The North Star, Volume 36, Issue 3

TH E NORTH STAR

BLUE VALLEY NORTH H IGH ScHOOL | OVERLAN D PARK, KANSAS | VOLUM E 36 | ISSUE 3

TH E ROAD TO RECOVERY Learn more about students’ mental health journeys throughout the past year on pgs. 10-13.

CONTENTS 10-13

N EWS

FEATURE

Since We’ve Seen You Last Caroline Clarke, Arshiya Pant 5

The Road to Recovery Reece Bachta, Ella Thomas 10-13

In the Dog House Ella Shafer 6,7

The One and Only North Stars Anna Sandage 14,15

ARTS & LEISURE

Complaining or Breaking Lexi Newsom 8,9

Crossword Caroline Clarke, Arshiya Pant 22

edITORIAL A Word from the Staff Caroline Clarke, Arshiya Pant 4

Snow Place Like Home Paige Novak 18,19

Gifting Local Emmett Abar 20,21

ON LI N E

Want to Learn More?

Caroline Clarke, Arshiya Pant 23

StudeNT LI FE

Sejin’s Skywalker Saga Review Sejin Hahn Now Playing: Red (Taylor’s Version) Adelaide Edwards

Rewind 2021 Lauren Austin 16,17

14,15

Photo by Calla Jordan

Photo by Arshiya Pant

2 | THE NORTH STAR | DECEMBER 2021

natalie in the mirror doing makeup? / chase’s tools? cars? idk? car things?

Photo by Anna Sandage

Three students reflect upon how they have navigated through the highs and lows of their mental health journeys throughout 2021.

Photo by Arshiya Pant

18,19

Photo by Arshiya Pant

TH E NORTH STAR STAFF ON LI N E (cONT.)

EDITORS-I N-CH I EF

BVN Wins Neewollah Max Wolf

Abi’s Cyber Monday Tips Abi Patterson

Caroline Clarke

You Got Games on Your Phone?

Jack Toal

“Show Some Self-Respect” Reece Bachta

WEB EDITORS

A Kansan Lense: Redefining the Holiday Season Arshiya Pant Calla Tries Your Holiday Recipes Calla Jordan

Five Charities You Can Get Involved in this Holiday Season Ruby Bierman

Arshiya Pant

Jack Toal Max Wolf

DESIGN EDITOR Ella Thomas

SOCIAL M EDIA EDITOR

Christmas: Before or After Thanksgiving?

Reece Bachta, Lexi Newsom

TH E NORTH STAR PODCAST

North Time Suspended Indefinitely Sejin Hahn

with Jack Toal and Max Wolf

Reece Bachta

COPY EditORs Lexi Newsom Ella Shafer

ADVISER Diana Manglos

STAFF WRITERS

TWITTER

I NSTAGRAM

WEBSITE

BVN N EWS

BVN N EWS

BVN N EWS.COM

Emmett Abar Lauren Austin Ruby Bierman Adelaide Edwards Sejin Hahn Calla Jordan Paige Novak Bennett Palmer Abi Patterson Anna Sandage

DECEMBER 2021 | The NORTH STAR | 3

A EDITORIAL

Word From The Staff

By Caroline Clarke, Arshiya Pant

Are we moving forward or are we just moving? That is the question. After the trials and tribulations of 2020, we placed our hopes upon the oh-so-glorious 2021. That New Year’s Eve, we watched fireworks decorate the sky and dreamed of tropical vacations, concerts packed to maximum capacity and a school year unencumbered by COVID-19 restrictions.

2020 was that year. The year that will be printed in history textbooks as the moment when a pandemic changed society forever. Desperate for even an ounce of optimism, we put all our hopes into these four digits, praying they would be kinder to us than their infamous predecessor. Political tensions, declining mental health, COVID-19: maybe they were just a curse that came alongside that year.

And we have received some relief in these past 12 months. The distribution of COVID-19 vaccines eased our fears of the pandemic’s ghastly ramifications.

Demanding justice for victims of police brutality, sparked by the death of George Floyd, the outcry of activists across the nation gave us hope for a better tomorrow.

The Olympics took place, providing us with just a bit of much-needed normalcy.

In August, high school students returned in person for the 2021-22 school year, finally reclaiming some consistency in their already turbulent, teenage lives.

However, 2021 was not a knight in shining armor, coming to save us from the horrors of a traumatic year. Where the perils of old were remedied, new

4 | THE NORTH STAR | DECEMBER 2021

hardships appeared in their place.

On Jan. 6, a domestic invasion of the U.S. Capitol building rocked our sense of security, already shaken by widespread disease. Nothing short of a terrorist attack, the event unfortunately set a precedent for the political tension that followed during the year.

The social landscape has also gone through a multitude of changes. As 2020 saw a rise in social movements, many wondered if 2021 would continue to foster the growth of advocacy for social justice. There is no yes-or-no answer to this question. Calls for racial justice, which gained momentum in 2020, devolved into idleness, characterized by ineffective rhetoric. Allyship became a way to perform, rather than create tangible solutions.

A shooting at Oxford High School on Nov. 30 reminded us that COVID-19 is not the only threat to healthy, safe education in our country.

And still, children under 5 are unable to be vaccinated. For families of young children or immunocompromised individuals, a society that is recovering too quickly is more dangerous than months of quarantine. To these individuals, new variants and maskless faces strike fear. To others, the pandemic is a beast long gone, no longer a threat.

As this year comes to an end, and the next is on the horizon, we are still picking up the pieces of our own lives. What then, do we want for 2022? Would it be wasted energy to hope for another year of

recovery? Should we put away the confetti and party horns and let the new year pass unnoticed?

Throughout the past year, we have faced threats to our physical, mental, and spiritual security and, in spite of it all, made the bold choice to get better. In “The Road to Recovery,” three students grapple with mental health crises that were exacerbated by the pandemic, and their path toward healing throughout 2021. We are grateful that they shared their stories and gave a voice to the often invisible struggles of mental health.

