Valentine’s Day Hannah Harms Panther’s Valentine’s Day is the special day of the year for love. Though it started out as a day to honor the martyr named Saint Valentine, it is now the day that people spend with the loves of their lives, or their current love. Tale Many guys can get confused on this day due to the saying that, “If you treat your girlfriend as special on Valentine’s Day, you’re doing something wrong every other day of the year”, or “Every day should be Valentine’s Februry 2012 Day.” I advise you to NOT listen to this, just because it may make you look as though you did something wrong; the man with the present always wins. If you aren’t at the gift giving stage in your relationship yet, try taking your girlfriend out to a nice dinner and a cute movie. When I say this, I mean Olive Garden and the hot new chick flick, The Vow, not McDonald’s and Transformers. Also be extra loving towards your partner on this day, to show them that you don’t have any other person you would want to spend the day of love with than them, and don’t ever let your girlfriend pay for a Valentine’s Day meal or movie - you’re asking for a break up by doing that. If you chose to spend the day with your friends or family some activities that you can always do is make Valentine’s Day cards for your friends. You can buy some at your local store with characters on them, or you can go the extra mile and make your own. Also, if your sending out Valentines, you should probably put candy in them; no one wants a Go Panthers!Valentine with no candy inside it. For more information on how to create a lasting relationship with your partner, check out Brittany’s article below.

Celebrity Breakups The couple is raising three children, two of their Brittany Quigley own and one of Will’s from a previous relationship. In today’s society, breakups or divorce of celebrities A third couple that has been together for a long time are in the media everyday; does anyone stay together? With is Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman. This couple recently Valentine’s Day being in February, will there be any couples celebrated their twenty- fifth wedding anniversary. Their out there celebrating for more than their first time? The relationship is rather private, but they do have three media doesn’t talk about long lasting relationships, it talks children. about the breakups. Despite what is always in the media, Additionally, the couple Sarah many celebrity couples have been together for longer than Jessica Parker (Sex in the City) and Matthew people realize. Bonderick (Ferris Bueller, Inspector Gadget) There are many celebrity couples out there that have have been married for eleven years. This been together longer than most of us realize. One of these couple is also rather private, but has one couples includes Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. These two child who was born in 2002, and have have been together for twenty- three years. Hanks and recently had twins via a Wilson meet on the set for a T.V. comedy called “Bosom surrogate. Buddies”, but became a serious couple during Wilson’s movie Volunteer. The couple now has While there are many couples in the news two children. because of their rocky relationships or breakups, many couples out there are in it for Another couple that has been together for quite the long run. some time is Will Smith and Jada Pinkett. This couple has been married fifteen years. The couple met in 1990 Happy Valentine’s Day! when Pinkett tried out for a role in Smith’s T.V. show “Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” 2011-2012 Seniors Juniors Sophomore Sierra Davis, Angela Pahl Melissa Bass and Hannah Harms, Panther’s Tale Brittany Quigley, and Tabbi Rettig and Stephanie Stumma Branden Kleppe Get your pictures the yearbook! The Yearbook Staff invites students and parents to Log on to: ReplayIt.com submit photos for the yearbook. If you’ve got great photos Password: Panthers12 of school and community events or you and your friends •Browse to select the photo(s) you wish to upload, click on just having fun, we’d like to see them. “Image Share”. Our photographers can’t be everywhere. Help us get as •Enter information about the photo and provide contact many photos as possible to create a terrific book everyone information in case the staff needs additional information. will want to have. •Click “Save Details”. It’s that easy! Here is how you can submit photos online Submit your photos today! Groundhog Day Chinese New Year Spring is Angela Pahl Stephanie Stumma near! The Chinese New Year is the most important of the The Groundhog saw traditional Chinese holidays. It is known as “Spring Festival” his shadow this year and in China. The festival marks the end of the winter season. It everyone knows what that begins on the first day of the first month and ends with a means: six more weeks of Lantern Festival on winter. Not that there was a the 15th of the winter to begin with. Most month in January. people would argue that Chinese New Year Groundhog Day is an is also the longest inaccurate event for predicting if the end of winter is festivity of the coming early or not. Chinese calendar. According to Groundhog Day, organizers the The origin of the Groundhog’s shadow predicts accurately about 39% of the holiday is centuries time. So that would mean that those people are correct. old and is celebrated Although this is true, Groundhog Day is very important for in Taiwan, the famous Groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, who is the official groundhog for Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Singapore, Hong Chinese New Year parade. Kong, Malaysia, Groundhog Day is a special occasion that everyone Philippines, Vietnam, and in Chinatowns all around the looks forward too, especially