The Express - December Issue

CASH-STRAPPED IN THE VALLEY IT’S NO SECRET BLUE VALLEY IS OVERALL AN AFFLUENT DISTRICT, BUT WHEN SOME STUDENTS WORRY WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM, IT POSES THE QUESTION: WHAT ELSE GOES UNSEEN AT BVNW?

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VOLUME 27 • ISSUE 4 • BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST

Issue 4 | 12.12.19

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THE EXPRESS STAFF

EVENTS WRESTLING MEET

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF - ETHAN KNAUTH

DEC. 14

MANAGING EDITOR - EMMA JOHNSON PRINT EDITOR - OLIVIA DOWELL ONLINE EDITOR - MAGGIE McCREADY

CHOIR CONCERT

DESIGN EDITOR - BEN HOBBS

DEC. 17

PHOTO EDITOR - MADDIE BEISCHEL

FINALS

A&E EDITOR - IZZE LENTFER

DEC. 18-20

OPINIONS EDITOR - BELLA RINNE

BASKETBALL GAME

SPORTS EDITOR - JONNY ISAACSON

BOYS VS. BVN DEC. 20

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR - LOLA SHIPMAN CHIEF WRITER - JENNA WEYFORTH

BASKETBALL GAME

CHIEF DESIGNER - EMMA GAU

GIRLS VS. BVN DEC. 20

ASSISTANT ADVISER - AMANDA FORD ADVISER - JIM McCROSSEN

WINTER BREAK

PHOTOGRAPHERS SAVANNAH BRIDGES - MADDIE CLARK - GRACE DAVIS - LAUREN KLINE - MITRI KRISHNA - GRACE MILLER - ETHAN MINTER VIVIEN O’KEEFE - ALYSSA PETERSON - RACHEL SARFF

DEC. 23- JAN. 6

SWIM MEET

WRITERS

JAN. 14

JACK BENSING - KATHRYN CASE - COURTNEY KREBS MATTHEW LEMKE - JACK NITZ - MADDIE OLIVER - NATALIE POLICKY - RAABIA QURESHI - TESSA REGAN - MEGAN YATES

CLUB PHOTO DAY

JAN. 22

DESIGNERS ERIN REECE - SOPHIE DELLETT

ONLINE

news

BVNW @BVNWNEWS

BVNWnews.com

SWEETHEART SPIRIT WEEK JAN. 27-31

SWEETHEART BASKETBALL GAMES VS. STA JAN. 31

SWEETHEART DANCE FEB. 1

12.12.19 | Issue 4

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Above: Senior Charlie Halverson holds a halibut his coworkers caught while working for a fishing company called Cedar’s Lodge in Ketchikan, AK on July 25. “I didn’t catch it but when it got brought into the dock it was still alive and it kept slapping us when we were trying to hang it up on the hook,” Halverson said. (Photo courtesy of Charlie Halverson) Cover: Many students in the Blue Valley School District have the outward appearance of being wealthy, but 10 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. (Cover photo by Rachel Sarff)

BABY BUMPS

HUSKIES AFTER HOURS

CRICKET CRAZE

POLICING THE 913

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Issue 4 | 12.12.19

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GUEST OPINION

A LOVE LETTER TO BVNW

BY ELLA HUTNICK

Wow, how time flies! These have braces and just received an adjustment been the fastest two and a half years wouldn’t be? It’s times like these of my life. I figure it’s high time, with when I lose focus, and as a result, the holidays and all, to express my without fail, every time, I leave my ID gratitude for our time together the only in my backpack and have to fish for way I know how. In a letter. Like the it standing outside the main doors one I wrote to Santa this year. instead of my heated car! Yes, these are Here it goes. valuable lessons you teach me.

In a long-term relationship such And of course, I’ve learned to as ours, it can be easy to get too become more responsible. Remember comfortable. Complacent. Lazy. Not for that time I left my shoes in your senior us. Somehow, area and someone someway, you took them while I always manage was gone? Haha, I KNOW YOU RETURN THESE to find the me too.

SENTIMENTS, BECAUSE AFTER A best ways to It was even keep me on LONG DAY TOGETHER, YOU JUST funnier the second my toes. You time.

WON’T LET ME ESCAPE! OR, remind me of I also love the ERRRR, LEAVE. the importance way you make of standing people feel up for myself comfortable and every time I have to gently shove junior welcome, like when you give freshmen loiterers out of the way at the top of the the courage to text in the 100+ person main staircase. group chat saying they can’t come to a And you’re always teaching me to stay club meeting. You always try your best one step ahead, like when I come to to make sure every SINGLE person school from yet another orthodontist knows the whereabouts of everyone appointment. Now, I’m usually in a else. Not annoying at all, no, very great mood during these moments, endearing. because what 17-year-old who still has And sure, you have your flaws too,

like the sulfur smell in the bathrooms, etc., etc. But we don’t have to talk about those. I DO think it’s sweet that you’re pro-hand sanitizer. Or, well, that’s what I assume based on the amount of soap found in the soap dispensers.

And I know you return these sentiments, because after a long day together, you just won’t let me escape!

Or, errrr, leave. No, we NEED that twenty extra minutes in the parking lot line to keep our relationship strong.

Yes, Blue Valley Northwest, our love story is one for the ages. Real Shakespearian stuff. Very sad that I’ll be leaving you in one and a half years.

Heartbroken.

Happy holidays!

12.12.19 | Issue 4

STAFF EDITORIAL

OK, BOOMER

G

05

Design by Bella Rinne

the threat of job loss in the humanities have resulted in up to eneration Z youth are coming of age ready to fight a decrease in humanities degrees, according to statistics from the nation’s political and social climate, whether that the National Department of Education. Almost every area in involves Black Lives Matter movement, work to save the the humanities or social sciences still have not recovered, even planet from climate change or to promote equality among us. when the economy regained stability. This tentative approach These progressive movements to improve America has led to to life, in fear of failure, is rooted in the potential financial a relentless battle against the Baby Boomer generation and distress we will face once we come into the workforce, an the beliefs they’ve rooted in their outdated perspective of life. issue created by Boomers when they allowed the housing But instead of debating the older population’s opposition, Gen industry to collapse, launching the economy's downfall. Gen Z developed a simple yet powerful form of dismissal of their Z youths are aware of the limited number of resources, and it sentiments: “OK, Boomer.” shapes the way they look at their future careers.

This meme has spread across the nation with great speed, One of the hotter debates between generations is how going particularly viral on TikTok and Twitter. The phrase Generation Z will be affected by the rapid climate change due means exactly what it implies: “OK, Boomer” encapsulates the to an astronomical increase carbon emissions. An analysis dismissal of adults’ attacks on our way of life without wasting by the Carbon Brief Organization described how the world energy debating it. This is not an act of laziness or defeat; this has a finite carbon budget to keep global warming to within retaliation shows that the youth is sick of the old-fashioned 1.5 degrees Celsius. The results show that older generations, approach to the nation’s largest issues and it is simply not particularly in the developed world, blew through carbon at worth the energy to argue. an alarming rate, leaving younger generations will next to As this phrase has come into mainstream political and nothing left to spend. Increasing the global temperatures has media debate, the Baby Boomer generation has become already affected our environment and increasingly insulted at this harsh will continue to destroy ice caps and dismissal. Companies have claimed THIS RETALIATION SHOWS THAT ocean ecosystems. Despite strikes and that it’s equivalent to a racial slur or movements to battle climate change, the considered age discrimination in the THE YOUTH IS SICK OF THE damage done by Baby Boomers has left workplace. We are here to remind you OLD-FASHIONED APPROACH TO us in the wake of its effects. that we, as the youth of America, have THE NATION’S LARGEST ISSUES The state of America is not our fault, every right to use this approach for but we can do something about it. The political issues.

