the warrencentral

Page 1693 children participated at the Children’s Christmas Party. Check out all the activities that went on.

Warren Central High School Indianapolis, IN Wednesday, December 15, 2010 Volume 89 Issue 5 www.wcowlnews.com

Page 8Autism is a growing

disease. See how the disease affects two people in the

Warrior Nation.

AYP scores show Marion County schools failing. See page 3 to learn why Warren Central is not an F school after all

Page 10Find out how candy canes became a winter-time favorite.

Why Warren Central is NOT an

school

Warren Central PublicationsOWL

NewsAt a Glance

2

SeniorS

>Dancing with the Faculty will be held on Wednesday, January 19, in the PAC.>Congratulations to Seniors Setting a Good Example winners Lauren Moore and Michael Boards.

The Owl Warren Central December 15, 2010 www.wcowlnews.com

ClaSS aCt and

diStinguiShed gentlemen

>There will be a dance in February>There will be a field trip to see “I Never Saw Butterflies “ in early spring.

Student CounCil

There will be a Student Council meeting on January 13 during first period.

ChamBer SingerS memBerS (above) dress in medieval costumes and sing Christmas songs for the Madrigal Dinner. (right) Fun Monkey members Jacob Lafever and Jeremiah Mickey play a game for the audience during the Madrigal Dinner. Photos by Nick Wilson

Photo OP

wCC

>Career Fest will be on February 10 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. The event will help to promote career awareness among students. >Females from Creston, Stonybrook, and Raymond Park who are interested in engineering are invited to the Threshold on January 14.

nhS

>National Honors Society members should check the NHS room door for updated points.>The next meeting will be held on January 12 at 7 a.m. in the PAC.

FCa

Fellowship of Christian Athletes will meet every Thursday in room H109.

The official pizza supplier ofThe Warren Owl

899-0900

Pasquale’s

“From our family to yours”

7755 E Washington Street Next to Blueberry Hill & Skyline Chili

Three free breadsticks with the purchase of any size fountain drink.

Final Schedule Thursday, December 16

Period

1 7:35 - 7:41 TV Announcements

1 7:41 - 9:01 Final exam 2 9:07 - 9:29 3 9:35 - 10:55 Final exam

4 11:01 - 11:23

5 11:29 - 12:56 Class + Lunch Lunch Schedule A and D 11:23 - 11:54 B and E 11:54 - 12:25 C and F 12:25 - 12:56

6 1:02 - 1:24

5 1:30 - 2:50 2:50 TV Dismissal

The test is laid out, staring you in the face, completely unavoidable. You have studied all night, read all the instructions carefully, and feel completely prepared for a test that will define your academic career. Taking the test, some questions come more easily than others, and when you turn it in, you are satisfied with your

performance. When you get the test back, you are shocked to find a giant red “F”. The reason for the downfall of your academic reputation? A missing set of instructions. You failed a test because of someone else’s failure to

communicate. Schools across the county are going through a very similar situation, and they are not happy about it.

What is AYP? Adequate Yearly Progress was put in place by the Bush administration’s 2001 “No Child Left Behind” act. This system is used to grade a school by assessing its different demographic groups are performing academically. “The state has a measuring tool, and they have different

cell groups they track every year,” Ms. Emily Brown, Freshman Academy assistant principal, said.

These cell groups are African-American, Hispanic, Caucasian, free and reduced meals, LEP (limited English proficiency), special education and overall. The groups are then assessed in four different categories: English performance, math performance, English participation and math participation. The graduation rate is only evaluated by the overall percentage. When all the groups and categories are combined, there are a total of 29 cell groups up for evaluation by the state. Of those 29 cell groups, Warren Central High School passed seven. This ranks the school at academic probation, which is the equivalent to an “F” on the AYP grading scale. To pass AYP completely, a school must meet or exceed the standards in every one of their cell groups. No exceptions. The cell groups that the high school did pass were graduation rate, Hispanic math participation, white English and math performance, LEP math participation, and special education English and math performance. The graduation rate has been on the rise for a number of years. “This past graduating class was at 82.4 percent, a huge jump from 76.7 percent,” Mr. Rich Shepler, Warren Central High School principal, said.

The ECA All AYP academic cell groups are based on the End Course Assessment. The ECA was implemented as the state-wide graduation exam in 2010, a switch from the GQE, the graduation qualifying exam used for 2011’s graduating class and those previous to it. The ECA is what caused some of the miscommunication associated with the AYP. “Everybody had no clue what they wanted of participation,” Shepler said. “Then we found out the state wanted to follow same rules as GQE,” Brown said. “When you hear ECA, that leads you to believe you’ll take the assessment at the end of the course. That’s a change from the GQE. We thought it would be good. If you’re not ready, you can wait until your junior year.”

This was not the case. The state wanted schools to follow the same rules as the GQE, but schools were not aware of that until after the AYP

results were released. The GQE, and now the ECA, require all students to be tested in both math and English at the end of their sophomore year. “No school in the area passed participation,” Brown said. “That is unheard of.” This miscommunication between schools and the state hurt English and math participation scores across the county. If all sophomore students had taken the ECA, like the state wanted them to, participation scores would be much higher. But, as there was no previous knowledge that that was what was wanted, there were students who didn’t take the test, bringing the percentage down. Another possible explanation for low AYP scores is students in multiple cell groups. “You could be a special education, ENL student on free and reduced lunch; then hit your ethnicity, then hit your overall,” Brown said. “Imagine a student who just barely missed it, affects five cells. It’s not as clear cut as you might think.” Also, Warren’s large population and wide demographic give them more cell groups than other schools that are less diverse. “It is always going to be most difficult for us because we are the biggest,” Brown said. “We have the greatest set of challenges in having the most students to get over the hurdle.” But Warren Central is definitely not alone. Every Marion County school, except Speedway, failed the AYP. “Everybody in Marion County is an F school,” Shepler said. “Is that really true? Absolutely not.”

The Plan Warren has no intentions of remaining at their present ranking and has already made plans to improve their scores. “We want to make sure we are meeting AYP next semester,” Shepler said. Departments are making action plans to improve scores. More work to understand where students are and timed writing assignments will give the scores the necessary boost. A teaching method called the eight-step process, which stresses plan, do, check, act, will also play a role in improving school ECA scores. “I don’t think you will find talk to anyone in this building who thinks kids are not capable, or that we do not have a good staff” Brown said. “We have both of those things in place.” Administrators and teachers alike are working hard to improve the AYP scores, knowing what could happen if they do not. If things do not improve, the school will be put on probationary status. If there is still no improvement, the school could be taken over by the state, meaning administration and teachers will be removed. “(They will) turn the whole thing upside down,” Shepler said. “I think knowing that is a possibility…that upsets us,” Brown said. Now that schools are clear on rules and expectations for the AYP, scores are expected to improve. “Our anticipation is because we now have a firm understanding of what they want for participation, that will be green,” Brown said. If participation scores do pass in the next round, that adds 14 passing groups to the seven in place. The guidelines are clear and the plans are in place. Warren Central has big plans to prove to the state of Indiana that it is not an “F” school.

