The Express - September 2016

THE

Express

A New ANgle Signed to two agencies, sophomore Ryley Renaud has pursued modeling for a year and a half.

Page 17

volume 24 | issue 2 | September | BLue Valley Northwest High School

Feature

4 6

Freshman Julia Masterson leaves early from school to work on a musical she performs in.

Developing App-titude Juniors Rohan Daniel and Lucas Pickett attended a camp and learned how to program apps, creating one of their own.

Behind the lens

Two BVNW students work outside of school using their hobby and passion for photography as a job.

18 22

Two BVNW teachers developed a new grading system based on a four point scale that is being used in several Spanish classes.

A new angle

A year and a half ago sophomore Ryley Renaud began modeling and has since signed with two agencies.

The icing on the cake

Read how freshman Abbie Rockers runs her baking business, Abbie’s Sweet Treats.

Cover: For the last year-and-a-half, sophomore Ryley Renaud has been modeling professionally. (Photo illustration by Kaitlyn Noon).

Below: Lining up for a shot, junior Mason Mead plays disc golf Sept. 2. Mead plays disc golf at courses around Johnson County on a weekly basis. (Photo by TJ Vore).

CONTENTS

8

Studying in the spotlight

16

different standards

2

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2| SEPTEMBER 2016

26

Opinion

Milestones, miles Apart Relationships between college students and high schoolers are explained by BVNW students.

Entertainment

11 Disc destinations 24 Perspectives

A variety of photos showcase student life.

Two students review local disc golf courses, a sport they play frequently.

28

Taking a Seat

29

a HERO IN HER OWN RIGHT

30

Taking action offline

Contact Information

Mailing address: 13260 Switzer Rd, Overland Park KS 66213 Phone: 913-239-3400 Website: BVNWnews.com

Responding to the Publication

Letters to the editor can be submitted electronically on our website at BVNWnews.com under the “Contact Us” tab. Letters may be published either on BVNWnews.com or in our print edition. Letters must not contain profanity, personal attacks against an individual and may be edited to fit space.

Advertising

The Express and BVNWnews.com accept advertisements.

Pricing and information can be obtained by contacting us at BVNWnewspaper@bluevalleyk12.org.

Purpose

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 September issue of Volume 24. Subscription rates are $10. The Express is printed

by The Sedalia Democrat, 700 South Massachusetts, Sedalia MO 65301. 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.

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 |SEPTEMBER 2016

Junior Walker Johnson shares his views on Colin Kaepernick’s recent protests.

Junior Dan Edmonds shares his opinion on the casting of Zendaya as Mary Jane.

In order for a social media post to be effective, there must be action taken outside of the internet.

THE EXPRESS STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emma Bruce

REPORTERS

Lauren Fischer

Ben Brown Anna Cowden Ellie Druten Dan Edmonds Paige Fulenwider Walker Johnson Ryan Jones Anna Levine Sara Rooney Gia Shipman

PRINT PHOTO EDITOR

PHOTOGRAPHERS

MANAGING EDITOR Eden Kurr

DESIGN EDITOR Kaitlyn Noon

FEATURE EDITOR Jack Oxley

ONLINE PHOTO EDITOR Justin Lehtinen

SPORTS EDITOR Gabe Swartz

CHIEF WRITER

Xiqing Wang

PUZZLE COORDINATOR

Madi Allen Ellen Bruce Jordan Devorak Nicky Lentsch TJ Vore

ASSISTANT ADVISER

Kimberly Hillstock

ADVISER

Jim McCrossen

Brandon Fagen

3

Studying in the spotlight

BY Anna Levine

Freshman Julia Masterson has been an actress for five years and a dancer for 11 years. Masterson is currently in a production of the musical “Evita,” where she is one of the youngest members.

L

ights, music, action! Freshman Julia Masterson said her experience with theatre is more like lights, rehearsals, homework. Masterson said most of her days are spent rehearsing for hours the production she is currently in, then rushing home to finish all her homework. Masterson is part of the youth ensemble in a production of the musical “Evita” through the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. The musical will be from Sept.

16 through Oct. 2 at the Spencer Theatre, which is located on the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus.

Masterson said her family got her into acting when she auditioned for her first production of “Seussical: the Musical” through Music Theatre Kansas City, where she was in the ensemble.

My cousin told me to audition for a show that she was doing, and it was, a big show so I didn’t think I got [the part],” Masterson said. “But I just turned out being...in the ensemble and it was so fun.”

Other shows Masterson has been in include “School of Rock,” through Music Theatre Kansas City; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” through Theatre in the Park and “Bells are Ringing,” through Broadway at Baker.

Masterson’s dad, Mickey Masterson, said he loves that his daughter is an actress because it is not something he was ever good at. He said Masterson has gotten all her roles on her own without her parents pushing her to do too much.

“She is the one that’s kind of driving this, and we feel like our job is to support

4

that,” Mickey said. “We’re very proud of what she’s doing, this is truly intrinsic on her part.”

Masterson said “Evita” is about a woman who ran away from home after her father died. Evita rose through the ranks to gain power from the people of Argentina, where she became the face of her country.

“It’s the best feeling in the world to be able to stand there and make people smile.”

-Julia Masterson With all the rehearsal time and homework she has to do, Masterson said it can be stressful getting everything done, and it takes a lot of determination to keep going.

