C AT ’ S TA L E
Sulphur Springs High School’s Top News Source
Volume 57 Number 6
SAT/ACT for Dummies
portion could greatly improve
your composite score. If your not
all that interested in science, then
stick with the SAT.
Autumn Keiss
Staff Writer
Everyone who plans on
graduating high school and
moving on to college has to take
either the Scholastic Assessment
Test (SAT) or the American
College Test (ACT). Now that
some Ivy League schools are
rejecting over 90% of qualified
applicants and schools such as
the University of Texas are only
accepting half of the people that
apply, students hoping to make it
into universities need all the help
they can get. Making the choice
of SAT or ACT all depends on the
college of choice.
The tests are quite different,
but being a standardized, both
are rather long. If you can’t stay
focused when
confronted with long test, the
SAT is probably not for you. Its
duration can be up to three hours
and 45 minutes, while the ACT is
slightly shorter lasting only two
hours and 55 minutes. Unlike the
SAT, the ACT does not require the
students to write an essay.
If math is your thing then the SAT
is for you. Its math portion covers
arithmetic plus the first three
years of high school math, where
the ACT leaves out algebra II
and adds trigonometry to the
Vocabulary words and using
context clues are a big part of the
SAT. If English is your strong point
you definitely want to consider
the SAT. And even though both
the ACT and the SAT put focus
on things such as grammar and
syntax, the ACT tends to stress
these aspects more. So, if you’re
the type of person who takes red
pens to newspapers and goes
crazy when they see a grammar
error the ACT is probably a better
test for you.
array of subjects
being tested. If you’re not strong
in math, and haven’t made
it to a pre-calculus class yet,
stay away from the ACT, it will
cover some information that is
completely new to you. If you
prefer trigonometry to algebra,
then you may want to consider
the ACT.
Unlike the SAT the ACT includes
a science portion, if you enjoy
science and can interpret
information from graphs your in
luck. A good score on the science
If you have a lot of trouble in
stressful situations considering
taking the ACT. Unlike the SAT
the ACT does not penalize you
for wrong answers, which makes
the actual testing process a lot
Experimental Z.A.P Policy Brings Consequences
Starting January 20, 2009
students will be part of new
program to curve the number
of students who fail due to
incompletion of work.
January 27, 2009
less stressful. In addition, the ACT
gives students who score poorly
the opportunity to retake the test
and only send colleges their top
score unlike the SAT that send
every score a student has.
Applying to colleges can
be one of the most stressful
experiences of high school,
and it all begins with your test
scores. Although both the SAT
and the ACT are widely accepted
by a diverse range of colleges
and universities, the tests have
many differences. A student,
who scores in the top percentile
for the ACT, may fall short of Ivy
League standards when they
take the SAT. Weighing the pros
and cons of each test, allows
students to infer which test they
will do best on, and help them
score high enough to impress the
college of their choice.
Upcoming Events Calendar:
January 26-February 23
January 26: Senior Celebration Meeting
(6:30)
January 28: Chess Club meeting (3:455:00)
January 30: Hat Day with Key Club
January 30-31: Region III FCCLA Meeting
(Plano)
Shelby Blezinger
February 3: UIL C-X Debate (Texarkana)
Staff Writer
February 4: Leadership Day
Zeros are no longer permitted for
the freshman class due to a new
policy called, “ZAP” which stands
for “zero’s are not permitted.”
The goal for this new program
is to provide accountability for
the freshman class, which is
something that has been lacking.
February 6: UIL Solo and Ensemble
(North Lamar)
February 7: UIL Practice Meet (Quitman)
Little Drill Clinic, Pancake Breakfast (7:002:00) at the Civic Center
February 9: School Board Meeting
February 10: FCCLA Meeting
February 11: Thespian Meeting
The basic principle of the ZAP
program is that if a student does
not turn in an assignment on
time, they will have a chance to
make it up, without penalty. The
catch is that in order to make up
the assignment, they will have
to attend a mandatory morning
tutorial.
