oldham county high school 1150 n. highway 393 buckner, ky 40010 www.clarioncolonel.wordpress.com april 2010

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2 BRIEFS April 2010

Campus UpdatesSCIENCE CLUB Science Club is collecting old cell phones to recycle for a program that is funded by Samsung. For every 25 phones collected, OCHS is entered in a contest to win a prize. Drop off old cell phones in room 245.

BETA All Beta hours are due May 5 to room 115. See Beta hour opportunities outside room 115.

SENIOR NEWS Seniors with privileges will be able to leave at 2 p.m Friday, May 7. Permission slips will be distributed in English classes and are due back by May 3. Senior Dress Down Day takes place May 10. Graduation practice is June 1 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Any senior that has not yet ordered his or her cap and gown or has not paid graduation dues, see Mrs. Pace.

SIGMA SIGMA GAMMA Senior/Junior Greek Week will be held May 10 through 14. Sign-ups will take place April 26 through May 5. See Joan Thompson in room 231 or Shallon Grieshaber with questions.

3 April 2010

NEWSNEWS

ERIN KOHNKEstaff writer

MATTHEW LAWSONstaff writer

Class offi cers play a major part in events during the school year, but a proposal to the Oldham County

Site Based Decision Making Council would replace the current student government with a new class designed specifi cally for student leaders. This new Associated Student Body model, proposed by Matt Girardin, social studies teacher, would set up a student council class, giving class leaders the time and organization to govern eff ectively. “School is not just a place to learn; it should also be fun,” Girardin said. “This new program will allow for a lot more activities and opportunities in which kids can participate.” Instead of the current class offi cer structure, the new program would include

On April 22, Frito-Lay’s SunChips unveiled its novel invention. The new compostable chip bags are eco-friendly and were released on Earth Day. For 40 years, Americans have taken extra steps on Earth Day to keep our country clean, and since 1990, 200 million people have taken America’s initiative to clean up. Along with the healthier Frito-Lay SunChips packaging, here are some other easy ways to help out the community and your planet:

The average American emits fi ve tons of carbon dioxide annually.

a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and historian, each of whom would be elected and preside over the entire student body. Each grade would also have a president and representative specifi cally for that class. This program would introduce many new positions such as a performing arts commissioner, alumni and community relations commissioner, club commissioner and boys and girls athletic commissioners. Each offi cer will have an area of expertise, but, together, the class would help plan and coordinate school activities. “Unfortunately, the students that are offi cers are often the most involved in extracurricular activities and do not have enough time to devote specifi cally to class functions,” Girardin said. “This class would be geared specifi cally toward eff ectively fulfi lling the responsibilities of the student government.” The idea for this concept came from Girardin’s teaching experiences in

Prevent releasing pollutants by making sure the lights are turned off when you leave a room and unplug all unnecessary electronics. Keeping lights off and electronics unplugged as much as possible saves energy and keeps unnecessary pollutants from being released from energy plants into our atmosphere.

Deforestation, the process of clearing forests for lumber, destroys more than 37,000 trees a year. Help replace the plants by planting a tree or starting a garden. One tree will eliminate approximately one ton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over its lifetime. Plant

California. Schools organized in the ASB model were able to get many more people involved in school events. This class structure allows schools to frequently have new events to participate in, leading to a growing enthusiasm in the student body in sports, academics and all other facets of high school. “OCHS is a great school and we have a lot of great kids, but many say there are not enough school functions,” Girardin said. “This will allow for more student projects and get a lot more going on around the school.” The ASB model is defi nitely a possibility in the future. Currently, questionnaires and surveys are being sent out to a pool of sophomores and juniors to get student input. This new program could be implemented in upcoming school years. “Every student that walks into high school wants to have a great year, and I think this will help achieve that,” Girardin said.

nurseries have a wide selection of young trees that are easy to plant and care for. Be sure to plant your tree away from any power lines or other obstructions.

A single 60- watt light bulb releases 1300 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere over its lifetime. Change the regular bulbs in your home to compact fl orescent light (CFL) bulbs and save energy as well as money. CFLs use 80 percent less energy than traditional bulbs, and they last 10 times longer. A 16-watt compact light can replace a 60-watt traditional bulb and saves an average $30 over the lifetime of the CFL bulb.

This Earth DayEarth Day, get involvedSimple changes can improve the planet for all

Student government class proposed for future years

A new kind of leadership ‘Once Upon a

What:What: 2010 spring musical, “Once Upon a Mattress”When:When: April 22-24, 7:30 p.m.; April 25, 2:30Where:Where: OCHS AuditoriumTickets:Tickets: $5Music written by:Music written by: Mary RodgersLyrics written by:Lyrics written by: Marshall BarerPlay written by:Play written by: Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer, Dean FullerDirector:Director: Melanie KidwellAssistant Directors:Assistant Directors: Alison Lambert, Eric Otte, Josh HeinChoreographer:Choreographer: Tripp Hampton

About 195 million tons of garbage is tossed into to the earth by Americans annually. Recycle plastics, cans and glass, and start a compost pile. Compost piles are an easy way to help the environment. They consist of things that would normally be in a fi re, such as leaves and sticks or kitchen scraps and leftovers that would end up in the trash. While fi res and dumps pollute the air, compost piles reduce waste in the atmosphere and in waste disposal sites. The new Frito-Lay SunChips compostable packaging is designed to break down in a compost pile. In just 14 weeks, the packaging completely disintegrates.

compiled by Courtney Droste

your planet:

atmosphere.

lines or other obstructions.

photo by Chelsea Corbin

MattressMattress’

4 NEWS April 2010

Michelle O b a m a , fi rst lady, is taking steps to fi ght c h i l d h o o d obesity, and b u i l d i n g awareness of the lifelong eff ects it has on children. With her new “Let’s Move” ant i -obesi ty c a m p a i g n , Obama is looking for support in implementing healthier school lunches as well as healthier manufactured foods. “Medical experts have warned that our children are on track to be less healthy than we [adults] are,” Obama said. According to The Wall Street Journal, one in three kids is obese or overweight. Alarming facts like these are plastered in health magazines, blogs governmental offi cials are starting to listen. “Our children are eating too much sugar, salt and fats and too few fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products,” Tom Vilsack, agriculture secretary, said. On March 17, Obama held a conference with the Grocery Manufacturers Association, which included leading producers such as Kraft Foods Inc. and McDonald’s Corp. In order to avoid taxes on junk food, companies have already taken steps to cut calories and fats in foods. The GMA is backing Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign and has already made changes to over 10,000 products in the past few years. “We never had this type of leadership from the White House,” Scott Faber, vice president of federal aff airs, said.

In an attempt to solve the mounting obesity crisis in America, the world’s leading soft drink companies are taking initiative and removing calorie-packed refreshments from schools. In 2007, both Coca-Cola Co.

March 23 marked American history as President Barack Obama signed his long-desired health care bill into law. The bill, which narrowly passed in the House with a vote of 219-212, will provide health insurance to an estimated 32 million Americans who currently are not covered. After more than a year of turbulent debate, the Democratic majority in congress, the only representatives to vote for the bill, has come up with a bill that will, in the words of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, “Make history for our country and progress for the American people.” The main goal of the new law is to crack down on the questionable policies of insurance companies and to ensure that the American people have insurance available to them. Many of the changes to the health care system will not be immediately noticeable. The timeline for implementation stretches

over 10 years with some of the biggest changes not occurring for several years. Notable changes in the fi rst year of the law include the ability for parents to keep their children on their health insurance plan until the age of 26, the prevention of insurance companies from excluding coverage to children under the age of 19 due to pre-existing conditions and the removal of annual and lifetime caps on insurance coverage. The cost of implementing of the bill is estimated at $940 billion over 10 years, which will be funded largely by an investment income tax on American families making more than $250,000 per year. A 10 percent excise tax on indoor tanning salons will also be established. Though it may appear that the new system will only increase the national defi cit, CBS News predicts that the new system will reduce the national debt by $143 billion in the fi rst 10 years of implementation and by $1.2 trillion in the following 10. Throughout the legislative process, the

