Jags' Big 7 streak snapped

By Jake Singleton
The Journal Staff

For three seasons, the Blue Springs South boys tennis team hadn't lost a Suburban Big Seven conference match.
But on Tuesday, when the Jaguars traveled to North Kansas City to face the Hornets, the conference-winning streak was ended as they lost 5-4.
South won the first three singles matches with No. 1 single Zach Kaltenbach, No. 2 single Caleb Jeff and No. 3 single Steve Bodenheimer picking up wins.
The Jaguars, who opened up the season with a 5-4 home win over conference opponent Liberty, dropped to 1-1 overall and 1-1 in conference.

Wildcats fall to Oak Park

After edging out Park Hill South 5-4 on Monday, the Blue Springs boys tennis team suffered an 8-1 Suburban Big Seven loss to Oak Park and fell to 2-1 overall and 0-1 conference.Chase Gilgour and John Stigall picked up the Wildcats' lone win against the Blue Jays. Ryan Paxton won at No. 1 singles against Park Hill South and Stigall won at No. 6 singles. Gilgour and Stigall combined for a win at No. 2 doubles, as Christian Andrick and Corey O'Neil won at No. 3 doubles.

Frosty Greens

By Jake Singleton
The Journal Staff

Blue Springs South boys golf head coach Mike McGown didn't have many words of comfort for his team to help them endure the cold temperatures and winds on Monday.
"It was miserable out there," said McGown as the Klint Andrew Invitational was post-poned 30 minutes to allow the greens at Fred Arbansas Golf Course to defrost. "I just tried to tell them not to let the weather upset them and let them know that everyone was in the same boat."
And with warm thoughts in their minds, the Jaguars finished fifth (333) in the 20-team tournament. Ty Thorp and John Sievers led South with rounds of 82, while Cody House shot an 84. Tyler Brown finished with an 85, and Drew Morrison shot a round of 87.
Blue Springs boys golf head coach Tom Round also wondered how his team would fare in the cold and windy climate.
"I think everyone was a little uncertain as to how their team would play due to the terrible spring we have had and then the very difficult conditions on Monday," Round said.
But Round's uncertainty did a quick turn-around as the Wildcats had three medallists and finished second in a scorecard playoff to Park Hill South as both teams shot a 323.
"I was pleased with the fact that we had four scores kind of clustered together around the top 10 to 15," Round said. "Anytime you do that, you have a chance to finish well team-wise."
Blue Springs' Ryan Clark finished in a three-way tie for third with a round of 79, Ben Hoog finished tied for sixth with a round of 80 and John Nance finished in a three-way tie for 10th with a round of 81.
"Ryan (Clark) played very well," Round said. "He ended up making a birdie on 18, which was a very difficult hole back into the wind."
Kyle Yancik and Tyler Hammontree rounded out Blue Springs' scoring with round of 83 and 93, respectively.
Blue Springs defeated Park Hill 151-166 on Tuesday. Yanick was the medalist with a round of 35 in the nine-hole dual at Blue Springs Country Club.