According to a school memo, “If
the student fails to attend the
morning tutorial or does not
turn in the assignment at the
end of the tutorial, the student
will be assigned to an extended
classroom opportunity (ECO)
on Wednesday (4:00-6:30) or
Saturday (9:00 am-12:00 pm)”
Along with completing work,
punishment unfortunately has
to come to make sure students
do indeed complete work. At
first not doing work is not a big
problem, students just have to
go to a tutorial, but if they fail to
show improvement and do not
complete work an ECO (extended
February 12: Annual Valentine’s Key Club
Breakfast
February 13: 3rd
Student Council Secret Valentine Reveal
UIL Speech and L-D Debate meet
February 14: Valentine’s Day
February 16: Beginning of Drum Major
and Color Guard Sign-Ups
February 17: Teen Court
February 19: Blue Blazes Banquet
classroom opportunity), and then
even SAC is possible to come.
“We started this program because
the freshman teachers were
having problems getting the
students to turn in their work. So
we had to look at a way to help
the students be successful,” John
McCullough, principal, said.
The reason for the lack of effort
from the 2012 class is definitely
a mystery. It could possibly be
a new mind set, but honestly
nobody really understands. In
order to fix this problem the
school is having a trial run of the
ZAP program in hopes that it will
help the freshman learn academic
and work skills.
“I think people should be
responsible, and I do not really
understand the concept or not
being intrinsically motivated to
do what is asked, but I can see
how we have to address the
mindset of the students this year,”
teacher, Gina Wilder said.
Helping the class be successful
is definitely something the class
needs in order to make the best
transition out of being in middle
school to high school. Making
the transition can be hard, but it
seems as if the class is somewhat
lacking in the incentive to work.
“My goal is that a single person
will not have to go to a tutorial,
February 20: HS Choir Solo and Ensemble
End of 4th Six Weeks
End of Drum Major and Color Guard SignUps
February 21:
SSHS Invitational
HS Choir Solo and Ensemble
Hearts Festival Dance
February 23: Beginning of 5th Six Weeks
(Every Friday morning at 7:45 a.m., FCA will
have their weekly meetings)
and hopefully with no problems
students can get their work
turned in, and we can have
a successful academic year,”
McCullough said.
Celebration of Uncertainty
300 students and parents, so we
have to make sure the location is
large enough,” Burney said.
Alyssa Post
News Editor
Since location is still an issue,
planning and other decisions
cannot begin. Yet, there will still
be opportunities for prizes.
In the recent months Senior
Celebration has been subject to
much scrutiny after the school
relinquished control to the
parents.
For seniors, this is supposed to
be a carefree time, but many are
worried that there may not even
be a celebration. While other
students are wondering if there is
a way that they might be able to
get more involved.
“FUNDRAISERS!!!! Sell those bricks. Be sure to put your name on the
order form as the responsible
seller. There will be a CASH prize
given to the senior selling the
most bricks for The Wildcat Walk. Evelyn Kattes has the forms and
more are available if needed. You
News 1
“YES, YES, YES. Our prize
committee has really big
expectations and is already hard
at work,” Burney said.
may also contact Donna Mohon
or Mary Lutz. Their information is
on the order form,” Karen Burney,
Graduation Celebration Parent
Committee Chair said.
always the best way nor the best
way, the easiest. Our hope is that
2009 Celebration is so fantastic
that no one ever asks “what if”,”
Burney said.
Before Christmas break, there
was talk of Main Event being the
location after Kattes suggested
the idea. Yet it was quickly shot
down, and some students are
wondering if that alternative
would have just been better.
When things were transferred
from the school to the parents,
size control became more of an
issue due to the large number of
parents and students becoming
more involved.
“The only hurdle thus far has
been the location. We are making
plans to accommodate around
“Sometimes the easy way isn’t
Editorials 2
Features 3
Even though school sponsors do
not run the event any longer, the
school still wants to be a part of
graduation celebration.
“The high school is in total
support of Graduation
Celebration. Increased parent
and community involvement
allows the senior sponsors
to focus more on senior shut
out and the Commencement
Entertainment/Ads 4-5
Exercises a.k.a. GRADUATION,”
Burney said.
The one thing that is surely the
same, in a year so full of changes,
is the pride that the parents have
for their senior graduates.
“We are so excited about
the accomplishments of this
senior class. You guys will have
memories of your senior year that
no other class has ever had. We,
as parents, want the best for you
all and are committed to work
hard to see that it happens. The
best is yet to come,” Burney said.
If you have any questions please
visit the web site at www.project
graduationsulphursprings.com
or attend the meeting on January
26, at 6:30 p.m., at the First
Methodist Church.