KAYLA ASCHENBECKnews editor

KAYLA ASCHENBECKnews editor

TOM SCHALLERstaff writer

Leaders in soda industry plan removal of products from schools

‘Let’s Move’ campaign promotes youth healthHealth care bill signed

Heavily debated legislation becomes law

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bill was a source of much controversy. With a few straggling Democrats and all Republican congressmen voting against the bill, many opposers of the bill were outraged by its partisan nature. “The only thing bipartisan about [the health care bill] is the opposition to it,” Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said. The tensions reached a climactic point as the bill reached its fi nal speed bump. After receiving Obama’s signature, the bill returned to the Senate where several issues were found that resulted in the creation of a reconciliation bill that would amend the original bill. The fi nal bill passed in the Senate by a vote of 56-43, and in the House 220-207 and was then sent to the president, who signed it March 30. Though changes may not be evident for a number of years, Obama, in an interview with the NBC-TV “Today” program’s Matt Lauer, described the bill’s passing as “a critical fi rst step in making a health care system that works for all Americans.”

and Pepsi-Cola adopted plans to fi ght childhood obesity as a preventative step to lowering the risk of diabetes. However the two plans slightly diff er. While Coke only plans to remove products from primary schools, Pepsi will remove most carbonated beverages from both primary and secondary schools. Instead, Pepsi will off er water, low-fat or fat-free milk, and juices with no added sugars, as well as diet beverage choices in secondary learning facilities. While the World Heart Federation is pressuring companies to pull all sodas from schools that have kids under 18, Coke will only remove products

from secondary schools if requested by parents and school administrations. Although pulling sodas from schools won’t cure the obesity issue, the companies hope that it will be the push that kids need to live a more healthy life. “Students must also exercise and eat better, not just at school but at home as well,” Pekka Puska, President of the World Heart Federation, said. “Students should learn these habits at schools.” Neither company is concerned about sales, both claiming that the selling of products in schools didn’t make up a signifi cant portion of sales.

Soft drinks get the coldcold shoulder

ago, yet this apathy has to stem from somewhere. The social

norm has shifted from family or community-based thinking to

“me” thinking; teens aren’t necessarily more selfi sh, but they act more fervently on their selfi sh tendencies,

without taking others into consideration. This also plays into the growing social awkwardness in our generation

stemming from social media infl uence and ubiquitous text message communication. Although the source of this problem is still unclear, it cannot be conciliated unless the teens of today step up – a seemingly unlikely task for this lazier and more apathetic generation to take on. Slacking through school, depending solely on parents and developing little hobbies or interests aside from clichéd “shopping” or “video gaming” (seriously – just look at the Facebook profi les of nearly

any teenager and you’re likely to fi nd one of those) are not only breeding a

generation of lethargic degenerates, but one

6 April 2010

Editorial Board This re�lects the view of the Editorial Board. The members of the board this month included Becca Clemons, Courtney Droste, Kaity Galanos, Mack Keiffer, Matthew Lawson, Tom Schaller and Matt Stewart.

t h e c l a r i o n v i e w s t a f f e d i t o r i a l

Managing EditorBecca Clemons

News EditorKayla Aschenbeck

Features EditorCourtney Droste

Photography EditorBethAnn Harvey

Business ManagerKatherine Benge

Circulation ManagerBrooke Daugherty

AdviserJoan Thompson

Editor in ChiefChelsea Corbin

Production EditorChris Poche

Opinions EditorJulie Stolworthy

Sports EditorSamira Asad

Chief IllustratorCaroline Collins

ColumnistKaity Galanos

Online EditorMichael Roup

Staff WritersCarly Besser

Cassidy Bliss

Brooke Gorbandt

Ericka Hardin

Mandy Hogue

Mack Keiffer

Erin Kohnke

Matthew Lawson

Paige Rietveld

Tom Schaller

Duall Schutte

Chloe Sedoris

Kyle Stewart

Matt Stewart

The clarion colonel welcomes letters to the editor. Letters can be put in Mrs. Joan Thompson’s mailbox or be sent to: Newspaper, Oldham County High School, P.O. Box 187, Buckner, KY 40010“The clarion colonel” is published monthly by the students

of Oldham County High School, Buckner, Ky. Oldham County

High School is not responsible for the accuracy of opinions or

claims appearing in “the clarion colonel.” Opinions expressed

do not necessarily represent the views of the staff or its

publisher. The appearance of any advertisement does not

constitute endorsement of any product in “the clarion colonel.”

the clarion colonel staff

6 OPINIONSOPINIONS

Teenage apathy on the rise, opinions go unexpressednew trend, it is also one that is now even more unlikely to change. It could be that young people aren’t usually targeted in campaigns and, in turn, do not have the passion to get involved or the motivation to lead any type of change. Even at the school level this apathy is in full swing. The cancellation and rescheduling of events – from dances to the senior camp out – has occurred an unprecedented number of times this year because of subpar participation. Are kids becoming increasingly more selfi sh? Probably not – human nature has remained consistent for millennia – and the problems plaguing the world today are not necessarily more extreme than they were decades

America has been regarded as a great melting pot for decades – a unique place where people are free to speak their minds, share ideas and voice personal opinions. However, an increasing trend in this ever-so-outspoken nation leaves a signifi cant portion of the youth silent, stifl ing their opinions or beliefs as not to face opposition or censure from the majority. Perhaps the schools are to blame. Letting students slide by with the bare minimum of information, encouraging autonomous thought but avoiding controversy, leaves the maturing generation dragging a trail of low hope for any kind of radical change or monumental legacy. Our generation won’t be known for outspokenness and boldness – what we will be survived by, it’s really hard to say. Of course, there are freethinkers to be found, but their abilities to unify peers and assemble them behind a cause are stifl ed by a most repressing obstacle – apathy. Maybe the youth has the ability to form individual opinions, but when it comes to voicing them and working toward any kind of social change, most just sit back, witness confl ict with disdain and let bygones be bygones. Politically, the age group of 18 to 24 years old had the lowest percentage of any age group voting in the 2008 election, reports the U.S. Census Bureau. While this is not a

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Chelsea CornellKate Baker

Dear Mandy Hogue,

Your article about the lack of participation in class really hit home with me. I often hear students in my classes complaining that the teacher doesn’t teach them anything, but when I see them during a lecture or activity, their heads are on the table and they are fast asleep. They need to stop and think: Is my teacher really as bad as I think he or she is, or am I not giving any eff ort to understand what they are saying? Teachers put a lot of time into planning classes everyday; the least we can do is try to benefi t from them as much as we can.

Sincerely,

Dear Chelsea Corbin,

Your article, “Tales of a survivor: Living a legacy,” was inspiring. Boni had so much courage because he could face his fears and talk about the tragedies that he has overcome. It gave me hope to know that so many people care about the welfare of people that they have never met. All the seniors that did not eat for that one day probably changed the life of a Ugandan child. This article taught me a lot about war-torn Uganda and the things that people can do to help.

Sincerely,

7OPINIONS April 2010

Poche’s Philosophy...Poche’s Philosophy... On impulsiveness

KAITY GALANOScolumnist

CHRIS POCHEproduction editor

In order to compensate for the large price tag on brand name items such as Coach clutches, Dooney & Bourke

handbags, Louis Vuitton suitcases and Gucci sunglasses, an ever-popular fashion statement of strutting forged replicas and acting like they are indeed the real thing has become mainstream for teens. This

act of “faux-ism” is astounding and feeble, and it confi rms how we, as individuals, constantly struggle to face ourselves. The façade presented when one wears a fake Burberry scarf declares that an individual can own such a lavish and affl uent item. This exploitation of a brand name to defi ne a person’s status and how others will perceive him or her is nonsensical. This behavior confi rms humans’ superfi ciality and our overwhelming discomfort within our naked skins. We busy ourselves and spend too much

energy trying to create an image oozing that “everlasting impression.” We want to create an image that speaks not 1,000 words but 2,000 and that will leave infl uence’s ghost behind. We try our hardest to be a little bit more interesting, a bit more of a mystery and a lot more impressive than we feel. Ironically, the result of being that posh and unforgettable image in the fl esh is not believable and cannot be taken seriously. Others interpret this role play as someone who is insecure with his or her own sense of value and can only fi nd security by placing

worth on the exterior. At our age, we are already struggling with labeling our identity and that enhances our victimization, leading us to be easily persuaded to fulfi ll that impressive image of idealism. We are in a perpetual state of being defensive; this endeavor of defending our worth as individuals to all outsiders is farcical and tragic. The allure of wanting to be more alluring to others creates nothing more than a shallow lie. That allure disappears when one realizes that they are only as real as the labels they fl aunt.

