Monster Bash

By Megan Laubershimer 

    Want to plan a frightfully fun Halloween party but have no idea how?  10 easy steps are all it takes to transform a draining night of handing out candy to mini trick-or-treaters into a wickedly good celebration that even the dead, or the undead, will want to boogie.

    Step one Create a theme.  It will liven up a dead party and brew up some fun.  Themes come in all shapes and sizes from a witches' night full of magic, broomsticks and even a few black cats to a fancy dinner party where someone just might turn up dead.  Whatever the theme may be, make sure everything else centers around it.

    Step two Find a "boo-tastic" setting.  The setting is like the frosting to an almost delicious cake; it sets the mood of an already spooky theme.  Settings like Dracula's lair where everything is dark, old and just a little chilling or maybe just a picnic in a graveyard will spice up the party.

    Step three Choose the perfect bone-chilling music.  Music is what gets the blood pounding and the adrenaline running, a practice every horror movie uses, so crank up the scary music and do the monster mash to the zombie music of "Thriller" by Michael Jackson.

    Step four Mouth-watering food can both excite and terrify when it comes to Halloween treats.  Some advice: first impressions are almost always wrong, so even if it's called toe jam soup or fungus surprise, try it.

     Junior Alex Travis's favorite ghostly treat is kitty litter cake. "It's made of that confetti cake mix with tootsie rolls and cake crumbs.  Then you make the frosting grayish."  Sounds deliciously spooky.

    Step five What's a Halloween party without costumes?  Whether the costumes fit the theme, like a prom night revisited or maybe a '50s flashback with poodle skirts and leather jackets, or they're crazier than a giant sumo wrestler blow-up suit, costumes are tradition.

    Step six If it is going to be a costume party, why not throw in a little competition?  Awards make a great ending to the night, and a best costume prize would be hauntingly festive.  Just be sure the winner really is wearing a costume.

    Step seven There's the setting, music and food, but a party's not complete without decorations.  Anything black, orange or green will give the party some festivity, but try adding a splash of red to create a more haunting atmosphere.  Streamers, black lights, glow-in-the-dark accessories and especially carved pumpkins will bring some spooky cheer into the celebration.

    Step eight Games will bring out the inner witch in all the party guests, especially if there are prizes for the winner.  Pin the tail on the werewolf and bobbing for apples are classics but may seem like dead and boring games, so try playing Ghosts in the Graveyard or Name that Scary Movie.  

    Step nine People are an important part of planning.  A party can't be a party without guests.  Decide if the party calls for a small group of ghastly guests, or take the more common route and host the bash of the year.

    Step ten Cost determines everything.  Be prepared to pay anywhere from $50-$200 depending on what kind of party it turns out to be.  Use coupons, shop at the dollar store and make home-made food and decorations.

    Remember, Halloween is a time for thrills, chills, a few good screams, and especially a little boogie to the "Monster Mash".

Trick-or-Treating Tips!

By Camlyn Giddins
 Of course Halloween is a day of fun, candy, costumes, and scares. For some, however, trick or treating doesn't only include sweets and aimless wandering. Trick or treating requires strategy.

There are places to go, places to avoid, times to go out and not to go out.

    Senior Kathy Calero says, "Up at Skyline they give a lot [of candy]." She also adds that the best time to go is, "Earlier. If you go too late, then everything is gone. Go when the sun goes down." Senior Jacob Burgess says Mapleton is a good place to candy hunt and agrees with Kathy as far as time goes, but also advises, "Don't be the person that goes out at four o clock though."

    Senior Katrina Brocco says the best place to go is Cambera Heights. "There's this one house that's really, really big and they're the cheapest. They give out tootsie rolls. But some houses give out king size candy bars." She prefers to go out later."Going earlier is fun, but being later is the best because that's when all the good candy's out because they save the best for last."

    Junior Ale Cano goes by Target and junior Alana Smith likes Eagle Mountain. Junior Royce Berube suggests, "Palisade on the other side of the golf course."

    The neighborhood east of Timpanogos is said to be a good location. Junior Robin Omer shares that, "Sebastian gives out DVDs. He's the guy that has all the Christmas lights up."

    If you're thinking about giving up on trick or treating, try these places out first and see what you get. As Katrina says, "Trick or treating is the best, You're never too old to go trick or treating."

Drama, Drama, Drama

By Megan Laubersheimer

    Shakespeare once wrote, "All the world's a stage," and it's no different at Timpanogos High School; well, at least for the students who have the courage to venture into the world of Ms. Broberg's theatre. 

