Debate goes home

  Tori Fater- Staff writer

For the sixth year in a row, Concord hosted the District Debate Tournament for the Northeast District. The tournament lasted two days, running from 4 to 10 P.M. on Friday and resuming at 8 A.M. on Saturday.

The Northeast District of Indiana high schools includes Chesterton, Columbia City, Northrop, Canterbury, Homestead, and South Side, as well as Concord.

There are not a fixed number of rounds during the District Tournament. Once a competitor loses in two rounds, they are eliminated from the running. The final two competitors advance to the National Forensics League Speech and Debate Tournament.

Only one pair of competitors from Concord, Courtney Byrd (9) and Anna Taylor (9), attended the competition. Unfortunately, they did not move on to Nationals, but “they did their duty to the Northeast district,” Chase Troxell (assistant coach) said.

Members of the speech team sold concessions throughout the tournament, which included a baked potato bar on Saturday during lunch.

Chesterton had two National qualifiers in the event of Policy Debate, and one in Lincoln-Douglas. Fort Wayne South Side took the top two slots in the Public Forum competition, and a competitor from Northrop qualified for Nationals in the remaining Lincoln-Douglas spot.

Saturday was the season’s last meet for the Concord Debate Team, as no one moved on to Nationals. The team hopes to take a team member to Nationals next year.

Concord looks to poach panthers

Jose Alvarez- Sports Editor

After starting off the season by winning their first nine out of ten games the Minutemen now find themselves stuck in midst of adversity. Despite, their impressive start to the season, Concord has interchanged wins and losses. The Minutemen will look to turn that trend around and return to their winning ways when they take on the Northwood Panthers. Since suffering their second loss of the season at the hands of Plymouth, Concord has been unable to string together more than two wins in a row. As a result, the Minutemen are currently in fourth place, with a 2-3 conference record, trailing third place Plymouth with a conference record of 4-1.However, the Minutemen are in position to make a late season run. Last Friday, Concord defeated Wawasee 81-71. The 81 points is the most the Minutemen have scored thus far, however the 71 points surrendered are also the most points the Minutemen have allowed an opponent to score. That does not seem so terrible considering that Wawasee was averaging a Northern Lakes Conference league leading 80 points per game. The Minutemen’s problem however, comes no where near the problems that their opponent the Northwood Panthers are facing. The panthers enter the game possessing a dismal 6-9 record, and even worst 1-4 conference record, and have only managed to pull out wins only once in their last four games. Concord enters the game averaging 62 points per game, second in the NLC, while allowing 53 points per game. Meanwhile Northwood is scoring 50 points per game and surrounding 52 points per game. Both teams enter the game coming off wins, Concord defeated Wawasee, while the panthers took care of the West Noble Chargers 58-46. Tomorrow’s game will also hold an extra incentive for the seniors on the team, reason being because it will be senior night. While all pre-game prognostics say that the Minutemen should easily come out on top, which is never really the case. The Minutemen were upset earlier in the season by a then 6-4 Plymouth team. Furthermore, Northwood will have the motivation of being able to spoil Concord’s senior night. The game will be tomorrow at 6:15 in McCuen gym.

Paper printed out

Paul Hardison- Staff writer

 

Teachers came back from vacation already for the new year but they ran into a small problem, they were running out of paper. On Tuesday teachers held a meeting in which they discussed ways on how to make creative yet alternative ways to fix the paper issue. From marker boards to even paper plates, these are just some of the alternatives that came up at the meeting. Some teachers decided that instead of using handouts and wasting paper, they would put directions on the internet.

Governor Mitch Daniels is the one who recently cut school budgets, which in turn means that the budget for the paper will not be coming until sometime in February.

“At first the money for additional paper was suppose to come in at June but then Mitch Daniels changed his mind and gave it to us six months ahead of schedule,” Renee’ Cocanower (associate principal) said.

Teachers now have the responsibility of keeping students from losing their handouts and not making too many copies. The staff is doing their best to squeeze down the production of paper as well.

“When we give out the progress reports we are intending to squeeze two students on one paper so we will only have to use 700 copies of paper instead of 1400, this is saving us a lot of paper while still making it possible to do our normal grade report,” Cocanower said.

Some students might be concerned that money may be taken out of their clubs or after school activities.

“We can safely say that we couldn’t take money out of the clubs or after school activities to pay for the paper because we have set up money into budgets, so we can’t take money out of the student council budget, let’s say, and use it to buy more paper we have to use it only for the specific group,” Cocanower said.

The paper issue will continue until the money for the paper is received at the beginning of February.

Big announcement: Mini Film Festival is back

Tori Fater- Staff writer

Last year, students flocked to the Community Lecture Room to watch entertaining student-submitted short films. This year, CHS continues that tradition with the third annual Mini Film Festival.

The festival has proven itself to be a good outlet for aspiring directors and actors or actresses.

“It’s a neat opportunity for kids to do something creative. People can show their talents,” Renee’ Cocanower (associate principal) said.

Although in the first year only a handful of movies were screened, “each year, [the number] has grown,” Wayne Sousley (media technology coordinator) said.