People do crazy things all the time. Maybe the infamous emotion of love clouds the mind of judgment.

Sometimes peer pressure, scientifi c manipulation or even boredom can be culprits of the impetuosity leading to an individual’s greatest and most horrendous memories. We all have choices to make, and typically know what we’re up against. So, how we can avoid the ultimate social-life suicide by doing something on too much of a whim? The fi rst kind of impulsiveness comes

down to psychological warfare, as popular brands and stores utilize the power of music to captivate the unwary teen who happens to stumble through their doors. From Muzak to head-banging hits and jazz, to what I can only describe as “Abercrombie and Fitch music,” companies use music to cause us to slow down and evaluate our options or to see something we don’t need and give us a sense of rush to impulse buy. As archetype teens, we go to stores with no need or intent of buying their products, but as soon as something catches our eye, the impulse to have it kicks in. As spring enters, morale rises with warm weather, school break potentials and the heartening signs of the coming summer. Above all, I believe The Zombies said it best, “It’s the time of the season when the love runs high.” Teenage aff ection can cause us to defy common sense in order to impress, whether it’s in the form of (sometimes lack-luster) attempts to look macho or driving to see your sweetheart a couple hours away just

because you miss her. We do stupid things for people we like, and it can take something as simple as a text for one to take off trying to strut his/her stuff . Likewise, we seem to be more spontaneous around our best mates, going out of our way at times to show that we know how to have the best time. I need not elaborate on the numerous examples of ‘strong’ teenage moments most of us have or will experience. Plain and simple, succumbing to peer pressure can help to raise your standing in others’ eyes, but more often than not, will leave you looking like a bigger fool afterward. It doesn’t take much for the average teen to become bored; with a society that is all about instant gratifi cation, attention spans don’t usually last more than half an hour. When we were younger, we’d beat the monotony, with the classic, “I’m soooooo bored,” until someone came to our aid. But as adolescents, we seem to fi nd more inventive ways to pass the time. Take for example my spring break: Having arrived in Sioux Falls, S.D., there was

very little for seven teens to do. We decided to dress up our six-foot-plus friend in a Jolly Green Giant suit and release him in a few grocery stores. With a camera manned, we caught the reactions of bystanders in the stores as our friend attempted to innocently walk off with a cart full green beans. Stupid? Maybe. Fun? Defi nitely. Impulsive? You best believe it, and absolutely worth it. In no means is this conventional, but we did something and had a good time doing it, legally. I’m not saying that all impulsiveness is bad or a waste of your money or time, but, predominately, it’s not advantageous. Then again, I suppose if there wasn’t an abundance of rash decisions in the world, there would be fewer stories to tell around the lockers.

Stop for a moment and think before you do something. Once you do that, do what we as teens do best. Remember an impulsive decision is a fork in the road, and it’s your choice which path you take. That’s my philosophy…

The of ‘faux-ism’

8 OPINIONS April 2010

Prom is arguably the most anticipated school event of the year. With the majority of juniors and seniors attending the formal event, it is the coolest thing to do on a Saturday night in May. Though the outfi ts, dinners and pictures make prom-goers look like royalty, the dancing does not. Dancing has evolved from creative expression and impressive fun to a classless and even disrespectful ritual. Today’s traditional prom dancing has morphed into a notorious move called “grinding.” Skilled breakdancing, eye catching spins and fancy footwork have been deemed as old moves.

Schools have become dance casualties. The dark room of the junior prom was fi lled with students grinding and even bending over to the fl oor, constantly getting reprimanded by chaperones and teachers. It is safe to say that it looked more like an erotic war between two partners rather than an actual dance. Ericka Kinetz, reporter from The New York Times, claimed that “such dancing is nothing short of simulated sex.” In the state of Mississippi, counties and schools have completely eliminated the privilege of school dances because of the inappropriate moves and behavior. To keep the opportunity of going to school dances available, some changes should be made. “The dancing gets a little out of hand to a

certain extent,” Kody Maikranz, junior, said. In order to prevent dancing for getting raunchier than it already is, students should try to bring back traditional dance styles. Dances where you can see your partner’s face are much more respectful than the way prom-goers dance now. It will also lead to less post-prom awkwardness about what happened on the dance fl oor. “I felt really out of place and uncomfortable,” Anthony Rose, junior, said. “I was creeped out and off to the side. It’s not even real dancing.” It’s also not comforting to know that teachers and school administrators see most everything that goes on between you and your partner, which is an impression you

Inconveniently-placed recycling bins inhibit enviromental friendliness

DUALL SCHUTTEstaff writer

probably don’t want a staff member to have of you. “It’s hard to be a chaperone and catch inappropriate things at these dances when everything at the dance is inappropriate to begin with,” Kirsten Miller, math teacher, said. Proms and dances, being described as formal, should be kept that way. The so-called dancing is tasteless, disrespectful and outrageous. It lacks the creativity that dances from decades before have brought to the table. For the sake of bringing back dignity, expression and creativity to formal dances, we should set an example for students everywhere and give up dirty dancing for a truly elegant and enchanted night.

CARLY BESSERstaff writer

You’ve just fi nished off your bottled water on the way to class and decide that you want to recycle. Unfortunately, every single one of those nice blue bins are overfi lled. You decide you’ll just recycle it when you get to class, yet when you arrive, there is not a single bin to be found, and you are forced to toss your bottle in the trash. Cutting back on waste is very important to helping our environment, which isn’t the easiest thing to do as a high school. Although our school has taken the fi rst steps and placed recycling bins around the halls, not enough students are taking the initiative to recycle their trash. Recycling helps to cut back on the amount of resources being used to create products and reduces the amount of harmful chemicals released by production in factories and decomposition in landfi lls.

This is fairly common knowledge today, so then why is it that so many of us choose to throw our trash on the fl oor or into a trash can instead of tossing it into a recycling bin? “It’s inconvenient, and I forget,” Madison Armor, junior, said. “Most of my trash comes from lunch, and there are not many recycling bins in the lunchroom,” Matt Moore, senior, said. “I’m all for recycling; there are just not too many places that give you the option. Even the classrooms at school don’t have recycling bins,” Bailey Reed, sophomore, said. This doesn’t make the students sound like the only part of the problem. The school’s recycling bins are not readily available for use by the student body. If the bulk of student trash is produced in the classrooms and lunchroom, then the bulk of our recycling bins should be there as well. It is simply too troublesome and impractical for students to constantly make the tiresome eff ort of actually fi nding somewhere to

recycle. “[If recycling bins were in classrooms,] it would prompt students to recycle instead of just throwing stuff away,” Cory Bryant, freshman, said. “I think if a teacher is adamant about their students recycling, then the students will comply,” Molly Braden, junior, said. Students are still struggling to fi nd enough time for their school work with the seven-class schedule. It can’t be expected of them to make recycling a priority when there is nothing around them to reinforce their ability to do so. If teachers utilized recycling bins in their classrooms and made their students aware of them, chances are most students would gladly take part in preserving our environment. “I know I’m not the only one who would choose to recycle in class if given the option,” Reed said. “Going green” is a vital part of making sure that our earth remains healthy and beautiful

so that it can continue to provide life for us and many other creatures. If our school truly wants to take part in this movement, then we need to make sure that the s t u d e n t s can quickly and easily f i n d r e c y c l i n g bins in any part of the building and that they are emptied out regularly so that there is always room for more.

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OPINIONS 9 April 2010

a larger, more devoted fanbase or just earning more money? “An artist’s fans bring everything,” Chris Schulz, senior, said. “They’re the ones who bring in the money. They inspire the artist and spread their music.” If making music really is all about the artist’s message the fans, then why should money be an issue, and why should there be any indication of a need for the Performance Tax bill? Both sides of the issue have valid points, but to satisfy the needs of both artists and listeners, the opposing parties must struggle to fi nd harmony, lest the music industry crumble where it stands.