“I go to school and...toward the end of the day I’ll get checked out around 2:15, and then I’ll go back home, grab my script, and then go straight to rehearsals,” Masterson said. “I’ll get home sometimes around 8 to 10.”

Another actress in the youth ensemble for “Evita,” Blue Valley Southwest sophomore Fabiola Ariana Cabrera Davila, said she has not known Masterson for very long, but first saw her in “School of Rock” and is now working with her in

“Evita.”

“She’s really focused; she’s a really good dancer too,” Davila said. “She’s always...looking out for the other kids.”

Despite all the responsibility of scripts to be memorized and the rehearsals to attend, associate producing director at the KC Rep, Daniel Earnest, said Masterson has a phenomenal work ethic.

“What’s great about Julia is that she is a professional actor just like our adult professional actors,” Earnest said. “She also has a great deal of positive energy. She’s a great actress to have on our shows.”

BVNW English teacher Erin Pearson said Masterson attends her fourth hour class once or twice a week.

“We do a weekly agenda so we know what’s coming,” Pearson said.

“She knows that her education is important while she’s still pursuing her dream, so she’s been doing a very good job of balancing both.”

Masterson said she keeps auditioning for more productions because she has gotten many rewarding things out of the plays and musicals she has been a part of.

“I know that the [friends and family] that are there are there for me. They took the time, they took the money to be there” Masterson said.

“It’s the best feeling in the world to be able to stand there and make people smile.”

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

During her free time, freshman Julia Masterson enjoys acting in musicals. Masterson performs in a rehearsal of the musical “Evita” Aug. 31. “My cousin inspired me and got me into a camp and then I tried out for a show she told me to try for,” Masterson said.

(Photo by Madi Allen).

Freshman Julia Masterson rehearses a scene from the musical “Evita” Aug. 31. “My cousin inspired me and got me into a camp and then I tried out for a show she told me to try for,” Masterson said. (Photo by Madi Allen).

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

5

DEVELOPING APP-TITUDE

Juniors Rohan Daniel and Lucas Pickett recount their experiences at the Google Fiber App Camp and how those experiences affected their planning for the future.

A screenshot of Juniors Lucas Pickett and Rohan Daniel’s app “Shake ‘Em Hoops.” (Photo illustration by Xiqing Wang).

6

by Xiqing Wang

M

ulticolored blocks glow from a computer screen, joined together in intricate arrangements to allow blank screens to flash with colorful graphics. Juniors Rohan Daniel and Lucas Pickett learned this type of block-based programming during the Google Fiber App Camp at the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Computing and Engineering from Aug. 1-5.

Google Fiber App Camp instructor and UMKC computer science student Alexander Carlisle said he helped students learn coding through MIT App Inventor 2, a beginner-friendly blockbased program. He said block-based programming allows students to connect blocks of code like they are building a puzzle.

“To be able to put blocks together, run through the program and see where your issues are to fix your code helps a lot,” Carlisle said.

Carlisle said the UMKC hosted the Google Fiber App Camp for the fifth year this past summer. Carlisle said he believes the students’ experiences at the camp and the knowledge they gained will benefit them in any future endeavors into computer science.

“For [students] to be able to get that training and move onto [college] and start Python, C++ and all that stuff, it definitely will be a big advantage,” Carlisle said.

Pickett said he enjoyed his experience

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

Over the summer, juniors Rohan Daniel and Lucas Pickett designed an Android app at the Google Apps Camp at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Daniel, Pickett and Tommy Martin pose for a photo in front of the Google Fiber sign. Pickett said he recommends the camp to anyone who wants to get a basis for programming apps.

“It’s a very simple programming class, and you basically learn the basics of a language in five days,” Pickett said. (Photo courtesy of Rohan Daniel).

at the camp and wants to continue to learn about programming, especially for Apple products, since MIT App Inventor 2 only creates apps for Android phones.

Pickett said he wants to create apps that are compatible with his Apple iPhone.

Daniel said the app that he and Pickett built was called “Shake ‘Em Hoops,” a basketball game in which tilting the phone moves the player around and shaking the phone allows the player to shoot a basketball. Daniel said they created an artifical intelligence for the opposing team as well, which made the computer an automatic opponent.

Pickett said the closer players are to the hoop, the higher probability the player has of making a basket. Pickett said his favorite part of the camp was the creative and collaborative app building environment. Pickett said he, Daniel and another camper each worked on their individual aspects of the app and put all of those components together to form the finalized app.

Pickett said he and Daniel also experienced real-life situations involving both technology and business. He said they had to present their final app to a panel of judges. Based on the scores awarded to their final presentation, Pickett said their app received the “Best App Award.”

Pickett said attending Google Fiber

App Camp gave him more insight into career paths he would like to explore, including programming or computer engineering.

“I want to work in the technology industry,” Pickett said. “Before the camp, I had narrowed it down to something in the [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] field, but now I’m pushing toward the computer engineering side.”

“I thought computer science was pretty much everyone working on their own idea. I didn’t know it was everyone working on one big idea.”

-Rohan Daniel

Like Pickett, Daniel said his views changed after attending the camp.

“Going into the camp, I didn’t know any sort of coding, so it was helpful to learn a little bit,” Daniel said. “I wasn’t really interested in computer science before the camp, but I’m sort of interested now.”

Aside from learning more about his interests, Daniel said the biggest takeaway from the camp was a stronger sense of how teamwork plays a role in science.

