Jan. 28, 2011 • Vol. 81 Issue 5 my.hsj.org/ks/topeka/shsclipper 4850 NW Rochester Rd. • Topeka. KS

Check out our blogs for more specialized info on sports and clubs • • • my.hsj.org/ks/topeka/shsclipper

on the

COLLEGE CORNERby Erin SumnerStaff Writer It’s the beginning of the calendar year and, of course, seniors are stressing out about college. Following is a list to better prepare seniors for colleges and just some of the items on the ‘to-do’ list. •  The last of the applications should be due this month for fall admission.

•  Are letters of recommendation in?•  Obtain FAFSA forms and file ASAP after Jan. 1.•  Attend  financial  aid  workshops  at your school or elsewhere.•  Research private scholarships via Internet•Finish  up  scholarship  applications.  Deadlines are beginning to pop up.

snowball picture

CLIP

•The last CIDER DAY event of the year will be Friday, Feb. 11 in the Seaman li-brary. History Day exhibits will be on display.

by Krysten Purkeyeditor in chief

With college just around the corner and with the hard economic times, money is hard to come by. And being one in 1,000 students to apply for just one scholarship can be a bit discouraging. But have no fear. FAFSA is here.

“FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is government money that helps  pay  for  college.  The  government formulates how much your parents make, how much you are responsible for and how much they will chip in with grants and  loans. This  is  very  important  to  fill out,” says counselor Patty Allacher

Although FAFSA is not required, it is highly recommended to help pay for college. If the information provided on the FAFSA application proves that

financial  aid  is  needed  then  money  will be received. According to NextStepU Magazine, an important advantage is the government will help students pay interest on a loan while in college.

To apply for a FAFSA PIN (Personal Identification  Number)  visit  the counseling  center  link  at  the  Seaman website.

Note: This does not mean the FAFSA application has been filled out.  This just gives  an  applicant  the  PIN  number  to begin the process.

 To apply for a FAFSA visit www.fafsa.org. This application will need recent tax information.

The deadline for Kansas is April 1,2011 by midnight central time. Each college may have different deadline so check with college choices for their deadlines.

As a kid the zoo is fun.  There are new animals to see and adventures to do. But as  a  teen  the  zoo  seems  like  a  long  ago time that’s just for children.

According to the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) kids stop going to the zoo at around the age of nine.

“We  are  trying  to  think  of  ways  to reach  the  youth,”  said  Kate  Larison, Friends  of  the  Zoo  (FOTZ)  Executive Director.

The  way  the  Topeka  zoo  is  reaching out  is  making  the  ‘Polar  ice  cap,’  a state-of-the-art  synthetic  ice  rink  made 

from a non-toxic, recyclable, polymer compound.

“This is not a typical ice rink,” Larison said, “ This rink requires no energy, which goes along with our green theme. If you can roller skate you can skate on this.”

In addition to a place to skate, the zoo if providing educational opportunities. There  are  graphics  in  front  of  the  rink informing people about the North and South  Poles  and  how  the  animals  are being affected in their environments.

 Funded by  the Topeka Active  20-30 club, the ice cap is open normal zoo hours and on Thursday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

THE SIGN HANGING above the ice skating rink welcomes skaters to the Polar Ice Cap at the Topeka zoo. Seniors Karisa Kirkendall and Krysten Purkey try out the polymer made ice rink. Graphics informing zoo-goers about what is happening in the North and South Poles add information to the experience. (Photos by Paige Hildebrandt)

Ice skating rink hopes to bring youth back to the Topeka Zoo

FAFSA helps students in need

Those  three  extra  days  off  were  an unexpected treat for many. However, that class time must be made up later in the school year.

“For snow days, we have two snow days built into the calendar. Since we’ve had three snow days so far this winter, we will go to school those two days and the Board of Education will decide what to do at the end of the year depending on how many total snow days we have,” said Mr. Craig Carter, Assistant Director of Curriculum/Personnel.  

Many calendar decisions are made by a committee of teachers and administrators. Mr. Carter said, “Sometime this spring the committee will meet to come up with the school calendars for both 2012 and 2013. Each time they meet, they talk about the next two upcoming years.”

“Usually  there  are  around  18-20 members from various Seaman district schools,”  said Carter.    “The high  school has more members than the middle school and elementary schools since the high school has most of the population.”

This committee is also responsible for determining breaks in the schedule.

