The Express- April 2018

THE

EXPRESS 25 years why we hide As school shootings continue to dominate headlines, Blue Valley evaluates current lockdown procedures.

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Volume 25 • issue 6 • Blue Valley Northwest High school

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THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

CONTENTS 04 07 09 13 16

On Pointe Diving Divide Perspectives Why we Hide Class of 2018 Map

Left: Senior Evie Anderson rehearses a ballet routine during her class at the Kansas City Ballet. (Photo by Kanishka Mehra).

Right: Head diving coach Bridget Allen is in charge of the BVNW and BVHS diving teams. (Photo by TJ Vore).

THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

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Taking it to the next Level

20 23 24 26

Beyond the Classroom

28

Guitar Hero Brunch and Munch Life styled Opinion Cover: Students renact a lockdown procedure. (Photo illustration by Kaitlyn Noon).

Above: During a medical club meeting on April 13, Keri Schumacher discusses a summer medical field opportunity. “I decided to become the medical club sponsor because students asked me to, and I teach a course where most students are interested in medicine,” Schumacher said. (Photo by Madi Allen).

Right: Avocado toast from the cafe McClain’s Market, located on 10695 Roe Ave, Overland Park, Kan. (Photo

by Gia Shipman).

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THE EXPRESS • issue 6• april 2018

Jazz, ballet, contemporary and modern are all different styles of dance that senior Evie Anderson practices for the Kansas City Ballet.

By Ellie Druten s her pink, ribboned, ballet shoes tap the floor, senior Evie Anderson practices for her next performance with the Kansas City Ballet. Anderson has four shows each year, including shows in the fall, spring, an end-of-the-year recital and senior showcase.

While ballet is challenging, Anderson’s hard work pays off after her performances.

“Ballet is really hard on your body so it is difficult physically but also being there every day makes it hard to have a lot of time for school and hanging out with friends,” Anderson said.

After practicing ballet during her early years, Anderson practiced more seriously after eighth grade when she got very involved.

Now she practices every day except Sunday for around two to four hours.

Ballet or contemporary are Anderson’s favorite styles of dance, because she said they suit her best.

“I enjoy dancing because I can express myself and have fun and it’s good exercise,” Anderson said.

Within ballet, Anderson said her favorite thing to do is to perform, and she has

worked her way to reach level seven at her dance studio. As a level seven, she is among other seniors and juniors and one sophomore.

One of Anderson’s dance teachers, Kimberly Cowen, said moving up levels is many dancer’s goals.

“She is level seven which is a mix of a top level at our school,” Cowen said. ”She worked her way up there” The Kansas City Ballet has levels starting at level one, making Anderson’s move up to the top level a big accomplishment, according to Cowen. To move up a level, evaluations are held at the conclusion of each year.

“Ultimately you are trying to get to that top class and it is partially on age but mostly on whether or not they can achieve the steps that are expected of them to do in the next level,” Cowen said.

Although she is in the Kansas City Ballet, Anderson also practices other dance styles included in their dance performances.

Anderson and her performance team do ballet for the majority of the time, and a couple times a week, they will have jazz, modern and improv classes as well.

Cowen said working with other styles made Anderson

Below: Senior Evie Anderson stands in the fourth position during her class at the Kansas City Ballet. (Photos

by Kanishka Mehra).

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THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • april 2018

Left: Anderson performs a turn while rehearsing a ballet routine.

Right: After watching her instructor dictate a series of steps, Anderson performs the routine. a better and stronger dancer.

“In the time that I have worked with her I feel like she has gotten stronger” Cowen said. “She also dances in a performance group at our school and she has gotten to do a lot of different types of dancing.”

Anderson occasionally dances with professional dancers when she works on “The Nutcracker.”

“We take class on Saturdays with the trainees, dancers training to be professionals, and it helps push me and teach me what it really could be like if I pursued dancing professionally,” Anderson said.

Even with the amount of time ballet occupies in Anderson’s life, friend and supporter Lauren Pauley said Anderson manages her time and school work extremely well to create a

balanced life.

“She is very good at managing her time,” Pauley said. “She is in very hard classes and has [dance] class every single day. I could not do that. I am very impressed with her.”

Pauley views dance as a very unique hobby, and said not many people do it because it requires a lot of skill, which Anderson has attained.

“It is awesome that she is involved in something that she is passionate about,” Pauley said. “It is really cool because she is very hardworking and her hard work pays off in the end at performances.”

Even though Anderson does not plan on taking dance as seriously next year, she is considering minoring in dance at the University of NebraskaLincoln or at least taking

some classes. Once Anderson’s dancing career is over, Cowen said she will remember her ability to work hard, her politeness and the focus she brought to her dance classes.

“To me it shows her dedication to her dancing and that she is going to be successful at anything she does. She is always present and really paying attention,” Cowen said.

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THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

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THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

By Ethan Knauth

Diving Divide

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The girls varsity diving team shares a coach, Bridget Allen, with Blue Valley High School, which some divers say limits their progress during practice.

P

iercing air grips her skin as she waits in line to dive again.

