BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL

VOLUME

NOVEMBER

Clinical Topics
Possible new method to improve detection of diabetic retinopathy: Polaroid non-mydriatic retinal photography

RYDER,

P VORA,
A ATIEA, D R OWENS, T M HAYES, S YOUNG
already attending an ophthalmologist (we wished to detect those requiring referral) or with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus for less than 10 years were excluded. Their eyes were photographed (fig 2), and they underwent
Abstract Two retinal cameras (Canon CR2 45NM and CR3 45NM) have recently become available and are capable of producing an instant colour photograph of a 450 field of retina, including the macula and optic disc, without dilatation of the pupils being necessary. The ability of each camera to detect diabetic retinopathy was compared with that of doctors in diabetic clinics using ophthalmoscopy during busy clinic hours. The CR3 was found to be considerably superior to the CR2 in terms of quality of photograph because it can use a smaller pupil. Overall, the detection rate of the camera was more than four times higher than that of ophthalmoscopy through undilated pupils and more than twice as high as that of ophthalmoscopy through dilated pupils. Lesions missed by ophthalmoscopy but detected by the camera included soft exudates and circinate rings of hard exudates, sometimes encroaching on the macula. Though various aspects ofthis system of screening for diabetic retinopathy, in particular its ability to detect new retinal vessels, have not yet been assessed, the system may prove beneficial in the detection and monitoring of diabetic retinopathy.
Introduction While blindness due to diabetic retinopathy can now be prevented by laser treatment, owing to the inadequacy of screening procedures many patients never get the opportunity of receiving this treatment before experiencing serious loss of vision.'2 The recently introduced Canon (Canon Europa NV, London) non-mydriatic, retinal cameras that use Polaroid film provide an instant colour photograph of a 450 field of retina, including the macula and optic disc, through an undilated pupil (fig 1). We assessed their potential as a means of screening for diabetic retinopathy in a busy diabetic clinic.

Patients and results

We initially assessed the Canon CR2 45NM retinal camera, which is cheaper but requires a larger pupil (5 mm) than the CR3 45NM (4 mm) camera. Patients were selected randomly during busy diabetic clinics. Those
FIG 1-Reproduction of black and white photograph of colour Polaroid taken through undilated pupils with CR2 45NM camera. Though in process of creating reproduction quality has been greatly reduced and most detail lost, the field covered by camera is illustrated. Circinate formation of hard exudate encroaching on macula can still be deciphered.
Diabetic Unit, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff CF4 4XW R E J RYDER, MB, MRCP, research fellow J P VORA, MB, MRCP, research fellow J A ATIEA, MB, MucP, research fellow D R OWENS, MD, lecturer T M HAYES, MB, FRcP, consultant physician
School of Medical Photography, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff CF4 4XW S YOUNG, FBIPP, AIMaS, senior teacher Correspondence to: Dr R E J Ryder.

FIG 2--Canon CR3 45NM

used for retinal photography.
non-mydriatic retinal camera with Polaroid film back being

2 NOVEMBER 1985

conventional ophthalmoscopy through both undilated and dilated pupils, which was done by one of 10 clinic doctors. Of 137 eyes studied, 24 showed diabetic retinopathy on the photographs. In only two (8%) of these was the retinopathy detected by ophthalmoscopy through undilated pupils and in only eight (33%) was it detected through dilated pupils. When the photographs were graded for quality, however, this was generally poor (see below). As diabetic patients tend to have small pupils due to autonomic neuropathy34 we assessed the CR3 45NM to see if this would reduce the failure rate of the photographs. For this study patients were selected randomly without exclusions but underwent photography and conventional ophthalmoscopy in the same way as in the study with the CR2 45NM. On this occasion 11 clinic doctors participated, six of whom had taken part in the previous study. The doctors, who were aware of their poor performance in the first study, did marginally better: of 90 eyes studied, 21 showed diabetic retinopathy on the photographs. In only nine (43%) of these was this detected by ophthalmoscopy through undilated pupils and in only 12 (57%) was it detected through dilated pupils. When the photographs were graded for quality and the two cameras compared the CR3 was shown largely to have overcome the problem of the CR2 (table). Both cameras detected serious lesions-namely, cotton wool spots in two eyes and circinate rings of hard exudates, sometimes encroaching on the macula, in three eyes-missed by conventional ophthalmoscopy.

previous observations that in practice many cases of retinopathy are missed by conventional ophthalmoscopy2 " but also shows that nonmydriatic retinal photography is a means of substantially increasing the rate of detection of diabetic retinopathy. Though the improved detection rate by clinic doctors in the second study suggests that with extra effort the effectiveness of ophthalmoscopy can be increased, the results indicate that even then non-mydriatic retinal photography is greatly superior. Furthermore, the Polaroid photograph provides a permanent record, which could improve the monitoring of the progress of diabetic retinopathy in each patient and, for research purposes, in populations. It is cheaper to detect and treat a patient with diabetic retinopathy than to look after a blind person." 12 The likely saving, in financial terms alone, of reducing the incidence of blindness by detecting diabetic retinopathy early enough to treat could thus justify the cost of putting the CR3 45NM camera into widespread use in diabetic clinics. The cost benefit implications, the ability of the system to detect retinal new vessels, the importance of retinopathy outside the 450 field photographed, the level of training required to operate the camera, and the degree of experience in reading the photographs required for accurate interpretation, however, all remain to be assessed.
Quality of Polaroid photographs from two studies were graded. Values are numbers (%) of photographs studied

