Editor In Chief Holly Sanders Editor In Chief Lily Riehl Design Editor Cory ThomasonBulletin Editor Nick HerndonFYI Editor Chris MohrLife Editor Jordan TannerIn Focus Editor Ashley McGeeSpeak Up Editor Amanda FisherBuzz Editor Patricia OkontaSports Editor Cody ClawsonGraphic Designer Nathan EllermeierGraphic Designer Shiloh MorenoPhotographer Jamila St. AnnConvergence Connor HickoxAds Manager Patrick McDowellAdviser Lori Oyler

ReportersHaley SheriffShelby CurtisMacKenzie SackettSam SuttonMaddie ChristieJacob BlandJaeJae ShawKelley RoweAnnie RuckmanMat George

Our Mission for the 2010-2011 school year is to inform, entertain, and educate our readers; to provide opportunity for the community to express attitudes and opinions; to provide an educational opportunity for both the students who produce The Bell and those who read it; and to provide a medium for commercial messages. The Bell student newspaper is a public forum of student expression.

200 Blue Jay Dr.Liberty, MO 64068-8300

thebell@liberty.k12.mo.us

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Haley Sheriff gives an inside look of the history of our school.

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Take a serious look at eating disorders with Annie Ruckman.

Hard hits and sweaty pits: it is the life of a lineman with Jae Jae Shaw.

inside...

CLOSE UPWith the separation of high schools, we need to reconnect to our school identity. Can you help find our mascot? The first person to find and bring the hidden Blue Jay to Room 101 during sixth hour will win a prize.

Find the Blue Jayphoto essay by Sam SuttonThe softball team, varsity and junior varstiy are racking up the wins. They are on fire so far this year, with the varsity team going 13 and 2 while the junior varsity team is undefeated with a 10 and 0 record, as of September 15th. “It is great to be undefeated,” sophomore Hannah Pyle said.

Cover shot: Junior Kristen Filardo and grade two student Qiu Qingning join hands at the tree planting ceremony. “The chinese exchange was fun and educational at the same time,” senior ChiChi Lu said. [photo by Lindsey Anetsberger]

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What activities do you participate in and which is your favorite?

“I cheer, I’m the counselor of FCA, Breakfast Club, NHS, Key Club, Stu Co. I’m between FCA and Breakfast Club. FCA is a lot of fun, I like the people we work with and it’s just really encouraging. Breakfast Club is just a lot of fun because we get to go to the middle schools and talk about diversity and stuff.”

When do you normally have free time and what do you like to do when you have it?

“On the weekends there’s usually at least a Saturday or Sunday that I have free time but most of the time I do homework on the weekends. I just like hanging out with friends and getting to know people.”

What is the hardest part about being involved with so many activities?“The hardest part is definitely time. I have to make sure I get my school work in and coming in early is a problem, because typically in the mornings I have NHS or Key Club but I have to come in early for school work too. So time is definitely the hardest part.”

What other non-school related activities are you involved with?

“I do youth group at church and I do a lot of community service, my dad works for Synergy Services, so I do a lot for that.”

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If you could add one more activity to your schedule, what would it be?

“I would definitely add China Skype, mostly because I hosted a foreign exchange student and it was a lot of fun, and if you do China Skype you can go there in like March, so I am considering that.”

It is easy to covet Katie Page’s joyful demeanor and energetic smile. Her packed schedule, on the other hand, is debatable. But being the disciplined person that she is, Katie enjoys staying busy. Between juggling the pressure of maintaining her 4.0 GPA, participation in numerous clubs and teams and staying connected with her friends, Katie seems to maintain a fantastic balance and excellence in everything she does.