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

“I thought computer science was pretty much everyone working on their own idea,” Daniel said. “I didn’t know it was everyone working on one big idea.”

Carlisle said through the camp, he aimed to disprove the misconception that computer science is isolated and boring.

“The plan was to have people understand that it’s not just an individual environment, this computer science world,” Carlisle said. “You are always working as teams to achieve a goal.”

Daniel said besides learning more about teamwork in computer science, attending the camp exposed him to a whole new aspect of technology and science he had not previously experienced.

“It was a good experience working with many people with different backgrounds,” Daniel said. “[There were] many home-schooled kids, many kids from the inner city, which brought me out of the ‘JoCo bubble’ a little bit.”

7

behind the lens Senior Amber Blakeney and junior Kanishka Mehra use their time outside of school to take senior portraits and enjoy their favorite hobby.

S

ome students’ view photography as Instagram or Snapchat pictures, but to others, it is a hobby or job. Two students, junior Kanishka Mehra and senior Amber Blakeney, both spend time taking photos in their free time.

Mehra said her interest in photography began three years ago.

“I started using my dad’s camera and it was a Nikon and it was super old,” Mehra said.

“I actually really liked learning about the camera, that made me want to learn about how to use it correctly.”

Later Mehra bought her own camera and continued taking pictures of people, nature, and natural beauty. She began taking photos of her friends, but now she is expanding her projects.

Mehra said she likes to take candid photos because they catch people in their natural beauty, and those pictures are the one’s she is the most content with. “[Photography] allows me to make people feel good about themselves because people usually say ‘you’re not going to be able to make me look pretty’

8

or things like that, but then the feedback that I get is ‘wow I actually really like how I look in this’ and that is what motivates me to keep going,” Mehra said.

While Mehra’s favorite thing about photography is raising her models’ self esteem, Blakeney said her favorite thing about it is taking senior pictures.

“I definitely [like to] photograph people the most,” Blakeney said.

Both Mehra and Blakeney take senior photos for many students at BVNW. “I just started taking them last year and I’m really happy with the amount of business I’ve gotten, and I hope to continue and take more,” Mehra said.

Blakeney also does senior portraits. She said she has taken senior photos for a couple years.

“I am pretty much seen as the senior photographer,” Blakeney said.

Blakeney said she started doing senior photos to post on Instagram, but she originally started photography when she was 10.

“I am not surprised that I have made it this far, I started

BY Ellie Druten this when I was 14 on a phone camera and now I have worked my way up to getting paid for photo shoots that happen almost weekly,” Blakeney said. “And I wanted to give up a lot, there were multiple times where I thought I wasn’t good enough to do this, so I am just glad I kept with it.”

Blakeney said Brian Pollack is a big inspiration for her. He taught her in Digital Imaging.

“She has matured quite a bit, and I think that the work has matured quite a bit as well,” Pollack said. “You can clearly see her creative voice and now she has focused on the craft in terms of polishing her final product.”

Pollack said her strength is her willingness to take risks and that she is always trying something new. Pollack said that is the most important thing in the creative field.

“Amber is just a great inspiration to other people to be positive about life and embrace others which are things that Amber lives on a daily basis,” Pollack said. “She is an example of what you can do if you put your mind to it.”

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

Top: For the past several years, senior Amber Blakeney has been taking friends’ senior photos. Blakeney took photos of a subject at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park Sept. 7. “Outside of JCCC in 2013, I was taking pictures of a friend on a phone camera and it started from there,” Blakeney said. (Photo by Madi Allen).

Right: Taking senior photos is something junior Kanishka Mehra enjoys doing in her free time. Mehra took photos of client Daniuschka Rengifo at Loose Park in Kansas City, Mo. Sept. 4. “I plan on pursuing photography as a hobby in which eventually I could make into a job but right now not as a career,” Mehra said. (Photo by Madi Allen).

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

9

10

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

Perspectives Photos of Husky Life 1.

2.

1. During Sarah Beren’s English Language Arts 12 class, seniors Garrett Tierney, Jamicheal Morgan and Chase Domurat participate in yoga Sept. 7. “I was doing yoga for ELA to take a break; I liked getting out of class for 20 minutes,” Domurat said. (Photo by Madi Allen).

2. While in Brian Pollack’s Design Fundamentals class, freshman Lindsay Owens worked on defining the three-dimensional quality of scissors using cross contour lines Sept. 12. “The thing I like most about this project is getting the chance to learn how to do new things,” Owens said. (Photo by Madi Allen).

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

3.

3. During the Activity Fair in Advisory Aug. 25, student-run clubs got the opportunity to present their activity to gain new members.

Junior Connor Munsch and sophomore William Herron present a computer program for the Computer Science Club. (Photo by Jordan Devorak).

11

4.

5.

4. In Speech I, students work on interviewing skills with a partner to improve confidence in speaking in front of others. Juniors Jevon Crudup and Drew Black sit in front of their fifth hour Speech I class Aug. 27. “Working on interviewing skills really helps with your presentation while showing a project or assignment in other classes,” Black said. (Photo by Jordan Devorak).

5. Cheerleaders paint signs for home games and other events.

Sophomores Maddie Nei and Audrey Senter paint a sign Sept. 7 for the home opener football game against Mill Valley High School.

(Photo by Ellen Bruce).

12

6.

6. The cross country season started shortly after the beginning of the school year and will continue through Oct. 2016. At the DAC, sophomore Brendan Garcia runs sprints for cross country.

