OracleThe

Columbus East High School 230 S. Marr Rd. Columbus, IN 47201 Phone: (812) 376-4335 E-Mail: Oracle@bcsc.k12.in.usStudent Newspaper

SpotlightNew web site grabs stu-dents attention

Features Opportunities expand in foreign language with National French Honor Society

SportsSenior coaches girls’ Rugby team

pg. 7 pg. 5

NewsBowl for Kids Sake this weekend with Big Brothers Big Sisters

pg. 4

Issue 9 Volume 38

pg. 3

5 March 2010

INS

IDE

2 Ads

Co Editors in Chief:Tristen DullLydia ViethStaff Writers:Ben BrownEvie ShultzAli SullivanShelby WoodardPhotographers:Annie ChapmanCourtney CozadBetsy MyersNatalie PegramAds Staff:Colton LewisAdviser:Megan Whitehead

Oracle Staff:

News 3For over forty years now the Big Brothers Big Sisters program

has put on the Bowl for Kid’s Sake fundraiser. It is the only fundraiser the Big Brothers Big Sisters program does and it is an annual event. Over twenty million dollars is raised for this event nationwide. The Big Brothers Big Sisters program director, Laura Moses, is in charge of the event. The fundraiser is a two day bowling event where teams compete against one another. At the bowling allies there are multiple prizes and a DJ in attendance.

Senior Alexandra Hendricks, who is currently a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program said, “I got interested in Bowl for Kid’s Sake just by wanting to do more for my little sister and all of the other kids involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program that I can do in a forty-five minute period.” This is Hendrick’s first year being a part of the Bowl for Kid’s Sake event but she has been a Big Sister for two years.

The fundraising part of the event has been underway for a few weeks now. The two days of bowling will take place March seventh and March eighth. Teams consist of up to five bowlers who each have a set amount of money to raise. A minimum of seventy-five dollars should be raised by each team member if you have a team of five, but $375 is expected as a team total. Hendricks set her goals at raising $100. Hendricks said, “I know the benefits of this program are astounding and that it would not be around if not for this one annual fundraiser.”

Currently, there is a lack of East students participating in the Bowl for Kid’s Sake fundraiser. “As far as Bowl for Kid’s Sake, I think it would be great for more kids to get involved however, I am not naïve to the fact that coming up with seventy-five dollars is not easy for anyone,” Hendricks said. “I would also like to say that if one would like to participate in this fundraiser he or she can sign up to be a virtual bowler at, foundationforyouth.com. All it takes to be a virtual bowler is to set up an account and send

emails to friends and family asking for money.” Being a virtual bowler gives people a chance to still help raise money for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, but it waives the minimum of seventy-five dollars. Hendricks thinks if anyone wants to help, but cannot raise the money that they should sign up to be a Big Brother or Big. Hendricks said, “I am sure there are people coming up with money for this fundraiser but are not Bigs because they do not have the patience or something. At the same time, some Bigs may have time to give, but not money. Each of us is unique in what we have to give and as long as we are giving in some capacity, it is a good thing.”

With the fundraiser, many kids can be helped out and have someone to look up to. As important as this program is, Hendricks mentioned that eighty kids are currently waiting for Bigs and the program could really use more kids. Hendricks said, “If anyone is interested you can go see Mr. Hack for an application to be a Big as soon as school starts next year.”

“To me the best thing about this fundraiser is that it allows a program to be possible that gives such an awesome opportunity to kids in our community,” Hendricks said. “There is a misconception that Big Brothers Big Sisters is the only saving grace for kids who do not have parents or who come from terrible homes, but while that may be the case sometimes, it is not always true. The kids involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters are kids who could just use a reliable friend to encourage them and to listen.” For Hendricks, the Big Brothers Big Sisters program has offered her a lot more than just helping a person in need. Hendricks said, “I have endless benefits from being a Big to my little sister, she is like my real little sister, and without this fundraiser making Big Brothers Big Sisters possible I would have never met her.”

n Ben Brown

Bowl for Kids Sake

Any East student who has checked out a book from the library has probably been assisted by a fellow student: a friendly, eager helper known as the student library assistant. “They’re usually kids that enjoy being in the library,” said librarian Angie Wieneke. “We appreciate them so much.”