Through their individual journeys, we want to illuminate a message of hope that is vital to our survival as we continue to relearn what it means to thrive in an unfamiliar world. As we transition into 2022, their stories demonstrate the transformative power of taking care of yourself.

2021 was filled with broken promises.

In an unpredictable world, 2022 could be the same. But if Jan. 1 can mean anything to you, we hope it marks the beginning of your personal road to recovery.

Sincerely, The North Star Staff

NEWS

Since We Saw You Last

By Caroline Clarke, Arshiya Pant

At BVN...

Mask Mandate

Graphic by Emmett Abar

On Nov. 8, the Blue Valley Board of Education decided to make masks optional for all BV high schools in a 6-1 vote. According to the district, this decision is supported by decreasing infection rates and increasing vaccination rates. The discontinuation of the mandate was officially implemented on Nov. 29, immediately after students returned from Thanksgiving break. The district has maintained that masks will stay optional indefinitely, unless quarantine rates exceed 3 percent, in which case, a temporary mask mandate will be enacted.

Locally...

Blue Valley School Board Election Results

Graphic by Ruby Bierman

Johnson County’s 2021 general election took place on Nov. 2 and reported record voter turnout of 25.27 percent, with 111,761 ballots cast, according to the Johnson County Election office. Three Blue Valley School Board seats were on the ballot, and Kaety Bowers, Gina Knapp and Jim McMullen were elected to seats No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 respectively. New members triumphed by narrow margins, the closest being Jim McMullen’s victory over Lindsey Weiss, who lost by 51 votes. The new members will serve four-year terms, which will end in 2026.

Globally...

Omicron Variant Discovered

Graphic by Ella Shafer

The World Health Organization designated Omicron as an official variant of COVID-19 on Nov. 26. In its most recent online update, the WHO stated that many aspects of the variant have yet to be fully determined. These undetermined aspects include vaccine efficiency against the variant, relative transmission rates compared to past variants and severity of the variant. According to the WHO, further research surrounding the sudden increase in infection rates in South Africa will likely lead to a better understanding of the Omicron variant.

DECEMBER 2021 | The NORTH STAR | 5

News

In the

Dog House

This semester, both North Time and tardy policies have undergone major changes. How do student and teacher opinions on the issue differ?

By Ella Shafer

Detentions and Tardies

T

he bell echoes through the halls as students rush to class.

Parking lots are packed with long lines and papers are frantically shoved into backpacks as students try to beat the five minutes they have during passing period. Anything to avoid being tardy and getting detention.

Class starts at 7:40 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 8:25 a.m. on late arrival days. Prior to the end of October, students had been seen roaming the halls as the bell rings and arriving late to class consistently.

On Oct. 28, principal Tyson Ostroski sent out a video establishing new changes made to North Time and the detention and tardy policies.

“We have seen more tardies this year than we have in recent history, especially at the beginning of the day,” Ostroski said.

Why are so many students arriving late? Junior Natalie Blood explained the difficulties of arriving to class on time.

“I’ve been late to class due to long bathroom lines because I often leave class a minute after it’s let out and then [I] have to wait in a line, which takes up a lot of

time,” Blood said.

One solution to the increased amount of tardies is a detention system. Once a student receives three tardies in a specific

“

We’re not trying to get at kids... it’s an important skill to treat people with respect and show up on time.

-Jon Pittenger

“

class, teachers are allowed to hand out detentions. Detentions can be served after school in the library from 3:00 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays or from 7:40 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. in the main gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

6 | The NORTH STAR | DeCEMBER 2021

Math teacher Jon Pittenger has dealt with late students in almost all of his classes, and agrees with the new policy.

“We’re not trying to get at kids, we’re just trying to set that precedent of having them appreciate that it’s an important skill to treat people with respect and show up on time,” Pittenger said. “I think it’s OK to have rules, it’s a way to give kids some guidance as to what’s gonna happen in the real world.”

Students are required to turn in their phones when serving detention, and are likely to receive a second detention if they miss the first. If a student misses two or more detentions, they may possibly receive an in-school suspension. Detentions have raised discussions regarding both their effectiveness and whether or not they are justified.

“I think the new detention policy is a little unfair to some students,” Blood said. “One of the kids in my AP Lang class during first hour walks to school, and it’s difficult for them to get to school that early.”

Academic Support Time

P

reviously, the time between students’ fourth and sixth hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as the hour of lunch on Friday, was called North Time. This time on Tuesdays and Thursdays is now called Academic Support Time (AST) in order to differentiate it from Friday North Time, which was recently suspended indefinitely.

Academic Support Time is supposed to be a period for students to effectively meet with teachers and be productive in order to catch up on classwork.

“I just need time to study, so I think it is an effective time to get work done and teachers can also have the opportunity to take a break or get work done as well,” Blood said.

According to Ostroski, students should use this time to its fullest, which is why changes are being made. Students will still be able to get help from their teachers during AST; however, they must have a hall pass written by that teacher in order to leave their original fourth hour class.

“Academic support time is a chance for [students] to be productive and have a

break during the day,” Ostroski said.

Previously, during North Time on even

“

North Time is necessary, especially for kids like me with a busy schedule after school, leaving them with little time to complete homework.

-Natalie Blood

“

days, there were many students in the flex space without a plan for where they were going. Now, if a student is seen in the

“I’ve been late to class due to long bathroom lines because I often leave class a minute after it’s let out and then have to wait in a line which takes up a lot of time.”

-Natalie Blood

hallway during AST without a pass, they receive a detention.

Pittenger agreed with the hall pass restrictions, stating that there need to be rules, otherwise the time would get taken advantage of.

“Students now know that the goal is to go see a teacher and get academic help,” Pittenger said. “It’s not just free time anymore.”