AND IT IS SIMPLY NOT WORTH first step to make a change, though, is Boomers don't realize they are THE ENERGY TO ARGUE. to shut down the overpowering voice in leaving behind a fragile economic and favor of an orthodox political structure. government state that our generation The world is changing and will soon be will have to fix, and instead of left in our hands. We are the most diverse, strong-willed and contributing to resolve, they claim they “had it worse” than ambitious generation out there, and “OK, Boomer” is a step us and we have not suffered like they have. Since the Great Recession in 2008, the state of the economy has induced fear toward changing the world with our ideas. for millennials in the workforce and eventually those in Gen Z for financial failure and inability to thrive in their career.

The sharp increase in cost for college and a degree, setting us back hundreds of thousands in student debts, combined with

Issue 4 | 12.12.19

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OPINION

DOUBLE LATE ARRIVALS ARE BENEFICIAL

BY SAVANNAH BRIDGES

P

their performance in English, icture this: math, science, social studies and on waking up standardized tests. on a school Another benefit would be having day, groggy longer classes and possible morning and sleepstudy sessions, which would provide deprived. You press more one-on-one time a student snooze three times, could have with a teacher. Sometimes dreading the thought it is hard for a student to come in of getting out of bed, during Husky Halftime when they until you remember one have a question. Whether it might thing: it’s late arrival! be a question over what the teacher You fall right back into is currently teaching or a personal bed and get an extra matter, more time pushed together for hour of sleep. a certain class would give that student Everyone has been there; constantly more opportunities to ask questions. trudging through a sleep-deprived Study sessions are held in morning is something no one wants. designated time periods before school Students have this the worst, as at BVW so that a student can go in the National Sleep Foundation says for help from a teacher before the students need the most sleep, but school day actually starts. This time for some reason they get the least. would also allow An extra late arrival more time for would give students students to make something else to look AN EXTRA LATE up assignments and forward to, as well as ARRIVAL WOULD tests if they were more opportunities to GIVE STUDENTS absent. get more sleep.

Having an extra One school that ANOTHER THING TO late arrival added adopted this double LOOK FORWARD TO, to the week is not late start is BVW. The AS WELL AS MORE the only perk that difference between BVW's and BVNW's OPPORTUNITIES TO GET this schedule can give. Adding two is that BVW's starts MORE SLEEP. more block days at 8:30 a.m, instead can decrease the of the traditional late workload of a start at 9 a.m. to make student tremendously. As there would up for the difference in scheduling. only be one traditional day in the With four block days being Monday week, students would have more time through Thursday, a traditional day to work on homework for their classes. on Friday and late arrivals on Tuesday Four block days means an extra night and Thursday, Blue Valley West has a to work on each upcoming block’s different schedule than what BVNW homework. BVW junior and former students are used to.

BVNW student, Dylan Carter said this An 8:30 a.m. start however, would is the best perk for him. still allow for enough extra sleep, Carter went on to say that knowing according to a study by Education he has an extra hour before school, he Week 9000 high school students were has more time to study and prepare studied, finding that those whose for the day’s classes. school days started at 8:30 improved

“Personally, the change in school scheduling helped with [my] time management, as now at West I feel I have more time for academics.”

BVNW Activities Director and past social studies teacher at BVW Andrew Addington, said he personally liked the four block day schedule as well.

“The ninety minute class periods gave me the opportunity as a teacher to provide multiple learning experiences in the same class period,” Addington said.

He said the conversations and inclass experiences at schools with this scheduling provided a deeper focus.

When asked if BVNW would ever consider switching to the schedule, Addington said that all of those decisions fall on the the school itself and has not been considered for BVNW yet, but could possibly if a time came for the change. Examples would include sports scheduling, teacher meetings, etc.

Although the first thought that may come to one’s mind is more sleep on a four block, two late arrival schedule, that is only one benefit. Extra work time in class is an essential and piecing all the parts together into a longer period, rather than strung out through the week, would provide another benefit. Study sessions before school can account for more oneon-one time between students and teachers. Overall, switching to this schedule would be beneficial to all BVNW students.

12.12.19 | Issue 4

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BY EMMA JOHNSON

I

vy League fever has swept the nation with these schools reaching a record number of applications and the lowest acceptance rates in their histories. This leaves people seeking extreme measures to get in. For one family, that meant paying $1.2 million in order to make their daughter a fake athletic profile so she could get into Yale.

Looking at the lengths people go through to get in, you would think these schools are the end-all, be-all for success. But they aren’t; that’s just the culture we’ve built around them.

In actuality, the only group that truly experiences a salary increase from attending an elite school are those who are Latino, black, lowincome or first-generation college students, according to a study done this year by The National Bureau of Economic Research.

However, Ivy Leagues don’t focus on the students who could actually benefit from attending. Princeton, Yale, Dartmouth, Penn and Brown have more students from the top 1 percent of the income distribution than from the bottom 60 percent, according to a 2017 study done by the Equality of Opportunity Project.

Instead of using their resources and power to help underprivileged kids or minorities, Ivy Leagues favor those who are related to big donors.

These elite universities promise world-class education, but almost every college can make that same promise, especially with many universities adding honors colleges that provide extra benefits and resources to those who want it.

Harvard alumna and BVNW parent Kristen Thurlby said that while she enjoyed her time at Harvard, she believes you can get a good education anywhere.

OPINION

IVY LEAGUE EDUCATION IS OVERRATED

“It does come down to who I knew their whole high school there and what extracurriculars I did. career to get in and still Very little memories do I have about my not make it because classes. You can get the same academic admissions can be based experience basically anywhere,” on factors students Thurlby said. “The majority of students have no control over. who go to college, they are not going for A disadvantage BVNW a specific academic program. They're students face is that Ivy just going to go to college and have a League schools take the college experience.” majority of students Still, students sacrifice their last from the East Coast four years of with only childhood 9.9 percent AS COLLEGE and fill it of Harvard’s with rigorous DECISIONS APPROACH class of 2023 being from the courses, Midwest.

FOR SENIORS, IT competitive Students are often drawn IS IMPORTANT TO GPAs, and to Ivy League schools perfect ACT/ REMEMBER THAT because they believe it is SAT scores, and critical for a successful BRAND NAME ISN’T they still aren’t future. However, a 2017 EVERYTHING. guaranteed study done by researchers at to get in. Of the University of California course it’s Riverside found that out of a always good to work on being a better group of 3,990 senior executives from student, but not to the extreme where different sectors, including government one is up until two a.m. every night leaders, only 10 percent attended an working on homework and missing out Ivy League school. Not going to an Ivy on any real chance to be a teenager.

