March 2007 - Lincoln East High School

Oo racle 

v. 39 i. 7 march 2007 

Cove r p h o to by Shuqiao Song

Inside... 

News 

Veterans of the war in Iraq aren’t receiving the 

benefits they deserve, East Speech and Debate wins 

State, and students show off their hidden talents. 

Voices 

The nature of politicians according to our 

Voices editor, dealing with peer-achievement 

pressure, and staffers Rant and Rave. 

Faces 

StuCo hosts a Fashion Show for Make-A- 

Wish, FCS students learn about childcare 

first-hand, and “junioritis” hits East. 

Focus 

It’s time for March Madness - but we’re 

not talking basketball. Dumb lawsuits, 

faulty As Seen on TV products, and 

malpractice are plaguing the nation. 

A&E 

America’s Next Top Model returns and 

Oprah opens a new school in South Africa. 

And it’s springtime in the city and we’ve got 

your guide to Lincoln’s art, fun, and food. 

Sports 

It’s March and that means a new batch of East 

sports are starting - we preview the teams. Plus, 

seniors commit to colleges and two staffers give 

their takes on the NCAA tournament. 

2 | ORACLE | MARCH 2007

If 

you would like 

to see your artwork 

in the Oracle, send it in! 

Pictures, paintings, sketches, 

poems, anything! Send your work 

to Mrs. Holt in B159 and see your 

artwork here. You can submit items 

to be shown anonymously but your 

name must be on your work. If 

you don’t see your submitted 

artwork, look for it in next 

month’s issue! 

Artwork by John Ridgley 

MARCH 2007 | ORACLE | 3

Walter Reed scandal called “Katrina of 2007” 

BY CARRIE CHEN 

Copy Editor 

In February 2007, “The Washington 

Post” published a series of articles exposing 

cases of neglect and unsatisfactory 

care at the Walter Reed Army Medical 

Center (WRAMC). Wounded soldiers 

and their family members reported unsanitary 

conditions and overworked staff 

and were frustrated by the bureaucratic 

delays. WRAMC’s Building 18, used for 

outpatient care, is described in the article 

as infested with roaches and rodents, 

furnished with stained carpets and cheap 

mattresses, in addition to mold, heating 

and water problems. 

“This is the Katrina of 2007,” said 

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, 

referring to the Bush administration’s 

slow response to Hurricane Katrina 

in 2005. This time, however, President 

Bush responded swiftly to the situation 

by naming a special commission to 

investigate the problem. The concern is 

that the Walter Reed scandal is not an 

isolated incident, but an alarming indication 

that military medical facilities across 

the nation are failing U.S. servicemen and 

women. The media attention has called 

into question veteran care as well. However, 

it is important to note that Walter 

Reed serves active duty soldiers, and is a 

part of the Department of Defense. Veterans 

Hospitals are under the Department 

of Veterans Affairs, so care of active duty 

servicemen and veterans is in the hands 

of two different, respective administrative 

departments. 

Fortunately, Nebraska’s medical care 

commitment to its veterans is a far cry 

from the situation at Walter Reed. The 

regional health care system includes a 

hospital in Omaha, with outpatient clinics 

in Lincoln, Grand Island and North 

Platte. 

“The V.A. Nebraska-Western Iowa 

Health Care system continues to earn 

above average scores in patient satisfaction, 

quality of care, patient safety and 

environment of care,” said V.A. spokesperson 

Mary Shipp. 

The VA hospitals serve veterans from 

“The concern is that the Walter Reed 

scandal is not an isolated incident, but 

an alarming indication that military 

medical facilites across the nation are 

failing U.S. servicemen and women.” 

all wars, including World War II, Korea 

and Vietnam, as well as the current Iraq 

War. Nationwide, the V.A. operates the 

largest integrated health care system in 

the country. More than 7 million veterans 

are enrolled in the V.A.’s system, with 

4.2 million expected to seek treatment 

this year. 

In Nebraska, Shipp and the V.A.’s 

Public Affairs department has mobilized 

efforts to encourage veterans to enroll in 

the V.A. system. V.A. Nebraska-Western 

Iowa Health Care system serves veterans 

from 104 counties in Nebraska, western 

Iowa, and portions of Kansas and Missouri. 

Last year, more than 47,000 veterans 

enrolled with over 400,000 actual 

visits paid to VA Nebraska-Western Iowa 

medical facility during that time frame. 

“Our mission in VA is to maintain 

and improve the health and well being 

of veterans,” said Shipp. “Our staff does 

that each and every day with compassion 

and caring. We are proud to serve our 

nation’s veterans.” 

East speech and debate win State 

BY PAIGE JUHNKE 

Staff Reporter 

Not surprising to anyone, East’s Speech/Debate team dominated 

at the State tournament once again, but this year records were broken. 

The East team is the first team in the state of Nebraska to win six 

state championships in a row, and East has won the State tournament 

24 times. Another record that was broken was that Speech won six 

out of the nine events, and they placed second in another event. 

“It was like walking on air for the 

rest of day because we worked so 

hard for it.” 

- Junior Rachel Branker 

1st place Duo (with Derek Outsen) 

State Results 

Darja Doberman: 1 st in Oratory 

Derek Outson: 1 st in Dramatic Interpretation 

Sadie Lubeck: 1 st in Oral Interpretation of Drama 

Shelbi Svoboda: 1 st in Entertainment 

Taylor Stelk: 1 st in Informative 

Rachel Branker & Derek Outson: 1 st in Duo 

Carly Persell & Ashley Morgan: 1 st in Policy Debate 

Lisa Amen & Emika Du and Will Schiedeler & Alan Xu: tied for 1 st 

in Public Forum 

The speech team celebrates its 24th win at state (Photo courtesty of ChampShots). 

4 | ORACLE | MARCH 2007 | NEWS

Heroin production on rise 

The United States government is 

very vocal on its position on drug abuse, 

drug cultivation and production, and 

controlled substance distribution. That 

position spawned the “War on Drugs,” 

an international system of reducing the 

sources of drugs that eventually wash up 

in the United States. U.S. forces are involved 

in the destruction of coca plantations 

in Colombia and marijuana fields in 

Mexico. Herbicides are usually distributed 

by plane flyovers to kill unwanted crops 

of illegal plants. 

Some corn and jungle is eradicated 

along with the problem, but usually the 

target is successfully mowed down. It is 

interesting to note, however, that the U.S. 

has actually increased drug proliferation 

in at least one area, Afghanistan. 

Prior to U.S. troop involvement 

in Afghanistan, the Taliban was the 

government in power. They have been 

denounced as terrorism-funders and fundamentalists, 

but there was one issue they 

had down pat, and that was poppies. The 

Taliban had a zero-tolerance policy for 

growing poppies, which was punishable 

by death. However, today, with the collapse 

of that regime the poppies are well, 

popping up again in escalating amounts. 

The opium producing poppy, Papaver 

somniferum, thrives in the Afghani climate. 

It is a hardy 

annual 

that can 

withstand 

light frosts 

and most 

a m o u n t s 

o f p r e - 

cipitation. 

Opium is 

extracted 

from the 

p o p p y 

f l o w e r s 

and is then 

processed 

to produce 

o p i u m . 

BY BJ VALENTE 

Faces Editor 

Morphine and heroin can be produced 

from opium. Opiates, drugs derived from 

opium, are addictive narcotics. Because 

of the demand for heroin, poppy farmers 

can rake in twelve times the amount 

that a normal crop of corn or another 

plant would. It’s exceptionally hard for 

war-torn Afghanis to turn down the extra 

money from opium production when 

their main concern is providing enough 

food for their family. U.S. efforts to 

squash the poppy problem have been 

somewhat successful, but it hasn’t been 

enough to significantly slow the amount 

of poppies grown. 

Both the United States and Britain 

have promised Afghani farmers money 

if they destroy their poppy fields and 

grow other crops, but recently it has been 

found that neither the country has kept 

its word. Afghani farmers are complaining 

because the compensation money 

they hoped to receive was never given 

to them. Now they are left high and dry, 

with few options. 

Despite a 26 percent increase in 

heroin production in Afghanistan no 

fields have been sprayed with herbicide, 

which is the common remedy for the 

Colombian coca problem. Afghani and 

U.S. officials have said that if the problem 

persists, they will spray. Clouded in the 

use of these pesky plant pulverizers are 

health concerns. Both animal and human 

birth defects have been attributed to the 

herbicide compounds, which can also 

produce burns and destroy fertile soil. 

Worldwide, Afghanistan is now responsible 

for 90 percent of the world’s 

heroin, 10 percent of which makes its way 

to the United States. The Drug Enforcement 

Administration, DEA, is the group 

responsible 

for the 

control of 

illegal substances. 

In 

an ironic 

twist, while 

heroin prod 

u c t i o n 

is up, the 

DEA reports 

that 

their agent 

numbers 

are dropping 

each 

The poppy, papaver somniferum, produces opiates such as heroin. 

year due to 

retirement 

and matriculation. The department is less 

able to wage a “war on drugs”. So what 

now? The United States prepares to brace 

itself for this year’s crop in spring. Prices 

of heroin are expected to be cut from last 

year’s, while crime associated with heroin 

abuse should increase, painful reminders 

that U.S. failures in Afghanistan can have 

devastating effects at home and abroad. 

News Digest 

Tech ban on crosswalks 

Sen. Carl Kruger of Brooklyn, New York, recently proposed banning the use 

of cell phones, iPods, and other electronic devices in New York City and Buffalo 

crosswalks. The proposal came shortly after a 23-year old man was hit and killed 

by a car while changing songs on his iPod in a crosswalk. 

“While people are tuning into their iPods and cell phones, they’re tuning out 

the world around them,” said Kruger. If the ban is passed, the offense of using 

any electronic device in a crosswalk would be similar to jay-walking, which is a 

$100 fine. 

New DECA slushies 

DECA recently purchased two new Slushy machines for the school store. There 

are 12 different flavors, including orange mango, green apple, and strawberry banana. 

Each slushy is under 120 calories and includes vitamins A, C, and D. Every week or 

so they change the flavors, so check them out today! Each slushy costs 75 cents. 

Crime rates up 

In surveys since 2004, crime and violence has increased ten percent in 56 of the 

United States’ biggest cities. Cities include Dallas, Washington D.C., and Chicago, 

(but the U.S.’s biggest city, New York City, participate in the survey. 

The cities were surveyed over homicides, robberies, felonies, and gun-related 

crime. Over the past two years, gun assaults have increased over ten percent, while 

felony robberies have decreased slightly by two percent since 2005. Attorney General 

Gonzales wants Congress to spend over $200 million to help all cities fight violence 

and crime over the next several years. 

Violent hiccups end abruptly 

In Florida, Jennifer Mee’s five-week long hiccups-session finally ended on 

Feb. 28. The hiccups started on Jan. 23, and Mee would violently hiccup almost 

50 times a minute, and only stopped while she slept. Mee sought treatment from a 

neurologist, a chiropractor, an acupuncturist, and a hypnotist, but nothing worked. 

