12200 Lamar Ave, Overland Park, KS 66209
Blue Valley North High School
October 2017 | Volume 32 | Issue 2
The North Star
Fall Expression
2 | The North Star | October 2017
The North Star Staff Editors-in-chief Connor Clary Nicole Dolan Laura Evans
Staff Writers
Briley Everhart Katie George Angie Giglione Lyndsey Henkel
Copy Editors
Merall Janjua
Lauren Graham
Caroline Koenig
Mathew Cotton Kristen Xu Shantha Burt
Social Media Editor Lexie Herman
Photographers
Grace E. Rudman Katie George
Design Editor Taylor Mills
Sooim Kang Anna Martin Brooke Werp
The North Star is the official high school news publication of Blue Valley North High School, an open forum distributed to all students six times a year. This is the September issue of volume 32. The North Star is printed by the Sedalia Democrat. This is a student publication and may contain controversial material. Kansas law prohibits the suppression of a student publication solely because it 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.
October 2017 | The North Star | 3
Table of Contents
Sports 4 More than a Manager
6 Specialized Sports 8 Not Horsing Around
Health 10 The Truth About Birth Control
12 We Get It, You Vape 14 Smart Without Sports
16 How Exercise Affects you
School Happenings 17
Throwback to Homecoming
18 Homecoming Photos
Student Life 24 Behind the Mask 26 Bump, Set, Sing 28 Fashion Fanatics 30 Tatted Teens
20 Thinking Outside the Box
22 Lockdown Versus Alice
ON THE COVER: Senior Chloe Puetz models for The North Star photographer Grace E. Rudman. Makeup by senior Aryn Christian. ABOVE: Senior Aimee Howes fastens an insect protector on her horse Rory. Photo by Connor Clary.
4 | The North Star | October 2017
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By Kriste
MORE THAN A MANAGER Head equipment manager Bethany van der Lek is present for each football practice and game to help them run smoothly and the team perform better.
October 2017 | The North Star | 5
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s the football players wind down during half time, a few jersey-clad students can be seen running around, doing various errands for the coaches. Senior Bethany van der Lek is the head equipment manager. Her role on the team not only involves managing water, but also inventory and tasks for Coach Andy Sims. Van der Lek has been interested in sports since she was 2 years old. Although medical problems hindered her from continuing to play soccer and basketball, she remains involved with sports by managing the football team. Andy Sims, coach of the varsity football team, prizes van der Lek due to her commitment and hard work toward football. “You want somebody like her, but some people do the job and are like, ‘Woah, this is way harder than I thought it was going to be,’” Sims said. “[Managing is] not for everybody. They have to be reliable, too; they have to be good at it.” According to Sims, van der Lek’s role as head equipment manager is more time intensive than a typical manager. She never misses any of the three-hour long practices and is present for every game. “She definitely works as much as us,” senior Grant Hamel said. “It’s a different type of work, but she’s putting in just as much [as we are]... We all do respect her a lot.” Because of van der Lek’s love for the sport, she often helps the coaches even more than the five
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days a week that she’s needed. “I feel like I do [more than managers of other sports] in a way, because if there’s two games in a day, I’ll go to both,” van der Lek said. “I’ll go to one as much as I can and then… the last quarter I’ll go straight to the other one. And then I’ll come back and wash the water bottles and everything. I’ll come on Saturdays sometimes just to help the coaches out with cleaning.” Despite the hours spent with the team and compliments to her work ethic and dedication, van der Lek remains humble. “People say I should get more recognition, but I don’t really know,” van der Lek said. “I think I do a lot of hard work… but in a way I’m not into bragging about it.” Her efforts don’t go unnoticed by the football team; by having equipment and water out and ready for every game and practice, van der Lek prepares the players for success. “She’s at all our practices and every game, cheering us on,” Hamel said. “She really gets into it, just [like] the rest of the players do.” Van der Lek’s job allows her to participate in team activities and
We accept her, and she accepts us; it’s just like a brotherhood. — Grant Hamel
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make new friends with the players. “She’s closer to a player than a coach,” Hamel said. “She fits in pretty well. She comes to a lot of team dinners, spends time with us. She’s just like another player to us. We accept her, and she accepts us; it’s just like a brotherhood between all of us.” In the future, van der Lek plans on remaining involved with sports, and can even receive managing scholarships that cover halftuition. “I’ve had some basketball scholarships, but… I haven’t been playing lately,” van der Lek said. “[However], when I get older I might join adult leagues for soccer and basketball. I hope to manage football or any sport in college.” Currently, there aren’t managers in place for the next school year. However, van der Lek doesn’t want just anyone to take over her job. “There’s not really anyone who’s willing to put in the work, so I just hope someone comes in who’s hardworking and decides to help out Sims,” van der Lek said. “I want someone who will treat the team appropriately and not just go out just to flirt with the boys.” Although Sims believes that anyone can be as successful at managing as van der Lek if they have the time and motivation to do so, the team is doubtful that just any manager would be as good at the job. “I don’t know if anyone’s going to be as good as Bethany [is],” Hamel said. “She’s pretty awesome.”
I think I do a lot of hard work… but I’m not into bragging about it. — Bethany van der Lek
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6 | The North Star | October 2017
Dribble, Pass, Shoot! Unified Sports gives opportunities to students with special needs.
By Katie George
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ondays and Fridays during the them to work harder and be independent second part of North Time, senior while working together as a team. Julie Long leads BVN’s Unified “The goal for our program is to create Sports team practices. Completing drills, an inclusive, supportive, positive experience scrimmaging and practicing skills make up for every athlete and partner on our team,” most of the practices. said special education teacher and team Unified Sports is a part of the Special coordinator Kaci Beichley. Olympics program, which promotes social The Special Olympic programs began inclusion through training and competition when a woman named Eunice Kennedyin sports. Shriver believed individuals with intellectual According to the disabilities deserved the Special Olympics opportunity to participate website, 200 million “My favorite part of this in any sport in order to people across the globe benefit their quality of life. program is seeing all have an intellectual In 1962, Kennedydisability. Shriver started a summer of our students play The Special camp at her home in together on the same Olympics allows the Maryland for adults and team representing their children with cognitive student athletes to improve their athletic disabilities. She believed high school.” abilities, develop new these individuals were far -Kaci Beichley skills, experience more advanced in sports happiness and share and physical activities than this opportunity with most people expected. friends, family, teammates and the Special Since then, Special Olympics has became Olympics community. the largest program in the world for people At BVN, Unified Sports can play a role with psychological disablements, with over in the lives of students with special needs. four million athletes in 180 countries and all Currently it is basketball season, but they 50 states. also participate in other sports such as bocce In Unified Sports, relationships develop and soccer, and the athletes get a chance to over time with the peers and athletes, and show what they are capable of. The athletes it gives the athletes opportunities for social have been working hard with their partners outings and teaches peers leadership and (peer tutors) to get better every day and benevolence. improve on their skills. Beichley said athletes and partners can Each practice the build strong friendships athletes learn new skills, through this team. like how to dribble and “I love seeing all the kids’ “[We] meet new people pass, while having fun faces light up when we every time and learn how with their friends and teach us, and how play. That’s what makes they’ll partners. we teach them,” senior it so enjoyable.” “I love seeing all student athlete Ifraa the kids’ faces light up -Maddie Sheplak Iftikhar said. when we play,” senior There are innumerable Maddie Sheplak said. benefits this program “That’s what makes it so offers for students with enjoyable.” intellectual disabilities. As stated by The purpose of the Special Olympics Beichley, hard work and positivity is shown is for the athletes to gain confidence in in every practice. themselves and their physical abilities and to “My favorite part of this program is develop leadership skills. A cheering crowd seeing all of our students play together and the victory of winning and/or doing on the same team representing their high their best is what Special Olympics is all school,” Beichley said. “This program is about. why I became a teacher. It teaches students Junior and student athlete Eddie Shultz about inclusion, compassion, empathy, and said he feels “excited and happy” after cooperation while providing our special making a basket. education students with meaningful, The overall focus is for the participants inclusive high school experiences. This to be taught teamwork, perseverance and program builds friendships between peers decision making skills that they can take and athletes on and off the court which is into their real lives, according to the Special really cool.” Olympics website. There are challenges and The next Unified Sports basketball game obstacles all athletes will face that drive is Sunday, Nov. 4.