News 3

by emilyhancock web editor

www.wcowlnews.com December 15, 2010 Warren Central The Owl

Adequate yearly progress miscommunication leads to failing schools across county

The district as a whole and its elementary schools made AYP. The elementary schools exhibited such development that they were ranked as exemplary progress, like receiving an “A”. Township middle schools performed to the level of academic progress, the same as a “C”.

Skills USA is a national nonprofit organization with more than 2,840 students involved in career and technical training. Many students in the Walker Career Center participate in this organization. Some of the areas the students compete in are machinery, cosmetology, computer, dentistry and culinary arts. “Skills USA is an excellent way for our top students to compete in their career area at the regional, state and national levels,” director of the Walker Career Center Lou Ann Schwenn said. Students involved in Skills USA also have the opportunity to gain professional skills that will help them in the work force after high school. These skills include self-confidence, good work-ethic and communication skills.

Warren students have competed in Skills USA for over 20 years. “Through Skills USA-sponsored leadership training opportunities and the Professional Development Program, students excel in software skills that employers value,” instructor for the Power Equipment Program Mr. Carl Garrison said. This year, a select few students and teachers will serve as state officers in the State Leadership and Conference in April. Garrison and cosmetology instructor Ms. Elsie Butler will also serve as state officer coordinators for this year’s competition. Those eligible to participate in the State Skills USA competition will be all Career and Technical Programs throughout Indiana who place in the top 5 at the regional contest held in January 2011. Butler enjoys exposing her students to such an organization

that helps develop their leadership, communication and occupational skills that will lead them to success in the work force. Butler has also gained confidence by competing in Skills USA. “Competing in Skills USA has helped me gain the confidence I needed to own and operate a business of my own,” Butler said. Those wishing to get involved in Skills USA have over 80 different trade, technical and leadership fields to choose from. “The Skills USA partnerships with business, industry and post-secondary educators that help validate our student’s technical training,” Garrison said. “Skills USA has something for everyone.”

News4 The Owl Warren Central December 15, 2010 www.wcowlnews.com

by juliakittle news staff

State Skills USA teams prepare to compete against schools state-wide

CULINARY SKILLS USA TEAM prepares to compete

against other schools throughout the state.

Competitions will begin in mid-April.

Photo by Cody Petree

DON’T GET BURNED...BANK FEES GOING UP

As new federal regulations come out which limit the amount and the way in which customers can be charged for account services, the major banks are all raising fees. The Big Banks are creating new fees or raising rates on others to get a little more of a pay day where they can.

Some Big Banks are raising the minimum account balance. If a customer dips below the mini-mum balance, the bank assesses a monthly fee for doing so. Other Big Banks will charge some customers up to $30 a month just for having a checking account with them. A person could wind up needing a payday loan for not spending any money!

Money always talks...especially when its yours. Warren MSD Federal Credit Union is the home-town banking alternative that offers only straightforward products and services. Our members want to belong to something that is valuable, noble and good. And that is exactly what your credit union is.

Don’t get ripped-off by the Big Banks. Join us today...You Belong Here!

“HEY, HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT FIRE?”

News 5www.wcowlnews.com December 15, 2010 Warren Central The Owl

by katiejones news editor

One student’s extraordinary story

Robotics team hosts Warren Round-Up

Today, sophomore Osman Lopez attends school and is on track to get a high school diploma. Something that seemed nearly impossible 10 years ago. At 18, Lopez is not the normal sophomore. His story starts in Tocoa Colon, Honduras. When Lopez turned 5, he started school, like every normal 5 year old. At the same time, his father left his family to come to the United States for more working opportunities. He never saw his father again. Three years later, Lopez quit school and started working to support his family. “I worked on a cattle ranch,” Lopez said. “It was me and my brothers.” Alone at 15 years old, Lopez came to America through Mexico. Once in the United States, Lopez got a job working in drywall construction. “I worked all over the United States,” Lopez said. “My boss had jobs to do all over. We would finish one job and move on to the next state.” As Lopez moved from state to state, he would try to keep in contact with his family back in Honduras. He would call his mother and send money. But the nomadic lifestyle Lopez had known was soon changed. His drywall company was disbanded

and Lopez was put into foster care. “The foster home was okay,” Lopez said. He was adopted by Humberto Ramirez and his family and is living a whole new way. “I have lived alone for eight years,” Lopez said. “It is an adjustment living with other people. It’s just not the same.” Despite the obstacles in his life, Lopez now comes to school, has learned to read and is working on his English. Lopez also played soccer for the first time at Warren Central. “For me, it was a blessing because I have never had a chance to play soccer,” Lopez said. “I found friends and felt a part of the team. I want to thank them so much.” “He is a great kid,” coach A.J. McAdams said. “No one on the team worked harder. He gave everything he had.” During the season, he turned 18. On his birthday all he hoped for was to see his family, but no one had any idea how to find them back in Honduras. “He was devastated,” McAdams said. That is when assistant coach Nick Magdalinos decided the soccer team would have a birthday party for Lopez. This would be Lopez’s first birthday party.

The coaches and the team pooled money together and bought him a jersey from the Honduran National team and Nike shoes. “It was a complete surprise,” Lopez said. “Although I didn’t feel well that day, it was the best.” The obstacles that Lopez has faced and overcome prove to the people in his life that he will make something of himself. “There are times when my kids think they’re having a bad day,” McAdams said, “and I tell them that we need to put our lives into perspective. Osman is literally an inspiration and the fact he hasn’t given up on anything. There’s always hope. No matter what he ends up doing, Osman will be successful.”

by emilyabrams editor-in-chief

ROBOTICS MEMBERS use remote controlled robots to complete specific challenges. The team hosted the Warren Round-Up on December 4. Photos by Daryl Hollonquest

Tocoa Colon, Honduras

Indianapolis, Indiana

Opinion6owl staffEditor-in-Chief

Emily Abrams

Associate EditorRachel Baxter

Web EditorEmily Hancock

Opinion EditorNatalie Verhines

Features EditorImani Scott-Smittick

Features Staff Jenny Marvel

News EditorKatie Jones

News Staff Julia Kittle

Nicole Wilson

Sports EditorSpencer Garnier

Sports StaffPetar Hood Joe Spears

Joslyn Cunningham

Lifestyles EditorShelby Rutledge

Lifestyles StaffMercadees Hempel

Imani Rameses Alex Martens Sarah Carney

Advertisement Olivia Kimsey

Photography Editor Taylor Borondy

Photography Staff Riley Haab

Chris HendersonCody PetreeCailyn Turner Nick Wilson

Daryl HollonquestChris Bays

AdviserMr. Mark Haab

Principal Mr. Rich Shepler

Thumbs Down To Finals. We learned a lot this year. Do we really have to prove it?

Thumbs up To The holidays. It’s called the most wonderful time of the year for a reason, people!

Thumbs

how Did You Find out the ‘Truth’

about santa?