Type of

camera used

References

1 Anonymous. Treatment of diabetic retinopathy [Editorial]. Lancet 1984;ii:439-40. 2 Sussman EJ, Tsiaras WG, Soper KA. Diagnosis of diabetic eye disease. 7AMA 1982;247:3231-4. 3 Smith SE, Smith SA, Brown PM, Fox C, Sonksen PH. Pupillary signs in diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Br MedJ 1978;ii:924-7. 4 Smith SA, Smith SE. Reduced pupillary light reflexes in diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Diabetologia 1983;24:330-2. 5 Sorsby A. The incidence and causes of blindness in England and Wales 1963-1968. London: HMSO, 1972: 33-51. (Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects, No 28.) 6 Ghafour IM, Allan D, Foulds WS. Common causes of blindness and visual handicap in the west of

Unusable

Some retinal detail seen'

56 (41) 19(21)

Total No of Fair 33 (24) 29(32)

Excellent

18 (13) 37(41)

photographs

studied

137 90

CR2 45NM CR3 45NM

30 (22) 5( 6)

Substantial proportions of field were obscured, usually by dark spot as a result of small pupils.
Scotland. Br3' Ophihalmol 1983;67:209-13.
Discussion Diabetes is the commonest cause of blindness in the United Kingdom in people aged 30-64.5 6Refinements in photocoagulation, especially in the use of the argon laser, mean that maculopathy and proliferative changes can now be treated effectively if the retinopathy is detected in time.79 As serious retinopathy that threatens the sight is estimated to be present in one in 10 patients in diabetic clinics'0 and as diabetes is common and its management has many facets, diabetic clinics are busy places where ophthalmoscopy is easily overlooked or undertaken hurriedly. Our study confirms
7 Diabetic Retinopathy Study Research Group. Preliminary effects of photocoagulation studies. Am J Ophthalmol 1976;81:383-%. 8 British Multicentre Study Group. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy treatment with xenon arc
photocoagulation. BrMedJ 1977;i:739-41.
9 Kohner EM, Barry PJ. Prevention of blindness in diabetic retinopathy. Diabetologia 1984;26: 173-9. 10 Scobie IN, MacCuish AC, Barrie T, Green FD, Foulds WS. Serious retinopathy in a diabetic
clinic: prevalence and therapeutic implications. Lancet 1981 ;ii:520-1. 11 Foulds WS, MacCuish A, Barrie T, et al. Diabetic retinopathy in the west of Scotland: its detection and prevalence and the cost-effectiveness of a proposed screening programme. Health Bull (Edinb) 1983;41:318-26. 12 Savolainen EA, Lee QP. Diabetic retinopathy-need and demand for photocoagulation and its cost effectiveness: evaluation based on services in the United Kingdom. Diabetologta 1982;23: 138-40.

(Accepted 17.7uly 1985)

What additional immunisations are recommendedfor a child travelling to Lesotho and South Africa at the age of 9 months? Should the standard vaccination schedule be accelerated and, ifso, how?
In Britain it is currently recommended that the primary course of diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus (DPT) "triple vaccine" together with oral polio vaccine (OPV) should begin at 3 months of age. The second and third doses should follow at between 412 to 5 months and 8 to 11 months. ' There are many alternative regimens. The American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Infectious Diseases, recommends DPT and OPV at 2, 4, and 6 months.2 In places where the prevalence of these diseases is high, as in parts of southern Africa, primary courses are sometimes started even earlier. The earlier the primary course is begun and the closer together the injections, the greater is the need for a booster during the second year of life, as is advised under the American but not under the British schedule. Both schedules include a booster with diphtheria/tetanus vaccine (DT) and OPV before starting school. BCG vaccination against tuberculosis is advisable for children likely to be exposed to this infection, in whom the miliary or meningitic forms may be prevented. It may be given from birth. Measles vaccination is normally administered in Britain at around age 15 months and this may be brought forward to between 6 and 9 months where measles is endemic and often severe as in many parts of Asia and Africa. Measles vaccine given at this earlier age should be followed by a booster at around 15 months to immunise those whose first dose was inactivated by persisting transferred maternal antibody. Breast feeding should always be recommended, especially for babies in

countries where faecal/oral infection is rife. As weaning takes place and the child becomes more exposed to this source of infection typhoid vaccine should be considered and is usually begun from around 9 months to 1 year of age. Care should be continually taken to avoid ingestion of contaminated food and water so as to reduce the chance of other infections such as amoebic dysentery, for which there is no inmmunisation, and cholera, for which immunisation may be given from around 1 year of age but is of doubtful value as a routine measure unless in an epidemic. Normal pooled immunoglobulin may be given at any age to prevent hepatitis A for up to six months but this may be thought unnecessary in young children when the illness is generally mild and lifelong immunity would be gained from a clinical or subclinical infection. Travellers to South Africa and Lesotho will be asked for a certificate confirming yellow fever vaccination within the previous 10 years if they have come from an infected area. Vaccination is not normally insisted on for children aged under 1 year who may alternatively be subject to a short period of surveillance before proceeding to areas where transmission is possible. In addition to efforts aimed at avoiding mosquito bites, prophylactic tablets to prevent malaria should be taken from birth by travellers to certain areas of South Africa, principally the northern border and north east coastal districts.-ERIC WALKER, lecturer in infectious diseases, Glasgow.
1 Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Immunisation againsi infectious disease. London: DHSS, 1984:75. 2 Benenson AS, ed. Control of communicable disease in man. Washington: American Public Health Association, 1985.