October 2017 | The North Star | 7
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5. 1. Junior Eddie Shultz sets up and aims for the basket. 2. Freshman Jacob Murphy jumps and shoots to score. 3. Freshman Connor Schaffer shakes hands with opponents post game. 4. Junior Kathryn Embry dribbles down the court to start the play. 5. Senior and coach Julie Long and sophomore Jacob Degner smile and laugh after a win. Opposite page: Noah Espinoza dribbles down the court. Photos by Katie George.
8 | The North Star | October 2017
Senior Aimee Howes pets her horses Rory (left) and Rio (right). They are boarded in a local equine facility. Photo by Connor Clary.
Not Horsing Around
Student horseback riders share the benefits and difficulties involved in riding and caring for their horses. By Connor Clary
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n the first show of her season, senior Hallie Everett prepared to enter the gate with her horse Winston. But Winston lacked the confidence held by her other horse, and the chaotic environment made them both uneasy. Everett turned her horse in a circle to calm herself, and as she did this she ran into another horse, scaring both Winston and the affected horse. “I ended up falling off,” Everett said. “And I didn’t finish my class. That took a long time to get through, to get myself past that because it took me maybe half of the season. Like, I didn’t get back to like how I was before until about halfway through the summer.” Almost a year and a half later, Everett went on to compete with her horse Henry, who was the more confident of her two horses, in this year’s
October 2017 | The North Star | 9 World’s Championship Horse Show, a competition held in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair. “At the beginning of the season we weren’t really sure if we were going to be able to go,” Everett said. “But then me and my horse had a lot of success through the summer and through the horse shows ... so we decided to give Louisville a shot.” She spent a week out of school to attend the tournament in Louisville, Kentucky, where she competed against dozens of opponents. “I was like way at the very end of the session that day, and I waited like three hours to show,” Everett said. “And so it was really exciting. I got a little overwhelmed because it was just crazy in there. We weren’t able to qualify for our championship, but I rode him later that week in the arena again, and he was really, really good. So we ended on a good note for that week.” Beyond competitions, Everett has formed a strong bond with her horses. “I like getting them ready; I like grooming them. I spend a lot of time with their stalls,” Everett said. “I have tons of selfies with them and stuff like that... My horse Henry, he always gets really excited when he sees me. And there’s like a point like at his stall when I can lean forward a little bit and he’ll just see me. He always like perks up and gets really excited when he sees me. And so I always like to do that, just like goofing around with him and stuff like that.” Senior Aimee Howes has a similar experience in developing a relationship with her horses. “Sometimes I will go out, and I’ll bring a lawn chair, and I’ll bring food, and I will sit out in the pasture with them and just kind of let them come up to me if they want to,” Howes said. “You know, I’ll go out, I’ll pet him, I’ll bring them inside, I’ll just brush them, I’ll give them baths.” But developing a bond between owner and horse also requires a certain amount of tough love. Junior Elizabeth Kniebert has found that her relationships with her horses is based primarily on mutual trust. “A lot of people think that when they get a horse it’s going to be like, ‘Oh, he’s going to love me and he’s going to come up to me and neigh at me,’” Kniebert said. “It’s nothing like that. It’s mainly just a respect. They kind of have to fear you a little bit to the point where, like, they’re going to respect your decisions and what you do.”
Howes fills trays with water outside the barn where she boards her horses. She soaked food in the water to feed the horses. Photo by Connor Clary. Last Summer, Howes adopted a wild Mustang, Rio, and she has been training him since. Since the horse had not yet formed a bond with Howes, there was a strong element of danger involved while breaking him. “He [Rio] kicked me, and I was on crutches for six weeks because he cracked my knee cap. And that was scary,” Howes said. Being kicked is not the only danger. Horses, according to Howes, are prey animals. So when their fight or flight instinct is triggered, they will typically choose flight. “I’ve been on my horse [Rio] when he got scared of something and he completely stopped listening to me and he overpowered me and he just started running,” Howes said. “And when a horse starts running, it’s scary.” Howes found that building a strong relationship with Rio was one of the most important steps in preventing injuries and preparing to ride him.
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[Y]ou need to have a connection with the horse. You need to trust him. You need to know him. So you’ve got to spend a lot of time with the horse and really get to be comfortable.
“A lot of it [horseback riding] is just spending time around horses,” Howes said. “Because yeah, you could go pick out a horse and get on and ride him. That’s great. But you need to have a connection with the horse. You need to trust him. You need to know him. So you’ve got to spend a lot of time with the horse and really get to be comfortable.” Since adopting Rio, who is now trained, Howes has considered the similarities between his breed and BVN mascot, which are both Mustangs. “There’s a little connection between school and my personal life,” Kniebert said, And I’ve kind of thought throughout the years, ‘how cool would it be to, like, at a football game, ride my mustang and have it be like a real life mascot.’” Horseback riding requires a certain level of commitment to be successful. Kniebert said that she typically visits her barn six days a week to take care of her horses and practice. “[T]here’s definitely a really big difference between the people who just care enough to come out like once a week or like once a month and ... the people who are trying to come out every day or like every other day and really trying to bond with the horse and learn.” This level of commitment can make it difficult to balance competitions and practice with school. “At the shows you’ll just be walking around and there’ll be girls like in front of their stall with homework spread out,” Kniebert said. “It’s like everybody’s in the same boat, everybody’s struggling with school and shows and all that.” But these difficulties do not deter those who are passionate about the sport. To be successful, according to Howes, the rider needs to truly commit. “Just make sure that you’re passionate about it,” Howes said. “I mean, if you’re there riding horses and you don’t really care, then the horse is going to know that and it’s going to show.” Through dedication, riders have the opportunity to learn valuable life lessons. “It’s completely raised my confidence so much,” Everett said. “Especially ever since I got [my horse] Henry. He’s very confident about himself and so he makes me feel confident when he is confident. ... There’s a saying that if your horse trusts you enough, your horse would trot through fire with you. And sometimes I feel like me and Henry could do that.”
10 | The North Star | October 2017
Truth About Birth Control The
By Lexie Herman
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he state of Kansas requires sexuality education, yet the local school boards are responsible in deciding the guidelines and curriculum topics, with basic state competencies set for certain grade levels, according to Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States. Many schools use an abstinence-plus education, which teaches that abstinence is the only 100 percent effective way to avoid pregnancy, although it still teaches about other contraception options. However, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, schools that teach mostly abstinence education tend to have higher teen pregnancy rates than those that teach more about safe contraception. Of the 45 female students polled in an anonymous survey conducted through the @bvnnews Twitter account, 40 percent revealed that they use some form of birth control. Nevertheless, many students do not have a great knowledge of their options, according to the survey results. The following information describes five of the most effective forms of birth control, other than abstinence. All information, unless stated otherwise, was found on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website. While each of these can help prevent pregnancy, no method is 100 percent effective, and none of them protect from sexually transmitted infections or diseases.