Along with AST, North Time was another chance for students to make up work with teachers. Many students used the time to get caught up on homework, as well as catch up on classwork from missed days. Friday North Time is currently suspended due to several instances of vandalism, as well as students’ failure to clean up after themselves.

“North Time is necessary, especially for kids like me with a busy schedule after school, leaving them with little time to complete homework, let alone take care of themselves,” Blood said.

“If there’s not a consequence of a behavior you want to fix, the chances are, it’s never going to get fixed, and that’s just how human nature is.”

-Jon Pittenger

Student VS Teacher

Opinions DecembER 2021 | The NORTH STAR | 7

NEWS

COM PLAI N I NG Are local businesses that hire BVN students breaking child labor laws?

By Lexi Newsom To protect the workers featured in this article, they have been kept anonymous. The purpose of this article is to explain how teenage workers are affected by child labor law violations, not to expose businesses breaking the law.

I

t’s 9 p.m. when Student One flips the sign on the door to say “closed,” and her shift at a local dessert shop is over. But that doesn’t mean she can go home. She packages the cookies in the glass display case and heads to the back of the store to wash the dishes. When the batter is cleared from the bowls and the soap is completely gone, she turns off the lights. It’s 9:30 p.m.

Students experience this frequently.

According to those interviewed, teenage employees under 16 feel forced to work more hours than permitted by federal law and operate machinery that is prohibited for minors. Yet businesses like Company One, where Student One was employed, say that real work experience is important, and that means behaving like any other adult employee. “[Businesses] want people with some kind of work experience. Working is just a different environment. You learn how to interact with customers, handle money, … the cleaning responsibilities that come with the job,” the owner of Company One said. “It’s kind of different than being at home and ... doing chores. Other people are relying on you to do your part of the job so they can do their part of the job, and ... the business owners are relying on you to help run their business. So it’s just a different level of responsibility.”

Child labor is protected by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), a federal law passed in 1938 and enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor. According to federal law, children under 16 can work no more than three hours a day when school is in session, and cannot work night shifts between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. at any time of the year. This is part of Student One’s issue; she reports that she is working past 7 p.m. The use of certain machinery is restricted for minors as well.

According to the “November 2021

Employment Situation Report,” made by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate of teenagers has not changed recently, while they are needed during a time of employee shortages. Does this mean that the law is stretched to have them work like adult employees?

Student One, a 15-year-old freshman, said that her working hours are exceeding

“

8 | THE NORTH STAR | DECEMBER 2021

When we’re understaffed sometimes ... I’ll work 15 [to] 20 hours a week just trying to get things done ... I think sometimes that can cross the line a little bit.

-Student Two

“

the federal and state maximums. Workers at Company One are instructed to start cleaning after the official closing time; this adds 30 minutes to her scheduled threehour shift. According to Student One, staying later than planned has a negative impact on her education.

“Closing on weekdays is like 1,000 times worse because you’re working [from] 6:30 to, like I said, 9:30 or something,” Student One said. “And I don’t know, personally for me, that’s like the bulk of the time that I’m getting my [home]work done. So unless I do all of my homework right when I go home

from school, then I’m going to have to do it after eating [and] after showering. It’s already midnight, you know? And it was … stressing me out a lot.”

This report is validated by both the employee and owner.

“Almost all employees, regardless of age, work three to six hours total on school nights with an occasional person with nine hours,” the owner of Company One said.

“We have a very large staff for our size of business because we [employ] students who only work two to three days a week, as they have extracurriculars that we work around.”

According to the owner, this is the first year they have hired employees below the age of 16. Under Kansas law, time and labor restrictions only apply to children younger than 16. When asked about this, the owner said they will make changes to the shift lengths of 15-year-old employees.

“Upon a detailed review of the laws in Kansas, I read that 15 and under cannot work past 7 p.m. on school nights,” Owner One said. “I have spoken with the store manager and relayed this information to her so she can make adjustments going forward.”

Yet Student One also raised issues with the machinery she uses.

“We’re trained on [our] first day ... you’re supposed to use the trash compactor if there’s too much in … the big industrial trash can, which is illegal,” Student One said. “It literally says on the can if you’re ‘under 18 do not use’ [this].”

Children under 16 are prohibited from using any compactor, and 16 and 17-yearolds are not allowed to operate or unload it. Student One said she was trained to operate it. But, according to the owner of Company One, the compactor is strictly off-limits for most of the staff, including Student One. “So the trash compactor is the mall’s

OR BREAKI NG trash compactor,” the owner of Company One said. “It’s actually locked. Only mall security can use the trash compactor, so I’m not sure what [Student One is] talking about. They open the door and they throw the trash into the trash can, but the components to using the trash compactor are locked. I can’t even use them.”

Certain types of machinery are prohibited for all teenage employees, but Student Two, an 18-year-old senior, is more concerned with the number of hours she works. Unlike machinery, however, the amount of time an 18-yearold can work is not legally limited by the FLSA in any way.

Student Two started working at a nearby animal clinic during COVID-19, needing a reason to leave the house for the day. However, she said keeping track of

STUDENT ONE age: 15 place of occupation: Company One employment status: quit a month ago

both school and a job became harder as school returned full-time.

“It is getting a little stressful,” Student Two said. “I’ll go to work and know that I have a big test the next day. And I’ll end up staying up late studying for the test, which most nights for a test you want to get a good night’s sleep. [Work] makes my day just a little more hectic because I run home, I get changed, I go straight to work and then I run home after work and do homework. And some days I just want to run home and take a nap instead. But, I mean, I manage.”

Occasionally, Student Two will work more if the clinic is short-handed.

“When we’re understaffed sometimes … I’ll work 15 [to] 20 hours a week just trying to get things done,” Student Two said. “I think sometimes that can cross the

STUDENT TWO age: 18 place of occupation: Company Two employment status: working

COMPANY ONE type: dessert shop

line a little bit.”

