The Purple Onion 12/29/12

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Students score big with food drive Along with all the old traditions, this

year the student council came up with some great ideas to help with the food drive.

The students are getting more involved with the food drive, which is a great way to help bring in cans.

The kids in student council thought it would be a fun idea to have a volley tournament to help fundraise cans.

Every team consisted of at least six SHRSOH�� (DFK� SHUVRQ� ZRXOG� EULQJ� LQ� ÀYH�cans as an admission fee.

There were a total of eight teams in the tournament. The winners of the tournament were Samantha Barr, Peter Keegan, Katie Irwin, Marty Green, Christian Wright and Jackson Tigges.

The runnerup team was Gretchen

Henningson, Billy Dolan, Joe Peña, Stephanie Schrader, Kyle Bauer, Lexi Delaney, Troy Hamilton and Allie Anderson. It was a great tournament and everyone had a lot of fun doing it.

Another good idea the council came up with was a sculpture-building contest. Each grade had a team and they simply built.

As each team had 25 minutes to build what ever they wanted, the sophomore team won. It was a close race between the the sophomores and the senior class.

Overall, the junior class won the food drive in points.

Juniors scored 1,000 and seniors came in a close second with 900 points. Some kids in the senior class went door-to-door asking for cans to help the school out.

Adding all the cans together, the high school gathered about 1,500 cans. It was a successful food drive and student council hopes to keep up the tradition and make it fun for everyone to bring in cans.

Every child believes in something. Some people take it into their own hands to make those dreams a reality as best as they can.

Jim Clark has played the role of Santa for almost 17 years. He has always enjoyed bringing a smile to a child’s face. This year he just started playing the role in De Witt.

On one of his visits, he stopped at a home with a family. The kids were over-joyed that they were able to meet Santa. They spent 30 minutes talking about what they wanted and taking pictures. Later, Clark found out that the family’s mother

%ringing joy with a beard and a belly

Food sculpture. Hunter Ilg creates a food pyramid of cans collected for the stu-dent council food drive. The sculpture contest was a new idea. Contributed Photo.

had passed away a few days later. Since it wasn’t Christmas day yet, he went back to the family’s house to try and bring a bit more joy to their lives.

Clark says, “I’ve always liked bringing smiles to the kids’ faces.”

Clark says, “Kids hand me letters and lists all the time for things they want on Christmas day. I try and hint at some of the things for the parents so they have an idea of what to get them.”

Some of the things the boys ask for are games, and some outdoors items like bicycles and sports wear depending on there age. Girls usually ask for some type of Barbie’s or dolls.

“Christmas season is one of my favorite holidays,” Clark says. “I’m able to do what I can to help kids enjoy the season.”

Brokaw’s art awarded top honorsAbbigail Brokaw won top honors in mixed media with her chalk pastel at Dav-enport’s Festival of Trees in early December. Brokaw said it took her about four hours to stamp her posterboard with stamps made by art students and color it in using chalk pastels. Brokaw took her painting to National Portfolio Day in Chi-cago. “One judge didn’t like it because he said it was too chaotic,” she said, “but (a judge) from the art school in Paris, France liked it because it was chaotic and interpretive.” Brokaw is a student of Mrs. Sue Sawvel. Photo by Aidan Connolly.

Bringing joy to children. Jim Clark has played the role of Santa for 17 years. “I’ve always liked bringing smiles to the kids’ faces,” Clark said. Contributed Photo.

THEODORE PAPUGASTAFF WRITER

JOSEPH PEÑASTAFF WRITER

Giving advice. New counselor Mr. Carl Small talks with freshmen during his day at the high school. Photo by Cierra Svetich.

ON CAMPUS 2!e Purple OnionCentral High SchoolDeWitt, Iowa 52742December 29, 2012

German exchange student adjusts to smaller town, playing basketball

Counselor enjoys ‘building relationships’

“Coming from the city of Freibury, Ger-many, with a population of about 220,000 people, it’s a big change coming to De Witt,” Felix Kirchgaessner, Central’s new-ly arrived foreign exchange student said.

“Even though I lived in a big city, and De Witt is small, I feel like it’s going to be easier to get used to.”

Kirchgassner thinks that even though the city is so much smaller, we Americans overuse cars.

“Freibury is so big but everything is so close,” Kirchgaessner said. “It’s easier to get around by walking and using other forms of transportation.”

