Making music at State

Tyler Knudson- Jlab140 Online Editor and Copy Editor

Music blared within Lucas Oil Stadium, in Indianapolis, last Saturday as the Concord Marching Minutemen preformed in the ISSMA 2009 Marching Band State Finals. This year, the group managed to get 5^th place, among the best bands in the state. Even so, the placing received mixed reactions from the band members.

“I feel like we did as best as we could, but I do believe we should have been placed higher,” Jeremy Tormey (12) said.

It certainly did not help that nerves were high, as the group stood in the airlock waiting to enter onto the football field of Lucas Oil Stadium, the current home of the Indianapolis Colts which was built with the annual ISSMA finals in mind. The architecture of the stadium amplifies any sounds made on the field so that the audience can hear, but when an individual instrument’s sound in being projected throughout the stadium, it can feel as if they are playing a solo all by themselves instead of being a part of a bigger group, and that is where faith that everyone is doing their own part is key for the success of the group.

Concord is known for coming up with a unique show theme each year. This year’s theme was Paris. From the music to the choreography, everything within the show was based around conveying a sense that one is within the country of France.

Despite placing higher than last year’s 7^th place result, the group was really hoping to come out on top. For the Concord band, this means going all out, not just competing against the top competitors in the state, but competing against their own previous scores. The marching band expects nothing less than personal best. In other words, while it is nice to win, it is just as good to have made an improvement throughout the season.

“We wanted a better position in the ranks, but it’s still pretty good- being with the elite. We had a good show,” Chandra Whippen (11) said.

 

Letter to the Editor- Technology safety (see The Minute page Oct 2009 issue)

After reading the technology issue of “The Minute”, I realized there are a lot of things teens need to know about internet safety. Not too long ago, I read a “Washington Post” article that had some good tips about protecting your identity online.

In this article, the author talks about the dangers of putting too much information on Myspace or Facebook.

After reading that, I understand the benefits of making up a word that no one would think of as my password. For example, people tend to use their pet’s name as their password, without thinking about the consequences.

Thieves know that most people use this as their password and can hack into your page, stealing your information.

Second, you can approach stalkers without even knowing, they can come to you as just a random person online trying to get to know you, but in reality they are trying to get information out of you. It is not good to update your page every time you do something or go somewhere.

Third these online hackers can lie their way into your life and try to get your personal information. They can trick you into telling them all sorts of things that only your family members should know, and that is very dangerous.

-Shandra Chaula, a concerned student

Art mural comes to completion

Ashlee Brinkman and Braxton Troyer- Staff Writers

New to the cafeteria, is a mural project spanning years of hard work and dedication. It was created and completed by Brandon Kurtz (art teacher) and some of his various painting students. It has recently been completed and is mounted to the wall in the north eastern section of the lunch room.

Painted over a two year long period, the canvas holds meaning for many of Concord’s art students. The picture is simple, a street side view of a classic school bus sitting on a road next to a red brick building adjacent to a whitewashed steeple. Across the street a vibrant green and brown tree line and above this rests a bright blue, clouded sky. The entirety of the mural has been painted with acrylics on canvas, but what gave this group of young artists the inspiration to begin their piece?

“The mural did not have a real inspirational [inception], we started by having students sketch their ideas and then the [art] students voted on the one they liked the most.” Kurtz said.

The winning sketch was drawn by Chelsea Hamby (11).

“I love to draw, so I found a picture on the internet that I liked and decided to draw it,” Hamby said.

The group involved in choosing the mural subject was only a small painting club.

“Everyone was suppose to come up with an idea but only two of us actually did, and the [majority] liked mine,” Hamby said.

The collective effort of many students, two years and a lot of paint, comes to rest as a central point in the cafeteria for all to see.

 

Sports opinion: Minutemen eye regionals

Jose Alvarez- Sports Editor

It happens every time.

No matter what year it is it seems that to advance deep into the football tournament, both Concord and Lowell must face-off. At stake this time will be the opportunity to advance to regionals. Both teams advanced in an impressive fashion: Lowell, by defeating South Bend Washington 24-7, while the Minutemen obliterated South Bend Riley 42-8.

I would love to say that I think Concord will come out on top; I would love to say that they will keep up with Lowell, but throughout the season Lowell has shown more mettle in the face of adversity.

Plus, Lowell managed to accomplish what the Minutemen failed to do, travel to Plymouth and knock off an impressive Rockies team at its peak.

On the other hand the Minutemen have been plagued throughout the season with an inability to close out games. Their most impressive win of the season was against Jimtown where they won 34-13. Then again they lost to teams like Northridge, in their homecoming game, and Warsaw. (Albeit Warsaw seems to have revived their season, after their win against Concord and surprisingly still find themselves alive in the tournament).

