he discovered. getaway, after running with a motorist’s cash and credit blamed the sixteen year old for the robberies as well. The security footage showed a woman walking cards, the three teens got themselves stuck in a large The sixteen year old declined to make any statements. her dog. This lady was apparently a neighbor of his, snowdrift. Early that Thursday morning, the police Our last tragic tale from a December storm is a coy- someone he never really met. Well, this lady saw that stumbled upon the trio digging themselves out. ote stuck on Lake Michigan. A coyote was out walking her car, which was parked in the street, was covered in The group consisted of an eighteen year old, a on the ice when it began to break up. The coyote had snow. She somehow got the bright idea that she would seventeen year old and a sixteen year old. The seven- tried to swim back to shore and was in the water for borrow David’s shovel and dig herself out. Which teen year old claimed he had nothing to do with the at least twenty minutes. She managed to climb back onto the ice and was then rescued by a passing coast guard ship. The officers named her Holly because of Dreams of Broadway the holiday season. She was resting for a few weeks in a shelter and then released back into the wild by early January. Green Day production hits the stage

Think Glee’s the only one getting the musical Nearly a year later, the production went to the Drama team back on stage attention? Think again. American Idiot has been trans- Berkeley Repertory in California (just a bit away from formed into a musical, a rock opera to be more exact. the Gilman Street venue where Green Day got their big Play opens on March 18th You might have seen the song/band feature in the break) for the premiere. A special Halloween contest Simpsons Movie; they was held that weekend, daring people to dress like an continued from page six Hanna Vongpraseth performed a concert to “American idiot” for one night. The show broke all Plugged In try to raise awareness box office records (with an extension on the premiere). what type of person they are. If you audition with a Entertainment of the town’s environ- American Idiot is all about three best friends who monologue fitting of the character you want ,you’re Columnist ment hazards (or for search for a meaning in the post-911 world. Mayer more likely to get it, because you’re auditioning with the Wedding Crashers describes it as, “a story of American youth looking purpose. Directors really love when you’re enthusiastic trailer). Now just after to improve their about your part.” two years, it is finally heading to the stage of the St. lives - a coming of Phil Sears, who is the male lead, is really James Theatre in New York. age story.” Along positive. “Just try out, even if you get cut,” states Billie Joe Armstrong had big plans for his band the way they face Sears. “Try out every year, because if you get cut one when they made their seventh album, American Idiot. obstacles forcing year, you could be the lead the next year!” He wrote the song after hearing “That’s How I Like It” them to choose their Murray gives away her professional advice, by Lynyrd Skynyrd on his car radio. American Idiot dreams or the safety saying “Make sure you are committed to the time became the song that brought Green Day back to the of their suburb. involved in making a superior production,” Murray media. A band to compare them to would be Train. Not only is stated. “We have fun, but the entertainment business is Train’s last big hit, Drops of Jupiter, is nearly American Idiot in- hard work!” nine years old, now they have Hey, Soul Sister. For corporated into this I won’t give too many details away, but the Green Day, American Idiot was their Hey, Soul Sister. but, Boulevard of combination of the fun names, spunky humor, and our Not only did it reach #61 on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Broken Dreams, 21 schools wonderful actors, I believe there’s a front row (making it the band’s first chart entry) but it also hit Guns, and Holiday seat calling my name. Hope to see you there! #13 on Rolling Stones Singles of the Decade in 2009. are included. Billie Photo by Robert Ostfield courtesy of the World Wide Web. This song hit #1 in Canada, #3 in the UK’s Top 5 appeared in all of the Singles, and #7 in Australia. They won best rock album January shows and in the 2005 Grammys; and recently, theyjust won Best returned February 10th to finish out the month with Musical Show Album for the 53rd Grammys. the cast; Melissa Etheridge performed the first week of In June 2008, Michael Mayer joined forces with February. The show will end May 1st. Green Day; he brought in Tom Kitt and John Gallagher What was once a rock song is now a rock opera. Jr. (both Tony Award winners). “I think having a show Green Day is setting a future trend for other rock bands on Broadway is breaking boundaries,” said Armstrong. to take a shot at the stages in Broadway. Be on the look Their ideas soon traveled from paper into mini-work- out for more rock operas. You can check out what the shops for nine months. Only nineteen performers made show is like at americanidiotonbroadway.com. the cut-off (and eight on stage band players). 8

