Editor's note Cats reach out in Colorado First-time win a big one

GRANT TURNER Capital-Journal

Insights into the pride of accomplishment is illustrated here by the many journalism students in "Making the Grade," a spotlight on 12 area schools over 11 days.

Along with area high schools we have included Kaw Area Technical School, which offers vocational and technical training to high school students as well as older students.

The Making the Grade partnership combines efforts of The Topeka Capital-Journal and each school, including students and faculty members. The focus of this edition is "Look at Us in 2000."

It could not have been done without generous support of various sponsors involved in "Celebrate the Year of the Child" project.

Partners in "Making the Grade" are Stormont-Vail HealthCare, Koch Industries and Commerce Bank.

These sponsors support the individual sections, as well as making a commitment to the Newspapers In Education program, purchasing more than 30,000 daily newspapers for classroom use.

We thank the students and their teachers for a job well done, and we thank the sponsors. We hope you enjoy each of the sections.

--- Linda Laird, special sections coordinator

STUDENTS SPEAK

What kind of technology do you think we will have in the future?

"I think that it will be very advanced, such as flying cars."

--- Lauren Wright, sophomore

"I think it will be really weird and scary, like everyone will have clones and lots of robots."

--- Halie Tinsley, freshman

"I think there will be a lot of mechanical stuff and solar cars."

--- Brandon Ramirez, freshman

"There will be solar powered cars."

--- Lindsey Rippel, junior

"I believe there will be solar-powered machines and better ways of curing diseases at a lower price that effects our environment.

--- Rachel Wurtz, senior

What college would you attend if you could go anywhere? Why?

"Harvard, because it would be cool to say I was a Harvard graduate."

--- Emily Enneking, junior

"I would go to KU because I have always wanted to go there since I was little."

--- Christine Voegeli, sophomore

"I would go to KU because it is close to home, and I have always been a KU fan."

--- Haley Herrman, junior

"Probably KU, I love Lawrence and it is a good party college, or someplace really hot and fun such as California."

--- Joanie Myers, freshman

"(Fort Hays State) because of family, and it is nice and has a good football team."

--- Patrick Koester, freshman

"I am not going to college. I am in the Navy."

--- Dennis Mulryan, senior

"I am going to Johnson County (Community College) to play softball."

--- Kelly Gartner, senior

What do you want to be when you grow up?

"Biochemical engineer."

--- Erica Seago, sophomore

"Psychologist or biologist."

--- Megan Kopetzky, sophomore

"Computer engineer or programmer."

--- Mike Rohr, sophomore

"I want to be in 'Stomp' for a year and then be some kind of doctor that isn't bloody."

--- Megan Mazur, sophomore

"Elementary school teacher."

--- Sara Fox, junior

"Gym teacher or soccer coach."

--- Randee Laha, junior

"Gym teacher or football coach."

--- Zack Corber, freshman

"Veterinarian."

--- Kelly Gartner, senior

--- Compiled by Jolene Silovsky

and Amy Geist

By GRANT TURNER

Special to The Capital-Journal

Over spring break, 15 students and three adult sponsors participated in a six-day pilgrimage to Colorado. The alternative spring break began March 17 and incorporated service work, group unification and spiritual healing into a journey of faith and prayer.

While most of Hayden's student body was busy taking advantage of a chance to do nothing, these students made a difference in a community. Every day the students had an agenda, including different pilgrimage sights, mass and prayer.

The group held prayer time after hours every night as they were winding down from a day's work. One night in particular, they had an emotional talk about how God had changed each of their lives.

On one of the days, the pilgrims volunteered their time and talents to the Samaritan House, a homeless shelter in Denver. Alongside local volunteers, who topped 300 in number, students painted walls, organized office areas, cleaned cabinets, did laundry, cooked lunch and shoveled snow.

"It was really eye-opening for me. I ate lunch with a 4-year-old and his parents and we sang 'I Like to Eat Apples and Bananas.' It showed me how much homeless people are really just like me. They don't deserve to live on the streets," junior Vicky Betchley said. "No one does."

These spirited youth weren't all work and no play, though. Students enjoyed an environment that would help them make new friends, including time at a children's day-care center. They visited local religious landmarks, went out to eat and had ice cream socials at night.

