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4 FEATURE Get Ready Gamers, It is the Year of Games Elizabeth Martinez Staff Writer Get ready folks, because itʼs 2008, probably the biggest year of gaming since the release of World of Warcraft. People will definitely be feeling some holes in their wallets this year with the release of games like Super Smash Bros. Brawl (SSBB) for the Wii and the World of Warcraft (WoW) expansion, Wrath of the Lich King for the PC. Brawl is probably the most anticipated game of ʻ08, since there were many fans of the original and the Gamecube version, Super Smash Bros. Melee. Although Melee was a great game, like the Gamecube was a great system, both now sit in a dusty corner in the room of most gamers, but both are remembered fondly. “I havenʼt played Super Smash Bros. Melee in a long time, Iʼm so rusty,” Randall Smith, age 21, said. Of course there will be other games, such as Starcraft 2 for the PC and Final Fantasy 7 Crisis Core for the PC, and many, many more. “Iʼm really looking forward to buying Brawl, finally, a new game for my new system!” joked Samantha Barnes, a home school student. Another highly anticipated game is the WoW expansion, which was mentioned earlier. This expansion will undoubtedly make the most popular MMORPG (massively multiplayer online roleplaying game) even more popular. With it, a player will be able to reach level 80, travel to the frigid lands of Northrend, where the Lich King Arthas, resides. “I hope itʼs good,” Robert Katricak, student at Elyria Catholic said, “I didnʼt like the previous expansion too much. Level 70 was pretty bad in my opinion.” On the other hand, some people out there prefer the old school games. “I like playing some of the new games out there,” Raymond Marley, age 22, said, “But you canʼt beat the old school Mario games. Theyʼll always be my favorite.” By now, one is wondering: what will people that donʼt own some of these consoles do? “I donʼt have a Wii,” Robert Katricak said, “I canʼt find one either, so I really donʼt know what Iʼm going to do. I want to play Brawl though. The new Link looks awesome!” As 2008 rolls on, gamers out there are on the edge of their seats as they wait for the coming of great titles, new and old. www.my.highschooljournalism.org/oh/amherst/steele Kelly Hall Staff Writer Every year the sophomores have to take a test called the Ohio Graduation Test which indicates if they are going to graduate or not. It is mandatory that every tenth grader takes the OGT. There are many students that do not agree on taking this test. “I donʼt get why we have to take them, I hate studying for it” said Kenny Case. Of course a student is not going to like taking it, but from other peopleʼs and teachersʼ point of view, they do not get why students get so worked up over this test. The sophomores think after they take it that it is very easy. ”In my school people freak out about it, but to me I think it is pretty easy, but to some it may be hard,” said Emma Hill. “The OGT was easy for me, so students should relax more and not be all uptight about it,“ said Joel Taylor. For some, however, it can be hard. The way it works is if a student fails any part of the test the student will have to retake it until he or she passes. “We, as in some students, do not take it seriously in which we The Record February 22, 2008 National Radio Show Can Change Lives DMLive helps teens with serious problems Eleanor Geer Staff Writer Across the world, teenagers and young adults go though problems every day. In some cases, they do not have an opportunity to have anyone to talk to. What many do not realize is that there is someone to talk to. A nationally broadcast weekly radio show and its host Dawson McAllister offer help for any problem; Dawson McAllister Live (DMLive) airs every Sunday night at 10:00 on 96.5 FM. Dawson understands what teens are going though and he cares about every person who calls into the show for advice. Daw- son is a nationally syndicated author and youth communicator. He has talked to millions of teenagers through his talks and books according to the showʼs website dmlive. com. Steele junior Brooke Arthur-Mensah, who listens to the show said, “Heʼs inspiring. He goes out of his way and he treats the callers as if heʼs a friend because he never talks down to them.” Callers to DMLive have various types of problems. Some are more serious than others. Calls include relationship problems, abusive parents, or teenage pregnancy. The topic that comes up the most is additions. Steele guidance counselor Mrs. Loushin said, “Teens want to fit in and the desire takes over. There will always be pressure and we all have to make our own choices as to how to deal with that.” Whether it is an issue with money or depression, Dawson gives practical ways to solve it or at least help the caller cope. If more than advice needs to be given, a person called a “hope-coach” will visit the caller. Hope-coaches are in many major cities across the country and are sent to help callers with counseling or giving