Company Two was contacted but did not respond to questions about managing teenage employees, or whether they hire children under 16 years of age.

In addition to a busy high school schedule, work may be demanding, with or without legal violations. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that companies are severely overstepping the law.

“I feel like [some things are] illegal,” Student One said. “But they’re not like the most dangerous, crazy things in the world.”

COMPANY TWO type: animal clinic

DECEMBER 2021 | THE NORTH STAR | 9

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Content Warning: The following stories contain content about mental disorders, eating disorders, depression, suicidal ideation and anxiety. For help, please reach out to a trusted adult, or school resources.

JOCO Mental Health Crisis Line (913)-268-0156 National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800)-273-8255.

Rosemary Lufkin

I

t was her sophomore year of high school when senior Rosemary Lufkin transferred to BVN from another Blue Valley School due to bullying.

During that time, Lufkin downloaded the popular app “YOLO” and decided to try it after seeing many of her peers use the app on their social media platforms.

YOLO is an anonymous response app that can be used to post questions on Snapchat and receive anonymous feedback. “​​Back when YOLO was a big fad, I posted one, and someone ended up saying something about me being too big, and I fought with them, back and forth,” Lufkin said. “It ended up getting to someone saying, ‘You’re really fat, you need to learn to work out and stop eating,’ and I kind of let that hit me, and I usually didn’t. So, I had started to develop a really bad self image and see myself really, really poorly.”

Fourth quarter of her sophomore year, the pandemic hit, which placed Lufkin in a state of isolation. According to Lufkin, this seclusion worsened her self image and mental health.

“In March, when we went into quarantine, instead of handling everything in a mature manner, I kind of let it hit me,” Lufkin said. “I was really depressed and I let it get to the point where I didn’t get out of bed to shower or to eat or take care of myself, so I ended up losing 40 pounds in two months.”

Lufkin explained that the effects of eating disorders are far more wide-ranging than the public’s general perception.

“I don’t think people really talk about eating disorders as much as they should, because it’s more than just not eating,” Lufkin said. “You lose your hair, you get sick really easily. I am losing a lot of my hair, and sometimes I can’t get out

of bed because it’s really hard for me to hold myself up, because my muscles are deteriorating. I bruise really easily… I can’t bring myself to eat sometimes. It’s not that I don’t want to [eat], it’s the idea of it.”

Lufkin said it was hard to accept that she needed help, but she found support through the people in her life.

“My boyfriend, Colin, he’s always been super supportive. Ashley Shultz, she is really good at being supportive in… a way where it’s not just telling me it’ll be okay at some point, and it is not toxic positivity.

She actually encourages me to take care of myself, same with Ciara Scott,” Lufkin said.

According to Lufkin, eating disorders are an important, unseen problem in the BVN community.

“There’s an overwhelming amount of girls who [are] stick thin, while I’ve heard they call themselves fat and… they just kind of break themselves down,” Lufkin said. “I think people don’t really care about eating disorders... if you’re not conventionally attractive. They only care if you are the standard that they think exists.”

Mental disorders are perceived in different connotations depending on life experience. Lufkin said that, for many

high school students, mental health issues are idealized.

“People love to kind of romanticize mental health in eating disorders in like a weird way,” Lufkin said. “I’ve seen so many videos of people saying things like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so bipolar’ or ‘I’m so this,’ and it’s really exhausting for kids that deal with serious psychiatric disorders.”

It can be hard to reach out for help in a school setting, according to Lufkin. This difficulty is due to the stigma surrounding mental health, and the overabundance of ineffective conversations. “[The stigma] makes it a lot harder to reach out to people about these things, and it makes people not want to,” Lufkin said. “It also sometimes makes it easier to know other people are speaking on it, but 90 percent of the time, they’re not doing it appropriately.”

After finding her support system, Lufkin has experienced more moments where she has felt OK. She has recognized the problem, and along with it, what she can do to further improve her mental health.

“I definitely have had my moments of just pure, like, just not wanting to be alive and do anything,” Lufkin said. “Currently, I feel fine and I know tomorrow, I could feel awful, the next day could feel great.

But, at this moment, I know that I will be okay, and I know that things are getting better for me.”

As the vice president of Stuco, Lufkin sees herself as someone other students who are struggling can look up to and come to for help.

“I hope this helps someone. I hope that I can help someone… I feel like it’s appropriate for me to say I’m [a prominent figure] in school,” Lufkin said. “[I hope] someone knows that, it’s not something that is odd or peculiar for someone to struggle with, and someone that they see daily is struggling with it, and it’s not something that you cannot overcome. You can get better, and I hope that people realize that, because I’m super big on the impact. [I] just hope it impacts someone positively.”

DECEMBER 2021 | THE NORTH STAR | 11

featuRe

A’Taya Benson

F

or junior A’Taya Benson, 2021 entailed the loss of her support system, her worsening depression and later, her recovery.

The isolation that came with the early stages of the pandemic proved to be difficult for students. For Benson, not being around her friends created a longlasting struggle. According to Benson, she depended on her friends during 2019 and 2020, so when the pandemic hit, she lost her support system.

“I’m a person who depends on people, and when I couldn’t depend on people and couldn’t see them, I was alone,” Benson said. “I felt like I couldn’t talk to my family about it because everyone was going through the same thing.”

Benson described her habits during quarantine as “depressive slums.” She felt too helpless to get work done or leave the house, and she lost motivation to do the things she loved.

“I couldn’t clean my room, couldn’t shower and I had to still work during all of that,’’ Benson said. “I was completely ignoring the fact that I needed help.”

Eventually, Benson had a conversation with her parents and decided to seek professional help through attending

therapy. Once she reached out, she was diagnosed with depression and an anxiety disorder. According to Benson, it was difficult to take the steps to get professional help, and it was especially hard to discuss her feelings when her mother was in the room.

