the Viking Voice Newsletter

The AP test must be taken to receive the AP designation on the transcript.
A student may earn college credit and/or advanced placement at most colleges and universities depending on the score received.
A student may be recognized for AP Scholar Awards.
Students gain valuable experience in rigorous exams (SAT, ACT, MCAT, LSAT, GRE).

ACT Test for Juniors

Juniors should be taking the April or June ACT test to begin preparation for college admission if they have not already taken the ACT. Please check the following deadlines for ACT testing:

Test Date               Registration Deadline          Late Registration (Extra fee)

April 5, 2010        March 5, 2010                  March 6 - March 19

June 12, 2010    May 7, 2010                     May 8 - 21

There will also be September 11, 2010, test date that juniors should consider taking in order to qualify for early admissions/scholarships as a senior. Students may sign up for the ACT online at www.actstudent.org. If a student is on free or reduced lunch or receiving public assistance, a fee waiver is available from their counselor.

Student Athletes

Any athlete who wishes to receive an athletic scholarship or even participate in intercollegiate athletics at the Division I or Division II level must receive initial clearance from the NCAA's Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. This is required and must be done on or after April 1st of the junior year for eligibility for the freshman year in college. Further information about eligibility can be found at: https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common.

Guidelines for the Exemption of Finals

Senior Final Exam Exemption (seniors only)

This option is only available to seniors for the second semester.

A student can elect this option for a maximum of three classes.

A student must have earned a 90% or grade of "A" in the class.

A student cannot have any In-School or Out-of-School suspensions.

A student cannot have any unexcused absences in any class.

The exemption option is not available for College Now classes if the student is taking the class for College Now credit.

Advanced Placement Final Exam Exemption (any student taking an AP course)

Students can exempt out of each class final for which they take the formal AP test. Proof of AP registration is required.

Students must meet all criteria for the senior exam exemption regarding grades, discipline and attendance.

The exemption option is not available for College Now classes if the student is taking the class for College Now credit.

A student who exempts the final in a first semester AP course but does not take the AP exam in the spring must either take the course final in the spring (the final grade will be adjusted based on the score attained on the final) or have his/her grade in the course changed to reflect the equivalent to earning 0% on the final.

Seniors may use both the senior exemption policy and the AP exemption policy.

FAFSA and Scholarship Information

Remember that the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be filed as soon as possible. Some schools in Kansas had a March 1st deadline, but you can still file. Even those students receiving scholarships should file the FAFSA. You can file the FAFSA by going to: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you have questions about the Student Aid Report that comes from your student's college, you should first contact the financial aid officer at the college where your student plans to attend.

College Now

College Now is a program through Johnson County Community College where students can earn college credit by taking certain classes at their high school. College Now is a concurrent credit program, so your high school enrollment stands separate from your JCCC enrollment. State statute limits the number of College Now credits a student can earn to 24.Courses at Shawnee Mission West where students can also earn college credits through JCCC include:

Physics 1 H
AP Biology 2
AP Chemistry 2

AP US Govt. & Politics
AP Micro/MacroEconomics
AP US History

AP Statistics
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC

AP English 12
AP Computer Science
Programming in JAVA Adv.

Spanish 4
AP Spanish 5
French 4

AP French 5
German 4 H

Visit www.jccc.edu/collegenow (click "Admission and Enrollment Information") for detailed instructions on how to receive college credit for your classes. The cost per credit hour for this year is $69 but will probably increase slightly for next year. Mrs. Neely in the Counseling Office can answer additional questions about College Now.

College Now deadlines cannot be extended. Students are strongly encouraged to begin the process early (for example, applying and taking the COMPASS test over the summer). College Now students are considered students of JCCC and are afforded the same privileges as on-campus students - access to the library, tutoring, gymnasium, etc. College Now students are also subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Visit www.jccc.edu and search FERPA for more information on this federally-mandated privacy law. JCCC is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; therefore, a majority of the credits will transfer. It is the student's responsibility to check with the admission or advising office at the institution one may wish to attend to ensure transferability of courses.

Presidential Service Award

We want to recognize your student for their dedication of services to our community!