Slowly she drys as another long minute passes by. Now it’s time to dive again, but she is already dry and she must restart the whole process.

Since 2008, the girls varsity diving team has shared a coach, Bridget Allen, with Blue Valley High School, putting restrictions on the amount of dives the divers perform during a typical practice.

In addition to not getting as many dives, the divers receive less mentoring because the Blue Valley girls varsity team has over twenty divers, according to BVNW varsity diver and junior Gracie Lyle. Diving for her second year at the school, Lyle said she is unable to maximize the benefits of practice due to the influx of girls.

“It’s kind of crowded. I’d say on busy days you get to go once every 15 minutes, which is not that much,” Lyle said. “I feel like I get less out of practice.”

Acknowledging that the size of the teams is a problem, Allen said cutting divers is not an option.

“I’m not open to cutting kids to make a smaller team,” Allen said.

“It’s such a small sport that anybody who is interested in it and wants to learn more about it, should.”

In spite of the limited amount of dives performed by divers in a given practice, Allen said the practices are beneficial for both programs.

“They definitely use each other to learn things. The girls are also able to build great relationships with each other. It’s great when we go to meets because they always know somebody,” Allen said.

Each week, the practice locations alternate between Blue Valley and Blue Valley Northwest. The jv team practices with the varsity team on Mondays and Tuesdays, making for a crowded environment during those practices.

Even though practicing with Blue Valley’s divers presents challenges, Tran said she still enjoys meeting teammates from both schools.

Despite sharing a coach, both Tran and Lyle have qualified for the state competition.

At the end of the day, Allen said she cherishes the moments the two schools are together.

“I enjoy doing this. It is a lot of fun,” Allen said. “It’s a very unique and different situation.”

“I definitely think that more one-on-one practice time with coach would benefit me more.”

-Emily Tran

(Bridget Allen is the mother of The Express photographer Madi Allen.)

To combat the limited amount of practice time, Allen said she offers extra practices, such as the Saturday morning practice and a practice before late start on Thursday.

BVNW senior and varsity diver Emily Tran agreed with Lyle that the joint-practices with Blue Valley have limited the benefits each could reap with a smaller practice size.

“I don’t feel like we get a lot of practice time,” Tran said. “I definitely think that more one-onone practice time with coach would benefit me more.”

Diving coach Bridget Allen discusses diving techniques with a BVHS diver.

(Photo by TJ Vore).

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THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

Bring Back Family Game Night

THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • APRIL 2018

Perspectives 1.

912 •

1. In Sara Doerhoefer’s fifth hour Algebra I class, freshman Aviva Keating drops a stuffed animal from the staircase landing. “I enjoyed that project because it explained math in a way that certainly sticks out in your memory, which in my opinion, makes it easier to understand,” Keating said. “I also generally enjoy when we do work in groups.” (Photo by Kanishka Mehra).

2. At the improv show on April 5, junior Mark Doyle acts out a scenario depicted by another student moments before the performance. “Getting into improv this year has been a great experience,” Doyle said.” It’s really just us being ourselves and having fun on stage.” (Photo by Kanishka Mehra).

2.

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THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • APRIL 2018

3.

3. Freshmen Mikaela Rittmaster and Ali Brenneman rehearse in their sixth hour Advanced Acting class. “Advanced acting is a great experience,” Rittmaster said. “I get to work on improving my skills and learning new ones.” (Photo by Daniel Edmonds).

4. On April 6, junior Lauren Lee visited Olathe North High School as part of a student exchange program between Olathe North and BVNW. “I loved how hands on the school was,” Lee said.

“The starfish is a good example of that.”

(Photo by Daniel Edmonds).

5. BVNW staff handed out a “Stop the Stigma” bracelet to junior Shaili Patel on March 29 as a part of Mental Health Week. “I thought it was really cool of our school to participate,” Patel said.

“This week provided students with a way of knowing that they aren’t alone, and possible ways to help them alleviate stress.” (Photo by Gavin Mullin).

4.

5.

THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

1112 •

6.

7.

6. Receiving the Blue Valley Innovator Educator Award as a team on April 6, math teachers Michelle Williams, Laura Deffer and Michele Ratigan celebrate with high fives. This is the first time the grant has been awarded to a team of teachers rather than an individual teacher. (Photo by Gavin Mullin).

7. On March 28, senior Michelle Chung carefully paints in letters on a banner for Mental Health Week. (Photo by Gavin Mullin).

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6830 W. 119TH ST. OVERLAND PARK, KS 66209

THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • APRIL 2018

PHONE: (913)-514-4383

ADD BVNWNEWS ON SNAPCHAT

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THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

why we hide A student reenacts a classroom lockdown procedure. (Photos by Gavin Mullin).

BY walker johnson & Jaelen Matthews Following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, in Parkland Fla., the Blue Valley district examines shooter response procedures.