“I knew that if I wanted to get better...I needed to go see somebody like [a professional]” Benson said. “I knew COVID-19 was going to slow down, and

I wanted to be better for the new school year, so I knew that I had to talk to my parents and get better for my mental health overall.”

When Benson was struggling with her depression and anxiety, she did not use many school resources, such as counselors

or administrators. According to Benson, some of her friends had negative experiences in the past, and told her that the help offered by school administrators did not compare to other help that students received outside of school. She did, however, reach out to teachers that she knew well and felt comfortable with.

“Outside of school, I feel like there is more of a personal connection, when inside of school, I feel like they just want to tell your parents and take you to a mental institution,” Benson said.

Benson started taking small steps toward a fresh start. She changed her wardrobe, discovered a new style, made new friends and cleaned her room.

“I surrounded myself with things I love and surrounded myself with new things I could enjoy,” Benson said. “I’m definitely trying new things, like new foods, new experiences, going to new places and just staying open about my feelings towards other people.”

She encourages people who are in the same position as her to reach out for help.

According to Benson, reaching out to parents and peers is helpful because they could be suffering with the same issues.

Lastly, she recommends finding something new that can become a positive outlet.

“Hopefully, in 2022 people will get their vaccine, we will have less restrictions on masks and ... we will slowly get back to normal life,” Benson said.

Self-Care Tips:

drink water 12 | THE NORTH STAR | DECEMBER 2021

spend time in nature

listen to a calming playlist

Student Three

S

tarting in April 2020, Student Three, a male freshman at BVN, struggled with depression at the same time that the COVID-19 virus shut down many of his activities. As the pandemic continued, his depression worsened until he stopped participating in most of his activities or daily tasks.

“COVID wasn’t too good for my mental health,” Student Three said. “I don’t know if it was good for anyone, but I kind of stayed in my room all day all summer and did literally nothing. And it was the worst. I mean, I had no social interaction or anything.”

After a recommendation from his doctor, Student Three decided to see a therapist. He said that this was a positive step forward, and since then, he feels like he has returned to his mental state before the pandemic hit.

According to Student Three, having life return to “normal” also helped his mental health. During the pandemic, when school moved online while he was developing depression, the mental load began piling up. For him, being back in person solved some of these issues.

“I mean, the schoolwork on top of just being home and not being able to actually get help from my teachers directly was… it sucked,” Student Three said. “Now that I’m back in school getting help from my teachers, and now that I’m getting help for my mental health, too, it’s way easier to get through the harder things.”

clean up your space

Student Three was in eighth grade during the 2020-2021 school year.

Therefore, the school resources he had access to were middle school counselors.

“I just keep on telling people to reach out to our counseling, because I believe the BVN counseling is good and helps their students,” Student Three said.

Student Three utilized the counseling office for a while, but later relied more heavily on the support of his friends, and eventually, his personal therapist.

Now that he is in high school and has the support of his therapist, Student

Three does not use the school counseling department on a regular basis. He compared the three resources and recognized that they were three different types of help. “[School counseling] was a little different. It was more involved with my parents, and that was helpful in a way,” Student Three said. “I got to talk to them directly with a counselor next to me, aside from my normal therapy, which is just me sitting and talking to my therapist. I prefer private therapy, but that’s just because I

write in a journal

prefer to have a private discussion with confidentiality.”

After seeing his therapist for a few weeks, Student Three made small changes to help get back on track and improve his mental health. These changes are sometimes recommended by therapists or counselors as a first step toward recovery.

“I started cleaning my room, I started being more open with my friends, I started to actually do my homework instead of letting it pile up, just simple things,” Student Three said. “Just getting up and making my bed right after I get up in the morning, it’s really helpful to get into those types of routines. And just eating healthy, opening my blinds more, not just sitting in the darkness.”

Student Three said he thinks other students at BVN struggle with these issues.

He offered a few tips for students who may find themselves in the same situation he was in.

“Reach out to [get] help and don’t be afraid to tell someone your true feelings.

Just be honest because if you hold things in too long, [they] can start to build up, and it’s not good for your mental health,” Student Three said. “Just reach out and find someone who can help you in your personal situation because not all situations are the same, and some people need different help than others.”

After a year of uncertainty Student Three maintains hope for 2022.

“Actually for me, I think [2021] was a little harder than 2020 itself. But I think 2022 will be a better recovery year,” Student Three said. “2021, it wasn’t up to its expectations. We expected things to get better, and it didn’t.”

try out a new hobby

according to Psychology Today and Amanda Williams, music therapist

DECEMBER 2021 | THE NORTH STAR | 13

FEATURE

y Photos b

nd Ella T

ndage a Anna Sa

homas

F Th e ON e AN d ON ly NORth StARs Blue Valley North is a 6A school, yet there is only one dance team. Why is this, and what impact does it have on the BVN community?

By Anna Sandage 14 | THE NORTH STAR | DECEMBER 2021

rom leaps to turns, and poms to kicks, the dance team is a prominent group at Blue Valley North. Although dance is a common sport practiced by students around the school, BVN only has one dance team.

Many students dance as a hobby, or even competitively at various studios throughout the area. One of these students is senior Olivia Dugan, who is a co-captain of the BVN North Stars dance team.

“I have been dancing since I was about 4 years old, but I have been competitively dancing since I was in fifth grade,” Dugan said. “And I have been on the North Stars dance team since freshman year, so [it has been] four years.”

The team is composed of multiple dancers from each grade, and new people are added each year, according to senior Katie Noll, a co-captain of the North Stars.

“I have been dancing since I was 3 years old, so about 15 years,” Noll said. “I made the team as a freshman, and have been on the dance team for all four years.”

The tryouts are held every year, and the dancers go through many different phases throughout the week-long process, where they face a wide array of judges. These phases include going to camp early in the week to learn a variety of new dances.