WEAPONS ON CAMPUS: 2

what is our administrative and security staff doing to prevent dangerous enounters with weapons.
NOT EVERYONE DOES CHRISTMAS. 4
see how your fellow classmates celebrate their winter break.

NEWS YOU CAN USE. 8

nd what you need, quick.

iDECLARE. 6

check out what people are saying and start forming your opinions.

October 2007

volume forty, issue two

LETTER the editor from

Finally. Thats my summary word on this paper. We have gone through many stories, layouts, pages, deadlines, and more deadlines, and in the past month, the whole thing has pulled together more quickly and nicely than I could have thought possible. There are a few new things to this paper, some that were present in previous years and some that werent. First is the News You Can Use section, conveniently located on the last page of the paper so that the reader can access it quickly. We have, in the Features section, student and teacher spotlights, which will probably appear each issue. In the holiday spirit, there are a few articles about gift ideas, a bit on different winter holidays, and a response section to the question what would you do with one million dollars? Completely new to The Declaration is the iDeclare feature in Editorials. We had a bunch of very similar responses this issue, so a poll was created to accommodate them. Next issue, we hope to have something for all to respond to, but still encourage everyone to submit your general opinions. If anyone has any news, ideas for stories, congratulations, or summaries of events that they would like to see in the paper, The Declaration staff would be most grateful. My goal as editor is to keep the school involved in the process of the newspaper, and the best way to do that is for you all, the body, to submit things. With the New Year coming up, The Declaration is expanding its horizon (a kind of resolution to provide all the news, if you will); we are going online. In fact, we have been there for about a year. Last year, newspapers in their PDF form (the form that is created for print) were uploaded to the school website for viewing. This year, however, time and availability of the software is limiting those possibilities. I have developed a plan that will keep the website simple and accessible, in hopes that students will use it as a resource for nding out whats happening at school. There will be an announcement when this feature starts up. And that, my fellow students and teachers, is all I have to say. We as The Declaration staff wish you a wonderful winter break. See you in 2008! Katelyn Trela Editor-in-Chief

New Bern Takes State

By Ryan Doggett Staff Reporter Independence Highs football season has had more struggles than any of its previous perfect seven (which each ended with a championship) beginning with a loss on September 1 to Cincinnati Elder, which ended the 109-game winning streak, and continuing with a loss to long-time rival Butler. The team continued through the nals, beating West Charlotte 10-8 at Memorial Stadium, despite starting linebacker Dominique Walker being declared ineligible Friday morning. The Patriots, whose season record of 132, advanced to the title game, in hopes of winning the big date with number 8. The title game against New Bern began at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 8 at Wake Forest University after a 2:00 p.m. send off from Charlotte. Hopes were high as the Independence fans anticipated their eighth championship in a row. The rst half of the game was strong for Independence; Patriots led 7-0 after the

The Patriots played hard December 8, hoping for their eighth straight championship. Credit AP.
Patriots remain seven-time state champs
Davonte Holloman wasnt the only one who needed consolation after the championship loss. Credit Yolanda Jones, Charlotte Observer
rst possession ended with a touchdown pass thrown by sophomore Anthony Carrothers. Later, Carrothers threw another touchdown pass and Independence was up 14-0. At the half, New Bern had caught up, 14-13. The second half of the game was lled with bad calls and slip-ups, giving New Bern the chance to jump ahead. As the clock ran out, the Patriot fans were in silent, mournful awe. The nearly unbeatable football team had lost to New Bern, their last chance at glory, 28-17. Despite the devastating loss of all Independence football streaks, students and teachers are continuing to support the players, holding onto their hopes of a better season next fall. Were going to go work hard. We will be back next year, hopefully, said Coach Knotts, via WCNC.
A New Way to Start the Day
Independence Student Council begins morning news show
iDECLARE:Helping you voice your opinions. Drop your suggestions, opinions, thoughts, and/or stories that you want to be heard by room 110. They will be reviewed by The Declaration staff and either utilized in improving the paper or printed in the editorials section.
and Asfahan Makani. They convinced Bosco to let them read the news and sat down in front of the school, ready to start something new. Ms. Frank, the student council advisor, proposed the news show to her students after a request by Principal Bosco to liven up the announcements. There is so much negative energy at school. We thought that ve minutes of fun and positive energy might help make some students days better. The show has continued successfully each morning, starting and ending with a popular song and lled with both dry and moist humor, thanks to the seasoned hosts. It has been said that Wednesdays will soon feature Lori Burleson and Kristen Maye with a world issues piece. These two began the World Hunger Day petition and hope to inform the students of things going on in the world. Big-I News has been warmly welcomed by students and teachers, and

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?