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story by Shiloh Moreno Many teenagers like to express who they are by the way they dress or how they style their hair. Since students are now required to wear lanyards, they are starting to make them their own. From buying lanyards to designing their own, students are using creative expression, even in a new situation. “The reason why we ask students to have those [I.D. cards] on lanyards is for quick identification,” Dr. April Adams said. I.D. cards are used for safety, to speed up the lunch process, and to check out library books. There are many students constantly coming in and out of the school such as those in the A+ tutoring program, students traveling to and from Liberty North High School or the Educational Internship Program (EIP). Adults want to see student’s identification quickly and know where the students are coming from. If students are found with no I.D., there will be consequences. Punishments include going to ISS until the student wears it, purchasing a new I.D. card for 10 dollars, or be sent home to get the I.D. with an unexcused absence. Students’ lanyards are to be worn around their neck with no exceptions. “With all this movement it’s just smarter to have the ability to identify yourselves as LHS students,” Dr. Adams said. As students are not happy with wearing lanyards, they have thought of different ways to make it more enjoyable to wear. Most students did not like the boring blue lanyard they were given at the beginning of the year. “Everyone had the same lanyards and plus it did not look very well with any outfits,” senior Jessica Cato said. The blue lanyards did not seem to fit with some of the students, it was too generic for them. “Blue lanyards didn’t fit my personality. I felt like I should express who I was with my lanyard,” sophomore Lydia Davis said. Several students changed their dull lanyards because they enjoy being different and standing out from the crowd. “The old ones are boring and I wanted to express myself,” junior Amanda Johnson said. Many students have thought of creative ways to make their lanyard stand out and be different. “I made it out of different beads and I put a big bird bead over the lanyard clip,” Cato said. Some students just bought something and added to it to make it into a lanyard. “I bought a lanyard and added different pins to it and also put stickers on the back of my card,” Davis said. Numerous students went the simple way and bought something then just added the I.D. card. “I bought a big necklace with a turtle on it and put my card on it,” Johnson said. Some students were influenced by other students’ unique lanyards and so they changed theirs. Others, like junior Emily Stockwell, got their idea from a hobby. “Well I make a lot of friendship bracelets so I just thought of why not make a lanyard out of macramé,” Stockwell said.

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story by Kelley Rowe In Liberty, students ride to school on a big yellow school bus, yet students in China take a regular city bus. A world away from our small town, Chinese students remain seated in a single classroom all day, while here students roam the halls between seven classes a day. The China Skype program gave the visitors from the Tian Jia Bing school the ability to visit Liberty on Thursday, August 26 until Saturday, September 4, giving their American counterparts a chance to meet them face-to-face. The 16 students, accompanied by their vice principal and English teacher, from China’s Húnán Province were able to experience several average days at Liberty High School. In their hometown, the students attend a boarding school and are at the high school level. However, the grades there are different than here. Grade one is equivalent to a sophomore, grade two a junior and grade three a senior. One of the biggest challenges the students faced while here was the food, which they found too sweet. “American food (is) too dessert,” grade three student Li Sha Sha said. The students come from a region in China known for its frequent use of chili peppers.

“We are Húnán people. Húnán people eat very spicy food,” grade two student Qiu Qingning said. The visiting teenagers said the food they enjoyed most was spaghetti, ice cream and fruit. The fruit was popular because it is different than the kinds available to them in China. The Tian Jia Bing students also have a much different schedule than American high school students. They attend school every day of the week and they only get a couple weekends to travel back home, if that. “They’re kind of surprised that we don’t stay here because that’s not what they’re used to. They were kind of shocked that we got out of school so early because they get up at 6:30 in the morning, they have 4 classes, then they have lunch break/nap time, then they have 3 more classes, then they have dinner break and then 3 more classes. So they go to bed at 10 o’clock at night,” China Skype sponsor Julie Miller said. Compared to New York City, Los Angeles or Kansas City, Liberty is a small town. “We don’t think Liberty is a little city. In our city there is many people. In our city people walk around. In Liberty there is no people walking on the street, in America,” Li said.

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While visiting Liberty, each guest stayed with a host family who showed them around the area. “Taking her to Walmart [was my favorite part] because she’s never seen a variety of so much food,” junior Keelie Wilson said. [photos by Jordan Tanner]

Recently, Liberty High School acted as hosts to 16 visiting Chinese students.

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story by Ashley McGee Some people are scared of change. They are scared of the unknown and the unexpected, the events they cannot foresee. However, change may not be such a bad thing. This year is attempting to offer up a dish full of proof and a plate loaded with options, and a side of school spirit of course. For starters, breakfast and lunch at the high school will not quite be the same. This year students will be presented with more variety and relaxation than they have ever had before. The first of many changes has come in the form of the 2009-2010 senior class gift: an outdoor eating area to help all subsequent Liberty students spice up their old, boring lunch routines. This area will feature seven tables and give enough space to fit approximately fifty to sixty students. In the coming years, it may even feature an awning to protect from the weather as well. Maybe one day, it really will be a great place for students to escape from the crowded hallways and stressful classes, if only for a lunch shift. “I think it’s a good idea. It’s always so crowded in the cafeteria and it’ll be nice to eat outside when the weather is nice,” senior Jessica Crowley said. As if this addition will not make the dining experience innovative enough, the lunchroom will soon be complete with a café as well. What once was the à la carte area has already been transformed with a fresh layer of brown paint to complement the smell of warm coffee that will soon fill the air. “It’s a coffee café that we’re hoping to