“We try our best to base our spring break on when KU and KSU have their break.  Then  for  the  rest  of  the  breaks, we try to get as many five-day breaks as we can. If there is a federal holiday on a Monday, then we’ll try to get the previous Thursday and Friday off. Another thing that has to be thought about is having the same amount of days in the fall semester as  the  spring  semester.  The  reason  for that is mainly for the high schools so if the class is a semester class the student in he spring will get the same amount of class time as the students did in the fall.”

by Krysten Purkeyeditor in chief

Snow days result in spring make-up

2011 SNOWBALL CANDIDATES (FRONT) Kathryn Brooks, Paige Hildebrandt , Paige Nicolay, Krysten Pur-key, Erika Sloop. (BACK) Cole Schreiner, Adam Gill , Connor McDaniel , Cole Dunham, Eric Cheray

by Peyton Michalskistaff writ er

The CAST LIST has been released for the musical on March 10 ,11 and 12.

Anonymous phone line can

Bowlers off to a great start

New art elective arrives

Mrs. Munoz-O’Neil will start her new jewelry class next year.

Millie Dillmount Mariah NunleyJimmy Smith Reed McManamanRuth Abigail BaetenGloria    Janelle SparkmanRita Ashton Symonds

Alice Chrissi HurdCora    Abigail BrooksLucille   Katie PeerenboomEthel Peas  Kennedy WoolsMrs. Meers Shannon Munoz

Dorothy Brown Brenna MorgartChing Ho Josh RadfordBun Foo      Michael ThornwallMiss Flannery   Katie DelaCruzTrevor Graydon Josh Whisler

Policeman  Tanner FosterMuzzy Hope SchlossmanGeorge Gershwin Geoff BaylessDorothy Parker   Abra PitmanRodney Jesse Nadeau

Kenneth Chance ScarlettDaphne Melissa SaulsDexter     Larkin DowningMathilde     Katie FossMama    Tina Nguyen

Speed Tappists: Katie DelaCruz, Janelle Sparkman, Michaela Trobrough, Lacy Miller, Sierra Hurd, Caitlyn Lambrecht, Jaimie Hayes, Abigail Brooks, Sydnie Kelly, Kennedy Wools

Muzzy’s Boys:Larkin Downing, Josh Whisler, Jacob Neiman, Tanner Foster, Wyatt Goacher, Chance Scarlett, Andrew Auffert

Moderns (Ensemble):Katie DelaCruz, Janelle Sparkman, Michaela Trobrough, Lacy Miller, Sierra Hurd, Caitlyn Lambrecht, Jaimie Hayes, Abigail Brooks, Sydnie Kelly, Kennedy Wools, Alyssa Marchello, Jessica Jackson, Roni Shaftstall, Tina Nguyen, Sheridan Daniels, Mary Wollin, Katie Foss, Melissa Sauls, Abra Pittman, Wyatt Goacher, Chance Scarlett, Andrew Auffert, Austin Ruddy, Conrad Kabus, Larkin Downing, Jacob Neiman, Tanner Foster, Beau Boyles, Aaron Walker

my.hsj.org/ks/topeka/shsclipper Friday, Jan. 28, 2010

Editor-in-chief Krysten Purkey

Assistant Editor Morgan Simpson

Ad Manager Peyton Michalski

Sports Editor Tyler Garst

Photo Editor Rachel Hutchings

Staff Writers Kyle Dunham, Tyler Huddleston,

Karisa Kirkendall, Tate Lawson

Tyler Munger, Erin Sumner

Photographers Lucas Boyd, Tyler Bushnell,

Makenzie Crow, Alex Hamilton,

Brooke Harris, Dalton Hiegert,

Paige Hildebrandt,

Hayden Kramer, Madison Kramer,

Sierra Moore, Shelby Slimmer, Shelby Tajchman,

Broadcast Liaison Adam Gill

Adviser Kelly Neiman

To submit a letter to the editor, the letter must be 300 words or less in length. All correspondence must be signed.

The Clipper is published every three weeks by the students of Seaman High School.

The goal of the staff is to report school and com-munity news and suggest ideas for improvement. We welcome your opinions and will do our best to publish what you have to say.

Views in this newspa-per do not always represent those of the staff, faculty, or the school board of U.S.D. 345.

The Clipper reserves the right to edit or refuse pub-lication of material that is libelous, obscene, invading privacy, infriging on copy-right or disruptive to the educational process of Sea-man High School.

by Shelby Tajchman and Sierra Moorestaff writ ers

Mrs. Shirley Brading and Mr. Brett Brownback have joined the staff. Brading is the new ISS supervisor.

She enjoys office work and is familiar with answering phones and making copies.

Mrs. Brading has also worked at Seaman Middle School as a para, at AT&T, as a long distance operator and in circuit design specials.

Some students may work with her husband, Rick Brading, who teaches welding classes.

“This job is different from others because there is not as much interaction with the students.” said Brading.

Outside of work she enjoys playing cards, yard work and attending church.