We Think...The Owl Warren Central December15, 2010 www.wcowlnews.com

Thumbs up To French Fry Friday. The alliteration alone makes us smile, but the fries are nice, too.

Thumbs up To The Student Council’s Christmas Party. The commons was flooded with pizza, presents and a lot of kids who received the Christmas they have been waiting for.

Thumbs up To Break! It’s time for another two whole weeks of relaxation. And, geez, we’ve made it half-way through the year. It’s a holiday miracle!

Thumbs up To Snow. Because a winter wonderland with grass just seems a bit anticlimactic.

Thumbs Down To Lanyards. We brought it up issues ago, and almost thought the problem just... went away. But, lanyards will grace the necks of students next month. We would be less disgruntled if our ID pictures didn’t look like mugshots.Thumbs Down To The firedrill that happened during passing period last Wednesday. Apparently, a poorly-placed flyer indirectly sent the entire school out into the freezing arctic tundra that was the school’s parking lot.

warren’s undeserved F proves AYp as the Failure.

“Whitney Smith,

Junior

“When I was five, I caught my mom putting gifts from the closet under the tree. She also ate the cookies I made for ‘Santa,’ I mention this all the time, and to this day she denies it.”

“Greg Gallagher,

senior

“I asked my dad if Santa is real and he said the SPIRIT of santa is real, but not the physical Santa.”

“Shelby Keller,

freshman

“My nanna told me and it all just fell in place. I still leave him cookies though!”

“Sarah Whittemore,sophomore

“My old man told me, but I had a hunch that he wasn’t real.”

Thumbs Down To The Finals Schedule. Just saying it cues a dramatic “Dun Dun Dunnn.” By now, we should be used the sightly erractic schedule and the headaches it brings, but really, we just aren’t.

Thumbs up To Monday’s two-hour delay. Any chance to catch some extra Z’s is totally awesome, and it’s even better when it results in shorter classes throughout the day.

Thumbs Down To Flu season. The holidays may be on their way, but all the coughing, scratchy throats, and excess mucus really cuts into all the holiday cheer.

When it was announced that Warren Central received an F on this year’s Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) report, we were all stuck with one pressing question: Really? Warren may not be the example of progressive excellence the state is searching for, but to students, teachers, and parents affiliated with these halls, it is an excellent place to learn. Here, there are teachers who actually care, an administration that takes the time to listen to student concerns and a graduation rate that recently jumped to an impressive 84.2 percent. How can a school with so much good to offer be classified as a failure? So, in response to AYP’s announcement, we would like a little clarification. Really AYP? Warren’s the failure? Considering how we received this failing grade, it seems the failure may be the system itself. The standards set in place by the No Child Left Behind Act are already drastically high. The plan states that by 2014, all Indiana schools will have 100 percent of students passing ISTEP examinations. This is wishful thinking. Positive? Yes. A great goal? Yes. But possible? On that, we are not so sure. But until the 2014 deadline, the percentage of passing students will continue to increase. To put these high expectations into the perspective of Warren Central, it is important to consider that Warren is a huge school. With almost 4,000 students and a ridiculously wide variety of cell groups (groups of students evaluated individually based on demographic), it’s difficult for Warren to meet these standards already. Yet, despite the difficulties our school faces,

we have managed to meet AYP each year until now. Why the sudden change? After years of passing, why is Warren suddenly a failure? This year’s round of evaluations brought with it a multitude of changes, the most prominent being the use of End of Course Assessments (ECAs) to test students. Miscommunication between the state and schools led to a lot of problems. At Warren, we missed the mark on 14 out of 29 cell groups, and all those were based solely on participation. In a school that’s stayed on task with AYP for years, it seems a bit unorthodox for Warren to fail in an area that should be the easiest to accomplish – just taking the tests in the first place. And Warren was not the only school to suffer from this lack of understanding, most other failing schools in the state can trace their grades to AYP’s failure to explain its process. Warren was handed an F by AYP because AYP itself failed to accurately explain the guidelines upon which students and the school would be tested. Because of this, the school was doomed to an F from the start – it did not matter how well we performed on the test, or how well our school has worked to help students learn. AYP pushes the importance of improvement, but does so at a ridiculous, and sometimes impossible pace. Deeming Warren Central a failure, deeming almost all the schools in Marion County a failure, just does not accurately reflect that state of these schools. The real failure here is AYP, and how it itself is failing to portray these schools and their improvement in the correct light.

Opinion 7

Editorial Policy The Warren Owl is a newsmagazine published ten times a year by the Publications staff of Warren Central High School at 9500 E. Sixteenth St., Indpls., In 46229. The Warren Owl is printed by The Daily Reporter of Greenfield, IN. Advertising rates are available upon request by calling (317) 532-6252. The Warren Owl is distributed to more than 3,000 students, faculty and residents in the community. As a student written and edited high school newsmagazine, the Warren Owl will strive to perform three functions:(1) To inform its readers thoroughly and accurately of all events and issues relative to students, staff and community.(2) To provide a forum for student opinions through its editorials and letters to the Editor.(3) To entertain readers with focus and feature items. Student staff members will decide the content of each issue and will write and edit all printed material. Editorials will reflect

the views of the student staff as a whole, not necessarily the opinions of administration or faculty members. The Warren Owl encourages readers to share comments, suggestions, or complaints by submitting letters to the editor. In order to be considered for publication, letters to the editor must include author’s signature. Names can be withheld from publication only at the request of the author and approval of the editorial board. The editors reserve the right to edit letters for clarification, or for space limitation. Libelous or profane letters will not be published. The Publications staff urges all Warren Central students and staff to use the “Letters to the Editor” as a public forum in the spirit of free speech and press. The Warren Owl is a member of the NSPA, CSPA, Quill & Scroll, and the Indiana High School Press Association.

www.wcowlnews.com December 15, 2010 Warren Central The Owl

By Hedy Paul NHS Officer

Letterfrom aLeader

Picture This...By Staff Artist

Over Thanksgiving break, I went through one of the hardest things I have ever had to deal with. A person who is really close to me came to my house and told my mom that she overdosed on her anti-depressant medication. I immediately called her parents and went with her to the hospital to get treatment. As I was sitting in the room with her watching her go through the treatment, I was in complete shock that this has happened. I’ve never had to deal with something like this, and knowing that I could have lost her that night over a bottle of pills, really got to me. A c c o r d i n g to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 472,000 emergency room visits in 2009 were for self-inflicted injury. Between two and three million people in the United States exhibit some type of self-abusive behavior. Suicides outnumber homicides 32,637 to 18,124. Talking about suicide even in a joking manner is a sign someone is inflicting self-injury. Statements about hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness are also signs. Loss of interest in things one used to care about, obsession with death, and giving things away can hint a person is considering suicide. Many who have thoughts about self-harm or suicide expressed the intention at some point. Once my friend told me she took her medication, I thought about why she would have done this. She was always really upset and arguing with her parents. She even told her parents a couple of weeks before she overdosed that she was starting to have

thoughts about killing herself. If you believe a person is inflicting self-harm, get professional help even if the person resists. Make sure to talk to and confront the person about it. Do not leave the person alone, swear to secrecy, make judgments or counsel the person yourself. You are not a professional. When she first told me that she did this, I confronted her about it right away. I asked her how many she took, why she did it and I told her I was calling her parents. She begged me not to do it, but I did it anyway knowing that

she might not want to speak to me ever again after everything. Offer support and encourage the pe rson to s eek treatment, offer to help the person take steps towards getting assistance, get him or her to talk about their problems. Make sure you take any suicidal behavior seriously and bring attention

to the problem. My friend was really mad at me for about an hour, and she would barely speak to me. It was really hard knowing that she as mad at me for what I did, but I had to do it. I wasn’t going to let one of my best friends die knowing that I could do something about it. I know dealing with someone who is inflicting self-harm can be really scary. If I didn’t take action and make sure my friend got medical treatment, I could have lost her. I encourage anyone who is dealing with or know someone who has suicidal thoughts to get medical attention immediately. By doing this, you can help save someone’s life.