unveil in January. We’re working with the rotisserie now, but the special need students have spearheaded it,” principal Dr. Adams said. The special needs students have been given a $7500 grant to help their dream become a reality. Not only will this provide more beverage choices at lunch, coffee will also be served in the morning as a way for students to pull away from a restless night of sleep and start the day with their best foot forward. “It’s just about giving kids more options, mixing it up a little. And North has one, so it’s kind of evening the odds, so to speak,” junior Joey Wheelhouse said. The final renovation is all about school spirit and easy access to Blue Jay gear. That is right: a school store. However, the store is still in its planning stages. “Right now, we’re just working with the marketing class and some other classes to see what we can get to happen,” Adams said. If everything works out, students will have everything they need to cheer on their school right within their reach. “I’m all about school spirit. I love the idea of supporting the school. Go Blue Jays and all, you know? I think it’ll bring in some more support for the Blue Jays, too,” Wheelhouse said. In such a changing year, these new renovations are helping students cope with the idea of divided high schools. “I think it’ll be fun. It’ll give us the chance to feel like we aren’t stuck in high school like it’s some kind of jail with nothing ‘hip’ [for us to do],” sophomore Kathrine Kuhlman said.

The new changes within the school shine a new light on Liberty.

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“Since the new school gets so many benefits, it’s nice we get some new things, too.”-Kathrine Kuhlman

“It’s a cool idea to switch it up a bit; make school a little more than just school. A little more fun and relaxed.”-Joey Wheelhouse

“They’ll be able toeat outside, so it’ll be morecomfortable andno arguing over tables.”-Jessica Crowley

Liberty High School has added many new changes, including an outside eating area. “[My favorite renovation is] the outside eating area because there will be more room and sometimes the cafeteria stinks and I don’t want to eat it there,” senior Jessica Crowley said.[photos by Jamila St. Ann]

story by Haley Sheriff Century after century, time never fails to show that the smallest, seemingly most insignificant things eventually become the greatest and grandest of their kind. From sprawling empires or modern world powers, Liberty High School also stands as living proof of this age-old cycle. The beginnings of the high school could not have been more modest. The first school, a log cabin, was established in 1823 and was presided over by Judge Sebron Sneed. A typical one room schoolhouse, there was no indoor plumbing, no electricity except for a barrel stove and simple wooden furniture, according to The Story of Liberty, Missouri. It would not be until two decades later when the spark for a desire of true academics caught on. From the early 1840’s to 1890’s, universities and higher education institutions were a common trend. However, most of these schools were private and therefore accessible only to the prominent and well-to-do families. A movement demanding the need for public education erupted in 1869 and in April of 1870 the city approved a tax for the first public school, which was to be built on the campus of current day Franklin Elementary on Mill Street. Though many different grades were in session there, the first ‘high school’ commencement was in 1891 at the late Corbin Opera House on the Liberty Square. It was not until 1924 when the very first high school was built, according to Liberty For All. Originally named E.H. Miller School, the first high school still stands today as the current Liberty Junior High. Unlike today, a strict conservative dress code was instilled; it was mandatory that all students wear socks and that girls wear skirts. No sandals or tight pants were allowed to be worn by either sex. However, the difference in the amount of athletics programs is probably the most striking contrast.

“I played football, basketball, and ran track,” Ed Bland, member of the class of 1969, said. “There was no basketball team, or any girls’ sports teams like track, softball, or basketball.” The current Liberty High School on Blue Jay Drive was opened in 1972 under superintendent Robert Black. Because of Black’s persistence on “professional staff development” the Liberty School District formed its reputation of being one of the most phenomenal districts in the state, according to Liberty For All. “I decided to teach here for two reasons, one being because of the Missouri Scholar Academic Academy,” English teacher Vicki Jones said. Jones has taught at the high school for 18 years. “They said that this was the Mecca [of education] in the state. My children went to school in Liberty too, so it was good to be in the same district as them.” As its reputation for academics and athletics continued to flourish, Liberty also became known for its fine and performing arts, especially band. “First off, there is good basic teaching in the middle schools where the band program starts,” band teacher Paul Warnex said. Warnex has taught at the high school for 22 years. “We have a good staff and top professionals who care about the students. Not only band, but the school and community has pride in itself.” Recently, the new Liberty North High School was opened in the fall of 2010. Just beginning its infancy, it is for now a filler school, sharing both students and teachers. Despite its close ties to the original high school, it truly is a separate and completely different school altogether. “It is an extension, not an entity. The intent is great, like we’re this big school family. But eventually they’re going to be two separate schools,” Jones said. “It’s going to be more divided once the seniors come next year. It had to happen, but it is good.” LI