Sports 6
Editorials
Page 2
Woes of Standardized Tests
Staff Writer
The problem with both tests is
that they lack a quality within
them. Students study, and take
tests differently. Some do well on
tests, and not so great on normal
homework, whereas others are
the complete opposite. So is it
truly not an ample reference as
to which students are the best
or which students are the worst.
Plus, it might just be the fact that
sometimes teachers do not teach
students adequately and so they
get a bad score.
Advertising rates are $4.00 per
column inch. Interested parties
may contact Cat’s Tale sponsor
Josue Diaz for details at jdiaz@
ssisd.net.
Yet, people who love taking tests
would say that it is something
that they have been studying for
in order to prove that the years in
school they have had to endured
can now be shown. Yet these
years in school could be proved
through other means such as
GPA, the classes they take, or high
school rank.
The fact is students should
be chosen by what they have
achieved, not by what a number
from a test says they can achieve.
A solution to this problem would
be that, yes, we could take a test
that believes that students are
what it says, but this test should
not be the determining factor of
the future.
It needs to be taken into
consideration that people are
different learners, students,
etc. These tests destroy the
personalities of students into
the image of just a number
for colleges to see. If this is
not taken into account many
students will have their dreams
crushed simply because they did
not do well on one particular
test. Man is an extreme work of
art and should not be looked at
as all the same, and that is why I
believe that tests such as the ACT
or SAT should be taken off the
totem pole of importance in the
academic world.
Ranting 4 Change
Staff Writer
Note from the Editor:
This edition introduces a new
column “Ranting 4 Change.” Many
of the staff have a lot to say about
things that need to be changed
in the world. “Ranting 4 Change”
will be a reoccuring column that
invites opinioned people to write in
and have an exchange of ideas. If
you read something you don’t like
or want to pipe in please feel free
to send your comments to Jdiaz@
ssisd.net or drop off a note in the
office.
In the paraphrased words of an
unknown youtube guy, “Leave
the presidents alone!” There is
nothing more annoying than
hearing a person complain about
If you think George W. Bush was
a horrible president, good. Why
do you think that? Can you give
me a reason? Can you honestly
tell me that if you had faced
September 11 and an economic
recession, you would have done
better? If you can, then please tell
me how you would have handled
it. If you can’t, then please stop
complaining about a man who
did his best.
When you’ve faced that kind
of pressure. When you’ve lived
through that kind of stress, then
you can start pointing fingers. If
you have a solution for every one
of Bush’s problems, if you know
exactly what you would have
done differently, then you have
every right to complain. But if you
don’t, please stop talking.
The same principle applies to
Obama. If you love him, good. If
you don’t, fine. But please have a
reason for holding your opinions.
Don’t say that your against
Obama because he wants to
take away your guns, because he
doesn’t. He wants to take away
the automatic weapons. Do some
research.
The Cat’s Tale welcomes guest
commentaries and letters to the
editor. Articles should be under
300 words and typewritten if
possible. All materials is subject
to editing by the staff to conform
with editorial policy, style, and
space requirements.
The staff would like to thank
Marynell Bryant, Phil Shadwell,
Diane Boone, Gail Herman, and
Nurse Foster.
Editors......................Whitney Hu,
Alyssa Post,
Michael Law
Staff..................................................
Alyssa Post
Stacey Coleman
Shelby Belzinger
Kristie Courte
Connor McCorkle
Michael Pennington
Cooper Welch
Sarah Fox
Victor Gonzalez
Photographers:............................
Michael Law
Whitney Hu
Cooper Welch
Shelby Blezinger
Adviser........................ Josue Diaz
Principal:...... John McCullough
The school address is 1200
Connally Street,
Sulphur Springs, Texas
75482. Telephone
number is 903-885-2158.
Soapbox
Question:
What do you know about Barack Obama?
“He has a good bailout plan
for our economy, and a good
withdrawal plan for our troops.”
-Sophomore Sabrina Barker
something they know nothing
about.
Autumn Keiss
The Cat’s Tale
The Cat’s Tale is a school
service reflecting the academic
and extracurricular activities
of student and faculty. It is
published twice a six weeks by
the newspaper production class
of Sulphur
Springs High School.
