An orchestra concert on the night of February 27, 2009 lit up the West High auditorium. Parents, friends, and the close family of any person in the North Central Orchestra, Advanced Orchestra, or the West High Freshman Concert Orchestra filled the auditorium up. The lights grew dim as each orchestra played their songs lead by Wayne Thelander and Carrie Beaderstadt.
The West Side Elementary Advanced Orchestra (lead by Carrie Beaderstadt) played at 7:30 starting off the concert. They played the songs Dragon Slayer (Bob Grice), Morning Lights (Brian Balmages), Festive Dance (Edmund J. Siennicki), and Apache (Carold Nunez). The North Central Symphony Orchestra played the Four Royal Dances by Eric Ewazen which included The Lord, The Lady, The Jester and The Knight. They also played Sanseneon by Robert S. Siennicki. The audience seemed to like this concert with the whistles and cheers from peers and family that followed each song.
This concert was followed by the West Concert Orchestra lead by Wayne Thelander. They played African Procession by Ellen Lindquist and Danzas De Panama by Willliam Grant Still. The crowd also showed their approval by clapping so much that Wayne Thelander had to come out twice.
Matt Vest ’11 attended the 7:30 concert and said, “I think that they did great for how young they are.”
Paola Jaramillo ’11 was in the orchestra concert for West High’s Concert Orchestra starting at 8:30. She said, “I think we did pretty well. It was nice because it got over quick. There were a few mistakes but they were unnoticeable by the audience.”
Wayne Thelander directed West High’s orchestra and also helped the 7:30 orchestras before they played.
About the younger orchestra he said, “I thought all the groups did very well.”
He said that the performance went very well but “any performance could be better.”
Melanie Foraker, a parent of one of the students in the West Concert Orchestra said, “I think the concert was beautiful. Every group did wonderfully. I don’t understand why my child was so concerned about her pieces. She thought that she wouldn’t do very well. I think they did great.”
Westside Orchestra, North Central Orchestra, and our own West Orchestra was a success. The lights got turned off, violins, violas, cellos and bass were returned to their rightful place, and everyone went home.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Definitely not just for girls
After winter break the tennis team (which I am part of) started going to Wellness Wednesdays a.k.a. yoga. It is just one of the things that we do for conditioning to get ready for the season.
The first day I went I figured that yoga would be a piece of cake, I’d like to think I’m somewhat in shape and I exercise enough, we’d probably just go and stretch for an hour and then leave. Seriously, what else is yoga? I was definitely in for a surprise
Within 15 minutes into the yoga session I was already sweating pretty badly and my heart was racing. Within about…maybe 45 minutes my arms and shoulders were burning and I was lying on my stomach, half dead.
The yoga work out does many things. It helps Improve balance with various moves, it improves flexibility, and also it helps build strength. However, I don’t know how much it is going to help my tennis game (maybe just a little), and I still don’t really like it but now that I’ve been going to it pretty much every week I have a new found respect for it.
I don’t know if it was just me or if it is all guys that think yoga is just for girls because it definitely isn’t. It’s really challenging, but mainly it’s beneficial for health in general. And isn’t good health a goal for both guys and girls?
Word count: 239
The first day I went I figured that yoga would be a piece of cake, I’d like to think I’m somewhat in shape and I exercise enough, we’d probably just go and stretch for an hour and then leave. Seriously, what else is yoga? I was definitely in for a surprise
Within 15 minutes into the yoga session I was already sweating pretty badly and my heart was racing. Within about…maybe 45 minutes my arms and shoulders were burning and I was lying on my stomach, half dead.
The yoga work out does many things. It helps Improve balance with various moves, it improves flexibility, and also it helps build strength. However, I don’t know how much it is going to help my tennis game (maybe just a little), and I still don’t really like it but now that I’ve been going to it pretty much every week I have a new found respect for it.
I don’t know if it was just me or if it is all guys that think yoga is just for girls because it definitely isn’t. It’s really challenging, but mainly it’s beneficial for health in general. And isn’t good health a goal for both guys and girls?