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Liberty High School has been in several different locations including Franklin Elementary and Liberty Junior High. “Liberty has always had a clear sighted vision on what success means. It has consistently raised the bar high and has challenged students to think and do their best work,” English teacher Vicki Jones said.[photos by Jamila St. Ann]

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Anorexia Nervosa: 50%

Bulimia Nervosa: 39%

Orthorexia Nervosa: 12%

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by Annie Ruckman Everyone sees it on television, the constant blur of diet pill commercials and so-called miracle diets that claim to shed pounds overnight. Media is a blessing and a curse when it comes to self image. It causes many people to compare themselves with the “perfect” bodies on the screen and then decide if they add up. The media’s unreal images are one of the many reasons for the growing population of deaths each year that are related to eating disorders and behaviors. It is currently estimated by the Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness (AEDA) that 11 percent of high school students have been diagnosed with an eating disorder. When surveyed, 81 percent of students thought eating disorders were a problem at Liberty High School. The most common kinds of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia, the most common eating disorder, is when people have such an extreme fear of gaining weight, that they starve themselves. A survey conducted of 121 Liberty High School students showed that 25 percent currently struggle with anorexia nervosa. Similar to anorexia, bulimia is when someone suffers from binge eating and then proceeds to compensate for excessive eating by over-exercising or inducing vomiting to prevent weight gain. Another common eating disorder is binge eating. Occurring mostly in males, binge eating is similar to bulimia in that a person will eat in excessive amounts and then not eat for a certain period of time or excessively exercise. Eating disorders are a serious and fatal issue facing teens today, claiming

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50,000 lives in one year, AEDA states. This inner battle is due to the desire to be similar to what is deemed the “perfect image”. No matter the gender, many face the pressures to fit a certain expectation. “It seems every commercial has to do with body image,” nurse Michelle Kist said No person is perfect, but in a society that demands perfection, it causes many students to take matters into their own hands in a negative way. In boys, binge-eating is common for male eating disorders; a study conducted by Cornell University found that 40 percent of male football players surveyed engaged in some sort of disordered eating behavior. Eating disorders are more common in girls because of the pressure to fit in. However, many other reasons can also trigger an eating disorder, such as family, friend problems and recent stress. One in five girls is estimated to have an eating disorder according to AEDA. Women struggling with an eating disorder are 12 times more likely to die than other women her age without. To learn more about eating disorders and ways to help yourself or your friends, go to www.nationaleatingdisorders.org, or your assigned counselor

Eating disorders can be a big issue during high school and the evidence of it is quickly mounting, even within the high school’s own hallways.

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PRO CON I like to think that the Con is one of the easier things to write about in the newspaper. I am given a pre-chosen topic, and am told that I must give my opinion on the issue. No interviews, no reporting, no human interaction. Just research and opinion. And this time around, my job is made exponentially effortless. Our pre-chosen topic for this month is parody movies, spurred onward by the recent release of the box-office-abomination that was “Vampires Suck.” So in my ensuing words, I will do my best to convince you to hate something the general population already loathes. So here goes nothing (literally). “Vampires Suck” had no apparent goal, save for a net gross, nor any adequate reason for why a movie like it was necessary. It parodied the all-too-popular “Twilight Saga.” The jokes submitted to the audience were drab and juvenile, and contained little substance besides the easily-made jokes about the mythical movie genre. For the past ten years, we have dropped our hard-earned cash into Hollywood’s pockets for the statement of simple facts in the form of parody. It has become much like the bottled water industry. But unlike the West’s obsession with purchasing water for 5,000 times its actual worth, parody movies are no longer creatively packaged and sold. Yes, I concede, the first “Scary Movie” was a gem, and there are several other parodies (“Spaceballs”, anyone?) that I can respect. But I am consistently shocked by the inability of the genre to branch out from its shallow environment. I would like to venture that along with puns, parody is making a place for itself as the lowest form of humor. Before I close, I would quickly like to send my sympathy to my good friend, Pro, who had the painstaking job of writing about all of the great things we love about parody flicks. Thanks for doing the dirty work this time, Pro. So, in closing, and also in memory of America’s most recent attempt at humor: Parody Movies Suck.