S

ince the start of 2018, there have been 45 school shootings across the United States, resulting in 36 deaths and at least 53 injuries, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The nonprofit organization defines a school shooting as any discharge of a firearm on the property of an elementary school, secondary school or college campus during school hours. In response to these events, the Blue Valley district created a safety task force that is currently investigating and reviewing the district security measures.

Blue Valley Director of Safety and Security Dan Carney implemented the Blue Valley Safety Study Task Force in response to the mass school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14.

The current protocol in the event of an active shooter is to enter a

Lockdown-Lights Out, where all occupants are to secure themselves in a locked room, position themselves so they cannot be seen from hallways and refrain from conversation or other noise.

if you are behind a locked interior door during a school shooting then your chances of being killed or injured are almost zero.

- Dan Carney Other school districts, such as Olathe, take these procedures a step further by incorporating A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training, to comply with the U.S. Department of Education’s recommendations.

“The idea of lockdowns are sometimes a bit demonized as being old fashioned,” Carney said. “But, if you are behind a locked interior door during a school shooting then your chances of being killed or injured are almost zero. That’s the statistical truth.”

Principal Amy Murphy said the policy is reviewed every summer and is open to any suggestions made by the Safety Study Task Force.

“We did the same thing back in 2012, after Sandy Hook. There was a task force that came together across the district that looked at recommendations,” Murphy said.

“Now that we’re six years later, there are things that are available now that weren’t available then. I anticipate that after that committee has met, we will get some definite direction from the district as to what we are going to do now, and what we’re going to change.”

The task force is made up of representatives from various departments throughout the district,

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as well as administrators from the elementary, middle and high school levels.

School Resource Officer Richard Spandle is one of the four members of the task force with current or previous law enforcement experience. He said the goal of the task force is to address all of the concerns of the Blue Valley community and discuss changes to buildings and safety procedures.

“Some of these things are physical things we can change, others are more protocol,” Spandle said. In addition to participating in the committee, both Spandle and Carney have been collecting suggestions from parents, teachers and students.

“I’ve done probably ten parent night meetings just seeking input, talking about what to do,” Carney said. “I’ve also had countless emails and phone calls, unsolicited. We’re trying to leave no stone unturned as to how people think and what their ideas are or what they think we should be doing.”

However, Spandle said he believes there may not be one solution that is completely effective for any potential active shooter scenario.

“It’s not always just one or the other,” Spandle said. “It may depend

THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

on your location, the bad guy’s location. Is there cover? Is there a safe place to go? If there’s not, what do you do, do you run or do you fight?”

Blue Valley Campus Officer Anthony Garcia said that nowhere in the Blue Valley lockdown protocol does it state that locking doors and staying quiet is all students can do.

“We’re doing the best we can with what we’ve got, without making you guys feel like you’re in prison” -Anthony Garcia “I think our protocols are necessary,” Garcia said. “But, I think it’s important that we as a district empower our student body and our staff to make a decision. The reality is we are all in different positions throughout the building. If an armed intruder was in the office, somebody in the weight room can react completely different than someone who is as close as the library.”

This is why, Garcia said, in any crisis situation, common sense has to kick in. He added that he would also like some additional time with the student body to further discuss crisis situations, whether that be through an assembly or a video.

As action is being taken at the district level, students such as senior Kyle Schmidt are also discussing what they believe can help prevent active shooter scenarios. He cited Johnson County Community College’s use of Remind 101, a mass communication app, as an effective emergency notification system.

“There’s no reason that Blue Valley Northwest isn’t able to do the same thing,” Schmidt said. “We utilize Remind 101 for all sorts of classrooms and a text message is going to pop up on your phone and make you aware of it very quickly.

That’s something that a lot of students will be more apt to check if something were to happen.”

Senior Joe Weinrich was in agreement with this, and suggested the use of an Amber Alert type of system. Weinrich said he also believed adding additional security to the building would help stop a shooter before they could enter the school.

“I’ve heard of having armed veterans at the doors, having more armed guards at the doors, checking all bags at the doors or in the parking lots,” Weinrich said. “I think the best option out of those would definitely be to hire veterans...Giving a job to any one of those homeless veterans would be perfect.”

While Garcia does think the additional security measures could help, he said the flip side of that could be a more unhappy student body.

“We’re doing the best we can with what we’ve got, without making you guys feel like you’re in prison or jail,” Garcia said.

Additionally, Garcia said there is no amount of precaution or preparation that can absolutely guarantee that a shooting won’t happen. Instead, he said putting the focus on educating students on what

1512 •

THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • april 2018 to do in such an event is important.

“Beyond all the measures we can put in place, beyond all the training we can do or the things that we can buy, I think each individual student and staff member has to take some personal responsibility,” Garcia said.

“Am I going to be serious during a drill so I can know what to do? Am I going to report when I see suspicious activity? Am I going to tell my parents or administrator when that kid posts himself on Snapchat with a gun?”

As the number of school shootings continue to increase, Murphy said the district is still learning, along with the rest of the country, and will improve their procedures as needed.