Sousley is the technical director for the two-day festival, ensuring that each film is in a format compatible with the school equipment. He also double-checks that the films are no longer than three minutes.

“Sometimes we’ll cut the credits a bit, so it doesn’t run long,” Sousley said.

Each movie is judged on creativity, entertainment value, originality, and overall fun. There is a panel of four to five staff members which gives an award to the best film, as well as a People’s Choice Award. When students come to view the films during their lunch hour, “there’s a card that students can fill out [to vote],” Heather Bohn (secretary) said.

The movies are screened by Principal Dan Cunningham and Cocanower. Videos that are deemed inappropriate for school are not shown at the festival, but they are not rejected at first glance.

“If there’s something that is questionable in the video, we give the students who submitted it an opportunity to fix it,” Cocanower said.

Students interested in participating should pick up an entry form in the main office. Forms and films are due back to the office by Thurs., Jan.14.

Minutemen look to skin Redskins

Jose Alvarez- Sports editor

The Minutemen will look to rejoin their early season form tonight, as they take on the Goshen Redskins, as well as beginning to string together yet another series of wins, meanwhile the Redskins are finally beginning to build momentum after a rocky start to their season.

Despite suffering their first loss of the season two games ago, the Minutemen recovered quickly by winning their next game. Even more impressive is the fact that they were able to avenge their first loss to Memorial with a win against the Memorial team at a tournament only five days later. The Minutemen came out on top with 49-47. As the season progresses, the opponents seem to be getting tougher to defeat. Evidence of this is seen with a comparison from the beginning of the season, and currently. In their first three games, the Minutemen scored no less than 69 points. And were handedly defeating their opponents, including a 40-point thrashing to the Bremen Lions. Afterwards however, Concord barely managed to squeak past South Bend Riley, thanks to a clutch three-pointer as the buzzer sounded, and then suffered their first loss at the hands of the Chargers.

The Redskins on the other hand, are on an upward trend. After starting the season by losing three of four, the Redskins have rebounded nicely and have pulled off wins in four out the next five games.

The game against the Redskins figures to be a tough one. Both teams are on winning streaks, and neither team has suffered a blow out, as well as proven to be capable of pulling out close wins, however, Concord seems to have the upper hand. They have the advantage of playing at home, as well as the advantage of having more time to recover from their last game.

The game will take place today at 7:30.

Movie Review: Avatar

Nneka Robinson- Staff writer

With mythical, neon colored creatures, Avatar brings exciting effects but a boring storyline to theaters. The movie of humans invading a planet called Pandora is a mishmash of almost every science fiction and fantasy theme committed to paper, yet at the same time, it is a stunning visual masterpiece.

Avatar suffers from a storyline with no emotional connection. The storyline was too much like “Dances with Wolves” also mixed with “Titanic”, “Pocahontas”, and “Romeo and Juliet”, leaving viewers with the feeling that they knew what was going to happen next. Viewers may also have to keep questioning themselves asking, “Have I seen this before?” The movie takes itself too seriously. There are no cute or funny moments. It tends to feel like a military action movie.

Still, there is one thing that stands out in the movie. The great and amazing special effects, the ten foot creatures that Sulley had to encounter, are unlike anything seen before. The bright colors and effect are what made the movie amazing. The viewer experiences a whole new world in just two hours. Earth has trees and mountains and plants, but you have never seen trees, mountains, or plants like they appear in this movie on the planet of Pandora.

This movie is not just a movie, it is an experience not to be missed. Although it lacks a storyline, the special effects make up for the loss. Avatar reaffirms James Cameron’s singular gift for imaginative and absorbing filmmaking.

Good deeds done around town

Ashlee Brinkman- Staff writer

Many students go above and beyond to help others, spending hours of their free time to support charities.

Although any kind of help is a generous thing to do, some only do it because they are a part of a club, or need it for their college application. Others do it as a hobby.

“I do it for Key Club, and I would do more on my own if they didn’t offer [first]. I’m actually [bell] ringing on Friday,” Madison Freeze (12) said.

Key Club which, as some may know, requires members to do volunteer work. They help out all around the Elkhart area.

“In the last three months I have helped with Crystal Valley Church’s free garage sale, organized a warehouse of household items, and helped clean guidance ministries,” Freeze said.

If one is interested in helping people in the community a good start is joining clubs. The Key Club or NHS can always give students good ideas. If interested, be cautious, involved students need to know how to manage their schedule.

“I’m involved in a lot of other activities and it’s still easy to find time you just have to know how to plan your schedule,” Freeze said.

For those who get really involved and enjoy it, a thing to look forward to is helping on a wider scale.

“I’ve also done out of town missions where I help build and redo houses,” Freeze said.

While sitting at home this holiday season, consider signing up for bell ringing at the mall or around town.

Get involved.

“I do it all year and I would say that it really does make you feel good: helping other people,” Freeze said.

Speech Team prepares for next big step at Valpo

Nneka Robinson- Staff writer

With eighteen categories in a speech and debate competition, Abby Phelps (11) will be participating in two of them. Her love of theater and her experience since her freshmen year helps her confidence build up as she prepares for her meet at Valparaiso High School.