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I am one of those people who does not take everything in life so seriously. Yes, there are those hard times that everyone goes through, but I always try to laugh and see the brighter side of things. That is why, when I entered the auditorium to see “Vampires Suck”, I knew I was going to laugh until I cried. Recently parody movies have become huge hits. Although there are many opinions on the quality of parody movies, I personally love them. When I first heard about “Vampires Suck” (the parody to the Twilight films) coming out, I was a bit annoyed because I am a fan of Twilight and I thought, why ruin it? However, the movie surprised me because it was actually very funny! The only people who could understand the jokes are the actual fans of “Twilight.” The parody does not mean that the writers of “Vampires Suck” wanted to offend so called “twihards”; they just wanted to give people a good laugh. Parody movies are not to be taken seriously. The people who find them stupid and offensive need to calm down because parodies are just for fun. The makers of these movies know they are not going to be Oscar-worthy films and they really do not care. What they care about is if the movies make money. As long as people are still paying to see parodies, they are going to keep making them Parody movies are really just a matter of one’s taste in genres. If you like serious movies, you are definitely not going to like parody movies. However, people should be more open-minded when deciding what movie to go see or rent. If you normally do not watch parody movies, try something new like I did. You may actually end up liking them.

A HYPOCRITICAL MONTAGE

SERIOUSLY? CHILL OUT, DUDE

Around the beginning of June, amidst all the summer festivities and fun times, something was delivered in the mail that, as dramatic as this may sound, changed the routine of every student at Liberty High School forever. Along with the new school schedule for the 2010-2011 school year and the orientation packet, there was a line included on the price list that read “Lanyards $7”. For most students, the initial reaction was one of pure confusion. For others, it was anger. Fast forward to the beginning of the school year and students have finally gotten into the routine of wearing their lanyards. It is safe to say that all in all, these lanyards are really not that bad. As a way to fully understand why these lanyards are essentially not that big of a deal, it is best to understand the reasoning behind them. First and foremost, the main reason lanyards are implemented is for security. There are about 60 to 70 students who are traveling to and from Liberty North High School and Liberty High School. Administrators want to ensure that every person in the building is a Liberty High School student and is

If you know anything about me, what I am about to say may come as a complete and utter shock: do not, I repeat, do not take high school relationships too seriously. That is right, I said it. Though it may come as a surprise, high school is more than seven never-ending hours. High school is when you define who you are for the future. It is the time of your life when you can rightfully become as selfish as possible. However, if you are in a relationship for say, three years or so, you are not entitled to that same freedom and selfishness. Everything begins to revolve around the significant other and their wants and needs far before your own. Before you know it, you will have graduated and have no life plans aside from a possible marriage that will probably last seven months, and after

that you will have nothing. What is best is to focus on yourself, be who you want to be in life, pursue your dreams and then meet your Adam Levine-looking-dream man and fall in love. However, am I saying I do not want to fall in love now? Eh, been there, done that. Trust me. Like my good friend Carrie Bradshaw once said, “I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that’s just fabulous.”

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where they need to be. By wearing lanyards around students’ necks, administrators are able to quickly verify that any particular student attends Liberty High School. Although teachers and administrators constantly drill these next few words into students’ brains every day, lanyards really do “prepare students for the future.” Regardless if some may feel the consequences are a bit extreme, these lanyards really do teach students responsibility and prepare students for society. In college and in some work places, everyone is required to wear IDs. Once students start wearing them, a few years from now wearing a lanyard will just be customary. It is also typically argued that the fact that every student wears a lanyard interferes with individuality. That is not true. Lanyards can be as unique as the student would like. “As long as it’s not sex, drugs, or alcohol, I’m all for it!” principal Dr. April Adams said. Now that it is almost October and school has been in session for a good two months, have these lanyards really become such a bother? The Bell staff does not think so. We feel that these lanyards are safe, smart, and even a creative way to express themselves.

are in favor of the lanyards

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STAFF EDITORIAL

Amanda FisherSpeak Up Editor

[photo by Jamila St.Ann]

Hello, my name is Holly Sanders and I have an addiction. Not drug abuse or alcohol, but men. I am not talking about the so-called “men” at our school. I am talking about the best of the best. My main man: Leonardo DiCaprio. Now, I am not some crazy stalker like Livia Bistriceanu, a woman that DiCaprio recently filed a restraining order against, who said she was carrying DiCaprio’s baby named Jesus. But I must admit, I am a very avid fan. During Vintage Stock’s big Labor Day sale, I decided to stock up on all his movies not readily available on Netflix. Though to some this may sound a little obsessive, it was one of my smartest purchases to date. Also, I am now following @LeoDiCaprio on Twitter, even if he only tweets about saving tigers. What spurred this obsession is DiCaprio’s most recent and popular film yet, Inception. My mind cannot even begin to wrap around how amazing his acting was. He pulled off his character, Cobb, perfectly. To convince me differently would be impossible. I was so inspired that

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Cory ThomasonDesign Editor

Lily RiehlEditor In Chief

I even decided to write my college composition narrative about the film, which is definitely not an easy task. So for the past few weeks, my Netflix quene has been filled with every DiCaprio movie ever made (except for the ones I have purchased). So far I have watched Titanic, Romeo and Juliet, Blood Diamond, Basketball Diaries and am now making time to watch The Man in the Iron Mask. Even if Romeo and Juliet was not quite up to par with Titanic and Inception, I still enjoyed watching his face for hours on end. So thank you to Leo’s parents for producing my latest obsession.