By Katelyn Trela Editor-in-Chief Independence student council has revamped the start of the day. Mornings used to start as soon as the late bell rang with Principal Bosco wishing all good morning and jumping into the pledge. He read off the announcements over the intercom while students half listened, still working to wake up. December 7, the announcements began not with a good morning from Bosco, but an all-call to tune in to channel seven. Curious, classes focused on the TV, on which a Big-I News screen was plastered. As the screen faded, Bosco came into view, seated at the table, beginning the announcements just like he did each day. After the Pledge of Allegiance and a few announcements, the principal was interrupted by Amber Roberts, student body president,

What administration is doing to prevent them

Weapons at School

at school students may begin to see metal detectors. The idea of students walking through metal detectors every morning as they enter the school has been discussed. According to Mr. Trela, tenth grade administrator, walking through metal detectors would not be an effective tool. The use of walk through metal detectors has been discussed, but there are too many entrances to the school and too many students to have everyone walk through a metal detector. Some worry that it would disrupt the learning environment. CMS does have handheld metal detectors for searches, but not any walk-throughs. Weapons may never stop showing up around school, but administration is doing the best that they can to prevent them.
Stations stock dwindles as
By Katelyn Trela Editor-in-Chief It has been almost 20 years since the Writers Guild of America (WGA) halted TV with a picketing strike. This year, the signs return. WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA ON STRIKE, read the writers black and red picketers signs, held high as they march about the production studios in Hollywood. The Writers Guild, a union for Hollywood writers, went on strike November 5, over ve weeks ago. Among picketers are the cast of Ugly Betty, Steve Carrell, and Sally Field. Different days bring different support. Negotiations have been proposed and rejected. Each day, writers used to sipping coffee and typing
Writers and Actors Picket
live shows, which are written day-by-day, went into reruns; prerecorded prime time TV, whose episodes are lmed many at a time in advance, are now beginning to trickle into reruns. Some, like ABCS Brothers and Sisters, are continuing to air as scheduled until episodes run out; others are pacing out their remaining episodes or postponing seasons until the New Year. After ve weeks, hardly any shows are left. Writers and actors picket uotside production studios in Hollywood. Photo credit AP. If the strike it not over by January, many sitcoms, like NBCs The genius, hit scripts now stand Ofce will be replaced by reality TV. The last strike lasted around 6-months. outside TV studios, chanting, UNION! POWER! back and forth. It has been predicted that this one Immediately, late night and other will last longer by at least 3 months.
Ice coats cities, leaves thousands inKatelyn Trela the dark By Seventeen deaths have been
Editor-in-Chief An enormous cold front passed through the mid-west last week, leaving about a million homes and businesses without power. Oklahoma was the rst to declare State of Emergency, where the sound of branches and trees cracking under the weight of the ice was constantly echoing. Missouri and Kansas have since followed, alerting the national guard of the harsh, even fatal conditions. Schools and interstates have been shut down; the airports are deep in delays; hospitals are relying on backup power generators. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers sent 50 generators and three truckloads of bottled water from Texas to distribute to blacked-out areas of Oklahoma, reports the Associated Press (AP) via MSNBC.

Rough Storm Blasts West, North
The Country Behind the Darfuri Conict
By Lori Burleson Guest Reporter As the largest country in Africa, the Sudan is a very important place to know about. Apart from all of the social conict currently going on, the Sudan impacts Americans through government and oil. President Bush and the United States government has strong ties to the Sudanese government becase they help the CIA gather intelligence about the happenings in the neighboring Middle East. America also imports a portion of its oil from Sudan by way of a third party, like China or France. Most Americans, although aware of the Darfuri conicts, do not usually know much about the contry where all of this is happening. With about 39 million people making up the its population, the Sudans demographics can be broken down into two groups-- the blacks and the Arabs. The blacks make up about 52% of the population, while the Arabs make up about 39%. Historically, the term Arab refers to the people whose ancestors came from the Arabian peninsula and whose mother language is Arabic. The Sudanese of African descent can be best described as the farmers, while the Sundaese of Arabian descent are mostly nomadic herders who travel from place to place herding camels and livestock. The average lifespan of a Sudanese person is 58 years. In America, the life expectancy is currently 77 years. Economically, the Sudan has many stores of gold, oil, and large areas of tractable land. The workforce, however, is fueled by the agricultural economy which produces about 39% of the countrys total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Reguarding oil reserves in Sudan, the Sudanese Energy Ministry estimates that the country has 3 billion barrels of oil reserves. This startling number comes as no shock to a country whose imports are 70% oil. Despite what appears to be a very protable income for the country, Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world, with an average person earning about $340 per year. With the genocide that is occuring in Darfur and the drought plaguing the crops and people, the country is suffering even more drastic blows. People are dying of hunger, and starvation is now becoming almost more deadly than the genocide. Drough has caused wells to dry up and crops to die out. Embargoes placed on the Sudan are causing even more issues. The United Nations Security Council has plans to stop

Sudan:

Obama in the Carolinas
blamed on the storm, 15 from carrelated accidents. Fires have caused much damage in the towns with very low water pressure and no electricity to run well pumps. It looks like a war zone, said Ed Bettinger, a spokesperson for the Public Service Company. The storm has traveled to the Northeast, where icy roads and pounding snow closed or delayed schools in upstate New York and Connecticut. Northern New York received 18 inches of snow, parts of Michigan, 10.5, and Indiana, 14. Hundreds of ights were cancelled and power has been knocked out to over 100,000 in Pennsylvania, 10,000 in northern New England, and 20,000 in Canada. The stories from the midwest are repeating in the Northeast. This storm is predicted to continue eastwardly, possibly gracing the south.

