December 2010 edition of the Purple Sage.

1. The
PurPle Sage
Waunakee Community High School Volume 9, Issue 3
Presented by
The Wednesday Society
December 22, 2010
Waunakee, WI
Graduation honors undergo
“
Opinion
In just a few
weeks, the prophecy will
be fulfilled, and we can
changes for 2011 ceremony
”
bask in the glow of deep
fried bliss. laude recognition, a student Laude consideration, British Laude. Scores of 40-55.99 will
Olivia Knier
—Chris Pedersen Editor in Chief
must have earned a cumulative Literature and AP Literature, receive Magna Cum Laude,
For more on the new GPA of at least 3.0 at the end said, “It’s rewarding kids that and scores of 56 and above will
restaraunt plans, see page 5. The decision to no longer of seven semesters. It is very accept the receive Summa Cum Laude.
Features report class rank this year possible that students could challenge “Many other schools
Over 25 percent of sparked discussion to make be awarded with both laude of taking in our area are switching
adolescents have been other changes in recognition at cords and the classic gold more rigorous to systems similar to the
the 2011 graduation ceremony. honor cord. classes.” proposed laude system
bullied repeatedly
A committee made up The committee expects that A student’s and eliminating class rank
through their cell phones
of school board members about the same percentage of score is to better foster students’
or the internet.
For more, see cyberbullying,
met in early December to the class that was recognized determined willingness to take more
page 8. look at putting in place a with previous academic by multiplying rigorous courses,” said
Entertainment new system of recognition, honors at graduation would his or her Kersten.
the laude system, instead of be recognized with this system. cumulative GPA At this point, the system
valedictorian and salutatorian. The calculation of what type of by the number could be tweaked for
“We need to have something recognition a student receives of semesters future years or even for
in place that will augment that is based on the rigor of his or of advanced this year’s graduating
traditional valedictorian and her coursework and his or her c o u r s e s class.
salutatorian,” said Principal cumulative GPA as previously completed in “I think people feel
Brian Kersten. mentioned. all four years comfortable with the
Nick Frey on the set of “Glee.”
Read more on page 10.
“The one thing that will Classes of high direction of trying to
remain constant is that we that are bestow appropriate
will still have gold honor cords considered for recognition on
Sports for any student that has a 3.6 calculation in laude students for the
GPA over the course of seven placement are made great job they do
semesters,” said Kersten. up of what Kersten called in the classroom.
According to Kersten, this the “capstone courses” of school. For There’s a benefit
laude system is not set in the high school and include instance, a to tr ying to
stone as of right now, but it several classes which can be student with motivate or
will become final after the seen in the table below. a cumulative encourage
school board and policies Few students are aware G PA o f 3 . 0 our students
Jason Ford in hockey
committee approve it. This of this potential change, but and eight t o t a ke t h e
game against DeForest decision could be made as responses have proven to be completed most rigorous
on November 29. soon as late January. mixed. Senior Dan Statz said, “I semesters coursework
For more see page 14.
The new system is made up think it’s better if we [continue of advanced that we have to
of three achievable levels of to] have a valedictorian.” coursework offer because
Sage Page
recognition. The highest level On the contrary, junior Katie would have that’s going
being summa cum laude, Greiber said, “It’s good for the a score of to hopefully
Meet Hanoulia
which will be a purple cord at kids who have the grades to 24 and be prepare them
Salame, WHS’s graduation. The next level is be valedictorian but can’t be recognized best for moving
newest foreign magna cum laude, which will because there’s only one.” for Cum on to their post
exchange student be a silver cord and finally cum English Instructor Rachel Laude. A secondar y
from Belgium. laude, which will be a white Guralski, who teaches score between education,” said Kersten.
cord at graduation. two courses on the list of 24-39.99 will
Q
Turn to page 16.
To be considered for any advanced courses for receive Cum
Advanced Courses:
• Physics II • 4 years of orchestra + A
uotable
• AP Psychology solo
• AP Economics • Advanced Accounting
UOTE
• Advanced English 10 • AP Statistics • AP US History • Marketing II
• British Literature • AP Computer Science AB • French V • Principles of Engineering
• AP Literature • Human Anatomy • Spanish V • Engineering Design and
“
• Expository Writing • Biotechnology • Advanced Art Workshop Development
• PreCalculus • AP Biology • 4 years of band + A solo • Other unique situations,
Buddy • AP Calculus • Chemistry II • 4 years of choir + A solo such as AP online courses
the Elf, KFC/Taco Bell about to open its doors
what’s your
food they want?”