Fireballer

By Jake Singleton
The Journal Staff

As the weather got colder, Blue Springs South senior pitcher Kellen Bartlett got hotter.
With temperatures below 30 and a 15 mph eastern wind blowing over Legacy Park on Wednesday as the Jaguars faced Lee's Summit, South's senior fireballer brought the heat in the 11-0 win over the Tigers.
Bartlett struck out 14, hit one batter, walked another and gave up one hit in six innings of work to record the win and move South to a 4-0 start.
But Bartlett wasn't just hot on the mound.
After three scoreless innings, Bartlett fired up the Jaguar's offense in the top of the fourth inning as his RBI double scored South's Jeff Lusardi, who singled then advanced to second on a Tiger error, to give the Jaguars a 1-0 lead.
And while one run would have done it, South added more.
The Jaguars went up 3-0 in the fifth off two walks and an RBI double by South's Ross Taylor. After Lee's Summit head coach James Mellody choice to intentionally walk Lusardi to put runners on first and second with one out, he replaced starting freshman pitcher Corbin Berkstresser with Nick Martin to face Bartlett.
Three straight wild pitches by Martin allowed Taylor to score, making it 4-0 and a fourth ball put Bartlett on, giving South runners on first and third with one out.
Mellody again made a pitching changing, going to Matt Norris. But Norris didn't fare any better.
After getting South's Robbie Payton to fly out for the second out of the inning, Martin gave up a two out, RBI single to South's Danny McMartrey that put the Jaguars up 5-0 after five.
While Bartlett continued to mow down the Tigers at the plate, the Jaguars offense continued to stay hot.
South tacked on three more runs off three hits and a walk to take an 8-0 lead in the sixth inning. South's Logan Moon led off the sixth with a triple, Austin Rodriguez drove Moon in with an RBI single and Bartlett and Payton added RBI singles.
In the top of the seventh, the Tigers turned to their fourth pitcher, Shaun Lauderback. But the results were the same.
Lauderback walked the first three batters he faced, gave up a single to Riley Reynolds, then walked in a run with a free pass to Taylor, making it 9-0. Lusardi's sacrifice fly made it 10-0 as Bartlett, who went 3-4 with three RBI, finished South's scoring with an RBI single.
On Monday, South defeated Lee's Summit West 14-3 after trailing the Titans 3-0 going into the bottom of the second. The Jaguars cranked out 13 hits against West, including six doubles and two home runs.
Wildcats walk-off with win over Tigers
The Blue Springs baseball team walked off with a 5-4, eight-inning win over Lee's Summit on Monday.
After failing behind the Tigers 4-0 in the top of the third, the Wildcats tied the game 4-4 with two runs in the fifth and sixth innings. And after a scoreless seventh, Blue Springs' Chris Guffey ended the game in the eighth inning with a walk-off home run.

Expand storage space with an outdoor shed

By Alan J. Heavens
The Philadelphia Inquirer (MCT)

Where do you store your lawn mower, your gardening implements and other tools? If the answer is the garage or the basement, odds are your gear is hard to get to or tough to find when you need it.
An outdoor storage shed might be just the ticket - if you have the room.
Need to know: Whether your town has zoning rules about sheds. The information generally is available from municipal building departments. But even if there are no rules, consider your neighbors. Nothing creates ill will as quickly as a shed that blocks sunlight to the garden of the folks next door.
- Shabby isn't chic: If the shed looks shabby, it will make your yard look that way, too. If you're not willing to pay a bit more for quality, you might as well keep your equipment where it is. Typically, the difference between attractive and ugly is only a few hundred dollars. And remember, an outdoor shed is an investment in your property, like a kitchen or a powder room - you don't want to create a stumbling block to a quick and profitable sale in the future.
Sheds made of cedar siding are the most expensive, followed by those made of vinyl. Whichever you choose, the shed's design should complement the style of your house. If you live in a 1950s airlight rowhouse in Northeast Philadelphia, a Victorian-style shed will be more than jarring to the eye.
- Too cute: You don't want the shed to look too precious either - it's a utility structure, not a dollhouse. So skip the porch feature unless there's a critical need for a place where you and your lawn mower can get out of the sun.
What will it cost? Be ready to spend a minimum of $350 on a shed. Good quality and good looks can be yours for about $2,000.
- Material world: Some people consider metal sheds ugly, but one made of aluminum will hold up a long time. Steel tends to rust quickly, although some is coated to reduce, though not avoid, corrosion.
- Wood sheds - especially cedar - look better, so there are more of them available. They aren't fireproof, though, and are subject to mold and rot, so they need regular maintenance. Squirrels and other rodents can easily chew through wood, too. Cedar sheds should be recoated with a special sealer/preservative every other year to protect them from ultraviolet solar radiation.
Vinyl may not be everyone's cup of tea, but sheds made of it pretty much last forever and require little maintenance, except for an occasional power-washing to remove mildew in shaded locations. Unlike metal, vinyl doesn't dent or ding and seems to withstand extremes of weather, especially moisture, very well.
- Size matters: Make sure the shed you buy will accommodate your equipment. If you have a ride-on mower, you'll need to have an extra-large shed, so the machine can get in and out easily. If you have a regular-size mower, make sure what you store is organized carefully, so you can get everything else in and out. Consider shelves to hold pots and materials, hooks for rakes, shovels, etc., and a ramp and extra-wide doors.
- Firm foundation: Check with the manufacturer first, but sheds are typically placed on cinder blocks, concrete piers, a concrete slab, or crushed stone. Supports for the structure are usually made of pressure-treated wood.
- Room to grow: As you've learned with your garage and basement, there is never enough room - hence the need for a shed in the first place. But even a shed can be expanded with plastic add-ons costing a couple of hundred dollars. Check for them at the local home center.