Mr. Brownback is the new Vo-Ag teacher and FFA sponsor.

He recently graduated from Kansas State University and student taught at Scott City High school.

His transition to the school has been ‘smooth sailing’ so far and he really likes the environment. When he’s not here teaching, Mr. Brownback likes to spend most of his free-time hunting, fishing, and just being outside.

by Tyler Garst sports editor

Feeling a little down lately? It might not be your attitude or emotions like you may think.

Studies performed by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio show that it could be social affective disorder (SAD).

Symptoms may include

by Alex Hamilton staff writ er

Have you noticed lately how every time you visit the gas pump, that week’s paycheck disappears? That is because gas prices are on the rise yet again. In the past, gas prices during January have typically been lower than warmer months because of less travel. However, as this year began, prices surpassed $3 a gallon.

Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst for Oil Price Information Service posted on his blog, “We have never, ever celebrated Christmas day with U.S. gasoline prices at $3 a gallon or higher.” (Dec. 17)

Just days before Christmas, gas prices hit a national average of $3.01, up nearly 20 cents from the same time last year! The price per barrel of crude oil is currently $90 which is 7 percent higher than a year ago.

Don’t be expecting the ascent to stop any time soon. A recent leak in the Trans Alaska Pipeline has caused it to be temporarily shut down. This 800-mile pipeline supplies nearly 10 percent of the domestically

Gas prices on rise

Simple tips could help mileage, wallet

produced oil. It is not yet confirmed how long it will take before the piping is secure again.

Some experts say the $4/gallon mark will never be hit while others say it will be hit by summer. Either way, it’s time to go back to the 2008 ways of saving gas money.

Suggestions for saving

gas money:•Car pool to school and events•Find special deals like the Dillon’s plus card•Limit idling time•Drive smoother; fast accelerations burn gas•Use the cruise control instead of feathering the gas pedal•Keep tires inflated to the proper pressure

A recent study has shown that newer engines don’t require warming up.

It used to be necessary to idle a vehicle before driving anywhere. Newer models only need about 10 seconds in the winter before taking off.

Instead of running the car for 10 minutes every morning to defrost the windows, put on a coat and use the scraper.

New faces fitting in to new semester

If you could have any super power, what would it be and why? By Karisa Kirkendall

Megan Wherrell, 12

“ I ’d pick invisibility because then I could trip and push people without them know-ing who it was.”

Diana Hall, 11

“ I would want to fly so I could go anywhere I wanted to! It ’s less gas money that way.”

“ I would choose super speed so I could get to places faster.”

Cody Sheck, 10

“ I would have mind-reading pow-ers to see what people are think-ing and find out their secrets.”

Michaela Trobough, ‘9

anxiety, oversleeping, and difficulty concentrating.

Some causes are unknown but most cases deal with low melatonin and serotonin levels.

SAD is a disorder that affects more women than men and affects people ranging in ages from their 20’s in to their 40’s.

Four to six percent of Americans suffer from SAD and 10-20 percent

Senior Thayne Miller said, “I was really excited when I heard the news because some students here really love agriculture.

“We’re not just a group of farm kids that mess around all the time. Agriculture is going to be a part of our future.”

Sophomore Dylan Collom commented, “His classes are easy-going and relaxing, but we really do learn a lot, Mr. Brownback relates to his students very well and that’s always a good thing.”

He’s already in full-gear for the FFA; planning trips, fundraisers, and competitions.

“Hopefully he does stay for awhile so that my brother can have a positive experience while involved with FFA here at Seaman,” Thayne Miller added.

Mr. Brownback is in his office located in N-15 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

suffer more mild cases that aren’t diagnosed.

Therapy for SAD includes medications as well as a light therapy machine, that puts off UV rays and gives the necessary UV light to help bring light to a dark disorder.

UV light therapy machines can be bought from a doctor’s office, or over the internet.

Lack of light affects many in winter

“I was really excited when I heard the news because some students here really love agriculture.”

Thayne Miller, 12

MRS. BRADING stays busy in the ISS room making copies while Mr. Brownback works with students in the greenhouse. (Photos by Paige Hildebrandt and Dalton Hiegert .

Friday, Jan. 28, 2010 my.hsj.org/ks/topeka/shsclipper

By Tyler Huddlestonstaff writ er

You are just having fun at a party when all of a sudden the cops show up. They alert school officials that you have been drinking and the next day you’re called into the office and receive the punishment of Out of School Suspension (O.S.S).

But does out-of-school suspension have an effect on student’s behavior? Is it really a punishment?

Every day that a student is in O.S.S, the penalty is four points per day, and assignments are docked 10 percent as punishment. But do these points mean anything to students?