League doesn’t hold one back in the Often times, students fall into the professional world. trap of feeling like they need to go to “[Ivy League Schools] have all these the most elite school they can get into resources and amazing teachers and rather than finding a school that meets wonderful things, beautiful campuses, their needs. Students shouldn’t have but are you choosing it because of the to feel like they need to sacrifice their name like I did, or are you choosing happiness to fit into ideals. because they have, you know, programs “If I consider other variables and and factors and variables that are factors, like what makes me happy, you extremely important to you?” Geiger know, I'd be interested in going to a said. school with a big-time sports program While there are some cases where an that was in warm weather and by the Ivy League is the right fit for a student, beach,” Cornell alumnus and BVNW most often there is a better option. As counselor Joe Geiger said. “And Cornell college decisions approach for seniors, didn't have any of that. I never asked it is important to remember that brand myself that, you know. So in that sense, name isn’t everything. Ivy Leagues have I could have had a better experience great resources, but so do many other somewhere else.” colleges. It’s important to find what Even if they believe an Ivy League makes you happy and follow where that school is the best fit, students can work leads you.

Issue 4 | 12.12.19

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BABY BUMPS Teachers react to maternity leave laws in U.S. and teaching while pregnant.

BY KATHRYN CASE

T

eaching while pregnant, business teacher Meghan Trader said requires asking a lot of her body.

This change is not made any easier as the teachers in the Blue Valley, Olathe and Shawnee Mission School District are only given an unpaid 12 weeks for maternity leave.

Currently there are four teachers either pregnant or are on maternity leave at BVNW; math teachers Carolyn Potter and Laura Deffer, ELA teacher Rachel Quezada and Trader, who are dealing with this reality.

If a teacher has enough sick days built up, she is allowed to use those

Design by Courtney Krebs days in addition to the unpaid leave, in which she would be paid only for the sick leave days, Trader said. Having not enough sick time built up, Trader said she will be taking the standard 12 weeks off.

“It depends on how long you have been with the district and what you can qualify for,” Trader said. “If teachers have been in the district long enough, they have been able to build up their bank of sick days. I just haven't been here long enough, and I have already gone through a leave [with two previous children] which depletes all of your sick time.”

In the US, the Family and Medical

Leave Act requires 12 weeks of unpaid leave annually for mothers of a newborn or newly adopted children if they work for a company with 50 or more employees. Compared to other countries, such as the United Kingdom, with a 40-week paid maternity leave, the United States trails behind in the number of weeks and amount of paid leave it offers when it comes to its maternity leave policy, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Deffer said she wishes maternity leave in the United States was as elongated as it is in foreign countries.

“I would definitely love to take a

Pregnant math teacher Carolyn Potter teaches her third hour honors Pre-Calculus class on Dec. 3. (Photo by Maddie Clark)

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GRE EC E

GE RM A

A AD CAN

NY

MAPPING PAID MATERNITY LEAVE

RA N C E RY F

USA

A NG HU

whole year off and stay home with 20 the baby,” Deffer said. “My job is also 20 something that I like to do, so having to 17.4 balance work and family is difficult. I’m O N T I S A E ITA ND definitely jealous that they get a year off LY LA O in other countries, but that also means P 21.3 time away from my students.”

16.8 In order to take time off, Trader said there is paperwork that has to go through the district office and lots of planning required to make leaving for 12 0 14.5 weeks possible.

HOW MANY WEEKS DO OTHER “It’s a ton of work. Teachers always COUNTRIES GUARANTEE FULL PAY joke that it’s more work to not be in MATERNITY LEAVE?* school than it is to be in school, since it’s so hard to take days off,” Trader 14 SW 8 said. “I have spent hours and hours O C ED EN UNITED MEXI prepping lessons for while I’m gone and KINGDOM preparing the teacher who is taking my spot.”

12 10 Trader said, in an interview prior to her leave, that between her classes, 11.7 DECA, FBLA and the Dawg House, teaching while pregnant has been exhausting, but also a good distraction.

“One thing I like about teaching while Different countries around the world offer varying full-pay maternity leave. *According to the OECD Family Database, 2018. (Infographic by Courtney Krebs) I’m pregnant is that you have to just keep working and you don’t have time to feel sick, because you have 20 to 30 “I’ll miss the students, because I love With her due date in April, Potter kids in your classroom that you still teaching, and it’s fun to be here,” Trader said she will be taking off the end of have to be attentive to and to make sure said. “Building relationships with kids the school year for her maternity leave. that they are getting what they need,” is a huge part of my job, which I love, so Taking time away from her classes and Trader said. it’s sad to think that I won’t get to see students will be a difficult transition for With her third baby, MacGregor my students.” her, Potter said.

Robert Trader, born Nov. 14, Trader said Teaching while pregnant has also “Being gone and having someone she struggled trying to find a long-term prompted changes in the routines of teach in my absence causes me a lot of sub due to elective the teachers, but hasn’t anxiety because, even though I know teachers not having affected their overall the long-term sub will be fully capable, as many options to teaching style.

I just worry and want what’s best for “ONE THING I LIKE choose from. Hoping “I am very tired at the my students,” Potter said. “It’s hard to ABOUT TEACHING her students are in end of the day, and I can disengage mentally when I know that good hands while tell when I’ve been on my my students will still be here while I’m WHILE I’M PREGNANT she is gone, Trader feet a lot,” Deffer said. at home.”

IS THAT YOU HAVE TO said she wished for “Sometimes the baby JUST KEEP WORKING an easy changeover has the hiccups during between herself and class, which is kind of AND YOU DON’T HAVE the long term sub, embarrassing because TIME TO FEEL SICK.” Chris Linner. my belly moves, but “I want it to be a -MEGHAN TRADER other than that, how I smooth transition so teach is pretty much the while I’m gone the same.” students would still Trader said adjusting be getting the same or at least a similar to teaching while pregnant was easier curriculum,” Trader said. “I also want due to her helpful students. to make sure I’ve done all that I can to “I have great students. I’ve had to ask prep so that people aren’t floundering people to carry things for me because or struggling.”

I can’t carry a box in front of my belly,” Not seeing her students every day is Trader said. “Luckily I have such great something Trader said she is going to students that have helped make it so miss the most while she is gone. much easier.”

Issue 4 | 12.12.19

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PEPPY PICKS The senior cheer team and dance team members share their thoughts on their season thus far, their favorite parts of their sports, and what’s next for their cheer or dance career.

BY IZZE LENTFER

Design by Izze Lentfer

Q: WHAT’S ONE HILARIOUS MEMORY YOU HAVE OF YOUR TEAM OR A MEMBER OF YOUR TEAM? Faith Kelly: “Bella Steketee and I were doing an assissted backflip freshman year for spring show, and one time when we did it, I flew back and fell on my neck. I’m surprised I didn’t get a concussion, hahaha.

I have it on video, and I used it as a project and found all the physics behind me falling.”

Lula Edwards: “One time we had a really rough practice, and were cleaning another spot of the routine that wasn’t mine, and part of the mat on my end was up against the wall because it was too long and I folded it over me and “rested” my eyes and I ended up falling asleep and everyone laughed when the coaches kept calling my name.”

Jourdan Gundersen: “Rachel Downing deciding not to throw her tumbling after she started and flew through the air and landed on her butt really hard.”

Christi James: “A hilarious memory I have with my team is when four of my teammates and I all got dumped by our boyfriends in the span of two months. It was absolutely terrible, but I think it’s the funniest thing ever. I’ve become so much closer with them over an issue that could be viewed as heartbreaking.”