Caroline Patz
Though he already owns
Reporter
Mojo’s Pub, Town and Country
favorite
”
Three years ago, Waunakee Builders and Endres Investment
n a t i v e R o g e r E n d r e s J r. , Group, Endres was looking to
more commonly known as start another business in the
color? Mojo, pulled up to a fast food
restaurant in Madison around
Waunakee area. Thus, Endres’
idea for a combined KFC and
11 p.m. Upon his arrival, he Taco Bell was born.
noticed about five Waunakee This building, located at 600
— Buddy the Elf, football players sitting inside. West Main Street, is scheduled
from Elf Endres thought to himself,
“ Why should high school
to open during the first part of
January, which will coincide
students have to go all the way with high school’s exam week.
into Madison simply to get the KFC/Taco Bell construction during the end of November. (Photo by Candice Bertram)  see KFC page 3

2. NEWS
Lily Vanderbloemen, News Editor
Waunakee Neighborhood Connection spreads holiday cheer
Jenna McGowan Connection include Adopt-a-
Reporter Family, the Christmas meal
program, and the annual kids’
Charitable holiday activities shopping event.
have always been a major part Adopt-a-Family is a need-
of Waunakee Neighborhood based program in which
Connection, Waunakee’s families ask anonymously
most prominent social service for various necessities,
organization. such as hats, winter coats,
With the holidays already and t-shirts. Classrooms,
underway, these programs businesses, individual families,
have infected the Waunakee or other donors step forward to
community with holiday cheer. purchase these items by family.
Christmas goodies for a typical
Holiday programs put on by Purchasing the requested
basket. (Photo by Lydia Dorn)
Waunakee Neighborhood items can be a large time and
financial commitment but volunteers and a lot of time to
Waunakee Neighborhood unload the truck full of goods,
Connection founder, Genna assemble the food, and finally
Eaton, said, “I’m not sure who deliver it.
has more fun on this one; the The annual kids’ shopping
families opening their gifts at event is another holiday
Christmas, or the donors who program put on by Waunakee
adopt the families!” Neighborhood Connection.
The Christmas Meal Businesses and individuals
Program put on by Waunakee donate hundreds of new
Neighborhood Connection is items, and the Waunakee
the largest project during the Neighborhood Connection
holiday season. Just this year, store opens its doors to
220 families in the Waunakee approximately 100 kids. Each Volunteers help package WNC Christmas baskets at the Village Center
area will receive a bag full of child is allowed to pick out on Saturday, December 18. The store was packed as volunteers sorted,
goods this holiday season. two free items to give to their packed and organized baskets for local families. (Photo by Lydia Dorn)
These “goody bags” are filled parents during the holiday
to the brim with ham, lots of season. successful.” These programs volunteers and donors–helping
fresh fruit and vegetables, The impact of these offer a helping hand to the our neighbors in need,” said
an apple pie, a handmade three holiday programs is sometimes-overlooked needy Eaton.
Christmas card, a Christmas monumental in Waunakee. right here in Waunakee and For ways to volunteer and
ornament, two boxes of Girl A s E a t o n s a i d , “ I t t a ke s make a difference during the get involved with Waunakee
Scout cookies, and a new hundreds of volunteers and holiday season. “It also gives Neighborhood Connection,
WNC founder, Genna Eaton, with stuffed animal. This project hundreds of hours of work our community a purpose. visit waunakeeneighborhood
Christmas basket goodies. requires many community to make these [programs] all It provides opportunities for connection.com.
(Photo by Lydia Dorn)
Salvation Army marches on
Chris Pedersen “red kettle” fundraiser go to various
Web Page Manager people in need during the holiday
season. It provides the homeless,
December marks the beginning elderly, and needy families with
of the Salvation Army’s Christmas Christmas dinners, clothes, and toys
fundraising season. Though the to children. Even after the season of
Salvation Army receives donations giving, families are still being helped
in several ways such as airline mile thanks to the massive donation red
donations, government funding kettles raise every year.
and used car donations, the yearly The Red Kettle Campaign runs
608-849-3110
“red kettle” fundraiser is its biggest through December 24, and you can
fundraiser. volunteer by visiting ringbells.org,
The red kettle fundraiser began in where you can choose the preferred
1891, when Captain Joseph McFee location and time to volunteer.
placed a large pot where the Oakland
ferry landed in the San Francisco,
124 W. Main Street California area with a sign reading,
“Keep the pot boiling.” The money
Waunakee, WI raised helped feed 1000 poor people
on Christmas day. Over the years
the idea spread across the country
and is now used throughout the
United States and the world. People
volunteer to ring bells with red
Hours: kettles around the country in front of
Monday: numerous retailers. In Waunakee, red
kettles are located within the doors
11 a.m.- 5 p.m. at Walgreens and outside of Piggly
Tuesday & Wednesday: Wiggly.
This year, according to the Detroit
11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Free Press, the Salvation Army aims
Thursday & Friday: to raise 7.8 million dollars nationwide.