Anyone “who can do a job diligently and is trustworthy” would make a great student library assistant, said sophomore Ian Finerfrock. “It takes grades of D+ or higher,” explained sophomore Jia Wei Zhang. “You have to be nice, and you gotta be friendly.”

“I wouldn’t ever want to stereotype this,” Wieneke said. “I think anyone with a willingness to be here would be a good student library assistant.”

In order to become assistants, students must interview with librarians Wieneke and Shari Sanders. They also must learn how to use the check in/check out system. “It only takes about 15 minutes to learn,” said Finerfrock. “I just love reading, so this is a way for me to get into the library.”

The benefits of working in the library are numerous. The assistants make new friends, and get first dibs on new books, while on the job. “[I’ve made] some odd friends, but friends nonetheless,” said Zhang. “You also don’t have to go to resource,”

he explained. “It’s quiet, unlike the resource center,” Finerfrock added. “And you can store your stuff in the library.”

It’s not always peaceful whispering in the library, though. “Some of the kids are rude,” said Finerfrock. “They yell, and sometimes they’ll try to take a book and you have to stop them, which is kind of an awkward situation.”

Wieneke said that being a student library assistant would benefit anyone, but especially students who are interested in becoming librarians. “It gives them a sense of what it’s like.”

Zhang has enjoyed every minute spent in the library. “There is no worst part [about working in the library],” he said. “Duh, there is no worst part. You’re working in a library!” n Evie Shultz

Check it out

4 Spotlight 5

La Société Honoraire Nationale Française, otherwise known as the French National Honor Society, is in its second year of existence. It is a group of current French students who are either in their third, fourth or fifth year. These current students did not join this club; they were invited to be members. For the kids in second year who are interested, they must have a B plus average in French and then they are inducted in as official members in the Spring after their second year of study.

The French National Honor Society got its start last year by a then senior Page Stamper. French teacher Melanie Enkoff said, “She (Stamper) put together so many things for the first true group that she was recognized as having one of the top senior projects last year.” The club was once mentioned three years ago when the Spanish club got its start. Enkoff said, “It was a slow start, and no real organized activities were done that year. We did how-ever, invite the creme de la creme and had an induction ceremony about three years ago.” It really did not get its start until she mentioned again last year in class and that is when Stamper jumped upon the opportunity. This year, senior Christal Selmeyer helped Stamper create the club last year. “I am hoping to go on with this indefinitely as long as a senior is willing to lead us. Without this leadership, I think the society and its activities will disap-pear,” Enkoff said.

The meetings started happening after school in November. There has been one to two meetings each month since then. Meetings have varied from as many as fifteen to twenty to as few as seven or eight. Enkoff thought this had to do with the various activities kids have after school.

Selmeyer is the current president of the French National honor Society. Selmeyer said, “Our goal is to spread the french culture in the community as well as to help everyone learn more about french. We do many fun activities as well as fundraising to make sure that we influence a lot of different people.”

Enkoff said, “We started this club because we wanted to give opportunities for those who truly loved the French culture and language to get to do something with it beyond the classroom setting and requirements, to have fun with it.” The club is giving the kids who attend some recognition for their hard work in French and it provides them with planned activities. “The kids also like to remind me that they put it on their resume for college ap-plications and scholarships,” Enkoff said, “It also provides a leadership opportunity for the senior who is leading and organizing the meetings and induction ceremony as well as the officers chosen by the group members.

She also hopes that it will let kids that are not eligible are that do not come will see the fun things they are doing. Enkoff thinks this might motivate them to get the B plus required so that they can take part in the club the following year. Enkoff said, “The children in the group have to maintain this average as well if they want to participate in the activities.”

The club has been very active so far this year. They meet twice a week to plan the activities that they do. Selmeyer said, “So far this year we have had a Crepe sale fundraiser, a Joyeux Noel party, and traveled to IU to eat at a french restaurant called, Le Petit Cafe.” They have also attended a ballet. Selmeyer said, “Currently we are planning more fund raisers as well as a Mardi Gras party or the members.” n Ben Brown

Creme de la Creme

New web site, Formspring, raises questions Formspring is the new web site

phenomenon gaining popularity among East students. Formspring is “a web site designed for friends to ask questions, with the option of submitting it anonymously or with your name,” sophomore Logan Dull said.