the groundhog. Last year the world. People will spend money for presents, decorations, Groundhog did not see his shadow, and 2008 to 2010, the materials, food, and clothing for the holiday. It is traditional groundhog did see his shadow, which meant no early spring. for a family to cleanse their house in order to keep away any Mother Nature seems to not want us to have an ill-fortune and to make way for good incoming luck. early spring at all this year, or the year before that, which On the Eve of Chinese New Year, many families will goes back to the Dry Winter that Iowa is having. The dry hold feasts together. Many of the feasts include duck, pig, winter days are done, and the Groundhog and Mother chicken, and sweet delicacies. The families usually end the Nature seem to be in agreement about keeping the current night by using firecrackers. The next morning, kids will greet weather conditions. Late spring and more snow just for their parents and wish them a healthy and happy new year. Iowa! They then receive money in red paper envelopes. Mother Nature and the Groundhog should work The Chinese New Year is about reconciling, together more often to figure out what the outcome should forgetting all grudges, and to sincerely wish peace and be each year, it might make the Groundhog more happiness for everyone. Clothing mainly featuring the color predictable, which would make it more accurate and people red or bright colors is commonly worn throughout the would trust the poor little Groundhog with the yearly Chinese New Year because it was once believed that red prediction more. could scare away evil spirits and bad fortune. Red is the Update: Wow-maybe the groundhog was wrong! predominant color used in New Year celebrations. Red is the With temps in the 70s and 80s for a week, some may believe emblem of joy, and this colour also symbolizes virtue, truth that Spring is here early! March 21 brings the first official and sincerity. The Chinese New Year is a holiday that is day of spring, and I think most of us are ready! celebrated by millions and is a national tradition in China. Happy 1st Day of Spring!

Super Bowl XLVI 1 pound of Velveeta Cheese Branden Kleppe 12 ounce jar of salsa (mild, medium, or hot) green chiles (optional). The presentation of the Super Bowl is one of the Fully cook the sausage according to package directions. greatest days in the NFL for both players and fans. This Drain the fat from the pan, then add the cheese and salsa. year’s Super Bowl was number 46 and took place in Cover and simmer all ingredients together, stirring Indianapolis, Indiana. The teams facing off were the New occasionally, until cheese melts. Stir in the green chiles, if York Giants and the New England Patriots. In the end, the using. This recipe can be found at http://www.ivillage.com/ Giants won the Super Bowl and the score was 21-17. moms-cheese-dip/3-r-105879. Another great part about the Super Bowl is all the Usually after the Super Bowl is over, they announce commercials they air during the game. Some favorites were that you can go online and buy memorabilia. Some of the the Doritos: Sling Baby, Budlight: Weego, KIA: A Dream memorabilia would be shirts, caps, DVDs, etc. Now since Car, Chrysler: It’s Halftime in America, M&M’s: Just My this Super Bowl has passed, we have to wait another year Shell, Doritos: Man’s Best Friend, Volkswagen: Dog Strikes until more new commercials, new recipes, and new teams Back, Audi: Vampire Party, and Chevy: Silverado. There who will be playing at the Super Bowl next year. were also some controversial ones like the GoDaddy Picture link: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMDi8dRh_Fc/ commercials. The price of making these commercials costs about 3.5 million dollars per commercial. TyPlYTroboI/AAAAAAAABZk/UrmoY7zMC8E/s1600/ During half-time, the show was Madonna singing a INdianapolis_super_bowl_2012_Logo_Wallpaper_PNG.jpg montage of her old songs, as well as a new release (Y-O-U- MADONNA) and was accompanied by LMFAO, M.I.A., Nicki Minaj, and CeeLo Green. Some people enjoyed the half-time show and some did not, but that’s typical year to year. Another great thing that happens during the Super Bowl is all the huge parties people have while watching the game. A party favorite is there are so many recipes for dips and other snacks for Super Bowl Sunday, because when someone is having a Super Bowl party, they need to have a great dip and other snacks. A certain dip recipe would be: “Mom’s Cheese Dip.” The ingredients to this dip is 1 pound of Jimmy Dean Regular Sausage Leap Year 2012 Academy Melissa Bass Leap Year is a year containing one extra day in order to keep the calender Awards year synchronized with astronomical year; therefore, the year lasts 366 days instead The 84th Annual of the usual 365, with the extra day being the 29th of February. Additionally, years Academy Awards that are divisible by 100 do not contain a Lear Year UNLESS that year is divisible by Nominees 400, like the year 2000. The Earth takes 365 days and 6 hours to make one revolution around the sun. So, every four years, another 24 hours is added, making Stephanie Stumma the extra day. Now that we are done with the heavy dictionary version and math lesson, we’re going to see some fun facts. This year the 84th annual *Were you born on leap year? Academy Awards will be held on February 26th, 2012, at the A person born on February 29 is often called a "leapling" or a "leap year baby". In Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. non-leap years, leaplings typically celebrate their birthdays on either February 28 or March 1. Best Picture: The Artist, The *Do you also have the sign of Pisces under February 29? Descendants, Extremely Loud If so you’re in luck because according to some as astrologers, those that