In addition, the Salvation Army has
11 a.m.- 5 p.m. set up an online kettle and hopes to
Saturday raise three million dollars through
onlineredkettle.org. Volunteer Kenneth Spielman ringing bells at
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The donations provided during the PIggly Wiggly. (Photo by Jeremiah Kirch)
Page 2 The Purple Sage December 22, 2010

3. NEWS
KFC NEWS
briefs
place and go
out together,
 from Page 1 even if they
do not want
The building’s lobby
and dining area are on
the same
type of
 LONDON, England - WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange,
willingly handed himself over to British police on Wednesday,
the north side of the food. The December 8. He was released from jail December 17 and is
building, facing Main restaurant being confined to a mansion in London. He must report to
Street, and the dining should also police daily, wear an electronic tag and put up 240,000 pounds
room can seat up to help boost in bail. The next hearing will be January 11.
62 people. The kitchen other local
and the coolers are on businesses.  MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota - Pounding snow from the blizzard
on Sunday, December 12 caused many states to be under
the south side of the Now that
building with the drive- alert. At the 64,000 seat Metrodome, home of the NFL team
there will be
through on the east Construction on KFC/Taco Bell has made signifcant progress. t w o m o r e the Minnesota Vikings, the snow was too much to handle.
side. The KFC and Taco Picture taken in late December. (Photo by Candice Bertram) o p t i o n s f o r The Teflon roof ripped and collapsed, spilling snow onto the
Bell are integrated into entry level, earning minimum field and onto the inside of the building. The Vikings were
quick meals
one space, using the same wage. However, they can also in Waunakee, people supposed to play the New York Giants in the Metrodome on
cashiers, soda dispensers and work their way up to become may be less likely to drive December 12, but the game was rescheduled to be played
dining area. The building as a a manager. on Monday, December 13 in Detroit.
all the way into Madison
whole cost approximately 2.8
million dollars.
“I feel this will be a success for a meal. This will
because it’s a combination of hopefully help people stay
 YEONPYEONG ISLAND, South Korea - Tuesday, November
23 was the beginning of the breaking of the 57 year old
C o n s t r u c t i o n o n t h e two fast food places, both of in Waunakee for other armistice between North and South Korea. Days after, South
building has given many which we don’t yet have in things too, such as for the Korea threatened retaliation, and on December 8, the U.S.
contractors work, helping Waunakee,” Endres said. The hardware or drug store. pressured China to act on North Korea after they threatened
boost Waunakee’s economy. addition of this new restaurant Endres hopes to break to declare war.
There is already a workforce gives locals another dining the record for the largest
of 72 hired people, and most option in Waunakee and will grand opening of a Yum
 MARINETTE, Wisconsin - On Monday, November 29, Marinette
High School was the scene of a hostage situation. One teacher
of them are from Waunakee. hopefully keep people eating Brand’s store in corporate and about two dozen students were held hostage for six hours
Many positions have been locally. histor y by having the by another fifteen year old student. The student, sophomore
filled, but there is room for A huge advantage of the l a r g e s t a m o u n t o f Samuel Hengle, shot himself and died by gunshot wound
more employees. People can new restaurant is that it allows customers at the opening. later that evening.
start in the business at an people to eat at the same

Tutoring changes at WHS
MADISON, Wisconsin - Since the beginning of his campaign,
and later his election, Scott Walker has been aiming to
abolish the high speed rail plan for Wisconsin. On Thursday,
Students who feel the counselors, said, “Initially December 9, it was made clear that the project was dead,and
Anna Evansen that the $810 million allotted to Wisconsin will be given to
need for a tutor can contact it was a shock. It’s a
Reporter other states.
a counselor or advisor and big change. There was
are then matched up with a concern about how [the
Fo r t h e f i r s t t i m e i n
Waunakee High School history, peer tutor involved in the NHS NHS students] were going  RALEIGH, North Carolina - 61 year old Elizabeth Edwards died
on Tuesday, December 7 after battling cancer for six years.
the National Honor Society is program. to have enough time She was a famous attorney, best-selling author, advocate of
teaming up with the school Tutors and tutees meet because ever ybody ’s gay marriage, and health care activist.
tutoring program. through the guidance office, schedule is very tight…like
Melanie Guitzkow, Reporter
The idea for National Honor and tutoring is then scheduled anything else that’s new,
Sources: CNN, Fox News, NBC
Society (NHS) to partner with according to the schedule of it’s going to take some
the school’s tutoring program both the tutor and tutee. Senior getting used to.”
was founded last year, but Maggie Holm said, “It’s hard to The program is still in
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
this is the first year of NHS find time because I have a very its first few months, but so
involvement in the peer busy schedule, but they work far it has been successful.
tutoring program at WHS. around it.” Fassbender said, “I think
Students involved in the NHS Prior to this year, students teachers like the idea.”
program are required to do at would come for ward and NHS member Emily
least ten hours of community ask to help with the tutoring Luttrell said, “[Tutoring]
service; the tutoring counts as program. Barb Fassbender, makes me proud to be
five of those hours. one of the school’s guidance academically recognized.”