She even tried using a special device that’s used to stop hiccups, but her hiccups 

prevailed. 

Suddenly, on Feb. 28., her hiccups suddenly stopped. No one is certain why 

she had the hiccups for so long, what caused them, and why they stopped, but 

Mee is feeling much better. 

Compiled by Paige Juhnke 

NEWS | MARCH 2007 | ORACLE | 5

Policing 

government 

As many of you may have heard, the former 

chief of staff to Vice President Cheney, 

I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, was recently convicted 

of two counts of perjury, one count of 

obstructing justice, and one count of lying to 

federal investigators in connection with the 

Valerie Plame scandal. Libby is the highestranking 

White House official to be convicted 

in over 20 years; with that conviction comes 

an important lesson. 

There are two important pieces of context 

you need to know. First, in an attempt to 

keep his administration as clean as possible, 

President Bush, following the publicity of 

the scandal, declared that he would dismiss 

anyone in his administration who was in any 

way connected with revealing Valerie Plame’s 

identity as an undercover CIA officer. Second, 

during the trial, it appeared to the jurors that 

Libby was nothing more than a scapegoat, 

though one guilty of criminal action. 

With these two facts in mind, the 

importance of 

the following is 

evident: there 

is sworn testimony 

in court 

that Karl Rove 

was the primary 

source of the 

leak in the scandal. 

Rove is a 

deputy chief of 

staff to President 

Bush, but 

is more commonly 

known as a shadowy and powerful 

figure who wields enormous influence both 

in the Bush White House as well as among 

the movers and shakers of the Republican 

Party 

Ṫhe dilemma Bush faces should be obvious: 

live up to his promise to the American 

people or keep one of his key people in 

power. His choice won’t impact the United 

States as a whole, since Bush and, by extension, 

his administration wields practically 

zero power now and for the rest of his term. 

It can, however, serve as an object lesson in 

politics. 

President Bush is going to show us one 

of three things: loyalty to corrupt powerbrokers, 

loyalty to the American people, or 

sheer political expediency. It will be easiest 

to recognize if the first case is correct, as it 

will be indicated by Rove remaining in the 

White House. 

The other two are more problematic and 

ultimately come down to one’s personal opinion 

on humanity and politicians and whether 

the hypothetical firing is genuine or a cave 

to the demands of the populace. Granted, 

I’m a bit pessimistic, but I’d put money on 

Rove staying, if for no other reason than the 

American people are too ignorant/apathetic 

to change anything. But I’m no authority on 

the matter. 

What does matter is this: once again, 

our government is almost certainly going to 

provide us an important example of politics 

in our nation. We, as responsible citizens, 

must bare these examples in mind as we vote, 

think and act. We must also remember that, 

while the system can charge and imprison 

highly-placed criminals, ultimately we must 

6 | ORACLE | MARCH 2007 | VOICES 

Just your average Josephine 

Throughout my life, I have always been one notch below 

my friends, whether it has been grades, looks or natural talents. 

Now, when I say “one notch below,” I don’t mean it in a bad way 

– I’m normal. Nevertheless, coming to terms with mediocrity 

has been a life-long journey for me. 

I was a normal kid. I played softball and soccer and was 

in dance. I was good at school. Nothing about 

me was out of the ordinary. I think the only thing 

that stood out about me was that I was tall. But I 

wasn’t even that tall, only a couple of inches above 

everyone else. Eventually, I dropped out of all my 

childhood activities, one by one, when I realized 

that I wasn’t as talented or as committed as everyone 

else. I couldn’t compete with soccer stars or 

naturally-capable dancers. 

When I entered high school, I joined activities 

like the Speech team and marching band, where I 

was more or less able to blend into the background. 

I was excited to support others, but when it came to my own 

performance, I was less enthusiastic. The idea of holding leadership 

positions or even doing well in a Speech tournament 

scared me. Breaking out of mediocrity requires responsibility 

– the responsibility to continue doing well, the responsibility 

of being a role model to others. 

My mediocrity even extended slowly into my health. I 

stopped exercising, afraid of being the only person at the gym 

Letter to the Editor 

who wasn’t in shape or talented at sports. I gained more and 

more weight until I eventually became extremely self-conscious. 

Finally, I realized it was time. I wanted to move beyond mediocrity. 

I signed up for leadership positions and tried to show 

my more outgoing side and become more comfortable with 

myself. 

I tried to do well at speech tournaments and tried 

to be a fun leader in band. I attempted to become an 

officer for various clubs and worked on more activities. 

I tried to eat healthy and exercise. I gained more 

friends as I became increasingly more comfortable 

with who I was. 

But I wasn’t actually changing my mediocre 

status. I was still average in the most fundamental 

way – I wasn’t tremendously talented at any of my 

activities. Even now, I’m still a standard high-school 

senior. I enjoy the activities I’m involved in, but I 

don’t go overboard with any of them. I earn good 

grades but don’t surpass the intelligence of my classmates. I still 

haven’t found what I want to do with my life and am searching 

for that one passion. 

But I understand there is a place for everyone and life is 

about being patient while you find it. And while I’m no longer 

afraid of the responsibility that comes with being extraordinary, 

I just haven’t found my niche. 

ID badges important and considered 

Dear Spartans, 

are not able to identify the person/people 

I always wish I could simply sit down who are bothering them. IDs could be 

and talk to each of you but there is not helpful in these situations, but will not 

enough time to do so. I would like address 

some of the issues raised in the last I would like to tell you that all staff 

be a cure all. 

edition of the Oracle regarding IDs and members know all students, but that is 

security in general. 

simply not the case. Often, teachers who 

There are six high schools in Lincoln, are supervising in the halls and eating 

each with its own unique features. Because 

East has only one student parking is helpful to have a student’s name when 

areas do not know students’ names. It 

lot we can easily limit access to one side you are offering assistance or asking for it. 

of the building and lock other doors. IDs may also be of real assistance to help 

Other high schools in Lincoln are not so substitute teachers identify students. 

fortunate and must leave several doors Of course, the safest environment 

unlocked so students coming from is created when people feel like they are 

multiple parking lots can enter school known and respected. When you have 

efficiently. Visible school IDs will be good relationships with others there is 

helpful to ensure that all students entering 

the building are a part of the school around you. East High School is filled 

a connection and you care about those 

community. Will it work 100 percent of with wonderful students who do their 

the time to prevent non-students from best to be supportive of those around 

entering our high schools? Most likely them. We are looking for ways to use 

not. For school personnel who monitor IDs that will make your lives easier. We 

doors, security staff, and teaching staff, are hopeful that in the not too distant 

IDs will help us identify our students. future you will be able to use your ID to 

Bullying has gained a lot of media go through the lunch line, and to check 

attention in the last few years. One aspect 

of bullying that is hard to deal with District money has not been budgeted 

out materials from the Media Center. 

is anonymity. There are times when East for these systems so I am not sure how 

High students will report harassment and long this will take. 

I am not sure about the reference to 

“restrictions for students increasing” so 

I can only address the issues of which I 

am aware. Doors (except on South side) 

have been locked for about five years. We 

began monitoring our front door at the 

same time we started locking doors. In 

the last 18 months any security measures 

we implemented were in response to the 

fires that we were experiencing. Those 

restrictions have since been lifted. The 

mirrors at the front door are just that-- 

mirrors. They are for the benefit of the 

monitors who sit at the front door so they 

don’t have to move the desk and chair into 

the middle of the hallway, which would 

make it difficult for students to navigate 

during passing times. 

Change is sometimes difficult. I 

have a great deal of faith in the students 

and staff at East High School, though. 

As always, we will support Board policy. 

We will do our best to make it easy for 

everyone to get and wear an ID. For the 

vast majority of students it will not be an 

issue. There will always be students who 

will choose to not follow policy. We will 

work with students individually as we 

always do. 

DR. LEHMANOWSKY 

Principal

Where is the world going these days? I’ve always been serious about mechanical 

pencils but, lately, the increasing thickness of pencil lead is leading to 

the futility of mechanical pencils. Seriously, who can use .9 millimeter lead? 

rants 

I HATE CRAISINS!! THEY’RE SMALL AND 

WRINKLY AND TASTE LIKE CRAP!! If I wanted 

dried up, year-old fruit, I’d check the junkyard. You know 

what I hate? When I’m about to enjoy a cookie and as 

soon as I bite in, there’s a dried piece of fruit hiding 

within the goodness that a cookie could have been! 

There is no consistency with craisins! They range from 

just the totally disgusting skins of former cranberries to 

indistinguishable dried up mini-fruit that no one wants! 

There have been several times when I was super hungry, 

but had no food. Friends of mine offer to relinquish my 

hunger with what? CRAISINS!! I choose hunger. I think 

the only reason why craisins are sometimes perceived as 

tasty is because people like cranberries and people like 

raisins so obviously the mixture of the two would be 

delicious. NO!! People liked Michael Jackson when he 

was a young pop star in Jackson Five, but he became a 

TOTAL CREEP when he grew up and became wrinkly 

and old. Craisins are the old Michael Jackson form 

of cranberries. Think about THAT next time you 

bite into one of those little nasties! 

This stuff is so sick, why don’t we just revert to the days of wooden pencils 

that one sharpens with Pa’s wood-carver? It makes .7 millimeter lead look 

chic . . . and that’s a shame, because .7 millimeter lead is associated with cheap 

pencils. You know the ones I’m talking about: The plastic gray pencils (I hear 

with horror that Bic has added colors) with little clips that seem to fall off after 

two days of use. If that doesn’t happen, then the irreplaceable eraser will probably 

be ground to the base in a week. The quality mechanical pencils all use .5 

millimeter lead. There is a sort of undeniable sophistication with these pencils. 

So stop complaining about the ridiculousness of thin pencil lead. Don’t write 

so hard. Clearly, the aggression of people who hate .5 lead needs to be taken 

out on something more productive. 

MARK CARRAHER 

What really burns my bra are idiots randomly 

saying, “Hey you’re really short.” I mean really, I hadn’t 

noticed. It never occurred to me, even when the first 

99 people today told me. Thank you very much. What a 

new revelation. Hey, did you know that Chernobyl blew 

up? Or let’s even drop down to the level of some poop 

sticks I’ve known forever who think it’s just oh so funny 

to remind me on a daily basis of my height deficiency. 

Oh and the whole “treating-me-like-a-puppy-because- 

I’m-short” deal can rot in Hades. It’s not as if I’m alone 

in this issue. And right now as I’m ranting about this, I 

bet the people who know someone short are thinking 

“This is so cute! The little people want to grow.” Or 

you’re possibly thinking, “Just take some growth pills 

and fix the problem.” Well I’ll have you know that it 

isn’t me with the problem, bucko. It’s you! I have no 

problem with being short. It makes various aspects of 

life so much easier. But no, it’s you stupid folk who 

decided to turn this into a bad trait, just because you’re 

all so self-absorbed with your vertical superiority that 

you haven’t even paused to realize just how insignificant 

you are. Besides, short people live longer. 