As long as you stay under 24 points, your stay at Seaman High School will not be in trouble.

When students have O.S.S., they can spend their days sleeping in, playing “Call of Duty,” and stalking their friends on Facebook.

It seems to me that a worse punishment would be in-school suspension with OSS grade penalties. Staring at a wall is a lot less fun that staring at your TV or your computer.

Students would have to be at school at normal time. They could still lose 10 percent of their assignment points, but all the leisure would be lost. So should students receive a few days off? Or should students actually receive a punishment when they mess up?

OSS not effectivedeterrent for bad behavior

by Jessica Hillebertstaff writ er

Texting while driving continuesto be temptation with teen drivers

Today, an average of 11 teens will die in a car wreck. And hundreds more will get banged up and hurt. It will probably be

because of some dumb little mistake that was totally preventable.

BUT IT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN TO MY FRIENDS.Today, I make this pledge: Not one of my friends will get hurt or die in a car crash. Not when I’m behind the wheel. And not

when I’m a passenger in their car. I will drive for our freedom, for all the cool things we have planned, and for our futures.

If I’m a passenger, I will defy peer pressure, I will speak up, and I will always have their back.

I, ,PLEDGE: NOT MY FRIENDS. NOT TODAY. NOT TOMORROW. NOT EVER.

FRIENDS 10

Take your circle of friendship to the tenth power. Get 10 friends to pledge with you.

I PLEDGE: NOT MY FRIENDS. NOT TODAY. NOT TOMORROW. NOT EVER.

1. 6.

2. 7.

3. 8.

4. 9.

5. 10.

An average of 11 teens die in a car wreck each day. In fact, just a simple reach for a phone while driving can increase the chance of crashing

by nine times. We hear statistics like these all the

time from adults, and like everything else they say, it usually goes in one ear and out the other. For this reason the All-State Foundation has created a website where teens do all the talking.

KeepTheDrive.com was created to encourage teens to share with their peers the dangers involved with distracted driving.

Texting takes a person’s eyes off the road for an average of five seconds, which is the length of a football field if driving at a speed of 55 mph. Is it worth the risk of possibly injuring somebody? I think not.

Check out this website and make this pledge today with friends to be a safer driver.

by Erin Sumnerstaff writ er

Im a g i n e being a s e n i o r

arriving to school late due to shortened schedule and having to park across the street and walk a mile in the freezing cold.

Having a shortened schedule means seniors have finished the classes required. It’s a privilege that turns into a punishment when we have to get to school and begin the hunt for a parking place.

I think that we should have assigned parking. Not only does this

Assigned parking would solve many problems

by Hayden Kramerstaff writ er

When you are surrounded by emotions because your teams just pulled off an

upset win or your favorite player just made the game winning shot, how do you know when too far is enough? Recently there have been events at Seaman High that have been affecting many Seaman students and this can be classified as trash talking. Students would post negative things on Facebook degrading a rival team or player and it has really angered the Seaman Community.

This needs to come to a stop. Not only does it make almost everyone mad but it makes the person who posted it look like a poor sport and disrespectful. Just because the team that you wanted to win did win, that does not mean that you have to rub it in the faces of that teams fans. If you know that it’s going to upset someone, do not post it. If your team does end up losing, that doesn’t give you the right to trash talk. You have better ways to let out your anger than posting something nasty on Facebook. For example, karate in the garage, acting out “300,” and crying to “Titanic.”

So the next time you have the urge to post something bad about an opposing team, try to think twice. I wish we could all just get along like middle school. As they proclaim in “Mean Girls,” “I just want us to all bake a cake filled with rainbows and smiles and everyone would eat and be happy.”

Sportsmanshipversus team pride --when does trash talkgo too far?

Today I make this pledge: Not one of my friends will get hurt or die in a car crash. Not when I ’m behind the wheel. And not when I ’m a passenger in their car. I will drive for our freedom, for all the cool things we have planned, and for our futures. If I ’m a passenger, I will defy peer pressure, I will speak up, and I will always have their back.

BUT IT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN TO MY FRIENDS.

NOT MY FRIENDS. NOT TODAY. NOT TOMORROW. NOT EVER.

fix seniors parking across the street, but freshman won’t be able to get away with driving.

Assigned parking helps the students who come in at 7:53 a.m. to not have to search all over for a spot.

How about having parking buddies who share a front/back parking space? Whichever person arrives first, pulls through and the other parks behind. The spaces would be numbered and assigned as people purchase parking permits.

Not only does this fix seniors parking across the street , but freshmen won’t be able to get away with driving.

by Tate Lawsonstaff writ er

There has been a lot of ridiculous discussion on the zodiac signs changing in 2011. Apparently, the earth has bounced around on its axis just enough to shift the zodiac signs by about a month.