    It's not always easy, with preparation taking anywhere form eight to ten weeks and rehearsals almost every day of the week, but it's always worthwhile.  The actor feels the exileration as he stops onto the stage, and the audience feels the excitement like an electric current as the lights dim and the show begins.
    This year, the theatre department has a full schedule lined up, starting with Play On, a comedy about a community theater messily putting a play together.  This is not your ordinary play. It's composed of two casts where each student plays two nights with completely different casts.  With six performances starting on October 23rd, the Production's Company will busily perform the night away.

    The next play up is Aida, the story of two star-crossed lovers navigating their way through war, opression, secrets, and slavery.  With killer music and an all-school cast, Aida is sure to be a hit among the students.  It opens November 19th with five performances including a matinee and evening show on Saturday.

    The one act plays are in April.  Seniors direct plays that other students perform, and it's open to any student with a flare for acting.

    After that is the Evening of Irving Berlin music in May.  It serves as the Production's Company's composer review.  For those who don't know Berlin, he composed several shows including White Christmas, and is known as Mr. Broadway.

    Finally, the Production's Company will perform The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) under a guest director.  The play is a gut-bursting, hysterical production full of street theatre and clowing around.  It's sure to be the funniest show of the year.  You'll be in tears, of joy, by the time the curtain falls.

    Whatever production is playing in the theatre, it's sure to be unique and outstanding.  After all, they are called plays, so be sure to join the performers for a year of entertainment.  Theatre is not complete without an audience, so come help the theatre make some magic. 

Candy, costumes and creepy crawlies.

By Abby Clyde

    Halloween has always been a favorite holiday for many teens. Who wouldn't want to run around dressed as your favorite cartoon character collecting free candy? Another question is: how many Timpanogos students actually participate in Halloween festivities? When asked if she was planning on going trick-or-treating, sophomore Lisa Raymond replied, "Nope, my parents think that I'm old enough that it'll be rude if I ask for free candy." 

    Junior Robyn Omer had a similar response, "Probably not. I might take my nephews trick-or-treating, but after that I'm going to Halloween parties and stuff."

    On the other hand, sophomore Michael Thurman responded with, "Yeah, of course. All day!"

    More often than not though, most of our students turned out to be planning huge Halloween bashes, or attending family gatherings. Interestingly enough, out of the ones who are going on the hunt for sugary treats, more guys than girls were looking forward to it.  Either way, parties, candy, or both, Halloween is always a fun holiday that everyone can enjoy.

Serving Up State

By Whitney Stone


Girls tennis has had a great season this year with only two losses, and they are very likely to all make it to state. 

Coach Suzy Hansgen says, "We have done really well so far this year and are tied for 2nd with Mountain View." 

We have an awesome tennis team here at Timpanogos High with great players and amazing team spirit. Seniors Shayla Gibb and Hayley Edgington say, "Our strength as a team is definitely supporting each other, we stay and watch each other's matches and cheer everyone on, even when they may be losing." 

Hansgen also says, "Their strength is that they are a team, they cheer and hope for each other with great excitement." Junior Kristen Hanson says, "Suzy is a great coach. She is very fun, but knows how to work us." Hansgen replies, "I love being a coach to these girls, but they definitely know how to keep me on my toes." 

It's looking great for girls T-wolf tennis as they climb their way to state supporting each other, knowing they have a great shot at taking state.

Volleyball Battlefield

By Camlyn Giddins

    One ball and one net; it doesn't seem too complicated or exciting, but volleyball somehow manages to break that assumption. "I love the intensity of the game," says senior Mandy Merrill. More than that, senior Melanie Weitzeil says she gets a kick out of, "The adrenaline rush. Just all the pressure and once you swing your arm, all this power, all this adrenaline goes through you. It's crazy."

    With practices almost every day at 2:30 and coaches like Lisa Mangalei, Amber Johnson, and Melissa Nielsen to back them up, these athletes will surprise you with how hard they play. 

    "I mainly think 'I wanna smack the ball and kill it.' You know, Block big." says Melanie. For these girls, not only is it enjoyable to play together, but it's also a huge stress relief.

    Coach Lisa Mangalei teaches the players one phrase: "One point at a time." Junior Sharissa Neilsen explains, "Every point is a new game because it's a battle." 

    Be sure to catch the sophomore team, junior varsity and these varsity team members at their next home game against Orem High on Oct. 13th.

Putting to the State Championships

by Marissa Unbedacht

From getting hit in the head with the golfball to shooting an 86 with 23 puts, the Timpanogos golf team has started out with a great season.  

There are great individual players on the golf team this year.