“Everyone is always having fun, as well as working hard. I’m definitely going to continue doing cross country throughout my high school career,” Garcia said. (Photo by Justin Lehtinen).

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

7.

8.

9.

7. During a rehearsal for the fall play, senior Ariel Glorsky portrays Judith in a scene from “Hay Fever” Sept. 14. “Hay Fever” will take place in the PAC Oct. 27 and 28. “The play is about a British family that thinks they are the most normal people in the world,” Glorsky said. “They are trying to build relations with each other.” (Photo by TJ Vore).

8. During their fifth hour Chemistry class, senior Carly Hassenstab and junior Athena Bensing work on practice problems Sept. 7.

The practice problems were over significant figures and digits, measuring volumes and density. (Photo by Ellen Bruce).

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

9. Reaching for a plant on a living wall, senior Anna Kastendick participates in a field trip with her AP Environmental Science class Aug. 24. Kastendick and her class went to Galileo’s Pavilion at Johnson County Community College to learn about sustainable design and architecture. (Photo by Jack Oxley).

13

10.

11.

10. In their Physical Science class, sophomores Jade Loftness and Cady Windholz work on a project dealing with motion. “It was very difficult, because we had to keep altering our design until we got it right,” Loftness said. (Photo by Nicky Lentsch).

11. Playing the ukelele, junior Hayden Dillavou spends Husky Halftime in Room 505 Aug. 29. Dillavou is among many students who practice music and do homework in the 500 Hallway during Husky Halftime. (Photo by Jack Oxley).

14

12.

12. Completing an assignment, junior Troy Kanichy works on a packet for his Spanish 1 class Sept. 14. The packet is to help improve and teach basic conversational skills in Spanish. “This second unit packet has taught me how to describe myself to others,” Kanichy said. “I am looking forward to more assignments to enhance my Spanish speaking skills.” (Photo by Jack Oxley).

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

15

different standards BVNW Spanish teachers Kari Hillen and Heather Martens integrated a new grading system, standards-based grading, that is going to be used in several Spanish classes.

O

ver the summer, BVNW Spanish teachers collaborated with Blue Valley West teachers to create a new grading system to integrate into multiple BVNW classes.

The new system, called standardsbased grading, was implemented with the help of administration and technology professionals, the teachers were able to improve the system from last year and create a new one for this year.

Hillen said the new grading system was designed to improve on the previously used grading system.

“Standards-based grading is trying to help students and teachers focus on overall communication in the language, while aligning it with rubrics,” Hillen said.

Everything is graded on a one to four point scale in five different categories.

While most assessments cannot be retaken, an assignment or quiz under a four on the scale can be retaken. At the end of the semester, anything above an 85 percent - not 90 percent, like most classes - will be counted as an A. Hillen said the goal of standardsbased grading is to continue to focus on the improvement of student communication.

Since the new system is a pilot program, both students and teachers are having to learn and adapt as it continues to grow. Martens said she likes the system so far because it is

16

easier to comprehend each grade.

Junior Nick Walden, who is currently enrolled in Honors Spanish 4, said he thinks the new standards-based grading system could be a great idea.

“It is something new that we will have to get used to,” Walden said. ”But once we get used to it I think it could be good.”

Another junior in Honors Spanish 4, Chris Burgess, said he is excited for the new grading scale because it will make it easier to receive an A. Burgess said that he also likes the scale because he can see his improvement. “[Standards-based grading] breaks it down into different sections so it’s easier to see what you did well on and what you did bad on,” Burgess said.

Since students have the ability to redo assignments and quizzes, Hillen said she is hoping the retakes will translate to higher scores. Hillen said she will have to grade more, but she enjoys the idea that students are actually learning.

“It gives students the opportunity to redo, make-up, and really prepare themselves and be rewarded for their preparation on assessments,” Hillen said.

Additionally, Martens said standards-based grading is very

BY Ben Brown

individualized and allows students to get the grade they strive for.

“If you have a three, you can choose to get a retake,” Martens said. “There is a lot of flexibility [in standards-based grading].”

Walden said he liked standards-based grading as it gave opportunities for students to solidify their communications skills and their overall comprehension of Spanish.

“This is a better reflection of what you know rather than what you do,” Walden said. “It reflects on your knowledge instead of just completing homework assignments for completion points.”

Even though the concept of standards-based grading is new, both Hillen and Walden said they are excited about the future of standards-based grading.

“I am optimistic about it,” Walden said. “I think this will benefit students because they will have the opportunity to be rewarded for actually learning.”

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

4

Highest point value on the Scale “Communicates that a student has mastered, at a very high level, the academic learning of the course.” *

1

lowest point value on the Scale “Communicates that a student has not mastered enough academic learning in a course to appropriately move on to the next course.” *

*Source: Honors Spanish 4 rubric

85(+)% A 67.5-85% B 50-67.5% C THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

17

A new angle

BY Lauren Fischer Ryley Renaud is planning to advance her modeling career by signing with an international agency after beginning her career a year and a half ago.

Photo Illustration By Kaitlyn Noon

17

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

A

fter beginning her modeling career a year and a half ago, sophomore Ryley Renaud now poses for photoshoots. She struts down runways and is offered coffee with professional models.

