Are You Textually Active?

Vol. 88, No.7 • March 2009 • Lakewood High School • 14100 Franklin Blvd. • Lakewood, OH • 44107 On the cover, students in an AP class stage a texting bonanza. Can you spot all the technology? From left to right: Seniors Tim Howell, Tyler Kadow, Matt Blackburn, Pat Sponsler, John Kearney, Frank Kushnar-Sanderson, Joanna Gobeille, Staff Aaron Morris, Bridget McKay, and Rachel Buckner. Photo and cover design by Thealexa Becker, Design Editor. The Lakewood Times Editorial Board

Rebecca McKinsey Editor in Chief Thealexa Becker Design & Focus Editor Rachel Kowalski News Editor Sarah Jawhari Opinion Editor Isabella Zettler Lakewood Life Editor Jacob Ott Sports Editor Valerie Locke Names Monitor Miranda Mave Art & Photo Coordinator Adam Mihalski Public Relations & Pollster Andrew O’Connor Advertising & Business Manager Wilson Sackett Exchange Editor Fiza Shah Future Book Compiler Danielle Szabo Distribution Head Karen Ballash Adviser

Above: The ever-elusive Desgin Editor, Thealexa Becker, finally makes it into the staff page after four years of hard labor. Photo by Fiza Shah, Editorial Board Member. Right: Sports Editor Jacob Ott lounges at the legendary Times table, overseeing his section from afar with a box of Chex close at hand. Photo by Rebecca McKinsey, Editor in Chief. Below: News Editor Rachel Kowalski and her date, Editorial Board Member Evan Graves, at Snowball. You can’t tell, but they don’t match – and the fault lies with Evan. Last time we checked, eggplant didn’t go with powder blue. Photo by Thealexa Becker, Design Editor.

editor’s Note

Hey, LHS!

I’ve recently discovered a new love. His name is Texting. That’s right – I’ve joined the ranks of the students who are furiously typing away on their phones. Now that I have, I’m coming to understand the dangers of texting more than I ever did before. Our focus this month is about the technology, especially texting, that is becoming more and more necessary to teens, and the complications that can arise from this dependence. Read on to find out if your phone is controlling you. If you flip through, you’ll also learn about a grant that is allowing two teachers to take new educational steps, discover that we may be expecting too much from celebrities, view photos from the recent talent show and Snow- ball, and read about senior swimmer Kelsey Moran’s successes at states. I hope you enjoy this issue, and if you’re someone who likes writing, drawing, photography, convincing other people to see your point of view, or eating Meat Lover’s pizza, stop by Room 316 some Tuesday afternoon and sign up! Untl next time...

2 Rebecca The Lakewood Times Contents Focus 4 – Has dependance gone too far? News 9 – Statistics for next year’s students 10 – Grant will move students forward 11 – Rockers looking forward to tournament 12 – News Briefs 20 Sophomore Maeve Diffenbacher sings at AYF’s “Talent Night Live.” Photo by Rebecca Editorial McKinsey, Editor in Chief. 13 – Musical hallways Where are students directing themselves? 14 – One bad decision changes a life 16 – Cheers and Jeers The Oscars are getting boring 17 – Why teens need sleep One hour of helping the earth 18 – Times discourages technology dependence Celebrity expectations 19 – Letting cartoonists speak Celebrating the new 25 Lakewood Life Juniors Frank Blackman and Mary Beth Do- 20 – Talent Show at LHS nahoe sparkle at Snowball. Photo by Thealexa Becker, Design Editor. 22 – The travels of Walker 24 – Bands to watch for 25 – Snowball Fashion 26 – Five Guys is coming to Lakewood Lily Allen Review 27 – Rocking teacher Hoobastank Review 28 – “Halo Wars” Review Sports 29 – Moran’s States story 32 – Learning about sports injuries 33 – Editor’s Corner 34 – Ranger Report 29 35 – Underclassmen Uncovered Senior swimmer Kelsey Moran at states. Photo by Evan Graves, Editorial Board Member. March 2008 3 Focus Focus Technology becomes latest teen addiction By Sarah Jawhari, Opinion Editor

Today’s teens are totally hooked on techno- particular.” Caruso argued that while software engineers logical gadgets. “There are a very rare few [students] who have been trying to ensure dependable systems From iPods to laptops, flash drives to cell do not have a cell phone or an iPod,” senior that won’t crash, it’s nearly impossible to test phones, portable gaming systems to cars that Amy Nelson added. “Also, many teens are de- reliability. “Today a bug-ridden upgrade can nearly drive themselves, it would be difficult pendent upon the computer to talk to friends crash even a ‘dependable’ computer system,” to imagine a modern world without the use and family members.” Caruso said. of what has become “daily conveniences.” Is there a danger in relying too heavily on Caruso’s research was based in 1998, but The fact that the computer has become the daily conveniences? Many students don’t know the same threats exist today. And with teens home of nearly everything becomes evident their own cell phone number. An even larger becoming more and more dependent on tech- only when a computer crash becomes a major percentage doesn’t know the numbers of nology such as the personal computer, these dilemma. friends or family members, because they don’t threats are even more ominous. Human dependency on technology has need to punch it in when they call someone. This is not to claim that people must rid spiked in the last twenty years, especially with It’s easier to go into the cell phone’s phone themselves of their computers immediately the mass production of the personal com- book and select the name from a list. – on the contrary, the computer’s use has puter. Teens have especially grown attached: “[Dependency] is definitely going to get become a necessity in both school and the cell phones and MP3 players are nearly as worse,” junior Bayan Hammad said, “con- workplace. Many teachers prefer students to common as notebooks and pencils in the high sidering most people don’t even bother to hand in a typed paper rather than one written school setting. Students scatter to text before memorize phone numbers anymore – they just in messy handwriting on ripped notebook class starts, check their voicemails in the bath- use their cells. Good luck when that breaks.” paper. Projects are also assigned on Microsoft room, and even pop their iPods in for a quick But what happens if the cell phone does PowerPoint and Publisher. Most businesses in listen in the six open minutes between classes. break? If it gets stolen? What happens when the United States have a correlating website, Many students freely admit they don’t know the computer crashes, or when the flash drive and just as many use computer databases to what they would do without their cell phones. accidentally slips out of your pocket? store information and make predictions. “I feel like I know too many peers that An article featured in the New York Times In every area, technology has manifested would die if text messaging was un-invented,” some ten years ago predicted the faulty depen- itself as something that is indispensable. senior John Kearney said. “There is a definite dencies of newer technological advancements “I cannot find a lot of answers in math dependency on phones and computers in – namely, computer systems. Author Denise based on scratch work,” Nelson admitted. A brief history

1895- The invention of the radio. 1941- The military creats one of the earliest computers.

1877- One of the first 1907- One of the first television 1963- The advent of the VCR and Tape uses of the telephone. broadcasts. player. Both utilize similar technology. 4 The Lakewood Times Focus Focus “Math teachers teach us based on calculator really. I mean, when you watch a teenager on people stop being dependent on technology. strokes. Every single day I use a computer TV, what are they usually doing? Talking on It probably will get worse as long as things and a cell phone. Everyone is dependent on a their cell, listening to music, on the computer, keep going they way they are now. People are vehicle to take them places.” or watching TV.” getting used to technology at an even younger The computer may be inescapable in the “Everything I do outside of school is based age as companies keep producing more and workplace and at school, but what about a on technology, aside from doing schoolwork, more items.” teenager’s personal time? and that’s only if I don’t need a computer for “[There is] an increase in demand for faster “Teens in general are dependent on technol- that,” Kearney said. “Really, is there anything gadgets and more high-tech devices,” Nelson ogy in my opinion,” senior Julia Millman said. to do besides read without technology these said. “Everyone wants to have the latest cell “Pretty much all of my friends are as addicted days?” phone or iPod. It could potentially be bad if to Facebook as I am, and pretty much every- Technology has become a means that is teens are too attached to these products, be- one I know keeps their cell phone with them nearly impossible to ignore. But according to cause when they come of age to actually have at all times.” interviewed LHS students, spending too much to pay for the bill, they won’t have enough According to the Pew Internet and Ameri- time texting or posting things on Facebook money to pay for it, especially with a first job’s can Life project released in 2005, Instant takes away from the experience of real life. pay.” Messenger is used by almost two-thirds of “We can get mental disorders should we “[Technology is] not a good thing at all if all American adolescents. MySpace, a social lose our grip on reality by being too depen- people get too attached, because I think it can networking website that all of LHS is familiar dent on entertainment, and, that said, social contribute greatly to things like laziness or with, boasts more than 55 million users, and disorders,” Marburger said. “People need even obesity,” Millman said. “Also, it makes 85,000 new profiles are created each day. MyS- people – in person!” it much easier to cheat at school, whether it’s pace and similar sites have become one of the Some students are willing to admit this reading SparkNotes or texting answers to each fastest-growing uses of the Internet. Another growing addiction is becoming a problem. other.” social networking website that has grown “Something should be done to stop depen- One point with which LHS students can considerably in popularity is Facebook, which dency, but I don’t know what,” sophomore agree is that relying on technology over was launched in February of 2004. Greg O’Connor said. memory or other people is risky, because of According to comScore, Inc., an Internet “I don’t think there is anything that can the chance that gadgets will break. marketing research company, Facebook at- be done to stop dependency,” said Millman. “I was once told, ‘If you can build it low- tracted 132.1 million unique visitors in June “Maybe if companies stopped coming out tech, do it,’” O’Connor said. “Technology is of 2008. with newer and better versions of the technol- always at risk to failure.” “We’re [also] slaves to TV,” sophomore ogy, people would be less likely to use it as of- Anna Marburger said. “It’s the teen culture, ten. But I don’t think there’s any way to make

Infographic by Thealexa Becker, Design Editor. Images courtesy of Wikimedia of technology Commons. 1972- Pong, the first 2005- Viral enthusiasts meet video game is released. 1996- Google and DVD play- YouTube. ers enter the technology scene.

1982- The emergence of CD players and 2001- The increasingly smaller the earliest and clunkiest cell phones. iPod makes its first appearance. March 2008 5 Focus Focus OMG! Did u kno?! Teachers txt 2!! :P By Deven Middleton, Staff Writer

Hundreds of LHS students use their cell The majority of teachers have cell phones, teachers disagree. phones daily, not only for making calls, but for however, and not all teachers are fazed when “All you have to do is look into the brain,” sending text messages. Everyone knows that it comes to sending texts. Study hall teacher said psychology teacher Kim Scheer, who students are constantly typing away at school, Brenda Allen prefers texting to calling some- teaches her students just how the brain but where are educators on the texting spec- one and sends, on average, three texts a day. behaves. “Texting when you’re trying to do trum? They’re more diverse than you might “Texting was easy after I got the hang of something else is absolutely distracting. The have thought. it,” she said. brain cannot work and text at the same time Guidance counselor Emmy Young owns a English teacher Jamie Cure also uses text properly. You will see that multitasking makes cell phone, but she never uses it to text. messaging, and has been using a cell phone nothing come out looking as good as it could “You don’t get the tone of what people for eight years. Her reason for getting a cell be, and your focus will lean toward the text are saying with texting,” she said. “And with phone in the beginning is humorous, but even instead of what you should be focusing on.” texting becoming so popular, I’m afraid that though she is proficient, she still doesn’t prefer When it comes to texting, teachers vary as face-to-face conversations are getting harder texting. much as students do. Some have a cell phone, for many students.” “Originally the main reason I wanted a cell some text, some don’t, some don’t see the Almost unheard of in these modern times, phone was when I was coming back from long point in texting – although few students would science teacher Jill Dutton doesn’t own a cell trips, I could order my Chinese and it would agree with that. Altogether, teachers like the phone. be ready by the time I was home,” she said, conveniences that come with cell phones and “I like the idea of texting, but I don’t need smiling. “I know how to text, but I would texting. a cell phone,” she said. “I prefer face-to-face rather use a phone to talk to someone. If In an environment where students typically conversation over it all.” someone doesn’t answer I leave them a voice- learn from their teachers, the educators may When asked, some teachers knew how to mail, not a text.” have something to learn from kids on this text but didn’t use the feature, like Dutton, but Whether they text or not, all teachers have subject. They’re not there yet, however. While most who disliked texting did not know how. to manage their students’ usage in class. And this process may not take too long, don’t “Texting is confusing,” social studies they all agree that texting in class is distracting. expect any upcoming teacher meetings to be teacher Don Murrey said. “It feels like we Scientifically, why does texting distract stu- planned through a text. have backtracked in technology. Why would I dents from their schoolwork and lower their text someone when I can talk and hear their attention span in class? Many students would voice over the phone?” probably say that they can manage both, but