Kirchgaessner is currently in basketball. 7KLV�LV�KLV�ÀUVW�\HDU�DQG�ÀUVW�WLPH�HYHU�SDU-ticipating in this sport.

In Germany, soccer is the most popular sport played. The second most played sport is basketball.

In Germany, they do not have sports that are a part of school.

“I like that the school gets more in-volved into sports and we have more things to play for. The high school state title would

be awesome to win.” Kirchgassner said. “I think it’s cool that the state gives kids

opportunities to exceed in sports further.”“The schooling is way different from

Germany,” Kirchgaessner said. The VFKRROLQJ�V\VWHP�JRHV�ÀUVW�WKURXJK�IRXUWK�grade. Then it depends on how well you do in school to which school you go to next.

“School is all based on how well the student does,” Kirchgaessner said.

When Felix goes back, he has two more years of school left.

“I really miss my friends and family back home,” Kirchgassner said “I love it in America and wish I could stay, but I miss my life at home.”

This fall, the district welcomed a new face, Mr. Carl Small. He is the school counselor for grades 7, 8, and 9, the middle school, and the freshman counselor in the high school.

“This allows me to help incoming fresh-men prepare and transition to the high school, and also provides them with a fa-PLOLDU� IDFH� GXULQJ� WKHLU� ÀUVW� \HDU� RI� KLJK�school,” Small said.

Becoming a school guidance counselor is a serious personal and career choice.

“There are several reasons why I be-came a school counselor,” Small said.

´,�ÀUVW�WKRXJKW�RI�EHLQJ�D�FRXQVHORU�LQ�high school. I had a pretty good idea on what I needed to do in order to become a school counselor. I followed that plan and here I am today, although I also considered being a state trooper.”

Mr. Small was previously a guidance counselor at Columbus Junction from 1998-2001, and then was the high school counselor for the Camanche Community School District for 11 years, 2001-2012.

“I enjoy working in the educational ÀHOG�DQG�,�IHHO�VFKRRO�FRXQVHORUV�FDQ�SRVL-tively impact the educational environment in a variety of different ways,” Small said.

“I believe school counselors are in a unique position as far as being able to col-laborate with students, teachers, adminis-

trators and the community. School coun-seling allows me the opportunity to assist all students in their personal/social, career, and academic development.”

Small graduated from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon in 1995 and triple majored in secondary education, sociology, and physi-cal education for grades K-12. He earned his master of arts in school counseling from the University of Iowa in 2006.

Being a guidance counselor is a big re-sponsibility but there are are many good things.

“I enjoy working with a large variety of people each day including students, teach-

CIERRA SVETICHSTAFF WRITER

Mr. Carl Small

Mr. Small works mainly with grades 7, 8, 9

ers, staff, administrators, parents, and com-munity members, etc.,” Small said.

“It always feels good when you can help, support, advocate, and empower those in need. Being a valued team mem-ber and having a voice in making impor-tant decisions regarding very serious situ-DWLRQV�� �+HOSLQJ�VWXGHQWV�WKURXJK�GLIÀFXOW�times and also watching young men and women evolve and develop into success-IXO�� LQGHSHQGHQW�� DQG� FRQÀGHQW� \RXQJ�adults is very rewarding.”

´1RW� EHLQJ� DEOH� WR� ´À[µ� FHUWDLQ� VLWXD-tions or problems is something that is un-fortunate, but you can’t prepare for crisis situations that pop up,” he added.

Mr. Small has described being a guid-ance counselor as an enlightening and re-warding profession, and he enjoys it.

“Building relationships with kids,” Small said, “is by far my favorite part about being a counselor.”

JOSEPH PEÑASTAFF WRITER

Felix Kirchgaessner

You're invited to NightWrite 2013! See the attached form for more information! This is an overnight event at our high school for students who love to write. Students can choose to participate in several activities that will inspire them and promote creative thinking. A variety of writing experts will run the activities, including language arts teachers from eastern Iowa and Ryan Collins, the executive director of the Midwest Writing Center. The event starts at 5:30 PM and ends at 7:00 AM, and activities will be offered nearly the entire time. Students will need to wear comfy clothes, bring sleeping bags, and bring a little extra cash for supper, which will be served through concessions. The registration fee will include a light breakfast and a t-shirt. Chaperones will be present at the event, and students are not allowed to leave without parental permission until the release time. The registration fee for students is $25. We would be ecstatic to see you there! The deadline for early registration is this Monday, December 10th! See the attached form to register. Anonymo

AN OVERNIGHT EVENT

January 12-13 Central High School, DeWitt, IA

5:30 PM – 7:00 AM

*Cost: $25, including t-shirt *Late registration: $30

Discover your passion!