There’s no other way to put it: The popular music of our generation is a complete abomination. I don’t feel this way about contemporary popular music simply because I’m not a fan of what’s being put on the radio and heard across the nation. I believe people are entitled to their own opinions on these matters and should have their own musical tastes that suit them. Rather, I take issue with the methods of production. In the modern day recording studio, all instruments are typically recorded straight through a computer. These tracks can be run through all sorts of processors and modifi ers and programs to make them sound like anything (literally) or to correct any mistakes made during recording. Whether a musician records a track with minimal mistakes or if he simply butchers the track, almost no mistake is irreparable with the incredible tools and technology used in 21st century recording. The capabilities of the technology used in recording studios may be amazing, but I fi nd them quite scary. Record producers may as well be referred to as alchemists, as they can certainly turn the crude sounds of any

talentless wretch into the purest gold. The majority of music that we’re exposed to is so heavily altered and edited and “corrected” that I can’t rightly call it music. In the search for musical “perfection” all music has been destructively streamlined. Playing music used to be something so purely organic: a righteous, raw expression of an artist’s philosophies and emotions. Music was something c o m p l e t e l y unadulterated and was so powerful because everything the artist intended for you to hear was right there in your face. Musical instruments and the human voice were the only means an artist had for conveying their messages to the public. Today’s music industry is rotten straight through to its core. New artists rarely even write their own songs anymore, paying off songwriters (known as ghostwriters in this context) for rights to counterfeit songs. Digital sound samples are being used as

substitutes for real instruments and the real sounds that are recorded are subject to intense manipulation and “correction” through a number of computer programs, digital eff ects processors, MIDI sequencers, and the Auto-Tune (which, when abused,

gives anyone the infamous “T-Pain Voice”), just to name a few. This misuse of technology, this corruption, is the problem I have with contemporary music. Artists can come into a studio and eff ortlessly crank out recordings of amazing

Modern music falls underMACK KEIFFERstaff writer

Something terrible may be happening to your music. Local radio stations are fretting over new legislation known informally as the Performance Tax. This bill, currently in Congress, will force radio stations to pay record labels for the music they put on the air. Satellite radio listeners, who already have to pay for their radio services, will be unaff ected by the bill, but the legislation puts free local radio in intense jeopardy. In the future of local radio under the legislation of the Performance Tax,

stations will have to pay to play artists’ music, resulting in less music and more commercials if a radio station is to keep afl oat. The diversity of music played on the radio would suff er greatly as well. “I can’t stand hearing the same song over and over again,” Pat Shawd, senior, said. While pop radio stations are already overplaying the marginal assortment of songs they choose to repeat day in and day out, the passing of the Performance Tax

bill would stiff en the already infl exible hierarchy of the music business and could potentially devastate the industry by giving a select number of artists too much power over the music scene.

Even more extreme, some stations may be unwillingly coerced to reduce their programming to a “talk-only” format. Advocates of the Performance Tax

bill say that the measure is within good reason. Apparently the U.S. is one of the only countries in the world who doesn’t pay artists when their music is played. Then again, this prompts the question of what is honestly important to the artist: acquiring

New legislation a menace to local radio stationsLawmakers propose tax that would kill free radio

MACK KEIFFERstaff writer

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illustration by Caroline Collins

quality without even possessing any sort of talent or musical ability. The fact that this music is so artifi cial and doctored is a complete insult to musicians around the world. Even amidst such phoniness in today’s

music, there is still hope for reality and sincere expression.

Rush said it best with their song “Spirit of the Radio”:

“All of this machinery making modern music

Can still be open-hearted.

Not so coldly charted, It’s really just a question

of your honesty,Yeah, your honesty.”

It really is a question of the artist’s honesty, and I have much respect for those honest artists who keep their music “real,” no matter

what it is they’re creating. Music has no limits or bounds but those musicians whose music is truly their own bona fi de creation are those who will keep music alive and allow its growth to continue. I’m fearful, but ever hopeful, for the future of music.

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10 April 2010 FEATURESFEATURES

COURTNEY DROSTECOURTNEY DROSTEfeatures editorfeatures editor

Chinese manufacturers cause increased

ImportImportoverThe United States depends on

China for producing many of its daily products. At fi rst, one might think that avoiding the use of Chinese-made products wouldn’t be a challenge, but when I attempted this, I was overwhelmed by my own reliance upon these inexpensively-made goods. Below are just a few China-manufactured items that one might encounter on an average day.

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April 2010 FEATURES 11

CASSIDY BLISSstaff writer

Student’s experience spans nations

People sweat for many reasons, either during a jog through the neighborhood, nervousness before

a pivotal exam, or just because you can’t stop. For the latter, have no fear, the diagnosis is here. Hyperhidrosis, a condition characterized by excessive sweating most commonly in the hands, feet and underarms, aff ects nearly 2.8 percent of Americans and over 176 million people worldwide, report mayoclinic.org and sweathelp.org respectively. The body is one of balances; more specifi cally, it relates to the balancing of internal temperatures. Known as thermoregulation, the body’s natural response to an increase of external temperature is to sweat. However, those with hyperhidrosis tend to sweat nearly four to fi ve times as much as the average person to maintain a comfortable temperature, claims sweathelp.org. Most common in the underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis), hyperhidrosis can also aff ect the hands (palmar) and feet (plantar) and in some rare cases, the face (craniofacial). Zak Norton, senior, has been trying to deter the embarrassing eff ects of his hyperhidrosis since he fi rst learned of the condition nearly two years ago. Diagnosed with axillary hyperhidrosis, he has taken many measures to lessen its control on his life. “I’ve tried Certain Dri at night and an antiperspirant in the morning,” Norton

said. Both contain high concentrates of aluminum chloride, the agent responsible for blocking the pores and reducing visible sweat. “So, I’m just drowning my underarms with aluminum, hoping it will absorb my sweat,” Norton said. Though the triggers of the condition are elusive to glandular specialists and dermatologists, theories range from external temperature to emotions to dietary choices such as excess caff eine intake.

“[My axillary hyperhidrosis] usually acts up when I’m around a lot of people,” Renee Loranger, senior, said. “It’s probably from anxiety.” Though the condition itself is not harmful to those with it, it proves to be one of great embarrassment and potentially detrimental to one’s social and business lives. “A lot of people,

when they see people sweating, get this correlation that they smell bad or that they have bad hygiene,” Norton said. “But the antiperspirant deodorizes that.” According to Tyler Sawvell, junior, who has axillary and craniofacial hyperhidrosis, it can also prove to be a costly one. “I can’t wear grey shirts too often,” Sawvell said. “And I have to replace all of my white t-shirts every month because of sweat stains.” This is a condition that causes people to be more self-conscious, as they have looming sweat stains and constant dampness throughout their day. “You have to have that personality that says, ‘Hey, I don’t really care what people have to say about me; everybody sweats,’” Norton said.

AA sweatysweaty situationsituationHyperhydrosis wets the population with side effectsCHRIS POCHEproduction editor

Two worlds apart

When Americans move houses, it is uncommon for them to move to

completely n e wcountr ies . In fact, it is even rarer when the new location is oceans away. One student walking the h a l l w a y s had the opportunity to reside in Tianjin, China for seven years. Native to I n d i a n a , T r a v i s Witkowski, j u n i o r , m o v e d to China with his family for his father’s job in 2003. Tianjin International School, the preschool through 12th grade private school Witkowski attended, educates only 400 students total, and 70 percent of them were Korean. “Although it was small, the school I went to was more academically challenging than here, and very diverse,” Witkowski said. “The curriculum was a little more diffi cult and the teachers gave much more homework.” Besides the scenery and the language, life isn’t drastically unusual

in Tianjin as compared to the U.S. “People think it is very diff erent, but they still had shopping malls there and lots of fun things to do, like playing soccer and basketball,” Witkowski said.

Along with school, playing sports and staying active in church helped him meet many new people, making the transition to China much easier. This year, the same job that took his family to China brought them back to Louisville, where the headquarters for his father’s business is located. “I miss my friends and the authentic Chinese food,” Witkowski said. “Plus, there is just something special about living in a foreign country.”

photo submitted

CULTURALLY DIVERSE -- Witkowski enjoys an American favorite even

while in a foreign land. However, even though there are some similarities

between the U.S. and China, the differences are apparent.