AUBREY CUMMINGS 

TINA ZHENG 

“Grey’s Anatomy.” I hate this show. It 

is one of the dumbest programs I have ever 

had the misfortune of seeing. It’s basically 

“General Hospital” behind the guise of a 

legitimate show about medicine. My main 

problem? Well, just start with the title: it implies 

that the entire show is about the body 

of Meredith Grey. Great premise, eh? Before 

I go any further, I should say this: for the 

purposes of fair and objective reporting, I 

have suffered through an entire episode. It. 

Was. Terrible. To stay current with my hate, 

and to keep it from being, well, completely 

blind, I have also peeked in on other episodes 

several times. And what do I see? Meredith 

Grey in bed with someone. Or someone else 

in bed with someone. Or people obsessing 

over being in bed with someone. Or people 

obsessing about other people obsessing over 

being in bed with someone. Further proof 

of its terribleness lies in it only taking three 

seasons to start slipping into the stupid gimmicks 

that took “ER” many more seasons to 

fall into (I’m talking about huge disasters, in 

this case, a ferry crash). The one saving grace 

is that it’s only going to last six seasons. All I 

can do is pray that the next three do not collect 

an even larger following for the satanic 

cult that seems to surround the whole show. 

SEAN DWYER 

In response to my fellow staff member’s 

rant against “Grey’s Anatomy,” I would just like 

to state that “Grey’s Anatomy” is the best show. 

EVER. The purpose of dramatic television is 

to entertain, in which “Grey’s” excels. Plus, the 

show provides an introduction to the complex 

medical field. On the issue of the name, it’s not 

meant to be taken literally. Only a true “Grey’s” 

fan would completely understand the pun embedded 

in the title. 

“Grey’s” amazing actors and dramatic writing 

hooks viewers and keep them watching week 

after week. Besides, WHO could resist watching 

Patrick Dempsey every week? Those McDreamy 

eyes…aaah. 

KARI TIETJEN, MEGHAN RIHANEK & 

PAIGE JUHNKE 

Fulfilling community service hours may be a 

graduation requirement, but the personal benefits 

can’t be measured on paper. Community service 

lightens the burden on others and lets you share 

your talents. Volunteering has been a big part of 

my life since sixth grade, and I wouldn’t replace 

that time with anything else. It’s so fulfilling to 

do things for other people, and sharing your time 

can transform you into a more considerate, tolerant, 

and responsible individual. Schools require 

community service hours for a reason: to expose 

students to the joy of helping others. Selflessness 

is lacking in our world today, but is, nonetheless, 

characteristic that is beneficial to have. So seniors, 

if you haven’t done your service hours yet, get 

started! And for the rest of you, get a head start 

– not just on your required hours- but on what 

hopefully becomes a lifestyle. 

SAMMY WANG 

raves 

VOICES | MARCH 2007 | ORACLE | 7

Asian Club makes its debut 

BY MELANIE FICHTHORN 


When a 2007 Chinese New Year 

celebration was held for Nebraska high 

schools in Lincoln, East was not invited. 

That’s because East didn’t have an Asian 

club. Since then, seniors Shuquiao Song 

and Sammy Wang decided to rectify this 

by starting an East High Asian club. 

Asian club is a great cultural experience 

for anyone who is interested in the Asian 

culture. 

“Asian Club is a special opportunity 

where not only students of the Asian 

race, but also those of many other 

backgrounds, can get together and enjoy 

some of the interesting aspects of the 

Asian culture,” said sophomore member 

Olivia Lambdin. “It is a great way to 

meet new people while learning about a 

new culture.” 

People can join the club if they want 

to find out about their Asian heritage or if 

they just want to learn about the cultural 

differences between America and Asia. 

“Even though I am only half Asian, 

I thought the club would be a really great 

experience to connect with my Asian 

side,” said Lambdin. “This way, I can 

further appreciate both of my parents’ 

cultures.” This awareness is a goal of 

the club. 

“It’s something to promote culture 

and cultural diversity,” said sophomore 

treasurer Alan Xu. While most of people 

in the club are Asian, anyone can join. 

“We don’t want to be exclusive,” 

said Xu. 

Since beginning in February, club 

activities have included eating Asian food, 

discussing a ping pong tournament, cooking 

dumplings, teaching Chinese, designing 

T-shirts, and selling Asian food and 

planning culture weeks. Culture week is 

where each week will be focused on one 

culture like Chinese, Korean, Indian, and 

Japanese, etc. and students that are from 

that culture can teach members about 

their cultures This new club has a packed 

agenda. 

“Our club got started late in the 

year,” said Xu. “There’s still a lot of stuff 

we need to do.” Club members are excited 

for its future. 

“We want this to be something permanent,” 

said Xu. 

The club meets Wednesdays after 

school in room B242. Anyone interested 

in the club is more than welcome to join. 

The members of the club hope that it can 

grow into a well-known club around the 

school in following years. 

Treasurer 

Alan Xu 

and Public 

Relations 

Director 

Jim Hao 

prepare 

for an 

Asian Club 

meeting. 

(photo by 

Shuqiao 

Song) 

Junioritis sweeps East 

BY MARK CARRAHER 


Senior year includes off-periods, 

easy classes, dominance of the school, 

and an increasingly strong scent of 

freedom. Congrats—you’ve climbed the 

totem pole! How’s the view? 

After two years of servitude to upperclassmen, 

and one year of mental 

breakdowns, senior year is supposed 

to be the calm before the storm of the 

“real world.” Because, during senior year, 

more emphasis is placed on the future 

in college and careers than the present. 

Senioritis, which is characterized by 

complete lack of motivation and disdain 

for anything high school-related, kicks 

in. But for some, the symptoms arrive a 

year early as Junioritis. 

Several students at Lincoln East 

have gone to drastic measures to combat 

the Junioritis epidemic. 

Junior Jimmy Harrison is doing 

so by graduating a year early. “Having 

an easy senior year is not as attractive 

to me as getting a degree earlier,” said 

Harrison. 

Harrison isn’t alone in his plans. 

Junior Sebastian Cantarero is also 

ending his high school experience a 

year early. Cantarero’s reason was more 

about getting away from the high school 

mentality than Harrrison’s. 

“High school took a massive nose 

dive this year. I used to complain like 

everyone else about homework and 

tests, but this year I couldn’t get over 

how redundant the past three years had 

been,” Cantarero said. “There’s definitely 

good reason to stay all four years for free 

classes and such, but I can’t stand doing 

the same thing every day knowing that 

I’m not achieving anything.” 

For Junior Nick Brown, a choice 

to graduate a semester early was hardly 

based upon future college plans. Rather, 

Brown intends to take a year off of 

school before college to get a full-time 

job, escaping what he considers an increasingly 

worthless and repetitive high 

school experience. 

“I got what I need to succeed done 

earlier in school,” said Brown. “The 

repetition of mindless assignments and 

classes and all the hoops I have to jump 

through to graduate are frustrating.” 

For some, it’s not high school as a 

whole that sets off the Junioritis, but 

rather what it includes. Junior Danny 

Cushing takes only Latin and Ancient 

Greek with a mentor at Lincoln East, 

refusing to take the typical core classes. 

Though he is ensuring his disqualification 

to graduate early, his decisions are 

justified. “Taking classes that don’t genuinely 

interest me is contrary to my life’s 

philosophy,” said Cushing. 

Much like Cushing, Harrison is 

ready to not be told what he must learn 

anymore. 

“I would prefer more variety and less 

structure,” Harrison said. “I’ve always 

liked to work at my own pace.” 

Perhaps, the four-year core class 

plan isn’t the most encouraging and 

well thought-out tradition. Cantarero 

believes the plan is detrimental to a 

student’s motivation and learning experience, 

but admits that he doesn’t think 

he could run a school any better. “I’m 

sure every student can point its flaws,” 

said Cantarero. 

Cushing believes the average high 

school student’s motives are simply leading 

straight to distress. “People should 

focus more on pleasure and experiencing 

life rather than getting caught up in 

material and social worries about their 

futures,” Cushing said. 

Cantarero thinks the Junioritis epidemic 

is more of a problem than meets 

the eye. 

He said, “If we keep the exact same 

strategies and systematic approaches in 

trying to make kids learn we’re just going 

to fuel a generation of apathy.” 

Students are simply burning out 

before they reach the top of totem pole 

and enjoy the view. But for certain sufferers 

of Junioritis these pains have been 

diminished as they look forward to more 

personally beautiful vistas. 

8 | ORACLE | MARCH 2007 | FACES

East’s daycare center 

in full swing 

BY CAISA ROYER 


“I’m five-years old!” shouts Shiloh, “And now I’m going to call 

someone.” She picks up a disconnected phone and started dialing, 

while several laughing East students watch her. 

Across the room, Jonathon, who is also five, plays with a police 

helmet complete with a visor. He flips the visor down and exclaims, 

“Look what it does to my eyes! Look!” He grabs two chalkboard 

erasers and claps them together, watching chalk dust fly in front of 

him. “See? I don’t have dust in my eyes!” 

Two of the 

children 

in the FCS 

daycare 

spending 

the day 

drawing 

with chalk. 

(Photo by 

Alice Root) 

Shiloh and Jonathon are two of the 

many preschool and younger-aged children 

who attend East’s daycare center. 

Each weekday during third and fourth 

periods, the Child and Development class 

taught by Jan Beeson takes care of around 

a dozen little kids. 

The program lasts six weeks during 

the year and is available to any parents 

with small children. The class calls 

churches, mom groups, and any other 

leads to find stay-at-home parents willing 

to bring their children in once or twice a 

week. The class provides a break to those 

parents who spend all day with their loveable, 

but time-consuming children. 

Each day, the class members first let 

the kids into the building and say goodbye 

to the parents. Once the kids are settled 

upstairs in the FCS wing, they participate 

in “circle,” where the class members read 

stories, sing songs, and explain the day’s 

activities. After circle is snack time, when 

the class makes food for the children. 

Then, the class breaks up and participates 

in five or six different activities. 

The daycare kids choose which activity 

they want to do based upon their own 

interests. The activities include painting, 

Play-Doh, duck-duck goose, story time, 

and many other options. Students also 

have the opportunity to teach the preschoolers 

science and writing, depending 

on the level of the children at the daycare 

that particular day. 

One of the children’s favorite activities 

is playing dress up. The FCS Department 

has lots of different outfits and toys 

available for the children. Some of the 

boys who attend the daycare also like to 

play with sock puppets. 

“They love to attack each other. It’s 

really cute,” said one of the students who 

helps run the daycare. 

For East students who take the 

daycare class, the number one benefit is 

spending time with the kids. All of the 

students in the class love children, and 

most of them want to work with kids 

when they grow up. The two-period 

class provides college credit at Southeast 

Community College for those planning to 

major in early childhood development. 