Then, they show off what they have learned, and demonstrate their work ethic at the official tryout later on in the week.

“I would say it is stress-free [at tryouts], but it is also kind of inner competitiveness … you try to put your best foot forward at all times, no matter what grade you are or how long you have been on the team,”

Dugan said. “You always want to improve and show the judges and the coaches what you have to offer, and how much you have improved over the years.”

While many girls try out for the team, only a few make it each year. At the start of the 2021-2022 season, the team had 16 girls, according to activities director Cory Cox. “I want to say there were about 24 to maybe 25 girls who tried out for the team this year, but [the number] varies each year,” Cox said.

Freshman Kate Lucas tried out this year, but did not make the team. According to Lucas, for those who get cut at tryouts, the limited selection of girls creates concerns that many talented dancers are not making the team.

“There are only 16 people, and from my experience trying out, there are a lot of really good dancers who don’t make the team,” Lucas said.

However, according to Cox, the tryout process is more meticulous than what some may expect. The selection process relies on identifying a natural break, where a significant decline in the dancers’ scores determines the cutoff.

“It is set up so the coaches do not know … the girls … that are trying out, and what their scores are. I tabulate it on a Google Form, and then wherever that natural break is, then that is the team. So there is no set number of spots for our team,” Cox said. “If we have 40 girls try out and our natural break is at 23, then that’s how many are going to be on the team. If 19 girls tried out and the natural break was 14, that is where our team is made from.”

Some may be surprised by the small amount of girls that generally make the team each year. Cox said there are a few reasons behind this decision.

“Dance team is unique in the sense that they perform with the band, and the band only goes to varsity events,” Cox said. “Because of that, the dance team’s choreography is set up to go with the band.”

Regardless of the reasoning, not making the team can leave many girls disappointed, according to Lucas.

“I was really sad because at the tryouts we had numbers, and they told me my number was doing very well, and everyone was saying I was going to make it for sure.

But I didn’t,” Lucas said. “I have not gotten into other sports at BVN, because dance is the only thing I want to do.”

“

You try to put your best foot forward at all times, no matter what grade you are or how long you have been on the team.

You always want to improve.

-Olivia Dugan

“

Other BV schools may differ from this process. In an Instagram post from Aug. 31, 2021, the Blue Valley Northwest Pack dance team referred to JV dancers.

The possibility of multiple teams at other Blue Valley schools causes some dancers to wonder, according to Lucas, why BVN maintains one team.

“There are other schools, I think one other school, that maybe has a JV squad, but I am not sure how they structure it,” Cox said. “I think their booster club helps fund a coaching position, and then they

probably structure the routines in a different way to go along with possibly cheer … or they might just only perform at halftime.”

Another difficulty in adding an additional dance team would be the staffing required for the new team, according to dance team head coach and Spanish teacher Kylie Thompson.

“If it were up to me, I would definitely consider having more than one team. But given our faculty coaching staff right now, we couldn’t really maintain more than one team. So that would require more staffing, getting more coaches involved,” Thompson said. “And in transparency it is also really hard to keep coaches on staff because dance is a yearlong sport.

We are practicing from June all the way to May, with many different sports and competitions.”

There can be both advantages and disadvantages to having only one team, depending on whom you ask.

“A con would definitely just be not being able to give those opportunities to other dancers at our school that want to be a part of the team,” Thompson said.

“Especially because a lot of people dance outside of school at a studio and then want to be able to show that off at school. So it is a little bit unfortunate to not be able to give those students that opportunity.”

According to Noll, there are also benefits to only having one dance team at North.

“I think [only having one team] benefits us because, in one sense, we have less to work on, and since our team is smaller, even for a one-team school, we get really close together,” Noll said. “That can really help us in the dancing aspect because it makes you work harder.”

According to Lucas, although dancers who are cut may get involved in other activities at school, their love for dance will keep them coming back.

“I am in StuCo, Kay Club, and Project READ now… but I think I will probably try out again next year,” Lucas said. “I really like the dances the team does, and I want to be able to be on the school team.”

DECEMBER 2021 | THE NORTH STAR | 15

STUDENT LIFE

REWI N D

Based on students’ opinions, these are the top songs, song artists, movies and TV series at BVN

by Lauren Austin

Music ARTISTS

SONGS

1. Taylor Swift 2. Drake 3. Billie Elish 4. Doja Cat 5. Kanye 6. The Weekend 7. Conan Grey 8. Phoebe Bridges 9.Tyler the Creator 10. Lil Naz X

1. “Happier Then Ever” by Billie Elish 2. “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals 3. “Moth To A Flame” by Post Malone 4. “Knife Talk” by Drake 5. “Better Days” by SZA

16 | The NoRth StaR| DecembeR 2021

MOVIES

2021

1. “Shang Chi” 2. “Free Guy” 3. “8 Mile” 4. “The Longest Yard” 5. “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”

TV SHOWS 1. “The Mandalorian” 2. “Outerbanks” 3. “You” 4. “Money Heist” 5. “Squid Game” 6. “Criminal Minds” 7. “All American” 8. “The Queen’s Gambit” 9. “Shameless” 10. “The Bachelorette”

DecembeR 2021 | The NoRth StaR | 17

SNOW PLACE LIKE HOME ARTS & LEISURE

Are you feeling excited for winter this year? Do you want to get in the holiday spirit? Here are some chilling winter activities to create a season full of memories.

By Paige Novak

Prime Sledding Spots Are you and your friends looking to fly down the holiday hills this season? If so, Kansas City offers many places for you to slide in the snow. One of these spots is Brookside Hill, located in Brookside Park.

The hill is quite popular because of the size and the bumps it creates on heavy snow days. There are also small hills by Brookside Park’s tennis courts for younger children and others who aren’t ready for the big heights.