“You have to have that personality that says, ‘Hey, I don’t really care what people have to say about me; everybody sweats.’”

-Zak Norton

April 201012 FEATURES

When it comes to politics, most people think only of Washington D.C. Yet, in many ways, the local county government has a greater infl uence on our lives. With the 2010 primary elections approaching, it is important to be an informed voter on the issues and functions of the local government so Oldham County can have the best leadership in years to come. The main local governing body is the fi scal court. The county is divided into eight districts, and each district has a magistrate who represents the people in the fi scal court. The court is overseen by the county judge/executive, who holds primary responsibility for the administrative aff airs of the county government. Together, the court and the judge/executive execute and enforce all laws and contracts. The county government coordinates many services ranging from animal control to parks and recreation, to planning and development of the local economy. Alongside these responsibilities the local government strives to make our county a prosperous and harmonious place to live. Each candidate has a unique plan for fulfi lling these responsibilities and goals. Three platform issues seem to be capturing voters’ attentions this year: community involvement, the county debt and economic development. Choose wisely. Your decision decides the fate of the county.

Chapter 1

Oldham County, Kentucky

-Chelsea Corbin

Local politics

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With only two candidates, both Republican, running for the

position of county judge/executive and several other positions, including roles as magistrate, constable,

sheriff and coroner, with zero to one candidate on the ballot, there is a clear defi ciency in community involvement in local

politics. As elected offi cials attempt to solidify a small-town, community feel in our county, they encourage residents to be aware and engaged in the

county government. One way for citizens to literally “tune in” to county politics is to watch local

Channel 25, a broadcasting source of offi cial county meetings. David Voegele, candidate for county judge/executive and current magistrate, is working to utilize the channel in a way never done before in Oldham County. Voegele hopes to employ the station to televise a debate between county judge/executive candidates so as to broaden the viewership of the debate beyond those who fi t within the chosen venue. Another way Voegele and Paula Gish, additional candidate for county judge/executive, are looking to further involve citizens in governmental decisions is to develop a more

“transparent” administration that works with and for the people it governs with no concealed actions. A need for more community involvement is not just political, though; attendance

of traditional county events, such as Light Up LaGrange and Oldham County Day, has dwindled in recent years. The creation of Discover Downtown LaGrange

in 2003 was one attempt to increase citizen participation in activities and commerce in the historic LaGrange district but there is still much

needed enticement to create countywide. There is no question that there is a need for more in-county

events to attract residents to be involved; the debate this election-season is how to expand citizen

involvement and awareness on a budget.

The fun and easy way® to understand

the Oldham County government

-Matthew Lawson

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Oldham County Oldham County primary elections primary elections

voter checklistvoter checklistMay 18, 20106 a.m. - 6 p.m.

The voter must be 18 by November 2, 2010.

The Oldham County Clerk’s Offi ce off ers the following criteria to determine voting eligibility:

The voter must not have been deemed mentally incompetent by a court of law.

The voter must have active civil rights; if convicted of a felony, civil rights must have been restored.

The voter must have been a U.S. citizen and resident of Kentucky for a minimum of 28 days prior to the election (April 20, 2010).

The voter must be registered to vote a minimum of 28 days prior to the election (April 20, 2010).

The voter must not be eligible to vote in another state.

Find your polling location and view a sample ballot at the Kentucky Voter Information Center, cdcbp.ky.gov/VICWeb/index.jsp

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For a population hovering around

60,000 citizens, an approximately $24.6 million debt is a recognizable calamity and an undeniable top priority for candidates

in the 2010 county elections. Oldham County Treasurer, Stan Clark, attributed $4.1 million to construction costs

throughout the county. The fi scal court is still paying for expansions and renovations to its building as well as the construction of the John W. Black Community and Aquatic center. Those debts

are expected to be paid off within the next 20 years. Another $10 million of the debt is committed to a split investment with the city of LaGrange in a new

community plan. The development, called Oldham Reserve, is comparable to nearby Norton Commons. The county and city obtained the combined $20 million by selling municipal bonds. With the economic recession, the development and sale of Oldham Reserve plots has halted. Now the allotment of land sits idle, holding millions of dollars in investment with no return income. The remaining $10.5 million is not the county’s debt directly. Rather, the county serves as a mediator for

the county sewer district. Because the county government could receive low-interest loans, it technically borrowed the funds for the sewer district’s renovations and developments. Clark said that the sewer

district has made all payments to date and the county is virtually unliable for the debt. Regardless of sources, the extensive debt will be inherited by a new county judge/

executive in November. Republican candidates Paula Gish and David Voegele are both confi dent in their plans to balance the county’s unstable budget.

April 2010FEATURES 13

The official guide The official guide to to the officialsthe officials

-Matthew Lawson

FOR

borrowed the funds for the sewer district’s renovations and developments. Clark said that the sewer district has made all payments to date and the county is virtually unliable for the debt.

Regardless of sources, the extensive debt will be inherited by a new county judge/executive in November. Republican candidates Paula Gish and David Voegele are

both confi dent in their plans to balance the county’s unstable budget.

Oldham County is a quaint area to live in that enjoys the convenience of the many amenities Oldham County is a quaint area to live in that enjoys the convenience of the many amenities of Louisville. As time has passed, it has become the site of major economic development as new of Louisville. As time has passed, it has become the site of major economic development as new businesses, both big and small, have emerged in the area to cater to a growing population. The businesses, both big and small, have emerged in the area to cater to a growing population. The desire, or lack thereof, for the economic growth of Oldham County is the centerpiece of many desire, or lack thereof, for the economic growth of Oldham County is the centerpiece of many platforms this election season.platforms this election season. The desire to make it easier for small and large businesses to locate and develop in the area The desire to make it easier for small and large businesses to locate and develop in the area is an important part of many candidates’ county improvement goals. Through this, they hope is an important part of many candidates’ county improvement goals. Through this, they hope to increase the number of available jobs and strengthen and expand the local economy. Tax to increase the number of available jobs and strengthen and expand the local economy. Tax reform and fi scal policy are local politicians’ attempts to ease the creation and sustenance of new reform and fi scal policy are local politicians’ attempts to ease the creation and sustenance of new businesses. Such supportive governmental acts can encourage the opening of new businesses, as businesses. Such supportive governmental acts can encourage the opening of new businesses, as can be seen in the introduction of the Rawlings Group and the Game Room.can be seen in the introduction of the Rawlings Group and the Game Room. Lately, there has been growing concern that Oldham County is sacrifi cing its small-town feel Lately, there has been growing concern that Oldham County is sacrifi cing its small-town feel for rapid economic growth. According to a recent Oldham County Issues Survey, 44.9 percent for rapid economic growth. According to a recent Oldham County Issues Survey, 44.9 percent of people surveyed think it is “Very Important” to maintain the county’s semi-rural, small town of people surveyed think it is “Very Important” to maintain the county’s semi-rural, small town character. Though many argue that the key to a prosperous county is an expanding and growing character. Though many argue that the key to a prosperous county is an expanding and growing economy, there is a delicate balancing act that must take place if there is a desire to preserve economy, there is a delicate balancing act that must take place if there is a desire to preserve Oldham’s rich history and culture.Oldham’s rich history and culture.

County judge/executive – the chief administrator of the county government. The judge/executive is in charge of running the fi scal court and ensuring that all laws, local, state and federal, are carried out and enforced in the area.

County attorney – the offi cial who represents the judge/executive and the fi scal court in all lawsuits and legal matters.

Property valuation administrator – the local offi cial in charge of assessing and overseeing all property in order to ensure that proper taxation takes place.

County clerk – the local offi cial in charge of maintaining and protecting public records. This includes handling voter registration, legal records and motor vehicle documentation.

County sheriff – the chief law enforcement offi cer. The sheriff is in charge of ensuring the safety of the public.

County jailer – the offi cial in charge of the imprisonment of convicts as they await prosecution.

Constables – special elected law enforcement offi cers with broad powers of arrest and authority in order to serve court processes. This includes enforcing warrants, subpoenas, rules and orders in court cases.

Magistrates – the elected representatives of the constituents of each of the eight county districts to the fi scal court.