THE PILL What is it?
The most common form of birth control, the pill is taken once a day and releases extra hormones into the body to prevent pregnancy.
How effective is it?
The pill is 91 percent effective, so there is still a possibility of pregnancy while taking it. However, it gives other benefits including the prevention of acne, bone thinning, certain cancers, iron deficiency and PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome). Some side effects may include nausea and headache.
Other considerations:
There are two different types of pills, the combination pill (comprised of both the hormones Estrogen and Progestin) and the mini pill (just Progestin). The mini pill has to be taken within the same three-hour time span daily to work. The mini pill packs also do not have placebo pills, which don’t have any hormones, at the end of the cycle while the combination pill packs do.
THE PATCH What is it?
A more uncommon form of birth control, the patch is a small sticky square that is worn on the stomach, upper arm, back, or bottom. It releases both Estrogen and Progestin that is absorbed by the skin into the body to prevent pregnancy.
How effective is it?
The patch is just as effective as the pill at 91 percent and also gives the same health benefits of preventing acne, bone thinning, certain cancers, iron deficiency and PMS. Some side effects may include skin irritation, headaches, stomachaches, and nausea.
Other considerations:
Each patch is worn for three weeks and must be replaced on the three-week mark for it to be effective. Because of this strict deadline, the patch does not normally work well for women who tend to be more forgetful or busy.
October 2017 | The North Star | 11
THE SHOT What is it?
Also known as Depo-Provera, the shot is an injection of Progestin that is received once every three months.
How effective is it?
The shot is approximately 94 percent effective, but its efficiency can be increased by responsibly getting the follow-up shots in time-10-12 weeks after the previous shot. The shot has been proven to help protect from cancer in the uterus. Some side effects may include loss of bone density, weight gain, dizziness, and headaches. Other considerations: The shot cannot be purchased and performed at home; they can only be given by a trained nurse or doctor at a clinic. While it is possible for the shot to cause women to experience bone thinning, bone density usually returns to normal after they stop taking it.
THE IMPLANT What is it?
Nexplanon, the birth control implant, is a small, thin rod implanted in the upper arm. Once put into place, the implant releases Progestin into the body. While the implant can technically work for up to three years, it is easily removable if wanted or necessary. Some side effects may include weight gain, mood swings, headaches, and acne.
How effective is it?
Because it is simply placed in the arm and forgotten about until removal, the implant is one of the most convenient and safest forms of birth control with 99 percent effectiveness.
Other considerations:
Implant insertion is normally painless, as the nurse or doctor will numb the arm beforehand, so the most that could be felt is a slight pinch. However, it does not start working until after the first week. Removal is just as easy, as the doctor or nurse will numb the arm and make a slight incision to remove it.
THE IUD What is it?
Short for Intrauterine device, the IUD is a small piece of flexible plastic shaped like a “T” that is inserted in the uterus to prevent pregnancy.
How effective is it?
The IUD is the most effective form of birth control other than sterilization at more than 99 percent effectiveness. Similarly to the implant, IUDs are also very convenient because they can be forgotten about until removal. Some side effects may include abdominal pain or amenorrhea.
Other considerations:
There are two different types of IUDs, copper and hormonal. The copper IUD, also known as ParaGard, is wrapped in a tiny layer of copper which repels sperm and typically lasts up to 12 years. There are four different FDA approved brands of hormonal IUDs — Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta and Skyla — which all release the hormone Progestin and usually last from three to six years depending on the brand.
12 | The North Star | October 2017
We get it, You Vape
A look into the impact of vaping at BVN.
By Laura Evans
*Names changed for privacy
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fter working his uncle’s vape shop over the summer, senior Gerome Stevens* has gained a unique perspective on vaping. Although he does not vape, Stevens has witnessed minors attempt to buy vape supplies from the shop. “I’ve seen various people who are underage come to buy vapes,” Stevens said. “I’ve seen people that I know come to buy vapes. We shut them down; we ID them.” According to a survey conducted by the CDC in 2015, around 38 percent of high school students have tried vaping. Vaping is illegal for people under 18, and the purchase of nicotine and vapor materials is illegal for people under 21 in Leawood and Overland Park under a campaign called Tobacco 21. Despite these restrictions, vaping as a whole continues to impact the community at BVN. Stevens has noticed that students often begin vaping due to influence from their friends. “There’s always that one risky person who does it, and they just pass it around, and they try it, and then they get addicted,” Stevens said. Similarly, senior Todd Baker* got started with vaping through his friends. “All of my friends bought them before me,” Baker said. “I held out for a while, for I think six months. One of them got a vape, and then another one, and just so everyone had it. I could hold out, like I would use theirs, and that’s how I kind of got acquainted to it for a bit. I had never done it. I still knew about all the stigma, like memes about it (a.k.a. vape god), so I didn’t really do it for a while.” Underage vaping is one thing in and of itself, but vaping at school is another, with a higher risk of being caught and a higher penalty if one is caught. “Students [should be] aware that if they do make this decision [to vape at school], there are going to be repercussions,” administrator Adam Wessel said. “When you choose to bring those sort of things to school, students should know that the possibility exists that you are going to be caught, and there are going to be severe consequences as it relates
October 2017 | The North Star | 13 to school and potentially at home based on what’s going to happen with parents and so forth.” Wessel said that although the way in which the school reprimands students for vaping at school differs on a case-to-case basis, BVN uses a “progressive discipline plan” in response to vaping. According to Nolo.com, an online network of compiled legal information, progressive discipline systems involve, “Disciplinary measures range from mild to severe, depending on the nature and frequency of the problem.” In other words, the consequences a student faces for vaping are dependent on the situation in which they are caught vaping and whether or not it is a repeat offense. Despite the potential consequences, Baker said that he routinely vapes at school because he does not think he will be caught.
“There’s always that one risky person who does it, and they just pass it around, and they try it, and then they get addicted.” -Gerome Stevens* Although much is still unknown about the full scope of the health effects of vaping, many experts agree that vaping is better when compared to cigarettes. According to WebMD, “Most of the harm comes from the thousands of chemicals that are burned and inhaled in the smoke… E-cigs don’t burn, so people aren’t as exposed to those toxins.” Baker justifies his vape usage with his belief in the idea that vaping is relatively better than smoking cigarettes. “Cigarettes have a lot of other toxins and additives that can make it more addictive,” Baker said. “Those are the things that really cause a lot of lung cancers because it’s a lot of tar that might get stuck in your bronchioles, in your lungs. However, vape is something that doesn’t have all that stuff in it. It still has the nicotine, and it’s a substance, but it’s
much less harm to your body than a cigarette does.” However, just because many consider vaping to be a better alternative to cigarettes, there are still potential health risks. WebMD, for example, warns that different brands and flavors of vape may contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and diacetyl. Also, WebMD notes that nicotine, which is used in most vapes, is not only addictive, but it can harm developing brains and may cause artery problems. In light of the potential danger vaping may pose to one’s health, Wessel warns students about getting involved with vaping. “Don’t do it,” Wessel said. “It’s obvious it has no health benefits, and it’s what I would consider risky behavior. At the high school age, there’s no reason why students should be indulging in anything, vaping or otherwise, which is going to put their health at risk.” Furthermore, nicotine is an addictive substance. Though Baker acknowledges this, he doesn’t consider vaping to be as addictive as other substances. “I don’t think you really get like you need [to vape],” Baker said. “You might want it … then you do it. If you don’t have it, you’ll be like ‘aw shucks, I left it at home.’ You’ll deal with it; it’s not a big deal. You’re not twitching out because you don’t have your vape on you, or if you do, that’s a problem. Nicotine is addictive ... and it could lead to wanting better nicotine buzzes. Personally, I’m fine with what I get.” However, Stevens has witnessed vape customers who seem more dependent and addicted to vaping. “I’ve seen loads of people who are fidgety and jittery and all that,” Stevens said. “They start to get weird.” Additionally, Wessel warns that there may be consequences for vaping that students don’t consider. “To be honest, I think if you bring that stuff to school and you’re doing that here at school, whether you’re being caught or not, you’re making a bad decision,” Wessel said. “Nobody truly knows yet what the long term health impacts are of these things. To me, it just doesn’t seem worth it.”