Fin

d your voice!

Meet people! Lear

n f

rom

exp

erts! Be inspired!

Explore opportunities!

ON CAMPUS 3!e Purple OnionCentral High SchoolDeWitt, Iowa 52742December 29, 2012

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Ready to help. Eight senior girls tested their clinical skills for their CNA class taught by Mrs. Chris Rippentrop, R.N.: Maggie Gehlsen, Shelbey Koester, Ivy Nevenhoven, Cara Melvin, Cassie Blaser, Krista Duffy, Hannah Anderson and Elyse Arensdorf. “The skills were the most challenging part,” Nevenhoven said. Contributed photo.

The things we do for others

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Staff Writers:Lydia Ahrens, Allison Anderson, Kyle Bauer

Courtney Burmeister, Hailey FranzenLogan Haley, Peter Keegan

Alyssa Kent, Shelbey KoesterKayla Lancaster, Joe Pena

Adviser: Mrs. Christine Cash Gilroy, JEA/CJE2011 Iowa Journalism Teacher of the Year

The Purple Onion welcomes Letters to the Editor.Letters must be signed.

As a CNA, I will make a di"erence in others’ lives

Koester’s experience:

SHELBEY KOESTERSTAFF WRITER

SHELBEY KOESTERSTAFF WRITER

ON CAMPUS4

With the help of community grants, Mr. Craig Reuter’s environmental science classes are taking care of some more out-of-the-box critters.

“I guess you could say that I got the idea back when I was still doing observa-tion hours with Mr. (Kurt) Kreiter,” Reuter said. Kreiter was the former biology and and anatomy and physiology teacher.

Reuter’s environmental science classes ZHUH�DVVLJQHG�VSHFLÀF�ELRPHV��D� UHJLRQDO�ecosystem, and care of the animals that live there. The biomes entail about 10 different types of animals including varied species RI�ÀVK�DQG�OL]DUGV��WXUWOHV��D�KDPVWHU�DQG�D�hedgehog.

“The students are pretty much responsi-ble for everything concerning the animals,” Reuter said. “The students feed them, clean cages if necessary, and keep a log to keep track of what it is they have done for their assigned animal.”

Though the students are responsible for purchasing the food and caring for the ani-mals, getting started was no easy feat.

“Most of the basics were already in place because I’ve done this type of unit before at my previous school,” Reuter said. “But keeping it going gets expensive so to cut down on the need for fundraising, I ap-plied for the grants.”

Reuter has already received two grants: one from Lincoln Way Community Fund for $1,000, the other from Aliant Energy, guaranteed for two years, for $2,000.

“Mr. (George) Pickup and Mrs. (Cindy)

McAleer recommended applying for these grants and it turned out wonderfully,” Re-uter said. “I didn’t run into any problems, it was just more of a wait-and-see process.”

With the grants, Reuter intends to con-tinue the biome assignment for his envi-ronmental science classes in the future.

´7KH�FODVVHV�KDYH�EHHQ�GRLQJ�DQ�DPD]-ing job,” Reuter said. “I’m excited to keep doing this unit with them.”

LYDIA AHRENSYEARBOOK CO-EDITOR

Dragons and turtles and lizards, oh, my!

The baddest beard around. This beard-ed dragon in one of the desert biomes is just one of the animals being studied in Mr. Craig Reuter’s environmental sci-ence classes. Photo by Lydia Ahrens.

!e Purple OnionCentral High SchoolDeWitt, Iowa 52742December 29, 2012

Grants help teacher buy animals for classroom biomes

Animal care. Looking over the setting for animals in Mr. Craig Reuter’s classroom biome are freshmen Victoria Gaston and Kaitlyn Roling. Reuter received grants to purchase animals. Photo by Lydia Ahrens.

On Dec. 14 in Newtown, Conn., there was a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

This shooting has put many families in mourning and the town in distress. Twenty children, six adults at the school, and the shooter’s mother were killed.