(c) 2008, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Climbing roses add a unique vertical element

By Norman Winter
McClatchy-Tribune News Service (MCT)

Climbing plants really add a vertical dimension to the landscape. Adding this new element to a garden causes a transformation that almost no other type of plant can accomplish.
Climbing roses are seeing an upswing in popularity for this very reason. One of my favorites is New Dawn, which certainly is not new. It originated from the variety Dr. W. Van Fleet in 1930, but New Dawn is a repeat bloomer. In a way, it seems new since many gardeners are just now discovering this terrific large-flowered climber.
Another climber that is riding a wave of popularity is Peggy Martin. This historic rose garnered nationwide attention by surviving 20 feet of salt water during Katrina's onslaught. It has gained attention among gardeners and rose lovers as a persevering plant. It reflects a spirit of renewal and hope in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina's devastating blow against those living and gardening in the Gulf Coast area. Since then, several large nurseries have introduced it for sale.
Bill Welch, author of "Antique Roses for the South" says, "Growers are generously donating $1 per plant to the Greater Houston Community Foundation, with the purpose of assisting in the task of garden restoration projects in New Orleans, Beaumont and other Gulf Coast locations. With its good looks and healthy vigor, the 'Peggy Martin Rose' is well on its way to becoming a classic garden mainstay for those wanting a mannerly climber that is thornless, with abundant pink clusters of small flowers. After it has become established, it re-blooms in the fall when the hot temperatures moderate."
Another must-have to consider is the Lady Banks rose. It is at the top of my list because it is among the most disease-resistant roses we can grow. You will probably never see blackspot or powdery mildew on this rose. It is also among the most drought-tolerant roses, able to withstand extended drought.
If you have ever tangled with a rose bush, you may feel as though you were on the losing end of a fight with a bobcat. You will never feel that way with Lady Banks because like the Peggy Martin, it is thornless.
The Lady Banks, or Rosa banksiae normalis, has been in cultivation since 1796. An improved double-flowered white form, Rosa banksiae banksiae, was found in 1807. Then in 1824 the double-yellow form, Rosa banksiae lutescens, was discovered.
The white-flowered forms have more fragrance than the yellow, but the yellow has become the most popular. To call this a large, spreading rose may be an understatement.
The largest rose bush in the world is a Lady Banks in Tombstone, Ariz. It covers more than 8,000 square feet. Because of its spreading nature, you will want to manage this rose. The Lady Banks is a long-lived rose; the one in Arizona was planted in 1855.
All varieties of climbing roses produce long canes and require some support to hold plants up off the ground. They don't really climb by themselves but must be tied or trained to the trellis, wall, fence or arbor. Climbing roses can be used on sloping banks to aid in holding soil. Climbers, like bush roses, are grouped into several types with much overlapping among types. Most rose nurseries list ramblers, large-flower climbers, ever-blooming hybrid teas, climbing polyanthas, climbing floribundas and trailing roses.
So why not try to "grow up" this year on a trellis, arbor or fence with a climbing rose?

(c) 2008, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

Teenage std prevention

Dear Editor:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced this week that more than one in four teenage girls in the U.S. has a sexually transmitted disease. HPV, which is a virus associated with cervical cancer, was the most common STD infecting more than 18 percent of our young women and putting them at an increased risk of cancer.
There is a safe and simple vaccine that can prevent the most common strains of HPV. Thanks to a grant from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the REACH Healthcare Foundation, women ages nine to 26 can receive this vaccine for free at 33 clinics and health departments throughout the metro area. Those interested can call United Way 211 at 816-474-5112 or visit www.mohpv.org to find a location near you.
As a doctor, as a woman and, most importantly, as a mother, I encourage all parents and young women to learn more about this life-saving vaccine.