14 | The North Star | October 2017
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Students share different ways they stay fit without being a part of a team sport.
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ating, sleeping and exercise are three of the essentials to a healthy and balanced life. While eating and sleeping are two things that many people find easy to achieve, finding time to exercise can be difficult. Not everyone is involved in team or club sports, nor do they have the time. Fortunately, there are many ways to stay healthy and fit without being involved in a competitive or recreational sport. “Sports just aren’t my forte, which is really funny because all of my coaches in middle school [would say] ‘You should be in cross country, you’re really fast,”’ senior Anna Hudson said. “I prefer to do stuff on my own time.” Hudson, like other students, is not involved in a team sport. She finds other ways to stay fit and healthy at home and at school. “This is going to sound really dumb, but I am in marching band. You would think that that is not very active, but it very much is,” Hudson said. “It is a lot of walking and running back to your spot on the field, so it’s really physical. Then when I’m not in marching band season, I take walks.” With her busy schedule, Hudson still finds time to do simple things that do not take up much time to stay healthy. While some students have time to exercise at school, other students do not have that option and have to make time.
“I’m not a sporty person, but I [still] like to stay fit,” sophomore Elena Girolametto said. “Some things I do to exercise are simple like walking home from school, as well as watching what I eat.” Girolametto enjoys walking because it is a quick, simple way to feel healthy. “[Walking] gets me out of the house and gives me some exercise so that I feel better if I want a treat to eat [later],” Girolametto said. While exercising helps students stay fit and healthy, there are other ways to stay healthy without having to take time out of the day to go to the gym. Hudson does simple things at home to keep her mind and body healthy, such as eating good food and taking essential vitamins. “My family is very particular about what we buy because my dad only shops at Whole Foods, so all the food at my house is organic, [and] I take my vitamins every day,” Hudson said. Hudson does simple things at home to keep her mind and body healthy, such as eating good food and taking essential vitamins. Like Hudson, other students try to eat good foods as well in order to stay healthy. “I eat fruits like apples and bananas, and salads, proteins [and] meats,” junior Ethan Harlow said. While eating the right foods and
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getting enough exercise is important, students can do other activities in their free time in order to stay fit. “I play soccer with my friends sometimes,” Harlow said. “I like the outdoors [because] you get the fresh air and the breeze, and it’s nice weather.” Some students also find time to stay fit with their family members in their free time, so that it does not feel like it is that much of a hassle to go to the gym. “I go to the gym with my father, and we ride the bikes together and lift weights,” junior Spencer Sobek said. Other students like to work out on their own rather than being a part of a team sport because they enjoy staying fit independently. “I can independently challenge myself, and I can monitor my own success,” senior Liam McConnell said. “It’s really not fun thinking about going to the gym, but once you get there and start doing stuff, it’s fun once you get in the mindset [of things].” There are many ways to stay active and healthy without being a part of a team sport at school, such as eating healthy, drinking plenty of water and doing simple things to stay fit.
Smart Without f Sports
October 2017 | The North Star | 15
Top: Senior Liam McConnell likes to stay healthy and hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Middle: Junior Spencer Sobek lifts weights in the weight room during school hours. Bottom: Sophomore Elena Girolametto goes for a light jog in her free time in order to stay fit. Photos by Lauren Graham.
16 | The North Star | October 2017
By Anna Martin
How Exercise Affects You
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Students speak about the positive impacts of exercise.
s most people know, physical benefits of exercising. lifestyle, and it makes me feel exercising has many According to HelpGuide, better about myself,” Scott said. mental and physical exercising impacts mood, “I just feel more productive. I can benefits. It also has a lot of short sleeping patterns and memory. accomplish more after I exercise.” term and long term effects. It also helps people with ADHD The University of Maryland Senior and anxiety. Medical Center says the Sophie “[Exercise combination of inactivity “[Exercising] has so many Scott finds helps] clear and eating the wrong foods health benefits, and it helps exercising your mind,” is the second most common you stay physically and to be Pereira said. preventable cause of death in the mentally fit.” beneficial “When [you’re] United States. in multiple thinking about Scott exercises six days a - Sophie Scott ways. a problem for week, but she realizes how much “[Exercising] has so many a long time, it’s good to take a it takes to exercise. health benefits, and it helps you break from it and come back “[When I exercise] I feel really stay physically and mentally fit,” later with a different perspective. tired and I [want to] quit, but Scott said. When you’re exercising, it really after I finish the workout, I feel According to the University of gives you a clean slate to go back accomplished and happy that I Maryland Medical Center, a few and address the problem again.” pushed myself,” Scott said. of the physical benefits exercising Pereira finds exercising Although Scott is currently has can include decreased risks rewarding in mental ways. affected by exercising, she also in cardiovascular disease, high “After, you feel like you knows how it will impact her in blood pressure, stroke, colon accomplished the future. “Exercise makes me feel and breast cancers, diabetes, something “It keeps depression and dementia. that you cleaner, better. It makes you my heart Like Scott, senior Ernie didn’t have look good, makes you feel healthy and Pereira, has experienced many to do but you my body good.” - Ernie Pereira positive effects from exercise. went out to healthy, so “Exercise makes me feel do, [you give] I can live cleaner, better,” Pereira said. “It yourself a lot of pride,” Pereira longer,” Scott said. makes you look good, makes you said. The American Heart feel good.” Exercising helps Scott keep up Association recommends that There are many mental her self-confidence. individuals exercise for at least benefits in addition to the “It makes me lead a better 150 minutes per week.
October 2017 | The North Star | 17
Elizabeth Cornell Mark Fancher
Andrea Exon
Amy Wiese
Abby Cornelius
Shelley Moran
Michael Dudley
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Laura O’Connell, Lauren Simpson
Kiah Kollman
Throwback to Homecoming BVN teachers contrast their personal experiences with those of current students.
y homecoming experience was totally non-traditional,” chemistry and earth science teacher Kiah
Kollman said. Whether it was 1986 or 2017, there was homecoming. BVN teachers contrast their personal experiences with those of current students. Kollman lived in a small town in Kansas when she was younger. As a result, they did things a little differently at her high school. Their homecoming dance took place after the football game on Friday night. “All the girls changed into jeans and T-shirts, and the guys did the same,” Kollman said. World history teacher Michael Dudley, who went to high school in Colorado, also mentioned his homecoming wasn’t as extravagant as it is today at BVN. Although they dressed nicely and went to dinner before the dance like high school students today, the way they asked each other was different. “The guys would ask the girls in the hallway during school and awkwardly walk away after we asked,” Dudley said.