SMW students may apply for the Presidential Service Award by tracking their service hours on the sheet available from the Counseling Office or click here to print it now. The form can also be found on the SM West website. The hours must be completed over a twelve month period beginning 4/1/09 and ending 3/31/10. The students self report the service hours and at the completion of the tracking period return the completed service hour form to the Counseling Office to be submitted for the award.

Forms need to be turned in by 3/26/10 to the Counseling Office. The committee chair then compiles the information necessary for submission of the students for the award. The awards are applied for online on the Presidential Service Award website, www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

The awards will be delivered to SMW and the Counseling Office and administration will determine how and when recognition will be scheduled.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

In recognition of April - Sexual Assault Awareness Month, SAFEHOME, Johnson County's domestic violence agency, would like to invite the students and parents to attend an evening of Teen Dating Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness. This program is called "Outrage- If You're Not Outraged, You're Not Paying Attention!" It is held on April 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211. The program will feature presentations by Jami Goodwin (a Survivor of teen dating violence), and THE OUTRAGE (a high school theater troupe performing a piece about dating violence.)

The statistics are staggering:

1 in 3 teenagers report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, strangled or physically hurt by their partner

1 in 5 high school girls has been physically or sexually abused by a dating partner

1 in 4 teenagers will be in an abusive relationship before they graduate high school.

70% of young women who have been raped knew their rapist either as a boyfriend, friend, or casual acquaintance.

The tragedy comes when we recognize that these statistics are true for the students walking the halls of our school. Often times these victimizations take place at school. It is happening. And it really is around us. Education is the key to prevention. Please make plans to attend this powerful program.

Promoting a Safe Prom

High school proms are very expensive affairs. The prom dresses and tuxedos, prom tickets and pictures, limos, extravagant dining, flowers, and those special hairstyles and manicures can add up quickly for one special event that they want to remember the rest of their life.

For parents, however, the primary prom-related concerns aren't financial. Parents' biggest prom worries are the risky behaviors associated with proms, most specifically driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and unsafe sex. Prom night always seems to be linked with drunken-driving injuries and deaths, date rapes, pregnancies and STDs. Don't let this happen to your child. The following tips may ease your prom anxieties, while helping to keep your kids as safe as possible:

Prom Safety Tips

Talk, talk, talk -- Tell your children that you want them to have a wonderful, memorable prom. Keep that wish as a central focus. They need to give you their complete itinerary for the evening, including whom they will be with, where they'll be going after the prom and the phone numbers where you can contact them. "We'll just be driving around" is not an acceptable response. Come to a fair decision on a curfew, based upon your children's past level of responsibility in this area. Express your concerns about their health and safety and explain to them why prom night makes it more difficult to make safe and smart decisions. Don't be vague -- discuss drinking, drugging, driving under the influence, and sex. Ask them how they plan to keep safe and avoid actions they will regret. Reinforce your belief in their character and in their ability to act responsibly.

The Ride -- If they're not driving themselves, you must know who'll be driving them. Regardless of how many times you have talked about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, emphasize that these dangers are particularly high on prom night. Your children cannot drink or take drugs and drive. They also must be driven by someone who has not drunk alcohol or taken drugs. You need their promise on these rules. These rules are non-negotiable.

The Connection -- If your children are not returning home right after the prom, you need to be able to contact them at all times until they return home. You also need to be reachable at all times as well. There can be no doubt where your kids will be and with whom throughout the evening and morning. If they're going to other kids' houses after the prom, check ahead of time with these children's parents. You also have a right and a responsibility to ask if these parents are going to allow drinking in their homes. Many parents believe that as long as they "take keys" in a situation like this that underage drinking is permissible in their houses. You must answer the question, "Do I want my kids at after-prom parties where parents aren't present?" Post-prom, parent-child check-in calls make sense. Establish a couple of mandatory call-in times with your kids.

The Offer -- Give your children the unconditional option of calling you at any time for help or advice. That includes picking them up at any time of day or night, with a promise not to shame or humiliate them in front of others. Assure them that you always welcome being part of their making smart and safe decisions. This unconditional offer of help and advice should be an outstanding offer throughout their lives.

