OracleThe

INSIDE

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

In memory of Phil Miller, admired art teacher and designer of the Olympian torch.

ColumnThe Oracle’s first column covers a day in the life of a lunch lady

FeaturesA look at two stu-dents’ senior projects in the drama depart-ment

SportsHighlights of East vs. North week

pg. 9

pg. 6-7

pg. 5

OpinionA collection of memories from the East community in remembrance of Phil Miller pg. 10

Issue 1 Volume 38

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News 11 September 2009 3

Performances of senior project plays When Shakespeare’s Ladies Meet and Nobody Famous will be on Satur-day, September 19 at 7 PM. Students interested in audition-

ing for drama department’s play, Diary of Anne Frank, will meet on September 22 and 23 from 3:30 PM to 5 PM.

The Columbus Amazing Adven-ture is a team course challenge that will be held tomorrow (September 12) at Ceraland park at 7:30 AM. Prices vary depending on age. It is $25 a person for ages 14 and under, $35 for teens 15-17, and $65

a person 18 and older. The fund-ing will go towards the East Ocean Science class so that they can go on a field trip to Florida. Note that by using the Google Coupon code HORIZON, it will knock 20% off the price. Also, paddle and life

jacket rentals will be free. Teams of two to three will team up to take on the race by foot, bike, rope, or paddling. Race will end at 11:30. E-mail info@planetadventurerace.com or call 317.565.9110 for additional information.

Amazing Adventure course race to benefit ocean science class

Drama auditions and play performances

News Briefs

Editors in Chief:Tristen DullLydia Vieth

Staff Writers: Ben BrownLauren KnorrEric LykinsCallum MorrisAmber SchadenfrohEvie SchultzAli SullivanShelby Woodard

Photographers:Annie ChapmanCourtney CozadDenise Muncy

Ads:Colton Lewis

Adviser:Megan Whitehead

Oraclestaff

The library has added many new books to its collection including the Ellen Hopkins series. Mrs. Weineke would like to have student suggestions on books they would like to see and will be placing orders within the next month. Weineke would also like to remind students to have a backup resource

in case the library should close. This year, the library staff is only allowing students to check out 2 books at a time rather than 4 and they would like to remind students to return or renew their books on time; they will start e-mailing over-due notices.

Reminders from the library

New requirements are in prac-tice for freshmen and sophomores. According to Dean Gene Hack, all freshmen are taking 7 classes and all sophomores are taking 6 classes plus one fifth mod class.

This means no double lunches for sophomores. Hack also says that this year the parking is going smoothly and the hallways are less crowded.

Update from the Deans

Important dates and timesProgress reports - September 16Upcoming test dates:PLAN - September 30PSAT - October 14SAT - October 10ISTEP retest - September 15-17

College representatives:Sept. 16 - ButlerSept. 17 - WabashSept. 21 - IUPUISept. 24 - Indiana WesleyenSept. 29 - Evansville

Endless opportunitiesWith addition of CSA New Tech, students get a say in learning styles

4 11 September 2009 News

The birth of the Columbus Signature Academy (CSA) New Tech has gained in-accurate assumptions from many students and community members. CSA New Tech Principal Mike Reed has heard rumors say-ing that CSA is “where all the smart kids go” or even “where all the pregnant stu-dents go.” The fact is that “CSA is just an-other school,” Reed said. “Because we are a magnet school, all of our kids have a home school, meaning that they belong to either East or North.” Although New Tech students have the option to take classes at other schools, New Tech does not allow stu-dents from other schools to take their classes.

The New Tech curricu-lum offers unique classes that cannot be found in any other Columbus high school. “A lot of it is driven by the students and what they’re inter-ested in,” Reed said. One such class, Rock Band, is mostly a music apprecia-tion class where students are able to collaborate their musical talents to learn how to play classic rock songs or write their own music. Students need to already know how to play an instrument and audi-tion for a spot in the class. The Columbus Philharmonic is hosting a strings class for New Tech students.