More than earning college credit, 

though, the class prepares the students 

for the sorts of problems, and the fun, 

they will come across when potentially 

working with students. There are all 

kinds of career opportunities for these 

students. 

“Nowadays nannies are paid really 

well, and a lot of agencies hire directly 

from SCC,” said Beeson. Her student’s 

response? 

“We could be like Supernanny!” the 

students joke. 

Children’s Literature not just for little tykes 

BY KELLI BLACKETER 


East High students have a wide range of subjects to study. One of these classes 

is Children’s Literature, taught by Julie Harder. Children’s Literature is the only class 

of its type in LPS. The fact that UNL recognizes it for English credits is a bonus. 

Below is an Oracle interview with Harder and some of her students, providing some 

insight into the class. 

Oracle: How did you think of a class on children’s literature? 

Harder: In other classes, I used children’s literature to teach. Some of the other 

teachers suggested a class on children’s literature. I researched and found there wasn’t 

another high-school level children’s lit class so I drafted a proposal. It was accepted 

and I spent the better part of a summer mapping it out. 

Oracle: How has staff and student reaction been? 

Harder: There has been a lot of interest, but some misunderstanding as to what 

the class would be. 

Oracle: What is the hardest part of teaching a class on children’s lit? 

Harder: I think it’s the same for any class--finding something to keep students 

interested and finding the balance between information and fun. 

Oracle: What should students expect from this class? 

Harder: They should expect to learn the history as well as modern stories. There 

are class projects, discussions and—the best part—elementary pen pals, who they 

hopefully will get to meet. 

Oracle: What’s the favorite part to teach? 

Harder: I like to see the outcome of the projects. It’s using what they have learned 

and making it real through a children’s book of their own. 

Oracle: What is your favorite children’s book? Why? 

Harder: “The Little House” by Virginia Burton. It reminds me of my childhood. 

The message in the story is still applicable today. It brings me lots of fond, 

happy memories. 

FACES | MARCH 2007 | ORACLE | 9

Everybody has a story: Tom Bolin 

BY CALLIE FEINGOLD 


Here is a morally uncomfortable 

question: what do Tetris, Ralph Lauren, 

and Dolly Parton have in common? To 

be honest, not a lot. One thing they do 

have in common, though, is Tom Bolin’s 

appreciation. Bolin, a freshman at East, 

can be spotted in the hallway wearing 

a bowtie and/or a superb sweater with 

complementary collared shirt underneath. 

After spending an interview-worthy halfhour 

with this young man, I heard about 

more than just his keen admiration for 

American designer, Ralph Lauren. I was 

charmed by the hyper-sarcastic, hyperliberal, 

hyper-passionate world of Tom 

Bolin. 

Bolin grew up in the liberal pocket 

of Idaho, where he lived until sixth grade. 

He describes his childhood as “hippyish,” 

and “filled with imagination.” He 

has two older siblings, one a professional 

photographer and the other a student at 

UNL. Both of Bolin’s parents are librarians 

at Love Library at the University. 

Bolin is an active member of the 

debate team here at East, where he competes 

in Congress. He is passionate about 

current events, particularly the domestic 

issues plaguing our government. In his 

free time, Bolin enjoys listening to music 

including Kanye West, Blondie and 

ABBA. His favorite song illustrates his 

eclectic taste in music. 

“I love ‘Unchained Melody,’ except 

for the LeAnn Rimes version. It’s 

horrible.” Bolin appreciates the finer 

luxuries in life, including his favorite food 

- smoked cheese. 

Bolin has enjoyed his experience 

at East thus far. “It’s better than Lux 

because they don’t have weird stuff like 

murals of butterflies and politically correct 

children on the walls,” said Bolin. 

His favorite classes have been English 

9/10 with Mr. Fichthorn because he’s “a 

no-nonsense kinda guy and really knows 

his stuff.” Another favorite class has been 

Oral Communications because he really 

enjoys giving speeches. 

If he could grow up in any decade, 

Bolin would choose the 1960’s “because 

of the interesting political dynamics and 

general civil rights stuff.” For college, 

Bolin plans to attend the Rhode Island 

School of Design and pursue a career 

in clothing design. He hopes to remain 

politically active, support Obama/Edwards 

in the upcoming 2008 elections, 

and live by his parents’ advice: “don’t get 

arrested.” 

“Here is a morally uncomfortable question: what do Tetris, 

Ralph Lauren, and Dolly Parton have in common? To 

be honest, not a lot. One thing they do have in common, 

though, is Tom Bolin’s appreciation.” 

Freshman Tom Bolin contemplates his East experience outside the main doors. 

(photo by Alice Root) 

S partans S peak Out 

What is your secret talent? 

Compiled by Elizabeth Baquet 

“I can flare my nostrils 

on demand.” 

“I play guitar, much like 

that of Jimi Hendrix.” 

“I can pogo stick and 

jump rope at the 

same time.” 

Jaci Jenkins 

Student teacher 

10 | ORACLE | MARCH 2007 | FACES 

Laurie Fraser 

Business teacher 

Dana Bell 

Senior

East students strut their stuff on the catwalk 

BY SALOME VILJOEN 

A&E Editor 

It started as a simple plan. 

“I’d heard of similar fundraisers and 

thought, why not?” said Laura Oseka, 

senior and co-chair of Student Council’s 

Make-A-Wish Fashion Show committee. 

And that was it. A huge fashion show 

fundraiser that combines America’s obsession 

with fashion (“America’s Next 

Top Model” anyone?) and a worthy 

cause. 

“One of Student Council’s goals 

this year was to get the community involved, 

and this seemed like a good way 

to do that,” said Oseka. 

The community has certainly risen 

to the occasion. A variety of local businesses 

and students have jumped onto 

the project’s bandwagon. Clothing stores 

and businesses like the Black Market and 

Gary Michaels, the Rococco Theater and 

Green Gateau offered their services. A 

2006 alumni Angie Finn’s mother, Kate 

Finn, is providing jewelry for the show. 

Another East grad, from 2004, Blake 

Waggoner, a representative of a clothing 

line called Underground Apparel, has 

designed themed t-shirts sporting messages 

of love and kindness in keeping 

with Make-A-Wish style, and will have 

clothing for sale at the show. 

“When we started planning, we just 

though of people we knew, and it turned 

out we had a lot of useful connections,” 

said senior and co-chair Haley Carpenter. 

“Erika Hamilton’s mom is involved 

with the Rococco Theater, so we spoke 

with her about having the show there,” 

said Carpenter. 

“She also told us about Green 

Gateau’s contract with the theater, and 

we got them to cater the show,” added 

Oseka. The theater and excellent food 

are all part of the image Carpenter and 

Oseka want to create for the show. 

“We wanted something really classy 

and professional-looking, to show that 

we could pull something like this off,” 

said Oseka. Student Council is indeed 

going all out for the event. Planning for 

the show started in September and has 

continued since. “I make to-do lists each 

week and delegate a lot,” said Oseka. 

“We had to meet with the models, 

call businesses to see who would donate 

outfits, plan advertising and decide when 

to sell tickets. Now it’s really just down 

to the details,” said Carpenter. These 

details include going to the college of 

hair design to check out hairstyles on 

some of the models, and finalizing times 

to sell tickets. 

Models will be provided with outfits, 

jewelry, hair, and make-up—each done 

by a sponsoring business. 

“Our models range from 7 to 19 

years old,” said Carpenter, “We have 

53 models in total, 25 from East and 

about 14 Make-A-Wish kids will also 

be models.” 

This final number brings up one of 

the coolest aspects of the whole show. 

Not only will all the money be donated 

to Make-A-Wish for Bailey, a sevenyear-old 

girl whose wish is to go on a 

Disney cruise, but it involves the kids 

in the fund-raising process. 

“We were at the Children’s Place 

with the kids the other day, and it was so 

cool to see how excited they were to be 

part of the show,” said Oseka. “ 

It’s so great to see the smiles on the 

kids’ faces,” added Carpenter. “This 

show is something for them to get excited 

about.” 

Above: The fashion 

show’s guest 

of honor Bailey 

strikes a pose. 

Right: Senior cochair 

Laura Oseka 

stops to smile 

before the show. 

(photos submitted 

by Halley 

Carpenter) 

Below: Elementary 

school models show 

off clothes for kids their 

age. (photos submitted 

by Laura Oseka) 

FACES | MARCH 2007 | ORACLE | 11

March Ma 

We’re not talking about basketball. 

We’re talking about a different kind of craziness that 

will make you laugh AND cry. 

12 | ORACLE | MARCH 2007 | FOCUS 

Photo and layout by Shuqiao Song

dness ?! 

Sue happy 

BY BARB WALKOWIAK 


To sue or not to sue… it seems that this is not the question 

for the sue-happy American. Our society has shown an increasing 

trend in suing over the craziest things. We’ve all heard of some 

of these cases; the woman who sued McDonald’s because she 

spilled coffee in her lap, the man who stepped in a hole and sued 

the park foundation… and the list goes on. Though such cases 

can make amusing headlines for the paper, they’re also causing 

some serious problems. 

Each case that goes to court costs a lot of money. Officers, 

public lawyers, judges, secretaries, and many other people 

must be paid for the hours they put in. It doesn’t matter that 

those hours are spent on frivolous cases; they are still spent and 

have to be fiscally accounted for. Defendants in ridiculous suits 

must also foot the bill. People who are willing to point their 

finger at anyone to get money are not only exploiting the court 

system, they’re also hurting the community at large. According 

to multiple sources, an individual court case may cost taxpayers 

hundreds of dollars. 

“The costs of litigation per person in the United States are 

far higher than in any other major industrialized nation in the 

world,” said whitehouse.gov. 

In addition to monetary costs, lawsuits bog down our court 

system. The result of having so many unimportant cases going 

through the judicial branch is that cases that truly matter – like 

murder cases – are not being addressed in a timely matter. Superfluous 

and insane accusations are placing important cases on 

the back-burner. 

As of now, the United States has done little to successfully 

discourage crazy lawsuits. This is at least partially due to the 

fact that this is a hard problem to solve. It is difficult to deter 

exploitation of judicial systems without bringing about new 

harm. Many European nations with similar judicial structures 

have also been searching for solutions to the same problem. A 

number of them have passed laws requiring the accusing party 

to pay court costs if they lose. The idea behind this requirement 

is that since crazy claims are more likely to lose, it will discourage 

frivolous lawsuits. While this modification probably does deter 

the sue-happy, it could deter legitimate suits from being made. 

If a person feels they may not win, or can’t bear the costs of a 

loss, they may hesitate to bring any case to court. 

While the international legal community ponders solutions to 

this sue-happy fever, the rest of us feel the aches and pains – and 

occasional fever-induced laughter – of this growing problem. 

Loopy laws 

-It is illegal to whale hunt in Nebraska 

-In Florida, a special law prohibits unmarried women from parachuting on Sunday or she shall 

risk arrest, fine, and/or jailing. 