Shelby Belzinger
The differences between people
in every aspect are completely
uncountable. Yet to make
everyone seem as if people
are the same they’re on the
same level of thinking are two
major tests called the Scholastic
Aptitude Test (SAT) and American
College Testing (ACT). Every
student in this nation has to
take at least one of these tests in
order to further their education.
It is my opinion that standardized
testing should diminish on its
importance for students today.
January 27, 2009
“He used to be a Muslim??”
-Junior Jace Orren
“He had the same basic policies
as John McCain.”
Learn the truth. If you still don’t
agree with Obama’s policies, then
at least you have a legitimate
reason to dislike him.
If you do like Obama, please have
a good reason for doing so. I’m so
tired of hearing people say that,
“Obama will bring change!” when
they can’t tell me anything about
his policies.
I’ve asked Obama supporters
if they approve of their next
president because of his belief
in Pro-Choice (abortion) only to
have them stare at me in shock,
and ask the horribly ignorant
question: “Obama supports
abortion?” At least know a little
about your president before you
start picking sides.
Please correct your ignorance.
-Freshman Jordan Hampton
“He is a well educated man.”
-Senior Justin Griggs
“He is putting policies into
place that will help improve our
economy.”
- Navy Recruiter Rob Boone
“He is the new president of the
United States.”
-Junior Travis Hicks
Quote of the Day
“Change will
not come if we
wait for some
other person
or some other
time. We are the
ones we’ve been
waiting for. We
are the change
that we seek.”
-President Obama
“He is a democrat.”
-Freshman Stacey Coleman
Features
January 27,2009
Dreams Unfold With Mali:
Maeker’s Adoption Explained
Whitney Hu
Editor-in- Chief
“In our countryside, the thought that man is
more important than woman is very popular.
I don’t have the strength to overthrow it.”
- Unknown Mother who gave up her daughter
She had two healthy boys
that she loved dearly. She was
happily married. Yet, Renee
Maeker felt that something big
was absent from her life.
“I had always wanted a little
girl,” Maeker, Spanish teacher,
said. “Several years after
having the boys I continued to
have feelings that there was
something missing from our
lives.”
Centennial, Colorado.
“We were pleased with what
we saw whenever we viewed
CCAI’s website. After several
hours of investigation we
had narrowed our choice of
places to adopt from between
Page 3
Translation:
“Mali” in Chinese actually means “Mary” in English. Mali Kate’s Chinese name is
“Xing Fu Yi” which means “good fortune in the Arts.” Mali Kate’s nickname at the
orphanage was “Yi Yi.”
China,” said Maeker. “David and
I just smiled and said, we are
going to China!”
It wasn’t a simple process
for the Maekers though. The
adoption process involves tons
of paperwork to be filled out
like a packet called a dossier
which consists of 13 different
forms like passport copies,
birth certificates, and marriage
licenses.
“We had to hire a social worker
and do a home study. Our
social worker had to come and
inspect our house, interview
me, David, and the boys
separately. He had to write
a report stating if he felt we
that was
complete, the dossier was sent
to our agency in Colorado
where it was translated into
Chinese, then forwarded to
the Chinese government, “said
Maeker. “The final step is when
they look over the dossier
with a fine tooth comb and
determine if you are eligible to
receive one of their children.”
The process was completed in
18 months and the Maekers
were fast under preparations
of their new addition. One
of the changes was Mason
willingly giving up his room
in the Maeker’s 3 bedroom
house while taking David’s
office instead. Then they were
There have been big changes
in the Maeker home, such
as juggling busy schedules
around the life of a toddler.
At the time of the adoption,
the boys were already
self-sufficient, but Mali is
completely dependent on all
of the Maekers for help.
There the Maekers listened
as Chapman talked about his
experiences of adopting twice
from China and was in the
process of a 3rd adoption even
when they already had three
biological children of their
own.
Guatemala in Central America
or China. We didn’t tell the
boys what we had decided,
and prayed that God would
tell us where we were going to
get our baby girl,” said Maeker.
Maeker and her husband
had not told the boys of their
decision to adopt yet. It was
through the boys, Seth and
Mason, that the sign came
when the very next day they
were watching the movie
Mulan.
“I began crying. I asked Seth,
why did you pick Mulan?