“There are conversations now, among schools and among law enforcement, about what best practice is,” Murphy said. “As we continue to learn what best practice is, we will make sure that’s what we are doing and if not, we will adjust to be doing that.”

stats on shootingS&

239 school shootings nationwide

138

people killed

438

people shot

data from The data used here is from the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit organization that began tracking school shootings in 2014, just over a year after the shooting at Sandy Hook.

parent and staff

suggestions for change

1

Front door buzzin system

2

laminated glass

3

deadbolts on interior side of classroom doors

4

portable radios or other communication means in the classroom

5

exterior door sensors Information provided by Officer Richard Spandle.

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THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018 simon fraser University of Washington

University of so

BYU-idaho

midlan cre University of nebraska-lincoln brigham young University

22

5

UC Berkley

9 UCLA 2 University of southern california

3

oklahoma state 2 University o Universi Oral robe

arizona state university of arizona

texas Christian u abilene Christian

U

40

kansas state

62

baylor University of Kansas

11

jccc

neosho county community college

12

missouri western

6

umkc

ucm

pitt state university

Truman state

9

University of missouri

Harris-stowe

2

missouri university of Science

missouri southern

1712•

THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • APril 2018

where the

class of 2018 is Going

outh dakota

University of albany University of Wisconsin university of iowa emerson College nd university olin college of engineering northwestern boston university loyola university chi. depaul eighton university of hartford purdue william penn university Ohio state University of pennsylvania

2

depauw indiana university

gEORGEtown

western kentucky

of Oklahoma AB-Tech ity of tulsa erts university 7 University of arkansas university 3 University of alabama n savannah college of art and design 4 University of Mississippi University of texas at tyler

What was your favorite year at bvNW? Freshman 6.9% Sophomore 14.6% Junior 13.3% Senior 65.2%

other plans? gap year 3 air force 3 navy/marine corps 1

Information based on 237 responses from the Class of 2018.

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THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

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THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

taking it to the next level

By Anna Levine Continuing their passions for activities outside of BVNW, a few Northwest seniors plan to audition for the college-level equivalent of those activities.

Photos by Dan Edmonds. ver since he began playing trumpet in fifth grade, senior Ben Widgren said music has always been a great outlet for him. In order to be connected to the music he loves in the future, he said he intends to audition for Brigham Young University’s marching band.

Widgren’s submission into BYU’s marching band is due May 1, just two days after getting his braces off.

“There’s some parts of the audition where I’m not able to play the notes that it wants me to play just because they’re too high because I still have braces,” Widgren said. “It’s actually good that I’m practicing before they come off.”

At Northwest, Widgren has been in marching band, jazz band, symphonic concert band and wind ensemble. With four years of high school band experience, Widgren said he enjoyed becoming closer as a band family and looks forward to the family atmosphere at BYU. “What I’m hoping is when I go to BYU, even if I’m not in a jazz band there, kind of retain some level of that in the marching band because marching band provides plenty of opportunities,” Widgren said. “I don’t want trumpet to be my life, but I definitely want to continue it as long as possible.”

E

anting to be a part of the University of Missouri’s 50 year legacy of glitz and glamour, senior Camille Sturdivant said she plans to audition for the university’s Dance Team, the Golden Girls.

Sturdivant has been a member of the Northwest Dazzler dance team for three years, but began dancing at the age of three.

When deciding which colleges to apply to, Sturdivant said she wanted to keep dancing at an out-of-state school, but not one too far away from home. She found that Mizzou would be a good fit.

“I think I wanted a dance team that was good per se, but that really prioritized representing the university, representing the school, because that’s something I really like and really look forward to with Dazzlers,” Sturdivant said.

While her audition for Golden Girls will be nerve-wracking, Sturdivant said, she has been preparing both mentally and physically for tryouts since her junior year.

“I’m looking forward to the choreography and just being able to dance,” Sturdivant said. “I like auditions and stuff like that because it’s just a chance to show who you are. I’m just excited for the opportunity.”

W

fter seeing the Kansas State University marching band perform at a festival her freshman year, senior Madison Nobrega said she was instantly blown away by the performance. Three years later, she hopes to audition and become part of that same band.

Nobrega joined the Northwest drumline her sophomore year and said she loved the connections and life skills it provided her. “[Drumline] has had an impact on my abilities to stay focused on a task, to really put in hard work to get what I want, because it proved that when I worked hard, I could get results,” Nobrega said.

When making her college decision, Nobrega said she knew potentially making the drumline would be an added bonus of going to K-State. “[K-State] made a point in saying that it’s not all music majors and anyone can go out for anything. It was just kind of that light of, ‘This is where I could keep doing something I love,’ because I’m not going to major in music,” Nobrega said. “Drumming has become such a good part of my life that I don’t want to give it up when I go to college. This is a way to keep it up and still enjoy the band community and the performances and not lose this awesome drumming skill.”

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THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • APRIL 2018

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

By Olivia Dowell Students wanting to learn about the field of medicine started a club last year which has since grown to 30 members.

A

s an initiative to introduce the medical field to BVNW students, junior Shaili Patel began the medical club with the aid of club sponsor Keri Schumacher.