are will have & Incredibly Close, The Help, unusual talents and personalities. In the Guinness Book of Records, the Keogh Hugo, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, Family has had three consecutive generations born on February 29. They also have a War Horse. The Help has won special Leap Year cocktail, so go look that up...only if you’re over 21 of course. many Screen Actors Guild Also astrologers predict that, in 100 years, the solar calendar and the Awards and is a top contender calendar year will be 25 days apart, so eventually our seasons won’t match up with for the Oscars. the months we currently associate them with. Your chances of being born on Leap Year are about 1 in 1500, and there are about four million people in the world who Best Actor in a leading role: were born on this day. If you were born on this day then count on your birthday Demian Bichir for A Better Life, George Clooney for The being pretty confusing. Descendants, Jean Dujardin for Some additional facts: The Artist, Gary Oldman for Some famous people born on February 29 include: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Brad ●1468 – Pope Paul III (d. 1549) Pitt for Moneyball. There has ●1792 – Gioacchino Rossini, Italian composer (William Tell, The Barber of Seville) (d. been a lot of talk that The 1868) Descendants has been some of ●1896 – Morarji Desai, former Indian prime minister (d. 1995) George Clooney’s best work yet ●1916 – Dinah Shore, American singer (d. 1994) ●1924 – Al Rosen, American baseball player and has received critical ●1924 – Carlos Humberto Romero, former president of El Salvador acclaim for his role in the film. ●1960 – Anthony (Tony) Robbins, American motivational speaker ●1964 – Lyndon Byers, Canadian hockey player Best Actress in a leading role: ●1972 – Antonio Sabàto Jr, Italian-born actor Glenn Close for Albert Nobbs, ●1976 – Ja Rule, American rapper and actor Viola Davis for The Help, ●1980 – Chris Conley, American musician and songwriter/composer (wikipedia.com) Rooney Mara for The Girl with A Day of Honor for the American Presidents the Dragon Tattoo, Meryl Sierra Davis Streep for The Iron Lady, President’s Day was originally established on the birthday of the first president of Michelle Williams for My America, George Washington, but now is celebrated on the third Monday of February to Week With Marilyn. Michelle honor all the presidents of the United States. This day has become an important dedication Williams has won a SAG award to the leadership and determination that each president has showed during their presidency. for My Week With Marilyn . The United States has gone through some tough times and continues to face struggles. This day is dedicated solely to the presidents that have worked hard to keep America a great Best Supporting Actor: nation. Some schools around the country take the day off for President’s day, and others Kenneth Branagh for My Week spend the day making crafts to show patriotism. There are many fun activities that can be With Marilyn, Jonah Hill for done to show respect for President’s Day. Patriotic pinwheels, craft stick flags, star strings, and log cabins made out of twigs are just a few of the crafts made in schools and homes on Moneyball, Nick Nolte for President’s day. Warrior, Christopher Plummer Whether or not people have to go to school or work, President’s Day is a very for Beginners, Max von Sydow important for American citizens. It is just as important as Independence Day. Our country for Extremely Loud & would not have survived all the issues and wars America has endured if it was not for our Incredibly Close. Max von presidents who led our country courageously. The presidents of the United States deserve to Sydow has won a SAG award have a day that honors their work and remembers everything that they did for their country. for his work in Extremely Loud This year, President’s Day is being celebrated on Monday, February 20. Students &Incredibly Close. and faculty will have the day off of school. How will you celebrate?

Best Supporting Actress: Hugo: A Review Berenice Bejo for The Artist, Jessica Chastain for The Help, The movie, Hugo, nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture is the screen adaption of the graphic novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret. The novel presents itself at nearly Melissa McCarthy for three inches thick, which may scare some people away from reading it, However, the book is Bridesmaids, Janet McTeer for composed of a unique graphic picture story told in graphite drawings, alternating with a Albert Nobbs, Octavia Spencer reasonable amount of text. At first intimidating, the drawings lead the reader into the story and for The Help. Octavia Spencer keep them reading throughout the storyline. It quickly became a best seller. has won a SAG award for Best The recently released film adaptation is one of the best that this reviewer has seen. True to Supporting Actress for The the storyline, the film’s creative production creates a story surrounding a character that the Help. Melissa McCarthy has viewer truly relates to and empathizes with. Hugo, an orphan as the story is told, learns to fend also been a top contender for for himself and survive his days by winding the clock tower and assembling a robot that his the Oscar, but it has raised dad had begun building and was the only momento he had left of his father. When he is caught questions whether her role was stealing parts to add to the robot, he is caught and his invention book is confiscated. Hugo is a even worthy of an Oscar. determined and intelligent young man who never gives up on his hopes and dreams, despite the obstacles he faces. As a reader and viewer, I highly recommend that you check out this book and the movie. You will not be disappointed!