Dr. Bridget McCandlessJackson County Free Health Clinic

Going 'all in' for Easter

Commentary by Charles Payne
Special to the Journal

Being an opinion writer I generally admire the skills of editors in putting together content for publication day after day. Sometimes I wonder how to keep things interesting on a weekly basis. But, the Shroud of Turin item recently on MSNBC is about as bad as old Charlton Heston movies. The Shroud issue was supposedly put to rest 20 years ago and everything indicates the Shroud is a fake. Now a fellow who for some reason wants to believe in the Shroud or make money brings the issue up and it makes the news for Easter 2008.
Who in Christendom would want to risk finding out the truth? Both the truth and reality can be hard to take. Sometimes something less is substituted for both.
Life is a gamble. There are times and situations where even though part of you doubts the outcome you have to bluff, call or say "all in." Winning is your hope, but losing may hurt you and others. Truth in a poker game is random and the players help decide the truth. Life is a gamble.
Consider in this time of Easter all you know about the Shroud of Turin. If it is the actual Shroud wrapped around Jesus when he was removed from the cross, it becomes a piece of hard evidence for the Christian religion and the event of the crucifixion. It's a potentially wonderful outcome, but the stakes are very high.
Mike Celizic wrote an MSNBC item on March 21, 2008 about why Barrie Schwortz, a photographer present when the Shroud was first examined, thinks the Shroud is authentic. Some of Schwortz's arguments seem plausible. Science has improved, not just in dating antiquities, but also in knowledge of DNA evidence. It just might be possible that the Shroud bears the image of Jesus.
So all Christians who search for and desire truth and meaning in their lives should press for the authorities in Turin to release the Shroud for complete scientific study and subject the results to extensive peer verification. This would be an "all in" decision. Turin might lose a little or gain a lot, but even a fake shroud would still be a draw. The consequences of the bet could be much more far reaching. What we have believed about Christianity could be on the line.
Dating the cloth to the time of Christ adds to its authenticity but does not prove that it was used to wrap the body of Jesus. The gamble exists in what any DNA evidence might establish. If you are a Christian, would you take the gamble and say "all in?" The rewards would be spectacular, but losing the bet might be crushing.
Consider the possible outcomes if the dating issue is overcome. The DNA could be inexplicably blank or it could only show that of a mother and then be blank because God's DNA is an unknown. This would support the virgin birth of Christ and would be an extraordinary revelation. Extreme care would have to be taken that missing DNA was not caused by some outside factor.
Conventional analysis showed the blood on the Shroud was apparently from a man. This could indicate the DNA is conventional. The DNA could show the transfer of a Y chromosome and thus indicate that the image had a father of this earth. Then the Shroud could be repudiated unless something unknown links it to the actual crucifixion and Mary's DNA becomes known. Is there evidence that is yet unknown or hidden somewhere?
Apparently the Catholic Church does not believe the Shroud is real. Whether a link to the actual crucifixion can ever be found does not appear likely but science keeps advancing. If a link is found, think what changes would happen if the image is of Jesus and the DNA proves he had an earthly father.
The Muslim view is also that Jesus, a messenger from God, was born to the Virgin Mary (www.soundvision.com/Info/Jesus/inIslam.asp).
What would Christians do if scientific evidence indicated Jesus had an earthly father? A few might lose their faith but, more likely, most would react as Muslims would and simply say that God is all powerful and can do whatever he likes including violating what we perceive to be natural law. In other words, God made the DNA appear to show there was an earthly father of Jesus. Perhaps this would be yet another test of faith. Thus the scientific analysis of the Shroud of Turin would only be relevant if it proved Christian beliefs.
The problem in this mystery is that God is known as a God of truth. So why would deviation from the truths mankind knows and is still finding be necessary? Perhaps the Shroud of Turin is just a few cards toward a possible inside straight. So what if Jesus was an important man with a father of this Earth. Would his teachings be any less important? Is it time to fold or say all in? Or will we have to wait until next Easter for another story on the Shroud of Turin?