Killed in the shooting were 28 people, LQFOXGLQJ� WKH� VKRRWHU��$GDP� /DQ]D�� ZKR�was found dead with 18 other people.

Eighteen children and six adults were found dead at the school, and two more children died at the hospital.

This is a tragic event that, I believe, af-fects the whole nation.

This is the second deadliest shooting in WKH�QDWLRQ·V�KLVWRU\��WKH�ÀUVW�LV�WKH�VKRRWLQJ�that happened at Virginia Tech that claimed 33 lives in 2007.

7KH� FRPPXQLW\� RI�1HZWRZQ�KDV� GHÀ-nitely been shocked by what has happened,

but I think we all are. I know that on different news networks

there was discussion about the security of schools, and that if they were increased that would have stopped the shooter, but I think that it won’t help if the shooter shoots his or her way into the school.

Right now I think that to help the schools that have experienced this before and have just experienced this, we need to respect their privacy and keep them in our prayers.

I feel sad that such young children had their lives cut too short. I feel bad that the families are going to have to grieve through the holidays.

I feel awful to know the rest of the chil-dren of the school had to walk out of the school not really understanding what was going on.

There was a young boy named Jack Pinto who was a huge fan of the New York *LDQWV��KLV�IDYRULWH�SOD\HU�ZDV�9LFWRU�&UX]��This player honored Jack and the rest of the children who lost their lives.

The young children who are gone will

not be forgotten; their tragic story will go on as the second deadliest shooting in the United States’ history.

I am upset that 6- and 7- year olds are gone and that the rest of the school had to go through that tragedy.

The rest of the school will be afraid, the parents will be afraid, and the community will be afraid.

What happened there will be a memory that will never truly go away. Classes to come will know about it, younger siblings will ask what happened to their big sister or brother and why can’t they play with them.

Many people who heard about this during school will never forget what hap-pened.

This was and still is a tragic event. Even people who didn’t know them and their families will always remember the chil-dren lost in the shooting.

I know that some will never forget hear-ing about it during school or watching the news during class.

This will be one of those things you never really forget.

ABIGAIL JOHNSONSTAFF WRITER

Guest editor mourns loss of innocent lives Want to

Make A Differencein someone’s life?

Family and friends are throwing a Carnival to raise funds for Griffin Lenth and his battle with muscular dystrophy.

Join us for an evening full of food, games, and fun to raise

money for a great cause.Griffin’s Carnival night is

January 95 p.m. to 8 p.m.

in the Central Middle School gym and cafeteria

Please invite your friends and family to come to this event

for a great cause.

Money raised will go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Everyone is welcome.You can make a difference.

(The Muscle Walk is March 2: Walk for Team Griffin.)

Hittin’ the hills. Seniors Cameron O’Neil and Austin Lechtenberg make a trip to Galena’s Chestnut Mountain to enjoy ski lift rides, wind-burned faces and snowball ÄNO[Z��¸>L�HS^H`Z�OH]L�H�NVVK�[PTL�¹�ZLUPVY�)YPJL�)V^LU�ZHPK��*VU[YPI\[LK�WOV[V�

SPORTS 5!e Purple OnionCentral High SchoolDeWitt, Iowa 52742December 29, 2012

Catching the slopes, having a good time

Snowboarding opens doors to new kinds of fun. It’s that feeling \RX�JHW�ÁRDWLQJ�GRZQ�SRZGHU�FRY�HUHG�VORSHV�WKDW�NHHSV�SHRSOH�FRP�LQJ�EDFN�IRU�PRUH��´:H�VQRZERDUG�DOPRVW� HYHU\� ZHHNHQG�µ� VHQLRU�%ULFH�%RZHQ�VDLG����2QFH�MXVW�LVQ·W�HQRXJK�IRU�WKHVH�

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CHRISTMASTIME 6!e Purple Onion

Central High SchoolDeWitt, Iowa 52742

December 29, 2012

FCCLA helps parents with shopping time

Got your yearbook?Yearbooks are on sale through the semester for $40, with name stamp an

additional $4. Checks can be made out to “Central Yearbook.”Contact Mrs. Gilroy through the school e-mail if you have questions.

The Centralian Yearbook ad campaign starts this month.Order that salute ad for your favorite senior, or advertise your business.