-Females are forbidden from doing their own hair without being licensed by the state in 

Ohio. 

-In Nebraska, it is illegal for bar owners to sell beer unless they are simultaneously brewing a 

kettle of soup. 

-In Natoma, Kansas, it’s against the law to practice knife throwing at men wearing striped 

suits. 

-It’s against the law to get a fish drunk in Oklahoma. 

-In Quitman, Georgia, it is against the law for a chicken to cross a road. 

-An old ordinance in Massachusetts declares goatees illegal unless you first pay a special license 

fee for the privilege of wearing one in public. 

-While in Arkansas, it is illegal to mispronounce the name of the state. 

-In Texas, it’s illegal to put graffiti on someone else’s cow. 

Compiled by Aubrey Cummings 

Stella awards 

1) Stella Liebeck inspired these “Stella awards” after she spilled a cup of McDonald’s coffee on 

her lap and walked away with $2.9 million. 

2) While cruising down the freeway in her new Winnebago motor home, a woman gets hungry 

so she turns on the cruise control to 70 and goes to the back to make a sandwich. Unsurprisingly, 

the Winnebago left the freeway and crashed. The woman sued the Winnebago corporation 

for not specifying that cruise control is not the same as auto pilot. 

3) Two surfers headed to court after one allegedly stole the other’s wave. The case was dismissed 

after the court found it impossible to give the wave any monetary value. 

4) An 81-year-old woman accidentally stepped in front of a semi after her car broke down. 

The company sued the woman’s estate for damages sustained to the truck. 

5) Caterpiller (CAT) sued Disney (DIS) after George of the Jungle 2 portrayed bulldozers in a 

bad light and “diluted its trademark and violated the rules of fair competition.” 

6) A man in L.A. sued his neighbor for running over his hand while he was trying to steal his 

neighbor’s hubcaps. 

7) A beagle’s owner was sued after biting the rear end of the next-door neighbor. The jury 

decided not to grant the man the full suit because they felt that he had provoked the dog 

by shooting it repeatedly with a pellet gun. 

8) While sneaking into a nightclub to avoid a $3.50 cover charge, a woman fell and broke her 

two front teeth and was awarded $12,000 plus dental expenses from the club. 

9) Paramount’s Kings Island amusement park was being sued by a man who was hit by lightning 

because they did not warn him to stay inside during a thunderstorm. 

10) A woman sued a storage unit after being locked inside it for 63 days. She apparently had 

been living in the unit and did not call for help after the storage yard manager locked her 

inside. She was awarded $100,000. 

Compiled by Aubrey Cummings 

FOCUS | MARCH 2007 | ORACLE | 13

Medical malpractice: Enough to make you sick 

BY MARK CARRAHER 


Jade Fields is severely 

retarded, unable to walk, 

and legally blind. She has 

been this way since she was 

born. Though her parents love 

her, they have chosen to sue their 

obstetrician for not finding the condition 

early on in the pregnancy. 

Such “wrongful-birth” malpractice 

suits are outlawed in states 

like Michigan but are allowed in states 

like Ohio and Connecticut. There is obviously some 

debate as to whether these types of suits are justified 

to press against doctors who are faced with the possibility 

of losing their practice if prosecuted. 

Malpractice is not something to be ignored. According 

to a 1990s study by the Center for Disease 

Control and Prevention, 98,000 people die each year 

as a result of medical malpractice. “The New York 

Times” reports that hospital infections cause 100,000 

deaths each year, killing five times as many Americans 

as AIDS. 

There’s no question that such mistakes and 

carelessness cannot go unpunished, but, for states like 

Connecticut, the pressure malpractice lawsuits put on 

doctors is more of a curse than a blessing. 

Physicians in Connecticut face such high premiums 

for malpractice insurance that the medical system in the 

state is not only losing doctors but its physician pool is 

decreasing in quality altogether. Premiums have recently 

risen from about $2,000 a year to about $25,000 on 

average and for some, there have been increases of as 

much as 400 percent. 

These doctors are in between a rock and a hard 

place. On one hand, there is the option of staying in 

the state and living in constant fear of losing one’s job 

or financial stability. Leaving the state, however, would 

hurt the state’s health care system. 

The suits these doctors are faced with are immediately 

biased against them. The jury is full of average 

people who often choose drama over practicality. If a 

person is suing because his life was endangered, the 

jury will have no problem taking money from a doctor 

regardless if the endangerment was directly the doctor’s 

fault. 

The problem of malpractice suits not only rests with 

their inherent unfairness towards doctors, but even if the 

doctor can win, they lose time with their patients by 

being in court. The medical system and the general well 

being of people shouldn’t suffer because of frivolous 

lawsuits that are often unjustified. 

Because of these factors, an incentive to at least 

hesitate before suing medical institutions and doctors 

must be placed in the American judicial system. If the 

plaintiff was forced to pay reparations and court fees 

should they lose, they would reconsider before mindlessly 

bringing a lawsuit. If we continue to allow malpractice 

suits to proceed without any consequences, 

the drama of the courtroom will ensure that though 

the victims may win, the rest of society will suffer from 

decreased medical benefits. 

Should the parents of Jane Fields sue their obstetrician 

for not discovering her condition? If some 

homework of the situation ensured there was a fault 

with the doctor that would mean that such a pursuit 

is justified and appropriate. 

The handy dandy How-To-Sue guide 

High school students, tired of looking for a 

job? Then why not sue someone and make them 

pay for your lifestyle. 

Before you make any hasty decisions, take 

a look at the Oracle’s “How to sue” guide 

1. The Complaint 

Officially file your claims. It’s time to put that 

dreadful act on paper via the complaint (the 

court may issue a summons as well to inform 

the sued). A complaint is a legal document that 

states the claims that the plaintiff, who is you, has 

against the defendant, (the business or person 

being sued.) Usually a lawyer will prepare this 

document. However, exercise your high-school 

knowledge to its limits, if you dare. 

2. The Answer 

The clock runs down (the times vary from state 

to state.) for the defendant to respond to your 

claim with the court. The defendant explains 

his/her/its version of the story, but may ask for 

clarification on the specifics of the complaint, 

which may lead to amendments. Amendments 

may fly back and forth on this part until both 

sides agree . . . somehow. When the parties have 

settled on a complaint, answer, and reply, the case 

is said to be “at issue.” 

2.5. What if I don’t pursue this? 

At this point, the litigation doesn’t have to continue. 

14 | ORACLE | MARCH 2007 | FOCUS 

Many matters work themselves out before the 

actual trial, which can take a chunk out of both 

parties’ wallets (a.k.a. whatever is left after lawyer 

fees.) This is the stage of settlement, arbitration, 

and mediation. 

3. Discovery 

So, you couldn’t settle. At this stage, you will not 

learn about nature and science, but rather enter 

one of the most intense segments of your lawsuit. 

Discovery is the name of the formal fact-finding 

stage, in which both sides will request information 

from each other and from third parties to build 

their cases. This stage includes using interrogatories 

(questions to be answered by the opposition), 

depositions (personal interviews under oath), 

requests for documents like medical records, and 

physical and mental examinations. Oh, and the 

trial hasn’t even started yet. 

4. Enlisting Experts 

Pretty self-explanatory. The plaintiff and the defendant 

both find experts in professional fields that 

will support their cases. 

5. Summary Judgment 

In short, the court reviews the briefs that both sides 

submit to see if you’re worth their time. If not, the 

scope of your trial may be reduced. 

6. Pre-Trial Conference/Settlement Conference 

So you didn’t want to settle before? What about 

Compiled by Tina Zheng 

now, the court asks you. If this isn’t realistic, your 

trial is now scheduled. 

7. Trial 

The jury is chosen, the plaintiff’s side tries to prove 

the defendant has done something wrong, testimony 

and evidence are introduced, some crossexamination 

occurs, re-directs and recrosses 

follow: the works of a trial. 

Finally, the jury deliberates 

and reaches a verdict. 

7.5 Appeal 

If you’re 

o n 

t h e 

l o s - 

i n g 

s i d e , 

y o u m a y 

file a petition 

to app 

e a l to a 

superior court, 

and the process 

must be more familiar 

now? 

How long will this all 

take? On average, 

two to five years. Perhaps 

you should stick 

to school and find a job…. 

Clipart from Clipartheaven.com

Pesky products gone wrong 

Compiled by Tina Zheng 

Total Gym® fitness: 

This exercise equipment looks rather credible and 

effective, except for one thing. Martial arts expert 

Chuck Norris (dedicated Total Gym® user, as the infomercial 

claims) is the endorser. Apparently, one 

piece of metal equipment claims can be a total 

gym and causes users to tone up like Chuck Norris. 

No assembly is required for this better body. 

Space Bag®: 

Space Bags® work by storing sweaters, blankets, 

pillows, and the like in plastic bags and then 

pumping all the air out with a vacuum. The advantages 

include having more storage space in closets 

and stopping mildew, insects, and bugs from 

coming in. This seems practical at first. However, 

as most of the Amazon consumer reviews claim, 

the Sure-Zip® zipper loses the seal after a few days. 

Science and technology are used to manipulate 

consumers into believing that if they buy space 

bags, they will be using the same equipment as 

astronauts. Far out, eh? 

Miss Cleo’s Psychic Hotline: 

How has this woman not been run out of business, 

via litigation (See: How to sue)? Her thirty minute 

infomercial describes her amazing ability to steal 

large amounts of money in return for what is most 

definitely phony psychic advice. If she really is 

all-knowing, one would think Miss Cleo, with her 

memorable accent, would have won the lottery by 

now. 

Miracle Blade®: 

Chef Tony demonstrates what he claims are specially 

engineered knives that are delicate enough 

to slice bread and tomatoes, but can apparently 

cut through concrete as well. Since American chefs 

constantly need to cut concrete in our kitchens 

on a daily basis, Miracle Blade® is essential to our 

lives. Don’t miss the part where Chef Tony chops a 

pineapple in mid-air. 

Proactiv® Solution: 

This is apparently a revolutionary, 3-step way to 

fight acne. The Renewing Cleanser, Revitalizing 

Toner, and Repairing Lotion have “credible” celebrity 

endorsement. The ethos levels of Jessica 

Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, and Vanessa Williams are 

flooding this infomercial. This product especially 

prides itself on users’ before-and-after pictures. 

Magic Bullet®: 

This device claims to handle any job in the kitchen 

in 10 seconds or less, from mincing garlic to making 

chocolate mousse, all in one machine. I must 

admit it looked fairly amazing, but then I looked 

to the website’s frequently asked questions which 

included, “It says everything is dishwasher safe, so 

why did my cups come out deformed after I put 

them in the dishwasher?” and “What would cause 

the extractor to have so much pulp but no juice?” 

as well as “Why does everything I chop turn into 

mush?” Anything that comes with this much confusion 

clearly must not be worth the trouble. 

Do you want to know “The Secret”? 