Makenzie Iszard: “At cheer ball last year they were crowd surfing people and I got kicked in the head by a random boy’s foot and Jordan and Christi just laughed.”

Maddie Fenley: “During freshman year, Sarah got hit by a football right in her stomach at a football game, and I still laugh thinking about it.”

Sarah McGuyer: “Getting hit with a football at my first game freshman year.”

Julia Cecil: “During basketball season, the girl from another team literally did a back tuck and landed on top of Riley.”

Sarah Kriet: “When Makenzie did a drop split on the stage at UCA camp.”

Senior and first year cheerleader Sasha Mitchell performs at the homecoming spirit assembly Oct. 11. “Cheering for my senior year has made me more confident as a person and as an athlete,” Mitchell says. (Photo by Rachel Sarff)

Riley Brueckner: “We played a flag football game with varsity last year, and Makenzie and I slammed into each other and got concussions.

Injuries happen all the time with cheer, but we didn’t expect it from a flag football game especially since we were on the same team!”

12.12.19 | Issue 4 Q: WHAT TEACHER HAS HAD THE MOST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE? Campbell Newby: “Mr. Murphy! He taught me life isn’t always about what you have or what you know, it’s about who you are and who you’re with!

(This was very encouraging coming from a teacher.)”

11 Riley Brueckner: “Mr. Lange was one of my favorite teachers because he really wanted us to learn rather than worry about test scores.”

Jourdan Gundersen: “Señora Hillen because she’s the nicest person ever and such a mom.”

Sarah McGuyer: “Mr. Frazier. Who doesn’t love him?”

Q: IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND WHAT TEAMMATE WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU? Sarah McGuyer: “Maddie Fenley. She has never not had something. The most prepared person ever.”

Campbell Newby: “Maggie McCready all the way. She is the ultimate team mom and the only person who could keep me calm.”

BY THE NUMBERS *Taken from a survey of sixteen cheer and dance team members.

ARE YOU PLANNING ON CHEERING OR DANCING AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?

11 3 1 1

NO YES, AT A D1 SCHOOL YES, AT A D2 SCHOOL YES, PROFESSIONALLY

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SEASON OF YOUR SPORT? BASKETBALL

Bella Steketee: “Courtney Krebs. If I’m gonna be stranded, I might as well be entertained.”

COMPETITION

Rachel Downing: “Jordan Nevels, because she is FOREVER my hype man.”

Q: WHICH ONE MEMORY WILL YOU REMEMBER FOREVER ABOUT YOUR TIME HERE? Faith Kelly: “Winning the National Dance Alliance competition in 2018... best day of my whole life. I get chills thinking about it.”

Bella Steketee: “One memory I will never forget at Northwest is the time I cried during my Geometry test. I knew absolutely nothing and I couldn’t hold it in anymore, so I started crying and the tears got all over my paper; it was a mess. I will definitely never forget that.”

Sarah Kriet: “Running onto the court after Andrew Davis made the game winning shot against Blue Valley.”

Jordan Nevels: “The bond that me and my team have; I know that it’s very special and even after many years, I know we’ll still be able to count on each other and have one another’s back.”

Senior Bella Steketee performs during Husky Night. “My favorite thing about The Pack is our privilege to bring school spirir into what we do,” Steketee said. (Photo by Mitri Krishna)

13 3

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Issue 4 | 12.12.19

Left: Sophomore Marlee Volmer enjoys modeling dresses for Natalie M. on her Instagram. “I love being able to not only try on dresses but try to reach people to tell them about how good these dresses are!” (Photo by Vivien O’Keefe) Top right: Senior Charlie Halverson’s time working in Alaska taught him a lot about fishing and contributes to his hobbies outside of work. “This translated into my interests in bass fishing back home in Kansas,” Halverson said.

Bottom right: Even though senior Julia Masterson said her job is time consuming, she still enjoys performing. “I was always a singer, I always loved singing,” she said. “When my cousin told me to try theatre, I tried a camp, and then I just never stopped.”

HUSKIES AFTER HOURS

As ways to make extra money, students from Blue Valley Northwest participate in jobs that differ from the usual high school occupations.

BY NATALIE POLICKY

Design by Sophie Dellett

12.12.19 | Issue 4

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FISH PROCESSOR AND FILLETER

NATALIE M. FASHION INFLUENCER

Spending the summer processing fish after fish, may not sound glamorous, but for senior Charlie Halverson, the best part about doing so was Charlie Halverson being immersed in the beautiful nature of Alaska and gaining an interest in fishing.

Halverson was paid during the summer for cutting, transporting, cleaning and filleting fish in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Halverson worked for a company called Cedars Lodge, working 12-18 hours a day.

“The reason why the hours were so extensive is because whatever amount of fish are brought in that day has to be cut and packaged because fish is a perishable product,” Halverson said.

Working at Cedar’s Lodge is tough, according to Carter Thomas, a native of Alaska that Halverson met. Hours were extensive and the work was messy, but Carter said the employees made it enjoyable.

“The job wasn’t the most fun job, but [Halverson] brought energy to the crew,” Thomas said, “That made working with fish guts just a little bit better.”

Halverson was hired from a network through his church. Halverson had a loose idea of what he was going to be working with while in Alaska, but what motivated him to go was nature.

“I love nature,” Halverson said, “So I knew it would be a super neat experience going up and having a different experience.”

While Halverson believes the worst part of processing is the smell, he said the benefits outweighed the negatives.

Halverson said it gave himself confidence that he could adapt well and thrive in new and unknown environments.

“It gave me insight into what life is like, living on your own and how to work with people in living quarters and at work,” Halverson said, “I learned a lot about myself and what qualities I enjoy in people when I work and live with them.”

Marlee Volmer gets paid to try on dresses and promote them on Instagram, one of the perks of working at Natalie M., a dress store at 127th and Marlee Volmer Metcalf.

Volmer earns money by posting dresses she tries on in the store. Volmer also helps customers in-store, Volmer’s boss Lisa Carson said. Volmer began earning money when she tried on her first dress from Natalie M. “I promoted it [and] I tagged Natalie M. in my posts,” Volmer said. “They had asked me if I wanted to model some dresses for them, and I said yes!”

Volmer said that her favorite part of posting prom dresses on social media has been the connections she makes with people.

“I can reach people who have been struggling to find a good dress store and really make those connections with them,” Volmer said.

Volmer, Carson said, shows many great qualities to customers inside and out of Natalie M. through her warm personality.

“Marlee is always so upbeat and genuine,” Carson said, “She will be great at helping girls find the perfect prom dress.”

The biggest struggle Volmer faces with running a social media account is scheduling photo shoots with Natalie M., as she also participates in BVNW cheer and competes in pageants outside of school. However, this does not stop Volmer from connecting with others who are conflicted with finding the perfect dress.

“Having other activities that clash with [the job] isn’t always the easiest,” Volmer said. “But it’s always worth it!”

PERFORMER AT WORLDS OF FUN

Julia Masterson

Starring in “Tinker’s Toy Factory: The Christmas Fever,” senior Julia Masterson earns money as an elf in a production for the Worlds of Fun theatre

company.