Brother Francisco Ramirez, director of Campus Ministry, hoped the pilgrimage would bring the group closer together and that participants would learn the importance of service to others. Upon returning to Topeka, it was evident to him that all his expectations had been exceeded.

"As the trip went along, I was touched by the willingness of the students to immerse themselves in the experience," Ramirez said. "I felt a lot of trust on the part of the students. It was very spiritual."

The Denver community reacted to the students with tremendous openness.

Doreen Shea, mother of pilgrim student Molly Shea and one of three adult sponsors, commented: "The Denver community was very appreciative of our efforts on the pilgrimage. The Samaritan House staff said we were the best group of young workers they have ever had."

Senior Grace Berry expressed a sentiment common among the travelers: "At first, I didn't know what to expect, but I'm really glad I went. The experience changed how I saw things in everyday life."

The journey was spearheaded by Ramirez, who explained he was accepting Pope John Paul II's challenge, as Catholics, to "achieve the justice in the world that God had intended, by making peace through service and prayer," as part of the Jubilee 2000 year.

The genuine success of the mission subsequently prompts the sure probability of such pilgrimages in the future.

"The trip was something I will never forget," freshman Joanie Myers said. "I made new friends plus memories that will last a lifetime. I will definitely go again if I am given the opportunity."

By JENNIFER BUTLER

Special to The Capital-Journal

The Hayden Quiz Bowl team has won the 4A championship for the first time ever.

The team went 16-0 on Feb. 12 at the tournament, which was also held at Hayden High School. The team consisted of seniors Luke Zeleznak, Chris Pavlacka and Sean Pauzauskie and junior Nathan Soza.

They defeated teams from Iola, Douglass, Lyons, Russell and El Dorado in the prelimary rounds of the tournament. The team beat Colby in the semifinals and went to finals to beat a tough team from Lansing in the championship round. Lansing is a four-time state champ and was beaten by Hayden 80-20.

"It felt absolutely fabulous, it was something I've been dreaming about.

"I didn't think we'd do it, but we pulled through. It was great," senior Pavlacka said.

An assembly was held Feb. 16 in the Hayden gym and the Quiz Bowl team presented the championship trophy to Hayden Vice President Rick Strecker.

The team was on television for WIBW "Hi-Q" facing 2A Washington High School, which was televised on March 4. With the win over Washington, the team advanced to the quarter-finals against Topeka West, where its winning streak was broken and its season came to a close.

By JENNIFER BUTLER

The Capital-Journal

Hayden High School had the opportunity to experience what no other high school in Topeka has been able to do. In October, 24 students and two teachers traveled from Bari, Italy, to participate in the Partnership Exchange.

The Italians were greeted at the airport by host students/ families bringing gifts of flowers, stuffed animals and balloons. The students were welcomed after a long journey of 18 hours.

"I was very excited and very happy. I was worried because I hoped to be in a very nice family. Luckily I was," Valeria Latttarulo said.

While the students visited Topeka, many activities were scheduled for them, including ice skating, football games, Homecoming and bowling.

They were given a chance to do many activities that are unavailable to them in their home country.

They also were able to strengthen their English, see how others live, learn about the different holidays Americans celebrate, eat different types of food, attend school dances and many of the activities American students do in everyday life. For many of the students, they are experiencing these activities for the first time.

Partnership Exchange is the program in which high school students exchange visits up to three weeks with another country. Hayden is exchanging with the Italian convent school, Preziosissimo Sangue, where the majority of the students are female.

In Italy, students attend school six days a week and don't wear uniforms.

"Hayden is bigger than our school. We don't have a possibility to choose classes, because if you choose a kind of school you must study fixed classes. Our classrooms are also much smaller," Fiorella Montevago said.

"We have both tests and interrogation, so we must study every day. We don't have lockers and have to carry our books in our bags. We have no drinking fountains and must drink water from the sink in the bathroom.

"Our classrooms are very organized, as yours are disorganized. The teacher comes into our classroom instead of us moving," Montevago added.

Some Italians get to school differently from American students. While the driving age is 18 in Italy, people can drive motorcycles when they are 14. Because of this, many of them get to school by trains, motorcycle or walking.

What the students do on weekends is also very different. In the United States, students often go out on Friday and Saturday night. In Italy they only go out on Saturday night.