While CSA is known for a few exotic classes, East also offers classes that are not offered at other schools. East courses include more levels of Spanish and more various language classes than those of CSA. East also possesses 2-D and 3-D Art courses, where only a 2-D art course can be found at CSA.

In addition to the graduation require-ments of long-standing BCSC high schools, CSA students are also required to complete an internship with a business or industry that they are interested in pursuing, along with service learning hours in order to grad-

uate. Requirements also include receiving at least 12 college credits, a digital portfolio, covering their four years at the school, and four years of math and science.

The disciplinary system also showcases the school’s unconventional style. “We try to shy away from detention and suspen-sion,” Reed said. “We built our culture

around trust, respect and responsibility.” Reed feels that a small school culture is a bit easier to control. CSA New Tech sopho-more Job Setser said, “There are less kids, so it’s less hectic.”

To maintain such a low school popula-tion, New Tech can only choose a certain number of students. This may bring some to wonder how to get into the school, but, “everybody there got in by a lottery, so it was just the luck of the draw,” East sopho-more Lidia Palacios said. As a freshman, Palacios attended New Tech. “I think the biggest difference (between East and CSA) is the classes and the size,” Palacios said. “All of the classes at CSA are integrated and there were only 100 students there last year.”

The courses are not all that different, but they are taught in a different way. At

New Tech, classes like P.E. and Health are combined to form Advanced Health and Wellness. The 4D class focuses on careers, while the schoolwork is in real world op-portunities. One could say that it is the business equivalent to East’s hands on C4 classes. Both 4D and C4 run along the same concept but feature different learning and

career styles. The untraditional

learning styles work differently for the students. Students like CSA New Tech sophomore Vicki Cooper find the different learning methods to be ben-eficial. “You get to work with your friends instead of sitting at a desk,” Cooper said.

CSA New Tech sophomore, Betsy Harkless said, “Our atmosphere is very family-ish.”

Other students did not feel as com-fortable in this type of learning environ-ment. “CSA was way

too integrated for my taste,” Palacios said. “I think some subjects need to be taught by themselves.” Palacios found that more of her friends went to East, but one of her main reasons for transferring to East was based on her career choice. “I want to work in the medical field when I get older and CSA didn’t offer classes that dealt with stuff like that,” Palacios said.

Although they share similar curriculums, it seems that CSA New Tech and East both provide what the other is lacking. With a different spin on the concept of high school, and different student preparation for the future, CSA New Tech joins East and North. “I don’t really want people to think that CSA is a ‘special school’ because it’s just another high school in Columbus,” Palacios said.

Many classes at CSA New Tech are held in open classroom areas. (Photo by Courtney Cozad)

Amber Schadenfroh and Lauren KnorrStaff Writers

Feature 11 September 2009 5Senior Project ProfilesDrama, Drama, DramaEric LykinsStaff Writer

What play are you directing?

What is the basic plot of the play?

Why exactly did you choose this play?

Were auditions hard?

How are things going so far?

“It’s called ‘Nobody Famous’.”

“It’s really just about two girls that go to a fortune teller and about what happens to them afterwards.”

“Well, it was free first of all. The website I got it off of is run by a guy who writes these scripts for free. There is a review form that comes with the play that viewers are supposed to fill out after watching it and then you submit the forms back to the author...just some feedback stuff I guess.”

“It was hard because there were so many excellent auditions. The hardest part was working with Sami to decide how to divide people up between the two casts.”

“I think everyone’s working together well, and that’s really good. So far, there has been a fairly relaxed mood, but maybe that’s because we aren’t to crunch time yet. But yeah, overall I’d say that it’s all going very well.”

“It’s ‘When Shakespeare’s Ladies Meet’.”

“It’s pretty much a story about when Shakespeare’s heroines come together and try to convince Juliet not to fall in love with Romeo so her story won’t end tragically.”

“It went along with the topic of my senior paper, which is about the censorship of Shakespearean and other dramatic works.”

“Yes. All the girls showed a lot of great talent and it was fairly difficult to decide who would be best suited for each role.”

“I think it’s going very well. There have only really been a few complications, but everyone is working together really well. I’m very proud of my cast for the work they are doing.”