His response was that they
were studying history and
he wanted to show Mason,
Focus on Information:
Adoptions in America
Michael Law
were capable of taking care of
a Chinese child in our home,”
said Maeker.
The Maekers even had to
make an appointment with
the Immigration Office in
Dallas, Texas to be digitally
fingerprinted and have an FBI
background check run. Plus a
local background check from
the police department and
sheriff’s office.
“Each individual document
had to be notarized. After
our dossier was complete,
everything was sent to Austin
to be certified then on to
Houston to be apostiled by
the Chinese Embassy. Once
may very well play little to no
role in the childs life.
finally on the way to adopt
their new child.
“Our two agency
representatives held a meeting
in the conference room of our
hotel with our group (which
consisted of 7 families). This
was really exciting because we
could hear the babies crying in
the hallway,” said Maeker.
The translator called each
name out, one by one, and
presented the baby in a
manner where everyone could
bask in the glory of each happy
family. The Maeker’s were last.
“We all began to get
emotional. My heart was
the backround checks and
financial reports, the adoption
of American children will
After the first step, an adoption continue, and keep ensuring
lawyer will need to be found that a very small amount of
for the family hoping to adopt,
this can take a long time and be
quite expensive.
The adoption process usualy
begins with either a pregnant
Adopting a child in America is woman wanting to put her child
thought to be a very dificult up for adoption, or by a family
Though people often wonder
thing. In truth, it may not be looking for a child to adopt.
why people don’t adopt
nearly as difficult as people
from the American adoption
seem to believe.
These are examples of the two
system it’s usually because of
types of adoption in America:
one element. Cost, adopting
In fact, around 25,000 to 30,000 foster care adoption, which
from America can be quite
children more childern are is adopting a child from the
expensive.
adopted from America than foster care system. Then there
from other countries which is domestic newborn adoption,
But even with the processes
defies the idea.
which is where the birth mother
that people must go through,
Entertainment Editor
“Mali was only 11 months old
when they placed her in our
arms on May 7th. Her birthday
is May 21st. She only spoke
basic words so we were very
lucky. I still get frustrated
though when people ask, does
she speak English?”
“The only thing we had to deal
with was that she loves to eat!
Especially other people’s food
or drink, you can ask all of our
ball field friends. She loves to
mooch,” said Maeker.
“On Saturday, November 13,
2004, we attended a Casting
Crowns, Chris Tomlin, and
Steven Curtis Chapman
concert in Tyler, Texas.
Steven Curtis Chapman is
a big advocate of Chinese
adoptions,” Maeker said.
The next step in the Maeker’s
journey was to begin the
actual process of adopting
and searching for the right
agency to apply with for
adopting a child. They were
helped by Maeker’s sister-inlaw whose friends adopted
from China and used the
agency Chinese Children
Adoption International out of
Mali Kate Fuyi Maeker cried
for about an hour after being
placed into the Maeker’s loving
arms but then settled in and
was permanently attached.
From that on, Maeker’s family
finally became complete.
Since Mali was adopted she
automatically became a US
citizen when the Maekers
landed in San Francisco,
California. Mali has adapted
perfectly in the United States.
Maeker’s husband, David
Maeker, went to Africa and
visited an orphanage. It was
during that time when God
began to speak to him but he
never mentioned it to his wife
even when he started to have
a change of heart to the idea
of just having a family of four.
“David asked me on the ride
home whether God was
talking to me. I replied that I
didn’t know was He talking to
you? David got quiet the rest
of the ride home,” Maeker said.
“The next day David called
me work and said that he had
been searching Chapman’s
website about adoption and
thought this was where God
was leading us.”
beating like crazy. Questions
began to turning inside of my
head...but when the nanny
came through the door,
there was my big black-eyed
baby girl whom we had been
praying for, for so long,” said
Maeker. “She was so beautiful.”
“Another big change is that
girls are most definitely more
of a challenge than boys! Such
as we have to have the perfect
outfit, with the bows, and the
jewelry to compliment the
outfit and let’s not forget the
shoes! Mali is very much the
shoe fanatic,” said Maeker.
Maeker hopes for Mali what
she hopes for the boys. That
they will be happy, have good
health, a spouse that will love
and honor them.
“With Mali, every moment is
memorable. She’s funny, witty
and extremely intelligent. She
truly has been a blessing to our
family and we are all so glad of
the decision we made to make
her a part of us,” Maeker said.