The Italian students sometimes go to pubs, which are similar to coffee shops and are open to all ages, and to discos. This is unlike many clubs in Topeka, where you have to be 21 to enter.

As the end of October approached American students prepared for Halloween. In Italy, people dress up in costumes during the second week of February. The celebration is called Carnival and people don't go trick or treating. Instead they go to parties.

By JARED LETOURNEAU

Special to The Capital-Journal

For almost two years, Mike Alex was president of Hayden High School. Under his direction, there have been new teachers, new administrators and new construction. After taking another job in the archdiocese, Alex officially relinquished his duties on March 1.

Before Alex left, meetings were held, applications were taken and interviews were given to find his successor.

Rick Strecker, who has been teaching and coaching at Hayden for 12 years and was vice president, was offered and took the top spot.

"I was very excited," Strecker said. "I think Hayden is a great school, and I'm proud to accept this position. I will work very hard to make Hayden the finest school it can be."

Upon taking the position, Strecker stepped down as the track and girls head basketball coach.

During his coaching career, he brought home titles in track in '89 and '95. In girls basketball he brought many titles home, including state titles in '92, '93 and '95.

Coach Strecker gave an emotional speech at a pep assembly where tears flowed and hugs we're shared. It was a memorable day for many Hayden students.

"The girls basketball program has really developed into an activity that I'm extremely proud of," Strecker said. "Although I'm certain that it will continue to be competitive and something for the community to be proud of. It has been a difficult part of my career to bring to an end."

Trip part of student exchange.

By JENNIFER BUTLER

and AMY GEIST

Special to The Capital-Journal

In a journey that completed the second phase of the exchange program, 24 students traveled to Bari, Italy, on March 12. Bari is on the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

In October, the Italian students came and stayed with the Topeka students' families for three weeks. The exchange students participated in many activities and made many trips. Then, in March, the Hayden students got to visit the Italians. They had many activities planned for them.

The students visited the sea several times and many of them went with the host families to visit other small towns that feature a different aspect of sea. Many of the shopping areas are near the coast.

On March 14, the students went to the school, Preziosissimo Sangue, where they were greeted by the entire school for a welcoming banquet.

The Italians were excited to share their homes and culture with their new friends.

One of the many trips they took was to visit old castles and churches. One of the most interesting churches is St. Nicholas Basilica, which is named after Santa Claus. The church is located in the older part of Bari. The students even visited Castle of Barletta, a beautiful old castle, where 'Man in the Iron Mask' was filmed.

The attitudes about education are very different from the United States. School hours are from around 8 a.m. until about 1:30 or 2 p.m. The students do not move around to different classrooms; instead, the teachers rotate about every 50 minutes.

Another difference is they have school six days a week, Monday through Saturday.

The biggest difference for many was the school does not serve lunch. Instead, after 2 p.m. they go home and eat lunch.

Furthermore, the entire city shuts down between the hours of 1:30 and 4 p.m. because everyone is at home eating a huge meal with different courses, and perhaps taking a siesta. After 4 p.m. all the stores open up again.

"It was a wonderful experience to become more aware of the different cultures and lifestyles in a foreign country," junior Jerrod Giessel said.

The driving is another difference. Many of the people have very tiny cars, a new popular model is the Smart car, which only has two seats. Another different car is a type of truck that fits only one person and has three wheels.

Many of the people use public transportation such as the train or bus. Scooters and motorcycles are also very popular, because they are much easier to get around in.

At night, around 11 o'clock, most of the stoplights stop working. All of them flash yellow for caution, and you can drive right through them.

"The cars there were crazy. The driving was crazy and so were the three wheeled cars," sophomore Norie McEwen said.

Another part of the trip was going to Rome. While in Rome they visited the catacombs, the Coliseum, Sistine Chapel, the Vatican and many art museums and churches.

The students also had general audience to the pope's blessing.

While they were having the blessing it rained. They were part of the 500,000 crowd that all went to the blessing.

On March 31, they visited Lecce, one of the farthest seaports at the heel of the boot, where the Americans visited the beach and all went swimming in the Adriatic Sea.

Then at 5:30 a.m. April 2, all the students met in the airport to say their final good-byes and go home.

"I had a great time and met many wonderful friends of a completely different culture," junior Joe Hennes said.

Copyright 2000
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.