them personal help in addressing the issue. They are available to talk to every day in private chat rooms on dmlive.com. “I donʼt know why people get into drugs and that kind of stuff,” said sophomore Sarah Wagner. “Itʼs good that they have someone who can help them.” Callers to the show can expect help and advice for their sometimes-dangerous situations, but Dawson will always say what he thinks of the situation bluntly. He knows it may be painful to hear, but he lets the caller know that it will help them overall. But he will always talk to the caller with a compassionate tone to his voice. “Dawson and the hope-coaches really care about teenagers and young adults. Hope-coaches were there for me and I encourage anyone else to call in,” said Stacy, a user of the Dawson McAllister Live Street Team, which is a forum for listeners. The show not only gives support to listeners from Dawson, but also the show itself in the sense that listeners know that other teens and young adults have problems too. In identifying with other teens across the country, listeners can feel comforted just by listening and not even calling in. Steele sophomore Brianna Ellis said, “DMLive changes everything. Before I discovered it, I had no idea that other teens were facing what I was.” For more information on Dawson McAllister, Hope Coaches, and the show, please visit www.dmlive.com. Dawsonʼs blog is also available on the website to get his insight on different topics. Ohio Graduation Test is Approaching What sophomores can expect from the OGT should, like who wants to take it over again for the second time?“ said Max Hill. The catch is if you do not pass it and youʼre a senior then you do not graduate. So they have to keep on taking the test, but only the parts you have failed over again until you pass the test. In some way it is weird that even teachers do not get why we have to take the Ohio Graduation Test. Some think that they are pointless, because they can be teaching sophomores more important things for their future instead of worrying about going over OGT subjects for their students Sophomore students may think that these test are not important to them but they really are. “These kinds of tests are, it is a way of knowing if you are going to graduate, who would not want to graduate? Take it seriously,” said Cassandra Maxwell. It may seem like no one cares but they do, but wish they did not have to. It is more like if you do not take this test you will not graduate and get your diploma.
The Record February 22, 2008 www.my.highschooljournalism.org/oh/amherst/steele Mr. Lengyel is not only a teacher that teaches Astronomy and Chemistry at Amherst Steele High School, he is also the President of the Black River Astronomical Society, a member of a band called The Men of Steele, helps with the Workshop Players theater and likes to garden. Mr. Lengyel has been married for 28 years. He and his wife met while he taught in Amherst. He has a step-daughter who teaches third grade at Westwood School in Wellington. Mr. Lengyel is currently the president of the Black River Astronomical Society. He has been a member since the early 1970ʼs. “The club is dedicated to promoting astronomy in Lorain county,” Lengyel said. “It has been in existence since 1949 and we operated Nielsen Observatory at the Lorain County Metroparks Equestrian Center. We usually have two public observing sessions per month, normally on Fridays.” Mrs. Elsasser, another teacher at Amherst Steele High School, said Lengyel is very knowledgeable and passionate about astronomy. “I think he shows that in his teaching. It is a great hobby for him because it allows him to travel,” Elsasser said. The band called The Men of Steele started at Amherst Steele High School when they were asked to perform one song for a Pop Show. The band members include; Mr. Cocco, Mr. Hause, Mr. Latto, Mr. Lengyel, Mrs. Schnieder and Mr. Strohm . “Mr. Norris Smith, who taught Biology here, originally organized the group,” Lengyel said. “Later, we Caffeine being used more often at Steele Today more and more people are turning to caffeine to get them through the day, but is it a necessarily healthy habit. There i no arguing more people are using caffeine in larger doses. But how much is too much caffeine? According to Kidshealth.org, “Consuming as little as 100 mg of caffeine a day can lead a person to become “dependent” on caffeine.” The same site says that 5 ounce cup of coffee has 115 mg of caffeine. Their also other factors that determine how much caffeine someone should have. “(It) depends on the personʼs size. A small girl is going to need less,” biology teacher Mr. Kemp said. So how often should you indulge in caffeine products. “Sometimes its okay, but not all the time because it can make your body messed up in some ways,” freshman Amanda Yanosko said. Caffeine gives an energy high, but after it wears off it gives the feeling of just getting hit by a bus. “After it wears off, I feel dead,” junior Jen Peacock said. Although a lot of people think its unhealthy caffeine