For his freshman and sophomore year, Dudley went with about three other couples and his senior year he went with six couples. Their group would take a nicer car, but nothing too fancy. English teacher Shelley Moran felt she had a better time as an upperclassman than she did as a freshman. Moran went to homecoming three out of the four years of her high school career due to being grounded her sophomore year. “I didn’t know what to expect my freshman year,” Moran said. Moran, who graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest, explained that her homecoming was pretty much the same as it is now. “We did dress up and our homecoming dance was the Saturday after the football game, but we didn’t have signs with asking someone to homecoming,” Moran said. Algebra I teacher Ashlyn West, who graduated from Olathe East, also had a homecoming experience that was similar to BVN’s. “One year I was asked with a cute poem and a card, or something cheesy like that,” West said.
By Lyndsey Henkel
West also mentioned it was difficult finding a dress for the dance. She was nervous one year when she went with someone she didn’t really know instead of a group of friends. However, she was very spirited in high school and always loved dances; therefore, she was always excited for homecoming. History teacher Jeff Breedlove went to homecoming for his junior and senior years. His homecoming happened all in one night. First, there was the football game, then a bonfire after the game and ending back to the school for a carnival. “I think the pressure is way more intense now,” Jeff Breedlove said. He explained how his son, freshman Ethan Breedlove, went with a big group of freshmen, nothing like his (Jeff ’s) own experience. For most teachers, homecoming was very different than today’s homecoming. In fact, some teachers would go back to homecoming and recreate the night all over again. “It’s fun to get dressed up and see what everybody wears, so I would go again,” Moran said.
18 | The North Star | October 2017
Homecoming in Pictures By Grace E. Rudman
The North Star captured moments from the week of Homecoming.
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October 2017 | The North Star | 19
5.
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7. 1. BVN Theater walk and cheer in the Homecoming Parade. 2. Senior Emily Stier is crowned Homecoming Queen. 3. Junior Carmen Kapadia and sophomore Ellie Layne wear pajamas for spirit week. 4. Graham Mertz throws the football down the field. 5. Seniors Elizabeth Hendrickson, Molly Overman, and Carson Orchard show school spirit at the Homecoming game. 6. Grace Glaser dresses as a snowman while riding in the Juniors’ winter theme float. 7. Senior Liliana Mora performs at the Vaudeville-themed halftime show alongside the band. 8. Miss Kansas Caroline Turk rides in a car at the parade.
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20 | The North Star | October 2017
THINKING
By Sooim Kang
the
OUTSIDE BOX
New Debate Coach Brian Box and his students explain his transition into BVN.
October 2017 | The North Star | 21
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ith a number of successes under their belt, the varsity debate team has wasted no time in finding their footing with new debate coach Brian Box. “I thought this year was going to be absolutely awful, but it’s turning out to be pretty good, and that’s thanks to Mr. Box,” varsity debater and junior Ramya Chilappa said. In 2012, representing Witchita State University, Box qualified as a quarter-finalist in the National Debate Tournament with his partner, Matt Munday. At the tournament, Box was able to secure his spot as the 21st speaker, overall. This had marked WSU’s first quarter-finalist appearance since 1968 where Box and his partner were able to qualify into the Elite 8 before losing to Gonzaga, landing their position as the 29th seed within the overall tournament. “I was in the quarterfinals of the National Debate Tournament in college and was the top speaker at another national tournament, so I’ve had some success, but to me it’s more about how can I take that and translate it into opportunities for my students,” Box said. For some students, Box’s impressive resume helped to ease initial worries, and Box’s quarter-finalist position alone had convinced them of his future success at North. “He’s an NDT quarter-finalist,” open debater and junior Vamsi Chivali said. “There’s nothing I could potentially even remotely say about him that would defame him.” Former debate students have admitted that they were initially hesitant with the prospect of adjusting to a new debate coach, but they are now relieved of those worries. Chilappa clarified her biggest fear with the new coach was not whether he was qualified for the job, but rather if he would be able to connect as easily with his students as their former coach. “Obviously [Box] is an amazing debater,” Chilappa said. “We’ve known that because he’s well-known ... [W]e weren’t sure how he was going to turn out, and we weren’t sure how his coaching style was going to be. But I think we all really, really like him now.” For Box, the position seemed promising from the beginning, as he was pleased with the teaching format the
administration encouraged within the classrooms. “My first interaction was with the administration when they interviewed me, and I was like, ‘These people are awesome,’” Box said. “I liked the focus that the school put on allowing teachers to do what we wanted to.” On top of the successful interaction with the administration, Box was excited with the overall response from the students and thought they had made a lasting first impression. “I got here on the first day, [and] was really impressed overall with the students’ eagerness, willingness to listen and their desire to learn,” Box said. At first, the initial transition might have proved worrisome, but most students seemed pleasantly surprised with the ease and fluidity of it. “I think it was hard in the first couple of weeks just because his approach to
“Get a chance to meet the guy. He’s super cool; he’s open to everyone; he’s social, [an] all-around [good] guy.” -junior Vamsi Chivali teaching is so different, but overall it’s been a good transition,” Chilappa said. “Everyone really likes him; he’s a really cool guy.” In respect to the changes Box has made to the program so far, they are far and few from what the debaters had originally speculated. Some students could not help but imagine that the worst would arise with the introduction of a new coach, so many were pleasantly surprised when they saw that Box was the teacher who walked into room 402. “I was skeptical at first because our first meeting he was like ‘We will not be practicing that much,’” varsity debater and junior Ellie Anderson said. “I was like ‘What the? Everything is so different.’ But now that we’re here, it’s not that much different, and we’ve kept the good things that I liked that I was worried about losing with a new coach.” Box explained that the biggest change he is trying to implement is the motivation behind the students’ successes. Every weekend, there are
tournaments at which teams are given the opportunity to earn a bid, qualifying them for a spot in a major tournament held in Kansas called the Debate Coaches Invitational. The prospect of qualifying for this tournament can excite many students and encourage them to win their rounds. However, Box clarifies that he is less concerned with winning a bid and more concerned with big picture goals. “I want us to be less motivated by the prospect of getting the bid and more just concerned with going to good tournaments, being in hard debates and growing overall in our thinking,” Box said. On the students’ end, the shift from state-based tournaments to nationalbased ones has been the biggest noticeable difference within the program. “We’ve mostly stayed in Kansas the last couple years and way before that. Now we’re starting to travel outside of Kansas,” Anderson said. More subtly, students have noticed the different teaching methods he has applied within the classroom and how they have impacted their overall personal experiences. “I honestly like Mr. Box because he teaches better and explains the method of argumentation in such a precise and unique way,” open debater and sophomore Vivasvat Vatatmaja said. According to Chavali, along with implementing a different teaching method, Box has also divided his time differently than Thompson had among the novice, open and varsity debaters. “Honestly, I think he gives a little more time to our novices and our opendebaters ... so he focuses on the whole spectrum of debate rather than just the best debate or the novices or whatever,” Chavali said. It seems that Box has been able to easily transition into North, and as the year has continued, students have been able to better adjust to having Box as the new debate coach. Chavali ends his interview with encouraging advice for other students to try to get to know the new staff member, Box. “Get a chance to meet the guy,” Chivali said. “He’s super cool; he’s open to everyone; he’s social, [an] all-around [good] guy.”