Masterson was offered a spot by the director of the musical, Mandy Morris, who previously worked with her in “Putnam County’s 25th Annual Spelling Bee” at Faust Theatre. Masterson has been taking part in musicals since she was 11 years old. Before taking up theatre, she participated in competitive gymnastics, which fired her passion for dancing. From there, she has continued to participate in musicals, as Masterson said she loves singing.

Being in the Worlds of Fun musical takes lots of time away from Masterson’s life outside of school.

Masterson said on weekdays, she rehearses from after school until 11:30 p.m. and on weekends she rehearses for 10 hours.

“I do not have any free time,” Masterson said. “I probably have about a 5-minute slot between school and my rehearsals. It’s tough.”

For a high school student, the schedule is demanding and the show requires lots of energy, Morris said.

“I could imagine it would be pretty exhausting to try and balance school and work,” Morris said, “But I think it’s so much fun that it makes it worth it.”

Seeing how magical it is to the little kids is the best part, Masterson said.

What makes it better is she is fun to watch on stage because she is insanely talented, according to Morris.

“She brings a great work ethic to every rehearsal as well as a positive attitude,” Morris said, “Julia is an extremely dedicated young lady who has a bright future ahead of her.”

14

Issue 4 | 12.12.19

CASH-STRAPPED

IN THE VALLEY

Despite Blue Valley’s reputation as an affluent district, roughly one out of every 10 of its students are economically disadvantaged.

BY RAABIA QURESHI AND JENNA WEYFORTH

Design by Ben Hobbs

12.12.19 | Issue 4

L

ook around. Within the halls website. According to the Kansas of BVNW, a considerable Department of Education, there number of students sport are 1831 students approved for free $98 Lululemon leggings, $180 or reduced-price lunches districtAdidas Ultra Boosts or simply wide and 148 students approved at drown out their surroundings with Northwest, the second highest number $165 Apple AirPods. This image fuels in the district. the stereotype that students at BVNW The situation becomes an issue are well-off. when the student is still hungry However, not all students are after their meal, James said, and endowed with such privilege. other options are scarce. James’ first According to the Kansas State experience of paying for a friend’s Department of Education, Blue lunch opened her eyes to the reality of Valley schools do house a number of financial inequality in the Blue Valley financially struggling students. At district, she said. In the midst of a BVNW, as many as one out of every community where it seems that every 10 students are cash-strapped. When other person has the latest iPhone and looking at Northwest’s feeder schools, designer clothing, those without such Harmony Middle School has a student amenities feel alienated, James said. population of In the past 6.1 percent six years, the economically district has “BECAUSE MOST OF THE disadvantaged experienced WEALTHIER KIDS AND MORE students while a rise in the Oxford Middle UPPER MIDDLE CLASS KIDS ALL number of School is 17 HANG OUT WITH EACH OTHER, economically percent. disadvantaged A LOT OF TIMES THEY DON’T These students, Lane statistics Green, the Blue SEE THE STRUGGLE [OTHERS often fail to be Valley director GO THROUGH].” noticed by the of school overwhelming administration, number of said. This is -NAOMI JAMES mostly due to upper middle class and the district’s upper class improving ability population, junior Naomi James said, to identify struggling students, Green many of whom have yet to witness said, rather than an increase in the economic disadvantage firsthand. number of low income families.

“A lot of students, at least at Identifying economically Northwest, tend to sort of naturally disadvantaged students is not segregate themselves almost based always easy. Although on their financial status with their the district aims to families,” James said. “I think because provide families with most of the wealthier kids and more resources, it is the upper middle class kids all hang out family’s decision with each other, a lot of times they whether to reach don’t see the struggle [others go out. Many simply through].” do not want James said her family has never the district’s experienced striking financial assistance, challenges, but she knows people close Green said, to her who have. for reasons On multiple occasions James said which she has purchased extra food from could the cafeteria for her friends who are include using the free and reduced lunch program. To receive this lunch option, families with low yearly income can apply through the Blue Valley district

15 privacy, feeling embarrassed of their situation or even pride. Other times, some families are desperately willing to seek any form of help available to them.

“I’ve had mothers and fathers on the phone crying because they were so appreciative. They were scared to death that their kids weren’t going to be able to go to their Blue Valley school anymore,” Green said.

While it isn’t the district’s obligation to reach out, teachers are trained to identify signs of financial distress, Green said. Constant signs of sleep deprivation, hunger or bad hygiene can lead teachers to believe a student may be struggling. Teachers can get in touch with the student’s counselor, he said, who may reach out to the administration. The administration can then take it upon themselves whether to discuss the situation either with the student or the student’s parents.

BVNW social worker Anyssa Wells said financial challenges can also impact a student’s willingness to excel in academics. When the uncertainty of where their next meal is coming from or whether they’ll have a place to sleep that night is the student’s biggest concern, learning can become less of a priority, Wells said.

“If someone’s already working, I mean, their main priority isn’t necessarily get a diploma to then go on to college. It’s probably just to get a job and hopefully a diploma to then further themselves in the workforce.”

Wells said.

Senior Dylan Colle said his family has never had a lot of money. Living with his mom, who works two jobs as a hostess, and his brother, Colle works as a soccer referee, working about 14 hours each weekend.

Issue 4 | 12.12.19

16 Although Colle said his financial situation has yet to pose any major issues at school, he said a lot of people fail to acknowledge how significant college opportunities are. As a member of the BVNW varsity soccer team, Colle said he must rely on student loans to pay for college in addition to sports scholarships as he plans to potentially play soccer in college.

Colle’s family’s income has also shaped his perspective about money as he said he tries to avoid splurging on day-to-day expenses, such as food or other expenses.

“Don’t take it for granted and appreciate it.” Colle said. “Just because you’re well-off, doesn’t mean everyone is that fortunate.”

Currently, the school’s means of assisting students financially is limited.

BVNW Principal Amy Pressly said the school has to provide equally for every student. This means that in order to provide equal access for all students, BVNW cannot offer financial aid from the school’s own pocket.

“I think they work very hard to not look different, whatever that means, and whatever they have to do to do that,” Pressly said. “So we, as a building and as a district, continue to look at, what are we providing for kids? And are we providing things in a way that they have equal access to all kids?”

In the past, programs initiated by the Booster Club have aimed to help BVNW students facing financial struggles, but Pressly said those programs have phased out due to pressure from the district to provide equal access to assistance.

“I get why the rule is in place, but it makes it tough when you have kids in need and there’s not a whole lot that we can do as a school to help them.”

Pressly said. “That’s why we’re trying to figure out... kind of a backdoor way to make it work.”

One way they have found is to provide food packs each week through Community for Kids, which aims to help the students within the Blue Valley community who are unsure where their next meal is coming from.

The organization began with Indian Valley Elementary, in order to support the large population of food insecure families within the school. The program soon spread to Northwest

1 IN 10 STUDENTS ARE IN THE FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH PROGRAM AT BVNW. * OF THE FOOD PACKS GIVEN OUT TO BV STUDENTS EACH WEEK, 22.3% GO TO THE BVNW COMMUNITY. ** 130 STUDENTS IN THE BV DISTRICT LACK AN ADEQUATE AND A REGULAR NIGHTTIME RESIDENCE. §

BY THE NUMB and was distributing a total of 60 packs throughout the district. Today, the organization works with 28 schools in the district, issuing 295 food packs weekly. According to Community for Kids, one in 12 Blue Valley students currently have uncertain access to food, and BVNW and its feeder schools account for 22.3 percent of the food packs given out each week.

