T h e A merican D rea m- - - Verona Area School District

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CAT’S EYE STAFF 08-09 Editor-In-Chief Peter Campbell Managing Editors Dana Dreger Emily Wottreng Technical Director Katie Syse News Editor Sarah Kessler Feature Editors Katie Noyes Claire Davenport Opinion Editor Mike Gold Centerspread Editor Kyla Klein Sports Editor Tanner Frevert A&E Editor Melissa Seymour Litterbox Editor Maddie Elder Writers Layli Amerson Alli Dopf Kylie Eason Josie Gaieck Megan Kasten Lisa Marty Claire Miller Travis Schwartz Claire Stathas Advisor Erin Martin The Cat's Eye Editorial Policy 2 L E T T E R F R O M T H E E D I T O R The American Dream is a strange thing- no one can really agree on what it is. People’s ideas about it range from hope-inspiring to downright scary. Take this personal story of mine for example. A while back I was walking through the streets of New York. It was 1977, in the middle of a riot, and I was wearing my owl costume. Everything was a mess. I turned to my friend, Eddie Blake, and asked, “What’s happened to America? What’s happened to the American Dream?” He brandished his shotgun and scowled, “It came true. You’re lookin’ at it.” His remark made me think about- wait… no. That never happened to me. That was from Watchmen. Curse you Alan Moore, for writing such engrossing stories with human characters! I guess I’d better dig a little deeper if I want to fi nd out the true nature of the American Dream. But where to start digging? I guess the most logical place would be the very beginning. By which I mean over 150 years after the American Revolution, during one of the lowest points in our nation’s history. Of course, I’m sure you all know that I’m referring to the year of 1931, when James Truslow Adams coined the term “American Dream” in his famed book, Epic of America, which I’m sure you’ve all read so many times that it’s ingrained in your head like a Mother Goose poem, or whatever one-hit-wonder hip-hop song is popular as a ringtone in three weeks into the future from when I’m writing this. Wait, you’re saying you’ve never read Epic of America? Or heard of James Truslow Adams? Or even heard the name “Truslow” at all? It’s okay, neither had I until I found all this on Wikipedia fi ve minutes ago. But anyway, I think it’s really interesting that the term “The American Dream” came about during the Great Depression because the Great Depression was obviously, you know, depressing, and dreaming is generally a very optimistic and idealistic activity. Unless you’re in a Nightmare on Elm Street movie, in which case dreaming will probably kill you. But clearly you are not living in such a movie (OR ARE YOU?), so the point is neither here nor there. What I was getting at- before I was so rudely interrupted by my own need to crack jokes- is that maybe the American Dream is what helps our country pull through the hard times. Maybe the American Dream developed in the midst of the Great Depression because the hope for a better future was all anyone had to cling to. And maybe the American Dream stuck around after that because times are always tough, and it’s nice to have that hope even if you’re better off than wearing a barrel instead of actual clothes. I’m thinking that the American Dream is more of a security blanket to us than anything else. Allow me to conjure a mental image for you: It’s probably made with pastel red, white, and blue, and has a picture of a little baby eagle on it, and the eagle is saying, “God Bwess Amewica!” As far as security blankets go, this one is absolutely patriadorible. Now, it might sound like I’m trying to downplay the value of the American Dream here because “Security blanket” sounds rather insubstantial, but believe me, it’s not. To a kid, a good blanket is one of the most powerful things in the world, and as Americans, we all face hard times that make us feel like helpless kids. That’s when the American Dream is there. It can be whatever we need it to be, whenever we need it. The American Dream is timeless, despite me putting a distinct year to the coinage of the term, and it’s touched the lives of countless Americans from all backgrounds, all races and creeds, and in all walks of life. It’s not just a security blanket- it’s a security blanket that can cover the whole country. So keep in mind that no matter what happens, there’s always the American Dream. It’s stuck with us since the Great Depression, through World War II, the Cold War, Vietnam, and even through comic book alternate-histories where Superheroes exist and Nixon has been president longer than FDR, and it’s none the worse for wear. Times are as tough as they’ve ever been, and they might just get tougher, so try to remember that we’ll always have something to hold on to, and we’re all holding on to it together. And with that, I’m done talking. Go read those pretty pink pages in the middle now. You’ve earned it. The Cat’s Eye is a monthly publication written, edited, and published by the students of VAHS. It is distributed free of charge to the students and staff. The Cat’s Eye strives to present news in a fair and unbiased manner. Any article expresses the opinion of the author and not necessarily the entire staff, school, or school district. Students, staff, or community members may submit articles or letters to the editor. All submissions must include the names of the authors. Names are published with the submissions, and we reserve the right to edit submissions for length, libel, and grammar. Please deliver letters or articles to any staff member, or mail them to The Cat’s Eye, Verona Area High School, 300 Richard Street, Verona, WI, 53593. Articles can also be emailed to 15384@verona.k12.wi.us. We encourage non-staff members to let their voices be heard! T H E C A T ' S E Y E M A R C H 2 0 0 9