One LHS student just can’t give up her phone

Interview by Danielle Szabo, Editorial Board Member

Total texts sent during the school day: 57 A: Yes, but there weren’t any consequences. A: Yes. I retraced my steps immediately Q: You sent a total of 57 texts during the I got it back at the end of the day. when I lost it. Or if I realize I forgot my school day. How do you get away with texting? Q: Could you go a day without your phone? phone at home, I’ll turn around right away to A: I put my backpack on the desk and hide A: No! I couldn’t do it. get it, even if I know I’m going be late. my phone with it. Q: How do you handle texting during class Q: How many of your teachers don’t care and still getting the work done? about students’ texting? A: I can text and do classwork at the same A: More than half the teachers don’t care, time. as long as they don’t see it and I’m not dis- Q: Do you think you will continue to text tracting the class. during class in college? Q: Have your teachers ever taken away your A: Yes. phone? Q: Do you answer every text you get? A: Mr. Urban is a very strict teacher with A: No, sometimes people get really annoy- phones. I was using it too much in his class, ing. and for a week, I had to give him my phone at Q: Who are you usually texting with on a the beginning of the period, and would get it day-to-day basis? back at the end. A: My close friends. My dad texts me a lot Q: Have you ever gotten your phone taken during the day. to a house office? Q: Have you ever lost your phone? Photo courtesy of Lakewood City Schools 6 The Lakewood Times Focus Focus Teacher has effective way of halting texting By Deven Middleton, Staff Writer Look to your left. A classmate is texting their phones turned off during class. would continue the conversation via texting his friend about what happened Friday night. “The advances phones have made are really to discover where the other student was, thus Look to your right. The girl next to you is us- cool, but they’re distracting in school and not halting the conversation from both sides. Not ing her camera to check her hair. Look down. even allowed,” Kozar said. “So, yes, I do what only does he put you back on your educational You’re innocently checking the time on your I think will make a point to my students.” track, but whoever you were texting is also cell when a message pops up. You start to re- You’re sitting in the back corner during one returned to their learning process. ply. Look up. A teacher has his hand out, ready of Kozar’s lessons. You’ve gotten away with “Kids can be so mindless with texting,” to collect your phone. You’ve been caught. it for half the period, so you continue to text Kozar said. He referenced a time he put The majority of LHS students have a cell your girlfriend about plans for the weekend this punishment into practice. After taking a phone. Many of them text their friends during and that’s when you hear the dreaded, “Bring student’s phone, he asked the girl on the other the day, or use any of their cell phones’ vari- your phone to me, please.” You’re upset, but end of the conversation where she was, and ous features to their advantage. Although it is you know you’ll get your phone back at the she told him she was in the classroom next against the rules to have your phone turned end of class, or at the end of the day – it’s not door. He went to that room and told the girl, on and out during the school day, many take the end of the world. You give Kozar your a student he knew, to give him her phone. She the risk, thinking they won’t be caught. The phone and trudge back to your seat. While the told him that she didn’t have one, and he said, unlucky few who do get spotted have their rest of the class continues working, not having “Yes, you do. I’ve been texting you for the last phones taken away by an administrator until noticed your newly collected phone, you look ten minutes!” the end of the day – at least, that’s what hap- worriedly at Kozar, and your stomach drops – It’s the end of class. You go up to Kozar pens most of the time. he’s texting on your phone. to get your phone back, and the lecture starts. Meet science teacher Ken Kozar, who is a “I’m all for new technology and I’m all for You already knew that you shouldn’t text and known fan of new technology, and uses it in cell phones, but only if they’re for educational that it’s not allowed, but now, more than ever, the classroom as often as possible. “I really purposes when in school. If we’re using it in you know never to text someone during his wish students would take advantage of new class, then that’s fine, but if you’re distract- class. technology in the classroom,” Kozar said. “If ing yourself from your work, that’s not okay,” It’s notable to say that Kozar does this only I told students they would be able to use their Kozar said. “I’m not doing it to be mean. I’m rarely, and only with people who text so often Facebook for a project, they would all do it, just trying to make them understand why it’s that they are distracting the class. He feels this but when I tell them to use something new [in not okay.” is an effective way to stop constant texting. the classroom] for a project, they don’t like it.” Kozar made it clear in the beginning of the So the next time you’re walking down to your Although he enjoys learning and under- year that if you texted continually, you would house office, ready to retrieve your phone standing what the modern age is bringing, face the usual consequences. If the normal after a long day without it, just remember, it Kozar is not in favor of allowing students to retribution wasn’t helping you learn, how- could have ended up in much worse hands – text in school. He uses a rather unique method ever, then different measures would be taken. Kozar’s. to try to convince his chronic texters to keep Not only would he take your phone, but he Texting addicted teen attached to phone Interview by Danielle Szabo, Editorial Board Member Q: What classes can’t you text in? Total texts sent during the school day: 50 A: Rarely. I openly text in class all the time, A: Math. Ms. Parks takes phones away. And and no one says anything. Q: Your first text was at 6:54 a.m. Do you in Dr. Abrahamsen’s room – she’s taken my usually wake up to texts? phone away before. A: Yes, from the night before to the morn- Q: Why does your boss text you? ing. Sometimes I answer them in the middle A: She asked if I wanted to go into work of the night, or read them when I go to the early, and needed to know early, so she texted bathroom or something. me during class. Q: When you sleep, do you have the ringer Q: Does she usually contact you via text? on your phone? A: Yes, always. She is young. Everyone our A: No, I put it on vibrate. age texts. Sometimes I’ll call her after she texts Q: Does the phone vibration ever wake you me, if I don’t want to text. up? Q: Do you prefer calling or texting? A: Rarely. A: Calling if I like the person, texting if I Q: What do people text you about so early? don’t like them or can’t talk to them. A: “Good morning, hope you have a good Q: Do you ever get yelled at or in trouble day.” for using your phone? Q: Do you ever get tired of texting? A: No. Photo courtesy of Lakewood City Schools March 2008 7 Focus Focus Law seeks to limit use of technology while driving By Josh Watkins and Deven Middleton, Staff Writers

Ipods. Mp3s. Cell phones. Texting. These Recently, a train accident in California killed nia, Illinois, Louisiana, Nebraska, Minnesota, are all advancements in technology that have approximately 25 people and injured 135. The New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington State. greatly affected the teenage world. Would cause? According to Fox News, the engineer Many other states also have put limitations anyone believe that these things, so small and who was operating the train was texting a into place involving cell phones and driving. harmless, are a factor of the leading cause of teenage friend seconds before the accident The state of Ohio is now considering putting teenage death? and missed a stopping signal. The train a ban of cell phone usage in a vehicle in place. The number-one cause of teenage death crashed into an oncoming train, making this If the texting becomes illegal, fines would is vehicle accidents. According to www.teen- one of the deadliest crashes in over a decade. range from $100-$300. healthfx.com, around 5,000 teens die every “There are some things we are trained for, Why do teens do it? “I don’t text very often year and another 400,000 are injured. Last there are some things I don’t care what kind while I am on the road,” senior Matt Wesley year, 636,000 accidents were texting-related. of training you have, you don’t always prepare said, “but when I do, it is usually to respond to Accidents come from distractions and for,” Fire Captain Armando Hogan said to a text or to send a quick message.” multi-tasking, one of which is texting. Texting Fox News. “This situation, particularly early According to a researcher at the University in a car averts the driver’s attention from the on, with people inside the train, with the inju- of Utah, people ages 18-24 who are texting road for a second or two, and in that amount ries, and with people moaning and crying and while driving are six times more likely to get of time, anything could happen. screaming – it was a traumatic experience.” distracted and cause an accident, and their “Any activity, even a simple one, takes at Lawmakers in California already placed a braking time is about 23 percent slower than least 60 percent of the working brain power,” law against talking on a wireless device while normal. said psychology teacher Kim Scheer, who operating a moving vehicle, but as of January “Laws are made to be broken,” Wesley said. studies and teaches brain functions every day. 1, 2009, it is illegal to send, write or receive a But when it comes to texting on the road – “I “That means if you’re doing two tasks at once, message on a wireless device while driving. To wouldn’t do it.” one is done at 60 percent, and that’s the task ensure that this law is followed, the very first “Texting takes a lot of mental energy,” that holds your most attention. The other is offense could be anywhere from $50 to $150. Scheer said. “When you’re texting, your eyes done at 40 percent. But that task – in the case Every offense afterward increases greatly. are on the phone, not the road, and when your of texting and driving – is driving, and when Nine states in the U.S. have written laws focus isn’t on the driving, I don’t want to be driving takes a backseat to texting that’s a against texting while driving by banning it all on the road with you.” problem.” together. These states include Alaska, Califor-

What you see... This is a typical teacher’s view of students in the midst of a class –

Photos by Alex Mezin, Staff Photographer.

What’s really going on... – but all too often, what’s happening under the table has nothing to do with classwork.