“The awareness has changed significantly; when we first started, people had no idea if there were any hungry students,” Community for Kids co-founder Sherry Owens said.

“It’s even still difficult, because we live in Johnson County that people are still not aware of the need. But it’s something now that people are really opening their eyes to.”

Such organizations are also present within BVNW. Last month, Lauren Crouch, the BVNW academic interventionist, received a $2000 grant from the Blue Valley Education Foundation to build a cabinet full

of essentials such as deodorant and shampoo that will be available to students. The cabinet’s purpose is to alleviate the need and cost of essential items, Crouch said, whether a student can’t afford it or simply forgot an item one day.

“I think every kid should have the ability to feel comfortable and feel like all of their needs are being met so their educational needs can be met as well,” Crouch said.

On the other hand, student’s needs are not limited to everyday items. A number of students are also in need of adequate housing. Green said there is a minimal amount of affordable housing for low income families within the district, two of which include Springhill Apartments, which is in the BVNW boundaries, and Arcadia at Overland Park. Because of this deficit, Green said families facing financial struggles often have to reestablish themselves outside of Blue Valley. Once they have a house or apartment in their

12.12.19 | Issue 4

17

9% OF KIDS FROM BVNW ARE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED.* 6.1% OF KIDS FROM HARMONY ARE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED.*

BERS

17% OF KIDS FROM OXFORD ARE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED. * *According to the Kansas State Department of Education **According to Community for Kids § According to BVSD

name, Green said they can finish the school year in Blue Valley, but would have to move to a school in their new district the next school year.

Those who cannot afford low income housing may be subjected to homelessness, Green said; a reality to some students and families within the district. According to information provided by the district, 130 students currently lack adequate and regular nighttime housing.

“The biggest challenge we have is getting people to understand that there are actually homeless people in Johnson County,” Green said. “They have trouble believing the Blue Valley School District has homeless kids, and especially the numbers that we have, but we do. Everywhere, there’s homelessness, and we’re not exempt from it.”

To relieve students of some of the financial burdens of homelessness, the Mckinney-Vento Act was created

by Congress, allowing the 1,355,000

students identified as homeless throughout the country in 2019 to remain at their schools without required fees.

A free public education can cost nearly $300 per year, according to BVNW enrollment data, excluding non-required fees such as yearbooks, meals, school activities and electives, adding up to more than $500 per student.

The Mckinney-Vento Act can forgive the required fees and provide students with free breakfast, lunch and transportation to school.

However, Green said the district cannot provide aid for non-required fees. The program, Green said, is relatively unfunded as the district only receives a small amount of money from Title 1 funding, intended to help at-risk students from low income backgrounds. Due to this, Green said they rely on community organizations. “[The funding] doesn’t scratch the surface [of] what it costs to provide

the services to our kids,” Green said.

“However, I want to make this very, very clear: that’s all right. You know, because we’re about all kids. All means all. Each kid means each kid. And we want to help every single kid in our district and so we sometimes have community partners that help us with stuff, but it’s more than worth it to make sure these kids can continue to get a great education.”

To make up for what the district cannot provide, students have taken the issue into their own hands.

Student Government holds an annual philanthropy drive which aims to collect items from the student body and donate them to local organizations. Sarah Derks, the StuGo sponsor, said four years ago, they collected $4000. This year, the number dwindled down to $100.

The culprit behind such a low number, she said, may be that they’re asking for too much by constantly demanding items for various charity drives. Another alternative reason may just be a prideful or careless mindset, she said.

“As student government, it’s frustrating that the first thing that comes to mind is that in order for someone to donate, we have to give them something in return. But you would just think that maybe that would be an encouragement,” Derks said.

The truth is, the number of cashstrapped students in the district is growing. Because of this, there is still a need for more awareness, Green said, of community organizations that support families in the area and work toward helping students receive aid.

Every student has a story, Pressly said. Although financial aid limitations for the school do exist, delving deeper into what is happening in their students’ lives has become a new mission for the staff, she said, in hopes to provide as much assistance as they can.

“There’s story after story of successes of kids who’ve overcome obstacles, not only here, but across the country,” Pressly said, “I don’t want any kid to ever feel like they’re defined by their socioeconomic background.”

Infographic by Izze Lentfer

Issue 4 | 12.12.19

18

Exp. 1/31/20

Exp. 1/31/20

FOLLOW @BVNWNEWS FOLLOW FOLLOW @BVNWNEWS @BVNWNEWS ON ONON TWITTER TWITTER TWITTER

19

12.12.19 | Issue 4

HUSKY HIGHLIGHTS Sophomore Tate Alfred prepares to launch his catapult project in his Honors Algebra II class.

“The best part of building our catapult was the design and brainstorming process.

My group members and I sat down for a full hour and discussed plans until we had finalized a design. I am a big fan of the engineering aspect of the catapult project,” Alfred said. (Photo by Mitri Krishna) Senior Campbell Newby gets interviewed by Fox 4 News after winning the 6A state cheerleading title. “It feels great to win after a hard year prior. Going from not qualifying for finals to placing first was a dream, and we made it happen,” Newby said.

(Photo by Mitri Krishna)

Issue 4 | 12.12.19

20

HUSKY HIGHLIGHTS Senior Grace Coble tosses up a layup during Late Night in the Pound, Nov. 22. “Late Night was a really good way to start the season. We got to show off our new and improved team,” Coble said.

(Photo by Maddie Beischel) Senior Julia Boepple chalks the entrance to BVNW to kickoff the annual Mental Health Week on a positive note, Dec. 2. “These messages are important for students to see because mornings are rough and that little bit of encouragement is what you may need to get through,” Boepple said.

(Photo by Maddie Clark)

12.12.19 | Issue 4

21

Senior Danya Radhi works with a classmate during second hour AP Stats, Oct. 31. “The material is interesting because instead of simply solving an equation, we work to solve real-life situations and problems,” Radhi said. (Photo by Rachel Sarff) Junior Annie Fischer practices for Color Gaurd, Nov. 28. “My favorite thing about the team is the community.

We have gotten so much closer over the past three years and I’ve loved getting to know everyone this year,” Fischer said. (Photo by Maddie Beischel)

Issue 4 | 12.12.19

22

CRICKET CRAZE Playing against other schools in the Blue Valley District, a group of seniors have formed a cricket club that plays over the weekends.

Design by Alyssa Peterson

BY OLIVIA DOWELL

A

popular pastime in European and EasternAsian countries, cricket has caught on at BVNW this year. Boasting 43 players from social media and by members encouraging others to join, the cricket club focuses more on athletics and while also serving as a way to promote

diversity and balance in the clubs the school has, club sponsor Ian Frazier said. “[The cricket club] really exemplifies the balance that a lot of our student athletes have,” Frazier said. “Activity clubs are obviously very important and they definitely have a place, but I like how they’re taking sports and exercise

into their own hands. I wish we’d see more of that out there.”

Similar to baseball, in cricket, according to senior Zaki Mansoor, the position most similar to the pitcher is called the bowler in cricket, Mansoor said, and the players at bat are called batsmen. The objective of the game is to hit the ball to score runs, by running

The cricket team poses for a group picture, Nov. 16. “The motto we created for this league is ‘Diversity #1’ which is something we all strive to follow. Playing this game allows us to reconnect back to our culture and for others they get to learn about a new one,” Senior captain Samanyu Pusuluri said. (Photo by Maddie Beischel)

12.12.19 | Issue 4

23

between two sets of wickets, and the team of the bowler is on defense.