So if you’ve felt a little conflicted, this could be why. I have always been a happy Capricorn. I’m practical minded and disciplined with plenty of humour in my life. Now suddenly, I’m asked to switch to the worldly Sagittarius who is all about the global outlook and higher levels of learning. I suppose this means I’ll suddenly be making better grades and watching the nightly news.

But at least I’m not in the Dunham twins’ predicament. Since their birthdays fall on Dec. 17, they are a whole new sign -- Ophiuchus, portrayed as a man grasping a serpent. Those of this new thirteenth sign are said to be seekers of wisdom and knowledge.

Capricorn: January 20 to February 16Aquarius: February 16 to March 11Pisces: March 11 to April 18.Aries: April 18 to May 13Taurus: May 13 to June 21.Gemini: June 21 to July 20Cancer: July 20 to August 10Leo: August 10 to September 16Virgo: September 16 to October 30Libra: October 30 to November 23Scorpio: November 23 to November 29Ophiuchus: November 29 to December 17Sagittarius: December 17 to January 20

The Dunham boys are also in a lurch because in many of the “new” zodiac postings, people born at the very beginning or end of a cycle are actually listed on two different charts. So are they Ophiuchus or that confounded Sagittarius?

Who knows if these new “signs” will stick, but it might be a good idea for the Dunham boys to hold off on any zodiac tatoos for a bit.

Are you prepared for ‘sign’ shifts?

my.hsj.org/ks/topeka/shsclipper Friday, Jan. 28, 2010 Friday, Jan. 28, 2010 my.hsj.org/ks/topeka/shsclipper

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by Lucas Boydstaff writ er

Did you know that the average age for boys when they first taste alcohol is 11 years of age? For girls the average age is 13: (as cited on Learn-About-Alcoholism.com).

Did you know?

social hosting: when someone provides a minor, anyone under 21, alcohol.

by Sierra MooreSTAFF WRIT ER

When it comes to teen drinking and social hosting, the organization Crime Stoppers is doing all they can to prevent it. They’ve come up with an anonymous phone line for citizens of Topeka to call and provide tips about ongoing crimes or to report social hosting events. In the past three years, Crime Stoppers has had over 519 successful tips!

Those who use the tip line can either communicate through a call or texting. If the Internet is a preference, fill out a form at www.topekacrimestoppers.com

Once contact is made and the operators are given pertinent information, they will give you a reference number for the call. When you call back, give your reference number to the operator to find out if the case was a successful arrest.

As an incentive for callers, Crime Stoppers are willing to provide up to a $2000 reward for a successful arrest. However, there are several requirements.

1. Any person, except as restricted below, who directly contacts CRIME STOPPERS and gives information which leads to the arrest and indictment (or equivalent) of an adult or juvenile, or to the arrest of a fugitive wanted in a felony case, will be eligible for a reward.

2. The following person will not be eligible for a reward: -Commissioned law enforcement officers including reserve officers, corrections officers, and probation/parole officers and members of their immediate family.

-The perpetrator or co-perpetrator of the crime.-The victim of the crime.-The fugitive.-Caller who identifies him/herselfTo report an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of

Topeka call (785)-234-0007, send a text to CRIMES (274637) and type “TIP128” at the beginning, or you can submit an online form at www.topekacrimestoppers.com

Anonymous phone line can leadto rewards

by Tyler HuddlestonSTAFF WRIT ER

Social Hosting is when someone provides a minor, anyone under 21, alcohol. The hosting atmosphere can be defined as a party-like setting or anytime someone provides alcohol for a minor. This means that anytime a parent or other person gives alcohol to a minor they could be charges with social hosting.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s one or two people, it’s still considered social hosting,” said Officer Randy Diedrich.

So the next time you think about hosting a party at home, think about the consequences.

Your parents may have to pay a minimum of $1000, even if they are unaware of the drinking in their home. Also, don’t forget that when someone walks out of the house drunk, they may never walk back in again.

Social hosting defined

by Morgan Simpsonassistant editor

It’s Friday night. Teens are standing around at a friend’s house drinking beer,

Party locations no mystery

by Krysten Purkeyeditor in chief

It started as a few drinks with a few friends in the basement. No parents, no worries. A loud knock on the door ended everything. The court date is set and now there is nothing to do but wait.

At the time of the party, social hosting seems harmless, a few people, a few drinks and no parents.

But in all reality having just a few drinks can change a life.

In 2001 Paul Riggs, a 17-year-old boy from Lenexa, Kansas was on his way home from a party that was classified as a social hosting party.

The parents were home and did not check on the kids because they claimed they didn’t know alcohol was being served.