8 The Lakewood Times News

Probability

of success in statistics class is high

Peter Petto, Statistics teacher. Photo by Rachel Kowalski, News Editor. By Ben Gallovic, Staff Writer Students who have been anxious about their Petto, with the help of other math teach- eyes,” Petto said. math options will have another choice starting ers, looked at Statistics courses at other local Petto emphasized that students should not next year. Statistics and AP Statistics are being schools before deciding to bring the classes be intimidated by statistics. “You’re taking added to LHS’ class offerings, and more than to Lakewood. “It seemed like something that math and using it to draw pictures of big 60 students have already signed up. These would be a good addition to what we’ve been amounts of information and then trying to classes are open to sophomores, juniors, and teaching here,” Petto said. summarize it,” he said, adding that students seniors. Teachers are hoping students embrace While many students question the actual who find sports stats or surveys interesting this class without the anguish usually associ- importance and relevance of complex math are likely to enjoy the statistics classes. To put ated with math classes. equations, methods, and problems in their it into perspective, Petto compared statistics “There are a lot of kids who really like future careers, Petto insists that Statistics is to engineering, another increasingly popular statistics who think they don’t like math,” different. “When you go into college, prob- field of study: “Statistics is to mathematics as said Peter Petto, math teacher and leading ably the most commonly taken math course engineering is to science.” proponent of the effort to bring Statistics to is Statistics,” he said. “There are very few Petto went on to explain that statistics is the high school. For this reason, along with majors that don’t require it.” unlike other math classes, such as algebra, in the fact that Statistics is a standard class at the The obvious reason for this is that statistics that there is not a lot of “symbol-pushing.” college level and is used in a variety of careers, are used in so many different careers. Petto Instead, more attention is given to simple Petto and other math teachers believe this says that students who plan on going into any arithmetic, something he hopes will appeal to offering will be a popular asset to the math medical, business, manufacturing, or sports students who struggle with math. “Arithmetic curriculum. fields, just to name a few, should expect to isn’t really hard stuff,” he said. According to the 2009-2010 Lakewood use statistics on a regular basis. Teachers Already it appears that statistics will prove High School Course Selection Guide, statistics hope that students at Lakewood High will to be both a popular and beneficial class. is “an elective course wherein students are in- now have an added advantage when entering Petto is confident students will embrace Lake- troduced to major theories and techniques for college in majors that require statistics. “It’s wood High’s new class, with the same opti- collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions important for people to understand [statistics] mism that he does. “I think it could be super from data.” so they don’t get the wool pulled over their fun,” he said. “Most people really enjoy it.” March 2008 9 news news Tech-savvy teachers receive grant By Shaina Switzer, Staff Writer Lakewood High School prides itself on be- used a lot of imagery, explained how we were Lewis said. “We’ve bought 12 computers, and ing dedicated to excellence and the pursuit of going to use this program to improve our stu- are going to get cameras.” better learning techniques. Foyn McDevitt and dents’ academic careers,” McDevitt explained. “It all comes down to money,” she contin- Jennifer Lewis, who teach a Social Studies/ “There’s a need to diversify in the class- ued. “With this grant, we’re starting to realize English block, are embracing that philosophy room, because students are at different levels our goal of making our portfolios multi- after receiving a competitive grant: the eTech of learning,” he continued. “This program media. I love the language arts component, Ohio Professional Development Grant. allows us a lot more leeway and opportunities and getting kids online portfolios is great for “It’s changed my thinking,” McDevitt said. for the kids. We can look at what they’re do- colleges.” “Technol- ing and where Receiving the grant hasn’t come without ogy is a great they’re at far some speed bumps, however. “We’re excited equalizer. more easily.” about what we’ve been able to do with the This grant, “Students have the freedom The grant program so far, but we haven’t gotten our and what it provides the equipment yet,” Lewis said. offers us, has to do exceptional class with Another hassle is inherent in the nature of allowed us server space, the program’s security. “No one can change to help kids work in a fun way with which they the work, except for the student,” Lewis said. compete and can use to “This makes it somewhat difficult to electroni- find their this new program.” post projects cally provide feedback.” niche.” and build Despite some of the problems, the grant Students portfolios. has been eagerly accepted by the classes. involved in “It’s like a “We’re really enjoying the whole attitude the block work in a unique environment that clearing house for info, very similar to Moo- of the class, too,” McDevitt said. “It’s almost combines technology, group work, and reflec- dle, where students can interact like on a blog like a working relationship. Students have the tive writing in a 90-minute, project-based class. site, but it’s very secure,” McDevitt explained. freedom to do exceptional work in a fun way “We have two objectives,” McDevitt said. The program also connects students to with this new program.” “One is to create an understanding of group 13 different universities, allowing colleges in McDevitt and Lewis competed with over a work and cooperation, and the other is to uti- future years to see the growth of their work. hundred schools for this grant. They emerged lize computers and technology to create nicer “It allows the kids to see the importance of victorious with 20 others and have high hopes projects – more hands-on.” their work,” McDevitt said. for the future. In his and Lewis’ quest for the grant, Through this program, students can also “Getting the grant has given us the op- McDevitt wrote about how his class would communicate with other schools in the sys- portunities to expand our horizons,” McDevitt benefit from the $20,000 and portfolio tem using embedded videos and web pages. said. “I’m really excited to see what we can software. “A lot of it is how you write it. We “I think we’re just ahead of the game,” do.”

Jennifer Lewis and Foyn McDevitt. Photos courtesy of Lakewood City Schools. 10 The Lakewood Times news news Rocking for a cause: LHS Students organize Guitar Hero benefit By Hallah Amawi, Staff Writer

Green! Red! Yellow! Blue! Orange! The need for volunteers at the tournament tournament. Guitar Hero has been a game sensation is still present. Even students who are not Those involved have high hopes for this since its release in 2005. members of H2O can sign up to help. year’s Guitar Hero tournament. Many partici- Noticing the way this sensation has spread This is a Guitar Hero tournament, which pants are getting ready and putting their game around Lakewood, H2O adviser Celia Dorsch means there is a need for Guitars, PS2s, and faces on, and they are all hoping for some new decided to hold a Guitar Hero tournament. Guitar Hero III games. Students are being competition. Last year, this tournament raised seven asked to lend these items to H2O for the hundred dollars, which was donated to The Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. H2O decided to do the tournament again this year. “For the last ten years, H2O has been com- mitted to helping the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. Blood cancers are the leading cause of death among children, and we are trying to raise money for a cure,” Dorsch said. Hoping to raise over one thousand dollars this year, H2O has put together a Guitar Hero planning committee. Senior Pat Sponsler, head of the committee, says it takes a few months to plan this event. Many things have to be done when putting together a tourna- ment. Deciding on a date, figuring out how to advertise, and convincing people to join takes a lot of work. Sponsler, who put this event together last year as well, is hoping for a good turnout. With fifty to sixty participants last year, Patrick and the committee are expecting many more. One participant, sophomore Ian Shulz, won $25 on level “Hard.” After receiving the money, he donated it back to the cause. Schultz, who really enjoys playing the game, is part of the planning committee with Spon- sler. He plans on joining the tournament this year and defending his title. “Sometimes the songs are harder than playing real guitar,” he said. Because of his lack of practice, Schultz decided to stay with level “Hard.” Reminding everyone to sign up by March 13, Ian also wished good luck to all of his competitors. The tournament is on Saturday, March 14. To make this tournament a success, H2O needs many participants. The tournament is open to students grades six through twelve. The participants already signing up are anx- ious for some good competition. The tourna- ment is being run by a bracket system, which guarantees that everyone gets to play two games. The entry fee is only six dollars, and there are cash prizes. For those who pay fifty Guitar Hero utilizes speed and accuracy, but not necessarily any guitar-playing skill. Photo by Evan Graves, Editorial Board Member. cents, there will be a free play of Rock Band or Guitar Hero. March 2008 11 news news

Joe Lobozzo flips through his copy of the award-winning novel, “Enrique’s Journey.”

By Fiza Shah, Editorial Board Member, and Rebecca McKinsey, Editor in Chief

Pulitzer prize winner visiting LHS Madak was the superintendent from 1995 to 2004, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Sonia Nazario, will be during which he was awarded Ohio’s PTA State Superin- visiting LHS on March 26, 2009. tendent of the Year Award, the Buckeye Association of Social studies teacher Joe Lobozzo invited some Eng- School Administration State Superintendent Exemplary lish, Human Rights and Conflict, Spanish, and Journalism Leadership Award, and the title of Fulbright Scholar. classes to attend this event. Lobozzo has been collaborat- Before being Lakewood’s superintendent, Madak was a ing with Facing History and Ourselves, and requesed that teacher and an assistant principal. this organization send a guest to Lakewood High School to According to former board member Chas Gieger, Mad- give a presentation. Lobozzo says he is “happy to have the ak is “the right superintendent at the right time. During his opportunity [to have Nazario come to Lakewood].” nine years as superintendent, Madak successfully oversaw Nazario’s novel, “Enrique’s Journey,” is about a Hondu- building development in Lakewood. At a time in which ran boy who, in an effort to reach his mother in the United construction is in full swing, Geiger feels that Madak “will States, undergoes much hardship. The story represents make…a very smooth and successful transition [to the a group of Honduran children that try to illegally make superintendent position.]” their way to the United States in order to be reunited with Madak says he “has the personal need to get back to their mother. These kids encounter and try to overcome making the difference a school superintendent can make.” overwhelming challenges, including the Migration Police Currently, he is teaching a financial class online at Uni- and being injured, raped, or killed. versity of Dayton. Before this, he was the superintendent According to Lobozzo, everyone can learn something for Mansfield School District. from paying attention to the debate of illegal immigrants. This assembly shows that many of the difficulties faced by immigrants are universal, regardless of where you’re LHS musicians excel in OMEA State from. “Wherever you stand in the immigration debate, it Orchestra Competition is important to hear the other stories and acknowledge the The halls were teeming with orchestra students from all over humanity,” he said. northeast Ohio as LHS hosted the State Orchestra Contest on Superindendent returns for round two October 28. The Civic Auditorium served as the venue for several dozen orchestras to lay months of rigorous work on the line. With the resignation of Dr. David Estrop, the Lake- LHS orchestras were well represented. Lakewood Symphony, wood Board of Education has decided to bring back a for- Philharmonia, and Chamber Orchestras participated in the com- mer superintendent as a replacement. On August 1, 2009, petition. The latter two orchestras played for a rating and received Dr. P. Joseph Madak will officially replace Estrop. straight ones, the highest rating possible. 12 The Lakewood Times Editorial Editorial Our hallway, or iHallway? Adam Mihalski, Editorial Board Member

Music lovers need to turn down the volume and relax in “ the hallways. The fact that students at Lakewood High School Your volume is need to listen to their iPods every second of the day makes absolutely no sense. The walk from class to class must be way too loud.” extremely strenuous if only the sound of your favorite song can make it better. When other students at Lakewood can hear every word of the song you’re listening to as you pass, your volume is way too loud. Students at Lakewood High School call out their friends’ names, but all they hear is their music. “I’ll listen to my iPod from time to time in the hallways, but never that loud,” junior Joe Young said. Other students feel the six-minute passing time between classes is not sufficient for an enjoyable iPod-listening session. “ I personally feel that listening to your iPod in the hallway is a waste of time,” senior Amanda Szabo said. “I mean, it’s only [a few] minutes in between classes.” The hallways are loud enough without the sound of blaring iPods every- where you turn. Students can’t hear teachers, friends, or even security with their iPods so loud. If the iPods are at a reasonable volume, where you can still hear others around you, then that’s not as bad as blaring the music. The music at LHS has to be turned down. There’s no need for it. All you have to do is walk to class and get where you need to be.

“Self-direct” should mean “direct yourself” By Sarah Jawhari, Opinion Editor Having a self-direct is one of the perks of becoming an upperclass- man. However, here at Lakewood High, self-directs might as well be “Having a self-direct should renamed lunch periods or study halls. Seniors and juniors have the option of either going to a school mean more than being able to go library, a lunchroom, or the L-Room during a self-direct. Yet these destinations are basically options for underclassmen, too. Students with to the L-Room for 40 minutes.” a study hall can decide to go to a school library. Students with lunch periods can also spend time in a lunchroom. Nothing against the L- Room, but having a self-direct should mean more than being able to go Enforcement is often an issue when dealing with open campus to said room for 40 minutes. rights. But with security guards in almost every corner of LHS, enforce- While our current system is functioning as efficiently as it can, so ment wouldn’t be too much of a problem. Seniors would be given a many more possibilities would be open for upperclassmen if self- colored tag to wear on their IDs. To leave the building or travel to the directs were given special attention. Having open campus self-directs, North Lot, seniors would have their IDs checked for the colored tag. for example, would give students more breathing room. With an open Sweet, simple, and efficient. campus, fewer students would be building up in the L-Room, allowing The board should acknowledge that the juniors and seniors of today for far fewer disturbances and fewer cases of “I got kicked out of the are the college students of tomorrow. Shouldn’t high school better L-Room for the rest of the semester.” prepare their upperclassmen for the privileges and rights they’ll have in Open campus self-directs would be privileges, not rights. Students college? Having new freedoms thrust upon us in college will be easier behaving poorly on their open campus adventures would be punished if said freedoms started when we are high school upperclassmen. accordingly. Taking away open campus privileges could also function as Perhaps the largest issue upperclassmen face is the lack of trust on a glorious penalty – far more effective than Wednesday Schools. the other end of the fence. If we don’t have an open campus now, it’s If giving all upperclassmen an open campus for their self-directs only because the school board doesn’t trust that we could handle it. Yet seems a little chaotic, then perhaps open-campus rights should just be if students are taking AP classes and getting their driver’s licenses, they reserved for seniors. This will leave the L-Room open to juniors. No are most likely responsible enough to take their lunch elsewhere. more sitting on the windowsills to the outside deck! Juniors will have Giving special self-direct rights to all upperclassmen – or just seniors more room to hang out in the L-Room, and will be assured there are - will give all students something to look forward to. With the stress of enough chairs to go around. senior year, open-campus privileges would be a welcome change. March 2008 13 Editorial Editorial Crashing impact: By Mandy Gawne, Contributing Writer