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October 2017 | The North Star | 22
OCKDOWN Versus
ALICE A feature comparing Olathe’s ALICE security system and Blue Valley’s Lockdown. By Shantha Burt
October 2017 | The North Star | 23
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or the Blue Valley and Olathe Directors of Security, Dan Carney and Rick Castillo, the safety of students and staff comes above all else. “The safety and security of our students and staff is our absolute number one priority,” Castillo, Olathe Director of Security, said. “We know in order for students to be successful, they need to feel safe.” Yet the means of achieving this safety varies between districts. While Blue Valley has established a lockdown system in response to intruders, Olathe has chosen a different route, the ALICE system. “ALICE stands for alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate,” Carney, Blue Valley Director of Security, said. “It was developed by a police officer.” Olathe implemented this program shortly after the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012. “We switched to ALICE after some careful study and thought after Sandy Hook,” Castillo said. “We thought about how our community would react to a change in how we do business in regards to an active shooter.” In the event of an intrusion, students under the lockdown system execute the first three steps of ALICE. “We already do a lot of what the ALICE program is teaching,” Carney said. “[We] alert everyone that there’s a problem, we go into lockdown [and we] keep everybody informed of what’s developing and what’s going on.” Despite the precautions taken with these three steps, Blue Valley’s lockdown has no counter method in place in case an assailant gets behind locked doors. Carney explains that part of the reason why is because Blue Valley believes lockdowns themselves are sufficient. “The reason why we put so much stock into lockdowns is because in almost every single case of school shootings in this country, no one behind a locked interior door has been injured or killed,” Carney said. “Sandy Hook included.” ALICE has a lockdown method established, but also provides students and staff the opportunity to make different decisions depending on their situation, such as countering the assailant or escaping the building all together. “The reason we went to ALICE was to use it as an enhanced lockdown method,” Castillo said. “Instead of just locking down, we wanted to give our staff and students a variety of options that they could use depending [on] where they were in the building and what they were
encountering.” Advocates of ALICE believe that having options of how to deal with a crisis situation is an important component of safety, according to Castillo. “I don’t want to overgeneralize, but [with ALICE] it’s not just a matter of being a sitting duck,” Castillo said. “It’s about having lockdown as an option, but if it doesn’t work, also having other options” However, Carney explains that Blue Valley hasn’t established a counter method because the motives and psychological state of the assailant are unforeseeable. “We cannot treat school shooters like widgets that’re all programmed exactly the same,” Carney said. “They’re not.” The Blue Valley offices were contacted shortly before the publishing date and questioned about how lockdown prevents treating the shooters the same as compared to ALICE. A response wasn’t received by the printing date. The possibility that a targeted shooting could escalate into mass chaos if the assailant is provoked has also caused Blue Valley to stray away from the ALICE system. “How do you know if their real intent is just to get in front of some students and commit suicide,” Carney said, “or if they just have a grudge against one kid that’s been bullying them for years.” Contrary to Blue Valley, Olathe believes that having an option to counter is beneficial as it makes escaping confrontation with an assailant easier. “The purpose of counter is to distract [the assailant] and get out,” Castillo said. “It’s not really to stand there and fight with them or anything like that.” Castillo explained that escape is another component of ALICE that Blue Valley’s lockdown doesn’t account for. “If I’m in the back of the building, and [an attacker] is in the front, I’m likely not going to lockdown,” Castillo said. “I’m likely going to escape the building.” Carney explains that having students counter an assailant that might not be targeting them in the first place is a moral gray area. “What’s going to happen a week or two after that if they do shoot you,” Carney said. “Your parents show up and say to me, ‘Why did you train my daughter to throw stuff at a guy with a gun. Are you out of your mind? That guy was looking for his ex-girlfriend or that guy was mad about a drug deal that went bad, and he’s looking for the other two
drug dealers, but you taught my daughter to throw stuff at a guy with a gun.’” Carney also used the example of an almost-shooting at Holy Spirit Parochial Elementary School to advocate for why the ALICE system isn’t always the best policy. “About three years ago at Holy Spirit Parochial Elementary School, a kid came into the classroom with a rifle, pointed it at the teacher and pulled the trigger,” Carney said, “It jammed, and he threw it down on the ground, and pulled out a knife.” Carney explained that what happened next saved the teacher’s life, whereas if the ALICE system was used, it may have led to a different outcome. “By this time, the teacher in the other room has heard the commotion in this room,” Carney said. “She comes across the hallway quickly, looks in the room and sees this kid with a hunting knife. She walks up to him, saying his name soothingly, and she wraps her arms around him. He starts to cry, and she takes the knife away.” Carney explains that some shootings can be avoided altogether if students and staff remain calm and cautious. “If kids had all thrown stuff at him, maybe it would’ve worked, maybe it wouldn’t have, [but] I’m not going to teach them to do that,” Carney said. “In that situation, it was the soothing voice of a teacher that he knew and respected that got into his head and stopped him from doing anything more.” However, Castillo explains that Olathe’s intent is not to teach kids they have to counter, but rather to inform them that they can. “We [use ALICE] so that our students and staff know they have the option [to counter],” Castillo said. “If they employ that option, they know they won’t be in trouble with us. We want them to know it is available to them, and they can consider it, especially during a life and death situation” Carney explains that each district is entitled to have its own security system, and depending on their location and situation, the best security system for them may be different than the best system for Blue Valley. “Every school district has the right to examine the information and make the best decision for their kids,” Carney said. “I know there are schools in KCK with metal detectors and I’m not going to pass judgment on that. They have their set of circumstances, and they’ve decided that makes the most sense for them.”
24| The North Star | October 2017
Mask
Behind the By Briley Everhart
Senior Aryn Christian found a passion in special FX makeup looks and shares the details behind it all.
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he liquid latex dripped apply the two. onto Principal David When she was assigned Stubblefield’s face to do graphic makeup for as senior Aryn Christian an eighth grade drama class blotted a combination of project, Christian had little red and black paints into knowledge of special FX. the mixture. The face of At that point, she decided the principal had been to start investing some transformed into that of a time into practicing gorey bloody zombie, rattling the makeup. bones of students and staff During Christian’s just in time for Halloween sophomore year, an season. opportunity for her to “I didn’t think [the apply her skills opened up. makeup] would transform Christian had the chance to my look that much,” do makeup for a production Stubblefield said. at Rockhurst High School A spooky makeup look where she was asked to is perfect for cool October create gorey wounds on days, and a great way to get characters. Even though in the she had Hallow“She is talented... never really een spirit worked with That was really than just these looks, that. The impressive, that was she was makeup determined done by something you would to get the Chrisjob. see in a movie.” tian is a “I went process -David Stubblefield online,” that takes Christian time to create the illusion of said, “and I thought, ‘you someone or something else. know what, how do you Christian uses her love actually do this?’” of special FX makeup, a After practicing, she combination of prosthetic brought the director at sculpting, molding and Rockhurst two face charts, a casting techniques that create chart used by makeup artists advanced cosmetic effects. to test out or plan a look, and Christian first delved she got the job. into makeup around middle “The director said, ‘Wow school. She started out with these are really good,’” only mascara, blush and a Christian said. “‘Can you do basic knowledge of how to this for the entire show and
all the characters?’” Putting on makeup in the Christian was ready to morning before school or take on the challenge and painting the face of an actor implement a more elaborate at Worlds of Fun on a Friday special FX design into the night helps Christian express high school show. not only her love of art, but Now working at Worlds also her love of makeup by of Fun’s Halloween Haunt, showing other students that Christian practices her FX, it’s okay to show off your adding a at “Real men can do skills spooky school. flare “Please anything and real for the [wear women can do haunted makeup], houses. anything they want.” so I’m not Wearalone and -Aryn Christian ing makeI’m not up is often the only seen as a girl with a way to cover insecurities and full face on during the day,” hide or feature certain facial Christian said. features. However, for some, She wants to inspire it has a different connotation. other students to do what “It’s a lot more fun now they want to do without — more of an art,” Christian caring what other people said. think. Practicing is a way to The use of makeup not gain skill and continue to only helped Christian feel show off strengths. more confident in herself, “She is talented...That was but also helped her find a really impressive, that was passion. something you would see in For those just starting a movie,” Stubblefield said. out in makeup, Christian By working hard and recommends to start out practicing, Christian aspires small. Using simple products to do freelance makeup on that aren’t overly pigmented the side in college and her is a simple way to ease into it. professional life. Makeup “Real men can do not only allows Christian to anything and real women express herself artistically, can do anything they want,” but also may provide her an Christian said regarding opportunity for the future. those that might be too shy to embrace their makeup skills at school.