The Purple Sage wishes you happy holidays
During this holiday season and every day of the year,
we wish you all the best.
Tammy A Reefe, AAMS®
Financial Advisor
.
314 E Main Street
Waunakee, WI 53597
608-850-6267
Shelley M Moffatt, www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC
AAMS®
Financial Advisor
.
221 S Century Avenue
Waunakee, WI 53597
608-849-6649
December 22, 2010 The Purple Sage Page 3

4. OPINION
Jamie Warner, Opinion Editor
Waunakee’s winter wonderland
Angela Gilbertson snowy day in Waunakee. Does at our parking lots, a good
Production Assistant our superintendent ignore amount of our vehicles are
how much of a hassle it is to
small cars. What happens
Picture this: You wake transport ourselves to school?
when you have small cars and
up on a weekday morning Along with that, does he not
snow? You get an accident just
and out your window is think of all the conditions we
waiting to happen. Without
a blanket of white fluff have to face to make our arrival
four wheel drive or front-
Thumbs up! Thumbs down... covering everything wheel drive, a ride
“
and everywhere you in the snow is full
look. of sliding through
As the Secret There are at least What happens when stop signs and
storefronts Santa: not ten feet of snow, and you have small cars and swerving around
icicles are hanging corners. This is an
”
have proph- so secret off your roof. The first snow? You get an accident issue because it
esized it for anymore. Also, thing that pops into just waiting to happen. can cause crashes.
your head is, “Do I Accidents on the
the last few the person who have school today?”
– Angela Gilbertson r o a d c a n a l s o
months, win- signs up but You rush downstairs c r e a t e t r a f f i c
ter break has does not to check the news, problems, which
and to your displeasure, on time? As we all know, the leads to students being late for
finally come. deliver. almost ever y school is chance of getting a snow day class and is a safety hazard in
closed but yours. Since you is always slim. itself.
Flashing LED are probably a resident of For the majority of students The roads on school mornings
Waunakee reading this in high school, the ideal are busy with students driving,
The student Christmas newspaper, you know I transportation to school is parents dropping off their kids,
council fund- lights. “The am talking about a typical driving. When you look around and bus drivers taking students
raiser, Canes more, the
to where they need to be.
Streets and intersections are
for Canes. If merrier” is the cluttered as people rush to be
the name of wrong on time. All of this traffic plus
ten feet of snow can not lead to
the project did philosophy anything good. It is dangerous
not endear here. for everyone to be put in these
you, then the situations.
Once again, picture this:
goal, aiding School on You rush to your window on a
the elderly, Christmas weekday morning, and there
is a blanket of white fluff at
will. Eve’s eve. least ten feet thick covering
everywhere you look. Icicles
dangle from the end of your
The new roof. The first thing that pops
KFC/Taco Obligatory into your head is, “Do I have
Bell. Twice small gifts school today?” and so you rush
the fast food for coworkers or downstairs to check the news.
To your pleasure, almost every
goodness! distant school is closed, including
relatives. yours. This, I know, is what we
all want to see happen when
these days occur.
Inaction a worse decision than building a roundabout
Jamie Warner eventually needs to happen passage from the stores nearby could be reduced by shifting direction.
Opinion Editor as a proper long-term solution to the street, meaning that the roundabout to the Village As for complaints of the
would involve rerouting the would-be customers often Hall lot and thereby not roundabouts being confusing
After a meeting with the highway around our village, simply bypass the Waunakee interfere with the surrounding themselves, I hope that such
Department of Transportation, but doing so cannot happen businesses to avoid the hassle. businesses. confusion goes away after
a proposed roundabout to anytime soon (even if there The problem will only get worse To ease our financial woes, the resourceful citizens of
clear traffic at the intersection were funding). over time. If the condition the cost of the roundabout Waunakee get used to the
of Highway 19 and Highway As a result, we are stuck on the street deteriorates too would be greatly reduced by traffic device. A roundabout
Q has sparked controversy with a choice between short- far, then traffic could become federal funding. Although the would hit businesses in the
amongst the community of term solutions, of which there unstable, leading to serious cost of the roundabout might short term and be confusing for
Waunakee. As tension and are several. The Wisconsin traffic jams in addition to be as much as $10 million, a while, sure, but Waunakee
debate rises over the planned Department of Transportation the constant overflow. Doing Waunakee would only have to has little else to try.