“It takes 8,460 bolts to assemble an automobile, and one nut to scat- were a couple. ter it all over the road.” On a warm summer day, Marco and Sam drove together to a family Nearly 17,000 Americans are killed and more than 700,000 are in- picnic. They played games, ate together, and enjoyed just being with jured each year in alcohol-related traffic crashes. My cousin, Marco, was each other. When everyone decided to leave, Marco and Sam got into one of those 17,000. the car for the short ride home. It was late in the afternoon, with few Marco was a sixteen-year-old high school student. He was on the other cars on the road. In the blink of an eye, it was all over. school basketball team, and he had great potential. Little did he know, he wouldn’t be able to live out that dream. Marco’s high school sweetheart’s name was Samantha. The way Marco and Sam met was like something written in a children’s fairy tale “Ever since then, book. Marco took the bus to school, and every day, he waited anxiously to see Sam walk onto the bus. One day he got up the courage to save her a seat, and when she got onto the bus, she sat right next to him. Marco and Sam were a Later that day, he told his buddies about what had happened back on the bus and said with confidence, “One day, she will be mine.” When Marco moved on to high school the following year, he and couple.” Sam became closer. They no longer took the bus, so they began to walk to and from school together. One day when the two were walking home, Marco leaned over and gave Sam a kiss. He rushed home after My family and I got call at about ten the next morning saying both their first kiss. He burst through the door. Marco and Sam had been killed in a car accident the night before. That “I did it,” he yelled. “I kissed her!” Ever since then, Marco and Sam was the first major death in the family I’d had to handle. I didn’t know what to do. Was this all a dream? No, those tears running down my mother’s face were real. So was all of the sadness and rage inside of me. I went to work so confused and upset that morning. Later in the day, I still had so many questions unanswered, and here it was, the moment of truth. My mom and I sat on the couch embrac- ing each other when she said to me, “Both Marco and Sam were hit by a drunk driver last night.” I nodded my head. I was trying to hold the tears back. “But what happened?” I asked with a puzzled look on my face. “They were driving at the speed limit, but the other driver was not,” my mom told me. “He was driving at least 50 to 60 miles per hour over the speed limit, while driving in the wrong lane. The two-lane road just wasn’t wide enough for Sam to swerve out of the way.” At that moment, I realized I would no longer see Marco’s bright smile, or hear his cheerful laugh. Later that week, on July 25, 2008, I went to my first wake. That day made everyone in my family teary-eyed. It was a very emotional time for both families, and so many came to say their good-byes. There were many people waiting outside to get into the church. Lines extended all the way through the church parking lot. This was a great reminder Marco Dadante and Sam Archer. Photo courtesy of the Gawne family. of how wonderful Sam and Marco were. 14 The Lakewood Times Editorial Editorial The lasting effect of a single drunk driver

Marco and Sam’s shared headstone was covered with signs of love and support after their funeral. Photo courtesy of the Gawne family.

So many people were willing to wait up to three hours to pay their all the wonderful things people had to say about Sam and Marco. It respects. Outside those church doors were so many people Marco and gave me a new way of thinking. Sam had positively impacted. Teens look at getting their temps or their driver’s license as being The news crew came later that day. They interviewed family mem- “cool.” They think it gives them the freedom to get away from the bers as well as people waiting in line outside. It was so touching to hear house and hang out with friends. After this accident, I think just the opposite. Anytime I even think about studying for my temps or getting in the car, my mind goes back to that warm summer day in July. If a life could “ be taken so quickly by driving on the road, why does anybody do it? We never quite know Everyone thinks to themselves, “These things will never happen to me, or my family,” but that’s not true. I used to think that way too, what tomorrow will but now I know better. We all must live life day to day. We never quite know what tomorrow will bring. If it only takes one nut to scatter the 8460 bolts that assemble an au- bring.” tomobile, why don’t we focus more on that one nut, and try to prevent it? March 2008 15 Editorial Editorial

• Saint Patrick’s Day and Easter are almost here! • Upcoming deadlines for seniors for class flower, That means seasonal candies. shirt, Cedar Point tickets, and other such graduating • Spring break is almost here, too! Time to catch necessities. up on overdue work and study for future AP tests. • AP Test deadlines - be sure to have your $13.00 And sleep. Mostly, sleep. paid ASAP! • To the upcoming musical, “H.M.S. Pinafore.” • OGT testing coming up soon! • To any students who submitted a Valentine’s • To the tackyBoo! music blaring over the intercom in Post Secret last issue. the mornings. • The seniors coming up with meaningful speech- • Horrible, atrocious traffic at the North Lot. Get- es to wow us forYay! commencement. ting out at 3:00 means getting home at 3:30. • The upcoming Kent State trip for interested • To the still-cold-even-after-February weather. Journalism students. • To technological dependency! • To the Orchestras, for achieving straight “1s” at • The fast-approaching end of the 2008-2009 State Orchestra Contest. school year. Wasn’t it just yesterday we were getting • To the fixed stoplight at the intersection of LHS ready for the first day of school? hallway and Franklin. Finally!

Why the Oscars are starting to stink By Thealexa Becker, Design Editor With the “Sexiest Man Alive 2008” hosting the most glamorous Actor predictions. Otherwise, it always seems as though my favorites award show in Tinseltown, you would think the Oscars wouldn’t be so never win, or get nominated. drab. If the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences would make But they are. a few simple changes, the award show might actually be fun for those The 81st annual golden man gala, despite a revamped format and who don’t like rooting for their favorite actor. charming host, was still somewhat dull. The simple truth is that unless First, instead of ignoring the blockbusters, choose the best one, and Hollywood decides to start acknowledging popular movies instead of nominate it for Best Picture. It worked for “Titanic” and “Lord of indie movies, the show will suffer low ratings. the Rings.” Even if it doesn’t win or get any acting awards, it will be Sure, many of the nominated films included fantastic performances featured and people will be more likely to tune in. and well-crafted stories. And certainly many of the acting recipients and Second, nominate better music. The soundtracks are fine, if you can nominees deserved their recognition. No one begrudges Hollywood remember what movie they came from, but why are there only three the praising of its own. Best Song nominees? Let there be five nominees and pick more popu- But there seems to be some hypocrisy in pouring exuberant amounts lar songs, ones that you could put on your iPod and actually enjoy. of money into blockbuster films like “The Dark Knight,” “Wall-E,” Third, keep all the hosting and presenter changes made. For the first and “Iron Man” and then refusing to acknowledge them with more time watching the Oscars, there were more popular actors presenting than a few technical awards. Somehow, expecting people to dole out than people who won over a decade ago. However, those acting award $9 a ticket for a movie that the Academy deems inadequate for its top presentations really need to be livened up a little bit. Take a cue from honors, and then expecting those same people to tune into an award Robert DeNiro, the only actor who looked like he had any fun talk- broadcast for films they haven’t seen, is odd. ing about his friend Sean Penn. And bring back the acting clips, since With the winner of the top prize consistently remaining the darling barely anyone watching on TV saw all of the performances. independent movie of the year, there is little entertainment or suspense Lastly, put a muzzle on the tons of Oscar watchers who make in the three-hour program. The only entertainment I had as a movie predictions and get “inside information.” Usually, they have the winner buff watching the Oscars this year was insisting that Sean Penn and of Best Picture pegged, and the award ceremony is bland as a result. If Heath Ledger were going to win. I would win any betting pool on Best those gossip columnists insist on writing, they should give misinforma- tion – at least there will be a surprise. 16 The Lakewood Times Editorial Editorial Lights out! Teens need sleep! By Anna Marburger, Staff Writer “Sleep is necessary We all know that sleep is important. Most of us love sleeping. Sadly, for us to survive. Our a lot of us don’t get enough sleep. The reason may be school activities, too much homework, or an attempt to have more fun. bodies need to A teen needs 8 - 10 hours of sleep every single night in order to function. Sleep is necessary for us to survive. Our bodies need to recharge. Constant lack of sleep can result in sleep disorders, such as recharge.” insomnia. The Armenian Medical Network recommends several tips for get- ting a good night’s rest. The area where you want to sleep must be kept Staying up all night can leave you cranky in the wake dark, quiet, and comfortable. In other words, turn off the TV, and of others. Art by Anna Marburger, Staff Artist. don’t try falling asleep on the couch. Avoid taking naps during the day. Boo! Naps throw off sleep-wake patterns. To keep a good sleep-wake pat- sleep. This web site recommends not eating a big meal before bed, but tern, get a good amount of exercise daily. not going to bed hungry, either. Control the times that you wake up and sleep, even on the weekends. Unfortunately, plenty of our school activities demand our time, and Eat regularly. Try winding down if you don’t feel tired – take a hot homework is no help, either. A middle path between health, academics, bath. and fun must be made – or chaos in one aspect of life can result. A recent article in “New York” magazine says that temperature is Organized time can really help. A planner helps schedule time for also a factor in our sleep cycle. The cooler the room, the better. A fun, sleep, and extra-curricular activities. You may have to skip a club hotter room means an increase in non-REM sleep. Eating and watching meeting in order to finish all of your homework without staying up too TV before bed can help you wind down, but the light from a TV set or late. TV shows that come on late can be taped, or watched when they a computer can keep you from sleeping for a good two hours. re-run. Study hall helps get homework out of the way so that we can Less sleep over several nights also causes the body to release cortisol, have more time. so it takes longer to fall asleep. Sleepeducation.com says that if you If your schedule is too cluttered, you may have to give up some aren’t tired – or if you’ve been in bed for 20 minutes without falling activities in order to get some rest. Nobody is Superman. asleep – you need to do something to help you unwind. The recom- Teens are developing adults, and as such, our health is crucial. We mendation is doing something that isn’t too stimulating for your brain, need to make our health a priority. The importance of sleep usually like reading a magazine. goes ignored. Sleep must be a priority for teens if they want to become Nicotine is a stimulant, so smoking should be avoided around healthy, happy adults. bedtime. Alcohol may be a depressant, but it lowers the quality of our Lakewood to take part in Earth Hour By Kevin Finucan, Conributing Writer For those who want to be green but are sick of hearing the word, Earth Hour originated in Sydney, Australia in 2007 when 2.2 million there is one very simple and effective way that you can help: Earth homes and businesses went dark for an hour. By the very next year, it Hour! reached 50 million people internationally. This year, in 2009, a further Earth Hour, taking place at 8:30 p.m. on March 28, is an interna- increase is anticipated. tional event during which in businesses, tourist attractions, and homes, Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the Roman people all over the world simply turn off their lights for one hour. The Coliseum, and the Sydney Opera House participate in this event. Just as collective efforts of the people save immense amounts of energy. Also, important as the major businesses and attractions, however, are the indi- for one night, light pollution is cut to a minimum, and stargazing in the vidual homeowners who choose to help make even a small difference. city becomes possible. It is like a reward for participating in this very easy, Lakewood is showing a passion for the green peace movement that very environmentally friendly event. has encouraged a loyalty not just to a nation, but to our species and Under the guidance of our first African-American president in our our planet. It is now time for us to put those words to action. In the nation’s history, and our first Democratic-majority congress in eight years, simplest of ways, we can affect positive change. it is clear that the people of this nation crave what has become a modern Here in Lakewood, on the outskirts of the even bigger Cleveland, political mantra: “Change. Yes, we can!” stargazing is always a challenge, and the noise and humdrum of city The question now comes down to this: What can we do? For one, we living becomes the soundtrack of our lives. By participating in Earth can focus on our environment. As Lakewood students grow older in a Hour, we can give ourselves that moment’s peace everyone is always climate of progress and innovation, more and more people are becoming harping on about. We can reveal more stars than many who live in the involved in environmental issues. Recycling is becoming more and more city have ever seen. We can let the city go quiet, and bask in the kind of common, and an entire issue of the Times was devoted to going green. natural light and beauty that can never be replicated by a light bulb. And In order to support our green movement and participate in Earth we can do this all while saving energy and cooperating with people all Hour, we do not have to walk all over the city and pick up garbage. We over the world! do not have to shun everyone who refuses to recycle. We do not have to On March 28, at 8:30, we should all flip our light switch, and let the gather and demonstrate for green peace. We do not have to do much of stars come out and the constant flow of energy rest for just one short anything. We simply have to flip a switch. hour. March 2008 17 Editorial Editorial Technology does have consequences