Parts of article adapted from Carleton Kendrick, LCSW

Teenage Suicide Awareness

WARNING SIGNS:

The following are some of the warning signs of the suicidal teenager:

SUICIDAL THREATS - Veiled, disguised threats like "sometimes I just want it to be over with" - "I can't take it any more". Specific desire to die statements - "I am going to kill myself".

SUDDEN CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR - Includes changes in eating behaviors - sleeping patterns - dress - personal appearance - changes in friends - academic failure - skipping school or not attending- activities that were once important are no longer meaningful- substance abuse- inability to deal with pressures.

DEPRESSION - With depression comes isolation, withdrawal from their worlds - persistent boredom.

GIVING AWAY PRIZED POSSESSIONS - I know what I am going to do and my friends should enjoy what I most enjoy.

A LOSS IN THEIR LIFE - Death of family member or friend, break-up with boy/girlfriend - a loss of an ability they once had, but no longer can perform.

ACTS OF AGGRESSIONS, REBELLIOUS BEHAVIOR, DISOBEDIENCE,
- All these behaviors for no apparent reason.

COMMUNICATE LESS AND LESS - More isolated, says out loud and feels inside they are worthless - loss of self esteem.

WHAT TO DO:

KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS! If you suspect someone is at risk of committing suicide, take the signs seriously.

ASK the TEEN DIRECTLY if he/she is considering suicide. Listening with no judgment or criticism- get all the information you can.

TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY! Get them professional help.

RESOURCES:

Take to emergency room for evaluation if immediate danger.

Contact School Social Worker (Mary Lea Kieffer 993-7836) or your student's counselor (993-7830) for referrals/resources.

JOCO Mental Health- 913-831-2550. After hours- 913-384-3535

National Suicide Hotline- 1-800-SUICIDE

PTSA News

Dear West Families,

We are looking forward to the final quarter of the 2009-2010 school year. There are many activities and celebrations to look forward to!

Spring Sports are underway and the Spring play "Hamlet" is taking shape. The Juniors and Seniors have Prom at Union Station to plan for and our Music Department

is busy preparing for concerts! Please try to step out of you "normal" West activities and enjoy one of our many talented groups displaying their expertise.

We would like to recognize, one more time, our Lifetime PTSA Memberships awarded at our March PTSA meeting. These individuals go to extraordinary means

to help our students and PTSA.....They are Mary Beth Meier-PTSA member and teachers, Kevin Hupe and Bill Thomas. Thanks again for all you do!

Our overall membership is down a bit this year not for the lack of effort! We are still taking memberships! Just $10 per person and $5 for staff and students (plus a free after game pass). We have worked hard to take up the slack with Girls Concession stand and the After Game Parties. But we still depend on our membership dollars to help fund PTSA activities.

Among the areas we assist is the FMP program which helps the incoming Freshmen transition into school. The PTSA also has given out over $3,600 in teacher grants to help fund important resources and teaching aids for our students. We have wonderful volunteers who help prepare and serve the teachers and staff 3 meals per year. This Spring we will be assisting again in SMW annual landscaping day. Plus many other activities at West!

Please join us in chaperoning our final "After Game Party" after the Spring Show on Saturday, April 10th.

In closing, our final PTSA meeting will be on April 19th in Library starting at 7:00pm.
We will be voting on our new officers. Below is the slate of officers selected by the nominating committee. Thank you to our nominating committee of Tami Moran- Committee Chair , Barb Spellman, Annette Elliott, Jill Connell Ja Jones and Jane Miramontez.

PTSA Officer Slate for 2010-2011

President - Merilee Crow and Val Barth

1st VP - Katy Crow and Susan Suzuki

2nd VP- Marvetta Fairley and Maria Myers

3rd VP - Teri Kelly and Kathy Bukaty

Treasurer - Denise Dobson

Secretary - Annette Elliott

HEY PTSA SENIORS!
APPLY FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
Application Deadline is April 1st

PTSA will be awarding ten (10) $300 scholarships. If less than ten (10) are granted $3,000.00 will be divided among those chosen.

The awarded scholarships will be presented by the PTSA at the end of the school year to SM West seniors to assist with their college or post-secondary education plans.