However, the Minutemen have likely benefited by the football pairings, placing in a more favorable spot. Their first game against Logansport, a team familiar to Concord, was mediocre at best. Last week they dismantled South Bend Riley, which went into the game with an abysmal record of 3-8, to Concord’s credit they took care of business quickly.

Traveling to Lowell, however, seems like a tall order to overcome.

An interesting trend, is that history will be on Concord’s side tonight because, since 2005, both have faced each other three times and each time, the away team has come out victorious. The most recent being in 2007-2008 season, when Lowell defeated Concord 31-21 at CHS.

This marks the first time since the 2007 season that Concord has advanced this far in the tournament. The last time a Concord team made it to regionals was back in 2006.That team, arguably one of the best in Concord’s history made it all the way to state and had a truly

Again just judging from the season, also from attending the majority of the games, it is apparent that the football team has not fared well in do-or-die moments. The Minutemen have managed to come through, only problem is it was against, at best, mediocre teams. Falling behind against Lowell could cost them their season causing it to come at an abrupt end.

The game will take place tonight at Lowell, with kick-off at 7:30.

effective offense that ranked among the best in the state. However, that team featured quarterback Bob Cira and running back Monty Marion. The 2006 team fittingly, also had to go through Lowell, coming out on top 33-14 in regionals.

Cross country runs to state

Dara Marquiz and Sarah Mauser- Staff writers

After earning their Semi-State first place title, the boy’s cross country team headed to State in Terre Haute. They faced against 24 teams, earning 13^th place.

“We had an off day and we didn’t run as well,” Daniel Zelaya (11) said. “Our goal was to place in the top five.”

Regardless of the intimidation that Columbus North, Chesterton and Carmel had on them, the boys gave their best effort as they had throughout the season, but it was not enough to reach their goal.

“We were Semi-State, Regional, Sectional and NLC champions… but in State we didn’t achieve the goal,” Zelaya said.

The team came back defeated but not skeptical about becoming better.

“He [the runner] has to be mentally tough and a hard-worker during the physical workouts,” Zelaya said. “He has to have talent too.”

Back home, the team will have to work harder for their next season and come back from state as winners.

“We will lose half of the varsity team and one of our primary goals is to replace them,” Zelaya said. “I want to go back to state as an individual racer or as a team, and win.”

Fall Play:“Our Miss Brookes”

Angela Troyer and Braxton Troyer- Staff Writers

The stage: it is a way of self expression, a place for students to become someone else.

Auditions began, the lights glaring in faces as young actors took to the stage. Bruce Bordner (director) and Kim Nonnenmacher (co-director) quietly sat, serving as the only audience.

“I enjoy acting, I think that its fun. To go on stage and be someone totally different,” Luke Shyposki (11) said.

This entire process began weeks ago with auditions. After the auditions come the trying hours of hard toil and dedication to the play that entail after school rehearsals, memorizing lines and still balancing normal school days with an attempt to have an active social life outside the walls of CHS.

The kids are working hard, it takes a lot of work on their part to put together [a show of this size], Bordner said.

As the play progresses, scripts are set aside so one can open up as their character and find ways to relate.

“Well in some ways he’s [Ted - the character Shyposki portrays] a lot like me [but] in some ways he’s not,” Shyposki said.

With opening night only weeks away, costumes are found and lines are re-examined. Everything must be right for opening night.

“The show is one of the larger casts done. It includes a large cast that has a lot of distinct characters not just one or two leads … and really does highlight a lot of individual acting talent,” Bordner said. “A lot of high school kids can relate, it’s a high school friendly show.”

Opening night will be Nov. 5^th at 7 p.m. in the BPAC, Nov. 6^th (unless the football team wins sectionals then this show will be pushed back to Nov. 8^th at 2:30 p.m.) and Nov. 7^th. Tickets go on sale next week from Mr. Bordner at $5 for students and $6 for adults. Tickets will also be sold the week of the show in the café commons at the same prices.

 

College Go!

Dara Marquez- Staff Writer

Promoted hugging was seen through the junior and senior hallways during the week of October 12 to 16. It was announced that College GO! Week had begun for CHS.

“It was a week where the public and a few private Indiana universities opened up admissions for us to apply for free,” Juliet Barrett (12) said.

Students hurried to get applications completed and turned in as the week offered them the free application entries, but it wasn’t the only motivation to participate. Although students were limited to in-state colleges, the week was successful with the amount of entries according to the online website www.learnmoreindiana.com.

“The more schools you apply to the better your chances of getting into one of your choice,” Barrett said. “It provides you with more options in case you ever choose to change your mind.”