Imagine sitting with your significant other on a romantic dinner records could be used against you if you were sued for an accident. date. Everything is perfect, until your amorous companion’s friend The problems texting is causing in school need to be noted as well. It approaches the table without warning and strikes up a conversation. is against the rules to text in class. Period. Students who choose to do Excluded, you lamely pick at your chicken cordon bleu and wait to have so are forgoing learning and opening themselves up for punishment – their attention again. plus, they’re just being rude. Sounds improbable, but if you imagine that instead of a real-time Sending a text message is like a writing a note and signing your name chatty, teen your date scrambles to answer a cell phone or send off a to it. Whatever you say is saved somewhere. And you might not even text, you might find this a common occurrence. know who is on the other end. The convenience of texting and cell phones has unequivocally So yes, texting is convenient. No one wants to give up the advance- advanced the progress of communication. No teen would argue that ments that have come with technology. At the same time, however, instant messaging allows individuals to be more social, even if their students have got to start utilizing some common sense when it comes conversations are regulated through hand-held electronics. However, in to said technology. We need to keep cell phones, MP3 players, and all this rush, people are forgetting to be conscious about texting. things related in their rightful place. If we are unable to do this, we are It is also dangerous to be connected all the time – for instance, when admitting that our dependence on technology is so far gone that it can you’re driving. Because of the number of accidents recently linked to never be turned around. texting, it is not impossible to believe that in the future your cell phone Bong hits for celebrities By Rachel Kowalski, News Editor the perfect role model for kids? He signed on to swim for his country, In recent events, a picture of Michael Phelps hitting a bong at a not to be a big brother for every USA swimming kid. party was released to the public; A-Rod admitted his use of steroids to Alex Rodriguez has finally owned up to the use of steroids after enhance his playing; and there was an instance of domestic violence be- years of denial. Whether he tired of the game of cat and mouse with tween celebrity couple Chris Brown and Rihanna. What do these have the press, or felt he owed his fellow players an apology is up for inter- in common? We, the public, want an apology for these acts. Unfamiliar pretation. His confession was not taken lightly, because he had lied in faces in a crowd demand to be recognized in issues that do not concern the past, giving ridiculous excuses for his steroid use. them. And that’s what makes celebrities who they are. They are there Rodriguez shies away from admitting his fault to the public, though for us to break, to tear down. It’s unfortunate. he said in a press conference, “The only thing I ask from this group After his picture was released to a tabloid by a frenemy, Phelps issued today and the American people is to judge me from this day forward. the following statement to his fans: “I’m 23 years old, and despite the That’s all I can ask for.” successes I have had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropri- What right do the American people have to judge this athlete? It is ate way, not in a manner that people have come to expect from me. For not the place of the American people as a whole to grant forgiveness. this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public – it will not happen In the case of domestic violence between Chris Brown and Rihanna, again.” the public is generally sympathetic towards Rihanna and disappoint- He went further on his Facebook fan club page when he ed in Brown. What will happen with this case as it unfolds is un- stated, “Hey guys – thanks for your comments. I really ap- predictable, but the opinion of the general public can already preciate you standing by me. This has been tough. I meant be speculated. Everybody but the few diehard Chris Brown what I said, I made a mistake and I’m sorry. And for fans will turn against him, unless he is proven innocent. those who are mad at me or no longer support me, all I What the public will forget about Rihanna is that she can say is I’m sorry.” has been a victim of violence, that her story is not ours, He hasn’t made a mistake, and he is not sorry. It wasn’t and that she does not want negative attention from her considered a mistake until the picture was printed. If this experience. An average twenty-year-old non-celebrity who picture hadn’t surfaced, he wouldn’t feel he owed an apol- suffers abuse would have a right to confidentiality during the ogy to anybody for his actions, and rightfully so. investigation of her case. For celebrities, confidentiality USA Swimming released the statement following is not only lost, it is frowned upon. If information is the event, saying, “This is not a situation where not released, false facts are distributed, and soon the any anti-doping rule was violated, but we decided public can barely distinguish the truth from the to send a strong message to Michael because lies. he disappointed so many people, particularly We expect our celebrities to be everything the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming we are, but flawless. We expect them to be role member kids who look up to him as a role model models for our children, law-abiding citizens, loving and a hero.” boyfriends and girlfriends. Our standards for celebrities This scandal is a second strike on Phelps’s record, as he are much higher than those we hold for ourselves. We was arrested for a DUI in 2004 at age 19. Why is it so impos- expect too much. sible for us to understand that maybe he’s not cut out to be Michael Phelps shows off his medals – and his bong. Art by Jordan Congeni, Staff Artist. 18 The Lakewood Times Editorial Editorial Cartoonists have the First Amendment too

When a comedian gets on stage, grabs the microphone, and throws freedom of speech, an unalienable right that is even given to nonciti- out a few one-liners about race, we all laugh. Yet when a political car- zens. toonist does the same, all hell breaks loose. But First Amendment rights are thrown out of the window when Last month in New York, a cartoonist for a big-name newspaper someone brings race into the picture. This isn’t right and we, as a drew a cartoon depicting two police officers shooting down a monkey. people, need to come together and just enjoy the things that are meant The words above the two police officers read, “They’ll have to find to entertain. someone else to write the next stimulus bill.” What if we lived in a world where people no longer made huge deals And of course, when America saw the cartoon, we hit the roof, call- about “the little things?” If we stepped back and just took the time to ing the cartoonist racist and demanding his dismissal from the paper. look at people’s opinions, no matter how absurd they may be, the world Yet there was more to the story. The day before, a monkey had been would be a better place. No one would be scared to voice his or her killed because it went berserk in someone’s home, attacking several opinion or even showcase his talents. people. It’s up to us as a whole to just relax more and let political cartoonists We, the people of the United States of America, are guaranteed the do their thing. If you find it distasteful, then don’t read it. A “new” Lakewood is thankful for support

“New” seems to be the word of the year. There are new schools, change arose, and even mapped out backup plans for the backup plans. new administrators, new requirements, and even new Smart Boards. Teachers were patient as students stumbled around a new building It’s an exciting time. and across the street. We all have something to look forward to next year, though. Fellow students helped each other figure out lunchroom lines, tra- After a whole onslaught of “new,” many of us will get to experience verse the mods, and find new teachers in new classrooms. A student- the excitement for the first time when the new “West Wing” opens this produced “Parking Lot Paper” was published to help students get the fall. lowdown on the Mods and the transition. Throughout the construction process, we’ve had to deal with cross- It’s obvious that everyone is committed to the success of Lakewood ing the street, tar-induced headaches, and a slightly altered path to class. City Schools, and it’s obvious that we’re all committed to each other. But we’re from Lakewood … and we’re good at adapting. As the West Wing comes closer to completion, we wait to re-enter a We survived. window-filled building, complete with shiny new offices and classrooms Never has there been a serious mishap caused by the construction and a newly-designed atrium. crews. Never has there been a lack of communication. Never has a All of it wouldn’t be possible without the constant support of our safety precaution been allowed to slip. administrators, teachers, and peers. We’re lucky to have a caring, hardworking, self-supporting commu- So, let’s see this through. Let’s appreciate everything that’s been done nity around us. to enhance our education, and be ready to take care of what we’ve been The administration sent out color-coded maps and new bell given so that the same can be done for future generations. schedules, kept everyone up to date, had a backup plan if the need for Editorial Policy As preservers of democracy, our schools shall protect, encourage, and enhance free speech and the exchange of ideas as a means of protecting our American way of life. The Times and its staff are protected by, and bound to, the principles of the First Amendment and other protections and limitations afforded by the Constitution and the various court decisions implementing those principles. It is the mission of The Lakewood Times, the official newsmagazine of Lakewood High School, to serve as a public forum that promotes the gathering and exchange of ideas, and uphold high journalistic standards for the purpose of enriching the lives of our readers. The Times is established as an open forum for student expression and as a voice in the uninhibited, free and open discussion of issues. The Times will not be reviewer or restrained prior to publication. Content of the Times, therefore, reflections only the views of the student staff or individual students and not school officials. The Times, and staff, will strive to avoid publishing any material determined by student editors or the student editorial board to be unprotected, that is, material that is libelous, obscene, materially disruptive of the school process, an unwarranted invasion of privacy, a violation of copyright laws or electronic manipulations changing the essential truth of the photo or illustrations. Other obligations can be found in the handbook available to each student. The Times adviser will not act as a censor. It questions arise over specific copy as defined within this policy, student journalists will seek the advice of the communications attorney from the student press law center. The Times editorial board as a whole will be responsible for determining editorial opinions, which represent the opinions of a majority of the editorial board. No single member of the Times can be held responsible for editorial content decisions. The Times is a tool in the learning process of journalism and operates as a learning laboratory. Any student may be a member of the staff, with or without prior journalism experience or enrollment on the staff for credit. As a forum for student expression, the Times will publish all letters to the editor, provided they are 300 words or less and contain the author’s name, house, and address. On occasion, we will publish letters using the “name withheld” providing the Times editor, or a team editor, knows the author’s identity. We reserve the right to withhold a letter or column and return it for more information if we determine it contains items of unprotected speech as defined by this policy. Letters will be edited for spelling and grammar. Should a letter contain errors in fact, excessive grammatical errors or be too long, it will be returned to the author for re submission. Deadlines for letters and columns will be no later than ten days before the next publication date. The Times may choose to report student, staff, faculty, and alumnus deaths as he editorial board is made aware of them. We reserve the right to decide not to cover a death based on relevance, timeliness and circumstances. In cases where the editorial board decided not to cover death, letters to the editor in regard to that death could be printed. March 2008 19 Lkwd Life “Talent Night Live”

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3 4 1. Dressed to the nines in semi-formal dresses, emcees Sam Debaltzo, Julia Millman, Sara Luehring, and Tessa Endress announce the next act. 2. Sophomore Max Difilippo opens the show on guitar. 3. Senior Danielle Villnuve performs in “The Evolution of Dance.” 4. Junior Seth Baker kicks up his heels during his solo dance performance. 5. Junior Mary Beth Dona- hoe and Senior Bailey Mueller join hands in an eye-catching dance. 6. Junior Jon Murphy strums and sings for an attentive audience. 7. Senior Kelsey Moran performs in “The Evolution of Dance.” 8. Emcee Evan Graves tries to convince Tessa Endress to go out with him in one of the emcees’ humorous acts. 9. Senior Ian Brieck of the closing band, Danny Denies, is joined by freshman Kevin Kvasnicka, senior Evan Graves, and junior Brian Lenahan. 10. Junior Devin Knowles sings unaccompa- nied. 11. Senior Kate Wingle performs her version of “Over the Rainbow.” 12. Freshman Jacob Kirkwood opens the show on drums. 13. Junior Emily Barker provides a dash of culture with a paired dance. 14. Senior Amelia Eberlein performs in “The Evolution of Dance.” 15. Emcees Brian Ritschel and Sam Debaltzo perform their two-person-in-one act. 16. Senior Ian Brieck performs with his band at the end of the show. 17. Junior Kristian Hila busts a move as he and senior Matt Blackburn try to decide who is the better person. Photos by Rebecca McKinsey, Editor in Chief. 6 20 The Lakewood Times Lkwd Life Lkwd Life showcases LHS gems

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15 16 17 March 2008 21 Lkwd Life Lkwd Life Where in the World is Mr. Walker?