Barack Obama, credit AP, M.Spencer Green
Presidential hopeful, Barack Obama hits the trails with Oprah
his race against current front-runner Senator Hillary Clinton. Obama told the crowd in Columbia, Washington is not listening to your dreams right now and thats why Im running for president, because I want somebody in the White House whos going to listen to your dreams, South Carolina. Columbia was the second stop for the Obama-Winfrey tour. They started it Saturday in Iowa. Next up for the duo is New Hampshire.

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By Bryan Slattery Advisor Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama spoke to a crowd of more than 29,000 at Williams Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC on Sunday, December 9, 2007. Mr. Obama was accompanied by his wife, Michelle and the rst lady of daytime television Oprah Winfrey. Winfrey has been a very outspoken supporter of the rsttime candidate and should serve as a crucial component in
the trading of oil and arms between Sudan and the outside world. These plans might help end the genocide and the conict in Darfur, but they are difcult to pass as the countries which benet most from
the Sudans exports are against the embargoes. What will happen in the future is unclear, though it would be easy to say that without a concise plan of what to do next, none of this may ever be stopped.

The Perfect Gift

By Janese Love Guest Reporter
Digital cameras for any occasion, any budget
With the holidays right around the corner, moms, dads, friends, and dates are beginning to browse the shelves for gifts. Pictures are growing hugely popular, making digital cameras a perfect gift. Digital cameras are the most popular cameras and are preferred by most amateur photographers. The opportunities to document memories become endless when a digital camera meets the hands. With the incredible ability to quickly delete unwanted pictures and immediately retake another in its place, along with features like night vision, video recording, and color-altering options, these cameras are simply amazing. The best buys for cameras this season are the most affordable ones. Simple and perfect for vacations and time spent with friends, the top three budget-effective cameras are: 1) Kodak EasyShare P850 - $20.07 2) Casio Exilim EX-Z75 - $75.19 3) Canon PowerShot SD700 IS - $76.05 For a more expensive (which probably means it has more megapixels, unique and advanced features, and/or a more aesthetic appearance) camera, take a look at: 1) Polaroid i739 7-megapixel (available in black and magenta) $119.99 2) Polaroid i733 7-megapixel (available in orange) - $129.99 3) Kodak EasyShare M853 8.2megapixel (available in espresso, artic silver, graphite, and ruby red) - $149.99 4) Intova IC-600 6-megapixel (waterproof) - $299.99 5) Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55P 8.1-megapixel (available in pink) $349.99 A digital camera is an accessory everyone should have for celebrating and remembering life.

By Shannon Bitzan Guest Reporter The past couple of months have been lled with stories about ineligible high school athletes. It all began when South Mecklenburg High School confessed to allowing their quarterback Jey Yokeley to play despite the fact that he was not residing with his legal guardians. They were forced to forfeit their whole season, including previous wins. After this, additional review was launched on all other district high schools. For us, this meant that we would have to sacrice ve valuable players. Now, I wouldnt go so far as to say that this was the turning point for the rest of our season, but it denitely didnt help us out any. The rst game we played after our players were taken out, we won 10-8 against West Charlotte, our lowest scoring game since

Suck it up, Sabres

The Streak began. South Mecks players have a right to be upset that they lost their entire season, however it is not right for them to say that we have been given an unfair advantage. NCHSAA rules state that if any coaches or staff are aware of a students ineligibility, they must forfeit their entire season. If a student lies about his/her residency and none of the staff are aware, the student must be removed from the team, and the rest of the team is not punished. So suck it up Jey Yokeley, and the rest of you South Meck Sabres. Just because you were honest by telling your coaches your situation, doesnt mean that you did the right thing. Actually, you wouldve been better off lying to everyone, saving your teams season, and saving the rest of us all this grief. So thanks a lot. Shannon Bitzan in no way encourages lying.
Mayra Rodriquez Staff Reporter Whats the deal with the school dress code? I understand that we need structure at school to show respect. The dress code consists of NO: tank tops, halter-tops/bare shoulders, spaghetti straps, cleavage, gang grafti wear, written obscenities, head gear, offensive graphics, boys pants below the hips, solid colored (white, blue, red or black) tee-shirts, and/or oversized shirts, unless they are tucked in. One rule of the dress code stands out: banning solid tee-shirts colors. Independence is trying to eliminate violence in the school, which I applaud, but why black and white? What targets these tee-shirt colors that our student body is forbidden to wear? I do not agree with this, and many of my peers feel the same. I understand the elimination of red and blue shirts; by banning those specic colors, administration helps prevents gang activity. However, the white and black tee-shirts are