Matt Walls Sami Burton

Wall’s cast practices “Nobody Famous”. (Photo by Annie Chapman)

Burton’s cast poses while rehearsing“When Shakespeare’s Ladies Meet”(Photo by Annie Chapman)

6 11 September 2009 Centerspread

“I think that my high point was keeping us in the game during the first half up until the last 20 sec-onds when they scored their first goal. My low point was probably getting scored on within the first few minutes of the second half. I think that put all of us down and we didn’t play up to our full potential.”Danielle GentryJunior

Women’s Soccer

East 0 North 4

Page compiled by Tristen Dull, Lauren Knorr, Callum Morris, Lydia Vieth

Men’s Socce

r

East 0 N

orth 3

It’s GametimeAn overview of East v North Weekend

Seniors Logan Perry (left) and Connor Miller rehydrate during the game.

Senior Ashleigh Schneckenberger does a heel click as her name is annouced for the starting line up.

“It would have been nice to win, but it’s good not to peak at the beginning of the season. We have another chance at sectionals.”Ashleigh SchneckenbergerSenior

Junior Brad Witkowski controls the ball around a North player

“We gotta come out harder next time and we’ll have a better chance.”Chris WallaceSenior

11 September 2009 7Centerspread

“It was a great feeling to win, especially when people didn’t think we could.”Ian BrownSeniorPage compiled by Tristen Dull, Lauren Knorr, Callum Morris, Lydia Vieth

It’s GametimeAn overview of East v North Weekend

“The whole game was my highlight and scoring two touchdowns.”Shane HendersonJunior

Football

East 24 N

orth 21

Seniors Logan Perry (left) and Connor Miller rehydrate during the game.

“My best moment would have to be after the game when I realized how impressive it was to come back. There is no better win than beating North.”Logan PerrySenior

Sophomore Gunner Kiel

8 11 September 2009 feature

As summer progresses into fall, seniors transition into a new territory: applying for college and scholarships. A panic creeps into seniors’ minds about how they will stand out and pay for the next step in their education. “With the economic downturn, a lot of students worry how they will pay,” guidance counselor Emily Zumbaugh said. Scholarships and financial

aid grants awarded to students, are ways to earn money for a college. “Students rule out scholarships because they assume their test scores and academics are not good enough,” Zumbaugh said. However, there are more then enough academic scholarships that are offered. “Some scholarships are based

on community service and they have different criteria,” Zumbaugh said. “They can earn scholarships even if they aren’t top students.” Being proactive is the

best way to find out about scholarships. Katie Vandergriff, East’s college/scholarship coordinator, is in charge of an E-mail list that notifies students of scholarships being offered. To get on the scholarship E-mail list, E-mail Vandergriff at vandergriffk@bcsc.k12.in.us. English teacher Joni Degner

says the best way to stand out on paper is, “to be involved in school and the community.” Degner said when she was applying for college, it used to be about SAT and ACT

scores, but in recent years most colleges want, “a strong balance between academics and community involvement.” For most scholarships, an

important step is writing an essay. Degner said the best way to have a solid product is by constant revision. “Revise and reflect. Most of the time you spend so long writing it that you just never want to look it over again.” However, Degner stresses the importance of re-checking and revising students’ essays. “Have muiltiple eyes and your own look over it as many times as you can. Be concise,” she said. Degner suggests reading an essay backwards to see the work in a different way. In addition to writing essays

and filling out applications, deadlines are also key. “When scholarships come out they will have deadlines, and don’t wait until the very last minute,” Vandergriff said. It is important to work ahead of the deadline. “Scholarships will often require a counselor’s letter of recommendation and they don’t like being bombarded with close deadlines.” College is possible for anyone

who is proactive and dedicated. There is light at the end of the tunnel for all stressed seniors. “There are so many scholarships out there, so most students get something,” Vandergriff said. “There is usually something out there for

everybody.”

