Snow days, or two hour delays; that is what every student hopes for when there is a forecast for bad weather. When is it decided that school is called? Who decides it and why? There’s a process that directors must go through every time there is a threat for bad weather. A process that makes sure everyone is kept as safe as possible.
Imagine venturing out to a place that you’ve never been to. Then, picture that place being a country with a different language and customs, along with other different things to get around. In this new country, you’d have to live with a whole new family, go to school and try to manage living the life of someone who’s lived there they’re entire life.
Foreign exchange student programs have become very popular in recent times. The type of program became popular after World War II. Some countries wanted others to understand the culture and tolerance of their own and wanted to improve the language skills of boarding countries. Although this program was not started a long time ago, aspects of it have change. Such as the amount of time some one is there. The student is typically there for anywhere from 6 to 10 months, compared to some that used to last months longer.
Excelling in certain aspects in life is something that everyone can relate to. Whether it’s music, climbing rocks, writing or even kayaking down Niagara Falls, there’s always something for all of us. But for a few students in the EVSC, academics is their major strong point and they get show that off through competitions throughout the second semester.
Every year the Public Education Foundation supports the Academic Super Bowl team by giving the funds for about 350 students from the EVSC. At Reitz, about 20 students have gotten together to get their team ready to put up their best fight against the other schools competing.
Are you just sitting around your house bored on Fridays and Saturdays and want some place to go? In the mood for dancing? You should go to Oxygen Nightclub!
Located in North Park behind CVS, Oxygen is for people under 21 and a great place to go and hang out with your friends. There are three different rooms that play music. There’s a room that plays techno music that use to have a mechanical bull in it, which they still bring back from time to time. There’s a room that plays rock music, and then there’s the main room that they use that plays rap. You can rent out these rooms for parties.
Since oxygen use to be for people 21 and over, there are tons of bars there that aren’t being used in every room. If you’re a pool shark, there are two pool tables, lots of plush furniture, and a random claw machine.
In the big room, there are two small cages that hold about two or three people and one big cage that holds multiple people to dance in. A d.j. is located in the middle of two balconies on the stage. The stage has seats and tables and a couch behind the d.j. In front of him is a big stage to dance on.
Oxygen has karaoke every Saturday and foam parties about once a month. Fridays are a great time to go, but Saturdays are cheaper. They’re only five dollars.
Oxygen Nightclub
1000 N Park Dr
465-0202
Solo and ensemble is a festival and commentary where individuals prepare a solo or song with other people and perform for a rating.
“There were a lot of people at district so it was chaotic, but I liked it. It was a really good experience. It was my first time getting a gold, so that was nice, too,” says clarinet player Haley McConnell.
If you want to get a gold or any kind of good rating, how do you prepare?
Tuba player Brian Bell says “I always get nervous during solos. I practiced a whole lot; at least ten hours all together! I was relieved that I got into state.”
French horn player Rachael Bennett who played both a solo and a quintet felt differently about it.
“I practiced a month ahead of time and had to meet with a piano player a couple of times, but I wasn’t nervous. I’m use to it. It’s kind of like a routine thing.”
Nine people went to state in band and two people in choir for solo and ensemble. Band held it in Indianapolis at North Central High School on February 23. Choir state was held on February 16.
For choir, Cathryn Schauss played a piano solo and got a gold medal. She also did a vocal solo and got a silver medal. Jordan Masterson did a vocal solo, too, and received a gold medal.
For band, the silver ratings were Jared Welden who played a trombone solo and Matt Waltz with an alto sax solo. Gold ratings include Jennifer Claybaugh (flute solo), Rachel Bennett (French horn solo), Haley McConnell (clarinet solo), Brian Bell (tuba solo), Michael Keller (trombone solo), Steve Waltz (trombone solo), and Andrew Miller (alto and tener sax solos).
Many people would agree that music is an irreplaceable aspect in our lives. Such artists as Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, and Led Zeppelin, who all have helped shape minds of present and future music lovers, are re-releasing old CDs of theirs that are digitally re-mastered and ready to make a come back into the music world better sounding than ever.
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was released again in February. On November 30, 1982, this hit CD by Jackson hit the stores, gracing America with its presence. This album showcased the biggest hits “Beat It” and “Thriller.” However, the 25th anniversary edition is now featuring never released songs that will surely blow you Michael Jackson fans away.
Katie Greenwell
Staff Writer
A cold and icy sport full of violence, skates, sticks, a puck, and a lot of hardworking, determined boys is what you get when you watch Reitz hockey. Very few people know about Reitz hockey team and it’s not actually connected with the EVSC. When sports are connected with the school system, pretty much everything is paid for.
Reitz’s new football coach, Tony Lewis, meets in the IMC to introduce himself to his new team. He came all the way from Wheelsburg, Ohio back to his youth at Reitz High where he was a former assistant coach.
Lewis received his bachelor degree in education at Indiana University and his masters from USI. He was previously a history and social studies teacher, but he will now be teaching physical education at Reitz.
He won’t officially join the Reitz staff until March 10, but it is obvious that he will be welcomed with opened arms.
Editor’s Note: Laura Reinicke relates her personal experience of the lockdown.
As we all know, Reitz High School was put on lockdown March 6, 2008. It seems as though there was a personal attack on the school involving a gun and a possible former Reitz student.
I was down at the attendance office I noticed that all of the department heads were called down to Mr Adams’, our dean, office. It seemed as though something had been happening but even the secretaries had no idea, just that there had been a 911 call made. As the teachers maintained their composure, it was evident that there was something terribly wrong, but had the students best interests at heart.
Editor’s Note: Dan Keil relates his personal experience during the lockdown.
Sitting in yearbook class, we heard Mrs. Harrington come over the intercom and announce a lockdown. She sounded really flustered, and it was a lunch period so we knew it wasn’t a drill. We looked out the windows and saw a cop car drive up, followed by the Fox 7 News truck.
Some students in our class had left the room to take pictures, so there was only one camera left in the room. Mr. Wells, our advisor, began taking pictures of the cop cars as they kept appearing in the lot. Everyone had their cell phones out, calling their parents and taking pictures of the police. We saw more cars drive around to the back of the school. We counted about 40 marked and unmarked police cars.
Cops were getting assault rifles and shotguns out of their trunks and putting on body armor.
One student, Jaclyn Cardin, got a call from a new student, who had ducked into the nearest room. She was alone in the room with an unlocked door and was really scared, but Jaclyn stayed on the line with her to calm her down. Wells informed the office of her situation. A police officer eventually went to go get her out of the room.
One policeman ran down the hall and started pounding on our door and told us to get against the wall and away from the windows. We stopped taking pictures, but turned on the TV and watched the local news for updates. We began calling friends and family to make sure everyone was okay and to tell everyone we were fine.
One student’s boyfriend had a police scanner and was giving us updates. There was a lot of speculation as to if the gunman was a student or someone unrelated to the school. We received a lot of our information from people listening to the radio outside of school. They relayed us the information and we began to put facts together.
After we heard that the suspect was apprehended on Old Henderson Road, we began to relax and go back to the windows to see what was happening. An officer came to the door while they were clearing the school, and we told him we were alright. We received a message over the intercom from both the principal and the assisstant superintendent, telling us everything was alright and the gunman never entered the school. I called my mom a final time to tell her I was alright and the situation was over.
I never imagined something like this would happen at Reitz, but this event shows that it can happen anywhere.