Ads run from $60 for a business-card sized ad, up to $250 for a full page ad.Publications Class is doing some fundraising to help meet expenses.Look for upcoming ways you can help out this worthwhile program

that has produced so many journalists and communications graduates.

With the festive holidays upon us, many SDUHQWV�ÀQG�WKHPVHOYHV�DW�D�ORVV�IRU�VKRS-ping time.

FCCLA helped Emily Schmitt watch children while parents had a little time to do what was needed.

7KLV�ZDV�WKH�ÀUVW�\HDU� WKH�'H:LWW�2S-era House held a Christmas special where parents could drop their kids off at noon and shop or do whatever else they needed until 3 p.m.

Parents signed their kids in for door prizes and if they were leaving the kids alone.

7KH�2SHUD�+RXVH�KROGV�WKLV�HYHQW�HYHU\�year, and this year the members of Cen-tral’s FCCLA helped out.

“With the help of the FCCLA group, it seemed to go smoothly,” said Emily Schmitt.

Several of the members showed up and supported the holiday cheer, including Kate Haring, Jessica Haring, Molly Mc-Guire, Miah Betz, Troy Hamilton, Emily +DZNLQV��'DQLHOOH�+DLU��$ELJDLO� -RKQVRQ��

KAILEI RIGGSSTAFF WRITER

Emily Wright and Sabrina Claeys. 7KH�2SHUD�+RXVH� HYHQW� IRU�&KULVWPDV�

was helpful in many ways. It was some-thing for kids to do while their parents shopped or just something to do.

The event also collected cans for food donations. “Kailei made me pose for a pic-ture and I had to donate food cans,” Abby Johnson said.

Many kids were there with their parents, which took a lot of pressure off some the volunteers.

“I was expecting to have to deal with a lot of kids and one huge mess,” Johnson said.

The FCCLA volunteers had a lot of re-sponsibility, but to lighten it up and bring in Christmas spirit, members were able to watch the movie with the kids.

“I liked dressing up,” Emily Wright said. Abigail Johnson’s face lit up with pride when the parents start piling in chil-dren.

“I was glad that I could help the parents and get everyone in the Christmas spirit,” Johnson said.

“It was so much fun to see the planning of the event happen and be a great success. It was fun to see all the kids enjoying them-selves,” Schmitt said.

Toys for Tots. Helping to distribute toys with Mr. Jason Lansing’s business class were Dylan Riedesel, Justin White and Jonathan Gautreax. Others help-ing were Jared Bolinsky, Katie Beatham, Billy Kruse and Allison Foote. Con-tributed photo.

Shopping frenzy. Friday afternoon shelves looked like this after Wal-Mart’s deals Thursday night started at 8 p.m. Crowds of people in crazy numbers got their Christmas shopping done early and left the shelves empty. photo by Emily Smith.

Black Friday shopping to some is com-pletely crazy. For others it is a nice way to get out and get the gifts you need at a low price.

Personally, I think it is a fun adventure just to see what parents and kids will do just to get the item they really want.

I went shopping this year and the lines were crazy. Parking at Wal-Mart, I went

EMILY SMITHSTAFF WRITER

Crowds of shoppers empty store shelvesin and got what I needed though, no time for messing around because you will get mauled over.

It was a great experience, better than last year, just because people were a little different.

There wasn’t as much pushing and shoving. I was able to get through the stores as quickly as possible.

I did not want to wait around for some-thing to happen.

My overall opinion of black Friday shopping is, you better know what you are getting into before you go.

What are you doing for Christmas?

KAILEI RIGGSSTAFF WRITER

Shelbey Koester: “I’m going to Wiscon-VLQ�'HOOV�ZLWK�P\�IULHQGV�IRU�WKH�ZHHN-end.”Kaylee Dammeier:�´,·P�JRLQJ�WR�'HV�Moines and Cedar Rapids to see family that I havn’t seen for over a year.”

Abby Willis: “I will be practing basket-ball, cleaning the house, and spending time with my family.”Cameron O’Neil: “I’m going to be snow-boarding at Galena’s Chestnut Mountain and relaxing. I am hoping the we have snow day because us seniors don’t have to make them up.”Allison Hughes: “I will be doing Christ-mas things like eating and not going to school.”

Santa Wants a Tuba for Christmas. Mr. Kurt Kreiter, new activites director, and Mr. Lee Stofer, professional tuba player, perform Santa Wants a Tuba for Christmas with the band during the instrumental holiday concert. Contributed photo.