For all those students who have not been informed, the homecoming parade is still on for one more year. The decision has been made and there is no going back on it. Call me crazy, but I am pretty disappointed that my classmates voted to keep the parade. Before you throw a fit and claim that I have no school spirit and hate Liberty, hear me out.

We passed up a really cool opportunity and took the easy way out in order to continue a tradition that I only partially enjoy. As a school (and more specifically a senior class) we could have been the group that started the next homecoming parade type event. Years in the future, another class might still be practicing the tradition that started my senior year. I would have loved to look at the high school 20 years from now and say, “This all started when I was there.” I cannot quite figure out if in this situation I am the old man on the porch or the kid who wishes he could play on the man’s lawn. I can see the inherent quality of having a parade. It is tough to break the feeling of town unity you feel when the square is teeming with Liberty citizens eager to see the wide array of participants move by. Change is not a bad thing though. Change won a presidential election. Changing the homecoming parade into something new and different would at least keep the status quo, if not improve Homecoming. In the end, I think the experience of starting the tradition outweighs the difficulty of evolving.

The articles on these pages do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the entire Bell staff. Please feel free to coment, criticize, or condemn any-thing you see on this page in a Letter to the Editor at thebell@liberty.k12.mo.us

MISSED OPPORTUNITY

ADDICTION

Editor In ChiefHolly Sanders

FROM CHINA, WITH LOVE

Advertisement Special

First Stop: Ming Dragon Ming Dragon has never let me down with their large and delicious variety of Chinese cuisine, and that is what drew me back for more. Located next to Rancho Grande, Ming Dragon once again greeted me with the smell of hot, fresh food on the buffet. I loaded up my plate with general tso chicken, sesame chicken, lo mein noodles, fried potatoes and, not to forget, the crab rangoons. If you manage to get to the restaurant right when the food is prepared, it will be absolutely amazing and cooked to perfection. It was my lucky day because that was exactly what happened. The restaurant also holds another surprise: a Mongolian grill has just been added in, which allows you to build your own stir fry and watch it come to life in front of your eyes. With a little peer pressure from one of my friends, I decided to try it. The grill offers a wide variety of different noodles, meats, sauces and toppings. I ordered chicken, lo mein, cucumbers and onions topped with Mongolian sauce. The sauce fit the dish perfectly, as it was not too thick and not too runny. It was a good thing I did not skip out on this. The experience at this restaurant was great and I will definitely go back for more. It was a good thing I did not skip out on this. The experience at this restaurant was great and I will definitely come back for more.Not too thick, but not too runny. It was a good thing I did not skip out on this. The experience at this restaurant was great and I will definitely come back for more.

review by Chris MohrLiberty has almost doubled its size over the past few years, and that can only mean new businesses and restaurants. However, we sometimes fail to realize the restaurants that have existed for quite some time. This month I went out and discovered three Chinese restaurants: one that I have been to many times before and two that I have never set foot in.

A guide to Chinese cuisine right here in our own backyard.

Lunch: $5.90 Buffet Rating: 10 out of 10 Fortune Cookies

[photo by Jordan Tanner]

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The fortu

ne cookie was intro

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the Japanese and popularized by th

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Chinese,

Second Stop: Hunan Garden Welcomed by the coziness of this restaurant,

I felt as though I had stepped into someone’s home in China. The environment was inviting and I actually felt a part of the culture. Located directly across the street from Lamar’s Doughnuts, this restaurant took me back to China Town. We were greeted and quickly seated. With endless possibilities to order, I quickly set my mind to the orange chicken, which came with fried rice, a crab rangoon and an egg roll. The servings were generous and the meal did not fail to hit the spot. The chicken was cooked exactly to my liking; very tender. The sauce was just delicious, though a little spicy. Although I wished it was a buffet like Ming Dragon where I could try more on the menu, the restaurant ultimately was satisfying.