rachel’srants

by rachelbaxter associate editor

FAYP

As we all know this is the holiday season and regardless of your religion or if you simply don’t have a religion at all, we should all show goodwill and kindness to our fellow man. I’m not asking you to do anything over the top. You don’t have to feed a third world country or raise a million dollars for a family in need, however, things like that would be amazing, all I’m asking is that you act a little more courteous to those around you. Open the door, use your manners, and just show people that even though you may not know them you do care. You never know, one day that person may help you out. One day you could be that person on the side of the road who needs a jump. Try your best to put differences aside and just drop your issues with someone, generally those issues aren’t as big of a deal as you think they are, and thirty years later you won’t even remember why you and another person were fighting or why it even mattered. Who knows maybe one day you and that other person can become friends. Always remember to lead by example for the younger ones around you too. Believe it or not most of them want to be just like you. I don’t expect people to always act like this, but at least try to this holiday season, and obviously I’m not asking you to do it for me since most of you reading this have no idea who I am. I’m simply asking you to do it for yourself and the warm feeling doing something nice gives you. Happy Holidays and have a Happy New Year.

Next time, check the fine print

instructions.

Features8 The Owl Warren Central December 15, 2010 www.wcowlnews.com

Nancy Campbell’s day starts off like any regular morning, getting up between 4 and 5 a.m.

to exercise and is out the door for work by 6 a.m. She then makes her way to Warren Central High School where she works in the FAC Department.

It is 7 a.m. when Avery is wakened by his grandparents and taken to school,

a program called The Verbal Behavior Center for Autism (VBCA). Avery Campbell was first diagnosed with Oral Approxima at age three, when he first stopped speaking. Avery, now

eight years old, was officially diagnosed with Autism at age five. Although Avery is not at that age where he could understand that label, his parents have talked to him about his challenges and his different way of learning. “We’ve said to him, ‘you learn differently and it may take a little longer to show things’,” Campbell said. “But we haven’t sat him down

and told him, ‘Avery, you’re autistic’.” After Avery’s diagnosis, the Campbell family had no idea what to do and their main source

of support was family. That same year, Campbell

was reduced in force at Carmel High School. So many things were happening and soon Campbell had personally reached a very low point. “For me, I felt so lost because here I am an educator, with a master’s degree, I taught special education for a year, and I couldn’t even answer all these things.” For any parent that has a child with special needs, they may go through a period of guilt. The Campbell family had several questions, some that led them to blame themselves. “There are still days where I feel guilty,” Campbell said, “but now I feel guilty he has to go through these challenges, not guilty for who he is.” Since Campbell has come to Warren, life is a lot better. Avery has gotten the help he has needed, her relationship with her husband is stronger and the family as a whole is moving forward, with the support of many others. Campbell has had two other children since Avery was born, Isaac, who is now 2, and Emma, who is 1. “Since the two have been born, I’ve learned to talk to experts in education about it, medical professionals and now we’re talking to more parents,” Campbell said. As time continues, so does the awareness for autism as the school has become a part of this awareness by sticking puzzle pieces in the doorway of classrooms and offices, symbolizing a place where children who

have autism can go for help or assistance. “Honestly, years ago when people thought of autism, they thought of individuals who would bang their head against the wall and spin,” Campbell said. “It‘s very hard as a parent because you want people to know what they can do.” Over time, the misconceptions will disappear as more people become educated and aware. Over time, dealing with sensory issues that others may not have will become less of a challenge. It is a matter of adapting, rather than changing. “Taking autism, that term out of the picture, what I wish for Avery is he’s always happy and healthy,” Campbell said. “I love who he is.”

AUTISM

Developmental disorder that occurs in the first three years of life, also known as ‘Pervasive Developmental Disorder’

CHILDHOOD DISINTEGRATIVE DISORDER

[3-4 years old]

Symptoms: Have difficulty playing, interacting with others and communication. Also very sensitive to sound and lighting, sometimes touch.

RETTS DISORDER[3 months - 3 years old]

w

hat t

he school is doing

Treatment: Applied Behavior Analysis, medication, physical and speech-language therapy.

This developmental and neurological disorder mostly occurs in females. They develop and grow normally, but then stop and even lose some skills and abilities. This

disorder is mostly caused by a mutation found on the X chromosome.

This disorder is a deterioration in intellectual, social and language skills that the child once possessed. These people tend to lose motor skills, fail to make friends and experience a delay or lack of speech.

The cause of this disorder is unknown, similar to Autism.

The Autism Team is a group of

trained staff members who specialize in working with students with Autism. Each member of the

team has a puzzle piece outside their classroom or office. Students who are

autistic know they can enter these areas and receive the help they need. Also, there are elective courses for students who are autistic or possess other special needs

that offer opportunities to shine and to explore careers and

professions they can enjoy.

LIVINGWITH

Phot

os b

y C

aily

n Tu

rner

/Tay

lor

Bor

ondy

1 in 7

boys

1 in 110

children

by imaniscott-smittick features editor

AUTISM :

Sources: autism-society.org, autimspeaks.org

Features 9www.wcowlnews.com December 15, 2010 Warren Central The Owl

meet freshman Addie Runkel

Addie’s favoritesColor

Navy Blue

MovieDirty Dancing

MusicEverything

FoodChinese

BookHarry Potter

TV showThe Buried Life

AnimalGiraffes

GameHide & Seek

Q: If you could go on a date with any celebrity who would it be?

AUTISM

I would date Dave from the Buried Life. He’s super cute and really goofy which makes him even cuter.

Q: If you could be a superhero, which one would you be?

I’d give some of the money to the Susan G. Komen Foundation and some of it in my college fund. I’d probably go on a really long vacation and go shopping.

Q: If you won the lottery what would you do with it?

Superman because he can do everything, but especially because he can fly. I really want to fly.

Q: If you could be anyone else, would you?I don’t really think I want to be anyone else. My life obviously has its rough spots, but it’s my life and it’s just fine the way it is.

Q: If you could predict the future what would you see?I’d see fewer wars. Even though it’s probably impossible, I’d still love to see it.