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

Member of SMW PTSA by February 1, 2010
Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0
Active in and supportive of PTSA activities
Demonstrate community and school service
Student in good standing

Forms available in the Counseling Office or
at www.smwestptsa.org in the Forms Section

Contact Tami Moran with questions at tami.moran@ge.com

Senior Sizzle Party for the Class of 2010

Senior Sizzle is a safe, drug and alcohol-free event for SM West Seniors only. This year it is being held at Power Play in Shawnee, Kansas on Friday, May 14th from 11:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.

All 2010 seniors are encouraged to attend. This is a memorable night for our children and a chance for them to be together on their last day of school. There will be a food buffet, arcade games, laser tag, bumper cars, cosmic golf, prizes and more.

This is not a school-organized event but a parent-organized event. To make this a successful and memorable evening for our sons and daughters we need your help! Upcoming meetings are Feb. 1st, March 1st, April 5th, April 19th and May 10th at 6:30 p.m. on the bridge at SMW. Hope to see you there.

Please take a look at the list below to see how you can participate.

donate money to defray party expenses, reduce ticket price, purchase prizes, etc. Tax Deductible checks made payable to SMW PTSA Senior Sizzle
donate a prize (ideas include gift cards, gas cards, movie tickets, college dorm items, etc.)
donate candy or pop for the Wednesday fund raising sales at SMW
solicit a company or business to donate money or prize
help chaperone the event

Please click here to download and return the volunteer form.

SMWest Family and Friends,

Check out the website www.chocolatepicturepeople.com for all your Easter, Mother's Day, Graduation and Father's Day Gift ideas.

Wonderful specials going on right now. Remember to put "Senior Sizzle" in the comment box when ordering and Senior Sizzle receives 10% from your order.

Here are a few great samples of what can be done.

List of special prices for West families and friends:

Round Lollipops $2.99 special $1.99 (dark or milk chocolate)
Star Lollipops $2.49 special $1.09 (can choose from white, gold and/or
black ribbon) (milk chocolate only)
Heart Lollipops $2.99 special $$1.99 (milk chocolate only)
Mega Bar $11.99 special $9.99 (dark or milk chocolate)
Chocolate coins $0.99 special $0.49 (dark chocolate only)
Jumbo Heart or Round Lollipops $7.99 special $5.99 (milk chocolate only)
Candy CD $4.99 special $2.99 (white chocolate only)

*Prices good on in stock items only

More News

News From StuCo

Even though it is fourth quarter, StuCo is still busy planning and preparing for some events before the end of the year. New officers have been announced, and they are Michael Garrett as President, Alyssa Parsons as Vice-President, Amy Hocker as Secretary, Chris Brown as Treasurer, and Drew Humphreys as Parliamentarian. Each member of the group has some sort of StuCo experience and will capably lead us in the 2010-11 school year.

The annual spring dodge ball tournament will be held the week after Spring Break. The money raised from the tournament will go to Pennies for Patients, the program for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation.

As is usually the case, StuCo looks outside the school to help others. StuCo has recently contributed roughly $1000 to help those in need as a result of the Haiti earthquake. We have partnered with others in the school to help out.

Class officer elections will occur in April. We are hoping for many people to run to become an officer of each class. Signups will occur in room 205. A president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer is needed for each class in the 2010-11 school year.

The annual teacher appreciation breakfast is being planned for May 4th by the StuCo Executive Board. It is an opportunity for the representatives of the student body to thank all the workers in the building for their hard work. A special thanks to PTSA for another year of supportive cooperation with student council at SM West!

Constance Benolkin
World History, Honors Geography, StuCo Sponsor
Shawnee Mission West High School
913-993-7941

News From Viking Athletics

Don't wait until the last minute. Students wishing to participate in a sport next school year can get physicals as early as May 1. Students must have a sports physical on file with the athletic office, and the activity fee paid prior to trying out for a sport.

We will host our next "Signing Party" on May 6th in the Auxiliary Gym. Please contact Patti McCluskie to make your reservation for this event. You will be notified approximately ten days prior to the signings of the individual that will be participating so that you might coordinate your refreshment efforts. Each coach will have an information form to be filled out by the signee and the information will be shared at the time of the signing. Congratulations to everyone completing the signing process.