Charles Payne, a Lee's Summit resident, is a guest columnist for the Journal. To respond to today's commentary, call the Journal's Rant & Rave line at 816-282-7020, or send comments via the Internet at www.lsjournal.com or to raven1939@netzero.com.

Sandwiches - New York style

By Miranda Wycoff
The Journal Staff

For one reason or another, the food business has always interested Blue Springs business owner Chris Mancini.
Even after a career as a Grain Valley police officer for seven years, Mancini felt the business calling his name.
"I've always wanted to open my own business," Mancini said. "I've always liked this stuff."
In high school Mancini worked in the restaurant business and, after graduation, he said he participated in the Jackson County Chef's Apprenticeship program.
Years later, Mancini's brother owned and operated a few restaurants in the Mr. Goodcents chain. His brother has since sold the stores - but that's what revived Mancini's interest in the restaurant business.
So after careful consideration of different franchises and what the Blue Springs area was missing as far as food businesses, Mancini found the New York NY Fresh Deli.
"This was the closest franchise to what I wanted to do," he said.
And what interested him most was a sandwich shop with a "fast-casual" style.
"I've always liked the concept that Panera Bread had," Mancini said. "The nicer, but casual places. Customers can come in and be relaxed and get taken care of. You get a little moreout of it than fast food."
So, in November 2007, Mancini opened New York NY Fresh Deli at 719 N. Missouri 7 in Blue Springs.
"I grew up in Independence, been living in Blue Springs and have been a cop in Grain Valley for seven years," Mancini said. "(The deli) was something Blue Springs needed."
But don't mistake New York NY for a Subway-style sandwich shop. Mancini said its much more than that.
"It's a little more service-oriented," he said.
The customers come in and place their order at the register like a typical fast-food restaurant - but that's where the similarities end.
"We take it from there," Mancini said.
While the customers go and sit down, Mancini and his crew at New York NY are hard at work.
"We make the sandwich fresh right there," he said. "We steam the meats so the cheese is melted, nothing is pre-made. It takes us a little longer to get the sandwich out, but its made fresh to order."
And although the deli has only been open in Blue Springs for a few months, Mancini said customers are already claiming some sandwiches as the best in town.
"Word's getting around about our Rueben," Mancini said. "And we have some of the best corned beef in town."
He said 30 to 40 percent of all the sales at New York NY are from the Rueben.
Other popular sandwiches is the Bronc's Bomber - made with corned beef and pastrami - and the Tuscan Chicken Panini.
"We've been getting a lot of good response from Blue Springs," Mancini said. "It took a while for people to realize we weren't a Subway, but once that started happening, we've gotten a lot of good, positive feedback."
For more information on the New York NY Fresh Deli, call 816-229-4449 or visit the corporate Web site at www.newyorknyfreshdeli.com.