Word count: 239
Congressional Award
By Alissa Rothman
Word count: 327
An unusual event occurred Wednesday after school in room 132 at West High School. The Congressional Award Club was meeting.
“We don’t meet very often,” said Molly Parsons ’10, one of the three co-founders and co-presidents of the club. “This club is very individualistic.”
The Congressional Awards Club is a club that focuses on helping members earn the Congressional Award. This award is very prestigious and internationally recognized. It is given by Congress to students aged 14-24 years who complete a set number of hours volunteering, engaging in physical fitness, participating in a personal interest and undertaking a wilderness or venture experience. It is spilt up into different medal and certificate awards, allowing students with busy schedules to participate in the award. Students can register at any time to start trying for the awards.
The club is one of the newest being created only a year ago by three freshmen; Parsons, Darin Lee (’10) and Sophie Donta (’10). Now sophomores, they became interested in the award through Parsons older sister, who did the international award in Thailand.
“We talked to Mr. Breitbach (West High counselor) about the idea of the club and he loved it,” said Parsons.
“When we first started doing the award it was just the three of us,” said Lee. “But when we told our friends about it a lot of them wanted to get involved, and we thought it would be a good idea to have a group to support each other.”
The Congressional Award currently includes 20 registered members, with 27 others that are interested in joining. However, due to other activities, some can not actively participate in the club for this year.
The club focuses on setting goals and working toward them, but they also do fun trips such as the expeditions which are group camping trips and participating in Ragbrai.
“Doing activities as a group is fun and it feels good to work towards something with your friends,” said Parsons.
Word count: 327
An unusual event occurred Wednesday after school in room 132 at West High School. The Congressional Award Club was meeting.
“We don’t meet very often,” said Molly Parsons ’10, one of the three co-founders and co-presidents of the club. “This club is very individualistic.”
The Congressional Awards Club is a club that focuses on helping members earn the Congressional Award. This award is very prestigious and internationally recognized. It is given by Congress to students aged 14-24 years who complete a set number of hours volunteering, engaging in physical fitness, participating in a personal interest and undertaking a wilderness or venture experience. It is spilt up into different medal and certificate awards, allowing students with busy schedules to participate in the award. Students can register at any time to start trying for the awards.
The club is one of the newest being created only a year ago by three freshmen; Parsons, Darin Lee (’10) and Sophie Donta (’10). Now sophomores, they became interested in the award through Parsons older sister, who did the international award in Thailand.
“We talked to Mr. Breitbach (West High counselor) about the idea of the club and he loved it,” said Parsons.
“When we first started doing the award it was just the three of us,” said Lee. “But when we told our friends about it a lot of them wanted to get involved, and we thought it would be a good idea to have a group to support each other.”
The Congressional Award currently includes 20 registered members, with 27 others that are interested in joining. However, due to other activities, some can not actively participate in the club for this year.
The club focuses on setting goals and working toward them, but they also do fun trips such as the expeditions which are group camping trips and participating in Ragbrai.
“Doing activities as a group is fun and it feels good to work towards something with your friends,” said Parsons.
The deal with lunch- Jami McClain
It’s 10:53 you can’t wait one more minute, and then bell will ring for lunch time. But you remember you don’t have A lunch you have C lunch. West has three lunches. A lunch the best lunch for hot pizza, and other foods, and they never run out. B lunch everybody wants, because it makes forth period shorter. Then there C lunch where you eat around 11:52 so you wont get as hungry during the end of the day.
Jordan Shavers '12 who has A lunch said
“No people that I like is in my lunch, but it’s good.” If he could change one thing it would be that, his friends have the same lunch as him. His dream lunch would be B lunch. Sometimes the lunch rooms are so packed that there isn’t a place to eat by the time people get their food it’s almost time for fifth period. Most people are starting to bring a lunch from home so they won’t have to wait in line. Brieana Houg '11 has B lunch said, “If I could change anything I would change the prices.” Her dream lunch would be the lunch that she has now because it cuts down the time.