Schumacher said there was originally a medical counterpart of DECA known as Health Occupations Students of America, or HOSA. From lack of student participation and the difficulty of traveling to events, Schumacher said the club ended up falling apart with no word of a medical club again until Patel revived the club last school year.

After hearing about HOSA from her older brother, Patel said she wanted to get involved and learn more about medical careers for her future. Ultimately, Patel said a lack of medical opportunities led her to create the club.

“I started the medical club in my sophomore year and the medical field is very interesting,” Patel said. “I noticed that our school didn’t really have any one of these for students to get involved with the medical field.”

Prior to the medical club, Patel volunteered at a hospital in Shawnee Mission where she already knew she wanted a career in the medical field. After hearing about medical organizations at her cousin’s’ school as well as fellow hospital volunteers, Patel said she talked to administrator Tyler Alexander about beginning the club at BVNW. Senior Vandita Garimella became the vice president of the club after Patel contacted her about starting the club. As another student potentially wanting a career in the medical field, Garimella said she wanted students to know their resources available in the area “We definitely wanted to connect them with

local opportunities in the area and bring in local people with health careers so they can get an understanding of what those careers may be like in the future,” Garimella said.

Patel said the club covers all areas of the study such as having panels for radiology or medical students coming to speak about their experiences to provide opportunities for students to learn and discover.

“We want to point out the fact that the medical field is not just becoming a doctor, becoming a surgeon, becoming that because that’s what a lot of people think it is,” Patel said.

Because Schumacher teaches Anatomy and Physiology, Patel reached out to her to be their sponsor.

“They know that’s where they want to go and so they are wanting to do everything they can to get whatever experience they need in order to help them understand to get to their goal as quickly and as efficiently as possible,” Schumacher said.

With Garimella leaving next year, Patel said one of the main focuses of the club is to find a good fit to take Garimella’s place as vice president.

“Our main focus this year is great opportunities for our students at BVNW,” Patel said. “The main thing is coming to the meetings, coming to the after school programs, and especially coming to our big events.”

As a part of their larger meetings, the club often has panels come in to speak about their medical professions to give students a real perspective of what to expect if they do pursue their preferred area of study.

“They go and talk about what makes their

THE EXPRESS • issue 6• APRIL 2018 specialty or what distinguishes their field or what they like most about it,” Garimella said.

“It’s open like a question and answer, we really appreciate the value or the advice they give.”

Schumacher said the medical club is not able to cover all studies of the medical field because of the vast areas of study in the medical field. She tries to show all information to the club members as much as possible.

“The club is student driven and so it needs to meet the needs of the students and as things change we adjust to that,” Schumacher said.

“We don’t necessarily hit every field in the medical field we just hit the fields our students are most interested in.”

While the medical club does not require note taking or outside class work, Patel said that a member of the medical club should be willing to work hard because she believes there is no easy way to study medicine.

“The biggest thing is your work ethic. You have to be willing to work hard because nothing comes easy,” Patel said. “You’re going to have ups and downs as you approach anything in medicine.”

Medical Club Stats volunteer events once a month 30 members APRIL

26

began in 2016

2112 • Top: During a medical club meeting April 13, junior Shaili Patel discusses hospital volunteering. “It’s the best feeling to see someone or have someone tell you that the event you organized helped them find their interest in medicine,” Patel said. (Photos

by Madi Allen).

Bottom: Anatomy & Physiology teacher Keri Schumacher discusses medical experience opportunities at a medical club meeting April 13. “What I enjoy most about being a part of the medical club is sharing a passion with students about health care and medicine.”

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THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

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THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

Guitar Hero

2312

As he enters his fourth year of playing guitar in a band at Music House, junior Matt Koeppen continues his passion for music and his pursuit of a potential future profession.

BY Jack Plank

E

ach week, junior Matt Koeppen and other high school musicians in the Kansas City area meet at the Music House to practice and perform their various musical instruments in both groups as a band and individually.

Koeppen began taking guitar lessons in eighth grade after seeing his older brother give up the instrument.

What started out as an experiment has since blossomed into something greater over the four years Koeppen has played the instrument.

“It gives me something to do, something to chase after, something that I enjoy doing,” Koeppen said.

Because of the time spent collaborating with his musical peers, Koeppen said he has learned many skills he will use in the future.

“I think one of the things that I’ve really noticed that’s helped him grow as a person is working in a band setting with multiple other guitarists,” Koeppen’s private instructor Josh Johnson said. “Matt’s

a really talented guitarist and everyone in his band knows he is the most talented guitarist in the band…

With the other guitarists he’s always cool to let them do the guitar solos.

He’s been a really great team player in that environment.”

During his four years of experience playing the guitar, Koeppen has been able to unite his love for metalhead music and his guitar playing ability to create music. Johnson said because he and Koeppen both enjoyed the same genre of music, their ability to work as a coach and student thrived from the very beginning.

“What I try to do for all of my students, is cater the experience to their personality and their tastes,” Johnson said. “With Matt and I, it was really easy because we like a lot of the same music like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and stuff like that. So we were able to, right off the bat, when we started doing lessons, we hit it off pretty well.”