Renaud began modeling when she met with a family friend who worked for a modeling agency, signed a contract and began her modeling career. “[Modeling] was something that I’d never done before, so I decided ‘Why not do it?’,” Renaud said. “So I tried it out and after my first photo shoot...I decided that I wanted to keep doing it.”

Renaud’s mother, Angie Renaud, said Ryley chose to begin modeling on her own and her family supports her with this new career.

“She’s just always had fun doing photo shoots and fashion shows,” Angie said. “She’s most likely going to be an international model so my role will be probably be to home school and travel with her.”

Renaud signed with Arizona Model Management and Voices & Models. Voices & Models works with clients in the Kansas City area, while Arizona Model Management is more national. Renaud is currently in the process of signing with Next Agency, a global modeling agency.

“Right now I’m building my book, which is basically getting pictures that will go to different agencies,” Renaud said.

Wendy Buono, the owner of Arizona Model Management and Voices & Models said her agencies work with new and experienced models.

“For fashion modeling it’s a little bit different...if someone has the right look and we really feel they can do well, then we help them so they are able to work with us,” Buono said.

Renaud and her mother took a trip to New York this summer to look at other agencies and showcase Renaud’s modeling. Renaud said she met with more than 30 agencies while she was in New York.

Angie said her and Ryley went on the trip to explore the opportunities different agencies had to offer.

“It was awesome, she had great opportunities and met a lot of wonderful people,” Angie said.

According to Buono, Renaud’s agencies are helping her gain modeling experience and are preparing her to sign with a worldwide agency, such as Next agency.

“Ryley is enjoying exploring [modeling] and learning from it and I think it’s exciting for her to see that big agents and big markets like her,” Buono said.

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

18

“I think with her it’s still an exciting new thing, and she’s still discovering what she loves about it.”

Renaud said she uses social media to show agencies who she is as a person and to share her interests.

While juggling school, work and modeling has not been too difficult right now, there are things other than school work that make modeling challenging, according to Renaud.

“You have to eat healthy...you have to go to the gym, you have to wash your face every night, and you just have to stay on top of it,” Renaud said.

Renaud said modeling has benefited her in many ways, despite the constant selfawareness of what to eat and when to exercise.

“I’ve learned more how to be responsible because I’ve had to get my clothes together, I’ve had to come up with different poses, I’ve had to create an Instagram, I’ve had to create a Facebook,” Renaud said. “It’s helped me learn to manage things better.”

Buono said while modeling is not the right fit for everyone, it does offer young models an opportunity to work in a real world environment.

“We call modeling the business of rejection, which is hard, but the great thing is every casting that a model goes on is like a job interview so models learn all kinds of awesome life skills and skills that will help them in the real world when they are starting a career,” Buono said.

According to Renaud, there are a few misconceptions and stereotypes about models and the modeling industry.

“Everyone thinks that models are so rude.

I’ve only met one rude model, and I’ve met so many [others] and every single one of them has been so nice...they’re all just the nicest people,” Renaud said.

Renaud has noticed many people have a negative perception of the modeling industry, but she herself has never been uncomfortable when modeling.

“They always take how you feel to heart,” Renaud said. “If you’re not comfortable with something they’ll say ‘OK, then we’ll change it up and we can do it so that you’re comfortable’ because that’s their biggest concern...that you feel alright.”

Renaud wants to continue modeling in the future, and is now considering taking her modeling international. As for right now, Renaud is working on building her profile to present to different agencies. “[Modeling is] a blast, it’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience and not many people can say that they get to do that; that they get to travel around the world and do something that they love,” Renaud said.

20

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

Arizona Model Management Steps for signing with an agency:

1 2

Models get referred by another model or employee at an agency.

3

If pictures look good and fit agency’s idea, the agency schedules a meeting with model to meet them in person.

4

if it is a right fit, then the model is signed.

Agency views models’ photos and measurements and sees if the model is someone who fits what they are looking for.

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

ryley’s Steps for a photoshoot:

1 2 3 4 5

The model goes to the location of the photoshoot and introduces him/herself.

Plans for the photoshoot are discussed.

The model goes to hair and makeup.

The model tries on multiple outfits and the clothing is adjusted so it fits correctly.

Go shoot. (Photographers instruct the model how to pose or they choose their own.)

21

Freshman Abbie Rockers has a unique outside of school activity; she owns and operates her own baking business, Abbie’s Sweet Treats. Rockers said there are challenges and successes with her business.

The icing on the cake

BY Anna Cowden

S

mells of buttercream and sugar fill the air as freshman Abbie Rockers adds a coat of icing to a chocolate cupcake. This is a step in completing her orders for her customers. Rockers has owned her baking business, Abbie’s Sweet Treats, since February.

“I’ve always loved baking; it was a tradition with my grandma at every holiday,” Rockers said. “My mom taught me some recipes but then I would always [bake] with my grandma, then my other grandma got me all my supplies.”

Rocker’s grandmother, Linda Rockers, said she started teaching Rockers how to bake when she was five or six years old.

“I admire [Rockers] because she’s independent,” Linda said. “She

22

knows what she wants to do and she goes for it.”

Linda said she was delighted when she found out that Rockers was starting Abbie’s Sweet Treats.

Melanie Rockers, Rockers’ mother, said her other grandmother has also been a key person in helping Abbie build her business. Barbara Bates has bought Rockers baking supplies for previous birthdays and Christmases.

“When I find something that I know she’s interested in, I always try and get a bunch of stuff together and give it to her for either Christmas or her birthday,” Barbara said.