can be used to help athletes. “Among bicyclists and marathon runners caffeine is routine, but not to the degree of the energy drinks,” Kemp said. Even though its not proven to caused dehydration, “To be safe, itʼs probably a good idea to stay away from too much caffeine in hot weather, during long workouts, or in other situations where you might sweat a lot,” according to kidshealth. org. Steele students are among some to be addicted to caffeine. “I am an addict. If I donʼt get any I go through withdrawal,” senior Clay Barns said when asked if he was a caffeine addict. . “I do not consider myself an addict because I can survive with out it,” said junior Julia Siwierka when she was asked if she felt that she was an addict. So are there anyways to get the same energy but from a healthier source. “A person eating a full balanced breakfast can achieve the same affects,” Kemp said. Every February grades 9 through 11 at Amherst Steele High School choose the courses they will take in the next school year. Scheduling began yesterday and will close on Wednes- day, March 5. It is online again and every student should have received their username and passwords in homeroom when they received their interims on February 13. No packets are going to be handed out this year, but guidance counselor Mary Jane Loushin said that there will be some packets available in the office for students who do not have internet access, new students, or students who feel they need one. The counselors are going to be stricter about changing classes next year. According to page 2 in the course guide packet the only reason a studentʼs sched- FEATURE The other side of Steele Teacher Mr. Lengyel A new monthly feature about the teachers here at steele Kristina Sliman Staff Writer Emily Corts Staff Writer Attetion Steele Students! Yearbook Order Forms are due March 19th!!! Make Sure You Get Them In expanded to Record photo by Kristina Sliman an actual rock band and the rest is history. I enjoy playing in a band and would like to continue doing so after I retire from teaching.” Lengyel expects to retire after the 09-10 school year.” “I believe Mr. Lengyel is the glue that keeps them together. Theyʼre quite good! As a solo artist heʼs a mix of Willie Nelson and Weird Al Yankovic! Heʼs written numerous songs as well,” Elsasser said. Scheduling Season Has Begun Jenny Knudsen Staff Writer 5 Jr. High Assistant Principal, Ron Hause likes playing in the band with Mr. Lengyel. “I constantly tell him to turn his bass down,” said Hause. “There are two things that I admire most about Mr. Lengyel. First, he is a well rounded individual. Secondly, he is a great teacher and truly has the best interests of his students at heart,” Hause said. “I like playing keyboards with Mr. Lengyelʼs bass playing and vocals. He is a natural, enthusiastic, and forceful presence on stage, so he is fun to perform with,” Strohm said. “About Mr. Lengyel, I like best that he is verbal, humorous, extroverted, generous, and genuine,” said Strohm. Mr. Cocco and Mr. Lengyel met in 1994 when Cocco was a sophomore in his Chemistry I class. “Heʼs a great teacher and colleague, as well as very funny and easy to get along with. Mr. Lengyel enjoys socializing and everyone has a really good time when heʼs around,” Cocco said. “Mr. Lengyel really cares about people and would take the time to help anyone. This is reflected in his thorough yet patient style of teaching,” Mr. Sooy, a Steele teacher, said. “He also interjects humor into his classroom. He likes to say things that take a little time before you catch the joke,” Sooy said. Mr. Lengyel gardens organically. “I have two garden areas, each with about 1000 square feet. I also grow apples. I have 15 apple trees, all of different varieties.” Lengyel said. “I used to grow grapes, but the raccoons ate them before I could pick them,” said Lengyel. “Mr. Lengyel and I are both gardeners,” said Sooy. “We often talk about our successes and failures in gardening.” ule will be changed will be either because of an incomplete schedule, conflicts in requested courses, meeting graduation requirements, accommodating approved educational programs, to add a class, and if a student is placed in a class of the wrong level. Several new classes are being offered next year. A few of the new classes are an AP comparative government and politics class for seniors, a honors social studies 2 class for sophomores, PSEO Spanish 5, and a new music theory class. With the new classes there are even more options for students. Jessica Padilla, senior, offers underclassmen the advice of “You should take classes that you are interested in.” Junior Ali Moran said that she recommends “not doubling up because it can be too stressful and taking foreign languages early.” Most students need a minimum of 24 credits to graduate. And everyone needs to have at least 6 blocks filled a year. Students should be receiving a copy of their schedule by mid-May and have all changes made by the end of June.
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