“Formspring is a web site where people can ask you anonymous questions, for everyone who visits your web site to see. It doesn’t have to be anonymous though,” junior Mackenzie Wayant said. Basically, once a student signs up for Formspring, they have their own URL that they can post to Myspace or Facebook so that other students can ask them questions.

The questions go to the student’s inbox and they can choose to answer the question or delete it. Upon answering it, the question will be seen on their URL.

Many students have joined the network for different reasons. “I got it because it’s an easy way to ask people questions that you wouldn’t feel comfortable asking in person,” sophomore Leslie Abel said.

“I got Formspring because I was bored and I thought it was harmless. I was curious to see what kind of questions people would ask me,” Wayant said.

Although Wayant thought it would be harmless, some students think Formspring causes more harm than help. “I think it’s a good site, but I also think that people are using it for the wrong reasons. I’ve been asked some interesting questions, but I’ve also been told some really mean things,” Abel said.

“I think it’s beneficial in some ways, but I think more people are abusing it. People ask insulting questions,” Wayant stated. Some students have been asked questions that pertain to very touchy subjects such as relationships, pregnancies, and their

appearances.The fact that people have the option to remain anonymous sparks up controversy

too. “It makes you wonder who says what,” Abel said.“I think if people are going to ask appropriate questions, but are too shy to ask, then

choosing to be anonymous is okay. If you’re going to insult people or just be immature then I think people should either not ask the stupid questions or just reveal who they are,” Wayant said.

Dull agrees, “It depends, if it’s more personal questions, then it’s alright, but when people try to start things, it makes me mad. If they have a problem with the person, they should just tell them rather than start drama.”

Another controversy is the time consumption. Some students log on regularly, and some don’t. “It can be time-consuming if you’re obsessed with it or caught up in the drama it causes,” Wayant said.

Abel expressed how regularly she is on it, “I check it every few days or so, but I have other things to spend my time on.”

Whether or not a student decides to get Formspring depends on their own preferences, but some students do recommend it. “It’s entertaining when you’re bored,” Dull mentioned.

“I recommend it. I think a lot of people get to know each other a lot better. If you get dumb questions, just don’t respond,” Wayant said.

Abel agreed, “You have the chance to reply to interesting questions or comments, but if you start getting rude comments I’d delete it.”

Whether a student wants to get a Formspring or not, the craze is definitely sweeping through East. More and more people are logging in, and answering questions they might never be asked in person. If any students would like to join in on Formspring, they can visit www.formspring.me

n Shelby Woodard

4 Spotlight 5

La Société Honoraire Nationale Française, otherwise known as the French National Honor Society, is in its second year of existence. It is a group of current French students who are either in their third, fourth or fifth year. These current students did not join this club; they were invited to be members. For the kids in second year who are interested, they must have a B plus average in French and then they are inducted in as official members in the Spring after their second year of study.

The French National Honor Society got its start last year by a then senior Page Stamper. French teacher Melanie Enkoff said, “She (Stamper) put together so many things for the first true group that she was recognized as having one of the top senior projects last year.” The club was once mentioned three years ago when the Spanish club got its start. Enkoff said, “It was a slow start, and no real organized activities were done that year. We did how-ever, invite the creme de la creme and had an induction ceremony about three years ago.” It really did not get its start until she mentioned again last year in class and that is when Stamper jumped upon the opportunity. This year, senior Christal Selmeyer helped Stamper create the club last year. “I am hoping to go on with this indefinitely as long as a senior is willing to lead us. Without this leadership, I think the society and its activities will disap-pear,” Enkoff said.

The meetings started happening after school in November. There has been one to two meetings each month since then. Meetings have varied from as many as fifteen to twenty to as few as seven or eight. Enkoff thought this had to do with the various activities kids have after school.

Selmeyer is the current president of the French National honor Society. Selmeyer said, “Our goal is to spread the french culture in the community as well as to help everyone learn more about french. We do many fun activities as well as fundraising to make sure that we influence a lot of different people.”