Editor’s Note: Mali is currently three
years old and likes to watch Dora the
Explorer. She also likes to dance, draw,
color, and listen to music.
children “fall out” of the system.
Which is where they “grow” out
or fall into trouble.
Editor’s Note: For more information
go to our local Lake Country CASA.
DID YOU KNOW?
In China, 90% of adoptions are girls.
In Saudia Arabia, women are still “property,” and are not
allowed to drive cars, and right now an 8 year old child bride
is fighting for a divorce from her 56 year old husband.
In Yemen, a 10 year old filed for divorce against her 30
year old husband...and it was granted the first time in the
country’s history.
Most women in East Asia, and the Middle East are married to
pay off debts. Most of the time, they are still children.
Entertainment
Page 4
January 27, 2009
Uncovering Facts:
Heart’s Festival and Sadie Hawkins Link
dance has a very interesting,
if extreme history. Having the
girls ask guys to the dance
helps balance out our male
dominated world,” Junior
Michelle Malone said.
Autumn Keiss
Staff Writer
Something about the idea of
a dance where the girls ask
the guys creates a nervous
excitement in schools. For the
first time in their lives it’s up to
the girls to take the initiative,
to step up and ask their dream
date to the dance. The guys
finally get a chance to lay back,
calm their nerves, and know
that they won’t have a pity
date on their arm.
Hearts Festival will be held
on February 21 from 8 to 12
in the Civic Center. The dance
is a traditional Sadie Hawkins
event, which means the girls
are supposed to ask the guys,
not the other way around.
“Hearts festival is a formal dance
that anyone can attend. Guys
usually wear slacks and button
up shirts while girls wear semiformal dresses,” Student Council
President, Jake Morland said.
Over the years, the idea of
Hearts Festival being a Sadie
It was never Capps intention
to create a completely new
idea in American culture, but
soon the concept was taking
on a life of its own. Soon the
name of Capps fictional comic
character became synonymous
with any dance in which the
girl asks the guy to attend.
Hawkins dance has diminished
as new, uninformed students
have entered the school. The
idea behind the dance is for
girls, who usually stand in the
background waiting to be
asked out, to take the initiative
and spend time with the guy
of their choice.
Hawkins dance dates back to
the mid 1900’s, when All Cap
wrote a popular comic strip
featuring a girl named Sadie
Hawkins who grows tired of
“waiting for fellows to come
around.”
“I like the role reversal of
Hearts festival, because usually
guys are too shy or scared to
ask a girl to go to a dance,”
Senior Heath Robinson said.
Her father, Hekzebiah,
becomes worried about his
daughter so he decrees the
first annual Sadie Hawkins day,
a foot race in which unmarried
girls chase bachelors and
married whoever they caught.
The history of the Sadie
“I think the Sadie Hawkins
Cost of Looking Good
Kristie Courte
Staff Writer
Shopping for a big dance can
be pretty expensive, for girls
you have hair, make up, dress,
shoes, nails and accessories to
consider. For boy’s you have
your tux, shoes, and if you like
to impress your date a ride can
be a pretty penny to rent. Plus,
boys usually pay for the tickets
and the cost of dinner.
Yet, girls usually spend
more money at times like
this because it’s a big deal
for them. They like to make
it night that they can get
dressed up for and take
pictures so that they can look
back in a couple of years and
reminisce. They will deliberate
on what they would have
done differently, or how
beautiful they looked, and
think back on what fun they
have.
The thing is, a dress can cost
from any were from a $100500 depending on where
you shop or what type of girl
is shopping. Then there are
accessories because to make
the dress look even better,
you have to add your own
personal style to it and that
could cost a lot.
If you enjoy having a girl’s day
out the day before the dance
so that you can take time to
get your hair done, nails done,
and pick out your special
shoes to match your dress
then the price goes up even
more.
Hair depends on who does it,
mother vs. the salon, and what
style you want, it can range
from $40.00 to $50.00 or more.
The nails depends on if you
want tips or the whole nail,
painted or French manicure,
solar nails or the normal ones.
Solar cost about $40.00 and
normal can cost $30.00 to
$35.00.
Shoes aren’t really the biggest
thing a person can worry
about because most of the
time, the girls kick those off so
they can dance better anyway.