roundabout, it is important to first proposed that Highway 19 nothing is hardly a viable pay about $600,000. Yes, it is clear that the
keep the project in perspective. be expanded into four lanes, solution. D e s p i t e c o m p l a i n t s o f roundabout is unpopular and
Many complaints have been removing street parking space. If we assume that something confused drivers causing has its share of flaws. However,
raised about the proposal: However, this was deemed needs to be done about the crashes, roundabouts usually the current traffic is even less
it is confusing to navigate, it unacceptable because it would problem, then what happens improve safety. A study done accepted – and will become
would hurt local businesses, heavily damage businesses if we look at the beast of the by the National Highway more so as time goes on. We
it would be unsightly, etc. and pedestrian traffic. The roundabout in the eye? Well, Cooperative Research Program have little other choice but to
However, what needs to roundabout was chosen as the the space it needs will certainly showed that roundabouts accept the roundabout. If we
be remembered is that the lesser of evils. damage the sur rounding reduce crashes by about 35 do, then maybe it will not be
roundabout is a solution to an After all, something needs businesses – but not as much percent. In addition, crashes so bad.
existing problem, the backed to be done about the traffic on as the total damage traffic that do occur are at lower
up traffic on Highway 19. What Highway 19. The jam restricts would cause. The damage speeds and in the same
Page 4 The Purple Sage December 22, 2010

5. OPINION
WEDNESDAY SOCIETY speaks
Q uotable
THE
UOTE
Con-text of communication
“
spotted another train barreling toward them on the tracks.
Daredevil multitaskers across Wisconsin have a new law One of the conductors pulled their emergency brake, but
to dread while free on the road: a restriction on texting while it was too late; the two collided head-on. Both locomotives
driving. Yes, it is true: the number of people who can drive and a passenger car fell over, and 25 people were killed. Once we
down the highway while looking down in their lap – and often Afterwards, an investigation found the cause of the crash;
driving around 100 yards without looking at the road – has the engineer was sending a text message and ran through begin to
increased to a point where legislators have been forced to a red signal.
make a law against it. The story repeats itself throughout the public; according to see, we are
The violation is a primary offense, so people can be pulled the Department of Transportation, there were 5,475 deaths
over solely because they were texting. Of course, violators and almost half a million injuries in car accidents which doomed and
will probably first be identified by their wild swerves and involved distracted driving in 2009.
delayed adjustments before officers dare to get close enough
to peer through the window. Because of how obvious offenders
The restriction on texting while driving may seem
laughable, but it is a widespread issue. A person might feel
challenged
are, enforcement of the law will be relatively easy.
It is astounding, however, just how common the criminal
safe and snug driving down a road while enjoying a text
conversation, and in many cases, they can get away with
to seek the
case is. No doubt many of our readers are sheepishly thinking it, but in truth, they are driving worse than they would strength to
”
back on a day they themselves laughed at a text or two while be if they were driving while intoxicated. On the road, the
on the road.
One instance in 2008 comes to mind particularly to show
people who make mistakes and cause problems never seem
to realize it, and unfortunately, because of the innocence of
see more,
how widespread the problem has become. On an autumn
evening, a Metrolink train set off from downtown Los Angeles
texting while driving, it is likely a problem that will stick
with us for a while.
not less.
to a nearby suburban city. All was normal until the crew
– Arthur Miller
Should we have opened our gates to KFC/Taco Bell?
About four years ago, people began to whisper of the coming of a new restaurant in Waunakee: the KFC/Taco Bell combination. In just a few weeks, the prophecy
will be fulfilled, and we can bask in the glow of deep fried bliss. At first, the smart town upbringing in me opposed the new restaurant, but the city boy (born in
Milwaukee, raised in Janesville and later Madison) was excited. Now, in the interest of fairness, we will see both directions the new restaurant could take us.
Chris Pedersen mom and pop business that Waunakee DOES need KFC/Taco Bell Furthermore, while it is
Webpage Manager unfortunately folded earlier As my alter identity pointed out, unfortunate that Cimino’s
this year. It is national fast food Waunakee has already embraced other closed, if it was really as great
Waunakee does NOT need chains like Pizza Hut that drove fast food chains, and the addition of as my alter-ego and I think
KFC/Taco Bell this delicious Waunakee-born another fast food restaurant will not it was, people should have
Waunakee has long prided and run business into the affect our status as a bedroom supported it. After all, their
itself in being a “bedroom ground. KFC/Taco Bell stands community, if you think that prices were fairly competitive.
community,” meaning we are to do the same thing to our is important. The building is They simply did not make the
a small, primarily residential other local restaurants. fairly small, and the cut.