Q: What’s one word that describes you perfectly?My friends like that I’m so supportive. If it’s important to them, it’s important to me.

ASPERGER’S SYNDROME :Junior Jacob Byrd has autism. For some, being labeled as autistic

could create a sense of loss and hopelessness. However, for Byrd being diagnosed and working with Ms. Michelle Tuttle,

instructional assistant, has been one of the best things. “Back in elementary school, no one knew what to

do,” Byrd said. “I always ended up going down to the vice principal’s office because there was no one else to go to.” Byrd was first diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and ADHD in elementary school. Asperger Syndrome is described as high-functioning autism. Although those with Asperger face some difficulties, their intelligence is either average or above. “It’s not having problems with school,” Byrd said, “but having problems dealing with everything else.” Byrd has been in excel classes since elementary school and is on his way to becoming a National Merit Scholar. After being diagnosed, it was not

a matter of changing who he was, but adapting to the environment around him. Being given a label

did not disable Byrd, but instead helped. “It was somewhat of a relief to have an explanation,” Byrd said, “knowing there was actually a reason for why I was the way I am.” For Byrd, it is not about curing autism, it is about spreading awareness. If there was a cure, he would be reluctant to use it because then who would he be? Living with autism has made him who he is today.

Symptoms: Have good language and cognitive skills, but may be socially awkward, avoid eye contact and may not understand conventional social rules.

Treatment: Therapy is based on strengths, memory or intelligence, to help overcome social and behavioral difficulties. Medication can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and aggression.

WITH

1 in 110

children

This disorder is noticed when the child starts preschool or begins to interact with others, also known as ‘High Functioning Autism’

1 in 315 girls

Good books and good movies are like rocks, they can be seen anywhere and everywhere. But good movies that are made from good books are like gems, rare and hard to find. The list of things that can go wrong when making a book into a movie is endless. Reinventing the characters, changing events or cutting parts of the story out all together are the most common mistakes directors make when creating a movie off of a book and the top three things the viewers who read the book complain about. “The Lovely Bones” is a prime example of a good book turned into a bad movie. The story, for those who have not read or seen the movie, tells of Susie Salmon, a 14-year-old girl who is brutally murdered and watches her family and friends try to move on from the tragedy from Heaven. In the novel, written by Alice Sebold, Susie and her family are more real and have more depth to them than how they are portrayed in the film. Also, they move on from the tragedy and laugh, smile and gain some sense of normalcy back instead of being somber and depressed for the rest of their lives like how the film depicted them. The characters were changed in their personalities and actions to the point where they became phony and unrecognizable. This was a problem in the movie “Blood and Chocolate” as well. Changing events of a book for a movie could be what leads readers to decapitate directors and place their heads on stakes, like Nick Cassavetes did with “My Sister’s Keeper.” Jodi Picoult’s best seller is about 13-year-old Anna Fitz-Gerald who was genetically created by science so that she could be the perfect organ donor for her sister Kate, who is dying of leukemia. Anna becomes sick of having her sister’s needs be put before hers

Lifestyles10 The Owl Warren Central December 15, 2010 www.wcowlnews.com

Gutterthe

The original candy cane was not a cane at all. It was straight and had no red stripes.

Some people believe that the candy cane represents Jesus Christ because when turned upside down it reveals the letter “J.” Others think that it is suppose to represent a shepherd’s cane.

National Candy Cane Day is celebrated on December 26 in the United States. On this day, people are expected to eat all their candy canes after taking down all their Christmas decorations.

Over 1.76 billion candy canes are made each year.

The biggest candy cane was made 36 feet seven inches tall in 1998.

Nearly two billion candy canes are sold in the four weeks before Christmas and Hanukkah.

The first candy cane was made over 350 years ago though its origin is unknown.

ww.associatedcontent.com says that a choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany was the first to pass out peppermint sticks that were bent like canes to look like the shepherd’s cane. However, it is also believed that a candy maker in Indiana was the first to bend the candy.

The candy maker in Indiana is also credited with adding the three red stripes to the candy cane which some say is meant to represent the Holy Trinity.

The standard size candy cane only contains 50 calories.

The smell of candy canes is believed to

make people feel calm or happy.

Candy Canes

Besides peppermint, candy canes come in blueberry, piña

colada, strawberry, c i n n a m o n , s p e a r m i n t , raspberry, cherry,

mocha, bubble gum, orange sherbet, chocolate mint, Jolly Ranchers,

Lifesavers, Sweet Tarts and Starbursts flavors.

by mercadeeshempel lifestyles staff

From library cards to movie ticketsWhy movies based on books hardly ever come out right

For an expanded story and longer list of books made into movies, check out wcowlnews.com.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kineey

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman

movie book

photo illustration/ Riley Haab

and sues her parents for medical emancipation. The novel was amazing, but the same cannot be said for the film. The movie was promising, following the story line and keeping the characters nearly the same although not exactly. However, it all changed once it reached the ending. The ending of “My Sister’s Keeper” was the most dramatic, most shocking and most emotional part of the entire novel, and Cassavetes decided it would be a good idea to make the ending in the film the complete opposite. This change ruined the story and the message that the book tried to deliver. It does not matter how much people prepare themselves, they can never be completely prepared for disaster. The most important thing directors could remember while making a movie based off a book would be that they cannot make too many changes because readers hold high expectations for them, and a good idea would be to get the author to work closely with the production of the film. Louis Sachar, for example, worked as the screenwriter for the movie adaptation of his novel “Holes, which is a favorite movie and book among young people of all ages. The movie kept characters and their personalities intact and recreated all of the events that took place in the novel. When a change was made it was a subtle change that made the movie more appealing, such as making the main character Stanley Yelnats thin instead of overweight like how he was described in the novel. The changes, which were kept minimum, did not drastically change the story or the moral of it, and therefore satisfied all who read “Holes” and all who did not. Good books do not guarantee good movies, but there are a few diamonds in the rough when it comes to this subject. Whether people love or hate the film adaptations of books, at least they can always go back to the pages of the novel, where the story begins.

Here is a list of books made into movies. See the movie? Read the book? Follow the chart to find out.

See the movie/read the book

Avoid at all costs

11www.wcowlnews.com December 15, 2010 Warren Central The Owl Lifestyles

1916- “The Right to Be Happy” was the first full length version of “A Christmas Carol.”

1935- “Scrooge,” Seymour Kick plays Scrooge.1951- Alastair Sim stars in “Scrooge,” which is considered by many to be

the best version of “A Christmas Carol” 1970- A musical version entitled “Scrooge” comes out.1971- “A Christmas Carol”, the animated short, comes out starring Alistair

Sim reprising his role from 1951’s “Scrooge.”1983- “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” featuring Scrooge McDuck as the stingy

main character in need of Christmas spirit.1988- “Scrooged” starring Bill Murray in a modern adaptation of the

classic tale is released.1992- Jim Henson’s “The Muppet Christmas Carol” comes out and is

targeted towards kids.1997- Tim Curry, Michael York, and Whoopi Goldberg voice the

characters in animated version “A Christmas Carol.”2001- “ Christmas Carol: The Movie,” another animated film voiced by

Nicholas Cage, Kate Winslet, and Simon Callow. 2009- The newest Disney version, “A Christmas Carol” starring Jim Carrey

released in 3D.