Junior Connor Sharp said, "Golf is so different from other sports because it's mentally challenging, harder, and takes more skill than other sports." 

Do you ever wonder what is going through a golfer's head while he's getting ready to take a swing at the ball?  "Don't double bogey, and don't shank it," says junior Hayden Telford said. 

Our golf team had much success this year leading up to taking region this year. 

Another accolade for the THS golf team is sophomore Tanner Halford's Academic All Region award this year. 

The THS golf team headed by Coach Nelson competed at the golf state championship at Soldier Hollow on October 8th.

A New Spanish Teacher

By Chelsey Averett And Emily Knorr

    Mr. Claybaugh, the new Spanish teacher, has high hopes for his career here at THS. He replaced Mr. Barth, and although people were disappointed that Mr. Barth left, they will absolutely love having Mr. Claybaugh as a Spanish teacher. He first went to high school in Costa Rica, but then he later moved here and graduated from Timpanogos. While attending Timpanogos, he ran track and won a state medal. He then moved on to attend UVU to become a Spanish teacher. He first learned Spanish when he lived in Costa Rica, but then later served an LDS mission to further his knowledge.

    Mr. Claybaugh enjoys how the students and staff here at THS are all united.

    "I want students to be able to come into my classroom and be able to feel comfortable and where they can have an environment where it is fun but also there is learning." Welcome to THS Mr. Claybaugh. We hope you have a great time here.

Halloween, a History

By Cole Ainsworth
Halloween,   an old religious holiday that found new commercial value in the United States, has a long history of traditional behavior.

Old religious traditions had an offering of food to restless spirits so that spirits wouldn't haunt their inhabitants and move on to another home without the offering.

Loved ones placed candles on the graves to keep their souls in the grave and not lost and wandering the earth. Candles are often lit for people who have passed away. The candle tradition has lived on in jack-o-lanterns which tie the food and candle offerings together. If one works, doing both should work a treat!

A superstitious belief was that  if a woman made some food, and put a gold ring in the center, her true love would show up for dinner. Bobbing for apples also had a romantic interest. The first  to get an apple would be the first one to walk down the aisle.   

Overall, Halloween is a time enjoyed by all, especially the students at Timpanogos  High. Each Halloween the students here surprise everyone as they dress up and show off their Halloween pride. Despite not looking for marriage and Halloween not being a romantic holiday anymore, having Halloween on a Saturday allows hosts to have a really great party or dates to find something really fun to do for Halloween.

The Invention of Lying

 By Kegan Penovich

 

    A world where you must tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth is the world in which the film The Invention of Lying takes place. But then an unassuming "chubby, snub-nosed" man, as the movie often refers to him, stumbles into the world of dishonesty. He uses this new gift to form the world that had taken advantage of him into a world to serve him and his agenda. However, he finds a new reason for his talent in helping people.

    The movie was much more touchy-feely than expected, I didn't mind that though.  The humor was excellent enough to balance it out even for the most obtuse among us.

    The main role is played by Ricky Gervais and the the main supporting role is played by Jennifer Garner. It is written and directed by both Ricky Gervais and Mathew Robinson. Due to the nature of the film, it would be a questionable date movie.  

    Overall, the movie was terribly entertaining and I found it to be extremely satisfying. I'd love to see it again. Just be aware that it is rated PG-13 for language, sexual content, and a drug refrence. 

   

We didn't go to press

Mr. Murphy pulled the review on Zombieland. Since students aren't supposed to see rated R stuff... that goes. We need to add more content. There's too much white space. They want us to put in 2 ads (we can use Cole's 3 pieces and turn them into ad artwork), and then we'll distribute on October 19th.

Career Day Issue

It's just occurred to me that on Wednesday, we have Career Day. We must, must get the newspaper printed prior to Fall Break. This means we must coordinate with Mr. Sumner to get the newspaper printed. All photos need to be cleared, all articles need to be placed, etc.

Check immediately with Colby, Kegan, Megan, and Camlyn.

Whitney and Kristie, check with the ads and make sure that they are PAID FOR prior to printing.

In Class: Friday, October 2nd

Today we worked on finishing articles. Students were asked to:
1. Write BYLINES
2. Write additional articles
3. Finish articles

We also discussed why students might choose to attend the University of Utah convention in November. Students are required to submit something to the convention.

There was a great deal of teamwork. I appreciate that and all of your hard work.

Today there's a pep assembly to celebrate fall sports. Have a fantastic weekend!

Remember: Monday is a break!! Sleep in and return to me refreshed and ready to think again.