Enkoff said, “We started this club because we wanted to give opportunities for those who truly loved the French culture and language to get to do something with it beyond the classroom setting and requirements, to have fun with it.” The club is giving the kids who attend some recognition for their hard work in French and it provides them with planned activities. “The kids also like to remind me that they put it on their resume for college ap-plications and scholarships,” Enkoff said, “It also provides a leadership opportunity for the senior who is leading and organizing the meetings and induction ceremony as well as the officers chosen by the group members.

She also hopes that it will let kids that are not eligible are that do not come will see the fun things they are doing. Enkoff thinks this might motivate them to get the B plus required so that they can take part in the club the following year. Enkoff said, “The children in the group have to maintain this average as well if they want to participate in the activities.”

The club has been very active so far this year. They meet twice a week to plan the activities that they do. Selmeyer said, “So far this year we have had a Crepe sale fundraiser, a Joyeux Noel party, and traveled to IU to eat at a french restaurant called, Le Petit Cafe.” They have also attended a ballet. Selmeyer said, “Currently we are planning more fund raisers as well as a Mardi Gras party or the members.” n Ben Brown

A few years back, a club was started to give all kids who joined an adventure. This club was the adventure club. In 2005, the adventure club was a student’s senior project.

In adventure club, it isn’t necessary to join the club to participate in its activities. Over the past few years, the adventure club has gone on many different trips. The leaders of this club are Mr. and Mrs. Hambling.

With many kids coming to enjoy various trips to their liking, the adventure club offers a lot more than just adventures. Science teacher and co-club leader Dellvenna Hambling said, “The adventure club offers a chance to experience new things.”

For the rest of this upcoming year, there are three or four more trips planned for the adventure club. “So far, the group has done things such as horse back riding and paint balling,” Hambling said, “The upcoming trips are skiing/snowboarding, caving and hiking.” There is a possibility of another trip before the end of the year as well.

On February 13, the adventure club and anyone else who wanted to attend went to Paoli Peaks, the ski trip. Snowboarding was also an available option.

Hambling said, “The attendance for the club always varies due to the event that is planned. There is usually always ten to twenty kids in attendance.” The club is full of thrills as the only time members are not on an adventure is during the meetings before that plan the trips.

“We could use new members in the freshman and sophomore classes, Hambling said, “We do a variety of things. Most of them are physical and outside, so it might not appeal to everyone.” However, if anyone is interested in joining the adventure club, they can get on the school web site. The school web site provides information on what trip is coming up, the costs of the trip and other information. There is also a meeting before each trip that one is supposed to attend if he wants to go on the trips. This meeting provides useful information about the trip and other things like that.

“The greatest thing about adventure club is the chance to be outside having fun with a good group of people,” Hambling said. So if anyone is ready to have a good time or wants to be more active, just check the school web site or talk to the Hamblings to get information. This club gives students an opportunity to experience new things and be physically active. n Ben Brown

New web site, Formspring, raises questions Formspring is the new web site

phenomenon gaining popularity among East students. Formspring is “a web site designed for friends to ask questions, with the option of submitting it anonymously or with your name,” sophomore Logan Dull said.

“Formspring is a web site where people can ask you anonymous questions, for everyone who visits your web site to see. It doesn’t have to be anonymous though,” junior Mackenzie Wayant said. Basically, once a student signs up for Formspring, they have their own URL that they can post to Myspace or Facebook so that other students can ask them questions.

The questions go to the student’s inbox and they can choose to answer the question or delete it. Upon answering it, the question will be seen on their URL.

Many students have joined the network for different reasons. “I got it because it’s an easy way to ask people questions that you wouldn’t feel comfortable asking in person,” sophomore Leslie Abel said.

“I got Formspring because I was bored and I thought it was harmless. I was curious to see what kind of questions people would ask me,” Wayant said.

Although Wayant thought it would be harmless, some students think Formspring causes more harm than help. “I think it’s a good site, but I also think that people are using it for the wrong reasons. I’ve been asked some interesting questions, but I’ve also been told some really mean things,” Abel said.