Rockers’ business ranges from macaroons to cakes. She said she has sold her baked goods to people throwing birthday parties, a first communion, a retirement party and an anniversary party.

Rockers said she used to just bake for fun but then Kim Kauth, a family

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

friend, bought cupcakes for her boutique party. “[Her] cupcakes were awesome,” Kauth said. “[Everyone was] raving about them.”

Rockers said that Kauth told others about Abbie’s Sweet Treats and it gradually spread by word of mouth. “[After the party] she started getting phone calls and she actually had to take some down time over the summer because that’s all she was doing,” Kauth said. “I’d say that she’s a pretty hard worker.”

Rockers said her parents help her deliver the baked goods and take her to get her supplies. Other than that, she said she pays for mostly everything herself and runs the business alone.

Rockers said she faces certain obstacles when running her business. She said sometimes customers are not specific on the orders they want and she has to guess what they would like.

“I think the hardest part is [trying] to

think what they would like the best and [trying] to not let them down,” she said.

Rockers said in order to balance school and her business, she has to manage her time wisely.

“People would ask ahead or plan ahead and I’d kind of make sure I’d do my homework as early as I could and then just set out those specific days to be able to do [the homework] so then I could have that time [to bake],” Rockers said.

Rockers said having business skills from running her business in high school is something most kids do not possess.

“It’s really good because you get to learn about time management, making sure you have [the time] set out and you follow the directions,” Rockers said.

Rockers said she hopes to continue her baking business in the future.

“Having it start here is just kind of exciting,” Rockers said.

Left: Freshman Abbie Rockers stands with some of her pastries. Rockers has been running her business since February. (Photo courtesy of Abbie Rockers).

Below: Cookies baked by freshman Abbie Rockers sit on display. The cookies on display are just one part of Rockers’ business. (Photo courtesy of Abbie Rockers).

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER

23

disc destinations BY: Brandon Fagen

With the help of two BVNW disc golf players, we review a few disc golf courses in the vicinity of BVNW.

Above: Starting over the summer, junior Mason Mead has been playing Disc Golf at various courses around Johnson County. Mead goes for a putt while playing disc golf at California Trail Middle School in Olathe Sept. 2. “Just playing with friends is fun, I don’t want to take this sport too seriously,” Mead said. (Photo by TJ Vore).

disc essentials Dallas Wrinkle, a BVNW frisbee golfer, said the first things someone needs to play disc golf are some discs, but they are relatively easy to obtain.

“A beginner could easily start playing for $10-15,” he said.

Wrinkle said usually beginners use two discs, a driver for long-range throwing, and a putter for short range. Next players should know are the rules. Wrinkle said the rules of disc golf are just like normal golf, the fewer shots the better.

He said the driving platform is

24

the tee pad and the target is the hole or basket.

To get started, grab some discs and try out one of the courses reviewed on the next page. Get some friends, go out and have fun.

Wrinkle said he started up a disc golf club at Northwest, which gives students another great opportunity to hone their skills. The first meeting is Sept. 21 during A block of Husky Halftime.

“I think this is a nice laid-back sport, a nice stress reliever,” Wrinkle said.

*

Ratings for the courses on Page 25 were conducted by BVNW juniors Mason Mead and Dallas Wrinkle. Courses were ranked on a scale of

1 to 5.

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

California trail

13775 W 133rd St. This 9-hole course is by far the smallest of the three. Mason Mead, another BVNW disc golfer, said it is a fun course, as long as you can find where it starts. To play this course, find a wooden post next to the pick up line in front of California Trail. From there, follow the posts to know where to throw from.

This course is perfect for beginners who may not be great at aiming. With lots of open fields on the course, it is

9 Holes

nearly impossible to lose a disc here.

One defining feature of this course is a huge throw near the end of the course, with a hole that is 489 feet long. Mead said the most fun part of playing disc golf is hanging out with friends.

“Even though it’s for fun, we are competitive,” Mead said. For those who want to play a quick round of disc golf, California Trail is the perfect course.

Heritage Park

18 Holes

16050 Pflumm Rd. The first challenge of this course is finding it. Entering from Pflumm, drive down Access Road, past the dam and turn at the second left.

Eventually, there will be a sign for shelters 9 and 10; the course starts next to shelter 10.

Upon arrival, this course consists of a winding trail with 18 holes positioned anywhere from thick forest to spacious open fields. Wrinkle said Heritage is his favorite of the three courses to play. When players

go to this course. they are sure to throw their discs through tunnels of trees and next to a small pond.

With the extensive amount of walking to do on this course, it is necessary to save two hours to complete a full round of 18 holes.

With a difficulty level of 4 out of 5, this course may pose a challenge for average disc golf players and is recommended for more experienced players.

pleasant ridge

9000 W 165th St.

A favorite of BVNW disc golfers is the 18 hole course essentially in Blue Valley West’s back yard. Students from all over come to satisfy their urge to play disc golf surrounded by “semi nature” Wrinkle said.

Other than occasionally being disrupted by other loud frolfers, this course is a great disc golf experience.

With a combination of above average skills and a little luck there presents the chance for a hole-in-one on certain holes.

“The feeling you get when you almost get a hole in one is just spectacular,” Wrinkle said. “Your hopes are so high and then it misses, but that just makes you want to keep trying.” With a difficulty ranking of 3 out of 5 this course suits all.