Finishing strong A wrap on winter Records were made Wrestlers conclude highly to be broken this year successful season impressively Last month, the boys swimming team complet- Wrestling is widely known as ed a double digit winning season by competing in one of the oldest sports known to the Ben Davis Sectional. The meet was highlight- mankind. This sport can be traced back ed by multiple record-setting performances. 15,000 years by the works of ancient Senior Jared Trackwell broke a school record cave drawings in France. Wrestling that had stood for more than four decades. can also be found in early literature, His time of 58.42 in the 100 meter backstroke one of these literary works being the eclipsed a time set in 1968. well-known Beowulf. In 1888, The Big The 200 meter freestyle relay team of juniors Apple hosted the first official modern Sam Lyon, Jake Neidlinger, James Runge, and day wrestling tournament. 1904 marked Trackwell also set a new school record of 1:36.42. the first wrestling competition in the Also, the Sharkplug 400 meter free relay team of Olympic Games, which was held in Patrick Tiffany, Neidlinger, Runge and Trackwell St. Louis Missouri. The long history set a new record with a time of 3:32.94. of wrestling has created a competitive, Though the Plugs did not advance to region- relentless tone that proved itself during als from a very difficult sectional, they looked the sparkplugs 2010-2011season. great with new records and great hair (and lack The Speedway wrestlers were thereof). extremely competitive this winter, “finishing strong” with a record of 15- Basketball seasons conclude 6. Since switching conferences from WALL OF FAME WRESTLER The girls and boys basketball seasons both Senior Mitchell Judkins advanced to the IHSAA state finals wrestling tourney earned split results in the 2011 edition of Hoosier the WCC to the ICC, the Sparkplug where he placed seventh. Photo courtesy of the Champion staff. wrestlers would also switch up the Hysteria. The girls sectional was held at Cascade competition throughout the regular season. “Our involved in our wrestling program,” commented this year while the boys competed at South Put. schedule became 5 times harder than it was Coach Mike Carter about this season. The girls took advantage of a favorable draw before, we went from facing 2A and 3A schools Overall, it’s been a successful season for the by winning their first round matchup against the to facing 4A and 5A schools, and we found out wrestling team, with all wrestlers participating South Putnam Eagles. This year, the two teams that we could actually compete,” says coach in sectionals, seven participating in the regional did not compete during the regular season which Mike Carter. The wrestlers participated in the tournament(Jesse McIntosh, Aaron Campbell, made the match-up more compelling. The girls Plainfield Invitational tournament on December Wes Hunt, Mitchell Judkins, Erick Zelaya, Jaylin knocked off the Eagles 58-39 to set up a rematch 2, 2010, they went 2-1 at the tournament Allen, Jared Schall), three wrestlers making the with Cascade. defeating the hosts, Plainfield, and also defeating semi-state tournament(Mitchell Judkins, Jaylin The host Cadets won seventeen games this North Putnam. Allen, and Jared Schall), and Mitchell Judkins season but the young Sparkplug edition pushed Speedway advancing to the state meet. Mitchell would come the hosts to the limit in a high-scoring sectional would come in seventh in the state in his weight class (160). semifinal. The teams traded leads throughout the Bailey Larrison Plugged In in second to He would be the first wrestler from Speedway first three quarters and the game was within four Sports Columnist the Danville since 1985 to advance to the state meet, and the points with four minutes remaining but Cascade Warriors, first from Speedway in 42 years to place. earned a high-octane, hardfought 75-63 win that with three of Obviously there’s a lot of talent on this garnered a standing ovation from the Sparkplug our wrestlers wrestling team, “The most upsetting thing about fan base. going undefeated. coaching wrestling is watching tons of talent The boys concluded their yo-yo season by At the Westfield Invitational tournament, come in and go out of the room. You have to playing two games that highlighted the ups and senior Mitchell Judkins and junior Jared Schall have your own desire to stick with it. I would say downs of a challenging schedule. The Wednes- would go undefeated, winning all five of their it’s something you’re born with,” Says Carter. day night opening round matchup featured the matches, and Mitchell would also win the award Mike coaches not only the high school wrestling Sparkplugs playing Cascade in a rematch of a for “most pins in the shortest time” with five pins team, but the Jr. High team as well. “It always successful Spirit Night game won by the Plugs in in three minutes and eleven seconds. makes me feel good when they come up from late January. “For these kids to go against schools like elementary school and finish through their senior Taking control early in the first half, the Spark- Perry and Ben Davis, it says a lot for everyone year. I love to watch them progress every year.” plugs managed to build 8-10 point leads through- out the first three quarters. Cascade would whittle away at the lead only to be countered by Attention Speedway Athletes a Sparkplug offensive attack led by the hustle of sophomore Corey Ross off the bench. Be sure you are ready to perform your best at the Cascade would try to make a final run with full court pressure in the fourth quarter. Despite a few turnovers, the Sparkplugs extended the lead and Athletic Department Combine on March 17th. took a second win over the Cadets this year. The victory earned the Plugs another rematch, See Coach Wray or Mr. Gardner this one with the Tri-West Bruins, another seven- teen game winner this year. The Bruins defeated for more info on the combine. the Plugs in January and presented match-up problems early and often for Speedway. Tri- West would shoot 47 free throws in the rematch, never a good number, and the Sparkplugs season ended with a thud.