“I think it’s beneficial in some ways, but I think more people are abusing it. People ask insulting questions,” Wayant stated. Some students have been asked questions that pertain to very touchy subjects such as relationships, pregnancies, and their

appearances.The fact that people have the option to remain anonymous sparks up controversy

too. “It makes you wonder who says what,” Abel said.“I think if people are going to ask appropriate questions, but are too shy to ask, then

choosing to be anonymous is okay. If you’re going to insult people or just be immature then I think people should either not ask the stupid questions or just reveal who they are,” Wayant said.

Dull agrees, “It depends, if it’s more personal questions, then it’s alright, but when people try to start things, it makes me mad. If they have a problem with the person, they should just tell them rather than start drama.”

Another controversy is the time consumption. Some students log on regularly, and some don’t. “It can be time-consuming if you’re obsessed with it or caught up in the drama it causes,” Wayant said.

Abel expressed how regularly she is on it, “I check it every few days or so, but I have other things to spend my time on.”

Whether or not a student decides to get Formspring depends on their own preferences, but some students do recommend it. “It’s entertaining when you’re bored,” Dull mentioned.

“I recommend it. I think a lot of people get to know each other a lot better. If you get dumb questions, just don’t respond,” Wayant said.

Abel agreed, “You have the chance to reply to interesting questions or comments, but if you start getting rude comments I’d delete it.”

Whether a student wants to get a Formspring or not, the craze is definitely sweeping through East. More and more people are logging in, and answering questions they might never be asked in person. If any students would like to join in on Formspring, they can visit www.formspring.me

n Shelby Woodard

6 Feature

When people think of gymnastics, they might think of the mov-ie Stick it, or the ABC family show, Make It or Break It. However, these shows and movies don’t necessarily depict gymnastics here at East.

Mackenzi Galliher, freshman, told us about her experience. She began gymnastics when she was young, but “I stopped when I was eight, then started again, so it’s kind of hard re-learning stuff.” She got started because she thought it would be fun.

East gymnastics coach for thirty-seven years, Nancy Kirshman said, “You have to have a tremendous work ethic.”

Galliher agreed, “[I enjoy] accomplishing stuff when you work forever just for one thing.”

One of the most important qualities to gymnasts is motivation, “they have to work hard,” Kirshman said.

Galliher added, “you feel good when you accomplish something. Even when you’re tired, it pays off.”

The girls are dedicated, practicing six days a week, after school from 3:30-6, and Saturdays at Jody’s Gymnastic Zone from 6:45-9 AM. At practice, “each girl works all four [of their] routines on all events to the best of their ability,” Kirshman said.

Galliher mentioned what competition is like, “nerve-wracking, [but] fun because you get to see other people’s routines.”

Kirshman fills us in, “You’re basically compet-ing against yourself.”

At competition there’s two judges, who score you based on the usual require-ments and any other things the girls add to their rou-tine. The girls have four events: floor, beam, vault, and bars. Six varsity girls, and four junior varsity girls are entered, and the three highest scores count for the team score.

Unlike some of the oth-er gymnasts, injuries for Galliher are not a problem yet, “I split the beam once. That hurt, really bad! Nothing serious yet, hopefully not soon ei-ther,” she said.

n Shelby Woodard

Flippin’ out: the girls’ gymnastics team

Junior Hillary Snyder is very grateful to Andrew Liberati, the assistant coach of the Columbus Rugby Club girls’ team, for helping her develop a necessary skill. “Lib taught me how to kick,” she said. Snyder explained that she was having trouble learning to kick, when Liberati “pulled me off to the side and taught me in two seconds.”

Liberati, who has played with the club for four years, has developed his coaching and rugby skills into a senior project. “Last year when I was injured I helped out Blake Trepanier with his senior project. [This year] the head coach for the girls [Dave Jones] asked me if I planned on helping him this year and making it my senior project, so I accepted.”

Liberati stated that rugby was “the most fun sport” he has ever played, and that he enjoys helping others learn to play the game he loves. “The best part about coaching is seeing the moment when everything ‘clicks’ for one of the girls and she understands what we have been trying to teach her,” he explained. “Rugby is a great sport, but people think it is like football and it isn’t really.”

In fact, there are obvious differences. “Major differences include no blocking, no forward passes, and different field layouts,” he said. “People don’t really know much about rugby or that there is even rugby in Columbus, but this club has been active for over ten years.”