2017 October| The North Star| 25
Principal David Stubblefield is transformed into a zombie by Aryn Christian to promote the upcoming BVN haunted house. He went through a few classes, scaring various students and staff. Photo by Katie George.
26 | The North Star | October 2017
Bump, Set,
Sing
By Angie Giglione
Former volleyball player Chloe Puetz returns to singing, wins competition.
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alloons descended on senior Chloe Puetz as she stood in the center of the Yardley Hall stage. The audience cheered wildly as the senior was presented with her prize: a $10,000 check and the title of 2017 KC SuperStar. KC SuperStar, now in its eighth year, is a singing competition that awards the Edward and Ellen Rose Family Scholarship to the best high school singer in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Chloe’s mom, Michele Puetz, was the person who encouraged her to try it. “My mom was like, ‘You liked to sing when you were younger,’” Chloe Puetz said. “‘You should try out for this KC Superstar thing,’ and I was like, ‘OK, I guess.’” Chloe said her family has always encouraged her to pursue music, but her mom specifically has been supporting her ever since she started participating in Christian Youth Theater musicals. Michele Puetz is one of Chloe’s biggest fans. “My most memorable moment of Chloe singing to date is when she sang her song for KC SuperStar,” Michele Puetz said. “I was so nervous for her all day before the performance. I was worried something would go wrong, like she would forget the words or be off key. When she
got on stage in front of all the people in the audience, she just let go and did a beautiful job. Her voice and performance just gave me butterflies in my stomach. I’ll never forget it.”
“Music allows me to express myself.” -Chloe Puetz Senior Abbey Sensenich, also a singer, was also supporting Chloe at KC SuperStar from the audience. She has been cheering Chloe on since they were in talent shows together in elementary school. “I actually attended KC SuperStar to support her, and when she was listed as the top four, my heart stopped,” Sensenich said. “I had complete faith she was first or second, but it’s hard to determine which way judges will ‘judge’ because everyone has their own set of expectations and everything. When they announced the name that was second and it wasn’t her, I knew it was [Chloe] that got first, and I screamed and literally started crying because I was so so proud of her and knew she had worked and worked for that moment. She deserved it! She looked so beautiful, and the pure elation on her face
was unbearably amazing.” Along with Michele Puetz, Sensenich has also witnessed Chloe’s natural talent when it comes to music. “Since day one when she used to jam out to Miley Cyrus and other intenserange type of songs, she just picked it up, made it her own, and her version I loved even more,” Sensenich said. “She’s awesome. She’s also not afraid to try to plunk our tunes on the piano, and she’s writing her own music too.” Chloe’s musical path was not always so clearly defined. For most of her childhood, her volleyball career took precedent over her music career. “I was in musicals and stuff when I was in kindergarten,” Chloe said. “But then I played volleyball for like eight years, so I stopped doing anything with music and only focused on volleyball. I was trying to get a college scholarship, but then it kind of started going downhill. I was losing interest, and a lot of stuff was happening with different coaches that was really getting me down as a person. So then I turned to music.” Chloe’s mother supported her decision to return to her childhood love of music. “I actually gave her a little push to perform again after taking almost six years
October 2017 | The North Star | 27
off from performing,” Michele Puetz said. “Singing in musical theater and school choir would conflict with her volleyball, so she took time away from singing in public, but her true love of singing was always there.” Even though Chloe associates volleyball with some negative memories, she is still thankful for all of her experiences and how they have shaped her into the person she is today. “I feel like me playing volleyball for eight years really took a toll on me, but it made me who I am, so I feel like I wouldn’t change anything,” Chloe said. Chloe said that she really feels like herself when she is on stage. “Music allows me to express myself,” Chloe said. “Because when I’m singing, I’m saying stuff that I wouldn’t say to somebody when I’m talking to them.” Sensenich agreed that Chloe seems like a better version of herself when she is doing something relating to music. “It’s not that she’s not awesome when she isn’t performing, because she’s hilarious and very fun to be around, but she opens up a deeper, more emotional side of herself when performing that’s hard to see when she isn’t in performance mode,” Sensenich said.
Chloe said that she enjoys music because of its ability to bring groups of people together. “I like how so many people can connect to a song in a different way and how it can mean something really personal to me about one thing, and then it can mean something to another person that’s completely different, but it’s just words that are put to a tune,” Chloe said.
“She looked so beautiful, and the pure elation on her face was unbearably amazing.” -Abbey Sensenich Chloe said her biggest challenge so far in her musical career is feeling like there’s no group at BVN that she belongs to. “The theater kids have musical theater in school, and the athletes have their sports,” Chloe said. “A lot of people get confused as to why I’m not in choir, and it’s just not the same. In choir, you have to do everything in a certain way. Music should be different each time [you sing] because you’re telling a story differently each time. I just really feel like there
should be a club or something that gets together and puts on a talent show every semester.” Chloe’s musical journey will not stop when she graduates in May. “I’m auditioning at three schools: one in Chicago, one in Boston and one in California,” Chloe said. “I’m trying to get into the music industry major, which is like producing music and then selling music. So I’m trying to get into those different colleges and maybe meet some people at those places and collaborate with them and try to build up a following of my own.” Balloons fall on Chloe Puetz after she is crowned KC SuperStar 2017. Chloe’s family and friends cheered after her name was announced. Photo by Brian Turner. Chloe practices on the KC SuperStar stage. She arrived early to warm up. Photo by Cheryl Stefanowicz. Chloe stands beside her family as a $10,000 is presented to her. Her family supported her throughout the entire KC SuperStar process. Photo by Cheryl Stefanowicz. Chloe performs in front of a crowd on the KC SuperStar stage. The performance was held at Yardley Hall at Johnson Country Community College. Photo by Brian Turner.
28 | The North Star | October 2017
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Fall Fashion to the Hallway: Learn more about BVN’s fashionable students and get inspired by their style and favorite fall trends. by Brooke Werp
Photo by Grace Rudman
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@Delaina Sanden
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any BVN students have selected and personalized their favorite fall trends. According to Savoir Flair, an online fashion publication, many of these trends are inspired by and pulled from this season’s runway shows and collections of haute-couture designers. Due to the fast fashion industry, lower end, yet trendy stores are able to produce copies of runway looks in two weeks or less. In addition to social media and influencers promoting these trends, the public is now quickly and easily accessing the latest in fashion. However, there are BVN students like senior Nick Lynch who go about shopping in a different way and opt for the thrift store instead. “I like Plato’s closet because they actually have some pretty cool stuff,” Lynch said. “I have a parka [from Plato’s Closet], so when it gets colder I’ll start to wear it.” Sophomore Delaina Sanden believes that buying second-hand is great for the planet and finds that she often picks up unique clothing that others do not have the opportunity to get.