In the collaboration between

During band practice April 11, junior Matt Koeppen performs with his bandmates. “My favorite part about playing the guitar is it gives me something to do,” Koeppen said. (Photos by Madi Allen).

Junior Matt Koeppen plays guitar at a performance. Koeppen takes lessons at the Music House, located in Overland Park.

Koeppen and his peers in the Music House band, the band has performed at markets, schools and other events. Still, Koeppen’s mother Lori said she wishes the band would be able to find more venues and perform more often.

Through his dedication and time commitment to improving his musical craft, Johnson said he is most excited by Koeppen’s ability to find a passion that fits him.

“Guitar playing for him has been his thing, and I think that’s really cool,” Johnson said. “He’s gone all in.

It’s way more than a hobby for him, it’s a full on passion.”

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Brunch and Munch

THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

By Gia Shipman

Editor Gia Shipman visited three local cafes, and rated them out of five coffee beans.

Black dog coffee house

Photo by Gia Shipman.

12815 W 87th Street Pkwy, Lenexa, Kan. From the outside, Black Dog Coffee house appears small, but walking in, this bakery opens up into a great space for a yummy meal. This coffeehouse is separated into two buildings, one half is for perusing the array of pastries and ordering your meal. The other half offers seating and the option to watch the cooks make their homemade bread and pastries. Although the menu offers about five breakfast meals, each one is unique and hearty. I ordered the sunrise sandwich: a breakfast sandwich made of Black Dog’s homemade bread with two farm fresh eggs and local bacon.

Looking through the glass display of pastries, I went with the chocolate croissant and a caramel latte coffee.

Choosing my seat, I noticed a handful of people with their laptops propped up, and realized although there were plenty of people hard at work, I would not choose Black Dog as my first choice of place to study.

The dim lighting and constant cool breeze were not appealing to me.

Another downside I experienced

was the lack of service. I was not offered water and had to fill up tiny plastic cups from a spout, which was slightly annoying because the cups were so small. My croissant was my least favorite part of the trip. It was extremely dry and flaky; I don’t think there was even chocolate inside of it. It just made a mess all over my table and it tasted like cardboard. Once my main meal

arrived, my worries went away. The bread was so perfectly toasted and oozing in butter. My eggs and bacon complement the bread, making this literally the best breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had. I would take a trip back to Black Dog Coffeehouse but only for their sandwiches and other to-go options.

Photo by Gia Shipman.

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THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

McLain’s Market

Photo by Gia Shipman.

10695 Roe Ave, Overland Park, Kan. As I struggled to open the heavy wooden door to McLain’s Market, I was met with an aroma of homemade bread and coffee along with the sound of soft chatter. A “good vibes” sign hanging from the coffee bar catches my eye with its cute, cursive handwriting.

The breakfast menu offers eight different options, from toasts to breakfast burritos to granola yogurt bowls. Everything is healthy and appetizing. After a long internal struggle, I ordered a chocolate donut with sprinkles, avocado toast and an iced caramel latte. Although there is plenty of seating inside, I chose to sit outside on the patio and enjoy the morning sun. After a few minutes, I ventured back inside to

wait for my coffee from the coffee bar. I grabbed my coffee, and as I returned outside my food was waiting for me. The presentation of my food was beautiful. My crisp toast, smothered in avocado, was topped with red and yellow sliced baby tomatoes and sprouts. The donut was absolutely beautiful with the chocolate dripping off the side and covered with rainbow sprinkles. Both my food and drink were very good and the healthy toast was especially satisfying and filling. Finishing my meal off with the donut and coffee made for a perfect day ahead of me. If you don’t mind a lengthy drive for a quality breakfast, McLain’s is a destination you don’t want to miss.

Mud Pie Vegan Bakery and Coffee House 7319 W 95th St, Overland Park, Kan. This quaint homegrown bakery, located off 95th street, offers an abundance of sweet treats, teas and coffees. All of the food at Mud Pie Bakery is completely veganmeaning no products from animals are used. After staring at all my options for a decent amount of time, I went with the blueberry crumble, mocha donut, chocolate chip bundt cake, everything bagel with cream cheese made from tofu products and an iced latte macchiato. The blueberry crumble was my favorite by a landslide.

The blueberries were fresh and the crumble was thick and tasty capped with almond shavings. The donut had a very distinct taste of a mocha coffee, with the sticky caramel topping and mini chocolate chips. It went down perfectly with my iced macchiato. At this point, I was getting pretty full, but then I remembered all the food is vegan,

so it’s healthy right? Right! So I powered through. Splitting the warm bagel with my sister, I hesitantly spread the tofu cream cheese, slightly worried about how it would taste. Of course, I was wrong again. The bagel and cream cheese were amazing.

I couldn’t even tell a difference in these vegan ingredients in the cream cheese. Finally, I came to the chocolate chip bundt cake, the most

Photo by Ellen Bruce.

beautiful sight, with the white icing dripping down, and the chocolate chips peeking out all over the cake. It was rich with a deep chocolate flavor, almost too rich for me. All in all, I will be making frequent visits to Mud Pie Bakery in the future. Not only does it offer appetizing pastries and coffees, but it is a pleasant place to relax and start your day.

