September 24, 2008 ire Issue 1 Lewis Central High School 3504 Harry Langdon Blvd. Council Bluffs, IA 51503 the W Seniors Pat Gillespie(47) and Kyle Hausbrouk(94) pose for a picture after practice. The football team practices Monday through Thursday from three to six. See more about their season on page four. Photos by Lindsey Lawrence It is Time for a Change Last year a lot of new rules were introduced to the stu- in the halls the students council members talked about dents and staff, and this year the changes just keep on com- restricting passes. ing. The first day of school was filled with talk of changes. Freshman Ashlynn Cooper does not have a problem The physical changes include the new tile in the downstairs with the seven passes. hallway and powder blue walls around the restrooms. Oth- “I think they’re good, because no one should be go- er adjustments that pertain to the rules are in the rewrit- ing seven times during the week in class. I mean dang, ten handbook, covering a strict policy on seven passes you can go during lunch.” per week. These were the highlights of the first day of Other changes may not be changes to the rules school. at all. There have been a few alterations in the def- Senior Jenny Burnett has not been too con- initions of the rule infractions and responsibility. cerned with the changes. These were for clarity, to make it easier for the “I think that the recent changes aren’t too rules to be followed. Page 15 in the handbook bad, it’s just that the teachers have been asked has been rewritten for a simpler understand- to enforce the rules more.” ing of the students, parents, community, Sophomore Nate Conealy, on the oth- and the schools responsibility. er hand, felt differently. Found on page 19, aca- “It takes away some of the demic integrity and cheating freedom that high school offers, have also been rewritten to but sometimes it’s needed.” help students grasp the idea of Many of the changes seen this their meaning. In the past years, year have come from discussions at plagiarism has been a problem. The the meetings of volunteer teachers administration has stepped in to re- who are the members of the Leader- solve this mishap. For example, in Eng- ship Team, and discussions held during lish Composition, a new website, turni- the Student Council meetings. The major tin.com, will be used to help. topics at these meetings were the passes The changes this year have brought that are found in students’ planners.Teach- clearer definitions to Lewis Central in hopes ers wanted to stop hallway loitering and try to of aiding the faculty and students to make keep students where they need to be. Even stu- this year run smoothly with as few problems as pos- dents have become aware of the many teens in sible. the hall when in class. To cut down on socializing Story by Maria Jones [september 2008] It’s a Strange World After All STRIKING METAPHORIC GOLD DIAPERS SAVE LIVES! ER…LIFE Behind the Fights Wisconsin - One couple has defied all logic. This Sao Paulo, Brazil - Imagine that you are a parent Animal abuse is widespread inside the Leavenworth State lucky pair each won a lottery prize of $350,000… with a young child, roughly 18 months old. Before you not only in the United States but Penitentiary in Kansas. Twice! Verlyn Adamson claims to have created an even realize what has happened, your baby is gone, also around the world. Although Not only is dog fighting illegal equation to figure out the winning lottery numbers falling almost 30 feet to an almost certain death. This it may seem like the popularity of and in many U.S. territories, it is also and has used it before, but has only won small incident, though horrifying, had a surprisingly happy dog fighting has decreased it is still considered to be morally wrong in amounts of money. The Adamsons bought four ending. As the toddler fell from a third story window a major concern on the minds of the minds of many citizens and in tickets from different locations, all for the same his diaper caught on one of the spikes on the outside of many. many different cultures across the drawing and with the same numbers. All together the building. Witnesses say the boy dangled from the Dog fighting is hardly new, as globe. Dog fighting is not limited their winnings add up to about 1.4 million dollars, spike for a few moments before the diaper ripped. The many dog fights were held during to one race or group of people, or $955,000 after taxes. Wow! child was treated for minor fractures and sent home. the Roman Empire. The term dog a main factor in establishing its fight would be inaccurate for the popularity. However, research LEFT OUT OF THE FAMILY BUSINESS time since dogs were pit up against indicates that those who EDUCATORS PACKING HEAT other animals such as bears or participate in such fights are more Denton, TX - Pizza Patron employee Stephanie Harrold, TX - Teachers are now allowed to do bulls. From that point its popularity likely to be involved in activities Martinez was quietly complying with a disguised more than just give out detentions. Some of these moved to countries such as England such as (illegal) gambling or drug robber when a co-worker jumped the man, knocking educators now have a license to carry a concealed and Ireland throughout the Middle distribution. These fights can also him to the ground and beating him. At some point handgun. While Harrold superintendant, David Ages. It became outlawed in influence children once they are during the beating the thief’s sunglasses and wig fell Thweatt, acknowledges that some of the schools 50 England during 1835. old enough to be involved, as they off revealing him to be none other than Stephanie’s employees are carrying the small weapons, he will The “sport” began to achieve will see people they know or look father. The Denton police arrested her father, mother not say how many or who. some notoriety in the United States up to doing the same things. shortly after and was endorsed by “I can’t understand why a and husband, concluding the young woman had no Story by Athena Burns previous knowledge or involvement in the heist. the United Kennel Club for 100 person would want to have a dog years. Dog fighting became illegal fight. Animals have feelings, too in most states during the 1860’s but and don’t deserve to be killed still remained popular in American just because they lost a fight.” Russia Invades Georgia society. Currently it is illegal to Like many people, Clark cannot Recent footage of the Since the height of the financially if its massive Western hold or witness a dog fight in all understand why anyone would devastating damage and death Vietnam War in 1968, the number holdings were frozen. Would a 50 states and in Washington D.C. want to associate themselves in left in the wake of the Russian of American men and women cold-war message of refusal to as well as in some U.S. Territories such activities. invasion of the small town of Gori in the Army, Navy, Air Force and participate in the 2010 Olympic such as Puerto Rico and the Virgin People who partake in fights in Georgia is a disturbing example Marine Corps has fallen, from 3.5 Winter games by the Western Islands. Not until over a year ago do so for entertainment purposes of a small democratic government million to 1.4 million today. With nations be enough to send the has dog fighting received so much and rarely care about the welfare and its citizens being unjustly ruled 140,000 U.S. troops tied down message? mainstream attention. of the animals involved. Money by controlled neighboring forces. stabilizing Iraq, 34,000 in Kuwait, “No, because what is going “I really don’t see dog fighting is often a big factor during dog According to www.time. 10,000 in Afghanistan and 5,000 on with the war has nothing to getting that much attention like on fights. The owner(s) place money com, there are great geo-strategy in the Balkans, if the U.S. decides do with sports,” said junior Wade CNN, or whatever but I have seen it on the dog they believe will issues at stake that most Lewis to step in by sending troops to Taylor. talked about on the local news, like win. Sometimes the people who Central students are probably Georgia where will they get the It is too early to decide channel 9,” said sophomore Dustin organize the fight may choose to not aware of. This means that an troops from? precisely what activity should Clark on the media’s coverage of fight a strong dog and a weak dog, independent Georgia is critical “You [students] should care be taken, but it is important for dog fighting. ensuring that the strong dog will to the international flow of oil. A because the draft could come the United States to mobilize During April of 2007, Michael win and that a profit will be made. pipeline carries crude oil through back,” said government teacher the international community Vick, the former first overall pick It may seem as if only people with Georgia that provides the West John Drake. about condemnation of Russia’s in the 2001 NFL Draft and starting questionable backgrounds are with access to energy resources The next steps are critical behavior.