OverallMovies: 22 Theater Productions: 27 Radio: 12 Television: 31

Past, Present, Future

“A Christmas Story”Having appeared more than 250 times on television, “A Christmas Story” is a movie of the past that continues to draw new fans in the present. Released in 1983, the movie follows Ralphie as he faces

bullies, pleads for a BB gun and is humiliated by footie pajamas in the days leading up to Christmas. The film’s popularity comes largely

from its ability to entertain both children and adults with childhood antics such as the infamous “frozen pole scene” that generate laughs and nostalgia of Christmases past. Favorite Line: “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” Santa, Ralphie’s Mom, and Miss ShieldsYou can watch “A Christmas Story” marathon on TBS starting at 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

“It’s A Wonderful Life”Although “It’s a Wonderful Life” is over 60 years, it continues to be a classic that is greatly anticipated during the holiday season. George Bailey faces a depressing Christmas as his business fails, but with the help of an angel he realizes how much of a positive impact he has on the people around him. “It’s a Wonderful Life” is a heartwarming tale that promotes the holiday spirit of helping people and being a good person making it a favorite during the season of giving. Favorite Line: “Now, come on, get your clothes on, and we’ll stroll up to my car and get... Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll stroll. You fly.” George Bailey“It’s A Wonderful Life” can be seen on Christmas Eve at 8 p.m. on NBC.

“The Santa Clause”Who would not wish that Santa Clause was their dad? Charlie Calvin got the ultimate Christmas present when his dad put on Santa’s suit and thus took on the role of Santa himself. Although Charlie’s dad, Scot Calvin, was at first not receptive to his role as Saint Nick, by the end of the movie he embraced his role as the jolly spreader of Christmas cheer and the improved relationship with his son Charlie. Released in 1994, “The Santa Clause” grew in popularity as many of its fans grew up.Favorite Line: “We’re your worst nightmare. Elves with attitude.” E.L.F.S. LeaderABC Family will be showing “The Santa Clause” on Christmas at 2:30 p.m.

“The Polar Express”The movie adaptation of a classic Christmas tale, “The Polar Express” tells the story of the boy and the bell through modern animation. Released in 2004, The Polar Express movie took the original story to entirely new crevices of the North Pole, and gave the classic story more depth and lots of Tom Hanks. Every scene exudes childlike wonder and paired with the colorful animation do justice to the beloved original story while forging its own unique identity.Favorite Line: “Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.” The Conductor. “The Polar Express” can be seen on ABC Family on December 23 at 6:30 p.m.

“Arthur Christmas” The film is set on the North Pole on Christmas Eve. It shows, through the eyes of Santa’s son Arthur, how his father gives

away billions of gifts every Christmas. With his team of highly trained “combat elves” and a larger-than-life sleigh, Santa gets the job done every year. “Arthur Christmas” is an action comedy written by Oscar nominated Peter Baynham (“Borat”) and will be directed by Sarah Smith and Barry Cook (“Mulan”). It will not be released until December 2011.

“Nutcracker 3D”“Nutcracker 3D” is the newest reimagining of the two-act ballet written by Tchaikovsky. Set in 1920’s Mary (Elle Fanning) is given a doll from her eccentric

Uncle Albert (Nathan Lane) that leads her into a world of fairies, sugarplums and dancing toys. The Nutcracker, or “NC” as he came to be known, lives in a kingdom that has been overrun by Rat King (John Turturro). After NC is kidnapped, Mary must use her newfound knowledge of the fantastical world and her toy friends to rescue NC and save his land.

“Nutcracker 3D” was released worldwide December 3.

I am the Ghost of Christmas Present, and these are the

movies you grew up with.

I am the Ghost of Christmas

past, and these movies marked your parents childhood.

I am the Ghost of Christmas

Future and these are upcoming

movies.

illus

trat

ions

/ V

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ilson

94 Years of Scrooge

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Sports12 The Owl Warren Central December 15, 2010 www.wcowlnews.com

by petarhood sports staff

It takes many things to be a varsity high school wrestler. Athleticism, strength, talent, and toughness are all big parts, but you also have to know how to wrestle. Despite some people’s opinion, wrestling is not just sprawling around on a mat. There are many techniques and moves a wrestler has to learn to become good. We are going to show you the basics of wrestling, and teach you the fundamentals it takes to become a good wrestler. First, you must understand the rules. In high school wrestling, there are three two-minute periods in each match. Unless a match is decided by pin fall in one of the periods, points decide the match. In high school wrestling, you cannot win the match by submission. It must be by pin fall or decisions. You are awarded points for executing different moves and escapes. There are many strategies and techniques you can use to gain these points, and win the match. There are matches for each individual weight class, going all the way from 103 lbs to 285 lbs. The first step to learning how to wrestle is learning the proper stance. Without the right stance, a wrestler could easily be taken down. It is always important to be in the right position even before the whistle blows. From the standing position, there are many moves you can make on your opponent. Some of the basic ones include the ankle pick, the single leg takedown, and the double leg takedown. The ankle pick is one of the most common moves in high school wrestling. It is a move in which the wrestler makes a quick move at the opponents ankle (left hand-right ankle; right hand, left ankle) in attempt to bring their ankle to your stomach, causing the opponent to fall back on the mat. Once you have the other wrestler on the mat, there are many other things you can do to gain an advantage. The obvious thing to do when you have him lying on the mat is to go for a pin fall, but if the wrestler is able to break out of it, and turn over, you have to continue on. If you are not able to pin the opponent within the two-minute period, you begin again. When you begin a new period, one wrestler begins on hands and knees facing the mat, while the other is on top of him. One of the most basic moves you can do from the bottom position is the standup. When the whistle blows, the wrestlers grabs the opponents hand that is around their stomach and twists it. He then gets to one leg and finishes the move by standing up, and pushing the wrist away from the stomach. You can also gain points by reversing on your opponent, going from below him to above him. You can also start a period from the top position. When beginning from on top of the opponent, the goal is to not let them reverse you, and to gain as many near-falls and takedowns as possible. One of the most common moves from the top position is the wrist-and-half-nelson. That is a move in which you dive on top of the wrestler and pin him face first into the mat, preventing him from standing up. From there, you can gain points with many different moves. Some of the other moves wrestlers attempt to execute include the fireman’s carry, the arm chop, the hip lock, the bridge, the arm bar, the half nelson, and the cradle. All of these can be effective in gaining points or a pin fall, and ultimately winning the match. So, now you know the basics of wrestling. If able to learn these moves, and a few others, a person can dominate their opponent on the mat. The wrestling team has been executing many of these moves, as they are off to a good start to begin their season. They beat Lawrence North in a close match, and defeated Franklin Central convincingly. They have lost to North Central and Cathedral, despite competing very well. Senior Jeremy Barton has been leading the team, winning multiple matches in the 160 lbs weight class. The boys upcoming schedule includes Perry Meridian, and the Warren Duels.