After clubs were formed at two of the five Blue Valley high schools within the past year, BVNW senior and president of the cricket club Samanyu Pusuluri said he was approached by some of his friends to start a club here at BVNW. Pusuluri, who has played cricket since he was around 5 to 6 years old, said people felt inclined to get a club started due to a large turnout of members at BVW’s club.

“So West had the idea originally and they wanted to make a club with all the schools in Blue Valley,” Pusuluri said. “I think they had 80 total kids show up to their meeting and that was pretty impressive. So we were like, hey, maybe we can do that too.”

The team tries to meet for a practice once a week normally on a Friday or Saturday and they have been able to hold practices and games often, Pusuluri said, but once the weather becomes too cold they will not play again until the spring. Along with a weekly practice, the team then coordinates with the other BV schools to schedule matches which normally occur on the weekends.

For Mansoor, the best part of playing for the cricket club is the practices The BVNW cricket team is, 1-1 with a win over BVW and a loss to BVN. The team has as well as being around his friends 43 members and selects 11 players per game. (Photo illustration by Alyssa Peterson) and the competitiveness of matches, especially when they face rival BVN. “Practices have been really fun, and more organized,” Qureshi said. a cricket club or join an existing club if because I think the last time I actually “It’s just making me better at cricket his school already has one. played cricket because lots of other “Wherever I go, I’m definitely was in India,” schools have good starting a cricket club,” Pusuluri said.

Mansoor said. cricket people, I know “That was one of the things I knew I “THAT WAS ONE OF THE “It’s especially West has a lot.

So wanted to [in high school] and after THINGS I KNEW I WANTED fun when going against them witnessing what has happened this TO [IN HIGH SCHOOL] AND your friends will make me a better year, and how fun it is, there’s no are with you cricket player.” reason not to.”

AFTER WITNESSING WHAT and it’s a fun While playing If a student want to joins cricket HAS HAPPENED THIS YEAR, environment.” with his friends and club, Mansoor said they just need to AND HOW FUN IT IS, THERE’S getting closer with Having mention to one of the members that played them, Mansoor said they would like to join the club and will NO REASON NOT TO.” cricket prior he has also enjoyed be added into the GroupMe. -SAMANYU PUSULURI to joining the flexibility of Pusuluri said they want to add the club, the team, like the more people to the club so they can freshman no tryout policy eventually form a second team.

Quasim Qureshi said he has been and being able to meet lots of “People should join cricket club able to further his skills even more by underclassmen. because it’s a really fun sport that not playing with the team.

While Pusuluri does not know where many people know about,” Pusuluri “We’re playing against more schools he is going to college next year, he said said. “Feel free to bring anybody that and the events are getting bigger that he definitely either wants to form you want to.”

Issue 4 | 12.12.19

24

ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP Studies show children should get 9-11 hrs of sleep teenagers should get 8-10 hrs and adults should get 7-9 hrs (study by Cleveland Clinic).

RESEARCH BY JACK BENSING AND EMMA GAU

Design by: Emma Gau

* 201 Blue Valley Northwest students were surveyed

*HOW MANY HOURS OF SLEEP DO YOU GET ON A SCHOOL NIGHT? 6%

44.8%

65.7%

2.5%

*WHAT ARE YOUR REASONS FOR STAYING UP AT NIGHT? 5% 5.7%

25.8%

44.5%

5-7 HRS

LESS THAN 5

OTHER

HOMEWORK

8-9 HRS

MORE THAN 9

SLEEP DISORDERS

ELECTRONICS

*DO YOU FEEL RESTED THE DAY AFTER GETTING THE RECOMENDED AMOUNT OF SLEEP? OCCASIONALLY

40.8%

NO

34.8%

YES

24.4%

12.12.19 | Issue 4

25

USE THE SCALE BELOW TO RATE YOUR ANSWERS AND FIND OUT IF YOU GET ENOUGH SLEEP BY ADDING UP YOUR SCORE. 1- Never 2-Rarely 3-Sometimes 4-Often 5-Very Often

1. I ALWAYS FEEL FOCUSED IN CLASS 2. I NEVER FALL ASLEEP IN CLASS 3. I REMEMBER MY DREAMS MOST NIGHTS 4. I NEVER TAKE NAPS 5. I FALL ASLEEP EASILY EVERY NIGHT 6. I RARELY WAKE UP AT NIGHT 7. I DON’T GET IRRITATED EASILY 8. I RARELY USE CAFFINE TO STAY AWAKE 9. I’M USUALLY PRETTY RELAXED WHEN I GO TO SLEEP 10. I PUT AWAY TECHNOLOGY BEFORE I TRY TO SLEEP

ADD UP YOUR POINTS HERE >

33-50 YES

16-33

RARELY

0-16 NO

Issue 4 | 12.12.19

26

POLICING THE 913

The Overland Park Community Policing Division provides Explorer program students an opportunity to learn about a possible career in law enforcement.

BY MATTHEW LEMKE

O

ffering a behind-thescenes look, BVNW SRO Richard Spandle said Overland Park Explorers provides residents ages 14 through 20 a different perspective on law enforcement from what they see on TV or in the news.

Sergeant Gary Mason, supervisor of

Design by Erin Reece the OP Explorers, said the Explorers program is run by fellow officers and SROs. Overland Park Explorers began in 2001 and Blue Valley Northwest has eight students participating in the OP Explorers.

OP Explorers pulls students from schools across all of the Overland Park region. Participants range from school

Senior Taylor Crowell teaches another Exlporer how to use a stun gun. “I enjoy being able to do scenarios that police officers have to do every day, such as domestic calls or traffic stops. It really gives me a greater appreciation for the hard work and protection officers give each day. I also really love doing ride-alongs through the Explorers program,” Crowell said. (Photo by Mitri Krishna)

districts such as Blue Valley, Shawnee Mission, Olathe and Saint Thomas Aquinas, Mason said.

“We meet about every two weeks throughout the school year and we do law enforcement related training, different types of classes or practical application of different things in the law enforcement job that you might see,” Spandle said.

In the program, students get to train with equipment police officers use on a daily basis, Mason said.

Participants learn how to use stun guns and firearms as well as pepper spray, handcuffs and other body restraints.

Other than tools, officers provide Explorers an opportunity to do daily ride alongs, which Spandle said is the best way to grasp the full picture of what goes into the day of a law enforcement officer.

Even if not planning to go into law enforcement, getting to know the system is valuable in different lines of work such as lawyers and other jobs including the law, Spandle said.

Senior Lindsey Crowell said she has been an active member of the OP Explorers and this is her fourth year in the program. Crowell said she is not planning on continuing into a line of police work. However, reinforcing what Spandle said, the experience is good to have for the future, she said.

12.12.19 | Issue 4

27

Senior Taylor Crowell aims a stun gun at a dummy. “My favorite part of Explorers is getting to meet all these new people from different schools, and getting to know the officers who volunteer their time. We have so much fun and it’s nice to see more into the daily life of a police officer, and you just get a whole new perspective and newfound appreciation. So meeting new people and gaining these connections is my favorite part,” Crowell said. (Photo by Mitri Krishna) “There’s a lot of other stuff that goes on that you get to see. And it’s nice to know more of the inner workings on why things happen the way they do so,” Crowell said.