18 Holes

CLeanliness: 3 Difficulty: 2 Enjoyment: 4

CLeanliness: 3.5 Difficulty: 4 Enjoyment: 4.5 Below: Starting a disc golf club at BVNW, junior Dallas Wrinkle has been playing disc golf since the beginning of the summer. Wrinkle tosses a disc while playing disc golf at Heritage park in Olathe, Kan. Sept. 5. “Disc golf is a great sport, it’s a great sport to play outside and enjoy nature,” Wrinkle said. (Photo by TJ Vore).

CLeanliness: 2 Difficulty: 3 Enjoyment: 4

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

25

MILEstones, miles apart

By Ryan Jones

38.9822° N, 94.6708° W 38.9404° N, 92.3277° W

Senior Olivia Haston and Junior Emerson Pierce describe how long-distance relationships have affected them.

O

utside of sports and academics, high school can provide new ways to explore ideals, hobbies, and relationships. These experiences can form with students in school and can continue on with people outside of school.

For BVNW senior Olivia Haston, she said high school has provided a positive learning experience and a new way for her to explore her relationship with her boyfriend.

During Haston’s sophomore year, her boyfriend Matt Strobel was a senior at BVNW. They started dating after meeting through mutual friends. At first, Olivia said she had no idea who he was.

“All my friends would say, ‘Oh my god, Matt Strobel,’ but I had no idea who he was,” Haston said. “They would say, ‘Matt Strobel thinks you’re so cute’, and I was like “Who the hell is Matt Strobel?”

Haston and Strobel began dating in December of 2013. Since Strobel would be graduating in 2014, Haston said they didn’t take the relationship seriously at first.

Haston said Strobel decided to go to the University of Missouri, a school roughly two hours away.

“I left it up to [Matt],” Haston said. “I wasn’t going to tell him that he couldn’t date anybody else in college and that we had to be together. I just let [the decision] go with the wind.”

After Haston and Strobel decided to continue their relationship, Strobel said that they were both confident that their relationship would work out even though he was going to Mizzou. “[Olivia and I] tried to have a really good attitude knowing that we wouldn’t be at the same school and because of that everything worked out in our favor,” Strobel said.

Junior Emerson Pierce said she has also had a similar experience. Her boyfriend, Cameron Thomas, attends Johnson County Community College.

26

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

Left: Senior Olivia Haston poses with her boyfriend Matt Strobel in Colorado. The two took a trip over the summer to see Flume in concert. (Photo courtesy of Olivia Haston) Right: Junior Emerson Pierce stands with her boyfriend Cameron Thomas at Cricket Wireless Amphitheater. Over the summer they attended the G-Eazy concert. (Photo courtesy of Emerson Pierce)

“At first I didn’t think that [dating him] was going to work out since he wasn’t going to school with me,” Pierce said. “However, it actually was really nice. We don’t get sick of each other because we don’t see each other at school.”

Thomas said a good way to explore their relationship outside of school was through common bonds.

“We both like music, so we go to a lot of concerts,” Thomas said. “We [also] like sports. I am a University of Texas fan and I think because of this, Emerson is becoming one too.”

Pierce said although Thomas is out of high school, they will be able to go to the same college together.

“I definitely consider dating him after I graduate,” Pierce said. “Especially since he’s at a local college right now and took a gap year. By the time he’s done with his two years of college, we will both be able to go to [The University of Kansas] together.”

While Pierce said she may attend the same school as Thomas, Haston said she will not go to the same school as Strobel. Haston plans to pursue a school for art. She said following her boyfriend is a very common misconception that people have.

“If you’re dating somebody, you do not have to follow them to the college that they go to,” Haston said. “A lot of people make that mistake. Follow your dreams of what you want to do.”

Haston said she has learned a lot about herself from this relationship. She said when you date somebody you don’t see every day and that does not go to the same school as you, it is a good learning experience.

“I’m so good at being alone now,” Haston said. “I used to rely on people for my happiness, but after all my friends left for college and Matt left, I learned that I can get my happiness from myself.”

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

38.9822° N, 94.6708° W 38.9232° N, 94.7303° W These are the coordinates of the *schools that the couples attend

27

OPINION TAKING A SEAT

S

an Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick stayed seated during the national anthem played at a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers Aug. 26. In interviews, Kaepernick said he is “not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” Initially this action seemed to receive massive amounts of negative feedback as videos of 49ers fans burning once treasured Kaepernick jerseys went viral.

While his actions have many critics, what Kaepernick has started has brought the heated issue of racism further into public view. Kaepernick isn’t in the wrong for speaking his mind and expressing his displeasure with the current state of our nation.

Kaepernick has received support from many, although there are still those who believe his actions are wrong or un-American and that he should be fined or suspended for his actions. However, the fact of the matter is, nobody has to stand for the national anthem. Kaepernick was exercising his rights guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, the same rights that allow me to write this and allow you to say what you please. No matter how much you may be against Kaepernick’s actions, he has the right to express himself.

Voltaire, the famous philosopher, once said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Those who believe Kaepernick doesn’t have the right to

28

by Walker Johnson express himself are saying that if they have a controversial thought, they don’t deserve the right to express it, as well.

Just because Kaepernick or anyone else goes against the common thought or opinion doesn’t mean their thoughts and beliefs should be silenced. In the same way those who disagree with Kaepernick have the right to voice their displeasure, but shouldn’t be arguing to take away the rights given by the First Amendment by saying he shouldn’t be allowed to take a knee.