N E W S Hammen named VAHS Principal By SARAH KESSLER On Wednesday March 11, 2009, Ms. Pam Hammen was named our new principal at Verona Area High School. I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with her about her “new” job and future goals for VAHS. Cat’s Eye: We heard your great news! How do you feel to earn this position after acting as our interim this year and Associate Principal for many years in the past? Pam Hammen: Wonderful! When Dr. Gorrell called me telling me, I said I was pleased as punch (laughs)…and I never say things like that! When I got home after the interview, I was talking to my parents and I could hear my cell phone ringing…then my land line started to beep, so I answered and Dr. Gorrell said “Pam, I’d like to talk to you about the Principal position.” He then put me on speaker phone and I heard a lot of cheering and clapping and Dean said, “Pam, will you marry us?” I said “I do.” It was very exciting. CE: I was told the story of how the candidates were interviewed and the mock staff meeting they had to hold. Did you feel you had an advantage and/or a better shot at the job? PH: I think I had two advantages, one being the positive relationship I already have with the staff. Building trusting relationsips takes time, but because I’ve worked here already for seven years, I have developed those relationships and have worked with everyone here. I also know that if I messed up a bit in the interview process, many people already know who I am and they know what to expect and what not to expect from me. They know what I can do. The disadvantage I had would be having members of the interview commitee who have not liked a decision I have made. CE: Are there any changes you would like to make immediately, now that you have the ability? permanent position, but I still needed to look out for the best interest of the students and staff. Even if I hadn’t gotten the job, or I’m not here fi ve years from now, I am still bringing up new ideas for us to consider so Ms. Hammen settles permanently into the head administrator’s offi ce. that the students get what is best for them. For example, right now we are looking at infrastructure and looking a remodeling the Cat’s Den so that we could push back the wall of unused space during lunch, and put in a taco/pasta bar. Even if I weren’t here next year, I still brought the idea up due to many student concerns about lunch lines and food choice. CE: Is there anything you would like to see change for the student body? PH: I have one vision. I want to help the students prepare for the 21 st century by providing them with an individual learning plan for their future. I want to provide opportunities for each student to help them be more prepared for any college or career they plan to pursue once they graduate high school. CE: What are you specifi c goals do you have for our school as a whole? PH: I really do want every single student to be successful. All we do—all I do—affects your future, so I make every decision with that in mind. PH: I have enjoyed my year as interim principal and I really enjoyed working for everyone. The job tasks for a principal are pretty much the same everywhere you go, and I have fought so hard for the students and staff. Verona is a great place because of the students, staff, and community, and I am always privileged to work with them. I will always work very hard for everyone here. CE: Sum up your experience of this 2008-09 school year in one sentence. PH: It has been a year of learning. CE: Sum up your dreams/hopes for the 2009-10 school year in one sentence. PH: The gauge of success is not for me, it is for the success of the students and staff. NEWS BRIEFS J. Paulette Potts from Atlanta says she bit into a blue peanut M&M last week -- and got a bone. When she called the company to report the incident she was told it was probably a peanut twig. The Madison Repertory Theatre has folded due to the failing economy. They wrote a plea to the community to help raise money for their future success. The VAHS Music Department will be having a (free!) Variety Show on April 2nd. Go see some funny acts and wonderful music. PH: Being the interim principal allowed me CE: Is there anything you would like to tell the student body and staff to make many decisions, and I didn’t want to be presumptuous and act as if I held the about your future plans for VAHS? M A R C H 2 0 0 9 T H E C A T ' S E Y E 3 Photo by Sarah Kessler
Page 1: According to a survey of 100 Verona
Page 5 and 6: C O L U M N Confessions of a farmer
Page 7 and 8: F E A T U R E Bachelor and bachelor
Page 9 and 10: F E A T U R E Classes discuss histo
Page 11 and 12: F E A T U R E ¿Quién son los ELLs
Page 13 and 14: T H E A M E R I C A N D R E A M 's
Page 15 and 16: O P I N I O N Roundabouts: A little
Page 17 and 18: S P O R T S Athlete of the Month: M
Page 19 and 20: S P O R T S Boys’ Lacrosse gears
Page 21 and 22: A R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N T
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T h e A merican D rea m- - - Verona Area School District

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