Her two pieces are a drama and a duo with Miles Barrett (9). Her drama is “The Apple Doesn’t Fall” by Trish Vradenburg

“Plymouth has always been considered the toughest [compitition] but I would rather focus on my talent, not what school I might lose or win to,” Phelps said.

Phelps is not the only on who is geared up and ready. Dara Marquez (11) is working on a compilation of poetry about the misconceptions about latinos.

“You have to work hard and be passionate and dedicated to win,” Marquez said.

With their first meet on Dec. 5 in Valparaiso and LaPort, the Speech and Debate team has been working diligently on their pieces. CHS will be represented by fifteen students who have the courage to perform and compete.

“I think this weekend will show them what all they have to do before achieving their goals,” Jeff Stutzman (coach) said.

. It is about a younger business woman who has a mother with Alzheimer’s Disease and she has a fear that she will some day be like her mother. The duo is called “Bunny Bunny” and it was created by comedian Alan Zweibel from “Saturday Night Live”. Even while performing she is nervous about whether she will win or lose.

Seeing the future of the World Cup

Jose Alvarez- Sports editor

It is the undisputed best time of year for soccer fans. The passion, the excitement, the suspense of seeing the beautiful game unfold at its highest level. On one side, there is witnessing an entire nation erupt into euphoria at the sight of seeing their country make the Olympic run around the field after securing their place in the World Cup. On the other side there is the bitter, disheartening feeling of seeing your country unable of securing the coveted spot. Four years of preparation all amount to this moment. The culmination of a qualification process that began in August 2007 and involved 204 of the 208 FIFA national teams.

This year’s World Cup Qualifiers proved to be one of the most competitive in history. Traditional powers like Argentina, France, Portugal were not assured a spot until the final game, while others like Brazil, Italy (last year’s champion) and Spain qualified without much trouble. Home field advantage was pivotal in this year’s qualifiers, especially in the North, Central American and Caribbean region[CONCACAF] which will be sending the trio of USA, Mexico, and Honduras. Both USA and Mexico again finished first and second respectively, however the gap seems to have shortened significantly. Neither was assured a spot until the final day. The combined home record of the three qualified teams was 16-1-1. Only Mexico, once again proved unstoppable at their historically impregnable fortress known as Estadio Azteca, came out with an unblemished record.

Just south of CONCACAF, the Confederation of South American Futbol CONMEBOL showcased some of the most exciting matches. The regions minnows gave World cup superpowers all they could handle. Argentina, ranked first just a few months earlier, struggled mightily during the qualifiers. Not even a coaching change to soccer legend Diego Maradona could rescue the desperate Argentineans. Ultimately, they qualified in the last game by winning 1-0 with a goal scored in the last five minutes. Furthermore, CONMEBOL will be sending an extra team, Uruguay, for winning the play-offs against Costa Rica. Only a mere six points separated first place Brazil from fourth place Argentina.

In Europe, all the traditional powers qualified, however it did not go without some dramatic moments. Most notably the nightmarish scenario of a World Cup without players like Cristiano Ronaldo,Thierry Henry, or Lionel Messi. This scenario almost turned to reality when both Portugal and France were unable to secure a spot during the qualifiers. Their last opportunity came thanks to the play-offs. France, in a much controversial game, defeated the Republic of Ireland with an aggregate score of 2-1 in overtime. Meanwhile, Portugal dispatched Bosnia-Herzegovina with an aggregate score of 2-0.

No other sport in the world harnesses as much attention as the World Cup. And if these qualifiers are any indication– next year’s looks promising. This is the first time in history that no debutants will compete. However, this is the first time that an African nation plays host to soccer’s grandest stage. At least for now the madness is finally over–until June 11.

Will the Falcons fight for revenge?

Paul Hardison- Staff writer

Concord is getting ready to face the John Glenn Falcons. So far, the Minutemen have a record of 2-0 and are looking to increase their lead. The Falcons are ready as well to take on the Minutemen since they lost to them last year.

“They have a lot of teammates coming back from last year. They are going to play us hard this game,” Jordan Haitsma (12) said.

The coaches this week have been doing everything to focus on polishing the rough edges of the team.

“Our focus for this week has really been defense for really getting the ball and making great boxing out plays,” Haitsma said.

John Glenn is not known for their basketball team, but they are not to be underestimated.

“A small school like John Glenn plays really hard when they play a big school like us…John Glenn will not be our toughest opponent that will fall on Warsaw and Memorial because they both have depth and will play us really well,” Haitsma said.

For the seniors, they have really grown from being an average team into a skilled one.

“As a senior I feel that I have grown more confident, I’m more of the type to feed the ball to people and have done that really well,” Haitsma said.

Another senior, Doug Acker, is excited about the game that is coming up against the Falcons.

“Last year was John Glenn’s first year playing us and we scored really well against them but they are still going to be a really good team,” Acker said.

On paper it is looking like Concord should win the game, but if they get too overconfident they will lose. Concord will have to make sure that they keep their defense on track and make sure that they don’t miss easy opportunities to shoot.

The face off will be today at CHS at 7:00 p.m.