If you have any questions, you may call the athletic secretary, Patti McCluskie, at 993-7806.

Attention Seniors - Graduation Speech Tryouts

Tryouts for Graduation Speeches will be Thursday April 29th , after school, in the Little Theater. Please sign up outside Room 15. You will need to provide a copy of your speech to Mrs. Benge by the Monday before tryouts, April 27th. The speech may be no more than five minutes long.

Bring your old cell phones, MP3 players, digital cameras, lap tops and ink jet cartridges to the front office or Room 15. The Senior Class is trying to raise enough money to purchase a bronze bust of a Viking for Times Square as our gift from the class of 2010.

Graduation Information!

Graduation will be held Wednesday, May 19th, at Shawnee Mission North District stadium. There is no limit on the number of guests that may attend the ceremony.

In case of inclement weather, each family will receive six (6) tickets for admission to the gymnasium. Extra seating & closed circuit TV for guests who do not have tickets will be available in the auxiliary gym.

Graduation practice will be held on May 14th, the last day of school for seniors after their Block 1 final exam. May 14th will be a full day of school for seniors. The day will include graduation practice, yearbook distribution, the senior panoramic picture and picnic. All seniors must be present. Caps, gowns, and tickets will be passed out at this time.

Graduation announcements will be distributed on the bridge during all lunch periods sometime in March. Have your students watch the announcements for the exact dates.

A required senior meeting will be held on Thursday, April 29th, at 1:10 p.m. Seniors will be given important information regarding procedures and requirements for graduation.

Tryouts for Readers of the Roll will be held on April 22nd, after school in the Little Theatre. Students wishing to try out need to sign up with Ms. Gill outside Room 123. Have your students watch the announcements for the dates to sign up.

Seniors should be sure ALL FEES and FINES have been paid prior to graduation. Students will NOT be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony if they have any outstanding fees or fines. Students may check with the bookkeeper to determine what is owed.

Seniors will keep their caps and gowns after graduation.

Shawnee Mission Education Foundation
Promoting innovative and challenging teaching
and learning in Shawnee Mission Schools

The Broadmoor Bistro hosts Chef Elizabeth Falkner of Citizen Cake in San Francisco March 30, 2010 as a part of the Wysong Family & James Beard Foundation Lecture Series. Falkner will be working in collaboration with Kansas City James Beard Award Winner Chef Celina Tio of Julian.

Chef Falkner is well known in the culinary baking world and is a frequent guest on the Food Network and reality cooking shows on Bravo. She was named "America's 10 Top Pastry Chefs" by Bon Appétit and was nominated in 2005 as "Pastry Chef of the Year" by the James Beard Foundation. Chef Tio is a familiar name with Kansas City "foodies" having served as Executive Chef at the American Restaurant for seven years. She now creates "feel good food" at her first proprietary restaurant, Julian, in Kansas City.

The meal is prepared by Broadmoor's culinary arts students under the watchful eye of our visiting chefs and is complete with a window-view into the state-of-the-art kitchen, to witness the magic. You won't want to miss this special event which will be held at the Broadmoor Bistro, 6701 West 83rd Street. Reservations are required and can be made at www.broadmoorbistro.org for $50 per person- select "Reservations."

The Wysong Family & James Beard Foundation Lecture Series is generously funded by a grant from the Wysong Family Foundation for the benefit of Broadmoor Technical School Culinary Arts & Commercial Baking program. This program is a signature program of the Shawnee Mission School District and grant funds are distributed through the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation.

Shawnee Mission School District's
Virtual Community Bulletin Board

Beginning February 1st. 2010, the SMSD will begin a new initiative called the Virtual Community Bulletin Board (VCBB) as part of the district's green efforts. "The Virtual Community Bulletin Board was created to help conserve paper and other district resources while providing an opportunity for organizations to notify our community of opportunities for students,"said Rusty Newman, director of Student Services. "We firmly believe that student work and specific school-related communication should be the emphasis of information that is sent home directly with our students."

The VCBB will enable all patrons of the Shawnee Mission School District to access all approved district fliers electronically. Patrons may do so either through the individual school Web page or through the district Web site by clicking on the VCBB icon.