Candidates struggle to find balance

By Russ Pulley
Special to the Journal

A major issue emerging in Blue Springs City Council races - again - is multi-family housing.
It was a campaign theme last year for Sheila Solon and Lyle Shaver, who won their first terms on the Council. The battle over who will control development of new housing in Blue Springs is showing up in candidate forums, editorials, letters, and Web sites.
In the mayor's race, Carson Ross is blasting his opponent, contending that Jeff Quibell has been part of a trend toward construction of too much multi-family housing, without a critical eye for quality.
The city shouldn't have approved the "barracks" on Adams Dairy Parkway, Ross said.
Quibell says he thinks the city has an acceptable balance of multi-family housing, but needs to be mindful as future projects are considered. He said the town homes like those on the parkway are important housing for residents who will later move up to more expensive homes.
Ross is endorsing Emil Spears and Ron Fowler, while staying neutral on the District 1 race between Ted Anderson and Jeanie Lauer. Quibell said he's philosophically more aligned with Kent Edmondson, Ken Billups Jr. and Lauer.
The nuts-and-bolts of the debate are complex, but at their core lies the question of how Blue Springs, as a booming Kansas City suburb, apportions its housing stock, the majority of which is single-family.
Multifamily zoning, by contrast, can result in apartments or in attached housing that is both owner-occupied and rental.
Candidates more accepting of additional multi-family say it will be needed for baby boomers or young professionals who want owner-occupied units that don't have yards to maintain.
Critics counter those town homes - also known as row houses - could be leased, and there are concerns that too many rental properties could affect overall property values and quality of life. Ross and his supporters point to projects where the Council was told the units would be owner-occupied but now are being leased, such as controversial units on Adams Dairy Parkway.
Currently, Blue Springs is nearly 73 percent single-family homes, while an October study by city staff showed that if all projects now approved are completed, the trend could take Blue Springs to just under 70 percent multi-family.
By comparison, Overland Park in July 2007 was 39.4 percent multi-family, according to a city report.
Since 2000, Blue Springs has been adding multi-family dwellings at a rate of about two units to each single-family home.
That pace is unacceptable to Ross and his supporters.
Many residents agree: A recent city survey showed that 72 percent of respondents think construction of multi-family housing is going "too fast" or "much too fast."
Quibell, however, says that statistic alone doesn't mean Blue Springs is destined to become a problem-ridden community. He contends that the additional construction has increased the overall balance by a single percentage point, from 26.5 percent multi-family units to 27.5 percent.

Blue Springs EDC teams up with area counterparts for business seminar

By Miranda Wycoff
The Journal Staff

The Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, Grain Valley, Grandview and Independence Economic Development Councils will join forces to sponsor an informative seminar on state and local incentives to help bolster business in Eastern Jackson County.
The program will focus on resources for companies in the manufacturing, warehouse distribution, office, high-tech and medical-life science industries according to EDC information.
The workshop will be on April 1 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Hilton Garden Inn in Independence.
Jim Devine, president and CEO of the Lee's Summit Economic Development Council, said the regional EDCs are working collaboratively so that area companies will have the opportunity to learn how to use the state's economic development incentive programs.
Devine said the LSEDC played an important role in organizing and publicizing the event.
The seminar is free and will feature Mike Downing, co-director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development Division, according to the event's news release.
Downing will discuss the availability of tax, finance and training incentives available to eastern Jackson County companies. He also will detail state incentive programs and discuss how to qualify and apply for them. Additional topics of discussion will include how to utilize state funds to train new employees and improve productivity of current employees from Andrew Filla and Stan Fields, administrators of the workforce training program with the Metropolitan Community College Business and Technology Campus, and Skip James, from the Missouri Career Center.
Chris Guiterrez, president of KC Smart Port, will discuss the new certification training program for distribution employees.
And Tim Cowden of the Kansas City Area Economic Development Council will moderate as panelists from area cities discuss local incentives and answer questions. Panelists include Eric Johnson, city manager of Blue Springs, Gary Bradley, city administrator of Grain Valley, Alan Kenyon, economic development director for the city of Grandview, Robert Heacock, city manager of Independence, and Greg Foss, director of development with the city of Lee's Summit.
"We invite companies in these target industries to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the business tools available to them directly from the experts who manage the incentive programs," said Teresa Evans, vice president of the Lee's Summit Economic Development Council. "By partnering with other economic development organizations in Eastern Jackson County, our collective goal is to grow business for the entire region in the face of increased competition."
Devine said he also will be talking about the Eastern Jackson County Workforce Training Corsortium, a training seminar for companies in Eastern Jackson County.
To attend this event, register by visiting https://www.123signup.com/servlet/SignUpMember?PG=1520554182300&P=1520554191156613800.
For more information or questions about this event, contact the Lee's Summit Economic Development Council by visiting its Web site at www.leessummit.org or call 816-525-6617.