“I like taking ideas that are really out of the box and having them fit my style and how I want to look.” -Delaina Sanden “Thrift stores are my thing. I got my homecoming dress at a thrift store,” Sanden said. “My whole homecoming outfit is less than $50. I also got this jean skirt that went past my knees, and I cut it and made it so it would look asymmetrical, so I DIY a ton of stuff.” Sanden is inspired to transform pieces like her skirt by high end clothing and designer collections like the Golf Wang collection by Tyler the Creator. “I’ll watch his fashion shows for hours, just because they’re so out of the box and cool,” Sanden said. “I like taking ideas that are really out of the box and having them fit my style and how I want to look.” Freshman Maddie Wathanacharoen develops her style from watching fashion and beauty vloggers on YouTube and following fashion insiders on Instagram. “When [influencers and vloggers] show their daily outfits and I like what I see, I’ll
October 2017 | The North Star | 29 try to find something like it for myself,” color. According to Elle Magazine, “red Wathanacharoen said. “I watch [YouTuber] may be the color of all fall 2017 fashion Sydney McGee, she lives in Springfield, weeks,” as the “powerful red” has been Mo., which is kinda cool. I also watch spotted on the runways of numerous ‘Full House,’ so I really like Mary Kate designers all over the world. and Ashley Olsen. I Senior Ashley knew they had their Sims is inspired “She’s local and I saw own clothing line, most by Molly so I followed them Elizabeth, a designer her work in Kansas on Instagram and chosen to premiere City fashion week last I look at what they on Lifetime’s year. She’s so young, make.” “Project Runway Senior Caroline Junior.” and she has her own Root, on the other “She’s local and I line of clothes, and it’s hand, gravitates saw her work at the amazing.” toward outlet stores. Kansas City fashion “I’ll go to the week last year,” -Ashley Sims outlets instead Sims said. “She’s so because for some young, and she has reason, I always find more there,” Root her own line of clothes; it’s amazing.” said. “It’s not necessarily for the price, but Vintage florals have been a must-have there is more variety, and you can get so print in Sims’s wardrobe lately, as it has much done in one place. graced the catwalks of Coach to Ralph Like Sanden, Root is influenced by Lauren this past September at New York high-end brands. Root said she will always fashion week. try to blend her everyday street wear with Rather than prints and patterns, senior an upper end, Ivy League style. Sherman Root has taken a liking to darker “I always try to [sort of] mix it, like this colors and has recently seen this trend top is Tommy Hilfiger, but I still wore my surfacing at his favorite stores, Brooks dirty Airforce Ones with it because I like Brothers and Vineyard Vines. to add something a little different,” Root “I like that the colors [are] a little bit said in regard to her outfit. darker than [they are in the] summer, so Similarly, junior Joseph Lee likes no yellows or oranges, but more navy blue streetwear and skate brands and regularly and dark red,” Root said. shops at Urban Outfitters, Zumiez, PacSun One item Root will not leave the house and H&M. without is his watch. When asked about the trends he will “I feel like I always have to have my be showcasing this fall, Lee responded watch on me, because I have worn it for so by standing up to show the length of long, and I would feel naked without it,” his oversized shirt. Esquire Magazine Root said about his Shinola silver watch. predicted that oversized proportions French foreign exchange student and would be everywhere come fall and sophomore Lola Garcia shares a similar suggests piecing interest in metallics. an oversized shirt Garcia wants to add or hoodie with a a metallic jacket to “Of course whatever fitted bottom. her wardrobe and is models are wearing Spaniard and considering pairing it is [going to] be in, so junior Carmen with some destroyed de Santos is boyfriend jeans and I’ll look at the catwalk influenced by a dark red T-shirt. and streetwear of the streetwear of According to Vogue’s models.” public figures 2017 fall fashion in the fashion recap, “high shine of -Carmen de Santos community. the Space Age” and “Of course metallic details are whatever models back on the runways are wearing is [going to] be in, so I’ll for many designers this season. look at the catwalk and streetwear of the From the runways of designers to models,” de Santos said. stores and social media, students are able Come fall, de Santos wants to make to express their personalized styles based a fashion statement in the color red and on this fall’s popular trends. plans to invest in a pair of jeans in the
30 | The North Star | October 2017
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By Caroline Koenig
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enior Emma Delphon’s tattoo represents her relationship with her sister. They decided to get matching tattoos to make them feel close, even though her sister lives out of state. “We’ve always loved the mountains,” Delphon said. “Even when we were kids we always wanted to go to the mountains,
but we never got to, When she moved to Colorado, [my family] got to travel there more often.” For some, one of the biggest questions when getting a tattoo is where on the body to get it. Delphon chose to get hers on her inner arm, right above the elbow. “We looked at a lot of pictures of
mountain tattoos, and people really put them everywhere, but there [weren’t] a lot [of tattoos] right there,” Delphon said. “We wanted to have something different than a lot of people. Also, it looked really cool to have a mountain range there.” Delphon’s mom made sure that her decision when getting a
tattoo was well thought out. “My mom encouraged me to think about getting a future job, and if they’re going to allow me to have tattoos,” Delphon said. “I told [my mom] that if they don’t allow me to have tattoos, I don’t want to work there.” Although some find the experience of getting a tattoo too
painful and difficult, Delphon had her family with her to make it more special. “[Getting my tattoo] was really good,” said Delphon. “It only took 30 seconds, and it didn’t really hurt. Also, my sister was there with me cheering me on, and my mom was there, too, so it was super fun.”
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enior Hayden Freiermuth has three stick-and-poke tattoos that each represent something important to her. “I have an hourglass, a heart and a peace sign,” Freiermuth said. “The heart is for fun. The peace sign is [because] I feel like I’m a peaceful person, and I feel like it’s something that I can have on me to remind me to be peaceful and [take time to] think. The hourglass is to [remind me to] just let time go and to focus on the present.” For some, tattoos can be a painful experience. For others it can be a fairly easy and overall fun experience. “It was kind of painful,” Freiermuth said. “I wasn’t really thinking too much about it, to be completely honest,” Freiermuth said. “It was fun and easy and just something to do with my friends to commemorate our friendship and our time
together.” Sometimes tattoos can come with judgment from others, but Freiermuth doesn’t let the judgement she gets from others affect her. “Some people judge me for having them, but I don’t really care,” Freiermuth said. “It doesn’t really affect me.”
Match That Tat
Some of the teachers have tattoos. Try to match the teacher to their tattoo!
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KEY 1. Erin Morgan 2. Jeff Breedlove 3. Brenda Colwell 4.Jodi Johnson 5.Amanda Riss
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ver the summer, junior Tara Kaplan tattooed a peace sign on her ankle herself using the stick-and-poke method. According to the Washington Post, doing a tattoo using the stick-andpoke method involves using a sharp object dipped in ink that is pricked dot by dot into the skin. “[Peace signs] are one of my favorite symbols,” Kaplan said. “I try to be a positive person and keep the peace with other people, and it’s something I believe in.” Because Kaplan has been considering getting a tattoo since middle school, her tattoo was well thought out. “I’ve thought about getting a stick-and-poke for a very long time, but I didn’t know how to perform it,” Kaplan said. “My friend taught me how to do a stickand-poke tattoo, and I think
I did a pretty good job, too.” Getting a tattoo while still in high school can sometimes come with judgment from others. “People have told me that I’m going to regret it,” Kaplan said. “I’ve thought about it so long. I didn’t just make a random decision; I thought about it.” According to Bustle, stick-and-poke tattoos tend to hurt more than machine tattoos due to the human error that can come with it, such as puncturing the skin too deep. Kaplan’s experience with getting her tattoo also reflected that. “It hurt when I would go over it several times, because that’s what you have to do when you get a stick and poke,” Kaplan said. “I think I was having a few issues at first with outlining it and cleaning it because it would go away. My issue was that I was pressing too hard in my skin. It was hard [for me] to find a rhythm. I got used to [the process] after going over it several times.”
October 2017 | The North Star | 31
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