Economic development Economic development

-Matthew Lawson-Matthew Lawson

-Chelsea Corbin

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County County debt

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14 FEATURES April 2010

A day in the life of... a hot air balloonisthot air balloonistwho have touched the clouds

SAMIRA ASADsports editor

CHELSEA CORBINeditor in chief

photos by Rachael Kelleyphotos by Rachael Kelley

Load the vanLoad the van and grab some and grab some gloves. At the park, check gloves. At the park, check the wind direction above. the wind direction above. As the As the balloon fi lls balloon fi lls withwith 54,000 54,000 cubic feet of air, cubic feet of air, collect a sky-collect a sky-faring pair. faring pair. Hop in the Hop in the wicker basket wicker basket and ignite the and ignite the fl ame. Hold on fl ame. Hold on tight and tight and fl y fl y up, up and away. up, up and away.

Kiss the sky Kiss the sky and and fl oat back to earth. fl oat back to earth. Be wary of the fi nal Be wary of the fi nal lurch. lurch. As 250 degrees of As 250 degrees of heat escape, watch heat escape, watch the balloon lose itsthe balloon lose its oval shape.oval shape. Feet fi rmly back on Feet fi rmly back on ground, a heart can ground, a heart can regain a normal beat. regain a normal beat. Drive away smiling, Drive away smiling, another another evening in the evening in the clouds clouds complete. complete.

April 2010FEATURES 15

By: Caroline Collins

Drinking d iversityy16 FEATURES April 2010

ERICKA HARDINstaff writer

Age of legal alcohol consumption differs around the globe

MANDY HOGUEstaff writer

One is considered an “adult” at the age of 18, which means he or she is allowed to fi ght in the front line

to defend America and express an opinion on American politics inside a voting booth. This is the age of responsibility as teens are held accountable for their actions by law, including the accountability of underage drinking. The legal age to consume alcohol within the United States is 21, but this age limit varies around the world. Traveling south across the rolling Atlantic Ocean, one gets closer to the island of Jamaica, where drinking the ever-so-

popular beverage of alcohol is permissible. In Jamaica, along with many other countries around the world, no age limit is placed on consumption. On the Mediterranean island of Malta, the age known for driving here in America, 16 is the drinking age. Many people lie out on these salty beaches with a drink in their hand including those at the age of 16, comparable to high school students. Here, the age of responsibility does not include the consumption of alcohol as it does in other countries such as Egypt. Located in northern Africa, Egypt is predominantly Muslim, a faith that actually forbids alcohol. For the non-Muslims and tourists, alcohol is readily available to anyone over the age of 18.

Katie Glancy, junior, believes that America should adopt the stance that Egypt takes on drinking age limits. “I believe the drinking age should be lowered to 18. When you gain the responsibilities of an adult, you should also be allowed to gain the privileges of an adult as well,” Glancy said. Regarded as a snow-covered country but actually a land of surplus vegetation, Iceland allows alcohol to be consumed at the age of 20. Unlike America, Iceland places two diff erent drinking blood alcohol concentration levels on alcohol: one for strong and one for light alcohol. These limitations are placed on citizens of Iceland as well as tourists who are over 20.

Joining the United States as a country with the highest age limit on alcohol consumption, the Solomon Islands maintain a drinking age of 21. These islands, located due west of Hawaii, are located in the South Pacifi c Ocean where the waves roll into sand. Although the drinking age limit is a high for the world, they do not, however, place an age limit on purchasing alcohol. Ironic, if you ask me. Whether or not one agrees with the drinking age in America, one can agree that each year brings new adventures and responsibilities in life. By having an age limit on alcohol consumption, one has a new responsibility to be accountable for when that age rolls around, an age that diff ers all over the world.

All’s well that ends well, don’t beat around the bush, the early bird gets the worm: these expressions along

with many others, are used in movies, commercials, and daily conversations. Though we use them regularly, are they even true? An experiment was conducted for four generally used phrases to prove whether they are, in fact true, or just myths. An apple a day keeps the doctor away BUSTED! According to netrtion.com, an average diet for children age four to adulthood should contain around 2,000 calories, 65 grams of fat, 300 milligrams of cholesterol, 300 grams of carbohydrates, 25 grams of fi ber and plentiful helpings of vitamins A, C, D, and E. While apples are a healthy choice for a snack, one of these juicy treats a day will not prevent you from dodging an appointment with the doctor. As reported by nutritiondata.com, apples contain 116 calories, zero grams of fat, zero milligrams of cholesterol, 31 grams of carbohydrates, fi ve grams of fi ber, 2 percent vitamin A, one percent calcium, and 17 percent vitamin C.

Clearly, you need to complete your diet with more selections from a balanced nutritional menu in order to keep the doctor away. April showers bring May fl owers BUSTED! As we all know, fl owers need water to grow and live. How they get that water diff ers throughout all four seasons of the year. Sporadic showers occur in summer,

drizzles take place in autumn, melted snow acts as precipitation in winter and spring rainfall is common in weather

forecasts. This myth is partially true because though April does have showers, so do many of the other spring months. May’s fl owers don’t bloom only from April’s showers,

for the rainfall is irrelevant to the arrival of plants in May.

Every cloud has a silver lining BUSTED! Clouds may appear to have a silver lining due to sunlight casting upon them. However, clouds are just water vapor, not a solid mass capable of having a lining of any color. It’s a small world BUSTED! Living in Oldham County and attending school in the tiny town of Buckner, you may be led to believe the world is a small place. However, the circumference of the earth at the equator is about 24,902 miles, with the population being just below 7 billion. Despite many assumptions, it’s a large world after all.

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April 2010 17

REVIEWSREVIEWS

Way back when, in October 2007, a little album called “Oracular Spectacular”

was digitally released. At the time, the stylish blend of glam and neo-psychedelia managed to shake up the music world. The physical LP was released the following January and Columbia Records’ little-band-that-could soon became the international sensation known as MGMT. And what a sensation they were. Their fi rst single, “Time to Pretend,” set a pretense for incredibly poignant electro-pop that fascinated the underground music scene. Soon after, “Oracular” gems “Electric Feel,” “Weekend Wars” and “Kids” instigated a storm of fans that were completely enamored by the psychedelic onslaught. For a while, MGMT were on top of the world, playing all sorts of festivals, selling out shows and having their music featured everywhere from television shows (“Gossip Girl,” “The Vampire Diaries”) to movies (“Sex Drive,” “21”) and even video games (“Midnight Club: Los Angeles,” “FIFA ‘09”). MGMT has been riding the success of “Oracular Spectacular”

for two years, and it’s given the duo a lot of power in the music business. Oh, how the mighty has fallen. MGMT’s released their sophomore album titled “Congratulations” April 13th. Disappointingly, it has most likely failed to impress even the most stalwart of fans. Where “Oracular Spectacular” was intriguing, sultry and (at times) epic, “ C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s ” falls into a void of noisiness, fl oundering psychedelic blips and i n d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e garble. I should have seen this coming, actually, after the release of their album’s fi rst single, “Flash Delirium,” a track that has multiple personality disorder. Its jumbled demeanor is neither catchy nor interesting, two components that MGMT had mastered previously. On some level, it is understandable how “Congratulations” came into existence as such a mess of an album. With near-blinding success and overstimulation brought on

by a debut album that proved to indie fans that pop wasn’t dead, Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden most likely felt the urge to branch out, try new things and experiment. I would normally encourage this sense of adventure, but in the case of

“Congratulations,” this experimentation has resulted in a mutated, over-produced, gestating pile of “songs” that barely peak interest, let alone grab your ears and move your legs like “Kids” or “Electric Feel.” The boys looked toward the stars and ended up in the mud. Keep in mind, I wanted to like this album. What I found

instead was tediousness, unimaginative electronic fl uttering and a serious lack of form. “Congratulations” merely feels sloppily laid together and over-thought to its own condemnation. Album opener “It’s Working” makes the listener almost believe

just that. That feeling quickly fades as the album moves forward into bland territory with “Song for Dan Treacy” and “Someone’s Missing” before going into an all-out free fall with the aforementioned “Flash Delirium.” Simply put, most of the songs on this album sound the same.