Liberati helps lead practice and offers the girls rugby tips and tricks. “I think he’s cool and I like how he played for the guys’ team,” Snyder said. “That gives him

more experience on what to say and do.” Sophomore Brittani Mayer said that Liberati “is very nice and he is good at explaining things.”

“I think he and Dave balance each other out,” she added.“A typical practice starts with stretching, a little jog, and some

passing. Then just drills depending on the day,” Liberati explained. The coaches can not prepare for everything, though. “The worst

part would have to be seeing someone get injured really badly, like last year when a student broke her leg in the first game.”

Injuries can be rough, but Liberati also reminisces over his proudest moment as a coach. “My proudest coaching moment would have to be when the girls won their first game last season,” he said. “It was against a team very similar to ours and we only won by a couple of points, but every single girl jumped in the air and started yelling. It was a great moment.”

Liberati said that rugby has taught him a lot about understanding, patience, and yes, girls. “Anger management is a great quality I have learned because many of the girls anger the other coach and me,” he said. “But it’s nothing a little running can’t fix, right?”

n Evie Shultz

Leader of the pitch

Andrew Liberati, center back, takes a break during a rugby game during his 2008 season (Photo courtesy of columbusrugby.net).

Freshman Haley Challes practices on beam (Photo by Zane Wischmeier)

Opinion 7Opinions expressed in columns or editorials may or may not be those of The Oracle staff or fac-ulty of the Columbus school com-munity. Letters to the editor are encouraged. However, any letter submitted must be verifiable and the name will be published. The editors reserve the right to edit the letters for length, grammar, inva-sion of privacy, obscenity or po-tential libel. Letters or ideas may be sent by E-mail to either Lydia Vieth or Tristen Dull at 10viethl@bcsc.k12.in.us or 10dullt@bcsc.k12.in.us, respectively.

Editorial Policy

There is a problem Columbus East is facing; a problem the world still hasn’t overcome. Will hate against each other’s differences ever stop? People discrimi-nate against race, religion, sexuality and even against the way someone dresses. Nothing is being done about this, and it’s about time we come together to face this issue head on.

We were not born hating. As young kids, this issue didn’t exist to us. We loved to play together. What’s changed? Dis-crimination is often something people learn from their peers. Make it stop. Have a mind of your own, accept people for who they are, and you’ll have the power to make a difference for our future.

Not one person deserves to be treated like they are not good enough for the world. Honestly, does it make sense to hate someone simply because of the way they look, where they’re from, or what they choose to be, before you even know them as a person? Personally, I do not want to walk down the halls being judged and feeling uncomfortable. I want to feel like I belong. Everyone deserves that chance, and no one deserves to be treated unfairly.

Do what you can to stop this from hap-pening to your friends, your family and even yourself. Accept people for who they are. We are all human, and deserve to be treated like it. We are all different. Embrace it, don’t disgrace it. Be proud of your differences, and be proud of others’ differences.

n Keisha Clough, guest writer

A student’s approach

East high school has been prided on its accepting atmosphere. Differences among its stu-dents have been not only tolerated, but celebrated. Undoubtedly, cliques have been formed and always will form, but they are usually not exclusive. Students tend to have their main group of friends, but they usually have a wide variety of other friends they will hang out with outside of their main group. It has been refreshing to know that the pub kids can hang out with the band kids, and the book worms can grab lunch with the athletes whenever they feel like. This has been so easy because East students don’t seem to take those labels and stereo-types too seriously.

However, a few weeks ago there was an incident at East involving discrimination toward students’ differences. Two separate groups of friends clashed and bruised some of that pride that East has been able to carry. Both groups disapproved of the other’s beliefs and ways of life, and made signs that had vulgar words and hurtful, discouraging messages.

This incident shows that East is not some place where people can walk in and be untouch-able. Every person is still vulnerable to discrimination from others. This incident shows that it depends on the people, not the institution, to uphold the great reputation that East has been so proud of. Students have to remind themselves what is important; what is worth the struggle. As students, our struggle is to push ourselves academically and learn what it is that makes us who we are. Our struggle is not to prove that who we are is better than who someone else is, and we need to keep that in mind in order to keep up East’s reputation of acceptance.