Tragic event results in ‘Paul’s Law’

chatting it up and having a good time.

It’s all fun and games until the ominous knock at the door.

Students are often amazed that their parties get discovered, yet there are

several telltale signs.While patrolling any area a typical

party scene usually contains heavy traffic in the area and people calling the sheriff’s department complaining about noise. Another clue is trash in the ditches, such as beer cans and beer bottles.

Officer Stallbaumer said, “Other tips we receive include parents who hear about the party and the crime stoppers hotline.”

When a party gets called in, the Sheriffs department gathers all the information that they can.

Stallbaumer comments “We must

not invade the rights of the person, so we gather as much as we can from the tips and the surrounding area before we approach the residence.”

Once the officers have approached the home there is important information they need to obtain.

They determine who has been drinking,

who is hosting the party or who provided the alcohol.

“The officers take precautions in case someone attempts to run through other exits of the home. We have an officer at each exit,” commented Stallbaumer.

If it’s a field party, they put a car on exit roads in case people see the cops

coming and decide to run. Typically if a party gets busted that

you are attending, the officers will ask and then confirm with a preliminary breath test (PBT).

Stallbaumer says, “We split them up in two lines and confirm their answers with PBT test.

The Sheriff’s office also sends out letters to each teen that has attended the party letting the parents know that they were at an underage drinking party.

“Through a cooperative effort between the school and the

Sheriff ’s office, the goal is to reduce underage drinking parties

through prevention and enforcement measures.”

Officer Todd Stallbaumer

Excessive trash in the ditches can be a sure sign that a party is in progress.

The Sheriff ’s office sends letters to each teen who has attended the party letting the parents know that their teen was at an under-age drinking party.

Paul died after running into a tree. When investigated, there was nothing that could be done because there was no law in place to prevent this.

The daughter of the family where the alcohol was served was charged with providing the alcohol.

On July 1, 2001, “Paul’s Law” was passed by Kansas to put fines on the provider of the party. In 2001 the fine was $200 and in 2006 the fine was upped to $1000.

In the Kansas Statute 21-3610c the words ‘or recklessly’ were added in to cover up a loophole in the statute. According to the statute, not only will a fine be issued but also the court can order the offender to serve community or public service and also attend an alcohol treatment facility.

Sign up for Snowball dance outside dates by Feb. 1 at 3:30 p.m.

Each day 7,000 children under the age of 16 take their first sip of alcohol. Someone in the United States is killed

every 31 minutes due to an alcohol-related substance. For more information and facts about

teen drinking, visit teenthinking.org.

dpinc@att.net

An outside date must be at least a freshman in high school, but under the age of 21.

Wednesday, Feb. 16 through

Friday, Feb. 18

Wednesday, Feb. 16 5-8 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 173:15 - 7:30 p.m.

2011

my.hsj.org/ks/topeka/shsclipper Friday, Jan. 28, 2010

by Karisa Kirkendall

A brand, new class will be introduced to Seaman High School’s art department starting in the 2011-2012 school year. This course will consist of something completely different from all the other art classes already provided: jewelry making.

Mrs. Stephanie Munoz-O’Neil, who now teaches Art I, Art II, and Design I, is more than excited to be teaching the jewelry class next year.

“We’ll definitely do beadwork, such as bracelets and necklaces,” explains O’Neil, “and along with all of that, we will also be looking at studying Oaxacan sculpture.”

Oaxaca is a city about six hours southeast of Mexico City. It is the homeland of many talented craftsmen who make unique, hand-made sculptures.

The jewelry class will allow students to learn different kinds of wiring, chains, and fasteners.

However, the biggest skill to be learned is patience which goes along with all art classes.

“It’s really going to be a learning experience for my students as well as myself,” adds O’Neil.

VOICEViking

A: Favorite character from Favorite Movie Day.

A: Disney Day.

A: Jersey Shore Day.

Josh Gill, 11

Emily Barth, 9

Taylor Czajkowski, 10

What Spirit Day should we do during Snowball Week?

A:Fake-an-Injury Day.

Mariah Bryan,12

by Karisa KirkendallFEATURE EDITOR

In the early months on 2010, the Google Fiber Contest was a big deal throughout the country. With thousands of community requests, many cities raised the bar of competitiveness in desperation to win faster Internet connections in their area.

Google was originally going to announce the

lucky winner of the contest before the

end of 2010 but was forced to postpone.

Milo Medin was appointed as the new

Vice President of Access Services for the Mountain

View, California based Google Inc. in mid-December.

He was apparently chosen to overlook the Fiber experiment.

Medin later announced that the community

Whatever happened to Google Topeka?

winners selected wouldn’t be announced until early 2011. Now the question still stands today, who exactly will be the winner?