Finland Sweden Terry Walker. Photo by Lisa Kowalski. Norway Scotland Lithuania England Belarus Poland Belgium Germany Slovakia Ukraine Czech Republic Hungary Switzerland Romania France Serbia Austria Bulgaria Portugal Yugoslavia Italy Spain Greece Turkey Nepal China Morocco Israel Hong Kong Senegal Africa Thailand

Ghana By Ryan Wood, Staff Writer There is a teacher who sings thing that was really different the attendance daily, who to me was the food,” he said. acts out battles in great detail Walker has always had a taste for with invisible longbows, short adventure. “I’ve always wanted swords and round-shields, a to be like the guy you see on TV teacher who spends much of driving a Jeep through a river full his life traveling around the of alligators,” he said. world to unique places. Walker made it very clear that This is Terry Walker. Why he doesn’t just sit in a hotel, does this well-known military car or bus when he travels. His history teacher travel so much? idea of a vacation is one where Maybe it’s because he became there is lots of mountain-biking, his father’s occupation in the oil Lakewood. accustomed to traveling at trekking, hiking and climbing. business. Among his favorite places such a young age. Although Oh, and don’t forget running. His first trip out of the states to visit is Nepal. His trip there raised in Ohio, a young Walker “I like running. It keeps you in didn’t bring him much of a included a long hike through often found himself staying on shape,” he said. Many people culture shock. “My first trip was the Himalayas, where his family Indian reservations because of have seen Walker in action, in to Mexico when I was seven. The stayed in villages overnight in the Metroparks or the city of 22 The Lakewood Times Lkwd Life Black dots= Where Walker has been Lkwd Life Grey words= Where other well-traveled staff members have been. Most traveled teacher: Krystyna Skrzecz- kowska Most popular destination: France Greatest continent hopper: Joe Lobozzo African Adventurer: Peter Petto

Canada

small huts called “tea houses.” and is still at Lakewood is Will Along the way, they came across Wieble. Altogether, the group friendly villagers and caravans consisted of dozens of stu- New York City with buffalos hauling construc- dents and faculty, as well as 34 Colorado tion materials and supplies. hired interpreters, cooks, camp Walker noted, however, that there engineers and guides. They was a very small variety of food traveled through the edge of the to choose from – mostly fried rice Amazon Basin, over the Andes and chop sui. “I would bring my and into Machu Picchu. During own spices next time. The meat this ten-day trip they climbed Mexico was very bland,” he said. steep mountain passes and could Belize Another one of his favorite hear monkeys in the trees of the Guatemala places was Peru. A few years forests. El Salvador Costa Rica back he went on a trip there with Walker does not like to travel Panama many people from Lakewood. alone and does not do it often. the country, he recommended Columbia One of the students who went “I travel with my wife and my the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone daughter, Britney. She’s been out National Perk, San Francisco, Venezuela of the country with us on trips Yosemite National Park, New since she was four.” He also tries York City and Colorado – if you to travel with friends and family. like to ski and snowboard, that His most recent trip with his fam- is. For those looking to travel ily was to the Grand Canyon dur- the world, Walker recommends ing NEOEA Day weekend. This Nepal, Peru, Africa (Kenya and three-day trip was packed with South Africa), France, Spain and lots of hiking- over 44 miles of Australia. Chile it, in fact. “It was very difficult at Walker mentioned his next trip times, but the Canyon is fun and out of the country – this time to Peru beautiful.” Panama. “I’ve already bought Walker was asked to give a the tickets,” he claimed. Walker list of places inside and outside offers traveling advice to anyone of the country that he enjoyed who needs it. Next time you see visiting and would recommend to him in the hallway, it doesn’t hurt any student wanting to travel. If to ask, “Where are you going you were planning to stay inside now, Mr. Walker?” You may be surprised at what you hear. March 2008 23 Lkwd Life Lkwd Life

Prime Addiction is an up-and- What they’ve been doing: March 20th show,” bassist Kyle coming metal band featuring Where to hear them: “Right now we’ve been focusing Kubovcik said. Prime Addiction has recorded a LHS juniors Angel Vazquez, Kyle on writing new material for the Kubovcik, Nick Cuffari, LHS three song demo. Check out their Sophomore Michael Young, and MySpace at www.myspace.com/ Kent State University Sophomore officalprimeaddiction to listen David Hacker. Their sound is a to “Power Surge,” “Bottled,” mixture of metal with a brighter, and “Lost Inside.” The music up alternative sound. on the band’s page gives a good Like a mixture of Iron Maiden indication of their range of styles, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, with “Power Surge” being more Prime Addiction’s music never on the heavy metal side of the ceases to hold the listener’s at- spectrum, “Bottled” giving more tention. Formed in 2006, Prime of a classic rock sound, and “Lost Addiction has gone through many Inside” bringing to the table a lineup changes, finally resulting in more techincal aspect of their the current roster of musicians. music. Their most prominent shows have come within the last few months, with gigs at Peabodys and the Phantasy. Prime Addiction Juniors Angel Vazquez, Upcoming shows: May 12 at Peabody’s. At this show, Prime Addiction is Nick Cuffari, and Kyle going to be opening for progressive metal band Protest the Hero. Contact Kubovcic perform at a band members for more information about this show. show. Photo courtesy of Al Rodriguez. Glamorizing the Garage Band

By Al Rodriguez, Staff Writer

Jim From Portland is a new Hear them: Jim From Indie-rock band made up of LHS Portland has some recordings of Senior Dillon DeVito and LHS their work on their MySpace page. juniors Ryan Matricardi and Sean Check out their songs “Cosmic Keating. Their infuences include Wind”, “Item,” and “Dark Years” bands such as Minus the Bear, at myspace.com/jimfromport- the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The land. All the songs offer some- Strokes, and The Grateful Dead. thing different yet unique. “Cos- Their music includes aspects mic Wind” gives off the classic of all of the above-mentioned Indie feel, “Item gives a faster, bands, giving their sound enough more electric sound, while “Dark to drive but not enough to cross Years” offers a great funk feel. into the world of heavy rock. The relaxing aspects of their songs contrast the heavier sections very well, giving them an interesting sound thats great to hear. Jim From Portland Senior Dillon Devito and Upcoming shows: Saturday, March 14 at the Phantasy. The show is $9 at juniors Ryan Matricardi and the door and starts at 9 p.m. Contact band members for more information. Sean Keating make up the band “Jim from Portland.” Photo courtesy of Al Rodriguez.

What They’ve been do- ting some professional recording ing: “Lately we’ve been playing done,” drummer Ryan Matricardi shows, and we’re looking into get- said. 24 The Lakewood Times Lkwd Life Lkwd Life Flakes of Satin, Silk, and Suits flutter at LHS snowball Photos by Thealexa Becker, Design Editor

Pictured top left: Tim Howell, Miranda Mave, Matt Swindell. Top right: Chris Murrett and Tessa Endress. Bottom left: Carol Moss, Morgan Bulger, April Shimp, Jenny Shank. Middle: Sara Luehring, Mo Farunia. Middle right: Emily Ott, Marianne Bosworth, Stephanie Saed. Bottom middle: Gabe Williams and Brian Ritschel. Bottom right: Katie Beckwith, Rachel Compolieti, Caitlin Link, Rachel Buckner. March 2008 25 Lkwd Life Lkwd Life

50 guys, 200 guys – there’s nothing better than Five Guys

By Valerie Locke, Editorial Board Member Finally, Lakewood will have a fun place to meal. “You’re eating real food like you would make, eat that is actually enjoyable. For the past six Five Guys uses all natural beef burgers but without the work!” junior Jordan Pelz said. years, there have been thoughts of opening a which are never frozen, and they also sell While waiting for your food, you can pig out Five Guys and Fries in Lakewood, and now kosher hot dogs. You can choose on peanuts, which are free of charge. it is finally happening. Randhir between a burger with one With the restaurant chain opening soon, it Sethi, owner of Wholesale patty or two, depend- will be creating some jobs. At least ten full- Burgers, which owns the ing on how hungry time or equivalent jobs will be opening up. Five Guys franchise, has you are. And on There is an open storefront next to Five Guys, rights to the restaurant that burger you where The Music Company used to be, that chain in North East can get whatever is going to be taken over by new tenants with Ohio. burger topping you even more job opportunities. “Construction will can think of. Grilled “We want something that will compliment most likely begin in the mushrooms and the building and something the community next few months,” Sethi onions are a favorite, wants here,” Sethi explained. Coffee shops said. There are plans to but pickles are always a such as Starbucks have been considered. have an outdoor din- must as well. The Party Station and The Music Company ing area that will go down “The burgers are so are both still open and in business. The Party along the sidewalk on Detroit so good! And the fries Station has moved to 25027 Center Ridge Avenue. The outdoor tables will are amazing! It’s fast food, Road in Westlake, and The Music Company be covered with awnings so that no but not that processed garbage moved to 11800 Detroit Avenue. Lakewood pigeon dropping will fall into your that Mczdonalds and Burger King call burgers. Photo courtesy of Five Guys

Not-so-lovely Lily Allen introduces new album

By Thealexa Becker, Design Editor

Changing your tune doesn’t mean a one another. So while the album remains better sound. coherent, when separated, half of the Lily Allen, the peppy British song- tracks are unremarkable. stress made famous by her spiteful single The best of the album is tucked away, “Smile” released her sophomore album, but the gems are worth the hunt. “Not “It’s Not Me, It’s You,” with an arguably Fair” is a lot like “Not Big” from her first more mellow tone. album as far as subject matter goes, but Certainly, the remnants of her earlier it is deceptively cheerier. “Back to the spunk are scattered throughout the tracks, Start” is a little melodramatic lyric wise, but the lyrics are decidedly darker and but is one of the more melodic tracks. more foreboding. On the one hand, its Arguably the best song is “Everyone’s shows a maturation not often found in At It” which seeks to ridicule the drug singer of her age not looking for a come- culture among British teens. back. However, part of the charm of The album as a whole might not be Allen’s first album was the whimsical dis- worth purchasing unless you are a fan of missal of life’s problems and the snarky, British pop or young divas. It would be sarcastic asides about everything from old well worth the money to listen to clips on ladies to pot smoking brothers. iTunes and buy the songs that strike your Just like her first album, the songs fancy. straddle the fine line between dance- Photo courtesy of lillyallen.com worthy like Lady Gaga, to electronically enhanced toe-tappers. Unfortunately, there isn’t really a “single.” Most of the songs are too similar to stand out from

26 The Lakewood Times Lkwd Life Lkwd Life A teacher that rocks Doran hits the books and then hits the stage By Wilson Sackett, Editorial Board Member

themselves “It’s hard to say which I like more. When in, and begin you make a great song, people tell you and recharging for maybe even sing the chorus for a while, but the next day’s those things fade,” Doran said. “With teach- routine. That ing, a great teacher or lesson will always stay stereotype has with you.” been smashed The performing and teaching schedule by teachers rarely go hand in hand, so the line between who have been Duran’s music and teaching life is not easily defying “the drawn. While a gig may end past midnight, man” and the the school schedule is unmoveable. The nor- norm ever mal school start of 7:30 a.m. stays constant, since they and a groggy or cranky math teacher is some- picked up an one that no student wants to deal with, or no instrument. other teacher wants to be. Math Doran is a great representation of the way teacher An- teachers are often more than what students thony Doran see. Many LHS students believe teachers has been get their lessons straight from the book, but playing in his Doran is just one of many teachers who do band for two have a creative side. “I like that music is a cre- years, and plays ative outlet,” Doran said. “I can express what lead guitar and I can’t with teaching, and it’s always fun to play vocals. “I’m with friends.” Photo courtesy of Anthony Doran. really the only When your days seem to repeat themselves, Emphatic riffs, deep bass tones, thick drum- one in the band with a steady day job,” Doran and even your last teacher’s voice has seem- beats, and … the Pythagorean theorem? said. “Each time the school year comes I’m ingly turned excessively monotonous, just Throughout the years, many students have always the one who calls to take a break.” The remember that your teacher could leave the developed the stereotype that after class, band plays approximately four shows a month, school grounds and return to a night full of teachers immediately scurry home, plug and heads on longer tours in the summer. shredding, ripping, and raging.