The struggle between acceptance and non-acceptance will not end after high school, and it certainly won’t end with a stand off between different groups. Rather than fighting to defend who we are, we need to become comfortable with who we are. If we can become comfortable with that, then we can start to become comfortable with who other people are, even if they happen to be completely different from us. The first step in accepting others’ differences is to accept the fact that there are always going to be differences, and that is a beautiful thing.

Dean Gene Hack said that he wants every person walking in the hallway to feel like they belong here. He wouldn’t want anyone to feel like if they walked into a room they weren’t used to, that they would be judged and asked to leave.

There is always going to be someone who sees the opposite view, and it is not our job to make them see ours. Is it our job to understand that it is okay to have opposition, and we have to respect the other opinion. There will never be the fairy tale ending where everyone goes out after school to hang out with each other. This does not mean, however, that we have to feud during school. We should all be able to sit by each other during class and work together. Sure, we may not hang out after school, but we can be mature and get along when we have to be around each other.

East has not lost its accepting nature, but its boundaries have been tested. As high school students, we know when a confrontation is about to happen, and we understand what con-sequences are. When any confrontation arises, it comes time to pick our battles. We need to decide what is important. What really matters is our perception of ourselves. Once we are happy with that, it does not matter what people think, and it is not worth the consequence to prove ourselves to someone else. Besides, the majority of East is pulling for the individual.

I have never felt victimized at East because of who I am or what social group I belong to. I think most East students feel the same way because they have friends in many different groups. Yes, this incident happened, but maybe it was just to show us that East has had to work for its good reputation, it was never just magically there. It is we, the students, who make the reputation what it is. This incident was a reminder that we need to keep working, not only for the reputation of the school, but for the happiness of ourselves to get along with our peers and learn what acceptance means.

n Tristen Dull

“Clique-ing” together

12 Entertainment

River City, “Seventy-six Trombones,” and Harold Hill will be sweeping through East this weekend. East’s drama department will be putting on the production “The Music Man” March 5th, 6th, and 7th in the East auditorium. Performing arts director for twenty-five years, Janelle Runge, gives the students the details.

A lot goes into making this musical come to life. Among the things that go into it are “actors to perform, technical people to make sets and props, singers, dancers, tons of rehearsals, hard work and a lot of laughter,” Runge said.

Now that the shows’ dates are here the past week’s rehearsals have been getting more detailed. The cast could see all the pieces of the musical coming together. “We try to run the rehearsals as we intend to in the show,” Runge said. The musicians joined the rehearsals within the past weeks, and the sets have been finished.

The musical is takes place in River City, Iowa. The synopsis of the musical is about a man named “Harold Hill [who] is bound to convince River City that they need a band, and they need a band today...Will he successfully swindle the town and get out of River City or will someone help Harold Hill find his better self?” Runge questioned.

Harold is played by Josh Champion, senior, and the other lead, Marian Paroo is played by Jenny Sublette, also a senior.

Many of the students can expect to know the songs from “The Music Man.” Songs include: “Seventy-six Trombones,” “Goodnight my someone,” “Trouble,” and “Shipoopi.”

Not only does the cast contain East students, there are seventeen elementary and middle school students who have joined the cast in the musical. “They have a natural energy...it peps me up,” Runge said about the younger kids. They also have to practice more caution during rehearsals. Since the pitcover in front of the stage is gone, there is a yellow line they have to make sure no ones crosses, or they face the risk of falling. They have to work extra hard to make sure the younger kids understand that.

The musical also has a barbershop quartet joining them called, Ready 4 Anything. “They bring a different dynamic,” Runge said. Since Runge now has to add younger kids and adults to the mix, she has to alter her teaching styles to each age group. She gives larger bits to perform at one time to the adults, and smaller bits to the kids.

If any students are interested the musical will take place Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6, at 7 PM and Sunday, March 7 at 2:30 PM. Tickets are five dollars and can be purchased at the door a half an hour before the show. n Shelby Woodard

The drama department presents, “The Music Man”

Sophomore Madeline Richards and senior Eric Lykins rehearse for “The Music Man” (Photo by Courtney Cozad).