According to PCworld, there are five cities that stand out from the rest.

The first city listed is Duluth, Minnesota. To show Google they care about fast Internet connection in their community, the mayor of Duluth jumped in to Lake Superior with just a shirt and shorts.

The next city is Sarasota, Florida. Their mayor put on a wetsuit and took a quick dip in a tank of sharks in attempt to sway Google’s decision.

Our very own Topeka, Kansas is listed third. Changing the capital city’s name to Google, Kansas for a month was big enough to be included on the list of the top five cities that stand out.

Listed fourth on the list of likely is Rancho Cucamonga which is located in Southern California. Like Topeka, they changed they’re name to stand out to Google by calling themselves Rancho Googlemonga.

Last but not least, the fifth city listed is Greenville, South Carolina. They came up with the creative idea of making a “people-powered Google chain” by using more than 2,000 LED glow sticks to spell out Google.

Last year on April 1st , Google changed their home page to Topeka after Topeka changed their name to Google for the month of March 2010. (Photo provided by Google)

FEATURE EDITOR

New art elective arrives next year

11Things To Look Forward To in

Mrs. Stueve coming back! Jenna Sackman, 9

Going to a Justin Bieber Concert!Alexis Engroff, 9

Watching the Spring Musical!Ciara Robertson, 9

Winning State in Swimming!

Brandon Fuller, 10

Summer, because we’re not in school!Ryan Kelly, 10

Harry Potter Part IIJustice King, 10

Spring Break in Mexico!Kristen Thiessen, 10

Moving out of my parent’s house!

Connor Killian, 11

Moving Out!Sydney Roberts, 12

Graduation!Kathryn Brooks, 12

Hot Yoga and EuroTrip!Patty Allacher

Friday, Jan. 28, 2010 my.hsj.org/ks/topeka/shsclipper

by Kyle Dunamstaff writ er

Seaman men’s bowling has picked up where they left off last season, winning their first two meets and taking second in the third. In the team’s next meet, they square off against Topeka West, Junction City, and Atchison at Westridge Lanes on Feb. 1.

Topeka West will be hosting the meet.Varsity representatives will

be Kenny Benoit, Tate Lawson, Ashton Bigger, Blake Newberry, Austin Atwood, and Tyler Lawson.

The squads first meet was the Lawrence Free-State tourney, where Benoit took first place individually

by Tyler Garstsports editor

Last week the Lady Vikes avenged one of their recent losses to Topeka High beating the lady Trojans, 51-44, on the road in the Dungeon. They are currently competing in the Capital City Classic at Washburn Rural in a three day tournament that started last night.

Dropping two of the last three games the girls got back on track last Tuesday. Focus on getting better at what they do well is a key.

“We have picked it up, getting better shots, and getting steals,” said junior guard

and Tate Lawson finished eighth. For the Seaman Invitational, Newberry

placed second, Benoit third, Tyler Lawson sixth, and Tate Lawson took tenth.

Kenny Benoit also leads the Centennial League with the highest average. Although the Vikes have been performing at a high level, there’s still room to improve.

“Spares, spares, spares. We need to put a lot more effort into our spare shooting game,” Tate Lawson commented.

“We need to work on confidence and team unity, but definitely spares too,” said Benoit. Through experience and senior leadership, the team looks to keep rolling through the season and compete for a state title.

Vikings get shot at redemptionby Tyler Mungerstaff writ er

After going 1-2 in the Valley Center tournament, the Seaman boy’s basketball squad returns to action tonight at 8 in the Dungeon at Topeka High School.

Seaman hosted Topeka High on Jan. Thirteenth and dropped it 64-57, as the boys couldn’t hold off the second half charge of the Trojans.

“We should have won that game. We are a pretty solid team, and we’ve had some close games that just haven’t turned out in our favor,” said senior Jacob Kottman.

With the cities second and sixth leading scorers in Connor McDaniel and Jacob Hurla, the Vikes will look to the inside attack to establish control against the Trojans.

Topeka High is coming off an impressive tournament at the Topeka Invitational. They took third after defeating 6A powerhouse Wichita East, 49-46. The battle inside the paint will be a good one.

“I think our big men match up well with theirs. Adam Heald, Kottman, and I work together better inside which could make the difference in the game,” said senior Connor McDaniel.

Kelsey Akin. “We played better as a team.”Next Tuesday the girls take on

Junction City for the second time this season. The first meeting ended well for the lady’s winning 38-30.

“Our defense was good, offensively we struggled but our D stepped up,” said Akin.

Junior Mallory Deidrich added, “We need to make more shots against them this time around and control the game offensively.”