Hoobastank delivers platinum By Julia Houska, Contributing Writer

Is it possible to make a good comeback? feel. It has a steady beat and a soft sound. Britney Spears did, so why can’t Hoobastank? The lyrics talk about wanting to be with Hoobastank is an American alternative rock someone during those perfect moments band best known for its 2004 hit single “The that don’t last, making it great for summer Reason.” Their latest album “For[no]ever” is a romances. Another song, “The Letter,” is musical blend of old-school guitars and mod- musical genius. The lyrics tell the story of ern feeling. The music on this CD gives off a a man reading a love letter addressed to his summer feel. It gives you the same feeling as girlfriend from her lover on the side. Once sitting in a room and looking out the window, you hear it you will automatically fall in love watching the sun hitting the house next to with it. yours. It lasts only a moment but you know it’s In 2003 their album “The Reason” went summer. to 2x platinum. In 2006 their album “Every “You Need to Be Here” is like the perfect Man for Himself ” hit gold. I believe that this summer night, watching the sun go down, CD has the ability to bring the smiles to their song. It’s a slower song with an easy listening faces with another 2x platinum. Image courtesy of Island Records.

March 2008 27 Lkwd Life Lkwd Life

“Halo” sequel is far from angelic

Photos courtesy of halowars.com. By, Andrew O’Connor, Editorial Board Member

The demo for “Halo Wars” came out on making of this game. you pre-ordered any version of the game, you Febuary 5th, about a month before the game’s In “Halo Wars,” you control a human mem- should have received a skin for the flaming release. The demo includes the first two ber of the UNSC. If you are new to Halo, that warthog. If you did not, check with your missions of the campaign and one level of a stands for United Nations Space Command. retailer. one-on-one skirmish match. The demo set So, by playing as a human, that means you It comes down to this. Halo fan or not, if a record for Xbox Live becoming the don’t play as one of the most famous you are into gaming, this game is just as much most downloaded demo in its history. game hero in the history of of a must-have as “Halo 3” was back in 2007. In the first five days of the demo Xbox: Master Chief. If you’re not really into Halo that much, it release, it was downloaded to So what does one may not worth paying the extra $20 for the over two million Xbox 360 do in a real-time strat- limited edition. But this is a game that will be consoles. egy? A player controls competing with its own company for game How did we get to “Halo the movements and actions of the year when “Halo 3: ODST” (formally Wars?” In 2001, the first of either a set of soldiers or known as “Halo 3 Recon”) comes out later Halo game was released, the whole group, and give this fall. Unlike the first 3 games “Halo Wars the title “Halo: Combat them a command based on will only be available for the Xbox 360. Evolved,” and was opened what button is pressed. Concept: 4.5/5 A new twist on a series that to the Xbox communty followed by If this sounds boring, the game is wasn’t getting old anytime soon. “Halo 2.” “Halo 2” has been played called “Halo Wars” for a reason. You Graphics: 5/5 As far as a space game goes for over 700 million hours on Xbox can’t just sit and watch soldiers kill. it looks incredible. The cut scenes are amazing live. In 2007, the most anticipated You must hide, shoot and stay back and feels just like a movie on the big screen. game of the sereies, Halo 3 was to defend the base. That’s where the Sound: 4.5/5 Halo is known for its music, released and quickly became the co-op campaign comes in. Much like even a soundtrack is released for each game. eighth most played game in the his- some of the more popular games of The problem is that the Warthog sounds way tory of Xbox and Xbox Live. the year, “Halo Wars” allows a player too much like an RC car. Before the demo release, Halo to play the same campaign online with Entertainment: 5/5 With set-up to the fans were concerned, saying things other players. This becomes highly game it gives Halo fans a breath of fresh air. like, “This game isn’t going to be made effective and likely to make the game The co-op gameplay should add more fun for by Bundgie Studios” and “This game eaiser to beat. those on Xbox Live. is going to be a real time strategy.” Hardcore Halo fans, if you pre- Overall: 4.7/5 the game just falls short of Your worries can end, fellow gam- ordered the Limited Edition version perfect. To perfect this game Microsoft would ers and Halo fans. True, the develop- of the game you should have received have to find a way to build a first person er of the Halo trilogy will not be making this the following: a “Spirit of Fire” patch, shooter and a real-time strategy. Bringing the game. The game will be made by Ensemble six collectable cards, a “Halo Wars” graphic two styles together would perfect Halo. Studios. Not to worry. Some developers from novel, a Honor Guard skin for the Wraith Bundgie have assisted Ensemble Studios in the Tank and the “Halo 3” mythic map pack. If 28 The Lakewood Times Sports Triumph in the pool

March 2008 29 Sports Sports

Comeback Kid: Moran suffers devastating injury only to return to break school records and qualify for states By Evan Graves, Editorial Board Member With the roar of the crowd in the back- ground, the PA announcer calls the meet to order. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2009 Division I State Swimming Champion- ships, the greatest high school swim meet in the country!” With the excitement growing, the crowd lets out another exuberant cheer. This is not the first time senior Kelsey Moran has experienced the enthusiasm that radiates from a state meet crowd. In fact, the past three years have all come down to this moment. As she is a senior, this will be the last time she hears the crowd – four thousand strong – cheer in anticipation, waiting for the meet to begin. Kelsey is at the top of her game after set- ting two school records and placing ninth in the state. What makes this season truly special is the comeback story that coincides with her accomplishments. Breaking school records is incredible enough, but doing so after a major knee injury is astonishing. Her story begins far before her devastating injury. Kelsey started swimming at the age of eight with LRST, the local recreation team. Alongside her sister, Courtney Moran, who graduated from Lakewood in 2006, she rose through the ranks of the swimming scene. The sport became an integral part of her life. Swimming year-round, early morning practice, and all-day swim meets became second nature for Kelsey. By the time Kelsey entered high school, her expectations were already high. As a freshman, she made districts. During her sophomore year, she qualified for districts again in the 100-yard backstroke and the 200 freestyle re- lay. She qualified for the state meet swimming the relay with her sister. The state meet: the big dance, the super bowl of high school swimming, the meet every swimmer hears about. It’s regarded by some as the loudest of all high school events. Only the top one percent of swimmers in the state qualify for this two-day event. “I was really intimidated my first year,” Kelsey said.

30 The Lakewood Times Sports Sports

“It’s a very overwhelming feeling, the state day. By October, Kelsey was at full strength two more times during the season. The 100 meet.” Her relay didn’t go very far at the meet, and doing full workouts. The high school fly was an event that could be successful for but the experience left her thirsting for more. season starts around Thanksgiving, so Kelsey Kelsey, but it was clear the 100 backstroke was As a junior, Kelsey went back to the state only had two months to become fully condi- her forte. Nevertheless, Kelsey qualified for meet in an individual event, the 100-yard tioned. Other swimmers around the state had the state meet with a time of 58.77 seconds, backstroke. “As I started going to states, I was practiced at this level all year. another record on the wall. able to be a lot more focused and knew what I Surprisingly, the season went off without The state meet arrived, and Kelsey had one had to do,” Kelsey said. She didn’t make it to a hitch for Kelsey. At the Viking Invitational, goal in mind: get on the podium. To accom- states that year either, but the potential was all at CSU, Kelsey broke the school record in the plish this, Kelsey would need to be in the top there for a great senior year. 100 backstoke with a time of 58.24 seconds, eight of 24 other state qualifiers. Friday night In the softball season of her junior year, shattering the record by seven-tenths of a arrived, and Kelsey swam a 57.74, breaking her Kelsey encountered an injury that could have second. She went on to break the record previous two records for the 100 backstroke. ruined all of her swim- Unfortunately, this was only ming goals. good for ninth place that She was up to bat evening. The eighth-place against Brush. After time was 57.53. Fractions of hitting a grounder the a second separated her from opposite way, Kelsey was her season-long goal. making a routine sprint She swam in consolation down the first baseline. finals the next night, only to The first basemen was go three-tenths of a second covering the base a little slower. She missed consola- too much and Kelsey and tion finals for the butterfly the Brush defender made by the same margin as the knee-to-knee contact. backstroke. Kelsey’s left knee hyper- “Yeah, I was disappointed, extended and buckled in but I still did the best I ever the wrong direction, and did,” Kelsey said. “It was still she fell to the ground. the highlight of the year.” “I was crying a lot, and I immediately thought about swimming,” she said. Top: Kelsey Kelsey had torn her PCL. “I Moran prepares had the choice of having surgery herself on the two weeks later and be at full blocks for the 100 backstroke. Bot- strength by October, or wait and tom: Moran swims see if it would heal on its own the 100 fly at and be at full strength a lot later,” the district meet. Kelsey said. “I chose the surgery.” Opposite: Moran She was able to get into the before one of her district races. pool by that summer and did Title page: Moran physical therapy exercises every poolside before one of her heats at the state meet. Photos by Evan Graves, Editorial Board Member.

March 2008 31 Sports Sports Sports injuries common among teen athletes By Andrew O’Connor, Editorial Board Member

Athletes at any level can get sense of camaraderie towards Posterior Cruciate Ligament to the brain. This can occur in many injured with anything from a my teammates. The thrill alone help stabilize the knee. ways such as being hit, falling, pulled muscle to a torn ligament, keeps me going in football and The most common ACL inju- running into another participant, a concussion or a staph infection. swimming. I love hearing the ries occur when the knee is forced or receiving a blow from another “That’s the thing about those crowd yell and cheer, and it just into a twisted motion, or when object. Concussions and their major injuries,” Athletic Trainer makes me want to do my best. I the foot is suddenly planted but symptoms depend on the indi- Travis Gallagher said. “They also like the sportsmanship of the rest of the leg continues to vidual person and the mechanism could be very minor to a very our team and the other teams we move forward. Symptoms usually of injury. For a person to be serious injury.” compete against. Lastly, sports include a loud painful “pop” and diagnosed with a concussion, he There are injuries that are very are fun! You get to hang out with a lot of swelling. Immediate treat- must have at least one of many common, such as an ankle sprain your friends and play whichever ment includes applying ice and possible symptoms, including or a pulled muscle. “To prevent sport you like. immobilizing the knee. headache, dizziness, nausea or this, stretch before a workout,” Now, I have to say, getting hurt When a tear occurs, the only vomiting, slurred speech, mood Gallagher said. “The more does not feel good. It is awful way to repair the ACL is surgery. and cognitive disturbances, stretching and flexible you are, the when you have to ask yourself During surgery, holes are drilled sensitivity to light or noise, sleep less chance of pulling a muscle.” if playing the sport you love through the Femur and Tibia, the disturbances, irritability, or loss of Ankle sprains can also be pre- may not be in your best interest damaged ligament is removed, balance. vented with an ankle brace. anymore. I asked myself that and a replacement graft is passed Since a concussion is a very So how can one of these minor question about a thousand times through the holes and kept in individualized injury, the recov- injuries be treated? The recom- before it started to make sense. place by staples. ery time is dependent upon the mended treatment to a minor Sometimes, a good result will Rehabilitation following the specific person. There is no treat- injury is called the “R.I.C.E.” spring from something bad like surgery includes exercises for ment for concussions other than method. R.I.C.E. stands for Rest, an injury. range of motion, flexibility, resting and avoiding activities that Ice, Compression and Elevation. My injury this year lead me to muscular strength and endurance, increase the intensity of symp- A sling or crutches can help the athletic training, which brought balance and, finally, improving toms. It is imperative to allow injured person use the affected new friends and experiences. speed and agility through sport- enough time for a concussion to body part as little as possible. Ice Working with our school’s based exercises. This process can fully heal, as a second blow to the is needed to slow the swelling. athletic trainer, Travis Gallagher, take anywhere from six to nine head during recovery time could Compression is used to control I am beginning to see through his months. cause serious damage and may the swelling and provide support eyes. Now, I will say that being even be fatal. A person is actually to the injury. An elastic bandage an athletic training student aide is four to six times more likely to Concussions should be wrapped around the rewarding and fun. I am able to By Tessa injury. Lastly, elevation lessens the attend all the different sporting Endress, amount of swelling. The injury events at LHS, as well as some Contribut- should be elevated above the collegiate sports, such as wres- ing Writer heart for as much as possible. tling. I meet new people almost Since March is Athletic training every day, in addition to all my Athletes month, it couldn’t hurt to learn a friends who play sports. It feels face the little bit about how to prevent and good to help others, and this is a possibility of treat injuries. great way to do so. many seri- ous injuries Anterior Cruciate during their Both sides of the action Ligament Injuries activities, but By Alex Carr, Contributing Writer By Danielle Villnuve, one of the Before my injury in football Contributing Writer most critical this year, which kept me out types are for the entire season, I only The Anterior Cruciate Liga- concussions. saw sports through the eyes of ment, or the ACL, is one of four By defini- an athlete. Believe me, there is major ligaments in the knee. A tion, a con- nothing wrong with being just an ligament is a strong band of tis- cussion is an athlete. It’s just a matter of what sue connecting bone to bone. The injury to the Diagram of the muscular make-up of a knee. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. you want to do. ACL connects the Femur to the brain due to a violent blow to the While playing sports, I feel a Tibia, and forms a cross with the head, which temporarily displaces