Other Sledding Locations 119th & Kansas City Road 137th and Black Bob Road Olathe East High School Avila University near the football stadium Shawnee Mission Park Johnson County Library

The Nutcracker

Come visit the magic of the Kansas City Ballet this December. The ballet annually performs the traditional holiday story of “The Nutcracker.” This two-hour performance showcases the romance of ballet and the liveliness of acting. This show is featured Dec. 3-24 (times vary per performance).

Due to COVID-19 guidelines, only vaccinated people can attend the performances, including children under 12 as well. Complementaries such as coffee, soft drinks and snacks will be available for purchase before the play and during the intermission. “The Nutcracker” is being performed at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts with parking available on the east and south sides of the complex. The parking fee is $10 per car. Enjoy the story, enjoy the magic with The Nutcracker.

18 | THE NORTH STAR | DECEMBER 2021

Winter Magic

Experience the true meaning of Christmas with the Winter Magic drive-thru light show. The drive-thru is open until Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. through 9 p.m. The event was created last year during the pandemic, so families could still have a cheerful Christmas experience during tumultuous times. According to owner Aaron O’Dell, the light show is ideal for families to experience classic holiday traditions.

“It is perfect for families to just slow down and spend a little time together, in a car, singing Christmas carols and taking in everything magical about Christmas, family and the holiday tradition,” O’Dell said.

The drive-thru is one mile long with animated light displays, some traditional, and some choreographed to music.

“The remixed Christmas carols, light choreography and blankets of Christmas lights surrounding our guests as they drive through go a long way to help remind them about everything they love about Christmas,” O’Dell said. Each car is $20 to drive through on the weekdays, and $25 on the weekends. After the show, food is available for all attendees to enjoy. Winter Magic features two food trucks: 2Hot2Handle BBQ and Cowtown Mini Donuts, both accepting cash and card.

Crown Center Ice Terrace

Glide your way through winter at the Crown Center Ice Terrace.

Attendees will adore the classic winter activity all season long because the terrace is open until March 2022. Ice skating is a great way to have fun with your friends, while getting some exercise in. The terrace is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, however Dec. 24 hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and it is closed on Dec. 25. Admission for adults and children over four is $8 and free for children younger than four with paid admission. If you need to rent skates, the price is an extra $4 with your paid admission.

Kansas City Symphony

Enjoy the seasonal sounds of the holidays with the Kansas City Symphony.

Starting at $35, families will be immersed in different arrangements of the beloved Christmas carols that bring joy to the holidays. This magical concert also includes Broadway vocalists, who bring the symphony and pieces to life. The beautiful sounds of the symphony drive Christmas cheer into action during the season. After the concert, Santa and his elves make an early appearance to entertain younger children in the audience.

The concert is located at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts on Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

DECEMBER 2021 | THE NORTH STAR | 19

EDITORIAL

Gifting Local

By Emmett Abar

The Holiday season is here, which means it is time to celebrate one of the most precious seasonal traditions: gift shopping. Where to shop though? Below are recommended local vendors, where you can find gifts for all of the different people on your list.

Parents A store named STUFF, located in Brookside, sells a variety of items, such as pottery, fine art and jewelry. It is more formal than something you might get a sibling or friend, which makes it the perfect gift for parents.

Ceramic Wall Art (Birds) - Designed by a local artist, these sculptures are handmade, one of a kind. STUFF recommends that you hang these on walls in groups. They come individually for $75, or in groups for a better price per bird.

316 storefront at ed STUFF’s A store nam er.

by Bennett Palm 63rd St. Photo

W

Ceramic Bowls - Coming in multiple different artistic patterns, these bowls are functional, and happen to be dishwasher and microwave safe. These shallow bowls come in green, yellow, blue and red for $18 a bowl.

Fat Bra in Toys window display , located at 5601 W 135 th St. Pho to

by Arshiy a Pant.

Fat Brain Toys, located in Prairiefire, has a great selection of toys for kids ages 1 to 12. On their website or in store, they have puzzles, fidgets, STEM toys and more. If you have a younger sibling, it would be difficult not to find them a gift, with so many options at your disposal.

Wildlife of the Woods Bear-Shaped 1,000 piece puzzle - If your sibling enjoys complex puzzles or wildlife, this puzzle is the perfect fit for them. It is difficult due to its bear shape and detailed picture. The puzzle is sold for $21.95, online or in store.

20 | THE NORTH STAR | DECEMBER 2021

Siblings

Simpl Dimpl (Pop-it) - These are popular fidget toys that come in a variety of colors; a younger sibling could carry it wherever they go. The toy comes with a carabiner clip so they can be attached to bags or just carried around. These fidgets are highly popular and entertaining for anyone. Fat Brain sells them for $5.95 per fidget, in a variety of colors.

Friends Made in KC sells apparel, wall art, accessories and more, but their apparel has the most diverse array of options. The clothing is bright and colorful, but comfortable at the same time, representing different aspects of Kansas City.

Graphic tees - These T-shirts are sponsored by different brands, locations and organizations around the city with tons of variation in typography. In total, their website offers 167 different tees in six different sizes, which cost between $10 and $44.

Outside of Made in KC, lo Prairiefi re. Photo c

by Emmet ated in t Abar.

Hats - Since winter has arrived, you might need to get your hands on a warm hat! Good news for you, Made in KC sells plenty of them.

These hats are similar to the tees, but there is a more limited selection of 63 different items. Ten of them are beanies, with the price ranging from $20 to $49.

Pets

Three Dog Bakery, located near Town Center Plaza, sells self-made dog treats that are themed for the holidays. Their treats will spoil your dog over the holidays, leaving them begging for more.

Lick ’n Crunch! - These cookies come in a sleeve that is perfect for a dog stocking. There are two versions of the cookies, peanut butter and vanilla creme, both featuring festive packaging that will have your dogs’ tails wagging!

Treats Unleashed, located near Trader Joe’s in Town Center Crossing, sells a general supply of food and treats for both dogs and cats, along with a large selection of toys.