THE STANCE: BEND knees, one foot slightly in front of the other, on balls of feet, elbows in, hands up, head down.

ANKLE PICK: PULL opponents leg into body, make other ankle heavy. Get lower, scoop ankle and pick it up.

SINGLE LEG TAKEDOWN: Wrap arms around leg, head inside of leg. Get opponent to step forward with opposite leg.

FIREMAN’S CARRY: GET to opponent’s outside elbow, drop through, and lift hips over head.

HALF NELSON: FROM on top of the opponent, come underneath near arm, hand on head. Get on toes to gain pressure.

DOUBLE LEG TAKEDOWN: Need to get low. Lock arms above knees. Control the opponents hips and drive through them.

How to wrestle: basic moves to watch for

Photos by Daryl Hollonquest. Pictures of senior Jeremy Barton and head coach Danny Williams

With only a few games played in the regular season, the girl’s basketball team is making strides to repeat as Sectional champions. “The team is very hard working and good things always come to those who work hard,” head coach Michael Brooks said. The girls started off the season on a five game winning streak. Over the course of the five games the girls had a nine point win over Heritage Christian and two blowouts wins with a 38-point victory over Brebeuf and a 26-point win over Arlington. However, the girls did not beat every opponent easily as they won two close three point games against New Palestine and Pike. “They stepped up in the fourth quarter and were able to pull two tough games,” Brooks said. Riding high on the five game winning streak, the girls faced Carmel in on their first conference game. Even with all the momentum from their recent victories, the girls could not pull out the victory, losing 50-37. The loss

ended the girls winning streak and gave them their first conference loss. After the loss the girl’s next big test for the girls would be at the Marion County Tournament where they face the defending state champion Ben Davis Giants. It would not be a close game as Ben Davis beat the girls 57-30. The loss left the girls winless in their conference with an 0-2 record. “We need to become more discipline and be more patient on offense,” Brooks said. Even with the losses, many girls are stepping up to be team leaders. On offense junior Linzi Moore leads the team the team in scoring with 84 points and junior Kalliste Haskins leads the team in assists with 21. On the defensive side of the ball senior Bianca King and Haskin’s leads the team with 39 rebounds and junior Kendra Wilson leads the team in steals with 22. The girls next game will be December 14 at Lawrence Central. Over Christmas break the girls have games against Lawrence North on December 18 Lawrence North. The girls also have a tournament in Jennings County with the first game against Decatur Central.

Sports 13

by joespears sports staff

www.wcowlnews.com December 15, 2010 Warren Central The Owl

Photo by Taylor Borondy

Girls basketball off to blazing hot startLadies began season with five straight wins, despite losing two top players from last season

SENIOR BIANCA KING comes to a jump stop on a fastbreak, about to score two on a layup. The team defeated the Heritage Christian Eagles 50-41 in their game on November 23.

Sports14 The Owl Warren Central December 15, 2010 www.wcowlnews.com

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

“I think Deron Williams is the most important because he is by far the best player on the Jazz.

- Junior Brandon Whatley

The boys and girls swim teams have stepped up the intensity of their practices this year, in order to become a more powerful team. Coach John Sincroft has set in place a new, stricter practice routine for the swimmers to follow. Practices start early for the swimmers, as they head to morning practice far before the first bell rings. During this time, drilling and skill work are the focus. After more than an hour in the pool for morning practice, the day’s work is not even half over for the swimmers. Right after school, the teams head to their second practice of the day. But they do not jump straight into the pool. First, they have to do “drylands” to work on their fitness. “Drylands encompass the strength and core training the team does outside of the water. These workouts have a wide range of exercises that work on different parts of the body. For starters, the teams take a five lap run around the indoor track at the field house to work on cardio. Then, the focus shifts to strength training with over 200 reps of crunches to work on abdominals, and around 100 reps of various

pushups (including diamond, staggered, tricep, wide arms and regular). However, all of that work is jammed into the first 30 minutes of practice. From there they move from the track to the pool, to work on their technique. First the teams divide into groups depending on their swim style. These groups include the stroke group, the sprinters, beginners and the long distance swimmers. The work each individual does corresponds to the group they are in. The distance swimmers put in a lot of yards with very little rest to improve their endurance. The sprinters swim shorts distances as fast as they can, then are allowed more of a rest than the distance swimmers. Strokers perfect their back and breast strokes, and the beginners work on learning the basics. “Because we do this every day, which we didn’t do last year, we should improve a lot,” senior Andy Chorpenning said. While neither team has come down with a victory yet this season, the work and effort is clearly there. Sincroft has shifted a lot of this year’s focus to the hard work required for either the boys or girls to win a sectional title.

Girls, boys swim teams step up in two-a-day practices

SOPHOMORE ZEPHYR WINRICH perfects his breast stroke during an after school practice. Both the boys and girls swim teams have been working especially hard in practice so they can improve on last year’s season. Photo by Emily Abrams

by spencergarnier sports editor

Linzi MooreStatistics: in 7 games

13.9 ppg19 3-pointers16 steals

“I’ve done well this year, but could still get better in some areas.”

By working hard in practice both in and out of the pool, swim teams get stronger every day.

“Kobe Bryant, because he can jump over cars!

-Senior Leah Woodbury

“Personally I believe it is Deron Williams because without him his team would be very bad. - Senior Daniel Goelz

“I’d say Kobe. He’s popular for a reason. He has the abilities to back it up. The Lakers are popular because of him

- Junior Sarah Perun

“Deron Williams, because he is guiding Utah to become an actual fundamental team.

- Junior Whitney Smith “It’s Kobe because he’s a leader to his team, and he’s led his team to five championship rings.- Sophomore Andreas Jacobo

Quick QuestionWho is the most important to

their team: Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, or Deron Williams?