Cheerleader earns chance to perform at Pro Bowl

By Brett Dalton
The Journal Staff

What started as a "fun little hobby" has given a local teen the chance to take the trip of a lifetime.
Amber Moody, 13, of Lee's Summit was recently chosen as one of three girls to represent the GAGE Silver Dragons cheerleading team at the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii as part of the All American Cheer and Dance Pro Bowl Performance tour. Moody, who has been cheering since she was five years old, is in her first year with the Blue Springs-based Silver Dragons team.
A seventh-grade student at Pleasant Lea Middle School, Moody earned her chance to perform at the Pro Bowl at a national cheerleading competition that took place in Kansas City in December 2007.
When her name was called as one of the three girls chosen, Moody said her first reaction was disbelief.
"I wasn't really expecting it," she said. "It just kind of happened. They called the first two girls' name and then they called me. I was like, 'What?' I couldn't believe it."
However, in order for Moody to take advantage of this opportunity, she must raise a significant amount of money. According to AACD information, the cost of a doubles package - Moody and one parent or guardian - is a little more than $2,000. That cost does not include airfare and meals.
To help secure sufficient funds, Moody is currently seeking out sponsors and donations. She said her parents are talking with various businesses, as well as friends and family to try to raise the money.
Moody said raising the money and being able to perform in Hawaii would "mean so much" to her, especially because she's missed out on other opportunities due to lack of funds. Debbie Moody, Amber's mother, said her daughter has been nominated four times to travel with the People To People Student Ambassador Program, but lack of funds prevented her from going each time.
"I've been nominated to go to Australia," Amber said. "I've been nominated to go meet the president. But I couldn't ever go because I didn't have any sponsors and didn't have the money."
And being able to make the trip to Hawaii would mean more than simply having the chance to cheer in front of professional athletes and thousands of fans. According to AACD information, more than $37,000 worth of scholarships are awarded each year at the event - money Amber said would come in handy for her future plans.
"I plan to go to Harvard after high school," she said. "I want to be a lawyer."
Amber, who has cheered with various youth cheerleading teams in Lee's Summit, said she became interested in the sport of cheerleading at a young age for various reasons.
"I just loved the outfits and all the excitement," she said. "Plus, I was super hyper as a child but I didn't have any place to put it - so I put it in cheerleading."
Debbie Moody said anyone who would like to donate to Amber's Hawaii fund can call her at 816-853-5670 or send donations to her home at 111 S.W. Walnut St., Lee's Summit, MO 64063.
Moody's teammates who also earned a trip to Hawaii are Michelle Reddle and Katelyn Tormena.

Vehicle crashes into Blue Springs home

By Brett Dalton
The Journal Staff

Earlier this week, a Blue Springs woman was sent to the hospital with serious injuries after losing control of her van and slamming into a house.
The accident occurred in the afternoon hours of Tuesday, March 25. Cindy L. Burton, 38, was driving northbound on Fifth Street in Blue Springs when she lost control of her van, ran through a T-intersection and smashed into a home at 421 Keystone Drive.
Nobody was in the home at the time of the crash and Burton, who was alone in the vehicle, was the only person injured in the incident, according to Jeremy Dickstein, officer in the investigations unit of the Blue Springs Police Department.
Dickstein said it's unknown what caused Burton to lose control of her vehicle. However, he said Burton's husband told police Cindy Burton has had medical issues in the past that caused her to have seizures. Dickstein said it's possible Burton had a seizure while driving, causing her to lose control.
"We're not ruling that out as a possibility," he said.
Burton's van ran into the siding and brick veneer of the home, which reportedly sits at the bottom of a hill. Brian and Dena Rinehart live in the home that was struck, however they could not be reached by the Journal as of press time.
Dena Rinehart told a local television news station Tuesday's incident was the first time a vehicle has came in contact with their home.
"We've never had any problems," Rinehart said, according to KCTV 5's Web site, "(but) the people next door, not even a month ago, had a car go into a tree. They come down the hill pretty fast."
Details of the extent of the damage to the home were not available as of press time. Police also aren't sure how fast Burton's van was traveling when it hit the home.Dickstein said police are treating the incident as a traffic accident and not a criminal offense. Burton was flown by helicopter to an area hospital after the crash.