community with a limited, S u p p o r t i n g t h e l o c a l exterior is as classy Finally, while it is true that
local economy. If people want e c o n o m y i s i m p o r t a n t . as the interior of franchises pay a franchising
amenities they go to Madison. L ocal businesses employ McDonald’s; it is fee to the corporation that
We keep out the big box stores many community members, not high class, owns the brand, franchises
because they do not go with especially teenagers. When b u t h a s a still employ local citizens and
our small town America image, a business like refined feel. the income they and the owner
so why should we let KFC/Taco K F C o r Ta c o earn also stimulate the local
Bell change that? B e l l p u s h e s economy. The name may be
Not only is the new KFC/ o t h e r l o c a l national, but a franchise is a
Taco Bell an affront to the b u s i n e s s e s locally run business, even if it
atmosphere of the community, out, the local does not have a local flair.
it is unnecessary. We already economy here Ultimately, KFC/Taco Bell
have McDonald’s, Burger King, i s d a m a g e d merely provides another lunch
Subway, Milio’s, and multiple because money or dinner option, and time will
pizza restaurants. g o e s t o b i g tell if Waunakee is a good fit for
Speaking of pizza, remember corporations the business.
Cimino’s? Cimino’s was a local elsewhere.
THE PURPLE SAGE
Editorial Staff
The Purple Sage
Waunakee Community High School
EDITORIAL
Contact us by e-mail: purplesage@waunakee.k12.wi.us
301 Community Drive POLICIES
Waunakee, WI 53597
The Purple Sage is written and produced entirely by
OLIVIA KNIER KELLY MARTIN EMILY DREWRY Waunakee Community High School students. Opinions
Editor in Chief Sports Editor Copy Editor in The Purple Sage are the opinions of the author and
do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the newspaper
staff or the school district. Students, staff, and members
LILY VANDERBLOEMEN JOSH LERDAHL AARON SCHMIDT of the community are welcome to submit Letters to the
News Editor AIDAN SCHLITTLER Advertising Manager Editor. Letters should be 250 words or less and must be
Sage Page Editors signed. Letters may be delivered to room 1502, or sent
JAMIE WARNER CHRIS PEDERSEN to our mailing or email address.
Opinion Editor LYDIA DORN Web Page Manager The Purple Sage is published monthly and is printed
Photography Editor by South Central Publishing. The Purple Sage is a
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December 22, 2010 The Purple Sage Page 5

6. OPINION
Attention all Waunakee drivers: it is now winter
Glenn Will parking lot. I usually like to some other parking lot, with Department of Officer Lybeck to come around
Columnist cruise on through as well, but less people, or head out the Transportation, issuing citations to everyone
seriously? There are like five country somewhere. It does the time of day who has not “winterized”
I was supposed to be writing inches of fresh snow; you are not matter to me, just do not with the most their driving plans,
about my opinions on the new going to slide, so slow down. force me to back my car up accidents that but I do want
ban of texting while driving, Without a doubt, the worst to avoid being t-boned at an c a u s e d i n j u r y t o b e
but after seeing how cars o f f e n d e r s a r e t h e m a l e intersection (something that was between three a b l e
were driving in the parking students who insist on driving has happened twice already). and four p.m., which is right t o
lot after the first snowfall, I unsafely at all times of the Then there are the giggling when we get out of school, g e t
felt obligated to tell people year. I understand your future girls who constantly make coincidentally. We have to o u t
they cannot drive like idiots, lies in watching cars do the mistakes and do not care. get it out of our head of here
especially since there is ice on same, but do not put me at They need to stop laughing that needing to w i t h o u t
the ground. risk for your stupidity. If you like it is going to help anything be somewhere feeling like I just barely
The problem is not only with insist on doing this, please do it and learn from their mistakes. does not give beat death.
students, but also how parents somewhere else, where there Seriously, grow up and realize us the luxur y
are driving: ignoring stop sign are not one hundred and fifty you are not the only person on of driving like
rules, tailgating and going way tightly packed cars and people the road. maniacs.
over the speed limit in the roaming around. Go down to According to the Wisconsin I am not saying I want
There are myriad perspectives, but all have claim to truth
Eric Momou an irritation – a festering callus Suppose you are situated At the same time, from an of thunder. She sees the distant
Columnist that does not heal, doing more in the passenger seat of a adjacent bus stop that you have flashes of lightning below in
harm than good. car, cruising to any desired passed, another individual her peripheral vision.