After the original event, I heard distraught American citizens angrily ask a similar question: How could one man show so much disrespect to a country

“although Kaepernick didn’t stand during the song of our nation, he may be more American than some of the people in the stadium who did.” that has given him everything? A country that gave him a new family when his birth mother couldn’t support him, a country that gave him the opportunity to play and progress in the sport he loved, and a country that allowed him to do those things for amounts of money unfathomable to most people reading this. How could he forget that without the freedoms that this country provided, he wouldn’t be where he is now?

To this, Kaepernick might respond: How can a country treat one group of people so poorly, for so long based on something as superficial as the color of their skin?

It is in this ironic way that although Kaepernick didn’t stand during the song of our nation, he may be more American than some of the people in the stadium who did.

How can we, as a country, say we are fighting for racial equality, if when someone makes a “stand” on a national stage, we react with so much negativity, or find some excuse as to why what this man is doing is wrong? Kaepernick is putting up a fight against racial inequality just like civil rights activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks did before him; he isn’t disrespecting our country, the military, or the freedoms he’s been given. Kaepernick is using the platform he’s earned to protest a national issue and start a potentially revolutionary movement in our society’s quest for unconditional equality.

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

A HERO IN HER OWN RIGHT

by Dan Edmonds

I

n August, it was announced that Zendaya would be playing Spider Man’s love interest, Mary Jane Watson, in the upcoming move “Spider Man: Homecoming.”

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding this decision, as a lot of people aren’t exactly thrilled that a biracial woman is playing a “white” character. Others are celebrating the fact that a woman of color is playing a romantic lead in a big movie because it isn’t common for people of color to land lead roles - more often than not, people of color are stuck with stereotypical roles or shoved in as a side character who is the first to die.

People love to argue that Mary Jane is a “white” character and her race is a significant part of her character, and that it is “blackwashing” by having a biracial woman portray her. This is a ridiculous argument because, like reverse racism, blackwashing simply does not exist. It is impossible to

“blackwash” a white character, because that character being white is not a significant characteristic. White people have so many characters to represent them so it would not be taking anything away from us by having a person of color play this white character. The same cannot be said about taking a character originally depicted as being a person of color and having a white actor portray them. It is whitewashing, but more than that you are purposefully erasing their history of being a character of color, and taking representation away from people of color. Mary Jane has been portrayed as a white woman in the past, but having a biracial woman play her now is not erasing Mary Jane’s history because her history is not tied to her being white.

I am a person who loves to see racial diversity in movie or television casts because it is far more accurate than having an all-white cast. Due to my personal preferences, it does baffle me how some people will make a big fuss

over how a certain character is “white” and therefore should be played by a white person. It doesn’t matter if a black person is playing a “white” character because it doesn’t take away from the character’s history. A person should be given the role based on their skills; this doesn’t apply to white actors taking roles from characters whose history are rooted in the fact that they are not white.

I have no issues with Zendaya playing Mary Jane because Mary Jane’s history is not tied to her being white. She has been portrayed as white and drawn as white because of the times in which she was created. It is a huge step forward for Zendaya, a biracial woman, to play a lead romantic role.

Editorial cartoon by Eden Kurr

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

29

Staff Editorial Taking action offline #BlackLivesMatter. #WeAreOrlando. #IStandWithKaepernick.

Each one of these hashtags represents a different moment in recent history, and each one of them is filled with a vast array of opinions from people all over the world.

With only a few clicks, anyone can upload their personal viewpoint for the entire globe to see. Social media is a battleground. We continually butt heads over both small and big issues. It seems that there is no end to the criticism and hatred toward each other—all over words on a screen.

Recently, Colin Kaepernick chose not to stand during the national anthem at a football game. This sparked discussions all across America about patriotism, obligations to the country, and what should be done about national issues. Had he sent a tweet out instead of doing this, it is very unlikely much would have come from it.

The truth is, posting on social media does not

get much done. Trending hashtags, while they raise awareness for issues, don’t actually make changes. If you are spending the time to post about an issue, you should be able to go the extra mile and back up your words with action.

If we stood up for ourselves and our opinions in real life, not just on the internet, perhaps the world would actually change for the better. Instead of just posting 140 characters of opinion, it would be beneficial to go out and make a difference by volunteering in the community, donating time or money to a charity we’re passionate about, or even writing letters to politicians to spark change.

It’s much easier to simply post about what bothers us, but unless we do something, we’re simply full of hot air.

So the next time we think about posting something controversial for likes or retweets, maybe we should think about how the problem can and should be addressed.

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 |SEPTEMBER 2016

New idea?

Got a story?

Took a photo?

Send it to us The Express c/o Blue Valley Northwest High School 13260 Switzer Rd Overland Park, KS 662213 BVNWnewspaper@ bluevaleyk12.org Room 902 Suggested length under 1,000 words Please include subject information about photos.

30

Word Search:

By Brandon fagen

HarambE

Word Bank:

Gorilla Zoo Upsetting Cincinnati

Memory Popular

Security Animals

Kid Meme

Shots fired

Sudoku:

By Brandon fagen

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2016

31

Blue Valley School District #229 Blue Valley Northwest H.S. 15020 Metcalf Avenue Overland Park, KS 66223

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Stilwell, KS 66085 Permit No. 38