MATT STEWARTstaff writer

‘Congratulations’ not quite as spectacularMGMT return with a sophomore album, fail to meet expectations

�ittheniche.com �ittheniche.com

Upon arriving at Lynn’s Paradise Café, patrons often judge the artistic yet

circus-like atmosphere of the restaurant. The colorful display of fantastic scenes takes you to a land of entertainment and the tasty overfl owing platters give the illusion of a great feast. This feeling is unaltered by the odds-n-ends store located in the waiting area of the restaurant. One can buy anything, from a ridiculously fl avored mint to a “freeloader’s” fork. The store allows for a more pleasant

table wait, due to the fact that a party can wander and enjoy the silly items until its name is called. The atmosphere outside of the restaurant carries into the dining area with dreamscapes covering the walls and a tree in the middle of the room. Even down to the tables, the restaurant is unique. Every table features something diff erent, from a running train set covered by glass to a large-scale Wooly Willy. The lamps on the tables could be famous lamps donated from contestants of “The Ugly Lamp Contest,” a booth the restaurant sponsors in the Kentucky State Fair. The one outrageous thing that can’t be judged right away is the food. The names

on the menu seem peculiar, from the Matador, an omelet full of red potatoes to Crunchcakes, pancakes fi lled with cinnamon granola. Each platter of food is heaping and delectable, no matter what dish you choose. The menu is as eclectic as the venue, off ering entrees for everyone, from vegetarians to those who love home-roasted turkey. The café also holds the idea that any time is a good time for breakfast, allowing orders from the breakfast menu all day. Be aware when ordering, though. If you plan to eat a whole dish alone, the portion sizes are humongous. One serving can easily be split with a friend. This also makes the pricier café with dishes ranging from $10-$15 much more aff ordable.

The Verdict

The Verdict

At the end of the day, “Congratulations” is simply boring. It is truly unfortunate that a duo as talented as Goldwasser and VanWyngarden

somehow managed to overproduce an album to the point where it speeds right past qualities of innovation and becomes stuck in a rut of redundancy. I fi nd myself going back to listen to the album hoping to fi nd the good buried underneath all the crap. “Congratulations”? I don’t think so.

If you’re headed to Louisville, the hot spot to chow down and relax is Lynn’s Paradise Café for an out-of-the-ordinary, scrumptious

experience liable to be remembered.

CAROLINE COLLINSchief illustrator

Finding paradiseparadise close to homeLocally-owned Lynn’s Paradise Café serves up a scrumptious plate

If you disliked “Congratulations,” try:

If you liked Lynn’s Paradise Café, try:

“Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” by Phoenix“Contra” by Vampire Weekend

“Broken Bells” by Broken Bells

IHOP in Clarskville, Ind.

Twig ‘n’ Leaf on Bardstown Road

Wild Eggs in Westport Village and St. Matthews

April 201018 REVIEWS

Four years, 200-plus cameramen, 150 separate expeditions, one magnifi cent world. Discovery Channel’s anticipated 11-part, hour-long series, “LIFE,” comes alive on Sunday nights. Airing two consecutive shows, “LIFE” has amazed viewers all around the globe, including myself. Grabbing a snack, I situated myself on the couch. Watching the countdown ticker on the channel display, my expectations for the premier peaked. As narrator Oprah Winfrey’s voice fl ooded my living room, my eyes darted to absorb the multitude of remarkable animal images that were fl ashed

before them. From the opening scene, it was instantly apparent that I had embarked upon an earthly journey that Steve Irwin would envy. Week after week, this popular show highlights, in an original way, glimpses of the natural world that few human eyes have ever viewed. Producers showcase miraculous scenarios through the use of cutting-edge photo technology. Viewers have been treated to the inner workings of graphically realistic life cycles. Each show exhibits a diff erent inhabitant of the earth such as amphibians, mammals, creatures of the deep and reptiles. Sophisticated cameras go where no camera has gone before, from the arid deserts of the Sahara to the soggy

The Verdictgrounds of the African rainforests. The images displayed are indeed high defi nition without the need for a high defi nition TV. Aside from the remarkable camera work and visually pleasing aesthetics, “LIFE” provides a new intimacy with the natural world. With some scenes taking up to 12 weeks to record, the 30 seconds of “golden” footage extracted from location shoots leave lasting impressions on viewers. I could barely control my tortured screams for the scrawny, lone seal that was hunted by the pod of hungry killer whales, or my exalted cheers for when it made an unbelievable escape. This show makes clear that “LIFE” is more than a documentary; it is raw, compelling entertainment.

If you liked “LIFE,” check out:• “Planet Earth”• “March of the Penguins”• Disney’s “Earth”

•••• ••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

MANDY HOGUEstaff writer

Discovery Channel examines life beyond the scope of the human lensdiscovery.comdiscovery.com

“LIFE” opens viewers’ eyes to a new take on the concealed side of the world. With new age technology, shots

of new species and mind-boggling action scenes, this program surpasses any other documentary previously aired.

April 2010 19 SPORTSSPORTS

Going the distance

For some, high school is a blur of time spent on the fi eld or court. Athletes endure grueling practices, give up their free time and travel long distances just to compete. Conor Matsen, senior, has spent the past eight months living in Salt Lake City, Utah to compete on the AAA hockey team, the Chadders. During summer 2009, Matsen

participated in a high school showcase in Chicago, where he was asked by the Chadders’ coach to try out for the team. During tryouts, Matsen was off ered a contract to play and gladly accepted. During his time in Utah, Matsen stayed with a host family and attended the local high school which resulted in a period of adjustment. “It was weird not seeing all my old friends and the same people everyday,” Matsen said. “The people there were really diff erent too; it was almost like a diff erent culture.”

SAMIRA ASADsports editor

SIDELINESBaseball

The baseball team currently has a record of 9-4. In its rivalry game against South Oldham April 1, the team dominated the fi eld with a fi nal score of 14-0. The team will be taking on Moore High School and North Bullitt High School at North Oldham High School April 24.

SoftballThe girls will be traveling to Holy Cross High School April 24 to compete in the Holy Cross Trournament. The team’s current record is 8-5.

TrackThe girls team has dominated the track so far this season, ranking 13th overall in the state — its fi rst statewide ranking in over a decade. Many runners from both the boys and girls teams have achieved top-10 state rankings as well, including Madison Theiss, junior, who is ranked second in the high jump, and Kyle Waugh, junior, who is ranked seventh in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles.

TennisThe boys tennis team currently has a record of 1-4. The girls tennis team has a record of 1-3.

Angel in the outfi eld

School sporting venues typically honor individuals who have been extremely committed to the school or community. The softball players know that this tradition is a signifi cant part of the fi eld where they spend hours of practice and play. The Charlie Prather Field, named after Charles Prather, represents a very dedicated and upstanding caretaker of the school, the students and the fi eld itself. Prather began working at Oldham County High School in 1952. He was the plant operator, Neighborhood Youth Corps s u p e r v i s o r , m a i n t e n a n c e man and custodian. Prather maintained the grounds of the school’s softball and baseball fi elds, making sure that they were mowed and marked for all games, arranged the league, scheduled games and organized

CHLOE SEDORISstaff writer

Matsen was able to visit home for four days around Thanksgiving and three weeks during Christmastime. Along with a new home and school, he had to adjust to playing on a new team. “The team was really awesome,” Matsen said. “Everyone got along really well, which is one of the reasons I think we did so good in the end.” The team had a decent season with many ups and downs, but in the end they made it to the regional fi nals where they lost due to a tie-breaking goal in the fi nal moments of

umpires for the teams. Prather lived right behind the school, near what is now the bus compound. He was regarded as being such a dedicated employee to the school that it sometimes seemed to employees and students that he lived at the school. Many saw him as the school’s biggest fan. A few years after his death in 1985, the school board decided to dedicate the

softball fi eld in his memory. Years after his death, Blake Haselton, former superintendent, received a letter from David W e e d m a n , former principal, recommending that the fi eld be named after Prather. The Board of Education met and agreed. The dedication took place May 15, 1999. Members of the Prather family were

thrilled with the dedication. “I was overjoyed,” Theresa Lackmann, daughter of Charles Prather, said. “I know that my mom and dad would have been very

Senior travels across the country to pursue hockey interests

proud. Family and friends are honored to be a part of his legacy.” “I was so proud; I thought that he was very deserving,” Turk Prather, son of Charles Prather, said. Prather’s family legacy continues. Several years after Prather retired from working at the school, family members are still playing, umpiring, coaching and attending the softball games. “It makes me feel proud to follow in my family’s footsteps,” Kelly Vogel, junior and Prather’s great-granddaughter, said. “It gives me a sense of confi dence when I’m playing because I know that all of my family, even past generations, are supporting me.” The softball fi eld and its dedication remain as special memories to all those who knew Prather. “My dad was a very kind, fun and gentle man. Practically everyone in Oldham County knew him,” Lackmann said. “He was always happy; he loved and was always dedicated to his job.”

photos submitted

BIG MAN ON CAMPUS -- Charlie Prather

was chosen to be an Oldham County Day

Grand Marshal. His love of the county made

him an obvious choice.