There is also down sides to all of the lunches even B. A lunch you eat so early that sometimes you aren t very hungry, but towards the end of the day you can be starving. B lunch if you ever have a test in your forth period it can be a pain, and you have to switch your lunch, and eat before or after forth period. C lunch always runs out of food, and the pizza is cold by then. As of this tri C lunch is packed it’s way to crazy in there. The lunches aren’t split very well because, they don't split the lunches up evenly. A lunch barley has any people in it. It would be better if the lunches were more balanced out, but then again if you have one of the better lunches then why make it worse.
Jordan Shavers '12 who has A lunch said
“No people that I like is in my lunch, but it’s good.” If he could change one thing it would be that, his friends have the same lunch as him. His dream lunch would be B lunch. Sometimes the lunch rooms are so packed that there isn’t a place to eat by the time people get their food it’s almost time for fifth period. Most people are starting to bring a lunch from home so they won’t have to wait in line. Brieana Houg '11 has B lunch said, “If I could change anything I would change the prices.” Her dream lunch would be the lunch that she has now because it cuts down the time.
There is also down sides to all of the lunches even B. A lunch you eat so early that sometimes you aren t very hungry, but towards the end of the day you can be starving. B lunch if you ever have a test in your forth period it can be a pain, and you have to switch your lunch, and eat before or after forth period. C lunch always runs out of food, and the pizza is cold by then. As of this tri C lunch is packed it’s way to crazy in there. The lunches aren’t split very well because, they don't split the lunches up evenly. A lunch barley has any people in it. It would be better if the lunches were more balanced out, but then again if you have one of the better lunches then why make it worse.
Dangerously Cheesy
So you want to be able to pick up girls with your radical one liners? Want to make guys fall in love with you with one sideways glance? Unfortunately, so does the rest of the world.
The simple fact is that, in most cases, love doesn’t come that easily. There is no ‘quick fix’, no shortcuts. But never fear, world, because love is real, and love will survive.
The hardest part is not getting the response you want. Ever been turned down? Not fun. Then you either have to try again, or walk away awkwardly, and neither of those options are pleasant. So what if it was Julia, “the love of your life” and she-will-never-talk-to-you-again-and-you-feel-stupid-and-sad-and-you-should-never-had-done-anything-and...
Yes, yes, we’ve all had the feeling, so suck it up. She can’t be “the love of your life” because your life has just begun [unless you’re 80, which in that case, you should probably get out of the school and stop trying to date 15 year olds, you crazy old creep].
“You just gotta pick yourself up, and try again. You’re bound to hit the jackpot some time,” said Jesse Tomas ’10.
Now, you’re going to be like, “yes, I’ve heard this all before,” but listen up, because even the most attractive of people get rejected, even the most caring, the funniest, the richest, because you see, life doesn’t make sense, and people are no exception to that rule. I’m not saying that there is going to be that perfect person waiting for you, and don’t go looking for them.
Just sit back, take it as it comes, and learn as much as you can, so when you do happen to stumble on someone who just might be the best thing you’ve ever seen, you’ll be ready.
Just remember, try not to be to dangerously cheesy.
Writen by Jake Ross-Sheehy
The simple fact is that, in most cases, love doesn’t come that easily. There is no ‘quick fix’, no shortcuts. But never fear, world, because love is real, and love will survive.
The hardest part is not getting the response you want. Ever been turned down? Not fun. Then you either have to try again, or walk away awkwardly, and neither of those options are pleasant. So what if it was Julia, “the love of your life” and she-will-never-talk-to-you-again-and-you-feel-stupid-and-sad-and-you-should-never-had-done-anything-and...
Yes, yes, we’ve all had the feeling, so suck it up. She can’t be “the love of your life” because your life has just begun [unless you’re 80, which in that case, you should probably get out of the school and stop trying to date 15 year olds, you crazy old creep].