Sports15www.wcowlnews.com December 15, 2010 Warren Central The Owl

I was positive John Wall was a shooting guard. In fact, I was 99 percent sure the Wizards rookie was a shooting guard. I mean, the guy is pretty tall, and has been putting up Kobe Bryant-like stats as a rookie. I figured that he was the Wizard’s compliment to Gilbert Arenas, and Arenas was the point guard on the team. But I should have known better. As my staff and I were talking about basketball, I brought up how Wall was an amazing shooting guard. One of the other writers quickly told me that the former Kentucky standout was in fact a point guard. I quickly looked it up, and to my surprise, I was completely wrong. John Wall is a point guard guys. I guess I’m a little late to the party. However, I really shouldn’t have been surprised. You see, these days, most of the good players are point guards. Look at the top scorers in the NBA. The number two scorer is Bulls’ point guard Derrick Rose. All five of the leaders in steals are point guards, led by Hornet’s All-Star Chris Paul. Clearly these point guards are tearing up the hardwood. While they aren’t all getting 25 plus points a game, they are having a major impact on their teams. They aren’t just setting up plays and getting assists anymore. Point guards, after years of stereotypes, are finally lighting up the scoreboards. Just take a peek at some of the top teams in the NBA this year. There is a reoccurring theme among almost all of them. Nearly every top team this year has a strong point guard at the helm. And on several teams, their best player is their top PG. The Jazz, Bulls, Hornets, Bucks and arguably the Celtics all have a point guard as their best player. This is an anomaly, as usually the best basketball players at the professional level are power forwards or shooting guards, like Tim Duncan or Kobe Bryant. This just isn’t the case anymore, or for this season anyway. Point guards are finally getting the respect they deserve, as for years they have been the under appreciated playmakers of the NBA. But this year they are finally being recognized by many analysts as not only the best playmakers and assisters, but the best scorers as well. In fact, only four point guards have ever been voted in as the Most Valuable Player of the NBA. In 55 years, only Magic Johnson, Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, and Steve Nash have won the award at the point guard position. Now I’m going to assume that some of you are Pacers fans, considering we all live in Indianapolis. I’ve actually been shocked about how well they are doing. One of the reasons they are actually above .500 this year is their point guard, Darren Collison. He’s averaging around 14 points per game and making huge strides in his playmaking capabilities. As a result, the Pacers are doing well, something I’m more than happy with. So I’m glad that point guards are finally being recognized for the skills and talent they posses. With any luck, a point guard will win this year’s MVP, solidifying it as the year of the point guard.

by joslyncunningham sports staff

by spencergarnier sports editor

Spencer’s Sports Box

Tis’ The Season For Pointguards

SOPHOMORE DEVIN DAVIS charges to the post in an attempt to score. The basketball team has had a tough start, but look to improve with a clash against the Ben Davis Giants on December 17. Photo by Taylor Borondy

Even with illness and injuries circulating through the boys basketball team, it has still found a way to win two games in a row after losing two straight. On November 27, the boys started their season off against the Noblesville Millers. They had weeks of practices and conditioning, but could not pull off the victory, losing 52-66. After the surprising loss, the boys got back on the court to prepare for the Irish from Cathedral. For years, the boys’ basketball team has struggled to beat Cathedral. But in the first few minutes of the game, it looked as if history was about to be made. The Warriors were leading the Irish by up to 10 points and were dominating defensively, but things came crashing down. Senior, and primary leader, Bennie Bertram literally came crashing down. The loud boom and the silence that fell over the crowd, informed everyone around that something was not right. Bertram had attempted a lay-up but instead of coming down feet first, he came down head first. After a few minutes on the court with the trainer, he left the game and never returned. With one starter down, another starter, sophomore and secondary leader, Devin Davis tried his best to bring the team back. But Davis was fighting against more than just the boys from Cathedral. Davis had been infected with a stomach virus the night before, and he had started wearing a back brace for a stress fracture in his vertebrae a couple of weeks before. With Davis coming out the game frequently because of stomach aches and issues with breathing, the boys tried their best to overcome illness, injury and foul trouble. But the Warriors end up being no match for the Irish and fell with a score of 61-54. With a 0-2 record for the start of the season, the boys craved for their first win against Franklin Central. With Bertram out with a concussion, head coach Greg Graham decided to start sophomore Phil Owens. Owens tried his hardest to fill Bertram’s shoes. “I just tried to mimic things that Bennie told and showed me,” Owens said. “I just had to be a point guard and a leader in general and I had to try to get everybody involved.” The plan that Owens and Graham had for the team certainly paid off, because the Warriors pulled off a last second one-point win against Franklin Central. The first win was well deserved and Graham could not have been more proud. “It’s hard to get a win at Franklin Central because they are an extremely well-coached team,” Graham said. “For our guys to go on

the road and get the first win of the season is an accomplishment, but we do have a long season.” After the win against the Flashes, the Warriors traveled to the home of the Fishers’ Tigers to earn their second win. With a four-point win over the Tigers and two wins in a row, the boys were beginning to look promising. But before they could even begin celebrating, they had a tough match-up with the Avon Orioles. The Warriors watched all the film they could and practiced as much as they could, but they just could not get the win, losing to Avon 62-52. With a record of 2-3 in the first five games of the year, the boys still have time to be MIC champions and a top-ranked team in the state. Their first shot at the MIC will be on Friday, December 17, against the Ben Davis Giants.

Despite early setbacks, boys basketball earns second win

“Look who’s up there,” Beth Wolff, Student Council Sponsor, said to the students, pointing to the balcony. Then all at once high school and elementary students sang, “We wish you a Merry Christmas,” in unison to make Santa appear. Student Council put the meaning back into Christmas last week by hosting the annual Children’s Christmas Party. The Children’s Christmas Party has taken place for 25 years. While many children will wake up to piles of presents under the tree December 25, Christmas came early for elementary students who come from families that needed assistance to give their students a great Christmas. “Some parents would come to me and ask if their child could save a present so they would have something under their tree,” Wolff said. The elementary schools involved were Lowell, Hawthorne, Pleasant Run elementary and Raymond Park Intermediate Academy. Forty-six students were from Hawthorne. “One-tenth of the Hawthorne population needed help

this Christmas,” Pat Patterson, Dean of Hawthorne, said. Many Warren students and groups took an opportunity to sponsor a child. Ninety-three students from all the schools were helped. “The Children’s Christmas party was a way for high school students to show generosity and demonstrate compassion for others,” Wolff said. “There were more students sponsored this year than last,” Wolff said. While other children ask for the hottest toys and the best gifts the children were lucky to receive things we take for granted. “I gave to Mr. McGowan’s seventh period child because it felt good knowing I put a smile on our child’s face,” junior Mei Li Zheng said. The commons was a sight to see. The children were so excited to sit on Santa’s lap and collect their presents. Once students had their presents, they spread out across the commons ripping into their gifts. Wrapping paper was flying everywhere. Gifts ranged from toy wrestlers, toy cars, barbies and baby dolls to brand new bicycles. Students were also given items they need such as new

school supplies along with coats, gloves and boots to get them through the winter. “The kids proudly wore their new coats and clothes to school the day after,” Susan Howard, Principal of Lowell Elementary said. “I gave to the children because I like knowing that even though they may not have much, I can make a difference,” sophomore Maggie Kwok said. The Children’s Christmas Party has a different meaning for everyone involved. “The best part about the party is to see the high school students who were the children being sponsored remember how it felt to be helped now helping the next generation,” Pat Patterson said. “The interaction between the high school students and the elementary students was so positive, and the gifts and time spent together fulfilled a need,” Wolff said. For most of the children, the Children’s Christmas Party might be the only Christmas they experience. “This is the best Christmas ever,” Hawthorne second grader Deondre Maxie said.

Back16 the

The Owl Warren Central December 15, 2010 www.wcowlnews.com

by nicolewilson news staff

hildren’shristmas

party

Juniors Sydney Jackson and Destiny Cooper celebrate the holidays with a Christmas child and Santa.

Students and a Christmas child bond over coloring and crafts. A child opens a present during the Christmas party.

Santa receives a hug from an excited Christmas child

Photos by Cailyn Turner/Alex Martens