26

Life

THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

STYLED

Spice up your spring and summer outfits with these trendy clothes and accessories.

BY sara rooney & gia shipman

WEDGES

This simple style of shoes complement any summer look. For the price of $50 at DSW, these comfortable sandals match any outfit.

TIE TOP

Tie this shirt in a bow for a fitted, cropped look perfect for dressing up an old pair of jeans or shorts.

Find this top at Urban Outfitters for $50.

SCARF

This versatile accessory can be worn as a choker to update those casual clothes as well as wrapper around a messy bun or pony tail when feeling the summer heat. Find this scarf at Free People for $12.

2712 •

THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

SUNGLASSES

GINGHAM SHIRT

With funky sunglasses making a huge statement this season find the perfect style that suits you at Target for $10.

From skirts to shirts, gingham print is a huge trend this spring. This $45 top can be found at Von Maur.

HEELS

These neutral colored heels are the perfect way to spice up your favorite go-to outfits. Find these spring shoes at DSW for $40.

28

THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

OPINION

slamming the pain Opinion piece submitted by Darene Essa

T

aking part of organizing the past two slam poetry events opened up a pathway for me and students in the audience to feel the pain of others through their words. As they shed tears on stage while sharing a part of their lives, they opened windows into their deepest thoughts, becoming vulnerable to the public as they told their stories.

Fearing judgment from society is something that torments many of us, leaving ourselves to become superficial beings as we carry conversations that lack true value.

When discussing topics that involve our deepest thoughts, we feel uncomfortable, forcing us to shun such thoughts and opinions thinking it will help ease the problem.

For those reasons, I think when some of us voice our pain and reach for help, we can be labeled as weak.

This is the way the public generally perceives those who display emotions other than joy, happiness and contentment, then leading those to resort to humor to convey their pain.

What people refuse to embrace are the moments that are not considered Instagram worthy, often leaving us as young adults to deal with our own

*To read students’ slam poetry, follow @bvnwdiversity on Instagram and Twitter.

pain, shielding our struggles from society with a brave face and, “I’m fine” statements.

As my English teacher once told me, there is something powerful with sharing pain with others and allowing people to feel that emotion, even if it was for a moment.

“there is something powerful with sharing pain with others and allowing people to feel that emotion, even if it were for a moment.”

-Darene Essa When we allow each other to connect with our own struggles, it leads to us embracing them and reflecting upon our own lives, making us human rather than weak.

It may shock some of us how many of our peers and adults within the community could share the same conflict. The connection made with those in the community may be the foundation for an everlasting friendship and an ever growing

support system we strive to build for ourselves.

Confiding our struggles in other people isn’t as easy as some may think. Even when we find the strength to confide in our peers, we find that social norms have not prepared us to respond in a constructive way. Just because these emotions can make us feel uncomfortable, does not mean we should withhold them.

Instead of pushing our emotions aside and saying we are OK, let us jump on stage and say how we truly feel. It is the emotions we trap inside that leaves us in anguish as we struggle to reveal them.

Whether we are in pain from a personal experience or a universal one, we should all have the ability to voice it in hopes others will understand, support and hopefully connect with us. When that pain, fear, sadness and anger is recognized, a compassionate understanding takes place. No, we do not want pity.

We just want a shoulder to cry on, a platform for our pain and a nojudgment policy.

2912 •

THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

Letter from the Editor

By Lauren fischer

I

wrote my first story when I was six years old. It was about a leprechaun who lost his hat in the wind, only to find it later at the end of a rainbow. Cheesy, I know. But despite all its corniness, that story unlocked my passion for writing, which only continues to grow.

I joined The Express staff partly because I was a good writer and also because I wrote for The Oxford Herald in middle school. I wanted to see where my writing skills would take me.

Three years later here I am, Print Editor of The Express, and ready to pursue a journalism degree at Indiana University-Bloomington this fall.

I discovered my love for journalism through writing for this newspaper, and my writing only improved throughout my time on staff. However, I never would have improved so much if I didn’t love what I was doing.

During my time at Northwest, I’ve met many different people involved

in crazy amounts of activities.

These activities can help you find where you fit in, and help shape your personality. However, if you lack passion in what you do, your activities become more like a chore rather than something you enjoy.

From day one, we’re told high school is a time to try everything, with the hope that something will click and we’ll find our passion. But many students get stuck on the “try everything” part for all four years until they become so filled with activities, they barely have time to find what they love doing.

I’ve always been a huge stickler for dropping activities you don’t enjoy. It’s not fun to waste your time and energy for something you’re only doing for the resume. It’s better to have dedication and passion for one activity than spreading yourself too thin to the point where you lack substance in all your hobbies.

By pursuing your passions, you also open yourself up to finding something you want to do for the

rest of your life. Dedicating countless hours to newspaper the past three years was exhausting, stressful and there were times where I wanted to quit. But by sticking with it and delving deeper into it, I realized I loved what I was doing, making all the stressful moments worth it.