Reconsider the Dress Code
almost everyones basic clothing. Not everyone can afford a $75 Locoste shirt from the mall. The school sent out information about the dress code with the 20072008 schedules but never spoke upon the color restrictions. They school should have sent out a specic letter addressing the issue during the early summer before people went shopping. Mr. Bosco went to the extreme by suspending students who did not comply or by writing the individuals initials with permanent marker on their shirts. Parents paying for private high schools must buy uniform attire (beige pants or slacks with black or white tee-shirts). In some places, private school uniforms are black or white tee-shirts, not polos, because it is more affordable; every students attire was the same. Black and white are basic colors that should not have been banned. I hope Mr. Bosco will soon reconsider the ban on black and white tee shirts at Independence.

WRESTLING

The winter sports season is underway, with the
DATE Thursday, January 3, 2008 Saturday, January 5, 2008 Friday, January 11, 2008 Friday, January 18, 2008 Wednesday, January 23, 2008 Friday, January 25, 2008 Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Saturday, February 2, 2008 Friday, February 15, 2008
TIME 7-8:30PM TBA 7-8:30PM 7-8:30PM 7-8:30PM 7-8:30PM 7-8:30PM 8AM-5PM 5-9PM

Melting Pot of Wrestlers

Katie Mills Staff Reporter Last year the varsity wrestling teams record was 7-11. Terell Spencer, a rst year wrestler, said that it is going to be a better year; the fact is that they have a lot of new and more experienced wrestlers. So far the team has had two duels. A duel is when you have two or more teams wrestling off at every weight class to see whose team is better. A wrestler can win by forfeit, points, or a pin. A pin is 6 points added to your score at the end of a match. The patriots dominated the other team in the
PLACE Ardrey Kell High School Vance High School Independence High School Independence High School Butler High School Myers Park High School Independence High School Away Away

OPPONENT Ardrey Kell Vance Weddington East Meck Butler Myers Park South Meck SW4A Conference Tournament NCHSAA Regionals
competition with 2 forfeits and 1 pin. Not only do the wrestlers duel against other schools, they have to practice just like the other athletes. The hardest thing about practice, Spencer said, is the conditioning. Wrestlers practice hard and drill the same things over and over until the moves are perfect. The big-I wrestling team is unique, said Spencer. There is every walk of life on the team, from Asian break dancers to Egyptian wrestlers. Its like a big melting pot of all cultures and religions in one big family.
WOMEN AND MENS VARSITY BASKETBALL
DATE Friday, January 4, 2008 Tuesday, January 8, 2008 Friday, January 11, 2008 Friday, January 18, 2008 Wednesday, January 23, 2008 Friday, January 25, 2008 Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Friday, February 1, 2008 Tuesday, February 5, 2008 Friday, February 8, 2008 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 Friday, February 15, 2008 Monday, February 18, 2008 Monday, February 25, 2008 G/B TIMES 6:15-8PM/ 7:30-9:15PM 6:15-8PM/ 7:30-9:15PM 6:15-8PM/ 7:30-9:15PM 6:15-8PM/ 7:30-9:15PM 6:15-8PM/ 7:30-9:15PM 6:15-8PM/ 7:30-9:15PM 6:15-8PM/ 7:30-9:15PM 6:15-8PM/ 7:30-9:15PM 6:15-8PM/ 7:30-9:15PM 6:15-8PM/ 7:30-9:15PM 6:15-8PM/ 7:30-9:15PM 6:15-8PM/ 7:30-9:15PM 4:45-8:15PM/ 6-9:30PM TBA PLACE Ardrey Kell OPPONENT Ardrey Kell Providence Weddington East Meck Butler Myers Park South Meck Ardrey Kell Providence Weddington East Meck Butler Southwestern 4A Conference Tournament NCHSAA Sectional Basketball Independence Weddington East Meck Independence Independence South Meck Independence Providence Independence Independence Butler Away Away

SWIMMING

Brian Davis:
By Jennifer Bryant Staff Reporter Meet Brian Davis. He is the captain of the tennis team, a swimmer, and a former soccer player for his school. His w i t h s t a n d i n g I like tennis because of love (no pun the mind power you have intended) is tennis. to use over the competiBrians father tor, said Brian Davis. played tennis, and strategy and tactic he was inspired the required to play. Most moment he saw his people think you just dad play, although hit a ball back and there was one point forth with a racket, but in Brians life when there are boundaries. he didnt want to Brian says they are play tennis. In middle denitely going to school, Brian was on improve next season, and off tennis because hoping to triumph over of his love for soccer, their best competitor but in ninth grade he Providence High made a nal decision School and avoid their to stick with tennis. slackest competitor He has been playing Garinger High School. for four years now, Brian adds, I like starting when he was a playing tennis, not freshman. Last season, only because of the tennis team won the sport itself, but four out of fourteen because of the mind games. This may not power you have to use seem good, but it is over the competitor. fair considering the