CHRISTMASTIME 7!e Purple OnionCentral High SchoolDeWitt, Iowa 52742December 29, 2012

A ‘concert’ on 34th streetInstrumental holiday concert receives a visit from Santa Claus and “26 angels”

AMBER HAACKCO-EDITOR

From ho ho ho’s to boo-hoo hoo’s, the concert band performed a meaningful holi-day concert on Sunday, Dec. 16. With the holidays 10 days away the band brought both holiday cheer and holiday tears to those sitting in the audience.

Christmas song, “Santa Wants a Tuba for Christmas” allowed Mr. Greubel to fea-ture a singer as well as a tuba player.

“With Mr. Kreiter becoming the new activities director, I thought it would be nice for him to show off his vocal talents,” Mr. Joshua Greubel, the instrumental di-rector, said.

Mr. Kurt Kreiter, the new activities di-rector, sang throughout high school as a part of Chamber Singers and the FFA State Chorus. After college he continued to sing at weddings and special events.

Greubel knew that one of the wishes on Kreiter’s bucket list was to perform in a school musical. When the musical Okla-homa premiered, Kreiter couldn’t perform with the cast.

“I thought our holiday concert was a good time for Mr. Kreiter to show off a little,” Greubel said, “since he didn’t get to perform in the Oklahoma musical.”

Mr. Lee Stofer, father of band members Heidi and Jennifer and also a professional tuba player of the army for 20 years, was featured with a tuba solo in Santa Wants a Tuba for Christmas.

“I played with several professional bands,” Stofer said, “I started playing bari-tone (a smaller version of the tuba) in high school, then switched to tuba as a freshman in college.”

Santa Wants a Tuba for Christmas was SOD\HG�DV�WKH�ÀQDOH�SLHFH�WDNLQJ�DERXW�IRXU�minutes. During the performance Kreiter and Stofer stood center stage with back-ground music played by the band.

“While I was standing I thought, wow this horn is a little heavy,” Stofer said.

“I was feeling a little nervous,” Kreiter added, “The feeling is always a little un-comfortable but it makes me feel alive.”

Earlier in the week band students had heard that Stofer wanted to dress-up in a full Santa Claus costume but when he shared his idea with Heidi and Jennifer they were much less excited about the idea.

“By Friday night Jen was okay with me wearing a costume but when I called Mr. and Mrs. Dean they didn’t have one,” Stofer said, “I may just have to invest in one…ho ho ho.”

�$V�WKH�ÀQDOH�FDPH�WR�D�FORVH��WKH�EDQG�sight-read A Childhood Hymn as a memo-rial to the 26 lives taken suddenly in small

town, Newtown, Connecticut. “I connect-ed with the song years ago,” Greubel said, “But as a parent and a teacher the song had so much more meaning this time around.”

“I thought it was a particularly impor-tant time to add a memorial for the Con-necticut victims,” Stofer added.

By remembering the events that took

place on Friday in Connecticut, the band had touched many hearts.

“I am a fairly emotional person,” Kre-iter said, “I’m certain there were many people like me that were touched by the performance.”

�´,W�ZDV�WKH�ÀUVW�WKLQJ�,�WROG�P\�IDPLO\�about when I got home.”

Iowanna 4-H club spreads joy to families throughout the holidays

A famous quote from the movie Elf, a Christmas movie starring Will Farrell as Buddy the Elf, is, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.” While this may be true in some cas-es, not everyone thinks this.

For some, it is ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, for others it is shoveling snow for a neighbor, or bringing cookies to people at work or school.

In the case of the Iowanna 4H club, bringing cheer means selecting names of families from the giving tree and buying presents for them for the holiday season.

It is an experience in giving, a lesson to stay with many throughout their lives.

“After I get out of college and have a

HAILEY FRANZENPHOTO EDITOR

steady job,” junior Sarah Schoel said, “I ZLOO�GHÀQLWHO\�FRQVLGHU�GRLQJ�WKLV�DJDLQ�µ

“As long as I have the funds,” junior Colleen Gannon said, “I can see myself do-ing this after high school.”

The members have been participat-ing in this tradition since they joined up. “I have done it every year since fourth grade,” Schoel said, “and if the option was there, I’d suggest other clubs and organiza-tions around the area get involved.”