The cover of Rhonda Byrne’s bestseller. (Image from Amazon. 

com) 

BY BJ VALENTE 


If you are reading this then you’ve fallen into one of 

the biggest marketing moves made in literature. Self-help 

just spawned a new bestseller, “The Secret” by Rhonda 

Byrne, and it’s the new hot item. Many prominent celebrities, 

such as Oprah Winfrey and Ellen Degeneres, 

have praised the book’s powerful message and ability to 

“really work!” So far, two million copes have flown off 

the selves in the United States, and Britain is bracing for 

this fad to hit. “The Secret” is also available on DVD, 

for those of you less wiling to read. 

Spoiler Warning: Quit reading now if you are getting 

ready to hop on down to Barnes and Noble to pick 

up this book, because I’m about to reveal the secret to 

“The Secret”: positive outlook and mental control from 

the law of attraction. Byrne claims mentality controls 

the world around us. That’s it. Nothing special. Nothing 

secret or new to the self-help community. The book 

details how to become thinner, happier, and wealthier 

by envisioning the outcome that would best benefit you. 

Envision a parking space, and it will appear! Don’t look 

at fat people while trying to be thin! Envision yourself 

in the body you wish you had, and it’s yours! Imagine 

yourself getting that promotion, think hard (really hard) 

and eventually you’ll be sure to get it! The book also 

touts the importance of hard work, determination, and 

self-confidence. What “The Secret” really sounds like 

is common sense. Look like the critics and I are on the 

same page. 

Critics, unlike consumers, are not eating this book 

up. It’s a well-marketed book with nothing new in it. 

“The Secret,” which is a collection of writings by many 

motivational writers, has already made the compiler and 

main author, Rhonda Byrne, a millionaire. Byrne claims 

that the “Great Secret” is compiled from oral traditions, 

literature and philosophies from all times in her book. 

Understanding and using the secret is supposedly lifetransforming. 

More than anything “The Secret” focuses on material 

goods. You want something, you envision, you get 

it! From the point of critics, that’s not exactly the best 

thing to wish for. They argue that goods aren’t equivalent 

to inner happiness, and if material goods become the 

only source of happiness, what a sad state humanity is 

in. Psychologist John Norcross calls the information 

presented in the book “pseudoscientific, psychospiritual 

babble”. If there’s one thing from “The Secret” that can 

be useful it’s the idea that the key to happiness is already 

in you hands, which begs the question “why buy a book 

that tells you to look at you palm?” 

FOCUS | MARCH 2007 | ORACLE | 15

Restaurant Review: 

Aladin’s a magic lamp of good eats 

Restaurant Name: Aladdin’s 

Location: 3449 N. 48th Street 

Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:30 

a.m.-9 p.m., closed on Sundays 

Phone Number: 466-0402 

The Food: If you like Middle Eastern 

food, or want to try something 

new, this restaurant is definitely the 

place to go. Aladdin’s is a family 

- run business, owned by Falah Almusawy, 

and specializes in authentic 

Iraqi dishes. The food is seasoned 

with delectable spices which are 

blended well. Each bite is one to die 

for - I couldn’t get enough. Gyro 

sandwiches, served with fries, are 

popular here and are among the 

cheaper items, costing $5.65. Main 

dishes cost between $10 and $13. 

Samoon, an appetizing bread from 

The gyro,, 

one of 

Aladdin’s 

most 

popular 

dishes. 

(Photo 

by Alice 

Root) 

BY BARB WALKOWIAK 


the Middle East, is freshly baked 

without preservatives and served 

with each main dish. I would highly 

recommend getting a sample plate 

since it gives you a taste of many 

of their delicious foods. Aladdin’s is 

also a vegetarian-friendly restaurant, 

offering many non-meat dishes. 

Iraqi tea is sold for $1.99 a pot and 

is also very good. 

Service: Service is friendly and attentive; 

you get the feeling of being a 

regular even if it is only your first 

time at the restaurant. 

Cleanliness: Seating areas are impeccably 

clean and tidy. 

Atmosphere: Causal sit-down style. 

An eclectic collection of furniture 

and special touches by the owner 

make the restaurant feel homey, 

comfortable, and relaxing. 

BY SINDU VELLANKI 


America’s Next Top Model back for another season 

The cat fights, the controversies, the crazy photo 

shoots, the crude judges…they’re all back, bigger and 

better than ever! Cycle 8 of “America’s Next Top 

Model” with Tyra Banks premiered on Feb 28 on the 

new CW network. The show first aired in May 2003 

with ten hopeful contestants, a panel of critical judges, 

and a slue of fabulous prizes. 

The original judges’ panel consisted of Janice Dickinson—self-proclaimed, 

world’s first supermodel— 

who is now replaced by Twiggy, a famous icon during 

the 60s. Other personalities on the show include: Jay 

Manuel, director of photo shoots, and Ms. J. Alexander, 

runway coach and judge. 

The prizes have also changed on ANTM; the first 

season featured a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl 

cosmetics, representation by Ford modeling agency, 

and a photo spread in Elle magazine. Today, the prizes 

include a contract with CoverGirl, Elite Models, and a 

photo spread in Seventeen magazine. 

However, the format of the show has not changed 

much since its start. Each week, the contestants are 

taught a concept about modeling; they are given a challenge, 

and their skills tested in a photo shoot. Then, 

the competitors face the judges in the elimination room 

as they nervously wait to hear the words, “Congratulations! 

You are still in the running toward becoming 

America’s Next Top Model.” 

The show shoots in fashion forward locations 

across the globe, covering places from Paris to Tokyo. 

Season 8 has 13 candidates and two of those 13 are 

plus-size models, a first ever on “ANTM.” Banks, the 

creator of the show and a previous supermodel herself, 

thinks that the show will serve as model boot camp and 

give the girls a crash course about the inner workings 

of the fashion industry. 

“ANTM” has gained international popularity with 

many countries adopting their own respective versions. 

For example, Tyra Banks’ fellow super model 

and friend, Heidi Klum, hosts “Germany’s Next Top 

Model.” And, VH1 is broadcasting Season 3 of Australia’s 

edition. Other countries with the show include: 

Canada, Thailand, France, Spain, and Russia. 

So, if you want to learn a little bit about fashion 

and modeling or just want to watch another addicting 

reality television show, be sure to catch “ANTM” every 

Wednesday night at 7 pm on the CW. 

S partans S peak Out 

What are you most looking forward to about Spring? 

Compiled by Caisa Royer 

“ P l a y i n g t e n n i s , 

c’mon!” 

“Sunshine and the 

end of all of this awful 

weather.” 

“Hopefully, I won’t 

get shot or attacked 

by killer squirrels.” 

Marcus Schmidt 

Science Teacher 

16 | ORACLE | MARCH 2007 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 

Ashley Morgan 

Junior 

Corbin Ottoman 

Senior

Oprah opens school in South Africa 

BY RACHEL BRANKER 


List’n Up 

People are talking... 

Children in the United States really some 

of the are the luckiest in the world. Each 

day, most American children wake up and 

skedaddle off to our free public schools 

without giving a thought to the miracles of 

running water and electricity. We sit in our 

desk, and open up 

“It shouldn’t matter where a 

school is built, but rather the motivation 

was to help the needy and 

rectify an abhorrent situation.” 

- Oprah Winfrey 

brand new books 

(begrudgingly at 

best), all the while 

cursing LPS for not 

having enough snow 

days. Poor Americans. 

Across the Atlantic 

millions of 

South African children 

can only dream of an education, clean 

running water, and even sleeping in a real 

bed with a full stomach. For too long South 

Africa has been plagued with African children 

who have no education or access to 

heath care. While research shows that one 

way to defeat poverty is to close the learning 

gap and provide the skills to have a promising 

career, that is something not many 

children in South Africa can afford. 

The, talk show host, actress, and philanthropist 

asked Nelson Mandela (former 

President of South Africa) what his people 

needed most, and his answer was “ an education”. 

Currently, the South African children 

can go to school up until the middle 

school, then they must find a way to pay 

for it. Few South African the families can 

afford to send of their children beyond that 

point. Oprah started this project last year by 

making a 40 million dollar donation for a 

girl’s school. This school includes room and 

board, a library, a wellness center, and computer 

labs. The Oprah Winfrey Leadership 

Academy for Girls is planning to open next 

year just outside of Johannesburg. Thirtyfive 

hundred girls applied, Oprah selected 

150 girls who showed outstanding academic 

achievement and leadership equalities. The 

Leadership Academy will soon house 450 

girls between grades 7-12 She also plans 

to start plans for a co-educational public 

school accessible for South African children 

form grades K-12. Winfrey hopes that this 

school will be a model for other schools 

around the world to copy. 

Currently, many South African girls live 

in extreme poverty 

and constant danger 

of illegal military 

kidnappings, rape, 

and AIDS. Constant 

threats to their safety 

are a huge issue due 

to their financial situation, 

but also for a 

government tat doesn’t 

public healthcare and 

free schooling. 

Winfrey herself grew up in extreme 

poverty and abuse herself. She said that only 

through education did she make a name for 

herself and get to the top of her field. Some 

individuals have criticized Winfrey for creating 

a school in Africa when so many USA 

children do not go to good schools. 

“It shouldn’t matter where a school is 

built, but rather the motivation was to help 

the needy and rectify an abhorrent situation,” 

said Winfrey 

Most of all the people in South Africa 

have a much harder time with their government 

schools, and healthcare systems than 

even the worst sections of the USA combined. 

The significance of Winfrey’s good 

deeds are for those all around the world. 

Her benevolence has enabled 150 talented 

minds to gain the education that it is their 

right to have. 

In a third-world country Oprah has 

started to change the lives of many individuals, 

she has made a difference. As lucky 

and privileged individuals, U.S. citizens we 

should celebrate her generosity, and tenacity 

to do good everywhere, not just in our neck 

of the woods. Winfrey has made more than 

a school in South Africa. She has given a 

new life to 150 very special children. 

10 

Superheroes: Andy Warhol, graphic novels, 

and caricature-esque elephant gods. Not enough 

for you? Fill your graphic void at the novel Sheldon 

pop-art installation. 

9 

Operas: No longer confined to the East 

Coast, operas are gaining a following here in the 

Midwest. Proof: the world premiere of “Wakonda’s 

Dream” right here in Omaha. 

8 

American Apparel Short Sleeve Deep V- 

Neck: The perfect t-shirt for spring in lavender, 

eggplant and mint. 

7 

6 

Closure: Put an end to winter and news coverage 

of deceased Playmates. RIP, please. 

Schuyler Fisk: 

Featured on “The 

Last Kiss” soundtrack, 

Schuyler (pronounced 

sky-ler) is destined 

for stardom with her 

soothing voice and 

relaxed guitar accompaniment. 

5 

Green: Channel your inner leprechaun with 

solar panels, hybrids, jewelry and spinach (sans 

e-coli). 