There are about 30 to 40 application entries in a regular week for CHS, but during College GO! Week there were about 150. It was the first year for this program where the amount of entries could affect the admission offices, but because it helped many seniors and juniors to prepare for college it may continue.

“From what we have heard, it will be a reoccurring event [each] year,” Christa Shippy said.

 

Movie Review: “Paranormal Activity”

Ashlee Brinkman- Staff Writer

“Paranormal Activity” can only be viewed in select theaters now. So prepare to be filled with thrills, chills and tears?

Yes. In the theater there were people tearing up. The audience gets so absorbed into the subjective first-person camera-recorded movie that a random flow of emotions come out. Paranormal Activity follows a young couple in which the girlfriend (Katie) is haunted. The boyfriend (Micah) helps keep track of events by buying a high-tech camera.

The rather short movie was at first dull filled with subtle, slightly scary things. Although once it hit the last 20 minutes even the big tough guys in the next row were screaming.

The supposed story of it being based on documented events is questionable. However the ending puts and unexpected addition to the audiences fear.

I would definitely recommend driving out to South Bend to view the movie. Sitting in the dark movie theater, surround sound, having to drive home late and then climb into bed only contributes to the fearful sensation.

I give paranormal Activity a four out of five stars (lacking one for dull beginning). If it doesn’t send you home with nightmares it will at least send you home paranoid.

Cross Country runs into regionals

Sarah Mauser- Staff Writer

An athlete runs towards the people ahead of him, sweat dropping from his brow. He takes a deep breath in and runs faster, hoping to catch the people ahead of him. Suddenly another runner streaks past him, putting him back a place.

Last Saturday, the Boys Cross Country team ran at Ox Bow Park for regionals.

The team beat second place South Bend St. Joseph by 26 points and, for the first time, both qualified for semi-state and earned a first place title.

All seven varsity runners, Collin Chupp(10), Todd Dion (12), Jarred Fair (12), Alex Rodriquez (11), Brian Willoughby (12), Andrew Witkowski (12) and Daniel Zelaya (12) have all advanced on with a time under seventeen minutes.

“It’s an expectation that we would make it to semistate considering that we have made it the last two years,” Coach Jeff Payne said.

The boys will run hoping to do better than last year. The race will be at New Haven High School. It will be a 5K or a distance of 3.1 miles.

“At this point in the season, we reduce the number of miles that we run and increase the speed at which the runners run,” Payne said.

The team hopes to place well as they take on teams that they have competed against before and some teams they have not.

Other teams from the area that willl be advancing are South Bend St. Joseph, Northridge, Warsaw and Mishawaka.

“The two toughest teams [to run against] will be Huntington North and South Bend St. Joseph’s,” Payne said.

 

Tennis team ends historic season

Jose Alvarez- Sports Editor

The tennis team culminated a dream season last Friday when they traveled to Indy to represent Concord in state finals. The Minutemen came short of their final goal, when they fell to eventual champions Park Tutor. The Minutemen, however, are keeping their head high beaming with pride.

The Minutemen have no regrets from the season.

“We did the best we could maybe if we would’ve been more prepared at the beginning of the season. We were definitely strong at the end of the season… maybe if we would’ve played more experienced teams during the regular season we would’ve done better at state,”

We met our goal of going to state and we had an incredible season, both with our record and just bonding with the team. Yes, we were a strong, successful team (and we will look back and be very proud), but I think our friendship was even more important. We wanted to win not only for ourselves, but for every other player who was fighting to win.,” Andre Moore (12) said.Matt Schoeffler (12) said.Nevertheless making it all the way to state is a tremendous accomplishment, especially considering that this was the first time in Concord’s history that a tennis team made it to state.

Despite coming on the wrong end of a 0-5 score the players feel it was much closer than that.
“Not really [disappointed] just that the whole team lost, if one of us would’ve won we could’ve gone to state as individuals… we could’ve won we just had a lot of errors and missed hits,” Schoeffler said.

Most of the current team will graduate next year, so next year’s team will be composed of new players.

“I don’t think they will be as good as this year was, but Jason only lost one match the whole year, and they got some good freshman coming up,” Jared Queener (12) said.

The Minutemen finished with a record of 19-2

We had a few moments when I wasn’t sure if we were going to make it. Shivering in the freezing cold waiting for Jason Denton’s regional deciding match to finish was torture. Both the cold and the thought that we might not make it was awful. We are the first team in the history of Concord high school to ever win semi-state. Our year will stand alone on the board above the tennis courts and that’s something that we will always have,” Moore said.“I feel like I finished my senior year strong, but I still have a long way to go. I’m very proud of all of the guys on the team and I’m thankful to have such awesome coaches. Concord has always had strong athletics and it makes me feel good knowing that tennis has finally been given the spotlight it deserves,” Moore said.