“You just gotta pick yourself up, and try again. You’re bound to hit the jackpot some time,” said Jesse Tomas ’10.
Now, you’re going to be like, “yes, I’ve heard this all before,” but listen up, because even the most attractive of people get rejected, even the most caring, the funniest, the richest, because you see, life doesn’t make sense, and people are no exception to that rule. I’m not saying that there is going to be that perfect person waiting for you, and don’t go looking for them.
Just sit back, take it as it comes, and learn as much as you can, so when you do happen to stumble on someone who just might be the best thing you’ve ever seen, you’ll be ready.
Just remember, try not to be to dangerously cheesy.
Writen by Jake Ross-Sheehy
Tenth-grade registration
West High tenth-graders are upset about the lack of time they have to put together a schedule for next year.
Due to the six-day weekend caused by snow days, registration information for the 2009-2010 school year was issued to both the ninth-graders and tenth-graders at West High last Thursday. The ninth-graders have until next week to figure out class schedules, but the tenth-graders are meeting with their counselors this week to determine the courses they will take next year. This year, counselors are also asking for signatures from social studies, science, math, English, and foreign language teachers to insure that students are choosing correct classes. This is to help lighten the load of schedule changes at the beginning of next year.
“We only got five days to think about it and only three days to get teacher’s signatures,” said Lizzy Laikhter ’11. “I am very upset. I haven’t really been able to think about classes. I don’t have signatures, and my meeting is tomorrow.”
Laikhter ’11 also complained about the lack of information on classes. “This is a big decision. They [teachers] haven’t talked about classes, haven’t talked about anything you do in those classes.”
Students are expected to make the best choices possible in the allotted time. West High guidance counselor Kay DiLeo said, “It’s unfortunate, but I don’t think the amount of time makes a difference. Nothing is final. Students decide and have the opportunity to change.”
By Laura Stamnes
Due to the six-day weekend caused by snow days, registration information for the 2009-2010 school year was issued to both the ninth-graders and tenth-graders at West High last Thursday. The ninth-graders have until next week to figure out class schedules, but the tenth-graders are meeting with their counselors this week to determine the courses they will take next year. This year, counselors are also asking for signatures from social studies, science, math, English, and foreign language teachers to insure that students are choosing correct classes. This is to help lighten the load of schedule changes at the beginning of next year.
“We only got five days to think about it and only three days to get teacher’s signatures,” said Lizzy Laikhter ’11. “I am very upset. I haven’t really been able to think about classes. I don’t have signatures, and my meeting is tomorrow.”
Laikhter ’11 also complained about the lack of information on classes. “This is a big decision. They [teachers] haven’t talked about classes, haven’t talked about anything you do in those classes.”
Students are expected to make the best choices possible in the allotted time. West High guidance counselor Kay DiLeo said, “It’s unfortunate, but I don’t think the amount of time makes a difference. Nothing is final. Students decide and have the opportunity to change.”
By Laura Stamnes
Down with Pointless Inconveniences
Getting up early in the morning can be a pointless inconvenience. So can not being able to take all the classes you want to.
Especially seeing as it can be fixed. Changing the number of class periods a day from 7 to 8 would not be a bad idea, considering the reasoning below.
For one thing, cutting the time in a period from 55 minutes to 48 minutes would not drastically affect class lessons. In most classes, that five to ten minutes at the end of the period is just some extra time to do homework.
Also, there would be less necessity for earlybird. There are a few advantages to early bird classes. “It [EB PE] wakes me up for the rest of the day,” said Nhan Trahn-Phan, ’12. But that’s still not worth losing an hour of sleep every day.
West High’s motto is “Where Excellence is a Tradition.” Now limiting the number of classes a student can take is something akin to limiting their excellence, right?
Also, high school students should be able to handle more than junior high students, according to John Wen ’12. “They even have eight periods at Northwest,” he said.
So, give those hard pieces of evidence, the changing of 7 class periods a day to 8 should definitely be considered.
-Allan Liu
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