The Shawnee Mission School District feels that this will not only conserve resources but also provide a more efficient means of communication with our patrons. If you have any questions concerning the use of the VCBB, please contact the office of student services.

Student Appointments - Procedures

If you need to pick your student up from school early or have them dismissed from class early, the following procedures should be followed.

If you know of the appointment prior to the beginning of the day, your student should bring a note to the attendance center prior to the beginning of the school day. A pass will be issued for the student to be dismissed at the appropriate time.

If the time of the appointment is not known until after the beginning of the school day, please notify the attendance office as soon as possible. A pass will be sent to your student prior to the appointment.

The 24 hour attendance hotline is 993-7845.
Appointment may be called in to 993-7846 or 993-7947.

Please be aware of the following:

West High School attempts to limit the interruptions to classrooms in order to help facilitate a positive learning environment for all students.
A minimum of an hour and one half is requested in order to get your student a pass for an appointment.
Note that when students are in a gym class, it takes additional time to get a pass to the student.
If you have less than 90 minutes prior to the appointment, it is recommended that parents go to the attendance office to request dismissal for their student.
The school day is from 7:40 am until 2:40 pm. All classes are important and attendance is essential to a students' academic success.

Prom to be held at Union Station, Saturday May 1st

The Prom committee will be selling tickets on the Bridge to the 2010 Prom starting April 19th through April 30th during all 3 lunches. Prom will be at Union Station Saturday night May 1st 8PM - 11PM. The Pep Assembly for Prom Nominees will be Friday morning April 23rd in the Gym. Students will see signs around the building after Spring Break with the price of tickets. All Juniors and Seniors are encouraged to attend, younger students must be invited by a Junior or Senior!! It promises to be another wonderful evening.

Safety Assemblies Scheduled at West

Two safety assemblies are scheduled for West students this spring.

The first, scheduled for April 8, is targeted for 9th grade students. Greg Smith, Kelsey Smith Foundation, will present safety information and strategies that relate to teens in the public arena. This presentation has been given to the upper grades in previous years. The Freshman class is targeted on an annual basis.

The second assembly is traditionally held before Prom which will be April 20. Juniors and Seniors will be invited to a presentation by the Johnson County MedAct where underage drinking issues will be discussed. Students will be encouraged to resist peer pressure and given strategies and encouragement to make positive choices as they celebrate Prom, Graduation, and other end of the year events.

Unsupervised Students

Parents are reminded that students should arrange to leave campus as close to 3:00 p.m. as possible unless they are under the direct supervision of a teacher or coach.

This is a safety issue, and everyone's cooperation is needed. Students who continue to loiter in the building or on campus will be subject to discipline.

FOOD SERVICE....Did you know............

Did you know the district has a wellness policy? The district-wide wellness policy was implemented in July 2006. A wellness committee developed goals in the areas of physical activity, nutrition, and nutrition education. Each school year, the committee meets to assess the progress on the goals and continues to fine tune these goals.

The school breakfast menus, lunch menus, and other nutrition information are available on the district's website at http://www.smsd.org/parents/foodservices.htm.

Finals Snack Sack

Order a SNACK SACK today!!!

So your student can enjoy tasty treats during Senior finals or 9-11 grade finals.

For only $5.00 per sack your student will
receive your words of encouragement
and a bag filled with
several snacks items plus a juice drink.

ORDER BY: May 9

Click here to download the form.

Drop off the form in the office or mail to:

Susan Hocker
8417 W. 86th Terr
Overland Park, KS. 66212
suechet@everestkc.net

Spring is trying to spring and the smell of fresh mulch is in the air! We will be delivering the mulch this year on Sunday, April 25. Orders will be due April 18.

Click here for the order form for your use in ordering your mulch supply for this year's gardening pleasures.

If you have any questions, please contact me. Thanks again for your support of Shawnee Mission West Athletics!

John Knightly, Mulch Master

913-522-0370

Look for the next edition of the Viking Voice

in June 2010.

If you have articles to submit for the next issue, the deadline is June 1, 2010. Please email shirlleines@everestkc.net and begin your subject line with the words "Viking Voice". Thank you.