My class sizes were small so there were oppor-tunities to get to know professors, which I’ve found is hard to do with public colleges.Mrs. Newland

PrivatePublicIU’s class sizes were overwhelm-ing at first, but the diversity I really enjoyed. There were people from all over.Mrs. Hambling

Looks at num-•bers (GPA, SAT scores)Larger class •numbersMultiple class-•room professors and teacher as-sistantsCosts about •$18,500

Looks at whole •picture (classes taken and grades received)Smaller class •numbersUsually one •professor fo-cused on teach-ingCosts about •$39,000

How does choosing a public or private college affect your future?

Looking AheadThe low down on the college process Ali Sullivan and Shelby WoodardStaff Writers

Both look for good GPA’s and scoresBoth search for well-rounded and self-moti-vated students

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Column 11 September 2009 9

“This is what I call my granny oven,” head baker Melody Gess said. She cheerful-ly showed us around the cafeteria’s kitchen. “Big mixers, big ovens, big bowls!”

Beyond the peaceful façade of perfectly arranged brownies and baskets of grapes is a bustling kitchen filled with dedicated ladies who know how to make a tasty yet healthy school lunch.

The cafeteria staff at East defies all typi-cal lunch lady stereotypes. They are nei-ther old nor grumpy, and they certainly don’t have moles on their faces. In fact, the lunch ladies of East are a sweet and fun-loving bunch, and they work hard every day to ensure students get a nutri-tious lunch. “We’re all about feeding the students, and making sure they get food that they like,” kitchen manager Lisa Aull explained.

Gess added, “I don’t think people real-ize how much goes into this.”

Gess and the baker’s assistant Shannon Shepherd showed us the cookie dough they had rolled out onto the counter. By the end of the day, they will have baked 900 cookies. “You ought to come when we do the Thanksgiving dinner,” laughed Gess.

Her coworker Sally, who has worked in the kitchen for 26 years, explained her schedule. “I come in and do breakfast, help

with salads and with the cashier at noon, and then go home,” she said.

The ladies also must follow strict rules set up by the Food Safety and Inspection Service. “We have to wash our hands about 15,000 times a day,” said Gess. Though it may seem like an exaggeration, we noted that during the visit each worker washed her hands several times.

As for the infamous hair nets, Gess explained that she does not mind them. “Really, truly, I’m glad we wear them,” she said.

One can only imagine what goes into making food for approximately 442 stu-dents a day, five days a week. Though it seems like a daunting task, the staff is cer-tainly excellent at what they do. Sherri Ellis revealed that she is in charge of salads and that her talent in that area carries over into real life. “When I go to family reunions, I’m the one who makes the salad.”

Though sometimes students can be rude, Aull says that she tries to ignore it. Aull said, “I have to remember, number one, they’re not my kids. And number two, I have to be patient with them.”

However, it’s not all hard work in the kitchen. These ladies love to laugh. As-sistant cook Cynthia Dilling cried, “Make us look hot!” when we walked into the kitchen to take her picture. Sue explained,

“We just like to joke around. That’s why I like it here.”

Even though there are ups and downs in the life of a lunch lady, the cafeteria workers at East face each day with a smile. Armed with little more than an industrial- sized oven and a commercial mixer, these cafeteria ladies manage to pull off feeding hundreds of hungry students.

Aull said, “It is hard work in this kitch-en, but when we see the students eating and see a smile on their face, it makes it all worthwhile.”

Let’s DishA day in the life of a lunch ladyEvie SchultzStaff Writer

Above: Cynthia Dilling is working to prepare lunch. At left: Sherri Ellis chops up vegetables for a delicious salad.Photos by: Denise Muncy

Staff workers cook hundreds of cookies in the industrial oven.