MOUND MEMORIAM -- Charlie Prather’s

dedication of the �ield took place just before

the Lady Colonels played a perfect game. The

honorary �ield sign reminds the community

of his in�luence and dedication to the Colonel

campus.

the game. When the season came to a close, Matsen returned home for good March 18. “It was weird to be away, but it was even weirder coming home,” Matsen said. Matsen hopes to continue his hockey career following high school. He plans to play junior hockey for two years with hopes of getting a scholarship to advance further in the sport. “My main goal is to play Division I hockey at a school like Miami University of Ohio or the University of Massachusetts Lowell,” Matsen said.

Beloved citizen immortalized by sports fans

graphic by Kyle Stewart

20 SPORTS April 2010

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Any public high school athlete currently playing in Kentucky has probably competed against athletes from private schools at one point during his or her career. Some criticize the Kentucky High School Athletic Association for permitting the two types of schools to play against one another. The argument boils down to merely whiney complaints as it is essential that public and private schools compete against each other. To begin, the assumption that private schools are better than public schools is false. “[Separated competition] sends a message from certain schools that the other schools are better,” Mark Chicone, Lake Catholic boys basketball coach, said. In the 2008-2009 school year, public schools won 15 state championships while private schools barely had the advantage by claiming 16 titles. Interestingly, public school athletes were able to claim two more individual state titles than athletes from private schools. Therefore, even though

public schools are assumed to be inferior, private schools do not dominate high school sports as many believe. Some say that the mixture of the two forms of school creates an unfair playing fi eld. This is true due to the fact that private schools are able to provide fi nancial subsidies to the best student athletes in the area. In response, though, where in any competitive atmosphere is the playing fi eld completely fair across the board? Certain teams will sometimes receive more funding, have better equipment or better facilities. A truly equal playing fi eld will never be present; one team or competitor will always be better than the

other. Privately affi liated schools are often

accused of recruiting and using inappropriate actions to improve their athletic teams. Until private schools are caught for illegal actions, everyone should be under the impression that they in no way cheat to gain any advantage. Private schools are allowed to off er s c h o l a r s h i p s for academics and legally do so. The athletes

that attend private schools are high school athletes just like those from public schools, and therefore should be

allowed to compete with other athletes of the same age. Even if a private school does have superior

‘Forget public versus private; just play the games’No one bene�its when public and private school sports are separatedKYLE STEWARTstaff writer

athletes, why would public school athletes want to miss out on an opportunity to play with the supreme athletes of their area? “It wouldn’t give us the opportunity to play the best of the best if we were separated,” Callie Craycroft, junior, said. By not allowing the public school athletes to play athletes from private schools, these athletes do not truly understand the entire playing fi eld, which in turn could provide a false sense of confi dence in the public school athletes. Nowhere in sports should a playing fi eld be adapted to prevent certain players from playing against the best of the best. Those who advocate for separated competition need to quit stereotyping private schools as malicious, cheating and dominating institutions and look at the facts. If they do so they will come to the conclusion that there is no reason for the two types of schools to be separated. Sports should consist of two teams playing against each other to see who is superior, not a battle of private and public schools. “Forget public versus private; just play the games,” Neil Devin, Denver Post reporter, said.

graphic by Kyle Stewart

April 2010 SPORTS 21

On March 18, a telephone conference call was held between Arne Duncan, United States Secretary of Education, Dr. Richard Lapchick, founder and director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, and Benjamin Jealous, president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, to discuss graduation rates of college athletes. The primary objective of the conference was to raise awareness about discrepancies between the graduation rates

BROOKE DAUGHERTYcirculation manager

MICHAEL ROUPonline editor

of African-American and white student athletes, as well as male and female athletes. Duncan proposed that schools wishing to participate in postseason tournaments be required to meet a graduation requirement of 40 percent. In the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament this year, 12 teams would not qualify for play due to inadequate graduation rates in recent years. According to Jealous, the University of Kentucky has graduated 100 percent of its white players but only 18 percent of its black players. “The students are there just to play ball; they probably didn’t get a qualifying ACT score,” Josh Lowery, assistant athletic director, said.

Duncan proposed that there be some minimum requirements for teams interested in playing in postseason tournaments. The 40 percent graduation requirement would ideally be raised over time, giving colleges and coaches the incentive to stress the importance of academia and its signifi cance alongside sports. “Student athletes rise to the bar that you set for them,” Jealous said. The movement aims to get more athletes to graduate and have them prepared for life after college. “The dividing line for success [is] between those who went to college and got their degrees and those who did not,” Duncan said.

Alumni athletes in actionVeteran players return to campus as coaches

Few high school athletes think about returning to their alma mater to coach the sports that they enjoyed during their school experience. For some, though, a former school holds special memories and is the only place they could see themselves coaching. Daniel Viehmann, special education teacher, is the head coach for the junior varsity soccer team and the assistant coach for the boys’ basketball teams. Viehmann played soccer and graduated in 2001. “This school and the coaches I had [Mark Robson, Tony Simpson, Brent Deaves, and Gary Forrest] when I was here really helped

to prepare me to play in college, while also teaching me many life lessons along the way,” Viehmann said. “When I graduated from college, I wanted to help out and give back to the programs that helped me in my life. “ Viehmann is not the only graduate that has returned after college. Aaron Riordan, freshman science teacher, is the head coach of the wrestling team. Riordan wrestled and graduated in 2000. “The biggest reward of coaching at my alma mater is getting to remain a part of a tradition and helping it grow,” Riordan said. “Every year, more and more wrestlers join the team and eventually graduate, but most of them if not all of them come back to support our program. Creating a sense of community through coaching defi nitely adds to our level of success but

also makes my job extremely enjoyable.” Many former students from more recent years have also decided to come back and coach while attending college. Jonathon Headford, Marilyn James, Aaron Mangum, Erik Pearson, Walker Rose, Aaron Smith, Amy Smith, and Evan Wesley, all have come back recently to help coach the boys and girls tennis teams. Loni Hammons, head tennis coach, is not an alum, but thinks that giving back through coaching is a great gift to the sport. “In my opinion, students come back to their high school sports to coach or support when they have a good experience on the team and a comfortable relationship with the coach(es) where they feel respected and appreciated as a player who has something to give back to the team,” Hammons said.

Players to balance sports and smarts

SAMIRA ASADsports editor

Title IX Update

Last year’s Title IX audits deemed the Dave Weedman Gym (the girls gym) inadequate in comparison to the boys gym, causing the administration to have to make changes. The decision was made to move the girls team into the main gym along with the boys, using the girls gym only for practices. This move called for some physical changes to the main gym to accommodate the girls team. The district approved a budget allowing the construction of a new boys dressing room. The old weight room was converted into a physical education locker room for boys as well as a storage facility. The old boys P.E. locker room was converted into the dressing room for the girls basketball team, and Coach Scott Gerlach’s offi ce storage room was converted into a coaches offi ce for the girls coaches. Although adjustments have presented some inconveniences, it is agreed that the progress is positive. “It was disappointing to leave the traditions of that gym, but it is exciting to be in one place,” Matt Watkins, athletic director, said. Along with the girls gym, Title IX found that the baseball fi eld’s new updates make the softball fi eld no longer adequate. The administration is now working on plans to replace the bleachers and backstop of the softball fi eld by next season. However, the replacements will be costly. “Title IX is a good thing, but sometimes it loses sight of where money is coming from and what the best thing is,” Watkins said.

State mandates continue

Proposed graduation requirement could affect NCAA participation

22 April 2010

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