Smart Cat Peek-and-Play Toy Box - This toy helps keep your pet mentally stimulated. The box is a reasonable size, and the holes can fit almost any catnip or treat for your cat to chase. If you are looking for a toy for your cat that will keep them entertained (and quick!), the box costs $22.99.

ed’s nleash U s t a e W t Tr t 4209 tion a t selec n, located a a e r t ctio Dog Abar. mmett eat sele dog tr t. Photo by E S 119th

Other Stores Charlie Hustle, located in Country Club Plaza, sells more KC apparel, including fleeces and other seasonal items to keep you warm during the holidays. They sell masks, sweatshirts, tees, stickers and basically any apparel that can fit the letters KC on it.

s, located at Day Books’ aisle One of Rainy Palmer. . Photo by Bennett 2706 W 53rd St

Rainy Day Books, located in Fairway Shops, features a large selection of books and has been a valuable community bookstore since their establishment in 1975. If you need a book in time for the holidays, this is a great place to find a last-minute gift, or a new book for yourself, to read over the winter break.

DECEMBER 2021 | THE NORTH STAR | 21

ARTS AND LEISURE

W O C R OSS D

1

3 4 5 6 7

8

Put your holiday knowledge to the test with this festive puzzle.

9 10

By Caroline Clarke, Arshiya Pant 11

2

12

13

14 15

16

17 18 19 20

ACROSS

DOWN

6. The island greeting that we send to you this Christmas!

8. A classic, cranky catchphrase. Thinkin’ Dickens.

10. It’s Kansas weather; we might get one, we might not.

11. Seven is the magic number of this holiday. The number of letters, candles and principles.

15. Tchaikovsky’s music for this classic ballet is sure to keep you on your toes.

18. If global warming keeps up, this snowman won’t be back again someday!

19. Will, who played your buddy, the maple syrup fiend.

20. Happens every year on December 21st. Or is it the 22nd?

1, Oh, Elvis. I have a bad day every once in a while too.

2. The unusual pet Gayla Peevey wants for Christmas.

3. Eight nights, one menorah and lots of latkes.

4. When we saw the McCallisters’ first mistake. Don’t worry, they’ll make enough for an entire franchise.

5. If we’re lucky, he might bring us a snow day during finals (fingers crossed!)

7. Terrorizing retail stores every December since her 1994 hit.

9. Don’t give his heart away! Arguably the most famous Christmas song by your mother’s 80s celebrity crush.

12. José Feliciano te desea un feliz ____, del fondo de su corazón.

13. A deceivingly parasitic plant you’ll either love or hate.

14. Make it out of clay, and when it’s dry and ready, it’s what you’ll play.

16. Surname of the pumpkin king. Spooky and scary, he’ll send shivers down your spine.

17. Jim Carrey did this claustrophobic character justice.

22 | THE NORTH STAR | DECEMBER 2021

News

Want to Learn More?

Books and podcasts that expand upon three unique topics covered in this issue.

By Caroline Clarke, Arshiya Pant

About Recovery ...

“Let’s Talk About Australian writer and content creator Mental Health” Jeremy Godwin hosts “Let’s Talk Jeremy Godwin

Let’s Talk About

About Mental Health.” Each episode is centered around an individual, nuanced topic, which Godwin explores and offers practical solutions to. In Godwin’s words, “looking after your wellbeing takes work, but it doesn’t have to be tough.” Launched in 2019, episodes grounded in quality research are released on a weekly basis.

“The Comfort Book”

Matt Haig Matt Haig’s “The Comfort Book” is exactly as it says in the title: a book of comfort. A moving compilation of Haig’s notes of encouragement to his future self, this book represents a source of positivity in a difficult year for mental health.

Graphic by Jack Toal

About Ethical Labor ...

“Throughline” NPR

NPR’s “Throughline” podcast offers unique takes on various subjects. On the June 23 episode, “Capitalism: What is it?,” Kristen Ghodsee, Vivek Chibber and Bryan Caplan discuss the economic system that drives the country. Ghodsee, Chibber and Caplan explain and debate the implications of capitalism and what they mean in today’s world.

Graphic by Max Wolf

About Discipline in Schools ...

“Life=Choices; Choices=Life” Kim Olver

Graphic by Max Wolf

“Life=Choices; Choices=Life” is hosted by Kim Olver, a leading expert in the psychology of choice theory.

In the June 10 episode, “Discipline vs. Punishment,” Olver discusses the differences between discipline and punishment in academic environments. Evaluating factors such as effectiveness, student impact and educators’ capabilities, Olver examines the science of consequence.

“Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America”

Barbara Ehrenreich In her book, journalist Barbara Ehrenreich joins the workforce and documents her life living from paycheck to paycheck as she works multiple minimum wage jobs in order to survive.

As she investigates the sustainability of this lifestyle, she ponders what it really means to “get by.”

Discipline Over Punishment: Successes and Struggles with Restorative Justice in Schools

Trevor Gardner In “Discipline Over Punishment,” Trevor Gardner examines the failings of traditional punishment in school settings and argues that restorative discipline yields superior results. A high school teacher in Oakland, Calif., Gardner is uniquely qualified to understand the importance of creating a safe school environment and the ways restorative justice can positively impact students’ lives.

DECEMBER 2021 | The NORth StaR | 23

@BVN N EWS Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

“The North Star” is the official high school news publication of Blue Valley North High School, an open forum distributed to all the students six times a year. This is the December issue of volume 36. This issue of “The North Star” is published digitally through ISSUU and in print by “The Sedalia Democrat.” This is a student publication and may contain controversial matter. Blue Valley School District No. 229 and its board members, officers and employees disclaim any responsibility for the content of this student publication; it is not an expression of School District Policy. Students and editors are solely responsible for the content of this student publication.

24 | The NORTH STAR | DECEMBER 2021