4 

Asian Club: Wednesdays after school. Go 

check it out for an after school getaway to lands 

and ideas beyond the school’s borders. (Rice 

included!) 

3 

2 

Mini dresses: Over leggings or on their own, 

this fresh silhouette can take you anywhere. 

iPhone: Hello? Forget that stash of electronic 

devices cluttering your purse or pockets. 

The iPhone is here to save the day! 

1 

Pomegranates: A fab new flavor 

popping up in juice and tea and even 

in Burt’s Bees latest chap stick. 

Buy our personal favorite, 

“POM Wonderful Juice,” 

at Open Harvest. (Super 

cute bottle and antioxidants 

included.) 

Compiled by Callie Feingold & Meghan 

Rihanek 

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | MARCH 2007 | ORACLE | 17

Farmer’s Market set to open 

BY MEGHAN RIHANEK 


It’s March. That means, it is officially 

spring, despite the crazy weather. And we all 

know what spring means: the Farmer’s Market. 

The Farmer’s Market is celebrating its 21 st 

anniversary this year, and is expanding to allow 

more room for new shoppers and vendors. 

Beginning May 5, the Farmer’s Market will be 

held each Saturday morning in the Haymarket, 

until mid-October. The market runs from 8 

a.m. to noon each Saturday. 

Senior Lauren Thompson and her family 

regularly attend the Farmer’s Market. 

“As soon as the Farmer’s Market opens, 

we go two or three times a month,” said 

Thompson. “It has a lot more to offer than 

just organic food. The Farmer’s Market is a 

great place to support local businesses.” 

The Farmer’s Market is known for its organic, 

home-grown food, such as herbs, vegetables 

and fruits. Many bakeries also set up 

stands to sell their treats. Two local favorites 

are Le Quartier and Grateful Bread. 

Various meats are available, either raw to 

take home and cook yourself, or cooked and 

ready to eat. One of the more unique options 

is ostrich meat. 

“I don’t know how much people regularly 

eat it,” said Thompson. “But it’d be fun to 

branch out and try it once.” 

Among the many options of distinctive, 

homemade items at the market, Thompson 

has a clear favorite. “I love the homemade 

kolaches,” she said. Kolaches are fruit-filled 

pastries which originated in Central Europe, 

but are now very popular in the United 

States. 

Beyond food, the Farmer’s Market has 

much more to offer, including jewelry, arts, 

crafts and clothing. 

If you can’t wait until May 5 for the 

market’s bountiful selection of organic 

foods, the grocery store Open Harvest is 

a great, year-round choice. Located at 16 th 

and South Street, Open Harvest is described 

by its devoted shoppers as a “hot spot for 

environmental people.” 

The grocery store carries the usual 

products available in any grocery store, 

but everything is organic. Open Harvest 

also features a deli and a bakery. One of 

their best sellers is vegan cookies in sugar, 

chocolate chip, and many other flavors. Also 

available are organic juices with flavors such 

as pomegranate, which can be difficult to 

find elsewhere. 

Not up for the drive, and still craving 

those organic foods? The Red Clover at 55 th 

and Old Cheney is a relative newcomer in 

organic grocery stores. In addition, check 

out your neighborhood grocery store, like 

Russ’s or Hy-Vee. Most stores now boast a 

health-foods section, which carries organic, 

vegan, and vegetarian-friendly options. 

Organic food spots in 

Lincoln 

Farmer’s Market 

location 

8:00 a.m. - 12 noon 

May 5 to Mid-October 

specializes in local foods 

Open Harvest 

16th and South Street 

specializes in organic foods 

The Red Clover 

55th and Old Cheney Road 

specializes in organic foods 

Local artist “pops” in comic display 

18 | ORACLE | MARCH 2007 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 

BY CALLIE FEINGOLD 


On Feb. 16 th , a new pop art exhibition opened at the Sheldon Memorial Art 

Gallery featuring Chris Ware. Ware, an Omaha-born artist currently residing in Chicago, 

has been labeled an “alternative cartoonist” because his works combine elements of 

comic books and graphic novels. Ware’s art has been featured in the New Yorker, most 

recently in his series of four cover panels late 2006. The Sheldon instillation debuted 

with a talk and reception at the Sheldon. More than 350 people attended, overflowing the 

auditorium. 

Ware’s “novels” take place in his hometown, Omaha, making his work particularly 

relevant to local art spectators. Ware delivers his multi-layered stories, melding an 

unsettled view of modern life with intricate drawings accompanied by small amounts 

of text and dialogue. His published works include Jimmy Corrigan: the smartest kid on 

earth and Quimby the Mouse. In addition to his completed comic strips, the installation 

illustrates the artist’s creative process, including drawings, sketches, and models. Chris 

Ware will be on view through April 29, 2007. 

Coinciding with this exhibition, Comic Art will be shown from the permanent collection, 

including Andy Warhol’s “Mickey Mouse,” several pop-art oriented sculptures (one of 

a giant purple elephant reading taboo magazines), and a comic strip portraying a Latin 

American artist’s iconic paradox of the United States.

Stuff to do on the weekends... 

This Edition: Exploring Downtown Lincoln 

It’s Saturday night and you’re waiting impatiently for the phone to ring 

so that you can repeat the events of the previous night: go to a friend’s house 

and hang out, then go home. If this sounds eerily like your weekend forecast, 

fear not, for there is hope! There are many options in this area of town that 

even I, a resident of Lincoln for a while, did not know existed. So go out and 

experience a different side of your hometown! Trust me, there’s much more to 

this city than your friend’s house. 

by Kiersten Haugen 

1. Three words: Paint Yourself Silly. 

This crafty little shop allows visitors to paint and 

decorate pre-made pottery. Many are unaware of 

the store because it is located on P Street in the 

heart of the Haymarket. While this creative outlet 

is loads of fun, beware the fact that it can be a bit 

pricey. When you’re finished with your masterpiece, 

head across the hallway for a tasty treat. Yes, I am 

talking about Ivanna Cone, the picturesque ice 

cream parlor and soda fountain that’s perfect for a 

date or just a night out with your friends. 

3. The Sheldon Memorial Art 

Gallery continues to be a relaxing way to 

spend your day. Meander around the Sculpture 

Garden (when the weather improves,) or check 

out the different exhibits in the museum. Within 

walking distance is the appropriately named Coffee 

House. 

Also located on P Street, The Coffee 

House offers espresso, cappuccino, tea, and 

other products along with a uniquely artistic 

atmosphere. In fact, most of the artwork on display 

is for sale by the individual artists themselves. 

Performing arts are also a part of the Coffee 

House, making it an appropriate way to end a day 

of artistic revelations. 

5. If you feel like making plans a little more casual, 

hit the Douglas Grand Theatre to 

catch a movie. Nothing says casual fun like a dinner 

and a movie. Just around the corner from the movie 

theatre is the Cold Stone Creamery. Now, I don’t 

know about you, but I simply cannot resist their 

famous “Cake Batter” ice cream with brownies. 

No matter what your preference, everyone’s happy 

with a treat from Cold Stone! 

2. The University Theatre on the 

corner of 12th and R Streets produces a variety 

of programs throughout the year that are certainly 

worth watching. I recently saw a production of 

Shakespeare’s “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” and 

I was thoroughly entertained. After the show, 

walk just three blocks down to Krem Le Bistro, a 

charming restaurant that was previously featured 

in the Oracle. This restaurant offers a comfortable 

atmosphere and is the perfect end to your 

evening. 

4. For those of you who have your head in 

the clouds, take a trip down to Mueller 

Planetarium, located in the University of 

Nebraska State Museum. This planetarium offers 

several inexpensive astronomy shows on Saturdays 

and Sundays throughout the year. Spend some time 

gazing at the stars with a friend, or even a date 

for that matter. When you’ve finished exploring 

the skies, head to the Green Gateau, a charming 

café on 10th Street. The environment is that of an 

English Country Inn and serves “the Food Lincoln 

Talks About.” 

6. If you’re someone who likes to keep their 

schedule open, simply hit the Haymarket for 

some fun shopping time. The Historic 

Haymarket is filled with various shopping 

spots that are great for spending some time 

away from home. I, myself am a self-proclaimed 

shopaholic, so this activity is certainly one of my 

favorites. 

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | MARCH 2007 | ORACLE | 19

Overwhelming madness 

BY ELIZABETH BAQUET 


March is the month of flowers, 

springtime, gentleness and beautiful 

showers, perhaps even more importantly, 

it’s the month of March Mania! I’m not 

sure what March Mania is, but I’ve formulated 

a general idea of what goes on 

at this sporting event. Apparently there 

are a large amount of pools that are created 

and whoever picks the winner of 

the tournament gets a ton of money. So I 

have created my own bracket, including a 

detailed description of the games that will 

be talked about for centuries. Spoken in 

the same breath as the 69’ Dolphins-Bulls 

game, a true sporting legend. 

The first group of important 

teams is called the Superb Sixteen. I predict 

there will be some interesting match 

ups with this group of athletes. First the 

Chicago White Sox will triumphantly 

defeat the Chicago Cubs, causing mass 

riots in the general Chicago area. The 

most surprising match during this round, 

however, will be an upset served on behalf 

of the California Golden Bears, a 

class C team with a Cinderella story. In 

5 quarters of stunning play, the Golden 

Bears will defeat the Bozeman Mountain 

Lions, in a moving display of survival 

of the fittest. Now on to the Exuberant 

Eight! 

In the second round of March Mania, 

the Golden Bears will unfortunately fall 

to the Winnipeg Anacondas after which 

an announcer will comment, “Who’s the 

king of the jungle now?” “Welcome to the 

Jungle” will from then on be the warm-up 

song for Winnipeg. Critics will criticize 

the Exuberant Eight for not being able 

to match the spectacle created in the Ferocious 

Four. When you hear what will 

happen in that round, you will agree. 

Picture this, the lights go down, 

“We Will Rock You” comes over the 

loud speakers, the starting line up for 

the Denver Broncos is announced and 

at guard, 6’7”, 256 pounds is none other 

than, a god among men, Larry Bird! The 

fans will go crazy and men in yellow shirts 

with “security” written on the back will 

form a human barricade to contain the 

crowd while, Larry majestically flies on to 

the court to make the greatest comeback 

sports history has ever seen. He will play 

five minutes, score four points and have 

to be taken out of the game because he’s 

getting a little wheezy. When it comes to 

gods among men, better safe than sorry. 

As March Mania winds down, and 

sports fans everywhere begins to slip into 

a sugar-induced comatose, a few loyal 

fans will remain glued to their television 

to relive the month of legends through 

highlight after highlight. Who will win 

March Mania? Who cares? The only thing 

people will remember is the comments 

made by the coach after he wins the 

championship. He will be quoted in the 

Associated Press saying, “We came, we 

played, we conquered.” This year’s March 

Spring previw: Things heating up 

BY SINDU VELLANKI 


Sport: Boys Soccer 

Name: Taylor Stacy 

Coach: Mr. Hoham 

Game to Watch: Southwest 

Outlooks for the season: “We lost 

a lot of key players but we’ve gained a lot 

of good players. It’ll be fun to see how 

the team comes together.” 