In the modern day, people What then is truth? Belief destination. You tune out to sits. In the miniature, flimsy What is the point of these
have an adamant resolve to is defined as that which one the drone of the car engine and and plastic fortification, the illustrations? Each individual
seek out truth. Yet away from ardently trusts in, hopes in radio and listen to the steady person witnesses the rain. in this parable can attest to
the everyday American’s world and perceives as truth. Truth rain outside the window. From In the tedious wait, he looks the truth as his or her sense
of present day suburbia is the then, is a subjective reality in your present speed of 45 miles at his watch and grimaces. of the world is based on the
unknown world of battles and which the realm of The hands read 7:40. He person’s individual reality or
“
bloodshed over the concept perceptions a person is late for work again. viewpoint. All individuals,
of belief. No where has belief chooses to believe
been more prevalent than in might well differ
Truth, then, is a subjective To the business man it
seems as if no time has
based in different locations,
had a differing sense of time
religion. from fact. reality in which the realm of elapsed. As this person and place, perceiving his or
In the Middle East, the fight I b e g a n t o g e t
between the Shiites and Sunni curious after reading
perceptions a person chooses is stationary, the deluge
f a l l s s t r a i g h t d o w n ,
her set of reality in the only
way they could. All witnessed
”
sects of Islam have caused a brochure on the to believe in might well differ contrary to the viewpoint the weather differently. Inside
such a stir for ages that perhaps subject entitled “Is from the car. the car, the world seemed
the basis of the conflict might R e l i g i o n L o s i n g
from fact. In the atmospheric to slant; outside the bus stop
never be uncovered. In Sudan, its Influence?” It – Eric Momou gales above, a passenger everything appeared normal
it has been estimated that over i s a r e s p e c t a b l e of a commercial airplane and mundane; and outside the
17,000 children are forced into p u b l i c a t i o n experiences little of what plane there was nothing.
armed militias over cultural distributed by Jehovah’s per hour, the rain appears the prior two have undergone Likewise, the looking glass
feud. The ghosts of Belgium Witnesses, the enthusiasts to slant. In truth, you are on earth. In her sense of the of culture may act in the same
rule in Congo still haunt the who go door to door. experiencing a kind of optical relative world above the manner while witnessing truth.
country. After much metacognition, illusion, a phenomenon based nimbus clouds, there is no Truth may seem distorted
As an eyewitness to tragedy, a I believe that truth may be on a relative sense of motion rain. Situated comfortably, she through another’s eyes, but it
person will wonder: Is religion understood through the use of in respect to your current is oblivious as the rest of the may also be what a person can
the answer to man’s woes? Is it a physical analogy. situation. Your sense of time world remains in melancholy judge based on circumstance.
the balm to our troubles? As always, I implore the is jilted because you think of from the downpour. She views
Respectfully, it seems like reader to imagine another’s life as it passes by you at your civilization as a speck. All she
the issue of religion is merely vantage point. current speed. hears is the faint reverberations
“Yes. We go a long “Yes, roads are bad, “No. That’s why
time in the winter so people can’t get we’re state
without any breaks, to school, especially champions at so
so snow days help if they live far away.” many things; we’re
to refresh.” Ashley Statz tough.”
Kayla Hanson Grade 9 Rick Braun
Grade 10 English
Instructor
“ more snow days?
“Yes, it’s nicer out “We don’t care how
in the summer, so many snow days we
people can get to have; we’re seniors!”
Robert Kinzler, Kyle Should Waunakee have
”
school easier if we
push back the year.” DesRochers, Jameson
Eric Anderson Coopman, Josh Paulson,
Grade 11 David Marshall
Grade 12
Photo poll by Lydia Dorn and Jamie Warner
Page 6 The Purple Sage December 22, 2010

7. FEATURES
Sara Vincent, Features Editor
Science Club “raises the dead” in Kansas
Kelsey Mayer allotted for travel on both ends When a student found a
Reporter of the trip. fossil, they had to excavate it.
In order to get to the dig To do this, they chiseled away
Members of the Science Club site, the Science Club took the rock all the way around
traveled to “the land before three vans down to Kansas, the fossil and about eighteen
time” in search of fossilized spending 14 hours in the inches underneath it.
remains of prehistoric beasts. vehicle each way. “The car ride “The excavating process
T h e y w e r e u t m o s t l y was super long,” said junior is a lot of work and a lot of
s u c c e s s f u l a n d f o u n d Hailey Bussan.“But we found digging. It must have taken two
numerous fossils ranging from ways to entertain ourselves days just to dig [a fossil] out,
small vertebrae and teeth [such as] read alouds, Mario and sometimes it ended up
to the whole front end of a Kart, and for the most part, breaking. But hey, I got to use
Xophactinus aduax. sleeping.” a pick axe for the first time,”
L a s t s u m m e r, S c i e n c e K a n s a s u s e d t o b e said Bussan.
Instructors Steve Bower and submerged in a body of water After digging the fossil out
Deb Kellerman took nine called the Western Interior of the ground, they applied
members of the Science Seaway. During the Cretaceous glue to it and covered it in
Club down to Kansas for a period, this seaway stretched aluminum foil. Then they
paleontological adventure of from the Arctic Ocean to the would dip long strips of burlap The “Dino-Dig” group at their worksite in Kansas. The group discovered
a lifetime. These students had Gulf of Mexico. Therefore, all into plaster and cover the foil many fossils from the Cretaceous period. (Photo submitted)
five days of digging in Russel the fossils dug up and brought as a protective jacket for the
Springs, Kansas with two days back were marine creatures. ride home. as those machines used in This is set up in a closed
Upon return to Waunakee, museums. off booth with a vacuum to
Science Club recovered bones from: the students involved in the The first step of preparing a remove all the dust. The Micro
Xiphactinus audax Leidy - largest bony fish of the “Dino Dig” needed to prep fossil is to get rid of as much Blaster then cleans the fossils
the fossils they found. This excess rock as possible using by shooting out baking soda at
Late Cretaceous Seas
is a long process that is going a Micro-Jack tool. This is 600 miles per hour.