In all sports, a feirce competitor
Names of Steroid Users Released
By Bryan Slattery Advisor Roger Clemens, Miguel Tejada, and Andy Pettitte are Major League Baseball (MLB) players who were once going to be remembered for their All-Star play on the diamond. Now, they are among the many current and former players who will be linked now and forever to steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. They are among those named in the Mitchell Report, a new study on steroid use in Major League Baseball, released on December 13. The Washington Post reported, Barry bonds, already under indictment on charges of lying to a federal grand jury about steroids, also showed up in baseballs most infamous lineup. The report culminated a 20-month investigation by former Senate Majority leader George Mitchell, hired by MLB commission Bud Selig to examine the Steroids Eraseveral stars named in the report could pay the price in Cooperstown, much the way Mark McGwire was kept out of the Hall of
Monday, January 7, 2008 6-8PM Providence High School Providence, Butler TBA Huntersville Aquatic Center Harding, Mallard Creek Friday, January 4, 2008 Friday/Saturday, February 1 / 2, TBA Huntersville Aquatic Center NCHSAA Regional 2008 Meet TBA TBA NCHSAA State Meet Friday/Saturday, February 8 / 9, 2008 *conference meet dates are in the process of being decided, due to a date complication.

OPPONENT(S)

The Mitchell Report acknowledges the steroid era
Fame this year merely because of steroids suspicion. Eric Gagne and Paul LoDuca were among other current players named in the report, both linked to Human Growth Hormone. The Mitchell report reads, We identify some of the players who were caught up in this drive to gain a competitive advantageother investigations will no doubt turn up more names and ll in more details, but that is unlikely to signicantly alter the description of baseballs steroid era as set forth in this report. While many will certainly take the view that all of the records and games inuenced by the named players are now tainted, others feel that this report will not have a major bearing on the players or the league. None of the players named in the report have been indicted for any illegal activities and many of the substances that were allegedly used were not outlawed by MLB at the time those players were found to have been using them.
Ineligibility Investigations Plague CMS
and New Bern High, ve players were forced to sit out. Since then, despite Independence being cleared of wrongdoing, it is reported by CMS that eight players have been ruled ineligible and three have been removed from the team. Football is not the only sport being investigated. All winter sports are being asked to ll out address verication forms that schools and the district ofce are evaluating. A swimmer at Providence and a basketball player were both ruled ineligible, reports WSOC TV. CMS is continuing to review its 16,000 students thoroughly to nd ways to improve. Superintendent Peter Gorman has promised a plan for controlling this issue by the end of the year.

By Katelyn Trela Editor-in-Chief This fall, CMS has cracked down on eligibility. After South Meck coaches confessed to knowing about the ineligibility of their quarterback and covering it up, a full-edged investigation was launched on, rst, football, and now, on all other school sports. Four football teams have had to forfeit their seasons so far, beginning with South Meck. The week leading to the seminal game between West Charlotte and Independence buzzed with talk of the ineligible players being found on both teams; two players sat out of the game, one from each school. CMS suspended three of West Charlottes employees after the game. At the state championship game between the Patriots

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Congratulations to the newly inducted members of the National Honor Society: CandyS Audoume, Emma Baker, TJ Barnette, Asm Bhuiyan, Joshua Bowman, Arsha Bradley, Lori Burleson, Alton Coates, Karen Correa, Quoc Dang, Patrick Dutch, Tyler Elkins, Aja Kennedy, Ebony Kennedy, Zuhaib Mahmood, Kristen Maye, Shawuayla Mims, Christopher Neale, Imani Parks, Amber Roberts, Chelsea Schilling, Mirela Smajlovic, Masee Vang, Ashley Wheeler, and Dawit Yohannes.
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physical science
Congratulations to fall Order of the Patriot inductees: Lori Burleson, Melissa Chappell, Kenneth High, Aja Kennedy, Iman Kennedy, Mai Luoung, Zuhaib Mahmood, Davonte McKenith, Freddie Mungo, Amber Roberts, and Khadija Washington.

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Congratulations to Aja Kennedy, who was selected as a seminalist for the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholars Program. The Morehead-Cain foundation screening committee reads applications for approximately 1500 candidates and only 252 are selected for interviews. The 75 nalists receive a full tuition scholarship to UNC Chapel Hill. Aja is the only semi-nalist from Independence.
Congratulations to Ms. Crump, one of Independences physical science teachers, who has won a grant from the Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program for $2500. It will fund for additional resources specically for physical science.
The 2007 Nobel Prize award winners have been announced: PHYSICS: Albert Fert and Peter Grnberg (discovery of Giant Magnetoresistance) CHEMISTRY: Gerhard Ertl (studies of chem. processes on solid surfaces) PHSIOLOGY/MEDICINE: Mario R. Capecchi, Sir Martin J. Evans, Oliver Smithies (discoveries of principles for introducing specic gene modications in mice by the use of embryonic stem cells) LITERATURE: Doris Lessing (The Grass is Singing, The Diary of a Good Neighbour, The Cleft, etc.) PEACE: International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Al Gore (efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change.) ECONOMICS: Leonid Hurwicz, Eric S. Maskin and Roger B. Myerson (having laid the foundations of mechanism design theory)

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Exams are coming up! January 15-18, 2008, 4x4 nal exams and/or A/B midterm exams will be taking place. Dont let these dates sneak up on you.