Personal goal: “It’s hard to do better 

than last year, but I want us to come 

together as a team, as one, and achieve 

the goals that we know that we can 

achieve.” 

Sport: Track 

Name: Kay Tomlinson 

Coach: Mr. Gingery and Ms. Kabourek 

Game to Watch: “Come to our first 

meet at Millard North. We can run fast 

but we always run faster if we have a section 

of supporters!” 

Outlooks for the season: “We have 

talented people in all areas and hopefully 

we will have many people qualify for 

state.” 

Personal goal: I just want to have 

fun and finish out the season without 

any injuries…and make it to all of the 

The boys track team gets their hustle on during practice (photo by Alice Root) 

Sport: Girls Tennis 

Name: Scout Richters 

Coach: Mr. Schmidt 

Game to Watch: Southwest on 

May 9 

Outlooks for the season: “Hopefully 

we will dominate the city teams and 

do well at state.” 

Personal goal: “To get more fans 

out to watch the games instead of the 

usual two people.” 

Sport: Girls Soccer 

Name: Laura Clouston 

Coach: Mr. Morgan 

Game to Watch: “Every game is a 

game to watch.” 

Outlooks for the season: “Last year 

we were runner up to so we want to make 

state again, but we have a tough district. 

I think we can do it though—we have a 

really unified team this years.” 

Personal goal: “Well, it’s my last 

season so hopefully I can go out strong 

and make state.” 

Sport: Baseball 

Name: Zach Smith 

Coach: Mr. Sterns 

Game to Watch: “Come watch the 

Southeast game. I hear they’re supposed 

to be good this year.” 

Outlooks for the season: “We 

would like to do better than last year and 

make it to state. The team gets along well 

this season, so I think we’ll play together 

as a team more.” 

Personal goal: “I’d like to throw a 

no-hitter and see the team succeed.” 

Sport: Boys Golf 

Name: Taylor Stewart 

Coach: Mr. Tonniges 

Game to Watch: “Come watch state 

at Holmes on May 22 and 23” 

Outlooks for the season: “We want 

to make it to state and win it. I think we 

can surprise a lot of people because people 

don’t think we’re good this year.” 

Personal goal: “Win a bunch of 

tournaments on the way to state and win 

at state individually as well.” 

20 | ORACLE | 29 OCTOBER 2006 | SPORTS

Megan Masada 

BY SAMMY WANG 


This summer while most Lincoln 

East seniors shop for dorm room accessories 

and soak up the sun’s rays, 

Megan Masada will be conditioning to 

play Division I Women’s Soccer. Masada 

was recruited by Drake University in Des 

Moines, Iowa to play center defender on 

their women’s soccer team. Masada has 

been playing soccer since she was six 

years old. 

“I first played club soccer when I 

was in first grade,” said Masada. “All of 

my friends were doing it.” Even though 

soccer was at first a social activity, it has 

become a major part of Masada’s life. Masada 

has also played varsity volleyball and 

basketball, but enjoys soccer the most. 

“Soccer is my favorite sport because 

I’ve been playing it the longest,” said Masada. 

“It’s the sport that I’ve been most 

competitive in.” 

Masada’s competitive nature helped 

the Lincoln East Girls’ Soccer team win 

the State Championship her sophomore 

year, and earn the runner-up spot her 

junior year. 

“Soccer takes my mind off of everything 

else,” said Masada. “I like being 

part of a team, and I like setting goals 

and working to achieve them.” Masada 

has achieved her goal of playing collegiate 

soccer, but not without hard work and 

encouragement. 

Masada was recruited by several 

schools, including Iowa University, Iowa 

State University, and Hastings College. 

But she signed with Drake University on 

National Signing Day in February. 

“I chose Drake because I liked the location, 

the coaching staff, and the opportunities 

I would have to play.” But signing 

with Drake was not an easy process. 

“The process of signing with a 

school is long,” said Masada. “There’s 

a lot of emailing and texting involved.” 

Masada first got recruited at a Drake soccer 

summer camp, but has had experience 

with recruiters for several years. 

“I started going to recruiting tournaments 

my sophomore year,” said Masada. 

“I had to bring my player information 

that schools would pick up at stands. It 

was a relief to commit to Drake.” After 

formally committing, Masada found that 

getting recruited to a school means more 

than just playing well. 

“At Drake we have to maintain a 

2.0 GPA,” said Masada. “And before 

we get our jerseys we have to pass our 

fitness test, which I’ll be training for all 

summer.” The required fitness test for 

Drake’s Women’s Soccer team is strenuous, 

and the information is distributed 

in March so players have enough time to 

condition. Masada must follow a fitness 

plan as preparation for her fitness test 

in August. 

“My plan includes running and conditioning 

every day, weight training, and 

following a strict diet, said Masada. ” The 

fitness test requires players to run one 

mile in 6:20 and ten 40-yard dashes each 

under eight seconds, along with other 

requirements. 

Even with all of the preparation 

Masada is doing, signing with Drake has 

been a memorable experience. 

“The whole process is exciting,” said 

Masada. “You have to be really prepared 

to work hard. I’m the first recruit from 

Nebraska to ever play at Drake, so I’m 

a little nervous.” Although Masada will 

miss her family, friends, and coaches 

from Nebraska, her future in soccer is 

what motivates her. “Division I soccer is 

Megan Masada shows off some fierce intensity 

Jim Ebke – South Dakota State 

(football) 

Jake Wolf – Minnesota State (football) 

Cole Weihe – Doane College (football) 

Alyssa Gubser – Hastings College 

(soccer) 

Dana Durre – University of Missouri 

St. Louis (basketball) 

Jason Moffat – Dana College (football) 

Ravi Mahapatra – Wesleyan University 

(track) 

Dan Cramer – Wesleyan University 

(track) 

Crazy madman bites child--blood everywhere! 

Warning: Beware of crazy-eyed 

manly men wearing headbands and basketball 

jerseys who scream 

“WOOOOOOO!!” repeatedly 

as they make their 

way aimlessly throughout 

town. Remember when your 

mommy told you there’s no 

such thing as werewolves? 

Oh, they exist alright. But 

instead of transforming 

at every full-moon, these 

monsters show their hungry 

faces annually in the glorious 

month of March, when they 

feast upon hours and hours 

of the most exciting basketball television 

has to offer. “Is it Halloween already!?” 

a stupid little kid might ask. Here’s a tip: 

Just give the youngun’ a fierce look in the 

eye, dramatically pause, and answer with a 

brisk, powerful “HAAAAIL 

NO!” 

This special time of year 

should NEVER be taken 

lightly or be brushed off 

like some ninny, trick-ortreat, 

piece-of-crap holiday! 

If March Madness was a 

holiday, it’d be Christmas… 

times twenty!!! But instead 

of lame-o “ho, ho, ho’s” 

there are only hoops, hoops, 

hoops! Tuck the kids in early, 

moms, because I wasn’t kidding 

about the werewolf thing. If one of 

the little buggers causes a true Madness 

fan to miss a win-at-the-buzzer moment, 

those fangs and claws just might activate! 

To prevent any misfortunes, the following 

“Commandments of the Month of Madness” 

have been compiled for the safety 

of the unaffected: 

1) Thou shall never walk in front 

of the TV with two minutes left to play 

or fewer. Failure to comply will result in 

either a kick in the pants or a week-long 

full-household shun against the offender. 

2) Dick Vitale is purely satanic. 

Any “Yeah, baby!” uttered in “the Dick 

Vitale voice” is highly frowned upon and 

deserves a roomful of threatening glares, 

at the very least. 

3) Badly timed phonecalls are even 

worse than listening to Dick Vitale. Ballgame 

cell phone conversations are mind 

numbing and can become exhausting. 

“Hey Danny, what’s the score?” “Oh, 

Danny, haven’t seen you for about four 

years... WHAT’S THE SCORE?” “So I 

ran into your mom at the store the other 

day… whatsthescorewhatsthescore gimmethescore 

whatisithuhwhatsthescore?” 

Well I’ve had enough! This year it’s all 

about the auto response: “It’s 20-20. Oh 

wait, I meant your eyesight. You do have 

eyes, right?!” followed by a dramatic, unnecessary, 

powerful finger push of the 

‘end call’ button. 

4) No streaking! Baseball season 

is just around the corner. Try to contain 

yourself! 

5) Footrests are for the weak. A true 

fan of the Madness will be up, down, up, 

down, and back up again more times than 

a parishioner at mass. 

6) The words “Poor” and “Duke” 

SPORTS | 29 OCTOBER 2006 | ORACLE | 21

2007 Prom Season Special 

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Pink/white acrylic nails 

$30.00 

With current student ID 

Call Diva’s today 

474-0077 

Hours by appointment 

Offer expires June 1, 2007 

Diva’s nail salon 1359 S 33 rd Street 

Picture yourself with a rewarding career in 

HEALTH CARE 

Choose from 39 different health science and health 

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 

800.647.5500 | 402.552.3100 | ClarksonCollege.edu 

Clarkson College complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws relating to 

discrimination and does not discriminate. 

2006-2007 

O r a c l e S t a f f 

Editors-in-chief 

Kari Tietjen & Sammy Wang 

Copy Editor 

Carrie Chen 

News Editor/Business 

M anager 

Tina Zheng 

Voices Editor 

Sean Dwyer 

Faces Editor 

BJ Valente 

Focus Editor/Photographer 

Shuqiao Song 

A&E Editor 

Salome Viljoen 

Spor ts Editor 

Danny Jablonski 

Photo Editor 

Rachel Gibson 

Staff Repor ters 

Elizabeth Baquet 

Kelli Blacketer 

Rachel Branker 

Mark Carraher 

Aubrey Cummings 

Callie Feingold 

Melanie Fichthorn 

Kirsten Haugen 

Paige Juhnke 

Meghan Rihanek 

Caisa Royer 

Sindu Vellanki 

Barb Walkowiak 

Graphic Ar tists/ 

Photographers 

Alice Root 

Adviser 

Jane Holt 

The Oracle is the official newspaper of 

Lincoln East High School. It is published 9 

times a year and serves as an open forum 

for students, teachers and administrators. 

Letters to the editor, articles, original 

artwork and photographs are welcome. 

Letters must be signed, but you may 

request anonymity. The Oracle reserves 

the right to edit the letters and articles 

for length, clarity, and factual accuracy 

without attempting to alter meaning. 

Unsigned editorials represent the 

opinion of the Oracle staff. Signed editorials 

and columns represent the opinions 

of the individual writers. The Oracle 

meets daily during 3rd period in B-159. 

MARCH 2007 | ORACLE | 22 

| BUSINESS

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BUSINESS | MARCH 2007 | ORACLE | 23

Back cover design by Alice Root

March 2007 - Lincoln East High School

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