Clidastes and Platecarpus - Monasaur marine lizards on in Bower’s room and will similar to a pencil and uses air After this process is finished,
Plesiosaur - Long necked carnivorous lizard continue on throughout the pressure to chip away at the they mount the fossils and put
Pteranodons and Nyctosaurus - Flying birds rest of the school year. It is excess rock. The only risk with them out for show.
characteristically toothless and tailless approximated for each hour the Micro-Jack is that without The Science Club takes
Hesperornis - Toothed marine bird spent out in the field finding care, it could start chipping this trip roughly every other
Cretoxyrhina mantelli and Squalicorax - Large fossils, it takes 20 hours in the away at the fossils as well as year, and any student who is
lab prepping them. the rock. interested in uncovering fossils
sharks is welcome to go. Overall, the
T h e f o s s i l p r e p a r a t i o n After getting rid of as much
Saurocephalus, Saurodon and Prosaurodons - process done by the students rock as possible, students group had immense success
Sword-eels is actually very similar to the move onto the Micro Blaster. and was able to return with
Enchodus petrosus and Enchodus gladiolus - process used by professionals. “The prep work is kind of scary many fossils.
Sabre-toothed fish The tools and machines owned at first, but using the Micro Students can stop by the
by the Waunakee Science Blaster is pretty cool,” said library and check out some of
All were found at the Kansas site Department are the same Bussan. the finished fossils.
Student Council embraces season of giving
Maggie Frawley Fitzpatrick said, “They loved the high school office phones smaller ribbons was shown The total amount raised from
Reporter it.” The total amount raised (849-2100), and “elves” from with its rainbow of different the shirts and the game came
from selling canes was $250. Santa’s Workshop will talk colors. All of the money raised to $2,889, which was presented
F i n d i n g n e w w a y s t o The corporation MERI will to the children and ask them and one dollar from each ticket to a representative from the
volunteer and bring new light match the total profits of the what they want for Christmas. sold was donated to the American Cancer Society at
to people’s lives can be hard fundraiser up to $500. “Call an Elf” is not a fundraising American Cancer Society. half time.
to accomplish. The Student The candy canes were event but instead benefits the
Council is always looking for delivered to recipients around children of the community.
new ways to fundraise for the school on December 21 The “Cancer Sucks Out”
different causes. by “Santa’s Elves.” Each mint basketball game was held
This month, they ran three candy cane was sold for $1 December 10 at the boys
major events. They organized individually and five candy basketball game against Mt.
“Canes for Canes,” “Call an Horeb.
Elf,” and they sponsored a Student Council Prior to the game, Student
“Cancer Sucks Out” basketball Council sold “Cancer Sucks”
game. Each of these events raised a total of t-shirts, with all profits going
were very sucessful and each towards the American Cancer
benefitted a different group of
$2,889 Society. The shirts were sold
Juniors Kelsey Cherf and Nicole Anderson $2,246 was raised from
sell candy canes at lunch for “Canes for selling “Cancer Sucks”
people. for the American from November 8-17 in a
Canes.” (Photo by Jeremiah Kirch) t-shirts.
“Canes for Canes” was a variety of different colors and
fundraiser to raise money for Cancer Society tie-dye designs. The student
the geriatrics branch of the section was a colorful array of
UW hospital. Geriatrics is a canes for $4. Donations were Cancer Sucks t-shirts. At the
medical branch that deals collected at both lunches and game, “Coins for Cure” were
with diseases and disorders during the delivery process. collected at half time to benefit
of elderly patients. The money “It makes people happy, and cancer research. There were
made in this fundraiser buys since it’s the giving season you also ribbons sold that were tied
coloring books, large print feel so good about donating,” to a large chicken wire ribbon
books, stuffed animals and said Fitzpatrick. in many different colors. Each
card games to entertain the “Call an Elf ” is an event for of the small different colored
elderly patients who are often the children of the community. ribbons symbolized a different
lonely. Of the objects that were The event will be held tonight, type of cancer. At half time, Students at the “Cancer Sucks Out” basketball game sported many
donated last year, junior Megan from 4-6 p.m. Children can call the large ribbon filled with the multicolored “Cancer Sucks” t-shirts. (Photo by Kelsey Mayer)
December 22, 2010 The Purple Sage Page 7