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preparation
Its never too early to take the SAT. Regular registration for the JANUARY 26 SAT nishes on DECEMBER 26; late registration deadline is JANUARY 4. January SAT is on the 26. There is no February SAT. March regular registration deadline is JANUARY 29; late registration ends FEBRUARY 7. Marchs SAT takes place on the rst of the month. There is no April SAT. May regular registration deadline is APRIL 1 (not fooling!); late registration deadline is APRIL 10. The May SAT is on the third of the month. Registration for the June SAT ends on APRIL 6; late registration deadline is APRIL 15. The June SAT is on JUNE 7. Many effective SAT prep courses are offered around our area. UNC-Charlotte offers varying schedules of Kaplan classes at different areas around the city. They teach the new
SAT, with a session on the essay portion. Various techniques and practice opportunities are given. More information on the upcoming classes are available on the upcoming education section of UNCCs website. The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County (PLCMC) offers an SAT Prep Workshop; it is a one-day SAT Crash Course sponsored by ThinkCollege. Here you will learn techniques and tips for SAT success. You must register for this class, which takes place on some Saturdays through the year at the library on Beatties Ford Road. For more information, call 704336-2784. The PLCMC system is offering a free practice SAT on December 8, 2007, at the North County Library. The test begins at 9:30 AM. There are also varying private sessions (of high cost) around the city. By Katelyn Trela

keep the

we want your
If you have an article you want to see in the paper, leave it in room 129 or in the newspaper folder in room 110. foreign exc h

BREAKING NEWS

Today an average of 16 teens with die in car wrecks.Keep the Drive is a teen-led movement to support safe driving. Sign a pledge or two, read the facts, learn how to keep safe on the road. Check out the buzzing website, lled with eye-catching pictures and stories, pledges and promises. Start an activism movement at school by entering the contest for a chance to win $10,000; see where the Keep the Drive staff is headed, or team up with other teens across the country to protect your freedom, your friends, and your future! Give www.keepthedrive.com a shot and give your chances at living while driving a better shot.
Dates for the 2007/2008 foreign exchanges to add to your calendars. January 17-24, 2008- six ambassadors from Brazil will be hosted by Independence; in need of two male hosts. February 1-8, 2008- 14 students and three chaperones from China will be hosted. March 5-20, 2008- eight students and one chaperone from France

will be hosted. March 5-17, 2008- 21 students and two chaperones from Italy will be hosted. March 28-April 11, 2008- IHS students will be visiting France with Renaissance at Olympic. April 4-12, 2008- IHS students will be visiting Japan. April 4-19, 2008- Students will be visiting Italy.
Congratulations to the Model UN San Antonio (MUNSA) students: Islam Abdelrahman, Zuhaib Mahmood, Autumn Alston, Kristen Maye, Melissa Chappell, Kelvin McClure, Bridget Black, Emily Mooneyhan, Johnathan Walker, Melissa Blessman, Kayla Hall, and Khalil King, led by Ms. Willett and Mr. Pierce. Kristen Maye won the Honorable Delegate award for the the best
WHO committee. The students represented Sudan and the United Arab Emirates as Model UN delegates. They debated topics such as empowerment of women in Africa, developing economic sustainability, nuclear proliferation, eliminating racism, and much more. Over eight resolutions were successfully passed. For more information on Model UN, talk with Ms. Willett.

Model UN

San Antonio

GIFTS TO GIVE

Looking for something new and original to give the people on your list? Check out these great spots: Uncommongoods.comhere you can nd anything from paper weights to Freudian slippers. Theyre easy search engine sorts by recipient, price, occasion, and category of gift. Gift prices range from less than $25 to over $150. The Book Lady- a quaint shop tucked away off of Independence near Monroe, this used book shop is packed with unique gifts for the reader. The shelves hold rst edition treasures, elegantly rugged classics, and a peaceful atmosphere that works wonders. In fact, rather than buying a book for someone, take them here to get it themselvesthat way, they will get the whole experience. Surprise.com- this is a perfect guide to nding exactly the right gift for whoever youre shopping for. You can browse by holiday, by who its for, or what theyre like. Theres also the cool gift of the day section, complete with an archive in case you missed a few days. Dont worry about it coming in on timesurprise.com also tells you in which stores you can nd the recommended gift(s). Prices vary. The Paper Skyscraper- located on East Boulevard, Paper Skyscraper has been voted the best gift store by the Charlotte Observer. With novelty and nostalgic products, handmade paper and cards, frames, pillows, and fragrances, to name a few, Paper Skyscraper can supply your every small, thoughtful gift needs. Prices vary; visit paperskyscraper.com LiveEarth.com- perfect for the environmentalist, want-to-make-a-difference friend on your list. Not only does it provide a wealth of knowledge on the push for climate change, but Live Earth advertises and sells gifts that help the environment and/or show off your encouragement for change. Prices vary. Sweet Union Flea Market- a little ways away in Monroe, the ea market is an indoor/outdoor garagesale-esque extravaganza, something everyone must experience. Find never before used items, vintage books and records, or gift baskets of food or collective goods, all for relatively inexpensive prices.