32 The Lakewood Times Sports Sports Editor’s Corner: Jacob Ott Sports Editor have a second concussion after In the past month, Michael Phelps got caught A-Rod having a first. Once the symp- smoking marijuana, Lebron was shown-up at the Q toms are gone and do not return by Kobe and Dwight Howard … and Obama took Alex Rodriguez should never get in the Hall of with intense activity, a person may up a Lakewood trophy case? Fame, unless it’s a hall of fame for the best players return to his normal activities. Disappointment is a common theme in all sports, who used steroids. Since this is such a serious injury, but lately, there has not been a lot of good to talk it is important for the safety of about. After college bowl games and before March the athlete to report any symp- Madness, the doldrums of the end of winter toms he may have to the athletic make sports fans anxious for the first pitch of the trainer. baseball season, and the tipoff of the NBA Finals. But thanks to people like Alex Rodriguez, we have Staph Infections plenty to gripe about. By Lisa Kunze, Contributing Writer Michael Phelps Staph is a bacterium that lives Apparently, the golden boy of swimming isn’t so on the skin and in nasal passages. golden. He won gold medals left and right in Bei- It is harmless until it enters the jing, but Phelps isn’t so successful out of the water. body through an open wound. In 2004, at the age of 19, Phelps was arrested and The infection is usually spread charged for a DUI. He had to pay a $250 fine and from person to person through teach kids about the dangers of underage drinking. casual contact and sharing of This year, he gets caught smoking marijuana, which towels and other equipment. is illegal at any age, and is slapped on the wrist. He “Staph can be very minor. If lost a single sponsor, got suspended by the USA we tested all the students in the swim team, and was basically given a free pass by school for staph one third would the media. Yes, he is an incredibly gifted athlete. But carry the staph infection,” Gal- being a celebrity should not excuse him from break- lagher said. ing the law. Symptoms of the infections Where are the fans? may be pimples, pustules, and Trophy Cases painful swollen boils. It can look Maybe I’m critical. Maybe I just wish I were going a lot like acne. If left untreated, The last time I checked, school trophy cases were to Ohio State. But, at every sporting event I go to at Staph infection can become very for accomplishments made by the student body. Lakewood, I feel like I’m one of the few who show dangerous and possibly deadly. I’ve noticed there are problems with our trophy up to watch the game, or at the very least, one of Prevention of the Staph infec- cases. Why is a trophy case filled with items about the few who is cheering. Yes, we are in an economic tion is very easy. First, handwash- President Barack Obama, instead of the cheerlead- crisis, so why “waste” money on a high school ing stops transmission in many ing trophies and the girls’ cross country trophy that basketball game, but I guarantee that in the Great cases. Second, it is important to were in the case recently? Why are clubs covering up Depression, we had more fans showing up to watch keep all wounds, even small ones, a trophy case with their event information? Aren’t a game. In my four years here, each year the student clean and covered. Finally, it is there more people represented in the trophies that section has gotten smaller. It’s upsetting. I love the also important to keep equipment are covered up than there are people in H2O? fact students try and sit together. I applaud it. But clean and avoid sharing towels it is sad that our student section is and clothing. smaller than the crowd that shows Staph infections can be treated up for the other team. So much for with antibiotics. In more serious home court advantage. cases, though, the Staph infection called MRSA may be resistant to the antibiotics. The infected per- son may have to be admitted to the hospital to have the infection drained or surgically removed.

Art by Jordan Congeni, Staff Artist.

March 2008 33 Sports Sports

RANGERREPORT

Compiled by Andrew O’Connor

Tony Sclimenti placed fourth at the Mentor District wrestling meet. This finish qualifies Sclimenti for the state tournament. Three other wrestlers also finished high at sectionals. Peter Tapolyai finished fourth at sectionals. Nick Ramsey and Yousef Adbelsalam finished second at sectionals.

With four players scoring in double digits, the Lakewood boys basketball team defeated Cleveland John Marshall for the second straight year. The final school was 79-58. The Rangers will take on North Royalton. The Rangers lost to North Royalton by 3 during the regular season. Senior Dan Shannon led the team with 33 points.

Girls’ basketball lost their opening round game of the playoffs to St. Joseph Academy 42-34. Sophomore Martha Nagbe led Lake- wood with 11 points.

Top: Senior Boys Swim Team Captain Evan Graves fires up the team before a dual meet against Rocky River. Photo by Greg Culley, Staff Photographer. Middle: Senior Girls Swim Team Captain Hilary Szabo keeps the 400 freestyle relay neck and neck with Normandy during a tri-meet which included Lakewood, Normandy and Parma. Photo by Evan Graves, Editorial Board Member. Bottom: During their heat of the 100 freestyle at the Sectional Championships at Lakewood High, Sophomores Grant Graves and Brian Brink finished second and first, respec- tively. Both went personal best for the event. Photo by Evan Graves, Editorial Senior Devin Ross shoots over a defender at a home game. Photo by Jacob Board Member. Ott, Sports Editor. 34 The Lakewood Times Sports Sports Underclassmen Uncovered Kelsey Lenahan Grant Graves 10th Grade 10th Grade

Interviews and photos by Lisa Kowalski, Staff Writer and Photographer.

Kelsey is a three sport athlete at Lakewood High, participating in Grant plays two sports for Lakewood, baseball and swimming. He cross country, track and swimming. Her favorite teachers are Mrs. also enjoys hopscotch, although some say it is not really a sport. His Lewis and Mr. McDevitt. Kelsey loves reading the Harry Potter series, favorite athlete is Omar Vizquel. Grant’s favorite teacher is Mr. Doran, and she really loves to run. In fact, her favorite athlete is Michelle Sikes and his favorite class is English. In his spare time, he likes to play (and the microwave). One of her favorite hobbies is avoiding gluten at real-life Mario Kart and hang out with his friends. Grant also enjoys all costs. She would be thrilled if she could get her GPA up to a 3.6 and listening to his favorite music by Coldplay, John Legend and Counting get under 5:58 in her mile this year. Lenahan loves Mexican food, and Crows. He is a member of AYF, Donut Club, and Eaters of Lakewood. her favorite restaurants are Chipotle and El Jalapeños. Kelsey also likes His main goal for this year is to have the JV baseball team win more to listen to The Fray, and really loves watching “Ferris Bueller’s Day games than they lose, and for next year, he would like to letter in two Off,” “Law & Order: SVU,” and “House: M.D.” sports. Grant’s favorite things to watch are “The Dark Knight,” “An- chorman,” “The Office,” and “30 Rock.”

March 2008 35 Final Word YOU try living without your cell phone... By Rebecca McKinsey, Editor in Chief It started like any other weekday. I rushed to school (risking a ticket necessity – yet. by walking in the street), fell on my face twice on the slippery ice All that changed when, on a whim, I bought 30 text messages for without spilling one precious drop of coffee, and slid into first period $1.99. just as the warning bell rang. Despite the normalcy of that routine, It was like my entire life had been illuminated. I could send someone however, there was a sick feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach a message, and they’d answer – right away. I had never gotten sucked that refused to go away. into IMing, so this was my first taste of instant-gratification commu- All through the day, my uneasiness nication. And I loved it. I couldn’t get enough. The 30 texts were gone continued, and for the life of me, almost immediately, and I had to upgrade to 200, then 1000. I couldn’t figure out what was I developed the twitchy text syndrome – when I felt my phone vi- wrong. It wasn’t until after brate, I was all over it in half a second. It became so bad that my hand fifth period that I realized the would stray toward my phone without my realizing, even when it hadn’t problem. vibrated. I had forgotten my cell phone. All this culminated in the events of last Friday. Once I recovered When it finally hit me, I from the panic-from-not-having-my-phone-induced seizures, I real- stopped abruptly in the hall, nearly ized that the unthinkable had happened. I had become a statistic – getting plowed over by half a dozen one of the people I had always mocked. freshmen who were, for once, actu- I was addicted to my cell phone. ally hurrying to class. With my eyes thus opened, I began to look around at my I felt as though I had been hit by a fellow cell phone users in a new light. In an article on www. ton of bricks. I was on the verge of a wired.com, anthropologist Robbie Blinkoff said, “Next time panic attack, and just barely managed to a teenager says, ‘Mom, if I don’t have a phone,’ or ‘Dad, if I stumble to my next class. don’t have a phone, I’m going to be a nobody,’ they are being The rest of the day was even worse, now serious.” For the first time, I realized there was a note of that I knew what was bothering me. My fin- truth in Blinkoff ’s statement. gers would itch to reach for my phone, only to Teens today have become phone snobs. We show more remember that it wasn’t there. It was all I could consideration for faceless people who are talking to us do not to run screaming from the school to re- on the two-inch screen on our cell phone than those trieve my treasured little hunk of plastic and metal. who are standing in front of us. I couldn’t concentrate. Every few seconds, I had to As I write this, I feel indignant that anyone would remind myself to take another breath – breathing was act this way, but I’m guilty as well. I’ve pulled away no longer important. from a conversation because of a text – and one Looking back (with my cell phone now safely in text inevitably becomes two, then three, then a my pocket), I realize that even greater than my panic whole conversation in itself, and before I realize and distress over my missing phone was the horrifying it, I’m completely neglecting the person who is realization that I was even capable of acting this way. Now, with me in person. to fully express this horror, it is necessary to provide some Let’s face it – texting is convenient. If insight into my background with technology. you need a quick answer from someone, It has long been a family joke that we’re always bringing up wherever you are, texting is the way the rear when it comes to technology. Answering machines, CD to go. However, this technology has players, MP3 players, toilets that flush – we’re just always a few certainly gone too far. Teens are placing years behind the majority in equipping ourselves with the latest the words rolling across their phone gadgets. screens on a pedestal. People are less It was no different with cell phones. Until my junior year, I had important – unless they’re on the other been one of the few whose ear wasn’t permanently attached to a min- end of your cell phone conversation. iature telephone that doubled as a video camera, computer and por- Abolishing texting completely would never table ATM machine. I remember scoffing at friends who pulled out work – this practice is already too intertwined in their cell phones every time they heard that telltale buzz. They couldn’t our culture. Somehow, we’ve got to stop treating our phones like live without their phones, and I looked down my nose at them – I was paragons. At this point, I’m not sure what the solution is. When I figure better than them, I swore. I’d never be so dependent on technology. it out, though, I promise I’ll text you the answer. Then I got a cell phone. At first, I wasn’t too bad. I didn’t use my phone very often. It was convenient when I needed to get ahold of someone, but it wasn’t a No teenager is able to resist when this notice pops up on a cell phone. Photo by Rebecca McKinsey, Editor in Chief. 36 The Lakewood Times