Price: $5.35 Meal Rating: 9 out of 10 Fortune Cookies

Third Stop: Kam Sheng Greeted with the feeling of walking into a McDonald’s, I could already tell that Kam Sheng was going to be completely different from my other experiences. Located across from Pleasant Valley Baptist Church and the new Price Chopper, this restaurant offered feeling of awkwardness. I ordered off the menu located directly above the cashier, just like McDonald’s or any other fast food place. I ordered the general tso chicken, served with pork fried rice, hot and sour soup and a crab rangoon. The soup was served first. I took one bite and I was finished. The chicken was hard and crunchy and the fried rice had little flavor. The soda did not have the correct balance between carbonation and syrup. To make things worse, the light above our table kept flickering on and off. As soon as I was done eating I left thinking this would not be at the top of my list of recommendations.

Lunch: $4.75 Meal Rating: 7 out of 10 Fortune Cookies

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[photo by Patricia Okonta]

Ice cream first originated in China.

[photo by MacKenzie Sackett]

As the Fall Festival draws near, anticipation grows. story by Mat George September 24 marks the beginning of the 34th annual Liberty Fall Festival, located at the Liberty Square. Whether it be by riding rides, eating food or visiting the endless rows of booths, students enjoy themselves while at this hometown event. The traditional parade will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning. The Fall Festival has about 220 stands that sell anything from paintings to corn dogs. Out of all the booths, there are about 175 arts and crafts booths that sell items such as textiles, wearable art and hand crafted ceramics. Though many traditions are kept at the festival, there will be a new game this year. Smash the Competition Car Bash is a game where competitors can take out all their anger on retired cars. Using a bat, people will be able to take swings at the cars. Returning this year will be the carnival next to the food stands

at the corner of Mill Street. The food ranges from turkey legs to homemade root beer, offering something for everyone. “My favorite part of the whole thing would have to be hanging with my friends at the parade,” junior Mikayla Clubine said. “It’s a lot of fun and the rides are cool. I also like to get a lot of gold fish each year from the games.” Though students love taking part in the festivities, many also play a part in working at booths and participating in the parade. “It’s pretty much my favorite time of the year,” sophomore Kayleigh Tinkham said. “I worked at a stand for my church and I was also in the parade for dance.” So come out and join the 30,000 other people for the fun and exciting events in this year’s highly anticipated Fall Festival. Visit the Liberty Fall Festival website: libertyfallfest.com, for more questions.

- senior Jourdan Thomas

- junior Jackie Neidholt

- sophomore Courtney Gartner

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“I like the performances and dances and stuff, and I like how they have stuff for every age group so you can go as a family and everyone has something to do.

“I really like the kettle corn. I enjoy watching the parade and the people in it. It’s a really good way to bring Liberty citizens together.”

“I like it because it’s fun and it’s something different you can do with your friends.”

Friday 11 a.m.. – 9 p.m.. Carnival, Booths and Tents

Saturday 9 a.m.. – 9 p.m.. Carnival, Booths and Tents

Sunday 12 p.m.. – 4 p.m.. Carnival and Tent Area Only

BRINGING THE TOWNTOGETHER

FALL FESTIVAL INFORMATION

The 34th annual Fall Festival will be held on the Liberty Square. “I love being there at night and I love seeing most of Liberty at the same place at the same time,” senior Maria Backs said. [photo by Jamila St. Ann]

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Homecoming Days:

October 4-8-Monday: Call in Sick (Pajama Day)

-Tuesday: Stuck in Traffic (Class Colors)

Soph.: Red, Juniors: Yellow, Seniors: Green

-Wednesday: In the Spotlight (Dress like a Celebrity)

-Thursday: Concrete Jungle (Dress in Animal Prints)

-Friday: Friday Night Lights (Blue Jay Attire)

The Bell

Taking it to the internetPartnering with

KLHS

LHS News is now online at lhsnews.net

With the opening of Liberty North, many athletes have made the move from Liberty to the new school. Along with these athletes some coaches have made the move too. Doug Davis, Liberty North’s tennis coach, was the coach of the girl’s tennis team last year for Liberty. Now that Davis is gone, the tennis team has taken on a whole new look. “We have a new coach this year, Pam Koch.” sophomore Nikki Jennings said. Koch is transforming the ways of the ten-nis team. Last year, a majority of practice involved just playing singles or doubles. This year, the girls have stepped it up and taken it to the next level. “The practices have gotten really differ-ent,” junior Kristin Filardo said. “There is a lot more conditioning.” Koch is focusing this year on getting these girls in shape so the can out last their op-ponent. The team is only returning three varsity players so they can not rely on expe-rience to win. They have to create new ways to come out victorious and hopefully make a run at state. “She [Pam Koch] likes to do anything to win so she will actually try and coach us. I like winning just as much as her so together we will do anything to win,” senior Abby fish said. Not returning many players could hurt the team, but with Pam Koch taking over as head coach she is doing everything in her power to keep the winnings ways going.