As the Vikes prepare to take on Junction City their focus will be on defending inside.

“They will be much better and so will we, we need to rebound and take care of the ball.

Lady Vikes cruise to a victory

JUNIOR KELSEY AKIN sinks a free-throw against the Junction City Blue Jays. (Photo by Mackenzie Crow)

SENIOR GUARD KYLE DUNHAM sets up the offensive attack for the Vikes at Washburn Rural , the first of many close games. (Photo by Shelby Slimmer)

Bowlers off to great start

SENIOR KENNY BENOIT returns this season after having a phenomenal season last year. (Photo taken by Lucas Boyd)

my.hsj.org/ks/topeka/shsclipper Friday, Jan. 28, 2010

by Adam Gillstaff writ er

The Seaman boys swimming team is off to a hot start. The Vikes are in action Monday at Hummer Sports Park for a make up meet and Wednesday in Bonner Springs.

They have finished in the top three in their first five meets, while taking first in the Emporia tournament on Dec. 9.

Everybody on the team has topped their personal record while Devin Wittmaier, Nathan Allen, Zach Henderson, Nick Hern, Josey McNorton, and Travis Kesinger have all qualified for State in the early stages of the season.

“Were off to a good start this year” says senior Devin Wittmaier, “with coach Monroe coming in he has changed a lot of

Swim team smashing personal recordsthe things we used to do in practice and it is now paying off”.

The boys are making a strong case to win the Centennial League this year, “our biggest competition is definitely Manhattan, Topeka High, and Washburn Rural,” said Wittmaier.

Having already competed well against these schools should help the boys down the stretch.

“One of the goals we set at the beginning of the year is to compete for and win league, and I think were on our way to doing that” says senior Nathan Allen. “Hopefully we can keep it up and finish at the top.”

(Right) SENIOR WESLEY CHILES strokes to a strong finish at the 501 nadatorium. (Photo by Kylie Matney)

SENIOR COLE SCHREINER works to pin his opponent on senior night. In a dual against Shawnee Heights, Heights won, 41-33. (Photo by Kimberly Meader)

Wrestlers near league tournament,50 years of Seaman wrestling

Who do you think is going to win Super Bowl XLV? Compiled by Shelby Slimmer

Tate Emert, 9

“Oh. We know who is in the Superbowl? …Definitely the Steelers”

Travis Kesinger, 10

“I think the Packers will win because they’re a better team than the Steelers.”

“The Packers are definitely going to win due to their mad skills and for-mer K-State player Jordy Nelson!”

Katelyn Ford, 11

“The Packers will win because they have the best defensive linebacker, Clay Mathews.”

Erika Sloop, 12

by Hayden Kramer

staff writ er

The intensity is broken once the hollow sound of the ref’s hand smacks the mat, and he raises the hand of the Viking wrestler declaring his victory.

The wrestling team has been very busy over the past few weeks; they’ve won a lot of matches and have had a few setbacks.

They are looking forward to travelling to Chanute for a varsity tournament this weekend and will be hoping to add a few wins to their record. The Vikes have had a very successful season despite some recent key injuries to four starters (all are expected to return soon).

The Vikes took on the Spartans of Emporia in a dual tournament last weekend and came out with a win for the first time in Seaman High history.

With only five weeks left in the season, the dual portion of the schedule is over. The Vikes finished with a respectable 7-3 dual record, with losses coming to Gardner-Edgerton, Shawnee Heights, and Prairie View.

“We had our ups and downs, beat some good teams, lost some close ones,” says Varsity wrestler Dylan Kadous.

The Vikes will be hosting this year’s Centennial League tournament on Feb. 12, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Seaman wrestling.

Tyler Garst- “Steelers will pull out the victory. Big Ben and the boys are too skilled offensively and on defense they are led by veterans that will lead them to a Lombardi trophy. For added entertainment Wiz Khalifa repping Pitts-burgh and Taylor Gang will be putting out a new track about the new champs.”

Kyle Dunham- “Steelers. They have a veteran-led defense including Troy Polamalu and experienced quarterback with two superbowl rings already.

Tyler Munger- “Packers. Because Jordy Nelson is reppin’ K-State on the outside. Steelers don’t have very skilled secondary.”

Tyler Bushnell- “Steelers. Their defense is full of me. The pass rush by the line mixed with Polamalu’s leadership will compliment the “brick poo houses” that’ll be lining up across from Rodgers.”

Hayden Kramer- “Packers. They are led by the great Clay Mathews, argu-ably the best outside linebacker in the game. They can’t be stopped pass rush-ing from the outside.”

Lucas Boyd- “Steelers. Because their players do commercial ads.”

Sports staff ‘experts’ offer Superbowl XLV predictions