In any activity, sport or hobby, there are going to be ups and downs.

There are going to be times when you want to throw in the towel once and for all. But truly loving what you do makes the journey worth it and opens you up to becoming the best version of yourself.

Through my time on newspaper and band, I’ve become the best version of myself. I know if I continue pursuing my passions, I’ll be able to achieve a future where I really do love what I’m doing. It all starts with what you pursue in high school. Don’t waste your time on some resume-builder when you could be finding your passion.

Illustration by Eden Kurr.

30

THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

Staff EDITORIAL Stop telling students how to die Lockdowns, or “Code Red Lights

Security, Dan Carney, implemented

during a school shooting then your

Out” drills have been part of our

a district task force, made up of

chances of being killed or injured

lives in Blue Valley for as long as

administrators and department

are almost zero. That’s the statistical

we can remember. When we were

heads from across the Blue Valley

truth.”

younger and didn’t understand,

schools, after the shooting at Marjory

the drill almost seemed like a fun

Stoneman Douglas High School in

continues to change, Murphy said,

game of hide-and-go-seek in the

Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14.

other districts in Kansas use different

While the lockdown protocol

dark. As we grew up and saw other

Because it affects us directly,

schools making national news due

we should be part of the team that

In the Olathe School District,

to horrible tragedies, we realized

designs the lockdown procedures.

classrooms practice the A.L.I.C.E.

lockdowns were no longer fun and

The district should, at the very least,

method, which stands for Alert,

games. The drills were about saving

offer us an open forum to discuss

Lockdown, Inform, Counter and

our lives.

the current procedure and allow for

Evacuate. According to the A.L.I.C.E.

The lockdown procedures we do

protocols altogether.

student input. According to Carney,

training website, a new wave of

now induce fear and helplessness,

he responds to student and parent

lockdown drills emphasize more

rather than making us feel safe and

concerns by answering emails and

proactive measures, which the

secure. In the event of a real school

holding parent meetings to gain

website claims the federal, state and

shooting, are we really expected to

input. But are there meetings for

local governments support.

just sit and wait?

student and teacher input?

The thought is horrifying, and

After all, our safety is the district’s

With this discrepancy, it can be easy to get caught up in which

while we hope we’ll never have to

top priority, as they always declare

protocol would be most effective at

worry about it, the news reminds us

proudly.

saving lives. However, the bigger

every day of what could happen in

Blue Valley still uses the Lockdown,

picture includes students and

Blue Valley. In four months, there

Lights out procedure, which Carney

have been 45 school shootings in the

claims is the most effective way to

U.S., resulting in 36 deaths.

prevent injuries in the event of a

the ones to face a school shooter,

shooting.

so they need to have more input in

Principal Amy Murphy and Officers Richard Spandle and

“The idea of lockdowns are

teachers at least giving input.

Students and teachers would be

the procedures that could save their

Anthony Garcia meet each summer

sometimes a bit demonized as being

lives. We must have a voice in the

to revise the lockdown policy.

old fashioned,” Carney said. “But, if

process that could decide whether we

Blue Valley Director of Safety and

you are behind a locked interior door

live or die.

31

THE EXPRESS • issue 6 • April 2018

Puzzles “Prib’s Ribs” Word Puzzles submitted by English teacher Rick Pribyl

5.

¢52

i

i

6.

M y It M i n D

3.

e

cree %%% cree

4.

2.

to

He He Suspicion

1.

Answers 1. He’s above suspicion 2. It crossed my mind 3. Tip toe 4. Three percent increase 5. Quarterback 6. Undivided attention

Attention

Contact Information

THE EXPRESS STAFF

Responding to the Publication

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Mailing address: 13260 Switzer Rd, Overland Park, KS 66213 Phone: 913-239-3544 Website: BVNWnews.com Letters to the editor may 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 may be edited.

Advertising

The Express and BVNWnews.com accept advertisements.

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

About us

WRITERS

Ellie Druten Jaelen Matthews Olivia Dowell Ethan Knauth Jack Plank Dan Edmonds Paige Fulenwider Walker Johnson

Gabe Swartz

PRINT EDITOR

Lauren Fischer

ONLINE EDITOR Ryan Jones

DESIGN EDITOR

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kaitlyn Noon

Madi Allen Ellen Bruce Kanishka Mehra Gavin Mullin TJ Vore

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 April issue of Volume 25. Subscription rates are $10. The Express is printed by The Sedalia Democrat, 700 South Massachusetts, Sedalia Mo. 65301.

MANAGING EDITOR

Disclaimer

OPINION & ETHICS EDITOR

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.

Eden Kurr

SPORTS EDITOR Ben Brown

Anna Levine

COPYEDITOR-AT-LARGE Gia Shipman

ASSISTANT ADVISER

Kimberly Hillstock

ADVISER

Jim McCrossen

A & E EDITOR

Sara Rooney

ONLINE COPYEDITOR Anna Cowden

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