A NEWACE INTOWN

story by Cody Clawson A brand new coach, almost no returning players, and a tough schedule all in one year is not something a high school team looks forward to. The Liberty girls tennis team has taken on a whole new look this year. With the opening of Liberty North, many athletes have made the move from Liberty to the new school. Along with these athletes some coaches have made the move too. Doug Davis, Liberty North’s tennis coach, was Liberty’s girl’s tennis team last year. Now that Davis is gone, new coach, Pam Koch has taken over. Last year, a majority of practice involved playing singles or doubles. This year, the girls have stepped it up and taken it to the next level. “The practices have gotten really differ-ent,” junior Kristin Filardo said. “There is a lot more conditioning and she pushes us to the limit so we can play at our highest potential.” Koch is focusing this year on getting these girls in shape through core strength, footwork, and endurance workouts so they can outlast their opponent. The team has only three returning varsity players so they cannot rely on experience to win many matches. They have to create new ways to come out victorious and hopefully make a run at state. “She [Koch] likes to do anything to win so she will actually try and coach us. I like winning just as much as her so together we will do anything to win,” senior Abby Fish said. Koch takes the time to talk to each of these girls and make a strategy to help them perform at their best. “I think I understand physically and mentally what and how the girls feel approaching match-es and try to assist them strategically in those matches. I am a competitive person and I feel my coaching style presents a competitive attitude,” Head Coach Pam Koch said. The number of inexperienced players could hurt the team at first, but the team members are doing everything in their power to keep the winning ways going. “Even though we are not returning many players I think we will be okay and have a good team,” sophomore Nikki Jennings said.

The Liberty girls tennis team has a new coach and a new practice style.

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“I am very excited and thrilled to be the new head coach. Liberty tennis has an exciting program and it is wonderful to be a part of that and hopefully continue the winning traditions,” Coach Pam Koch said.[photo by Jamila St. Ann]

“It is probably one of the most difficult positions to play because if you miss a block, chances are that guy makes a tackle for negative yardage,” junior Kurt Petrol said[photo by Jamila St. Ann]

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LIFE OF ALINEMAN

Being a lineman is not all fun and games.story by JaeJae Shaw Being under the Friday night lights is the greatest feeling for a football player, but for a lineman it is just another day on the job. The day starts with drills to help with quick feet, techniques to help with good arm placement and hitting the sleds to work on power when blocking. Most of this work goes unseen due to the highlighted wide receivers, running backs and cornerbacks, all the while, an offensive or defensive lineman’s job is amongst the most important on the field. “It is very important because the job of a defensive lineman is to get in the backfield as quick as possible and try and make a play,” senior Caleb Brammer said. The defensive line is there to slow down the progression of the offense and make sure the yards gained are less than the yards lost. Without the defensive end or defensive tackle, the offense is allowed to go to the second level and block linebackers. The result of allowing the offense to get to the second level means positive yardage and a new playing field. Place the defensive line back in front of the offense and its an even

playing field, proving who has the most heart. “It is vitally important to be an offensive lineman,” senior Marshall Arnold said. “We make the holes for the running back and protect the quarterback.” The offensive linemen are the base of the offense and are there to protect the team. If they are taken away, the team has a problem. That would allow the defensive linemen, linebackers and everyone else on the defense through the line and tackle the ball carrier for negative yardage. “It would be like track with a football. Mostly skinny guys running around having fun with each other,” Arnold said. Take away the lineman and you have a game of six on six, the offensive skills players vs. the defensive skills players. To a lineman, being the toughest of the tough, the biggest of the big and the best blocker or rusher is essential. A lineman’s position is one of the key positions on the field. “The best thing an offensive lineman can do is block for whoever has the ball,” Arnold said. “We’re there to make sure the running

back gets the most yards and gets a touchdown.” For a defensive lineman, breaking through a lineman’s block or sacking the quarterback is a great feeling. If a lineman can block his designated player for more than 3-4 seconds, the job is done. If this is accomplished, each play, the ball carrier gaining positive yardage every time, the team is liable to score touchdowns. “It feels good knowing I can do whatever I can to help my team,” junior Kurt Petrol said. For the offensive line, when a block is done correctly and the ball carrier has gained yardage or scored, they celebrate classy. Run to the ball carrier and congratulate him on the touchdown, then go back to the sideline and wait for the next time they are on the field. “It feels great to have sacked the quarterback for negative yards,” Brammer said. For the defensive line, players get up from a tackle and flex their muscles, fist pump, or stare at their prey on the ground, the opposite team’s ball carrier. “It is always a great feeling to be a part of the football team and celebrate after a touchdown,”Arnold said.

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