“I have done this every year since I’ve joined,” Gannon said, “and it’s a great ex-perience.”

Not only is this a memorable and pos-sible life-long experience, but most club members enjoy doing this. Schoel said, “We are helping people and also getting to hang out with our friends.”

“It’s a great feeling,” Gannon said, “to know you’re making someone’s Christmas better.”

The Festival of Trees is a great way to start off the Christmas celebration. Central had two students participate in this celebra-tion. Savanna Necker and Heather Clark took part in dancing.

Savanna Necker has participated in the )HVWLYDO�RI�7UHHV�VLQFH�VKH�ZDV�ÀYH��ZKHUH�she performed a group baton twirling num-

ber with her team, TNT Dynamite. Savan-na was one of the youngest on her team. “It was very exciting to be a part of,” Sa-vanna has said. Every year Savanna usual-ly performs a group baton twirling number with her team, but this year Savanna has performed two very different show-twirls alone.

Savanna attended the Festival of Trees with her Miss Iowa “Sisters.” They host their own type of talent show. “It was a blast.” She has also hosted the “Teddy Bear Tea,” Savanna said. “It was a fun

KAYLA LANCASTERSTAFF WRITER

Clark, Necker perform in annual Festival of Treesevent for children of all ages. This year we had over 500 people and all proceeds went towards the Davenport Arts. It was crazy fun!” Savanna also participated in the Fes-tival of Trees parade, which was a shock this year because, “It was actually quite warm this year, but was still a blast!”

Heather Clark was the other participant in the Festival of Trees this year. Heather has danced in this celebration since she was 8. “I love going there every year be-cause it has a great atmosphere there is so many kids and parents that go there and

seem so happy to see all the different trees, dances and games.”

Heather dances at Gigi’s Dance Studio, she goes there to dance with her different companies. For an example Heather is in Le Jazz and the Senior dance group. This year she performed at the Festival of Trees a contemporary ballet dance, to the song Prayer by Petra. “Every year after I dance I go around with my mom and watch the other studio’s dances and look around at all the trees,” said Heather. “Overall I love going to the Festival of Trees every year.”

During the holidays every family has a tradition of some sort. For some it might be listening to music while setting up the tree, or watching a movie. Based on a survey done on what’s your favor-ite Christmas movie. Elf was the most liked movie for this survey, and How the Grinch stole Christmas was in second.

Out of Rudolph the Red-nose reindeer, Christmas Vacation, Frosty the Snowman, A Christmas Sto-ry, How the Grinch stole Christ-mas, Elf, Home Alone, and Other.

Home Alone was a comedy about

an 8-year-old boy who was acciden-tally left behind before his family left for their family vacation. “It was funny, when I was a kid it helped me realize how hectic Christmas can be for some families,” Cody Birks said.

Christmas Vacation was a com-edy about a family planning on hav-ing Christmas at their house, but turns into a disaster. “It reminds me of how crazy my family can get dur-ing the holidays,“ said Erica Laures.

Elf was a comedy about a human who grows up, as an elf in Santa’s ZRUNVKRS�� EXW� ÀQGV� RXW� KH·V� D� KXPDQ�and searches for his family. “ Elf is pure awesomeness and it’s so funny and I watch it with my friends and sisters all the time,” Jessica Machovec said.

ABIGAIL JOHNSONSTAFF WRITER

Popcorn, a warm blanket, hours of Christmas movies

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

ON CAMPUS8!e Purple Onion

Central High SchoolDeWitt, Iowa 52742

December 29, 2012

BAILEY PEYTONSTAFF WRITER

BAILEY PEYTONSTAFF WRITER

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Things that go bump in the night

“Paranormal” refers to something out-side of normal, such as ghosts, poltergeists and psychic communication with other worlds. In different areas of the world, many paranormal occurrences have been documented.

In a high school, however, paranormal might be the last word that comes to mind —except for Brad Simon.

“I’ve had some very interesting experi-ences as a night janitor,” Simon said. “With a new automatic lighting system and not KDYLQJ� WR� WXUQ� OLJKWV� RQ� PDQXDOO\�� ,� ÀQG�them turning on by themselves. That by it-self is startling late at night.”

Some people claim that things they do not understand are the creation of God, but others simply see the same things as para-normal phenomena.