Despite the perception that participants might be shielded from danger, Explorers are in the thick of the action. In fact, Crowell said that one of her favorite memories was chasing down a stolen car and arresting the offenders during a ride along. In addition, Crowell said she enjoyed multiple other aspects of the Explorers program.

To be in the OP Explorers, there are several requirements students must meet. Students must be 14 to 20 years old, have and maintain a 2.0 GPA or above, completed eighth grade, a clean criminal record with no felony arrests, a valid driver’s license or permit and complete an application, Rachel Scattergood, another officer in OP Explorers said.

Currently, the OP Explorers have a roster of 27 students, with BVNW having eight of those students, the highest amount of Explorers out of all

schools with participants.

Looking to continue increasing the popularity and number, the Overland Park police continue to add more unique experiences for students, showing teens the daily role of a police

officer, Spandle said.

“We are giving them a positive social environment where they are actually learning things that could be useful in life, even if they don’t want to be a police officer,” Spandle said.

Issue 4 | 12.12.19

28

FROSTY FLICKS If you find yourself debating whether or not to watch a new holiday movie or stick with a classic during winter break, read staff writer Megan Yates’ review.

BY MEGAN YATES

Design by Izze Lentfer

“LAST CHRISTMAS” PG-13 2019 DRAMA/ROMANCE 1h 43m

N

ot surprisingly, “Last Christmas” is yet another holiday movie that depicts a seemingly unconventional love story set to various George Michael music, including his 1984 song, “Last Christmas.”

This movie discusses controversial topics such as immigration, the hatred of immigrants and same-sex relationships. It also focuses on just one plot line, which is thankfully very easy to follow.

Emilia Clarke plays Kate, a struggling singer who works at a Christmas shop. A big part of Kate’s

character, which is revealed in bits throughout the course of the movie, is the fact that last Christmas she was very sick, to the point where she needed a heart transplant.

Tom, played by Henry Golding, is a mysterious guy who lives a simplistic life. In particular, he bikes everywhere he goes and volunteers at a homeless shelter.

Regardless of all that he does in his free time, the most important thing he does is help change Kate into a better person, all while constantly reminding her to “look up.”

“Last Christmas” will catch viewers

off guard due to a heartbreaking surprise, which perfectly connects all the somewhat intricate events leading up to the climax of the movie.

Above all else, this movie will inspire people to do good during the holiday season and hold their loved ones a little closer. Simply put, it is a must watch during winter break.

“LOVE ACTUALLY” R 2003 DRAMA/ROMANCE 2h 25m

T

his 2003 movie starring Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson depicts the love stories of nine separated, yet connected romances, all of which take place in London during the five weeks leading up to and including Christmas.

Complete with all forms of love, this movie has all the sappy moments a hopeless romantic could ever wish for.

However, the movie constantly jumps between characters and their different storylines, which, admittedly, makes it hard to follow.

Additionally, although the stories are somewhat connected to one another, there is no one storyline tying everyone else’s together, which makes the flow of the movie somewhat rough.

Furthermore, some of the love stories are unnecessary to the overarching theme of love in the movie, such as the ones that do not deal with true, meaningful love.

However, one such story sure to pull on viewers’ heartstrings deals with a woman who is in love with a man with whom she works, but when they get the chance to be intimate, she decides to tend to her mentally disabled brother instead.

This storyline expresses the idea that romantic love is not the only type of love that exists, and that love comes in all different forms, all of which should be celebrated.

The unconditional love one has for their family is often overlooked when it comes to Christmas movies, yet

perhaps this concept is what makes this movie such a beloved film.

“Love Actually,” despite its few faults, does a phenomenal job of depicting what love actually is: the feeling one gets when they are with those whom they cherish the most. This movie is definitely deserving of a spot on a holiday movie watch list during winter break.

12.12.19 | Issue 4

29

WHICH MOVIE SHOULD YOU WATCH? OTHER MOVIES TO WATCH THIS SEASON

START HERE

DO YOU LIKE ICE SKATING? NO

YES

Below are movies being shown on the Freeform Network from the ABC Family Countdown to Christmas.

DO YOU SPEND THE HOLIDAYS WITH YOUR FAMILY? YES

“HOME ALONE” SERIES Dec. 13, 14, 17, 22, 23, 25

NO

DO YOU LIKE TO SING HOLIDAY MUSIC? YES

NO

“FROSTY THE SNOWMAN” Dec. 20, 21, 25, 24 “RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER” Dec. 20, 21, 24, 25

DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS? YES

DR. SEUSS’ “HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS”

NO

Dec. 14, 15, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24

DO YOU LIKE TO CONFESS YOUR LOVE IN AIRPORTS? YES

“LAST CHRISTMAS”

NO

“LOVE ACTUALLY”

“THE SANTA CLAUSE” Dec. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22

Issue 4 | 12.12.19

30

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50% OFF Glasses for 18 yrs. and younger

GO TO BVNWNEWS.COM FOR MORE STORIES

YOUR AD GOES HERE CONTACT US ON BVNWNEWS.COM OR (913) 239-3544

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Call or go online to schedule your appointment today! www.hunterfamilyvision.com

31

12.12.19 | Issue 4

WHICH HOLIDAY CHARACTER ARE YOU? Get in the holiday spirit as Winter Break approaches by answering these festive questions to find out which beloved holiday character you would be.

BY JACK NITZ AND MATTHEW LEMKE 1. What is your favorite holiday drink?

Design by Sophie Dellett

6. What is your ideal holiday vacation?

a. Apple Cider b. Hot Chocolate c. Coffee d. Eggnog 2. Who do you spend winter break with?

7. What do you wear during the holidays?

a. Family b. Friends c. Alone d. Significant other 3. What is your favorite holiday activity?

a. Winter coat b. Scarf c. Hoodie and sweatpants d. Ugly holiday sweaters 8. What is your favorite gift to receive?

a. Santa Claus is Coming to Town b. Frosty the Snowman c. You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch d. Jingle Bells 5. What do you decorate your house with? a. Elf on the Shelf b. A tree with ornaments c. I don’t decorate d. Lights

a. Candy b. Money c. Coal d. Clothes 9. What is your favorite holiday treat? a. Candy canes b. Gingerbread man c. Pie d. Cookies 10. What is your favorite holiday tradition? a. Decorating the house b. Building a snowman c. Baking cookies d. Making a gingerbread house

Mostly A’s: Buddy the Elf Mostly B’s: Frosty the Snowman Mostly C’s: The Grinch Mostly D’s: Clark Griswold

a. Ice skating b. Skiing c. Nothing (I stay inside) d. Sledding 4. What is your favorite holiday song?

a. New York City b. North Pole c. Stay at home d. Chicago

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ABOUT US

The Express is the official high school news publication of Blue Valley Northwest High School, an open forum distributed to all students seven times a year. This is the December Issue of Volume 27. Subscription rates are $10. The Express is printed by The Sedalia Democrat, 700 South Massachusetts, Sedalia Mo. 65301.

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This is a student publication and may contain controversial matter. Blue Valley Unified 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.

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