Yet those perfect heels that
compliments the dress does
cost money from $15.00 to
$40.00.
Boys don’t freak out and
spend as much money but,
that doesn’t mean that it
doesn’t get pricy. Tux’s to rent
are around $200.00 but for
Hearts Festival, it isn’t needed.
Usually, slacks and a nice shirt
with a tie is a good combo and
often times, boys already have
that in their closet. If not, WalMart, or the local Van Heusen
that has a lot of sales, can offer
these items for low prices.
Since, unlike a girl’s mind, boys
are okay with wearing the
same outfit again afterwards.
Though overall, cost doesn’t
have to be a factor, if you dress
smart, but often times, the
prices get a bit absurd. The
key is to start shopping ahead,
during sales, and gather items
for upcoming dances. Find the
dress after Prom time, when a
lot of these dresses go on sale!
“Hearts is a great dance,
and the fact that it is a Sadie
Hawkins event takes part of
the unwarranted pressure of
high school students,” Malone
said, “Girl’s don’t have to worry
about being asked to the
dance, and guys don’t have
to work up the courage to ask
the girl of their choice.”
Editor’s Note: Hearts Festival will be on
February 21. If you would like to place
an ad in the edition to ask out your
potential date come by and talk to Mr.
Diaz. 20 characters will be 50 cents.
January 27,2009
Entertainment/Ads
Page 5
Book Review: Inspirational Story about Survival
Stacey Coleman
Staff Writer
“A Child Called It” was written
about a man’s own true life
experience as a young boy
growing up with an abused
past. It was published in 1993
by Health Communications,
Inc. Dave Pelzer the author
has three current books out
that tell about his childhood
and part of his adulthood. As
a young child most people
referred to him as David or
more commonly the Boy or It.
Pelzer grew up in California
where his case is one of the
worst cases ever brought up
in court says officials. The
story of a child called it is a
brutal slap in the face with
reality. Many people cannot
believe that story fueled with
so much violence and cruelty
could ever be true. Pelzer was
a small child when his mother
started drinking.
“My relationship with my
mother drastically changed
from discipline to punishment
that grew out of control,”
Pelzer said.
Pelzer was singled out by his
mother, Roerva Pelzer (aka:
Catherine), for reasons that
are still unknown. This book
was set when Pelzer was
four through six years of age.
The punishment started of
with them getting put in the
corner, but as time progressed
the punishments got brutal.
Pelzer was starved, beaten and
was forbidden to play, talk or
even look at his brothers.
Child abuse laws have
changed a lot since the 1973’s;
Roerva Pelzer was never even
prosecuted or trialed. She was
suspected by Pelzer, to have
replaced her with a younger
brother after Pelzer was taken
to protected services. Laws are
much stricter all 50 states have
tough laws, parents will be
trialed and prosecuted if they
are found guilty of child abuse.
Child abuse is a very serious
crime, and the rate is going
up. Nearly 3 million cases of
child abuse or filed every day
the actual number of abused
children are three times
greater than that. Pelzer never
lost faith and never gave up
the will to live; I recommend
this book to everyone, it is a
very inspirational story.
Sports
Page 6
Focus on Soccer:
Aut vincere aut mori (To Live or die)
Cooper Welch
Staff Writer
Aut vincere aut mori.
To conquer or die. This motto
has been used by many
famous organizations and
even civilizations, such as
the Romans, the Holy Roman
Empire, the Life Guard Core,
and the 1st Fighter Wing of
Langley, Virginia.
But most recently, and
perhaps most importantly, it
has become the motto, the
inspiration, the main driving
force of the Ladycats soccer
team. And what term could
be more appropriate? They
must either conquer their
opponents, or figuratively “die”
out of the playoffs, marking
the second time in as many
years that their season would
have such a bad outcome.
But there is hope. Returning
seniors Bonnie Grafton,
Brittany Lamphere, Tiffany
Boobar, and Jentri Broumley
are all looking forward to a
very good season, and hope
to redeem themselves after
being knocked out of the
playoffs last year.
“Nothing can honestly be
done without every member
of our team. But I would
have to say Bonnie Grafton
and Brittany Lamphere (our
captains) are very important,”
said Abby, a forward for the
Ladycats.
One of the reasons
expectations are higher this
year is Abby Grand Lienard,
a new member of the varsity
team.