Simon is not sure why the creaks and groans of the high school turn into weird happenings, but he has many examples of unexplainable mischief that seems to origi-nate in inanimate objects.

“After a basketball game in the old high school gym,” Simon said, “I was clean-ing up at about 11 p.m., when no one else was present at the time but myself.” Simon VDLG�KH�VWDUWHG�VZHHSLQJ�WKH�ÁRRU�ZKHQ�KH�heard the buzzer. “The buzzer starts going RII�DERXW�IRXU�RU�ÀYH�WLPHV��WKHQ�VXGGHQO\�stops,” Simon said. “In a bit of shock, I continued my work.”

Science today does not have the instru-ments or knowledge to prove or disprove all of these strange events that people ex-perience, and some, like Jared Bolinsky,

believe paranormal phemonena are emit-ted from a parallel reality, perhaps even further.

“Human beings like to think they are in control of their domain, and everything that occurs has an explanation; if it can’t be explained, then it must not exist,” Bolin-sky said. “They are obviously not aware of world around them and the many possibili-ties it holds.”

Simon says there are minor events that have happened at the school at night that truly can be exlained, though.

“A few kids a couple years back let mice free in the school,” Simon said, “and the mice then decided to make camp in the girls’ locker room. I believe most, if not all, of the ani-mals are gone now, because they would make noises, squeak sometimes, and scare people.”

Paranormal phe-nomena have no simple answer; they are very complex phe-nomena, indeed, and the only way to begin to understand these types of events is to ac-cept the idea that the visible universe that we mere humans can see is only a narrow band of reality.

“I hear loud bangs sometimes at night and they are not just your average settling pains of a new building” Simon said. “The banging is worthy of an elephant playing drums.”

Simon said he doesn’t have a personal explanation for what happens in the high school at night.

“I have been working as the high school’s night custodian for 14 years,” Si-mon said, “and I’ve never gotten used to hearing footsteps on the roof at night.”

It was a night of unaccountable beauty, but for unknown reasons I chose to stay inside.

The high school building was eerie and empty, for its students had long gone home to be with their families, no doubt rejoicing in light of their surviv-ing yet another day of public education with peers as witness.

Metal door handles to the left sec-tion of the high school atrium were impeccably cold and harsh to touch. I entered the massive hall, then grabbed RQO\�D�SHQ��SHQFLO�DQG�RIÀFLDO�UHSRUWHU·V�notebook. It was time to get to work.

Walking up the steps to the main RIÀFH��,�VDZ�WKURXJK�WKH�JODVV�WKDW�WKH�

RIÀFH�ZDV�EODFN�LQVLGH�A crash to the left of me started my

heart racing. One of the lockers in the dis-tant hallway slammed shut, with no one in sight.

I walked closer with weary steps. Au-tomatic lights suddenly turned off and still I continued forward to the sound of music coming from Room 308.

I rushed into the doorway, switching lights on; books, newspapers and all items of the classroom were involved in a parade of sheer celebration.

Textbooks of all variety, from the Od-yssey to everyday dictionaries, frolicked around the room. A fantastic array of color-ful yearbooks welcomed me into join them, then a copy of William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale hopped onto the main com-puter on the far desk on the right of the class room. In an English accent, the book announced to all, “In the name of Snoop Dog, thou shall drop it like it’s hot!”

Bradley Simon

In shock I jumped back into the hall and stumbled to the ground, cracking my head RQ�WKH�ÁRRU��DQG�WKHQ�,�ORVW�FRQVFLRXVQHVV���

I awoke to Mrs. Gilroy standing above me in front of her door. “Bailey, Bailey! Are you okay?” she said. “Why are you asleep in the hallway?”

“I came back to take my pictures,” I said. “Well, better late than never — your room, every room, was alive. The books, music playing, and Shakespeare.” I was confused — why did my head hurt?

Mrs. Gilroy said in a calm voice, “I think you slipped and hit your head. I hope you didn’t give your self a concussion, dear.”

“That is impossible,” I replied. “I know what I saw, they were dancing and they had English accents,” I said to her.

6KH�KHOSHG�PH�RII�WKH�ÁRRU��7KH�OLJKWV�were on now and it was early morning, time for school. I took one last glance into Room 308. All books were back on the

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shelves and the computer was off, just as if nothing had ever been disturbed or out of its place.

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