november 26, 2008 [email protected] LSHS alhallaVolume 81, Issue 3 Bucks for Ugandans vStudents fundraise for war-affected Africans affected by the brutality and attacks of Brian Toews a rebel group known as the Lord’s Re- S t a f f R e p o r t e r sistance Army (LRA). The documenta- ry chronicles their experience, learning After successfully fundraising to firsthand about a conflict largely un- help Coach Kyle Bigham, also known known to the international community, as “Biggs” in his plight, students at the while also informing audiences about high school have focused their efforts the great humanitarian crisis of child outside Lake Stevens’s borders to aid soldiers. and support those who aren’t as fortu- The Schools for Schools fundraiser nate as us. is an effort to raise money to rebuild By carrying around tubs of money, schools for children in northern Ugan- students are raising the funds to help da, who are torn apart by their coun- children in a distant and dangerous try’s war and enslaved to become child part of the world: northern Uganda. soldiers (as depicted in the film). The That effort is aptly titled, “Schools for mission of Schools for Schools is to Schools,” and is a national fundraiser improve the quality of education for affiliated with the Invisible Children those war-affected students. The goal movement which is based off the film is for high schools around the nation Invisible Children: The Rough Cut. is to simply raise money for Ugandan The film is directed by three children. The school that is able to Nathan Canning and Colleen Doughtry stand beside their Invisible Children van college students who went to the raise the most money can elect one or photo by Nate Lynch depths of northern Uganda where two students to travel with the Invis- “I got involved because about gust [this year].” they discovered thousands of people ible Children association to oversee the three years ago, my youth director Canning touched briefly on progress that their fundraising has ac- showed us a screening of the Invis- why he became a roadie for Invisible complished. Our own high school now ible Children movie at our church,” said Children. qualifies for such reward. Yeutter. “The reason I came was af- Students gathered in the Yeutter is not foreign to this or- ter watching the film, Sunday, which P.A.C Oct. 23 during either their ganization. He has helped the Invisible is about a fifteen-year-old northern first, third, or fifth period classes Children movement in the past. Ugandan boy who lived on his own in to view a presentation put on “About two years after, I went an IDP [Internally Displaced Prison] by volunteers, or “roadies,” of on a mission trip to Mexico and San camp,” explained Canning. “It’s about the Invisible Children cause. Diego during the summer. In San Di- his life in these camps and the ter- A half-hour film was shown ego I worked in an Invisible Children rible situations he’s forced into.” Al- about the fundraiser’s goals. warehouse,” Yeutter said. “I did volun- though Canning’s internship expires The short film also show- teer work, shipped out merchandise, in December, he plans to be a part of cased several students who and did inventory. It was neat.” other organizations to “abolish slavery were elected from their Yeutter contacted Schools for around the world”. high schools to travel to Schools via website and was put in Although in-school fundrais- northern Uganda. In touch with Nathan Canning and Col- ing is over, community fundraising the film, those students leen Doughtry, two of the hundreds of for Schools for Schools ends Dec. 17. had the chance to meet Invisible Children roadies who travel in Those interested in helping or finding and live with Ugandan their black van to high schools across more information about the programs children, later discussing the nation. can visit the Schools for Schools web- their experiences about “Slavery’s always been a big is- site at s4s.invisiblechildren.com, the the trip. Working closely sue for me,” said Canning, as he helped Invisible Children website at www. with ASB, junior Damon man a busy merchandise table at lunch invisiblechildren.com, or they can con- Yeutter was the student the day of the presentation. “There’s tact Damon Yeutter in the ASB office who put the whole fund- more slavery in the world today than during lunch. raiser together. ever. I’ve been a part of this since Au- In this Issue: The Par New dangers what? Faces- a of a Par band to popular Kour see trail pg. 15 pg. 16 In the mysterious mind of pg. 4 Mr. Kelly pg. 7 volume 81, issue 3 page 1 news LSHS november 26, 2008 valhalla Lower gas prices The only good thing to come from economical woes Heather Zebroski S t a f f R e p o r t e r All over the country, gas prices are decreasing rapidly. This decrease is occurring mostly because of the econ- omy and its recent failure. Over the past two weeks, gas has gone down, on average, well over a dollar. During the summer, people dras- tically cut back their use of gas be- cause of its high prices. This lessened our country’s demand for foreign oil. The less our country demands gas, the cheaper it gets. But the low gas prices are not going to help during our eco- nomic crisis. People still need to re- member that our stock market is weak graph courtesy of the Energy Information Administration and the economy is getting worse and worse. Now that our economy is fail- economy, the only thing people are re- clining gas prices might be the only pect them to increase in the near fu- ing, the unemployed want to get jobs ally concerned about is being able to helpful thing that is giving money ture. “I have a bad feeling that it’s [gas as soon as they can to protect them- get where they need to be without put- back to consumer. With every one dol- prices] going to go back up,” Studerus selves in case of more financial disas- ting a hole in their wallet. lar that the gas prices go down, one said. ter. According to Time Magazine, de- billion dollars is saved for consumers. On the positive side for students, Even in all of this chaos about the clining gas prices might be the only If people continue to minimize lower gas prices may be the reason helpful thing that is giving money their gas usage while the economy is for kids wanting to drive their cars. back to consumer. With every one dol- still down, the prices will most likely “I think people are happy about [low- 10 ways to be fuel efficient: lar that the gas prices go down, one keep deceasing. But once the economy er gas prices], but I think people are 1. Don’t accelerate and brake billion dollars is saved for consumers. gets back on its feet, they are sure to probably taking advantage of their rapidly If people continue to minimize rise again. car and driving around everywhere,” 2. Don’t haul around extra weight 3. Try to use cruise control their gas usage while the economy is Students around our school are Studerus said. 4. Keep your tires inflated cor- still down, the prices will most likely affected by these gas prices. Amy It’s not only students that are af- rectly keep deceasing. But once the economy Studerus, a junior, drives a 1998 Volk- fected by gas prices. Mr. Edens, Social 5. Try to keep your windows closed gets back on its feet, they are sure to swagon Jetta. Her car gets 26 miles Studies teacher, is expecting a bit more 6. Bike, walk, bus or take the train rise again. per gallon and she spends about $30 from the gas price changes. “It’s nice, to your destination Gas prices include items other a week on gas. Before the gas price de- but I want to see [gas prices] under 7. Invest in a hybrid! than the fuel itself. According to the cline, she paid $40 for a week’s worth $2.00,” Edens said. 8. Don’t leave your car running when you’re not moving Energy Information Administration of gas. “When I see it [gas prices] at Even in all of this chaos about the 9. Try to decrease the use of your a person pays 68% for the actual gas, $2.69, like I did this morning, obvious- economy, the only thing people are re- AC 14% for refining, 11% on taxes, and 8% ly, I get happy about it,” Studerus said. ally concerned about is being able to 10. Only take one trip to do lots of on distribution and marketing. Although Studerus is happy about gas get where they need to be without put- things According to Time Magazine, de- prices being lowered, most people ex- ting a hole in their wallet. High school jobs: worth it? Global goings-on: Brian Buzzo they got the job in the first to the statewide unemploy- place. “I do not like having no ment average (4.5 percent). news around the world Staff Reporter time for friends, but it is the With most jobs taken, it is Are jobs worth the stress only way” Rice said. hard for high school kids to Nate Shipe for high school students? But not every student find jobs in Lake Stevens.