Many say that with her on
board, along with a great
returning group of seniors and
underclassmen, they have a
chance to make a really great
run towards the playoffs.
“I feel accomplished making
it this far just as a freshman
but hope to keep improving
throughout the season,” said
Abby.
Though they’ve had more
loses than wins so far in the
season, the girls are confident
that they can win the season
and make it into the playoffs.
When asked how they would
fair this year, one team
member said, “I think it all
depends on how we do as a
team. We are a close team and
supportive of each other. I
think we will do really great if
we focus on what we need to
All in for Cards
Cooper Welch
Staff Writer
The Super Bowl. There’s no
bigger game or larger stage.
And there’s something for
everyone; funny commercials,
pretty cheerleaders, great
half time performers, and
of course, football. And this
year will certainly be no
disappointment.
The Steelers are participating
in their seventh Super Bowl,
second in all-time appearances
only to the Dallas Cowboys.
The Steelers have the number
1 ranked defense in the
NFL, and an offense that has
averaged 282.5 total yards
a game in the post season,
225 of which are through
the air. And they’ve got Troy
Polamalu. The NFL’s best safety
stopped Baltimore’s Joe Flacco
on fourth down runs, had 3
solo tackles, and had a gameending interception that he
returned for a touchdown. And
he’s been doing this for years.
He has 327 career solo tackles,
7 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 17
interceptions, and a total of 3
touchdowns.
But the stats don’t portray the
player. He tends to be all over
the field, breaking up plays,
cheering up teammates, and
wreaking havoc. Polamalu has
changed the game of football
forever.
The Cardinals, making their
first Super Bowl appearance,
are the other team in Super
Bowl 43, and they certainly
have their own appeal.
Their defense has forced 12
turnovers since the beginning
of the post season, compared
to the 13 total for the entire
regular season. And their
offense, which was 2nd in
the league behind only New
Orleans, has now absolutely
exploded.
Larry Fitzgerald has become
the miracle receiver, setting
a record for most yards
receiving in a single post
season with 419 yards. The
person he beat out was none
other than the legendary
Jerry Rice, receiver for the San
Francisco 49ers from 1985 to
2000. His five touchdowns are
second behind Rice and his 23
receptions are second behind
both the Patriot’s Wes Welker
and the Panther’s Steve Smith,
who each had 27.
And he still has one more
game to overtake these
legendary receivers, the
biggest game of his, and the
Cardinals’ life.
But who’s going to win?
According to ESPN, the Steelers
are going to win by a margin
of 6 points. And on paper, it
certainly would seem the best
choice.
The Steelers had the toughest
season in the NFL, and yet
still managed to allow only
3795 yards, 382 less than
the Baltimore Ravens, 2nd
among the NFL’s defenses. But
conventional wisdom doesn’t
really apply here.
The Cardinals, after all, weren’t
even expected to be here.
Kurt Warner, their 37 year-old
quarterback, was supposed to
be the back up to Matt Leinart.
The Cardinals weren’t even
supposed to make the playoffs,
much less reach the Super
Bowl.
Yet here they are. A team
with an old quarterback, a
dream receiver, a 2nd year head
coach, and two veteran team
members that are still begging
to be traded. So who knows?
I think this game is all in the
Cardinals.
But if I had to pick, I’d pick the
Arizona Cardinals, 17-14, over
the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the
NFL’s first overtime Super Bowl
game.
improve.”
But the girls are not the only
soccer team expecting a
great season. The boys’ varsity
team also hopes to reach
the playoffs, and keep their
streak of 14 years alive. There
is talk of this team going even
farther than the miracle team
of ’05, which made it to the
3rd round of playoffs.
“I think we’ll do good, we’ll
definitely win district, and
should win at least two playoff
games,” said Ross Hicks, goalie
for the Cats. “We should make
the playoffs. We would be
disappointed if we didn’t
make it after 14 straight years
of doing so. We hope to keep
that streak alive.”
The Wildcats are a very well
balanced team overall, with
no person that really sticks
out. Though it would seem
that this would mean the Cats
wouldn’t be very good, the
opposite is true. They have
won 4 games, lost 3, and tied
3. They even managed to
make it to the second-to-last
round of one tournament.
Overall the outlook is good for
both soccer teams.
January 27, 2009