10 11 September 2009 Opinion

“Mr. Miller had the best sense of humor, regardless of the circumstances or how his day was going. I will always remember him for his fantastic pun jokes. He always inspired me to do art even though sometimes I felt like I wasn’t good at it. He’s the nicest man I’ve ever known and I would love to grow up and have his attitude and passion for teaching.”Brittany Houselsenior

“Mr. Miller was perhaps the nicest, overall kind teacher I have ever had. Every class he was more than willing to answer my questions and help me on my projects. I could easily tell how talented he was in the way he dem-onstrated projects for us. Mr. Miller was an asset to Columbus East and a shining example of what all teachers should strive to be.”Alex Englebertsenior

Remembering Mr. MillerReflections of an art teacher’s impact

“I have been privileged to have been able to know and to work with Mr. Miller the past eleven years in the art department. He’s been an inspiration to hundreds of students, a champion of the arts, and a friend to all. I will miss him greatly.”Jim Ponsford3D art teacher

“He was a positive man who always made sure to greet you in the hallway and was always willing to help no matter how stressed he was. We’ll miss him.”Amber Andersonsenior

“I will always think of Mr. Miller as a great teacher because he had a lot of patience with his students and he inspired me to do art. I cannot recall a time when he didn’t have a positive attitude, and he always brightened everyone’s day. He never gave up on anyone and I admire him so much. He is such a genuine and caring person.”Kreigha Henneysenior

August 30 was a heartbreaking day for many students and staff. Philip Miller, a dedicated art teacher of 43 years passed away due to a struggle with cancer. He retired last year as the disease progressed, which was a sad loss for the students and teachers of East. Those who knew and loved him say he was one of the kindest and most dedicated teachers they knew. He always made his students his first priority.

“Mr. Miller brought sunshine into my life everyday. He was one of those people that entered my life and gave me the encouragement and help I needed to become a better artist. He wanted every student to succeed and it showed. Mr. Miller made me laugh and he had a joke for everything. I miss him very much. I feel blessed that I, along with many others, got to

know the wonderful Mr. Miller.”

Rebecca Melbertsenior

“Mr. Miller taught for years and touched so many lives. He encour-aged me to pursue art as a career and let me see that it is possible to make a living doing something you love. Because of him and his encouragement I am looking into careers in art education. He could inspire you and wanted to help every student to love art as much as he did. I will miss him and be eternally appreciative of the ways in

which he impacted my future.”

Ivana Armstrongsenior

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OpinionsPolicyOpinions expressed in columns or editorials may or may not be those of The Oracle staff or faculty of the Columbus school community. Letters to the editor are encour-aged. However, any letter submitted must be verifi-able and the name will be published. The editors reserve the right to edit the letters for length, gram-mar, invasion of privacy, obscenity or potential 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.

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12 17 August 2009 Entertainment

The story of boy meets girl and falls in love has been told dozens of times. In 500 Days of Summer it is told once again, but this time everything feels real and possible (Okay, so maybe not the musical bit with the animated blue bird, but the emotions do). Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is an aspiring architect that is stuck writing greeting cards for a living. He is busy looking for “the one” to spend the rest of his life with. Enter Summer (Zooey Deschanel), his boss’s new assistant. Summer is independent and witty. She does not believe in true love. Unfortunately, at this moment, Tom doesn’t know that about Summer and he continues on to

fall madly in love with her. Tom and Summer’s story is narrated back and forth between the early, happy days of their relationship and the gloomy, argumentative ones. They are playing house in IKEA and then not speaking to each other at a record store. Tom dances his way to work after their first night together and then Summer is breaking his heart over pancakes. While the flipping back and forth would appear to give away the ending, it provides the right balance of knowing and curiosity to make this romance very real and very absent.

Movie Review: 500 Days of SummerLydia ViethCo Editor in Chief

Culture Grid

If I were Harry Potter I would...

If I were a leaf I would...

Name:Grade:

Jenna Brewerjunior

I would put a spell on people I hate.

land in Hawaii

starting a good career in nurs-ing and having a stable lifestyle.

when people try to impress someone and be someone they’re not.

Ashley Whiteheadsenior

I would use my invisibility cloak to play pranks on people.

land in Spain

married with 4 kids

fingernail files and bad parking jobs

John Hughsjunior

In 10 years I will be...

My pet peeve...

freeze people & then unfreeze them in bad situations so we can laugh.

chill in a tree all day

a professional race-car driver in Nascar

when older people think that just be-cause they are older, they are better